Song Futan had only ridden 001 once himself. Later, he kept it well-preserved as a keepsake, only ever leading it out without riding it. After all, who could endure riding that thing?
Lan Heโs paper creations were so well-made, yet this was the only defective one…
The old lady gave it a tap, and 001 raised its hooves and galloped off, putting in extra effort as if it knew who was on its back. However, as it ran, its steps were unevenโsometimes deep, sometimes shallowโmaking it quite obvious.
The old lady: “???”
The old lady reacted swiftly, clutching the donkey’s neck, barely avoiding a fall. At this moment, she was much like Song Futan the first and only time he had ridden this donkey.
The donkey limped but sped along, and in the blink of an eye, it had staggered a hundred meters away.
Lan He only managed to shout halfway: “Grandma! Itโit’sโlameโ!”
The old lady: “…”
Yes! She had noticed!
The old lady, still a formidable figure from Miaogan Mountain, tightly clung to the donkey. She turned her head, revealing a gentle smile tinged with nostalgia. After all, she had become an immortal because she died from a fall on her way up the mountain…
“No worries, Grandma can handle this!”
Her voice trailed off in the wind.
Lan He: “…”
Grandma was so stubborn. She rode off on 001, her posture less than graceful, disappearing from sight.
As the old lady left, both Lan He and Song Futan suddenly snapped awake. They shiveredโit was early spring, and the temperature on the mountain was even lower. They had dozed off in the open air and had nearly caught a chill.
Song Futan looked downโsure enough, the paper donkey was gone, and Lan He had a red mark on his body.
The two of them exchanged glances, and after a moment, couldnโt help but laugh.
Why was Grandma so competitive? Lan He covered his face, feeling guilty toward the helpful Granny Wang San who had equipped them, but he couldnโt hold back his laughter. “No way, we have to burn a tower of incense for Grandma tomorrow, and maybe some paper cows and horses too.”
The next day, Lan He woke up and was brushing his teeth in the courtyard. He noticed that Song Futan, also washing up, had been frowning the whole time. He walked over, mouth full of bubbles, and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Song Futan, with a touch of melancholy, replied, “… The old lady hasnโt returned the donkey.”
They had agreed to borrow the donkey for travel. With such a long distance, it should have been returned to the temple overnight. Lame as it was, she couldnโt just keep it forever, right? After all, it was his token of affection.
Lan He suddenly felt uneasy. “Oh no, the old lady must have felt more and more wronged and kept 001. Or, even worse, it tossed her off!”
The director, also brushing his teeth, passed by and cast a suspicious glance at Song Futan and Lan He. Why did one look terrified and the other worried? He wouldnโt care if it were anyone else, but with these two, he couldnโt help but feel concerned.
Lan He nudged Song Futan with his elbow. Song Futan was startled, then quickly relaxed his frown.
Lan He even extended his mouthwash cup, elegantly clinking it with Song Futanโs in a friendly gesture.
Song Futan, quick to react, respectfully lowered his cup.
The director: “…”
What in the world??
After that, Song Futan had no interest in the director’s endless questions and couldnโt hold back any longer. He went up the mountain ahead of schedule.
Lan He, notorious for his skepticism, obviously couldnโt be the one to burn incense. Song Futan, on the other hand, didnโt mind. He still wore prayer beads around his neck, and the temple on Miaogan Mountain blended elements of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianismโthere was even a Guanyin Crossing the Sea.
Song Futan burned incense at the offering pool outside the temple. The incense was purchased at the temple, and he also threw in the paper cows and horses that Lan He had folded overnight. No one knew these were his personal offerings.
The fire in the incense tower blazed intensely, and a perfectly intact piece of paper floated out of the furnace, as if blown by the wind. Song Futan caught it and saw that it was none other than his 001.
Relief washed over Song Futan, and upon closer inspection, he noticed that 001’s slightly torn hind leg had been delicately repaired with gold leaf, blending almost seamlessly with the paper. If not for the color difference, the repair would have been flawless.
