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

Chapter 558: News from an Old Acquaintance — “Bounty Hunter 2”!

"Hey, it's been a long time since I heard from you. What a rare treat to get your call."Xiao He, who had just finished filming "Super Spacetime Confrontation," received a call from an old acquaintance.

"Cough, I've been genuinely busy lately."

Lin Yipeng cleared his throat lightly, "Oh, and congratulations on winning the Award-Winning Actor title! Oh dear, does this mean it'll be even harder for me to invite you to act in my films from now on?"

Xiao He was speechless: "Yeah, yeah, right. It's your own fault for not seizing the opportunity earlier. Look how long it's been since 'Thief Catcher'! If you're not preparing a new production team yourself, there's nothing I can do about it."

This guy was just slacking off! Back then, with his previous status, an invitation would have been no problem at all. But now, his status has risen, and this rascal still hasn't made a move.

Xiao He felt like rolling his eyes: "You better not be calling to ask me to act in a new film. Let me tell you, my schedule is packed from now on, I'm extremely busy!"

"Hey, hey, how can you say that?" Lin Yipeng sounded very wronged, "I've genuinely been busy this whole time! My dad dragged me off to be his errand boy! See, I just finished."

Although he said that, there wasn't much dissatisfaction in Lin Yipeng's tone.

After all, Lin Yipeng's father was a famous big-shot director in the Shanghai circle, his status on par with Ning Jiaqi. And from what Xiao He understood, this man placed even more emphasis on traditionalism, meaning he preferred being a teacher. His students weren't limited to directors and actors from the Shanghai circle; many industry people from other regions had received his guidance. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe him with the phrase 'peaches and plums fill the land'—a renowned director worthy of being recorded in the annals of China's film and television history.

Him taking Lin Yipeng under his wing for guidance now, even collaborating with others from his own production team, definitely indicated his intention to formally hand over his team to Lin Yipeng.

Once Lin Yipeng was fully trained, this man probably planned to retire peacefully like Ning Jiaqi, or devote all his energy to education.

"That sounds pretty good."

Xiao He comforted Lin Yipeng, "You can learn a lot more by following a major production team. Once you've established yourself, you can give us a leg up."

"Pfft, I can't give you a leg up now."

Lin Yipeng chuckled on the other end, but Xiao He said very seriously, "If you call me, I'll definitely come."

"Good brother! That's what I'm talking about!" Lin Yipeng immediately agreed, "Then come on over."

"Huh?"

Xiao He was dumbfounded.

"Come to our production team."

Lin Yipeng snorted with a laugh, "'Thief Catcher 2.' You promised me before, you're not going back on your word, are you?"

Xiao He raised an eyebrow, "You're finally making the second part? Did your family's big shot agree?"

Xiao He had previously guessed that the reason Lin Yipeng's second part was so delayed was because his mother suffered a facial injury early on and was unwilling to make a comeback to film, so "Thief Catcher 2" had been stuck without progress.

And now, he could actually hear this familiar name from Lin Yipeng's mouth. That was truly something to celebrate.

"Hehe, actually, we could have started filming a long time ago. It's just that my dad's production team was more urgent, so this matter got delayed."

Lin Yipeng chuckled awkwardly, "You and Pu Rong are in the same production team right now, right? When you finish filming, pack up and come over together, pronto."

"Hey now, did I say I was taking it?"

Xiao He deliberately teased Lin Yipeng, "I just received an invitation for the 'Journey Across Mountains and Rivers' variety show. Eight-figure salary! I was already planning to go on a publicly-funded vacation!"

"What?"

Lin Yipeng howled like ghosts and wolves on the other end, "No way, you can't go! Good brother, didn't we agree you'd wait for me forever? Your 'forever' is way too short!"

"Who agreed to 'forever' with you? No shipping, politely declined, goodbye."

"Wait, wait! I fought hard to get you a lot more screen time this time, are you sure you don't want to take a look?"

"It's the same familiar formula this time, just killing left and right. You really don't want a peek?"

"And this time we're planning for a theatrical release, no longer just an online movie. We finally managed to stand tall, we're finally going to the big screen. Are you really going to be so heartless as to refuse?"

"I'll pay more! I'll add money! So what if it's eight figures... sob, I really don't have that kind of money. How about I give you some movie shares? I'll go squeeze more out of the investors later..."

Lin Yipeng on the phone tried to persuade him with both emotion and reason. Xiao He found it amusing, "You'd really give me those shares? This isn't another scheme to trick me into investing, is it?"

"Cough, cough, cough—"

Lin Yipeng lowered his voice, clearly also lacking confidence, "Well, not exactly... but if you want to invest, I won't refuse either."

Xiao He was so annoyed he laughed.

Wanting both the person and the money, this bastard really had some nerve.

"Hanging up, hanging up."

"No, no, no! Brother Xiao!"

Lin Yipeng begged for mercy.

Only after confirming the other party was almost in tears did Xiao He chuckle helplessly, "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you. Send me the script. You're lucky, I really was considering that variety show invitation."

Although he might not have ended up taking it, it was still a bit of a dilemma. Fortunately, Lin Yipeng helped him make the choice.

Shen Jue...

Xiao He couldn't help but recall Shen Jue from "Thief Catcher."

That was his third work after entering the industry, still considered a newcomer piece. Shen Jue's acting didn't actually require too much technique; often, he just relied on instinct to release his killing intent. Thankfully, back then, the main highlight was that Bone-Cleaving Knife Technique, which added a lot of flair. Wherever he went, it was blood and slaughter. Otherwise, Shen Jue might not have left such a deep impression.

But it was pretty damn satisfying, after all. Slaughter is also an aesthetic.

"Good, good, I'll send you the script right away."

After hanging up Lin Yipeng's call, Xiao He immediately called Liu Rulan.

"Hello?"

"I'm planning to take Director Lin Yipeng's 'Thief Catcher 2.'"

Xiao He got straight to the point, "I won't be going on that 'Journey Across Mountains and Rivers' show."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before she said, "Are they scheduled for the same time?"

"Yeah, both are lined up right after 'Super Spacetime Confrontation.'"

"Then there's really no other choice."

Liu Rulan sighed.

Based on Liu Rulan's understanding of Xiao He, if it were just a high-paying variety show placed before him, he might hesitate a bit.

But if placed next to a script full of killing, especially a script like "Thief Catcher" that's all about mass slaughter, then there's no need to hesitate. Xiao He would definitely choose that script.

"What did Director Lin say? Why did he suddenly contact you at this point?"

"Probably because 'Record of Chasing the Wind' just finished airing, so there's heat. Also, he just finished up with his dad's production team, so he's rushing to find us now."

Actually, Xiao He understood Lin Yipeng's plan.

Currently, Xiao He's period martial arts roles are one, Shen Jue from "Thief Catcher," and the other, Song Chenye from the currently popular "Record of Chasing the Wind." And the character of Song Chenye was shaped so successfully, smoothly opening up the market for Xiao He's period martial arts dramas. If Lin Yipeng didn't hurry and find them early, Xiao He might really get snatched up by other period drama invitations.

Then who knows when "Thief Catcher 2" would start filming.