A crisp slap echoed through the entire cabin.
In an instant, silence fell.
“I’ll say it again—get off my seat,” Ye Qiu barked impatiently.
“I’m staying right here today. If you’ve got the guts, kill me,” Jin Lingling shot back.
“As a celebrity, you lack even basic manners. Do you deserve to be a star? Since you won’t take the polite option, fine—I’ll give you the hard one.”
With that, Ye Qiu grabbed Jin Lingling and flung her out.
*Crash!*
Her body hit the floor, and she let out a shrill scream.
The surrounding passengers were gobsmacked.
No one expected Ye Qiu to actually slap Jin Lingling.
This was Jin Lingling—the宅男女神—getting hit like that. Outrageous.
The men who’d taken photos with her earlier sprang up, rushing to help her to her feet.
Seeing allies, Jin Lingling turned on the waterworks, sobbing to them, “Big brothers, help me out here—is this justice? I just sat in his seat for a bit, and he hits me. Is that even manly? If you stand up for me, I’ll treat you all to dinner after we land. Plus, I’ll give you a set of my photo collection—the really private ones~”
Private photos?
The men’s eyes lit up like they’d taken a hit of something, faces flushing with excitement.
They quickly surrounded Ye Qiu.
“Mate, you hit a woman? Where’s your gentlemanly honour?”
“Apologise to Miss Jin right now.”
“Or we won’t go easy on you.”
“Go easy on me?” Ye Qiu glanced at the three blokes, scoffing, “You lot think you can touch me? Don’t know what’s good for you, do you?”
“Bloody hell, so cocky—get him!”
The three charged.
But before they could even graze his clothes, they were sent flying.
Less than a second.
What?
Jin Lingling’s jaw dropped. Not just her—the other passengers were stunned by Ye Qiu’s moves.
Little did they know, Ye Qiu wasn’t some ordinary chap—he was a top-tier master.
Had he not held back, that strike would’ve killed all three on the spot.
Nearby, a few young girls whispered among themselves.
“Blimey, that lad’s moves are unreal. Even Bruce Lee alive might not take him.”
“He’s way fitter than Bruce Lee. If he did films, he’d be the hottest kung fu star.”
“If he were my boyfriend, no one’d dare mess with me—talk about feeling safe~”
“Miao Miao, you’re lovesick again…”
Jin Lingling overheard and fumed.
Are you lot blind?
He’s skinny as a rake—what safety?
She glared at the three men Ye Qiu had floored, her anger boiling over.
Three against one, and they still lost—useless!
Ye Qiu plopped back into his seat with a swagger.
Jin Lingling, still livid, shouted, “Chief purser! Chief purser!”
Soon, the chief purser approached.
“Miss Jin, how may I assist you?” she asked politely.
Pointing at Ye Qiu, Jin Lingling demanded, “He hit me—get him under control!”
The purser noticed the slap mark on Jin Lingling’s face, then turned to Ye Qiu. “Sir, did you strike Miss Jin?”
“Yep, I slapped her,” Ye Qiu admitted. “She wouldn’t get out of my seat.”
The purser frowned. “Sir, please come with me. Regardless of the reason, hitting someone isn’t right.”
“Don’t bother me—I’m with my girlfriend,” Ye Qiu brushed her off.
The purser spoke quietly into her walkie-talkie. Moments later, two uniformed male air marshals arrived.
Seeing them, Jin Lingling’s confidence surged. She yelled at Ye Qiu, “You little twerp, weren’t you all high and mighty? Try that now!”
“Idiot,” Ye Qiu muttered.
“Look at him—he hit me and now he’s insulting me! Arrest him!” Jin Lingling urged.
“Sir, please come with us,” the purser repeated.
Ye Qiu didn’t bother arguing. He pulled out his ID and tossed it to her.
The purser didn’t recognise the Hades Hall credentials, but flipping it open, she saw “Colonel” under rank. Her expression shifted.
Years on the job had sharpened her eye. A young colonel like Ye Qiu? He had to be someone big—otherwise, he wouldn’t dare slap a celebrity so casually.
“Still want me to come with you?” Ye Qiu asked coldly.
“Sorry for the disturbance, sir,” the purser said respectfully, handing back his ID. Turning to Jin Lingling, she added, “Miss Jin, shall I find you another seat?”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re not arresting him? I’ll complain about you!” Jin Lingling snapped.
“Miss Jin, if you’re unhappy, feel free to complain. Do you still need a new seat?”
Jin Lingling blinked, thrown off.
The crew were usually so accommodating—why the hard line today? Something was off.
Could this kid have some serious backing?
After three seconds of thought, she relented.
“I want a new seat.” Glaring at Ye Qiu, she hissed, “You wait—once we’re in Jiangzhou, I’ll sort you out.”
Ye Qiu smirked.
What a fool. Jiangzhou’s my turf—who’s sorting out whom?
Finally, the cabin quieted down.
Bai Bing whispered to Ye Qiu, “You shouldn’t have hit her. Jin Lingling’s the宅男女神, a top-tier celeb with a massive, rabid fanbase. If they find out, they might come after you.”
“Hmph, let them try. I’m not scared. She’d best not cross me again, or I’ll make her regret it for life.”
Ye Qiu continued, “I don’t get it—how does a woman like Jin Lingling, all flash and no substance, have so many fans?”
“You wouldn’t understand. Today’s stars, especially the big ones, have hordes of obsessive fans who’d do anything for their idols.”
Ye Qiu sighed deeply.
“Some people, at eighteen, spill their blood on the nation’s borders, giving their young, precious lives. Others, at eighteen, chase stars with no limits or shame, forgetting the hardships our ancestors endured.”
“Nowadays, being an entertainment star’s the easiest gig—no licence needed, no papers to write, no qualifications to check. Some don’t even have basic principles, morals, or culture. What right do they have to influence teens still forming their values?”
“I reckon the real stars for today’s youth should be medics, border heroes, drug-busting coppers, firefighters, scientists, astronauts, Olympians, volunteer teachers, and poverty fighters.”
“Entertainment ruling everything shouldn’t be this era’s vibe. Those talentless, topic-hogging celebs will get weeded out eventually.”
“Mark my words—the entertainment industry’s due for a reckoning!”
