Chapter 191
The viewersmented.
1 swear I’ve seen this story about Mandrake Meadow online before. It’s real, I tell ya!”
“I’m from the nearby town, so you can take my word for it. It’s the real deal!”
“The show’s crew even rified there were no scripts involved, so it’s gotta be legit.”
“Sounds almost like Mother Nature’s throwing a fit, right? My grandma used to say mountains that
nurtured medicinal herbs were endowed with spirits. Maybe there really is. a guardian spirit.”
“With all the development going on, lots of forests have been hit hard. Wouldn’t be surprised if Mother
Nature is giving us a warning.”
“Geez, I hope the guests on the show won’t run into any trouble, though.”
“Nah, Mother Nature’s gentle at heart. Even if she’s sending a warning, it’s a kind one. Haven’t heard of
any fatal incidents so far.”
“Bute on, uprooting fledgling mandrakes and tossing them aside as a ‘gentle‘ act? That’s money
down the drain. The investors must be losing their shirts!”
Hmm, I have faith in Mervin and Winnie.”
“Hey are you?
Gentry by leaving him out?”
“And what about Kaney,Candy and Joseph? Why leave them out of the picture?”
“Well, everyone knows that the other three are just pretty faces for the camera.”
Amidst the lively debate among the viewers in the live chat, the show’s crew van had already brought
the six guests to a vige at the foot of the mountain.
Calling it a vige might be an understatement, as most buildings were at least two stories tall.
Thanks to the fame of the local mandrake trade, with their cultivation and sales techniques, nearly
every family was doing well.
“This vige looks pretty well–off, nothing like those rural scenes on TV,” Candace couldn’t help but
remark, as Gentry, always eager for the spotlight, jumped in to exin,
“Well, this is the famous Mandrake Meadow. The struggling viges you see on TV are often deep in
the mountains, where development’s a tad slower. Most rural areas here are doing just fine, with
homes as fancy as some vis.”
He then pointed out the stone archway they had just passed, “That stone archway we saw at the
entrance, that’s something only the wealthiermunities build. It’s like the face of
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the vige. The style and grandeur vary with the vige’s prosperity.
The one we passed had upturned eaves with auspicious clouds carved beneath them and a pair of
drum–shaped stones at the front it’s a symbol of good fortune and protection.”
Gotta say, after a couple of episodes, Gentry’s finding his groove in the show.
Although he imed to be talented, but deep down he knew he had no actual skills, especially
compared to Mervin and Winnie. The more he tries, the more he seems like he’s putting on an act.
After witnessing a few guest mishaps, Gentry’s genuinely scared.
So he scrutinized his performance in the previous episodes and came up with a new n, finally
carving out a better character for himself on the show.
That was to exin local customs and mystical trivia.
Mervin and Winnie had touched on these topics before, but they weren’t the talkative types. With
Candace energizing the atmosphere, Gentry naturally took on a different role.
Lucky for him, his years as a mystical streamer had built up a reservoir of knowledge, and with some
extra homework before the show, he was well–prepared.
All the other guests were listening intently, all except for Ned.
He felt like his lines were being stolen. After all, as the host, introductions and exnations were his
job.
Thest time he felt this way was when Gentry took over the live interaction segment.
And now, Gentry seemed hooked on hosting.
Was he after Ned’s job?
A flicker of anxiety crossed Ned’s mind, and he quickly took the baton from Gentry, also starting to
enthusiastically introduce the vige.
Since the vige was doing well, there were more young people aroundpared to other viges left
with just the elderly.
Many of them followed the show online or were fans of the stars, so they were thrilled about the crew’s
arrival.
In contrast to the previous low–key wees, this visit was met with great enthusiasm. from the
vigers.
Upon disembarking, Ned and the gang were warmly greeted by the vige chief and his people.
The chief shook Ned’s hand in wee and gave a brief rundown of the vige,
“We’ve got the guest houses all ready for you folks, and the families hosting you have been briefed.
They’ll take good care of you.”
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Ned thanked him and turned to the six guests, “Based on the arrangements between the show’s
producers and the vige chief, you’ll be paired up and staying with local families. The three
households you’ll be with have all experienced disturbances in the past.
You’ll need to investigate and uncover the truth behind the harassment of the Mandrake Guardians and
the vigers. Tomorrow, we will all go into the mountains to check out the damaged mandrake fields.”
Pairing up was also a safety measure, In case of any unexpected incidents during their stay.
Since this amodation arrangement naturally formed pairs, Winnie and Candace ended up
together without question.
Candace immediately hugged Winnie in excitement, “Finally! After three episodes, I get to team up with
Winnie! We’re more than just bed partners now.”
Her words carried a yful double entendre, cracking up the crew, guests, and viewers alike.
With a triumphant smirk, she teased the other two pairs, “You guys are going down this time!”
After thest two episodes, even the viewers had a hunch that Winnie was the key to
sess.
There was even a saying among fans: He who has Winnie, has victory.
Winnie was ustomed to Candace’s exuberance and teasing, simply smiling and letting
her have her moment of excitement.
The three pairs of roommates drew lots and, with their luggage in tow, headed to their respective host
families.
As part of the show’s segment, and thanks to the Mayor’s heads–up that the vigers should not crowd
around and disrupt the filming crew, the participants split up and navigated their way to their respective
“homes” using the signs and asking for directions.
Winnie and Candace were assigned to stay at the house that earlier had been frequently teased as the
abode of the Mandrake Guardians. The owner of the house, the second son, had moved back home
out of fear of the so–called “God of Nature.”
Hearing the term “Mandrake Guardians,” Candace’s curiosity was piqued. “Winnie, do you think there
might actually be a God of Nature?” she asked.
Winnie shook her head without responding, but as she stepped through the threshold, she sensed
something peculiar in the air.
She paused for a fraction of a second. Her gaze shifted, her clear eyes urately settling on a man in
his forties, a member of this household.