However, Xiao He ultimately did not accept Zhuang Hongyi's invitation to play the male lead in person.

In the past, if a director like Zhuang Hongyi, whose films grossed billions, had personally invited him to be the male lead without even needing an audition, Xiao He would have accepted without hesitation.

But things are different now.

As a ghost...cough cough, horror film, "Long" is destined to miss out on the mainland box office market in the future. Xiao He also needs to consider whether this work can bring him positive benefits.

What's more, he hasn't even seen the script yet.

If you asked him to play a character being chased by a ghost, he probably wouldn't be able to pull it off... well, although given Zhuang Hongyi's personality, it shouldn't be like that.

Forget it, I'll go back and discuss this with Sister ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Liu.

Zhuang Hongyi was aware of Xiao He's concerns and did not press the issue. He simply nodded and said, "The script is still under review and the final version has not been determined. I will have my assistant send it to your email later. I hope you can think about it carefully when you get back. I really hope you can participate in the filming of 'Long', especially after 'Mistaken Identity'. I have seen more potential in you."

"to be honest."

Perhaps because he had drunk a bit too much today, Zhuang Hongyi spoke with a rare sincerity: "I originally wanted to cast Chen You as the male lead, but after seeing you, I felt that the role might have more possibilities."

"Moreover, your popularity and fame abroad are a perfect match for our production team's needs. In some respects, you are the best and only candidate I have right now."

If Xiao He doesn't participate, Zhuang Hongyi feels that the project might ultimately fail.

Because getting approved is one thing, but finding the best male lead is another.

He had a strange intuition that this role could only be played by Xiao He.

Xiao He's expression didn't change much when he heard Zhuang Hongyi's words. After all, the director would say anything to get the role.

Directors like Zhuang Hongyi are well-versed in this.

"Okay, I understand."

After watching Zhuang Hongyi get into the car, Xiao He followed the others and left the restaurant, returning to the hotel. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Actually, Liu Rulan also came to the celebration banquet today, but she sat on the other side and didn't interfere much with Xiao He's side.

Once back at the hotel, she finally asked Xiao He about the situation: "So Director Zhuang really did talk to you about the new script, right?"

"Um."

Xiao He nodded. "The script is called 'Mang,' and it's a... thriller/horror film."

Liu Rulan raised an eyebrow, reacting quickly: "Going all the way to Hong Kong? That must be a horror movie."

"almost."

"That's still quite a bit short."

The woman sat down on the sofa with a hint of helplessness, crossed her legs, and said, "So it seems they're going to offer you the male lead role directly, but you didn't agree, right?"

"No, you told me before, how could I make such a hasty decision?"

Besides, he hasn't even seen the script yet, and he's not even sure what the main character's situation is.

"That's good. We'll talk about it when we get back. I'll ask someone to check on the investment situation." Liu Rulan breathed a sigh of relief, then sighed a little. "Speaking of which, this style of doing things is really not like Director Zhuang. It seems that 'The Phantom Thieves 2' really spurred him on."

"Hmm?" Xiao He was somewhat surprised. "How did you figure that out?"

How could it be related to "The Phantom Thieves 2"?

“After the Phantom Thief series came out, many people said that he was just a businessman who could make mindless popcorn commercial films and had no artistic merit.” Liu Rulan shrugged. “Although netizens criticized him, the box office contribution was not reduced at all, but maybe he has been thinking about it all along... If Director Zhuang wants to use ‘Long’ to compete for international awards, then it is also an opportunity for you.”

"Hmm...that makes some sense."

Xiao He took a breath.

These kinds of films are indeed more likely to win awards abroad.

After all, they are just too perfect for pretending to be profound, shooting art, and using metaphors to represent society.

Directors from many countries like to use the guise of horror films to subtly critique society and human nature. Even a purely gory and violent work can be transformed into high art with just a little packaging.

Coincidentally, international awards love to play this game.

And the sharper, darker, more taboo, and more rebellious it is, the more popular it becomes.

Many well-known horror films are favorites at international award ceremonies.

And without a doubt, this is also a challenge for the actors.

"But there's no need to rush this."

Liu Rulan quickly changed the subject, "We'll look at it when the script arrives."

If we really want to continue to push into the international market, Director Zhuang's script might actually be a turning point.

Xiao He was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, I understand."

"Also, I heard you're planning to go to the National Theatre tomorrow?"

Liu Rulan stood up and walked to the side, pointing to the gift boxes that had already been piled up on the ground: "These are the various gifts I prepared in advance. The ones with labels correspond to the more important teachers, and the rest are mainly for other people in the theater."

Xiao He followed and took a look, then clicked his tongue in amazement: "Sister Liu, you prepared this in such detail?"

These gifts varied in size and length, and some packages were very irregular in shape, with no idea what was inside. They were piled up together in a jumbled mess, almost forming a small mountain!

He had no idea when Liu Rulan had started preparing.

I've been so busy lately, I haven't seen her doing any of this...

I'm afraid I'll have to get up early tomorrow to move these gifts to the car. I don't know if their current van can fit all of these things.

"I think it's too rushed. We haven't found the most suitable things yet, so this can only be considered a small gift."

Liu Rulan crossed her arms, looking very regretful. "Why didn't you tell me sooner that going to the theater was so important? You didn't even let me prepare in advance."

Xiao He: "I originally just planned to go and take a look as a friend, and then formally pay a visit to the seniors inside next time I go."

"Don't always wait for a next time. What if there isn't a next opportunity? Since you've seized the first opportunity, you should naturally try your best to get to know as many senior teachers as possible."

Unlike Xiao He, Liu Rulan did not share his optimistic view; she adhered to the principle of not letting any opportunity slip by.

“That’s the National Theatre! The actors there might not be particularly outstanding in the entertainment industry, but within the performing arts circle, they are artists.”

She earnestly instructed Xiao He: "Be good in attitude. Don't miss any opportunity to show yourself. Maybe one of the teachers will take a liking to your performance and invite you to perform. This can also be a learning opportunity."

Many people want to get in, but they might not be able to!

We must seize this opportunity!

"Most importantly, building good relationships with them will greatly help your future ratings."

Liu Rulan said very seriously, "You will soon have four years of acting experience, and now you have works and awards to your name. It shouldn't be a problem to be selected as a third-level actor. If you can build a good relationship with the people at the National Theatre, participating in a few of their performances will greatly help you to continue to be rated higher."

Xiao He was stunned for a moment, and finally understood Liu Rulan's plan.

"Actor rating?"