RHTB 15

Chapter 15

"You think you're disciplining your employees in your own company? The boss doesn't buy it. She grows flowers better than you." Huang Hui was delighted to see Ji Mingquan defeated.

Ji Mingquan snorted coldly, but had to admit Huang Hui was right.

After dinner, Tang Yao found the sunniest spot and began working on her embroidery.

She enjoyed embroidery; it not only kept her thinking active but also calmed her mind.

Working a little each day, she had already completed half of a not-so-small embroidery piece.

Huang Hui was in the garden answering the phone. It was their son calling, inquiring about their health and urging them to return home as soon as possible.

"Mom and Dad, we're worried about you being out there. If you want a vacation, come to our villa. There's one near the beach in Q City, the closest to Wanhua Town. You can even see the sea. Isn't that great?" It was Ji Mingquan's eldest son on the other end of the line.

"I don't mind, but you know your dad. He'll probably be stuck here for the next few days." Huang Hui shook her head helplessly.

After hanging up the phone with her son, Huang Hui took a side path back. Turning a corner, she saw Tang Yao embroidering.

Huang Hui owned a clothing company. Because she loved traditional elements, her company focuses on traditional style, with embroidery being a key element.

Besides, because of her love for embroidery, she apprenticed under the embroidery master Wang Chengmin. Her love for embroidery was ingrained in her.

Therefore, seeing Tang Yao embroidering, she instinctively walked over.

Tang Yao's slender, white fingers moved gracefully across the silk fabric. Her movements were neither too fast nor too slow, a pleasing sight to behold.

She was embroidering a flower in full bloom... The vibrant plum blossoms looked incredibly lifelike, with butterflies occasionally alighting on the silk, seemingly mistaking them for real flowers.

Even Huang Hui could almost smell a delicate fragrance.

Huang Hui's eyes lit up slightly as she mentally praised the craftsmanship.

She went around to the back of the silk, intending to examine the arrangement of the threads, but unexpectedly, she found another embroidery on the back—a bamboo painting!

Huang Hui's breathing quickened slightly. Double-sided embroidery! This was actually double-sided embroidery! This technique was almost lost. Her teacher, Wang Chengmin, had once remarked that mastering double-sided embroidery was the true mark of a master.

Even in her company, she couldn't find anyone with such exquisite skills.

"Is there something you need?" Noticing someone behind her, Tang Yao paused her work and turned to ask.

"Boss, this is... double-sided embroidery?"

Tang Yao nodded. "Yes, just passing the time. It's not very good; please excuse the poor quality."

This was something she learned in an ancient world. Back then, she was the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy family. Although her mother was a lowly seamstress, her embroidery skills were superb. She taught her many skills, enabling her to later make a living.

"No, no, no, it's very well embroidered," Huang Hui praised. "I've also studied embroidery, but this is the first time I've seen double-sided embroidery done in person."

Huang Hui wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by. She directly asked Tang Yao if she'd be willing to work for her company, offering a seven-figure annual salary.

However, Tang Yao wasn't short of money. She simply wanted a leisurely life.

Tang Yao's refusal was expected by Huang Hui. Judging from the flowers and plants in her yard, Tang Yao wasn't someone who would be bound by money.

In the end, they exchanged contact information. Before leaving, Huang Hui even asked Tang Yao to reconsider her suggestion.

After this little interlude, Tang Yao continued working on her piece.

She was always very focused on what she was doing, and by the time she came to her senses, it was already noon.

She hadn't even noticed when Lu Bei had stood next to her.

"Teacher Lu, what are you doing here?"

Lu Bei had mostly stayed in his room these past few days, not wanting to trouble Tang Yao, and it was rare to see him out.

"Just out for a stroll. I remember Boss Tang said she'd treat me to a meal. I wonder if that still counts?" "

Lu Bei's peach blossom eyes slightly narrowed.

Tang Yao had indeed said something similar after Lu Bei saved her.

Tang Yao felt that Lu Bei seemed more lively than when he first arrived, no longer the lifeless figure she remembered.

She immediately smiled: "Sure, why not today? Shall we go together?" "

Lu Bei nodded, helped tidy up the embroidery frame, and then they went to the dining room together.

Tang Yao told Lu Bei to order his favorite dishes. Lu Bei casually named a few and Tang Yao discovered that their tastes were quite similar.

After sitting down, Lu Bei seemed to realize what had happened. He had originally just felt it was the scent of the garden that made him feel more comfortable. While strolling around, he had been drawn to Tang Yao, who was engrossed in her embroidery. The beast within him always seemed to quiet down when he was with Tang Yao and that volatile emotion seemed to have been dormant for some time.

He pondered, unconsciously watching her for a long time.

In the end, when he was discovered, a sense of helplessness flashed through his mind and he subconsciously used eating as an excuse.

"Teacher Lu, you can try this meat. It's delicious." Tang Yao said to Lu Bei.

Lu Bei nodded, picked up a piece, and put it in his mouth. It was indeed crisp, tender, salty, and fragrant, very much to his liking.

He felt very relaxed now, almost no different from before he got sick. It seemed that everything started to improve from the moment he stepped into this guesthouse. Although he was very curious, he didn't ask anything.

The next morning, an uninvited guest arrived at the guesthouse.

Tang Yao frowned at the somewhat disheveled young man in front of her. Her tone was unfriendly: "What are you doing here?"

The young man was none other than Xu Haocheng, who should have been enjoying the life of a rich second-generation in a luxurious villa and also Tang Yao's cheap younger brother.

She never expected him to find her here.

Tang Yao had anticipated the Xu Family would discover her when she posted the video, but the situation at the time didn't allow her time to consider that.

“Do you think I wanted to come?!” Xu Haocheng said, his eyes reddening.

He, a rich young master, had never been to such a remote place alone before.

He had spent a long time figuring out how to take the train and then the bus, only to have his wallet stolen. He was exhausted and hungry from the journey.

Seeing Xu Haocheng's red eyes, Tang Yao was taken aback. He actually felt aggrieved? Had he forgotten how he had treated her at the Xu Family's house?

After hearing his legendary experiences, Tang Yao couldn't help but facepalm. What a weirdo!

However, out of humanitarian concern, Tang Yao still took him to the police station to report the incident.

On the way, Tang Yao expected to hear some sarcastic remarks, but Xu Haocheng remained unusually quiet.

"Let's go. I'll see you to your transport home. Don't come back unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I...I had a dream." Xu Haocheng's voice sounded behind her. "I dreamt that after you went home, everyone in your family sided with Xu Wan and treated you badly. No matter what you did, no one liked you. In the end...in the end, you died."

Xu Haocheng's voice trembled slightly.

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RHTB 14

Chapter 14

"Sorry, he can't move when he sees these flowers and plants. We need lodging, please give us the largest room." A gentle voice came from outside the door.

"I'll go call the boss." Before leaving, Xiao Yue glanced at the old man squatting in the garden one last time before leaving with reluctance.

She called Tang Yao and told her about the old man's strange behavior.

Xiao Yue didn't quite understand the behavior of some humans, so her words were full of doubt.

When Tang Yao arrived at the door, the old man was happily talking to a woman in a cheongsam beside him: "This is the Ghost Orchid, and the Spiral Tea. Over there is an Iceberg and Flame. The quality is excellent! It's just such a waste to pile them up like this."

"I know, I know, get up quickly. What kind of behavior is this! The boss will kick us out in a moment." The woman said helplessly.

"Hello. Due to some special reasons, we are temporarily not accepting guests," Tang Yao said politely to the two.

"I know, I know. It's that variety show, right? I've already spoken to them. Boss Tang, you can call and ask." The old man stood up. Though he was speaking to Tang Yao, his gaze never left the flowers and plants on the ground.

