She hadn’t expected Zhao Xi to take on this kind of variety show.
Tang Xiaotang: 【Is your brother really okay with you going to a place like this?】
Xixizi: 【It’s fine! There are so many celebrities together, and the production team will definitely consider safety. Besides, I’ve already looked into it—this village is usually a peaceful and comfortable place, with simple, beautiful surroundings, and the basic facilities in the village are decent too.】
Hearing Zhao Xi say this, Su Zhaotang felt reassured. If anything went wrong, her parents and brother were there anyway—nothing bad could happen.
【Alright then, work hard and take care of yourself, okay?】
【Mwah~】
Xixizi: 【Mwah, my dear Zhaobao~】
The location for Zhao Xi’s recording wasn’t in Beijing but in a relatively remote village in L City. The guests would spend a month there, experiencing the most authentic rural life. For Zhao Xi, who grew up in the city, this was undoubtedly a fresh and exciting challenge.
After nearly a day of bumpy travel—from a plane to a bus—she finally arrived at the village with the production team.
As soon as she stepped off the bus, she was greeted by blue skies, white clouds, distant mountains, and nearby waters—a serene and peaceful rural scene.
She took a deep breath, savoring the fresh country air, and her mood lifted.
Dragging her suitcase, she got off the bus. Knowing the location was rural, she had already worn comfortable sneakers.
Moreover, to pursue authenticity, the production team had stipulated that the guests could only come to the recording on their own, without bringing their assistants or managers.
Although Zhao Xi had grown up in privileged circumstances, she didn’t have a spoiled attitude. After all, she had always been carefree and easygoing, so being on her own was just fine.
According to the show’s arrangements, she would stay in a local homestay with three other guests.
There, she met the other guests, each with their own distinct personalities: the cheerful former Golden Horse Award-winning actress Zhang Meng, the quiet but immensely popular second-tier actor with millions of fans, and the witty and humorous veteran actor Huang Zonglin.
She had just messaged Su Zhaotang after returning to her assigned room for rest.
“Ah, I haven’t even unpacked yet,” Zhao Xi thought, feeling drained after a long day of travel.
“Forget it, I’ll just wash up and sleep!”
Zhao Xi decided to embrace the chaos and deal with it tomorrow.
On the first morning, Zhao Xi was still fast asleep when she was suddenly awakened by a burst of noise.
Bleary-eyed, she opened her eyes and checked her phone, only to realize she had overslept.
She quickly got dressed and hurried out.
The moment she opened the door, a camera suddenly focused on her.
Zhao Xi froze, realizing she was appearing on live recording without any makeup. She hurriedly covered her face with her hands, inwardly groaning.
The show’s director laughed through the microphone and called out:
“No need to cover up! We want to capture your real lives. A young girl like you has nothing to worry about—you’re full of collagen!”
Hearing this, Zhao Xi gave up and dropped her hands, wearing a resigned expression.
On the high-definition camera,
her unadorned, makeup-free face appeared exceptionally fresh and natural. Her skin was fair and radiant, almost like a baby’s, flawless and smooth without a single blemish.
Those bright, large eyes were as clear as lake water. Though she wore no makeup, her features were well-defined and picturesque, giving off a sense of pure innocence.
Having just woken up, she exuded a lazy kind of beauty.
The barrage of online comments immediately took off.
[!! Is this skin real?]
[Ahhh, sister, you’re killing me!]
[Seriously, with looks like this, how have you stayed so low-key in the entertainment industry?!]
[Pretty sister, please take me away!!]
[Alright, from now on, Zhao Xi, you’re my new goddess, wuwuwu~]
[Sister, why don’t you take on more roles with such beauty? It’s such a waste (covering face and crying)]
[She didn’t secretly put on a no-makeup makeup look beforehand, did she… (picking nose)]
[Oh, oh! I remember now—you were in one of Director Su’s movies before. Even though it was a small role back then, I couldn’t stop staring at your face, wuwuwu~ you’re really so pretty.]
[Ahhh, is this face really all-natural? So addictive~]
The assistant director beside her glanced at the rising online buzz and gave the director a firm nod, unable to hide the smile on his face.
The director said, “See, this is the perfect state. We’ll be assigning tasks next. Go back and freshen up first, then everyone gather in the dining room.”
Zhao Xi nodded with half-closed eyes, looking as if she hadn’t fully woken up. She also needed to splash some cold water on her face to clear her head.
By the time she went downstairs, breakfast was already set on the table. Since it was the first day, the production crew had bought it. Starting the next day, they would take turns preparing breakfast.
After brief self-introductions, everyone began eating. Among them, Zhao Xi was the least famous, while the other three were major stars with huge followings.
Zhao Xi was afraid of saying the wrong thing and getting bombarded by fans online, so she kept her head down and ate quietly.
Huang Zonglin had a healthy complexion with a faint bronze glow, exuding the rugged charm of a middle-aged man. His well-trimmed beard added a touch of mature sophistication.
Noticing the silence at the table, he raised an eyebrow slightly.
“What’s going on? Did seeing me turn you all socially awkward? I didn’t shave today, but I’m not that unapproachable, am I?”
Zhao Xi was the first to burst out laughing, immediately covering her mouth as she realized. “Sorry.”
After all, he was the first to break the ice, even if it was a bit awkward. At least someone spoke up.
Zhang Meng chimed in with a smile, “Don’t scare the two young ones here. What if they run off? Where would you find another handsome guy and pretty girl?”
“No, no, Brother Lin’s words actually made the atmosphere feel much better,” Zhao Xi said with a gentle smile.
“Zhao Xi, can I call you Xiao Xi? Is this your first time on a variety show?”
Zhang Meng turned her gaze to her and asked kindly.
Zhao Xi nodded.
Even the usually quiet, aloof handsome guy glanced at her this time, as the other three had all been on variety shows before.
Huang Zonglin added, “Don’t worry, just treat it as a chance to relax. This kind of recording is all about immersing yourself in the experience. You don’t have to stay as tense as you would while filming.”
Zhao Xi listened attentively. After all, she didn’t want to get criticized on her first show.
She spread her hands helplessly.
“Alright then, bring it on. I’m ready to face the storm.”
She would just go with her usual way of doing things.
On the other side, Zhou Lingjing had barely settled back in the country before his childhood friends called him to Nightfall. They had just heard the news in their circle—Zhou Lingjing had gotten married.
So they were in a hurry to confirm it.
Since he was traveling alone, Zhou Lingjing drove one of his supercars from the garage—a Bugatti Veyron.
The all-blue body was captivating, and accompanied by the roar of the engine, the Bugatti Veyron vanished like a flash of lightning on the road.