"But..." Xin Hong smiled, "I do like her, truly."
Xia Weiliang: "..."
Her expression was unmistakable, clearly saying, "I thought of you as a brother, and you have thoughts about me?!"
Xi En's expression immediately turned cold, but he quickly smiled faintly, "Many people like her, and it's not just you."
"I am different from them."
"Oh? How are you different?"
Seeing that these two were about to clash again, Zhang Miaomiao quickly chimed in, "Like, like, I like everyone! Don't even talk about you guys, even I like her immensely as a woman, I wish I could marry her and look at her every day!"
With her interjection, even Xia Weiliang found it much more pleasant to hear, "Alas, in the end, it's all my fault, my charm is too great and attracts too much attention! Don't worry, I will restrain myself appropriately in the future!"
"How can that be!"
Zhang Miaomiao said with utmost sincerity, "I absolutely forbid you from hiding your beauty!"
Everyone: "..."
With such a compliment, Zhang Miaomiao could pack her bags and head down the mountain now.
While everyone took Xin Hong's words as a joke, Xi En did not.
"This kid is serious."
Xia Weiliang closed the box, and he casually took it.
"He, ah, he really appreciates me and even wants me to be the image ambassador for Baqi Village!"
He tilted his head to look at her, "Did you agree?"
"Agreed! I have an inexplicable fondness for this place, and it's all for the village chief uncle. I don't know why, but I felt an immediate connection with him!" Xia Weiliang smiled, pursing her lips. "I will do my humble best for what he guarded with his life."
Xi En glanced at her again and said nothing more.
The car back was parked outside the village. As everyone left the village with Xin Hong, they were still somewhat reluctant to part.
The inflatable villagers that had seemed eerie before now evoked a sense of unspoken closeness, tinged with poignancy.
Director Huang was moved, saying, "Some memories should not be buried just like that."
Situ said, "That's why I think what Xin Hong is doing is quite great."
"Mm."
Everyone else also nodded. Introducing Baqi Village to the outside world was perhaps the village chief uncle's wish as well.
Passing through the misty woods, tour guide Xiao Wang was waiting by the wooden building sign at the village entrance.
Seeing them, he had been waving, "How was this trip?"
Everyone exchanged glances. Director Huang said, "This is the most unique episode we've ever filmed."
"This is one of the top ten haunted villages in the country! Of course it's special!"
Xiao Wang could barely contain himself, "You must tell me all about it on the way!"
As everyone got into the car, Xia Weiliang glanced back at the village entrance. Xin Hong was standing there, meeting her gaze and slowly curling his lips into a smile...
---
The first episode of the new season of "Courage," the "Baqi Village Trip," was finally here after much anticipation.
The program team's secrecy was unquestionable, but their powerful fan base still managed to find some clues from the staff to the celebrities.
Legends about Baqi Village were abundant online, its national recognition no less than that of the "Cat-Faced Old Man" or "Zombie on a Certain Street"!
The audacity of "Courage" to venture into such a place had everyone hooked.
However, there was also a voice saying, "Courage" has either exhausted its creative well or is resorting to sensationalism!
They previously followed a heartwarming and healing style, and in the second season, they suddenly shifted to a horror and suspense genre, clearly aiming to attract audiences by leveraging online buzz!
After all, most people are rational and wouldn't truly believe in ghosts or supernatural powers.
The "Courage" platform noticed these voices but stubbornly ignored them!
Amidst all the anticipation and criticism, the first episode arrived as scheduled.
"Did it start?"
Xia Weiliang, holding a bunch of grapes, ran over and sat in front of the computer with Song Yuan and the little sticky rice.
The episode slowly kicked off, starting with the guests meeting at the airport.
[Holy crap! No way? Is that really my Brother En?!]
[Ahhhh! Brother En said he was going to participate in a show, I thought he was joking!]
[Seeing is believing! After the eternally reclusive Film Emperor Xiao appeared on the show, Emperor Xi suddenly made a surprise appearance. I don't know if it's the show's charm or the people's?]
[Can you guys stop stirring up trouble? We're just watching a show!]
[Heh, Yimi refuses to be bundled!]
[That's hilarious! It's not just your Yimi refusing? We Ximilu also refuse!]
[Liang fans don't mind!! Bundle us freely, no matter if you're S or M, we have no objections!]
Seeing the comment section almost erupting into a heated argument, Xia Weiliang glanced at sticky rice, "Do we really need to turn this on just to watch a video?"
"Sister Weiliang, you don't know this yet? Watching a video without comments is like eating instant noodles without the seasoning packet, drinking Coke without the fizz, or swimming without a swimsuit! It's incomplete, it's soulless!"
Xia Weiliang ignored her and turned to ask Song Yuan, "Brother Yuan, I know you definitely dislike this!"
Song Yuan glanced at her, "These people are the epitome of feigning ignorance."
"..."
Watching comments and seeing human nature twisted?
No matter how much of a powder keg the atmosphere was, as long as Liang fans were present, they would ensure there were no arguments.
This was their Empress's variety show!
With her yet-to-be-developed acting skills, their Empress could falter at any moment. Having two variety shows in hand now to earn some money, they mustn't mess it up!
So, these fans were truly worried sick about her every day!
In the video, as everyone landed in Baqi Village, combined with what tour guide Xiao Wang said in the car, the suspense and horror of Baqi Village were pushed to their peak!
For so many years, only two or three people appeared in the village? The others were never seen at all!
The audience couldn't help but be completely captivated, following the camera into the village until they heard Xia Weiliang sing again. Her natural singing voice instantly conquered all humanity.
[My youth is back!]
[My youth is back!]
[My youth is back!]
[My...]
The comment section and reviews were all flooded with the words "My youth is back."
How long had it been since they last heard Empress's singing?
It was still so... pure!
[Don't say it, I actually miss this voice...]
[How much money did Empress give you? I, Long Aotian, am unconvinced!]
[How much money did Empress give you? I, Ye Liangchen, offer tenfold!]
[How much money did Empress give you? I...]
Seeing the rows of scrolling comments, sticky rice suppressed a laugh and looked at Xia Weiliang, "Actually, Sister Weiliang, your singing... uh, it's quite good, really, at least you didn't miss any notes!"
Song Yuan: "Mm, she didn't get the punctuation marks wrong."
Xia Weiliang forced a smile, "I thank you!"
Sticky rice: "We're all family, don't be polite!"
Song Yuan: "Mm, afraid you won't dare to sing next time."
To be honest, her singing voice was very inspiring and healing. It would be a shame not to sing it, supporting so many children who weren't good singers~