Chapter 115: Popularity Is Not Always a Blessing (5)

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Yang Xiaofan hadn’t even had the chance to leave the classroom and head to the principal’s office to arrange a long-term leave for himself and Qin Nuan Yu before chaos erupted.

Out of nowhere, a swarm of students appeared—like a pack of relentless pursuers. It seemed someone had posted on WeChat Moments, inadvertently revealing that Yang Xiaofan had returned to school.

The situation escalated rapidly, spiraling completely out of control. As soon as class ended, classmates from the adjacent room began gathering by the windows, snapping photos of him.

“Xiaofan, I love you! I want to have babies with you!”

“Xiaofan, you’re my idol! I’ll support you forever!”

Some even approached him directly, clutching paper and pens, earnestly begging, “Senior Xiaofan, could you please sign an autograph for me? I really admire you—you’re like a god to me! Please, just a signature!”

Yang Xiaofan, of course, refused to sign. With so many people already crowded outside, if he signed for one, countless others would rush in demanding the same.

He glanced at his classmates and signaled, “Please escort her out.”

“Understood!”

Every one of his classmates had benefited from his kindness before, so when Yang Xiaofan spoke, none dared disobey. Two classmates immediately stepped forward to gently lead the girl away.

No sooner had she been removed than another student, who had stepped out to use the restroom, hurried back into the classroom, his face pale with fear.

“Brother Fan, you have to run! I see students from other floors pouring this way. If you don’t leave now, you won’t be able to get away later.”

“What?” Yang Xiaofan couldn’t help but exclaim.

He had anticipated some fans might come looking for him, but he never imagined it would cause such a massive uproar.

It was terrifying.

Already, the sounds of footsteps and cheers echoed from outside. In his memory, the only time he had seen such a scene was during middle and high school dismissals, when students flooded out like a stampede.

That sensation—like zombies escaping their cages—sent chills down his spine.

But back then, everyone was heading home together. Now, all these people were coming solely for him.

A cold wave of dread washed over him.

“This won’t do. I can’t stay here any longer. Nuan Yu, wait here for me. I’m going to the principal’s office to arrange our leave.”

“Okay.”

With that, Yang Xiaofan dashed out of the classroom.

As soon as he reached the corridor, he saw crowds of students pouring out from both stairwells at either end. His heart pounded with fear.

This was truly terrifying—like the apocalypse.

Among them were many fangirls with fierce looks. If they caught him, Yang Xiaofan feared he might lose his innocence.

“Brother Fan, we’ll hold them back! You have to go now!”

His classmates surged out, encircling the throng on both sides. Yang Xiaofan couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

How was he supposed to leave? Both routes were blocked. Even if he wanted to walk away, he couldn’t.

Fortunately, his physique and martial arts skills were advanced. Supporting himself with one hand on the wall, he leapt gracefully down from the fourth floor to the third, then the second, and finally the first.

In just a few bounds, he reached the ground floor.

The scene was like a Hollywood action movie, drawing wild cheers and gasps of admiration.

“Ahhh! So cool!”

“Brother Fan, you’re my god!”

“Quick, chase after Brother Fan!”

Students from every direction rushed after him desperately, while those upstairs scrambled down the stairs, afraid to lose him.

Only then did Yang Xiaofan truly understand how agonizing it must be to be a top-tier celebrity.

And only then did he realize just how terrifying his own popularity was, as Zhao Liufang had warned.

No need to say more—just this campus alone, who else could generate such a frenzy?

Those fresh-faced idols bought their fans, but his were genuine, real supporters who actually drove consumption.

Terrifying. Utterly terrifying.

It felt like a deadly game of escape—never daring to look back, Yang Xiaofan sprinted to the principal’s office, slammed the door shut, and finally allowed himself to breathe deeply.

The principal, seeing his disheveled and breathless state, looked puzzled.

“Yang Xiaofan, what on earth is going on here?”

Since Master Chen, the renowned Chinese painting artist, had visited previously, the principal no longer dared to put on airs in front of Yang Xiaofan.

Wiping the sweat off his brow, Yang Xiaofan said, “I’m here to apply for a leave of absence.”

“A leave of absence? Why on earth would you want to do that?”

The principal’s confusion deepened.

Yang Xiaofan nodded toward the window.

“Take a look outside.”

Without waiting for a reply, he walked over to the water dispenser and poured himself a glass.

The principal peered out and immediately froze. Below, a dense crowd of students chanted Yang Xiaofan’s name in unison. The sight was so overwhelming that his legs nearly gave out.

“My goodness, this is terrifying! It’s a sea of heads! Have they all gone mad?”

As the principal, he had given countless lectures to students over the years, but he had never witnessed anything like this.

In the past, students had always been rational when spoken to.

But now, these students seemed bewitched, wild with excitement, and frantically pursuing Yang Xiaofan.

He even feared that if Yang Xiaofan stayed any longer, they might wait here all night.

Worse, they might storm the office and break down the door.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, the principal glanced at Yang Xiaofan, who calmly sipped his tea.

“So, can I approve it now?”

“Approve? Of course! I’ll approve it right away!” The principal was clearly intimidated and dared not refuse.

Yang Xiaofan continued, “Also, Qin Nuan Yu from my class will be taking leave with me.”

“???” The principal was utterly baffled.

“Why is she taking leave too?”

“Because she’s my fiancée. We’re getting married.”

The principal’s expression twitched violently.

“Well, aren’t you something! You want to take leave for yourself, fine, but you’ve even managed to ‘kidnap’ a girl from the school. If I’m not mistaken, she’s your class monitor and one of the campus beauties in her sophomore year.”