Chapter 237: Shadow Puppets and Lamplight (3)
Zhang Wubing had originally thought that Nan Tian wouldn’t agree to the filming of the new season of the show, especially since Nan Tian had shown such deep affection for Nanming Mountain.
Not only was Nan Tian’s personal work team involved, but he had also adjusted all his business collaborations, signaling a gradual exit from the entertainment industry. As a result, everyone who had interacted with Nan Tian’s team had begun speculating that Nan Tian was planning to retire.
Most people didn’t understand why Nan Tian would make such a decision, especially since his career was currently on the rise. If all went well, with Nan Tian’s strength, character, and the publicity from this show, he would undoubtedly become the next generation of top-tier stars, with a bright future ahead.
They were both regretful and thought that Nan Tian must have something wrong with him.
But Zhang Wubing, along with the other crew members who had experienced Nanming Mountain with him, knew very well that it was because of Nan Tian’s grandmother.
The shadow of Nan Tian’s life came from Nan Village, and now, he was going to spend the rest of his life turning that shadow and the sins of Nanming Mountain into clusters of wildflowers blooming on the hillside, full of vitality.
Whenever Zhang Wubing thought of Nan Tian, his headache about filling in for the guest stars resurfaced. After all, every choice meant balancing all the factors, and one wrong move could offend someone.
Although Mother Zhang had given him assurances, with the Zhang family backing him, and as a third-generation wealthy heir, he didn’t fear anything.
However, Zhang Wubing felt that since he had already come of age and claimed he could stand on his own, he shouldn’t be running home to his parents every time something went wrong. He should become someone reliable, like the official in charge or Taoists from Haiyun Temple.
Though initially, Zhang Wubing had started filming variety shows just to fulfill his director’s dream, the people he met along the way had subtly changed him. The admirable qualities in them had influenced him, making him want to be as excellent as they were.
On the other hand, when Zhang Wubing asked Nan Tian about the show, he was already mentally prepared for a refusal. He had even prepared his well-wishes for Nan Tian in his heart.
After all, it was a matter left unfinished by Nan Tian’s grandmother. Nan Tian had such a deep attachment to his grandmother, and in the entire Nan Village, he was the only one spared from the disaster because his grandmother had sent him out of the mountain.
From any perspective, no one could question Nan Tian’s position.
However, Zhang Wubing didn’t expect that Nan Tian would agree so readily.
“This show is also a turning point in my life. It has witnessed so many important moments for me. Director Zhang and Brother Yan are my benefactors, so of course, I won’t leave.”
Nan Tian’s voice was bright, with a breadth he had never shown before: “I’ve met so many people on the show, and we’ve formed a bond that’s like life-or-death friendship. How could I turn down the chance to travel with my friends?”
To ease Zhang Wubing’s concerns, Nan Tian even comforted him, “Director Zhang, don’t worry. A lot of my business collaborations extend for several years. Even if I wanted to retire, it would have to be done gradually, step by step, and would take some time. So, continuing to film the show is absolutely no problem. It’s not because of you that I’m staying.”
Zhang Wubing had a long conversation with Nan Tian, discussing everything from Nanming Mountain’s history to the grandmaster, the rituals, and textile traditions. They talked from day to night, only ending when someone came to find Nan Tian.
But as Zhang Wubing sat there holding his phone, now turned off, he remained in a daze for quite a while.
When the director team found him, they saw the usually carefree and cheerful director looking somewhat melancholic, as though he had matured overnight.
Assistant Director: “?”
“Director.”
The assistant director pondered and asked, “Could it be that the Zhang family went bankrupt?”
“Ah?” Zhang Wubing looked at him, confused.
“Why would you think that? If my variety show goes under, the Zhang family won’t go bankrupt.”
Zhang Wubing sighed, “Now I finally understand how strong those CEO assistants must be. Are they iron men? How do they manage to handle so many tasks so efficiently?”
The assistant director looked at him with a strange expression, unable to understand the psychology of a third-generation wealthy heir.
If he had Zhang Wubing’s family background, he wouldn’t go out to work even if his parents forced him. How comfortable it would be to just lie in bed, watch movies, and sleep.
