Fan Fan is an entertainment journalist.
He has many titles printed on his business card, the most prominent being "Special Correspondent for 'Daily Entertainment Broadcast'."
In reality, he is what is commonly known as a "Paparazzi."
The term "Paparazzi" first emerged in Italy in the 1950s, derived from the Italian photographer Pignor Paparazzo. Later, when it spread to Hong Kong, Hong Kongers began calling Paparazzi "Puppy", firstly because the pronunciation is similar, and secondly, because the behavior of these journalists resembles that of dogs.
Paparazzi make a living by prying into the private lives of celebrities to sensationalize news. During the 1980s and 1990s, with the rise of Hong Kong's entertainment industry, Paparazzi flourished, working in droves for newspapers, magazines, and television stations, making life miserable for celebrities and leaving no privacy intact.
After entering the new century, the domestic entertainment industry continued to grow, and many Hong Kong journalists headed north in search of opportunities, giving rise to the domestic Paparazzi circle, which has become a topic of fear and disdain within the industry.
In Capital City alone, there are hundreds of newspapers, magazines, websites, and radio stations, all employing a large number of entertainment journalists, and Fan Fan is one of them.
He majored in journalism at university, but after graduation, lacking connections, he couldn't get into a legitimate news organization and had to settle for a private media outlet. After a few years, he became a seasoned Paparazzi journalist.
Thanks to his hard work and keen observational skills, Fan Fan has thrived in this field.
Although people in the entertainment industry often speak of Paparazzi with either disdain, Fan Fan is well aware that their existence is symbiotic with that of celebrities.
Paparazzi rely on celebrities for their livelihood, but if celebrities were without the attention of Paparazzi, would they still be celebrities?
There is no shortage of celebrities who deliberately expose their private lives to Paparazzi for publicity, even secretly paying to get photographed.
Fan Fan has made a good profit from this.
But recently, his life has been quite unpleasant.
Fan Fan's boss, whether due to taking the wrong medicine or early menopause, has been giving him a hard time for no reason, making his life miserable.
What's worse, just when he thought he could finally enjoy a good sleep during the National Day holiday, the old woman demanded he go out to chase news, saying that while others could take a break, entertainment journalists had no days off.
'F*ck, aren't entertainment journalists human?'
Paparazzi have dignity too!
In a fit of anger, Fan Fan left Capital City and came to Jinling.
He thought it through clearly: he would treat this as a vacation to Jinling, avoiding the old woman's watchful eye.
As for chasing news, he could just wander around the film studio, take some photos of a film crew, and call it a day.
If things really didn't work out, Fan Fan was ready to pack up and leave.
If this place doesn't want me, there are plenty of others that will!
Comrade Fan Fan arrived in Jinling on the 1st and spent the whole day enjoying himself.
When the newspaper called to urge him for a draft, Fan Fan verbally agreed but was completely unmoved.
Today, he slept in and didn't get up until 10 a.m., then leisurely made his way to Jinling Film Studio.
As an entertainment journalist, Fan Fan was not visiting Jinling Film Studio for the first time.
He was very familiar with the area, and if he really wanted to go through the motions, it was actually quite easy.
Around noon, Fan Fan felt a bit tired from wandering and was thinking of finding a nearby restaurant to fill his stomach.
Suddenly, he heard someone shout loudly from ahead: "Chen Fei'er!"
Hearing this name, Fan Fan was instantly electrified as if a switch inside him had been flipped, and energy surged through him, a professional reflex!
Chen Fei'er, that's a big star!
Is she in Jinling too?
Fan Fan immediately looked in the direction of the voice and saw a large crowd gathered, making it impossible to spot Chen Fei'er, but the shouts from the crowd were enough proof.
Fan Fan didn't rush over to chase the news immediately but instead looked around cautiously.
He quickly noticed a statue on a small square nearby, with a high granite base.
Fan Fan immediately ran over, climbed up in a few steps, and raised his camera from his vantage point.
For any Paparazzi, a digital camera with a telephoto lens is more important than a wife, a piece of equipment that must be carried at all times.
Fan Fan was no exception. Even though the camera with its lens was heavy, he would feel empty and uneasy if he didn't have it with him, often carrying it even during non-working hours.
This habit had helped him snag several exclusive entertainment news stories!
As he focused the lens, intuition told Fan Fan that today he could land a big scoop.
The lens quickly shifted and focused, going from blurry to clear, and Fan Fan accurately captured Chen Fei'er's figure.
It was indeed the Sweet Song Heavenly Queen. Beside her was...
Fan Fan had a sharp eye and an excellent memory.
In addition to his main job, he often looked at photos and news published by his peers, so he could easily recognize many celebrities even if they were disguised, and lock onto his target.
It was precisely this ability that ensured Fan Fan would never go hungry.
