Huayu: From "Good Fortune Across the Sky" to becoming a top star

a.

"Jiang Xun, you've received so many gifts again!" Tian Xiwei staggered in from outside, holding snacks in one hand and a package in the other.

Jiang Xun straightened his Tibetan clothes in front of the mirror without turning his head: "You can keep these for yourself. I don't like eating these."

"These are all from the fans' hearts, how could you do this? At least take a look."

"It's alright, only heaven and earth know, only you and I know." Jiang Xun turned around, his face serious. "I've always considered you one of my own. If you accept it, then I've accepted it."

Tian Xiwei couldn't help but curl up her lips; it was harder to control than an AK.

"Then I won't be polite!"

"Let's go!" Jiang Xun tossed his hair and walked out of the room with Tian Xiwei.

The travel agency's car was already parked in front of the hotel. General Manager Zhang came to pick them up personally.

The Xinlong Horse Racing Festival will be held today in Demaiba Village, Bomei Township.

The county town was bustling with tourists, most of whom were die-hard fans of Jiang Xun, holding up their phones, banners, and photos of Jiang Xun. Xinlong County had never been this lively in so many years.

The local cultural and tourism department attached great importance to this and specially brought Jiang Xun's Xiao Hong from the village to the county town, waiting for Jiang Xun to ride a horse through the streets.

"Good morning, Mr. Zhang."

"Good morning, everyone." Mr. Zhang started the car and drove onto the brand-new asphalt road. "By the way, I have something to tell you. The job we discussed last week has been finalized. You'll be singing a song at CCTV's May Fourth Youth Day Gala."

What song are you going to sing?

"The specifics haven't been decided yet, but it needs to be positive."

"How about 'Sing a Folk Song for the Party'?"

"I think it's good. We'll discuss it with them later and see."

Tian Xiwei listened to their conversation without interrupting, forgetting to eat the snacks in her hand. She turned to look out the window.

Although it hasn't been long, Xinlong has changed a lot.

The road that was full of potholes when I first came here has been transformed into a shiny black asphalt road.

The shops on both sides were bustling with people, and each shop had a photo of Jiang Xun hanging at the entrance and his songs playing inside.

Even the old lady selling things on the street wasn't selling cordyceps and saffron, but postcards of Jiang Xun.

She was happy for Jiang Xun, but also somewhat disappointed.

The gap between them is widening. Will they remain friends for a while? Or will they drift apart one day?

"What are you thinking about?" Jiang Xun noticed her unusual behavior.

Tian Xiwei snapped out of her daze and gave him a bright smile: "I'm so happy for you!"

"Comrade Xiaotian," Jiang Xun patted her thigh and said earnestly, "there will be bread, and there will be milk!"

.........

Upon arriving at the travel agency, General Manager Zhang got out of the car and said, "You two go eat first, and then we'll set off." After saying that, he went to arrange the next steps.

"Okay, Mr. Zhang."

After finishing his meal, Jiang Xun walked out of the cafeteria and was taken aback by the scene before him.

The once spacious courtyard was now filled with police cars and motorcycles, their blue and red lights spinning silently in the morning light.

The iron fences around the perimeter were covered with bright red five-star flags, which rustled loudly in the wind.

Several horses were tied to a tree nearby.

Little Red was among them, and it stood out the most because the other horses were either white or black, while it was a chestnut horse with a coat as shiny as satin, highlighting its distinctiveness.

"And police officers?" Tian Xiwei's eyes widened.

"There have been so many Jiang Xun fans lately, and the locals are incredibly enthusiastic about him," Mr. Zhang explained as he walked over. "It's just for safety reasons."

After he finished speaking, he pulled Jiang Xun aside and explained the arrangements for the rest of the trip. Then, the group boarded the horse and carriage in a grand procession.

At the very front was a pickup truck, with several photographers crouching in the back, their long lenses and tripods all aimed at the rear; this parade was to be broadcast live.

Jiang Xun mounted his horse, holding the reins in one hand and a red flag in the other, its corners fluttering in the wind.

He sat upright on horseback, wearing a chestnut robe, riding a chestnut horse, with red flags waving, like a moving, blazing flame.

The others who knew how to ride horses also mounted and followed Jiang Xun to the left and right. Bells hung around the necks of their horses, making a clear ringing sound with the slightest movement.

One of the uncles from a neighboring village smiled and asked Jiang Xun in Tibetan how he felt.

Jiang Xun: "The Giant Sun Immortal Venerable is really cunning. The Great Fortune Gu has finally fallen into the hands of the Northern Plains Golden Family."

"What?"

Jiang Xun coughed, a confident smile on his face, and uttered a single word with great embarrassment: "Proud!"

The uncle laughed heartily and gave a thumbs up.

Tian Xiwei was seated in the police car in the back.

It was her first time riding in a police car, and she felt strange—a mix of novelty and nervousness, as if she had inexplicably done something wrong.

She looked out the car window at the boy riding a horse in front of her.

The morning light fell on him, making him seem to glow.

"A dashing young man in fine clothes, riding a spirited horse," Tian Xiwei murmured.

"Can they withstand the insurmountable difficulty of crossing the Jin thieves?" General Manager Zhang added.

"Who in the world doesn't know you?" Tian Xiwei said with a smile.

……

The team set off.

With sirens blaring, police motorcycles sped off first, their red and blue lights flashing alternately.

The pickup truck followed closely behind, and the photographer's lens remained firmly fixed on Jiang Xun.

Further on, there were still police cars and requisitioned tour buses, all filled with tourists.

It stretched for half a street.

The streets were packed with people.

There were elderly people with white hair, supported by their children, standing on tiptoe to look around; there were young mothers lifting their children above their heads, the children clapping excitedly; there were fans holding oxygen tanks in one hand and holding up their phones in the other, shouting Jiang Xun's name; there were students in school uniforms holding up homemade banners.

Many people cried while watching it.

An old woman stood by the roadside, her hands clasped together, muttering something to herself.

As Jiang Xun rode by, she tremblingly reached out her hand, wanting to touch Xiao Hong's mane.

Xiao Hongtong slowed her pace as if she were human, lowered her head, and let the old man's hand gently brush against her.

The old woman's tears fell, and she said something in Tibetan.

Jiang Xun didn't hear clearly, but he saw the devout light in her eyes.

To be honest, Jiang Xun didn't have any feelings for this land, just as not all farmers love their land. But now, he suddenly felt a sense of attachment to this land.

……

The live stream was about to explode, with a peak of 480 million concurrent viewers, which is the highest number of concurrent viewers for a Douyin live stream to date.

The chat was scrolling wildly in the live stream room—

[A strong youth makes a strong nation—this is embodied in Jiang Xun!]

I cried. The old woman's eyes broke me completely. She was thanking Jiang Xun for bringing hope to Xinlong!

Jiang Xun deserves it, he really does!

This is what a true online influencer should be like: not just selling products, not engaging in hype, but genuinely doing something for their hometown!

Did nobody notice the shop that was under renovation that flashed by just now? It looked like a Dicos (a fast-food chain).

[I'm not a hater, but I want to ask if this area is Jiang Xun's fiefdom?]

[Because he became famous, his hometown is now on the map. That alone makes him amazing!]

[Can anyone tell me where Xinlong is? I'm already checking flight tickets!]

[I'm investigating the one above too, let's do it together!]