Chapter 130: Family Legacy
“Teacher Ye, how is the venerable elder’s health?”
Meng Han took the initiative to chat with Qi Yuan, it seems the two have known each other for a long time.
“She’s always been doing quite well.”
Listening to their back-and-forth conversation, Yu Wei wasn’t too surprised; the one Meng Han called teacher should be Old Senior Chen’s wife Ye Ranzhi.
This one is a true senior, a figure who pioneered the literary and art world, and also their grandmother.
Ever since Old Senior Chen passed away, she became the true helmsman of the Qi family, and with the convergence of multiple identities, her influence domestically is enormous.
Yu Wei will probably have to pass her test sooner or later…
“That’s good then. When I have time someday, I’ll go pay her a visit.”
Meng Han sized up Qi Yuan for a long time. Honestly, he was a bit disappointed in the kid; after that one, couldn’t he just honestly focus on art?
He had to go with the times and become an idol. Now his strength is lacking, that’s one thing, but he even cultivated a group of fan circle toxic solo fans.
Qi Yuan’s fans’ madness in the entertainment industry is notorious, even Meng Han, who doesn’t pay much attention to that stuff, knows about it.
The root cause is that Qi Yuan’s background is too strong, so his fans developed a sense of superiority, thinking they’re crown princesses…
Can’t imagine how devastated the female fans will be the day Qi Yuan makes an official announcement of romance.
His starting point is higher than others, so Meng Han is somewhat frustrated at his lack of ambition.
“You kid, after being teammates with Yu Wei for so long, how did you not discover his music talent? Nearly buried a genius.”
What Meng Han said actually had two layers of meaning: first, teasing Qi Yuan for lacking insight; second, lamenting his lack of care for his teammate.
If only his teammate had pulled him up back then, maybe he wouldn’t have developed psychological issues. If only Qi Yuan had half the pattern of his elder, wouldn’t Yu Wei have realized his talent earlier?
Qi Yuan: ?
How did he discover it? The previous Yu Wei was just very ordinary. On the night of disbandment, no one was more surprised than him…
Afraid his brother would suffer hardship, yet also afraid he’d drive a Land Rover. Now he not only drives one, but his younger sister sits in the passenger seat.
Can only blame Yu Wei for hiding it too well. During those four years, on his lips it was food, clothing, housing, and daily needs; in his heart it was palace, commerce, angle, sign, and feather—impossible to guard against.
“By the way, did you see my message?”
Yu Wei suddenly remembered his novel matter. “I asked if you’d participate in the competition, and you didn’t reply to me.”
He’s been wanting to arrange for Qi Yuan to battle Zhang Lingye, but this kid kept dragging his feet on replying, so the first contestant to appear, Zhang Lingye, still hasn’t competed yet.
At least send a message whether he’s coming or not, so he can make arrangements early.
“I…”
Actually, Qi Yuan wants to come. He’s been reading Yu Wei’s book all along, even savoring it repeatedly. This novel is of extraordinary significance; naturally it’d be great to join.
Even setting aside the novel itself, given his relationship with Yu Wei, if his brother needs it, he should help out a little.
He thinks so, but he really can’t get over that hurdle in his heart…
The book is written by Yu Wei; entering the novel to become a role under his pen is essentially a form of “submission.” The gap in identity and status between author and role is not small.
Especially in the scenario where the protagonist in the novel is the mentor and they are just students, this involves a crucial issue.
Everyone is the protagonist of their own story; why become a supporting role in the book?
The reason Meng Han is unwilling to compete, and Shen Yutong only agreed to compete after listening to Yu Wei’s new song, both stem from considerations like this.
The moment they enter the novel as supporting roles, they’ve already admitted to being a step below Yu Wei. Tong Yulu and Su Jian gladly accepted; Shen Yutong and the three musicians were convinced first, then accepted.
The reason Qi Yuan neither agrees nor refuses is because he can’t sort it out. He’s long realized he’s not Yu Wei’s opponent, but he still wants to try again.
He knows he’s a bit ordinary, but he sincerely believes he can be one of a kind…
“Let’s compete once. If you win this program, I’ll enter your novel.”
Qi Yuan let out a long breath, as if he’d finally made up his mind. People still need to face failure candidly. If he can’t even win this time, then he really has no chance in this lifetime.
Yu Wei looked at him in a daze and didn’t agree directly. This kind of thing actually depends on luck, after all, who knows what blind box he’ll draw.
But he could tell Qi Yuan was very confident this time, even with a do-or-die momentum.
“Young man, don’t be too arrogant.”
Meng Han glanced at Qi Yuan, whose fighting spirit was intense. Isn’t harmonious wealth better? Why are they all so belligerent one by one?
This kid’s psychological issues are so severe, yet he openly challenges someone. Are you even human?
Yu Wei and Su Xinnan were both a bit stunned upon hearing this. Is this something Teacher Meng would say?
His fighting spirit was practically spilling off the screen back then, and now he’s calling others belligerent? Is that right?
Just as the four were exchanging glances, the recording of the sixth program officially began. Although Qi Yuan was new, he was already very familiar with the program rules; he just wanted to compete with Yu Wei.
Actually, he came to this program at a reduced salary. He’d just returned, and the program team was already contacting others. To cut in line, he directly bargained for himself.
Having gone this far, what more is there to say? The program team saw his sincerity, and with sufficient commercial value and topicality, naturally had no reason to refuse.
Qi Yuan was the first to pick a blank blind box with no label on it; he just liked this mysterious feeling.
Isn’t this… the blank blind box from the second episode? How is it still here?
Yu Wei didn’t think much of it and casually picked a red blind box labeled “Beep boop beep boop beep boop.”
