Ancient times had Wu Song fighting tigers; modern times had Qin Sizheng punching a horse barehanded?
Everyone present rubbed their eyes in disbelief, questioning if what they saw was real.
Qin Sizheng’s delicate, fair-skinned features seemed soft and gentle. When he smiled, two small dimples appeared like little pools of sweetness—but how… how could he be so fierce?
Si Qianqiu shuddered. That morning, when filming, Qin Sizheng had barely pinched him with minimal force… yet these punches could have killed him instantly.
The camera cut briefly. A loud “crash” jolted An Ning, who reflexively glanced at Lu Xianqing, equally stunned. Even his cup shattered at his feet.
“Fourth Brother, did you feel that chill behind your back?” she asked, laughing so hard her lungs ached. She picked up the broken glass, flopped on the table, and shook with laughter.
Lu Xianqing gave her a cold look; An Ning sat up straight, then laughed again. “Sorry, hahahaha, I just can’t help it.”
A few days ago, he had praised those hands as beautiful, scoffing at others. Now, he should be completely composed…
He couldn’t be swayed by warnings, but Qin Sizheng had achieved what persuasion could not—he had done it with his own hands.
何幸 returned with a first-aid kit to dress Lu Xianqing’s wound. A previous film had left him with a shallow wrist cut; this was minor in comparison.
Lu Xianqing leaned back in his chair, contemplative. “Buy that horse.”
“What do you mean?” An Ning placed the first-aid kit down, letting him reach for it.
Lu Xianqing tilted his head, speaking as if stating a fact. “Its legs are red; it might swell. If this horse can harm people, it should be destroyed.”
An Ning turned pale. “Fourth Brother, calm down. That’s a village horse, not ours. And it’s huge—not a chicken. If you kill it, the story will go out, and Miss He would probably faint on the spot. Spare her, please.”
“Oh.” Lu Xianqing paused, then said nothing further. An Ning breathed a sigh of relief—he still cared about He Xing; there was some conscience left in him.
“I want to die under his fists.”
???
An Ning was baffled. The old pervert’s thoughts were not quite normal. Others would be scared stiff—he got excited?
Lu Xianqing extended his wrist for her to treat. His voice, cool and calm, drifted down: “But before that, bind those hands at my bedside, okay? Tomorrow, have He Xing arrange for iron railings—these won’t do.”
An Ning nodded, efficiently wrapping his wound, not planning to indulge in fantasies about restraining a kid miles away. The faint voice came again: “An Ning.”
“Fourth Brother, I don’t have Miss He’s tolerance. Don’t drag me into trouble!” she cried.
Lu Xianqing sighed, dialing He Xing himself.
She was waiting at a red light. Seeing his call, she answered immediately. “Ancestor, what now?”
“Xu Jinhan is injured.”
He Xing didn’t know yet, panicked. “Something happened on the variety show? How bad is it? Should I go see him? Okay, I’ll arrange it right away.”
Lu Xianqing said calmly: “I’m not a doctor. I’m not going to go. But if he’s hurt, the show will be short-staffed.”
“Heh, nothing we can do—accidents happen. Wait—Fourth Brother, you’re not going to—no!!”
“I’m miserable. Watching his hands so helpless, my emptiness only grows. You understand that feeling, right? You understand me, don’t you, He Xing?”
She nearly broke the steering wheel. “I don’t understand you!!!”
He exhaled softly, the despair in his voice fracturing hearts.
She clenched her teeth, racing through calculations in her mind. If she refused, who knew what he might do? With his nihilistic tendencies, he could even harm himself.
She ground her teeth, relenting slightly. “I can agree to let you go—but three rules. If you break them, no chance, and if you misstep, you return immediately.”
Lu Xianqing accepted readily. “Agreed.”
Meanwhile, Qin Sizheng had stunned the horse. He gently moved his numb wrists, bent down, and carried Xu Jinhan out. Seeing everyone’s horrified expressions, some even stepping back, his fierce composure softened.
“Director… do I have to pay for this? I don’t have money! At most, my salary can cover it—will that work?”
The director was dumbfounded, instinctively touching his neck, only realizing after several calls of his name. “Nonsense, nonsense! You’re incredible! No one dared approach that horse. Thanks to you! Don’t worry about payment. But your hands… are they okay? Chen Yue, get someone to check on Xiao Qin’s hands immediately.”
Qin Sizheng finally let out a breath. The pair of dimples at the corners of his mouth filled again, as if sweet syrup had welled up in them.
As long as he didn’t have to pay compensation, that was fine. He was still broke, after all.
The production team had a doctor on site. Because accidents had happened before, they always brought one along during filming. She hurried over with a medical kit, and Qin Sizheng held out his hand for her to examine.
