Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years

"Then shoot two different endings... Use whichever feels better at the time."

Gao Fei said with financial bravado.

"That works."

These days, Qi Hao is equally financially bold, and has become well-practiced in dealing with film budget overruns.

No matter how much I overspend, I can't outspend Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly" is scheduled to start shooting at the end of the year, and Qi Hao will probably play a role at that time.

After all, it's Jiang Wen we're talking about.

Among these top directors, Qi Hao hopes to collaborate with neither Zhang Yimou, nor Chen Kaige, or Feng Xiaogang, but Jiang Wen and Ning Hao.

As for Xu Ke and Zhou Xingxing, it still depends on the script.

The former is becoming increasingly erratic, and many of the latter's films only suit him.

Over the years, many have tried to imitate Zhou Xingxing.

For example, Zhang Weijian, Zhang Jiahui, Ge Minhui, etc., none of them succeeded.

In training sessions, Qi Hao learned a lot from Xing, but he never thought of following his path.

Following someone else's path instead of your own, isn't that brainless?

During meetings, "Let the Bullets Fly" is also a major topic.

It's said that after giving up on Zhou Ruifa, Jiang Wen started considering Liang Jiahui, Wan Ziliang, Chen Daoming, and others.

Perhaps hearing the rumors, Zeng Zhiwei is actively approaching Jiang Wen, but Jiang Wen clearly rejected him.

After all, given his small stature, he's really not fitting for the image of Southern Country's tyrant Huang the Fourth.

A weasel might suit him more.

Zhou Ruifa is actually quite confused on his end.

Jiang Wen previously contacted him, and they even got to the stage of discussing remuneration.

This project certainly won't be subpar.

After all, it's an investment of over a hundred million.

There's currently no excessive investment in Xiangjiang, as nearly all the top ten films barely reach a box office of ten million Hong Kong dollars.

Last year, Zhou Ruifa's film, a collaboration directed by Roger Spottiswoode of "007: Tomorrow Never Dies," "The Children of Huang Shi," had just one day's box office hitting 10,000 RMB during its mainland premiere, accumulating 80,000 RMB over the Qingming holiday, with global total box office of only 778,000 USD.

Nobody is buying into his approach anymore.

Now, Hollywood isn't interested in him either.

So he's placing great importance on Jiang Wen's offer of 40 million, even if his wealth amounts to billions, he doesn't find 40 million inadequate.

However, before he could act coy and negotiate for a box office share on top of the 40 million fee, Jiang Wen has already found someone else.

Damn!

Outrageous!

I was all ready to go, and you suddenly back out.

Yet, he can't temporarily drop the price.

A drop of a few million won't sway Jiang Wen's decision, a drop of 30 million would make it impossible to quote similar fees in the future.

Besides, his reputation has gotten worse in recent years.

In earlier years, his works brought him a halo.

This halo soon lost its effect, so he threw out claims that all his wealth would be donated posthumously.

"Whatever... I came into this world with nothing, can't take anything when I die, everything's external, whoever needs it can have it."

For a moment, the whole nation was stirred.

Fa was practically a saint.

He appeared in news with tags like "frugal homemaker," "friendly and kind," "dedicated to charity," etc.

However, people soon discovered his absence from various domestic donation occasions.

Like at Wenchuan, such a major natural disaster, donations poured in from home and abroad.

But there wasn't a peep from him.

There are many similar instances.

Apparently, his so-called charity does not include the mainland.

We see you as a saint, but you see us as outsiders.

Not owing you any movie tickets.

Netizens are not as easily fooled anymore, it's the information age, hence his reputation inevitably took a nosedive.

After discussing "Let the Bullets Fly," they talked a bit about "The Legend of Zhen Huan."

The Legend of Zhen Huan won't start shooting soon, not this year for sure, currently it's mostly working on the script.

However, Zheng Xiaolong's status in the industry stands firm.

Once news of investment for "The Legend of Zhen Huan" came out, it quickly became a hot commodity in the entertainment circle.

Such a project blessed with a renowned director and confirmed investment is super popular.

To secure roles, everyone is showing their unique skills.

You accompany the producer, I accompany the director, if you're looking for thrills, we can both go together to accompany them...

Quite a few have also approached Feiyang Media, the sole producer.

Gao Fei is now greeted as President Gao, Sister Fei when she goes out, those who haven't seen her imagine her as an old rich lady.

Qi Hao has received propositions too, but he just declined all of them.

Compete using your skills, don't come to me.

Former rumored girlfriend, don't come looking either.

"Oh right, I know where there's a litter of stray kittens, anyone wants to adopt a cat?"

Qi Hao remembered those stray cats in the courtyard.

The big cats are indifferent.

Once construction starts, they're likely to scatter.

In that area, there are many abandoned courtyard houses where stray cats don't worry about not having a place to stay.

But if the cat mom doesn't migrate with the litter of kittens, the kittens have little ability to survive independently.

"You could adopt one too, so you won't have to fight me for Ao Bai."

Old Tian thoughtfully suggested.

"Get lost, Ao Bai was found by me..."

