King of Film Xu sat confidently by the fishing platform, but Cheng Lu found him unreliable, so she thought of other methods, seeking to trade drawings with the village women for some food.
Tao Ti sat beside King of Film Xu, quietly waiting.
Time slowly passed...
The lake was calm, without any ripples.
King of Film Xu felt awkward, but still persisted.
Eventually, Tao Ti, still just a child, grew restless. Taking advantage of King of Film Xu's inattention, she sneaked away.
She rubbed her numb little bottom and looked around, hoping to find something like wild shepherd's purse, like she used to forage in the mountains and bring home.
Shepherd's purse with tofu was delicious; it was also one of her grandfather's signature dishes.
A cameraman was assigned to follow Tao Ti, keeping a distance that wouldn't let the little girl notice.
As Tao Ti walked along the lake, she suddenly heard a splash.
Looking toward the sound, she saw a man in an ethnic Unlined Garment falling into the water.
Without a word, the cameraman dropped his equipment and dived in to save the man.
The cameraman felt something entangle his leg under the water and joined in shouting for help.
Tao Ti saw differently than ordinary people—she saw a woman in the water with long, long hair. Her long hair had entangled the men's feet, preventing them from swimming to shore.
Tao Ti swallowed nervously.
In her dreams, she had learned that such beings were called Evil Spirits, and if bundled up, they could turn into various delicious foods!
Tao Ti dove into the water, her small form as agile as a fish. She swam up to the long-haired woman, who lifted her head to reveal a hideous and terrifying face.
Tao Ti wasn't afraid at all and stretched out her tender little hand toward her.
The woman's eyes displayed shock and fear, but it was too late—Tao Ti pressed on her head, causing her to shrink.
The hair retracted, freeing the two men.
With nothing entangling their legs anymore, the cameraman and the man in the Unlined Garment could swim by themselves.
Under the water, Tao Ti bunched up an invisible black mist; under her gaze, the mist turned into a piece of hazelnut chocolate. Tao Ti took a bite, swallowed the chocolate, and revealed a blissful, satisfied smile.
The cameraman swam to shore and realized Tao Ti was still in the water. He shouted frantically, "Little Taotie, where are you?"
Just as he was about to dive back in to search for her, Tao Ti swam to shore herself and cocked her little head, saying, "Uncle, something was entangling your legs under the water, I took care of it!"
Only then did the cameraman remember something had been entangling their legs, and suddenly they were freed, all thanks to the little one's intervention.
"Was it seaweed? Did you untie it for me? Thank you, Little Taotie, you really saved my life!" The cameraman was overjoyed, pulled out a candy from his pocket, "Wait for noon, I'll secretly bring you some treats!"
He had decided, if King of Film Xu and Cheng Lu couldn't get food, he would take it upon himself to feed Little Taotie.
Tao Ti took the candy, peeled off the wet wrapper, and gobbled it down, revealing a sweet smile, "Thank you, Uncle!"
The man in the Unlined Garment came over and introduced himself, "I'm Guodong Cheng. From now on, you are my lifesaver, Guodong Cheng. With me covering you, no one will dare to bully you!"
The nearby cameraman nearly dropped his jaw. He thought, This is the show's biggest investor! Has Little Taotie just secured a golden supporter?
"Brother, do you have something to eat? I'm really hungry." She wasn't hungry before, but eating "chocolate" and candy had stirred up her appetite. Tao Ti rubbed her stomach and looked pitifully at the man in the Unlined Garment.
She thought, after saving Cameraman Uncle, he gave her candy, so could this brother also give her some goodies?
Brother! Guodong's eyes lit up.
He was twenty-six this year but looked much older due to his love for farming and spending a lot of time in the sun. Thus, children often called him Uncle or even Grandpa to tease him.
Finding a child with good eyesight was rare, so Guodong laughed heartily, "This little sister, I, Guodong Cheng, acknowledge you. From now on, you are my sister from another father and mother! Come on, big brother will take you for some good food!"
The cameraman was dumbfounded, watching as the show's biggest investor went to indulge Little Taotie with fine food, unable to intervene, he quickly contacted the director.