Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Far from the City

While waiting for people at the airport, the director announced the rules—

This field trip will not set up too many variety show activities for them. Instead, they will be divided into groups to experience the local customs on their own using the equipment in hand to complete a field trip report.

"There are two purposes for this report with no format limitation. First, as material for the next performance. Second, as personal promotion material."

The lead director came along this time. Several instructors came too. Not only that, the show also invited other entertainers to guest star, though they would only appear in the show.

In addition, it's a recorded broadcast. The station hopes to air it soon, so it plans to start editing right after recording on that day and air it the next day.

Sun Tiantian whispered in Qin Wei’s ear, complaining:

“Freestyle essays are much harder to write than prompted essays. How do we know what materials to collect without knowing the song?”

Qin Wei felt at a loss too. While talking, they let them draw lots. Qin Wei randomly picked one.

The end of the bamboo stick was blue. Looking up, it seemed Qiao Sixiao held the same one.

She highly suspected it was the program team’s rigging.

The director on the side nodded slightly, thinking what would be left to watch in the show without some rigging?

Not only were they grouped together, but also roomed together.

But Qiao Sixiao refused.

The program team only took 5 minutes to announce the rules and groupings at the airport. When they went out, there were fans who rushed there to pick them up, in hopes of seeing their idols up close.

“Qiaoqiao!! We’re here!!”

“Siyou!! Sister look at me look at me look at me!”

“Yuru! Little feathers love you forever!”

“Qin Wei! Don’t do anything stupid! You don’t care if you're scolded by netizens, but we do!”

Qin Wei almost rolled her eyes at the fans.

But she held herself back.

After all, she’d gotten more scoldings online recently.

She didn’t read any of them, but Li Yao summarized a few key points:

“First, publicly criticized Best Actor Shen's singing and got scolded by his fans.”

“Second, didn’t realize her own level but still rapped poorly for Feng Xue. Got scolded by rap enthusiasts.”

“Her piano and dance segments were shorter than others but got more screen time. Got scolded by other artists’ fans.”

“Obviously doesn’t get along well with Liu Xin during training but still chatted with her, coming off silly, spineless and wimpy... Got scolded by netizens.”

“Liu Xin said a few words about her. Not only did she not curse back but even acted as if nothing had happened. Didn’t stand up for herself at all. Got scolded by keyboard warriors.”

“Hyped up CP with Qiao Sixiao too frequently. Got scolded by passerby.”

“Didn’t hype up CP with Qiao Sixiao actively enough. Got scolded by CP fans and some other passerby.”

...

Qin Wei also summarized for Li Yao:

“So you’re saying my skills are lacking, my personality has flaws, I can’t suddenly act aggressive and step on people I dislike... Got it. I accept all that. But hyping up CP... Li Yao, I don’t get this one.”

Li Yao shrugged.

“Wherever there’re gyms, there’re barbells; wherever there’re construction sites, there’re steel bars. Relax. Just ignore those last two.”

...

So her fans had it hard recently and got scolded because of her too.

Qin Wei sincerely admired how they didn’t unstan her.

Unable to let them down, Qin Wei still waved at them and said:

“I know, go back!”

...

The first stop of this trip was a small town called “Danle”. It was an old town rebuilt relying on tourism located by the river some distance away from the city. Since it was far from any highways, there were usually not many outside visitors on ordinary days. The streets would only be filled on peak season.

They chose the off season to make filming easier and cheaper..

On the drive over, the entertainers had to record another sponsorship spot because the vehicles were provided by a sponsor too.

“How’s this?”

“That’s good, thanks Teacher Qin.”

Only after getting confirmation did Qin Wei breathe a sigh of relief. She turned to look at Youyou beside her who was engrossed in reading a book and couldn’t help saying:

“Reading in the car will ruin your eyes.”

The book was covered in white paper so she couldn’t tell what book it was, but Qin Wei knew it was the one she gave her.

Youyou didn’t care at all. Her eyes never leaving the pages, she said:

“I’m just skimming it. Didn’t you read books at a bar before, Senior Sister?”

Oh, she saw that show.

Qin Wei gulped. If possible, she felt it wouldn’t be an overstatement to call that show the “shadow of her life”.

“That was kind of my dark history... At that time, I didn’t think too much at all. I just wanted to hurry up and finish recording so I could go back. I didn’t consider anything extra...”

Had she known so many people would scold her, she’d definitely chosen to be a cold, merciless queen who only knew how to slap others.

But life doesn’t have a reset button to rewind.

There were no what-ifs.

Youyou looked puzzled.

“What are you talking about, Senior Sister?”

“She’s talking about her regret.”

Gu Minghua, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly spoke. He had been quietly looking out the window the entire time before this.

Since Qin Wei thought he wasn't listening, she casually chatted with Youyou. His sudden participation made her feel a bit embarrassed.

“Regret?”

Youyou didn’t feel that way at all and naturally continued the conversation.

Gu Minghua nodded.

“But no need to regret it. As a spiritual medium you’re qualified.”

“Spiritual medium?”

Another question mark for Youyou.

Qin Wei explained directly to her:

“He means I have a sharp tongue.”

On this point, Youyou agreed wholeheartedly with an enthusiastic nod:

“Why does Teacher Gu have to ride with us?”

Gu Minghua replied:

“Because Miss Qiao said she wants to discuss folk dances with the dance teachers in this car.”

Though the real reason was she didn’t want to share a car with Qin Wei, Gu Minghua was quite good at making up excuses.

But Qin Wei still nodded reluctantly.

Three hours later, the convoy arrived at the old town. As imagined, it was a typical water town. But most locals here wore clothing with distinctive regional characteristics.

The convoy stopped in front of an inn. For filming convenience, the program team booked an entire large local inn early on, considering the limited rooms. Some of the 30 entertainers stayed three to a room while others paired up. Only a few top stars or those with special requests got singles rooms.

Qin Wei wasn’t picky. And since Youyou took the initiative to ask, they shared a room.

After the luggage was sent up, the entertainers got their keys and went to their rooms one by one. Youyou pushed the door open and Qin Wei felt pleasantly surprised. The room was clean and comfortable with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the broad Danle River.

Sunshine shone brightly on the river surface, specks of light frolicking on it. The river water flowed east slowly as the shores on both sides flourished vibrantly. Looking out through the window, it was as if an oil painting saturated with colors.

Qin Wei casually picked up her camera to capture the scene. It didn’t look bad at all with the high resolution.

Qin Wei shared enthusiastically with Youyou:

“When I get home, I’ll print out the photos as wall art to decorate my place.”

Youyou played along well, asking Qin Wei to send her a copy too when she exported the photos. She wanted to hang the picture in the center of her living room as well.

Qin Wei happily agreed.

Youyou’s phone vibrated with a message. With no internet access on their phones now, they could only call and text each other.

“Senior Sister, Tiantian messaged me to hang out!”