Wen Qiong couldn't help but pinch Little Tangtang's small cheek before nodding in agreement. Seeing that they both consented, Little Tangtang finally cheered up. After they had eaten, she licked her ice cream and looked around curiously.

Turning her head, she was intrigued by a spot where a large, boisterous crowd had gathered.

"Uncle Xia, let's go over there."

Xia Liang frowned at the sight of the crowd but eventually walked over with them. Murmurs drifted from the group.

"Agh, so close! It almost went on."

"Yeah, you should try again!"

"Hey, you've had plenty of turns! It's our turn now!"

Listening to the chatter, Xia Liang glanced ahead and realized it was a ring toss game. This looks boring, and it's too crowded, he thought, preparing to leave.

But Little Tangtang was very interested.

"Uncle Xia, can we play this, please?" she pleaded.

Wen Qiong peeked toward the stall and added, "It looks pretty simple."

"You think it's simple?" Xia Liang countered.

"Isn't it?" Wen Qiong asked, perplexed. "You just stand at a certain distance and toss plastic rings onto the prizes, right?"

Seeing that both of them were interested, Xia Liang asked, "Do you both want to play?"

This game seems way too easy, Wen Qiong thought, unsure how to answer. Little Tangtang, however, just kept nodding enthusiastically.

Seeing this, Xia Liang went to pay. "You'll see how simple it is once you try," he said to Wen Qiong.

"Boss, how much for the ring toss?"

"Twenty milliliters for ten plastic rings. Need the rules explained?"

"No, thanks."

After the payment notification chimed, the stall owner handed Xia Liang ten plastic rings. "You'll have to get in line. There are a few people ahead of you."

They waited for about ten minutes as the surrounding crowd slowly dispersed. Most people knew that without a bit of skill, the ring toss was just a way to waste money. From watching the few people still playing, Wen Qiong began to see that there was a trick to it and realized she had been too naive. After a few more minutes, it was finally their turn.

"Wen Qiong, Little Tangtang, you each take five. I'll watch from the side," Xia Liang said, dividing the rings between them.

Just then, the stall owner appeared as if from nowhere. "Hey, young man, you can't do that. Ten rings are for one player. If two people play, you have to pay extra."

"You didn't say that before," Wen Qiong retorted, annoyed not by the money, but by the stall owner's blatant greed.

"I asked if you needed the rules explained, and you said no," the man replied, spreading his hands in a helpless gesture.

Wen Qiong grew even angrier and was about to argue further, but Xia Liang stopped her.

"In that case, we'll take another forty milliliters' worth. I'll play too," he said, scanning the payment code again.

Seeing Xia Liang pay so readily, the owner was delighted and handed over another twenty rings.

Wen Qiong, confused, tried to stop him, but Little Tangtang tugged her hand.

"Sister Wen Qiong, don't worry," she whispered. "I think Uncle Xia knows what he's doing."

Seeing Xia Liang's calm expression, Wen Qiong fell silent, though she remained puzzled.

"Wen Qiong, you go first," Xia Liang said, handing her another five plastic rings.

Unable to stand the smug look on the owner's face, Wen Qiong took the rings, resolving to land all ten and wipe that smirk away. But less than two minutes later, it was she who was eating her words. After three throws and three misses, she felt a flush of shame.

"Heh heh, no need to rush, little lady. You still have seven left," the owner chimed in, clearly enjoying the spectacle. His taunt only irritated Wen Qiong further.

As the owner opened his mouth to mock her again, Xia Liang shot him a cold glare that frightened him into silence.

That piercing look was also noticed by a woman standing not far away.

"Cut! Director, is this take okay? Director?"

The woman snapped back to reality and stared at the monitor. Within two seconds, her brows furrowed. "A simple turn, a glance, one single movement… he can't do any of it! What am I paying you people for?"

Her words sent the assistant director into a cold sweat. "Don't worry, Director! I know you have high standards. I'll have him work on his acting. Next time, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

"You've been saying that since we started filming this morning. Has he met a single standard? This is a complete waste of time. I could grab any of these tourists, and they'd act better than him."

Her fury grew as she watched the actor. The moment "Cut!" was called, he had an assistant rush over with an umbrella for shade while his makeup was touched up. Such a pampered pretty boy, she fumed internally. I can't believe someone like him wangled his way into my production. Just an insignificant nobody, and he's wasted my entire morning. Then her gaze shifted back to Xia Liang. That cold glare he gave just now… it's a perfect fit for the character I need. And he's handsome, too.

At that moment, Wen Qiong returned, completely dejected. Out of ten chances, she had only managed to graze a prize on her very last throw.

"Still think it's easy?" Xia Liang asked, looking at her crestfallen face.

Wen Qiong shook her head and turned to encourage Little Tangtang. "Go for it, Little Tangtang!"

Little Tangtang, being a child, played carelessly, tossing all ten rings in short order. This was only after Wen Qiong had convinced her not to throw them all at once. The result was naturally disappointing; she didn't even come close to a prize, doing even worse than Wen Qiong.

In contrast to Wen Qiong's sorrowful expression, Little Tangtang was still cheerful. She ran over to Xia Liang and patted his hand like a little adult.

"Uncle Xia, it's all up to you now."

Then she scurried over to Wen Qiong and asked, "Auntie, are there any toys in there that you want? I bet Uncle Xia can win it. He's so amazing!"

"Huh?" Wen Qiong was still confused.

Xia Liang gave Little Tangtang an indulgent smile and walked up to the throwing line.

"What about you, Little Tangtang? Which one do you want?" he asked, picking up a ring.

Little Tangtang pointed at a teddy bear more than twice her height. "Uncle Xia, I want the Big Bear in the last row!" she declared without hesitation.

"Alright," Xia Liang said with a nod and a smile.

Watching them, Wen Qiong was baffled, unable to understand Little Tangtang's absolute faith in him.

The stall owner scoffed disdainfully, but his expression froze in shock the very next second.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Xia Liang sent a ring flying. It seemed to float in mid-air, as if consciously guiding itself, before settling perfectly onto the head of the Big Bear Little Tangtang had pointed to.

"Wow! Uncle Xia is so amazing! Uncle Xia is the best!" Little Tangtang squealed, jumping up and down and clapping her hands.

Not only were the owner and Wen Qiong astounded, but even the female director who had been watching from a distance was taken aback. I originally just thought he looked the part, she mused. I never expected him to be this accurate. What a surprise.

"See! I was right! Uncle Xia is so awesome," Little Tangtang cheered.

Her words snapped Wen Qiong out of her stupor. She pointed hesitantly to a music box in the third row. "I want that one."

By now, Wen Qiong had seen how skilled Xia Liang was, but she wasn't sure of the extent of his abilities, so she chose a relatively safe target.

"Uncle Xia, Sister Wen Qiong wants that music box," Little Tangtang announced. She then shot a smug glance at the owner, the nerve of a child not even up to his waist mocking him making the man nearly keel over with anger.

He still refused to believe the man was that skilled. The owner convinced himself that Xia Liang's first shot had been a complete fluke—a blind squirrel finding a nut. He couldn't wait to see him fall flat on his face this time.

Reassured by this thought, the owner's mood improved, and he shot a menacing glare at Little Tangtang.

Seeing this, Wen Qiong glared right back at him. Worried the girl might be frightened, she quickly reached out to cover Little Tangtang's eyes.

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