Unaware of the heated online chatter surrounding them, the three groups of artists set out on their respective paths after receiving their maps. Xia Xin and Jing Mo chose the leftmost route, while Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian opted for the right. Lu Shi and Tian Mei settled on the middle one.
"But I have so much baggage," Tian Mei lamented, biting her lip in distress. Her suitcase was filled with skincare products and stylish clothes, items she had no intention of leaving behind. She was hoping others might share the load.
Without missing a beat, Lu Shi stepped forward and said, "I can carry one for you."
Three more remained. Tian Mei's eyes darted toward Xia Xin and Jing Mo. The pair was traveling light, each with only a backpack. If each could just carry one of her cases, she could manage the last one herself. Unfortunately, they paid her no attention. They had chosen their path and walked away, looking like holidaying campers from behind.