Chapter 2 The Next Morning
Early the next morning, the guests participating in the "New Home" variety show gathered at the entrance of the guesthouse.
Jian Junru gave Jian Sheng a hug, waved goodbye to everyone, and smiled.
The other guests also waved back at her.
After everyone had left, Xiao Yufeng finally let out a long breath.
"Mom, we're finally gone."
Jian Sheng, who had just bid an emotional farewell to her mother, was feeling a bit down. She heard him and looked up at him with a tilted head.
"What, does Brother Xiao Yu dislike my mom?"
Xiao Yufeng said, still feeling a bit shaken, "It's not about liking or disliking."
"Look, you call me brother, and Huan-ge and I are in the same generation, so that makes us a generation younger than you. But then, your mom isn't much older than me. If I call her 'sister,' it messes up the generational order, and if I call her 'auntie,' I feel strange, and your mom probably wouldn't be happy to be called old."
Xiao Yufeng's fearful expression amused the others, making them chuckle.
Jian Sheng, surrounded by them, laughed and played along.
Except for Hu Guangxu and the cameraman who was always with Jian Sheng, no one knew that Jian Sheng had actually gone to the police station after meeting Jian Junru last night.
Li Sheng, who had been following Jian Sheng within five meters, was naturally assumed by everyone to be a member of the production crew.
A new day dawned, and the variety show's live broadcast started as usual.
The cameraman set up the cameras.
Jiang Bin walked over, smiling and asking, "How did everyone rest last night?"
Ke Xuan stretched his arms and legs. "Oh, my old bones and legs are really not up to it. I'm still feeling sore in my arms from just a little bit of work yesterday."
Xiao Yufeng also made a pained face. "Brother Xuan, how old are you really? I'm still considered young, but I'm also sore all over."
Jian Xiuhuan wasn't doing much better. "It seems I need to put exercise on my agenda. I usually don't pay attention to exercise and health while working, so this can't continue."
Jiang Bin then asked about the two female guests, Yao Yaoyao and Zhu Danni.
"How are Yaoyao and Nini feeling? Are you still tired after resting for a night?"
Zhu Danni's pure face, which was almost always smiling, also drooped. "My arms are aching from pulling the saw so much. It hurts to even hold my bag now."
Yao Yaoyao immediately took Zhu Danni's bag. "I'm fine, I'll carry it for you."
Jiang Bin was surprised. "I thought everyone else looked very tired. Yaoyao, you're okay?"
"If you're tired, don't push yourself. There are still many days ahead, and it won't do to collapse from exhaustion."
Yao Yaoyao rolled her eyes dramatically. "There's a kind of tiredness called 'Teacher Jiang thinks I'm tired.'"
Jiang Bin chuckled a couple of times and then turned to the last guest.
—The little girl at their feet.
However, he only glanced at her before speaking seriously to the camera.
"I think I don't need to ask the last person, do I?"
"She's the powerhouse of our show, splitting a pile of wood is like playing a game."
"And seeing that Sheng Sheng isn't showing any signs of fatigue or complaint, I won't be taking unnecessary humiliation."
As the live broadcast had just started, the viewership wasn't very high, but there were still tens of thousands of people watching.
Upon hearing Jiang Bin's words, they all recalled the afternoon of the previous day when the little girl displayed her mighty power, forcing the director to change the rules and forcibly remove her from the competition.
Immediately, the live chat was filled with "Hahahaha" comments.
The little girl, with her head held high, was ready to be questioned.
Who knew that Jiang Bin just glanced at her and then started talking to himself.
At that, the little girl pouted and turned her head away.
She wasn't going to pay attention to him anymore.
—Hahahaha, Sheng Bao is so cute and adorable!
—Don't cry, Sheng Bao, Sheng Bao is angry. Teacher Jiang, aren't you going to comfort her quickly?
—Old man, I've calculated it, this child has a destiny for great wealth and prosperity, and great fame. She is naturally suited for red, so little one, obediently get into the red sack I've prepared for you!
Jiang Bin cleared his throat, and everyone looked over.
"Considering everyone's physical condition, Director Hu has given us two options for today's itinerary."
"The first is to depart for the next stop as originally planned."
"The second option is to rest here for another day. There's a wedding in the village at noon today, and we can go and attend it."
"However, as we've all agreed, if we attend, everyone will have to contribute to the gift money."
"Now, let's choose between the two."
They looked at each other.
They had never seen a show that was so casual, letting them decide their own itinerary on the spot.
They huddled together, whispering and discussing.
A few minutes later, Ke Xuan stepped forward first and said,
"We chopped firewood and washed vegetables last night. After all our hard work, it would be a shame not to eat.
"Xiao Yufeng: "Me too."
"Yao Yaoyao: "I'm fine with either."
"Zhu Danni: "Since we can rest for a day, I choose to rest."
"Jian Xiuhuan: "Gift money is just money, I can afford it."
Jian Sheng was still pouting and ignoring him.
Jiang Bin, with a helpless smile, gave up asking for the little girl's opinion.
"Since everyone has chosen option two, we will stay here for another day."
Everyone cheered. Just then, Jiang Bin smiled meaningfully.
"However, resting doesn't mean you don't have to work~"
Suddenly, the cheers turned into groans.
Xiao Yufeng even angrily denounced the show for being inhuman.
At this moment, the little girl, still sulking, seemed remarkably calm.
She turned her head and saw Jiang Bin looking at her. She gave a proud snort.
"Is that called working? If it's work that can be done with just physical effort, then isn't it the same as playing?"
Jiang Bin was stunned.
—Am I hallucinating? Did our sweet and adorable Sheng Zai just say that?
—Do you hear that? Human speech?
—Sheng Sheng, when did you learn to be so Versailles?
—When Sheng Sheng turns dark, no one in the production crew is innocent.
—Hearing Sheng Sheng say that, I, as a fan mom, don't know whether to be angry or laugh.
As they were chatting and laughing, Jian Sheng noticed Li Sheng not far away making a gesture, signaling her to go over alone.
Jian Sheng told the others and then ran over to Li Sheng.
The cameraman, who was about to follow the little girl, saw that she was heading towards someone Hu Guangxu had warned them not to film. He immediately adjusted the camera back.
Watching the little girl run away, Jiang Bin asked Jian Xiuhuan with some confusion,
"Is that person also a relative from your family who came along to watch Sheng Sheng?"
Unexpectedly, Jian Xiuhuan was even more confused than him. "Isn't that person one of your show's staff?"
The two looked at each other, their confusion deepening.