Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO-Chapter 487 - 292: Variety Show (Part 1) – Searching for the City’s Secret [Third Update]

Chapter 487: Chapter 292: Variety Show (Part 1) – Searching for the City’s Secret [Third Update]
Under the scorching sun.
The car was parked by the roadside, and Nora Scott, wearing a white T-shirt, jeans, sneakers, a baseball cap, and sunglasses, leaned slantingly against the car hood.
Holding an ice cream bought from the nearby shop, she bit into it idly, waiting as time ticked away, her eyebrows knitted tighter and tighter.
A reality show?!
She refused to go on a date with her boyfriend for a reality show!
If only she had... she would rather have James Mason make an extra call; she should have clarified things.
What kind of situation is this?
After finishing the ice cream, Nora Scott saw a young man with dark skin and a short, sturdy build running over. His eyes glued to the license plate, he glanced at Nora Scott’s figure and quickly approached.
"James Mason’s apprentice..." The young man smiled, showing two rows of white teeth, and greeted Nora Scott, "Miss, it’s you, right."
"Hmm."
Feeling displeased, Nora responded coldly, showing no warmth.
However, the young man glanced her up and down, and his eyes suddenly brightened.
A beautiful figure, delicate skin...
Perhaps she might work?
"I’m Williams Carter; you can just call me Williams." The young man introduced himself.
"Nora Scott."
"Miss Scott."
Williams promptly addressed her.
Not in the mood for small talk with the young man, Nora directly asked, "What’s the situation?"
"I’m sorry I didn’t make it clear over the phone." Williams rubbed his hands and pointed in the direction, "It’s just a five-minute walk, we can talk while walking."
Nora agreed, keeping her hand in her pocket, following leisurely behind.
"Here’s the thing, a reality show is filming using ’traditional martial arts’ as a theme, trying to promote our profound martial arts, so they found several representative martial arts schools."
Nora casually asked, "What’s your school?"
Williams smiled broadly, "Plum Blossom Fist."
"..."
After a moment of contemplation, Nora didn’t bother to comment much, saying lightly, "Continue."
"Each selected school will find a martial arts master. Our Plum Blossom Fist school has my master, Liam Fonseca, chosen."
"However, he had acclimatization issues, ate something wrong last night, got acute gastroenteritis, and was sent to the hospital. He can’t film for the next couple of days."
Upon saying this, Williams sighed, appearing quite helpless.
Surprised by the unexpected incident, Nora felt a headache coming on, unwilling to make any evaluation.
"The master is truly skilled, but as for us apprentices... honestly, none are competent, can’t hold up in public."
Williams scratched his back neck awkwardly, giving Nora a sheepish smile.
He continued, "The program team requires someone who can command the stage, preferably a master with an immortal demeanor."
"Additionally, the filming tomorrow includes sparring with masters from other schools. Although it’s supposed to be ’stopping at the touch,’ they’ve been arguing in groups lately, looking down on each other, planning to showcase real skills during filming. The biggest loser must publicly admit their school’s style is inadequate."
"...They have decades of foundation as masters, no matter how hollow they may appear, it’s not something apprentices like us can compare to. So, the master and all of us decided unanimously—to seek external help."
"..."
Nora listened in silence, utterly speechless.
"I’ve heard Master Mason traveled nationwide in his youth, sparring with various styles, mastering several techniques, even proficient in Mei Hua Pile. Plus, the master said Master Mason owes him a favor, so he reached out to him."
Explaining up to here, Williams looked slightly embarrassed at Nora, "Unexpectedly, the master might not have explained clearly—"
"I know it."
Nora spoke succinctly.
"Huh?"
Williams didn’t react initially.
Nora’s brows slightly furrowed then relaxed, she explained calmly, "I know Plum Blossom Fist."
"You know it?"
Williams was a bit surprised but didn’t show any joy; instead, he suspiciously eyed Nora.
Then, his gaze lingered on Nora’s slender arms and legs, the skepticism evident in his expression.
It’s not surprising he’s in this state; martial arts inherently require years of consistent practice to achieve some success.
Clearly, someone like Nora...
Judging just by her appearance lacks convincing power.
Beneath the sunglasses, Nora’s gaze subtly swept over Williams without offering any clarification.
Under the blazing sun, Williams suddenly felt a chill down his back, ceasing his scrutiny, instead saying, "In the afternoon, there’s a short film; the director said whoever can do a few moves on the Mei Hua Pile is fine. However, since it’s going to be on camera, someone with a good figure, poise, and well-balanced features is preferred."
"I think you could do it," Williams added, "Let’s ask the director later."
"...Okay."
