After Pu Rong, Xiao He successively received text messages from Liu Zehang, Li Hanyue, and Iman'er, and what surprised Xiao He the most was that there was also a text message from Liu Rulan among them.
Unlike the others, this Ms. Liu, the agent, not only sent greetings but also provided several suggestions to help Xiao He consider fan conversion and maintaining popularity, and each suggestion was very sincere and practical, making Xiao He feel enlightened after reading them.
However, Liu Rulan hadn't appeared on set during this period, and usually Su Shengxi was only accompanied by an agent assistant. Xiao He had thought she had forgotten, but he didn't expect her to contact him proactively this time and give him professional advice, which was quite surprising.
"Xiao He: Thank you."
The reply came quickly, as if she had been waiting for his message.
"Liu Rulan: If you are willing to let me be your agent, I will handle this matter and future matters for you."
Xiao He blinked.
So direct?
But honestly, that really did increase his favorable impression.
"Xiao He: Are you planning to go solo?"
The other party did not answer directly.
"Liu Rulan: Can we find a time to meet in person after the New Year?"
"Xiao He: Okay."
After setting a time with her, Xiao He put down his phone and picked up his bowl again, ready to eat.
He Junhao, however, was already too excited to eat: "Oh my god, Xiao Ge, you're really famous this time! So many people!"
Xiao He: "Hmm, not bad, this beef is a bit tough today."
"Xiao Ge, why are you so calm! I wish you would start a live broadcast right now! This is all popularity and traffic!"
"Sigh, sigh, this duck blood is so hot."
"Xiao Ge!"
"Delicious!"
He Junhao gave up struggling.
He rested his chin on his hand with a helpless expression, watching Xiao He happily eat hot pot: "Xiao Ge, only you can be so calm about something like this."
Xiao He spread his hands, saying in a very Versailles-like manner: "You get used to it."
But then, the person who was "showing off" a second ago was instantly punished—
Looking at the call from "Mother Dear" on his phone, Xiao He swallowed.
He Junhao leaned over for a look, then his face was full of pity: "Xiao Ge, don't blame your brother for being disloyal, go bravely, I can't help you."
Xiao He: "..."
The hot pot in front of him instantly lost its appeal.
-
Xiao Father and Xiao's Mother, one a government civil servant and the other a high school Chinese teacher, though not extremely wealthy, had maintained a harmonious family atmosphere and a loving relationship for many years. They also greatly respected Xiao He's opinions and supported him in coming to Shanghai to study computer science.
Xiao He had always been a well-behaved child since he was young, causing his parents little worry. If there was one rebellious thing he did, it was probably his sudden decision to become an actor.
A good child like him, after studying computer science for four years and almost graduating, suddenly going to act and become a celebrity—who could tolerate that?
When Xiao's Mother first learned about it from Xiao He, she almost took leave and flew over immediately. It was only after Xiao He painstakingly explained and persuaded her that they temporarily accepted the matter.
However, Xiao He's rescue incident this time caused too much of a stir. It's likely that Xiao Father and Xiao's Mother, upon seeing it, would severely nag Xiao He again.
Sure enough, as soon as Xiao He answered the phone, he was greeted by his mother's thunderous roar—
"Xiao He, you're so bold you don't even care about your life anymore? How high was that floor! If you fell, you wouldn't even be recognizable. You actually dared to act like an aerialist for me? Do you really think you're Spider-Man?"
"Are you tired of living too comfortably? You just wait, see if I don't come over and deal with you—"
"Mom, no! I was wrong! Wasn't that a human life! I promise I'll never dare again—"
Xiao He covered his phone, pleading softly. He Junhao stifled a laugh and consciously jogged to the kitchen to clean up.
Although Xiao's Mother was a Chinese teacher, her temper was quite fiery. At home, she usually played the role of the strict one, while his old father acted as support from the side.
So Xiao He was still very afraid of Xiao's Mother. Even when being lectured by her over the phone, he was submissive and dared not talk back in the slightest.
