"Here," Mikoy produced a headband from somewhere and handed it to Xia Weiliang.
"This is all I can do."
"Thank you!"
She wrapped it around her head and hurried to the village canteen.
She had been wondering how to explain her foolish behavior last night to the Film Emperor when she met him. To her surprise, only A Ning, from the support staff, was there.
"Um... where's Teacher Xiao?"
She asked casually.
"Teacher Xiao left. He left last night," A Ning said while peeling vegetables. "He only had one day scheduled and had to rush back to the film crew. Didn't you know, Sis?"
Xia Weiliang blinked. She genuinely didn't know. Sudanshuwen.com
This meant she could avoid the awkwardness of meeting him.
At this moment, Xia Weiliang felt like she could conquer the world again!
"Come on, kids, get moving! Let's go!"
Xia Weiliang was full of energy. After the preparations were done, guests soon began to enter the canteen...
Two hours on a mountain road, then the highway to the airport.
After another four hours of flight, it was already early the next morning upon arrival in City B.
On the way to the film and television base in An County, Xiao Yi's phone pinged with a WeChat notification. He opened his eyes, rubbed his temples, and took out his phone to check WeChat.
It was a video sent by Qiao Ge.
In the video, a little girl, standing on a chair with a scallion as a microphone, was belting out: "This is the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau!"
After she finished, Brother Li was the first to cheer!
"Great! Encore!"
As applause erupted, someone started throwing cabbage leaves and cores.
Xia Weiliang shook her head, stumbled off the chair, and walked straight towards Xiao Yi. Suddenly, she cupped his face and squeezed and pinched it with both hands.
Xiao Yi took a deep breath. "Xia Weiliang, you—"
Before his warning was finished, a lip smelling of alcohol smacked his face!
It made a loud m-u-A sound!
Xiao Yi froze.
Everything around them fell silent. The film crew members widened their eyes, unable to believe that their "Niang Niang" had committed an act of aggression while drunk and assaulted the Film Emperor!
Director Huang slid off his chair, and his nephew, Dazhuang, quickly helped him up. "Second Uncle! Second Uncle, you must be strong!"
"Kiss, kiss, did you kiss? Did you just kiss?"
Director Huang looked as if he had downed five catties of fake liquor in one go, his eyes glazed over, and his speech slurred.
Dazhuang was heartbroken. "Yes! She kissed him."
Director Huang's legs went weak again, and he rolled under the table.
The Film Emperor's act of helping out in an emergency was an act of benevolence, but what was the result? His reputation was ruined by Niang Niang.
Unlike the reaction of the film crew, the villagers of Lianhua Village were all very endearing. They clapped their hands and egged her on—
"Well done, Little Liang'er! Auntie always knew you weren't ordinary!"
"Liang'er, why did you kiss him? Who is he to you?"
"Liang'er! Good job! You didn't shame your sister-in-law!"
The crowd's cheers grew louder and louder. Xia Weiliang smiled even more happily after kissing him, threw an arm around Xiao Yi, and pulled him into her embrace. She declared proudly to everyone, "Everyone, come and see, Xiao Yi, my man!"
"We know, we know! Look how you cherish him, no one will snatch him away from you!"
"Hahaha, good, good! A perfect match! Both of these children are handsome, their future children will surely be beautiful!"
"I knew there was something between them long ago!"
Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, wanting to break free from her grasp, but he didn't expect the drunk girl to be incredibly strong. "Be good, meet all the uncles, aunts, and aunties..."
As she spoke, she let out another drunken hiccup. "Don't be shy, it's bound to happen sooner or later!"
Xiao Yi stared at her and suddenly smiled, a smile with an unreadable meaning.
"Xia Weiliang, do you know your drinking habits are not very good?"
Not just not good.
They were terrible.
Xia Weiliang just giggled, her eyes wandering.
He narrowed his eyes, suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her as she began to slide down. He leaned close to her ear and said word by word, "If you dare to forget what happened tonight when you wake up tomorrow, I'll claim you!"
"Heh heh... heh heh... heh heh..."
Xia Weiliang just kept laughing, carelessly, her small hand swinging like a pendulum pendant. "You are so handsome... so handsome... your children will also be handsome..."
The video had stopped playing long ago, but every frame of her last night was already etched in his mind.
Indelible.
Below the video was another message from Qiao Ge:
[Director Huang asked me to tell Brother Yi that this part will not be broadcast. We've also briefed everyone on the crew, and no one will say anything out of line. ~ Before the video was deleted, I thought you might want it.]
Xiao Yi replied with two words: [Thank you.]
Was he thanking the film crew for their discretion, or Qiao Ge for sending the video?
"Courage" had become a complete hit.
The unconventional program style, coupled with the warm and funny daily content, the seemingly mismatched divine pairings, and finally, the Film Emperor's endorsement, made the show a runaway success, reaching a phenomenon-level status.
All major platforms were buzzing about "Courage," and the fan base of each guest grew by tens of thousands.
Xia Weiliang, in particular, surpassed ten million followers, reaping the most benefits and earning the title of "Variety Show Goddess."
The reason was simple: any variety show she participated in, if not resurrected from the dead, at least became a breakout hit!
And her interactions with Xiao Yi on the show, while seemingly reserved, still sparked intense fan speculation with their subtle romantic undertones!
Although "Yimi" maintained a principle of not admitting, not responding, and not paying attention, they couldn't resist the public's enthusiasm!
Finally, the national Film Emperor's CP was being discussed, and it was a real-life one. The gossip was sweetest when consumed while ripe! Among them, Vice Director Wang was the most steadfast supporter of the CP, almost becoming the head fan of the CP.
Her original show, "Challenge Me!", made a slightly sour comment on Weibo, [@Xia Weiliang, Iron Lady sister, you've had enough fun outside, it's time to settle down and return to the embrace of our big family~]
While joking, they still generously reposted the promotional material for the rival show "Courage." Other members of the "Iron Family" also reposted, further highlighting Xia Weiliang's good relationships.
During this time, the "Cheap and Cheerful Music" and the "Dominant CEO Style Shared Open-Top Two-Wheel Drive" seemed to have a tacit agreement, both reposting her program promotional video.
In contrast to her explosive popularity, Xia Yiran's situation was the complete opposite.
She had gained attention, but the accompanying criticism also escalated.
[I didn't understand before, but through the show, I finally get it. She's clearly a green tea bitch!]
[Why are you all saying that about Yiran? Do you know how hard she works?!]
[I don't know if she works hard or not, but I know Niang Niang is truly dedicated, and naturally unpretentious. I'm in love!]
[What era is this? Can you take a variety show so seriously? They're just bullying Yiran because she doesn't have fame!]
[The Xia family are all in the capital circles, who dares to bully this young lady!]
[Look! Look! Mrs. Xia has posted on Weibo, publicly supporting her daughter Xia Yiran! She's even insinuating that Niang Niang is stepping on others to get ahead!!]