He had a firm grasp of the entertainment industry's who's who and kept it constantly updated.
He recognized the tall, handsome young man standing opposite Chen Fei'er as Lu Chen, the winner of 'Singing China', and he remembered that Chen Fei'er was one of the judging panel members who seemed to quite admire Lu Chen.
So, the two of them appearing here...
Of course, it wasn't for a romantic rendezvous— there were cameras set up nearby!
Filming?
He hadn't heard about Chen Fei'er starring in any TV dramas or movies!
Without hesitation, Fan Fan pressed the shutter and took a dozen photos in quick succession, capturing both Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er in the frame.
He had chosen a good shooting position, with no obstructions from the surrounding crowd.
If it weren't for these onlookers, Fan Fan could have paired the photos with a more sensational headline.
For example—"Chen Fei'er secretly meets Lu Chen, and the two share a romantic moment!"
That would definitely sell!
Fan Fan felt regretful as it seemed Chen Fei'er only exchanged a few words with Lu Chen before leaving, leaving him with little else to capture.
As for the person standing next to them, Sun Shan, Fan Fan completely ignored her.
Who is she anyway?
Reporter Fan was a bit unwilling; he thought for a moment and immediately jumped down from the stone platform, sprinting to the street.
Fan Fan was in luck; a taxi with its green light on passed by just as he waved it down.
He eagerly opened the front passenger door, plopped down inside, and urgently pointed at the silver-gray BMW ahead, saying, "Driver, please help me follow that car!"
The taxi driver, unfazed, asked, "You're a paparazzi, right? Which newspaper are you from?"
Fan Fan could tell this guy was a seasoned driver and quickly replied, "I'm from BJ, I know the rules, I'll pay you double fare!"
In a city where the three major film studios are located, Jinling Film City is the closest to Capital City, and with good shooting conditions and support from the local government, many film production companies from Capital City often shoot here.
With more films being made, there are naturally more celebrities, and Paparazzi flock to the area, making it common to hail a taxi to chase stars and scoop news. The local drivers have long been accustomed to it, referring to it as "walking the dog."
"Old Wang, where are you? It's time to switch shifts; I've got two dogs with me today!"
"I'm at your place."
Not only are they used to it, but they even try to make a little extra by charging Paparazzi more.
To snag a scoop, journalists don't mind spending a bit more money since it can all be reimbursed.
Seeing Fan Fan so savvy, the seasoned driver smiled and said, "Alright, buckle up, and I promise not to lose you. If I do, I'll pay you four times the fare!"
Under the guidance of this experienced driver, Fan Fan followed the BMW that Chen Fei'er was in, arriving at a five-star luxury hotel in the city.
He paid the fare and got out but didn't enter the hotel; instead, he found a concealed spot outside to stake out, preparing for a long wait.
Such a stakeout might yield no results, wasting his time.
But sitting and waiting gives him a chance; not waiting guarantees he'll have no chance at all!
Having worked in this field for seven years, Fan Fan deeply understood this principle.
And it proved that his persistence was correct.
Around 4 p.m., Fan Fan saw Chen Fei'er emerge from the hotel.
Although this Sweet Song Heavenly Queen had changed into a different outfit and donned a hat and sunglasses, her long black hair still gave her away!
Fan Fan focused on the details, especially with celebrities, as some go to great lengths to disguise themselves to evade Paparazzi.
Chen Fei'er was undoubtedly cautious; she even switched to a black Mercedes for her outing.
But unfortunately for her, once Fan Fan had her in his sights, there was no escaping.
Before she left the hotel, Fan Fan managed to hail a taxi and followed the Mercedes.
Ultimately, he tracked her to the Wangjiang Tower by the Yangtze River.
Wangjiang Tower is a century-old establishment in Jinling, well-known locally, offering stunning views of the mighty Yangtze River, attracting many tourists.
Fan Fan watched as Chen Fei'er entered the Wangjiang Tower alone.
He didn't follow her inside.
Because Fan Fan knew very well that at this time during the Golden Week, there would be no empty seats in the Wangjiang Tower.
Chen Fei'er must have reserved a table in advance.
And trying to find a place to sneak a shot of Chen Fei'er inside would likely get him caught by security and sent to the police.
So, Fan Fan simply ran to the riverbank in front of the Wangjiang Tower, using his telephoto lens to focus on the restaurant.
He was betting that Chen Fei'er's reserved table was by the window.
If he wanted to capture something, this was the best position and opportunity.
Fan Fan's gamble paid off; his lens once again captured Chen Fei'er, who was indeed seated by the window.
This Paparazzi began his patient wait once more.
He couldn't believe that Chen Fei'er, without even an assistant by her side, was dining alone at the Wangjiang Tower.
There must be something more to it!
With that thought, Fan Fan couldn't help but feel excited, his adrenaline pumping.
(End Of This Chapter)
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