Just as their plane was about to reach the far side of the ocean, none of them knew that their travel plans had already been leaked. A group of local fans had gathered, eagerly waiting for Chu Lian and her companions to arrive.
Meanwhile, back in Huaxia and Japan, everything Chu Lian had done in the past few days had already stirred up a storm sweeping across both nations.
On the very first day Chu Lian arrived in Japan, two different people—almost at the same time—posted photos of her taken from separate locations.
In the photos, she appeared in various scenes: wearing a pure white dress and lace hat on her way to the hospital, walking alone to school, or running hand-in-hand with her sister Chu Chu.
Although some pictures did not clearly show her face due to the camera angles—or because she wore a mask—fans instantly recognized her. After all, her aura was far too unique to mistake. Anyone who had ever seen her once would find her unforgettable.
Even though the photos were merely ordinary snapshots of daily life, under the photographers' skilled editing, they conveyed a beauty that felt ethereal and serene.
In the series of her in the white dress, her side profile and back as she walked slowly through the crowd showed faint traces of hesitation and uncertainty.
Her face carried a worried expression—as if someone in the hospital was the source of her concern. She looked like an angel lost in the human world, searching for her way home.
The scene was heartbreakingly beautiful—so much so that one could almost wish to be the person she cared for.
Naturally, some people decided to dig deeper.
It didn't take long for them to find reports confirming that about two weeks earlier, Chu Lian's parents had been hospitalized due to a minor car accident.
During that time, Chu Lian had stayed with them at the hospital every day, only leaving alone at night.
When older audiences saw this, warmth filled their hearts. This girl, they thought, was the very image of a perfect daughter—intelligent, beautiful, independent yet gentle, a source of comfort to her parents. She was like a soft, loving quilt warming their hearts, the kind of child every parent wished they had.
Many even decided then and there: if their own children ever became fans, they would fully support them following someone like Chu Lian.
Some even felt a parental affection toward this rising genius girl of Huaxia—barely older than their own children—and found themselves wishing to do something for her.
This was both a testament to Chu Lian's natural charm and the perfect blend of timing and circumstance.
Already beloved among the more mature demographic, Chu Lian now gained even broader recognition and support.
This group—the backbone of nearly every field and institution in Huaxia—would give her an unshakable foundation with their approval.
The next two sets of photos were taken using almost identical techniques: slow zooms in and out with long-distance lenses, creating a continuous cinematic effect.
The first set used a dark tone, amplifying the sense of vulnerability and evoking a powerful urge to protect her. With her schoolbag slung over her shoulder, Chu Lian walked alone down a busy street, her lonely figure wandering aimlessly as people passed by.
It was as though she had been abandoned in this vast world, unnoticed and unseen—no one aware of her helplessness or sorrow.
Everyone else hurried on with their own lives, while she alone remained in the frame, always solitary.
The image itself was enough to make anyone's heart ache—especially when the girl in it was the beloved Chu Lian.
Even knowing that it was a masterful photographic illusion—created by lighting, color, and her naturally striking presence—it was impossible not to feel a pang of empathy while looking at it.
The final series of photos, however, carried a very different tone. In these, Chu Chu was pulling Chu Lian by the hand as they ran through the streets, their figures almost taking flight.
The entire series was shot in bright, sunlit tones of soft yellow—warm, radiant, and filled with a sense of joy that felt like hope itself.
The photographer responsible for capturing that scene had an exceptional eye, framing the figures of Chu Lian and Chu Chu perfectly at the forefront of the composition.
By the drifting willow-lined embankment, under the gentle warmth of the early morning sun, the two girls in their school uniforms seemed as if they had stepped straight out of a manga.
No one could say for sure whether the people had become part of the scenery or whether the scenery had been painted to match them. All anyone could tell was that if they were dressed in ancient garments, the two would look like celestial maidens draped in white veils, ready to ascend to the heavens.
No one knew that the effect was simply caused by Chu Chu running too fast. Most believed it was the photographer's incredible skill that made such a mischievous moment look so ethereal.
By sheer luck, Ye Xiulong—the photographer who had taken both this and the previous sets of photos—found himself suddenly famous. Many praised his artistry and even suggested he become Chu Lian's exclusive photographer.
However, Ye Xiulong knew better than to take all the credit. While his technique played a part, he understood that the true brilliance came from the subjects themselves—Chu Lian and Chu Chu were simply extraordinary.
He would never forget the moment Chu Chu glanced back at him—that gaze, inhumanly intense, still sent chills down his spine whenever he remembered it.
