That very afternoon, someone posted online the news that the snake head bronze statue might be in the hands of a small sect in the Lighthouse Country.
Lu Zheng’s group of three left the exhibition and contacted Zhao Xiaodao. She had already finished her scenes for the day and was on her way back to the city.
Zhao Xiaodao: You all came out of the exhibition already? I was thinking of going in to find you and take a look along the way.
Zhang Weili: Better not. When public figures go to public places, they are always surrounded by people. If you go to see the exhibition like this, those public accounts will tear you apart.
Zhao Xiaodao: I can wear a mask.
Zhang Weili: Forget it. If you get recognised and cause chaos at the scene, it will definitely become your black material again.
Zhao Xiaodao: (dark face.jpg) Why would it be my black material again?
Zhang Weili: Saying you have no culture but are putting on a show.
Zhao Xiaodao: (angry.jpg) As if you have culture!
Zhang Weili: But no one recognises me.
Zhao Xiaodao: …
Soon, the three waited at the entrance of Wangfujing and met Zhao Xiaodao’s nanny van.
Zhao Xiaodao, wrapped up tightly, jumped out of the car and could not help stamping her feet.
Lu Zheng could not help glancing inside the car. “What is wrong? Still cold in the car? Air conditioning broken?”
“No, my feet got a bit numb from sitting.” Zhao Xiaodao smiled awkwardly, then dismissed her assistant and driver to leave first.
It was not yet dinner time, so the group found a tea house, booked a private room, and ordered a pot of Tieguanyin.
Zhang Weili recounted the interesting events of the day. Zhao Xiaodao could not help being shocked. “Good heavens, Brother Lu got roasted?”
Lin Wan nodded with a smile. “By a child about ten years old. He gave him a thorough education.”
“Hiss—”
Zhao Xiaodao could not help drawing in a breath of cold air, thinking this child had a big life!
Additionally…
“Eden Church? Snake worship? Possessing the snake head bronze statue? This plot sounds like a movie script.” Zhao Xiaodao looked bewildered. “There is such a sect?”
“There are all kinds of sects. There is even the Flying Spaghetti Monster Church with countless believers across several continents in Europe and Asia.” Lu Zheng said.
“I know this one!” Zhao Xiaodao nodded excitedly. “I heard people chatting about it on set. It is hilarious.”
Lin Wan said, “There are countless large and small religions in the Lighthouse Country. The big ones are Protestantism and Catholicism. The small ones are innumerable. For example, that big star Tom is in a small religion.”
Zhao Xiaodao knew this too. “Called Scientology. I only know the name. Nothing else.”
“Anyway, it is chaotic. So having an Eden Church is quite normal.” Lin Wan said.
“Then can we get the snake head bronze statue back from them?” Zhao Xiaodao asked.
“Not sure.” Lin Wan said. “But since this news has exploded, perhaps some Chinese people in the Lighthouse Country will contact them.”
Zhang Weili asked, “Is that thing not a holy relic of the Eden Church?”
Lu Zheng shook his head. “Who said that? That person only saw it in a photo. Calling it a holy relic is just our guess. Besides, even if it is a holy relic, so what? As long as enough money is offered, holy relics can be sold. Otherwise, what do you think the original purpose of those sects was? Saving the world?”
Zhang Weili knew this too. “It is all for money.”
“So let us wait and see. As long as the exact information is known, it will surely return sooner or later.” Lu Zheng said.
Then everyone chatted about Zhao Xiaodao’s new TV drama.
“I thought you were returning to ancient idol dramas. How come you are acting in a rural-themed TV series again?” Lu Zheng asked.
Zhao Xiaodao said righteously, “As a responsible actor, of course I must speak up for the farmer brothers!”
“Tell the truth!”
“Following the big trend closely.”
Everyone could not help laughing, but Lu Zheng still nodded. Those little flowers with traffic and status no less than Zhao Xiaodao never touched rural or township themes.
They did not earn that kind of money, so naturally they would not shoot such dramas. Zhao Xiaodao seemed cowardly, but her reputation was actually better than those few.
Lin Wan laughed. “Quite good. Is it online streaming or TV station this time?”
“Beidu TV station. Online is joint broadcast on those platforms.” Zhao Xiaodao said.
“When will it air? I will contribute to your ratings then.” Zhang Weili said.
“I really thank you!” Zhao Xiaodao rolled her eyes, then said, “Plan is to wrap in April and air in August.”
“So fast?”
Zhao Xiaodao nodded. “Realistic theme. No big scenes. Just editing.”
“Good!” Lin Wan laughed. “Lu Zheng and I will also contribute to your ratings then.”
Zhao Xiaodao smiled brightly. “Thank you, Sister Wan. Thank you, Brother Lu!”
Zhang Weili, “…”
…
Drinking tea, chatting.
When it was almost dinner time, everyone went out and rode in Zhang Weili’s large SUV to the Donglaishun that Zhao Xiaodao had booked.
Fatty beef, fatty lamb, duck intestines, shrimp slides, tripe, venetian blinds, vegetables, mushrooms…
In the private room, everyone clinked glasses and ate and drank heartily. Even Zhao Xiaodao let loose and ate five slices of fatty beef in a row.
Of course, compared to Zhang Weili, she was still a little sister.
“Cheers!”
Two glasses of Sprite, two glasses of orange juice, downed by the four in one go.
“Hoo—burp!”
Zhao Xiaodao held her little belly, exhaled, then burped.
“This time I am really stuffed…”
Zhang Weili was speechless. “What you ate is just like my breakfast.”
Zhao Xiaodao was also speechless. “I do not train for several hours every day. Where would I have that much consumption?”
“Everyone eaten well?” Lu Zheng looked around, smiling. “Want to eat a hawthorn pill to aid digestion?”
Zhao Xiaodao’s eyes lit up. She knew how good Lu Zheng’s good things really were!
Zhang Weili also grew curious. “The especially sour hawthorn pills that Brother Lu made himself? Then I must challenge it.”
Lin Wan decisively shook her head on the side. “I will pass.”
Lu Zheng laughed heartily, then took out a small bottle from his clothes, opened the lid, and poured onto his hand. Two thumb-sized, dark red small pills came out.
“Come, come. One each. You compete. Whoever finishes eating first gets a benefit.” Lu Zheng extended his hand, smiling.
“What benefit? Let Sister Wan be my sparring partner for a month?” Zhang Weili asked while taking one hawthorn pill.
Zhao Xiaodao looked at Zhang Weili, then said seriously, “Weili, be serious. Brother Lu’s good things are really good things.”
“Ah?”
Zhang Weili was a bit confused, but seeing Zhao Xiaodao’s serious expression, she still nodded, then grinned. “When it comes to competition, I am professional!”
Then Zhang Weili and Zhao Xiaodao put the hawthorn pills into their mouths together.
The next moment, their faces twisted in unison.
Lin Wan reached up to cover her forehead, unable to watch directly, but still could not help looking at the two. The corners of her mouth could not stop curling upwards.
Thanks to fellow Daoists Demon Realm Little Tiger, 08a, Light Rain Gentle Singing for their hundred rewards, and to fellow Daoist Krius for the thousand reward.
