Xia Wei Liang typed rapidly on her phone. "Teacher Xiao, we must not believe, spread, or fabricate rumors! Calm down, stay calm!"
The other end simply sent back a question mark, "?".
"It's... it's on Weibo..."
"Ah~ You want to make it official~"
Huh?!
"Er Kang's hand.jpg"
"Heh, I know your courage well enough, don't I?"
"Hehe, I knew Teacher Xiao was virtuous and dedicated, forging ahead on the path of art without looking back, always disdainful of gossip!"
Xia Wei Liang was all smiles. As long as he didn't make it official, flattery flowed out of her as easily as water, always hitting the mark!
Meanwhile, the recording of "I Am Your Grandpa" was fully entrusted to Director Du. The "grandpas" on stage had already developed a good rapport, resorting to rock-paper-scissors at the slightest disagreement, requiring no intervention from anyone else!
As for what they would compete in, it was only truly revealed the moment they stepped onto the stage, a surprise not only for the audience but also for Director Xiao Du!
Soon, a notice arrived for the recording of the third episode of "Courage." Xia Wei Liang calmly prepared herself.
She still felt a strong connection to this show, especially after the second episode in Suo Luo Village, where she gained a godson. She often called the village chief, inquiring about him. If she hadn't worried about disrupting his studies, she would have loved to give him a phone to stay in touch at all times.
According to the village chief, Zhao Cheng was now diligently catching up on his elementary school curriculum.
The impact of the show's broadcast had made it more convenient for the children in this small mountain village to access education. The fund established by Modí was also working to improve travel for the villagers.
Everything was moving in a positive direction, which was exactly what Xia Wei Liang wanted to see.
The third episode featured the same cast, with the only absence being Xiao Yi.
His absence was understandable; he was a guest participant, and he was also working on film post-production. If not for his throat condition at the time, he likely wouldn't have been able to stay for the entire second episode.
Before departing, Xiao Yi called Xia Wei Liang specifically.
"I won't be on the show, but I will watch it."
"Why else would they call Teacher Xiao our most loyal, legendary fan of 'Courage'—a 'ding fen'!"
The man on the other end of the phone let out a cold laugh. "Yes, I will watch it carefully, watch it intently. If I find you getting too close to someone, don't blame me if I make it official immediately!"
"No! No, no, no!"
"So, you know what you need to do?"
"Within a five-meter radius, no approaching!"
After hanging up, Xia Wei Liang pursed her lips.
Alas, if you're no longer in the martial world, why do you still want to preserve your legend!
---
Yunnan, Xishuangbanna.
Light rain, 23°C.
The third episode of "Courage" was being filmed in the scenic Xishuangbanna.
Unlike the Suo Luo Village of the previous episode, the guests were already familiar with the show's procedures and traveled light without assistants.
Even Mikoy wasn't bringing as many gadgets this time. With a backpack on his back, he wore a slim and short red cross-collared shirt, the collar open to reveal skin, paired with blue shorts. A yellow towel was tied around his waist, and he wore a tattered straw hat. He flashed a grin at everyone he saw, speaking with an open and unrestrained manner.
He introduced himself to everyone: "I am the man who will become the Pirate King!!"
Seeing Xia Wei Liang dragging her luggage in the waiting room, he dashed over, "I am the man who will become Niang Niang's man!!"
Xia Wei Liang didn't hesitate, using two fingers to pinch him.
"Become what? I didn't hear clearly!"
Mikoy's ear was nearly ripped off, "Serf, serf! I said serf!" Su Dan Novel Network
"Heh, no need for that. The principle of our show is self-reliance. You just behave yourself and don't 'rely' on strange people."
Across from them, A Ning and Situ glanced at each other. They moved in tacit understanding, flanking Mikoy and lifting him up.
He sighed, looking at them speechlessly, "I just wanted to say hello, do you have to be so quick-witted?"
They ignored him and simply moved him aside.
A Ning: "Kid, Brother Yi isn't here this episode."
Mikoy's eyes lit up, "This episode is so anticipated?"
Situ: "We are still here."
Mikoy deflated instantly, "Oh..."
A Ning: "You'd better behave, and stay away from my sister!"
Mikoy chuckled, looking at them helplessly, "Should you be concerned about me? Shouldn't you be paying more attention to that person instead?"
He nodded his chin towards behind them. Situ turned and saw Su Yu Xi, who was greeting Xia Wei Liang.
A Ning frowned, "Situ! Enemy spotted ahead!"
Situ nodded, "Go!"
Mikoy: "Me too!"
The three of them moved to stand between the two, greeting Su Yu Xi with feigned concern.
Su Yu Xi looked at them, smiled, exchanged a few brief words, and walked away.
A moment later, Xia Wei Liang sat alone, and when no one was looking, she lowered her head to examine her wrist.
Xiao Lan was quietly coiled around her wrist, motionless.
"Lan, I've been advising you for a day and a night, can you at least give me some indication!"
Xia Wei Liang was quite troubled by this. "You can't get on the plane, why did you come with me?"
It refused to come down, and Xia Wei Liang didn't dare to startle it. She had spent half the night coaxing it, even singing several songs.
But Xiao Lan remained unmoved!
Even stranger, it had been particularly quiet these past two days, neither eating nor drinking, as if in deep meditation.
But at this time of year, it wasn't yet hibernation season.
The security check was about to begin, and Xiao Lan would definitely be detected by the machines.
Xia Wei Liang was anxious when the announcement came to proceed to security.
Glancing at the small, azure snake on her wrist, Xia Wei Liang sighed. What was meant to happen would happen.
The group lined up for security. Since it was a chartered flight, Xia Wei Liang wasn't too worried about being discovered. But to her surprise, she passed through perfectly fine!
Xia Wei Liang was a bit bewildered. Why wasn't there a beep?
Was the security gate broken?
Disbelieving, she walked back and passed through again...
The security personnel stared at her blankly. She had walked through that gate a full two times!
She even deliberately raised her wrist and waved it around...
"Xiao Liang, what are you doing?"
Director Huang quickly came over. "Is this a playground?"
"Director Huang, I'm not playing, I just wanted to test if that gate was working."
"Why would you test it? What, did you bring contraband?!"
"That's impossible!" Xia Wei Liang looked around and whispered, "I brought a snake!"
Director Huang's eyebrows didn't even move. "A snake?"
"Ah! A live one!"
"Live?"
"Yes! Fresh and alive!"
Fearing Director Huang wouldn't believe her, she quickly showed him her wrist. "It's here!"
Director Huang rubbed his temples, not looking at all. But Xia Wei Liang was suddenly startled; Xiao Lan actually lifted its head!!
Fearing she would scare Director Huang, she immediately pressed Xiao Lan's head back down without a word.
"It's nothing, just kidding!"
"Liang, if you're feeling stressed, tell me. Don't keep it bottled up!"
"Absolutely!"
After Director Huang left, Xia Wei Liang looked down at her wrist, feeling both helpless and curious. "Are you related to Cordyceps sinensis?"
"What Cordyceps sinensis?"
Su Yu Xi had arrived.
"It's nothing."
Upon hearing his voice, Xiao Lan, which had been coiled around her hand, began to loosen its grip...