News of the production team's filming fiasco had leaked out a bit.
Fans from all sides were wailing in disappointment.
[I thought I was going to see the most star-studded variety show in history!]
[Are they just stringing us along?]
[No, they really did go to film. On-site fan photographers took some pictures. They actually went to that mine, but for some reason, the mine collapsed...]
[Damn, no one died, right? How come it's not in the news?]
[No deaths, but it seems Jian Suifan got his head cracked open =-=]
[???]
Jian Suifan's fans immediately erupted in an uproar, even drowning out discussions about whether Bai Yuhuai, Ding Hanbing, and Yin Mo had some kind of grudge against each other.
For a while, the screen was filled with nothing but questions from Jian's fans.
[Has the production team lost their humanity? What's this about a cracked head? Please explain clearly!]
The production team promptly came out to explain honestly that an iron bar had inexplicably fallen from above the factory and hit Jian Suifan.
Of course, the fans didn't believe it and raised another round of commotion.
Jian Suifan's manager sat down by his hospital bed, holding a phone filled with fans' heartbreak, well-wishes, and angry curses at the production team.
He said with a smile, "Actually, it's not so bad that the show fell through. At least we don't have to film for eighteen days, which would have been grueling... Look, your popularity has skyrocketed again."
Jian Suifan: "I don't want to look."
"Oh, still worried about the injury on your head? Don't worry, I've already contacted a good doctor for you. It won't affect your scheduled appearances. You're not acting in anything recently anyway. Appearing on some other reality shows might even make your fans more sympathetic..." The manager had only spoken halfway when he saw Jian Suifan grab the phone, glaring fiercely at the screen, looking not so much moved as angry and fearful.
Manager: "What are you..."
Jian Suifan took out his own phone, logged into his account, and started typing furiously.
Jian Suifan: It has nothing to do with the production team, it was just an accident!
Of course, the fans didn't believe him. Instead, they cried even harder, shouting about whether some powerful force was preventing Jian Suifan from telling the truth, forcing him to compromise.
Jian Suifan: "What's wrong with them?"
"Are you crazy?" The manager blurted out almost simultaneously with him.
The manager took a breath and angrily said, "Why did you come out and say anything? If you hadn't said anything, couldn't you have let this matter ferment on its own? You would have gained popularity and could have cleanly withdrawn... Weren't you quite smart before?"
Jian Suifan was stunned: "Was I that much of a white lotus before?"
Manager: ???
Jian Suifan quickly posted another Weibo.
Jian Suifan: Don't use foul language, be civilized. Don't spread rumors, what I said is the truth. Although I was injured this time, I gained more than I lost. I'm very happy.
Happy to the point of almost crying, Jian Suifan thought to himself.
If these people really kept digging and traced it back to the boy, the tears he'd shed could fill a bathtub.
Jian Suifan shuddered, still shaken, and immediately asked the manager: "Do you know if the Film Emperor Bai has any recent public appearances?"
How would the manager know?
But after refreshing Weibo, he quickly found out.
The manager pointed at the trending topics: "It's right here."
#Bai Yuhuai Surprisingly Appears at 'Sky Expanse' Roadshow#
The manager added, smacking his lips: "Wasn't Tao He's movie shelved for several years? It can still be released? That's fresh. Today's event must be lively..."
Jian Suifan suddenly spoke up: "I want to go too!"
The manager held him back: "What are you going for?"
"You don't understand." Jian Suifan was silent for a moment, then said: "I need to offer my sincerity to the deity, to let him know that my past offenses were unintentional... Yes, I also need to prepare a gift. I need a gift."
Ding Hanbing and Jian Suifan were originally both under this manager, but unexpectedly, Ding Hanbing's popularity exploded so quickly and fiercely that he ended up going to the company's top manager.
Now only Jian Suifan was left, and he was currently the most popular star the manager had ever handled.
The manager was counting on Jian Suifan for his livelihood, so of course, he didn't want to go against him. He quickly called someone to prepare a gift.
