Chapter 795: Xiao He: I think I’ve discovered something incredible...
"The Program Group naturally thought about inviting you, but since you're busy filming with the Film Crew, you're simply too swamped. Plus, Director Zhuang mentioned he could just take you there himself, so we gave that slot to Shu {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Han instead," Liu Rulan explained.
"He was planning to take a break anyway, so taking on a travel variety show for a bit of fun isn't a bad idea."
Appropriate resource swapping within the company was an old tradition. Xiao He was aware of this and didn't mind, so he hadn't concerned himself with it at all.
"I see."
Xiao He understood. "But they really know how to seize an opportunity, catching the Hong Kong event just like that! And aren't these events usually very low-key? Those big shots probably wouldn't want people filming on-site, right? Is it really okay for the Program Group to go up and record a variety show?"
Originally, he felt it was quite high-class, but now that the Program Group was coming to film on-site... although Travelogue of Mountains and Rivers was indeed a massive hit, Xiao He still felt that doing this lowered the prestige of that exclusive Cruise Party.
"They'll likely only be scheduled to film in a specific area and won't go deep into the actual event where the big shots are. They'll only capture some of the outermost and most superficial scenes. In reality, it's just 'gold plating' to piggyback on the traffic," Liu Rulan continued to reveal. Clearly, she had looked into it thoroughly beforehand.
"So, this is why I didn't recommend you participate in the recording of the Travelogue of Mountains and Rivers Special Episode. After all, some people go there to work and show off, while others go to expand their network and connections. You understand, right?"
Xiao He nodded. "I understand."
If he went on board as a variety show guest, especially under the live-stream camera, he would be destined to never come into contact with those high-level people. It would be equivalent to becoming a mere tool for promoting the Cruise Party. For a guest who needed to increase their fame, this would definitely be excellent—a form of 'gold plating.'
However, Xiao He's current status wasn't just an artist; he was also the boss and the face of the company. Without the need for the boost from traffic and fame, the only reason to go on board would be to get to know more investors and capital.
At a time like this, having a live-stream camera following him would be very inconvenient for Xiao He. He would miss many opportunities to network, as many conversations are not suitable to be held in front of a camera.
"But Sister Liu, based on what you're saying now, do you want me to go on board and take a look?" Xiao He asked, puzzled.
"Hmm... I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just feel like after so much build-up, it would be a pity if you didn't go."
Liu Rulan rested her chin on her hand and spoke with a very heavy tone.
Xiao He:...?
"What build-up?! Isn't this just because everyone in the Hong Kong circles has been discussing it lately! What does it have to do with him, hey!"
"Hahaha, I was just speaking off the cuff. It really depends on you!"
Seeing Xiao He's strange expression, Liu Rulan couldn't help but laugh and patted him on the shoulder.
Just then, someone else entered the dressing room.
"Mr. Xiao, is the makeup finished here?"
The stagehand asked in a low voice.
"It's done, I'm coming right now."
Xiao He immediately responded loudly.
"Go ahead and get to work,"
Liu Rulan said.
"Yeah."
Xiao He stood up, adjusted his clothes, and walked out.
...
Time flew by, and soon it was the end of August.
About a month had passed since the sensational Hospital scandal. Although various policies were being handed down layer by layer, affecting the whole country, people in reality didn't feel much of an impact.
Netizens online were even less likely to continue paying attention to the matter; everyone had other interesting topics in their new lives.
On this day, Bao Xingsheng, whom Xiao He had met last time, visited the Film Crew again.
When he arrived, Xiao He happened to not be filming and was chatting idly with Daoist Hu.
"Actually, the more superstitious a person is, the easier it is for them to be toyed with by fate."
Daoist Hu stroked his beard and said with great emotion, "In psychology, this can also be called the 'Self-fulfilling Prophecy Effect.' That is to say, our beliefs and expectations influence the outcome, especially when we are certain our expectations will be realized—even if we don't realize we hold such expectations, things tend to happen."
"Consequently, after an event occurs, they are even more convinced that it was the power of metaphysics that achieved it all, rather than their own strength."
Xiao He listened intently and couldn't help but nod. "Yes, and these things always seem to work for bad luck rather than good."
Daoist Hu couldn't help but laugh. "Because the human brain automatically records things that happen unexpectedly. Thus, expected events are easily categorized along with the fragments of normal daily life. So, when looking back, it feels as if only the bad things are coming true."
"And—" Daoist Hu raised his palm to cover his mouth and said quite bluntly, "People always like to attribute success to the results of their own efforts and then look for excuses for failure. So, when misfortune occurs, metaphysics becomes the outlet for them to attribute their mistakes."
"Senior Hu, you really are..."
Xiao He was caught between laughter and tears by Daoist Hu's blunt words. He felt that every time he chatted with this sage-like Daoist, his perception of these masters was refreshed.
Especially since he was so frankly analyzing the psychology of ordinary people behind metaphysics with a young junior like himself, Xiao He felt he really was different from what he had imagined.
"Senior Hu, I think you're very suited to study psychology,"
Xiao He said very sincerely.
Someone who could successfully combine metaphysics and psychology would certainly not do poorly, no matter what they did!
For example, the Daoist Hu before him! He was a true master!
Although he appeared to be an old man in his eighties, his thinking was still clear, his speech was articulate, and he spoke very logically and bluntly. He wasn't like those masters in film and television who deliberately acted like experts, saying ambiguous things for people to guess and intentionally keeping them in suspense.
Talking to him gave a sense of sudden enlightenment, like having a heart-to-heart with an old university professor.
"Haha—"
Hearing Xiao He's words, Daoist Hu proudly raised his white eyebrows and said with self-assurance, "What makes you think I haven't studied it? I'm one of the first Psychology PhDs to return from studying abroad!"
Xiao He almost fell off his chair.
"Huh?"
The young man's eyes were wider than ever as he couldn't help but look closely again at the ordinary old man in the white undershirt before him.
If it weren't for the sage-like aura added by his long beard, this old man would really be no different from any grandpa taking a stroll in the park.
And yet you're telling me you have this kind of resume?
For a moment, Xiao He didn't know what to say to express his shock.
So, could this be considered Daoist Hu entering the Dao through science?
Suddenly, Xiao He paused.
Hiss, wait, why does this sound a bit familiar?!
Then, Xiao He discovered a key point.
—In Long, wasn't Zhou Zhiyi in a similar situation?
Although the two weren't exactly the same, this similar plot...
Uhhh—
Staring at the old man in front of him, Xiao He's expression became increasingly strange.
So, Director Zhuang, please don't tell me that the prototype for Zhou Zhiyi is the person right in front of me!!!
Once he made that connection, there was no going back!