Currently laid out before Xiao He were three work invitations: one for a regular guest position on a variety show, one for a role in an idol drama, and one for a role in a movie.
These work invitations were all for upcoming projects that were about to start filming.
Clearly, Xingchen Film Industry was afraid of complications arising over time and wanted this matter resolved as soon as possible. They were practically hoping Xiao He would immediately join a film crew or program group, so they could then do some external marketing to dispel the online rumors: "The blacklisting of Qin Yuezhang was his personal action and has nothing to do with Xingchen Film Industry!"
Unfortunately for them, no matter how anxious they were, Xiao He currently couldn't free up any time.
"These are obviously not suitable for me."
Xiao He closed the files and tossed them aside with complete disinterest.
The variety show needed no further discussion. Slow-paced variety shows were already a dime a dozen, and only one or two could still manage to stand out. Xiao He had neither the time nor the interest to participate.
As for the male lead role in this idol drama, although it was adapted from a major IP produced by Xingchen Film Industry's subsidiaries, the character role completely clashed with Xiao He's current positioning. It was even less likely that Xiao He would accept this role.
As for the male supporting role in this movie, it was originally Qin Yuezhang's project. As the "Crown Prince" of Xingchen Entertainment, the projects he participated in were definitely big director, big production affairs, and the roles were also very likable. However, the filming schedule was too long, and the location wasn't in Shanghai. If they wanted to start filming immediately, it would completely clash with the filming schedule of *Record of Chasing the Wind*. Xiao He would inevitably have to choose one over the other.
But was there even a choice?
Was his Song Chenye unable to lift his sword anymore?
Xiao He wasn't stupid. He was still waiting for Song Chenye to kill his way to the end and stride towards the "peak of life."
"I think so too."
Liu Rulan smiled.
Clearly, those higher-ups, while anxious to have Xiao He help them "plug the leaks," obviously didn't truly take Xiao He seriously. Otherwise, they wouldn't have offered these seemingly good but ultimately unsuitable invitation projects.
"Since they delivered it to our doorstep, the advantage lies with us. Let's negotiate with them further."
Xiao He said lazily.
He had secretly helped Xingchen Film Industry deal with such a huge trouble. Taking some resources from Xingchen Film Industry wasn't excessive, right?
"Negotiation is possible, but I think we can still drag it out a bit."
Liu Rulan said with certainty, "If the backup plan you mentioned really erupts, then they'll be facing even bigger trouble."
When public opinion stirred up waves again, Qin Yuezhang was ultimately tied to the big ship that was Xingchen Film Industry. If they wanted to toss out this hot potato, they could only pay a higher price.
"Haha, Sister Liu, that's a great idea."
Xiao He almost laughed out loud.
"That's their own fault." Liu Rulan shrugged. "Think being big and powerful is impressive? They still got their heads full of trouble because of Qin Yuezhang's mess."
Moreover, from the very beginning, what Xiao He exploited was the internal strife within Xingchen Film Industry to strike at Qin Yuezhang.
Their own people weren't united, so they should bear the consequences themselves.
"So, Sister Liu, do you have any targets in mind?"
After laughing, Xiao He asked.
The filming of the *Record of Chasing the Wind* production team was definitely the primary task. So even if Xiao He wanted to take on another project, it would basically be limited to Shanghai, and the filming schedule definitely couldn't be too long. At the same time, it had to meet Xiao He's own requirements...
To be honest, Xiao He wasn't sure if Xingchen Film Industry had such a project.
"Naturally, I've already done my research—"
Liu Rulan took out her phone and handed it to Xiao He. "The xianxia drama *Cangyue Calamity*, jointly produced by Xingchen Entertainment, Jiaxing Entertainment, and several other major companies a while ago, officially started filming. Their crew's filming location is at the foot of the mountain where we are now. The male supporting role number two in there is a villain character. I think it's the most suitable for you."
Xiao He took the phone and glanced at it, finding it was the official Weibo account for *Cangyue Calamity*. A few days before *Record of Chasing the Wind* officially started filming, they had also officially announced the start of filming. Currently, their progress was similar to *Record of Chasing the Wind*, both having entered the initial filming stage.