Before Tang Yao could make a call to confirm, Huang Yong called first.

"Boss Tang, this is the father of a friend of the company boss. I'm sorry to trouble you."

Huang Yong's voice sounded tired. It seemed it had been extremely busy for him lately. His attitude remained polite, so Tang Yao didn't make things difficult for him, agreeing immediately and refusing his offer of extra money.

After hanging up, Tang Yao asked Xiao Yue to take them to the 588 family room.

"Boss, do you sell your flowers?" the old man asked before leaving. "I came here after seeing a friend's video. Your flowers are all rare gems, each one exceptional. If you're selling, I'll buy them at any price."

The old man was Ji Mingquan, who had gotten the address from Zhou Yunliang using tea leaves. The woman was his wife, Huang Hui.

"I'm sorry. These flowers are all unique. I don't plan to sell them right now," Tang Yao said.

These flowers were all collected by her, one by one, from other small worlds. Some even possessed celestial energy and she didn't want to sell them casually.

Ji Mingquan was quite disappointed by the answer and wanted to say something, but his wife, Huang Hui, pulled him away: "Alright, alright, it's so late. Let's go get something to eat first. We can talk about it tomorrow."

Although Ji Mingquan was a little annoyed, he obediently followed.

After putting their things away, Huang Hui led Ji Mingquan to the dining hall.

Unexpectedly, he saw quite a few flowers and plants in the restaurant. Each variety would sell for hundreds of thousands of yuan outside. They were individually stored and carefully cared for, yet here they grew beautifully despite being casually placed. They swayed gently in the breeze. Ji Mingquan felt his eyes were almost not enough.

Huang Hui shook her head and simply sat down to order her favorite dishes.

"Aunt Huang." A voice sounded across from her. Huang Hui looked up and saw Lu Bei, who had removed his mask and glasses.

"It's Xiao Bei. Didn't the first episode end? Why didn't you go back?"

"The scenery here is nice. I'm staying here for a couple more days," Lu Bei said.

Huang Hui had seen Lu Bei by chance at a private hospital a while ago, but back then he seemed lost in some kind of darkness, depressed and dejected. It was a stark contrast to his current appearance.

Her good upbringing prevented her from reopening old wounds, so she simply said, "Then you can keep us company."

Lu Bei wasn't a talkative person to begin with. After greeting Ji Mingquan, he got up and left.

The dishes they ordered were all very much to their liking, even surprising Ji Mingquan, who was usually focused on the flowers and plants. He ate an extra bowl of rice.

"No wonder Old Zhou was bragging about it in the group chat. It really is a good place to relax and rejuvenate," Though Ji Mingquan was nodding repeatedly, his eyes remained fixed on the flowers and plants beside him.

Huang Hui stood by, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

...

Inside the Xu Family villa, Xu Wan was flipping through a newly released jewelry magazine with her best friend.

"Wanwan, have you been watching the trending topics lately?" Her best friend, Sun Le, put down her magazine and asked Xu Wan.

"No, I've been worrying about where to go for our honeymoon after we get married. Yu Xuan is really something. He could have made the decisions for this little thing, but he insists I choose the place I like." Although she was complaining, the sweet smile on her lips clearly showed her pride.

Sun Le gave her a reproachful look: "Alright, alright, I know your Yu Xuan is good to you, but this news is related to your father's illegitimate daughter."

Hearing the words "illegitimate daughter," Xu Wan raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you send me a picture before? That's why I recognized her immediately." Sun Le said, handing Xu Wan her phone. “It seems she's not doing well after leaving the Xu Family. It's her karma. Who told her mother to be a mistress.”

Sun Le's family was well-off, but her parents were estranged. Her father openly had affairs, while her mother was timid and afraid to speak up. That was why she harbored deep resentment towards her illegitimate daughter.

Xu Wan's eyes flashed with unease. Because Tang Yao hadn't been back long, the others weren't fully aware of the situation.

To prevent her close friends from discovering she wasn't the true heiress of the Xu Family, Xu Wan subtly spread the rumor that Tang Yao was indeed an illegitimate child.

Sun Le naturally believed it without hesitation and felt even more sorry for her friend, believing she must have suffered some injustice.

"Don't say that," Xu Wan said gently. "She's had a tough time too."

"You're just too kind. You need to be a little tougher, otherwise how will you keep these monsters in check!" Sun Le was quite exasperated.

Xu Wan smiled gently, her gaze falling on Sun Le's phone.

The screen showed Tang Yao being harassed by Ouyang Hua.

A smug smile flashed across Xu Wan's face. Tang Yao was truly foolish, giving up this readily available life of wealth to live in poverty, and being harassed by an older man. Thinking of his aggressive manner, she felt a surge of pleasure.

However, seeing many comments praising Tang Yao's beauty made her unhappy.

"People actually praise her beauty? Are these people blind?" Sun Le said indignantly.

"She does have Dad's genes after all and she can't be that ugly." "Xu Wan ambiguously remarked.

Sun Le curled his lip, his disgust deepening.

After Sun Le left, Xu Wan took out the video and watched it repeatedly. In the end, she confirmed that Tang Yao had become more beautiful. Her features were almost identical to those of the Xu Family.

Xu Wan was afraid, afraid that people would discover the truth she had been trying to hide.

So, at dinner, she told Xu Anguo that she wanted to participate in the variety show "Escape from the City" as a non-celebrity.

Upon hearing this, Xu Anguo frowned: "Why would you want to participate in a variety show? You and Yu Xuan are getting married soon; you shouldn't be showing your face in public now."

"Yeah, Wanwan. Isn't it better to stay home? That variety show sounds like it has a terrible environment; why suffer like that?" Sun Yulan chimed in.

Xu Wan sighed, “Mom and Dad, it’s actually because of Yao Yao. I saw the video; Yao Yao isn’t doing well. She’s being harassed by a man in his forties. I want to go see her and persuade her to come home.”

Xu Anguo’s face darkened further: “Disgraceful! If people find out, where will the Xu Family’s face be!”

“Why bother with someone like that? She has no manners and goes against her parents. Let her suffer a bit.” A flicker of disgust flashed in Sun Yulan's eyes.

Xu Wan wasn't surprised by her parents' reaction. Before her smile could even fully form, she suddenly met the gaze of the silent Xu Haocheng.

Seeing the complex look in his eyes, Xu Wan offered her signature soft smile.

Since Tang Yao left, Xu Haocheng had become quite distant from her. No matter what Xu Wan said, he maintained his attitude. Xu Wan was annoyed but helpless, so she simply let him be. After all, her parents were the ones who truly made the decisions in this family.

"She's still my parents' biological daughter. I can't bear to see Dad and Mom regret it later," Xu Wan said sincerely. This made Sun Yulan feel deeply touched and grasped her hand.

"The one raised from young is still the most considerate." "

Xu Anguo, seemingly lost in thought, didn't immediately object but frowned in contemplation.

The company was facing some problems and needed a daughter to help him secure a marriage alliance to recoup his investment. Tang Yao was undoubtedly the best candidate. Perhaps the live-streaming program could be used to boost the Xu Family's reputation.

"In that case, you go and have some fun. Show more concern for Tang Yao and make sure she comes home as soon as possible." Xu Anguo's mind raced with various ideas before he finally made his decision.

Xu Wan's smile froze for a moment. She hadn't expected Xu Anguo to still be thinking about bringing Tang Yao back.

The group at the table, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, hastily finished dinner.

...

The next day, when Tang Yao woke up, Ji Mingquan had already followed Xiao Yue around, praising her profusely.

"So many kinds of flowers, each with different growing conditions and watering requirements, and you remember them all!"

Unperturbed, Xiao Yue smiled and nodded patiently, answering Ji Mingquan's questions with remarkable ease.

