After Pu Rong, Xiao He successively received text messages from Liu Zehang, Li Hanyue, Yi Man'er, and others. What surprised Xiao He the most was that among these messages, there was also one from Liu Rulan.
Unlike the others, this manager Liu offered several suggestions along with her greetings, helping Xiao He consider issues like fan conversion and maintaining popularity. Each suggestion was very sincere and practical, giving Xiao He a feeling of sudden enlightenment after reading them.
Liu Rulan hadn't appeared on set during this period, and usually only a management assistant followed Su Shengxi around. Xiao He had thought she had forgotten about him, but unexpectedly, she took the initiative to contact him this time and offered professional advice, which was quite surprising.
[Xiao He: Thank you.]
Liu Rulan hadn't appeared on set during this period, and usually only a management assistant followed Su Shengxi around. Xiao He had thought she had forgotten about him, but unexpectedly, she took the initiative to contact him this time and offered professional advice, which was quite surprising.
[Liu Rulan: If you're willing to let me be your manager, I'll handle this matter and future matters for you.]
Xiao He blinked.
So direct?
Actually, this kind of directness really boosts favorability.
[Xiao He: Are you planning to go independent?]
The other side didn't answer directly.
[Liu Rulan: Can we find an opportunity to meet and talk after the New Year?]
[Xiao He: Sure.]
After setting a time with the person, Xiao He put down his phone and picked up his bowl to continue eating.
He Junhao, however, was already too excited to eat: "Holy shit, Brother Xiao, you've really made it big this time! So many people!"
Xiao He: "Hmm, not bad "
"Brother Xiao, how can you be so calm! I wish you'd start streaming right now! This is all heat and traffic!"
"Ssshhha ssshhha, our food is getting cold."
"Brother Xiao!"
"Delicious!"
He Junhao gave up struggling.
He propped his chin up with his hand rather helplessly, watching Xiao He happily eat hotpot: "Brother Xiao, only you could stay this calm in such a situation."
Xiao He spread his hands and said very Versailles-style: "You'll get used to it."
But immediately, the person who was "showing off" just a second ago received punishment in the next moment—
Looking at the call from "Her Majesty Mother" on his phone, Xiao He swallowed hard.
He Junhao leaned over to take a look, then his face filled with pity: "Brother Xiao, don't blame me for not being loyal, you bravely go ahead, I can't help you."
Xiao He: "..."
The hotpot in front of him suddenly didn't smell so good anymore.
-
Xiao He's father is a government civil servant, and his mother is a high school Chinese teacher. Although the family couldn't be considered wealthy, over the years the family atmosphere had been harmonious, with loving parents who greatly respected Xiao He's opinions and supported his decision to come to Shanghai to study computer science.
Xiao He had always been the well-behaved child type since childhood, very worry-free for his parents. If there was one rebellious thing, it would probably be Xiao He suddenly deciding to become an actor.
Imagine this good child, having studied computer science for four years, almost about to graduate, suddenly running off to act and become a celebrity—who could handle that?
When they first learned about this from Xiao He, his mother almost immediately took leave and booked a flight to come over. It was only after Xiao He's earnest explanations and persuasions that the two temporarily accepted the situation.
But this time, Xiao He's rescue incident had caused too much commotion. Surely Xiao's parents would see it and give Xiao He a thorough lecturing.
Sure enough, as soon as Xiao He answered the phone, he received his mother's roaring scolding—
"Xiao He, have you grown so bold that you don't value your life anymore? How many floors up was that! If you fell, they wouldn't even be able to scrape you up, and you dared to play aerial acrobatics for me? Do you really think you're Spider-Man?"
"Are you tired of living too comfortably? Just you wait, see if I don't come over and deal with you—"
"Mom, no! I was wrong! But it was a human life! I promise I'll never dare again—"
Xiao He covered the phone and whispered his pleas for mercy while He Junhao stifled his laughter and voluntarily trotted to the kitchen to clean up.
Although Mother Xiao is a Chinese teacher, her temper is quite fiery. At home, she usually plays the role of the strict parent, while his old father plays a supporting role on the side.
