After the press conference was over, many reporters began to ask Vicente questions. She was polite and expressed her gratitude, but she didn't answer any question directly.
Reporters couldn't get any juicy tidbits from Vicente, so they started talking to her fans.
Vicente had as many fans as a movie or pop star. She became a media sensation after marrying Nina.
They had more fans than any celebrity.
Fans gathered outside the venue where the press conference was held. When they saw Vicente emerge, they held up flags and light sticks, taking photos and videos with their cellphones. Some wanted autographs, others wanted to shake hands.
Vicente appeared every inch the gracious and humble host, and handled this attention with aplomb.
A few journalists had mingled with the fans. One of them asked, "Count Nangong, I saw you at a party. You had a girl on your arm then. Was Princess Nina angry?"
"Are you and Jett feuding? Can you comment on that?"
"Count Nangong, how is your mother? Is she still suffering from mental disorder?"
She was bombarded with questions, one after another. Vicente ignored them. She knew that they were not merely fans. Fending off the reporters, she turned her attention to her true fans, posing for pictures and signing autographs.
Since she brushed them off, some of them were annoyed.
"I'm a fan, Count Nangong. Why don't you just answer the question?"
"You're such a jerk. Why did I ever follow you?"
"You don't care about our feelings. Why don't you give us real answers, not just one or two words?"
Vicente wanted to tell these people off. But she figured that wouldn't go over well. So she ignored them, and spent time with her real fans.
A girl retorted loudly, "Speak for yourself. You want to unfollow him, go ahead. He doesn't need fake fans. I like him anyway.
Count Nangong, I like you." The brave girl looked petite, but the power of her heart made her seem 10 feet tall.
Vicente heard her cries, and decided to use her to salvage the situation.
'So they think I won't talk to them? I'll give them something to chew on!'
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I already have someone I like." Vicente smiled brightly at the girl.
The girl's face flushed immediately, and her eyes widened in surprise. Everyone was envious that Vicente talked to her personally.
Under the envious eyes of the crowd, she was so excited that she stammered, "I...I also like Princess Nina."
"What a coincidence! Me too." Vicente's voice was not as deep and kind as the cello, but as clear and melodious as the spring. Her handsome appearance and gentle smile made her fans like her more.
"I'm jealous."
"I'm crying."
"All of the good men are taken."
"He's showing off their love again. I'm so jealous."
Of course this scene was captured by cameras and cellphones. And it went viral on social media. Nina sat on the couch, watching the scene and smiling. "Looks like this hasn't affected Vicente's popularity any."
That kind of attention made John uneasy.
Vicente felt the same way. When she came back, she went upstairs and took a long soak in the bathtub. She just wanted to relax and veg out.
"Vicente, you okay?" Nina asked.
"Oh, I'm fine." Vicente was still a little spacey.
The bathroom was quite spacious, and her reply was lost in the room. Nina had to push the door open and said, "I'm coming in."
The white bubbles covered her whole body. Only her head was visible, leaning against the wall.
"You've been in there nearly an hour. Did you want to wrinkle like a prune?" Standing next to the bathtub, Nina looked at her. "What happened at the press conference?"
There were only the two of them here. Vicente switched back to her female voice. She looked up at Nina, who was worried about her, and felt guilty. "Nina, I'm sad for you."
Nina was a little confused. "Why do you say that?"
"Today, a fan said that if we two divorced, she would no longer believe in love. I don't know if that's true. Actually, I don't care. But I worry it will cause no end of troubles for us if we divorce."
Nina didn't want to stand, so she sat beside the bathtub and looked at her. "If public relations are good, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Fame portends trouble for men just as fattening does for pigs. We have too many fans. Even if we divorce quietly, the reporters will find out. It's what they do. They may say one of us cheat.
People aren't too smart. They want heroes, but they want to tear those heroes down, too. Water can carry a boat, but also destroy it. Since I began to live as Vicente, I've been chaste. A perfect gentleman, so..."
Vicente trailed off and gave Nina a deep look.
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