After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 24: Beautiful, Gentle, and Harmless?

By the time we returned to the village, it was already pitch black, and the sound of the car stirred a few scattered barks.

When we reached the residence, the originally brightly lit villa was now shrouded in darkness.

After thanking Yao Xiaotian, who came to drop us off, and watching Zhao Hengsheng leave with his hands behind his back, Jiang Lingxi finally led Lu Zhengzheng into the villa.

Upon reaching the living room, they first turned on the lights, whose warm brightness immediately dispelled the previous darkness.

Lu Zhengzheng set the bag aside, collapsed onto the sofa, and didn't want to get up.

"Xixi, I'm so tired!"

Jiang Lingxi unhurriedly took two bottles of sponsored juice from a nearby cabinet, tossed one over, "Rest early if you're tired. Remember to massage your feet and calves before bed, as we have another run tomorrow."

Lu Zhengzheng nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, took a sip of the juice, and was about to check the time on her phone when a video call request popped up first.

She slapped her forehead, "Oh no, Xixi! I forgot to tell Sister Tong we'll be delayed by two days."

Today was all about stopping and going around. Only Yao Xiaotian was responsible for filming, so she occasionally had to lend a hand, becoming so busy that she forgot to report the delay to Sister Tong.

"It's over! I'm going to get scolded by Sister Tong."

Jiang Lingxi swallowed the juice and advised, "Answer it."

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Lu Zhengzheng instinctively clicked to answer.

Tong Yue's voice immediately came through, sounding slightly fiery if you listened closely, "I've been busy here, and there have been no updates at all. Lu Zhengzheng, why haven't you sent the flight information? What time should I arrange for a driver to pick you up tomorrow? Do I have to remind you of such a simple thing?"

Jiang Lingxi took the phone from the shrunken-shouldered Lu Zhengzheng, "Sister Tong, it's not that Zhengzheng didn't send it, but we haven't booked the tickets yet."

"Not booked? What's going on? Did the flight get canceled or are there no seats available?"

"We need two more days to film the public service announcement, and if everything goes smoothly, we'll return the day after tomorrow."

Tong Yue immediately frowned, "Isn't it just a public service announcement? A video that lasts only a few minutes—how does it take so long to shoot?"

"There's a lot of material to film, and I agreed to it."

"But I've already arranged the coach for you here, and now you're delaying by two days. What about the intensive training? The next show isn't exactly your strength—well, not that any really is your strength—but we can't just let things fall apart!"

"I have a handle on the training, it won't fall apart."

"Alright, alright," Tong Yue waved in compromise, "Since you've already agreed, what else can I say? Finish the shoot and come back quickly, understand?"

"Goodnight, Sister Tong."

Lu Zhengzheng held the phone that was returned, frowning, "Xixi, this delay really sets us back. Once we get back, you'll barely have three days to train."

The key is, what can be achieved in just three days of training!

Jiang Lingxi lifted her chin towards her, "I know, go to sleep now."

Lu Zhengzheng decisively got up and obediently rolled into the bedroom.

Before long, the villa was plunged into darkness once again.

The night resumed its tranquility.

The next morning, Jiang Lingxi got up for her usual run. As soon as she stepped out, she noticed the large vehicle from the production crew parked by the roadside, its equipment seemingly already packed.

Zhao Hengsheng saw her and got off the vehicle, "Not bad, making it out for a run even after a whole day's work yesterday."

"Is everyone preparing to leave?"

"Yes," Zhao Hengsheng nodded, then paused before adding, "You're doing well now, keep it up, and there may be a chance for us to work together again in the future."

Jiang Lingxi's lips curved into a gentle smile, "Okay."

The beauty of her smile was like dew in the morning awaiting the sun, momentarily dazzling many eyes around.

Seeing such a beautiful sight early in the morning, Zhao Hengsheng returned to the vehicle in good spirits after saying goodbye.

Watching the bus leave, Jiang Lingxi stood in place, performed a simple warm-up, and began her run.

This time, as she ran, she unconsciously arrived at the century-old tree she had passed before.

The old tree was still lush, with such verdant branches that it seemed the greenness might drip down at any moment.