Meanwhile, Huang Hui strolled along the other side, breathing in the exceptionally fresh air of the courtyard.

"Old Ji, don't make things difficult for that young lady; she still has work to do," Huang Hui called out, seeing Ji Mingquan following Xiao Yue.

Ji Mingquan only quieted down a bit after his wife spoke.

When Tang Yao went to the restaurant, she happened to run into Huang Hui talking to Ji Mingquan and greeted her.

"Boss Tang, do you know that your flowers and plants here are very valuable?" Ji Mingquan couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Yes, I know," Tang Yao nodded.

Ji Mingquan's eyes widened, momentarily speechless: "Knowing that, why do you display them so openly? Even without a separate greenhouse, shouldn't you separate them from the ordinary flowers and plants?"

"But as you can see, my flowers are all growing very well." Tang Yao shrugged, "It's clear your method isn't suitable for all flowers and plants."

Ji Mingquan was speechless, while Huang Hui chuckled.

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RHTB 13

Chapter 13

Tang Yao thought she already knew the answer Zhang Qing hadn't said.

She stayed until dusk before bidding farewell. Zhang Qing leaned against the balcony and waved goodbye.

Downstairs, Tang Yao bumped into Huang Yong, who looked serious.

Tang Yao asked Huang Yong how he would handle Zhang Qing's situation. Although Huang Yong felt apologetic, he decided to have Zhang Qing withdraw from this season's recording and find a way to bring her back once the storm subsided.

As a friend, he felt sympathy and anger for Zhang Qing's plight, but as the director, to keep the show filming going, he had no choice but to resort to this tactic. Privately, he even had his people use alternate accounts to speak on Zhang Qing's behalf, but the effect was minimal.

After all, the person behind Ouyang Hua was quite powerful.

Tang Yao thought for a moment and said to him, "What if I have evidence? Can we let Elder Sis Qing continue filming the show?"

Huang Yong was taken aback: "What evidence?"

That evening, a few videos were quietly uploaded online by a newly registered account.

At first, there were no views, but soon, it was a few, then a few dozens, then hundreds.

Those who saw the post quickly shared it.

Within a few hours, these videos topped the trending searches.

The videos appeared to be filmed using ultra-high-definition surveillance cameras. The images and audio were very clear.

One video showed Ouyang Hua trying to sexually harass Tang Yao that night and being stopped by Zhang Qing; another showed Ouyang Hua making a phone call in a secluded corner of the guesthouse.

These two videos completely nailed him guilty.

During the phone call, he mentioned Zhang Qing and recounted a bit about what happened back then.

It turned out that Zhang Qing had once caught Ouyang Hua's eye, but she firmly rejected him. This led to her being slandered and blacklisted, leaving her with no outlet for her talents and remaining in obscurity until now.

In the video, Ouyang Hua's face was ruthless: "Back then, his woman was disobedient and now she's learned her lesson. I'll give her another chance. If she still doesn't bow down, I'll deal with her again! Get me some more of the drug I used on that little actress last time. Here's another top-quality one..."

The video instantly shattered Ouyang Hua's image as a kind, gentle, and supportive figure.

"How disgusting! My God, how can someone be like that?"

"I used to think he was quite talented and felt society was unfair to a talented but washed-up singer like him. Now I realize how stupid I was."

"I wonder how many girls he's ruined."

"Am I the only one focusing on the first video? That person is the boss? She's so pretty! Does Ouyang Hua have any self-awareness? How can a beautiful girl like her be interested in an ugly thing like him?"

"Really! The boss is so gorgeous! I've never seen her on the variety show."

"I suggest a thorough investigation of Tianxiang Entertainment @City-A-Public-Security-Bureau.

"He's just a washed-up singer, how can he be so arrogant? Who's backing him?"

"We've all wronged Zhang Qing all these years, we all owe her an apology."

"Such a talented young girl and her future cut short by this scumbag."

"Zhang Qing saw the boss being harassed and still came out to help. She's such a good person, I declare myself as a fan."

Tianxiang Entertainment was the entertainment company Ouyang Hua worked for. Established for over twenty years, it has a fairly good reputation in the industry, but now everyone hated the house and the crow that came with. The comments on Tianxiang Entertainment's official website were appalling.

Ouyang Hua, who was sound asleep, was awakened by a phone call. Hearing the content of the call, his mind went blank.

Tang Yao was awakened by the noise outside. She opened the window. It was still pitch black outside and a cool night breeze was blowing. A light was on in one of the rooms in the small building next door. The noisy sounds were coming from inside.

She only looked for a moment before closing the window. The night may be long, but dawn would always come. The next morning, she heard from the production crew that Ouyang Hua had packed his things and left overnight.

Tang Yao's mood instantly brightened as she ate breakfast. Even the bagels Xiao Li had baked seemed softer and sweeter.

"Thank you," Zhang Qing said, sitting next to her with a golden-brown bagel and a glass of milk in her hands.

"Huh? What?" Tang Yao turned her head in confusion.

Zhang Qing smiled slightly and shook her head: "Nothing, today's bagels are delicious."

That morning, because of the changes on Ouyang Hua's side, the live broadcast hadn't started yet. Everyone sat together for breakfast. This was the last day of filming for this episode.

Everyone talked about Ouyang Hua, feeling a bit sentimental.

"When he first debuted, he followed me around calling me 'teacher, teacher.' I thought he was a very polite kid back then, but I never expected..." Shen Wentao sighed.

"You can know a person's face but not their heart. He's been suppressing Xiao Qing for so long. This is his retribution. What a piece of trash!" Always quick to condemn evil, Du Meijuan spoke of Ouyang Hua with utter disdain. "I just didn't expect he'd also harass Xiao Tang. If I'd been there, I would have slapped him a few times."

"Simply atrocious! How can he bully a girl like that? What will her parents and family think?" Wu Yang thought of his petite and adorable daughter and immediately felt sympathy. His fists clenched.

Head down, Lu Bei furiously typed on his phone, not participating for the time being.

As the conversation veered off course, they began discussing gossip about other people in the entertainment industry.

It had to be said, gossip was truly human nature; gossip brought joy.

Just as Tang Yao was listening with great interest, her phone rang.

It was an unfamiliar number. Although suspicious, she answered it anyway.

"Boss Tang, right? Some things are beyond your control. I hope you'll delete the videos online and clarify that you fabricated them yourself. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to shut down your guesthouse. You wouldn't want your parents' hard work destroyed, would you?"

The person on the other end was very rude, starting with a threat and then offering a tempting offer.

"If you know what's good for you, I can offer to buy out the videos you have."

Tang Yao wasn't one to back down. Her guesthouse was riddled with surveillance cameras that could film from any angle, so she was afraid of them seeking trouble.

"Oh, okay, I understand."

After saying that, Tang Yao calmly hung up the phone, leaving the person on the other end confused. Did she agree or disagree?

"Got an advertising call? I get these calls all the time. It's so annoying," Du Meijuan said.

Tang Yao nodded in agreement.

Zhang Qing, standing nearby, had a complex expression. Being so close, she had overheard parts of the phone call. Considering the other party's methods, she couldn't help but feel worried.

After everyone left the restaurant, she deliberately lingered until the very last person before saying to Tang Yao, "If he call again, just put all the blame on me. I filmed the video and I uploaded it. It has nothing to do with you, understand? At worst, I'll be implicated again. It's already good enough that I dragged him down with me. You're not in this circle; there's no need for you to get involved in this mess."

"It's okay, Elder Sis Qing. Their arrival is good for delivering evidence. This is a society governed by law; there's nothing to be afraid of." Tang Yao took Zhang Qing's hand, noticing its coldness.

However, she didn't get any action from them, because Ouyang Hua was arrested.

