17: Sure enough, the scenes in the movie where girls stand still and refuse to move are all fake.

“Hey? What’s that?” Zhao Jin’s voice came from the left screen.

Director Liu focused his gaze. In the faint green light, a ring-shaped object, like a patterned belt, was coiled at the base of the tree.

It was too far to see clearly, but judging by its colorful appearance, this should be a Jade Spotted Snake, right? This is a very beautiful small snake. They even specifically applied to the local authorities to get approval to film with it.

Teacher Zhao is indeed an actor; her feigned surprise is quite convincing.

Camera, quickly, a close-up!

Meanwhile, in the forest behind the mountain.

“Hey, what’s that?” Zhao Jin feigned surprise, holding her flashlight and shining it towards the base of a tree about six or seven meters away.

Chen Fang looked in the direction she pointed. Under the dim green light, a snake was coiled in the grass. It looked like a pile of excrement, its head flat, and its patterns complex. It probably stretched out to about a meter long.

Just as he saw it clearly, a rustling sound came from ahead. Zhao Jin and Guo Congxin, seemingly reminded by the director’s instructions about ratings, were slowly approaching the small snake, stepping through the grass.

Guo Congxin walked two meters, staring at the screen, and then paused slightly.

Huh? Why is it just Zhao Jin? Where’s Chen Fang?

Guo Congxin stopped and turned around, only to see Chen Fang squinting, carefully examining the snake.

Hmm? What is he looking at? If he doesn't come over soon, the live stream will definitely complain that he's timid and weak, not even as brave as a girl.

He had spent two days with Chen Fang. Last night, he personally went online to check and found no substantive evidence. Thinking of Chen Fang’s remark, “Those who wrong others often know better how to wrong them than the person themselves,” and his sincere gaze at the time, Guo Congxin also felt a strange sense of guilt. Perhaps this was the power of good looks.

Ah, a reminder. Don’t let him be criticized by netizens for not appearing on camera.

Guo Congxin vigorously winked at Chen Fang, nodding his chin towards the snake’s direction, signaling him to come over quickly.

Chen Fang, however, didn't meet his gaze. His eyes were slightly narrowed as he stared at the snake, and he spoke softly, “That… that looks like a venomous snake.”

Guo Congxin raised an eyebrow in surprise.

A venomous snake? There are no venomous snakes on the mountain.

Ah, I understand.

According to the information he had recently obtained, Chen Fang’s personality was exactly as his loyal dog persona suggested: diligent and hardworking, but weak and afraid of trouble.

The way he had become sharp-tongued and confrontational these past two days was probably a self-preservation mechanism triggered by his downfall, like a cat with its fur bristling. He was trying to act casual by being confrontational, aloof, and annoying.

Now, knowing there were no venomous snakes on the mountain, yet saying it looked like one, he was clearly afraid to go over but trying to maintain his composure.

Forget it, don’t push him.

Guo Congxin pursed his lips, “Teacher Chen, Brother Jiang, I’ll go with Teacher Zhao. You two stay here and help us light up the path nearby.”

“Okay.” Jiang Hua finally spoke.

Guo Congxin turned back and, together with Zhao Jin, bent at the waist, slowly approaching the small snake. With the long grass growing everywhere, to prevent tripping, they could only glance at the small snake and then at their feet as they slowly moved forward.

The audience in the live stream also grew tense.

【Don’t go over there, please?】

【Is that a real snake or a prop?】

【Zhao Jin, come back. Why is Chen Fang, a grown man, not going, but letting a girl go?】

【It must be a script, right? If they dare to go, it must be a trained snake brought by the crew.】

【Teacher Zhao is so brave.】

As the two approached, the grass became brighter.

Under the faint green light, the snake’s body showed alternating horizontal bands of two colors. Black and green, or rather, originally probably black and white.

Jiang Hua’s pupils suddenly contracted, “No, this really is a venomous snake!”

…

Down the mountain, Director Liu leaned forward, staring intently at the screen.

The village chief next to him leaned over, gasped, and exclaimed, “A Silver Ring Snake!”

“A Silver Ring Snake?” A bad premonition rose in Director Liu’s heart. Suppressing the turmoil within him, he turned his head to look at the village chief.

“Yes!” The village chief’s face was grim. “It’s a venomous snake, highly poisonous, considered one of the most dangerous snakes. If bitten, if not sent to the hospital immediately, one might not survive.”

Director Liu’s breathing hitched.

Oh my god, if they really get bitten, this is a major accident! If things go wrong, the show might even be canceled.

Where the hell did this venomous snake come from? They searched the mountain for days and confirmed there were no snakes. Did this Silver Ring Snake come out looking for a mate just because they released a few snakes? Damn it!

The village chief and Tian Gangwu’s expressions were no better.

Tian Gangwu wanted to use this show to bring the corpse driving culture, a niche culture, into the public eye. The village chief, on the other hand, bore an even heavier burden. The county was relying on this show to boost tourism. If something went wrong, who would still come to the mountains for tourism?

Director Liu spoke rapidly, “Village chief, can you quickly organize people to go up the mountain to assist?”

“Okay, I’ll find people to bring tools up the mountain. If they really get bitten, we’ll immediately assist, and there will still be time to send them to the hospital.” The village chief quickly walked out of the room.

…

In the forest.

“Ah?” Zhao Jin quickly covered her mouth, her heart pounding as if it would leap out, but she was also afraid that turning and running would provoke the snake. She forced herself to slowly retreat, her legs feeling weak.

Guo Congxin saw her like this, and the scenes of guards escorting young ladies he had filmed in a historical idol drama recently flooded his mind. A heroic sentiment spontaneously arose!

He held the live broadcast equipment in one hand and supported Zhao Jin’s arm with the other, helping her slowly retreat.

Seeing Zhao Jin behind him, he raised his hand to block in front of her, “Teacher Zhao, you go first!”

“Let’s go together!”

“You go first! Don’t worry about me, I… I’m thick-skinned, it’s not a big deal! You hurry up and go.”

“Go!”

“You go first.” Guo Congxin felt like a hero.

“I’m already at the edge, just lighting the way for you… Can you hurry up and come out?”

Guo Congxin looked back and saw the three of them looking at him with puzzled expressions.

“Oh, oh, coming.” Guo Congxin laughed awkwardly and quickly walked out.

Hey, why did he suddenly get into character just now? Sure enough, the plot in movies where girls stand still and refuse to move is all fake.

The more Guo Congxin thought about it, the more his face burned. He quickened his pace, wanting to escape this awkward place quickly.

“Go, quick… Ah!” Just as he was about to lift his foot, his foot felt as if it was bound by a rope, his body lost balance, and he fell to the ground with a thud. Cold, wet blades of grass hit his face, and the smell of earth assailed him.

Immediately after, the rustling sound of grass and leaves came from behind him.

Guo Congxin’s heart suddenly constricted. He struggled to get up, but his legs trembled uncontrollably, almost unable to exert any strength.

Jiang Hua: “Xiao Guo!”

Zhao Jin: “Teacher Guo!”

Chen Fang’s heart also leaped to his throat.

Oh my god! My experience monster!

But he only had one life too.

Chen Fang quickly asked in his mind, “System, you said if I kick a dog, it will wink at me. What about grabbing a snake? Will it bite me?”

【Even if you tie it into a bow, it will absolutely not bite you. Instead, it will praise your artistic talent, Big Brother.】

It won’t bite even if tied into a bow, so what’s there to be afraid of? If he’s still cowardly, what can he accomplish?

Chen Fang complained that the system was getting crazy, and then he took three steps in two and went forward…