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

Fan Xuexue remembers the last time she saw Qi Hao was probably at Penguin's Star Gala, where Qi Hao happened to be the image ambassador for the event.

The time before that seemed to be with the "October Fortress" crew.

Not much time has passed in between.

Qi Hao seems like a completely different person now.

Currently, Qi Hao, as Gao Yang's agent, has invested in seven film and television projects throughout the year, including "October Fortress," "Wait and See," "Steel Piano," "Lost on Journey," "First Love, This Little Thing," "Let the Bullets Fly," and "The Legend of Zhen Huan."

Total investment is nearly two hundred million.

Not only that, he's also Mrs. Hua's number one celebrity shareholder, and a shareholder of Penguin, with rumors swirling that he holds shares in many other companies.

These two points have kept Fan Xuexue awake!

She's looked up to Qi Hao more than once, but every time she feels she's underestimated him.

Half of the celebrities in the entertainment industry combined can't match Qi Hao's scheming.

This person is just too good at hiding, too good at pretending.

Pretend my ass, if you had revealed yourself earlier, I would've been in your bed long ago.

She used to not want to compete with Li Xue'xue for a man, thinking it was beneath her.

The so-called four Dan and two Xue'xies, actually none of them think much of each other.

Especially Fan Xuexue and Li Xue'xue; both have the name Xuexue, debuted in the 1990s, and even stayed together at Mrs. Hua's company in the early days, so they were often compared to each other.

They were the definition of sworn enemies.

Of course, they've performed many deep sisterhood dramas, such as attending award ceremonies together, co-starring in "Youth On Patrol," and "Eight Heroes" TV series.

But later on, they drifted apart, with many speculating this was due to a mutual "sister" exchange once.

One time, to ease their relationship, the company arranged for Fan Xuexue to visit Li Xue'xue on set, and upon arrival, Fan Xuexue suddenly said "Sister, you've worked hard," plunging the scene into awkwardness, to which Li Xue'xue responded, "Thank you, sister."

Green tea against green tea, indistinguishable in tea level.

However, Fan Xuexue has always sneered at Li Xue'xue's pursuit of Qi Hao.

How old are you still chasing young grass.

She's different; she's the same age as Qi Hao.

"How have we grown distant suddenly, I remember I used to give you a head massage," Fan Xuexue said with a smile.

"Haha, I didn't expect so many years to pass in the blink of an eye."

Qi Hao didn't dare say the occasion was inappropriate, or Fan Xuexue would definitely suggest going to her room for a drink after the award ceremony.

Women can be terrifying when they get fierce.

They'll sit on your lap in public without batting an eye.

As for when Fan Xuexue said she used to give Qi Hao a head massage, that was during a collaboration for a film, when Qi Hao fell asleep on a chaise lounge, and Fan Xuexue, impressed by his handsome sleeping face, gave his head a massage.

It was actually quite ambiguous at the time.

However, Qi Hao wasn't interested in her, and Fan Xuexue didn't favor Qi Hao, who was not top-tier then.

But now things are different.

Fan Xuexue looked over her own pool of fish and none compare to Qi Hao's allure.

She felt destined to be with Qi Hao.

When Zhao Zilong gets lonely, he goes to Changban Slope; when Qi Hao gets lonely, will he come to Fan Xuexue?

"How long has it been? By saying that, you make us seem old," Fan Xuexue said, lightly slapping Qi Hao's arm, "But speaking of, you're almost thirty, aren't you planning to settle down?"

Settle down.

It means going public with a relationship.

"I can't help it, lately I've been obsessed with being a director, have no time to consider these things at all."

Qi Hao felt like he was being eyed by a wolf.

However, speaking of, Fan Xuexue is actually more decisive than Li Xue'xue.

Li Xue'xue is the type who would think 'I like you, why aren't you chasing me, oh, I'm upset, I'm really upset.'

While Fan Xuexue is the type who asks 'Do you want to go out, sleep together, love each other?'

In front of backstage's many celebrities, she doesn't hide her intentions at all.

While others watched amusedly, anticipating the developments that follow.

If Qi Hao is interested in Fan Xuexue, or thinks they can form a power couple, perhaps tonight they'll hear the good news of them going public.

Hmm, or if they decide to try things out, they'll hear good news by tomorrow morning.

"Doesn't it matter? You won't need to win Best Director to consider dating, do you?"

Fan Xuexue really can't understand it.

"Sigh, actually I have someone I like."

Qi Hao pretended to laugh bitterly.

With Fan Xuexue, avoiding the topic is not an option.

Believe or not, Fan Xuexue might openly confess her love for Qi Hao to the media tomorrow, dissecting her bitter love journey.

Even if she selects him, it's actually after weighing the pros and cons.

"Who is it?" Fan Xuexue's voice was definitely not calm, but realizing her voice was sharp, she quickly laughed, "Are you serious? You actually have someone you like, could it be someone outside the industry?"

"For years," Qi Hao didn't directly answer, but said rather wistfully, "These sentiments are really troublesome; I keep myself busy with work, so I don't miss or worry aimlessly."

"Ah, you really got deeply involved." Fan Xuexue said with schadenfreude.

She's a person with a strong sense of pride.

Once Qi Hao blocked her attack in such a way, she definitely wouldn't withdraw in embarrassment.

As if she's never demonstrated any appreciation for Qi Hao.

