บท 219: Chapter 217: The Paparazzi's Tricks
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the training center, Link completed half an hour of jump rope training, an hour of weight training, and two hours of sparring, working up a good sweat and tiring himself out. However, the training also helped alleviate the jet lag and discomfort from the long flight, leaving him feeling refreshed.
By the time he left the training center, night had fallen over the Thames in London. During the day, the streets were bustling with traffic and lined with billboards, making London feel similar to New York or Los Angeles. But at night, everything changed.
The area around London Bridge was almost devoid of cars, but pedestrians and tourists filled the streets. The London Tower Bridge, the Thames embankment, and the boats on the river were all teeming with people.
The ancient buildings that had survived throughout history, such as the Shard, the Walkie Talkie, the Tower of London, the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Gherkin, all displayed their majestic beauty under the neon lights. London at night felt five or six hundred years older than it did during the day.
Link took out his phone, stood by the Thames, and snapped a few photos of the London Tower Bridge. The phone's camera wasn't great, and the pictures were a bit blurry, but the bridge's elegant outline was still visible.
He sent the photos to Taylor, Selena, and Ivanka. London was five hours ahead of New York and eight hours ahead of Los Angeles, so it was still daytime in the US.
Selena, upon seeing the photos, exclaimed how beautiful they were and asked him to take more. She got so excited that she said she wanted to visit London too and asked him to talk to Katherine and Mandy, as he was their boss and they wouldn't dare disobey him.
Of course, that wasn't possible. She was busy promoting her new album and didn't have the time. Link promised to take her the next time he had a concert there.
Ivanka also replied, but only with a simple "Nice scenery, photography skills need improvement," like a photography teacher grading his homework. She then added, "The British paparazzi are crazy, don't mess around over there," clearly doubting his character.
Taylor's reply was a bit slower. She asked who he was with.
Link replied that he was with many people, including Anna, Wallace, Bob, and members of his training team. They had decided to take a night tour of the Thames.
Taylor replied that she had been to London for two days last year and suggested he visit Waterloo Bridge, the filming location of the old movie "Waterloo Bridge." She said the night view was beautiful, but the wind on the river could be chilly in September, so he should wear a jacket.
Link acknowledged her advice and selected four photos he considered the best to post on Twitter. He had 11.2 million followers, making him one of the most followed users on the platform.
The response from his fans was enthusiastic. In less than three minutes, the photos received over 30,000 likes, and the number of comments skyrocketed.
Most comments praised the beauty of London at night and expressed a desire to visit. Some asked what he was doing in London, wondering if it was for a concert.
Link replied that he was there for a boxing match.
Soon, fans were cheering him on online, hoping he would win all the championship belts and give them away in a raffle.
Some commented on his average photography skills and phone camera, advising him to switch to a digital camera. Others wanted him to be in the photos, wanting to see him standing by the Thames.
Link thought these people were asking for too much.
"Boss, the police station called and asked if you were near Tower Bridge. If so, they advise you to return to the hotel early. Many fans are heading this way, and it's easy for unsafe incidents to occur with large crowds at night," Anna said, putting down her phone.
Link smiled wryly. He had been so focused on posting photos that he forgot he was a celebrity. Noticing many young people heading towards him on the bridge, he had to change his plans and return to the hotel early.
---
In a small cafe not far from Tower Bridge, reporter Bernard Gary watched Link get into a van through his camera lens. He picked up the phone on the table and said, "Biggs! Pay attention! Link is about to return to the hotel. Find a way to follow him and find out which floor and room he's staying in."
"Ssshh~"
"Damn, what are you doing?"
"Hehe, nothing, just took a drag," Kuro Biggs chuckled.
Gary cursed under his breath, "Biggs, Link is a big fish. If you want to get the money, you'd better get serious."
"Hey, I understand, I understand. I'm taking drugs right now to work better, not to slack off."
"Alright, Link is heading back to the hotel. Find a way to follow him or ask the staff for his room number. We need to keep an eye on him so we don't miss this big fish."
"Hey, don't worry, with me, the great thief Biggs, not only can I find out his room number, but I can even tell you what color underwear Link wears and what size condoms he uses."