It's hilarious, sliding into submission now could grant him peace offline, but if he talked back now, Xiao's Mother would definitely come directly to Shanghai.
To ensure they all had a good New Year's Eve, Xiao He chose to avoid confrontation.
Fortunately, after twenty minutes of nagging, Xiao's Mother finally stopped her tirade.
"Who are you spending New Year's Eve with today? The crew isn't working, are they?" Xiao's Mother asked stiffly.
Xiao He seized the opportunity to flatter her: "Mom, we're off! I'm having dinner with He Junhao right now!"
Then he quickly winked at He Junhao.
He Junhao gave an OK gesture and smoothly took over Xiao He's words: "Good evening, Auntie! Happy New Year in advance!"
Hearing He Junhao's voice, Xiao's Mother's tone immediately softened a few degrees: "Ah, Little Hao, long time no see! Happy New Year!"
"Auntie, how have you two been recently? Is everything well? My Xiao Ge mentioned you two these past few days. He originally planned to come back and see you, but something came up on my end, so he stayed to accompany me. I'm really sorry, please don't be angry with Xiao Ge..."
He Junhao truly lived up to his reputation as a content creator; his tongue was incredibly agile, and he managed to win over Xiao's Mother in no time.
Xiao He watched in awe, silently giving him a thumbs-up.
Brother, I owe you one!
So when Xiao He took the phone back, Xiao's Mother's attitude had clearly improved a lot: "How have you been recently? Has anyone bullied you on set? Don't keep sending money to our card; we have salaries now and will have pensions later. You should take care of yourself, kid, lest you climb around and fall somewhere someday. Your father and I won't take care of you then."
Listening to Xiao's Mother's awkward concern, Xiao He couldn't help but feel a pang in his nose, then chuckled softly: "Don't worry, Mom, I'm doing quite well now. I've always had roles, and the directors even say I'm talented. Plus, I even met Bao Wei on my previous set, and I got you an autograph!"
"Is that so...?" Xiao's Mother was silent for a moment on the other end, then raised her voice, "Really?! You little brat, you can actually meet Bao Wei?!"
In Xiao's Mother's impression, Bao Wei was someone who often appeared in TV shows and movies, so his status must be incredibly high. How could an unknown small-time actor like Xiao He even talk to Bao Wei?
Xiao He chuckled: "I have many photos on my phone. If you don't believe me, I'll video call him later."
"Really?!" Xiao's Mother exclaimed in surprise, "No need for a video call, just quickly mail the autograph over. I'll display it on the table when I get back."
Xiao He helplessly: "Okay, Mom."
Thus, a sudden family crisis was silently resolved by Bao Wei's autograph.
It was then that Xiao He realized his mother seemed to genuinely like Bao Wei—a little more than just a casual fan.
Wuwu, thank you, Teacher Bao, for saving my life!
-
The online popularity continued to rise, and Xiao He truly felt like he had become nationally recognized ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) this time.
But because of the increasingly widespread video, someone in a rented room also saw Xiao He.
"Xiao He... acting bravely..."
The person mumbled to himself, his hand clutching the mouse trembling slightly from pain.
And his dominant right hand was now swollen and blistering, with a thick, long, and gruesome knife scar running from the back of his hand to his wrist. Even now, a reddish-yellow liquid was faintly seeping from it, looking exceptionally repulsive.
Based on such a wound, it was not difficult to deduce the scene at the time—
A butcher knife had sliced horizontally, piercing through the web of his thumb and running directly to the tip of the ulna's styloid process at the wrist. It was even just a tiny bit away from completely severing most of his palm, leaving it connected by only a sliver of flesh.
That intense pain, he could not forget it even today.
And this... it was all caused by that damned Zhu Lao San!
If he hadn't suddenly changed his mind and wanted to kill this kid, if he hadn't insisted on changing their murder plan... how could he have killed him in a fit of rage!
It's all Zhu Lao San's fault—yes! And this kid!
It's all their fault! They forced me!