When Lan He and the others arrived, Song Futan showed it to him.
Lan He was overjoyed. No wonder it had taken so long to returnโthe kind-hearted old lady wasnโt upset with them or the donkey but had even mended the little lame donkey’s hoof!
Moved, Lan He said, “Wow, she really is a divine grandma…”
Before leaving, he was determined to secretly burn some incense for Grandma.
ใใโฆโฆ
During the day, Lan He continued filming, and under the guidance of the Miaogan Mountain scenic area’s manager, they went to see a vast area of mountain apricot blossoms. The varying shades of purple and red dotted the entire mountainside, creating a beautiful scene.
Before this picturesque moment, the manager handed over the previously prepared appointment letters to Lan He, Chen Xingyu, and the others. These letters officially designated them as Miaogan Mountain Tourism Ambassadors for one year.
Although this had been discussed with the program team in advance, and every season featured similar appointments for promoting Beijingโs attractions and folk customs, this was Miaogan Mountainโs first time issuing such appointmentsโor rather, it was their first time giving out such a title in bulk.
Even though it was more symbolic for tourism purposes and not for a particularly high-level scenic spot, Chen Xingyu still took it seriously. After what happened with Miaomiao, she had developed a deep respect for Miaogan Mountain.
Long ago, it was said that another place, Yaji Mountain, was a “wealthy incense” destination, while Miaogan Mountain was known as “poor incense.” Yaji Mountain, located along an official road, attracted many government officials and nobility, while Miaogan Mountain attracted ordinary people. But history had proven that the masses were the most powerful. Eventually, Miaogan Mountain gained royal recognition, and now, even celebrities come to offer incense.
As a former religious center of the capital, Miaogan Mountain still holds a sacred place in the hearts of many, especially the middle-aged and elderly in northern China.
Everyone received their appointment letters and said a few words. As one of the newly appointed ambassadors, Lan He praised the natural beauty of the area in front of the camera: “The air is fresh, and the scenery is so beautiful that it makes one forget their worries…”
His choice of words wasnโt particularly special, but just as he finished speaking, a fox leapt out of the bushes, glancing around as if to respond to his remark.
Lan He: “…”
He quickly stepped aside.
The staff’s eyes widened. “Is that a wild fox?”
Because they were on the mountain and it wasnโt during the temple fair, there werenโt many tourists. Still, there were a few onlookers nearby, and they all gasped in surprise, finding the sight quite rare.
The director frantically raised his hand. “Shh! Donโt scare the little animal! Film it, film it! Actors, react!”
Chen Xingyu exclaimed, “Wowโis that a wild fox? It looks so relaxed.”
The scenic area manager, who was just as surprised to see the wild fox unafraid of humans, quickly responded, “Yes, our Miaogan Mountain scenic area places great emphasis on protecting the forests and wildlife. We strive for harmony between people and nature…”
Lan He marveled with heartfelt emotion, “This is the first time Iโve seen a wild fox. To have such a place in the capital is truly rare!”
First Lady Hu: “…”
First Lady Hu jumped to Lan Heโs side, hugged his leg, and lay down, making whining sounds like a dog.
Lan He had no choice but to pet the fox. “Haha, what a friendly little fox.”
First Lady Hu shot Lan He a glance: *Hmph, now you see how great I am! Helping you build a compassionate public image!*
Lan He: “…”
“What are you doing?” A voice called out.
Lan He turned his head and saw an elderly man.
The scenic area manager greeted him, “Mr. Li, itโs nothing, this fox just showed up on its own. Weโre just playing with it. These people here are our newly appointed scenic area tourism ambassadors.”
The director, hearing the man being addressed as “Mr. Li,” immediately understood. Having been in Beijing for so long, he knew this man must be a *xiangtou* (incense leader). After all, this was the Golden Peak Miaogan Mountain, and someone showing such concern for the fox made it clear.
In front of *xiangtou*, one cannot directly call them thatโitโs disrespectful, so people call them “Mr.”