As soon as Jian Suifan got his hands on the gift, he had his assistant push him into the car.
Leaving the manager behind, scratching his head.
Has Jian gone possessed? Or has he gone stupid?
When Jian Suifan arrived at the venue, Jing Jiujiu and Bai Yuhuai had just arrived not long ago.
Tao He had arranged everything meticulously, placing them directly in the front row where the seats were spacious, with fruit platters and tea set beside them.
Tao He said with a smile: "Actually, we should thank the young master."
Jing Jiujiu was holding an orange in his palm, unable to eat it, just rolling it back and forth, while eagerly waiting for the oversized paper doll that Bai Yuhuai had custom-made for him. Suddenly hearing Tao He say this, he stopped his movements, full of confusion: "Why do you need to thank me?"
"It's all thanks to you for introducing me to that Master Tingyi. He's really amazing. I bought talismans and good luck charms from him. Not long after, my movie finally got the screening permit. I invested a lot of money in this movie. I'm the lead actor, the investor, and half a director... Although it still looks like it's going to lose money, recovering a bit is better than nothing, right?"
Tao He quickly pointed to a corner as she spoke: "See, there are people waiting to see me fail."
Jing Jiujiu turned his head to look. Several people were standing there. Apart from reporters holding recording pens, two people stood out as particularly incongruous.
One was about 1.78 meters tall, dressed in a suit, with a slightly round face, looking somewhat scholarly. The other was a bit taller, with a thin face, dressed like a Japanese pretty boy...
Jing Jiujiu: "The shorter one..."
Tao He finished his sentence: "My ex-husband."
Bai Yuhuai, who originally had no interest in these matters, only spoke up when he heard Jing Jiujiu ask, calmly inquiring: "Do they always come to watch you fail?"
Tao He let out a light snort: "It's not just about watching me fail. It's oppression, it's threats..." At this point, Tao He glanced at Jing Jiujiu: "Nevermind, children shouldn't hear this."
Jing Jiujiu opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Bai Yuhuai calmly interjected: "He's not young anymore, he's an adult."
Tao He pressed her lips together.
Oh, right.
If he were really that young, how could he be dating Bai?
Only then did Tao He say: "Before I married into a wealthy family, I had already won Best Actress, and it was when I had the most fans. After the divorce, the paparazzi were already watching me. They were also afraid I might spill their secrets, so they didn't try to trip me up too much. They just often come to watch me, wanting me to regret, wanting me to be jealous of them, wanting me to know how happy it is to be a rich man's wife. Not to end up working so hard..."
Jing Jiujiu looked completely confused: "Could it be they want to remarry you?"
Tao He laughed: "You're right. But remarriage is just a means, the goal is to have children... They want to be gay, but also want to use my genes to have children, and want me to swallow my pride, to help them raise children for the rest of my life. How could there be such a good deal? Don't you agree?"
Jing Jiujiu nodded.
Indeed.
How could people be so greedy?
The last greedy person is still buried under the coal mine right now.
Tao He was today's main character, and soon a staff member came to fetch her. Tao He hurriedly stuffed a chocolate bar into Jing Jiujiu's hand before leaving.
"I brought it back from abroad, I don't know if you like it..."
Bai Yuhuai took in this scene, but didn't feel any jealousy. He just couldn't help but marvel at how likable Jing Jiujiu was, able to make someone like Tao He, who had just been hurt by her ex-husband, turn around and sincerely bring him food.
Bai Yuhuai turned his head slightly, meeting the cameras in the hands of those reporters, and for once showed a hint of a gentle expression.
So he would generously let Tao He borrow a bit of his influence.
Tao He went on stage.
Jing Jiujiu, however, quietly lowered his head. There was a small backpack at his feet, and in front of him crouched a string of little ghosts that others couldn't see.
Jing Jiujiu held up two fingers, gesturing to the little ghosts while speaking: "Listen to me."
But when he spoke, it came out as gibberish.
