Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years
Chapter 181 - 178: Am I the type who lacks chives?

Chapter 181: Chapter 178: Am I the type who lacks chives?

"Damn, anyone can talk like that in the music industry now, but you, a new star in the music scene, got no right!"

Jin Dazhou pointed at Qi Hao, accusing the capitalists of hypocrisy and greed.

"It’s exaggerated, really didn’t make much money."

Qi Hao knew he was talking about album sales, with rumors outside claiming his album sold like crazy.

But no one considered how much he spent on this album.

"I’m the album producer, and I helped you connect with the record company, I’m just asking you, did the album break even?"

According to Jin Dazhou, aside from those top-selling albums, Qi Hao’s album was the fastest to break even this year.

Qi Hao is a top idol in the entertainment industry.

Moreover, he wasn’t the type to become explosively popular overnight; he debuted over ten years ago, was popular for nine years, even won the Golden Rooster Best Actor, gaining fame over a long and steady period.

It’s Qi Hao’s first time releasing an album in all these years, and it might very well be his last.

His fans range widely in age with strong purchasing power, many bought the album as a keepsake.

What’s more, Qi Hao’s album is indeed of very high quality.

Some people even bought two copies, one for listening and one for collecting.

"I guess it’s about broken even."

The album was released as part of the "Newcomer Award" main quest, with a prize of 2 million in Maotai stock; even if Qi Hao didn’t earn a penny, he’d still have to release it.

It’s just unexpected that the luck was so good, it actually broke even.

"When others release an album, a three to six months sales cycle is considered long; your album is still on the sales charts, and residual income will continuously generate, Qi Hao, why don’t we release another album?"

Fans are like leeks; when it’s time to cut, you cut.

"Oh, come on, you know how hard it is to find good songs, first help me sort out the movie’s soundtrack, don’t make it hasty-work."

Qi Hao remained unmoved.

Me, a shareholder of Penguin, a shareholder of Maotai, a shareholder of Apple, a stakeholder of Mrs. Hua...

Am I someone who lacks leeks?

"What level of quality, still high-priced?"

Jin Dazhou wasn’t discouraged, it’s not that he insists Qi Hao should exploit his fan base, it’s that those fan ’leeks’ keep urging Qi Hao to release a new album.

If you don’t harvest them, they feel uncomfortable.

The entertainment industry is just like that.

Everyone has their own fate; you feel sorry for those fans thinking they spend their families’ money to support idols, but actually, those fans are all willing.

You can only say, having lacked good education from a young age, without an independent personality, it’s easy to get swayed.

"I may look gullible, but you can’t really take me for a fool."

Qi Hao laughed.

But honestly, he wasn’t that angry.

Doing business these days, is there really any honest person?

Jin Dazhou certainly wants Qi Hao to pay high prices for songs, otherwise, how much can he make from selling a song for thirty or fifty thousand?

The key point still depends on Qi Hao’s own judgment.

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding," Jin Dazhou quickly said: "We certainly want value for money, I mean we want quality songs, the kind you can already tell are high quality before even being released."

These musicians and producers have superb hearing, with better musical literacy than ordinary people.

They can judge the potential of a song during its demo stage.

Much more professional than those who make movies.

Those who make movies, if the box office is bad, they just blame the audience for not understanding art.

You might as well learn from Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen says his movie is made for himself to watch.

"If it’s really good, I wouldn’t be stingy either..." Qi Hao thought about it, since he spent 2.4 million buying the script, spending a bit more in post-production wouldn’t hurt, better than having imbalanced focus, making post-production the weak link.

"If it’s a classic old song, I think it can be included in the movie too."

An Feng had been quietly listening from the side.

Hearing this, she couldn’t help expressing her opinion.

After going through "First Love, This Little Thing", her skills improved, and she had more ideas.

That’s why, practice is the best way to hone skills.

"How about this, I’ll start collecting songs first, if we come across good, fitting ones, we can sync up with you on pricing, bosses will decide whether to buy or not, if we can’t find good ones, we can use old songs too."

Jin Dazhou didn’t say old songs lack freshness.

Unable to find good songs, can’t use bad songs, better go with old songs instead.

The three of them discussed for a while, then arranged for An Feng to try singing.

Qi Hao listened and felt like covering his face.

What’s she singing here?

"It’s my first time singing, practicing will make it better."

After being criticized, An Feng didn’t feel ashamed, instead, she seemed quite justified.

"Indeed, Qi Hao, don’t forget how much you practiced before officially recording the album, and you had a sound engineer too."

Jin Dazhou defended An Feng.

"Dazhou, you’re getting cocky~" Qi Hao felt a bit like hitting someone now, not sure why.

Just felt a very peculiar sensation.

"Ahem, I have quite a few music books here, and a laptop for watching movies, do you want to entertain yourself?"

Jin Dazhou quickly tried to please, as the big shot wasn’t happy, he had to appease.

