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

Chapter 567: Trying to Block the Blast? You Can't Block It! Just Pure Nuisance!

"Sister Liu, it's bad! A lot of damaging information suddenly appeared online, it seems like someone is trying to block Brother Xiao's breakout!"Xiao Zhou's voice carried a note of anxiety. "What should we do? Do we need to step in and stop it now?"

Liu Rulan's expression shifted slightly, but she wasn't particularly panicked. She just turned and spoke softly to Mother Xiao beside her. "Sorry, I need to step out for a moment."

Mother Xiao's gaze had never left her son, and she was fiddling with her phone from time to time to take pictures. She hadn't noticed the situation with Liu Rulan and just nodded. "Okay."

Liu Rulan gave Xiao Chen a look, signaling for him to stay here with Mother Xiao, then headed towards the back herself.

Only after reaching a private and secure location did Liu Rulan put on a Bluetooth earpiece. She listened to the report on the other end while simultaneously checking the situation on various major platforms. "Which groups are causing trouble?"

"Sorry, Sister Liu. We're currently in emergency controlled comment mode and haven't locked onto which groups have stepped in yet."

Xiao Zhou sounded quite apologetic.

Liu Rulan didn't blame him. After all, being able to notify them immediately after discovery was already a sign of high efficiency from their team.

The first to fall was naturally Weibo, which was also the main battleground for major fan groups. Basically, whenever something happened in the domestic entertainment industry, news mostly started spreading from here.

And the initial wave of this particular trend was quite interesting—it directly targeted Xiao He buying awards.

Was this true? Actually, it was somewhat true, but many people had done this. No one was completely innocent, and sometimes it wasn't just about spending money; you also needed connections, resources, and had to consider the judging preferences and the composition of the judging panel for that particular awards season.

Even in situations where winning an award seemed almost certain, it was unavoidable to do some networking. This was an unspoken rule, part of social etiquette.

It had long been an open secret everyone tacitly understood.

This particular negative hot search didn't seem like an attempt to block a breakout, but more like digging a pit for Xiao He in advance.

Liu Rulan gave a cold laugh, correcting Xiao Zhou. "They can't even catch up to the term 'block the blast.' That opportunity is long gone."

Because Xiao He was already explosive now, with popularity and traffic in full bloom. He was at a level where doing almost anything could land him on the hot search. It was normal for those jealous people to want to pour oil on the fire and smear Xiao He a few times at this point. But "blocking the blast"?

Hehe, could they even block it?

Before, they looked down on a newcomer, looked down on a small actor playing supporting roles, playing villains. But now?

—Now, walking towards them was a star actor about to win the Dual Best Actor award, holding multiple massively popular roles, and possessing super high box office and popularity overseas.

"Oh, right."

Xiao Zhou also belatedly realized his wording issue and continued observing the current situation. Then he reported excitedly, "Sister Liu, the Little Box fans have also started spontaneously fighting back against the smear campaign!"

Mainly, this wave of black articles came very suddenly. Many casual observers and fans hadn't reacted yet before being drowned out by that water army. However, once they did react, they immediately took countermeasures.

[Great, this time there aren't even any screenshots.]

[So is there any evidence? Where's the evidence?]

[Let me tell you a joke: if you win an award, you bought it; if you don't win, you're not worthy. They've got all the good and bad lines covered.]

[What does Xiao He's agent have to do with you guys? It's kind of funny to focus on the agent instead of the main person.]

[Seriously suspect this is black articles deliberately released by the opponent because they don't want Xiao He to win an award.]

[Scatter, scatter. Might as well go watch the live stream directly.]

Liu Rulan glanced at the comments added later by the fans, lost in thought.

"Sister Liu, what should we do now?"

Xiao Zhou asked carefully.

The more complicated aspect of this matter was that Liu Rulan had indeed been in Beijing recently and was indeed busy with Golden Flower Award matters. The leaked information wasn't wrong; it was actually telling the truth. The rest was just speculation by netizens.

