Frustrated Yeongseok couldn't see any way to break through, so he shouted in annoyance.
"Contact the airport security at Seowudu! The situation's dire, where are we supposed to go and what to do? AD, get in touch with the local agencies!"
AD, pushed around by the force of fans alongside Yeongseok, shouted out.
"Yes, PD-nim! A local agency employee left to speak directly with the airport security just a moment ago!"
Geon still hadn't entered the arrival hall, and fervent fans were pushing the security team aside to enter.
Despite the security team's efforts to push them back, handling the excited fans, numbering thousands, was challenging. As the fans pushed through to the entrance, airport security rushed out from behind Geon. They wielded batons, attempting to control the fans. Gradually, more than two hundred airport security personnel arrived. While they typically avoided using force, faced with highly excited fans, they didn't hesitate to use their batons, resulting in several injuries scattered throughout.
Though injuries occurred, the situation gradually improved, and eventually, the security team and airport security managed to clear a path.
Yeongseok, seeing the cleared path leading towards the parking lot created by the security team, shouted.
"Geon! Run! Quickly!"
Amidst the chaos, Geon, prompted by Yeongseok, followed him reflexively. The security team and airport security shouted, and as Geon passed by, fans clamored, trying to touch him.
Geon, running swiftly, glanced around.
As he was almost leaving the airport, he noticed a young girl, sitting on the ground, blood trickling from her head where she'd been struck by an airport security baton. She appeared a year or two younger than Geon, clutching something well-wrapped in her hand, wanting to catch Geon's attention despite her bleeding head.
Geon halted.
The fans, surprised by his sudden halt, didn't rush forward. Unaware of Geon's pause, Yeongseok had run far ahead.
Approaching the girl, Geon noticed the security team gesturing to prevent him from getting closer to the fans.
He glanced at the security team before looking back at the girl. He extended his hand, intending to help her up, feeling responsible for her injury. Instead, she pressed the wrapped item into Geon's hand.
Geon stared at the gift, then asked in Chinese, "Are you okay?"
The girl, taken aback by the Chinese, blinked rapidly, vigorously nodding.
Geon extended his hand again to help her up, apologizing, "I'm sorry for causing you harm."
Blushing, the girl still met Geon's gaze, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Hey, Geon! Hurry up! We don't have time! Quickly!"
Seeing Geon not following, Yeongseok, in a rush, turned back and shouted.
Geon glanced at Yeongseok, then at the girl, waving his hand. "Let's meet again if we can."
Geon swiftly ran off, and the fans, now aware, resumed their excited shouts.
As Geon swiftly left, the injured girl watched him, holding the hand that Geon had helped her up with, looking towards the exit where Geon had disappeared.
"Wow... You're so cool!"
While one fan's admiration turned into a permanent devotion, Geon and Yeongseok quickly approached a waiting limousine.
Inside, Daehae, with a worried expression, couldn't sit still, tapping the window impatiently, urging them to hurry. Jang Hyuk and Ji-ho, relieved, finally relaxed by the window.
Yeongseok boarded Geon onto the bus first, then approached Geon, who was being fussed over by Daehae. Daehae, leaving earlier with Jang Hyuk and Ji-ho, was unaware of the situation and was only concerned about Geon's delay.
Placing his hand on Geon's thigh, Yeongseok asked, "Are you okay, Geon?"
Geon scratched the back of his head, responding, "Yes, hyung. I'm sorry for causing trouble."
Yeongseok shook his head as if to say it wasn't a big deal. "Nah, in this line of work as a PD, I've seen it all. This isn't much. But seriously, Geon's popularity is something else. Dealing with passionate fans is already tough, but in China, known for intense fandom, it's even harder."
Ji-ho agreed, "That's right. Earlier, I was shocked when I ran. Geon's name was more prominent than mine or Jang Hyuk's."
Jang Hyuk chuckled, "Hey, hey, I knew it would be like this. They revealed his face in advance. If people don't go crazy over that face, are they even human? Look at Daehae. Even middle-aged ladies adore her. How would teenage girls not go wild?"
Daehae threw her handkerchief at Jang Hyuk's face. "Middle-aged lady?! I'm in my 20s, mister!"
Jang Hyuk, startled by the flying handkerchief, thought it was something dangerous and dodged, exclaiming, "Ouch! What's this, hey, it's a handkerchief! Hey, you're in your teens, right? From their perspective, we're all 'mister' and 'missus.'"
Observing their banter, Yeongseok chuckled and spoke into the radio, "Check. AD, you're in the second car, right? Stick close to us. We're heading straight to the venue. There's still time before the event, so fans shouldn't be too aggressive. Nonetheless, stay close to the entrance, and we'll arrange for the security team to enter first. Stay alert till the end."
"Check. PD-nim. We're closely tailing you. Local broadcasting station hurriedly employed extra security to send us to the venue. Our arrival video is already on YouTube. The other station was surprised and hired more security after seeing the video."
"Good news! Better than earlier. It won't get worse than this, but stay vigilant. We're in China."
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