The Champion press conference was held in the main press center. The press conference hall, which can accommodate 200 people, was packed to the brim, and people were standing in the aisles.
When Cheng Che walked in, a flurry of camera flashes went off.
He sat down behind the podium, with the Australian Open Champion trophy in front of him.
The first question comes from an official ATP reporter:
" Cheng Che, congratulations. This is your first Grand Champion, and also the first in the history of Xia Country men's tennis. What would you like to say at this moment?"
Cheng Che glanced at the trophy in front of him, then looked up.
"It's heavy," he said. "This trophy is heavier than I expected. But when I held it in my hands, I felt it was all worth it."
A burst of good-natured laughter rang out from below.
The second question comes from the France L'Équipe:
"What were you thinking when you were down 0-2? A lot of people thought you were going to lose."
"I was thinking about how to win." Cheng Che recalled the match just now, " Zverev played very well in the first two sets, he deserved to be in the lead. But I knew my stamina was better than his, as long as I could drag the match out, the opportunity would come."
The third question comes from CCTV in Xia Country:
When you won the final set 6-1, the whole stadium was chanting your name. How did you feel at that moment?
Cheng Che thought for a moment and said, "I'm glad I didn't let them down."
Another question, "You won a Grand Slam at the age of nineteen, what are your next goals?"
Cheng Che looked at the reporter who asked the question and smiled.
"This is not the end," he said. "It's just the beginning."
After the press conference ended, Cheng Che left through a side door.
Qin Lie followed behind, carrying the trophy box in his hand.
"They're all here," Qin Lie said in a low voice. " Pei Jingshu is in the middle stand, Su Qingyue is in the right corner, Yan Ruanning is with the international students, and Su Miaoyin is next to the players' tunnel. Shall we arrange a meeting?"
Cheng Che shook his head.
"It's not safe," he said after a moment's thought. " Melbourne is full of reporters and fans right now. If I were to meet with any one of them alone, it would be headline news tomorrow."
Qin Lie nodded, indicating his understanding.
Back at the hotel, Cheng Che sent messages to all four people.
To Pei Jingshu: "Go back to South Korea today, Melbourne isn't safe. I'll have Qin Lie reimburse your airfare."
Pei Jingshu replied quickly, "No need for reimbursement, I bought it myself."
Cheng Che: "You took leave to come to Melbourne, I can't let you spend your own money."
Pei Jingshu: "Then how are you going to give it to me?"
Cheng Che thought for a moment, then typed. "Do we need to make such a clear distinction about our relationship?"
Pei Jingshu was silent for a few seconds, then replied:
"Okay. I'll take it."
Cheng Che smiled, realizing he was quite adept at winning people's hearts.
He sent the same message to Su Qingyue again.
Su Qingyue replied with an "Mmm," and then added, "You should get some rest."
When I sent the message to Yan Ruanning, she immediately called me.
"You don't need to reimburse me," Yan Ruanning said softly. "I never intended for you to take care of this when I came here."
"Then you have to treat me to dinner when you get back," Cheng Che said.
Yan Ruanning chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Fine. You owe me a meal."
Cheng Che hung up the phone and sent a message to Su Miaoyin.
Su Miaoyin replied the fastest, almost instantly. "Okay! I'll take it! When are you going back to the Capital City? I'll cook for you!"
Cheng Che replied with an "okay".
Meanwhile, Qin Lie watched as Cheng Che sent messages to four different people. Each conversation was brief, but every sentence made the other party willingly accept the money and feel a sweet warmth in their heart.
Qin Lie shook his head and muttered to himself, "That brat, a born Casanova."
The following day, Melbourne Airport.
Cheng Che boarded the plane with Qin Lie, Chen Wei, and the people from the studio.
When he entered the cabin, he found that Su Qingyue, Yan Ruanning, and Su Miaoyin were sitting in different seats, several rows apart.
They didn't greet each other, nor did they look at Cheng Che.
Cheng Che didn't even look at them.
He simply sat down in his seat, put on his eye mask, and began to rest.
But some people on the plane still recognized him.
A flight attendant saw his face while serving meals, her hand trembled, and she almost spilled the water.
Then a few passengers in the back started whispering among themselves.
