Chapter 125: Is this the period drama with grand scale you were telling me about? (Seeking first subscriptions, seeking monthly votes!)

Chapter 125: Is This the Period Drama and the Grand Scene You Promised Me?

Having just undergone a major age-reduction, Li Shixin felt his current physical state was quite good. Looking at the system panel, he saw over 170 days of life remaining, enough to keep him kicking for a while.

Facing a balance of over 60,000 cheers, his heart, which had long been dormant, began to stir.

"Grandpa, want to go for a round?"

A shy, seductive voice whispered in his ear.

Once the idea took root, it began to swell rapidly. After wrestling with that little demon in his heart for a moment, Li Shixin gritted his teeth and stamped his foot.

"What do you mean, 'go for a round'?"

"I have over 60,000 cheers now; who are you looking down on?"

"Give me twenty rounds!"

He immediately poured all his remaining cheers into the lottery option. As the lottery wheel spun wildly:

*Ding!*

Obtained [Athletic Tank Top] x 1. Description: Narrow straps, loose fit, casual and comfortable. Put it on, and in the hot summer days, you’ll be the hottest guy on the block.

You lousy system, this old man doesn't believe a word you say!

Again!

*Ding!*

Obtained [Ear Pick] x 1. Description: Don't fear the short and thick; fear the thin and long. Aim for the itch and strike hard!

"..."

If you keep this up, system, I’m calling the police!

Again!

*Ding!*

Obtained [Opera Machine] x 1. Description: Contains over a hundred lost local opera arias and instrumental pieces. Each track requires only 100,000 cheers! Yes, you heard that right, each track costs only 100,000 cheers! (Learning prop, content requires additional payment.)

*Huh?!*

Seeing this, Li Shixin’s eyes lit up. This thing might actually be useful! It’s just... this "free client, paid content" nature feels a bit too much like that tech giant Tencent, doesn't it?

Regardless, Li Shixin was satisfied with this round. To get something useful on the third pull meant his luck today was practically heaven-defying!

Keep going!

*Ding!*

Obtained [Large Palm-leaf Fan] x 1. Description: Just hold its sturdy base and wave it gently to soothe the heat from within. Charisma +1 when paired with the athletic tank top!

"..."

It's just a fan; isn't this description a bit much?

Again!

*Ding!*

Obtained [Flip-flops] x 1. Description: When it comes to sexiness, these are the ultimate footwear.

Cane x 3, Thermos x 6...

That’s enough, you lecherous system, get lost!

Seeing that he had collected the "Summer Old Man Starter Pack" and the system had started churning out consolation prizes like canes and thermoses, Li Shixin knew it was time to stop.

He closed the lottery page and withdrew the Opera Machine. Externally, it looked no different from the storytelling players elderly people used; in fact, its garish red casing looked even cheaper than most high-end models. However, when he saw the list of tracks inside, his eyes brightened. Restricted by his empty balance, he could only regretfully store it in his wardrobe drawer for now.

He would deal with it when he had the chance. Anything that could help him learn a skill was worth keeping—after all, when traveling the world, you can never have too many tricks up your sleeve, right?

Li Shixin was happy that the lottery had yielded something useful, but after the brief excitement, a wave of emptiness followed. Lying on the sofa, he fell into the "sage mode" that comes after a lottery spree. He couldn't perform the play, and that felt terrible. Should he... take a two-day break?

The thought had barely surfaced before Li Shixin immediately dismissed it! *No, Li Shixin, you cannot succumb to laziness! What is the meaning of a man’s existence? It’s to stand tall and keep striving! If there’s no opportunity, create one. Even if you can’t stand tall, you must force yourself to!*

Holding onto this mindset, Li Shixin hopped off the sofa, dressed himself in his "dashing gentleman" style, and hailed a cab to Tianmeng Entertainment. That fat guy Wang Hai still owed him a role. Calculating the time, it had been nearly two months; it was time to get things moving.

...

It was past three in the afternoon when he arrived at Tianmeng Entertainment. Having spent time with the film crew, Li Shixin knew many people in the company. After asking around and learning that Wang Hai was in, he headed straight for the fourth floor. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the hallway, he saw An Xiaoxiao squatting by the elevator, playing on her phone.