Only directors like them would push themselves when they could easily rest.
Zhang Wubing, in truth, knew very well that his mood had never been so filled with loneliness and sorrow.
After talking with Nan Tian, Zhang Wubing felt that Nan Village, which had preserved textile traditions that were no less powerful than talisman magic, had failed to preserve other valuable legacies. Instead, it had passed down the barbaric practice of using corpses for rituals.
But he felt it shouldn’t have been like this.
There should have been other beautiful things preserved as well.
Thinking this, Zhang Wubing turned to the assistant director and said, “I remember, we still have some cultural heritage options in the backup plans, right?”
The assistant director nodded, “Yes, but didn’t we already finalize the choices? They’ve all been checked by Haiyun Temple’s diviners, everything went smoothly, and there shouldn’t be any issues. You don’t need to worry, Director…”
“Change it.”
Zhang Wubing suddenly spoke, decisively cutting off the assistant director’s words.
The assistant director blinked a few times, realizing only after a few moments what Zhang Wubing had said.
“…Huh? Why are we changing it again?” The assistant director looked baffled.
But Zhang Wubing’s eyes were filled with determination. “We’ve always started out with the intention of boosting tourism, but if you think about it carefully, with the number of subscribers our show has now, we could be doing so much more. Like promoting dying traditions and craftsmanship.”
“Take Nan Tian, for example. He only understood the meaning behind those fabrics because of Grandma Nan. But what about everyone else? They’ve already forgotten.”
Zhang Wubing turned to the assistant director and smiled. “I remember that several of our backup options feature artisans preserving traditional crafts. We can just pick from them. It doesn’t really matter which one we choose, since it’s not an official collaboration anyway.”
“In that case, why not pick one that kills two birds with one stone? We get a triple win.”
He gestured across his chest to indicate that filming the show would go on as usual, local tourism would still benefit, and they’d also help preserve a fading cultural heritage.
The assistant director had initially hesitated. They’d already finalized and filed the shooting location, and staff had been sent to begin preparations. If they changed now, all that work would have to be redone.
But Zhang Wubing, though normally unreliable, was someone who could become incredibly persuasive when he set his mind on something.
—Even Father Zhang had once struggled to argue against that silver tongue.
The assistant director and the rest of the crew listened, and the more they heard, the more they felt he made sense. Some even began to feel a little guilty, wondering if they’d become too indifferent after years in the industry, their passion and sensitivity worn away by routine.
Helping promote cultural heritage, after all, was just a small effort on their part. So why not do it?
In the end, the assistant director simply couldn’t resist Zhang Wubing’s rhetoric. He surrendered completely and agreed on the spot.
Zhang Wubing let out a satisfied breath and, feeling delighted, immediately called Yan Shixun—he couldn’t wait to share the good news with Brother Yan.
However, one of the crew members watched Zhang Wubing’s retreating figure with concern. “Director Zhang’s new location… won’t cause trouble again, will it?”
“Pah, pah, pah! don’t jinx it!”
The assistant director shot him an annoyed look but also felt uncertain inside. He tried to reassure himself, saying, “This time will definitely be fine. Think about it—Director Zhang originally picked another place. If something were going to go wrong, it would have happened there. Since we’ve switched, it should be even safer now.”
“Yeah, true.”
The crew member agreed on the surface, but as he watched Zhang Wubing gesturing and grinning animatedly, he couldn’t shake his unease.
Meanwhile, once the new filming location was sent out to all the guests, the retired song god’s reaction was pure shock when he saw the name.
Song Ci, who was with him, immediately leaned over. “What’s wrong, Xie Lin? Don’t like the location this time?”
Hearing someone call the song god by name, the nearby employees from Song Corporation turned their heads in alarm. They were fuming inside, wondering who was so bold—did they think just because the song god had retired he no longer had fans? How rude!
But when they saw who was sitting across from the song god, their anger deflated instantly.
The employee: “Oh… It’s the young master. Then it’s fine, I guess. Totally normal.”
“Young Master even calls President Song by his name. Besides Mr. Yan Shixun, there’s no one he hasn’t addressed by full name. No one can do anything about it.”
