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

Walking the red carpet with Qi Hao?

Zhang Liangying didn't expect the pie to fall right on her head.

But after these years of development and her outstanding singing skills, she's no longer just a rookie from Super Girl.

"Will I get torn apart by your rumored girlfriends?"

Zhang Liangying, holding onto Qi Hao's arm, smiled and waved to the fans on both sides while whispering to Qi Hao.

"Uh... I'm worried that your fans will tear me apart."

Qi Hao saw the super girl's fans before, and they were way more powerful than his own fans.

Back then, some of his fans couldn't stand those hardcore fans, and complained online. As a result, those hardcore fans not only fought back against the complainers but also subjected him, the "mastermind behind the scenes," to a wave of cyberbullying.

Perfectly illustrating what "fans cause trouble, celebrities pay the price" means.

Qi Hao is not easily bullied either.

The same principle applies; he refuses any form of collaboration with them. He even avoids attending any events where he's heard they might appear.

As one of the four leading young actors, he indeed has this confidence.

Of course, this is all done secretly; he won't target people over such trivial matters.

As for Zhang Liangying, she is a friend of Qi Hao, and gets along quite smoothly.

After signing his name, Qi Hao was led away for an interview.

This time it wasn't just a corner of the red carpet; a specialized interview room backstage was arranged.

The organizers have a dedicated entertainment news channel, and they wouldn't miss the opportunity for a special interview with Qi Hao, who rarely attends music-related events.

"Tonight's Qi Hao, the singer Qi Hao..."

The media host leading the interview began with an introduction.

"Yes, I'm still a newcomer, just debuted earlier this year. I hope everyone will take care of me."

Qi Hao's face was full of sincerity, even a bit bashful.

An award-winning actor's performance is no exaggeration.

The host paused for a moment, then laughed along with Qi Hao, "First of all, congratulations on your album's tremendous success."

His words were not just idle flattery.

It was amazing not only in sales but also in reputation, surpassing many professional singers—not to mention a cross-industry singer like Qi Hao.

The only pity is the rampant piracy; not long after the album release, many pirated copies were already being sold on the market.

The most ridiculous thing is that even legitimate stores are selling pirated versions these days.

"Thank you. Actually, I'm still in a learning stage; singing is something I've always been interested in but dared not try. This time, thanks to help from my friend Jin Dazhou, I mustered the courage to release this album."

Qi Hao attributed part of the success to album producer Jin Dazhou.

"There are six songs in this album, which is quite substantial for a mini album. Why not release a full album?"

The host's topics focused mainly on the album, also helping Qi Hao promote.

Unlike movies, which are sold within a month of release.

Albums' sales cycles are calculated in years, along with subsequent various revenue from rights.

"We collected more songs than expected; there should be seven songs, but the seventh song was more suitable for a female voice, so it wasn't included in the album. However, I've bought the rights and plan to use it as a soundtrack in a movie later."

Qi Hao mentioned "Rain Love," which is of decent quality.

He plans to use it in "First Love, This Little Thing": raindrops accumulating outside the window / The indoor humidity like storing memories of love for you / Wishing the rain would never stop... Seems it can serve the purpose.

He's recently studied quite a few domestic and international campus romance films.

Summarizing them as mainly selling nostalgia, with good-looking actors, beautiful visuals, and nice music—hardly a failure.

Besides "Rain Love," he also plans to have Jin Dazhou help collect another good song.

"Now that you have film fans as well as music fans, how does that feel?" The host asked.

"It feels great!" What else could Qi Hao say?

His new fans are mostly his original fans, at least passerby fans.

Releasing an album and expecting people to change from critics to fans—is impossible.

"How do you think fans' feelings towards idols should be viewed? To your fans—whether new or old—what would you like to say?"

The host posed some in-depth questions.

"I think everyone has their own idols, and perhaps because of their existence, our life is filled with more joy and happiness, giving us the motivation to move forward.

But as rational fans, we shouldn't let fun become an excuse for wasted indulgence, seeing only the idol in our mind, but not realizing the significance of our own existence in reality."

Qi Hao, as an idol, has always supported sensible fandom and truly doesn't need crazy fans.

"Do you personally have an idol?"

The host was surprised by Qi Hao's deep responses.

This guy still seems like a middle schooler—not only thoughtful but also very articulate.

"Of course, my idol is Liu Dehua... He gave me motivation and hope in times of disappointment, inspiring me to keep pushing forward. These beautiful memories make me smile now, proud to say: I'm your fan."

Qi Hao has many idols, but if picking ones he's been a fan of longer, it would be Liu Dehua and Zhang Xueyou.

Not many female idols.

