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

Chapter 694: Workers Are Off Duty! Who Cares About You!

As for how the following days were spent, please allow Xiao He to refrain from recalling them.

Anyway, by the time the last dialogue-heavy scene before his leave wrapped up, Xiao He felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation for the first time.

The last time he felt this liberated was the day he finished his college entrance exams.

Truly exhausting.

Director Chou, however, had his hands clasped behind his back, repeatedly reviewing the footage of Xiao Heʼs final court scene, muttering to himself.

”Xiao Xiao, Xiao Xiao, come here, come over.”

Then, predictably, a few minutes later, he started calling for Xiao He again.

By this point, Xiao He had grown used to it.

”Coming, coming.”

Xiao He walked over helplessly, while the makeup artist and costume designer followed behind him, ready to take orders and adjust his look at a momentʼs notice.
”Here, isnʼt this part of the plot...”

Qiu Zhenlong pointed at the screen in front of him and began discussing it with Xiao He.

This particular plot segment was actually connected to the audition clip Xiao He had performed earlier.

Back then, the new dynasty had just been established, and many people were engaged in fundamental debates over how to govern the country.

On one side was Emperor Chen, who advocated for rule by force and emphasized the development of the military industry.

On the other side was Chancellor Zhang, who advocated for rule by culture, hoping to restore ”ritual law,” reform the old systems, and emulate the golden ages of ancient times.

How to put it? Both starting points were good, but their governing philosophies ultimately had fundamental differences and conflicts. They represented different paths of development, destined never to walk together.

Therefore, in this part of the plot, Chancellor Zhang, having diverged from the emperor over political views, chose to retreat at the height of his career.

This was both to preserve the last shred of loyalty between himself and the emperor and to ensure his familyʼs safe withdrawal from the political struggle.

The actor playing Chancellor Zhang was also a veteran actor, already in his sixties, a familiar face in serious dramas. His acting skills naturally needed no elaboration. When he knelt prostrate and performed the final grand bow to Emperor Chen, his trembling body and choked voice moved everyone.

Even the young emperor passing by couldnʼt help but pause in his steps, his gaze deep as he looked at the old man before him.

The man before him was both the emperorʼs teacher and the teacher of all officials.

A famed minister of an era, ultimately unable to withstand the ravages of time.

Little did anyone know that this farewell would become eternal. Chancellor Zhang died suddenly from illness on his journey home, and from then on, ruler and minister were separated by life and death.

Even though so many years had passed, two factions still argued endlessly over this matter.

One faction believed Chancellor Zhangʼs death was connected to Emperor Chen—that the birds were gone, the bow put away; the rabbits dead, the hounds cooked. The other faction believed Chancellor Zhang was already quite old, and later, due to political disagreements with the emperor, he became depressed, restless day and night, and finally passed away on the road—a very possible scenario.

Thus, in portraying this scene, Xiao He actually had two approaches.

It mainly depended on how he understood Emperor Chen and which factionʼs stance he took.

And without a doubt, Xiao Heʼs final performance was more restrained. He didnʼt fully emphasize the emperorʼs murderous intent toward the chancellor, nor did he reveal any pity for the great chancellorʼs decline and exit.

His pause was only for a split second.

The audience present couldnʼt even tell what he was thinking in that moment.

But this actually pleased both sides perfectly, without openly expressing the production teamʼs or the actorʼs opinion.

After all, many historical events are filled with imagination. Even the people of that time didnʼt know the final truth, so naturally, their descendants would be even less certain.

Xiao He felt his handling of this scene was already excellent.

Yet now, Qiu Zhenlong was pulling him aside again, launching into a lengthy explanation.

”So I think we can reshoot this part.”

After a long explanation, Director Chou cleared his throat and delivered his final verdict.

Xiao He raised an eyebrow: ”Director Chou, do you mean we should ultimately reveal the emperorʼs cold-bloodedness?”

”Yes, I think thatʼs better.” Qiu Zhenlong nodded. ”This also fits the theme of our ʼImperial Enterprise.ʼ A ruler pities the common people, knows their suffering, but also has iron-fisted methods and a ruthless heart. Although Chancellor Zhang withdrew from the political struggle, his students still inherited his ideas and fought at the forefront of the court. Emperor Chen might allow Chancellor Zhang to leave intact, but he wouldnʼt necessarily agree to let him return home in glory and become the teacher of future generations...”

Xiao He finally understood.

Wow, it turned out Director Chou was of the cold-blooded faction—

”Ahem, how about we ask the screenwriter about this?”

Thinking about the vacation waiting for him, Xiao He decisively declined Director Chouʼs overtime invitation.

What a joke, who cares about you? Workers are in a hurry to clock out!

”I think we should have Screenwriter Qin come take a look.”

As he spoke, Xiao He was already looking at Xiao Chen up ahead, frantically signaling his young assistant, hinting for him to go call for reinforcements.

Screenwriter Qin, full name Qin Nianhuang, was the screenwriter who had been crying uncontrollably during Xiao Heʼs audition performance.

This screenwriterʼs real identity was a historical literature editor, specializing in hardcore historical literary introductions. His favorite historical figure was Emperor Chen, and perhaps it was fate, but he happened to share the same surname as Emperor Chen. So later, he changed his name to ”Qin Nianhuang” to commemorate his idol.

...To be honest, this guy was manageable when you didnʼt deal with him, but once you did, youʼd find he was slightly unhinged. He couldnʼt be described as just an extreme fan of Emperor Chen but rather a devoted follower. In ”Imperial Enterprise,” most of Emperor Chenʼs highlight scenes were written and adapted by him, and he was the only one on the production team who would directly confront Qiu Zhenlong if he didnʼt like something.

Fortunately, Xiao Heʼs portrayal of Emperor Chen was quite satisfactory to him. Qin Nianhuang was usually amiable toward Xiao He, but once it involved issues related to Emperor Chenʼs plot, he was the first to jump up.

So normally, not just Xiao He and the other actors, but even Director Qiu Zhenlong had to tread carefully, lest he get pestered relentlessly by this guy.

And now, Qiu Zhenlong was choked up by Xiao Heʼs words.

Xiao Chen, however, had already reacted and was about to dart out, shouting very cooperatively, ”Got it, Brother Xiao! Director Chou, Iʼll go get Screenwriter Qin right away!”

”Hey, hey, forget it, forget it. Itʼs actually no big deal. Minor issue, minor issue.”

Qiu Zhenlong quickly called Xiao Chen back, and in his haste, he nearly choked on his own saliva. ”No need. This scene doesnʼt affect the later story development. Xiao Heʼs performance was very good.”

Xiao Chen looked at Brother Xiaoʼs expression and slowly slowed down.

Xiao He held back his laughter, then cleared his throat and asked with feigned earnestness, ”Then, Director Chou, should I take off now? You know, I have a flight tonight. Iʼm really short on time.”

Qiu Zhenlong shot Xiao He a furious glare, knowing full well that this brat was threatening him. He shooed him away in annoyance. ”Go, go! Donʼt interfere with our production teamʼs subsequent filming!”

Hmph! He just didnʼt appreciate his rigorous attitude! If he wasnʼt paying such close attention to detail, it was because he admired this kid!

He wouldnʼt do this for just anyone!

Qiu Zhenlong turned around, hands clasped behind his back, and stormed off angrily.

But Xiao He, who didnʼt buy into the older generationʼs tactics at all, gave Xiao Chen a thumbs-up.

Well done, Xiao Chen!

Youʼre the best, Xiao Chen!