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

Qi Hao worked hard on the foreign language tasks and didn't ignore the main tasks either.

He aimed to spread the opportunities evenly.

Although there are three years' time, nobody understands better than him how difficult winning Best Actor is.

"Heavenly Dog" was purely a stroke of luck; Qi Jian picked a male lead and after a week of shooting, couldn't finish any scenes.

He decisively changed the actor.

Such leftover roles aren't great ones; only acting fanatics would be willing to take them.

Zheng Xiaolong advised Qi Hao to take it for honing his acting skills.

It just happened that Qi Hao had a free schedule at the time, so he joined the cast.

Unexpectedly, he won the Golden Rooster Best Actor.

When aimlessly planting a willow tree, it grew into a shade; directly aiming for the award, Qi Hao didn't have much confidence.

Moreover, if one wants to exceed expectations.

One can't just win any Best Actor award as a substitute; at the very least, it should be Golden Rooster, Golden Horse, Golden Statue, or even one of the European big three is better.

Qi Hao was trying to seize opportunities with both hands.

On one hand, he had the selection committee filter the scripts being submitted, whether they were selling scripts or seeking investments, with a particular focus on artistic films.

On the other hand, he had Zhang Nan spread the word in the circle.

Qi Hao's schedule was now open and he wanted to act in an award-winning art film; if anyone had an appropriate project, they could invite him.

Hmm, if funding was insufficient, Qi Hao could bring his own investment to the group.

Normally, stars bringing their investment to a group rely on capital assistance.

Only someone as financially robust as Qi Hao could say it so casually.

There was no choice, since his money from selling stocks had arrived.

The Wang Brothers didn't delay at all, quickly sending the money to Qi Hao.

Collecting the stocks from Qi Hao into their hands, the Wang Brothers exhaled a long sigh of relief.

However, their mood wasn't particularly good.

Because Mrs. Hua's stocks hadn't risen in these days.

The closing price on the first day was 109.81 yuan/share, making Mrs. Hua the most envied finance star of the year.

Many finance experts were confident Mrs. Hua could rise above 110.

After all, it was already 109.81, just short by 0.19.

Just twenty cents!

Casually pushing the stock price upwards was possible.

Some who bought the stocks even meticulously used logical reasoning to draw a vision of 150 yuan for Mrs. Hua.

Unfortunately, it didn't go as hoped.

Twenty cents became the insurmountable gap for Mrs. Hua.

During the second day's opening bid, the stocks began to plummet because they were unrestricted for the first six days; first dropping below 100 yuan/share on the second day, then tumbling all the way, closing at 72 yuan.

Third day...

Fourth day...

In a dozen days, it was already close to the issue price.

Indeed, the "Wind Sound" box office was 270 million, relative to a cost of 80 million, this film was definitely profitable.

This should have been a positive influence on the stock price.

Alas, too high a push on the first day, without stabilizing the second day, directly caused panic selling.

One after another, they scrambled to escape.

Penguin didn't continue significantly absorbing Mrs. Hua's stocks.

Qi Hao suspected they might obtain Mrs. Hua's shares through other avenues, not necessarily from the secondary market.

However, Zhanqi Laiden suggested Penguin might be raising Mrs. Hua only to cut her down.

In any case, Mrs. Hua was so miserable in the first ten-plus days, no small thanks to Penguin boosting her stock on the first day and decisively stopping the next.

Waiting until the stock price was significantly decreased to enter could lower a lot of holding costs.

If Penguin continued absorbing on the second day, even if not rising further, at least the fall wouldn't have been so tragic.

It wasn't until ten-plus days later, with daily limit-downs, almost breaking the issue price, that Ali began to increase holdings of Mrs. Hua's stocks, stabilizing the stock somewhat.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Qi Hao already.

What he bought he sold; regardless of profit or loss, he had to bear the result himself.

The office building was purchased using mortgage loans.

Once Qi Hao had money, he started preparing to establish a production team.

This didn't require him personally getting involved.

At most, he only supervised the project.

Mostly, he was busy with his own matters.

Being the top idol and actor in the circle, once he spread the word that he was seeking scripts, suddenly there were endless scripts to read.

There were even ones that had already received investment seeking him.

"This is Director Han Jie, and this is our boss, Qi Hao."

Zhang Nan brought the people in.

"Kuiba" and "Hello! Mr. Tree" were both projects he was responsible for contacting.

Han Jie was the director of "Hello! Mr. Tree"; born in 1977, he directed his first short film "New Year's Day" back in 2002, winning the Best Short Film Award in the student group of the College Student Film Festival.

His first film in 2006, "Lai Xiaozhi", won the Best Film Tiger Award at the 35th Rotterdam International Film Festival.

He's a very pure artistic film director.

Investment has always been his biggest challenge in making films; previously hearing that Qi Hao could secure investment, he submitted his script.

Unexpectedly, he really got it.

Asked for 8 million, he was given 8 million.

At present, he's preparing the film production team while casting roles.

The lead male role has several candidates.

While hesitating, planning to speak with these actors face-to-face, he heard the news that Qi Hao wanted to perform in an art film.

"You want me to play Mr. Tree? I'm nothing like this character."

Qi Hao had read through this script thoroughly; he must admit it was a good script, and a very promising award-winning one at that.

But he really has no connection to "Mr. Tree."

He was born in the city, right in the center of the municipality of Tianjin, both his parents are teachers, and before he ventured out, he had never truly been to the countryside.

"Before you played Li Tiangou, no one thought you had any similarity to Li Tiangou either."

Han Jie laughed.

He's not someone who picks actors mindlessly, and certainly not someone who panders to capital.

