The Stunning General Finds Himself in a Shura Field on a Dating Show ABO - Chapter 26

Liu Yi smiled and nodded repeatedly, satisfied as he retreated behind the camera, signaling the guests with a glance to follow the crew forward.

Led by the crew, the group arrived at a small fishing village.

Hailin Village, Ye Zhi murmured, reading the plaque above the village gate.

The plaque appeared to be a historical relic, its weathered surface bearing characters from the ancient Xia State script.

Could this be a village that has survived from the Xia State era to the present day?

As they entered the village, they were immediately drawn in by the deafening clamor of gongs and drums. In the distance, a dragon dance was in full swing.

Young men, are you here for the Sea God Festival? a passing villager asked warmly.

I think so, Ye Zhi replied, turning to Liu Yi for confirmation.

Liu Yi nodded from behind the camera and pointed at his phone.

The task message had already arrived, but the overwhelming noise had prevented them from noticing it earlier.

Good afternoon, guests. During the Sea God Festival, find the most respected person on the island. This task will influence tomorrow’s team assignments.

The task only needed to be completed before their return trip, so the group wasn’t in a rush. They followed the crowd to the dragon dance performance.

As they approached the site, the number of onlookers swelled. Xie Shi suddenly reached out and tugged at the corner of Ye Zhi’s shirt.

When Ye Zhi looked at him, Xie Shi seemed a little flustered as he explained, Brother Ye, there are too many people here. I’m afraid I’ll lose you.

Hearing this, Ye Zhi extended his hand with a smile. Then I’ll hold your hand, little one.

The last part was just a playful remark, really because Xie Shi was so adorable, like a child.

But to the audience, it sounded entirely different

OMG, that tone! Is he really being this doting?!

So flirtatious! Which Omega could resist?!

Waaah, are even Betas this high-quality now?!

Xie Shi gave Ye Zhi a sweet, obedient smile and was about to take his hand when someone intercepted them.

Lu Qingze gripped Xie Shi’s wrist, his voice gentle. Holding anyone is the same. Since you’re afraid of getting lost, I’ll hold your hand instead.

???

This… this isn’t the direction I expected.

Guys, I’m a little confused.

The smile on Xie Shi’s face froze instantly.

Mindful of Ye Zhi’s presence, he gave a soft acknowledgment and lowered his head, adopting a vulnerable demeanor.

Remembering Lu Qingze’s previous hostility toward Xie Shi, Ye Zhi glanced uneasily at the two men.

Just as he was about to say something, Xu Shengyuan grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.

Jin Xi and Qin Siran had already quickened their pace, completely oblivious to the brief exchange behind them.

Brother Xu, why did you suddenly pull me away? Brother Lu and Xiao Xie are still back there, Ye Zhi protested, glancing back worriedly.

Seizing the moment when the cameras weren’t focused on them, Xu Shengyuan switched off his own microphone and Ye Zhi’s as well.

Only then did he explain, Those two brothers have something to discuss. Let’s not intrude.

Brothers?

But they have different surnames—Xie and Lu. Are they cousins? Ye Zhi asked.

He finally understood why Xu Shengyuan had turned off the microphones.

Half-brothers. Lu Qingze took his mother’s surname, Xu Shengyuan replied, leaning closer to Ye Zhi’s ear to add, Xie Shi’s mother was the ‘other woman,’ so Lu Qingze really resents him.

Ye Zhi understood now, but he still felt puzzled.

But Xiao Xie hasn’t done anything wrong, has he?

Xu Shengyuan sighed, his gaze drifting into the distant unknown, as if lost in recollection. After a long pause, he murmured softly, But Xie Shi isn’t exactly a good person either.

Xu Shengyuan turned to Ye Zhi, his tone earnest. Xiao Ye, you must stay away from him. He’s the best at putting on an act.

The sincerity in Xu Shengyuan’s expression seemed genuine. Ye Zhi nodded slowly. Alright, I understand.

Meanwhile, just a short distance behind them, Lu Qingze signaled the production crew to move ahead and film the other two groups of guests, effectively removing himself and Xie Shi from the live broadcast’s view.

The moment they were out of camera range, both men’s expressions shifted.

Lu Qingze released Xie Shi’s wrist with a disdainful jerk and cut straight to the chase. You’re here for Ye Zhi, aren’t you?

Xie Shi rubbed his wrist impassively, his voice cold. Why do you ask?

Lu Qingze chuckled softly, his mockery undisguised. You think no one can see through your attempts to seduce Xiao Ye?

He paused briefly before adding, Like mother, like son—both masters of deception.

Hearing this, Xie Shi didn’t react with anger. Instead, a faint smile curled his lips as he countered, And what about you, Film Emperor? Aren’t you even better at putting on an act than I am?

Xie Shi, unwilling to continue the conversation, straightened his clothes and turned to leave.

Lu Qingze’s cold voice rang out behind him

If you dare make a move on Ye Zhi, I won’t let the Xie Clan off easily.

Xie Shi paused slightly, tilting his head with an unnervingly docile smile.

You can try. Let’s see who really calls the shots at the Xie Clan now.

