Xiao He continued this kind of provocative behavior for over half a month.

Whenever Li Zhicheng got close to Li Hanyue, Xiao He would find various reasons to interrupt their contact, and to avoid misunderstanding, Xiao He’s methods were very subtle, occasionally even bringing in Liu Zehang, so to others, it just looked like the three of them had a very good relationship, and they wouldn't think much of it.

Of course, except for Li Zhicheng.

The look in his eyes when he saw Xiao He now carried an undisguised killing intent.

However, the scenes in the slaughterhouse were almost finished filming, so Li Zhicheng didn't make any extra moves.

That day, Xiao He finally completed the filming he hadn't finished last time, acting out the insane desire that Director Hou had requested—

Xiao He, who had been hungry for three days, stated that if you only drank water every day, ate nothing, and then someone next to you held a fragrant fried chicken, tempting you, then you too could express that extreme, insane desire.

According to Liu Zehang, who was observing at the time, and Li Hanyue, who was involved, when the director said “cut” and announced that the scene was perfectly finished, Xiao He immediately turned into a streak of light, rushing straight for the fried chicken bucket next to him, then inhaling the fried chicken like a storm.

Liu Zehang even joked that the scene was like Chihiro's parents in the world, the kind that several people couldn't pull back.

How could Xiao He not know that this guy was laughing at him for being like a pig? He angrily kicked Liu Zehang hard in the butt.

They had become very familiar during this period, so these jokes and playful fights wouldn't truly make anyone angry.

At times like these, Xiao He still felt a bit emotional; it was truly a very lucky thing for him to continuously encounter two excellent film crews.

And after this period of being with the crew, Xiao He had once again accumulated forty points.

This was more points than he had ever earned before!

Xiao He decisively decided to continue looking for scripts and continue being an actor.

For no other reason than pure interest (talent) and passion (extraordinary aptitude).

So, as Xiao He was nearing the end of filming, he began to discreetly inquire about casting situations in other film crews recently.

The first person he asked was Liu Zehang.

Liu Zehang was stunned for a moment, then looked a bit surprised: “Xiao Ge, are you planning to develop a career in the entertainment industry?”

Because Xiao He's aura was too intimidating, automatically carrying a two-meter tall deterrent force, both Liu Zehang and Li Hanyue called Xiao He “Xiao Ge,” even though Liu Zehang was actually three years older than Xiao He, and Li Hanyue was also a few months older than Xiao He.

“Hmm, I feel like acting is quite interesting,” Xiao He replied vaguely.

He couldn't very well say he was ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ doing it to legally “knife people,” could he?

“I do know some things...” Liu Zehang hesitated for a moment, but still told Xiao He, “Recently, Director An Ran is preparing a new drama; it’s a modern romance, backed by a big IP. If you...”

“No, no,” Xiao He quickly waved his hand, “I can’t act in modern romance.”

Liu Zehang also felt that Xiao He's temperament was not suitable for appearing in romantic idol dramas. He then recalled in his mind, his expression a bit frustrated: “Sorry, Xiao Ge, I don’t have anything of that type currently.”

His company now wholeheartedly wanted him to take the path of a popular idol, and filming idol dramas was the fastest way to gain popularity, so almost all the roles Liu Zehang recently received were for idol dramas. The rest were all rejected by his agent, and Liu Zehang was very angry about this, already considering changing companies.

Xiao He understood.

“Thanks, Zehang Ge.”

“It's nothing, I didn't help much,” Liu Zehang offered advice, “You might be able to directly ask Director Hou. Directors have more connections among themselves. If there's a script, you could try to get in touch.”

Xiao He nodded: “Okay, I’ll think about it.”

Just then, Zhuo Jianhua walked into the lounge.

Liu Zehang and Xiao He simultaneously stood up to greet him. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Although Zhuo Jianhua was the lead actor and had a significant amount of screen time, his scenes were mostly with the investigation team, and he had very few scenes with the Zhu Family Brothers. So, they weren't particularly familiar with this senior, but basic politeness was certainly essential.

Zhuo Jianhua nodded at the two of them, then his gaze fell on Xiao He: “Come here for a moment.”

“Ah?”

Xiao He pointed at himself with some surprise: “Me?”

“Yes.”

Zhuo Jianhua stood with his hands behind his back, not saying much more, gesturing for Xiao He to follow him out.

“Go on,” Liu Zehang winked at Xiao He, “It must be a good thing.”

Xiao He could only follow Zhuo Jianhua’s steps.

Upon arriving at another empty lounge, Zhuo Jianhua finally spoke: “An old friend of mine, his son wrote a script, and there’s a role that’s quite suitable for you. I wonder if you’re interested.”

Xiao He really hadn't expected that when he was sleepy, someone would hand him a pillow, and that person was the senior Zhuo Jianhua, who had hardly spoken to him and with whom he had an average relationship!

This was both surprising and delightful.

“Um... may I ask what type it is? And what kind of character?” Xiao He didn’t agree immediately, continuing to press for details.

Zhuo Jianhua saw that Xiao He wasn't immediately swayed, and his admiration grew a bit more.

Although he hadn't spoken much to this junior, he had been silently observing him. The other party's acting skills weren't particularly outstanding, but he had a lot of 靈性 (spirit/natural talent), especially that knife work. Zhuo Jianhua was shocked every time he saw it.

So when he saw the script submitted by his friend’s son, Zhuo Jianhua immediately thought of Xiao He.

“It’s a wuxia script. The character is a cook who is good at using a boning knife. He’s not the lead, but his role is quite important. I think you’ll definitely be interested.”

Xiao He's eyes lit up.

As expected of a senior, he immediately captured his heart!

“Does the character... kill people?” Xiao He asked after a moment’s consideration.

Since it was a wuxia setting, it should definitely be a bloody and tumultuous affair.

Zhuo Jianhua: ?

What kind of strange question is this...

“He kills.”

“Okay, I’ll take it!”

Xiao He agreed decisively.

Having asked to this extent, not taking it would be foolish.

Thus, before the filming of born to kill wrapped up, Xiao He received the script titled the thief catcher.

-

“You take these things and go.” Zhu Laoda said, smoking a cigarette, while staring at his younger brother, “Those cops must have already set their sights on us!”

Zhu Lao San violently chopped the meat on the cutting board, his face twisted and twitching, both furious at the police's relentless pursuit and terrified of the impending death: “I’m not leaving! They have no evidence at all, what the hell are we afraid of?!”

“Pah, idiot!” Zhu Laoda spat, “The monopoly business we’re running is too big, sooner or later someone will get jealous. Those bastards should all be chopped up and fed to pigs!

“Our Zhu Family must not be cut off,” Zhu Laoer also spoke at this time, “You go up the mountain immediately. The mountain old man from the other side led you through there before; you’re definitely more familiar with it than those guys. Once you’re in the mountain, just keep hiding and don’t come back.”

“Then let’s go together.”

Zhu Laoda slapped Zhu Lao San directly: “Damn it, I told you to get lost! If it weren’t for me being a key suspect right now, do you think I wouldn’t want to run? All that schooling every day went into a dog’s belly!”

Zhu Lao San was stunned by the slap but also sobered up. He decisively packed his things and stuffed them into his backpack.

The next morning at dawn, his figure completely disappeared from the path to school.

When the police arrived at the slaughterhouse to arrest the Zhu Family Brothers, they only found Zhu Laoda and Zhu Laoer.

No one knew where Zhu Lao San had gone.

And that disappearance...

lasted over twenty years.