As the incident unfolded, more and more women who had been assaulted by Ouyang Hua came forward, providing evidence in their possession.

Ouyang Hua and his younger brother, who was a vice president, were formally arrested for repeatedly drugging and luring young women.

Tianxiang Entertainment quickly released a statement announcing the dismissal of the vice president and Ouyang Hua, swiftly distancing themselves from the situation. Even so, they were still bombarded with angry comments from netizens and forced to close the comment section.

Meanwhile, the first season of the escape-from-the-city variety show had ended and Huang Yong had gained unprecedented popularity—the kind he hadn't really wanted.

After handling various matters, they managed to save the show and sign new guests.

Everyone had been away from the guesthouse for a few days, except for Lu Bei.

He was currently standing on the balcony of his guesthouse room, making a phone call. His gaze fell on Tang Yao, who was comfortably sunbathing in the building across the path.

"I've taken care of what you asked me to do. They can't turn things around," a steady male voice said on the other end of the line.

"Thank you," Lu Bei replied.

"It's rare for you to ask me for anything. It sounds like you're feeling better lately? Should we have the specialist from the US take a look? Last time you threw a tantrum and kicked the person out. I had to apologize profusely and spend a lot of energy on it."

"...Thanks for your hard work, Elder Brother." After a moment of silence, Lu Bei spoke.

His illness had caused his elder brother, Lu Nan, a lot of worry, but once he got lost in his own world, he couldn't control his emotions.

Lu Nan paused in his signing on the other end of the phone. A faint smile slowly spread across his lips, but his voice remained unchanged: "You're my only younger brother. This is what I should do. When are you coming back for a checkup? This way I can arrange the time."

This time, Lu Bei didn't resist and nodded: "Okay."

He also wanted to know if his stay at the guesthouse for so long had really helped.

"You're so concerned, is it because you've taken a liking to that girl named Zhang Qing?" Feeling more relaxed, Lu Nan began to tease.

Lu Bei frowned, thinking for a moment before remembering that Zhang Qing was the victim in this incident.

"No," he quickly denied.

"Then it's Boss Tang?" Lu Nan's voice was laced with amusement.

"...Don't talk nonsense, I'm hanging up."

Lu Bei frowned and hung up the phone. His gaze returned to Tang Yao. She was talking to a staff member at the guesthouse, a smile playing on her lips.

He looked away and turned to go into his room.

In the evening, there was a knock on the guesthouse door. Xiao Yue happened to be at the door. Opening it, she saw an elderly man dressed in a Tang suit.

The old man didn't exclaim in surprise like the others. Instead, he took out a magnifying glass and began squatting down to examine the flowers and plants in the garden.

"Sir, what are you doing?" Xiao Yue asked, frowning.

The old man ignored her, engrossed in his work, and started muttering to himself.

Author's Note:

The names of the flowers and plants are all random names I made up myself (●--●) (smug hands on hips)

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RHTB 12

Chapter 12

Lu Bei didn't mention what happened that afternoon. He knew all too well how crazy his fans were.

So he just made up a reason to muddle it through.

Seeing the fans quiet down, the director, Huang Yong, finally breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that Lu Bei's live stream had suddenly stopped that afternoon and his phone and inbox had practically exploded.

The situation only improved after Lu Bei's manager intervened.

Since they hadn't seen Lu Bei during the task, the other participants came over to check on him.

Having missed out on Lu Bei's screen time that afternoon, Zheng Xinrui naturally wouldn't let it pass. She had seen the netizens' comments about her during her lunch break, but she didn't care. Even negative publicity was still publicity; she could create some buzz to clear her name once her popularity increased.

She pushed Wu Yang aside, facing the camera with a concerned expression.

Before she could say anything, Lu Bei got up and walked out.

This left Zheng Xinrui standing there. Her smile vanished before it could even fully form.

Lu Bei was known in the entertainment industry for his eccentric and aloof personality, so his fans didn't find his actions abrupt. Instead, they focused on details during the live stream, noting things like how thin their idol looked.

Zheng Xinrui naturally didn't dare show anything on camera, but the clenched fist hidden behind her back betrayed her inner turmoil.

…

Far away in the capital, outside a traditional courtyard house, a black limousine pulled up. An elderly man in a Tang suit stepped out and hurried into the courtyard. After parking the car, his bodyguards quickly followed.

“Old Zhou! Old Zhou!” the old man called out after only a few steps.

"What are you shouting for?! Why are you making such a fuss?" With this reply, the door to the main room opened and out came Zhou Yunliang, who had stayed at Tang Yao's guesthouse for a night. He glared at the old man before him, clearly annoyed.

"Quickly, quickly, show me the video you sent to the group chat again," the old man said bluntly, not caring about his tone.

Although somewhat confused, Zhou Yunliang still took out his phone from his pocket, pulled up the video he had taken that day, and handed it to the old man.

The old man clicked play. His eyes glued to the screen, as if afraid of missing a single detail.

After watching for a while, he replayed the video, watching it carefully again. When it finally stopped, his voice became even more excited: "If I'm not mistaken, this must be a Ghost Orchid! There are flames and icebergs next to it. I can't see the others very clearly. Old Zhou, tell me, why can't you film a video properly? Why are you only filming yourself?!"

The old man's tone was somewhat reproachful, which made Zhou Yunliang's eyes widen in irk.

What kind of talk was that? If he wasn't filming himself, who else would he film?!

The man in front of him was one of Old Zhou's best friends, named Ji Mingquan. The Ji Family held considerable influence in the capital.

Old Master Ji had two daughters and a son. All were intelligent and capable, so he had long since relinquished his power. His greatest hobby was tending to flowers and plants; he was practically an expert in it. That was why he suddenly became so excited when he saw what appeared to be rare plants in Zhou Yunliang's video.

"Old Zhou, give me the address quickly. I'll go check it out myself." Ji Mingquan became increasingly excited, seemingly wanting to rush to the scene the very next second.

Zhou Yunliang, who had just been inexplicably lectured, now started to act coy.

No matter what Ji Mingquan said, he held his purple clay cup and sipped slowly, adopting an attitude of ignoring him and not taking any initiative.

Ji Mingquan finally realized what was happening, rolled his eyes helplessly, and muttered "stingy."

"Alright, didn't I go to the tea garden this time? I got a few ounces of pre-rain white tea, I'll share half with you." Ji Mingquan said with a pained expression.

"Give it all to me." Zhou Yunliang finally spoke. A smug smile like that of an old fox was on his face.

Ji Mingquan gritted his teeth, finally waving his hand in irk, "It's all yours, it's all yours!"

Zhou Yunliang then gave him the address, adding slowly, "By the way, the guesthouse is currently filming some variety show, so it seems it's temporarily closed to the public."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Ji Mingquan's head.

He glared at Zhou Yunliang for a long time before finally taking out his phone and called his son.

“Go check which entertainment company is recording the variety show in The Garden Within The Memories.”

A moment later, Ji Mingquan revealed a grin after receiving a response.

“Don’t forget the tea you promised!”

“I won’t forget.” Ji Mingquan waved his hand and walked away without looking back.

“When will this old Ji change his habit of believing everything one hears?”

The bodyguard beside him lowered his head, not daring to speak.

…

That evening, Tang Yao returned from the vegetable garden and saw someone standing in front of her small building.

It was Ouyang Hua, the male singer who was almost forty years old.

Was he specifically waiting for her?

Tang Yao looked around. There was no one there and no cameras from the production crew. After thinking for a while, she frowned and walked over.

Ouyang Hua looked up when he heard her movement. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

“Is there something you need?” Tang Yao’s tone was somewhat cold.

"Nothing much, just passing by for a stroll tonight. Boss Tang, are you just back from the fields?"

Tang Yao wore rubber boots covered in mud and carried a hoe.

