God of Drama

Chapter 6: "Chen’s Directing Rules"

Rule Nine of "Chen’s Directing Rules"

The core of creating and developing a plot lies in establishing conflict. If the story itself lacks strong or gripping tension, then use "misunderstandings" to drive the plot forward.

A faint smile flickered in Chen Ling’s eyes as a few directing rules he had secretly summarized in his past life as a director flashed through his mind.

【Audience Expectation +3】

【Current Expectation: 32%】

The moment these two lines of text flashed across the soy milk, Chen Ling knew he had guessed correctly.

Uncle Zhao’s expression visibly stiffened.

He looked at Chen Ling in shock—first confused, then stunned, and finally, he fell into a deep silence…

"Uncle Zhao, I promised Xiao Yi I would keep his secret… But you only have one son, and of course, you want him to carry on the family name… Yet, he’s always hanging around with that other boy, and it’s really affecting his studies."

Chen Ling sighed. "Just today, I saw him sitting on that boy’s motorcycle, smiling like he couldn’t be happier…"

Uncle Zhao’s body trembled slightly. His fists clenched involuntarily, and his breathing grew heavier.

"Alright… Uncle understands." Uncle Zhao forced a stiff smile, looking rather eerie. "Thank you, A’Ling."

"Oh, by the way, Uncle, I promised Xiao Yi I wouldn’t tell anyone, so you mustn’t let him know I was the one who told you…"

"Don’t worry, Uncle knows."

After finishing his last sip of soy milk, Chen Ling bid Uncle Zhao farewell and left the shop.

But Uncle Zhao acted as if he hadn’t heard a word, lowering his head as he rummaged through the house. A few minutes later, he pulled out a thick wooden club from the corner and slowly sat down on the bench at the shop’s entrance.

A cold wind swept through the street, rustling the few strands of hair on Uncle Zhao’s head and the sweat-stained towel on his forehead.

He sat there quietly, pressing the club into the ground with one hand, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the end of the street—just like a battle-hardened general brimming with murderous intent!

Chen Ling appeared to have left the street, but in reality, he had circled back through an alley and now stood in the shadows, just in time to take in the entire scene at the shop.

A few minutes later, a wobbly tricycle slowly appeared at the end of the road.

Zhao Yi sat leisurely on the side of the vehicle, legs crossed, while behind him, two buckets of salt had been completely emptied. He played with a few freshly earned copper coins, grinning from ear to ear.

"Heh, making money isn’t that hard after all."

"Of course, Yi-ge, it’s easy for you! I was the one pedaling the tricycle all day!" The boy in front stood up, struggling to push the heavy load, panting as he spoke.

"We’re brothers—no need to fuss over details."

Zhao Yi casually took out two copper coins and stuffed them into the boy’s pocket. "Here, this is for you."

Not far away, Uncle Zhao, who had just witnessed Zhao Yi’s hand brush against the boy’s waist, couldn’t help but twitch his eyelid.

"Yi-ge, I pedaled the whole day, and you’re only giving me two coins??" The boy’s eyes widened. "Didn’t you just get twenty from the road bureau?"

"Pedaling is labor work, but spreading salt is a technical skill—I deserve a bigger cut."

Zhao Yi replied lazily, then effortlessly jumped off the tricycle, squinting as he waved at the boy. "I’ll be waiting at the usual spot tomorrow… If you dare not show up, I’ll beat you every time I see you. Got it?"

With that, he clenched the remaining eighteen coins in his palm and strutted proudly toward his family shop.

The boy glared at him angrily, but as soon as Zhao Yi shot him a fierce look, he immediately shrank back, sighing in frustration as he pedaled home alone.

Zhao Yi, the infamous young bully of Han Shuang Street, was someone few dared to provoke. The poor tricycle boy had been exploited for a whole day, yet he could only swallow his grievances in silence.

"Dad, I’m home!!"

Zhao Yi strode in with confidence, gripping his eighteen copper coins. He had never felt this proud returning home before.

But for some reason, the moment he reached the shop’s entrance, an icy chill rushed over him.

A shadow clutching a wooden club slowly rose to its feet. The atmosphere plummeted to freezing temperatures as Uncle Zhao’s furious gaze locked onto Zhao Yi, his presence as imposing as a spear-wielding general ready for battle.

"Da… Dad?" Zhao Yi instinctively took a step back at the sight of the club.

"It’s him, isn’t it?" Uncle Zhao pointed a trembling finger at the boy still pedaling away in the distance, his voice quivering with rage. "You little bastard! Instead of focusing on your studies, you sneak around doing this kind of thing?!"

"If you were dating a girl properly, I’d at least let it slide. But a boy?! A damn boy?!"

"Can a man give you children?! Can he carry on our Zhao family lineage?!"

"Are you trying to cut off your old man’s bloodline?!!"

Uncle Zhao roared as he swung the club and charged at Zhao Yi, who yelped in pain while scrambling to escape.

Hearing Uncle Zhao’s furious outburst, the entire street perked up their ears.

Neighbors curiously gathered around, whispering among themselves as they pointed at the fleeing Zhao Yi. A wave of shock slowly spread across their faces.

【Audience Expectation +1… +1… +1…】

As Zhao Yi howled under the relentless beating, the numbers before Chen Ling’s eyes began to skyrocket.

If he could enter the theater in his mind again, he would see the dense crowd of shadowy "audience members" watching with keen interest, their lips curling into amused smiles.

"The conflict is on point… but we still need more characters."

Chen Ling’s gaze fell on the distant tricycle.

"Xiao Liu."

Hearing his name, the tricycle boy, who had been watching the drama unfold in a daze, turned around.

"Brother Ling, you’re here too?"

"How much did Xiao Yi pay you for today’s work?"

"…Two coins." The boy’s face darkened with resentment. "He went back on his word! He said I’d get the bigger share for pedaling, but in the end, he gave me almost nothing—and even threatened me to come back tomorrow…"

"Do you want revenge?" Chen Ling looked him in the eye. "Or rather, do you want to make sure he never dares bully you again—even avoids you like the plague?"

"Yes!!"

"Then let me teach you…"

As the two whispered to each other, Zhao Yi was already exhausted from running.

"Dad, Dad, stop hitting me! I swear, I’m not into guys!!" Zhao Yi finally came to his senses and frantically tried to explain. "I swear, I only like women! Especially the full-figured, mature ones…"

The onlookers’ jaws dropped slightly, deep in thought.

Uncle Zhao paused, his footsteps slowing.

"Then what’s your relationship with that tricycle boy?"

"We’re just normal friends!"

"You swear?"

"Of course, I swea—"

"Xiao Yi-ge!"

A figure suddenly burst through the crowd and threw himself onto Zhao Yi, wrapping his arms around him and shielding him with his back.

Zhao Yi froze.

Uncle Zhao froze too.

"You…" Zhao Yi’s mind went blank.

Before he could react, the boy lifted his tear-filled eyes and shouted at Uncle Zhao,

"If you have to hit someone, hit me! Don’t hurt my Xiao Yi-ge!!"

Silence crashed over the scene.

【Audience Expectation +2… +2… +2…】