Xia Wei Liang participated in "Challenge It!" for the first time as an "intern resident."
She chose this variety show because it was quiet and avoided drama, with no significant viewership to be distorted by post-production editing that would incite fan disputes.
In short, it was laid-back, very laid-back. Yan Cheng and Dou Hua were both comedians, known for their natural humor. Having been in the industry for a long time, they were all astute individuals, and even if they disliked someone, they wouldn't show it openly. As for Rui Rui, a member of an idol group, she was very polite to her seniors, with humility etched into her very being, always bowing ninety degrees upon meeting them.
Director Song initially had no expectations for Xia Wei Liang, mainly due to the buzz generated after she revealed her background.
With the director's intentions so obvious, how could Yan Cheng and Dou Hua not understand? Therefore, they frequently called on her during the show, intentionally or unintentionally steering the conversation in that direction.
Having lived two lives, Xia Wei Liang was no longer an ignorant, naive, sweet girl. With a smile, she could pick up on jokes, throw them back, and even create new ones. While the guests and audience roared with laughter, she cleverly passed the topic to the young idol, Rui Rui.
Even though she was the newcomer, she was still able to look out for her junior! This… made it hard not to have a good impression of her.
As a result, after one recording session, although Cheng Ge and Hua Jie didn't say anything, their attitudes towards her clearly became much warmer. Even Rui Rui, the adorable one, affectionately called her "Wei Wei Jie."
Upon hearing that Xia Wei Liang had participated in a nationally broadcast variety show, Xia Yi Ran became anxious.
"Brother Zhang, weren't we supposed to get me some announcements? It's been so long without even one scheduled!"
After dinner, Xia Yi Ran stood on the balcony of the second floor of the villa, pacing back and forth anxiously, holding her phone.
On the other end of the line was her agent, Zhang Hao.
"...Xia Wei Liang voluntarily issued a statement, plus that newcomer award. Regardless of whether it was praise or criticism, she occupied all the trending searches! If you appear now, it will only add to her popularity. So, the company has discussed it. We'll wait for her current wave of attention to pass, and then find an opportunity for you to blow up!"
She understood everything Brother Zhang said, but if she continued to wait like this, the popularity she gained from the talent show would also be completely depleted.
After another round of comfort, Brother Zhang reminded her to speak less to avoid saying anything wrong.
After hanging up the phone, Xia Yi Ran was extremely unconvinced. Why shouldn't she speak, but Xia Wei Liang could just issue a statement whenever she pleased? She was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Xia family; was she inferior to an impostor?
Brother Zhang's words only fueled her rebellious spirit. She opened Weibo, thought hard, and then drafted a message:
"In the past, I always thought happiness was about waiting; only today do I understand that happiness is about meeting, happiness is about reunion, happiness is about never leaving, and never abandoning."
The accompanying picture was a heartwarming family of three, with a young father and mother holding a little girl's hand, walking on the beach towards the sun.
After checking the caption, she was finally satisfied and immediately clicked send.
--
After finishing the recording, Xia Wei Liang was holed up in her room, eating fruit and enjoying the air conditioning.
"Wei Wei Jie, Xia Yi Ran posted on Weibo!"
Nuomi, wearing slippers, trotted over and handed her the phone, pointing at the Weibo post and saying, "What's with 'never leaving, never abandoning'? She's being so obvious, almost announcing it."
Xia Wei Liang spat out the cherry pit and casually popped another one into the little girl's mouth. "Let her announce it. It won't cost us anything."
Regarding the issue of her identity, Xia Yi Ran would eventually stir up trouble. She couldn't stop it, nor did she want to, nor did she deem it worthy of her attention.
The little girl chewed on the juicy fruit, her words muffled, "But I just feel like she's trying to piggyback on your popularity, Wei Wei Jie. Fortunately, that incident at the hotel wasn't captured, otherwise, she would have definitely jumped out to claim her spot when you were being criticized."
Xia Wei Liang widened her beautiful eyes, her red lips curving into a perfect arc. "Alright, Xiao Mi Mi, your IQ is almost catching up to mine!"
"Wei Wei Jie, you really need to be more careful! Maybe she'll get impatient and create some negative rumors about you herself, then jump out to claim the title of the true daughter of the Xia family!"
Nuomi sighed, feeling like she was too young to have so many worries.
Xia Wei Liang, however, was unfazed. "Heh, put your worries away. From this Weibo post, I can tell she doesn't have the brains for it."
But Nuomi grew more alarmed the more she thought about it. She stopped eating cherries and walked away with her phone. "No, I have to call Sister Ji!"
Xia Wei Liang chuckled. After a moment's thought, she picked up her own phone and found Xia Yi Ran's Weibo post.
As expected, with Sherlock Holmeses in the fandom, some fans were already starting to piece together the storyline.
She couldn't be bothered to look. She flipped her phone face down on the table, lay on the sofa, crossed her legs, and unhurriedly picked up a bright red cherry, popping it into her mouth.
Heh, Xia Yi Ran, bring it on this life. If I back down, I'm not your Liang Ye!