Zhang Miaomiao was the first to let out a sigh of relief. Despite it being broad daylight, why did it feel like a chilling wind was blowing?
"Wei Liang! Don't scare us like that!"
As soon as she shouted, a chorus of protests erupted.
"Sister Wei Wei! I'm a scaredy-cat!"
"Niang Niang~ That's too scary!"
"Ahhhhh! Even horror movies don't have this atmosphere!"
Xia Wei Liang laughed heartily. It felt so good to tease them a little!
Xi En had gone straight to the airport after finishing a long night shoot. He had intended to catch some sleep in the car, but upon hearing her words, the corners of his lips couldn't help but curve upwards. He could feel that from the director to the guests to the staff, everyone truly liked her.
Little Zhang also chuckled, saying to Xia Wei Liang, "Niang Niang, you're just like you are on TV! Beautiful, and so approachable!"
Xia Wei Liang didn't modest. "Indeed, my apparent advantages are quite numerous."
After the laughter and playful banter subsided, Little Zhang continued, "What Niang Niang just said, not that no one has ever said it before. After all, we only see the same few people coming and going, and no outsiders have entered the village. It's inevitable that people will be suspicious. However, we are from the new society, with materialist ideology. Those legends are feudal superstitions and should not be encouraged!"
Seeing Little Zhang speak so righteously, Zhang Miaomiao suppressed her laughter and whispered to the person next to her, "Director Zhang's survival instinct is too strong."
Little Zhang knew that this would be broadcast on television, so how could he dare to promote those vague and ephemeral things? He quickly straightened his posture!
Xia Wei Liang stopped joking and asked a crucial question, "Why is Baqi Village so resistant to outsiders?"
Little Zhang then explained the reason. It was said that Baqi Village was where a scholar who passed the imperial examination in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, surnamed Sun, migrated with his large family. Initially, it was a large clan with strict rules. After experiencing the changes of the times, it evolved into the current Baqi Village. However, the rules set by the scholar were so harsh, and the villagers had ingrained these rules into their very beings, adhering to this set of principles in their daily lives. It was difficult for outsiders to integrate. Several daughters-in-law who married in from other places couldn't stand it and left after a few years.
Consequently, the village became even more isolated, largely self-sufficient. Over time, most people in the village were related by kinship, and problems with continuing the lineage began to arise. The village chief, who was also their clan leader, gradually began to accept outsiders, but their set of rules was still maddening, and basically, no one could endure it. Coupled with the old mindset of valuing men over women, Baqi Village had a lot of unmarried men. However, they weren't in a hurry; they were very laid-back and saw destiny with great indifference.
Everyone gradually understood that it wasn't that the place was particularly mysterious, but simply that they were unwilling to go with the flow and wanted to preserve their own way of life.
In the current era, it was truly rare to find people who could maintain such original intentions, and everyone present couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence.
Little Zhang added, "I was also quite surprised when I received the notification that I could bring you into the village. I didn't expect them to agree to let people in to visit, and even to record a program for television! It's truly incredible!"
The more he said this, the more curious everyone became. What kind of place was it that was listed as one of the top ten mysterious areas in the country?
Amidst their discussions, the bus had already arrived at the village entrance.
What was called the village entrance was merely a stone tablet, over a person's height, standing there. Three characters were inscribed in a bold, flowing script: Baqi Village.
After getting out, Xi En glanced at it and couldn't help but praise, "Excellent calligraphy."
His usual pastime was practicing calligraphy to calm his mind, so he had some expertise in it.
In the corner, the inscription read "Xiān Yě Jū Shì."
Wai Shao remarked, "This should be that scholar, right?"
Little Zhang nodded, "His status in Baqi Village is very high. You must be careful in your conversations and absolutely do not show disrespect. Otherwise, being kicked out would happen in minutes."
Everyone indicated that they had taken note.
Behind the stone tablet was a long road. Little Zhang said that they had to walk in. It wasn't just for the guests; even higher-ranking officials had to respect local customs and walk on foot after getting off the bus.
Everyone had no objections and moved their luggage from the car.
Since it was the same crew, from staff to celebrities, everyone helped themselves. Zhang Miaomiao was not yet accustomed to doing these things herself, but seeing Xia Wei Liang doing everything personally, she felt embarrassed to just wait. With effort, she managed to pull her large suitcase out.
Then, she looked around and realized that everyone else had only small suitcases, and she was the only one with a large suitcase packed with clothes and cosmetics.
As she was struggling, Xia Wei Liang called Wai Shao and...
He chuckled, put away his phone, and walked over, taking the equipment from Da Zhuang's hand, "Give it to me."
"Oh, how can that be? Teacher Xi, I'll do it..."
It was Xi En's first time participating, and as a respected film emperor, he rarely appeared on variety shows. Everyone had always felt a sense of mystery about him. Da Zhuang dared not trouble him!
Xia Wei Liang turned her head and lazily said, "Da Zhuang, we're all like family. Being polite to Brother En is being a stranger!"
Da Zhuang's face lit up when he heard this. "Niang Niang, understood!"
After speaking, he said naturally to Xi En, "Thank you, Brother En!"
Xi En smiled. "It's nothing."
He looked up at the person walking ahead, the smile in his eyes gradually spreading.
With a seemingly casual remark, she had easily resolved the awkwardness between him and others, helping him quickly integrate into the group. If he believed this was unintentional, he wouldn't believe it at all.
This girl, who appeared carefree, was actually more thoughtful than anyone else. She would consider things from others' perspectives; truly a beautiful and kindhearted girl.
Alas, what to do?
He was falling for her more and more.