[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett":3,"chapter-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-40":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","How Can You Be an Emperor of Acting Without Letting Loose?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2324752,4547,"Chapter 40: Big Shorts, Black T-Shirt (One More Chapter)","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>Another deal both parties felt they’d won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead male role plus six hundred thousand yuan left Li Luo dazed, eager to start filming tomorrow just to get the money in hand and rest easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d made a few ten thousand yuan earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he set aside some for his family, then paid taxes and miscellaneous fees like tuition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remained on him was barely ten thousand yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his purchasing power was astonishing now, looking at his bank balance, he still felt uneasy; he occasionally bought small gifts for Xu Qing, and all of that cost money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Friendship demands reciprocity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially between lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others were willing to spend on him, but Li Luo couldn’t truly see himself as a kept man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Wu Dun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six hundred thousand yuan was a huge saving for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Su Youpeng’s resurgence in “My Fair Princess,” his pay skyrocketed—tens of thousands couldn’t hold him back, even though Li Luo’s current fame was nowhere near his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Wu Dun, he was a rising star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After years immersed in the industry, he still had that kind of eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he regretted not being able to bring this slippery kid under his wing, overall it wasn’t a loss—he’d even forged a good connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dun suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said: “When are you free? Let’s find time to sign the contract!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me a few more days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not understanding why the other man was more eager than he was, Li Luo grinned sheepishly: “Let me set up a studio first, then I’ll coordinate with your company’s people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dun immediately raised his thumb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was perfectly valid; he couldn’t press further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actors earn high incomes, but taxes are heavy too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though those taxes were justified, within legal limits, Li Luo had no objection to keeping more for himself—taking roles under his personal name versus through a sole proprietorship were two entirely different things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this six-hundred-thousand-yuan fee alone, he could save sixty thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few minutes of casual chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo got out of the car, waved at Wu Dun’s distant Hummer, and walked lightly toward the barbecue stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Wu Dun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew exactly how impactful this drama would be once released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Landing the role of Zhang Wuji was like a giant pancake falling from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good thing he’d kept his cool back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it was overly styled like a period romance, precisely because it resembled one, its viewership ratings on the mainland were quite strong—it was a massive hit, a childhood memory for countless people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it matched the original novel didn’t concern him much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as it was popular!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether Zhang Wuji would still have the same impact now that he was playing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo still had confidence in that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In terms of period costume, physique, and acting, he could hold his own; with careful study of Zhang Cuishan and Zhang Wuji’s personalities, he could definitely bring both roles to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he’d already mastered the equally complex Lin Pingzhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lo-ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greeting snapped him back to reality; Jia Nailiang, seeing his cheerful expression, teased: “What’s got you so happy? Like you just found money!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pretty much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo sat down, his face glowing with unrestrained joy: “Why are you all staring at me? Eat!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone’s treating us—go ahead and eat your fill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, drink!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting in the car for a few minutes, he’d transformed like a different person—even Huang Sheng looked cheerful, leaving the latter deeply unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filled with questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others raised their glasses along with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether abroad or at home, having connections always made things easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night he called Xu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two days had passed since she’d sent the text right after school; Li Luo drove his Mercedes G-Class to the address she gave, circling for half an hour before stopping at an alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Creeeak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard gate groaned open, shrill and grating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Luo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Luo holding a full bag of fruit, Xu Qing nodded and stepped aside: “I figured you’d be coming soon—called you over and you actually brought gifts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she shot him a quick glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo instantly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setting wasn’t appropriate—they needed to keep distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Better to be overly polite!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled, stepping over the threshold: “Nothing expensive, just fruit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The text had given the address, said yesterday’s matter was settled, and told him to come to her friend’s home as a guest—visiting empty-handed would be rude; bringing fruit was proper etiquette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Xu Qing inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a typical small sihe courtyard, neatly maintained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small trees, a fish pond—all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elegant setting made Li Luo pause repeatedly; owning such a tidy sihe courtyard in Beijing was truly impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, it would cost hundreds of millions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, the price was steep—no less than several million yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, some were cheap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most were mixed courtyards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only were they dilapidated, but ownership was also unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo had once thought that once he earned money, he’d buy a small courtyard—connected to heaven above, grounded below, renovated a bit with some cash, and it would be the most comfortable place to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her young lover gazing around endlessly, Xu Qing shook her head: “It’s just a shabby house—what’s so interesting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d grown up in this kind of place; she felt nothing special about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing-jie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo grinned: “If you trust me, when you have money, buy several more courtyards like this—no loss, no scam—someday!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When property values rise, it might even beat business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burly figure stepped out from the warm room, his voice deep and rumbling: “Don’t let his youth fool you—he’s got more vision than both of you combined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick cigar dangled from his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baggy shorts, black T-shirt, a scruffy face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appearance was sloppy, yet his presence was commanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo instantly recognized the sudden newcomer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Xu Qing could introduce him, another graceful figure emerged from inside: “Only you have vision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since their last meeting at the art exam, months had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected to see Yu Feihong here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore jeans and a loose white T-shirt, just like Xu Qing—complete casual attire, yet their demeanors were entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One had the air of a wealthy, pampered girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exuded profound intellectual grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them, along with Jiang Wen, belonged to Beijing’s elite circle—it was no surprise they hung out together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hong-jie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Luo greeted her with a smile, then glanced aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call me Wen-ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Wen stepped forward and clapped Li Luo firmly on the shoulder: “You’re Li Luo, right? I heard about what you did—good job, damn impressive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blow didn’t budge him an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Solid build!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scruffy guy squeezed his firm muscles, expression slightly surprised: “You’ve trained?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1165,"2026-06-20T17:17:01.025Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","69c117c180df41dd89400e548284213f5614da5b3dd50305b2e46ee669c2c3ee","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-41","how-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-chapter-39",461,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-can-you-be-an-emperor-of-acting-without-lett-cover.jpg"]