Chapter 165: Chapter 165: A Little Hostile to Outsiders

Slowly, a few people from the Island Country emerged to greet them. “Hello, and welcome. We’re honored to have you here to help promote our Island Country.”

“I am the Island Country’s tourism ambassador, and my name is Gu Shi. For the next two weeks, I will be your guide as you experience our island’s scenery and unique culture.”

Gu Shi explained as they walked.

This collaboration between the Island Country and the *Qing Qing Wo Wo* production team was largely Gu Shi’s initiative. He hoped to leverage the celebrities’ fame to boost the island’s popularity and develop its local tourism.

Before long, they arrived in a more developed part of the island.

The streets were lined with small, multi-story buildings that looked quite old. The entire area had a somewhat dated feel.

There were plenty of shops, but they all sold clothing, food, and general goods—a far cry from a fully developed commercial district.

If there was one thing that stood out, it was the bell hanging above the door of every shop. Inscriptions were carved onto the bells:

“Penglai Immortal, long may you reside.”

“Peace for the residents, may auspicious omens descend.”

“Chi Ling of the Island Country, forever with its people.”

As they walked, they saw that the fronts of shops and strings stretched between them were all adorned with bells. Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought the Island Country was the world capital of bell making.

Gu Shi explained, “Besides our fairly developed fishing industry, our country is probably most famous for its ritual ceremonies. The streets and alleys of our town are all hung with these bells. When a ceremony begins and a breeze blows, the bells swing back and forth on the ropes. It’s a truly spectacular sight. Our country is rather underdeveloped, so we can’t afford famous photographers. That’s why this tradition isn’t well-known. But I can guarantee that any tourist who participates in a ceremony here will be blessed with auspicious omens and good fortune for the rest of the year.”

With that, he took a bell from one of the ropes and handed it to them.

They gathered around to examine the bell curiously. It was crafted from gold, and the inside was engraved with some strange script that no one could decipher, so they didn’t think much of it.

As they looked, Gu Shi explained, “What do you think? Beautiful, isn’t it? Our bells are all made of pure gold. There are exactly 398 of them in the entire country. If even a single one goes missing, a great disaster will occur. So, these bells must not be disturbed.”

He said it as if he expected them to try and steal one, which made everyone a little awkward.

The director said awkwardly, “Don’t worry, our guests from Hua Country are very well-mannered. They won’t mess with your things…”

Right after this explanation, the production team handed out some sodas to the guests and the local staff. “Thanks for all your hard work guiding us. Have something to drink.”

Gu Shi took a sip of his drink and continued his explanation. “Do you see the buildings around us? They were all built in the 1980s. Back then, the villagers were dirt-poor. Fortunately, an Immortal came to the Island Country and blessed our people. Under the Immortal’s guidance, the villagers began exporting large quantities of Chi Ling and gold. But now, the resources for both have been completely exhausted.”

Zhao Jing asked instinctively, “Aren’t Chi Ling handmade pendants? How can you exhaust the supply of a handmade pendant?”

A few years ago, Zhao Jing had read about Chi Ling in a book. It was a type of handicraft, but the art had since been lost.

’Was it because the raw materials were too precious that the craft was lost?’

Gu Shi continued his explanation. “In the past, our Island Country was rich in minerals, so there were plenty of raw materials to make Chi Ling. Plus, with the Immortal watching over us, we were able to produce them in large quantities and imbue them with auspicious omens. However, after the Immortal passed on, the raw materials for Chi Ling began to dwindle, and so the craft was lost. Now, the Island Country has neither the raw materials nor the auspicious blessings from a deity. That is why Chi Ling has vanished from the world.”

Meng Xiaoxiao took the opportunity to ask, “Then why didn’t you look for alternative raw materials?”

Gu Shi sighed. “The formula for making Chi Ling was destroyed in a great fire. At the time, we hadn’t yet had a chance to research replaceable prod—”

He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing he’d said something he shouldn’t have. He quickly changed the subject. “Haha, well, we still have the fishing industry to support us. It’s no big deal that the handicraft was lost.”

Just then, an old man leaning on a cane, his body stooped with age, hobbled over, muttering and cursing under his breath.

Gu Shi hurried over to support the old man. “Master Qin, please calm down! You mustn’t get so worked up at your age! They’re just some tourists. They’ll only be here for two weeks and then they’ll leave…”

Before Gu Shi could finish, Master Qin slammed his cane onto his back. “Are you an idiot?” he raged. “Who told you to bring outsiders here? Don’t you know they’ll bring trouble with them? Get rid of them! Right now! Immediately!”

Gu Shi looked like he wanted to snap after being hit, but he was on camera, after all. He patiently explained, “Their production team paid us a huge location fee, and we signed a contract. If we break it, we couldn’t afford the penalty even if we sold the whole island. I’m the Island Country’s tourism ambassador. Promoting tourism is my job…”

The old man was about to cut Gu Shi off when his gaze suddenly fell on Meng Xiaoxiao.

When Meng Xiaoxiao saw him looking at her, she quickly stepped forward to greet him. “Hello, Master Qin. I’m Meng Xiaoxiao. We only want to use your location for filming for two weeks and experience the local culture. We won’t cause you any trouble. We hope you can understand.”

Trying to get on the locals’ good side, Zhao Jing spoke in what she thought was the local dialect. “You all have something called ’auspicious omens’ here, but our Xiao Xiao is a walking good luck charm herself! She’s a perfect match for your Island Country!”

It was unclear if Master Qin understood her, but he just stared suspiciously at Meng Xiaoxiao, his expression still hostile.

Soon, however, his anger seemed to subside.

Meng Xiaoxiao extended her hand in a friendly gesture, but Master Qin completely ignored her. He just shot her a cold snort, then turned and walked away, muttering something under his breath.

Gu Shi wiped away a nervous sweat and explained to the group, “He’s the former master of our island, and he’s very close with my family. Since he stepped down, his temper has gotten worse and worse. He can be a bit unreasonable, so I hope you’ll forgive him. Anyway, you all must be hungry, right? I’ve prepared lunch for everyone. Please, come with me and we can eat.”

Gu Shi had specially prepared a lavish lunch and hosted them with great enthusiasm.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the sky began to grow dark.

For a more authentic experience, the production team had arranged for the guests to stay in unique local houses.

There were four types of housing for the six guests: the Grand Sea-View Villa, the Sea-View Flat-Top, the Special Thatched-Roof House, and the Stargazing Rooms.

There were three of the Stargazing Rooms.

The guests would draw lots to decide who stayed where.

The results of the drawing were announced quickly.

Meng Xiaoxiao had the best luck, drawing the Grand Sea-View Villa. It was actually a beautifully renovated, two-story house right on the beach—the best of all the options.

Sun Yingbin drew the Sea-View Flat-Top. It was a bit more modest than Meng Xiaoxiao’s house, but still perfectly acceptable.

Zhao Jing, however, drew the Special Thatched-Roof House, which used to be a public restroom.

It had only been renovated just before their arrival.

Before she even stepped inside, Zhao Jing was hit by an overpowering stench that nearly made her black out…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep