During this time, Robin's Kuaishou fanbase had skyrocketed to an absurd eighteen million followers. A significant portion of these new fans were residents of Longcheng, and it was no exaggeration to say that most people in the city now recognized her.
Faced with the overwhelming enthusiasm of her fans, Robin wore a bewildered expression. "Th-thank you all for your support," she stammered.
"An autograph? Sure, where should I sign?"
"But no photos, please. I'm sorry."
Robin struggled to respond to each person. Some, perhaps due to their straightforward personalities or sheer excitement at meeting her, stepped forward as they spoke, forcing her to retreat several paces.
She expressed her gratitude for their affection, accepted a book and pen from one fan, and smoothly signed an elegant, flowing autograph before politely declining another's request for a photo.
Before the crowd could grow larger, she quickly announced, "Thank you all so much for your support, but I have urgent business to attend to. I need to leave now!"
Robin darted out of the crowd and hurried to a taxi parked at the curb. "To the Caesar Hotel, please!"
As the taxi pulled away, Robin replayed the scene in her mind. The overwhelming enthusiasm of the crowd had left her feeling flustered.
In her previous life, she had been an ordinary person who could disappear completely in a crowd. When had she ever experienced this kind of 'big star' treatment, with everyone's attention focused solely on her?
Though she had anticipated this day might come, seeing her fan count steadily rise, Robin hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly. She could already foresee similar encounters every time she ventured out in Longcheng.
There are too many fans in Longcheng! What am I going to do? she wondered, feeling increasingly panicked. I can't just flee the city in the middle of the night... Guess I'll have to disguise myself a little whenever I go out from now on.
If this had happened shortly after her transmigration, she probably wouldn't have given it a second thought and simply walked away.
But things were different now. During this time, Robin had even practiced making her signature more elegant, and that graceful flourish she had just executed was her first successful attempt.
Hmm, in a way, the "square character" signature Robin gave to Shu Cat on the subway had become a globally unique limited edition. But aside from Robin herself, probably no one would recognize it as the signature of "Robin."
As for why she had refused to take photos earlier, it was because if she agreed to one, everyone else would inevitably line up for their turn. She couldn't possibly single out one person and ignore the rest, could she?
So the best approach was to refuse everyone and make a quick escape!
Robin didn't dislike her fans, but... if every outing turned into a mob scene like this, it would be a terrible waste of time.
After a while, the taxi arrived near the Caesar Hotel, one of Longcheng's most prestigious establishments. Today, the entire building had been reserved by the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations to reward the 187 New Evolvers who had assisted during the recent crisis but weren't officially affiliated with the Bureau.
Before even entering the hotel, Robin noticed a flurry of activity at the entrance: staff carrying supplies, chefs hurrying past in their tall white hats, and of course, Bureau agents in their distinctive black uniforms.
Zhong Wanhong stood at the entrance of the Caesar Hotel, having apparently waited for some time. When he spotted Robin approaching, he waved her over and led her inside.
Before they arrived, Zhong Wanhong had briefed Robin on every detail of the gathering. When most people hear the word "gathering," what comes to mind? A dinner? A team-building exercise? Something else entirely?
But this gathering was essentially a fan meet-and-greet!
The 187 New Evolvers who had emerged during the Zombie Disaster were theoretically still civilians, despite their newfound abilities. Yet they had all participated in the battles. When Zhong Wanhong asked them what reward they desired, nearly every one gave the same answer:
"We want to meet Miss Robin and get her autograph!"
Zhong Wanhong was initially baffled by this response. It was as if ordinary citizens had volunteered for war, performed heroic deeds, and when asked what they wanted in return, they all unanimously requested the autograph of a celebrity.
At first glance, the connection seemed tenuous at best. But Zhong Wanhong quickly grasped the underlying reasons, leading to today's gathering of the Bureau of Anomalous Investigations—perhaps the most meaningful "fan meet" in history, measured by the depth of its attendees' appreciation.
As Robin entered the lobby of the Caesar Hotel, she immediately noticed a long line of people already formed, eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, she walked to the front of the line and formally began the fan meet.
"Robin! Thank you so much. If it weren't for your songs, I might not be alive today," said the man at the front. He didn't display any of the usual fanatical excitement; instead, his face was filled with pure, heartfelt gratitude.
Robin observed that he was a man in his thirties, his head still wrapped in a bloodstained bandage.
Accepting the family photo he offered—a picture of his wife, child, and himself beaming with genuine smiles—Robin signed her name on the back.
The second, third, and fourth Evolvers in line were different from the fans Robin had encountered when she first left her neighborhood. Like the first person, their faces radiated gratitude far more than excitement or elation.
This was understandable. To most people, Robin was a stunningly beautiful streamer, influencer, and celebrity with a captivating voice. But to these Evolvers, she was their savior, the one who had brought them hope when they were drowning in despair.
Their situation was somewhat similar to Cheng Hui's, but in some ways, even more profound.
Even the most devoted fan's affection for a celebrity isn't eternal. Celebrities can fall from grace, and feelings can change. But this genuine gratitude would endure.