Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years
Chapter 183 - 180: Don’t Ruin My Reputation (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Chapter 183: Chapter 180: Don’t Ruin My Reputation (Requesting Monthly Votes)

"Then let’s watch ’Transformers 2’, I heard the special effects are really good."

An Feng knows that men generally like this kind of thing.

The kids in the family curse, calling people Megatron.

Calling someone Megatron, in the eyes of kids, might already be a pretty serious insult.

"Is ’Transformers 2’ still showing?"

Qi Hao was quite surprised that An Feng had a more detailed understanding of the movies currently playing in the cinema than he did.

This was pre-research for sure, seems like there’s real intention to pursue him.

"It’ll probably be out of theaters in the next couple of days. Let’s go check the showtimes at the cinema." An Feng started putting on a hat.

"I’ll go buy tickets in a bit, I’m not easily recognized."

Qi Hao had An Feng follow him at a short distance, then he went directly to buy the movie tickets.

The lighting in the cinema was a bit confusing, coupled with the effect of a low-key hat, the cashier didn’t notice them.

They managed to watch the movie without any hassle.

Hmm, ’Transformers 2’ was really good.

Qi Hao was still reminiscing about it, almost forgetting An Feng was with him.

He wonders when Huaxia will be able to produce such awesome special effects, if only Tongzi could reward him with a special effects company.

He would definitely make an amazing special effects blockbuster to thank Tongzi.

Arriving at the KTV for the gathering, Qi Hao brought An Feng directly into the room where quite a few people were already there, with Qi Hao and An Feng being the last to arrive.

An Feng only then realized that when Qi Hao said the meeting was at six, it actually started at six-thirty, referring to Qi Hao himself.

"Wow, so many people today!"

Qi Hao wasn’t embarrassed at all and casually greeted everyone, introducing An Feng in the process.

Hmm, nobody didn’t know An Feng.

Besides the people Qi Hao mentioned before, there were also Sun Li, Zeng Li, Jiang Xin, and Tian Yu this time around.

Not all of these people were brought by Qi Hao.

Everyone had their own friends in this gathering, and after being introduced, if they attended a few more, they would basically get notified of future gatherings.

Tian Yu and Zeng Li were new attendees.

They were presumably brought in through Qin Hailu, who was one of the original members of the gatherings.

"Isn’t Deng Zhao coming?" Qi Hao asked Sun Li.

Ever since Sun Li got together with Deng Zhao, she had reduced attending their gatherings.

Qi Hao could understand.

After all, there were rumors, and Deng Zhao was known to be a bit petty.

Sun Li: Qi Hao, don’t contact me anymore, I’m afraid Deng Zhao will misunderstand.

"He’s super busy, first he was shooting ’Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber’, then seamlessly joined the ’Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame’ crew."

Sun Li also knew that the role Deng Zhao got was the one Qi Hao had turned down.

At Deng Zhao’s current status level, landing a role in ’Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame’ was quite an achievement.

Even though the film was invested in by Mrs. Hua, Old Monster Xu could still say no if he wanted.

Old Monster Xu’s first choice had been Qi Hao, whom he approached several times, but unfortunately, Qi Hao was hurt by ’Seven Swords’, and with a packed schedule, he had to decline the invitation.

So Deng Zhao got the opportunity.

"Wow, those are big IPs, Zhao is going to soar." Qi Hao wasn’t jealous.

After all, Deng Zhao had picked up his leftovers more than once.

Director Cao Baoping of ’Li Mi’s Conjecture’ also considered him first.

And let me tell you, the film quality was indeed good.

Unfortunately, it’s a female-led film.

"He’s putting too much pressure on himself," Sun Li sighed.

The pressure must be intense, with his wife’s status in the entertainment circle higher than his, and even his rival’s status is higher.

"You can only blame yourself for working too hard, taking on one big project after another; he can’t help but push himself more."

Qi Hao chatted casually with Sun Li, while An Feng was already pulled away by Zhou Xun.

If it had been An Feng during the 2004 filming of ’The Return of the Condor Heroes’, Qi Hao might have followed along to make sure she wasn’t bullied, otherwise he couldn’t explain it to Ms. Liu.

But this is 2009 now.

An Feng has been through so much, she’s a completely different person from five years ago, needing no so-called protection.

Even in the face of award-winning actresses like Zhou Xun and Qin Hailu, she can handle herself with ease.

What is there to fear, she’s even been a producer.

On the set of ’First Love, This Little Thing’, Qin Hailu was under her command.

"I heard you invested in Zheng Xiaolong’s ’The Legend of Zhen Huan’..."

Sun Li hadn’t attended such gatherings for over a year; her sudden appearance was evidently not impulsive.

She came with a purpose.