Qi Hao wished he could kick him.

In the future, if he and Old Tian fall out.

It's definitely not because of uneven profit distribution; it would be over the guardianship of Ao Bai.

"Is it good looking?" Shi Feng asked curiously.

"Pretty good looking, it seems to have some British Shorthair genes, chubby."

Qi Hao suspected the wild cats in that courtyard were eating birds and bird eggs, each one with a fat head and big ears, clearly well-nourished.

"Are kittens easy to raise? Without a mother cat teaching them, how do you make it go to the toilet?" Gao Fei asked curiously.

"You can put a bit of its excrement in the litter tray; generally, they'll know to cover it because they find it dirty..." Old Tian was quite experienced in this.

"Then I want one." Gao Fei felt it would be nice to sleep with a kitten, as Ao Bai often accompanied her for naps at the company.

Unfortunately, there were too many people at the company, and Ao Bai was just one cat.

Old Tian often didn't bring him to work.

The company staff had to threaten to strike before he'd bring Ao Bai during office hours.

"How many are there in total? I'll reserve one."

Ao Bai was often brought to the office, and Shi Feng looked on with envy.

"There are probably four, all very nicely colored. Once I've come back from Shen City, we'll go and snatch a cat together."

Qi Hao is going to Shen City the day after tomorrow to participate in the 16th Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart.

"Oh right, the people over at the Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart have already confirmed, they've asked if we have any special requests."

Zhang Nan remembered this.

Actually, this isn't the kind of small matter that needs reporting to Qi Hao. Qi Hao is gracious enough to attend such events, the organizers had better be smart and give him a big award.

The conversation happened to lead to this topic, so Zhang Nan just asked.

"No cheating, just do what you would do otherwise. Even if you give me a newcomer award, I'll be very happy to accept it."

Qi Hao had a look of upright seriousness.

"Uh... I'll tell them again."

Zhang Nan didn't demand a big award; he couldn't say such things. If someone caught wind and exposed it, it would be a big deal.

But he had given all the necessary hints.

If Qi Hao attends a music award ceremony and doesn't receive an award, it would be disgraceful.

If the star is embarrassed, it's the manager's problem.

However, Qi Hao is now demanding it be handled officially.

"Just follow my words, even if it's a newcomer award."

Hints have reached their limit.

Well, it's not even a hint; Qi Hao is almost openly telling them to give him the newcomer award.

"I understand!" Zhang Nan eagerly nodded.

Not sure what he understood, Qi Hao really had little hope for people's comprehension.

Unlike the music award ceremony's niche accolades backed by Guangxian Media, the Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart has profound connections, hosted by Shen City Radio, Film and Television Media Group with a Chinese music award.

Regarding this media group, let's say.

Dragon TV is one of its subsidiaries, showing how formidable it is.

Zhang Xueyou appeared for the first time on a mainland award ceremony to receive a prize, participating in the 2004 Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart, and was presented with the "Chinese Music Industry Achievement Award."

Qi Hao chose the Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart because it is formidable enough.

This makes it plausible to award him the newcomer prize.

Don't let me look down on you!

The 16th Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart awards gala is held at the Shen City Grand Stage, with music industry icons gathered, from veterans like Luo Dayou, Li Zongsheng, Zhou Huajian, Man Wenjun, Sun Nan, to newer faces like Lin Junjie, Luo Zhixiang, Hu Yanbin, and so on.

Qi Hao is someone quite atypical.

From the music industry angle, he's a proper newcomer, with his album just released earlier this year; now, although sales are impressive, it's mostly interpreted as due to his high public recognition.

Music achievements haven't yet been tested by time.

However, you certainly can't treat him as a newcomer.

He's been in the industry for over a decade already, achieving feats in the entertainment circle that are hard for peers to reach.

Although not completely absolute, it's conventionally agreed in the entertainment circle that film actors ＞ TV actors ＞ singers ＞ variety show hosts ＞ internet singers.

Qi Hao debuted as a TV actor, now successfully transitioned to film actor, and has won the title of best actor.

He's even stepped into the director path.

In the Chinese music scene now, apart from Jay Chou, Princess Consort, Zhang Xueyou, it's basically hard to compete with big names in film.

If you asked who's bigger, Li Zongsheng or Qi Hao?

Qi Hao would certainly give Li Zongsheng, the master of music a face, but for the organizers, the attention Qi Hao brings is far greater than that of Li Zongsheng.

Since the organizers announced Qi Hao's attendance at the Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart several days ago, it's just been the hot news of the moment.

Regarding who to walk the red carpet with, the organizers gave Qi Hao the autonomy to choose.

Qi Hao picked Zhang Liangying.

Yes, he and Zhang Liangying have had rumors.

Back when he starred in "The Return of the Condor Heroes," Zhang Liangying was involved in singing the opening theme song "Unrivaled in the World."

Qi Hao has had meals and karaoke sessions with her.

Later, when Qi Hao's circle got together to play, she would occasionally join, naturally becoming an acquaintance.

Since he couldn't walk alone, he chose someone he knew.