Qi Hao had no choice but to watch a movie on the side.

He wasn’t wearing glasses; how on earth could he read books, especially music books.

This was his reading blind spot.

Actually, with An Feng here for auditions, he didn’t need to accompany her all this time.

He wasn’t entirely without things to do recently.

Firstly, there’s the post-production of "First Love, This Little Thing." Without the producer this time, as the director, he has to oversee it himself. Relying solely on assistant director Lu Yang won’t cut it.

Then there are his buddies in the circle.

If Qi Hao wants to maintain his circle, he can’t attend gatherings only once every six months.

Also, Jiang Wen’s "Let the Bullets Fly" is in preparation.

Qi Hao is the representative of the biggest production company, and he’s listed as the producer and distributor for "Let the Bullets Fly."

Then there are some business events to attend.

This year added three endorsements, making it a bountiful year.

However, the more the gain, the more the effort needed.

For instance, there’s the recently signed CF endorsement. Even though the contract is complete, Qi Hao still needs to shoot some promotional materials.

The game can’t have TV commercials, but internet ads and posters in game-themed attire can be done.

Additionally, Penguin invited Qi Hao to visit the headquarters.

Celebrity visits to headquarters involve personally visiting company buildings, especially the entertainment companies and media platforms, for face-to-face promotions and activities.

As a Penguin shareholder, visiting Penguin Headquarters is hard to refuse.

Qi Hao finds it hard to focus while watching a movie now.

Because he is in the monitoring room and can hear An Feng’s voice.

Additionally, Qi Hao rushed out without breakfast, feeling extremely hungry by around 1 o’clock.

"How about going for lunch?"

Seeing the voice test was almost done, Qi Hao solicited opinions from the others.

"Sure, thanks to Jin today, I’ll treat you next time for a meal."

An Feng was also a bit hungry. She usually skips breakfast, at most having half an apple or a handful of cherry tomatoes.

"Okay... all right then."

Jin Dazhou really wanted to say he was hungry too, why wait for next time to treat him? Why not today?

Unfortunately, An Feng and Qi Hao had no intention of inviting him.

Watching the two leave together, he seemed to understand something, figuring he’d have to make do with others in the studio.

"Damn, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. We should go out for BBQ too!"

"Yes, yes, boss, where should we go for bbq? How about Korean BBQ?"

"Forget Korean BBQ; isn’t the Qi Qihar BBQ in the alley more economical? Do you really think Koreans have anything good?"

"Damn, stingy!"

Qi Hao and An Feng’s option was more upscale.

The two opted for Sichuan cuisine.

"Can you handle spicy food?"

Qi Hao remembered An Feng avoiding spicy food during shooting "The Return of the Condor Heroes" due to her concerns about acne.

"Not too bad, mainly because I’m not filming lately, so I can indulge."

With sunglasses, long hair, and a baseball cap, even with the brim lowered, An Feng still drew attention.

Fortunately, they were soon led into a private room by the waiter.

Once the dishes were served, they removed their disguises of sunglasses and hats.

"Why isn’t your aunt joining you today?"

Qi Hao had to admit that dining with assistants and agents posed little media risk.

But having just the two of them would be big news if caught on camera.

"Didn’t let her come along..." An Feng said with a peculiar look: "She’s currently a bit obsessed with stock trading."

Since the previous ban, her team underwent a shuffle, giving her more decision power.

Especially recently.

An Feng invested in "First Love, This Little Thing" and became a film producer.

She wielded significant authority on set, unknowingly developing a presence.

If her mom wanted to come along, and An Feng refused, her mom didn’t press the issue - a situation that never occurred before.

Also, her family recently bought a lot of stocks.

After seeing Penguin’s stocks rise considerably, Ms. Liu got itchy and personally added millions worth of stocks to their holdings.

However, her individual investments aren’t entirely following Qi Hao’s advice.

Besides Penguin, Maotai, and Apple, she’s bought some other stocks.

Some rose, some fell.

Her mother is constantly worried and anxious about losing her retirement money.

She’s too preoccupied to focus on An Feng.

"Doesn’t she worry about you?"

Qi Hao understood the state of stock traders, but didn’t feel Ms. Liu would leave her daughter unchecked.

If she doesn’t follow, she could at least send an assistant.

"I said I was with you, and she didn’t comment further."

An Feng used a napkin to wipe her eyes; the dish was quite spicy.

"Heh, she really trusts me."

Whether Qi Hao pursued An Feng or vice versa, Ms. Liu’s attitude was pivotal.

Or rather, her influence on An Feng.

Unsure if An Feng is as obedient as she once was.

"On matters concerning me, my mom can sometimes speak harshly. But she’s generally gentle most of the time..."

An Feng felt a headache.

She asked Qi Hao if her mom had ever talked to him uncomfortably, but Qi Hao avoided answering.

She also asked her mom, but received no clear answers either.