“When he first joined the show, he even called Mr. Yan by name. It was only later that he started addressing him properly.”
“More importantly, Young Master really helped the song god a lot. Without him, who knows if the song god would’ve even survived. Sigh.”
“He’s both a benefactor and a talent scout for the song god. The man himself admitted it publicly. He even called him ‘young master’ in interviews. We fans have nothing to say.”
Song Ci, sharp-eared as ever, picked up on the murmuring nearby but didn’t care. He simply rolled his eyes. “Every time you visit the company, it causes such a commotion. You sure you’re not thinking of coming back?”
“Honestly, you’re the only one who quit at the peak of your career.”
He paused, reconsidered, then corrected himself, “No, wait. Now there’s also Nan Tian. The two of you are both ridiculously stubborn.”
Xie Lin gave a helpless smile at Song Ci’s words but didn’t take it to heart.
His gaze remained fixed on the message from the production team on his phone. His posture was straight, long limbs relaxed but elegant even on the sofa—like a living painting.
Though Xie Lin was already over forty, he’d never slackened on self-discipline. Even after years of retirement, he still maintained the peak condition expected of a top star. His physique remained firm and well-proportioned without an ounce of excess, and his looks were just as stunning as in his youth.
He had risen to fame young and retired at his peak—barely in his early twenties at the time.
Though his time in the music industry had been brief, it had sparked a golden era. Any discussion of music, or even that time period, inevitably included his name.
Now, thanks to an invitation from Song Ci that he couldn’t refuse, he had returned. But he was still just as he had been back then, as if time had left him untouched—making one wonder if the years in between were just a dream.
Time had not dulled the beauty of this man.
Still, those years of quiet seclusion had added a layer of calm and warmth to him, a serenity that came from having seen it all.
When he lowered his gaze and smiled, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes deepened, yet rather than detracting from his appearance, they gave him an indescribable charm—like aged wine, smooth and mellow, meant to be savored slowly.
Song Ci stared at Xie Lin for a long moment before pouting in displeasure. Resting one cheek on his hand, he said, “Zhang Dabing has limited spots over there. Every time a slot opens up, everyone scrambles for it. Even with the Song family’s status, it’s hard to secure one.”
“Fortunately, I was cautious and found out that Madam Zhang used to be your fan when she was young, so I casually mentioned it when she came to see me.”
The young master lounged lazily on the sofa. Although his back was always perfectly straight, his posture was completely informal, forming a sharp contrast with the graceful bearing of Xie Lin.
Back when they were on Mount Nanming, Song Ci’s vitality had been heavily drained by Ritual Master. Even though he had recovered from his illness, he had become visibly thinner than before. His already slender frame looked even more fragile now—like he could fall apart with a gust of wind.
Curled up on the sofa, he seemed completely enveloped by it, looking like a small bundle, making people worry about his health.
However, Xie Lin knew very well that inside Song Ci’s delicate-looking body lay an immense and unyielding strength.
After Xie Lin left the entertainment industry, he spent a long period in a daze, falling into deep depression and even attempting suicide several times.
Although his assistant and agent always managed to save him in time, his mental state never truly improved.
Many times, without even realizing it, he would find himself standing by the riverside of Binhai City’s Bund, staring at the water below. In a trance, he would see a girl’s sweet, smiling face appear under the surface, calling out to him to jump in.
Even when driving over the bridge that spanned the river, he often felt a strong urge to crash through the guardrail and plunge down.
During that aimless and hopeless period, it was Song Ci who pulled him back from the edge.
Back then, Song Ci was just a young boy, carrying a neat backpack and wearing a stylish British-style uniform from an elite private school. His polished leather shoes gleamed in the sunlight.
Such a delicate-looking rich kid, the kind everyone assumed was too pampered to handle anything, had rushed forward and yanked Xie Lin back just as he was about to step off the bridge.
Right there, in front of a crowd, Song Ci swung his arm and gave Xie Lin a hard slap.
The sharp “smack!” snapped Xie Lin out of his dazed trance.
“I remember you. You’re Xie Lin—the money tree my useless brother failed to hold on to.”