He didn't even know what language that was.
The little ghosts, however, had bright eyes and nodded repeatedly, as if they understood.
Jing Jiujiu: ?
He remained silent for a moment, unzipped his backpack, and looked at the little robot sitting on the big rock inside.
Oh, he remembered now.
That day when he heard that prompt in his head, one of the messages was [Gained buff to communicate freely with netherworld creatures].
So now no matter what he said, they could understand?
That was so convenient!
Jing Jiujiu immediately lowered his voice and muttered a bunch of gibberish. Even if the people next to him heard, they wouldn't be able to make out what he was saying.
Bai Yuhuai couldn't understand either.
He just thought the young man looked rather cute mumbling to himself.
Meanwhile, Jian Suifan was pushed into the venue. The reporters immediately noticed him and were surprised. Since when did Jian Suifan have any connection with Tao He?
The reporters quickly surrounded him.
But Jian Suifan only stared at Jing Jiujiu's figure. He said to his assistant, "Do you see that person?"
The assistant replied, "Wow, he's so good-looking... Isn't that the Young Master Jing who went viral online recently?"
Jian Suifan frowned, "How dare you disrespect him?"
The assistant was confused, "Huh? Did I disrespect him? Just because I said 'wow'?"
"He's not someone you can mess with, understand?" Jian Suifan added.
The assistant was completely baffled and even thought that his boss might have really been hit silly.
Jian Suifan turned his head, glanced at the assistant, then looked back at Jing Jiujiu.
He could only see the young man's lips moving.
The young man sitting there was indeed very beautiful. But these people didn't know, they had no idea how terrifying he was... Jian Suifan suddenly felt like he was the only sober one among a crowd of drunks!
About a few minutes later, Jing Jiujiu sat obediently without speaking again.
Those little ghosts had also slipped away.
On stage, Tao He was chatting and laughing with the host and other actors.
The atmosphere at the venue was lively.
The reporters were also delighted to have captured shots of Bai Yuhuai and Jian Suifan. This time, hardly anyone paid attention to Tao He's ex-husband. In previous years, whenever the man appeared, reporters would focus their attention on him, taking lots of photos, and then come up with headlines like "Wealthy Ex-husband Appears at Event, Does She Regret It?" to gain more views.
This time, however, that was completely unnecessary.
Bai Yuhuai was a walking hot topic!
Jian Suifan was also quite newsworthy in his own right!
While the event was still ongoing, Ding Hanbing and Yin Mo received news that Jing Jiujiu had gone to the venue.
Photos from the scene had already been released!
How could Ding Hanbing and Yin Mo sit still?
Back at the venue, as the reporters were taking photos, someone suddenly exclaimed, "Holy crap!"
"Why are Ding Hanbing and Yin Mo here too?"
"Did they really develop feelings while filming the show? But I heard they don't get along at all?"
"Who the hell knows! Or is Tao He's influence that big? Hasn't she always been good at maintaining relationships in the industry?"
Everyone muttered a few words quietly, then quickly rushed over with their cameras to film.
It would be such a waste not to capture such great material.
The reporters surrounding Tao He's ex-husband suddenly vanished.
The man frowned, "She was able to invite all these people?"
The young man beside him said carelessly, "Even if she can invite them, it won't help her box office. I heard she lost 80 million on her investment... Just wait, it won't be long before she can't hold on anymore."
The man responded, "Mm." He still seemed somewhat worried. It seemed that with age, he had become more impatient. He said, "If it really doesn't work out, we could actually consider surrogacy abroad..."
The young man smiled and said, "Didn't you say Tao He's genes are good enough? Conveniently, she also found out about us. It's not suitable for more people to know about this. We might as well just use her all the way..."
What the young man was thinking in his heart was not like this at all.
He simply wanted to utterly crush Tao He. The man refused to legally marry him, afraid of becoming a laughingstock in their circles. So he would turn Tao He into a joke as well.