“Does it hurt here?” the doctor asked after checking for a while. It was strange—his skin was red like this, yet he hadn’t cried out in pain at all.
Several producers huddled together, whispering anxiously. “What do we do? Can we even keep filming this show? Something this serious happened—I don’t see how we can.”
“We’ll probably have to halt production. We need to give Xu Jinhán an explanation too, and the network as well. Our crew is going to lose our pants over this, sigh.”
Little Tangyuan was wailing uncontrollably, no matter how anyone tried to soothe him. The scene descended into total chaos.
Liu Mianmian held him and tried to calm him. “Tangyuan, be good. Your daddy’s fine. The doctor will help him. Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
She didn’t have much experience taking care of children and could only pat his back instinctively to comfort him. Her gaze never left Qin Sizheng—he was just too strong.
The show had already been on air for a full day. The director had been monitoring the live viewership and discussion numbers all morning, and they had completely crushed every variety show from the first half of the year. And now they were talking about stopping the broadcast?
“All right,” the director said. “Everyone go back and rest for now. As soon as there’s news from Xu Jinhán’s side, I’ll inform you immediately.”
Si Qianqiu frowned. “With safety hazards like this, how are we supposed to trust the production team? I’m not recording this show anymore!”
The director suppressed his irritation and apologized patiently. “We’ll definitely be more careful from now on. That horse was startled too. Everyone, don’t be afraid.”
Si Qianqiu said forcefully, “No way! I’m definitely withdrawing!”
Even though there was a contract, an accident had occurred, and the artist did have the right to pull out.
At the same time, the situation online was no less intense than on set—if anything, it was even more of a bloodbath.
The cameras in the courtyard had been shut off the moment the accident happened. Chen Yue had instructed them to turn them off as well. But Si Qianqiu’s team hadn’t managed to do so in time, and they had clearly captured the entire scene of Qin Sizheng knocking out the horse with his bare hands.
【Holy shit, Xu Jinhán got kicked by a horse? I knew it—Qin Sizheng is basically a jinx. Wherever he goes, bad luck follows.】
【How is this Qin Sizheng’s fault? He was kicked by a horse, not by Qin Sizheng. And he went to grab a sickle—who wouldn’t be scared? If you were a horse, wouldn’t you be scared too? Besides, if it weren’t for Qin Sizheng, Xu Jinhán would still be lying in the stable right now.】
【Qin Sizheng, get out of the show! Qin Sizheng, get out of the entertainment industry! Boycott Qin Sizheng!】
【Jinx Qin Sizheng!】
【Wait a second—was that really Qin Sizheng just now? Those moves were so clean. It was like a wuxia male lead stepping into reality. Every punch hit me straight in the heart. I’m dead, I’m dead.】
【No need, no need. If he punched you like that, you might actually die. Little fists pounding your chest—Thunder God’s Hammer. Sisters, disperse. That’s lethal.】
【I laughed so hard when Qin Sizheng carefully asked whether he needed to pay compensation. I suggest adding a topic: crowdfunding to help Qin Sizheng pay for the production team’s horse. Such a little miser, hahaha.】
【Sisters, don’t stop me—I’m switching ships today and sailing far away. Qin Sizheng is so handsome I’m spraying everywhere. I’m in love on the spot.】
【Sister above, the internet is not a lawless place. Please maintain appropriate boundaries.】
Aside from some extreme haters and mixed-fandom fans who were only there to thirst over looks, there were also more rational viewers questioning the production team’s safety measures for the guests.
【What is wrong with this trash show? They can’t even guarantee personal safety? There were problems last season, and now there are problems again this season? That was a kick to the leg—what if it had been to the head? Would that have meant death?】
【Qianqiu-ge, please quit this garbage show. I’m so worried. Let’s stop participating in programs without a conscience. Please just focus on singing and acting in the future.】
【#CuteKidsShowYourHorseIsGone#】
The director sent someone to follow them to the hospital and report back at all times. He himself was pacing anxiously. “How is it? There won’t be any lasting aftereffects, right? Are you sure? If he’s fine, that’s good, that’s good. Xu Jinhán wants to speak? Okay.”
The next second, he held his phone up to everyone.
Xu Jinhán’s slightly pale face appeared on the screen. He smiled faintly. “Thank you, Sizheng, for saving me. It’s just a minor fracture—nothing serious. Please don’t worry about me, everyone. I’ll be coming back to record the show.”
Xu Jinhán’s professionalism was well known throughout the entertainment industry. Once, in the dead of winter, he’d suffered a bout of acute gastroenteritis and still personally went into the water to film a scene. He passed out right after they wrapped, and only then did the crew realize something was wrong.
