Huayu: Starting with Hextech

January 25, 2009, Lunar New Year's Eve

The air in this small town in southern China is filled with the smoke of firecrackers and the aroma of New Year's Eve dinner, creating a unique blend of liveliness and warmth characteristic of the Chinese New Year.

In Lin Xiao's living room, the television was on, playing the 2009 CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

The parents sat on the sofa. The father, Lin Jianguo, occasionally commented on the program, while the mother, Li Xiuying, kept adding melon seeds, peanuts, and tangerines to the fruit plate in front of Lin Xiao.

"Son, eat more. You've been working hard filming in Hengdian and you've lost weight."

Li Xiuying looked at her son with heartache. Although in her eyes her son was more energetic and looked better than before, a mother's perspective always made her feel that her child was suffering outside.

"Mom, I haven't lost weight, I've actually gotten stronger."

Lin Xiao smiled, picked up a tangerine, peeled it, and let the sweet juice melt in his mouth.

The intense film crew life of the past six months, coupled with the subtle effects of the [Physical Enhancement] buff, has not only prevented him from losing weight, but has also made his muscle lines smoother and his energy more abundant.

On TV, Uncle Benshan and Xiao Shenyang were performing the classic skit "Not Short of Money," and their lines, "This is possible" and "This is not possible," made the whole family laugh.

Lin Xiao watched TV, but his thoughts drifted away.

The first Spring Festival after my rebirth felt so real and wonderful.

"Ding-dong~ Dong~ Dong~"

The New Year's countdown began on the television, and the host led the audience in counting down the seconds:

"Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one! Happy New Year!"

As the clock struck midnight, the outside world was instantly filled with deafening firecrackers and dazzling fireworks, and the television was also filled with jubilation.

Almost instantly, before the echoes of the bell's chimes had faded, the familiar and eagerly anticipated notification sounded in Lin Xiao's mind:

[New Year, New Look! Lunar New Year Node Detected]

Hextech wishes its host a Happy New Year and boundless energy!

[To help you achieve great things in the new year, we are presenting you with a special New Year's gift pack. Please check it.]

The system interface, a deep blue color, unfolded, with a background that seemed to have a virtual fireworks effect. The three options shimmered with golden light, making it appear exceptionally grand.

Option 1: Film and Television Invitation Card

Effect: After use, you will gain an opportunity to play a significant supporting male role in a hit TV series. The role is a good fit, with substantial screen time and room for performance, and will significantly boost the host's audience recognition and industry reputation.

Option Two: Prosperous Wealth

Effect: After activation, the host's fortune will improve slightly within the next month.

This may manifest as: receiving a small windfall, encountering high-quality, low-risk investment information or opportunities, or obtaining more favorable terms in business negotiations or collaborations.

Option 3: Skill Breakthrough

Effect: Select one performance-related skill that the host currently possesses (such as: the power of dialogue delivery, the control of emotional levels, character portrayal, martial arts/dance skills, etc.) and give it a significant breakthrough improvement.

……

The three options correspond to career opportunities, wealth accumulation, and skills enhancement, respectively.

Lin Xiao's gaze swept quickly across the area, his brain analyzing it rapidly.

Option two: Good fortune and prosperity.

That's very true; he really needs money right now.

Although I received some pay for filming two movies, I was a newcomer and played supporting roles, so the pay was pitifully low.

An unexpected windfall is the greatest temptation.

Even if a good investment opportunity were to arise, Lin Xiao wouldn't have the capital to invest in it right now.

Option 3: Skill Breakthrough.

It's incredibly tempting.

It can directly address a weakness or maximize an advantage.

For example, if he chooses to break through with "the power of his dialogue", his future original voice lines will be extremely powerful and immersive, which is a huge advantage in TV drama filming.

This can immediately enhance his core business skills.

but……

Lin Xiao's gaze finally fell on option one.

Film and television invitation card.

He was given a significant supporting role opportunity in a future hit drama series.

This option may not seem as direct as "money" or as immediately effective as "skills," but it offers a path to career advancement.

What he lacks now is a continuous stream of high-quality work exposure!

With "Chinese Paladin 3" yet to air and "The Myth" having just finished filming, the broadcast results and audience response are still unknown.

The thing actors fear most is a gap in their careers.

If you can then land a major role in a drama that's destined to be a hit, you can create a chain of projects, continuously increase your visibility, and solidify and enhance your industry standing and audience recognition.

This is the foundation for long-term development.

The second male lead has enough screen time and room to develop his character, but he doesn't have to endure the same pressure and scrutiny as the first male lead. It's the perfect role for him right now, as he needs to take things one step at a time.

"Money can be earned slowly, and skills can be honed gradually. But a chance to play a high-quality supporting role in a hit drama is something you can only dream of."

Lin Xiao suddenly understood. "Besides, with good work, why worry about not making money or having opportunities to improve my skills?"

"I choose one."

[Confirm selection! Film and television invitation card is now active.]

[An opportunity is drawing you in... Host, please stay alert and prepare actively; the opportunity will appear soon.]

The system interface slowly faded away, carrying the lingering warmth of New Year's greetings.

Lin Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the direction for the new year was clearer.

He picked up his phone, ready to send New Year's greetings to a few friends, but his fingertip stopped on the text message from "Wang Jinhua" as he swiped across the screen.

Wang Jinhua, Director of the Brokerage Department of Huayi Brothers.

This invitation carries weight and may represent something no less than, or even more than, the opportunity to be the second male lead, a reward from the system.

Huayi Brothers is one of the entertainment giants in mainland China.

Wang Jinhua, a legend among agents.

Connecting with this network means access to top-tier resources, a professional team, and strong platform support.

However, this inevitably comes with more stringent contracts, more complex internal relationships, and the potential loss of some autonomy.

Is it about accepting the olive branch extended by a giant, hoping to benefit from having a powerful backer?

Or should I stick to the idea of ​​working alone and accumulating experience slowly, taking a more difficult but potentially freer path?

Lin Xiao ran his fingers along the edge of his phone, his eyes appearing deep and calm in the glow of the flickering fireworks outside the window.

He replied with a carefully worded and respectful text message:

"Hello Director Wang, this is Lin Xiao. It's a great honor to receive your message. Happy New Year and all the best! I'm currently spending the Spring Festival at my hometown, and I'll be able to visit Beijing after the holiday. When would be a convenient time for you?"

The message was sent and a reply was received quickly, equally concise:

"At 3 PM on the 10th, at Huayi Brothers Company. Contact this number upon arrival."

Decisive and efficient, with the demeanor of a big boss.

Lin Xiao saved the address and time, then put down his phone.

The Spring Festival Gala was still going on, and my parents were getting sleepy, but they were still trying to stay up to welcome the New Year.

Lin Xiao poured them more hot tea and chatted with them casually.

Outside the window, the fireworks gradually thinned out, but the new year had already begun in a grand and spectacular manner amidst the dazzling displays of light and the lingering sounds of firecrackers.

For Lin Xiao, this new year is destined to be anything but peaceful.

A chance to play the second male lead in a hit drama is on the way.

An invitation from a top entertainment agent is just around the corner.

And then there are those complicated and tangled emotional threads...

And, dormant within, is the ambition and charm that are increasingly boiling with the [physical enhancement] and [appearance buff].

All opportunities, challenges, temptations, and choices will come rushing in with the echoes of the New Year's bells.

Lin Xiao picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and felt the warmth spread from his throat throughout his body.

A slight smile played on his lips, and his eyes, reflecting the light from the television screen, were bright and resolute.