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

Chapter 571: Joining the Thief Catcher 2 Crew, First Meeting with Qu Qiuyan

[Rational discussion: Isnʼt it a bit much to say Xiao He committing some terrible crime just because he won this award? A lot of people mentioned Xiao He back then during the analysis, but he was really young and his role leaned toward the villain, so many thought the organizers wouldnʼt dare give him the prize. But honestly, think about it—how many extra conditions did they set to exclude Xiao He in the first place?]

[Exactly. The Best Actor award is supposed to be about acting ability, right? What are some people getting so worked up about? Growing older doesnʼt automatically make your acting better. If you lose to a younger actor, maybe reflect on yourself!]

[If this year had one real contender, Xiao He could never have won, you know?]

[Xiao He fought others with two debuffs on him and still won. Go think about that.]

This was precisely the brilliance of Liu Rulan reverse-buying online commenters.

She split Xiao Heʼs Best Actor win into two highly attractive, attention-grabbing elements: “the youngest” and “villain actor.”

Those two factors now easily catch peopleʼs eyes, so whether the conversation is controversial or not, whether itʼs fans inside the circle or casual onlookers, most will subconsciously remember those two elements and bind them to Xiao Heʼs Best Actor identity.

So the idea that “Xiao He won the title of China’s youngest dual Best Actor for a villain role” became one of his branding points, a subtle way for an artist team to label their own performer.

Donʼt say labeling is bad. For celebrities, labels are precisely how they quickly and accurately lock onto an audience; itʼs part of their distinctive charm that attracts fans. The team will even swap labels to follow trends—what they call “tearing labels” and replacing them.

Now, because the “youngest” and “villain” elements attracted passersby, it also meant these people are sensitive to those words, even easily able to empathize. Naturally, they tended to side with Xiao He, and their inherent rebellious streak was triggered—they couldn’t help but want to step up and speak out for him.
Thatʼs exactly what Liu Rulan wanted.

While hurting and consoling fans at the same time, she provoked the emotions of casual observers, pulling more people into the topic, thereby helping stabilize Xiao Heʼs label in reverse. More people would accept Xiao Heʼs Best Actor award instead of being led astray by negative commentary.

Once the discourse around Xiao He broadened in this way, it shifted to another direction—people began to discuss why the workplace is like this for young people, whether a characterʼs actions should reflect on the actor, social issues, ideologies, any other debatable topics—just not questioning Xiao He.

When the water is stirred, bad comments can be buried under the dust and unable to surface.

Once those operating in the shadows find the matter unprofitable, they will naturally leave.

So when the surface calms down again, Xiao He becoming Best Actor is a fact. Years later, peopleʼs memories of that day will only recall Xiao He—the global superstar who became a dual Best Actor at such a young age—

Meanwhile, several companies’ online commenter operations in Beijing were shut down, and the companies came under serious investigation by the authorities above.

Other competitors who had been watching quietly kept their silence, grateful they hadn’t acted yet.

But with such rivals, could they really compete with him for that scriptʼs casting resources in the future?

Some people secretly schemed, some felt uneasy, some resolved to work harder.

...

And the Xiao He who had terrified those bizarre characters returned to Shanghai, only to be smoothly packaged by Liu Rulan and dropped into the Thief Catcher 2 production team.

By now Thief Catcher 2 had been filming for over a month, just waiting for Xiao He to join.

When he arrived at the familiar inn set, Xiao He felt a rush of emotions.

“This place is still the same as back then! I canʼt believe the crew could recreate the inn scene so faithfully, it really brings back memories.”

Back when he filmed the first Thief Catcher, he had been holding on almost solely with his Bone-Cleaving Knife Technique. Now, in the blink of an eye, he had won two Best Actor awards.

Times really had changed—

Pu Rong, who played the protagonist, and director Lin Yipeng came over to greet Xiao He. Hearing his remark, Pu Rong smiled: “It really is very different now. Come on, welcome our Emperor of Acting Xiao He!”

Lin Yipeng clapped along: “Welcome, welcome, welcome our newly awarded Emperor of Acting Xiao He.”

Xiao He was speechless: “What ʼEmperor of Acting Xiao Heʼ? What the heck is that title.”

It made his whole body shiver.

He really had to laugh at these people.

“Hey, hey, it’s heartbreaking. An old friend becomes Best Actor overnight and now acts all different—so sad,” Pu Rong sighed dramatically.

Xiao He gave a deadpan look: “Your current top priority is deleting the Tomat app from your phone.”

Not calling him “Emperor of Acting Xiao He.”

Lin Yipeng laughed uproariously beside them.

This is the joy of a group of acquaintances—no need for too much small talk or formalities, just Joking around makes the atmosphere warm and lively.

It felt really great.

“Oh right, let me introduce you.”

Lin Yipeng walked Xiao He further inside and introduced the woman tidying hair and makeup behind the inn counter: “This is Ms. Qu Qiuyan, she plays your boss in Thief Catcher 2.”

She looked like a pretty woman in her thirties. Her hair was styled in a common ancient peasant bun; her makeup was plain rather than heavy, and her clothing was modest, even a bit drab. Yet her lovely features and dignified temperament were so striking that people simply couldnʼt take their eyes off her.

Xiao He had been a little nervous about meeting the legendary Goddess Qu; he almost stood at attention like a good student. But when he saw her in person, his jaw nearly hit the floor.

This—this—

Werenʼt the rumors that Goddess Qu had been disfigured years ago?

So where did this goddess-like beauty standing before him suddenly appear from?

Qu Qiuyan’s young assistant was fixing the hair on her head, so Qu Qiuyan didnʼt rise or turn her neck; she just looked up at the young man and greeted him: “Xiao Xiao, congratulations on winning the Golden Flower Award.”

“Teacher Qu, hello.” Xiao He stammered his greeting, “Teacher Qu, you’re so beautiful, you hardly seem to have changed.”

Hehe.

Qu Qiuyan was amused by Xiao Heʼs bluntness. It was only when she smiled that Xiao He noticed a fold on one side of her cheek that was oddly unnatural, appearing like new skin layered over old. It wasnʼt exactly terrifying, but it did mar the overall beauty.

Apparently Goddess Qu had been doing restorative work over the years; reaching this result was probably the limit.

But she was still very beautiful!

Like an ancient jade that, even with a flaw, still exudes historical charm.

Xiao He admired her while feeling a little regretful.

A flaw is still a flaw; in front of the camera it will be captured, and online it will be magnified endlessly.

That Qu Qiuyan ultimately agreed to act in Thief Catcher 2 was, in itself, a huge challenge.

Once filming starts, it would be another blood-and-thunder spectacle!