Of course, even the most stunning work needs time and momentum to gain traction. When the photos were first uploaded yesterday, only a handful of people viewed them. But once Chu Lian's fans discovered them and began sharing them across the internet, they exploded in popularity overnight.
Even before these photos went viral, a video of Chu Lian filmed at Miss Sakurako's Café had already drawn massive attention.
Before departing for Japan, Chu Lian had uploaded her cover of "Bird's Poem" to both M Station and N Station. The song had left fans of ACG culture and Japanese music absolutely stunned.
Even listeners who didn't understand Japanese found themselves captivated by her ethereal voice, accompanied by the harmonious blend of flute and piano in the background.
No one could find fault with the song. Even those with biases against Japanese media admitted they couldn't bring themselves to dislike it.
And so, within a single day, the song spread like wildfire across M Station. Its view count rocketed upward as if riding a rocket.
This incredible growth wasn't just due to the song's excellence, but also the accompanying MV, filmed in only a short time.
Perhaps to professionals, the video had many technical flaws. Yet it perfectly captured moments of pure beauty, and that alone made up for any production shortcomings. Viewers simply couldn't take their eyes off it.
After watching the MV, Chu Lian's fanbase expanded into new circles.
It wasn't a split—it was more of a branching out. Fans who adored Chu Lian began developing affection for the other girls around her, naturally forming sub-groups dedicated to each of them.
They collectively became known as the "Heart of First Love Alliance"—a massive fan community centered on Chu Lian herself.
After all, the girls surrounding her were each extraordinary in their own right—standing at the very pinnacle of beauty among their peers.
Whether it was Inori's exquisite features, her rare pink hair, and those emotionless, wine-red eyes that gave her the look of a perfect three-dimensional CG girl;
Or Chu Chu, whose youthful face resembled Chu Lian's yet contrasted sharply with her mature, curvaceous figure—a captivating "JURU[1]-style" beauty;
Or Li Xiu'er, who bloomed like a blue lotus on water, her bashful smile and shy mannerisms evoking tenderness and allure in equal measure—
Each represented an archetype adored by countless fans, especially within ACG culture.
Thus, the once loosely united fan community began to branch into distinct groups after the release of the simple yet deeply moving MV.
They all loved Chu Lian, but each faction also supported one of the other girls by her side.
Well… that harmony didn't last long. Soon, heated debates broke out between fans of different "ships."
Fortunately, Cai Ya—who hadn't appeared in the MV—was spared the spotlight, avoiding potential clashes between her fans and Chu Lian's growing fandom.
Ayase, having not appeared for some time, didn't have a particularly large fanbase. Those who adored her weren't numerous enough to form a faction of their own, so they stayed out of the fan "CP wars" for now—leaving things relatively peaceful.
Still, it was only a matter of time. As the journey continued, people like Kurosaki Satsuki and the others would inevitably enter the spotlight of Chu Lian's fanbase. When that happened, new pairings would surely emerge.
That would be when the real "world war" began.
The video of Chu Lian dressed as a maid at Miss Sakurako's Café conveniently appeared soon afterward, drawing everyone's attention back to her and temporarily putting an end to the ongoing CP battles. Otherwise, by the time Chu Lian returned home, she would have been greeted by a chaotic storm of fan wars.
In Japan, her song "Bird's Poem" had already made waves on its first day. By the second day, with the release of the MV and the viral video of her performing "Bird's Poem" in a maid outfit at the café, Chu Lian's name had spread everywhere.
If she had a Twitter account, it would have been flooded with discussions about her. As for Weibo—she had already topped the trending searches there.
The saying "You plant flowers intentionally and they refuse to bloom; you plant willows unintentionally and they flourish" couldn't describe her study trip better.
Originally, Chu Lian had set out to take a break from her celebrity life and focus on learning. Yet, one unexpected event after another had turned the journey into a creative milestone, producing more works than she ever planned.
Countless breathtaking photos—so beloved by the artistic youth—emerged, capturing her beauty in ways that felt almost poetic. They enriched not only her public image but also revealed other sides of her: her genuine self, her versatility, and her boundless talent.
Today, the fans waiting in Las Vegas were there precisely because they knew this would be her next destination. They had gathered early, hoping to catch a glimpse of her in person.
Although none of them understood why a study trip would include a stop in a city like Las Vegas—so clearly unsuited for students—that hardly mattered to them.
All they cared about was that Chu Lian's chartered plane had now entered American airspace, soaring high above like a white eagle, watching over the vast land below in search of a place to land.
[1] big breasts