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

"You're not planning to promote your film once it's made? I haven't seen any marketing expenses."

Qi Hao, the capitalist, was moved to tears.

"I reckon this film isn't likely to have much box office success; whether to market it or not doesn't matter. Participating in a film festival and winning some awards, then selling it to a TV station should just about break even."

Having connections indeed makes things easier.

Lu Yang's old man may not say much, but a film with a cost of two to three million like this can certainly cover him.

"Raise the budget to three million, don't make it so tight, as for the costs, say whatever you want."

Qi Hao's meaning is simple, you make the film for two million, and I'll cover you to three million.

That's equivalent to me investing two million, and when you recoup the cost, you only need to have a hundred thousand from me.

"What the heck, boss, what are you trying to do?"

Ruhua's charming beauty is right in front of you, instead of strategizing well, are you starting to covet a big man like me?

I'm not the kind of person who sells his behind for money.

But, a hundred thousand... it might not be impossible.

"Keep an eye out for more young talents like you for me. I especially need talent here, whether as directors or other front-end or backstage experts; great rewards, many opportunities..."

Qi Hao directly started advertising.

"I... am considered a young talent?"

Lu Yang felt a bit embarrassed; he's just a useless second-generation, not even his father thinks highly of him.

Unexpectedly, an influential figure like Qi Hao actually considers him a young talent.

"Uh, are you perhaps focusing on the wrong thing?"

I'm discussing terms with you, and you're focusing on young talent — don't you understand what a courtesy is?

"Oh, don't worry, I'll keep an eye out for you, and introduce those with skills to you."

Lu Yang promised emphatically, patting his chest.

This will not consume his personal connections; rather, it's like sending blessings to young talents.

As they say, "Good birds choose their trees, able ministers choose their masters."

Following a capable and generous boss like Qi Hao, why worry about not achieving something great?

"You find Yang Liu and get the money later, have you finished your instant noodles? Once done, hurry up and get to work."

Qi Hao wasted no time.

"Filming, filming!"

Lu Yang tilted his head and drank all the broth, then, full of fighting spirit, continued to work for Qi Hao.

Qi Hao and An Feng were playfully sparring in front of the camera.

They acted exceptionally well, just like it was real.

Ms. Liu recently stopped trading stocks and frequently visited the film crew to watch.

She didn't deliberately prevent her daughter from interacting with Qi Hao.

However, now watching the two film, she suddenly had an epiphany.

These two!

It's definitely not a case of being too deep in character.

They must have been secretly involved for a long time; every gesture and look was filled with mutual understanding.

Qi Hao seemingly said something that annoyed An Feng, and An Feng chased after him playfully, but her movements were light and her face was full of smiles.

Rather than a fight, it's more of a flirtation.

For a moment, Ms. Liu was enchanted.

Sigh!

She couldn't help but admit, Qi Hao is indeed a match for her daughter.

No, as a mother, she'd have to admit her daughter might not be a match for Qi Hao.

Having good looks means nothing; everyone ages.

One might rely on looks in their twenties or thirties, but certainly not in their forties or fifties; time spares no one, regardless of who or what you are.

What truly matters is capability, character, wealth...

If Qi Hao truly loves her daughter, why shouldn't she bless their union?

In front of the camera, Qi Hao and An Feng roamed for a while and sat together on the long bench at the bus stop waiting for a bus.

The local government specifically made this new long bench for filming.

It's remarkably beautiful.

If the film is released and the feedback on these benches is excellent, they might create more similar benches here.

It adds scenery to the tourist spot.

The crew even helped by scattering flower petals, highlighting the French-style architecture along the road; the scene was as beautiful as a dream.

"Shen Jiayi, when you enter college, don't let other boys chase you too quickly, alright?"

This scene still requires a bit of acting skill.

Qi Hao portrayed himself truly like a shy high school student, careful with his feelings.

"What are you saying?"

An Feng felt a bit awkward, feeling shy because of these almost-confession words.

Unfortunately, the male lead ultimately didn't confess.

This is probably one of the reasons why high school romances are harder to succeed.

They don't have the ability to promise a future.

Nor do they understand how to strive for it.

Especially among peers, boys typically aren't mature enough to offer the security that girls want.

Compared to "First Love," the leads in "Those Years" also like each other.

It's just that the male lead isn't mature, and the female lead isn't resolute.

While in "First Love," even after many years apart, the leads remain deeply in love.

Alright, one could also say "Those Years" is more realistic, and "First Love" is more like a fairy tale.

"First Love" is currently showing in Thailand.

Its box office is very good, and it's deeply loved there.

The original screenwriter, Puttipong Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn, used the opportunity for self-promotion and is now somewhat famous in Thailand.

To boost his profile, he doesn't dare to speak ill of Qi Hao.

But when he goes to bed at night, he likely grits his teeth in anger, hating Qi Hao and hating himself more.

I'm truly pathetic, really!

Why did I sell the script directly?

Couldn't I direct and shoot it myself, it wouldn't cost that much.

Though it sold for 2.4 million yuan, equivalent to 12 million baht, compared to the box office of "First Love, This Little Thing," it's still far off.