He's seen Qi Hao's "Heavenly Dog," and also Qi Hao's "Wind Sound," and he's very familiar with Qi Hao's acting.

If you can play Li Tiangou, if you can play Takeda, then you can definitely play Mr. Tree.

"Let me think about it, and you should consider carefully too. I've got a meeting with a client later, let's touch base again," Qi Hao paused, then added, "If you want to add more investment, just say it directly, no need to beat around the bush, as long as there's a suitable reason, additional investment isn't difficult to pass on my end."

An eight million budget, adding up to ten million isn't a big deal.

"Steel Piano" was made with over ten million.

However, he didn't immediately reject Han Jie, what Han Jie said was also correct, he hadn't played roles like Li Tiangou or Takeda before.

For an actor, the true pursuit should be creating different characters.

Rather than playing roles that suit themselves.

Just like Li Xuejian and Chen Daoming, Li Xuejian can play many types of roles, while Chen Daoming can take roles that suit him and play them to perfection.

"Okay, then think about it. If you don't want a high salary, there's no need for more investment, eight million is enough."

Han Jie didn't insist and left with Zhang Nan.

The person Qi Hao was going to meet was from Moutai.

The Moutai side had reached out to him to discuss collaboration.

Recently, a proposal to "ban public spending on Moutai" was issued, sparking public debate.

Moutai, known as the "national liquor," once enjoyed the leisurely life of "an emperor's daughter doesn't worry about marriage."

Although the proposal hasn't been implemented yet, they are anxious.

If it does get implemented, then Moutai won't be considered much of a national liquor.

Losing the halo of the national liquor, Moutai might become a niche indulgence that struggles to enter the "hall of elegance" again.

To expand their market, they've set their sights on celebrities.

Qi Hao found that as a celebrity, and a top-tier celebrity at that, holding stocks of listed companies, these companies tend to prefer reaching out to him for collaboration.

Other celebrities might just love drinking Moutai, but Qi Hao's love extends beyond drinking Moutai; he even buys Moutai stocks.

Who could be more suitable than him!

"Our original plan was to invite Fang Long. As a celebrity, if you're able to do something for the country like him, only then are you really aiming in the right direction."

Coming from the Moutai company was Vice Secretary of Sales, General Manager Yi Jianguo. He came to the capital for meetings and took the opportunity to meet with Qi Hao.

He's a bit older, and works in thought leadership for state-owned enterprises.

Even though they've reformed, it's hard to escape that somewhat discomforting vibe.

It's companies like Moutai that don't lack sales that can allow him to stay in his position.

But really, he's been marginalized, only made to attend various meetings.

The Deputy General Manager Ao Dapeng who came with him is actually the main person discussing matters; he listened to the leader's words, smiling slightly awkwardly.

His leader's words might sound preachy, but in the minds of these people, Fang Long definitely holds a higher position than Qi Hao.

Even if you're wealthy, it doesn't necessarily mean you're wealthier than Fang Long.

Moreover, the thing Moutai company lacks the least is money.

"President Yi, you're absolutely right, Big Brother Fang Long is my idol, I get to meet him often."

Qi Hao agreed with the other's words.

As far as international influence goes, Qi Hao barely reaches a tenth of Fang Long's impact.

Because in essence, he doesn't have much international influence.

"You meet him often? How is he as a person?"

Yi Jianguo obviously favors choosing Fang Long for collaboration, but unfortunately, the company values Qi Hao, who holds 3.5 million shares, much more.

After all, our main market isn't abroad.

Moutai's international reputation isn't as renowned as its domestic momentum; Fang Long's international influence has also weakened a significant amount since the late 1990s.

If the focus is on the domestic market, then Qi Hao is more suitable.

Qi Hao's drinking capacity is so large that it's a secret known even to outsiders of the entertainment circle.

Moreover, Qi Hao often drinks Moutai.

There have been many instances of him being photographed by the media.

"Big Brother Fang Long, I've drank with him a few times, he's extremely forthright..."

Once Qi Hao opened up, he couldn't seem to stop.

Yi Jianguo smacked his lips a few times, thinking that this was a time where there really should be wine, peanuts, and broad beans on the table, and a plate of cool pig ears would be perfect, along with a dish of braised intestines.

Unfortunately, they're here to discuss business.

Even Yi Jianguo, an old hand, has been so sidetracked by Qi Hao that he's lost direction.

Next, the business discussion went smoothly.

"Uh, is it necessary?"

Qi Hao heard Moutai's collaboration proposal, and even though he's endorsed many things, he was shocked by Moutai's grandiose style.

Moutai plans to name their new high-end liquor as Moutai No. 7.

Don't ask why there's no No. 1 to No. 6, nor No. 8, No. 9, No. 10; the reason is their spokesperson is Qi Hao.

Even if it's just a homophone, it makes people feel absurd.

If one day he's no longer the spokesperson, does that mean you'll just stop producing this series?

Moreover, what if this series becomes popular?

No. 7 liquor is a 53-degree sauce-flavored liquor that inherits Moutai's traditional craftsmanship, carefully stored, seasoned, and brewed to create a Moutai style with pronounced sauce aroma, elegant and comfortable, full-bodied, mellow and smooth, with a long-lasting aftertaste and lingering fragrance.

Yi Jianguo and Ao Dapeng even brought a case over.

It's just packaged rather simply, belonging to a pre-market trial version.

They could try it out during dinner later.

"It's just a naming thing. Our factory has many Moutai liquor series, including Moutai series and direct Moutai liquors, each with multiple types and levels."

Ao Dapeng explained to Qi Hao.

What else could Qi Hao say, he expressed that he's eager to taste this Moutai liquor named after him.