It was also that drama that won him the title of Best Actor.
With a gentle voice, Xu Jinhán smiled and said, “I’m very sorry for the trouble I’ve caused the production team. To avoid delaying the schedule, I’ve found a guest to substitute for me this episode. I hope everyone will help me take care of Fourth Brother and Little Tangyuan.”
The director had been worrying about this very thing. Hearing that Xu Jinhán had found a replacement, he readily agreed, his face lighting up—until he suddenly froze halfway through his smile.
Who?
Who had Xu Jinhán found?
There was only one “Fourth Brother” in the entire entertainment industry.
Lu Xianqing.
He didn’t even film television dramas. He made one movie a year at most, and he had no commercial endorsements at all. How could he possibly come on a variety show?
The director’s grin nearly split his face. Even the God of Wealth personally descending wouldn’t compare to this.
“Of course, of course. Please rest and recover well. We look forward to your swift return!” the director said aloud. What he was really thinking was: Please take good care of your injury—stay in the hospital a few more days. Our production team will even cover the costs!
Xu Jinhán wanted to talk to his son, so the director immediately handed the phone to Little Tangyuan.
Then he turned his head and glanced sideways at Si Qianqiu. “You wanted to quit, right? Then let’s discuss the details.”
Si Qianqiu’s face turned green. Lu Xianqing was coming to a variety show?
Only an idiot would quit!
The sharpness vanished completely from his expression, replaced by a sugary smile. “Director, I was just too scared earlier. Now if I quit, where would you find someone to replace me? In this industry, professional ethics are what matter most. I’ll definitely stay.”
The director thought to himself, You don’t have a shred of professional ethics. But his face remained full of smiles. “With Fourth Brother coming, you’re not afraid anymore?”
Si Qianqiu kept up the fake smile with him, while in his heart he had already cursed the man’s ancestors eight generations back.
The production team released an official statement on their verified Weibo account announcing Xu Jinhán’s injury, reflecting on their own mistakes and promising to be more conscientious in the future. At the same time, they announced the guest who would be substituting for Xu Jinhán on the program.
The comments section immediately exploded.
【Has the production team started talking nonsense already? What kind of bullshit do they think they can just spout?】
【If Fourth Brother really comes on this trash show and tanks his status, I’ll French-kiss Qin Sizheng. I’m saying it right here.】
【? I’ll take that punishment too. Let me do the tongue-kissing—I could kiss Qin Sizheng until his tongue cramps on the spot.】
【No way, right? Fourth Brother never does variety shows. He won’t even attend a movie press conference unless he’s in the mood. And this trash show even has Qin Sizheng, that washed-up nobody—aren’t those two rivals? How could Fourth Brother possibly join this? Did some new idol debut recently also named Lu Xianqing?】
【Has the production team completely lost all shame just to ride the hype? Found someone with the same name and called it a day?】
There were no phones at the filming site, so naturally no one there knew how heated things had become online.
Lu Xianqing’s studio then posted on Weibo, tagging both him and Xu Jinhán, officially announcing his participation in Traveling with Cute Kids. The entire tone of the comments took a sharp turn.
【I take that back. Qin Sizheng, you’re a little lucky star. Thank you, Qin Sizheng—you’re my biological father now. I’m here to acknowledge my dad.】
【He’s really going? Fourth Brother and Xu Shidi must be really close. Breaking his own rules just to help out—this is genuinely touching.】
【Is everyone crazy? Isn’t Qin Sizheng his rival? What, even a film emperor needs money now? Didn’t he swear he’d never share a stage with him? Disgusting.】
【So much for being some untouchable high-and-mighty flower. In the end he still bows to money. Testing the waters now—what, is he going to start cashing in on variety shows next? Acting all aloof and ascetic, give me a break.】
【Cash in your ass. One of Fourth Brother’s films is enough to buy you ten thousand deluxe Qingming gift boxes. Idiot. Get lost.】
Qin Sizheng felt a bit troubled. He did not want to have any dealings with Lu Xianqing.
In his previous life, he had faced countless opponents far stronger than himself. His brow bone, nose bone, even his ribs had been brutally broken. He had only been eighteen then, and the injuries had even slightly altered his face. But he had never been afraid.
Lu Xianqing was different.
Just one look from him made Qin Sizheng reflexively want to strike—and also want to run.
That sensation of facing death nearly suffocated him. On an instinctive level, he was a little afraid of Lu Xianqing.
Didn’t he only make one movie a year and never do television dramas? Why would he come on a variety show?
Unease crept into Qin Sizheng’s chest. He took a deep breath and warned himself silently: Don’t make a move. Last time was still okay—it was in a gym. This time it’s a televised program. Under no circumstances can you make a move.