Xiangtou Li was here with his disciples to register and open the peak. Seeing that they were just playing with the fox, and that it wasnโt being mistreated or confined, he relaxed. In fact, the fox had already hidden back in the bushes, startled by their commotion.
The scenic area manager continued, “These are stars helping to promote the area.” Xiangtou Liโs expression softened a bit, and he even considered doing business with these celebrities. Many masters in Beijing enjoyed working with rich businesspeople or celebrities who were both superstitious and willing to spend money. So, in a dignified manner, he said, “Young people, all things have spirits. Youโve now forged a good bond with this one.”
There were indeed some rumors in the entertainment industry about celebrities raising fox spirits. Even Chen Xingyu was rumored to have had her son through some spiritual means.
As expected, Chen Xingyu and Chen Xingyang maintained calm expressions, while Lan He politely responded, “Protecting wildlife is everyoneโs responsibility.”
Xiangtou Li: “…”
The scenic area manager smoothed things over, laughing, “Haha, today the production team is here to promote Miaogan Mountain. Letโs continue filming. Mr. Li, please go offer your incense.”
Mr. Li nodded. His relationship with the scenic area managers and various religious organizations was quite good.
After walking away for a while, he remembered something when his disciple reminded himโwasnโt this actor familiar? Oh, right, wasnโt he the one rumored to have been saluted by Daoist Master Jiang He? But apparently, he didnโt believe in these things at all and had such strong righteous energy that he was invited to ward off evil… Ah, it seemed this wasnโt a business opportunity for him.
With the filming of this seasonโs *Beijing Seasonal Records* completed, everyone took a group photo at Miaogan Mountain. Since there were so many people, they all stood on the steps of the ancient path.
The photographer, standing at the bottom, called out, โCheese!โ
Everyone struck a pose and shouted โCheeseโ together. But amidst the synchronized shouting, several people vaguely heard a spitting sound, โptui.โ
One of the programโs assistant directors heard it and asked Lan He, who was standing in front of him, โDid you hear someone spit?โ
Lan He firmly stabbed the ground with a stick and said casually, โDidnโt hear anything. Maybe someone accidentally got hair in their mouth?โ
The assistant director had an epiphany, โThatโs possible.โ
The director smiled and addressed everyone, โOnce again, thank you all! *Dai Fu Huan Jia*!โ (โBringing blessings homeโ)
Everyone echoed, โ*Dai Fu Huan Jia*.โ
This was a tradition on Miaogan Mountain. When going up the mountain, you had to show reverence, and when coming down, youโd say *Dai Fu Huan Jia*, meaning bringing blessings home. The area also sold paper bats as good luck charms.
Lan He, who was at the back, turned and bowed in the direction of the Golden Peak. He wasnโt sure if anyone else had received blessings, but he and Song Futan certainly got some *gear*…
…
That day, not only did the official Weibo account of *Beijing Seasonal Records* post behind-the-scenes photos, but Miaogan Mountain Scenic Areaโs account also shared some stills and gifs, mentioning the new tourism ambassadors. One of the gifs showed Lan He being โscammedโ by a fox.
Clicking on the gif, you could even hear the fox making whining sounds, almost like a puppy, proving its canine lineage.
