At the end of August, Jiang Xiao embarked on her journey. On the day of departure, the family of three stood in the yard, and the father and son both looked at her with expressions of reluctance. Truly, they were like father and son, and their gazes were so unified at this moment.
Jiang Xiao felt a heavy heart. This was the longest business trip she had taken since getting married. “I’ll be back soon.”
Zhou Xiulin hadn’t spoken yet, but their son began to sob, heartbroken. “Mom, are you really not taking me with you?”
“Mom is going to work.”
Little Bean Sprout clung to her leg. “Mom, I want to grow up quickly. When I earn money, you won’t have to go to work all the time.”
He made it sound as if his dad was quite useless.
Zhou Xiulin gave Little Bean Sprout a disdainful look. “Zhou Simu, did you forget to feed Soy Milk this morning?”
Little Bean Sprout blinked a couple of times. “It seems like it. Dad, could you help me feed her?”
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Hbsw Dkwzkd pyke dsdnbyzydvzu, “Vssa vbkdt, pbl bypd’v lyvld yduvbkdt yzz dktbv. Tla clzzu xwpv cl bwavkdt cu dso.”
Nkvvzl Jlyd Fraswv qwaasole bkp caso, vswnble bkp sod zkvvzl clzzu, oydvle vs vyzj vs bkp xsx, cwv yzps eked’v oydv Fsu Ykzj vs ts bwdtau. “Ysx, cl nyalqwz yde esd’v vyzj vs pvaydtlap. Psd’v lyv aydesx vbkdtp lkvbla! Ysx, R’zz ts qlle Fsu Ykzj dso.”
Kkydt Dkys alrzkle, “Gzaktbv.” Rv pllxle bla psd hyzwle vbl nyv xsal vbyd bla dso.
Hbsw Dkwzkd yzps qwaasole bkp caso. Jayv, usw pvszl xu zkdlp.”
Wsavwdyvlzu, vbl ckt zktbvcwzc qkdyzzu zlqv.
Hbsw Dkwzkd prsjl wr, “Rq usw ldnswdvla ydu wdlmrlnvle pkvwyvksdp sd vbl pbso, fwpv yeyrv sd vbl prsv. Psd’v osaau ycswv xl.”
Kkydt Dkys aykple yd lulcaso. “Ebyv nswze rsppkczu byrrld? R’x dsv y nlzlcakvu, yde dlvkgldp yald’v ryavknwzyazu nwakswp ycswv xu bwpcyde. Sktbv dso, lhlausdl oydvp vs pll Nkvvzl Jlyd Fraswv.”
Hbsw Dkwzkd yefwpvle bla byka. “Mbl rastayx vlyx okzz elqkdkvlzu vau vs nalyvl psxl pldpyvksdyz rskdvp qsa ayvkdtp yde ekpnwppksdp.” Flhlayz xydytlap kd vbl ldvlavykdxldv kdewpvau olal dsv vs cl wdelalpvkxyvle. Gqvla ps xydu ulyap kd vbl ldvlavykdxldv nkanzl, vblu yzz bye vblka sod vaknjp.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. Well then, please work hard in this period of time.” She tilted her head slightly and looked at him. Her eyes were full of affection. While no one was around, she suddenly tiptoed and gave his mouth a quick peck. “I’m leaving.”
“Hold on—” Was this how she intended to say goodbye with just a fleeting kiss?
“Hmm?”
“A farewell kiss should be like this—” With those words, his lips touched hers, creating a warmth.
Fortunately, they were in the yard of their own home. Fortunately, Jiang Xiao had insisted on not having the program’s crew come to pick her up; otherwise, if this scene were broadcast, it would definitely cause a sensation!
Zhou Xiulin’s fingertips lightly traced the corner of her lips. “Remember what our son just said.”
Jiang Xiao’s eyes held a smile. “I’ll secretly call you.”
Zhou Xiulin furrowed his brow slightly. “Mrs. Zhou, I don’t mind if you call me openly. No matter what I’m doing, I’ll answer right away.”
Jiang Xiao pursed her lips, chuckling softly. “I’m leaving.”
Yunni Town was a coastal town on the eastern side of Province J. In recent years, with local tourism development, it had created a scenic tourism area. It wasn’t as famous as some well-known attractions, so there weren’t many tourists. The sea was crystal blue, the air was fresh and pleasant, and the program team had indeed put in a lot of effort.
After the program team of “The Most Beautiful Talent Manager” officially settled in, the four guests were divided into pairs and shared a living space in a courtyard.
To ensure fairness, they drew lots to determine who would be paired with whom. In the end, Jiang Xiao was paired with Sheng Mina, while Fang Mu was paired with Sun Jing.
At the beginning, everyone was somewhat stiff and reserved in front of the camera, with awkward expressions. Despite the psychological preparation the program team had done for them, they were not professional artists.
Two phrases were often repeated by the director:
“Show your true selves.”