Tang Yao nodded, casually placing the tools in the corner. Regular exercise was good for the health.

"Boss Tang, you're actually quite attractive. Have you ever thought about becoming a star? The entertainment company I'm signed with is currently organizing a new star competition. I can recommend you. They'll definitely offer very good benefits because of me, so you won't have to work so hard. Beauty should be admired, not suffer the hardships of life." Ouyang Hua said, walking towards Tang Yao with a seductive tone.

The distance between them gradually closed. So close that Tang Yao felt uncomfortable, but Ouyang Hua didn't stop.

His supposedly affectionate eyes remained fixed on Tang Yao, like those of a predator eyeing its prey.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't plan to enter the entertainment industry." Tang Yao took a step back to create some distance and clearly refused. "I don't think my life is that hard right now."

Ouyang Hua's smile faded slightly. His eyes filled with a determined glint. This puzzled Tang Yao. She was just a bit of a salted fish, so what made her seem so easy to bully?

Ouyang Hua, unaware of Tang Yao's thoughts, gradually lost patience and reached out his hand towards her.

One must know, he was relying on his cousin's position as vice president of an entertainment company and always acted this way in private- using coercion and bribery. Many dared not speak out and many others fawned over him because of his resources and connections, making Ouyang Hua increasingly unscrupulous.

Just as Tang Yao was considering, his hand stopped in mid-air.

Both of them turned their heads simultaneously and saw Zhang Qing beside them.

She was wearing loose shorts and flip-flops. Her short, wine-red hair slightly damp, indicating she had just finished washing up.

"Boss, I need to borrow a hairdryer." Zhang Qing spoke to Tang Yao, but her eyes were fixed on Ouyang Hua. Her gaze filled with undisguised disgust.

Seeing his plans ruined, Ouyang Hua shook off Zhang Qing's hand and turned to leave.

"Thanks, I'll get you the hairdryer." Tang Yao unlocked the door.

"No need. Be careful next time. Don't be alone with this person." Zhang Qing reminded her. Then she turned and left. Her back was as cool as she was.

The production crew smoothly recorded at the guesthouse for a few days and Huang Yong gained considerable viewership.

Even the TV station executives who had initially been skeptical of him called to praise and reassure him. Huang Yong walked with a smug grin these past few days.

Ouyang Hua didn't come to see Tang Yao again. The occasional glances he gave her seemed no different from those given to others, so Tang Yao temporarily put the matter aside.

That day, when Tang Yao woke up, it was already bright daylight. The production team had given the guests tasks early in the morning and they were already working enthusiastically in Tang Yao's field.

Tang Yao had specifically set aside a separate plot of land for the production team, so she wasn't worried about them damaging her precious seeds.

Xiao Li made a refreshing and delicious bowl of plain noodles.

Tang Yao sat in her dining room, eating while simultaneously turning on her live stream on her phone, as usual.

The live stream was as lively as usual. Just yesterday, Tang Yao had heard Huang Yong remark that hiring Lu Bei at a high price had saved the show.

However, today's comments were a bit strange. The usual barrage of comments discussing what they were doing, criticizing a particular guest, or praising one's idol was scarce today.

Everyone's attention was focused on Zhang Qing, who hadn't been particularly noticeable these past few days.

"Why is Zhang Qing out again? Wasn't it said she tried to latch onto a big shot but failed, and ended up being buried by his wife?"

"Disgusting, mistress! Get out of the entertainment industry!"

"I heard from a relative who works in logistics for a variety show that Zhang Qing tried to knock on Ouyang Hua's door yesterday, but was kicked out."

"I used to like her songs, but I didn't expect her to be this kind of person. I'm turning against her."

"How desperate is she to be famous? She should be grateful for this opportunity. Trying to knock on Ouyang Hua's door? He's a veteran in the entertainment industry and his character is impeccable. How can he possibly be interested in a woman like that?"

"Why is someone like that still appearing on variety shows? @EscapeTheCity @DirectorHuangYong."

Watching the comments, Tang Yao frowned slightly.

She recalled that dashing figure that night and considering their later interactions, she instinctively felt that Zhang Qing wasn't that kind of person.

Some people wondered why everyone was talking about Zhang Qing. Immediately someone provided a link to see what Zhang Qing had done.

Tang Yao clicked on the link.

It was a post by an anonymous blogger claiming to be a paparazzi. The blogger posted a few blurry photos, each featuring the same girl but different boys.

The post was lengthy, mostly accusing Zhang Qing of being immoral and attempting to seduce a powerful figure to climb the social ladder.

The language used in the post almost made Tang Yao unable to finish reading. This person, under the guise of justice, was wantonly insulting and defaming a woman.

Netizens, without distinguishing right from wrong, began to condemn Zhang Qing.

Everyone seemed to have forgotten that Zhang Qing was also the prodigy who wrote the wildly popular song "Call to Arms" at the age of sixteen.

Because the Zhang Qing incident continued to escalate, her activities were suspended in the afternoon and she was allowed to rest in her room.

The program couldn't be interrupted; the others still needed to continue recording.

When Tang Yao arrived at Zhang Qing's room, Shen Wentao and Du Meijuan were just about to leave.

"Don't worry, I've been in the entertainment industry for so long, I've heard all sorts of nasty things. This is nothing. The innocent will clear themselves." Du Meijuan's voice could be heard from afar.

"That's right, don't worry. I'll speak up for you. Although I don't have much influence, I still have some loyal and rational fans." Shen Wentao's voice remained calm and gentle.

"Thank you, Teacher Shen and Teacher Du. I'm fine." Zhang Qing's voice was relatively stable, seemingly unaffected by the outside world.

Turning the corner, Tang Yao saw the three people talking.

"Teacher Shen, Teacher Du." Tang Yao greeted the two.

After greeting them, the two hurriedly left as they had signed a contract and still had to go to record the show.

"Elder Sis Qing, I brought you some snacks, would you like some?" Tang Yao smiled at Zhang Qing.

Zhang Qing stepped aside to make room for Tang Yao. A slightly helpless smile appeared on her face. "I'm really fine. You don't all need to come and comfort me. These insults are nothing. There have been much worse things before."

The two had become familiar with each other over the past few days.

Zhang Qing wasn't wearing makeup and was dressed in simple loungewear, making her look much younger than her actual age.

A chair and a wooden guitar sat on the balcony, sunlight streaming in and bathing everything in a beautiful golden hue.

"No, I just came to share with you the peach blossom pastries my family’s Xiao Li made."

After closing the door, Zhang Qing pulled up another chair and placed it on the balcony.

Tang Yao sat on the second chair and took out the pastries she had brought.

The peach blossom pastries made by her family’s Xiao Li were incredibly lifelike, with layers of pink petals. It was so beautiful that it was almost too beautiful to eat.

The taste was sweet and crispy, with a delicate peach blossom fragrance. It was sweet but not cloying.

Zhang Qing took a sip. Paired with the peach blossom tea Tang Yao had brought, a warm feeling flowed into her stomach. It even lifted her somewhat depressed mood.

She simply took off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the chair, looking at the sky outside.

"Sometimes I really want to quit the industry," Zhang Qing suddenly sighed in the quietness.

Tang Yao turned to look at her. The initial unfamiliarity and defensiveness had faded, and a hint of melancholy appeared in Zhang Qing's eyes.

"Just kidding. This industry makes money much faster than other industries and I'm short of money," Zhang Qing said frankly. "So no matter what others say, it doesn't matter to me. Nothing is more terrifying than being broke."

"Do you believe what those posts say?" Zhang Qing suddenly turned and asked.

Tang Yao, resting her chin on her hand, answered without hesitation: "No."

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhang Qing's eyes, then she smiled.