The small boy sneered, looking down at Xie Lin from above, his voice ice-cold. “I heard you quit the industry because you had something important to do. So what now? Haven’t finished, and you already want to give up halfway? Coward!”
“If my brother went missing, I’d search every inch of the earth for him. Even if I wore my fingers down to the bone, I’d dig him out. Even if I died, I’d die trying to accomplish my goal. Only then would it mean my life wasn’t wasted. I’d never give up.”
Little Song Ci looked at Xie Lin with disdain and added, “Not like you—giving up before even finding your sister.”
At the time, Xie Lin was already on the verge of breaking down. He tried to vent all his grief and pressure at once, yelling furiously at the boy, his hysterical outburst making it impossible to see any trace of the once-glorious ‘Song God.’
But what Xie Lin didn’t expect was that Song Ci’s greatest strength was… scolding people.
Every time Xie Lin shouted something, Song Ci calmly responded with a retort, full of confidence and composure. The look in his eyes said plainly, “Everything I’m saying is right. If you think I’m wrong, then the problem is with you.”
He left Xie Lin speechless and questioning his entire life.
But Song Ci didn’t just finish lecturing him and leave. Instead, he immediately called his brother and launched into a tirade, scolding him so harshly that his brother could only nod and agree in confusion.
The Song Corporation quickly dug up members from Xie Lin’s former team and sent them to the scene, bringing both of them back to the company.
With little Song Ci’s insistence and backing, Xie Lin received support from the company.
Medical care, daily necessities, staff assistance—Song Ci kept a sharp eye on his brother, ensuring everything Xie Lin needed was properly arranged so he could focus on recovery.
A massive money tree like Xie Lin—even the smallest update or a couple of articles about him could make the company a fortune. Launching a few new artists using his fame would be effortless.
After all, Xie Lin’s name carried weight. He was the unresolved yearning of an entire generation’s youth.
Even the worst imitators could debut successfully just by being branded as “Little Song God” or “Little Xie Lin.”
Let alone the old employer—Song Corporation.
But the Song family did none of that.
They treated Xie Lin like a regular employee—paying him a fixed salary every month, scheduling his doctor’s appointments, and even having Song Ci’s brother drop by to chat with him whenever he had time.
But they never asked Xie Lin to do anything extra. In fact, they kept his situation completely confidential and never leaked a single word to the public.
It wasn’t until this year—after Xie Lin had finally emerged from his shadowed past, and saw that Song Ci had also joined a variety show, even getting hurt because of it—that he decided to officially return.
What he didn’t expect was that his first job back would be appearing on the same show as Song Ci.
“If Zhang Wubing hadn’t agreed, I was actually planning to have you take my place for an episode. Not bad—he’s got some judgment after all. Not completely hopeless.”
Song Ci curled his lip and said, “Anyone with eyes can see how much commercial value you have. If he rejects you, then he must really be blind—might as well donate those eyes.”
Xie Lin looked at Song Ci in surprise, then gave a warm smile and said, “Young Master seems to have a very good relationship with Director Zhang.”
Song Ci looked utterly horrified. “Are you farsighted or what? Who on earth would be close with an idiot like him? At most, I’m just jealous that he has Brother Yan’s attention and I want to snatch it away.”
The moment Yan Shixun was mentioned, Song Ci suddenly looked at Xie Lin with suspicion. “My original intention wasn’t to just hand my spot over to you. It was just to lend it to you for one episode to make your comeback—don’t get the wrong idea. After all, I still plan to go traveling with Brother Yan. Aside from this show, there’s no other way to even find him.”
Xie Lin rarely saw Song Ci be so respectful toward anyone. Not only did he refrain from calling the person by name, but everything he said carried a tone of affection and admiration for that individual.
He thought back to the show’s cast and narrowed it down to Yan Shixun.
For a moment, Xie Lin, who had thought himself long indifferent to the entertainment industry, couldn’t help but become curious about Yan Shixun.
What kind of person could make the spoiled and proud young master of the Song family speak in such a tone?
For once, Xie Lin actually looked forward to filming the show—he genuinely wanted to see what kind of person Yan Shixun was with his own eyes.