"What is love anyway..." Qi Hao really started acting, but suddenly he became serious, "If you want to make more money, I suggest you buy Maotai or Apple's stocks, Penguin's should be good too. There are many ways to make money, no need to ..."

"Ah?" Fan Xuexue was stunned for a moment.

By the time she wanted to say something, Qi Hao suddenly seemed to see a familiar face and apologized to Fan Xuexue before approaching.

Fan Xuexue recognized him, it was Li Dawei.

The recently released "Wait and See", directed by Qi Hao, is by an insider's son in the directing line.

Watching Qi Hao walk towards Li Dawei, the two exaggeratedly hugged each other.

Fan Xuexue lowered her shoulders in dismay.

Qi Hao's inexplicable comment was cryptic, but she understood what he meant.

Ha~ What is this.

If you like someone, why be so gentle with other women?

It can be misleading...

Fan Xuexue scanned the crowd of celebrities and chose to go to her own lounge.

Find a place with no one around to lick her wounds.

If she can't lick someone else, she'll have to lick herself.

The backstage of the Shen City International Film Festival arranged lounges for the stars.

If you're not a bigshot, there are small cubicles for privacy, just have your assistant guard the entrance.

"Director, I brought a piece too, you won't be upset, right?"

Qi Hao parted from Li Dawei and mischievously chimed in.

Big brother, I'm competing with you for Best New Director, you won't be upset, right?

"Why be upset, let's have a fair competition," Li Dawei swallowed his frustration: "When you were in the crew with me learning how to film, I thought it would take you three to five years. I didn't expect you'd release a movie the same time as mine."

This is probably what they call aiding the enemy.

"I was pushed to the stage, fortunately found a fitting script, still a lot for me to learn,"

Qi Hao was humble, even if he was confident of winning against Li Dawei today, he had no need to be arrogant.

Even if he wanted to provoke, he wouldn't provoke Li Dawei.

Unfortunately, Lu Yu didn't come today, otherwise Qi Hao would have wanted to have a good chat with him.

He would feign grievance and question him, Lu Sang, what did I do to offend you that you had to go against me, and now you're hurt by your own actions.

"Qi Hao~"

"Xin Brother, you came too."

Qi Hao turned around and saw it was Huang Jianxin.

Huang Jianxin, who was involved in the production of "Oath of Allegiance" and "October Fortress", had drunk together with Qi Hao several times, he thought calling him Mr. Huang was a bit detached, so they became casual with each other.

That camaraderie forged over drinks, it's normal to get familiar.

Moreover, Qi Hao was already informal with Jiang Wen, no need to change the hierarchy with him.

Li Dawei wanted to sneer.

You're just pretending, as if you don't know why Huang Jianxin is here?

"I was brought in to be a judge, I didn't expect you'd come to be a director too, how does it feel?" Huang Jianxin laughed and asked.

"Thrilling!" Qi Hao's response was unconventional.

"Haha~" Huang Jianxin burst into laughter, since he had once said being a director was thrilling.

Huang Jianxin was well-connected and a judge, Qi Hao used this opportunity to get acquainted with many foreign directors.

He didn't specifically get close to the judges.

The awards weren't decided on site, plus he only aimed for the Best New Director award.

If he actually got the Best New Director award, even if Li Dawei was given Best Director, he'd be happy—Li Dawei probably wouldn't believe it, even a fool knows the Best Director holds more prestige.

After the awards ceremony officially began, it started with the main competition section.

Since the Golden Goblet Award main competition section didn't have a new talent award, Qi Hao wasn't concerned.

Love to give it to foreigners, just hurry up.

However, "Steel Piano" didn't miss out, Wang Qianyuan won the Golden Goblet Award for Best Actor.

Considered a film emperor now.

This was "Steel Piano's" first time attending an awards ceremony, it was evident that the Shen City International Film Festival also felt proud, and given the quality of the film, winning was deserved.

Of course, despite Wang Qianyuan being as excited as ever, Qi Hao felt calm as water inside.

Soon after, the Golden Goblet Award gave him a Jury Grand Prize.

Qi Hao could only patiently deliver his acceptance speech, while feeling increasingly cold inside.

"Steel Piano" won two awards in the main competition section, while "Wait and See" got none.

What does this mean?

It means that the judges thought "Steel Piano" had better quality than "Wait and See".

Very soon, it reached the Asian Newcomer Award section.

This section had fewer awards, covering the Asian film arena.

But it did have an "Asian Newcomer Award for Best Director".

No idea if it met the system's requirements, with its prestige potentially being questionable.

However, Qi Hao still had a small moment of anticipation.

Zhao Ye's "Zhalainuo'er"!

Qi Hao was utterly confused, without his Sven Glasses, he might not have known how to read "Lai".

Lastly was the Film Channel Media Awards, which Qi Hao was eyeing.

Film Channel Best New Actor—definitely wouldn't go to Qi Hao; he was already a veteran in the film industry, even having won a Best Actor award.

The key was the "Film Channel Best New Director".

Qi Hao's main competitor, arguably his only competitor, was Li Dawei with his "Wait and See".

Yet, the judges felt "Steel Piano" was superior to "Wait and See", so who got Best Director, who got Best New Director, was almost a foregone conclusion.

Qi Hao's eyes almost welled up.

Pushed too hard, damn it.