As more and more fans appeared, the crowded scene inevitably led to occasional bumps and jostling, becoming increasingly chaotic with shouts and curses gradually increasing.
This was all good material. The reporters who had been waiting anxiously captured the lively scene during their difficult turns.
The police in charge of security and the airport staff were running ragged. As soon as one disturbance was quelled, another would erupt.
This was truly because Tang Long was returning to prepare for the Olympics and bring glory to his country. If it were any other celebrity, they would have likely been drowned in a torrent of public criticism by now.
Despite this, the fans waiting outside grew increasingly restless. Several were seen with red eyes.
At this point, many people began posting unfriendly comments on forums, discussion boards, and even major news portals.
"We arrived very early and are now stuck at the airport, unable to leave."
"I'm roasting! Why are there so many people?"
"I knew I shouldn't have come. Never again. This is too much suffering."
"Because of Tang Long, many flights have been delayed, and many people are stuck on the road, unable to get into the airport. He's caused so much trouble for everyone. This guy just loves to be the center of attention, just like when he was in the NBA. I didn't expect it to be even more outrageous upon his return. Some money really does make people arrogant."
"Exactly. He acts like a gentleman abroad, but as soon as he's back, he starts showing off. It's a common problem, like the Japanese. They hoard their own country's garbage but go around picking up trash elsewhere."
Because of this incident, Tang Long's detractors increased significantly, especially when some learned that Tang Long had earned at least a hundred million US dollars this season, which made them even more disgruntled.
At this moment, some opportunistic internet celebrities with large followings discovered the potential for traffic and began to stir up trouble, slandering Tang Long.
A blogger named "News Sister Feng" posted on Weibo, disregarding the facts and extensively discussing how excellent the quality of foreign fans was. She cited Japanese fans who not only cleaned up the trash under their seats during World Cup matches but also picked up garbage from the venue after the game, earning widespread praise for Japan.
She couldn't help but ask, why was the difference so vast between fans?
This blogger, who loved to disregard facts, actually gained a crowd of followers, and her fans followed suit in stirring up trouble.
Just then, Wu Rongzhao received a call from logistics, informing him that the vehicles and water had arrived but were stuck outside due to the overwhelming crowd.
Old Wu, being a businessman, instructed logistics to unload the water on-site and have the fans pass it forward.
Soon, a peculiar scene unfolded at the airport.
Countless bottles of mineral water were passed from one person to another. As they watched the life-giving source flow serenely under the sun, the crowd calmed down and began passing the water forward.
"Tang Long knows the fans have been waiting for a long time and specially arranged for ice-cold mineral water to be prepared for everyone. There's a parking lot behind the airport that's being cleared. Tang Long will be signing autographs there shortly. Please maintain order and do not disturb passengers catching their flights. We are all well-behaved fans."
"Pass it forward. There's a parking lot a few hundred meters ahead. Ice-cold mineral water and fruit have been prepared there. Tang Long will be signing autographs there shortly. Anyone who wants Tang Long's autograph can head to the parking lot behind."
"Pass it forward. There's a parking lot ahead where Tang Long will be signing autographs."
"Pass it forward. We are well-behaved fans. Please do not block the airport. A dedicated area has been cleared in the parking lot ahead for activities. Those who want autographs can turn around and join the queue for the parking lot."
Soon.
The reporters blocking the entrance saw a surge of people behind them, and the lines actually began to move.
Following that, they saw bottles of mineral water reaching everyone's hands.
The initially congested scene gradually cleared up, and many fans headed to the designated parking lot, where Old Wu had already prepared fruit for them.
Eating ice-cold watermelon and drinking sweet mineral water, the fans were moved to tears.
When had domestic fans ever enjoyed such treatment? Let alone domestically, even fans in other countries had not experienced this. Those fans who greeted celebrities not only annoyed everyone but also brought disrepute to their idols. If the celebrities had been a bit less tactful, it would have been a complete disaster.
Who else would prepare mineral water and ice-cold fruit for everyone like this?
So, everyone began posting photos of the water and fruit they received in the comment sections of the bloggers' posts, directly refuting "News Sister Feng." The woman started deleting comments, but she quickly realized that there were too many people commenting to delete them all.
The fans could finally pass the time. After "News Sister Feng" closed her comments, they moved on to other detractors' blogs and bombarded them with evidence.
Tang Long had not even returned home, yet his image had already been elevated to another level.
However, Old Wu, as Tang Long's partner, who had been busy with this entire affair from start to finish, didn't even mention Red Star Erke, which was a prime opportunity for exposure.
The logistics staff who had worked hard to transport the water and fruit didn't understand, and neither did the assistant.
But the assistant was bold and, unable to figure it out, directly asked Old Wu, "Mr. Wu, this is clearly a good opportunity for us to advertise. Why aren't we using this chance to promote ourselves?"
"Young man, don't be so eager for quick success," Old Wu glanced at the assistant. "You can try to make flowers grow, but they won't. You can plant willows without trying, and they'll grow into shade. If you're always thinking about marketing, what's the point? Besides, only accidental things have more value for dissemination."
The assistant shook his head, indicating he didn't understand.
Old Wu patted the assistant's shoulder. "It's right that you don't understand. Watch more, learn more."
The assistant looked at his boss meaningfully. He realized he truly didn't understand this boss anymore.
Just then, someone excitedly ran out from inside the airport. The US plane had landed safely.
"Let's go, we'll wait for Tang Long at the VIP channel."
...
"Wow, it's really beautiful. Tang, you scoundrel, why didn't you tell me about such a beautiful place earlier? If I had known, I might have held my concert here."
"That would probably only be possible when you're more famous."
Swift was just starting to gain popularity in the US, and it would be several years before she was popular in China.
"Hmph, you look down on me. I will definitely come to Longguo to hold a concert here."
Swift pouted unhappily.
Still unconvinced.
As they were talking, Tang Long saw someone waving from the VIP channel. It was Old Wu.
Tang Long was momentarily surprised. He had indeed spoken with Old Wu on the phone upon his return, and Old Wu knew his arrival time. He hadn't expected Old Wu to personally come to the airport to pick him up.