The production team had certainly made this task seem so hands-off. The cast members were left in the cold, even their breakfast was spent in relative silence.
After finishing their meals, they still hadn't figured anything out.
"Let's go, no matter what, we should leave the house first. We can't complete the task just hanging around at home." Ren Man said, grabbing her bag, which contained several cell phones, she was ready to get going, her child in tow.
"We are headed out for fun!" Zhuang Zhuang, unaware of the task, thought his mom was intending to take him out for play, he was elated.
Seeing this, Yue Qingchi immediately went over and lifted Zhuang Zhuang, drawing everyone's attention to him, was quick to say, "The way could be fraught with danger. Young children could easily stumble."
Everyone's gaze quietly fell on the cement road outside the door, flat and smooth as it was, they're clueless as to where the danger lay.
Ren Man eyed him, but didn't say anything.
Fang Min, on the other hand, was all smiles as she said, "I'm not going for the task. My legs are not that stable, and I'm not savvy with the mobile phone. I'll stay here and cook for everyone." After speaking, she turned to Yue Qingchi, "Take good care of Zhuang Zhuang, okay?"
So, this seems to be a less subtle matchmaking attempt.
'Isn't this a picture-perfect family of three?'
'Isn't the production team intentionally doing this? Maybe this show is more of a matchmaking one.'
'With Director Wu poised to change the status quo.'
With Ren Man leading by example, others were all set to head out.
Nian Suian asked Gu Zhijing, "How's the kitten doing?"
"It's doing great. When I woke up, it was sleeping so soundly, it just poops a lot and it stinks. I have been using my clothes as a lining for it, but today I discovered it had pooped on them again."
"Are you sure you want to keep it till we go home? There's no litter box here, and if it keeps pooping on your clothes, I fear you might go back empty-handed." Nian Suian teased him.
Hearing this, Gu Zhijing was somewhat distressed. It was not about the clothes but Nian Suian was right. The kitten can't keep pooping on his clothes all the time, else he would be left with nothing to wear. "Can I get my father to send some help from home?" He wasn't sure if he himself believed it.
"Alright, I was just teasing. I ordered some kitten supplies on the internet last night. They should be able to deliver it within two to three days. However, since the village doesn't have any express delivery outlets, we would have to go to the town to pick it up." Lucky for them, the show didn't prohibit cellphones, and Nian Suian had ordered loads of litter boxes, cat food, and some sheep milk powder last night.
"It would be a great opportunity for us to inquire in the village if anyone's cat is expecting a litter. We can check if they have plans for the kittens." Seeing the growing concern on Gu Zhijing's face, she continued, "Don't worry, usually a kitty delivers multiple kittens in a litter. We can ask if they wish to give one to us. We could offer them some money or other objects in return."
"Great, let's hurry!"
Noting that Pei Sheng and Pei Zhi were all set, Nian Suian approached them to greet and join them to embark.
Qiao Peipei wanted to team up with Nian Suian, pondering the constraints laid by the director, she thought to herself that two groups could complete the task together.
As she neared their group, the loudspeaker on the gate sprang to life.
"No teamwork between different groups! Please complete the tasks separately. Thank you."
"!"
Nian Suian chuckled, saying, "Let's leave it at that."
The two groups can only exit one after another, each looking for the elderly in the village to complete their tasks.
Guests ate breakfast and chatted away, wasting some time. It was eight o'clock now, and the audience in the live broadcast room had picked up.
〈The director knows what he's doing. A variety show is not interesting if people in the know group together, it should be randomly assigned〉
〈What about Ren Man and Yue Qingchi? Aren't they close too? [Grin]〉
〈I declare, I permit these two to group together! Best if they become a family of three〉
〈I also permit!〉
Nian Suian still planned to first visit the activity center from yesterday, a gathering place for the elderly. Now was the perfect time, right after breakfast, there might be quite a few people there.
Nian Suian also shared her thoughts with Pei Sheng and Pei Zhi, asking if they had any opinions. If they have other ideas, a discussion is always an option.
Pei Sheng, still looking as sunny and handsome as when they first met, commented, "We have no opinions, we'll listen to you, Sister Suian."
Pei Zhi also added, "Yes, we'll follow you."
Gu Zhijing watched Pei Sheng thoughtfully, thinking: Why is this guy laughing so brightly! Is he trying to steal my old man?
Nian Suian was quite lucky, indeed there were five or six elderly people chatting together there, some familiar faces even from yesterday! If they managed to teach every one of them, there was no need to worry about the task.
Gu Zhijing has already run over to them, even stashing peanuts in his pocket.
Nian Suian also chuckled at the Pei siblings, "Let's go, let's join them."
"Sister Suian, I'm sorry, my sister is feeling unwell. I'll take her home to rest, and then return." A regretful Pei Sheng confessed.
Nian Suian immediately asked with concern, "Ah? What's wrong?" She seemed fine when they left.
Pei Zhi, troubled, held her lower abdomen.
"Oh, oh, you both should hurry home." And to Pei Sheng, "Check if there's any brown sugar in the kitchen, make your sister a bowl of brown sugar water."
"Okay, sorry Sister Suian. I'll be right back after I send my sister home."
"No problem, take your time," Nian Suian waved at them, smiled at Pei Zhi, and turned to find Gu Zhijing.
"Let's go home, Sis." Pei Sheng put his arm around Pei Zhi's shoulders and guided her back, turning off their mics once they were far enough away from the camera.
Nian Suian didn't see any of that, just as the audience in the live studio couldn't.
Only some fans of Pei Sheng complained about not seeing their icon.
〈Our Sheng is so considerate to his sister, maybe she's experiencing menstrual pain〉
〈No problem, didn't Sheng say he would be back soon?〉
〈Is Pei Zhi not well? If she's not well, she should be resting at home, instead of participating in a program〉
〈Menstrual cycle pain is not something she can control, why say such things?〉
......
"Sheng, this isn't right, is it?" Pei Zhi looked at her brother’s face, cautiously said.
"What's wrong with it? Or would you rather I just foolishly go and finish that task?" When Pei Sheng saw that nobody was around, he let go of Pei Zhi. Anyone who saw him this way wouldn't believe he was the bright, handsome Pei Sheng.
"Well, if you're here for the show, you have to complete the tasks." Pei Zhi wanted to persuade him more, but was cut off by an impatient Pei Sheng.
"That's enough, don't say more. Why am I here for this show? If it weren't for Xiao Mo, I wouldn't have come. I don't know what the director was thinking, pairing me with a non-celebrity guest. What kind of conversation can we have? How many viewers would watch me?"