Brother Dao Took the Entertainment Industry by Storm, Fans Beg Me Not to Kill Anymore

Chapter 667: Meeting an Acquaintance on a Night Road

And thus, the Q&A session came to an end.

Xiao He and the others went along with the audience for a few more games, then wrapped up this leg of the roadshow.

As this was a crucial promotional period, their roadshow naturally didn’t stop at just this one. Basically, for the entire day, Xiao He and his team attended one roadshow promotional event after another.

By the time they finished this series of activities, it was already around nine in the evening.

Xiao He was still managing to keep up his composure while sitting in the car, but Xiao Chen, who had been following him around all day, was completely wiped out. He slumped lazily in the passenger seat, leaning back with his eyes closed, resting.

Liu Rulan had come with Lao Qi to pick them up. Lao Qi was driving, while Liu Rulan sat in the back seat, her fingers constantly swiping across her tablet. She checked the public opinion online while speaking to Xiao He: “Just now, ‘Imperial Enterprise’ sent word—you’re to report to the set next Monday immediately.”

Xiao He raised an eyebrow, and the tension on his face finally cracked into a slight smile. “Oh? Looks like the final decision is set, then.”

Liu Rulan curled her lips. “I never said which role, though. Shu Han is also joining the cast with you. You two can keep each other company.”

“I don’t buy it. If I’m already in the picture, Director Chou wouldn’t choose anyone else.” Xiao He shook his head, speaking with a tone of exaggerated pity. “If he really thinks I’m too young and doesn’t pick me, then I’d have to say ‘Imperial Enterprise’ is just so-so.”

“Oh wow, getting full of yourself already, huh? Well—congratulations, I suppose. The role you’ve got is indeed Emperor Chen, Qin Zhuo.”

“Hmph, just as expected.” Xiao He let out a low chuckle.

Liu Rulan shot him a sideways glance and continued with her warning: “But here’s another piece of bad news for you: you’re about to join the set, but at the end of March, you’ve got a promotional gig abroad. You’d better start thinking now about how you’re going to ask Director Chou for time off.”

Although running around for gigs during a shoot was pretty standard for celebrities these days, Qiu Zhenlong was different.

The old man was strict, never allowing actors to juggle multiple schedules, and during the shoot, most of the time was under closed management. Even entering or leaving the film base at night came with strict rules. An actor who had worked with him before once jokingly complained to the media about having to sneak over a wall to buy a midnight snack because he was too hungry.

With a director like that, it was hard to imagine how hellishly difficult it would be to ask for leave.

But Xiao He figured, since he was already in it, he’d just swallow his pride and ask. What was the worst that could happen? Qiu Zhenlong wouldn’t agree, or he’d just kick him off the set?

Besides, Xiao He considered himself a fairly “dedicated” actor. Whether it was the ‘Imperial Enterprise’ crew or his previous one, during the shooting period, he always tried to either postpone or complete work ahead of schedule, never letting scattered gigs affect the production’s progress.

“I’ll ask when the time comes.” Xiao He shrugged. “Since he chose me, he must have a pretty high tolerance for me by now.”

After all, that director had been especially picky with him during the audition.

He didn’t know exactly why the man had suddenly changed his attitude, but Xiao He was a master at shamelessly climbing the ladder once given an inch.

Liu Rulan rolled her eyes in amusement. “Alright, just make sure you think it through. We probably won’t be around much longer anyway.”

“OK, OK.”

Xiao He nodded to show he understood, then let his gaze drift toward the window.

As fate would have it, the cinema where they’d held the roadshow and the hotel they were returning to happened to be on a route that passed right by the art center where he had auditioned for ‘Imperial Enterprise’.

It was already pretty late, and the art center had long since closed. The entire building was pitch black.

But Xiao He felt like he could see a figure standing by the entrance.

“Lao Qi, pull over onto that lane. Slow down a bit.”

Xiao He narrowed his eyes suddenly and said to Lao Qi.

“Got it.”

Luckily, there weren’t many cars on this street. As soon as he heard Xiao He, Lao Qi steered directly onto the far lane.

As the car slowed down, Xiao He finally got a clear look. There really was a person standing by the entrance, and they looked very familiar, like someone he had seen before.

Just as the vehicle was about to drive past, Xiao He finally remembered who it was—

“Lao Qi, stop. Reverse a little.”

He immediately called out to Lao Qi.

“Alright.”

So the black van pulled over and slowly backed up a bit.

Xiao He rolled down the window and called out to the person over there: “Is that Qian Wenhao?”

The young man, who had been staring at the ground lost in thought, suddenly lifted his head, a hint of wariness in his eyes. “Who’s there?”

“Over here—”

Xiao He stuck his head out the window and waved toward the man. The van below him flashed its lights, making their presence more noticeable.

The young man, dressed in rather thin clothing, stopped in his tracks. He stared at Xiao He’s face for a long moment before it finally clicked. “It’s you! Xiao He!”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

Xiao He said with a smile. “Are you waiting for a ride? Need us to give you a lift? Elder Qian helped me out quite a bit last time, and I’m really grateful to him. If there’s anything you need help with, don’t be shy.”

He wasn’t sure if Elder Qian’s recommendations or help had anything to do with him landing the role, but Xiao He had just found out he’d passed the audition, and he was in a good mood, so he figured he might as well throw out the invitation.

Qian Wenhao’s face first showed surprise, then twisted into a slightly odd expression. Finally, he nodded. “Alright then, I won’t hold back. Thank you very much.”

So he actually walked over, pulled open the door, and got in.

“Could you drop me off at the Beijing Calligraphy Association up ahead? Thanks.”

This area had been deliberately planned as an entire art district by the higher-ups. Calligraphy, dance, painting, and other associations had all moved to new buildings nearby, so the distance wasn’t actually that far. Qian Wenhao could have just walked a few steps.

But he still chose to get in the car.

Xiao He felt that Qian Wenhao was acting a bit strange. He gave the young man a once-over and asked curiously, “Is the association still open this late? You’re working overtime?”

Qian Wenhao’s body stiffened, and he forced a strained smile onto his face. “Uh, yeah. I just forgot something.”

“Oh, I see.”

Xiao He fell silent, not knowing what else to say to him.

To be honest, Elder Qian was a really good person.

After that audition, they had kept in touch.

When Xiao He had taken the initiative to explain that he hadn’t studied calligraphy for very long and had only tried to gain the judges’ favor by mimicking Emperor Chen’s handwriting, Elder Qian hadn’t gotten angry. Instead, he’d chuckled warmly and enthusiastically shared with Xiao He some classic copybooks he had practiced with, even pointing out many problems in Xiao He’s calligraphy.

So Xiao He was truly grateful for Elder Qian’s guidance.

But when it came to the conflict between Elder Qian and this younger man, Xiao He didn’t dare to stick his nose in.

He could understand Elder Qian’s restraint and Qian Wenhao’s resentment, but those things had nothing to do with him, and there was nothing he could do to help.

Running into him by chance like this and offering a lift was already the most he could do.

Soon, the van pulled up at the entrance of the Calligraphy Association.

“Thank you.”

Qian Wenhao said politely, but he didn’t immediately get out of the car.

Xiao He looked at this strange young man with some confusion.

No one else knew Qian Wenhao, so they naturally didn’t say anything, and the car fell into a brief silence.

After what felt like an eternity, Qian Wenhao seemed to muster up his courage and asked Xiao He in a low voice: “Um… that piece of calligraphy you wrote at the audition last time… could you sell one to me?”

“Huh?”