Zhong Ran trembled all over with anger at Xu Wang's words.
The tractor was quite fast.
Before long, it brought the four of them to the gate of the courtyard the production crew had rented in the village.
The house the crew had rented was the largest in the village, and its courtyard was sizable too. They had done a little work on the courtyard, making it look very comfortable.
"Young fellas, this is where I drop you off. My place is that house up ahead. Once you've settled in, just come find me there." The middle-aged villager stood and pointed at the thatched shed ahead.
"All right. Thank you, sir. Stay safe on your way back," Xu Wang said with a nod.
"Don't worry. I've traveled this road over eight hundred times. I know it like the back of my hand. Remember to come early." The man waved, then drove off on his tractor, humming a folk song.
"Let's go inside." Xu Wang took a suitcase.
Pei Yanchuan didn't stop him, but gave him a light one.
The two strode to the entrance and pushed open the courtyard gate, completely ignoring Zhong Ran and Leng Yifan behind them.
"Welcome, everyone. There are four rooms in the house. Please choose whichever you like." The director's voice came through the loudspeaker.
Xu Wang and Pei Yanchuan entered the house. It was a single-story building, with rooms on either side: one on its own to the left and three to the right.
Xu Wang decisively chose the room on its own to the left.
Pei Yanchuan opened the door. The bedroom had been made very cozy, and the pristine white bedding and pillows had all been disinfected. There was also a window on the far-left wall, and when he opened it, a row of flowers stood on the sill.
Xu Wang flopped flat on the bed.
Pei Yanchuan looked around the room, crouched down, opened a suitcase, and took out their matching couple's mugs.
Their ceramic mugs had cartoon figures printed on them, sending hearts to each other. Each mug bore half a heart, forming a complete one when placed together.
[Oh my God, what am I seeing? Even a domineering CEO uses mugs like these?]
[If you showed me President Pei and that mug separately, I'd never believe it.]
[The sellers have already sniffed out an opportunity.]
[They're already listed next door (laughing and crying).]
[Paid 29.90 in full. Feels good!]
Xu Wang sat up cross-legged and spotted the two mugs on the bedside table. Remembering how they had gotten them, he couldn't help collapsing back onto the bed with laughter.
Pei Yanchuan had bought those mugs.
One morning, Xu Wang had opened his eyes to find Pei Yanchuan secretly looking at his phone with his back turned to him.
Looking over from behind, Xu Wang had a clear view of his profile and the hand that had been hesitating for ages. He looked as though he was making a major decision, yet couldn't bring himself to act.
"What are you looking at?" Xu Wang rested his head on Pei Yanchuan's shoulder.
At that exact moment, the phone in Pei Yanchuan's hand suddenly dropped onto the bed.
Xu Wang distinctly felt the body beneath him stiffen.
Xu Wang reached out and picked up the phone. The screen hadn't gone dark yet. It showed a shopping app, with "couple's items" typed into the search bar.
Hahahahaha! Remembering how Pei Yanchuan had tried so hard to look composed, Xu Wang really regretted not recording it on his phone. Then he could have kept it as a memento.
The two finished unpacking in their room and came out.
Leng Yifan and Zhong Ran happened to emerge from their rooms as well.
None of the other groups had arrived yet.
Far behind everyone else, Yun Xi dragged two enormous suitcases down a narrow path with no end in sight, his face full of resentment.
I *****!
The four headed to the villager's house together.
They had just reached the entrance when the man hurried out to greet them, as though he had been waiting a long time.
"You're here! Come on, follow me. We're going to the thatched shed out back." The man led the group around behind the house.
Before they even reached the shed's entrance, they heard an angry growl from a dog's throat and the supremely brazen honking of a goose.
As they drew closer, they saw a large, agile Big Yellow Dog crouching low at the front, growling a warning.
Facing the Big Yellow Dog, a burly white goose spread its enormous wings and honked at it incessantly.
Neither would yield, and a fight seemed ready to break out at any moment.
A flicker of interest crossed Xu Wang's eyes. These were the things he had loved watching most back in the village. Unfortunately, whether it was because he had become too familiar a presence there or because word of his glorious exploits had spread among the animals, every animal ran away at the sight of him before he could even approach.
As Xu Wang and the others drew closer, the Big Yellow Dog and the white goose seemed to sense danger. They turned their heads at the same time, their eyes full of wariness.
Startled, the man immediately stopped walking.
Standing behind him, Xu Wang smiled.
"Honk!" The white goose cried out as though someone had grabbed its neck, folded its enormous wings against its body, and backed away several steps.
"Whine..." The Big Yellow Dog tucked its tail tightly between its legs and backed away too. Once it had retreated to a safe distance, it ran off without a moment's hesitation.
The man looked puzzled at the sight. "Why aren't those two fighting today?"
"Well, this works out perfectly. You can go straight in and collect the eggs from the nests. I won't go in with you." The man sighed in relief. He had already been prepared to restrain the yellow dog, only for it to run off on its own.
"Go straight in?" Zhong Ran looked at the large flock of white geese inside, his voice full of doubt.
"Of course. If you're lucky enough to find a freshly laid goose egg, it'll still feel warm in your hand." The man smiled.
Zhong Ran's and Leng Yifan's expressions worsened. Still warm?
[That's it? No big showdown?]
[Still warm, hahaha.]
[As a veteran dog owner, I guarantee I just saw terror and fear on that yellow dog's face.]
[Fear? Fear of whom?]
Xu Wang and Pei Yanchuan entered the enclosure.
"Honk, honk, honk!"
The moment they stepped inside, they saw the goose king, which had been itching for a fight just moments ago, huddled in a corner, shielding the flock behind it.
They had gone in too quickly and realized they hadn't brought a basket, so Xu Wang turned and ran back out to get one.
Just as Xu Wang left, the goose king seemed to perk up. It spread its enormous wings and charged at Pei Yanchuan.
"Mr. Pei! Watch out!"
Pei Yanchuan's expression remained unchanged.
Hearing the commotion, Xu Wang immediately pushed through the crowd and rushed inside.
"What happened?"
The goose king had almost reached Pei Yanchuan, but the moment it saw Xu Wang, it abruptly slammed on the brakes. Its huge wings swiftly folded back into place, and it turned around and returned to its original spot.
[???]
[Where did all that defiance go?]
[Is the goose scared of the wife?]
[I think the person above got it right.]
[Why?]
Just as the viewers in the livestream began speculating.
Xu Wang seemed to notice this too. He took a step back and shut the gate.
"Honk, honk, honk!" The goose's brazen cries immediately rang out from inside the enclosure.
Before you continue