Chapter 93: A Bold Idea
Ji Ziyao frowned, taking the two talisman covers from Xuan Xia’s hand and examining them left and right, over and over.
He couldn’t understand why Huang Ke would firmly believe in this thing, truly hoping it could protect something.
Xuan Xia kept her hand extended, not urging him to take them.
The two she had taken out were actually a bit different from the one given to Huang Ke. Although both were mainly for exorcism and protection, the one for Huang Ke focused on dispelling evil and averting calamity, while these two focused on exorcism and safeguarding.
How to put it? Ji Ziyao’s aura had already risen, and generally it wouldn’t be easily suppressed. Plus, he was full of righteous qi and didn’t believe in such things. And previously, Xuan Xia wasn’t particularly proficient, so there was no need to force a talisman on him to carry.
Now, she had some insights. So she specially prepared these two talismans, waiting for an opportunity to give them to Ji Ziyao.
She had finally found the right opportunity.
Ji Ziyao hesitated for a long time but eventually took them. “No harm in taking them for free.”
Xuan Xia pretended to roll her eyes and said, “Since you’ve taken them, don’t throw them away later. That would waste my sincerity.”
Ji Ziyao said, “You can rest assured about that. After all, this is the first time I’ve received something from you. I guarantee I’ll protect your sincerity.”
With that, he immediately pulled out his wallet and slipped one inside.
The other he first put in his pants pocket, deciding to store it in his luggage upon returning.
Having one more talisman than Huang Ke, Ji Ziyao couldn’t use that to make an issue anymore. Now that Lu Mindan had also been handed over, there were fewer things to worry about. He now had time to care about Xuan Xia’s matters.
“The dating show airs the first date tonight?”
“Mm.”
“Have you reposted all the program group’s promotions?”
“Reposted them, right away in the afternoon.”
Ji Ziyao nodded.
“What happened when you all went to Miaoxiang? A whole group ended up in the hospital, and Zhou Shiqing was unconscious for a day? And filming still isn’t done?”
There’s no such thing as a leak-proof wall in the world. The news of Zhou Shiqing’s coma and hospitalization broke online that same night.
A huge hot search, directly marked with a “boiling” label.
Zhou Shiqing’s fans nearly cursed out the program group and management company. It forced the management company and program group to issue statements the next day, clarifying that Zhou Shiqing was really fine and that his hospitalization wasn’t due to a filming accident.
On the same day, Zhou Shiqing posted on Weibo himself to clarify, saying it was due to acclimatization issues plus exhaustion, which finally somewhat soothed the fans’ emotions.
However, it also made the fans feel even more sorry for him, strengthening their loyalty.
While the internet was in an uproar, Xuan Xia was at Changsheng Temple. After Ji Ziyao learned about it, he had already started preparing for potential PR.
Fortunately, the matter didn’t involve her in the end. Otherwise, Ji Ziyao was really worried whether Xuan Xia’s current foundation could withstand it—maybe even her few new fans would all be driven away.
……
Speaking of Miaoxiang, Xuan Xia had plenty to say.
“It’s quite complicated. Do you want to hear the version from the person involved, or from those not involved?”
Ji Ziyao shook his head and said, “No stories. Give me a simple version.”
He had actually heard the details from Yang Wanxiu earlier, but now it didn’t matter to hear Xuan Xia’s take.
Simple version?
Xuan Xia thought for a moment. “If you want simple, then it can only be said that Zhou Shiqing has excellent aptitude. A simple Nuo art master spotted him among thousands and insisted on passing on his skills, then knocked Zhou Shiqing unconscious.”
Ji Ziyao: “……”
Simple it was, truly simple, but also truly nonsense.
Although the Zhou Shiqing incident had been a few days, the online discussion hadn’t died down.
The most common theory now was that Zhou Shiqing was hospitalized due to harassment by obsessive fans.
Saying it that way did have benefits—the fans’ attention was all on Zhou Shiqing’s safety. Even if they cursed, they’d only curse the company for not taking good care of the artist.
Ji Ziyao wasn’t too concerned about how Zhou Shiqing ended up in the hospital. He was more concerned about the upcoming filming arrangements.
But he’d have to ask Yang Wanxiu about that.
So he looked at Yang Wanxiu standing nearby. “Xiuxiu, what does the program group say now? Any results?”
Previously, the program group said Miaoxiang content wasn’t enough, so it would be split into two episodes, requiring one more episode of filming.
According to the info from a couple days ago, the recording location was Jiangshi, but the exact time wasn’t set.
Now Ji Ziyao wanted to know if the time had been finalized.
The scenes here would take a few more days—hopefully no conflicts.
Yang Wanxiu said, “Hong PD said Zhou Shiqing’s side seems to disagree with the new plan again. Now they need to discuss with Zhou Shiqing’s team first, then communicate with us after.”
Ji Ziyao frowned as he listened.
He thought Zhou Shiqing was really a troublemaker, with issues popping up every few days.
He said, “I’ll contact Zhou Shiqing’s team personally later.”
“Good.”
Ji Ziyao was thinking about what else to say when his mobile phone rang.
He glanced at the contact name; it was Huang Ke’s new executive agent arranged for Lu Mindan, the young man who had been by Huang Ke’s side today.
Ji Ziyao answered the call. “This is Ji Ziyao.”
“Mm, okay, got it.”
In just a few short sentences, the call ended, but Ji Ziyao’s expression didn’t look so good anymore.
“What happened again?” Xuan Xia asked him with concern.
Ji Ziyao looked at the mobile phone screen and smiled ambiguously, as if considering whether to tell Xuan Xia.
In the end, however, he chose to gloss over it simply. “It’s nothing. I was fighting for a luxury endorsement for Lu Mindan before, and now she’s having her new executive agent ask if I can hand it over.”
“Oh.” So the person had left but still wanted to take some family assets with her.
“You didn’t agree, right?” Xuan Xia asked him.
Ji Ziyao looked at her. “Hm?”
Xuan Xia said, “It’s not worth it. Don’t waste it.”
After a few seconds of silence, Ji Ziyao smiled and agreed. “You’re right. I also think it’s a bit of a waste.”
Now, instead, he had a bold idea.
It would be better to fight for this opportunity for Xuan Xia.
As everyone knew, a star’s commercial value often determined the star’s future path.
She now had a variety show on hand and was also testing film shooting; she really should fight for some business opportunities too.
Once Ji Ziyao had an idea in mind, he didn’t linger and prepared to head back to work right away.
Before getting up to leave, he didn’t forget to say, “Study the script well. The scenes in the next few days should be quite concentrated.”
“I know very well, so don’t worry.” Xuan Xia replied as she reached out and picked up the script again.
Ji Ziyao gave her one more look before leaving.
Once he left, the next day he brought Xuan Xia new work news, saying that the dating show reshoots plan had been finalized.
The reshoots’ location and content were no longer in Jiangshi; instead, it was changed to Zhou Shiqing coming to the Hengcheng film crew for a media visit.
Tomorrow!
Xuan Xia: “……”
