"ROB! BELLA! EDWARD FOREVER!"
"Kristen, over here!"
A dense crowd filled the arrivals hall. Countless phones and cameras were held high, flashes popping like a continuous sheet of lightning.
Security personnel linked arms to form a human wall, struggling to maintain order.
Kristen and Robert were obviously used to this. They immediately put on professional smiles, waving to fans while walking briskly.
Cassius followed half a step behind them. Sharp-eyed fans spotted him immediately.
"Who's that?"
"Kristen's boyfriend!"
"That Asian actor!"
"Why does he get to stand next to Bella!"
...
The chatter instantly became sharp.
Many gazes originally focused on Kristen and Robert shifted to Cassius, carrying unconcealed hostility.
"Stay away from our Bella!"
A teenage girl screamed, her voice breaking with sobs.
"You don't deserve her! Go back home!"
Another girl chimed in, holding a sign with a drawing of Edward and Bella kissing.
Cassius remained calm on the surface but was roasting them internally:
Good grief!
What a warm welcome ceremony!
People who didn't know would think I stole their mother!
He could clearly feel the dissatisfaction in those fans' gazes.
To them, Cassius, this real-life boyfriend, shattered their fantasy of the perfect "Edward and Bella" love story.
Kristen obviously heard those shouts too. She didn't stop walking, but her hand quietly reached back, accurately found Cassius's hand, squeezed it hard, and then let go.
Robert, walking on the other side, turned his head and said to Cassius in a volume only they could hear:
"Welcome to the shitshow."
"You'll get used to it. They cursed my date the same way a few years ago!"
Cassius twitched the corner of his mouth. "Looks like this is a rite of passage for being a Twilight CP lover!"
Robert chuckled low. "At least you don't have to fear UV rays!"
Finally breaking through the fan encirclement and getting into the waiting business van, the door closed, and the world instantly became half quieter.
Kristen breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed her cheeks.
"It's like this every time, like fighting a war!"
Robert slumped in his seat and pulled off his scarf. "I swear I heard at least three languages cursing you, Cass!"
He was actually a bit gloating.
Cassius leaned back in his seat, watching the young faces outside still chasing the car, and shook his head.
"I've officially experienced the combat power of top-tier CP fans!"
Kristen leaned over to look at him.
"You okay? Ignore them; it'll be better in a few days!"
"Do I look like I'm not okay?"
Cassius raised an eyebrow. "The more they act like this, the more I feel I need to do something!"
"What do you want to do?"
Kristen looked at him warily. "Don't do anything crazy."
"Relax, legal and compliant!"
Cassius smiled.
When the car arrived at the hotel, a large number of fans and media had also gathered at the entrance.
This time, besides screams, Cassius saw more cameras pointed directly at him, many with unfriendly expressions.
As they got out of the car and walked along the red carpet towards the hotel entrance, the noise on both sides rose again.
Cassius could clearly hear the discussions and boos directed at him.
Several reporters struggled to extend their microphones, the questions getting sharper one after another:
"Mr. Cass, what's your opinion on fans opposing your relationship with Kristen?"
"Do you think you deserve Kristen?"
"There are rumors that your relationship is just a PR strategy. Is it true?"
...
Kristen frowned and wanted to speak, but Cassius gently held her hand.
Just then, they reached the revolving door of the hotel, and their pace slowed down.
Cassius suddenly stopped. Under everyone's gaze, he turned around to face Kristen.
Kristen looked at him in confusion.
Cassius didn't speak. He just reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair blown onto her cheek behind her ear.
His movement was natural, his gaze focused, carrying obvious intimacy.
Then Cassius lowered his head and planted a gentle kiss on Kristen's lips.
This action wasn't big, but it was significant in front of countless cameras and fans.
Instantly, the surrounding screams seemed to be choked off for a second, then erupted into an even louder wave of sound!
Startled screams!
Gasps of disbelief!
"What is he doing!"
"Oh my god! He kissed her!"
"Bella no!!"
...
Kristen was stunned for a moment, then understood his intention.
Instead of retreating, she looked up and gave him a smile without any shadow, her gray-green eyes shining.
She actively reached out and adjusted Cassius's collar.
"You bastard."
Robert walked past them, chuckling in a voice only they could hear.
"Full marks for pulling aggro!"
Cassius shrugged, held Kristen's hand, and walked into the hotel lobby calmly amidst the flashing lights and complex gazes.
He even took a moment to nod and smile politely in the direction of a female fan who looked like she was about to cry.
The effect was immediate!
That afternoon, local entertainment news and social media in London exploded.
"Kristen Stewart's New BF Stuns Fans with Public Display of Affection at London Hotel!"
"Defiant Kiss: Cassius Fires Back at Haters!"
"Is This the End for Twihards' Dreams?"
...
The accompanying pictures were almost all close-ups of the moment Cassius fixed Kristen's hair and kissed her!
And Kristen's brilliant smile!
In the photos, Cassius looked composed, and Kristen looked sweet. They looked...
Perfect for each other!
The war in the comments section was even fiercer.
Opponents cursed even harder, but some different voices began to appear:
"Honestly, he's got guts!"
"The way he looks at Kristen... doesn't look fake."
"At least better than cheating Robert, right? (Sorry Robert!)"
"Wake up, sisters. Movies are movies, reality is reality! This Asian guy is quite handsome!"
...
In the hotel suite, Kristen scrolled through her phone and couldn't help laughing out loud.
"Cassius, did you see this headline?"
"The Unbothered King and His Queen."
"When did you become a King?"
Cassius was pouring water. Hearing this, he turned back.
"Facts speak louder than words. The more they don't want to see us together, the more I'll make them watch enough!"
He handed the water to Kristen. "And I think you cooperated quite tacitly just now!"
"Of course!"
Kristen took the water, took a sip, and raised her chin proudly. "My acting has been praised by many famous directors!"
She put down her phone, walked up to him, and examined his face carefully.
"But seriously, you were pretty manly just now!"
"When am I not manly?"
Cassius raised an eyebrow.
"Right now you're like a childish brat!"
Kristen smiled and poked his chest, but her gaze was soft.
At this moment, Robert called, his tone full of teasing.
"Hey, brother, congratulations on successfully replacing me as the man Twihards hate the most! Need me to pass on some experience in dealing with death threats?"
Cassius put it on speaker, exchanged a glance with Kristen, and replied:
"Thanks, not for now! I think they want to send me razor blades more than hate mail right now."
"Wise choice!"
Robert laughed.
"Ready for the roadshow tomorrow? I bet half the questions will be aimed at you!"
"Let them come!"
Cassius's tone was relaxed. "Just right to warm up for my new show 2 Broke Girls!"
Kristen added from the side: "Remember to remind them Han Lee doesn't offer vampire combo meals!"
After hanging up, Cassius looked at the London nightscape outside the window.
The first wave of shock was over. He had declared his existence in an almost provocative way.
Fan opposition was expected, but his relationship with Kristen obviously couldn't be broken by their screams and protests.
"What are you thinking?"
Kristen walked over and hugged him from behind.
"Thinking about how to casually show off our love again tomorrow!"
Cassius held the hands wrapped around his waist.
Kristen pressed her face against his back, laughing muffledly.
"Whatever you want. I'm your accomplice now anyway!"