Ye Zhi and Xu Shengyuan were already watching the dragon dance performance. Jin Xi noticed their absence and was about to ask when the missing pair strolled leisurely back from behind.

He closed his mouth and focused on the performance.

Dragon dance performances had existed in Xia State since ancient times, and Ye Zhi had always loved watching them. He even used to sneak out of the Imperial Academy with a friend, skipping class to catch performances in nearby streets and alleys.

He couldn’t remember that friend’s name anymore, only that he was a fat man who had taken him to brothels and wine parties. Later, they had both become formidable generals.

One guarded the northwestern deserts, the other the southwestern borderlands, their duties keeping them apart indefinitely.

Would the fat man be saddened by news of his death?

Having become a general, he must have slimmed down a bit. What would a thinner fat man look like?

Sadly, Ye Zhi would never know.

Ye Zhi’s memories of his past life were fading like illusions, gradually disappearing with each passing day after his rebirth.

He was terrified that one day he would forget everything—every person, every event—from his previous life.

Those blurry faces would become increasingly indistinct until they vanished completely from his consciousness.

It would be as if the memories he clung to so fiercely, which no one else remembered, would eventually be forgotten even by him.

By the time the dragon dance performance ended, the sun had already begun to set. As the crowd thinned, the group finally remembered they hadn’t completed their mission.

Just then, a little girl walked by, sucking on a piece of candy. Lu Qingze quickly called out to her

Hey, kid, wait up!

The girl stopped immediately, her wide eyes fixed on the group. In a sweet, childlike voice, she asked, Do you need something?

Ye Zhi was charmed by the girl’s cuteness. He knelt down in front of her and asked softly, Do you know who the most respected person on the island is?

The group had only been trying their luck, but they were astonished when the girl actually knew the answer

Granny A’Luo, of course!

Jin Xi quickly pressed, Do you know where she is?

The girl tilted her head, studying the group for a moment before wrapping her arms around Ye Zhi’s neck. Pretty哥哥, carry me, and I’ll take you there.

Does this child mean she’ll only show us the way if the handsome哥哥 carries her?

The little girl has excellent taste. She picked out the most beautiful one at first glance.

So adorable! Is she part of the show’s arrangements?

Understanding the girl’s request, Qin Siran chuckled. You have good taste. You picked the most handsome one among us.

The little girl tilted her head and said sweetly, You’re handsome too, but I like this哥哥 better.

How can she be so cute?!

Ye Zhi’s heart melted into mush. Alright,哥哥 will carry you.

He scooped her up, his gaze softening with tenderness. Now, will you show us the way?

Yes, yes!

The little girl’s eyes narrowed into slits as she grinned.

When she got back, she’d tell her friends she’d been carried by a handsome哥哥 today! They’d be so jealous!

Jin Xi frowned, unconvinced. Can we trust what this child says? Maybe we should ask a villager instead.

Hearing this, Ye Zhi, still holding the girl, tilted his head and smiled.

It’s still early. Let’s just follow the child and see what’s up.

The little girl led the group to a tiled-roof house with white walls and black tiles—clearly an old building.

Granny A’Luo! Someone’s here to see you! the girl called out loudly from Ye Zhi’s arms.

An aged voice soon responded from inside

Is that Guoguo? Your mother’s looking for you.

At the same moment, a loud female voice rang out from the neighboring tiled-roof house

Guoguo! You little brat! Why are you at Granny’s again? Come home for dinner right now!

Unlike city apartments, village houses typically had neighbors living right next door. The group turned to see the source of the voice—a woman in her thirties, likely the girl’s mother.

The girl tugged at Ye Zhi’s collar, saying reluctantly, Pretty哥哥, I have to go home now.

Ye Zhi set her down and patted her head. Go on. Dinner will get cold if you wait too long.

Only then did the girl reluctantly leave.

By then, the elderly woman inside the house had already shuffled to the doorway.

When she saw a group of young people standing outside, she looked puzzled. You… what do you want?

Ye Zhi and Granny A’Luo explained about the Matchmaker’s Ledger. To their surprise, the old woman shook her head.

I’m not the person you’re looking for. That child was talking about the person she respects most. You should ask the village chief.

Could you tell us where the village chief lives? Lu Qingze asked from the side.

Granny A’Luo didn’t answer directly. Instead, she scrutinized the group for a long moment before fixing her gaze on Ye Zhi.

I can tell you, but first, you must let this old woman read your fortune.

Good grief, we’ve run into a fortune-teller!

Beauty, don’t agree! It’s all a scam!

She’ll be asking for money any minute now, right?

The others present shared the same thought.

Jin Xi’s expression darkened instantly, and he grabbed Ye Zhi’s arm, pulling him away.

We run into a scammer even while filming a show? Come on, let’s ask someone else.

The others agreed and turned to leave.

Granny A’Luo simply called out from behind Ye Zhi, Though you’ve stolen a lifetime of fleeting peace, your past remains unresolved. For the rest of your days, you will be tormented by love.

Her words were cryptic and somewhat mystical, and the crowd dismissed them as nonsense.

But Ye Zhi stopped in his tracks.