Welcome to Xiao Xie Talks

Xie Chen headed for the village chief's stove, and the other guests followed right behind him.

Everyone knew exactly what those two brothers were like. They could not be bothered to expose them, much less watch their little show.

Luo Mingyu, especially, was secretly thrilled. He sidled up to Xie Chen without drawing attention and lowered his voice. "I think you've changed a little?"

"How have I changed?" Xie Chen asked indifferently as he lifted the pot lid and gave everything a vigorous stir with a large ladle.

Luo Mingyu was immediately drawn in by the aroma and swallowed.

What was this?!

Did he put marijuana or poppies in it?!

Why did it make people feel so addicted?!

His heart trembled, but he was too embarrassed to show it. Pretending to be calm, he said, "Back when you were around the Xie Family, you were practically a dog. You came when called, left when dismissed, and were damn loyal, too."

"And now?"

Xie Chen had been a top-tier chef in the fast-travel worlds. He excelled at Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, Northeastern cuisine, and all sorts of others. If he had the ingredients now, he could easily put together a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast.

The more skilled he was, the higher his standards for food became, so he planned to keep an eye on it himself.

He absolutely could not ruin such a fine old hen.

Luo Mingyu was equally distracted, struggling to swallow the saliva flooding his mouth. "Now you finally live like a person."

News traveled freely within high society.

Though Xie Chen was only an adopted son, he had long become the punchline of everyone's after-dinner gossip.

People often made jokes like these:

"Look, that lapdog followed them again!"

"The Xie Family keeps a dog. They do not even need to hire a nanny anymore—he can wash clothes, cook, and do everything!"

"A dog is still a dog. How could it compare to a person? Wagging its tail and begging will not help. Once the real one comes back, it'll be kicked out of the house!"

Luo Mingyu had heard it all countless times, and he had looked down on Xie Chen as well.

Could he not just stand tall with his back straight? Why did he have to bow and scrape when they did not even appreciate it?!

He had always hated that pack of hypocrites in the Xie Family, and he was even more frustrated by Xie Chen's refusal to resist.

Who would have thought he would improve a little on this variety show...

Luo Mingyu wanted to say more, but the director's assistant suddenly stepped over the threshold. "Director Li says if you want to eat, perform first! The villagers are responding enthusiastically. At least two acts have to win their approval before we can move on to dinner."

Hearing that, Xie Chen nodded to himself. "The hen will taste better if it simmers longer. We've got time. Let's go perform first."

Once they left the village chief's house, they saw an open space nearby, apparently used for events. The villagers had already set out little stools and taken their seats.

As an award-winning actress, Li Jingfei had already decided on her act.

She had practiced opera since childhood and possessed a solid foundation. Even though she had not performed onstage in years, the moment she stood tall before the crowd, she displayed the professionalism etched into her bones.

"I'll perform a selection from Mu Guiying Takes Command for everyone."

"Good!" The village chief took the lead in applauding.

It was a great opening, striking directly at the villagers' preferences.

They were older and all enjoyed traditional arts, especially Peking opera.

Li Jingfei sang in a full operatic style, her voice soaring and her performance exquisite. When the piece ended, the villagers clapped and cheered.

As she brushed past Li Sifan, she curled her lips smugly. "Kid, you're up next."

His face darkened.

Come on!

He was a rap singer. Never mind the difference in art forms—just his speed alone meant the hard-of-hearing old folks in front of him might not catch a word.

Sure enough, after Li Sifan finished rapping with plenty of gestures, the previously silent crowd suddenly erupted with a shout. "Good!"

Then came the next sentence: "What was that kid singing? Does he have a lisp? Maybe he should visit the clinic in town?"

Li Sifan walked off the "stage" dejectedly. His sworn rival Luo Mingyu took the chance to mock him. "It's fine. The downfall of Huaxia Rap has nothing to do with you. There's still time to switch careers."

Li Sifan gave a humorless smile. "Even if I switch careers, I'm taking you with me. Oh, I almost forgot—your throat got damaged from drinking too much. You can probably only dance now, right?"

Having hit a sore spot, Luo Mingyu wiped the smile from his face. "What's wrong with dancing? I'll definitely be better than you."

"Heh, I'll wait and see!"

"Just wait!" Brimming with confidence, Luo Mingyu strode onto the stage and began performing his signature robot dance.

A few minutes later, however, the villagers showed no reaction.

One elderly woman even asked with concern, "Kid, what happened to your arm? Did it break?"

Luo Mingyu, "..."

[Hahahaha, fuck, I'm dying. One has a lisp and the other has a broken arm. Those two disabled guys should perform together.]

[Have to admit, there's a barrier with this stuff. The uncles and aunties just can't appreciate it!]

[The award-winning actress really had some skills. Such a solid foundation—no wonder her acting is so good!]

[I remember the assistant said at least two acts had to earn the villagers' approval for the task to pass. There are still two people who haven't performed... Things aren't looking good!]

[I don't remember Xie Chen having any talents. He always seemed so ordinary. It'll probably be hard for him to impress the villagers.]

While the livestream chat was still discussing it, Wei Mingqi went onstage and performed a solo crosstalk routine.

The villagers' cooperative laughter was a little awkward. Apparently, no one caught his punchlines.

Seeing that the hope of the "entire village" rested on only one person now, the guests turned expectant gazes toward him.

Xie Chen licked his lips, a lazy curve rising at the corner of his mouth. Yet once he stepped onto the stage, his expression turned utterly serious.

He crooked a finger at the cameraman following him, and the cameraman immediately zoomed in with perfect understanding.

"Dear villagers, welcome to Xiao Xie Talks. Today's topic is—"

"Who will protect the rights of villagers left behind?"

At those words, the elderly men and women on their little stools immediately focused their full attention.