"My scandal?"
In the small western-style building, Xiao He, who had just finished a day of training, raised his eyebrows in surprise while joking about himself, "Well, I've really made it now—I've actually become someone's competitor to the point they'd use such tactics against me."
Liu Rulan, sitting on the sofa, wasn't surprised at all: "After all, most people in the industry are well-informed. Who's taken what gigs, who's picked up which new projects—these things always spread quickly."
Conversely, if someone hasn't had any recent gigs or new work, they're probably eyeing Director Feng's audition.
These aren't exactly secrets.
"From a certain perspective, it's actually recognition of your acting skills. Otherwise, they wouldn't resort to such methods to suppress you."
"That's true—so what's this scandal about me?" Xiao He asked with interest.
Was it about cheating, being a scumbag, sleeping with fans, or badmouthing colleagues?
Or gambling, drug use, solicitation, or hit-and-run?
"It's about allegations of academic fraud in your graduation thesis."
"Huh?"
Xiao He, who had been slouching, immediately sat up straight and reached for his laptop, "Wait, that's actually kind of insulting. How's the public opinion developing now?"
Damn! Who came up with such a nasty trick? It's really disgusting! Once he investigates and finds out who's behind it, he'll make sure they're exposed and destroyed on the internet!
"Don't rush."
Liu Rulan glanced sideways at Xiao He, "With me here, how could I possibly let them succeed?"
If she couldn't even stop such low-quality rumors, then she shouldn't be working as a top-tier agent.
Xiao He relaxed slightly: "That's good."
"But this matter actually presents an opportunity."
Liu Rulan said thoughtfully: "Aren't you going to take graduation photos soon?"
Xiao He recalled: "Seems like it."
"Your roommate is a Bilibili content creator, right? When the time comes, coordinate with him to film a graduation season vlog together. I'll help you with marketing later to enhance your academic credentials halo."
"Eh?"
"Since they're all doing marketing, we can't fall behind either." Liu Rulan looked at Xiao He with satisfaction in her eyes, "You graduated from a prestigious university after all. I haven't executed this kind of marketing plan before—we must utilize it. Remember to take several photos with your associate dean too, so certain people can't continue using these matters to smear you."
Xiao He hesitated for a moment but finally nodded in agreement: "Alright, I'll talk to him. But Sister Liu, is it really necessary for us to follow this marketing trend?"
Others want to get selected, but they just want to ride the wave. It would be awkward if the marketing actually succeeds and they really get chosen.
Liu Rulan patted Xiao He with amusement: "If you actually get selected, there will be plenty of people wanting to replace you. Are you daydreaming already? Have you forgotten how 'Starry Radiance' replaced six actors?"
Nothing is ever absolute.
If he really does get noticed by Director Feng for being exceptionally talented... well, Liu Rulan has plenty of methods anyway. Ultimately, they definitely won't be the ones offending people.
...
A few days later, Xiao He returned to Hu University to take graduation photos.
Looking at the familiar tree-lined corridor, Xiao He felt quite emotional.
Everything felt like a dream—previously he was just an ordinary college student, whose biggest worry might have been which major company to work like an ox for, and whose happiest moments were finishing meals, opening games to play a few rounds with friends, then blissfully returning to bed to sleep.
In the blink of an eye, everyone was going their separate ways to start their own lives.
"Xiao, classmate Xiao."
A beautiful girl wearing academic dress with exquisite makeup walked over shyly: "May I take a photo with you?"
Xiao He nodded: "Of course."
"Classmate Xiao, me too!"
"Brother Xiao, me, me—I'm your fan!"
After taking photos with this girl, many more students came over one after another requesting commemorative photos.
The Computer Science department producing a celebrity was big news for classmates. Not only students from the Computer Science department, but students from other departments came to watch and take photos together.
Although the recent cyberbullying incident caused an internet frenzy, there were still classmates who understood Xiao He's character and spoke up for him online. Unfortunately, their voices were quickly drowned out by the flood of curses and didn't gain much traction, but Xiao He remembered every helping hand they had extended.
So on this day, Xiao He fulfilled every request for photos or autographs.
After these people left, several other boys wearing academic dress came over.
They were Xiao He's three roommates.
"Wuwu, sworn father, I'm going to miss you so much—"
"Xiao, Xiao He."
He Junhao pulled out a tissue from his hand, pretending to hold a handkerchief as he "delicately" wiped non-existent tears: "Ying ying, as expected—it was all an act before. Now that the love is gone, you just push me away."
Xiao He: "...Gag."
"Xiao He, me too!"
He Junhao immediately turned around to hit Dai Bo: "Damn, only my sworn father can hit my butt! You looking for a fight?"
Dai Bo immediately retaliated: "Old Xiao is my bro, which makes me your sworn father too. Why can't I hit you?"
"Hey, you're pushing it—"
The two instantly started "wrestling" together.
Xiao He rolled his eyes: "You two go argue somewhere else, don't ruin my image right now."
Seeing that they weren't listening, he shrugged as if accustomed to it and looked at his other roommate: "We're about to graduate, why are these two still acting like elementary school kids?"
Zhai Zhipeng spread his hands: "No idea."
Then the two "adults" stood to the side, watching the two children fight while discussing their future plans.
"I'll definitely continue developing in the entertainment industry," Xiao He said, "Though it's quite different from what we talked about before."
He remembered that as a freshman, he just wanted to join a major company. Now, although he didn't join a major company, he entered the industry.
"That's great." Zhai Zhipeng adjusted his glasses, "I went to see your movie—your acting was really good! I never realized you had this talent before! I believe you'll definitely become hugely successful next."
Xiao He smiled wryly.
Good acting? Just performing according to his nature.
"Thanks, what about you?"
"Me? I'll naturally do the same as before—find a job and continue working like an ox."
Zhai Zhipeng said casually.
Xiao He remembered Zhai Zhipeng mentioning before that his father actually ran an internet technology company.
So he guessed Zhai Zhipeng would probably go back to inherit the family business.
"Going to your dad's company?"
"No." Zhai Zhipeng denied, "My dad's place is just a small company. Having me there or not doesn't make much difference, so I plan to try working at a major company first."
"That's pretty good too."
Xiao He nodded.
Although major companies have their issues, there's no denying that their basic benefits and salaries are among the best in the industry.
"Any specific goals?"
"Planning to try at Weibo. Maybe I'll be maintaining your hot searches in the future."
Zhai Zhipeng joked, and Xiao He responded with a smile: "Then you can help me remove negative hot searches for free when the time comes."
Zhai Zhipeng immediately rolled his eyes: "Then maybe we shouldn't stay in touch."
As everyone knows, getting on hot searches and removing hot searches are two different price ranges, and removing hot searches is generally the more expensive option.