The Void and The Milan Schedule
The time was 9 a.m. when Wei Yu Chen woke up. His body still felt tired after wrestling with Yuan Bo all night. As he opened his eyes, he stared around his room, and the reality hit him Yuan Bo was truly gone.
He rose slowly, grabbed his pants, and opened the curtains and window. Sunlight swept across the corners of the room, illuminating thin dust motes dancing in the air. In his hand, a cigarette and lighter ignited; thin smoke billowed into the air, blending with the calm yet silent morning aroma.
From the balcony, Wei Yu Chen stared at the city sprawling beneath him. His eyes were empty, but his mind roared with unanswered questions. Every familiar corner of the view, which once felt ordinary, now felt strange and hollow.
As he drew in the cigarette smoke, he felt the emptiness engulf him more deeply than the previous night. All the laughter, all the passion, all the memories he had once shared with Yuan Bo were now only vague shadows.
A question crossed his mind, lonely and bitter: While inhaling the cigarette, he murmured softly, "Are we… really over, Yuan Bo?"
Suddenly, the phone on the table rang. Wei Yu Chen glanced over, his half-closed eyes staring at the screen, before he lifted it with a lazy movement. The screen displayed his manager's face strict, frantic, and uncompromising.
The voice echoed through the speaker, cutting through the room's silence. "Are you crazy, Yu Chen? What time is it? 11 o'clock! You need to get to the airport.
The ticket and passport are in my hand. Come immediately, I'm waiting for you. Today we're heading to Milan!"
Wei Yu Chen stared at the screen for a moment, his eyes flat. Without further expression, he answered curtly, almost cynically, "Alright, my loud… manager," before slamming the phone shut with one rough motion and tossing it onto the bed.
Silence returned to the room, but now there was a new rhythm of tension. Wei Yu Chen's hand gripped his cigarette, his mind wandering between Yuan Bo's departure and the trip he had to embark on, while the outside world kept demanding he move forward.
Wei Yu Chen stepped into the bathroom, not forgetting to grab a towel from his walk-in closet. The shower was turned on, a stream of cold water immediately soaking every strand of hair and every dense muscle of his body.
Standing 1.85 meters tall, his skin clean and pale, his body perfectly maintained a man truly deserving of the title of top artist, not only because of his handsomeness, but also the aura that radiated dominance and composure.
Water trickled down his shoulders, back, and chest, washing away the lingering fatigue of the previous night, while his mind continued to wander, thinking of Yuan Bo's departure. Behind that handsome face, there was a solitude that could not be concealed by all the luxury and fame.
Wei Yu Chen hurried toward the airport. Upon arriving downstairs, his gaze caught a familiar sight: the lobby filled with journalists with flashing cameras, and the excited, even somewhat excessive, cheers of fans outside the door.
Despite this, Wei Yu Chen remained calm. A black mask and cap covered part of his face, but his aura of confidence and composure could not be hidden. With steady steps, his body upright and full of authority, he walked toward the waiting car in the parking area, ready to take him to the departure gate.
Every eye was fixed on him, yet he seemed to be walking on a stage that only he commanded, relaxed but full of dominance a top artist accustomed to facing the spotlight, even when the world around him felt chaotic and uncontrolled.
Arriving at the airport, Wei Yu Chen was immediately greeted by the chatter of his manager. Jiang Fan, a 28-year-old young man, was not just an ordinary manager he was also Yuan Bo's close friend, the person who understood the intricacies of Wei Yu Chen's life more than anyone else.
"I told you yesterday, your schedule for the next three months is packed!" Jiang Fan lightly jogged through the corridor, his voice rising amidst the terminal crowd.
Wei Yu Chen raised an eyebrow, suppressing a
half-smile. "Yes, yes… so noisy," he muttered, adjusting his pace, following Jiang Fan whose debating and gesturing were full of energy, contrasting with Wei Yu Chen's calmness and relaxed demeanor.
The airport crowd seemed to fade from their view, leaving only their fast conversation and hurried steps, marking the beginning of their trip to Milan.
In the middle of the quick steps towards the departure gate, Jiang Fan still incessantly talked about their busy schedule in Milan. "Remember, this schedule in Milan is important. The fashion show for the renowned brand—you must attend as the ambassador. All eyes will be on you."
Wei Yu Chen nodded lightly, his face remaining calm although his thoughts drifted to various things. He fully understood the responsibility attached to his name, not just as a top artist, but as an icon representing the image of an international brand.
"Make sure all preparations are complete. Clothes, accessories, fitting schedules nothing should be missed," Jiang Fan added, his gestures fast, energetic, and slightly rushed, adjusting to the rhythm of the airport crowd.
Wei Yu Chen only smiled faintly, inhaling deeply, then looking out the terminal window. The busyness and public spotlight had become part of his life.
After three months of intense activity in Milan, Wei Yu Chen finally returned to his country. News of his return could not be kept secret for long. From one brief post on his private social media account, fanatic fans and journalists quickly mobilized. The airport suddenly turned into a sea of people, full of screams, cameras, and signs bearing his name.
Inside the plane, the economy cabin atmosphere was already noisy from the start. As soon as the business cabin door opened and Wei Yu Chen's figure appeared, the noise turned into muffled cheers. With his casual style, he stepped slowly, wearing a simple black cap and mask. Yet, even with his face partially covered, the "alpha male" aura remained strongly emitted.
Some passengers tried to hold their breath, whispering and elbowing the person next to them. Some hurriedly took out their phones to capture the moment, even though the flight attendants tried to calm the situation.
Wei Yu Chen only bowed slightly, his steps calm,
seemingly undisturbed. Behind the cap and mask, his eyes stared blankly ahead returning to his homeland was not just about coming back, but also about facing the shadow of the past that awaited.
As soon as the plane door opened, the air of his country immediately greeted him. Wei Yu Chen stepped out, still with Jiang Fan. He thought the lively welcome would only be at the arrival area, but the scene that appeared before him was far beyond expectation.
Rows of fans already packed the jetway stairs, shouting his name while pointing their cell phone cameras. The cheers mixed with shouts for exclusive pictures.
For a moment, Yu Chen's steps halted. Shock. Usually, he was always heavily escorted by bodyguards, but this time on the plane stairs, there were only himself and Jiang Fan.
"Ge, how is this…? They're too close," Jiang Fan mumbled, his eyes wary.
Wei Yu Chen took a long breath behind his mask. His eyes were sharp, trying to remain calm although his heart was pounding fast. He knew, if he took a single wrong step, the situation could turn chaotic.
As he slowly descended the stairs, the fans' screams intensified. Some almost hit the boundary line guarded by airport personnel. Private bodyguards were indeed waiting below, but the stair distance packed with the crowd meant Yu Chen had to directly face that sea of humanity.