Chapter 19

Chapter 19

After hearing Ning Yuyi's explanation, the director looked somewhat bewildered at the cat cradled in his arms. "The mother cat is injured?"

"Yes," Ning Yuyi replied, stroking the calico's head. The cat responded with a series of affectionate meows.

"Wow, she's quite affectionate," said the director, a fellow cat lover. "Let's consider this a bonus for our audience. There's an old veterinarian at the village entrance. First, get the cat checked there. If necessary, we'll have someone transport her to the city's pet hospital."

"That old vet has treated village livestock for years. Sometimes his experience surpasses even specialized pet doctors in the city," the director commented, sitting casually on a piece of equipment. "One of my cats was once diagnosed with feline distemper. It was that old vet who ultimately cured her."

"However, such experienced veterinarians are rare and hard to come by. Whether you find a skilled one depends on luck." He had once sought help as a last resort, and miraculously, the feline distemper was cured.

"Alright then," Ning Yuyi glanced inside, "I'll head there first."

"Wait a moment," the director called out. "You haven't put on the sound equipment. Why the rush?"

The director had the crew equip Ning Yuyi and Xie Yezhou with microphones. "This footage will serve as a teaser for tomorrow's episode."

"Alright," Xie Yezhou said, slinging an arm over Ning Yuyi's shoulder and heading toward the village entrance without looking back.

Such an insincere gesture.

The director rubbed his thinning hair, fearing that by the end of this season, he'd lose the few strands that remained.

The mountain village was sparsely populated and widely spread out. It took some time to reach its edge.

Following a crew member's directions, Ning Yuyi and Xie Yezhou stopped in front of a small bungalow.

In rural areas, doors are typically left open. However, an open door didn't guarantee that the homeowner was present.

After calling out without a response, Ning Yuyi and Xie Yezhou decided to wait for the veterinarian's return.

Half an hour passed, with Ning Yuyi shifting from standing to squatting, amusing himself with the kittens.

An hour later, Ning Yuyi stood to stretch his aching limbs.

Two hours in, just as Ning Yuyi contemplated returning later, he heard the squeak of the yard gate and the shuffle of footsteps.

An elderly man, with graying hair, approached them. He had a basket on his back and held a small hoe.

"What can I help you with?" The man stopped a meter from them, gesturing with his hoe for Ning Yuyi to speak.

"We found a litter of cats. The mother's hind leg is injured." Ning Yuyi lifted the box from the corner, presenting it to the elderly vet.

The vet crouched, examining the calico's leg.

"Seems like she was hit by a car. No broken bones, but the abrasions are severe."

As the old man struggled to stand, Ning Yuyi rushed forward to assist. "Do you have any ointment or medicine?"

"Yes, let me get it for you." The elderly man left his hoe and basket by the door and entered his house.

Shortly after, he returned with a small bottle. "This contains a medicinal powder. Apply it twice daily—morning and evening. Wrap the wound afterward. It's suitable for both cats and dogs."

"Thank you so much," Ning Yuyi replied, reaching for his phone to make a payment, only to realize... the elderly man likely only accepted cash.

Feeling momentarily helpless, Ning Yuyi instinctively turned to Xie Yezhou.

"I got this," Xie Yezhou ruffled Ning Yuyi's hair.

Ning Yuyi assumed Xie Yezhou would produce cash from his pocket. To his surprise, Xie Yezhou turned to ask the crew for money.

Ning Yuyi: ...

He was so engrossed in playing with the cat that he completely forgot about the staff behind him.

The old man only asked for 10 yuan, but Ning Yuyi gave him a hundred instead. "Grandpa, we might come back in a few days. The kitten is still young and might fall sick."

"Let me get something else for you." The old man went back into his house and returned with a bag, "This is freshly dried bamboo shoots from this year."

Knowing it would be rude to decline, Ning Yuyi accepted with a smile, "Thank you, Grandpa."

Back in the cabin, Ning Yuyi proudly showed off the bamboo shoots to the director.

In this variety show, guests have to complete tasks to earn ingredients from the director. Having simply taken the kitten to see a vet and receiving ingredients in return, Ning Yuyi couldn't help but flaunt it in front of the "stingy" director.

The director was speechless, not expecting Ning Yuyi to be so lucky.

Earlier, Ning Yuyi had briefly interacted with the director at the entrance of the cabin's yard before heading to the village to find an old doctor. He hadn't had a chance to meet the other guests yet.

By the time Ning Yuyi returned to the cabin, three guests were already waiting in the yard by the main entrance.

All three guests had been filming since the first season and were veterans in the entertainment industry. Dressed casually, they squatted by the door, chuckling at their success in annoying the director.

It felt so good.

Truly satisfying! Even the strict director had to face defeat today!

Author's note: I'll pick twenty comments for a giveaway (manual selection).

I've been traveling all day and I'm exhausted, that's all I have for today (so sleepy, I'm completely drained).

Too tired to edit the text. I'll post it now and make corrections tomorrow morning.

Good night~