The background music stopped abruptly.
The scene froze as everyone stared with wide eyes. Unlike on the stage of "Challenge!", while this reality show did have elements of performance, certain micro-expressions and subtle changes were undeniable!
Xia Yiran was constantly mindful of her facial expressions; she had learned her lesson before. During "Challenge!", a fan had captured an image of her seemingly rolling her eyes. Fortunately, she had paid to have it removed before it spread widely, otherwise, her persona would have been ruined! Su Dan Novel Network.
In contrast, Xia Weiliang had no such reservations. She disdained even feigned flattery, directly addressing Director Huang, "Sorry, Director, I can't work with them. I'm not compatible."
Not only the people present but also the live comments were flooded with "WTF" and "6666".
This move was brilliant!
"This is the bearing of a true empress! If you don't like someone, you don't like them, and you won't like them even if forced!"
"Pure passerby, but I stand with the empress. Even if she pretended nothing happened, netizens would still call her hypocritical. It's better to be true to herself."
"What are you pretending for? What about your professionalism? As an artist, this is your job. Even if the production team found your father's killer as a guest, you'd have to crawl and finish filming!"
"You're spewing nonsense, who are you? Come on, brothers, get him!!"
Director Huang was also stunned, having never expected Xia Weiliang to be so direct!
Just as everyone expected the director to turn hostile, he smiled, "Alright!"
Isn't that the truth?
He didn't want guests on his show to wear masks, so he had to accept their true selves when they took them off. Someone like the empress was perfect!
His single "Alright!" also left the crowd bewildered.
"Is it that casual?"
"No point beating around the bush! Within three minutes, I want all the information on this director!"
Xia Weiliang smiled, "Thank you, Director."
Xia Yiran never dreamed she would be so openly scorned by Xia Weiliang. At this moment, she couldn't throw a tantrum or start a fight. But remaining silent felt too stifling; others would simply assume she was guilty!
Therefore, she lowered her eyes, sniffled, and was about to say, "Sister..."
Xia Weiliang, however, turned around and directly addressed Situ and the others, "For today, let's all work together temporarily. Starting tomorrow, we'll split into two groups."
It was one thing that she disliked Xia Yiran, but she couldn't let others isolate her. By proactively suggesting groups, she also averted any awkwardness for the production team.
Director Huang was deeply gratified; he absolutely loved the girl's style of handling things!
"Good!"
The four children were very obedient to her, nodding in unison.
Xia Yiran stood rooted to the spot, her body trembling uncontrollably despite her attempts to manage her expression.
"My Yiran is too pitiful. What did she do wrong? Why treat her like this? She just came to participate in a show, and before she even said a few words, she's being isolated! Xia Weiliang is truly despicable!"
"Agreed! Not only did she snatch their parents, but she also gangs up to ostracize Yiran! Shameless!"
Weakness always garnered sympathy, and Xia Yiran had always mastered this skill.
"Second Senior Brother."
On the way to Sister Li's house, Mikoy, carrying his demon-subduing staff, walked beside Xia Weiliang and said unhurriedly, "Do you remember when Master banished you back to Flower Fruit Mountain and declared you severed all ties?"
Having read children's books and seen adaptations of the Four Great Classical Novels since childhood, Xia Weiliang naturally knew which episode he was referring to.
"I remember, the 'Three Beatings of the White Bone Demon'!"
"And afterwards, did you summarize why the White Bone Demon succeeded?"
"Uh, she was skilled at disguise and manipulating people?"
"Anything else?"
"She feigned weakness to gain sympathy and tricked the honest Tang Monk?"
Mikoy smiled and patted her head, "Not bad, Second Senior Brother, you've gotten smarter!"
"Why do I feel like Mik-chan is implying something, but I have no proof..."
"Mik-chan is the undisputed master of spotting 'bitches'! He saw through Xia Yiran's act of feigning weakness to gain sympathy and get my empress cursed!"
"I can't tell, Xia Liangliang is truly skilled. In just one day, she's won over the little influencer, and they're teaming up to slander others!"
"Heh, even Tang Monk couldn't see through it, what can White Dragon Horse see??"
"Hahaha... the person who said 'White Dragon Horse' is impressive!"
"I don't care about any of that. I just see a screen full of CP potential... Wow, I really want to ship it! The empress looks good with anyone!"
"Everything is shippable~"
Xia Weiliang seemed to have realized it too, laughing as she playfully ruffled his hair, "Let's go."
Since she stated they were there to work, Xia Weiliang adamantly refused to let Sister Li take shortcuts. She loaded up on melon seeds and brought some fruit, sending Sister Li to Sister Song's house to play mahjong, treating it like arranging a children's outing. Brother Li, having no work, was also sent to the small plaza to play chess with some elders.
The remaining tasks were to be allocated by Xia Weiliang. Having stayed at their house for a night, she had a good understanding of the place. The household chores were quickly assigned.
A moment later, Situ, Wai Shao, and Mikoy changed their clothes, rolled up their sleeves, and hefted their hoes, appearing at the doorstep.
"Handsome people look good in anything!" Xia Weiliang showered them with praise, then waved her hand like throwing a frisbee, shouting, "Go!"
After the three left, Xia Weiliang and A Ning were to prepare lunch for the day.
"I really want to eat food made by the empress herself!"
"Seconded!"
"A Ning, the adorable one, obediently help the empress by your side~"
"What about Xia Yiran?"
As if on cue, Xia Yiran, having changed her clothes, arrived.
"Sister, is there anything you need my help with?"
Xia Weiliang might lack decorum, but she couldn't!
She asked enthusiastically, as if the previous incident had been forgotten.
The live comments were full of praise for her magnanimity, and any occasional comments about her acting were quickly attacked by her fans.
Xia Weiliang didn't even look up, but with a slight nod of her chin, A Ning understood.
"Senior Yiran, I heard you rushed here before dawn. You must be exhausted! So today, please rest, and we'll handle it!"
The words were polite and beautiful, leaving no room for criticism.
"Hahaha... did you notice the empress's gaze just now? With one look, A Ning grasped the gist! So well-trained!"
"A Ning is so instinctively protective of the empress!"
How could Xia Yiran genuinely agree to rest? That would mean no camera time!
Xia Weiliang's strategy was brilliant! Did she think she could steal her spotlight like this? Wishful thinking!
"Don't be so polite. We're all filming together. I can't be the only one resting; people might think I'm lazy."
Xia Yiran's words carried a hidden meaning.
She walked into the kitchen and saw Xia Weiliang kneading dough. "Why don't I help..."
Before she could finish, Xia Weiliang stood up. "Alright, you do it."
Ignoring the stunned Xia Yiran, she turned to A Ning and said, "Since we have help, I'll go rest!"