ใ?? Iโve been to Miaogan Mountain’s temple fair so many times, why didnโt a fox scam me?ใ
ใI love how every episode of *Beijing Seasonal Records* promotes great places and folk customs in old Beijing. Itโs really awesome! Iโve been to the capital before, but only visited the famous spots. Now, after watching this season, Iโve got a few new places to visit next time!ใ
ใMy friend was out hiking that day and saw Lan He petting the fox. Apparently, some fortune-tellerโdonโt know if he was a stall vendor or a Daoistโtold him that this was a sign of a good relationship. Lan He replied that protecting wildlife is everyoneโs responsibility.ใ
ใLOL, thatโs hilarious. Heโs great! No wonder heโs Miaogan Mountainโs tourism ambassador.ใ
ใI know right! Those fortune-tellers on the mountain have to pay 10,000 yuan in stall fees every year. They probably want to make as much as they can.ใ
ใArenโt celebrities supposed to be superstitious?ใ
ใWell, it depends on the person. This industry has its quirks, but I heard Lan He is from a minority ethnic group, so his beliefs might be different. He might not believe in fortune-telling.ใ
ใYour *Xunchun* brother even put makeup on a pigโs head for a deity offering, so how superstitious can he be? He probably doesnโt care about any of it!ใ
ใWhat? My *Xunchun* brother is from a minority? Why am I only learning about this now?!ใ
ใI saw it on a different post. *Qing Meng Ji He* is about to air, and some crew member spilled the beans. Supposedly, his mother is from a minority group, but his official info always lists him as Han.ใ
ใI saw that too. Supposedly heโs part Mongolian, though he grew up in the mainland and is quite assimilated. Both of his parents are teachers, but heโs shown off some traditional skills on set. Also, if you look closely, his nose is quite prominentโkind of makes sense, huh?ใ
ใWow! My tough guy (heart eyes) is Mongolian? No wonder heโs so fierce. I love him even more now.ใ
…
Lan He was still oblivious that his half-minority background had been revealed, although the details being discussed were entirely wrong. He was currently on the phone with his management company.
Since his popularity surged after *Chase*, many invitations had come his wayโnot just endorsements but also offers for various variety shows. Everyone wanted to capitalize on *Xunchun*โs rising fame.
There were also script offers. His standout performance in *Chase*, even if it wasnโt mainstream, had caught the attention of several production teams. However, Lan He was already preparing for Song Qiyunโs upcoming project, so he had to decline many opportunities due to scheduling conflicts.
His company, in a rare move, wasnโt rushing to cash in on his newfound fame. They werenโt pushing him to accept jobs left and right. After all, with Song Qiyunโs project in hand, it was clear that bigger opportunities awaited him. Besides, Song Qiyun had high standards, and they needed to make sure Lan He had enough time to properly prepare for the role. Otherwise, missing out on the opportunity would be a huge regret.
Still, to make the most of his current exposure, they were carefully selecting some offers. For example, the one they were discussing now was an acting competition show. Given Lan Heโs recent buzz, they had invited him to be a guest assistant.
Lan He listened attentively and agreed to sign the contract later.
Hu 79: โI want to go too.โ
Lan He, expressionless: โYou stay home and recover.โ
Hu 79: โIโm already healed!!โ
She began to cry. Lan He had kept her cooped up at home for a while now, not even allowing her to go down to the neighborhood. He claimed her leg was still slightly lame, and since he had been out working the past few days, he hadnโt even left her a phone to play with. โBoo-hoo, thereโs nothing fun at home, Iโm so bored I could die.โ
Lan He remained unmoved. โWhy donโt you learn from Bai Wu? Heโs so content.โ
Hu 79: โ… Of course heโs content!!โ
Some hedgehogs, like Bai Wu, were so indifferent to home life, spending all their time at the Fortune God Tower and doing no chores. How could he not be happy?? But Hu 79 couldnโt stand such boredom any longerโshe was about to lose her mind.
The doorbell rang, and Lan He went to answer it. It was Song Futan, who had brought some dishes over. As soon as he walked in, he saw Hu 79 spinning in circles, shaking her head.
Song Futan asked, โWhat is she doing?โ
Lan He replied, โNo idea, just being dramatic.โ
Hu 79, with tears streaming down her face, said, โIโve become rigid.โ
Lan He: โ…โ
Song Futan: โ…โ
Song Futan suggested, โMaybe she needs some enrichment activities…โ
Lan He laughed, โEnrichment? Am I raising a house spirit or running a zoo? Fine, fine, next time Iโll take you out.โ
At that, Hu 79 immediately jumped up in excitement.