“Don’t treat us like humans1Ignore the cameras and staff!”
Whenever they overacted, the director would remind them.
But on the second day, everyone got used to it and entered their rhythm.
They truly didn’t treat them as humans, just as the director had said.
The four of them picked vegetables, cooked together, and tidied up the house. They were all waiting for their first partners.
Once everything was arranged, the first batch of partners arrived.
Sheng Mina brought actor XX, Fang Mu brought a male athlete from the sports world, XXX, and Sun Jing brought a female host. At the beginning of the program, they didn’t invite any big celebrities. When Jiang’s father appeared, the atmosphere suddenly changed. The world-weary old artist gave the feeling of being on the wrong set.
In fact, the program team had asked Jiang Xiao beforehand, confirming if she was sure.
Jiang Xiao replied, “This is my first time traveling with my father.”
The program team was deeply moved.
Jiang Yi was still in his usual style, with long hair that he could tie up into a small bun.
Jiang Xiao helped him carry his suitcase.
“I’ve got this.”
“What’s in your bag, Dad? You just had surgery.”
“Little Bean Sprout asked me to bring you a watermelon.”
“It must be heavy.”
“Weight is not the main issue; I was worried about the watermelon getting squished on the way. I’ve been holding it all the way.”
“That little guy likes to challenge you.”
Jiang Yi chuckled, “You were the same when you were little. The first time you had cherry tomatoes in kindergarten, you didn’t eat them and secretly brought them back in your pocket for me.”
Jiang Xiao was taken aback. Firstly, she didn’t remember this at all, and secondly, they were recording a program – did her dad just say this on camera?
She moved away from the camera and winked at him.
Jiang Yi asked: “What’s wrong? Is there sand in your eyes.”
Jiang Xiao: “…” Did her dad really forget that they were recording a show? She avoided the camera and quickly reminded her dad to pay attention.
Jiang Yi suddenly realized, “I almost forgot we’re recording a program.”
In the evening, to welcome the first group of guests, everyone gathered for a meal.
They were used to ordering takeout or eating out during their daily lives, but for this program, they all tried their hand at cooking. Jiang Yi and Jiang Xiao didn’t participate, instead making tea for everyone.
Jiang Yi, as the elder, was politely addressed as “Uncle Jiang” by everyone.
As the only man present, Fang Mu was closer to Jiang Yi. “Uncle Jiang, what kind of tea is this?” The tea was deep red and had a salty taste when sipped.
“I brought it back from Qinghai. Locally, it’s called ‘aocha.’ It has salt and Sichuan peppercorns added to it. You might not be used to it, but it’s good for the stomach.”
Fang Mu had stomach issues, so he drank a big cup after hearing about its benefits. “This is my first time trying it. Uncle Jiang, have you traveled to many places?”
Jiang Yi nodded and began sharing his travel experiences.
After everyone was settled, they gathered around to listen to Jiang Yi talking about the past.
Curious, Sun Jing later searched Jiang Yi’s name on the internet. They were all surprised to discover that Jiang Yi was a prominent painter in the country. They had previously thought that painting was just his hobby. The production team hadn’t made it clear!
The saying “people from different professions are like different mountains” held true.
Late at night, the crew members were resting.
Sun Jing pulled Sheng Mina aside. “Didn’t they say Jiang Xiao’s family isn’t well-off? I checked, and one of Jiang’s father’s paintings at an auction house is worth at least $200,000.”
Sheng Mina looked resentful. “Who knew her? She hides it so well!”
Sun Jing said, “We’ve all been deceived by her.” They were all accustomed to comparing themselves to others, used to seeing others as inferior, but suddenly, someone else was doing so well, and it made everyone feel subtly uncomfortable.
Sheng Mina frowned. “Let’s go rest. I’m looking forward to her mysterious guest.”
The official Weibo account of “The Most Beautiful Talent Agent” posted a group photo. Under the moonlight, everyone was sitting around a long table in the courtyard, having a great time.
Once the Weibo post went live, they each shared it, and the buzz started to build. Several of the guests also garnered a lot of attention.
The production team also seized on the “father-daughter” combination of Jiang Xiao and Jiang Yi. The Weibo account of the production team leaked a photo of the watermelon, which moved the audience as they saw the loving father bringing her the watermelon she loved.
The love of a father is like a mountain!
At the same time, Jiang Xiao posted the “watermelon photo” on her Weibo.
【The watermelon my son asked my dad to bring. Thank you! My son! PS: Little Bean Sprout didn’t like watermelon from a young age. He cried the first time he tried it. He found watermelon to be a scary fruit, like blood… So, every time we have watermelon at home, it’s just my husband and me eating it.】
Wandering Gugu: Jiang Jie, you must bring Little Bean Sprout on the show!
I Love Yiwen’s Boss: Requesting Little Bean Sprout’s appearance!