"Let me know if you have any news."
Gary didn't waste any more time and hung up the phone. He then called James Ryder to ask if he had infiltrated Link's security team.
Officer Ryder replied that he hadn't, but he had volunteered for overtime and was currently patrolling outside the London Tower Hotel.
Gary said that was good and told him to keep an eye on the hotel entrance. If he saw any suspicious vehicles or women wearing sunglasses and hats, he should inform him immediately.
Gary then called Detective Charlotte to inquire. Charlotte said that Emma had gone out in the afternoon, wandered around the mall, bought more than ten sets of fashion clothes, and returned to the apartment. There was no unusual activity for the time being.
"Very good!"
Gary hung up the phone and immediately drove to the London Tower Hotel.
---
"Good evening, Mr. Baker!"
As soon as Link returned to the hotel lobby, a man in a suit took off his hat and greeted him. The man was thin and small, with a few yellow, rotten teeth showing when he opened his mouth.
In the movie "The Fighter," Christian Bale's character Dick was a drug addict with rotten teeth, which only turned white after he quit drugs.
Seeing these teeth, Link knew that the other person was probably not a decent person.
"Hello, sir!"
Link responded politely.
"Mr. Baker, my daughter Alice is your fan. She loves your songs very much. When I left home today, she specifically asked me to get your autograph for her if I saw you. Mr. Baker, would you mind?"
Biggs took out one of Link's records and said eagerly.
Link looked at him in surprise. He didn't expect this drug addict to be a good father.
He didn't refuse either. He stopped, took out a pen, and wrote on it, "To Alice, grow up healthy and be a brave girl - Link."
At this moment, a hotel waiter pushed a dining cart over.
Link took a step back, and Biggs also stepped aside. Suddenly, he stumbled and bumped towards Link. Wallace saw that something was wrong and quickly stood between them, grabbing Biggs by the collar.
"Hey, buddy, watch out!"
Wallace held Biggs steady.
"Hey, sorry sir, the floor was slippery, and I didn't stand firm. Thanks a lot."
Biggs grinned.
Link shook his head, returned the record to the man, and after he left, said to Wallace, "He seems to have put something in your pocket."
Wallace felt around and found a small listening device.
"Fuck, damn paparazzi."
"Leave it to the police."
Link waved his hand and entered the elevator.
In the internet age, communication is advanced, and there are many sophisticated hidden cameras and listening devices on the market, like little bugs, ubiquitous.
Because of the existence of these things, Link rarely stays outside. Every time he checks into a hotel, he uses professional equipment to check it to prevent being photographed and then blackmailed.
---
Squeak ---
After returning to the hotel, the great thief Biggs turned on his computer and was about to eavesdrop, but he heard a harsh buzzing sound from the monitor. He cursed "shit" and angrily threw down the headphones.
"Fuck!"
A few years ago, in order to rob a bank, he took the initiative to learn some internet technology.
Relying on his superb theft skills and computer technology, he did make some money in those years.
But he shouldn't have gotten addicted to drugs.
After taking drugs, his physical condition and mental state were not as good as before. Because of this, he went from being a bank robber to a petty thief who broke into houses.
Although he became a petty thief, his theft skills and experience remained.
His previous plan was to use the autograph opportunity to secretly approach Link and then take the opportunity to put the listening device in Link's pocket.
By the strength of the sound from the listening device, he could estimate the location of his room, and if he was lucky, he could even hear some important conversations.
But many things are easier said than done.
He didn't expect Link to step back so quickly. Yes, he only thought of Link as a singer before and forgot that he was also a very fast boxer.
Unable to put the listening device on Link, he had a sudden idea and stuffed it into the pocket of Link's bodyguard. According to the habits of celebrities, bodyguards usually live next door or across the hall, so they could also find Link through them.
But the plan still failed.
"Link, the game has just begun. I will definitely catch you."
Biggs was very unwilling. He changed his clothes and hat and went out for a walk. Luckily, he found out Link's room number, 6th floor B25, from a drugged waiter.
(End of Chapter)
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง