Chapter 332

After chatting for a bit, Lu Yan He finally learned why Zhou Shuyu and Qiu Ling had come here.

Zhou Shuyu is a professor in the History Department at Yuming University and has always been interested in these historical sites.

This time, Qiu Ling finally had a rare vacation, so the two of them discussed coming out for a trip together.

It just so happened that Qiu Ling had always wanted to come to the desert, so after they arrived in Shangjing, Zhou Shuyu heard there was an old temple with a five-hundred-year history here, so they came to take a look.

Running into Zhou Shuyu was a huge surprise for Lu Yan He.

Because Zhou Shuyu could tell you about the origins of this temple and analyze the stories recorded on those stone tablets.

Many people don't like visiting museums or historical sites not because they truly don't like them, but because they actually can't understand them.

Lu Yan He himself only had a superficial understanding, but Zhou Shuyu explained and chatted as they went.

They ended up spending over an hour exploring an ancient temple that wasn't even that big.

This ancient temple recorded a story with a bit of a *A Chinese Ghost Story* vibe—of course, people in this world only know Xiaoqian from *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*, but not the *A Chinese Ghost Story* that moved generations.

"Legend has it that a monk named Liansheng once lived in this temple and took in an injured white fox. But after the white fox recovered, it ate the monk. A lonely soul residing in a green lamp sacrificed its own cultivation to avenge the monk, transforming into a fox to pretend to approach this white fox."

"However, upon meeting the white fox, its memories from before death were awakened. Its past life was also a white fox, killed by the monk, who detained its wandering soul and used the name of taking it in to let the soul accumulate cultivation in the green lamp, only to eat them once they reached a certain level."

"The injured white fox was an incarnation of the Buddha, who came here to destroy this demonic monk."

Lu Yan He heard this story and said with a smile: "The temple records such a story; is it trying to say the Buddha manifested, or that there are demons among monks?"

Zhou Shuyu said: "It's rare to see a record of a monk as a negative figure in a temple."

Qiu Ling: "Isn't that because there is still a Buddha wielding a staff to destroy demons? As long as the Buddha is positive, that's fine."

Zhou Shuyu smiled.

The group chatted and laughed.

Xin Zixing and the others, who had been following behind, listened very carefully to the content of their conversation.

Lu Yan He even said to Xin Zixing, "Your *City Travelogue* could actually invite professors to participate in the program. What they talk about is much richer than our superficial understanding."

Xin Zixing also nodded and said: "I've seen it this time; indeed, we will study it carefully when we go back."

A documentary like *City Travelogue*, unless a miraculous, low-probability event occurs, is destined not to become a nationwide hit. However, it has its audience. Ye Mai Network wants to make it a series of documentary films with characteristics and loyal fans, with low costs but long-term benefits.

Up to now, although Lu Yan He's remuneration for recording this program has been much higher than at the beginning, it is not a commercial-oriented program, and the cost per episode is far lower than the remuneration for him participating in other program recordings. This is also one of the reasons why, although the senior management of Ye Mai Network occasionally wants Xin Zixing and others to weaken Lu Yan He's influence on this program, Xin Zixing has always refused.

Xin Zixing understands very well that this documentary, which unexpectedly gained a firm foothold, relies heavily on Lu Yan He. The appearance of this documentary was accidental from the beginning, and its popularity in niche circles also relied on Lu Yan He's heat at the start. Now, because of the humanistic nature of this program, it is extremely popular among people who like this kind of documentary, but this group of people also overlaps significantly with the group that likes Lu Yan He. In fact, for many people, liking Lu Yan He and *City Travelogue* is mutual; without Lu Yan He, they might not like *City Travelogue*, and without *City Travelogue*, they might not like Lu Yan He. However, the problem now is that Lu Yan He can exist without *City Travelogue*, but *City Travelogue* cannot exist without Lu Yan He.

For the episodes without Lu Yan He's participation, the viewership and feedback on the program's reputation were clearly insufficient.

In fact, according to their market research, the reason is not complicated. Everyone is not used to other people. They are already used to watching Lu Yan He explore various interesting places in the city in this program, and there will be a gap when there is a comparison. It is almost impossible to find another young artist with Lu Yan He's knowledge, cultural temperament, and appeal.