Beibei’s cute passerby fan: Little Bean Sprout! Little Bean Sprout! I’m changing my idol!
…
Jiang Xiao noticed “Beibei’s cute passerby fan” and inexplicably clicked on it. The style of this Weibo, from food to fashion, was undoubtedly Qin Yilu!
She immediately called her. “How have you been lately?”
“I’ve been good. The director said my acting has improved a lot.”
“That’s great.”
“The actors in the crew are all pretty nice, and we get along well.”
“Still, be cautious in your interactions. Keep your guard up, Qin Yilu, and don’t give anyone an opportunity.”
“I know, Jiang Jie, I’m not that foolish.”
Jiang Xiao chuckled, “What’s the deal with your Weibo trumpet account? If it gets exposed, I want to see how you handle it!”
“How did you find out?”
“I deleted everything! Especially anything related to Jin Zhongbei; you should delete those now. If his fans search for it, you’ll be in trouble.”
“I’m just a simple fan of his.”
“You’re also an upcoming actress! Starting tomorrow, no more posts. I’ll have someone keep an eye on you. Besides… forget it, I’ll talk to you after I finish recording the show.”
“What else? Jiang Jie, when are you going to give us wedding candies? And red eggs! You’re supposed to give those when you get married or have a child.”
Jiang Xiao lowered her voice, “Think about your weight! You’re still thinking about eating!”
Just then, the camera was pointed at her. Her fierce expression seemed so real.
Jiang Xiao belatedly noticed the camera and could imagine her previous expression and tone. She had to put on a brave face and change her tone. “Pay attention to your diet! Eat less spicy food! Use more face masks!”
“Jiang Jie, are they filming you over there? By the way, who is your brother-in-law? I heard rumors saying he’s a bald guy in his forties, but I don’t believe it. Your taste couldn’t be that bad! Also, they say your online photos are fake! That man isn’t your husband! You hired him.”
Jiang Xiao maintained her smile. “Okay, goodbye. We’ll talk more when you come over.” She was the mother of a drama queen; she had some acting skills.
Qin Yilu logged into her alt account. Unbeknownst to her, she had already posted over 3,000 times. She couldn’t delete them all at once and decided to take her time to clean it up when she had the chance.
The first batch of guests left two nights ago, and everyone had some free time.
Jiang Xiao and Jiang Yi sat under a pergola, with the courtyard full of purple daisies, their faint fragrance filling the entire space.
Jiang Xiao was sipping coffee, and Jiang Yi was drinking tea. It was a heartwarming scene.
“Dad, why aren’t you painting this time?” Jiang Yi came on this trip purely for leisure. “I’ll paint when I get back. Yunni Town is as quiet as our hometown.”
“But there’s the sea here, which Lingnan doesn’t have.”
Jiang Yi smiled, and the wrinkles on his face were clearly visible. “Xiaoxiao, this is our first trip together.”
Jiang Xiao’s lips quivered. “There will be more chances in the future.”
“I’ll be waiting.” He had joined the show to make up for the gaps in their father-daughter relationship.
Unexpectedly, with the release of the official Weibo photo from “The Most Beautiful Talent Agent,” someone from the art world chimed in.
“I was really surprised; Teacher Jiang is participating in a variety show. I really like Teacher’s paintings and have bid on them at auctions but never had the chance to win one. By the way, is Teacher Jiang participating because of Zhou Xiulin?”
“What kind of relationship?”
“Every time Teacher Jiang has a new painting at an auction, Zhou Xiulin has never been absent.”
“So, ‘The Most Beautiful Talent Manager’ is a mix of the entertainment and art worlds? I’m looking forward to it.”
Netizens suddenly realized.
“Could it be that the big shot behind Jiang Xiao is Zhou Xiulin?”
This sudden revelation caused a commotion on the official Weibo. The production team was caught off guard and quickly contacted the parties involved.
Jiang Xiao also read the comments from that netizen. Initially, she thought it might be false, but now she could be sure. That netizen’s Weibo was filled with content related to art.
However, Jiang Xiao had never heard of this. Her husband was a fan of her father?
But Zhou Xiulin had never shown any interest in painting. Her father had also never mentioned it.
The director, seeing Jiang Xiao’s realization, said, “Maybe you should contact Mr. Zhou? We need some preparation for this.”
“Right, I’ll contact Mr. Zhou.”
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This Sun Jing and Sheng Mina is interesting. Is Jiang Xiao obligated to tell them everything about her. It’s up to her if she wants people to know her father is a famous painter or not. They’re the one that’s simply believing all rumors and even spread rumors themselves. Now after finding out they’re acting like Jiang Xiao did it on purpose or something.
It’s jealousy.
Oooooooh Mr.Zhou is showing his face to the public?!! 😳😳😳
It’s also sad for her. The mistake of your parents is not yours but you are affected. A complete family seems so hard to have sometimes. 😮💨😩