After New Year's Day, Xiao He returned to work on the film set.
As expected, he once again became the center of attention from the rest of the crew.
Yi Man'er was even more direct, pinching Xiao He's shoulder while looking him up and down with a puzzled expression: "How on earth did you manage it?"
Xiao He was usually busy filming and had little time for exercise. Although he did work out, he didn't have exaggerated bulky muscles but rather a very well-proportioned physique that looked good in clothes. Yi Man'er really couldn't tell this guy was a rock climbing enthusiast.
Xiao He shrugged: "Maybe saving someone unlocked my potential."
Yi Man'er: "...You're something else."
After this incident, Xiao He's relationship with the rest of the crew improved, with one exception—
That would naturally be Su Shengxi.
Xiao He sometimes really felt that as an ordinary person, he couldn't understand the thought processes of someone like Su Shengxi. Was it really necessary to hold such a grudge just because he made him do a few more takes?
Seeing Su Shengxi's cold and hostile attitude toward him, Xiao He simply shrugged.
Couldn't be bothered with you anyway, since your manager is about to drop you~
-
In the afternoon, Xiao He formally met with Liu Rulan at a coffee shop to discuss the upcoming contract matters.
As Xiao He had previously guessed, Liu Rulan was indeed preparing to start her own venture.
"Currently, our newly established studio doesn't have any other artists. As long as you're willing to join, you'll be our first artist, and all our focus and resources will be directed toward you," Liu Rulan said very seriously. "You don't need to worry about resources at all. Over the years, I've built my own network and resource channels in the entertainment industry. Your future resource treatment definitely won't be worse than artists from other companies..."
Liu Rulan talked at length about many things, and Xiao He listened very seriously, having already made up his mind.
It had to be said that Liu Rulan was absolutely his best choice currently.
Regarding Liu Rulan's situation, Xiao He had already researched online. Before managing Su Shengxi, Liu Rulan had always worked with acting-focused stars, and several of those she mentored had won highly recognized awards in the industry. He naturally had no doubts about Liu Rulan's capabilities.
Especially regarding Su Shengxi's relationship situation—although the previous exposure had caused significant impact on Su Shengxi at the time, now looking back at Su Shengxi's career, Xiao He realized that guy genuinely hadn't been affected in the slightest.
Fans still adored him, Su Shengxi remained a top idol, and he hadn't lost a single endorsement or gig.
Xiao He definitely didn't believe this happened without Liu Rulan's careful management behind the scenes.
But—
"Why did you choose me?"
Xiao He asked.
This was what he least understood. As a small newcomer, Liu Rulan had shown him high enthusiasm from the beginning, even repeatedly extending olive branches to him. While feeling flattered, he was also somewhat puzzled.
Before Liu Rulan, it wasn't like other big companies and managers hadn't approached him, but those people saw him as a newcomer without formal training and offered very harsh terms—contracts basically with 20/80 splits, no right to choose scripts, forced compliance with company arrangements, and signing for ten years straight.
But the contract Liu Rulan brought offered a 40/60 split, priority given to the artist's wishes in script selection, and only a three-year commitment.
Which was better was obvious at a glance.
Liu Rulan didn't hide anything either, frankly saying: "Signing you is indeed the optimal choice among all my options."
As early as when Su Shengxi's relationship was exposed, Liu Rulan had noticed this newcomer. Although he didn't have formal training, his acting skills were no less impressive than other stars in the domestic entertainment industry. At the same time, he maintained a very low profile, working hard across various film sets without blindly chasing traffic and popularity. Liu Rulan used her connections to learn more and found that everyone had quite positive evaluations of Xiao He.
A newcomer with talent, ambition, not blindly chasing popularity, decent character, already with some work foundation, possessing a certain fanbase, never signed with a company, no contract disputes in the background... Liu Rulan really couldn't think of any better choice than Xiao He.