Liu Rulan snorted coldly. "Ignore it."

"Ah?"

Xiao Zhou was somewhat startled.

"This... we're not going to deal with it?"

"They're preparing for a final wave of psychological warfare before the award announcement."

Liu Rulan's tone was calm. "You guys proceed with normal controlled comments. No need for an official response. Also, pay attention to restraining others within the team. When cleaning up, don't leave any handles for them."

"Okay, okay..." Xiao Zhou hesitated for a moment but still asked in a business-like manner, "Sister Liu, you haven't left any evidence in Beijing recently, have you? Will they possibly release more insider information?"

"Don't worry. They wouldn't dare drag the judging panel into the water." Liu Rulan thought carefully, then shook her head. "Those old things aren't pushovers either. If they really dare to flip everyone's table, they'll be in big trouble later."

Who has ever seen someone hit the referee on the playing field? That's really asking for a red card.

Liu Rulan was certain these people wouldn't release more information, and she herself had always been cautious, not giving them any handles.

"You guys proceed with normal controlled comments. Remember to post announcements on schedule. Oh, and also track down exactly which groups are behind this, and who the main mastermind is."

"Yes."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Rulan took off her earpiece.

Psychological warfare?

This was stuff she had played with long ago.

This situation was quite clear. The other side mainly had two objectives.

First, to exert pressure before the final award announcement, creating public opinion pressure to make Xiao He's side feel guilty themselves, or to force the organizer to change the final candidate to someone else before the announcement due to pressure—as long as the host hasn't read that name on stage, all the remaining nominees still have a chance.

Second, naturally, is to reveal the final outcome in advance before the award announcement, then plant the "as expected" sentiment in everyone's minds, thereby transmitting the "buying awards" narrative they want to emphasize to everyone—this way, even if Xiao He wins the award in the end, it won't be seen as legitimate.

The impression everyone has of him won't be "well-deserved," but will link buying awards with his Best Actor award, greatly diminishing the worth of his award. It might even affect his subsequent career development.

Both objectives carry vicious intentions.

The former bets on Xiao He's side losing their composure and bets that the organizer's stance isn't firm enough. The latter aims for the idea of "if we can't get the award, we'll at least be a nuisance." Anyway, the pit is already dug; they don't lose either way by doing this.

What a pity—

Liu Rulan sneered.

These little tricks weren't even worth looking at in front of her.

-

"Xiao Xiao."

Ding Wanyu looked at the messages on her phone, shielding the screen to prevent it from being caught by cameras, then handed it to Xiao He. "Something seems to have happened online."

In principle, it's best not to play with phones while sitting here, but nowadays phone-addicted people can't be separated from their devices. Everyone sitting below quietly playing on their phones wouldn't invite criticism.

Ding Wanyu also noticed the situation online while secretly playing with her phone, so she quickly alerted Xiao He.

Xiao He lowered his head to glance at Ding Wanyu's phone, then turned to look at the people sitting behind. Sure enough, he saw only Xiao Chen and his own Her Majesty Mother in the spectator seats; Sister Liu had already left.

Immediately, he unhurriedly withdrew his gaze and even comforted Ding Wanyu. "Sister Ding, don't worry. Someone will handle it."

And he only needed to sit here, quietly waiting for the result...

As the news spread, soon other people's gazes intentionally or unintentionally fell upon Xiao He.

And Xiao He sat upright in his seat, unmoving.

Some people's looks were more direct. Xiao He would very amiably meet their gaze, then nod in acknowledgment, a gentle smile on his face.

Those who received the nod couldn't very well not respond, so they could only force out a smile and nod back at Xiao He to express friendliness.

Slowly, no one looked at Xiao He anymore.

Those mocking, scrutinizing gazes finally disappeared from Xiao He.

At the front row judging panel, Old Xu also slowly withdrew his gaze.

"This kid is quite composed."