Chapter 2 The Morning Routine
The official recording began on the second day, and each guest's individual live stream room was also officially launched.
Xia Qingtian woke up for her morning exercises when the sky was just beginning to dawn. After the recent chase incident, she had fully appreciated the importance of a good physique.
As soon as she went downstairs, she saw the male actor, who was a former martial arts star, warming up.
“Teacher Wu, good morning. You’re also exercising?” Xia Qingtian greeted him while warming up.
“Mm, morning.” Wu Hailong had always been not very good at interacting with people, and given his status as a married man, he usually kept his distance from female actors.
This was partly because the industry was truly chaotic, and partly to reassure his wife.
Seeing that Wu Hailong didn't seem inclined to chat, Xia Qingtian shook her earphones and said, “I’m going for a run.”
With another grunt, Wu Hailong assumed a stance and began practicing punches in place.
The cameraman following Xia Qingtian cast an envious glance at his colleague who only needed to film in one spot, then resigned himself to following Xia Qingtian.
Fortunately, Xia Qingtian was considerate of the cameraman behind her. Her pace wasn't fast, and the originally planned one-hour run was shortened to thirty minutes.
Xia Qingtian had also considered going for her morning exercises alone, thinking the cameraman didn't need to work so hard. However, the cameraman insisted that this was his profession and told Xia Qingtian to run with confidence, as he would keep up.
As she returned to the courtyard after her run, Xia Qingtian had just taken off her earphones when she heard laughter. The cameraman following Xia Qingtian was clearly used to such scenes, though his expression was a bit subtle.
“Teacher Wu is so amazing! Can you teach me? I’d like to learn some self-defense moves,” Yu Xianxian said to Wu Hailong with a smile and a familiar tone.
“I’m not skilled in self-defense for women,” Wu Hailong said, stepping back a little. “I have a friend who runs a training class. I can give you their contact information if you need it.”
“I don’t know if I’ll have time then.” Yu Xianxian shrugged, inwardly cursing Wu Hailong as rigid and uninteresting, someone who didn't know how to make conversation. “Why don’t you just teach me a couple of moves today? Please~”
If Wu Hailong were smarter, teaching Yu Xianxian a couple of moves now would, regardless of whether Yu Xianxian could learn them well, at least create buzz.
“Martial arts can’t be mastered in just a day or two,” Wu Hailong said, shifting aside again. “If you’re interested…”
“Hailong, teach us a couple of moves, there must be some simpler ones,” Wu Hailong’s agent, who was also his wife, Wei Ling, emerged from the villa with a faint smile.
Wu Hailong might not understand how to create buzz, but Wei Ling did.
She knew Wu Hailong was naturally awkward and a bit too blunt. In recent years, he had offended quite a few people due to his bad temper.
This program was now their last chance as a couple. They hadn't received any legitimate script invitations for several years, and if things continued like this, they would both be in a precarious situation.
Seeing Wei Ling come out, Yu Xianxian’s expression turned somewhat subtle when their eyes met.
She didn’t even want to learn anymore!
After all, this Teacher Wu wasn’t popular anymore, so she disdained to give him any face.
He should be grateful that she was willing to create buzz with him.
Truly unappreciative.
With a slight shift of her gaze, Yu Xianxian prepared to announce that she wouldn't be learning and to complain about how unapproachable Teacher Wu was, allowing her fans to vent her frustration.
Here comes the topic, doesn't it?
Just as Yu Xianxian was about to speak, Xia Qingtian cheerfully interrupted, “What’s so fun? Count me in.”
Not only did Xia Qingtian lean in with a smile, but she also called over the two boy group members, Xiaohu and Xiaolang, who had just walked out of the villa: “Come quickly, there’s something fun!”
Xiaohu and Xiaolang were not very old, especially Xiaohu, who was in his playful prime.
Upon hearing about something fun, he bared his little tiger teeth and grinned, approaching them, “What’s so fun?”
Seeing so many people gathered around, Yu Xianxian found it awkward to back out and could only say with a smile, “I wanted Teacher Wu to teach me some self-defense moves.”
After saying this, Yu Xianxian subtly glared at Xia Qingtian.
Did this bothersome woman want to steal her topic?
She thought she was worthy?
Upon hearing that they could learn a few moves, Xiaohu’s eyes lit up: “I want to learn! Teacher Wu, teach me too!”
“Learned it, you’re going to organize the zoo back home?” Xia Qingtian teased with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes!” Xiaohu only then seemed to react and said, “What! Not at all!”
Wu Hailong chuckled at the sound, his expression visibly more relaxed.
Having more people around was much better than facing Yu Xianxian alone, especially with other male guests present.
Wu Hailong actually demonstrated a few simple moves and then performed a very impressive set of Shaolin Long Fist, earning everyone’s applause and cheers.
Hearing the compliments, Wu Hailong blushed slightly.
Although he had a fierce appearance and looked intimidating, his personality was actually quite introverted and reserved, and he was easily shy.
“If you really want to learn, come a little earlier tomorrow, and I’ll teach you how to stand in a horse stance,” Wu Hailong said with a light smile.
“Okay,” Xiaohu eagerly agreed when he was most excited.
Xiaolang, however, did not commit, only offering a faint smile.
At this moment, Wei Ling called everyone to eat, and they all headed towards the villa’s dining room.
Xia Qingtian was the first to rush into the dining room, with Xiaohu and Xiaolang following slightly behind.
Yu Xianxian, walking at the very end, stayed beside Wu Hailong, constantly expressing her admiration.
Wu Hailong could only smile awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
Upon entering the dining room, Xia Qingtian discovered that Wen Ning was already there, working on her iPad.
Xiaohu and Xiaolang’s agents were also coordinating work, speaking softly, but their phones were ringing one after another, appearing very busy.
Yu Xianxian’s agent was also constantly communicating with the company via mobile phone.
This made Wei Ling seem excessively idle, and her expression was not entirely natural.
At this time, Wu Hailong took Wei Ling’s hand under the table. They met each other’s eyes and shared a faint smile.
Things will get better.
After breakfast, everyone went about their own activities. Xiaolang and Xiaohu, along with their agents, left as soon as they finished eating. Yu Xianxian also took a short break with her agent before rushing off to her next engagement.
Wen Ning had other work to attend to and left after telling Xia Qingtian to behave and not cause trouble.
After all the busy people had left, the veteran actress, who had been absent during breakfast, yawned and appeared in the living room, saying, “I haven’t slept this well in a long time.”
She was purely there to relax. Having just finished filming a drama, she had the chance to catch her breath and sleep a little longer.
With Xia Qingtian and the actress’s company, Wu Hailong and Wei Ling no longer felt so lonely and idle.