Under the tree, an elderly person and a child were sitting as harmoniously as the last time she had seen them.

Jiang Lingxi paused her steps, "Good morning, sir."

Xu Maochun was preparing to take his grandson home for breakfast when he heard her voice and turned to look, nodding lightly as he replied in a lukewarm manner, "Morning."

The little one he was holding onto seemed surprised, showing some curiosity as he peered out from behind his grandfather, "Pretty sister, why didn't you leave? Did they leave you behind?"

Jiang Lingxi shook her head and seriously replied, "I still have some work to finish, so I have to leave a bit later."

"Oh, I get it. You haven't finished your homework yet, just like me."

Facing the child's look of shared plight, Jiang Lingxi said, "... You could say that."

Xu Maochun tugged at his grandson.

Regrettably, the usually obedient child seemed rooted to the spot, refusing to move.

"Pretty sister, the Flower Spear you did the other day looked so cool. I think even people from the opera troupe didn't perform as well as you did."

"Oh, you watched that day too?"

"Yeah, yeah, I went with Grandpa, and we even clapped for you. My palms got red."

"Thank you very much."

Prompted by his grandson, Xu Maochun was reminded of something.

He hesitated in place for a moment before asking, "I noticed that with your condition, wielding the Flower Spear must be quite challenging. How did you manage for several minutes that day?"

"You have a discerning eye, sir," Jiang Lingxi was surprised anyone would ask her about this. Taken aback for a second, she replied, "It was just using some techniques to borrow strength."

This wasn't something that needed hiding.

"Not bad, it's rare to see a young person with such skills nowadays." Xu Maochun looked the young girl up and down, "Alright, we seem to have some connection. If you're not in a hurry, I can feel your pulse."

"Feel the pulse?" Jiang Lingxi hadn't anticipated such an offer before even seeking medical help, "Sir, might you be named Xu?"

Xu Maochun assumed someone had eventually discovered his presence here for recuperation, furrowing his eyebrows slightly, "You know me?"

Jiang Lingxi nodded, candidly sharing, "A few days ago, a woman at the edge of the village noticed my frailty and mentioned an old TCM doctor from the Imperial City living here, suggesting I see him. I was planning to visit after I finished my work, but it seems I've already had two chance encounters with Old Mr. Xu. I'd be grateful if you could check my pulse."

A few minutes later.

Jiang Lingxi followed the grandfather and grandson into a quaint courtyard with white walls and gray tiles.

There was another person in the yard. As they entered, this individual was placing a plate of freshly steamed buns on the table in the courtyard.

Jiang Lingxi lifted her eyes and met a pair of eyes as sharp as blades.

With just one glance, she could tell that this young man, who appeared to be a cook, had quite some skills, perhaps the type that had tasted battle.

Someone like this, preparing breakfast in such a small courtyard, and being so wary of strangers, suggested that Old Mr. Xu's identity might not be simple.

"Mr. Xu, who is this?"

"A patient I picked up on my way back from doing Tai Chi," Xu Maochun answered casually, releasing his grandson's hand, "Xingxing, go eat with Wei Ke. Girl, follow me."

Jiang Lingxi stepped forward, seemingly unintentionally brushing past the youth named Wei Ke and felt his breath hitch slightly, with tension coiling around him momentarily.

Indeed, he had quite an instinct, even though she appeared so harmless now.

"Wei Ke, you're still staring after Grandpa and the pretty sister have gone inside. I didn't know you were so..."

Before the little kid could finish the last word, Wei Ke clamped a hand over his mouth, his ears blushing slightly, "Xu Xingyuan, I don't think there's anyone by that name in the village."

Any stranger appearing in this village was someone he had to watch out for.

"Of course, the pretty sister isn't from the village; she's a big star. No wonder you never go out, you didn't even know this."

"But didn't the production crew all leave today?"

"Only the pretty sister stayed because she still has unfinished work," Xu Xingyuan sighed, "It's as painful as me not finishing my homework."

Wei Ke: "..."

He couldn't help but glance again at the room the elder Mr. Xu typically used to diagnose the village's residents.

A lovely, fragile superstar – he concurred.

But harmless? He reserved judgment on that.

He trusted his instincts!