Xia Weiliang had a characteristic: she couldn't use her brain, especially when encountering something she couldn't figure out. The more she thought, the more she... couldn't figure it out.
Once her brain started working, she'd get confused. One moment she was pondering where everyone in the village had gone, the next she'd roll over and emit soft snores.
Outside the tents of the "Courage" film crew, a shadowy figure who had been standing guard slowly rose.
Soon, the door to the village chief Xin Jinghe's room was knocked upon.
"Come in," a voice called.
The door creaked open.
Xin Hong walked in. "They've all fallen asleep."
"Mm."
Xin Jinghe slowly stood up. "Let's go."
"Alright."
The two of them slipped out into the darkness, vanishing together into the moonlight.
Early in the morning, the sound of gongs echoed outside the tents.
"Wake up! Everyone wake up!"
Da Zhuang struck the gong with great effort, and within moments, everyone had emerged.
This was their first time sleeping outdoors for the program, so there was no time for personal grooming. Everyone was dishevelled, their eyes still blurry with sleep. The cameras didn't spare them, zooming in directly on their faces!
One had to admit, Xia Weiliang's appearance was truly captivating!
Under the harsh, 360-degree camera angles, not a single shot showed her unflatteringly. Even the back of her head seemed to possess a touch of ethereal elegance!
Yawning, she grabbed her toiletries and headed towards the river.
Fortunately, the river water was clear and clean. A splash of water on her face immediately invigorated her!
Feeling much more refreshed, she looked up to grab her towel to wipe her face. Her gaze inadvertently drifted to the opposite bank, and she suddenly froze.
"What's wrong?"
Someone walked up behind her and squatted beside her, proceeding to wash their face.
"En Ge, look at that. What is that?"
She pointed with her finger. Xi En followed her gaze and looked up, squinting. "Is that... a person?"
Xia Weiliang's sharp, 5.0 vision immediately provided feedback. "No, it looks more like a... mannequin."
Calling it a mannequin was being polite, because from every angle, it was clear it was an inflatable doll – a favorite of male friends.
Of course, without her needing to elaborate further, Xi En had already figured it out.
He raised an eyebrow. "...You're right. It's a mannequin."
In such a peaceful, secluded village, the appearance of such a doll was truly jarring!
Glancing at the man beside her, who could tell what she was thinking, he wiped his face, stood up, and said, "Let's go around and take a look."
"Sure thing!"
Xia Weiliang quickly got up and was the first to run to the bridge in the middle of the river.
As this was an unfamiliar place, Xi En was worried about her and stayed behind her, constantly reminding her to be careful.
"Watch your step."
"..."
Xia Weiliang looked back at him with a wistful gaze.
She felt like he was hinting at her falling into a ditch while riding a shared bicycle.
Xi En understood her resentful look and chuckled. "I wasn't talking about the time you fell into that ditch."
"!!"
See!
What had she said!
He was clearly hinting at it!
Xia Weiliang turned her attention away and stopped paying attention to him.
After crossing the bridge, the two of them hurried towards the spot where they had seen the doll.
However, after finally reaching the location, Xia Weiliang's eyes widened in shock. "No way? It's gone?!"
It wasn't just her; even Xi En frowned in suspicion.
One person might be mistaken, but for two people to be mistaken simultaneously and see the same thing would be too absurd.
"Someone must have taken it," he said.
"But who could it be? We didn't see even a shadow of anyone on our way here, let alone a person." Xia Weiliang's expression changed slightly, and she couldn't help but shiver.
"Could it really be... a..."
A ghost!
Without a second thought, Xi En reached out and ruffled her hair. "You're overthinking. I don't believe in ghosts or spirits."