The awkwardness between the two was apparent to everyone else.
Wai Shao asked in a low voice.
The two shared a similar approach to their careers, both intensely focused on acting and uninterested in other matters. It was unexpected that these two individuals would participate in the same variety show.
Speaking of which, it was all because of the same person.
Xi En smiled and said, "I heard you're here to scout talent."
Shang Rongrong sat opposite him and replied, "Yes, I have my eye on a young lady."
Xi En raised an eyebrow, "Then your taste is quite unique."
"Speaking of taste... perhaps my taste and En Ge's are the same?"
Shang Rongrong and Xi En had collaborated years ago. While they weren't close, they understood each other very well. Therefore, Shang Rongrong could clearly see whether the rumors about Xi En and Xia Weiliang on the show were true or false.
Shang Rongrong pursed her lips, the corners slowly turning upwards.
After a long pause, she said, "Who's to say they're not?"
Zhang Miaomiao, a fan of Shang Rongrong, was incredibly excited to see her idol. She scurried over, "Rong, Sister Rong, could you give me an autograph?"
"No problem."
Despite her cool demeanor, Shang Rongrong was approachable. After signing, she proactively asked, "Would you like a photo?"
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"
The idol's invitation overwhelmed Zhang Miaomiao with excitement.
Xia Weiliang leaned in, offering a towel and water, "Sister Rongrong, you must be tired."
Her obsequiousness amused Xi En.
"Not at all, it's a good opportunity to discuss the script with you."
"To receive personal guidance from Sister Rongrong, the entire world should envy me!"
Shang Rongrong smiled, not because of the prospect of casting her in a play, but because she genuinely liked Xia Weiliang.
"Brother Nan! It's Brother Nan!"
Xia Weiliang's eyes widened, and indeed, she saw a man in a trench coat, wearing sunglasses and a mask, carrying luggage with one hand, walk in with a smile.
"Hello everyone."
As he entered the lounge, his gaze instinctively swept towards Shang Rongrong before subtly retracting, greeting everyone.
Lin Zhuonan had achieved fame early. Though not yet thirty, he was undoubtedly a senior figure.
Situ and Aning, as members of an idol group, regarded Lin Zhuonan as a god-level artist and respectfully stepped forward to greet him.
Others also hurried over, "Hello, Brother Nan."
Lin Zhuonan removed his sunglasses and said, "We'll be colleagues from now on, so please don't be formal. Just call me Xiao Nan."
Xia Weiliang: "..."
'Xiao Nan...'
Why wasn't he usually so low-key and humble, adopting such a modest posture?
Shang Rongrong had known Lin Zhuonan would be attending before she arrived. Since she had decided to treat him as just another colleague, there was no need to pointedly ignore him.
Thus, she gave Lin Zhuonan a smile, acknowledging him, and then turned back to continue her conversation with Xi En, appearing to hit it off more and more.
Lin Zhuonan caught a glimpse of this out of the corner of his eye, narrowed his gaze, and silently made a mental note: Xi En, is it?
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Da Zhuang finally came over, holding a schedule. "We'll follow the usual procedure. Please hand over your phones before boarding."
Everyone was accustomed to this. They had already completed their work handover and made all necessary arrangements. They readily powered off their phones and sealed them in their individual bags.
Afterward, Da Zhuang was to announce their current travel destination.
Following the usual practice, everyone would only find out the filming location upon arriving at the airport.
He first played a video for everyone.
The filming location for the second episode had been decided by Director Huang long ago. It wasn't a famous enterprise or a key government-supported project, but an ordinary small mountain village.
The reason was that Director Huang had seen a short video online, filmed by a volunteer doing charity work.
The video featured a twelve-year-old girl living alone in a brick house. The house was bare, and she was responsible for cooking, washing clothes, and going to school all by herself.
The villagers explained that she wasn't an orphan. Her father had passed away, and her mother had remarried, taking her younger brother with her and leaving her alone in the dilapidated home.
After watching, everyone fell silent. Xia Weiliang immediately thought of Zhao Cheng.
These children, abandoned by their mothers who remarried, were even more heartbreaking than left-behind children. At least left-behind children had hope, knowing that their parents would return eventually.
But what about these children?
They knew clearly that they had been abandoned.
Da Zhuang then said, "My second uncle said that when he saw this little girl, he was reminded of Xiao Zhao Cheng. He couldn't just ignore it and felt compelled to do something. He said there are many children like her, and he hopes this program can call for more attention. Perhaps, they only need a small turning point to change their entire lives."
Everyone nodded seriously, "This is our Director Huang!"
"Oh, and there's also a mystery guest who will arrive before us."
A Ning was the most curious, "Who is it?"
With so many big stars present, even an awards ceremony might not have such a complete lineup.
Could it be a highly respected senior in the industry, someone who could remain "mysterious" in front of these people?