A light flashed in the young man's eyes as he said, "Don't look anymore. Seeing so many people come to support her, she's probably feeling quite smug right now."
The man nodded and led him to the fire escape.
The two of them went up the stairs, where there weren't many people around. Only then did they embrace, enjoying a rare moment of excitement.
"Why does it feel a bit cold?" the man suddenly spoke.
"It's always drafty in the stairwell."
"...No, who's tugging at my pant leg?"
"Are you hallucinating? Who could be tugging your pant leg here?"
The man suddenly froze.
The young man slowly stopped smiling and looked at him in confusion, "What's wrong with you?" "Say something! You..."
The young man's voice cut off abruptly.
The two of them stood there like two stone statues, staring blankly at each other, with no other reaction.
A group of little ghosts filled the stairs.
The two leading ghosts had already crawled into their bodies. The remaining ghosts were still muttering, "Is it enough?"
"This is an adult, I'm not tall enough." A tiny ghost voice came from inside the young man's body.
The little ghosts muttered a few more words, then entered one after another.
They stacked on top of each other, piling up high.
Inside the bodies of the man and the young man, they barely managed to form the shape of an adult.
Round Round raised its hand to point upwards, then proudly crawled to the front.
The man and young man, with their bodies filled with little ghosts, took their first steps, swaying unsteadily. Clearly, the ghosts were not yet accustomed to walking like this.
Along the way, they bumped into things countless times, but finally managed to stumble their way to the rooftop of the building.
This building wasn't particularly tall.
It was only six stories high.
People below could see what was happening on the roof just by looking up.
The little ghosts chattered as they began to undress each other.
The clothes worn by the man and young man were far too complicated for them, so they could only tug at sleeves and collars.
Round Round barked on the side.
Idiots!
Fools!
They almost strangled the humans to death!
Round Round stood with hands on hips, puffing out its round belly, using sharp claws to direct them.
It took a full half hour.
Downstairs, the roadshow was almost over.
Finally, the man and young man were stripped naked, embracing each other.
From the perspective of those on the ground looking up, it appeared as if the two were doing something indescribable.
"Ah!" A scream erupted from below.
Following that, more and more people began to scream.
...
On stage, Tao He finished her closing remarks with a smile: "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence. Please continue to support our 'Sky Expanse'..."
The audience below erupted in thunderous applause.
Then, Tao He walked off the stage to personally see everyone out.
Reporters stood to the side with their cameras, taking plenty of shots.
Until everyone heard the screams and chaotic discussions from outside.
"What's going on? What happened?" The reporters rushed to the front line first.
Only then did the others follow and walk out.
"On the rooftop, look at the rooftop," people outside were saying.
Everyone raised their heads at the sound.
But Jing Jiujiu only managed to catch a glimpse of something pale white before Bai Yuhuai quickly covered his eyes.
Nearby reporters were stunned, alternating between filming the rooftop and Bai Yuhuai, busy beyond measure.
Jing Jiujiu: ?
Bai Yuhuai: "Don't look."
Bai Yuhuai's face was cold, his voice low: "It'll hurt your eyes." He seemed to be containing anger. Those two bastards, didn't they know how to pick a proper place? They've dirtied Jiujiu's eyes.
Jing Jiujiu felt somewhat regretful.
He didn't get to see it with his own eyes.
But he still listened to Bai Yuhuai, obediently leaning against Bai Yuhuai's arm without moving.
Ding Hanbing and Yin Mo were also angry.
What the hell was this, coming here to pollute people's eyes?
How could Jiujiu see such things?
Ding Hanbing stared at Bai Yuhuai, thinking, it would be so much better if I was the one holding him.
Yin Mo stared at Bai Yuhuai, thinking, this son of a bitch.
"Isn't that the CEO of Gong Group? His face is often in the news!"
"Who's that next to him?"
"That's his secretary, often appears in the news with him too... Damn, is this why Tao He got divorced?"
For a moment, bystanders and event attendees all started chatting together.