The cast of this drama crew was also quite interesting. Several of the main roles were basically the important pillars of the participating production companies. It was clear this was one of the projects these companies valued highly.
Only—
"Isn't there already someone for the male supporting role number two?"
Xiao He pointed doubtfully at the cast photo on the official Weibo.
The position belonging to the male supporting role number two in the official Weibo already had a tagged person, clearly indicating this position was already filled.
Since the male supporting role number two was already taken, it seemed a bit inappropriate for him to try and snatch it.
"This Wang Shaoqi is no good person. He's very close to Qin Yuezhang, considered one of Qin Yuezhang's good friends in the circle. He also snatched this role from someone else before. Us snatching it from him isn't a bad thing."
Liu Rulan said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He who snatches roles, others will snatch from him.
This actor snatched from others; we snatch from him. No problem.
"Oh? Wang Shaoqi?" Xiao He narrowed his eyes. "That name sounds especially familiar."
He seriously thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered—wasn't this the guy who introduced "girlfriends" to Qin Yuezhang?
Qin Yuezhang, at least, hadn't truly participated directly, but this guy was different. Not only did he participate in introductions and transactions, he also organized his own gatherings, pulling some people in the circle to be customers for his flesh trade business.
The problems on this guy were no fewer than those on Qin Yuezhang.
"Then it's him."
Xiao He felt even less psychological burden. "That role becoming vacant is just a matter of time. Us snatching it over is a good thing for the production team."
"Alright."
Liu Rulan also expressed agreement.
If they could seize the opportunity to snatch the role, then snatch it. If they couldn't, they wouldn't lose anything anyway.
It was all just picked up for free.
Xiao He flipped through the production team's official Weibo back and forth, saying, "Come to think of it, I haven't touched a xianxia drama yet."
Current xianxia dramas were more like xianxia idol dramas, focusing not on the xianxia elements but on the idol aspect, filled with nothing but lovey-dovey stuff, causing aesthetic fatigue.
Just thinking about the plot where the male and female leads love each other and would rather betray the whole world, Xiao He couldn't help but rub his arms. "That male supporting role number two... he's not a love-struck fool, is he?"
Although the villains in xianxia dramas were often characters who killed without batting an eye, he absolutely did not want to play a love-struck fool!
Xiao He didn't even know what kind of terrifying scene it would be if he had to act as a love-struck fool.
"Relax, don't I know you?"
Liu Rulan said with a hint of exasperation. "Even if it's just picked up for free to play around with, I'd still find you the best and most suitable one! Just wait. I'll get the script over to you to look at later."
"That's good then."
Xiao He let out a long sigh of relief.
And so, the matter of the new script was casually decided just like that.
However, what Xiao He and Liu Rulan didn't expect was that the eruption speed of the damaging information next door was so fast—
The next morning, Xiao He got up as usual to eat.
He had a fight scene to shoot early in the morning today. Xiao He didn't dare eat too much, afraid of feeling uncomfortable while hanging in the air, so he just had a simple bite to fill his stomach.
Before he could even leave his hotel room, he was stopped by Xiao Chen, who rushed in hurriedly. "Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! The police are here!"
Xiao He's criminal cells activated for a split second before he realized the police most likely weren't there to arrest him. He immediately complained with exasperation, "Can you not shout like that next time?"
It made him feel guilty for no reason.
Even as he said this, Xiao He very honestly jogged to the window, craning his neck to peek and observe.
Sure enough, several police cars were parked downstairs!
This hotel was located at the foot of the mountain. The mountain top was the filming location for *Record of Chasing the Wind*. The ancient-style town at the foot of the mountain was the filming location for the xianxia drama *Cangyue Calamity*. This hotel was specifically situated right between these two popular filming locations, at the junction area of the mountain road entrance. Usually, it hosted mostly large production crews.
From what Xiao He knew, the people from both the *Record of Chasing the Wind* and *Cangyue Calamity* production crews should be staying here.
Thinking about what he discussed with Liu Rulan just yesterday, Xiao He let out a "Well, well."
Look at that. The vacancy for the male supporting role number two just opened up, didn't it?