However…
Xie Lin looked at the location name on his phone, his expression slightly dazed.
Baizhi Lake.
It had been such a long, long time since he last thought about that place…
On social media, the production team had previously replied in the comments section about the filming location for the next episode. But when the show officially announced it, to the audience’s surprise, it turned out to be a different place entirely.
“Baizhi Lake? Didn’t the admin say it was somewhere else before? Am I remembering wrong?”
“There was a condition attached at the time—‘unless something unexpected happens.’ Looks like something did happen, huh.”
The staff managing the official account shyly poked their head out and said timidly, “Well, Director Zhang had his own ideas…”
The audience burst out laughing at the admin’s comment. After all, there hadn’t been any formal official announcement previously. Changing locations at the last minute when something seemed off felt perfectly reasonable.
—Especially for a show known for its “rich experience” with unexpected incidents.
Rather than being surprised, the audience actually felt reassured by the change of location. There was a shared sentiment of, “Ah… if they noticed the problem early and made a change, isn’t that even better?”
So, no one lingered on the topic in the comments. Instead, they teased the social media admin, making light-hearted jokes.
But when the production team released the full list of participating cast members and tagged each guest’s account, many viewers were utterly shocked.
They actually saw that Xie Lin—the song god who had long since retired from the industry—was on the guest list.
Immediately, people went wild.
“AAAAHHHH!!! Xie Lin! It’s really Xie Lin! He’s been my male idol for ten years!!!”
“Holy crap! This is a dream crossover! The show actually invited Xie Lin? Incredible!”
“I’ve only ever thought two people could really sing. One is Xie Lin. The other… is me.”
“Wuwuwu I could never get over it—he’s back!!!”
“When you became a legend, I was still young. By the time I grew up, you’d already retired… sigh…”
“Wake up! Now you can finally fix your regrets! Xie Lin, Xie Lin is back!!!”
At the same time, Xie Lin also posted an update on his social media, thanking the production team for inviting him.
Joining in to send congratulations was Song Entertainment Company. Even the aloof young master, who usually ignored all the drama on social media, surprisingly gave Xie Lin’s post a like.
Song Ci even left a comment: “If you run into trouble, look for Brother Yan. If you’re feeling down, go beat up Zhang Dabing to vent.”
An entirely innocent Zhang Wubing: “???”
Xie Lin couldn’t help but laugh in both amusement and exasperation.
As the news of “the song god making a comeback” swept across the internet, many people also noticed the location for this upcoming episode.
“Baizhi Lake? Wow, I know that place! It used to be super famous!”
“Yes yes! My dad’s a carpenter. He used to say with such regret that every carpenter’s dream was to reach the level of Baizhi Lake. The artisans there were truly legendary.”
“Sigh… but that was all in the past. Later, who knows what happened—it just suddenly declined.”
“You know why it’s called Baizhi (White Paper) Lake? Because all the craftsmen there died. Paper money was scattered all over the lake for them. That’s how the name came to be.”
“Oh my god, I’ve only ever heard that the handicrafts from that area are famous all over the country and even abroad. I didn’t expect it to be because of something so bleak… how terrifying!”
“This episode going to Baizhi Lake is just perfect! The scenery there is really beautiful. When I went before, I felt it was such a shame that no one visited. Now with the show’s promotion, Baizhi Lake will definitely come back to life!”
“Baizhi Lake… is that in the southwest? I think Xie Lin’s hometown is also in the southwest. Could it be that he agreed to join the show because of that?”
“Wuwuwu I don’t care, if the song god is coming back, I can die without regrets.”
After seeing the comment section buzzing with excitement, the program’s operations staff happily ate an extra bowl of rice. They thought Director Zhang’s decision was truly brilliant—this episode was bound to reach new heights.
Because of Xie Lin’s participation, this episode received exceptional attention.
Even before filming started, news about the show was already everywhere on social media. On the trending charts, over a dozen tags were all related to the show and to Xie Lin.
The fans who once couldn’t let go of the past, along with those drawn in by the legends surrounding Xie Lin later on, were all thrilled by his comeback. They eagerly rubbed their hands together, madly anticipating the broadcast.
