Another farewell.
For the "Courage" program crew, every departure was quite sad.
Sitting in the car, waving to the villagers following behind, some were secretly wiping away tears.
Director Huang didn't see Lang Yue among the crowd. He sat down silently, took out his phone to send her a WeChat message, but found he wasn't her friend…
He sat stunned in his seat, then let out a soft chuckle. He looked up at the window outside, as if seeing Lang Yue's bright and warm smile again.
Little Jinzi sat next to Xia Weiliang, holding a very, very old doll.
Xia Weiliang put her arm around the girl's small shoulders. "I know this isn't easy, but you will do wonderfully."
Little Jinzi slowly looked up at her, opened her mouth, and after a long effort, finally managed to say, "I... am fine."
Xia Weiliang smiled. "Yes, you are."
This little girl was someone she had saved with all her might. She couldn't bear to watch her wither away in that place.
Even though she knew raising a child wouldn't be easy, especially a girl like Little Jinzi who had suffered psychological trauma, she would try her best, and work hard together with Little Jinzi!
After a day of travel, the plane landed late at night.
As the group discreetly exited the arrivals hall, they were suddenly met with enthusiastic applause.
Everyone was stunned.
It was midnight, yet the airport lobby was packed with people. Someone had unfurled a banner that read, "To do what one ought to do, that is the courageous one."
Those waiting to greet them were all representatives of various fan clubs and people from all walks of life, who had spontaneously come to the airport, quietly and without disturbing other travelers.
Upon seeing their idols emerge, the fans became excited and began to applaud. They didn't crowd forward but remained in their spots, clearing a path for them.
Everyone was a little bewildered. Director Huang led the team forward, and they could see fans waving to them from time to time.
"Sister, you're the best!"
"Just as I expected from the brother I love!"
"Niangniang! You are our pride!"
It turned out that while closely following the disaster situation, the news of the "Courage" program assisting villagers in Gu Mo Village with disaster relief had also spread online.
Therefore, after learning their return information, all these people had spontaneously come to pick them up.
Xia Weiliang had been holding Little Jinzi's hand all along. It was Little Jinzi's first time on a high-speed train, her first time on a plane, and her first time seeing so many people. She instinctively moved closer to Xia Weiliang, her small hand never letting go. Situ and A Ning also protected her, keeping her in the center throughout.
"Everyone, please go home now, please go home!" Director Huang clasped his hands together, grateful for everyone's enthusiasm. "We didn't do anything extraordinary; anyone in that situation would have done the same."
Without excessive embellishment, just a few simple words, he then led everyone to the bus that had been arranged for them.
Someone at the scene started a live stream, and the video of the "Courage" program's return went viral on video platforms at the time.
There had never been a variety show in China that had become this popular. Director Huang didn't want to capitalize on the disaster for attention. Natural and man-made disasters were something no one wanted to happen, so he avoided mentioning the rescue efforts.
The entire team was also remarkably coordinated, only discussing the program itself and not the rescue.
Even more remarkable was that none of the guests sought attention or tried to gain popularity; they were as low-key as possible. This, however, caused anxiety for their respective companies, especially for Su Yuxi's agent, Xi Hong.
"What's wrong with you? This is such a great opportunity, and it's also promoting positive energy. Why aren't you accepting interviews?"
Su Yuxi, reading a new script, replied slowly, "There's nothing much to say. What I did was also insignificant."
"Yuxi! Did a donkey kick your brain? This is an opportunity others would beg for, and you've encountered it, which means it's your time to shine!" She sat down and earnestly persuaded him, "Although I haven't been managing your work for long, I know very well how you've come this far! Many actors may have excellent acting skills but never make it big, even after a lifetime of acting. Why? Because great fame depends on destiny!"
Su Yuxi remained unmoved. "For two days, no one in the crew has accepted an interview. If only I were to step out and enjoy this applause and praise, how do you think netizens would see it? They're not fools; they know how to distinguish."
"What does it matter? Whether they curse or praise, it's all attention! It's data! It's traffic! As an artist, the worst thing is to be ignored or not discussed; that's when you're truly finished!"
Su Yuxi pursed his lips, unwilling to continue the discussion. Perhaps before, he would have agreed, but having personally experienced everything in Gu Mo Village, he suddenly felt that in the face of life and death, everything else was trivial!
Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, Xi Hong could only get angry.
She remembered something else and asked, "How are things between you and Xia Weiliang? The male lead for the new drama hasn't been finalized yet. The platform needs attention, and investors need data. If you and she..."
"Sister Xi."
Su Yuxi put down the script and looked at her with clear, sharp eyes. "I don't need to create a buzz by pairing up with a female actress; I can do it on my own."
Xi Hong stared at him, wondering how he had become so difficult to manage after just a few days away.
She stared at him and let out a humorless laugh. "You need to think clearly. Xia Weiliang currently has the highest popularity and is the most talked-about female artist! If you don't leverage this now, you won't have this chance when she cools down later!"
Su Yuxi frowned slightly. "Firstly, my interactions with her are normal. Even if there were something between us, it would absolutely not be a manipulative relationship; secondly, she won't cool down."
"You—" Xi Hong was furious. "Fine, very good, you have principles, you have awareness! I'll see how far you can go with your so-called true abilities!"
She slammed the door and left.
Su Yuxi picked up his script and resumed reading.
People truly change, just like him.
During these days, in the "Courage" group chat, everyone was focusing on the disaster situation and, upon their return, immediately donated to the affected areas.
Xia Weiliang propped her head on the table, staring at her bank card, and sighed softly.
The card hadn't even warmed up yet.
She hadn't had a chance to spend extravagantly.
There were too many things she wanted to buy but hadn't managed to get her hands on.
Soon, it would be gone…
"Waaah~ A white-haired person sending off a black-haired person, we'll be separated forever!" She hugged the bank card, heartbroken, her liver and intestines torn.
Little Jinzi, who was playing in the living room, quickly looked up at her. "Weiliang, don't cry."
Xia Weiliang raised her head, her eyes red, and said sincerely, "Little Jinzi, we might have to live a hard life for a while."
Little Jinzi didn't understand and tilted her head to look at her.
Nuomi brought out the cut fruit and placed a small piece of apple into her mouth. She then turned to Xia Weiliang, "Weiwei Jie, what we donated isn't as much as some third-tier celebrities. You also know netizens love to compare these things. What if..."
Xia Weiliang's eyes flared up at that. "Let them compare if they want! I'm showing my love, not my entire fortune. Am I going to be blackmailed by them? Absolutely not!"