To quote a fan of *City Travelogue*, Lu Yan He's performance in the program makes everyone truly believe that he likes to explore old bookstores, old buildings, and other places in the city, rather than that kind of feigned catering.

This is actually the most difficult thing.

Xin Zixing also knows that if the program *City Travelogue* wants to continue for a long time, it must not be without Lu Yan He at the current stage.

She certainly knows that it is very intrusive to join Lu Yan He and his friends' journey so abruptly.

However, *City Travelogue* is her job and also a work she cherishes. Even if it disturbs others, for the sake of *City Travelogue*, Xin Zixing must actively strive for such filming opportunities.

After visiting the ancient temple, Lu Yan He and Linyu had lunch with Zhou Shuyu and Qiu Ling.

Zhou Shuyu was surprised to hear that they were several high school classmates who had arranged to enter the desert together, saying: "Have you kept such close contact even after graduating from high school for so long?"

Lu Yan He nodded and said: "Yes."

He thought to himself that these people didn't actually gather this frequently when they were in high school. Except for hanging out with Li Pengfei every day, he only chatted with the others occasionally. However, after graduation, everyone strengthened their connection because of making the magazine *Jump Up*.

Qiu Ling clearly knew about this situation.

She said to Zhou Shuyu: "You didn't know, did you? Those high school classmates of Lu Yan He are the core team members of the magazine *Jump Up* that he runs."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shuyu showed a surprised expression.

"You are the core team members? Isn't this magazine of yours made with the help of a publishing house?"

Lu Yan He smiled.

Linyu said: "To be precise, the content of the first issue relied entirely on Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi, plus an art staff member responsible for layout design and typesetting. The three of them made the first issue. We joined later. This magazine is not just under Lu Yan He's name; he is truly responsible for this magazine."

Zhou Shuyu exclaimed in wonder, "I thought these were all promotional methods of the publishing house. After all, it sounds a bit exaggerated for a few high school students to be core members and make such a popular magazine."

"These young people are very impressive," Qiu Ling said, resting her chin on one hand. "I watched them do many things from scratch. I was shocked every time before, but now I'm not that shocked anymore; I'm used to it."

A calm smile hung on her face.

At this time, Li Pengfei arrived.

He brought his suitcase directly to the restaurant.

"Ah, I'm so hungry! Are the dishes served? I'm going to devour a few bowls of rice!" He shouted as soon as he entered the private room, and was then startled by the two other people who appeared in the room, his voice stopping abruptly.

"Uh... Officer Qiu?" Li Pengfei looked at Qiu Ling, whom he had met a few times, with some surprise, "You, you—"

"Coincidence," Qiu Ling said with a smile, "Didn't expect it, right?"

"Didn't expect it." Li Pengfei shook his head.

He sat down "reservedly" and winked at Lu Yan He, meaning why didn't Lu Yan He tell him in advance.

Lu Yan He just smiled and said nothing.

He was embarrassed to admit that he had forgotten.

However, it was true that he was hungry. Li Pengfei was a bit embarrassed at first, but soon started eating freely.

"Too hungry." He apologized while eating, "My table manners are a bit ugly, sorry."

Lu Yan He frowned for a moment when he heard Li Pengfei say this. From Linyu putting on a mask to Li Pengfei's subconscious "sorry," Lu Yan He suddenly felt very uncomfortable—although everyone said they were willing to be on camera and didn't mind the recording of *City Travelogue*, this matter clearly still affected their mood, which could have been relaxed and free.

What he originally thought could be the best of both worlds did not happen.

Lu Yan He realized that he had become accustomed to the presence of the camera and could be himself in front of it without pretense, but neither Li Pengfei nor Linyu had such experience. With such a large camera standing here, it would inevitably affect their mood and actions.

After lunch, Lu Yan He pulled Xin Zixing aside.

"Sister Zixing, I'm sorry, can we not film this trip?" Lu Yan He asked.

Xin Zixing was stunned, showing an unexpected expression, and asked: "What's wrong? Yan He, is there anything we did that affected you?"

"No, it's not that," Lu Yan He shook his head, "It's my own reason. I still want to enter the desert without any work pressure. I originally thought I could adjust my mood and not be affected, but with the camera there, I still can't be one hundred percent relaxed."

Xin Zixing showed a difficult expression.