"I can probably guess who's behind this. They just want me to give in," Zhang Qing smiled.

She didn't say the rest, but instead picked up the guitar leaning against the side and gently strummed the strings.

A melodious tune flowed from her fingers.

"Spinning in the darkness

Shouting before dawn

This is my unique answer

The tattered pedals

The blackened umbrella

Neither can stop

Light piercing the darkness

..."

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RHTB 11

Chapter 11

The other singer, Ouyang Hua, looked at Tang Yao with a hint of amazement, but Tang Yao didn't particularly like his gaze.

Athletic Wu Yang was a very honest and simple northern man; every three sentences he spoke inevitably included his daughter and wife.

Seeing everyone greet Tang Yao, Zheng Xinrui reluctantly greeted.

"Hello, I'm Lu Bei," Lu Bei, who had been at the back of the crowd, suddenly spoke to Tang Yao.

Tang Yao smiled and replied, "Hello."

Everyone was somewhat surprised to hear Lu Bei take the initiative to greet her.

However, Lu Bei simply found it strange. His persistent anxiety and headache seemed to have eased somewhat after approaching this guesthouse.

This realization surprised him, considering he had been undergoing treatment for a long time with little effect.

The relief from the ever-present pain and the unprecedented comfort in his mind made him feel blissful.

That was why he had impulsively taken the initiative to greet her.

Realizing his lapse in composure, Lu Bei coughed lightly and returned to his usual demeanor.

After greeting everyone, Huang Yong told them to go back to their rooms to rest. After such a long drive and the morning's work, everyone looked a little tired.

Tang Yao went to the dining room to eat.

Xiao Li had already prepared her meal, which was still steaming hot, and brought it directly to her.

Before leaving, Lu Bei glanced back. Tang Yao sat there quietly. The sunlight shone on her almost translucent white skin, making her incredibly beautiful.

Lu Bei frowned slightly, thinking for a while but still unable to figure it out.

In the afternoon, the director took everyone out to do a task and film the beautiful scenery of Wanhua Town.

This variety show was primarily for relaxation, so the tasks weren't too complicated.

Tang Yao also took the opportunity to go grocery shopping and stroll around.

Almost everyone on the street recognized her and greeted her. Tang Yao smiled and responded, appearing sweet and obedient.

Many people even considered marrying her in as their daughter-in-law.

However, Tang Yao politely declined them all.

Finally escaping the enthusiastic neighbors, Tang Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

Tang Yao was now in a narrow alley, about to leave, when she encountered three men dressed in a shady manner.

Tang Yao recognized these men; they were notorious thugs in town, idle and lazy and often engaging in petty theft.

She hadn't seen these men for many years, and their memories should have been hazy. However, in her previous life, living in a wealthy family, she had heard Aunt Li tell a story: a young woman in town, already engaged, had been violated by these thugs and, unable to bear the humiliation, hanged herself in her home.

Aunt Li had spoken of the incident with a heavy sigh. The girl and Tang Yao knew each other. At that time, Tang Yao hadn't been doing well either, but still felt heartbroken for the girl's ordeal.

Thinking of this, Tang Yao's eyes turned cold. If she could, she hoped to avoid this tragedy.

The three men opposite her also noticed her, laughing and joking as they approached. Their words were frivolous and they even tried to grab her.

Tang Yao frowned, quickly taking a few steps to avoid them. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what to secretly retrieve from her spatial storage.

She did have a gun, obtained from the post-apocalyptic world, but in this situation, such a weapon seemed unnecessary. A stun gun should suffice.

Just then, the light at the alley entrance was blocked, and a figure appeared before the group.

Tang Yao's hand, reaching for the stun gun, froze.

The newcomer was Lu Bei, whom she had met that morning. His hands were in his pockets, while half his face hidden in the darkness.

Despite his expressionless face, Tang Yao felt a strange chill run down her spine.

The thug didn't recognize Lu Bei and pointed at him, telling him to mind his own business.

Lu Bei leisurely strolled over with his fingers twirling. The next second, his fist was aimed straight at the thug's face. The thug couldn't dodge in time and took a solid hit.

Tang Yao, standing not far from Lu Bei, clearly saw a strange excitement flash in his eyes.

She walked to the alley entrance, stopping the cameraman who was about to follow them in to record. She told the cameraman to call the police and also to get others in to help.

By the time the police arrived, the three thugs were already bruised and battered.

Lu Bei was being pulled aside by his manager, whispering something. Judging from his heaving chest, he didn't seem to have fully recovered.

When Tang Yao went over to thank him, Lu Bei seemed much more normal.

"It's nothing, just happened to run into you," Lu Bei said.

"I have to thank Boss Tang for stopping the camera for my Lu Bei. If this scene had been broadcast live, regardless of whether he was acting heroically or not, his image would have been severely damaged." The manager, wearing a floral shirt, seemed much more agitated.

"It's nothing," Tang Yao waved her hand. "From now on, it'll be free for Teacher Lu when you come to eat."

"It's my honor," Lu Bei replied in a low, slightly hoarse voice.

After the thanks, the police notified Tang Yao and Lu Bei to give statements.

The manager still needed to discuss with the director how to handle the sudden interruption of the live stream, so he told Lu Bei to go give his statement first and he would pick him up later.

"You must control yourself, okay? Don't make things harder for me, okay?" The worried manager leaned against the car window like a mother hen, giving him instructions.

Tang Yao recalled the bloodthirsty look in his eyes she had seen earlier and the comments from viewers in the live stream about not seeing Lu Bei on camera for a long time. She thought that something was probably wrong with Lu Bei's health.

The two sat in the same police car, neither speaking. The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Inhaling the faint fragrance emanating from beside him, Lu Bei felt his agitated blood and throbbing head ease somewhat.

Upon arriving at the police station, the detained thugs strained his swollen eyes and glared at Tang Yao.

He wanted to glare at Lu Bei, but dared not.

Lu Bei silently stood in front of Tang Yao, shielding her from those gazes.

After giving their statements, it was already past four o'clock.

The two returned to the guesthouse. The production crew hadn't returned yet. The manager dropped them off at the guesthouse entrance, told Lu Bei to rest, and then hurriedly left.

It was clear that abruptly stopping the live broadcast had had a significant impact.

"Are you hungry? Want to get something to eat?" Standing at the guesthouse entrance, Tang Yao asked casually, out of politeness.

After thinking seriously for a few seconds, Lu Bei nodded, "Okay."

Tang Yao had Xiao Li make some wontons. Each wontons wrapped with a whole shrimp, giving the wonton wrappers a pale pink hue.

Lu Bei ate quickly, but his movements were never crude.

Soon, the bowl of wontons was empty.

The two ate their wontons, chatting casually, and the initial awkwardness gradually dissipated.

As dusk approached, the production crew returned to the guesthouse.

Lu Bei also restarted his live stream.

As soon as he started, viewers flooded the live stream. The barrage of comments made the image on the screen unreadable.

Seeing the comments nearly spiraling out of control, the director quietly asked Lu Bei step forward and explain a bit.

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RHTB 10

Chapter 10

Everyone let out genuine gasps of amazement, especially upon seeing the glass room bathed in sunlight.

Many genuinely felt the difference between this place and the city. There was a relaxation brought by the fresh scent of flowers and earth.

"What kind of flower is that? It's so beautiful." The company sent Zheng Xinrui in to boost her popularity, hoping to launch her into the entertainment industry later. That’s why they required her to portray an innocent and naive young girl.

Her eyes were indeed innocent, but her movements were rather rough; the flower swayed violently due to her sudden movements and a petal fell off.

Xiao Yue quickly stepped forward to stop them: "Please don't damage the flowers and plants in the guesthouse."

Although Tang Yao didn’t enter the screen, Xiao Yue and the other two had to work and appear on camera.

