Chapter Seven: The Ruthless Fellow Villager

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Fortunately, the production team was not truly cold and indifferent. After traveling about one-third of the way, the staff driving the vehicle came to pick them up.

“Dear teachers, welcome to the carpool service. For just three points each, you can go straight to your lodgings. Don’t miss this opportunity!”

As a points-rich member, Yu Zhi did not hesitate and decisively paid, helping Shi Hailing into the car.

“Let’s just take this back! It’s too dirty…” Xia Shuang expressed strong disgust, resisting getting in.

Shen Jiayu lightly pressed his hand on her arm. “Teacher Xia, there’s still a long way to go; please bear with it.”

[You’re so noble! So clean, yet no one knows who just crawled out of the mud.]

[Sis, so pitiful! Sister Ling even twisted her ankle while harvesting wheat. The crew is downright cruel!]

[Bai Fuyuan is really funny, haha, even has to carry Yu Zhi. The title of ‘crazy woman’ is well deserved.]

Others, whether willing or resigned, all chose to ride back; walking would have meant going until late into the night.

The summer evening air was heavy and hot. As the vehicle moved, waves of cool breeze swept through. After a while, signs of human presence gradually appeared.

Yu Zhi, rarely seeing such a desolate yet lively scene, was momentarily lost in thought.

“Hengxi Village is named after the small east-west flowing creek inside it. Summer brings many tourists. We came early and didn’t linger in the village center, so there aren’t many villagers around today. Tomorrow, you’ll see this place was well chosen by the director — perfect for romance!”

As the staff introduced the village, Yu Zhi grew drowsy, leaning back in the driver’s seat, eyes half-closed. Suddenly, she felt her head tilt and briefly snapped awake.

“Uncomfortable sleeping?” Li Ze’s deep voice sounded by her ear. Yu Zhi realized he had just supported her head on his shoulder.

Rubbing her aching eyes, she ignored his question and turned to talk to Shi Hailing.

Li Ze raised an eyebrow and withdrew his hand. Seeing Li Ze receive similar treatment, Bai Fuyuan laughed heartily.

“Professor Li, everyone knows you like Sister Yu, but those who don’t might think you’re harassing her.”

Li Ze’s profound gaze fixed on Bai Fuyuan. If he weren’t concerned about Yu Zhi’s rebellious nature, why would he stay in this annoying place with these irritating people? Especially Bai Fuyuan, who was nothing but a discarded pawn.

Swoosh—

The car turned a corner and stopped right at their destination.

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Enthusiastic villagers immediately gathered around.

“These young folks are really handsome!”

“I heard from the village head that these people will stay with the Sheng family for a week!”

“Oh dear, the Shengs? They’re not easy to get along with. Why pick their place?”

Someone familiar with him stopped him from continuing, “They’re close with the village head, you know how it is—”

The staff ushered the guests inside and then drove away.

Before Yu Zhi could react, a plainly dressed woman grabbed her sleeve. “Young lady, don’t mind them, they’re just here to gawk. If you stay at my place, come with me!”

“Zhi Zhi, it’s better to have someone lead you than wander outside alone. Let’s follow her!”

Supporting Shi Hailing again, Yu Zhi gained a clearer understanding of the director’s lowered standards. Was this disastrous start designed to have them suffer and bond over shared hardship, creating a romantic atmosphere?

At least the village center’s roads were much better than the ones they had just passed.

Unexpected things always happen fast. Just as they arrived, someone suddenly lunged at Yu Zhi. Quick as lightning, she sidestepped and kicked out.

With a loud bang, the attacker fell to the ground.

Li Ze, closest to Yu Zhi, hurried forward, pulling the person behind him, his eyes full of anger fixed on the assailant.

The fallen man snarled fiercely, shouting at Li Ze, “Who are you? Why are you stopping me from hugging my wife?”

At those words, the guests’ glances toward Yu Zhi grew strange. Yu Zhi swiftly pulled Li Ze back and stepped forward, planting a foot firmly on the man’s chest, staring coldly at the chubby man.

“Little fatty, tell me, who said I’m your wife?”

The man grinned foolishly, said nothing, and just stared blankly. It was obvious his mind was not right.

Yu Zhi’s temper was notoriously short, but now she was almost amused, “How come I don’t know I have an unmarried husband here?”

The director, rushing over, regretted letting the guests roam freely without staff supervision.

“Who said this family is nice? Didn’t our show already have enough trouble? That little bomb Yu Zhi — can you control her, or does she have to blow up right in front of me?”

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“Director, you personally negotiated the guests’ lodging with the village head…”

Zhao Liheng slapped the driver’s shoulder hard, now suddenly very alert and eager to solve the problem. Yu Zhi wanted to shed her old labels, but now with a chubby husband added to the mix, wouldn’t Jiang Weicheng kill him?

At least he was right about that: Jiang Weicheng, after several sleepless nights, finally had a chance to sleep, only to be woken by a relentless stream of calls from his assistant.

Seeing the explosive trending topics, he half thought Yu Zhi had secretly married.

But after checking carefully, he wanted to blow up the director.

#YuZhi’s Husband#

#YuZhi’s Rural Secret Husband#

...

The chubby man on the ground was helped to his feet by villagers, still wearing a silly smile.

Gu Qing and Xia Shuang, thoroughly worn out by Yu Zhi today, had no energy for trouble, each finding a spot to watch.

The two briefly united, staring in the same direction. What they thought was unknown, but their expressions were unreadable.

“Sister Xia — what do you think Yu Zhi will do?”

Xia Shuang glanced disdainfully at Gu Qing. “I’m an only child.” Then added, “I don’t care what Yu Zhi thinks. If the director can’t fix this, the show doesn’t need to continue.”

After speaking, Xia Shuang silently moved further away from Gu Qing. Don’t think she didn’t realize Gu Qing wanted her to take the lead against Yu Zhi. She knew what kind of person she was.

Gu Qing felt awkward and uninterested in Xia Shuang, putting on her usual smile as she approached Yu Zhi.

“Sister Yu, are we moving somewhere else to stay?”

Yu Zhi, holding a stick she had picked up, idly drew circles on the ground. “That depends on the director’s decision. If the villagers continue treating guests like this, they might change the filming location.”

Gu Qing, skilled in playing innocent, widened her pupils slightly. “Oh my god! That’s terrifying. Luckily it was discovered early. If someone walked into a guest’s room at night, that would be truly uncontrollable.”

Yu Zhi paused her drawing, eyes twinkling with mischief. “It’s not that bad. Relax.”