Chapter 27 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 27

The scene was in an uproar.

Ji Xiu and the others exchanged glances, signaled for the live broadcast to be paused, and gathered around. Zhou Qian was the first to ask, "Director, what about Teacher Yang and the others?"

Director Wang pulled a strained smile onto his face. "The production team plans to terminate their contract and sue them for breach of contract, negligence, and refusal to work. For the short term, they probably won't have time to participate in any shows."

Knowing Zhou Qian was good-tempered, Director Wang explained in a low voice, "The news from Camera Group 5 is that they refused to work. We have no choice; every day we waste is a massive drain on the budget."

To everyone's surprise, Zhou Qian didn't try to mediate. Instead, he let out a sigh of relief. "That’s great! Dudu suffered quite a bit of grievance yesterday. I didn't take time out of my schedule to bring her here to be unhappy. If it was going to be like that, she might as well have stayed home and watched TV."

Every family’s child was a little prince or princess at home, but while the other kids were taught to be polite, Yang Zhenzhen’s "Princess Syndrome" had become unbearable. Her departure was a relief for everyone.

Lin Zhichun also nodded. "Yes, I don't want Sensen to be bossed around anymore." His son, Sensen, was eight—the eldest and a very kind, honest boy who took his father's advice to "look after the younger ones" too literally, allowing Yang Zhenzhen to order him about arrogantly.

Ji Xiu agreed. "Director, do what you have to do. We’ll follow your lead. Handle the details while we go finish the tasks; otherwise, we won't earn enough for dinner."

…

The four families set out to pick and sell grapes. By the time they returned with their ingredients, it was already dark.

Passing the village assembly point, Ji Xiu noticed Director Wang sitting behind the crew, looking exhausted and pained. Ji Xiu gestured for the camera to follow Xiaocong for a bit while he stepped over. "What's wrong?"

Director Wang looked up with tearful eyes. "Ji Xiu, why didn't I listen to you in the first place?" He pointed toward House No. 5. "He refuses to leave now. He says he wants to record properly."

After the bridge was burned, Yang Qianye realized the team was serious about suing him. Now he was playing the shameless card, claiming that if he left, it would be the team breaching the contract, not him.

"What do I do? The replacement guest is already on the way. He arrives at 6:00 AM tomorrow. I'm worried my hair is going to turn white from stress."

Ji Xiu remained silent. Director Wang had brought this on himself by ignoring the warnings. As long as it didn't affect him, Ji Xiu didn't need to intervene. However, hearing the name of the replacement guest, he froze.

"Call Gu Kang," Director Wang told his staff. "Tell him not to get on the plane."

The staff was shocked. "Director, really? Gu Kang’s popularity has dipped, but he's not someone we should offend easily."

Ji Xiu spoke up, "Director Wang, he's taking a midnight flight just to help you out. Sending him back now would be quite disrespectful."

Director Wang sighed, "Then give me an idea. I'll listen to you."

Ji Xiu laid it out: "This is only the second day and Yang Qianye has caused this much trouble. Are you sure the next three recordings will go smoothly?" He suggested that the best move was to clear him out now before his black-and-red popularity stabilized.

Director Wang grit his teeth. "Fine! I'll listen to you!" He ordered a cameraman to go film Yang Qianye—since Yang was three hours behind the others, he’d make him work three extra hours. With Yang Qianye’s temper, he’d likely explode, giving them a legitimate reason to kick him out.

Director Wang let out a long breath, then looked at Ji Xiu curiously. "Wait, didn't you and Gu Kang have a grudge years ago? Why are you willing to let him join?"

Ji Xiu smiled faintly. "It wasn't a grudge, just a small misunderstanding. I'll take this chance to clear it up."

…

Dinner was again a joint effort at Liu Wenbo’s house. The four families had grown close, producing a feast of five dishes and a soup. Sitting under the golden-red sunset and dim lights, the atmosphere was warm.

As the adults chatted, Ji Xiu opened up to the cameras. "To be honest, I haven't been a good father or husband. Xiaocong is three and a half, and I’ve seen him less than ten times. I’ve spent my life on film sets and missed everything—the pregnancy, the birth, the first steps. It was all my wife, alone. I owe her, and I owe the child. When I went home recently, Congcong didn't even recognize me. That's why I joined this show—to repair our relationship."

The courtyard went quiet. The other dads patted his shoulder in sympathy.

In the live broadcast room, the fans were moved.

【Brother Ji is showing his true heart today.】

【We shouldn't say anything bad about Sister-in-law anymore. To endure that kind of sacrifice... she must love him so much.】

【I hope their family is happy and harmonious forever!】

Ji Xiu checked the comments on his phone and was satisfied. He wasn't one for parading his private life, but he needed to pave the way for Xu Yun so she wouldn't be attacked when her identity was finally revealed.

…

Late at night, Director Wang issued a sudden task: attend a local bonfire party.

Ji Xiu realized this was the trap for Yang Qianye. Everyone was tired, but they followed the instructions. At the village entrance, they finally saw the Yangs.

Yang Qianye, having rested all day, was in high spirits. He snapped, "You're late!"

Yang Zhenzhen added, "Everyone is waiting for you. Uncles, don't you have a sense of time?"

The other four dads ignored them completely, checking in with the director and the village chief. Yang Qianye felt slighted and began mocking them for "acting like big stars with their eyes in the sky."

Liu Wenbo was ready to lose his temper, but Ji Xiu stopped him. "Don't ruin your reputation for someone like him. He’s leaving soon. Giving him your attention is just giving him free 'traffic'."

Ji Xiu knew Yang Qianye’s game—he wanted a conflict to boost his notoriety. By ignoring him, they were cutting off his oxygen.

Yang Qianye was indeed frustrated. He had been coached by someone behind the scenes that "heat is money," whether it was good or bad. He intended to act like a diva to ruin the show's reputation while boosting his own "anti-hero" status.

He tried to pick a fight with a local villager and barked at his cameraman, "Keep up!"

The cameraman rolled his eyes internally. His camera wasn't even turned on. The director had said not to waste battery on someone about to be fired. The No. 5 live stream was currently showing the new guest, Gu Kang, making his way to the airport. The fans were thrilled. No one was giving Yang Qianye the eyes he craved.

The bonfire party officially began.