After all, female celebrities from Xiangjiang are beautiful, but their personal lives are not much better.

Qi Hao chatted with the host for a while about albums and idols, and then finally touched on some more "adult" topics.

"I noticed that 'This Life Will Not Change' from the album is the same as the insert song from 'Chinese Paladin 3.'

"Yes, I sang it in the TV drama as well."

This TV drama has only 37 episodes and its first broadcast has already ended.

The ratings were first in the time slot. Although the reviews were mixed, it still counts as one of the year's hot dramas.

"You and Tang Yan play a couple in the drama. I didn't expect you specifically filmed an MV for this song, and it's the only MV from this album. Can you talk about your feelings working with Tang Yan?"

Clearly, the host wanted to give Tang Yan some extra exposure.

That's normal, as this is Shen City and Tang Yan is a native Shen City girl.

"Tang Yan... She's an actor with a lot of spirit..."

Qi Hao had to come up with something. Alas, he really couldn't find more virtues in Tang Yan, the disgrace of Central Academy of Drama.

In this setting, he couldn't possibly speak ill of Tang Yan.

"You played a couple, and you also collaborated privately. Was there any spark between you?"

The host asked with a smile.

"We worked together very pleasantly. The atmosphere in the 'Chinese Paladin 3' crew was great, and we're all good friends privately."

Navigating the entertainment industry is a profound art.

Qi Hao couldn't outright deny that there wasn't any spark with Tang Yan.

Otherwise, how would audiences immerse themselves when watching the drama, and subsequent sales of the show would be affected?

"Tang Yan is also a young actress with formal training, while Qi Hao, you've largely taught yourself in the course of your career. Do you feel a distinct difference between you during collaborations?"

The host's question was relatively professional.

"Of course, there's a difference. Going to school isn't for nothing..." Qi Hao said with a smile, "I've learned quite a bit from these trained actors, things that are hard to explore on your own."

Making a living isn't easy at all, feeling increasingly hypocritical.

Luckily, the interview time was limited, and Qi Hao was soon released.

The organizers arranged a private lounge for him.

Qi Hao decisively hid in the lounge, waiting to be invited out when the award ceremony was about to start.

His seat was relatively close to the front, surrounded by veterans of the music industry.

Once the ceremony began, Qi Hao started praying, The Three Pristine Ones above, please bless me with a newcomer award.

Even if it's just a bronze one.

It started with performances by guest singers, then came the awards.

The first awarding segment was the Top Ten Songs, selected from the annual hot songs from March last year to March this year.

Many singers held their breath.

Qi Hao was equally nervous. Unlike other music award ceremonies, the Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart doesn't hand out four or fifty awards.

If the best male singer isn't given to Qi Hao, the most appropriate award for him would probably be the Top Ten Songs.

Then there's the Hua-Yu Top Five, divided into Singapore, Xiangjiang, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the mainland.

Perhaps Qi Hao could snag the mainland award of Hua-Yu Top Five.

"Congratulations to the winners: Wang Zheng and Shuimu Nianhua for 'No One Loves You More Than I Do,' Qi Hao for 'This Life Will Not Change,' Ke for 'Beijing Welcomes You.'

Hearing his name called, Qi Hao's heart sank.

Why do it?

What's the point?

Where's your integrity?

But he still had to put on a happy face and went up to receive his trophy.

In reality, 'This Life Will Not Change' may not truly deserve being chosen as a top ten song.

After all, it is a new song released only in February.

The main reason being Qi Hao himself, a movie king, attended the award ceremony. Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart is, for the first time in Qi Hao's ten-year career, a music event he participated in.

It truly gave the Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart plenty of face.

Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart had to give him some respect in return.

"Welcome back to the 16th Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart award ceremony live show."

After the guest singers finished their performances, host Li Ke took the stage again.

"Li Ke, I feel the most exciting part of the Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart every year is the selection and awarding of the Eastern Newcomers. Now the Eastern Newcomer competition is about to start, and these five participants are all talented. Our expectations are not just for their singing skills, but more importantly, whether they can win over all our audience."

The other host, Zhou Jin, mentioned the newcomer award.

Qi Hao's heart felt as if it were stabbed by a knife.

No reason why, you see me, I'm a newbie too.

"Friends at home and broadcast, you're about to pick up your phones to vote. Who are the newcomer nominees this year? Let's get to know them through the big screen."

Li Ke waved his hand, and several new musicians appeared on the large screen behind him.

Qi Hao, Gao Yayan, Liu Liyang, Meng Nan, Zhu Jing.

Qi Hao's eyes lit up instantly, oh crap, seemed like I saw myself.

Wow, Eastern Wind and Cloud Chart is so fair!