On the other end, Nuomi had prepared snacks and was holding a "love to pat" (likely referring to a tablet or phone) with Song Yuan.
Xia Wei Liang sat beside them, reading a script for "Rebirth of the Eldest Daughter," a book given to her by Shang Rong Rong. The theme was common, with nothing particularly outstanding about it. However, it excelled in its engaging content, vivid pacing, and especially its captivating character designs.
"While I anticipated the fan groups of the two CPs would clash, I didn't expect it to happen so soon," Nuomi was contacting "Sui Sui Nian's girlish constitution" to keep a close watch on developments. She instructed her to lead the charge with the main group if any signs of trouble appeared.
Sui Sui Nian was an exceptionally seasoned fan. Without Nuomi's prompt, she had already begun organizing her followers to intervene.
"Those who don't back down when arguing, please report here."
"Anyone willing to fight later, quickly register here!"
"Those who are content to watch the fun and aren't afraid of accidental injuries, please present your health code."
The moment Liang Fans made their move, their efficacy was evident. This maneuver effectively diffused the intense combativeness of the two CP fan groups. It proved that Liang Fans possessed not just the potential of a storyteller at the crossroads but also the ability to orchestrate a situation like a sitcom.
Seeing this, Song Yuan nodded slowly, "They've achieved what idols always wished to do."
Nuomi didn't quite understand, "Hmm?"
"Dominate the entertainment industry."
"..."
Xia Wei Liang pushed up her non-prescription glasses. "I heard that."
Song Yuan turned to look at her, "Ah, you're here?"
"..."
Xia Wei Liang was amused and exasperated. "Yuan Ge, can you put a little more effort into it? When you show surprise, can you at least roll your eyes and open your mouth a bit wider?"
"Like this?"
Song Yuan demonstrated again.
"...Alright, the previous way was perfect."
Whether acting talent was innate was something she couldn't precisely determine, but it was clear who was a natural and who was not. She didn't have high expectations for Song Yuan, as long as he could shine in his role as a martial arts choreographer.
Soon, the program transitioned into a small harvest festival activity conducted by everyone. Seeing Da Zhuang single-handedly carry everything, and even make a leaky villager "burst" from his blowing, the fans roared with laughter, especially Da Zhuang's fans.
"Ahhh, Da Zhuang, you're simply too adorable~"
"Who would have thought that one day I'd become a fan of a variety show's prop manager!! It's against all heavenly principles!"
"Da Zhuang is very honest and diligent! If you're looking to marry, you should find someone like Da Zhuang!"
On the other end, Yan Zhi watched the comments praising Da Zhuang, his heart growing increasingly uneasy. Why were so many people lining up to praise Da Zhuang, yet not a single person mentioned Yi Ge? Didn't he know the man was watching? Didn't they know they were in a difficult situation?
Da Yang, holding his phone, was enjoying the spectacle. "Haha, Yi Ge, did you see? They're praising Da Zhuang in every possible way!"
"I'm not blind."
Yan Zhi stared at him, filled with disappointment. "Can't you just use an alternate account, say nothing, ask nothing, and just praise him? As long as the subject is Xiao Yi, praise him to the heavens, and then finally say, 'Wow, you and Niang Niang are so well-matched!'" That would surely make Yi Ge ecstatic, and they wouldn't have to be agonizing over this.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat and looked at Da Yang, "Hehe, do you perhaps have something to do?"
"What?" Da Yang still hadn't grasped his second brother Yi's intention.
"For example... do what you were best at before? Discredit an opponent or something..."
Da Yang looked at him blankly, "Yi Ge, I didn't..."
"Think carefully before you speak."
"...Understood."
Da Yang silently turned around, his fingers flying across the screen. Before long, several bullet comments stood out amidst the many "Zhuanggu fans."
"The fairy-like beautiful CP in the entertainment industry, I ship Yi Shen and Niang Niang!"
"The official seal of love from the main characters themselves is so sweet!"
"What to do? It's another day of being addicted to the Liangyi CP! *sniffle~*"
Yan Zhi picked up his phone and quietly looked at Da Yang.
"...May I ask, are you this 'sniffle monster'?"
Da Yang, happily replying, didn't look up. "Yes! Isn't it cute?"
Yan Zhi withdrew his gaze and quietly moved further away from him.
In the video, the sacrifice was underway. When everyone saw the trio come on stage, the fans went wild.
"Is that Situ? Is it Ge Ge? What is he doing?!"
"Is he dancing the Jinghong Dance?!"
"Hahahaha... I'm going to die laughing! I never expected you to be like this, Ge Ge!"
Da Yang and Yan Zhi were practically doubled over with laughter, holding their phones. Xiao Yi also raised an eyebrow, unaware of what had happened there. Soon, Situ's Jinghong Dance trended on hot searches. The fans, like Liang Fans, likely anticipated that black fans would seize the opportunity to cause trouble. Therefore, they preemptively mocked themselves by creating memes, and other members of U11 immediately reposted related Weibo posts.
After the lively scene, the screen suddenly went black.
"Huh? Why did it go black? Did my phone break?" Da Yang patted his phone.
Three seconds later, a few words appeared on the screen: "Tonight, witnessing the two rows of ancestral tablets, as if in a dream – herewith, we commemorate our village chief."
The bullet comments were initially calm, then everyone became emotional.
"How could this happen?"
"Oh my god, that refined and distinguished uncle... this is too sudden!"
"Although the program didn't mention it, you could tell from watching that the village chief uncle's health wasn't good, but I didn't expect it to be so sudden..."
"Ah! There were only two people in Baqi Village, and now even the village chief is gone. Little brother Xin Hong is all alone, it's so pitiful~"
"Wuwu~ Yes, he always considered the village chief his only family!"
"Fortunately, the production team is here, otherwise, it's hard to imagine how the little brother would face it alone?"
The funeral was simple, with the crew members helping to arrange it. The coffin was one that the uncle had prepared for himself long ago. According to Xin Hong, even the Baqi Village totem on the coffin lid was carved by him, one knife stroke at a time. Seeing the crew use limited resources to dress all the "villagers" of Baqi Village in mourning clothes and bury the village chief uncle on Jade Stone Mountain according to traditional funeral customs. Xin Hong's lonely back in the footage was heartbreaking.
The camera panned to the faces of the guests, all filled with sadness and remembrance. Director Huang asked everyone to disperse, leaving Xin Hong alone to have a moment of quiet. Xia Wei Liang was last. She turned back and looked at the man with concern. The camera swept past, and a fan captured a screenshot. In the image, Xin Hong stood at the foot of Jade Stone Mountain, while Xia Wei Liang turned her head to look at him. From her perspective, his back appeared lonely and distant... this single screenshot, full of artistic conception, made people ship the potential romance! Although it was netizens creating their own romantic pairings, Xia Wei Liang's idol drama heroine looks were widely recognized. Moreover, her versatile compatibility was considered the fifth great miracle of the entertainment industry.
Thus, someone called out to Xiao Yi again, urging him to quickly marry this treasure of a wife and stop letting others covet her!