"Teacher! Why are you here?"

Li Shixin’s style was vastly different, making him stand out in an entertainment company full of young people. As he walked over with a smile, An Xiaoxiao immediately bounced up.

Ignoring his own intentions for a moment, Li Shixin patted her head. "Why aren't you on set filming? What are you doing here?"

Mentioning this, An Xiaoxiao pouted. "Mr. Wang called me here to discuss signing a contract. Every day, people from one company or another come to find me; I’m sick of hearing about contracts! Teacher, it’s so annoying!"

*Pfft.*

Li Shixin felt a mouthful of old blood stuck in his throat. Watching her look of distress, he instantly had the urge to strangle the little girl. *I, who hasn't been signed by anyone yet... I would love to have such a problem!*

Still, she was his disciple. Li Shixin steadied his emotions, pulled her aside, and asked, "Besides Tianmeng, which other agencies have contacted you? Which ones? And Xiaoxiao, what do you think?"

Facing this, An Xiaoxiao didn't answer but started digging into her pockets, pulling out a stack of business cards—at least twenty!

Looking at the conflicted girl, Li Shixin realized he had asked too much. With An Xiaoxiao’s single-threaded CPU brain, she had probably crashed long ago. He took the cards and looked through them. He got the gist: nothing high-profile. Mostly local agencies from Rongdian or even talent scout shell companies.

The caliber... was a bit low. Although An Xiaoxiao wasn't very sharp, her hardware was more than sufficient. Strong dance foundation, a spirited look, and a figure with no flaws. What was rare was her plasticity in acting. She was obedient and willing to suffer. Through the past two months on the *Flying Against the Wind* set and the theater stage, she had shown great potential. She was an absolute gem.

Such a talent would succeed as long as she was given resources. But the degree of her success depended on those resources. If she signed with a major company and received quality backing—starting with a supporting role in a popular drama, followed by some hit variety shows, and then a lead role—she would be on the path to stardom. But in a mid-tier company like Tianmeng... with limited resources, whether she would become a star, and how long it would take, was a question. For an actress like her, youth was precious.

Moreover, from an elder's perspective, small companies had limited strength; they might not be able to protect a girl like her. In his past life, when Li Shixin was an idol trainee, he signed with a small agency, and many artists sold themselves out just to compete for limited resources.

After thinking, Li Shixin patted her bun and smiled faintly. "Since you don't know how to choose, then don't choose yet."

"But Teacher, *Flying Against the Wind* is about to wrap up... If I have no roles, I have to go back to the Beijing Dance Academy."

Seeing her distress, Li Shixin was amused. "Wait, if you don't like the Beijing Dance Academy, why did you apply there?"

An Xiaoxiao sighed deeply and looked at him helplessly. "Learning dance was an accident! My mother is a martial artist, and my father teaches bel canto. Since I was little, one made me practice martial arts, the other made me sing. Later... I practiced Tai Chi one day and bel canto the next. Occasionally, I’d practice both at the same time... and it ended up turning into dance. Teacher, it’s so hard for me."

Picturing someone doing Tai Chi while singing opera, Li Shixin twitched his mouth. *That... it’s a miracle you didn’t turn out crooked.*

He smacked his lips and handed the stack of cards back. "Xiaoxiao, don't worry about signing anything now. Regardless of which company approaches you, don't agree and don't refuse. Just say you need to wait for your parents' decision. Understand?"

"But my mom and dad don't want me to be an actress at all!"

"Oh?" Li Shixin frowned. With her potential, it would be a pity not to act. "What did they say?"

"My mother says the entertainment industry is too complicated and not suitable for a silly kid like me. She wants me to go home and inherit her martial arts hall."

"And your father?"

"My father says I’m too simple-minded and wants me to be a quiet ballet dancer."

"..." *As expected, parents know their children best.*

Li Shixin sighed. "What do you want?"

"I'm very happy! The lunch boxes on set are super delicious! The people here are talented and speak well, and acting is more interesting than dancing. I really love filming!"

