After Entering a Book, He Just Wants to be a Flower Vase - Chapter 8

Jiang Dao naturally didn’t know that he was ruthlessly “sold” by someone.

Back in the room, he retouched his makeup and hair, then boarded the camera crew’s car and headed to the afternoon challenge filming site.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a small courtyard built on the mountain.

On the plaque of the quaint courtyard gate are the characters “Zhuhuai Wuxia Museum” engraved in iron. Behind the gates, one can see lush vegetation adorning the pavilions and gardens, and stone steps winding up the mountain wall.

The staff quickly set up a small open space outside the courtyard and started recording the warm-up part of the afternoon challenge.

“The Zhuhuai Wuxia Museum was formerly a mountain courtyard rebuilt for the shooting of classic martial arts dramas. Before the concept of a film and television city emerged, many classic martial arts movies were filmed here.”

“Now, it has been converted into a museum housing the original manuscripts of the films that were filmed here, film costumes, props, historical stills, as well as a large number of scenes built by imitating the classic episodes of several TV series.”

“Today, our afternoon challenge – tearing the sticker, will be held here!”

As soon as the voiceover finished, Lu Yun tutted twice and complained, “I knew it was tearing the sticker again!”

“Brother Lu,” Tang Yao patted Lu Yun on the shoulder, “Brother Lu, when they come to put the stickers on, you don’t need to be so excited. Everyone knows about the challenge.”

“I am more concerned about the dinner than the challenge. What is dinner?” Yi Bailu asked with a smile. “Will we be divided into white and red teams again?”

The director’s voiceover replied: “Today’s dinner is the famous Nagisa water feast. A total of 15 soups and stews are prepared according to the highest standards. But these soups and stews are not something everyone can enjoy.”

“When a player’s sticker is torn off, they are eliminated. The last remaining guest becomes the winner and can enjoy all 15 dishes. The runner-up can choose 12 dishes. The third from the bottom can choose 9 dishes, and so on.”

“There are only three copies of each dish, so the quicker a player is eliminated, the fewer options they can choose from.”

After listening to the introduction of the recording team, Chu Yinlong reached out and patted Jiang Dao’s shoulder. “Good luck, don’t get caught too soon.”

Jiang Dao turned his head and glanced at him, and said, “As long as you don’t come, I’m not afraid of others.”

Chu Yinlong smiled lightly. “Don’t underestimate Tang Yao, he is very powerful.”

Jiang Dao shrugged, not afraid.

Even if he can’t beat him, can’t he run away?

After recording the opening bit, everyone was blindfolded and guided by their respective cameramen into the small courtyard of the museum.

When all the staff were in place, the director’s voice sounded again: “The dinner challenge starts now!”

Jiang Dao raised his hand and took off his blindfold, and looked around alertly to observe his environment.

This is a corner of a garden. The garden is full of early summer flowers, and there are three bronze statues of people fighting each other on the stone road. There is a pool in the middle of the garden, and two bronze statues are standing in the pool. Not far away, there’s a small two-story building facing the water. To the west, there is a stone road leading to the mountain behind him.

There is no terrain to rely on, and there are many obstacles, such as the pool. It is not a good choice for lurking. Jiang Dao decided to move as soon as possible.

He did not choose to go up the mountain to limit the chances of meeting others, nor did he go in the direction of the two-story building. Instead, he used the cover of vegetation to first explore the terrain of the courtyard.

“You, come here.” Jiang Dao beckoned to his cameraman tail, led him around, and hid in the garden bushes, then told him, “Don’t show your face, I’ll find out where everyone is first, stay safe.”

The camera carried the machine and squatted down. Jiang Dao sneaked along the shadow of the vegetation to the root of the garden wall, without encountering anyone on the way.

Jiang Dao carefully observed for a moment through the carved window, and confirmed that the opposite area was considered safe, so he dodged and climbed to the tree planted by the wall. Like a dexterous cat, he crossed the wall with the help of a branch, and landed on the wall gently and skillfully on the other side.

Cameraman: …

He can hide in the bushes, but he can’t do that!

“Jiang Dao!” The camera called out to the carved window, wanting to cry without tears, “I can’t get through!”

Only then did Jiang Dao realize that the cameraman was stuck on the opposite side, and said helplessly: “Sorry, I forgot.”

His previous companions, like him, were omnipotent in climbing trees and houses. This is the first time he has brought an oil bottle with him.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Dao came back and took the cameraman along another path.

As soon as he emerged from the archway lined with hanging flowers, Jiang Dao saw Lu Yun swaggering in his direction.

Jiang Dao quickly glanced at his surroundings, raised his hand to block the camera behind him, and said in a low voice, “Just stay here for a while.”

After speaking, he turned around and ran a few steps back along the wall, climbed up the luxuriant privet tree beside the wall, and landed softly on the other side of the hanging flower archway – just hidden behind a rockery bush against the wall.

Lu Yun and his camera didn’t notice Jiang Dao’s movements at all, and continued to walk in the direction of the archway.

“I think there may be someone hiding at the door, ready to attack me.” Lu Yun was still chatting with his camera. “Tang Yao likes to play this hand the most, and doesn’t take care of me, this big brother at all. Alas… young people don’t know how to respect elders these days…”

Before he could finish his words, the cameraman who stepped through the hanging flower archway met face-to-face with one of his colleagues. He couldn’t help but be stunned when he didn’t see the player the cameraman was supposed to be following.

