Chapter 202: Chapter 200: The Variety Show Is Here 3

Inside a small restaurant, five rows of tables and chairs were neatly arranged. The floor and walls were very clean.

The small space gave off a surprisingly cozy feeling.

The walls were hung with framed menus, displaying dish names and prices.

There were stir-fries, cold dishes, and the local house specials.

They had never eaten at this restaurant before, so they asked the owner to recommend a few signature dishes.

Everyone shared their preferences, but Song Jiayan, blushing a little, said anything was fine.

"Little Song, don’t mind me saying this, but that personality of yours won’t cut it. If you want to make it in this industry, how can you be so quick to blush and get shy? Look at everyone else in the business—is there anyone who isn’t a smooth operator?"

Song Jiayan nodded, his voice a little quiet. "You’re right, Director."

Wen Ying looked at him. "You’re a singer-songwriter? Have you released an album?"

Song Jiayan blushed and shook his head. ’How could I possibly deserve to release an album?’

’Besides, I don’t have that kind of money.’

’And nobody would buy it.’

"Don’t lose heart. I’ve always been a good judge of character, and your future is very bright."

When Song Jiayan heard this, he looked up at Wen Ying with a serious expression. He was still blushing slightly, but at this moment, he seemed particularly resolute. "Thank you for your encouragement, Doctor Wen."

Director Wen looked at Wen Ying in surprise, then back at Song Jiayan.

Unlike Song Jiayan, he knew a thing or two about Wen Ying.

Wen Ying’s words might not have been law, but what she said was absolutely the truth!

’Could it be that this meek and timid-looking Little Song is really going to become a huge star overnight?’

’Well, I’ll be damned!’

’Have we struck gold with this show?’

"Doctor Wen, are you telling the truth?" Director Wen wanted to confirm it one more time.

"Sister Yingying, is he really going to become a big star?"

Xu Jiali also looked at Wen Ying, her eyes sparkling.

’When I came on this show, I thought it would just be a bunch of greenhorns. I never expected this kind of surprise.’

"What’s a ’big star’? Little Song’s dreams will come true, and for him, that should be the greatest satisfaction."

"Doctor Wen, look at Little Song, and then look at you. It’s not like Little Song is any younger than you are."

Director Wen was joking.

In his heart, Song Jiayan now suspected that Doctor Wen was a mysterious figure. No one seemed to know her, but she either had powerful backing or was incredibly capable herself.

Song Jiayan didn’t really believe Wen Ying’s words were true; he just thought Doctor Wen was encouraging him.

’In this day and age, it’s so hard for someone without connections to get ahead.’

’Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come on this adventure-themed show. He didn’t much care for excitement or exploration; he much preferred quiet, staying by himself and doing things he enjoyed, like writing songs and singing.’

’But he came on this show so that his songs could be heard by more people.’

’Before this, the other contestants basically ignored him.’

’It only made him feel more isolated.’

’But Doctor Wen’s arrival had been a ray of light for him.’

The dishes arrived at the table one by one. Director Wen took a bite and found the food was actually quite good. There were spicy and non-spicy dishes, catering to everyone’s preferences.

Finding food this good in such a small town was a wonderful surprise.

Director Wen made up his mind—they absolutely had to eat here while they were filming in the area!

Once all the dishes were on the table, the owner sat on an empty stool to the side. "You all look like you’re from out of town. Here in Xuanyang Town for a tour? We don’t really have any tourist spots, though they seem to have developed some kind of attraction in the past two years. It’s nothing special, in my opinion."

To the locals, who were used to the mountains and forests, it was probably nothing special compared to how city folk might see it.

"Owner, we’re planning to film a show in the woods over by Xuanyang Lake."

Director Wen was enjoying his meal, so he offered an explanation.

When the owner heard this, his expression shifted. "The woods by Xuanyang Lake? You’d best not go!"

The owner’s tone made everyone curious.

Director Wen was the one to ask, "Don’t tell me there are stories about those woods?"

The owner thought for a moment, looked at them, and sighed. "I don’t really know how to explain it, but something happened over there a while ago. Someone said they saw... you know, *that kind of thing* in the woods. Of course, some people who don’t believe in superstitions insisted on going to check it out. The person who went came back raving mad."

Director Wen’s expression turned serious as he looked at the owner. ’It had been so hard to finally settle on this location.’

’If they had to find a new place, the project would probably be delayed again.’

’Delays were the biggest fear when filming a show.’

’With this kind of delay, the show might never see the light of day.’

"Anyway, I don’t know why, but that place has been especially strange this year. I’m telling you, you’d better not go."

After he finished speaking, the owner sighed and headed for the back kitchen.

Director Wen was torn. He couldn’t just not go!

"Director, are we still going to film there?" Xu Jiali asked in a low voice.

"Director Wen, how about I go take a look first?"

When he heard Doctor Wen say this, Director Wen’s face instantly lit up with joy. "Doctor Wen, thank you so much!"

Song Jiayan: "???"

’Why couldn’t he understand what was going on?’

"Doctor Wen, the owner said it’s dangerous there. Why don’t you... let me go with you."

Song Jiayan said, having suddenly made up his mind.

’He was a man, after all. How could he let a woman walk into danger alone?’

Director Wen was taken aback for a moment. ’This Little Song probably has no idea what Doctor Wen is capable of, does he?’

"Little Song, Doctor Wen is much more capable than you think. You’d just be in the way!"

"Then if I don’t go, are you going, Director? We can’t just let Doctor Wen go alone."

Song Jiayan had to summon all his courage to say that. After all, the consequences might be dire—he could even be kicked off the show.

But he had to say it.

’He couldn’t just watch such a young guest walk into danger.’

Wen Ying smiled. "Then Little Song can come with me."

"Sister Yingying, and me! I don’t want to stay with those people." Xu Jiali looked at Wen Ying pleadingly.

This gave the director a bit of a headache. Once the show started, he couldn’t just let them form groups based on their own preferences!

"Alright, we’ll go together. Director, are you coming?"

Director Wen gritted his teeth, just as he was about to say something impressively heroic, he heard Wen Ying say, "If you’re not going, Director, then you should pay up first. After all, you’re not getting my help for free."

"Fine. Is a hundred thousand enough?"

"That should be enough."

And so, Xu Jiali and Song Jiayan watched as Director Wen took out his phone and made a direct transfer to Wen Ying’s phone.

Wen Ying placed her phone on the table, so the two of them saw the amount: 200,000.

’So the director paid double?’

After dinner, the group returned to the inn.

Before Xu Jiali could even say anything, Jiang Beibei and Meng Xiaoyi had already claimed a room.

So Xu Jiali ended up rooming with Wen Ying.

Xie Fu Yao roomed with Zhang Jingxing, and Song Jiayan roomed with Zhao Qi.

The accommodations at the inn were limited, so it was two people to a room.

Xu Jiali created a group chat, adding Wen Ying, Song Jiayan, and Director Wen.

[Group Name: Exploration Squad]

Director Wen: Doctor Wen, is your luggage still on the way? Let me know when it arrives, and I’ll help you with it.

Wen Ying: My luggage is already in my room.

Song Jiayan: But I thought I just saw... Was Doctor Wen’s luggage just that small bag?