Nora was indifferent.
Realizing he might have spoken incorrectly or behaved poorly, annoying this beauty, Williams awkwardly shut his mouth, refraining from saying any more unnecessary words.
Luckily, the journey was short, and after a minute or two of silence, they reached their destination.
"Here we are."
Williams led Nora Scott to an ancient building.
"East Peak Town is picturesque, with many well-preserved ancient buildings. Plus, the Mantis Fist here is quite famous, so the production team chose to film here," Williams explained. "These buildings are rented, and some martial arts equipment inside is made by the crew’s props team."
The implication was they were just here to film a variety show; this wasn’t their territory.
Nora Scott didn’t speak; she glanced at the courtyard’s gate, stepped over the threshold, and walked in.
Williams followed behind, sneaking glances at Nora Scott’s tall, cool silhouette with no discontent in his heart.
Though she seemed aloof and indifferent, not very warm to people, her tall stature and heroic presence gave off the vibe of a female knight from ancient times.
Regardless of her ability, just by her appearance and demeanor, anyone comparing them would surely believe she was the one who came from the Martial World.
"Senior Brother!"
Inside the courtyard, a young man in his twenties ran over, looked around, and directly ignored Nora Scott, curiously staring at Williams, "Where’s Master Mason?"
"Let me introduce," Williams cleared his throat and pointed to Nora Scott beside him, "This is Nora Scott, a disciple of Master Mason. She is our external support."
"Huh?"
The young man’s head was full of question marks.
Then, he stared at Nora Scott for a few moments, leaned over to Williams, and whispered, "This young lady’s image is passable, but what about tomorrow’s competition?"
"We’ll figure it out tomorrow!"
Williams was at a loss.
The young man blinked blankly, looking at Nora Scott with eyes full of doubt.
Glancing around, Williams saw one or two crew members wandering, so he asked the young man, "Where’s the Deputy Director?"
"In the backyard."
Unable to resist, he glanced at Nora Scott again, then pointed inside.
Williams cordially said to Nora Scott, "Miss Scott, shall we go over there first?"
"Okay."
Retracting her gaze from the courtyard, Nora Scott briefly saw the variety show’s logo, furrowing her brows slightly. She tilted her cap brim slightly lower, responding coolly.
Watching them walk away, the young man stood under the blazing sun, pouting with displeasure.
What Master Mason...
Promised to return a favor, but didn’t even show up, instead sent a young girl.
If they had known this was the case, they might as well have handled it themselves!
*
The Deputy Director was in the backyard arranging with the prop masters for the setup.
Plum Blossom Fist, also known as Mei Hua Pile, as the name suggests, is a boxing technique practiced on wooden piles. Naturally, distinctive features like wooden piles were indispensable.
There are specific rules for embedding piles. The pile diameter is 3-5 inches, with the lower half buried underground, and the upper half rising 3 feet 3 inches above ground. Pile spacing is 3 feet front to back, and 1.5 feet left to right. As expertise grows, the pile height is increased, sometimes reaching 5 feet.
They were setting up the piles according to Master Fonseca’s accomplishments, precisely at 5 feet, about 1.2 meters.
When Nora Scott and Williams arrived, the familiar Deputy Director was supervising the setup.
"Deputy Director Coin!"
Seeing the Deputy Director, Williams called out loudly.
Hearing the shout, Deputy Director Coin looked over, but his first glance fell on Nora Scott.
Though she wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, just her aura and presence alone made the Deputy Director’s eyes light up.
However—
As he walked towards them, Deputy Director Coin fittingly diverted his gaze from Nora Scott, unexpectedly asking, "Weren’t we expecting a martial arts master with an ethereal vibe?"
"This is the master’s disciple," Williams introduced.
Examining Nora Scott, Deputy Director Coin asked, "Are you skilled in Plum Blossom Fist?"
"She is, she is."
Before Nora Scott could speak, Williams quickly nodded vigorously.
Nora Scott: "..."
Recognizing that Williams assumed she found it tiresome to deal with them, Nora Scott didn’t offer any further response.
Williams continued, "Do you think, with her image, she’s suitable for filming this short piece?"
Glancing at the setting in progress, Deputy Director Coin asked Nora Scott with some concern, "It’s quite high; are you sure you won’t fall?"
Williams: "..."
The difference in treatment was too obvious, wasn’t it?
When they, as disciples, were up, he just mentioned that the props were ready and told them to be careful and practice several times.
But when faced with a beauty...
The attitude completely changed!
Nora Scott shrugged and calmly said, "I won’t."
Deputy Director Coin was taken aback.
That voice... it sounds a bit familiar.