Xiao Yue's tone was somewhat stern, which displeased Zheng Xinrui's fans in the live chat. They criticized Xiao Yue, believing her tone should have been gentler.

"I didn't mean to," Zheng Xinrui stuck out her tongue, maintaining her innocent girlish image in front of the camera.

Surprisingly, some people actually liked this, and some even said she was cute.

"Everyone can look, but please don't touch anything. We should protect every plant and tree here," Huang Yong interjected, trying to smooth things over.

This was the first time Xiao Yue had encountered such a situation. The usually composed Xiao Yue looked at Tang Yao on the rooftop. A hint of doubt in her eyes, as if waiting for Tang Yao's instructions.

Tang Yao waved to her, telling her it was alright, and Xiao Yue turned and left.

Turning her gaze, Tang Yao unexpectedly met a pair of dark eyes. It was Lu Bei. Their eyes locked for a few seconds before he quickly looked away.

Everyone put their luggage in their rooms and then received their task cards from the director.

They had to work to earn lunch.

On the first day, it wasn't suitable to give them too much work, so the director assigned them to dig bamboo shoots in the bamboo forest. They would have to dig up enough to exchange for lunch.

Tang Yao's bamboo forest wasn't large, but it wasn't small either.

All the bamboo shoots supplied to the restaurant were dug up from the bamboo forest.

Each person was given a brand new short hoe and were prepared to head out to the bamboo forest.

Xiao Yue was pulled out by the director to explain how to dig bamboo shoots out of the ground intact.

While everyone listened attentively, Zheng Xinrui took the opportunity to go to Lu Bei's side.

Lu Bei didn't notice the change in his companion. He was meticulous in everything he did; he either didn't do it at all, or he did it perfectly.

Because of his popularity, he received the most screen time.

This was one of the reasons why Zheng Xinrui insisted on sticking close to him.

As expected, the live chat was filled with insults.

"What's wrong with this woman? She insists on standing next to my idol in such a spacious area."

"I disliked her from the very beginning of the show. Her voice sounds so fake as hell, and now she's trying to get close to Bei Bei. Is she desperate for fame?"

"She's not famous, but she loves to piggyback on others' fame."

"Am I the only one who dislikes this employee? Her actions and tone of voice seem a bit pretentious."

"I feel sorry for my Bei Bei."

"Lu Bei's fans are toxic. They go crazy and start attacking any woman who gets close."

Tang Yao was thoroughly enjoying the live chat, finding it even more entertaining than the actual show.

Meanwhile, everyone else had already started their work.

Zheng Xinrui, oblivious to the barrage of comments and the attacks she was receiving, continued to diligently maintain her persona, while also trying to ride on Lu Bei's popularity.

"Teacher Lu, I didn't quite understand. Can you teach me again?" Zheng Xinrui blinked, addressing Lu Bei, who was intently digging bamboo shoots in the ground.

Lu Bei didn't even turn around. A surge of inexplicable annoyance rose in his chest: "I don't know either."

Zheng Xinrui's face stiffened for a moment.

Seeing this, Shen Wentao said to Zheng Xinrui, "Little Zheng, I'll teach you. When I was young, I helped my family dig bamboo shoots back home. Now I'm back to my old ways, hahaha."

With Shen Wentao mediating and Du Meijuan's deliberate humor, the atmosphere became much more lively.

The program gradually got back on track and the comments returned to normal.

Under Xiao Yue's guidance, everyone dug up quite a few bamboo shoots despite their appalling appearance.

The director handed the bamboo shoots to Xiao Li, asking her to add a dish for them.

Xiao Li cooking for the production team was part of the agreement. Huang Yong had originally planned to use his own team, but after tasting Xiao Li's cooking, he changed his mind and paid Tang Yao an extra fee.

Soon, a table full of delicious-looking food was served by Xiao Li.

The seven people sat together, enjoying the meal.

Zheng Xinrui and Lu Bei were separated by one person. She seemed dissatisfied. While eating, she tried to lean over to interact with Lu Bei.

Can’t be helped, Lu Bei was the most popular among them.

Actually, Zheng Xinrui had a selfish motive. Lu Bei was a film emperor with abundant resources. If she could get close to Lu Bei, she wouldn't have to struggle so much in the entertainment industry.

Zhang Qing, a quiet but talented singer, was between the two. Because of Zheng Xinrui's actions, she could only frown and lean back to avoid her.

Zheng Xinrui said a few words, but Lu Bei responded very simply or not at all. Undeterred, she picked up a piece of food she was enjoying and placed it on Lu Bei's plate.

"Teacher Lu, try this. It's delicious!"

Lu Bei's face instantly darkened.

His germaphobia was an open secret, but unfortunately, Zheng Xinrui, new to the industry, hadn't had time to learn about it.

With the cameras rolling, Lu Bei didn't say anything harsh.

He simply moved the plate aside and then asked Xiao Yue to get him another plate.

Zheng Xinrui's expression stiffened, but thankfully she didn't cause any more trouble and the number of people criticizing her in the live stream decreased.

Netizens began to marvel at the beauty of the glass-enclosed restaurant.

During the lunch break when there was no live stream, Huang Yong introduced Tang Yao to everyone, since they still had many episodes to record at the guesthouse.

"Speaking of which, this time it's all thanks to Teacher Shen. Boss Tang was originally going to refuse me, but because her mother is a fan of Teacher Shen, she made an exception and agreed to let us use her space."

Shen Wentao was somewhat surprised. Hearing this, he reached out and shook Tang Yao's outstretched hand, saying gently, "It's my honor."

Tang Yao also got Shen Wentao's autograph for her mother before saying to everyone, "Have fun at the guesthouse. If you need anything, just ask my staff."

Huang Yong also explained that Tang Yao didn't want to be on camera.

"What are you pretending for?" Zheng Xinrui pouted and muttered under her breath. Zheng Xinrui was always hostile towards people prettier than herself.

"Sorry to disturb you during this time." It was the smiling Du Meijuan who spoke. Just like her on-screen persona, Du Meijuan had a very likable and cute personality.

The female singer Zhang Qing, with a somewhat aloof personality, nodded to Tang Yao as a greeting.

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RHTB 9

Chapter 9

Lu Bei rubbed his temples for a while before saying, "Okay."

Because of Jiang You's video, the guesthouse business improved somewhat. A small group of people came after seeing the video and were amazed by the scene. Even Aunt Li's small shop across the street became bustling.

In the evening, a black car drove into Wanhua Town.

In the back seat sat an elderly man with gray hair, exuding an imposing aura. However, he seemed to be in poor health, coughing softly every now and then. His eyes slightly closed as he leaned back in his seat.

"Mr. Zhou, it's getting late. Shall we go straight back to the capital?" the driver asked.

"Let's find a clean place to stay," said the elderly man called President Zhou.

The driver quickly agreed. This man behind him was no ordinary person. He couldn't afford to take responsibility if anything happened to him.

The old man was getting on in years, and having served in the military in his youth, he had suffered many hidden injuries, so his health had never been good. He had insisted on traveling this far to this small town because a former comrade-in-arms had passed away, and he felt he had to pay his respects.

Searching the entire town but couldn't find a particularly high-end hotel, the driver was starting to get anxious.

"This place will do," the old man behind him suddenly said.

The driver stopped the car and looked outside. They were right outside Tang Yao's guesthouse.

The guesthouse door was still open, revealing a garden and palace lanterns, along with the extended paintings, creating a hazy, beautiful scene in the night.

"Okay, please wait a moment. I'll go ask," the driver said, opening the car door and getting out.

Soon, he returned: "Mr. Zhou, there are rooms available. Would you like to stay here?"