Lu Yun also passed through the archway at this time, and was startled by the cameraman squatting by the door. “You! What are you doing here? Who are you with?!”

In the next instant, Lu Yun felt that something wiped quickly over his back. There was a crisp “hiss”, and his clothes were pulled out of shape by a force.

Lu Yun turned around abruptly.

Jiang Dao leaned against the hanging flower archway, holding Lu Yun’s sticker in his hand, looking over with a smile.

“You!” Lu Yun was stunned, “Where did you come from?!”

Jiang Dao tilted his head and smiled: “Guess?”

Lu Yun collapsed: “I came from there, why didn’t I see you? You, your cameraman is filming here, how did you run behind?!”

Jiang Dao’s follower couldn’t help interjecting, “Xiao Dao is super amazing, you’ll know when you see the recording.”

At this time, the recording team, who knew the result from the walkie-talkies, announced: “Lu Yun, OUT!”

When Lu Yun was taken away by the staff, his face was full of grief and anger, and cried fake tears at Jiang Dao. “Xiao Dao! After recording the program, you have to invite me to dinner! It’s all your fault, I’m going to be hungry tonight!”

Jiang Dao leaned against the door frame, smiled and waved his hand at Lu Yun in farewell.

“Looks like you’re a good fit for this game.”

Suddenly, Chu Yinlong’s voice sounded behind Jiang Dao.

Jiang Dao turned his head suddenly, his gaze like an arrow, and stabbed straight at the man standing not far behind him.

Chu Yinlong was also suddenly stunned.

At this moment, he didn’t know why, a layer of cold sweat broke out from the back of his neck, adrenaline surged, and the blood in his limbs seemed to be burning, ready to fight at any time.

However, the panic dissipated quickly.

In the blink of an eye, the big boy in front of Chu Yinlong returned to his previous… simple, optimistic and cheerful, just like he should be at his age.

Jiang Dao leaned against the wall beside the archway and asked with a smile, “Mr. Chu, you won’t tear mine so soon, will you?”

Chu Yinlong raised his eyebrows: “Since we met, why not tear it?”

Jiang Dao thought about it and tried to discuss the matter. “Why not join forces? I don’t look strong, and am especially suitable as bait, and can trick others into a trap for you. Then… I’ll only taste 12 dishes. I’ll give you the first place.”

Chu Yinlong couldn’t help laughing. The sound was low and slightly nasally.

“What do you use as a guarantee?” he asked, “How do you convince me that you won’t join forces with Tang Yao to tear mine off?”

“I’m not familiar with him.” Jiang Dao casually found a reason.

“Are you familiar with me?” Chu Yinlong questioned.

“We formed a team together earlier.” Jiang Dao replied fluently.

Chu Yinlong looked at Jiang Dao, staring for a long time, and raised the corners of his mouth: “Since we seek cooperation, we must reach a consensus… Next, I will deal with Zhou Wei, you will deal with Yi Bailu, and then finally reunite and tear Tang Yao’s together. Is this okay?”

Jiang Dao thought for a while, then nodded: “No problem.”

Chu Yinlong turned around and was about to leave, but suddenly turned back: “By the way, I’ll give you free information. When I was on the mountain, I saw Yi Bailu entering Tingyun Pavilion by the lake. You can go look for her over there.”

Watching Chu Yinlong leave, Jiang Dao’s tense nerves finally relaxed.

He beckoned to the cameraman, followed his previous habit, and used the cover of vegetation to come and go uninterrupted.

It’s not that he believed Chu Yinlong’s information, but… the scenery outside the hanging flower archway is unobstructed. It is a square paved with bluestone bricks, and the corners are ted with some rockeries and flower trees. Further ahead is the gate they entered from, and one can see the simple rooftop where the recording team has some people stationed.

Now that the structure of the courtyard here is clear, the only thing that needs to be ascertained in the end is the area near the second-story building beside the pool and on the mountain.

However, before Jiang Dao got close to the pool, the director’s voice came from the broadcast: “Yi Bailu, OUT!” Jiang Dao raised his eyebrows and looked at the camera: “She was eliminated by others?”

It was not clear to the cameraman, so he muttered to himself again: “It should be Tang… Brother Yao, or Zhou Wei.”

Although his “prey” was snatched away, Jiang Dao did not stop, and continued towards the small building by the pool. After arriving at the destination, he quickly screened the surroundings with the help of vegetation and buildings, and found no trace of anyone else.

“Xiao Dao, enter the building?” The camera tried to guide him into a more confrontational shot.

“Enter the building?” Jiang Dao shook his head, “It’s too dangerous, it’s easy to be blocked by people. I’ll observe for a while, or go up the mountain if it doesn’t work.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the director’s voice from the cameraman’s walkie-talkie: “No. 3, report your location.”

The cameraman glanced at Jiang Dao and replied, “We are in the flower bed outside the Tingyun Pavilion.”

The director was very impressed, and quickly ordered: “Let Jiang Dao enter Tingyun Pavilion and shoot a group confrontation.”

The cameraman looked innocently at Jiang Dao.

Jiang Dao: …

A variety show, the director takes the lead in cheating, is this okay?

T/N: If you haven’t seen the question in last chapter’s footnote, please check. Would love everyone’s input on how to translate Xiaohuilang/Little Grey Wolf as it shows up a lot in some upcoming chapters. 

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