Upon waking, Xia Weiliang learned that Xiao Yi had already departed.
"So soon?" she asked, puzzled, looking up at Yan Zhi. "Did something happen?"
"How could it!" Yan Zhi waved his hands dismissively. "No, no, the company was just rushing him. There are so many projects waiting for our Brother Yi."
Xia Weiliang stared at him, making Yan Zhi feel quite uneasy.
Just as he thought the 'Empress' would press for details, she simply said, "I understand."
"And... that's it?" Yan Zhi was actually feeling a bit guilty.
The beautiful girl seated opposite him looked at him with amusement. "If he doesn't want to talk about something, it's either a secret or he doesn't want me to worry. Why should I waste his good intentions?"
Even so, she knew that whatever Xiao Yi had to handle couldn't be simple.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have left Yan Zhi behind.
Yan Zhi was stunned. He had always thought Xia Weiliang was just a pretty face, but there were so many beautiful people in the world; how had the boss fallen for her!
Looking at her now, he realized how shallow he had been.
Next, Xia Weiliang heard that Xiao Yi planned to adopt Little Jinzi, which truly surprised her.
"He..."
Yan Zhi looked at her meaningfully. "For whom, who doesn't know their own heart?"
Given the 'Empress's' temperament, she certainly wouldn't stand by and watch Little Jinzi suffer.
With the disposition of Little Jinzi's parents, adopting her would inevitably lead to constant trouble. Rather than letting her be taken advantage of impulsively, it was better for him to step in and settle everything before he left.
After being moved, Xia Weiliang calmed down. "But money can be spent one day..."
At that point, Little Jinzi would become a cash cow for that couple!
Liu Wan Quan and Bao Fang were precedents.
Yan Zhi, however, smiled after hearing this. "That won't happen; they won't have the chance."
Those words sounded familiar.
Xia Weiliang glanced at him subtly, making a gesture across her neck. "You're not going to... get rid of them..."
Yan Zhi blinked his large, watery eyes in exasperation. "Killing people to silence them is illegal."
Then, he educated her. "Our Brother Yi never leaves any loose ends. For instance, they'll never have a chance to leave this great mountain... Heh, living a lifetime in this beautiful mountain and clear water can also be quite pleasant."
Xia Weiliang understood.
The film emperor's money wasn't that easy to take.
"And besides," Yan Zhi's smile widened, "Lang Yue said that everyone in their village has reached a consensus. They'll keep a close eye on this couple and absolutely won't let them bother Little Jinzi, allowing us to take her away with peace of mind."
Xia Weiliang chuckled. She believed this.
The rain had stopped, the disaster had stabilized, and the next step was for the government to arrange resettlement and await the reconstruction of their homes.
Upon connecting, Director Huang immediately contacted the platform and requested a few more days to stay and help the villagers.
Gu Mo Village, with its predominantly sturdy stone houses and its location on the mountainside, had suffered relatively less damage.
With the help of the rescue team and volunteers, the villagers cleared out the mud in just two days, and daily life was slowly returning to normal.
All of this was being documented by Brother Qiao's film crew.
It was time for farewells again. Although Xia Weiliang's time with Uncle Qu and his apprentice was short, they had experienced life and death together, and each had become a source of concern for the other.
"Master, I've already spoken with the owner of the general store. From now on, you'll eat your three meals a day there, and I've paid for your meals in advance."
Xia Weiliang instructed meticulously, her hands busy repairing the umbrella ribs. "And don't worry about Sister Tian; I've added her on WeChat and told her to contact me if she needs anything."
Uncle Qu looked up at her, his lips always curved in a smile. "After living more than half my life, to suddenly have such a disciple bestowed upon me, it truly is heaven's mercy... I am content."
"You can't be content! How can you be content? Your days of enjoying blessings are still ahead! In a few more years, Sister Tian will return with your grandchild, so you must take good care of yourself!"
Touched by the beautiful picture she painted, Uncle Qu's smile widened. "Yes, Master will listen to you, girl."
Opposite them, Xiao Shuai, carrying the camera, was crying buckets.
Uncle Qu turned to look at him, smiling. "Child, why are you crying?"
Behind the camera, Xiao Shuai's hands trembled with tears, and his vision blurred. "Wuwu~ Uncle, I'll miss you too!"
This trip to Gu Mo Village was different from the previous two. This time, they had experienced the mountain flood and faced death together, so their emotions were naturally deeper.
The small bridge had regained its former tranquility, and the stream was gradually clearing.
Director Huang was squatting alone by the river, smoking one cigarette after another. Su Dan Novel Network.
He rarely smoked, especially while working. He abstained from cigarettes and alcohol, being self-disciplined and meticulous.
As he was about to leave, he abandoned his entire crew, asked Da Zhuang for half a pack of cigarettes, and hid here dejectedly.
Footsteps approached slowly from behind.
"Director Huang?"
Hearing the voice, Huang Yanyan's body stiffened. His first instinct was to crush the cigarette into the dirt and bury the butts. "I... I am, I am..."
He stood up, turned around slowly, not daring to look up.
Lang Yue, wearing a clean blue floral print coarse cloth skirt and a matching headscarf, stood in the setting sun. Her cheeks were flushed with a tender pink, and the smile on her face was radiant.
"Do you... have anything you want to tell me?"
"I..."
Director Huang looked up at her, then nervously lowered his gaze again.
Lang Yue walked forward step by step, lifting her head to meet his gaze. "Do you really have nothing you want to say to me?"
Director Huang gritted his teeth and buried his head even lower.
Lang Yue, however, smiled. "Alright, if you don't say it, I will."
She slightly lowered her gaze and said softly, "Gu Mo Village is my father's responsibility, and it's mine too. I never thought about leaving this place... until you appeared."
Lang Yue took a deep breath and bravely confessed, "I like you."
Director Huang was shocked. He looked at her, overjoyed yet cautious.
Lang Yue's gaze was open, and she smiled. "If this mountain flood hadn't happened, I probably would never have said it. I would have buried this affection in my heart and brought it out to bask in the sun whenever I had free time."
"Lang Yue, I..."
Lang Yue raised her hand to cover his lips, shaking her head with a smile. "Don't say anything, and don't make any promises. We are fine just like this, pursuing our respective dreams and living our own lives."
Director Huang grabbed her hand, lowered his head, and suddenly burst into tears.
A grown man, crying like a helpless child.
Lang Yue let out a chuckle, actively hugged him, and gently patted his back. "There, there."
Director Huang held her tightly, crying uglily.
So, life doesn't always go as planned; most of it is beyond one's control.
Director Huang held her even tighter.
Lang Yue maintained her smile, wrapping her arms around him and whispering in his ear, "Take care."