The Return of the Cannon Fodder Trillion Heiress - Chapter 157

Chapter 157: Chapter 157 Shipping Battle
Upon discovering Leo’s friendship with Hera, the villagers warmly welcomed him, extending their hospitality with genuine enthusiasm. Leo’s assistant seized the opportunity to discreetly create a moment for Leo and Hera to be alone, albeit with the intention of observing the interaction unfold through the livestream, so he slipped away and went home.

As soon as he caught wind of the Director’s actions on the livestream, openly shipping Leo with Hera and even initiating a poll, he resolved to ensure his boss emerged victorious in the poll and became the most fervently shipped with Hera.

However, Xavier’s dedicated fandom proved to be a formidable force. While they typically disapproved of other female celebrities seeking attention or attempting to seduce their idol, they were not about to let anyone come between Xavier and his desired love interest without putting up a fight.

After observing Xavier and Hera’s interactions over the past week, Xavier’s fans began to warm up to Hera. Surprisingly, they didn’t resist the idea of Hera’s fans shipping her with Xavier. In fact, they even selected her to be Xavier’s leading lady for his next project, impressed by the compatibility they displayed on-screen.

Not only did Xavier’s fans recognize the compatibility between him and Hera, but they also noticed Xavier’s genuine warmth toward her. Unlike other female celebrities who might act coy or flirtatious around Xavier, Hera displayed a genuine friendship without any ulterior motives. This authenticity convinced Xavier’s fans that Hera was different, not easily swayed by money or Xavier’s good looks. Their natural chemistry on-screen further solidified this impression, making them appear like long-time friends rather than mere co-stars.

Despite recognizing Leo’s compatibility with Hera, Xavier’s loyal fans remained steadfast in their support of their idol. Determined to keep Leo away from Hera, they rallied together under the poll, marshaling their collective influence to sway the vote against the Hera and Leo love team.

Hera’s supporters found themselves torn between the options, as they recognized the unique chemistry she shared with both Xavier and Leo, each offering a distinct allure. Some were drawn to the idea of Hera with a successful man like Leo, envisioning a CEO dynamic and the allure of an office romance which every girl would love to read and envision. Others were captivated by Hera’s on-screen chemistry with Xavier, which emanated a more seasoned vibe, reminiscent of a strong on-screen couple that could pass through the onslaught and judgment of the media. The choice between the two was proving to be quite a challenge.

Upon noticing the surge in support for Xavier’s poll, Leo’s assistant wasted no time and called for backup. Soon, the polls for Leo and Xavier were neck and neck, with neither side willing to concede. As the trending topic reached new heights, Hera’s group returned to the village to rest and regroup.

Leo’s gentle, soothing voice reached Hera’s ears as she stepped down from the truck that had been reserved for them. Leo had joined them in the ride, his assistant had taken home the car under the pretext of personal matters before discreetly leaving him behind.

Leo harbored no anger; instead, he felt a sense of contentment knowing that his assistant possessed a high emotional intelligence and comprehended his mission without explicit instruction. Leo even considered boosting his assistant’s year-end bonus as a token of appreciation for his astuteness.

“Are you tired?” Leo asked with concern but his eyes also had a hint of longingness as if he really wanted her to stay but was torn because he did not want her to be too tired. He wasn’t even able to masked his expression in front of Hera.

Hera’s laughter softened her gaze into crescents as she replied, “No, would you care to take a stroll around the village before dinner?” Already moving forward, she gestured for Leo to join her, setting off with a graceful step.

Leo eagerly trailed behind Hera, his eyes crinkling with delight as his smile stretched from ear to ear. The viewers witnessed a scene reminiscent of a large black wolf—initially appearing intimidating, yet now happily wagging its tail with its tongue lolling out as it followed its master, hopping in delight.

[AuntieNextDoor: Isn’t he just adorable?!]

[HeraismySister: Absolutely! I’m already smitten with their chemistry!]

[XavierisLife: Hey, sister upstairs, weren’t you all about shipping Hera and Xavier just a moment ago? Why the sudden change of heart?!!]