Pure curiosity—what kind of person comes up with a label like that?
“I have a feeling this blind box definitely has thousands of threads connecting it to me.”
Qi Yuan held his blind box, feeling like it was a grab-the-object ceremony; there’s arrangement in the mysterious, heaven’s arrangement is the greatest.
“You think it’s an awakening ceremony or something…”
It’s just recording a program, not spiritual energy revival—why so devout?
The blind box opening segment efficiency improved a lot. Yu Wei drew a middle-aged uncle of medium build but exceptionally sturdy, with skin tanned black from years of wind and sun, rough yet glowing red.
Feels like a tiring line of work; looks pretty tough.
The guest Qi Yuan drew was even more unusual; he wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, yellowed dark by years of use on his head.
Under the brim, that face full of deep wrinkles was sunburned to bronze, rough almost to the point of cracking, like old pine bark.
Looking at him, Yu Wei couldn’t help recalling a portrait oil painting, Luo Zhongli’s “Father.” This should be a farmer uncle.
Could it be the one grabbing strong laborers to harvest wheat?
This episode’s four guests all earn hard money. Meng Han drew a repairman master; Su Xinnan opened a little girl wearing milk tea shop clothes.
Came wearing clothes with a logo—hard advertisement, this is.
The female server actually didn’t want to, but she registered as an individual. Who knew the boss heard she was selected and directly arranged promotion and salary increase—as long as she wore the shop’s clothes.
“You really weren’t wrong; the blind box contestant does have thousands of threads connecting to you.”
“The things you eat are what they grow.”
Qi Yuan nodded woodenly upon hearing this. The reason is this reason, but why doesn’t it match what he imagined?
So, does that mean he’s going to farm for a few days next?
Yu Wei’s situation is similar too; the uncle he picked clearly looks like someone who endures hardship, and stories like that show on the face.
The uncle’s Mandarin isn’t too standard, but Yu Wei can understand him. He is called Liu Wang, a long-haul truck driver, commonly known as a big rig driver.
That’s indeed pretty tough—not only many occupational diseases, but also eating and sleeping in the open, sometimes double shifts day and night, high risk factor too.
“That’s impressive. I’ve never even seen an A2B2 driver’s license.”
Yu Wei is still very down-to-earth; a few casual chats and they’re familiar. Of course he can’t drive a big truck; he’d probably just sit in the passenger seat as a mascot.
Due to the profession’s special nature, the program team’s filming difficulty greatly increased. Besides Yu Wei, only one photographer can fit in the truck, severely lacking camera positions.
The program team wants to shoot Yu Wei’s group this episode in documentary style—single camera shot, but valuable in its authenticity.
This is a novel experience for Yu Wei too, though he’ll only be able to write on the truck then; efficiency definitely won’t be high.
He’s chatting amiably here, but there’s no tacit understanding between Qi Yuan and the farmer uncle; the other’s accent is too heavy, and Qi Yuan can’t understand at all.
Yu Wei can understand a bit; the other says Qi Yuan is skinny-limbed, definitely not handy with work—can they swap for someone…
Fun, he’s really here to recruit labor. Hope Qi Yuan can hold on.
Liu Wang first took Yu Wei to the logistics warehouse to load the truck. Because of the program’s filming needs, this job isn’t too far—just a round trip in three days.
“Take a look at my old partner.”
Yu Wei followed his gesture and only then noticed the steel behemoth in the distance, a weathered old-style long-haul truck.
Its square cab was like a rusty iron box, with nearly vertical front face; the rectangular headlights like a pair of fatigued eyes still trying to open.
The blue paint long flaked and peeling, revealing the dark brown metal underneath, as if telling of countless dashes through wind, rain, and blazing sun.
This vibe is right. Compared to those high-definition shiny new vehicles, he actually prefers these battle-hardened old guys.
Feels like it has soul…
Yu Wei carefully inspected the body; visible repair marks and rust at the door edges, thick steel rims and severely worn tire treads.
The whole vehicle exuded innate ruggedness and time-tempered toughness, as if saying: Hey, young man, ready for a new adventure with me?
Though old, it can be approved for road use, so safety isn’t a worry; there’s a safety check before loading.
“Tires are our lifeline,” Liu Wang said to little Yu Wei. “Excessive wear or wrong pressure, and it’s prone to blowouts on long-haul highways.”
He circled the red heavy truck once, using a flashlight to carefully check tire wear and pressure.
Then checked the braking system, lights, and steering system, ensuring every key part worked normally.
Machine soul delighted!
Yu Wei marveled beside him, just about to snap a photo for memory when he opened his mobile phone and saw Zhang Lingye had sent several messages.
Earlier in the broadcast hall he set it to do not disturb, so he hadn’t noticed at all.
“Brother, did you run into Qi Yuan?”
“Brother, why aren’t you replying? Feelings faded?”
“Oh, you’re busy.”
“Qi Yuan came prepared this time; you gotta be careful. I got it out of him while drinking last time—must remind you.”
“His grandfather’s relic.”
Zhang Lingye originally didn’t plan to tip him off, but on second thought, Yu Wei is his brother too; can’t play favorites—just a heads-up, one sentence.
Damn, holy relic!
Yu Wei was a bit shocked seeing this. Old Senior Chen thought of everything; even before passing, he didn’t forget to leave something for the juniors.
This he could understand; if it were him a century later, he’d definitely leave a few works for the young ones to use as needed.
Not only giving them something to rely on, but also letting later generations recall him again—his influence endures.
Sect inheritance, kid!
So Qi Yuan came with Chen Ping’s song this time?
No wonder he’s so confident.
Finally a chance to clash, senior?