Song Futan set down the food, which included stir-fried mustard greens with lamb sauce and some soybean sproutsโan incredibly flavorful dish he had learned from his grandfather. He had also made a braised bighead carp, cooked to perfection, with some fried tofu in the broth and a few dried chilies for extra spice, just to suit Lan Heโs taste. The aroma was irresistible.
Although they didnโt eat together every day, every now and then, Song Futan would cook for Lan He.
Halfway through the meal, Song Futanโs phone rang. โHello?โ
On the other end was Dou Chunting: โCousin, Iโm at your apartment door. Why arenโt you home?โ
Song Futan responded coldly, โWhat are you doing here?โ
Dou Chuntingโs voice trembled, โCousin, please help me, Iโm so scared.โ
Song Futan said flatly, โIโm not lending you money.โ
Dou Chunting: โ…โ
Dou Chunting cried out, โItโs not about borrowing money! I havenโt asked my dad for money in half a month. I… Iโve encountered something… supernatural.โ He didnโt know that his cousin had already passed on his protective talisman and still thought staying close to Song Futan would keep him safe.
โGo down one floor,โ Song Futan instructed calmly. He stood up and opened the door just as Dou Chunting came up from the staircase.
Dou Chunting entered and immediately noticed Lan He halfway through his meal. He scratched his head awkwardly. โOh, itโs Xunchun brother. So, you two rented apartments on different floors? For work convenience?โ
Song Futan cut him off. โHurry up and tell me whatโs going on.โ
Dou Chunting pouted and tried to grab Song Futanโs arm.
Song Futan sidestepped him in an instant.
Dou Chunting: โ…โ
Turning to Lan He, Dou Chunting reached for his hand, but Lan He quickly shoved a throw pillow into his arms. Feeling even more wronged, Dou Chunting said, โFine, Iโll just say it then. I hope I donโt scare Lan He.โ
Before Lan He could reply, Dou Chunting had already launched into his story: โEarlier this month, I bought a new laptop. Iโve been playing games online and browsing game forums. There, I met a really interesting person, and we started chatting daily. Since meeting her, I havenโt been to a bar in half a month. Iโve been so engrossed in talking to her that Iโve barely eaten or slept…
โSheโs so witty and seems to understand me perfectly, even knowing what Iโm doing. I thought I was in love with her and kept asking for her WeChat, practically confessing my feelings. Then, yesterday, she said she was also in the capital, and we should meet in person.
โI was over the moon! I even went out a day early to get my hair done. But when the time came, she never showed up. I waited for three hours. Then, I opened the forum on my phone and sent her a message, only to find that our conversation thread only had my messages. The replies from other users were all question marks, asking if I was sick or going through something…
โThatโs when I started to freak out. Was I hallucinating this entire relationship? I ran home, but when I checked my laptop, she was still there. But then… I saw a face on the screen!โ
At this point, Dou Chunting couldnโt describe the feeling anymore. The intense fear from seeing the eerie womanโs face on his screen, paired with the faint whisper of โDo you regret it?โ had scared him so much that he had practically thrown his laptop away. He bolted out of his apartment, but when he reached the entrance, the laptop appeared on the hallway cabinet, and the figure on the screen was staring at him, reaching out…
In that moment of panic, he almost reached back to her. But then the delivery guy knocked on his door, snapping him out of it. He dropped the laptop and ran.
After hearing the story, Song Futan asked calmly, โDid you confess your love to her first?โ
Dou Chunting, now even more anxious, stammered, โY-Yesโฆโ
Suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation, Dou Chunting broke down, sobbing, โI was wrong! Cousin, please save me! Iโll never do this again! I know I was stupid and childishโhow could I have fallen for someone without even knowing her name or what she looked like!โ
Song Futan: “…”
Lan He, barely able to contain his laughter: “Pfft.”
Authorโs note:
Song Futan: “????? I canโt deal with this cousin anymore.”
The cutest fox ambassador Lan He ๐ฅฐ
Also lmao this story, I wanna know more ๐