After hearing Liu Rulan's words, Xiao He remained silent for a second before finally nodding: "Okay, then I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"
After signing the contract, Liu Rulan immediately began her work, taking over all of Xiao He's business matters—although so far, Xiao He hadn't taken on any of these commercial gigs yet.
"Can I call you Sister Liu from now on?" Xiao He asked.
"Sure." Liu Rulan glanced through Xiao He's platform accounts and nodded, "Currently your accounts don't have major issues, but remember to switch to your alternate account when logging into platforms in the future."
"Okay, Sister Liu."
"You haven't posted anything inappropriate on your alternate account, right?"
"No."
"Have you been in relationships before? Are you currently single?"
"Never been in a relationship, always been single."
"Any experiences with prostitution, gambling, or drugs? Any bullying behavior during school years? Any relevant dark history or principled mistakes in the past? Any criminal record? How are your parents' family situation? Any defaulters in the family?"
Liu Rulan immediately fired off a rapid series of questions that left Xiao He somewhat stunned, but considering the current rate of celebrity downfalls in domestic entertainment, he understood and answered each of Liu Rulan's questions very seriously and sincerely.
After confirming Xiao He's basic situation, Liu Rulan nodded with satisfaction.
Excellent, no need to keep cleaning up after people anymore.
"Okay, I generally understand your situation now. I hope you take responsibility for what you just said, otherwise if any problems arise, I might not be able to cover for you." Liu Rulan placed her hands together on the table, staring at Xiao He, "You can think again now if there's anything else you haven't told me."
Xiao He actually did carefully recall and remembered another matter: "Right, come to think of it, I've been on hot searches a few times before, though never showed my face..."
"That matter with Su Shengxi, I know." Liu Rulan said, "You saved Xu Youyou back then but were photographed by paparazzi who claimed you were Xu Youyou's secret boyfriend. Don't worry about this matter, I'll handle it for you."
"Right." Xiao He nodded, "There was also that time with Ran Yunrui's car accident—I was in the driver's car at the time. Although I never showed my face, I was half witness and insider. Cheng Hongwen even gave hush money back then. Another time was when there was that hot search about a guy catching a cross-dressing thief—that was also me."
"And then this time, the New Year's Eve incident with Mu Ze saving someone."
Liu Rulan: "..."
Wait, are newcomers this intense nowadays?
But fortunately, Liu Rulan was professional and quickly adjusted her emotions: "I understand. You don't need to worry about any of these matters; I'll handle them all for you."
"Okay, thank you, Sister Liu."
After finishing their discussion, Xiao He returned to the film set feeling much lighter.
The next day, Liu Rulan brought a bunch of things to the set and distributed them to the rest of the crew on Xiao He's behalf.
Within an hour, everyone on set knew that Liu Rulan was now Xiao He's manager.
"What's going on?" Yi Man'er looked at Xiao He with great surprise, seemingly not expecting Xiao He to have such capability, "You actually managed to poach Su Shengxi's manager?"
Xiao He looked quite innocent: "Has nothing to do with me. Sister Liu approached me."
"Thank you, Teacher Yi, for taking care of Xiao He during this time." Liu Rulan stepped forward with a smile to greet Yi Man'er, "Xiao He will need to trouble Teacher Yi and everyone else in the coming time as well."
Yi Man'er seemed somewhat flattered, accepting the coffee Liu Rulan handed over with both hands: "No, no problem at all."
Although Liu Rulan might seem like just a small manager, her reputation and status within the industry were quite influential. Even someone as proud as Yi Man'er didn't dare casually offend Liu Rulan. She proactively took a sip of the coffee in her hands, then carefully asked: "Has Sister Liu left Jiaxing Entertainment?"
"Yes, I have some other plans now." Liu Rulan explained casually.
Yi Man'er understood.
Coincidentally, not long after Liu Rulan arrived on set, Su Shengxi's new manager also showed up.
As soon as they arrived, they headed straight toward Liu Rulan and Xiao He's direction.