The old man nodded: "This is fine. I'm too lazy to make a fuss. Don't be too nervous. When I was young, I slept in ditch-like pits and ate wild grass. I'm not that delicate."

The driver nodded and helped the old man out of the car. It was understandable that he was nervous. The old man was usually surrounded by many people, but today, because of the death of a comrade-in-arms, he specifically instructed that no one should accompany him. The old man was stubborn. Even his children couldn't handle him, so they could only instruct the driver to take good care of him.

As soon as Zhou Yunliang entered the guesthouse, he smelled a refreshing fragrance. The scent made him feel much more energetic.

The surrounding scenery was also beautiful. It was a pleasant surprise.

Tang Yao registered the two and then led them to their room.

"Boss, is the room clean? The sheets must be freshly changed. By the way, do you have any larger suites?" the driver kept asking.

Tang Yao patiently answered all his questions. “Alright, Xiao Sun, don’t make things difficult for the owner. Every place has its own charm. I think the abundance of plants and fresh air here is quite nice. I even feel better.” Zhou Yunliang spoke. Only then did the driver, Xiao Sun, stop his nagging.

“The 588 family room is already the largest in the guesthouse, but don’t worry, it’s absolutely clean. If you have any problems, you can ask me or the guesthouse staff.” Tang Yao had seen picky guests before. Her patience had been honed considerably in the quick transmigration world. Aside from morning grumpiness, she rarely lost her temper.

After settling the two in, Tang Yao turned and left.

The driver thoroughly checked the room inside and out. It really was as the owner had said—not a speck of dust. Only a five-star hotel’s presidential suite could achieve this level of cleanliness.

The family room was a two-bedroom, one-living room suite. It was decorated very warmly.

Xiao Sun came out of the bathroom and saw Zhou Yunliang standing by the living room window, looking at the beautiful night view outside.

The plants nearby were blooming with small purple flowers, emitting a faint, sweet fragrance. Smelling this scent, Xiao Sun felt his anxiety and restlessness lessen somewhat.

The next morning, when Xiao Sun got up, he found Zhou Yunliang already up, doing some simple stretches by the window.

"Mr. Zhou, apologies. I overslept," Xiao Sun quickly said.

"Young man, don't be so stressed. Sleeping in now and then is fine," Zhou Yunliang said. He seemed to be in a good mood. His spirits were also higher than the day before. Seeing this, Xiao Sun breathed a sigh of relief.

"I haven't slept this well in a long time," Zhou Yunliang remarked.

After quickly washing up, Xiao Sun went downstairs with Zhou Yunliang to have breakfast.

It wasn't the weekend, so the guesthouse wasn't crowded.

Zhou Yunliang and his companion had gotten up early. The restaurant was almost empty.

"This restaurant is quite interesting," Zhou Yunliang remarked.

Xiao Sun nodded in agreement, secretly taking out his phone to take some photos to show his girlfriend.

That morning, Xiao Li made dumplings, with various fillings including pork and scallion, beef and lotus root, etc.

Xiao Li, having been programmed with a cooking program, loved to experiment with food and strived for perfection in every dish.

So when the dumplings were served, almost every single one looked identical, as if machine-made.

Zhou Yunliang ate with great satisfaction. With his appetite whetted, he ordered another bowl. Even the driver was amazed. Everything here seemed to exceed his expectations.

After dinner, Zhou Yunliang and Xiao Sun strolled around the courtyard, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Zhou Yunliang picked up his phone, filmed a short video, and sent it directly to a group chat.

This group consisted of older men of his generation, with a rather delicate relationship. They would occasionally meet for tea and chess, but when it came to business, they wouldn't yield an inch.

The younger generation had created the group for them, teaching them how to chat. The elderly men would occasionally exchange pleasantries and playful banter. A welcome spice in their lives.

The group members were probably busy and hadn't seen the message, but Zhou Yunliang didn't mind.

He strolled through the garden, doing the stretching exercises his doctor had instructed.

He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt much more comfortable.

While Zhou Yunliang was exercising, Xiao Sun received a call from Zhou Yunliang's son, Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen urged them to come home. It was time for their weekly checkup and he was worried about the old man being alone out there.

Although Zhou Yunliang liked the place, he checked out and left after lunch.

Before leaving, he received a keychain embroidered by Tang Yao. All the recent guests received one and was considered a reopening perk.

He only saw the message in the group chat when he was almost back in the capital.

In the blink of an eye, it was a few days before the filming of "Escape from the City."

As promised, Huang Yong arrived at the guesthouse early with his team to set up, film the pilot episode, and install cameras.

Tang Yao had already heard from Huang Yong that the area would need to be cleared during filming. She had closed the online booking channel and posted a "Temporarily Closed" notice on the door.

Returning to the guesthouse, Huang Yong was increasingly satisfied with its appearance.

The days flew by, and soon it was time for the live broadcast.

Early in the morning, the cameras were running. Tang Yao didn't go out; she stayed on her rooftop, opening the program live and watching the excitement.

One after another, vans drove into Wanhua Town. The residents, having vaguely heard that some kind of program was being filmed, still craned their necks to peek inside.

However, all the vans had black privacy film applied, making it impossible to see inside.

The vans stopped in front of the guesthouse and six people got out.

Among them were Shen Wentao, a veteran actor whom Tang Yao's mom admired; Du Meijuan, a former comedian; singer Ouyang Hua; female singer Zhang Qing; retired athlete Wu Yang; and finally, Zheng Xinrui, a newcomer to the entertainment industry.

They greeted each other politely on the surface.

Shen Wentao and Du Meijuan had both participated in the first season. The others had chosen to leave because the show wasn't popular.

They had no choice; this era was very unkind to faded stars. They had almost no work left and without variety shows, they had no income.

The last to arrive was the mystery guest that Huang Yong had teased on Weibo. As the car slowly pulled up, everyone's eyes involuntarily turned towards it.

Munching on snacks, Tang Yao watched the screen. She was also curious about the identity of the mystery guest. The chat was filled with speculation.

The car door opened, and a pair of long, slender legs came into view first.

Then, a man appeared on the screen.

The man had striking features; a tall and slender figure, and slightly messy black short hair. Dressed casually, he exuded a relaxed yet incredibly handsome aura, possessing a unique charm that drew everyone in.

While Tang Yao was still wondering who he was, tens of thousands of people flooded into the live stream in an instant.

The previously quiet live stream suddenly became bustling.

Tang Yao tried to find the answer in the chat, but all she found were screams and a barrage of "husband!"

Finally, she got the answer: the blushing newcomer, Zheng Xinrui, ran up to the man and greeted him.

"Mr. Lu Bei, I didn't expect you to participate in this variety show! I've always loved watching your movies."

Upon seeing this, the live chat exploded, with everyone clamoring for Zheng Xinrui to stay away from Lu Bei, telling her not to get close to this scheming woman, and so on.

Tang Yao couldn't help but click her tongue. These fans were too crazy. This was just a greeting; if he started dating someone, they'd be sending death threats!

Tang Yao did a quick online search. Lu Bei was an actor who had won the Best Actor award three times in a row. A true film emperor and every role he played was deeply memorable.

Tang Yao hadn't followed celebrities before, so she hadn't paid much attention to him, but he was indeed handsome; otherwise, so many fans wouldn't be so devoted to him.

Lu Bei's attitude was indifferent, but when facing veteran actors like Shen Wentao and Du Meijuan, his expression softened considerably.

The backstage data surged. Huang Yong nodded with satisfaction. It was worth the high price he paid to recruit Lu Bei. After exchanging pleasantries at the entrance, everyone headed into the guesthouse.

Tang Yao's gaze shifted from the screen to the entrance; now she could finally see it in person.

Everyone had seen the interior of the guesthouse in videos, but nothing quite captured the breathtaking experience of being there in person.

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