Chapter 280: Chapter 278: Xie Fu Yao Loses Reason
By the time the staff member brought the doctor over, Xie Fu Yao had managed to suppress the rage simmering inside him.
The doctor gave him a quick examination. "It’s fine, it’s fine. Just some superficial wounds."
"So he should be fine, right? Does he need something for the swelling? Our show is a survival variety program, after all. It’s common for guests to get a few scrapes. This shouldn’t affect filming, right? I’ve seen plenty of survival shows, and I’ve seen things that were way worse than this."
The cameraman thought about how his performance bonus was tied directly to Xie Fu Yao.
If Xie Fu Yao was fine but still refused to film, his salary would probably be cut in half.
As he spoke, he even wore a pitiful expression, as if recalling those miserable scenes from other shows.
Xie Fu Yao had planned to play the victim. Even if he continued filming, he wanted to make the production team give him some concessions.
He never expected the cameraman to say something like that. The complaints he had ready, the ones meant to garner sympathy, were suddenly stuck in his throat.
"Fu Yao, can you still go on? If not, why don’t you rest for today?"
the accompanying staff member asked tentatively.
Before the cameraman had said that, Xie Fu Yao would have definitely tried to haggle. But now, he could only swallow his grievances. "No need. It’s really not a big deal, just a few scrapes. It’ll be enough if the director can give me some ice water and bread to get me through the day."
A staff member took out three bottles of water and three pieces of bread from a nearby bag and gave them to Xie Fu Yao.
Xie Fu Yao stared at the bag. ’I should just ask them to leave the whole bag,’ he thought.
But in the end, he said nothing.
[That was a decent decision from Xie Fu Yao! He actually did something right for once.]
After the staff left, Xie Fu Yao sat on the ground, leaning against a large tree to rest.
He drank his water and ate his bread.
The bread was absolutely delicious.
After finishing one piece, he closed his eyes. "Cameraman, my whole body aches. I’m going to rest for a bit. Could you wake me up in half an hour?"
The cameraman nodded. ’Resting is fine,’ he thought, ’as long as he doesn’t quit filming.’
’Getting some footage of Xie Fu Yao resting isn’t bad either.’
Xie Fu Yao leaned against the tree and closed his eyes, clutching the other two bottles of water and two pieces of bread to his chest.
About five minutes passed. "SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK."
Hearing the sound, Xie Fu Yao shot to his feet out of reflex.
But in the instant he tensed up, the water and bread in his arms were snatched away by something.
"SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK!"
Several large squirrels appeared from out of nowhere, perched on a nearby branch. Two of them were clutching the bread in their paws.
Two others were holding the water bottles, chittering at Xie Fu Yao.
They seemed to be mocking his stupidity.
Blood rushed to Xie Fu Yao’s head. Rage consumed his mind, and his inner thoughts spilled out. "Even you beasts are going to bully me?! I’ll kill you!"
Xie Fu Yao bent down, picked up a few rocks, and hurled them at the squirrels on the branch.
[Holy shit! Is Xie Fu Yao crazy? Didn’t someone say squirrels are a Class II protected species?]
[His true colors are showing! He finally dropped the act!]
[This is what these celebrities are really like, isn’t it? I hope more of them go on survival shows!]
"Fu Yao, stop throwing those!" the cameraman shouted, trying to stop him.
He remembered that on the first day of filming, Doctor Wen had mentioned that these squirrels were a Class II protected species!
’If he kills one, that’s illegal!’
’If a crime happens right under my nose, how could I not get dragged into it?’
’I might even lose my job.’
’This Xie Fu Yao is usually so good at putting on an act, how could he lose it like this now!’
But Xie Fu Yao’s mind was filled with overwhelming rage. He was in no state to come to his senses, and he kept hurling one rock after another at the squirrels.
Fortunately, the squirrels were quick and dodged the rocks Xie Fu Yao threw.
They even threw the water bottles back at Xie Fu Yao, chittering nonstop.
The cameraman’s first thought was, ’It’s probably over!’
’That frantic noise... it’s like they’re calling for backup!’
’Oh, no, I mean companions!’
’After getting his ass handed to him by the monkeys, is Xie Fu Yao now going to get taken down by a squirrel squad?’
"Director, we have a problem!" the cameraman immediately yelled into his earpiece.
[Is Xie Fu Yao out of his mind? Did he get addicted to throwing rocks or something?]
[I remember someone told Xie Fu Yao before that squirrels are a Class II protected species, right? Is he breaking the law on purpose?]
[I think it’s more like he’s lost his mind. He can’t hear what anyone’s saying. He’s been driven crazy!]
Just then, a new trending topic, even fresher than the one about Xie Fu Yao bullying his elementary school classmates, parachuted to the top of the search rankings.
#XieFuYaoIsCrazy
At the same time, Director Wen’s phone was being blown up with calls, but he didn’t answer a single one.
’Are you kidding me? Can a director who’s serious about his work just casually answer his phone on set?’
The staff members who had left came rushing back. Several of them grabbed Xie Fu Yao’s arms, holding him down. "Fu Yao, you can’t hurt the squirrels! They’re protected animals."
As Xie Fu Yao slowly came to his senses and saw the scene, his heart filled with despair.
’How could I have done something like that?’
’There’s no way to spin this. My reputation is ruined, isn’t it?’
Xie Fu Yao didn’t say a word and just plopped down onto the ground.
"Fu Yao, the director wanted me to ask... how about we end today’s filming?"
Xie Fu Yao didn’t speak.
Everyone looked at each other for a few minutes. "Let’s just call it then. Fu Yao, if you’re tired, go back and rest."
Xie Fu Yao nodded, stood up, and walked away.
He didn’t say a single word.
Seeing the look on Xie Fu Yao’s face, the staff members didn’t say anything more either.
’This guy,’ one of them thought, ’is probably finished.’
On the way back, Xie Fu Yao saw Zhao Qi, but he just glanced past him without a word, as if he were a complete stranger.
"Zhao Qi, we’re ending the shoot for today. Doctor Wen’s team has already completed the task, and you’re the only one left on your team. The director’s decided to call it a day, so Doctor Wen’s team wins by default."
"Sure, works for me." Zhao Qi was very laid-back about it.
He already knew this would be the result; he had even witnessed it firsthand.
"Did something happen to Xie Fu Yao?"
The staff member gave an awkward laugh and didn’t answer the question.
But sometimes, silence is the best answer.
"Then I’ll head back with you guys. I can’t find Doctor Wen anyway."
Back at the production team’s base, Xie Fu Yao still didn’t say a word and walked straight toward the director.
Director Wen frowned as Xie Fu Yao approached him. "Fu Yao, are you alright?"
Xie Fu Yao looked at the director with a cold smile. "Director, wouldn’t this be considered a workplace injury? I need to contact my manager."
After getting his phone, Xie Fu Yao turned it on immediately. Before he even had a chance to complain, a call came in.
"Xie Fu Yao, are you an idiot? How could you throw rocks at squirrels on camera? Look at this stupid mess you’ve made! Are you trying to destroy your own career?! The bullying topic hasn’t even died down, and now you pull a stunt like this! Who do you think you are?! How many people do you think are there to clean up your messes?! You’re just a rookie! A rookie who can be dropped at any time!"
