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

In the past two days, there was more walking and hiking, making Qi Hao marvel at An Feng's stamina.

Had it been a typical girl, she might have started whining about not being able to move long ago.

She wasn't picky about food either.

There was no need for her to dine in star-rated restaurants or anything.

Even if it was a starch sausage from a street stall, she'd slurp it down while it's still hot.

The slurping was because it was scalding.

While young and reckless, she was eating starch sausages across the nation.

Going out and having fun with her was truly a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Even Qi Hao, who had no particular thoughts on traveling, felt that such trips could happen more often.

Unfortunately, Ms. Liu was like a broken sword hanging over his head, and Qi Hao had to come up with a solution.

Time always flies by, and happiness is fleeting.

The Golden Horse Awards were held as scheduled.

Qi Hao and An Feng checked into the hotel like two strangers, then communicated and interacted with their respective film crews.

When meeting the "Wind Sound" crew, the two greeted each other politely.

Cordial yet distant.

Even Li Xue'xue couldn't see anything suspicious between the two, but a woman's intuition told her that something she hadn't obtained had been snatched away.

The face was just so-so.

The nose was odd.

The chest wasn't particularly large.

What was the reason?

Could it be just because she's young, but how could a young girl be more caring than an elder sister?

After touching base with the "Wind Sound" crew, Qi Hao went to the "Steel Piano" crew.

He wasn't worried about An Feng being bullied.

Everyone was respectable and wouldn't resort to pulling hair and slapping faces.

Moreover, An Feng had two assistants with her.

At the "Steel Piano" side there were Zhang Meng, Wang Qianyuan, Qin Hailu, Tian Yu, and Zeng Li.

Zhang Meng was the producer, and since he was the screenwriter, he'd been nominated.

Tian Yu and Zeng Li weren't nominated. They were just there to gain experience; whether nominated or not was irrelevant. Having a work meant they weren't merely walking the red carpet.

Uncertain if Tang Wei would come today, and if it would be awkward should she come.

But in reality, whether Tian Yu or Tang Wei, they've already moved on to new relationships.

It's likely they don't care much anymore.

More people are interested in watching the drama and gossip.

Seeing Qi Hao, everyone was very polite.

Zhang Meng was more aware than anyone else about who really made the movie. Though he was there throughout production, he had minimal interference during filming.

Moreover, Qi Hao hadn't publicly distanced himself from him.

He'd even blurred his role.

This made him an object of interest for capital investments, as "Steel Piano" didn't lose any money.

For the next film, investment wouldn't be a concern.

Even more needless to say about Wang Qianyuan: now he's the Best Actor at the Tokyo International Film Festival, with exploding resources, no longer the entertainment industry's forgettable character with few scripts.

Qi Hao was virtually his benefactor.

Whenever he meets Qi Hao in public in the future, he must greet him respectfully.

When officially walking the red carpet, Qi Hao did so along with these people.

There were no particularly notable interview topics, after all, Qi Hao didn't walk the red carpet with An Feng, and the two women with him, Qin Hailu wasn't possible, and Zeng Li didn't show familiarity with Qi Hao.

Qi Hao's recent rumors were really too few.

Even the Taiwan media felt unfamiliar.

Backstage, Qi Hao saw An Feng almost immediately when he glanced around.

The white dress was extremely eye-catching.

An Feng wasn't alone and ignored; although ostracized by many female stars, she had several acquaintances for casual chats.

Right now, she was chatting with Hui Yinghong; this veteran actress didn't care much about others' perceptions and struck up a conversation with An Feng who she found pleasing to the eye.

However, their conversation was frequently interrupted.

An Feng, 22 years old, in her prime, still single, although seemingly not easy to pursue, she couldn't stop the bold ones.

Additionally, Ms. Liu wasn't accompanying her, making it a rare opportunity in male stars' eyes.

Qi Hao watched as Yu Shaqun, an actor from "Mei Lanfang", headed that way, yet didn't involve himself or enact a two-suitor scenario.

He and An Feng had a certain tacit understanding in this regard.

Each would deal with their own unwanted admirers and wouldn't let the other fall into jealousy.

Unless encountering unsolvable problems.

If really unsolvable, An Feng wouldn't endure alone. Otherwise, what did she have a boyfriend for? She wouldn't be like in a melodrama, suppressing pride to bear insults behind her boyfriend's back.

Qi Hao felt this was good.

He couldn't imagine being like a fighting cock whenever he entered a relationship, charging in at anyone approaching.

Better not to enter a relationship.

An Feng said a couple of words to Yu Shaqun, and he left with an expression of regret.

This side of Qi Hao also had actresses approaching.

He too dispatched them with mere small talk.

As reciprocal payback, Qi Hao now didn't allow others to fabricate rumors with him.

No one dared trouble An Feng over rumored affairs.

Because everyone knew Qi Hao was not someone easily provoked; he had been formidable before, and now even more so.

The difficult-to-provoke Qi Hao spent more time interacting with various big shots.

Up until the awards ceremony started, Qi Hao hadn't been able to have any interaction with An Feng, which disappointed those keen observers.

Any interaction always gives clues.

The ceremony began with the Best Art Direction, Li Tianjue won it for "The Face".

That was a win for a Taiwan film.

The Golden Horse Awards' nominations this time were mostly mainland productions, along with several films from Xiangjiang, making Taiwan films seem particularly overshadowed.