"I know, this is my fault. I was the one who promised you at the beginning," Lu Yan He said. "Let me cover the expenses for your trip this time."

Xin Zixing waved her hand quickly: "That won't do. If you are so polite to me, it would be even more inappropriate for me to come to you knowing you were out with friends to relax. It's okay, I understand your thoughts now. I know, I will take the filming team and leave."

Lu Yan He hesitated for a moment and said: "How about this, for this episode, I'll invite a friend to help me record it?"

Xin Zixing was stunned, "Ah?"

"Or, if you don't record this episode, do you still have stock to support the subsequent broadcasts?"

"Don't worry about that, we still have a few episodes that have been filmed and can be broadcast," Xin Zixing said. "We'll find you to film again after you return from Hexi."

Lu Yan He felt very bad inside.

He was the one who agreed to the filming, and now he was the one who decided to stop it halfway.

Lu Yan He thought again and again, contacted Chen Ziyan, and decided that they would still be responsible for the travel expenses of their group, and gave each person a gift to express his apologies.

Chen Ziyan said: "This kind of thing is a bit inappropriate, Yan He. Once it spreads, you will be the one who lacks professional ethics, or even be called a diva."

Lu Yan He sighed, "I know, actually, it was indeed my mistake. I shouldn't have agreed when Sister Zixing came to me in the first place."

"Don't take everything on yourself. It's not like you didn't get your friends' consent. I'm just reminding you to think twice before acting in the future regarding matters involving your friends. Don't mess up your usual practices and style just because they are a group of people you are close to and have good feelings for," Chen Ziyan said. "There are too many drawbacks, and it's easy for things to go wrong. I will arrange things for *City Travelogue* later, so don't take it to heart. Have a good time; you have indeed been tired for a long time and should relax properly."

Hearing Chen Ziyan say this, Lu Yan He finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When Chen Qin, Xu Zijun, and Chen Siqi, who arrived later, heard that the *City Travelogue* filming team had stopped filming for some reason and would no longer enter the desert with them, Li Pengfei was still confused and asked: "Why did they stop filming just like that?"

Lu Yan He did not explain the real reason.

He didn't want them to have a burden, so he just said it was the filming team's decision.

"Then it's just us few entering the desert together. Wow, cool," Li Pengfei said excitedly, "I don't have to pretend anymore."

Linyu immediately gave him a look of disgust, "I really didn't see where you were pretending; those four bowls of rice you devoured were really delicious."

Li Pengfei: "... That's because I was starving and couldn't help it."

Lu Yan He immediately laughed.

While laughing, he noticed Chen Siqi looking at him.

He turned to look.

Chen Siqi reached out from under the table, held his hand, and squeezed it.

Lu Yan He smiled at her.

Chen Siqi said: "Well done."

Lu Yan He said "Ah."

But Chen Siqi did not intend to say more.

Xin Zixing hesitated for several hours whether they should stay in Shangjing and film a documentary by themselves, without Lu Yan He, using a voiceover to tell the local customs of Shangjing—this was not impossible, Lu Yan He could still record the voiceover.

After all, they were already here, and the filming plan had been submitted.

Xin Zixing understood Lu Yan He's thoughts.

She didn't think Lu Yan He was going back on his word, but rather felt that her previous intrusion was a bit excessive—Lu Yan He was someone who would do his best to help you, not the kind of "difficult artist" who needed to be "pestered" to be handled.

She sighed.

The team members had already gone to Shangjing to eat, drink, and play.

She gave them a holiday.

There was no one else to discuss with.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in Xin Zixing's mind.

Zhou Shuyu, who had been telling them historical stories along the way.

Lu Yan He said at the time—

Your *City Travelogue* could actually invite professors to participate in the program. What they talk about is much richer than our superficial understanding.

Xin Zixing's eyes lit up.

Perhaps, could she try to ask Professor Zhou Shuyu for help?

As soon as she thought of this, she wanted to contact him immediately. She had to contact Lu Yan He again and ask him for the other party's contact information. Lu Yan He could only ask Qiu Ling for it.

After several turns, Xin Zixing finally got Zhou Shuyu's contact information thirty minutes later.

She made a call to Zhou Shuyu's number.

"Hello, Professor Zhou, hello, I am Xin Zixing, the producer of *City Travelogue*. We just met not long ago..."