So Xiao He was still quite afraid of his mother. Even when being scolded by her over the phone, he was submissive and didn't dare talk back at all.
Laughing to death, kneeling and apologizing now could still bring some offline peace, but if he talked back now, Mother Xiao would definitely come charging to Shanghai.
To ensure both sides could have a good New Year's Eve, Xiao He chose to avoid confrontation.
Fortunately, after chattering for twenty minutes, Mother Xiao finally stopped her output.
"Who are you spending New Year's Eve with today? Don't tell me the film crew isn't giving time off?" Mother Xiao asked stiffly.
Xiao He seized the opportunity to please her: "Mom, we have time off! I'm eating with He Junhao right now!"
Then he quickly signaled He Junhao with his eyes.
He Junhao made an OK gesture and smoothly took over Xiao He's words: "Auntie, good evening! Wishing you an early Happy New Year!"
Hearing He Junhao's voice, Mother Xiao's tone immediately softened: "Ah, Little Hao! Long time no see! Happy New Year to you too!"
"Auntie, how have you been recently? Is everything good? Brother Xiao was just talking about you guys these past few days. He originally planned to come back to see you, but something came up on my end, so he stayed to keep me company. Really sorry about that, please don't be mad at Brother Xiao..."
He Junhao truly lived up to being a content creator—his smooth talking was really impressive. In just a few moves, he had Mother Xiao handled.
Xiao He watched in amazement, silently giving him a thumbs up.
Brother, I'll remember this favor!
So when Xiao He took back the phone, Mother Xiao's attitude had clearly improved significantly: "How have you been recently? Is anyone in the film crew bullying you? Stop sending money to our card—we have salaries now and will have pensions later. You'd better take care of yourself, don't go climbing around and falling somewhere. If that happens, your father and I won't take care of you."
Listening to his mother's awkward concern, Xiao He couldn't help but feel his nose sting, then he chuckled lightly: "Don't worry, Mom. I'm doing pretty well now, always have roles to film. The directors even say I have talent! And in my previous crew, I met Bao Wei—I got an autograph for you!"
"Is that so..." Mother Xiao fell silent for a moment on the other end, then raised her voice, "Really? You rascal actually got to meet Bao Wei?!"
In Mother Xiao's impression, Bao Wei was someone who frequently appeared on TV and in movies—his status must be ridiculously high. How could a nobody like Xiao He actually get to speak with Bao Wei?
Xiao He laughed: "I have lots of photos on my phone too. If you don't believe me, I can video call him later."
"Really?!" Mother Xiao exclaimed joyfully, "No need for video calls, just quickly mail that autograph over. I'll put it on display when I get back."
Xiao He said helplessly: "Okay, Mom."
And so, a suddenly erupted family crisis was silently resolved by an autograph from Bao Wei.
It was then that Xiao He realized—his mom seemed to genuinely like Bao Wei, more than just a casual fan.
Wuwu, thank you Mr.Bao for saving his dear life!
-
The online buzz continued to grow, and Xiao He really felt like he was getting nationwide recognition this time.
But because of the gradually expanding video reach, someone in a certain rental apartment also saw Xiao He.
"Xiao He... acts bravely for justice..."
The person murmured to themselves, their mouse-holding hand trembling slightly from pain.
Sure enough, as soon as Xiao He answered the phone, he received his mother's roaring scolding—
Based on such a wound, it wasn't hard to imagine what kind of scene it had been—
A butcher's knife had swung horizontally, piercing through the thumb web, directly to the ulnar styloid process at the wrist. It had almost completely chopped off most of the palm, connected only by a bit of skin and flesh.
That intense pain was something he still couldn't forget to this day.
And this... was all brought by that damn Zhu Third Brother!
If he hadn't suddenly changed his mind to kill this kid, if he hadn't insisted on changing their murder plan... why would he have been so angry that he killed him!
It was all Zhu Third Brother's fault—yes! And this kid too!
It was all their fault! They forced me into this!