The first award going to a Taiwan film inevitably made people suspect that this Golden Horse Award would follow a conservative path.

The second Best Supporting Actress went to Xiangjiang actress Hui Yinghong.

Only when the Best Visual Effects award was given to Wang Jianxiong, Chen Jingmin, and Li Liping for "Crazy Racing" did the mainland films start winning awards.

There were subsequent wins without any deliberate suppression of mainland films.

It was at the Best Supporting Actor award stage that it truly concerned Qi Hao personally.

The nominees included Tsai Zhennan for "Old Xu's Finale," Huang Jianwei for "Yangyang," Qi Hao for "Wind Sound," and Wang Xueqi for "Mei Lanfang."

The first two are Taiwan films, the latter two are mainland films.

Ultimately, Wang Xueqi won the Best Supporting Actor for "Mei Lanfang," and Qi Hao was regretfully defeated.

Qi Hao wasn't dissatisfied, this was a normal occurrence.

He had worked with Wang Xueqi, whose acting skills are indeed exceptional, and calling him a veteran actor is not an exaggeration.

The Best Newcomer Award went to Yu Shaqun for "Mei Lanfang."

This was the award Qi Hao had most wanted to win recently, but now it's not a big deal.

"Steel Piano" won its first award for Best Original Screenplay.

Zhang Meng hadn't expected to win; his steps were almost floating when he went to receive it.

This was the highest honor he had received since his debut.

"Thank you all, thank Director Qi Hao, thank you for making my script so great, beyond my imagination..."

In his acceptance speech, he first thanked Qi Hao.

With genuine emotion, his voice choked several times.

Someone once asked him if he harbored any resentment toward Qi Hao for taking his work.

Zhang Meng thought that people who asked such questions were not worth getting to know deeply.

Qi Hao bought his script for three million renminbi, a price rarely seen for scripts in the industry.

With this money, he only needed a little more to start his next film.

Being grateful wasn't enough, why harbor resentment?

It's best to stay far away from people with such thoughts, because you never know how you might offend them.

Even if you help them, it won't end well. Such people simply don't know how to be grateful.

Zhang Meng told Wang Qianyuan that he should thank Qi Hao for the Best Actor award Qi Hao helped him win.

Ultimately, who directed it, you know in the film crew yourself.

I merely recommended you.

People say it was Qi Hao's directorial debut...

Hmph, it's worth considering; the circle Qi Hao mingles with includes top directors like Jiang Wen.

Their casual discussions over drinks could benefit ordinary directors for a lifetime.

Especially when drunk.

They speak from the heart, unable to control what they say.

And Qi Hao certainly didn't decide to be a director just yesterday.

For ten years, he has sat next to directors many times, silently observing and learning.

A decade of sharpening a sword, and now it finally reveals its edge.

He directly launched a Tokyo International Film Festival Best Actor.

Although the achievement isn't astonishingly high, there's an exhilarating sense of cultural counterattack.

What else could Qi Hao say?

He could only applaud tirelessly.

Another award Qi Hao was paying attention to was Best Actress, which went to Li Xue'xue for "Wind Sound."

"...Thank you, Qi Hao, without his perfect performance, I might not have had much room to showcase myself..."

After thanking several people, Li Xue'xue didn't forget to thank Qi Hao.

For her to win Best Actress, there might be internal coordination, but more importantly, she had to present genuine skills.

Mrs. Hua still couldn't control the Golden Horse Awards.

And her scene tortured by Qi Hao became her highlight moment.

So thanking Qi Hao was reasonable.

Your deviance highlighted my innocence.

Not saying anything else, Qi Hao continued to applaud.

The upcoming Best Actor award was unexpected; it went to both Zhang Jiahui and Huang Bo.

Huang Bo's performance in "Bullfighting" received very good reviews.

This was the first time in 46 years of the Golden Horse Awards that a double Best Actor was awarded.

Wang Qianyuan didn't win the award, but he wasn't too regretful; the competition this time was indeed fierce.

The award ceremony was gradually reaching its end.

Most people could confirm they wouldn't have any more wins.

The next award for Best Director was presented by Hou Xiaoxian, Guan Jinpeng, Du Qifeng, and Li An.

The nominees were Dai Liren for "Can't Live Without You," Guan Hu for "Bullfighting," Tsai Ming-Liang for "Face," and Qi Hao for "Steel Piano."

Among the four nominated directors, only Qi Hao was a newcomer directing for the first time.

Likewise, like the Best Supporting Actor, it was two Taiwan films, two mainland films.

The four award presenters each introduced a film.

Hou Xiaoxian was responsible for introducing Qi Hao's film and praised its artistic achievement.

Finally, the four presenters gathered to announce the final result.

"The winner of the 46th Taiwan Film Golden Horse Award, Best Director Award is..."

Qi Hao maintained a smile throughout, showing a bit of nervousness now. A good performance requires dedication when appearing in public.

"'Steel Piano,' Qi Hao, congratulations!"

"Qi Hao is a veteran filmmaker in the Chinese film industry with over ten years of experience."

"He has previously won..."

"Watching this film is more like reading history, letting us feel the intertwining of despair and hope, reminisce about the past that is already blurred, and think about the significance and direction of our efforts in today's era."

In his ears were the impassioned words from the stage and the enthusiastic applause.

Qi Hao was in a daze.

Madness, being praised so highly, is someone trying to sabotage me?