Chapter 086: The Troubles of Being Too Famous

The reason for this delayed realization could also be attributed to the common phenomenon among Americans of being unable to distinguish between Asian faces. Just as we often can’t tell one Black person from another, there was a time when every Black man with a crew cut that Li Lekang saw looked to him like Will Smith.

So, when those girls shouted out Li Lekang’s name, the boys and girls nearby instantly erupted with excitement! Seventeen- and eighteen-year-old high schoolers, in the midst of their rebellious phase and not yet burdened by heavy academics, have plenty of time to chase after celebrities. Living in Los Angeles, how could they not have heard of the Great Magician Li Lekang? As the most talked-about figure of late, his mind-boggling feats of magic had astonished countless eyes, earning him the love of many—including these young, inexperienced teens who believed nothing was cooler than being cool.

Some even thought he was a god.

So, as the girls’ screams filled the air and the others understood what was happening, they crowded around, eager to catch a glimpse of the star up close. Who says Americans aren’t drawn to a spectacle? Gossip and curiosity are universal traits, and sometimes the American way of joining a commotion is even more inexplicable—there could even be people here who’d never heard of Li Lekang!

But that didn’t stop them from joining in with everyone else.

If someone were to ask, “Do you think Li Lekang has a shot at winning Best Actor at the Oscars this year?” you can be sure these kids would enthusiastically spin a story for you! Even if they don’t know, they’ll pretend they do—otherwise, they wouldn’t be worthy citizens of Greater Los Angeles!

No one understands better than I do—this is how the “King of Knowing” wins the people’s hearts. The support is plain for all to see!

Still, plenty among the crowd did know that Li Lekang was a magician.

He smiled and waved to them. “It’s Chloe’s birthday next week—be sure to come!”

“Yes, we absolutely will!” several girls replied eagerly, their excitement barely contained. “Can we take a picture with you, sir?”

“Of course! Let’s do it together!”

Li Lekang was warm and gracious as he stepped from the car to pose with them. He even signed their books, and when one overly enthusiastic girl asked him to sign her arm, exclaiming that she wouldn’t wash it for a week, he obliged.

“Oh, come on, you drama queen! Is that really necessary?” Chloe teased from the side, though pride shone through her words.

Li Lekang smiled, flipped his palm, and made the marker vanish. When he turned back, he held a bouquet of flowers, which he presented to the girls.

A small magic trick, but it drew cheers from the growing crowd. As more and more people gathered, Li Lekang quickly bid the girls farewell, urging Chloe to fasten her seatbelt before speeding away.

“Wahoo!” Chloe raised her hands, letting the wind stream through her golden hair as her fair cheeks glowed with youthful radiance—a face clearly favored by destiny.

There was no denying that young Western girls possessed an unmatched beauty.

Li Lekang reached over to the center console, rolling up her window so her hair wouldn’t be tousled by the wind—a detail any convertible designer would have considered.

“Where are we going?” Chloe asked, her eyes full of anticipation.

“Your mother said to take you shopping for a dress for your birthday party, and then dinner a bit later—”

“There’s nothing cooler than driving a convertible down Sunset Boulevard! Hooray!”

Naturally lively, Chloe’s exuberance was met with a few well-timed revs of the engine from Li Lekang, whose companion’s delighted screams perfectly set the mood for a supercar ride.

Soon, they arrived at Chloe’s tailor. For a girl from a well-off family, commissioning a custom dress for her birthday was essential—a dazzling appearance before friends and relatives was a must.

Chloe emerged in a cut-out dress adorned with rhinestones, confidently walking a few steps before him, spinning in place, and striking a pretty pose. “Well?” she asked.

As a straight man, Li Lekang didn’t claim to be a fashion critic, but he could certainly offer some advice—or, if necessary, financial support.

Her features were exquisitely refined, and she had none of the awkwardness of adolescence; her figure filled out the strapless dress with ease—a testament to good nutrition.

He offered his assessment: “It’s beautiful! But you’ll need some jewelry to match, and a pair of heels will make you even more elegant!”

She nodded but sighed. “The allowance from my mom is limited.”

Li Lekang checked his watch, then said with a smile, “I heard that in America, if you really don’t know what to give for a birthday, you can just give a red envelope, right?”

“Hey, you!” Chloe laughed. “But I don’t want money. I only want a gift from you—no matter how simple, if it’s from you, I’ll love it!”

He shrugged and gestured toward the door. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Chloe followed excitedly, but as they stepped out of the shop, shutters began to click outside.

She quickly realized: the paparazzi were here for Li Lekang!

He could only sigh—being famous inevitably meant being followed. Sometimes you need them for exposure and publicity, but other times, they’re a persistent nuisance.

“Look this way, Lekang Li!” one paparazzo shouted, camera raised.

“Is she your girlfriend, Lekang?” another called out.

Li Lekang was exasperated. “Oh, come on, man—what are you thinking? She’s just a kid! My sister!”

“Lekang, what do you think of Nicki Minaj tweeting that she likes you?”

Li Lekang was utterly baffled—what on earth was this? He didn’t even mix in the hip-hop scene; were they expecting him to collaborate with Nicki Minaj on a rap song?

Quickly, he led a stunned Chloe aside. Only then did she find her voice: “Are they taking pictures of us?”

“Yes! Just ignore the stupid questions,” he replied, keeping his head down.

But Chloe was thrilled. “I’ve never experienced anything like this! Oh my god, this is indescribably wonderful—being famous is amazing!”

Li Lekang chuckled. “Wait till you’re sick of being hounded by them like flies.”

“I don’t know... But right now, I think this is the happiest thing ever! I hope they get some good shots of me!”

Chloe couldn’t help but glance back repeatedly as they walked.

At that moment, a Cadillac Escalade screeched to a halt beside them. The doors swung open before the vehicle had fully stopped, and two women in white suits jumped out—nuns from the Saints.

Olivia and Christine, striking in their suits and flat shoes, their jackets subtly bulging at the waist where weapons were clearly concealed, moved in perfect sync to block the paparazzi’s lenses and escort Li Lekang to the car.

He nodded to them. “I’ll trouble you to stay with me today.”

“This is our duty, Father!” they replied, nodding before jogging back to the Cadillac. Behind their sunglasses, their gaze was sharp enough to make the paparazzi hesitate, as if an invisible menace had descended.

By then, the Ferrari had already roared off, the Escalade flooring it in pursuit.

P.S.: Who knows when this will be published.