Switched Life:I Went Viral on a Family Variety Show-Chapter 103: Reporting to the Police, Not Holding Tight

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Reporting to the Police, Not Holding Tight

Sang Ning held onto the old man’s arms, trying to pull him up.

Just as he seemed about to stand, the old man immediately dropped back down, kneeling firmly again.

A deep, sonorous voice rang out: "You pulled me up today, which makes you my mentor from now on. Mentor, please accept my homage."

Sang Ning: "..."

Holy crap, is this guy insane?

[My head’s itchy, I might actually grow a brain. Is this some prank cooked up by the production team? Why can’t I make sense of it?]

[I’m clearly watching a rural variety show, so how did the vibe suddenly shift to a martial arts drama?!]

The old man’s eyes were sunken but oddly bright and penetrating. When he stared at Sang Ning, his gaze was full of complex emotions.

The joy and excitement were mixed with a hint of unease, as if he were waiting for some definitive response.

Not far off, Qin Jiaxiang was equally stunned. This was the first time he’d seen Sang Ning’s skills up close—her light and agile movements seemed like she was flying effortlessly as if suspended by invisible strings.

He clenched his fists tightly, his throat growing tight with excitement, unable to utter a single word.

It’s decided, it’s decided!

It has to be Sang Ning, no doubt about it!

Sang Ning grabbed the old man’s arms, while he clutched hers in turn, exerting a slight force as he shook her arms up and down.

"Mentor, say something! Why won’t you speak?" the old man prodded anxiously.

Sang Ning was utterly baffled but bore with it, responding gently, "Sir, please stand up first."

The old man obeyed and stood up. Just as he steadied himself, he tentatively asked, "Mentor, does that mean you’ve agreed to take me as your apprentice?"

Sang Ning said nothing, only pressed her lips into a fake smile.

She then turned toward the cameraman, shooting him exaggerated winks and signals.

Not understanding what Sang Ning was trying to convey, the cameraman furrowed his brow in confusion: "Mr. Sang, is there something wrong with your eyes?"

Sang Ning tilted her head, visibly exasperated, half-opening her mouth in disbelief before rolling her eyes dramatically toward the heavens.

Seeing that Xiao Zhao couldn’t grasp her meaning no matter what, she exaggeratedly mouthed the words slowly and silently: "Call the police!"

An elderly man seemingly mentally unstable appearing alone in the mountains—it was definitely a case for the cops.

Xiao Zhao suddenly looked enlightened, making an "oh" shape with his mouth.

Sang Ning’s expression finally returned to normal. Thank goodness, he understood her at last.

But before Sang Ning could enjoy her relief for even a second, she saw Xiao Zhao hefting the camera onto his shoulder with one hand while stretching the other arm out toward her.

An ominous feeling crept over her, and she finally abandoned mouthing words, choosing instead to ask directly, "What are you doing?"

Sang Ning’s tone was far from friendly, leaving Xiao Zhao looking immediately like an aggrieved puppy as he innocently explained, "You said to hold tight, Mr. Sang. Weren’t you asking me to hold tight?"

"..."

Sang Ning felt a heavy blow to her chest—she might seriously cough up blood.

Not caring about the old man’s feelings this time, Sang Ning exploded, "I meant call the police! Dial 119! Don’t you know what 119 means?!"

She pointed at the old man, her tone growing even more irate: "An elderly man is lost in the mountains, and you don’t think to notify the police so they can contact his family and get him back home?!"

Xiao Zhao was stunned into silence by her shouting, finally nodding dumbly in response, "Oh, oh."

[What is up with Xiao Zhao? He’s been shadowing Sang Ning for so long, yet he still lacks even basic situational awareness.]

[Sang Ning: Running into you must be my lucky day.]

Xiao Zhao reached into his pocket and slowly fumbled for his phone, preparing to make the call, but just then the old man stopped him. "Wait!"

Xiao Zhao looked up, confused.

The old man gripped Sang Ning’s hand tightly and let out a heavy snort, saying angrily: "Mentor, are you calling the police on me? What’s the meaning of this?"

Sang Ning was left speechless. She just wanted to ask the cops to help out—was that so wrong?

"Sir, are you from Anazhen?" Sang Ning softened her tone as much as possible.

The old man shook his head decisively.

If he wasn’t from Anazhen and seemed mentally off, calling the police became even more necessary.

"Sir, walking alone in the mountains is dangerous. How about giving us a phone number for someone from your family so we can contact them? If you can’t remember any numbers, that’s okay—then we can call the police, and they can help locate your loved ones. Does that work for you?"

Sang Ning tried her best to maintain a calm and soothing tone as she negotiated with him.

But unexpectedly, the old man let out a single sob. Though no tears appeared in the corners of his eyes, he dramatically raised his hand and wiped at them with his fist.

With a trembling, tearful voice, he said, "I have no family. My parents passed away a long time ago. I’ve been alone my whole life—no wife, no children. Mentor, you’re my only family in this world!"

Finishing his monologue, the old man solemnly clasped Sang Ning’s hands again.

Sang Ning was entirely out of patience—it seemed the only solution here was to placate the old man first and have Xiao Zhao discreetly call the cops after they’d left.

She hadn’t even begun her attempt at coaxing him when the old man spoke up first: "Mentor, you don’t need to worry about me. I’m perfectly capable even without any family. My mind is sharp and my limbs are strong.

I came here to travel, never expecting to meet someone as fateful as you. Where are you all heading now? Could I tag along?"

The old man had already settled into a brazen strategy of refusing to take ’no’ for an answer. Sang Ning realized there was no escaping him today.

After deliberating for a moment, she asked, "Sir, how should I address you? And where’s your home?"

"My surname is Tang—just call me Little Tang. As an avid traveler, my home is wherever I roam," the old man answered Sang Ning without hesitation.

[This old man may look unkempt, but his speech is logical, and his eyes are quite sharp. He doesn’t seem mentally ill.]

[If he’s not mentally ill, then his bizarre actions and words are honestly baffling.]

[He’s probably someone planted by the production team, though whether he’s a mystery guest is still unclear.]

After several exchanges with him, Sang Ning concluded that while his behavior and words were eccentric, the old man’s intellect seemed intact.

She couldn’t shake the suspicion that he might be an actor arranged by the show—either a mystery guest or just some random part of the act.

Deciding to observe him a bit longer to figure out his role, Sang Ning said to the old man, "Alright, sir. We’re heading to the Astronomy Tower at the mountain’s summit—are you up for the hike?"

"No problem, I’m very fit!" The old man’s eyes lit up immediately, though the spark quickly dimmed as he lamented, "Mentor, I already told you—just call me Little Tang."

"Alright, Little Tang," Sang Ning conceded, bowing her head to avoid further arguments.

Finally, Tang Yuanmao felt his long-anticipated success. He exhaled deeply, the joy and relief flooding his heart.

The corner of his lips quivered from a surge of overwhelming happiness. His throat tightened, and his eyes stung with emotion.

He wanted to cry—he wanted to weep passionately—for 45 years, 45 whole years, Sang Ning had finally returned!