On the video platform, even though the show hadn’t aired yet, Xie Lin’s dedicated split-screen had already surpassed ten million subscriptions.
Zhang Wubing stared in disbelief, mouth agape, and trembled as he gave Song Ci a thumbs-up.
The young master proudly raised his head and said smugly, “Told you, didn’t I? You definitely wouldn’t regret inviting Xie Lin, you dummy Zhang.”
Zhang Wubing: “?? I’ve already invited Xie Lin, why are you still calling me a dummy?!”
The young master elegantly rolled his eyes. “Fine, Dummy Zhang, got it, Dummy Zhang. Next time I won’t call you Dummy Zhang, Dummy Zhang.”
“!!”
Zhang Wubing puffed up on the spot like a pufferfish.
Meanwhile, upon hearing Xie Lin’s name, Yan Shixun turned his head slightly and quietly asked Lu Xingxing beside him, “Who is Xie Lin?”
Lu Xingxing instantly widened his eyes in shock: “Huh?!”
“Brother Yan, you seriously don’t know Xie Lin?”
Lu Xingxing looked at him like he’d seen a caveman in the middle of a concrete jungle. He asked Yan Shixun several times, thinking it was a joke. When he realized Yan Shixun truly didn’t know who Xie Lin was, he swallowed hard and couldn’t speak for a long while.
“Brother Yan, you…”
Lu Xingxing hesitated, trying to find the words. After repeating himself a few times, he finally said with a complicated expression, “How long have you been living in the deep mountains and forests?”
Yan Shixun didn’t feel there was anything strange about not knowing who Xie Lin was.
When Xie Lin left the industry, he was still a child, living with his parents under heavy pressure every day. The only thing on his mind was how to survive, how to get enough to eat.
After meeting Li Chengyun, he had immersed himself in a vast amount of classical texts and scriptures. Just memorizing all the books lining the shelves in the study and all the talismans took up all his time and energy.
How could he possibly care about some song god?
Yan Shixun looked calm and composed as he sat in the guest van, posture relaxed but upright like a pine tree, looking pleasing to the eye.
Ye Li, sitting nearby, looked at him and smiled as he added, “Yeah, it’s normal not to know. I don’t know him either.”
Lu Xingxing: “…………”
Alright then. After what Master Uncle and Master Aunt just said, I totally don’t dare speak anymore.
After hearing about Lu Xingxing’s brave performance at Nanming Mountain, Taoist Song Yi began to view him differently and felt a burning desire to mentor him out of competitive spirit.
So, Lu Xingxing had no choice but to recount everything that had happened at the Nan Village to Taoist Song Yi in painstaking detail.
Taoist Song Yi was far more experienced and knowledgeable than Lu Xingxing. When he heard Lu Xingxing talk about Ye Li’s peculiarities, he pondered deeply and speculated that Ye Li was probably an elder ancestor from some reclusive sect in the mountains. What’s more, he seemed to have the rare ability to communicate with the deity he worshipped—and even retained traces of divine power.
Taoist Song Yi even said that, if the Great Dao hadn’t collapsed, he might have become a god herself.
Upon hearing this guess, Lu Xingxing nearly broke down in tears.
How could he have known that his master aunt had such a terrifying background?!
Thus, already afraid of Ye Li, Lu Xingxing now didn’t dare talk back to him at all.
But as an independent musician who genuinely loved music and devoted himself to it, Lu Xingxing naturally knew who Xie Lin was.
Like all the fans, he revered Xie Lin as his idol and truly admired his achievements in the music world.
Lu Xingxing wanted to speak up on Xie Lin’s behalf, but after hesitating for a long time, he ended up chickening out.
He let out a sigh, his eyes full of sorrow. “Since Xie was born, why was Lu born? Since Yan was born, why was Xing born!”
In music, even with talent, he couldn’t compare to Xie Lin, who had founded an entire genre.
In Taoism, he was just a complete noob in front of Yan Shixun. How could a mere mortal possibly compare to Evil Spirit Bone Transformation?
Thinking about it like that, he felt like he’d wasted years running around yet achieving nothing in either field.
