Chapter 1130: 1129 Encirclement and Interception
Lively. Noisy. Endless. Unstoppable.
The entire social network went into a meltdown, when top-tier celebrities collided in a spectacular encounter—
At the peak of their professional careers, Ariana met Li Wei, and the two focal points during a prime topic period unexpectedly connected with deep affection!
Boom! Boom, boom, boom!
Back in the day, when Beckham and Victoria were dating, it was considered a nationwide sensation, with overwhelming news bombarding everyone 24/7.
And now, the rumored affair between Li Wei and Ariana has taken it to another level, unleashing nuclear-level power, with mushroom clouds everywhere.
In the short time between the end of the match and the post-game press conference, the social network was in ruins, and everyone went crazy.
However.
At the post-game press conference, reporters immediately threw out the focus topic, launching fresh-off-the-press heated topics.
No one expected Li Wei to casually brush it off with a single word: "Friends," leaving the entire press room in turmoil.
But Li Wei wasn't joking, with a sincere face, he looked directly at the camera, as if making a remote call.
"Please don't create misunderstandings or let others misinterpret, it's unfair to Ariana. We are just friends."
Is that it?
Friends?
Who believes that? Ridiculous!
The more Li Wei vowed, the less the media believed, the more things seemed fishy, the more things seemed out of place, Ariana was already an eager moth to a flame, how could they still just be friends?
If this is what "friends" are, give me a dozen!
Wait, could it be... "FWB"?
"Friends-With-Benefits," literally means friends with benefits; but here, "benefits" refer to intimate contact on a physical level without emotional attachment.
In short, a casual hookup buddy.
If that's the case, then it's even more interesting, the gossip behind is simply irresistible.
Starting from this point, reporters and netizens opened their minds and unleashed their imaginations, once it started, it couldn't be stopped, brakes were impossible.
Boisterous, bubbling, uproar inside and outside the League.
Until the post-game press conference ended, recovery training concluded, Kansas City was nearing eleven o'clock, and yet the exit at Arrowhead Stadium's player tunnel was still crowded, resembling a carnival.
This scene had never been seen before in Kansas City.
No wonder this past half year, Kansas City's economy fully recovered, because of the team, and even more because of Li Wei, the city's allure climbed to a new height.
Reporters surrounded the exit, layer after layer, impenetrably.
The reason, very simple—
Ariana.
In front, she stood quietly wearing a denim strapless bustier, holding a small Louis Vuitton handbag, keeping a distance from the reporters, with team staff moving around nearby but not disturbing her, she waited there alone, without assistants, security, or entourage, just standing there by herself.
Silence. Elegance. Full of anticipation.
Even reporters couldn't bear to interrupt, quieting the flashlights.
Then, Li Wei appeared.
Click, click, click!
Instantly, the shutter sound exploded like firecrackers, rising swiftly to a peak without a moment's blink, reached another peak, accompanied by calls to Li Wei and Ariana, another climax, the whole Arrowhead Stadium boiling, despite it nearing midnight, the air was burning.
Ariana was startled.
For a brief moment, she almost forgot the reporters existed, now dragged back to reality, noticing the crowd in front.
Ariana raised her head to look at Li Wei, her eyes showing a hint of apology.
"Sorry, it's because of me."
Unexpectedly, Li Wei looked over, "I was just about to apologize."
Slightly stunned, both reacted—
Clearly, they've become used to being media focal points wherever they go, attracting paparazzi and eyes, causing trouble for others.
So, who exactly was troubling whom in this wave of commotion?
With an exchanged glance, both laughed.
Li Wei spread his hands, "Oh, alas, I thought I finally got a chance to arm-wrestle Leonardo DiCaprio."
"Haha." Ariana laughed heartily.
A draught blew past, Ariana felt goosebumps crawling over her shoulders, but she wasn't worried, she was used to this scenario.
Unexpectedly, the next second, her shoulder felt softness and warmth.
Looking down, Li Wei had draped his baseball jacket over her shoulders.
Ariana raised her head.
Li Wei flashed a smile, "Please allow me to show some gentlemanly charm, we have so many spectators here."
The light-hearted teasing made Ariana giggle.
The refusal words twirled on her tongue but were swallowed, she looked at the jacket on her shoulder, so wide and thick, nearly wrapping her entirely, she could smell his scent.
Her heartbeat skipped a beat again unconsciously.
Hurriedly, Ariana covered her emotions, quickly raising her head, "Believe me, even Leonardo DiCaprio would be envious of you."
Smile broadened.
"But I think we should leave through another passage. It's too crowded here."
Unexpectedly, Li Wei looked over calmly, "Why?"
Ariana paused, "Huh?"
Li Wei, "I mean, why? Why should we embarrassingly hide and sneak around? In front of them, we have nothing to hide, the more they chase, the calmer we need to be, because they desire to see us embarrassed and flustered."
"Like a cat and mouse game."
"We dodge, they get more excited; but when we face them openly, they soon lose interest. In truth, they're just paper tigers."
Ariana was completely stunned, she really never thought about it this way.
She didn't know when it started, seeing paparazzi with cameras approaching, instinctively evading, forming a reflexive response, they despised the paparazzi, complained about their invaded privacy, suffered from exposed private spaces, yet paparazzi delightedly thrived on their struggles as sustenance.
Like Dementors.
Ariana never knew, there was such a way to deal with paparazzi?
Li Wei didn't explain further, instead making an inviting gesture.
Dumbfounded, with hesitation and confusion, Ariana still followed, stepped cautiously, looked at reporters ahead.
The heat wave of shutters and flashlights instantly surged, crashing down, aggressively engulfing both.
Ariana paused slightly, discovered Li Wei quietly stepped forward half a body, passed half his form, shielding Ariana's petite figure behind, then calmly observed the ferocious surging waves ahead, calmly and naturally, straightforward, eyes clear, facing their gaze.
Slowly, gradually, the massive wave began to calm.