A best actor, stooping to blame by association?

Catching ghosts was not as easy as one might imagine.

Only by resolving their resentment and sending them willingly into their next life could the deed be brought to a virtuous completion.

Forcibly eliminating them would not only damage one's spiritual merit, but also bring a backlash upon oneself.

Over time, that would lead to the miserable fate of premature ejaculation-pah, premature death.

Although Jian Ran had been forced into a melodramatic tragic-romance novel, he believed the principles had to be the same, so the rules laid down by the Mystical Sect's ancestors had to be obeyed.

An evil ghost appearing was nothing to fear. An evil ghost with a story was the real problem.

He would have to fucking investigate it and find a way to resolve its resentment.

All that fussing about was such a pain.

Jian Ran kept a regular schedule. He got up early, went to the first-floor sofa, crossed his legs, and pondered ghostly existence.

The split-screen cameraman had been badly frightened last night and had not slept well at all. Just as he began to feel sleepy in the morning, he discovered he had filming to do, so he aimed the camera straight at Jian Ran's face, yawning nonstop.

Jian Ran rested his chin on one hand, his elbow propped on the sofa's armrest. Yesterday had been rainy, but this morning the sun shone brightly. A platinum-like strand of morning light fell through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto his profile. His long lashes trembled slightly, as though holding sunlight that shimmered with shifting colors. He was exquisitely beautiful beyond reason, like a breathtaking painting. Such beauty.

Even the cameraman stared in a daze, secretly thinking, I'm not even using a filter. How is he this beautiful?

For someone with looks like these not to be famous-there's no justice!

Jian Ran suddenly turned to look behind the lens. As though his thoughts had been exposed, the cameraman instantly blushed and gave a bashful cough. "What is it, Jian Ran?"

At some point, most people in the Mountain Villa had begun addressing Jian Ran respectfully as "Brother Ran," as though calling him that made them closer, and he might lend them a hand if danger struck.

Jian Ran narrowed his eyes, giving him an appraising look.

The cameraman immediately grew nervous. "Jian Ran, don't-don't look at me like that. You're scaring me!"

"Things haven't been going smoothly at home lately, have they?" Jian Ran suddenly changed tack, looking utterly professional.

The cameraman froze, then nearly burst into tears. "Don't even get me started. Life is hard! With elderly parents and young children to support, us middle-aged people stuck in between have it rough!"

"Jian Ran, let me tell you..."

Just as he was about to launch into his woes, Jian Ran suddenly waved for him to stop.

Cut short, the cameraman hiccupped and swallowed the rest of his words.

"Your family set up a Buddhist shrine not long ago?" Jian Ran asked.

"Jian Ran, you even know about that?!" The cameraman gaped in shock.

"That Buddha has dubious origins. Your family can't afford to worship it. You'd better send it away."

Leaving it at that, Jian Ran rose from the sofa, leaving the cameraman rooted to the spot to mull over his words.

He strode around the dining table on his long legs, heading to the kitchen for some water. As he rounded the corner, he spotted Lu Yanting standing by the wall.

His long, narrow eyes curved as he looked over with an unreadable gaze, his lips holding something between a smile and no smile at all.

Jian Ran paused. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you," Lu Yanting said frankly.

"What are you waiting for me for?"

For some reason, Jian Ran always felt that Lu Yanting's gaze was especially scorching. Being stared at made his whole body burn, so his eyes drifted elsewhere as he spoke.

"I didn't sleep well last night. It's all your fault." Lu Yanting folded his arms across his chest.

Startled for a moment, Jian Ran lifted his eyes to glare at him. "Who would've thought a best actor would stoop to blaming someone just because they were involved?"

"You messed up the room," Lu Yanting said without a change of expression.

"I was..." Jian Ran's voice rose, then immediately dropped, his expression one of resignation. "Forget it. I'll give you a sheet of Talisman Paper as compensation, and we're even."

"Not enough." Lu Yanting's voice was mild.

Jian Ran gritted his teeth. "Don't push your luck!"

Lu Yanting chuckled softly, then abruptly changed the subject. "How did you know his family had a Buddhist shrine?"

At that, Jian Ran smiled too, his eyes gleaming slyly. "Guess."

"Heh, I'm not telling you."

If I said I'd overheard him talking about it to someone, would there be any mystery left?!

Looking pleased with himself, Jian Ran turned and walked toward the water dispenser, his swaggering figure carrying a hint of wild abandon.

Watching him with dark eyes, Lu Yanting's smile deepened.

Bright, sunny weather was very safe. There would generally be no hauntings.

Li Yuan urged the guests to go out and find ingredients again, then stayed at the Mountain Villa to check the show's viewing figures on his laptop.

It was very strange, really.

At night, the signal at the Mountain Villa was weak, and the tightly shut doors and windows kept them from leaving, but everything returned to normal during the day.

Not only could they come and go freely, but the signal was also incredibly strong.

After last night's fright, Li Yuan had begun thinking of backing out to some extent, but when he opened his laptop and saw the livestream's incredible numbers, he immediately beamed, chuckling to himself.

Oh, come on, it's just a bit scary, just a test of how much the heart can take.

Stick it out, and maybe I'll become famous beyond this circle!

When that happens, how far off could the director's seat be?!

At that thought, he crooked a finger at his assistant. "Qi Rui, come here."

The young assistant jogged over, looking miserable. "Assistant director, what is it?"

"The show is doing great! Keep up the good work! Give Jian Ran more screen time! He's generating a lot of buzz right now!" Li Yuan declared confidently.

Qi Rui wanted to cry, his voice weak and limp. "Assistant director, you saw and heard what happened last night yourself. If we keep filming, I'm really afraid something dangerous will happen."

"Oh, it's all a bunch of things conjured out of nothing. Besides, isn't Jian Ran pretty capable?" Li Yuan suddenly lowered his voice and leaned his head closer, looking furtive. "Quietly ask Jian Ran whether those talismans are still on sale. If they're cheap, get me one too."

"Just in case!"

Qi Rui: "..."

Jian Ran did not return to the abandoned village behind the Mountain Villa. Instead, he went the opposite way, taking the road down the mountain.

They did not split into teams this time either. All six guests stayed together, followed by the main-screen cameraman.

As they neared the national highway, a town was already faintly visible. Ji Yuanming frowned and suddenly spoke. "Isn't the show supposed to promote being green, environmentally friendly, and self-sufficient?"

"If we go into town..."

Jian Ran could not be bothered to look back and shot back directly, "Did the crew ban begging? If you've got objections, get lost and go back yourself."

"You-" Ji Yuanming was livid, his face flushed red. He turned to the other guests, searching for allies. "Don't any of you have an opinion? You're just letting him do whatever he wants?!"

Lu Yanting pressed his lips together and said nothing.

The others were even less willing to respond.

Please.

Whether we can finish filming this show alive depends on Jian Ran.

How could this guy not get that?!

Had he spent so long basking in his supermodel halo that he couldn't come down to earth anymore?!

Seeing that no one paid him any attention, Ji Yuanming flew into a rage. Just as he was about to erupt, he spotted an old man approaching with a hoe over his shoulder.

Du Yunmeng knew how to take initiative. Without saying anything to Jian Ran, she went up and asked, "Sir, how do we get to the nearest market?"

The deeply wrinkled old man sized them up. His gaze settled on Jian Ran's face, and he asked in the local dialect, "Where did you come from?"

Du Yunmeng jumped in again. "The Mountain Villa in the Taihang Mountains..."

Before she could finish, the old man threw down his hoe and took off running.

Everyone left standing there looked utterly bewildered.