The reporters awkwardly looked at Tao He's expression, only to see her standing there in shock. She glanced up once, then suddenly burst out laughing.
Reporters: ?
Has she gone mad from anger?
Tao He pinched her own wrist to keep herself from laughing too loudly.
Hahahahaha.
Her wish had actually come true!
Now that Gong fellow would never have the face to come find her again. His parents would break his dog legs, along with his lover's... Let them blame and harm each other, thoroughly disgracing themselves in front of the whole world!
After Tao He had enjoyed the spectacle enough, she turned and walked over to Bai Yuhuai, apologizing: "I'm sorry for letting the young master see such filthy things he shouldn't have seen."
Jing Jiujiu was still having Bai Yuhuai cover his eyes. He said softly: "It's alright." "It's just that, if they were standing on the tallest building, no one would be able to see them clearly."
Tao He said: "That's right, that's right."
When Bai Yuhuai heard this, his eyelid twitched.
Little devil!
Bai Yuhuai didn't know whether to be angry or laugh. He put his arm around Jing Jiujiu's waist, half-carrying him into the nanny van, then quickly got in himself, closing the door with a "thud".
"Mr. Bai... Oh fuck, Bai Yuhuai!" Yin Mo's voice changed pitch.
Ding Hanbing gritted his teeth: "This guy is so shameless."
Yin Mo said sourly: "And Jiujiu just goes along with him..."
Ding Hanbing was originally fuming with anger, but suddenly thought of something: "I think Jiujiu's bag was left behind..."
When Yin Mo heard this, he immediately took off running inside.
Ding Hanbing: "Fuck, Yin Mo, you're even more shameless! I'm the one who remembered about the bag!"
Yin Mo snorted lightly: "Even if you found it you wouldn't dare touch it. Do you know what's inside?"
Ding Hanbing righteously: "I don't know, so what?"
Tao He looked left and right, smiling helplessly.
Wait, something's not right.
Tao He lowered her hand, stunned for a moment.
If they were standing on the tallest building, no one would be able to see them clearly... This sentence... Jing Jiujiu's voice still echoed in her ears.
How did the young master know that her wish was for them to stand naked and embracing on the tallest building in the city, letting everyone see clearly?
Yes, Bai might have told him.
But...
Tao He looked up again.
This was the sixth floor.
Not high, not low, just right to attract everyone's attention, yet still let people see clearly.
Tao He looked towards the car in shock.
What method did the young master use?
Could he be even more powerful than Master Tingyi and Master Zhou?!
Not far away, Jian Suifan finally arrived belatedly.
It couldn't be helped, being in a wheelchair meant he was always slower than others. He was holding many flowers bought from who knows where, and immediately asked: "Where's that youth next to Bai?"
Tao He, still in shock, casually pointed at the nanny van.
Before Jian Suifan could go knock on the car door, everyone cried out in surprise again. They saw the two people on the rooftop slowly fall down.
They didn't fall off the building.
They just crashed onto the concrete of the rooftop, looking painful just to see.
Jian Suifan looked up and vaguely saw something like a string of objects emerge from their bodies.
Jian Suifan shuddered, suddenly remembering how earlier in the venue, the youth had lowered his head, his face exquisitely beautiful and unperturbed, only his lips moving slightly, as if whispering to some invisible thing...
It was him!
He must have used some kind of magical power...
Jian Suifan didn't dare knock on the door anymore, just hurriedly handed the flowers to Tao He: "Please give these to him, and tell him, tell him I believe now, I believe it all. I will worship properly from now on..."
Tao He: ?
After saying this, Jian Suifan had his assistant quickly push him away.
At this time it was chaotic upstairs and downstairs, with people calling the police, calling ambulances, and busy taking photos to post on social media... No one paid attention to Jian Suifan leaving.
On the way back, Jian Suifan called his manager, telling him to go buy incense...
The Gong surname man and the young man regained consciousness on the way to the hospital.