[HeraismySister: @XavierisLife Sister, don’t be upset, okay?! I simply couldn’t decide between them for Hera! But if they’re willing to share her, I won’t complain anymore.]

As if sparked by that single comment, a sudden silence fell over the chatroom, each person pausing to seriously contemplate the scene before them. There was Hera, seated elegantly in the center, holding the neckties of each man in her hands, exuding an air of regal authority amidst a circle of handsome men. It was as if she were a queen, surrounded by her loyal courtiers.

Rather than continuing to argue amongst themselves, Hera’s fans redirected their attention toward the Director and the staff, making a collective request for another option in the poll: shipping Hera with both men. The Director felt as if he had swallowed a fly upon seeing the influx of requests, realizing this wasn’t just a solitary user’s suggestion—more and more users were echoing the same sentiment, unable to decide between the two options presented.

For them, this was nothing more than a fun game, as long as they got to feast their eyes on the beauty of all three individuals.

Reluctantly, the Director added the choice to the poll, and as soon as it was posted, the numbers skyrocketed, showing no signs of slowing down. This decision sparked yet another trending topic on the internet. Some users began crafting collages of images from Hera and Xavier’s time in the village, seamlessly inserting Leo’s pictures sourced from the competition.

This collage quickly circulated across the internet, amassing millions of likes. The seamless integration of images resulted in a visually stunning composition that captivated viewers and provided a soothing aesthetic experience for the eyes.

While the people involved in this were leisurely strolling around the village, led by Hera. Xavier also did not give the two a chance to be alone and followed behind them, so when Hera looked back, she saw Xavier like an abandoned child following from a distance, his expression tugging at her heartstrings. And she somehow felt bad seeing him making that expression that she had to stop in the middle of the road as she looked at him, Xavier also came to a stop, pausing a few feet away from them.

“Was he keeping his distance because I didn’t invite him to join us on the walk around the village?” Hera pondered, gently rubbing the tip of her nose. After a moment’s reflection, she turned to Xavier and asked, “Brother Xavier, would you like to come along?” She offered a guilty smile, feeling as though she had been caught cheating on her boyfriend. That’s how his gaze on her and Leo made her feel at that moment.

Upon hearing Hera’s words, Xavier’s expression brightened, and without a word, he nodded enthusiastically while smiling at her. Fearful that her offer might be retracted, he hastened his pace, quickly joining Hera’s side. Not forgetting to send Leo a sly side glance, hinting at a taunt.

Surprisingly, Leo showed no signs of anger. Why would he? What mattered most to him was Hera’s thoughts and feelings. Having experienced the heartbreak of relinquishing his feelings for her to another man, Leo harbored no concerns about seeing another individual wandering around his fiancée. He was determined not to repeat past mistakes and was prepared to go to any lengths to win the heart of his future wife.

To achieve his goal, Leo couldn’t afford to appear petty or narrow-minded in front of Hera. Why should he let any random man wandering around his wife bother him, especially when he is certain that the other man is already intimidated by Leo’s presence? A smirk played across Leo’s lips as he continued to shadow Hera closely around the village.

He would ask Hera questions about the village, delving into her thoughts on its culture and atmosphere. Surprisingly, these inquiries never failed to ignite Hera’s enthusiasm. She would respond with vigor, eagerly explaining her impressions of the village, its people, and the natural beauty surrounding them. Hera spoke of the village’s charm, describing it as a haven where she could escape the stresses of city life and reconnect with nature.

These comments also resonated deeply with viewers who were contemplating taking a break from city life to unwind and relieve their stress. Many found themselves relating to the busyness and mental exhaustion of their daily urban existence. Hera’s words sparked a desire in them to reconnect with nature, prompting thoughts of venturing into the wilderness. The idea of spending time immersed in nature seemed to promise not only physical rejuvenation but also mental restoration.

As Hera and Leo chatted away during their stroll, Xavier couldn’t shake the feeling that Leo was intentionally sidelining him. Vexed, Xavier struggled to find a topic to engage Hera with. It seemed Leo knew Hera so well, effortlessly steering the conversation towards topics he knew she enjoyed discussing and responses she’d appreciate.