That was it. He really felt like a useless waste. QAQ…
Lu Xingxing drooped his head listlessly, feeling like crying.
Before meeting Yan Shixun and Xie Lin, he had always coasted by on talent and was often criticized with, “You think you’re so great just because you’re talented?” But now, he finally understood the crushing weight of true talent. He could finally relate to what those people used to feel when they said that to him.
No—Yan Shixun and Xie Lin were even scarier.
The scariest thing in the world wasn’t just someone having talent—it was when that person also worked hard and wasn’t afraid of hardship.
But the peak of terror had to be when Yan Shixun and Xie Lin appeared together in the same frame.
It was like a full-scale, no-blind-spot assault on his own talent.
Lu Xingxing: emotionally shut down.
Yan Shixun noticed the dark and gloomy air clinging to Lu Xingxing. He raised an eyebrow, and couldn’t help but grow even more curious about Xie Lin.
Today was the day the show’s cast was heading to the filming location.
All the guests, including Yan Shixun, had already arrived and were sitting in the vehicle, chatting enthusiastically with one another. They shared stories about what they had been through while recovering from injuries during their time apart. The air inside the car was filled with concern, laughter, and warmth. It didn’t feel like they were about to start filming a show—it felt more like a reunion of old friends catching up on life.
Everyone’s expressions were completely natural, and even their smiles looked relaxed.
“After all, we’ve been through life-and-death together—we’re way past just being regular friends.”
The variety show celebrity laughed heartily, slapping Nan Tian on the back with a loud “pa! pa!” sound, his face lit up with excitement as he said, “I really thought you weren’t going to come! I was feeling kinda sad about it. Didn’t expect you to still be here—what a pleasant surprise!”
Nan Tian was nearly slapped into the floor by the variety show celebrity and had to prop himself up by holding onto the nearby seat.
He weakly protested, “Bro, I’m about to fall over.”
“Haha! Sorry, sorry—I got too excited and didn’t realize.”
The variety show celebrity sighed emotionally. “Even though Ritual Master made a lot of mistakes, there’s one thing he said that I actually agree with: life is just too bitter. You’re always saying goodbye to people.”
“Don’t look at me and think just because I’m this old I’ve got it all together. Every time I have to say goodbye to a friend, I start crying.”
He pointed at Nan Tian. “If you’d really left, I probably would’ve cried my eyes out at home.”
The others leaned over in surprise when they heard that. “Seriously? I always thought you were the tough type—like no matter what happens, you’d stay optimistic.”
“Yeah, I totally didn’t expect that. You seem so mature and steady—do you really cry over things like that?”
The variety show celebrity waved his hand. “Of course! I’m a super sentimental guy. Either it’s just work—clock in, clock out—or it’s a lifelong friendship, someone I’d go through hell and back for.”
“When my friends come visit me, I don’t even dare to see them off. Even just watching their car drive away makes me secretly wipe away tears, and I can’t get over it for days.”
Even though everything he said seemed to go against his public image, he was completely at ease saying it.
—Anyway, he wasn’t crying now, and no one could see him. As long as he didn’t feel embarrassed, it was no problem at all.
An Nanyuan looked him up and down in surprise, and said sincerely, “I never would’ve guessed.”
The variety show celebrity laughed and scolded, “You brat!”
Amid all the laughter, both Bai Shuang and Lu Xingxing kept looking out the car window, even tilting their heads in sync. The excitement on their faces was obvious and completely unhidden.
An Nanyuan glanced over a few times and suddenly understood. “Oh, Bai Shuang, you sing too—so Xie Lin must be your idol, huh?”
“Of course he is!”
Bai Shuang answered without hesitation. “Senior Xie is the guiding light of my career. I’m working hard to follow in his footsteps!”
“But why isn’t Senior Xie here yet?” Bai Shuang sounded a little anxious.
Lu Xingxing looked around the car and said curiously, “Song Ci’s not here either? Oh, right, they probably left together from Song Corporation.”
Yan Shixun lifted his eyelids and followed the others’ gaze out the window.
The sunlight was just right.
Although it was winter and the sun was no longer warm, it still shone with a piercing brightness.