Their bodies were covered in bruises, their faces flushed red. They loudly defended themselves: "I have no idea what happened, I don't know how these marks got on my body... Did someone knock us out?"
"This is kidnapping! Kidnapping!"
After hearing this, the medical staff couldn't help but look at them with contempt.
How could they not have such marks after fooling around on the rooftop?
Unbelievable.
And to think they had hurt Miss Tao, fortunately she left him.
Seeing that his explanations were useless, the man tremblingly took out his phone and opened the top news.
It was all heated discussions about them.
Looking at the comment section, it was mostly abuse.
They... were socially dead.
In contrast, the publicity for Tao He's movie had gained immense attention. Photos of various people who had participated in the day's event were uploaded to social media platforms, instantly topping the trending searches.
Meanwhile in the nanny van, Bai Yuhuai had just started to ask: "You did it?"
Jing Jiujiu guiltily nodded.
He asked in a small voice: "Does it count as doing something bad?"
Bai Yuhuai: "...No."
It was just having ghosts possess someone, right?
So what if they were possessed?
As long as Jing Jiujiu liked it.
Bai Yuhuai rubbed his fingertips, suddenly thinking of something more profound. It would be best to let Tao He know this was Jing Jiujiu's doing. Jing Jiujiu's statue was already made, if he could accumulate faith, the speed at which he became powerful would increase even more.
But Bai Yuhuai didn't say any of this out loud.
When Jiujiu did it, he wasn't thinking of any utilitarian motives.
Utilitarian things were better left for him to do.
At this moment there was a soft "plop" sound, barely audible.
A little ghost fell in from outside the window.
Then one after another, they filled up the nanny van. Some crawled onto Jing Jiujiu's body, some at his feet, chirping and muttering. As if asking for credit.
...So noisy.
Bai Yuhuai frowned imperceptibly, but didn't stop them.
This kind of scene, extremely rare for Bai Yuhuai, somehow felt peaceful and tranquil.
Jing Jiujiu dealt with the little ghosts for a few sentences, then suddenly raised his head and asked: "Is my paper doll ready yet?"
Bai Yuhuai: "Almost."
That person had taken his money, and was probably working day and night on it now.
Jing Jiujiu smacked his lips: "I want to drink soup."
Bai Yuhuai's heart skipped a beat, his fingers suddenly clenching tight.
After a while, when Jing Jiujiu had already turned his head away, Bai Yuhuai finally responded in a low voice: "...Alright."
Meanwhile, the Daoist master hired by Jing Tinghua, and the various sects and big shots of the metaphysical world he had mentioned, had finally arrived in the capital city.
The Daoist master personally went with Jing Tinghua to receive them.
Jing Tinghua really didn't want to go out. He hadn't been to the company for a full half month. He had no choice, every time he went out he would encounter all kinds of dangers. Even though he could avoid most of them with his abundant experience, it was still exhausting.
The Daoist master said calmly: "With all these great masters present, your bit of bad luck is something they can resolve with a wave of their hand..."
Jing Tinghua frowned: "Is that so?"
But he did want to make more connections in metaphysical circles, so he gritted his teeth and went along.
When they arrived at the airport, someone had gotten there even earlier.
The Daoist master exclaimed in surprise: "That's Master Tingyi, how come he's here to receive people too? I remember he's not good at dealing with these kinds of things."
Jing Tinghua also frowned: "Master Zhou?"
That Master Zhou who the Daoist master had declared a fraud was now standing next to Master Tingyi, chatting and laughing with the various metaphysical big shots.
Jing Tinghua's face darkened: "Daoist Master Qu Yi, that is Master Zhou. Didn't you say he was a fraud?"
The Daoist master's expression changed slightly: "Impossible! He's definitely a fraud!"
He turned his head: "Jing Tinghua, are you doubting me?"
Under the same sky.
At home, Jian Suifan reverently wrote down the three characters for Jing Jiujiu, placed them on the table, and lit incense in front of it.
He began to worship.
His manager was shocked.
Isn't this just being mentally ill?