Xiao Yang had no time to speak, all his attention focused on eating, fearing that one less word would mean one less bite.
After all, who knew when he would get to eat such delicious food again.
Liu Yifeng wasn't surprised by their reaction, as he knew how peculiar the vegetables he grew tasted.
He smiled and explained, "These vegetables are indeed grown by me, and many people love their taste. After the program is filmed, I'll pick some for you to take home for your families to try."
"That's too kind. We're already eating and drinking for free; we can't accept more for nothing. How about this, we'll buy them. If you have plenty of vegetables, we'll buy more to take back. Honestly, your vegetables are so good, I could eat them every day without getting tired of them. Besides, vegetables are good for you, and you should eat more," Director Wang said.
How could Liu Yifeng truly accept their money? "Director Wang, please don't be so polite. We have no shortage of anything at home, except maybe vegetables."
"Yifeng, your cultivation skills are so excellent. Have you ever considered building a greenhouse or something similar, using your planting techniques to cultivate vegetables with exceptional taste? I believe they would surely be popular in the market. After all, people live to eat, and they want to eat healthily. Your vegetables seem perfectly healthy," Director Wang suggested.
Xia Qianqian, standing beside him, nodded in agreement, "I think Director Wang's suggestion is excellent. If you sell vegetables, I'll be the first to buy them."
Liu Yifeng couldn't help but chuckle, "You might not know, but I've already built a greenhouse, and many villagers have invested in it. It's already in the planting stage. Also, before building the greenhouse, I leased a lot of land, and I still supply vegetables to hotels every day! My son's kindergarten also buys vegetables from me to sell."
"Is that so? Then are the Porsche in your yard and the Optimus Prime in your room bought with money from selling vegetables?"
"Not entirely. In the summer, I also grew watermelons to sell, raised crayfish on ten acres of land, and I have an orchard. However, the fruits are already in season and have been sold, otherwise, I could let you taste them."
After hearing Liu Yifeng's words, the group was completely stunned. At first, they thought Tong Tong's family was struggling financially! Later, seeing the Porsche and the Optimus Prime and Lego toys, they changed their minds. But they never imagined Liu Yifeng had so many agricultural industries. He was practically a nouveau riche farmer; even though he lived in an old house, he was far richer than them. No wonder Tong Tong knew how to develop calming medicines and liniments for bruises. Liu Yifeng hadn't even exploited these to make money; his existing industries alone must have earned him a fortune. And with medicines, any mistake could have serious consequences, so it was best to avoid them if possible.
They all ate quite a lot for lunch, even Xia Qianqian, who constantly talked about dieting, ate one and a half bowls of rice. She felt great while eating, but after finishing, she was full of regret and self-blame, feeling like all her recent efforts to lose weight had been in vain.
"Auntie Xia, you don't need to diet. You're not fat at all," Tong Tong comforted her, seeing her self-reproach.
Xia Qianqian looked at Tong Tong and asked earnestly, "Really? You think I'm not fat?"
"You're really not fat. Ask my dad if you don't believe me!" Tong Tong threw the question back to Liu Yifeng.
Liu Yifeng instinctively nodded, "Indeed, you're not fat. Girls shouldn't just pursue thinness; health is more important. A healthy body is paramount."
"While that's true, this is an era where looks matter. If you're too fat, people will criticize you, saying celebrities lack self-control," Xia Qianqian said with a helpless expression. She also wished she could eat without restraint, but having chosen this profession, she was destined not to eat whatever she pleased.
Director Wang, as a director, agreed with this sentiment, "Indeed, female artists pay more attention to body management than male artists; being thinner looks better on camera. However, I believe the most important thing for an artist is to have good works; that's what truly matters. Physique is just an added bonus."
Her words made Xia Qianqian feel a bit awkward. She was a nobody right now, let alone having good works, no one even approached her for bad ones. As if sensing Xia Qianqian's embarrassment, Director Wang continued, "Qianqian, although this is our first collaboration, I believe you will go further and further on this path."
"Thank you, Director Wang!" Xia Qianqian's mood brightened considerably upon hearing his words.
"Would you like to take a nap? I can call my third uncle and ask him to prepare some rooms for you!" Liu Yifeng inquired.
"We really can't keep filming. Let's end today's shooting here. We'll come back tomorrow to film the night scenes. Will that disturb you?"
"No problem, no problem at all. We welcome you to film whenever you wish," Liu Yifeng waved his hands repeatedly.
Director Wang then stood up, "Alright, we'll be going back now. We know the way, so we'll come directly tomorrow." He then turned to Tong Tong, "Tong Tong, that..."
Tong Tong immediately understood his meaning and quickly said, "Uncle Wang, please wait a moment. I'll go get you the calming medicine."
A moment later, he emerged from the room, holding a small jar filled with small white pills.
"Uncle Wang, take one of these half an hour before you sleep every day, and you're guaranteed to sleep soundly until morning. Remember not to increase the dosage if you fear the effect isn't strong enough. Otherwise, even if someone calls you, you won't wake up, which could delay important matters," he cautioned with concern.
Director Wang gratefully took the jar and nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, I definitely won't increase the dosage. Tong Tong, thank you. When we get to the program team, Uncle Wang will take you to eat delicious food locally." As he spoke, he clutched the jar tightly in his hand. This was his life-saving medicine; months of chronic insomnia had nearly drained him. He had originally planned to pause all his work and rest for half a year to a year if it was still like this by the New Year. He couldn't sacrifice his life for his career. But with Tong Tong's calming medicine, he could improve his sleep and wouldn't need to take time off.
"Tong Tong, then Auntie Xia will take the sketch you gave me. Thank you!" Xia Qianqian hadn't forgotten the sketch Tong Tong had drawn for her; she loved that drawing dearly.
"Okay, Auntie Xia, please take good care of it. Can I play games with Auntie Xia tomorrow night?"
"Of course, Tong Tong. I'll play whatever games you want with you."
Seeing them about to leave, Liu Yifeng quickly asked, "Where are you staying? Have you booked hotels?"
Director Wang replied, "You don't need to worry about that. I booked the hotel in advance before coming. Thank you for your hospitality today. Please rest well. We'll be filming for three days in total. Your performance today was excellent; you were very natural in front of the camera and not at all timid. Let's keep up the good work tomorrow."