Brother Dao Took the Entertainment Industry by Storm, Fans Beg Me Not to Kill Anymore-Chapter 471: Variety Show Assistance — Going Overpowered

"It's not really anything particularly major."

Liu Rulan explained, "The main issue is that during the post-production phase, one of the contestants invited a semi-internet celebrity, semi-celebrity artist to their livestream as a guest supporter. This ended up causing many other contestants to start calling in favors during the final rounds, completely skewing the entire variety show's style."

What was originally meant to test the contestants' individual abilities ended up becoming a contest of personal connections and networks. It became a matter of who could pull in guest supporters with higher status and more fans, as that contestant would have the greatest probability of ultimately winning.

This completely deviated from the core essence of the variety show.

Liu Rulan felt that if they didn't put a stop to it, once the variety show officially aired, it could spark significant controversy.

After all, in an internet celebrity talent show, if actual celebrities stepped in to dominate, it would be both unfair and strip the show of its original value.

Xiao He also grew serious, "I didn't know about this matter. So, is this the reason He Junhao and the others got eliminated?"

"That's not necessarily the case."

Liu Rulan shook her head, "Because at the time, the gap between the various parties was still quite obvious. Even without that artist's guest appearance, many of them would still have been eliminated."

The only real pity was perhaps the original fourth-place contestant. They had finally made it into the top four, only to be squeezed out of the finals in the end by their opponent's shady maneuver.

"This kind of behavior must be prohibited, especially during the final rounds," Xiao He stated decisively. Then, suddenly remembering something, he continued asking, "Is it someone from President Huang's son's company?"

If it was a contestant backed by a sugar daddy, then it really wouldn't be convenient to directly target them. They'd need to hint at it more subtly.

"That's not it. It's from another fairly well-known MCN agency within the industry circle. They're very skilled at creating internet celebrities, building the internet celebrity economy, and even connecting internet celebrities with entertainment companies above them to further package them into stars."

"Their participation in this variety show is likely also to use it as a springboard to relaunch new internet celebrity stars."

Xiao He spread his hands, "Then there's no need to overthink it. Just deal with it directly."

"Ahem—"

Liu Rulan gave a light cough, "The main thing is, because of this contestant's success, others have also started getting restless. Young Master Huang over there is somewhat tempted and wants to ask you to come support him."

"Me?" Xiao He looked astonished, "No way, I didn't even support my own brother, and I'm supposed to support him?"

That's hilarious. And if he went on, wouldn't that plunge him even deeper into the whirlpool of public opinion?

"Not going, not going."

Xiao He directly waved his hand, then propped his legs up on the desk, leaning back in his chair to look at his phone.

"I wasn't asking you to go either."

Liu Rulan facepalmed, "I'm just giving you a heads-up. If President Huang approaches you later, just brush him off casually. Don't agree."

The main thing is, Xiao He's heat has indeed been very high recently. Although 'No Bait' has already passed the May Day season, it's still screening hotly. Xiao He's role as Shu Yuxiu has practically exploded across all major platforms. He has now basically solidified his own traffic and status.

If they really pulled Xiao He in to support a contestant in the competition, what more would there be to say?

It would directly kill the competition!

No suspense at all, right?

This would be real traffic stepping in to dominate an internet celebrity match, and it would be traffic with acting skills and real ability at that.

And Xiao He dared to say, if he went into the livestream, his "acts" would far outnumber those of other internet celebrities.

No need to say anything else. When the time came, he'd first perform chest-breaking stones for the netizens in the livestream!

Hiss, that one's no good. It would still hurt, and if he coughed up a mouthful of old blood, it wouldn't be worth it—

Then he'd perform flying between buildings with bare hands, cosplaying as Super Spider-Man!

Followed by the Bone-Cleaving Knife Technique to skin a lamb alive, then roast barbecue on the spot...

Hiss, were those ideas just now a bit dangerous and bloody? Better not get the livestream banned in the end—

Just as Xiao He's train of thought was galloping like ten thousand horses, going further and further astray, his phone happened to ring.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Xiao He helplessly flipped his phone screen to show Liu Rulan the contact name displayed, "Your timing is really something. Otherwise, if he called me now, I really wouldn't know what it was about."

Liu Rulan also glanced at it, then shrugged, "Then it's up to you. Figure out a way to reject him."

"Alright, no problem."

So Xiao He answered the call.

Sure enough, President Huang was also asking about this matter.

Fortunately, having a celebrity provide guest support is more harmful than beneficial. It's easy to gain attention, but also easy to earn a bad reputation. After much persuasion from Xiao He, he finally managed to talk President Huang out of this idea.

After hanging up, he winked at Liu Rulan, "OK, done. President Huang was just asking."

Thankfully, this gentleman isn't a stubborn personality and can take advice. After listening to Xiao He's analysis of the situation, he immediately dropped the matter and instead congratulated Xiao He on the box office selling extremely well from the other end of the line.

Liu Rulan also chuckled, "Being able to communicate with such a smart person is naturally the best."

"Mhm, for him to have achieved this scale, being receptive to advice is a given."

Xiao He didn't say much else, just immediately called He Junhao, "Hey? Want to hang out tonight? Do an eating broadcast."

"Holy crap, Brother Xiao, you are my true sworn father."

He Junhao hadn't even processed it yet, but his mouth had already jumped ahead with the exclamation.

Xiao He rolled his eyes, "Prepare the ingredients yourself. Don't bring me any of that weird stuff."

He Junhao quickly understood.

Weird stuff = weird food.

Don't do it = Do it.

So what more was there to say?

Brothers in spirit, definitely get it all set up perfectly for you!

"Don't worry!"

He Junhao agreed in one breath.

By the time Xiao He hung up, Liu Rulan still hadn't left. She stood to the side, smiling teasingly, "You're pretty good to this friend of yours. Didn't have time to help with support during the competition, but have to make up for it with a separate livestream after the competition—if possible, you might as well sign him to the company."

Although Linghui Entertainment isn't as powerful as a dedicated MCN agency, letting a few resources trickle down from their hands to pull someone into the entertainment circle is still doable.

"Forget it." Xiao He shrugged, "He's not suited for this circle."

"And he genuinely loves making food."

Xiao He had watched this guy build himself up throughout their four years of university. Although the skill tree he's been leveling up lately seems a bit off-course, he's never considered changing tracks or giving up.

He Junhao is really doing fine as he is now. Since entering the industry, Xiao He has been so busy his feet barely touch the ground. If he made this guy run around busy all the time too, he'd probably have to say goodbye to his hobby for real.

Liu Rulan didn't insist either, so she said, "Do you need us to help arrange tonight's livestream? You've indeed attended quite a few events recently, but ever since 'No Bait' was released, there are still many fans who want to chat with you."

The last time he chatted closely with fans was already back on New Year's Eve. Apart from occasionally running into some fans or chatting briefly with them when participating in events, Xiao He really hasn't interacted with fans in a livestream for a long time.

Liu Rulan felt that since Xiao He suddenly had this idea to pull He Junhao into a livestream, they might as well take the opportunity to chat with fans via bullet comments.

Xiao He thought for a moment, then nodded, "That could work too. But if we do that, we'll probably have to use my own account for the livestream."

He originally said he'd help He Junhao divert traffic.

But of course, He Junhao wouldn't refuse this request either.

When he received Xiao He's call again, he immediately agreed in one breath. Then he ordered a delivery guy to prepare the ingredients and started bustling hurriedly in the kitchen.

Soon, the time arrived at nine o'clock in the evening.