Li Shixin shook his head. "Here’s the deal, Xiaoxiao. Same advice: don't agree to anyone. Given your conditions, don't even consider these local Rongdian agencies. Wait. Wait until the movie is released and let the work speak for itself. By then, if a big company wants you, great. If not, you’ll be in a much better position to negotiate a good contract with a smaller one, understand?"

"Uh, Teacher, that’s too complicated. Can you make it simpler?"

Li Shixin flared up. "Raw pork ribs are twenty-six a catty, but after half an hour of cooking, they’re sixty-eight a plate!"

"Oh! I get it! I get it now!" An Xiaoxiao had a sudden realization. *As expected of an old pro! So simple and profound!*

...

After settling things with An Xiaoxiao, Li Shixin went to Wang Hai’s office. After all, this role was something he had traded for his promise to use his Weibo popularity to promote *Flying Against the Wind*. After stating his purpose, Wang Hai didn't renege and promised with a smile to arrange it immediately. After sitting for a while and exchanging pleasantries, Li Shixin took his leave.

...

After Li Shixin left, Wang Hai called An Xiaoxiao into his office.

"Xiaoxiao, have you thought about the contract I mentioned?"

Facing Wang Hai’s amiable smile, An Xiaoxiao lifted an eyebrow and said, "Mr. Wang, I can't make that decision. I have to discuss it with my parents!"

*???!!!*

Wang Hai had put immense effort into signing this gem, lobbying Jiao Chendong and several others for days. He thought today would be a sure win. But now, looking at that familiar expression and hearing that familiar tone... Wang Hai’s hair stood on end. *That expression, that tone—if Li Shixin didn't put her up to this, I’ll chop my own head off! Good job, old man. I kindly arrange a role for you, and you stab me in the back?! Fine! You just wait!*

After sending An Xiaoxiao away, Wang Hai immediately picked up the phone and dialed the assistant director of a period drama that had just started filming.

...

The next morning, early.

Li Shixin received a call telling him to report to the *Spring Returns to the Deep Palace* crew at the Shengjing Film Base. By nine, dressed in his costume, Li Shixin stood in front of the camera. Looking at the replica Forbidden City scenery, he nodded. *Hmm. It is a period drama.* Looking at the thousand extras in Qing dynasty costumes standing below the stone steps, he clicked his tongue. *Hmm. A grand scene, indeed.*

"Actors in position!" the stage manager shouted. "Scene 1, Take 3 of *Spring Returns to the Deep Palace*, Action!"

As the clapperboard snapped, Li Shixin gathered his focus and strode toward the steps. He clicked his heels, rose onto his toes, and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"The Emperor... has passed away!"

As he stood on his tiptoes and shrieked in a high-pitched eunuch’s voice, the thousand extras below let out a synchronized wail and fell to their knees.

"Your Majesty! Wuwuwu..."

"Good! That’s a wrap!"

"Teacher Li, you’re done for the day."

As the director shouted, a group of staff walked over to Li Shixin and stripped off his costume and the eunuch hat with its long braid.

*Screw your period drama, screw your grand scene! So you just wanted me to play a eunuch! And a minor eunuch with only one scene at that! Fine! Fatso Wang, you’re ruthless! I’ve been played this time. I’ll remember this grudge. We’ll meet again on the road... just you wait!*

Feeling cheated, Li Shixin cursed Wang Hai’s ancestors for eighteen generations. Just then, his phone rang.

"Hello? Is this Mr. Li Shixin? This is Huaqi Culture Agency. Do you have time in the next two days to come to Shanghai?"

"Shanghai?" Li Shixin frowned. "Has the film adaptation of *Only You* been completed?"

The person on the other end was clearly stunned. "Hello, Mr. Li. I don't know what other collaborations you have with Huaqi, but I am calling you regarding a contract."

Hearing this, Li Shixin was puzzled. A contract? He hadn't had any contact with Huaqi Agency. Could it be that his talent had moved them?

Li Shixin smacked his lips, deciding not to think about it for now. His current situation was awkward; that fat guy Wang Hai had sabotaged him, and his subsequent roles were gone. The play was off-limits due to the actors' issues, and his path to "standing tall"... he needed to rethink. Regardless, having an entertainment company interested in him—and a capable one at that—if he could sign, it wouldn't be a bad choice!