" Xia Xingduo, are you ready?" Su Yan called into the car. "The person in charge has arrived."
Xia Xingduo, carrying several bags, struggled to get out of the car. " Sister Yan, could you help me carry one of these bags? They're too heavy."
Su Yan ran over helplessly and took the nearly burst canvas bag from her hand. "This is for filming a variety show, I'll only be here for a few days. Are you moving?"
"We need all of these," Xia Xingduo said, following behind with a pitiful look on her face. "There are also gifts for everyone inside."
Su Yan was at her wit's end. She regretted not taking the show; it was like raising a child.
Song Shi'an was looking up at the birds building their nests on the telephone pole when he heard the noise and knew that his guests had arrived.
He turned around and saw two people carrying large and small bags standing there staring at him in disbelief.
This should be Su Yan, a popular singer, and Xia Xingduo, a leading lady in idol dramas.
He stepped forward politely and bowed slightly. "Hello, I'm Song Shi'an, the receptionist."
Xia Xingduo was the first to react, flashing a sweet smile, "Hello, hello! I'm Xia Xingduo! I know you! I've seen you play Su Wenli!"
Song Shi'an nodded and smiled politely. Very good, another day to be remembered for playing a pervert.
"Hello, I'm Su Yan." Su Yan spoke up, her voice deeper than expected, matching her cool and stylish appearance.
Looking at the pile of bags and suitcases at their feet, Song Shi'an took two of them and said, "You're the first group to arrive at the cabin. I'll take you back first. Teacher Mo should be waiting for you."
Xia Xingduo was about to speak when Song Shi'an had already pulled two suitcases and strode forward.
Why does this person walk so fast? So cold and heartless, but she likes it!! To liven up the atmosphere, she could only turn around and chat with Su Yan about random things, from the weather to the Little White by the roadside.
Su Yan gave a perfunctory reply, still carrying Xia Xingduo's nearly burst canvas bag.
Song Shi'an just wanted to finish the task as soon as possible and lie down. When he was delivered to the hut, he looked into the yard and froze.
The script said he was the one who would guide them, so why are several people already here?
Mo Heng was sitting on a bamboo chair in the courtyard drinking tea, while two young male actors were squatting beside the vegetable garden, arguing about which plant was a cabbage and which was a weed. Is this variety show even reliable...?
When everyone gathered together, they exchanged pleasantries. Mo Heng, as the most senior among the regular guests, was the first to step forward and take charge of the event.
He clapped his hands, smiling kindly, "Now that everyone's here, you know what our 'The Countryside Never Closes ' ultimate goal is! To experience rural life and promote local food culture, our host, Teacher Song, will lead you through a unique week!"
Song Shi'an smoothly continued, reciting the prepared script word for word. "Teacher Mo is right. The current tasks are to prepare firewood, pick vegetables, build a shed for the vegetable garden, and prepare lunch. Everyone can choose what to do."
The group chattered as they began assigning tasks. Su Yan volunteered to chop firewood, Xia Xingduo chose to pick vegetables.
Mo Heng was assigned to feed the chickens and collect eggs, the reason being that "boys should do some physical labor."
Mo Heng pointed to his white hair and said, "You call this a boy?"
The two young male actors laughed so hard they couldn't stand up straight. One went to help prepare firewood, and the other went to help build the shed.
Although Song Shi'an is an NPC, he can't just stand around doing nothing.
He planned to go to the kitchen to help out, and as soon as he entered, he saw He Jingzhao, who was shining on the screen, having a duel with potatoes.
He Jingzhao, a double Best Actress winner, looks like she's in her early thirties even though she's nearly forty. She's always the epitome of composure and calmness on the red carpet.
At that moment, she was holding a potato in one hand and a peeler in the other, peeling off skin that was about half the thickness of the potato, which had been significantly thinned out.
Seeing someone come in, she hid the bumpy potato behind her back, a rare hint of embarrassment on her face. "Unfortunately, I've been assigned to a field I'm not very good at."
"Everyone has their own strengths," Song Shi'an, rolling up his sleeves. "If I remember correctly, Teacher He is very good at making dumplings."
He Jingzhao was surprised that this young man even knew this. She was from the north but didn't like to cook. Apart from making delicious dumplings, she wasn't really good at anything else.
In her memory, this information was only mentioned in an interview a long time ago, and only two sentences were spoken. The child actually remembered it.
I was just about to say something to make amends when a scream suddenly rang out from outside.
The two of them peeked out at the same time and saw the mature and composed movie star Mo Heng being chased all over the yard by a hen.
The chicken flapped its wings, its neck feathers bristling, and chased him all the way from the vegetable garden to the yard.
Mo Heng held two eggs aloft, his expression a mixture of ferocity and despair. "Why does it always chase after me!"
He Jingzhao, leaning against the doorframe, said, "If you're holding that child, how can it not chase after you...?"
Having run out of options, Song Shi'an grabbed a kitchen broom and rushed to chase the chicken.
When the hen saw him waving the broom, she slammed on the brakes, turned around, and ran away.
Mo Heng saw him as if he had seen a savior. Covered in chicken feathers, holding an egg in each hand, he said breathlessly, "I can't thank you enough!"
Song Shi'an forced himself to keep from laughing out loud. He tried his best to maintain the professional demeanor expected of an NPC and said calmly, "No need to thank me. Teacher Mo, give me the eggs, I'll cook you two dishes later."
Mo Heng carefully handed over the eggs in his hand and offered to start the fire. He Jingzhao helped wash the vegetables and prepare the bowls and chopsticks.
The two sat side by side on small stools in the kitchen, watching as Song Shi'an transformed each ingredient into a delicious and visually appealing dish.
They were starving after a busy morning, and the tempting aroma made them stare intently at the stove.
Song Shi'an felt a chill run down his spine and suddenly turned his head.
He Jingzhao picked up a bowl without changing her expression, pretending to study the pattern, while Mo Heng bent down and stuffed firewood into the stove.
Seeing the flames leaping from the stove, Song Shi'an quickly stopped him. "Teacher Mo, we have enough firewood. If we add any more, the pot will burn. Could you help me take the dishes out?"
Mo Heng quickly stood up to serve the dishes. As he passed the camera, the plate of braised pork was a bright red color, and the aroma wafted along his path, making the filming crew drool.
Looking at the stark contrast between the award-winning actors and actresses on screen, the director knew this episode was a sure thing.
Adding to the mix is the new trump card; he never expected Song Shi'an to be such a skilled cook, his smooth and effortless movements giving him such a domestic air...