This movie earned 200 million at the box office in mainland China alone.

The box office results in other places were also good.

The box office in Taiwan, Neon, and Korea, even surpassed that in Thailand.

The global total box office is heading towards 300 million yuan.

With 2.4 million yuan in hand, he looked like a fool, and people in Thailand's film circle were laughing at him.

No, a good portion of the 2.4 million has already been spent.

But "First Love, This Little Thing" keeps sending money to Qi Hao continuously.

He resented Qi Hao even more, didn't even let him join the celebration party.

Although he was invited, it was a last-minute invitation, and he couldn't make it.

He heard Qi Hao is preparing to shoot a new youth film, and he slapped himself twice, damn, why didn't I think of that, I can also write a youth film myself.

When the time comes, let everyone know that I am the originator of youth films.

Qi Hao didn't have much interest in Puttapon or anything, nor did he consider giving this Thai guy a red envelope.

This guy was too ruthless with Fei.

A newbie screenwriter dares to ask for 2.4 million yuan, what a chop shop for industry novices.

"Cut!"

Lu Yang shouted, ending today's last scene shoot.

This scene was a night shoot.

By the time they wrapped up, it was already nine at night.

This was considered early.

Lately, with the crazy shooting schedule, they often wrapped up at one or two in the morning, and most of the night shoots were already done.

Not sure why they finished so early today.

"I'm leaving first, keep an eye on things for me."

Qi Hao instructed Lu Yang with a few words and soon left the crew by car.

An Feng and Ms. Liu left even one step ahead of him.

They left one after the other, but with the same destination.

Tonight, Qi Hao is treating An Feng and Ms. Liu to dinner.

Yes, as the local host.

He's a local from Jinmen, and when friends come here for filming, treating them to dinner is only natural.

Ms. Liu really couldn't find a reason to refuse.

Moreover, her heart has already compromised, making it even less likely to refuse.

Now, what she needs to do isn't obstruct the relationship between her daughter and Qi Hao, nor continue speaking ill of Qi Hao in front of her daughter—facts proved it to be useless.

What she needs to do is observe whether Qi Hao is truly sincere with her daughter.

That's always how it is in those melodramatic dramas.

Qi Hao's pursuit of An Feng failed and he was humiliated, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, and now his career is successful, he finally decided to return for revenge.

His revenge method is to pursue An Feng, toy with her, and then cruelly discard her.

Okay, she might be overthinking it.

"Auntie, if there's anything you want to eat, feel free to order from the menu."

Qi Hao handed the menu to his future mother-in-law.

"It's almost ten, doesn't the restaurant close?"

Ms. Liu hadn't expected to dine this late, but the past two days left no daytime for it.

"No worries, the owner of this restaurant is a student of my dad's... We can eat freely, it won't interrupt their closing."

Qi Hao could practically rule in this area.

His parents were teachers all their lives, not exactly having a full audience, but around Nankai University, they had students everywhere.

When he heard his son wanted to treat the future mother-in-law, he introduced this place specifically.

This restaurant had been passed down for generations by the owner's family, a hundred-year-old establishment. Although it went through various tribulations, indeed, it had existed for over a hundred years, and indeed, it had always been run by their family.

Treating the future mother-in-law to this place showed class.

Also worked well with time.

"Enjoy your meal, Haohao, where's your crew located, I'll have someone bring you meals tomorrow."

The owner was very polite to Qi Hao.

How could he not be?

Not only is he Mr. Qi's student, but even his son is Mr. Qi's student.

Don't be fooled by him just being a small restaurant owner, he actually has high academic qualifications, thanks to Mr. Qi's discipline during childhood.

What a pity that Mr. Qi, wise all his life, gave birth to a son who only studied till middle school.

All his students felt sorry for the teacher.

Fortunately, Qi Hao achieved remarkable success now, at least it proved Mr. Qi's education wasn't flawed.

Family education is also education.

If not for good family education, Qi Hao wouldn't be doing so well now, he might have ended up assembling screws in a factory.

"No need, no need, too much trouble, thank you, Senior!"

Qi Hao was taken aback.

Your restaurant requires reservations several days in advance just for dining, and you want to send boxed meals to our crew.

That's absurd.

"Not troubling anyone, I'll just send some of your favorite dishes, nothing too hard about it; since you're filming in Jinmen, as your senior, I can't show no hospitality."

The restaurant owner was quite enthusiastic.

In front of others, he showed Qi Hao a lot of respect.

He could see this dinner's significance was extraordinary; otherwise, Mr. Qi wouldn't have bothered to call him.

For years, Mr. Qi never used the teacher-student relationship to bother him for reservations.

"Then thank you, Senior."

Saying "no" would seem impolite at this point.

Later, Qi Hao would ask An Feng which dish she liked best and have one sent over.

Once the restaurant owner left, the three began chatting.

Qi Hao didn't immediately grab An Feng's hand and declare we must be together, or that if we can't be together we might as well die.

Everyone's grown up after all.

No one's that naive.

Qi Hao mainly introduced the restaurant, then chatted about Mr. Qi's students, similar to the restaurant owner.

It also indirectly introduced his family situation.