Chapter 368: "The Legend of Zhen Huan" has become a huge hit!

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the courtyard.

"Xiao Chen! Is Xiao Chen inside?"

That was Wang Jinhua's voice. You could hear her voice before you saw her, and the excitement in her voice could be heard even through the wall.

Xiao Chen grabbed a vest and put it on, but before he could fix his hair, Wang Jinhua pushed the door open and entered.

She clutched several reports tightly in her hand, her face flushed, and her forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

"Aunt Hua, what brings you here? Sit down and have some water, my mom just brewed some Longjing tea."

Xiao Chen handed over a teacup, his movements unhurried and calm, like an outsider.

Wang Jinhua had no interest in drinking tea. She slammed the report in front of Xiao Chen, her voice trembling.

"Why are you still drinking tea! It's exploded! It's completely exploded!"

"The real-time ratings for the premiere of 'Empresses in the Palace' are out, and CCTV reports that it has broken the highest record for Qing Dynasty dramas in the past five years!"

"The online platforms are even more outrageous. The barrage of comments crashed the servers twice. The tech department is still up and about."

Xiao Chen glanced at the numbers on the report; the curve was rising almost vertically.

He wasn't surprised, after all, it was "Empresses in the Palace," plus the added bonus of his Oscar-winning actor's first appearance back in China.

"Aunt Hua, calm down. It's basic stuff, don't be silly."

He blurted out a popular phrase from his past life, which startled Wang Jinhua.

"What are you doing? How can you be so careless?"

Do you know what this means?

Wang Jinhua now sees Xiao Chen as a living gold mine, the kind that continuously produces diamonds.

Today, Shishiba Culture is a giant in the industry, but Xiao Chen is the real pillar of strength.

"Does this mean my salary will have to increase again? Or that the rankings at domestic award ceremonies will have to be rearranged?"

Xiao Chen chuckled and teased, then casually patted Wang Jinhua's back.

"You're just being sarcastic! My phone's been ringing off the hook with calls from all the big directors in the industry."

"Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and even several veteran directors from the Hong Kong film industry all want to ask about your next film's release schedule."

Wang Jinhua took a sip of tea, barely managing to suppress the overwhelming joy in her heart.

She looked at Xiao Chen. Although the boy was only twenty years old, his composure and steadiness were something even she, a seasoned veteran, couldn't match.

She watched him climb to the top step by step, and the relationship between the two had long surpassed that of manager and artist.

Xiao Chen pointed to his shoulder, then to his abdomen.

"Put those things aside for now; I want to go into seclusion for a while."

Wang Jinhua looked puzzled.

"Seclusion? What are you up to now?"

Xiao Chen spoke.

"Transformation".

"I want to build up my physique so I can take on a tougher role in my next film."

Wang Jinhua looked him up and down, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

"With your looks, so many fans rely on your face to make a living. What if you develop those muscles? Would they accept that?"

Xiao Chen leaned back, his tone exuding absolute confidence.

"Aunt Hua, they like not only my face, but also the characters I play."

"If I can only play pretty boys, then I am not Xiao Chen."

"Besides, who says muscular men can't be handsome? I'm the upgraded version."

Wang Jinhua sighed. She knew she couldn't persuade him; the child's mind was incredibly stubborn.

"Fine, do whatever you want."

"Even if you train like Schwarzenegger, those young girls will probably still cry and call you 'husband' all the time."

As she was speaking, Ye Huimei came in carrying fruit.

"Jin Hua's here? Quick, here are some freshly washed strawberries."

Wang Jinhua quickly got up and affectionately took Ye Huimei's hand.

"Sister Ye, you really raised a good son. Who in the whole country doesn't know Xiao Chen now?"

Ye Huimei smiled broadly, but still remained stubborn.

"It doesn't matter whether he becomes famous or not, I just want him to be healthy."

"That's why she said she wanted to exercise as soon as she got back, which was exactly what I was worried about."

Xiao Chen, while munching on a strawberry, responded with a smile.

"Let's start the transformation with the five kilometers tomorrow morning."

He touched his chin, where the stubble hadn't grown yet, but his eyes were already filled with stars and ambition.

Breaking viewership records was just the beginning; his goal was never limited to this small television screen.

Wang Jinhua was still going on and on about planning the next promotional route for the brand, while Xiao Chen just listened obediently, nodding occasionally.

This docile nature creates an extreme contrast with his domineering persona on screen, resulting in an endearingly quirky charm.

This contrast is precisely what makes him a heartthrob for women of all ages.

From 14-year-old middle school students to 45-year-old housewives, no one could escape Xiao Chen's gaze.

"Aunt Hua, I really won't be going to the celebration banquet. Please drink a couple more glasses for me."

"I know you're a homebody, fine, my dear, you can just stay home and work on your muscles."

Wang Jinhua rolled her eyes at him, her tone full of doting affection, before turning around and throwing herself back into the ratings frenzy.

Xiao Chen stood by the window, watching Wang Jinhua's back, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He's only just begun to get into the game of the entertainment industry.

The noise outside the window seemed never to stop, but inside Xiao Chen's villa, there was only tranquility.

He ignored the already boiling world that Wang Jinhua was talking about.

At this moment, the internet is the real main battlefield.

The three words "The Legend of Zhen Huan" have been completely flooded across major forums, online communities, and Weibo.

On the homepage of Tianya Forum, a trending post with a striking red title caught everyone's eye: "Sisters, I hereby announce that my husband has changed this year! Xiao Chen's portrayal of the Fourth Prince...who understands him?!"

The main building only has one picture, which is a still from the drama where Xiao Chen is the emperor reviewing memorials.

He was dressed in a bright yellow casual suit, his brows slightly furrowed, his fingertips twirling a vermilion brush, the light and shadow outlining the impeccable profile of his face.

Those deep eyes held an unfathomable imperial mind.

"1st Floor: I get it! I totally get it! When I read novels before, I always thought emperors with three palaces and six courtyards were just big pigs, but looking at Xiao Chen's face, all I can say is, I'm willing! Please, show your favor to everyone!"

"28th Floor: Sisters upstairs, wake up! That's not the point! The point is the acting! Didn't you guys notice? He respects the Empress, dotes on Consort Hua, loves Zhen Huan, and plays around with An Lingrong. His eyes are completely different! He's only 20 years old, how did he act like that?"

"Post #199: I'm a grown man, and I originally watched this with my mom, but now I'm even more hooked than her. He's not just playing an emperor, he *is* the emperor. That awe-inspiring power of life and death, that weariness from being tormented by the court and harem—it's absolutely amazing!"

On Douban, a platform known for its professionalism, the discussion goes even deeper.

A lengthy film review was featured on the homepage: "[On Xiao Chen's 'De-deification' Performance in 'Empresses in the Palace']".