Not long after, a young woman mustered up her courage and walked over, holding a small notebook in her hand.
" Cheng Che, can I get your autograph?"
Cheng Che removed his blindfold, smiled at her, took the notebook, and signed his name.
Then came the second, and the third.
The flight attendant also brought over a notebook, her face slightly flushed.
Cheng Che signed everything, then put his blindfold back on.
When the plane landed at Capital City Capital Airport, Qin Lie reminded him, "There might be fans waiting for you at the airport, so be prepared."
Cheng Che recalled his experience of being surrounded by more than a hundred people in Spring City, and felt a lingering fear. He was about to open the system panel and use [ Fade into the Bustle ].
But before he could do anything, a staff member in an airport uniform walked over.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Cheng Che?"
Cheng Che paused for a moment, then nodded.
The staff member's face showed suppressed excitement:
"Congratulations on winning! There are about a thousand fans waiting for you outside. We know you're tired after getting off the plane, but if it's convenient for you, could you sign autographs for them? We've already set up an area so it won't bother other passengers."
Cheng Che glanced at Qin Lie.
Qin Lie thought for a moment and nodded.
In this situation, it is indeed necessary to disperse the fans. Although it is said that idols should not be held responsible for their fans' actions, the reality is that idols are indeed held accountable for their fans' behavior.
"Okay," Cheng Che said.
The staff member happily led them deeper into the airport.
After walking down a long corridor and turning two corners, we finally stopped in front of a double door.
The staff member opened the door, Cheng Che went inside.
It was a very large space, like a converted VIP lounge at an airport, capable of accommodating thousands of people.
The place was already packed with people, with the line stretching from the entrance all the way to the back.
Holding various support signs and some even carrying bouquets, they all became excited the moment Cheng Che entered.
They were about to shout Cheng Che's name.
Cheng Che Cheng Che raised his hand and gently shushed in front of his lips.
The entire space fell silent instantly.
They didn't scream, they didn't push forward, they just stood there, looking at him with bright eyes.
This situation shocked Qin Lie; he couldn't believe there were fans who were so easy to manage.
Why do they all want him to get lost?
Qin Lie was heartbroken.
Cheng Che walked behind the prepared table and sat down, and the staff began to guide the fans forward one by one.
When the first girl walked up to him, he was trembling all over.
She placed a poster on the table and said in a trembling voice, " Cheng Che, congratulations on winning the championship. I... I've been watching you since you played in the Tokyo Open. I hope you get better and better."
After signing his name, Cheng Che looked up at her and smiled.
"Thank you for watching my matches all this time. Don't spend money chasing after me anymore; spend it on yourself instead."
The girl's tears welled up instantly.
She covered her mouth, took a step back, bowed deeply to him, and then turned and left.
When the second girl came over, she didn't say anything, she just handed over a notebook.
Cheng Che finished signing, she whispered, "I've liked you for half a year."
Cheng Che looked at her. "So how old are you this year?"
Seventeen.
Cheng Che handed the notebook back, smiling as he said, "Then you'd better study hard; maybe we'll be schoolmates in the future."
The girl paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face.
The third, the fourth, and the fifth.
Every fan who comes up to him has their own story.
Some flew in from far away, some took leave, and some skipped class.
Cheng Che signed autographs for them, talked to them, occasionally asking "Where are you from?" and occasionally saying "Study hard."
One girl didn't leave after getting the autograph; she stood there watching him for a long time.
Cheng Che noticed her and looked up.
Is there anything else?
The girl shook her head, then clenched her fist firmly and said, "You have to keep fighting."
Cheng Che paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
"I will, I will keep playing."
The signing lasted for nearly two hours.
Cheng Che signed for over a thousand people one by one without stopping.
His wrists were a little sore, but he kept smiling.
After the last fan left, a staff member came over, his voice full of gratitude.
"Mr. Cheng, thank you so much. You're really... too kind."
Cheng Che stood up and stretched his wrists.
"They've been waiting for me for a long time," he said. "I can't let them wait in vain."
It was already dark when I walked out of the airport.
Qin Lie was driving, Cheng Che was sitting in the passenger seat, looking out at the familiar night view of Capital City.
"Go back where?" Qin Lie asked.
"Go home," Cheng Che yawned, "And go to sleep."