Yan Shixun squinted his eyes slightly, and used the current time to divine a hexagram. His slender fingers moved in calculation before he said, “They’ve arrived.”
Just as the others were about to ask what he meant, a car came racing around the corner in a near-drift and skidded to a dramatic stop.
Song Ci’s furious voice still lingered in the air: “Drive faster! I’m about to be late!”
“Xie Lin!!! Couldn’t you come to the company a little earlier? This is all your fault!”
Everyone: Ah… Young Master, it’s okay to take your time. Honestly, none of us would’ve said a word.
But clearly, the Young Master had his own set of principles.
The car drifted to a stop with a clean swerve, parking neatly next to the show crew’s convoy.
The young master stepped out with a gloomy expression on his face.
On the other side, the car door opened, and Xie Lin emerged gracefully, his movements fluid and elegant. He smiled as he appeared in everyone’s line of sight.
He stood tall, his demeanor noble and composed. The slight curve of his lips made him seem like a well-aged wine—refined, deep, and effortlessly likable. Anyone who saw him would naturally feel drawn to him.
But the moment Xie Lin appeared, Yan Shixun immediately frowned.
This man… His brow was so dark it barely looked like he was still alive.
Yan Shixun silently began calculating with his fingers, his gaze on Xie Lin filled with suspicion and wariness.
While Xie Lin was gently coaxing the young master with a helpless look on his face, Yan Shixun had already completed his divination. He even created a natal chart based on Xie Lin’s features, trying to understand the strange feeling this man gave him.
Ye Li followed Yan Shixun’s line of sight but quickly lost interest and looked away, indifferent.
“There’s something about this man…”
Yan Shixun murmured under his breath, frowning.
Karma.
And it was heavy.
It was as if countless wailing spirits were clutching Xie Lin’s ankles, trying to drag him down into the depths of hell.
Though Xie Lin appeared spotless, completely free of any ghostly aura, karma was not something that could be concealed.
Even standing in broad daylight, the shadow beneath his feet was much darker and denser than Song Ci’s beside him—so dark that Yan Shixun could almost see ghostly figures writhing and flailing within it.
They seemed to be screaming something.
But when Yan Shixun blinked, the illusion born from Xie Lin’s strange and cold presence vanished completely.
What on earth had this man gone through?
Yan Shixun couldn’t help but become curious about Xie Lin.
Almost as if sensing Yan Shixun’s gaze, Xie Lin turned and looked in his direction.
He gave a soft chuckle and nodded toward Yan Shixun as a greeting.
After exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands with Zhang Wubing and the rest of the directing crew, Xie Lin strode confidently toward the guest van, immediately causing an excited commotion among the other passengers inside.
Lu Xingxing and Bai Shuang looked so thrilled they were about to faint. Their faces flushed red as they bounced around in their seats like overjoyed fans who had just met their idol.
But Xie Lin’s gaze first landed on Yan Shixun sitting at the very front.
“Hello, I’m Xie Lin,” he said with a warm smile, extending his hand toward Yan Shixun in a friendly gesture.
Yan Shixun disliked physical contact, but it would’ve been rude to leave someone hanging, so he briefly tapped Xie Lin’s hand and withdrew quickly.
“Yan Shixun.”
Xie Lin was momentarily surprised when he heard the name. “You’re Mr. Yan?”
The respect in his tone went beyond mere politeness—it carried the joy of someone who had finally found what he had been searching for over many years.
Yan Shixun had seen that expression many times before.
People seeking help with exorcisms or spiritual disturbances, or those who had come specifically to find the renowned “Master Yan Shixun”—they all wore the same kind of look.
As Yan Shixun furrowed his brow, Xie Lin seemed to realize he had let too much emotion show. He quickly composed himself and returned to a more neutral demeanor, smiling as he said, “Sorry, Young Master mentioned you a lot before, so I was curious what kind of person you were.”
“I even looked up screenshots of you from this show, but I didn’t expect you to be this young.”
Yan Shixun’s eyes flicked across Xie Lin’s face, his lips curling into a polite but insincere smile. “It’s fine.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to get to know me.”
Or perhaps, the other way around.
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