At this moment, everyone was still drinking and chatting about recent events before singing began, so she had to seize the opportunity to discuss serious matters.

Otherwise, trying to talk during singing would mean shouting to be heard.

"Oh, that, I helped make the introduction."

Qi Hao wasn’t really lying; it was Little Fatty Sheep that invested in ’The Legend of Zhen Huan’, and he was just an intermediary.

To date, all of Qi Hao’s projects were invested under the name Little Fatty Sheep.

But that might change in the future.

Later this year, Mrs. Hua will go public, and as per his agreement with the Wang Brothers, he’ll transfer the shares to them on the day of the listing.

Then, there will definitely be a huge influx of funds.

Once there’s money, Qi Hao Studio can also join Little Fatty Sheep in film investments.

"Could you help arrange a dinner with Director Zheng Xiaolong sometime?"

Sun Li asked in a low voice.

This is obviously trying to pull some strings.

"Haven’t you been in contact with them?"

Qi Hao was surprised. Behind Sun Li was Hai Yan, and both he and Zheng Xiaolong were big shots in the capital circle. If they really wanted a role, it could just involve making a call.

"The original author prefers Cai Shaofen to play the female lead."

Sun Li did try to use her connections, but Zheng Xiaolong’s side just brushed her off.

In fact, when the author was creating the character of Zhen Huan, she had referred to Cai Shaofen’s character in the TV drama "Legend of the Luo God."

So Cai Shaofen was the author’s first choice for the female lead in her mind.

But Cai Shaofen is already 37 years old, and she doesn’t exactly have a baby face anymore, so she can’t quite pull off the youthful Zhen Huan, thus a conflict arose between the director and the author.

Sun Li heard about this and thought she should try her luck.

However, after some inquiries, she found out that her alternate position was even behind Jiang Qinqin and Zhou Xun.

Jiang Qinqin made the shortlist because the male lead selected her husband, Chen Jianbin.

And Zhou Xun became a contender due to "The Palace of the Great Ming."

After all, who could forget Xiaotai Ping’s stunning performance?

Compared to these two, Sun Li felt she wasn’t without advantages, and her advantages were very obvious.

Jiang Qinqin and Chen Jianbin developed feelings for each other during the filming of "Qiao Family Mansion" in 2005, decided to get married the next year, and had a son in 2007.

After entering marriage, Jiang Qinqin shifted her focus to family life, staying home to care for her husband and child, almost to the point of being semi-retired from the entertainment industry.

A grand work like "The Legend of Zhen Huan," rumored to be 50 or 60 episodes long, would require a commitment of more than half a year, so Zheng Xiaolong could not get Jiang Qinqin on board.

As for Zhou Xun, she currently has too many films to shoot.

Expecting her to take on a TV series would mean waiting until Zhou Xun’s schedule is particularly clear.

Sun Li approached Zhou Xun about it today.

Her schedule won’t be free for the next year and a half.

With these two biggest competitors out of the way, Sun Li felt she just needed someone to lend her a hand, and she could secure the role.

"I already told Director Zheng Xiaolong I wouldn’t interfere with his casting."

Qi Hao felt a bit stuck, but he also thought Sun Li was very suitable because Sun Li resembled Jiang Qinqin a lot.

When Sun Li first debuted, she was even called "Little Jiang Qinqin."

Acting alongside Chen Jianbin would really create the right feel.

"All you need to do is set up a gathering, just a meal together..."

Sun Li had read the original work, and she was determined to secure this TV series.

"Hey, hey, Brother Qi Hao, just agree to it. Lili will repay you. Whatever you want to do, she’ll agree to it."

Jiang Xin had just finished catching up with An Feng and overheard Sun Li’s request.

Oh my, it was so intense. If Deng Zhao found out, he’d go crazy.

"Are you out of your mind?" Sun Li pinched Jiang Xin.

Jiang Xin was introduced into this small circle by Yang Rui, who played Zhong Ling in "Heavenly Dragon Eight Books," and later played Lu Wushuang in Qi Hao’s and An Feng’s version of "The Return of the Condor Heroes."

She had also collaborated with Jiang Xin on "Heavenly Joyful Seven Fairy."

"Brother Qi Hao, I want it too. Whatever you want to do, I, like Lili, will also agree to it."

Jiang Xin was good at everything, except she had a mouth.

Her mouth was as lethal as a controlled weapon, both poisonous and blunt.

As long as she could speak, there was nothing she couldn’t mess up.

"Stop! What a mess!"

Qi Hao hurriedly told Jiang Xin to shut up. Didn’t she see so many new friends here today?

Please don’t ruin my reputation.

"During the meal, you don’t need to talk about the role; just ask them to give me a chance to audition."

Sun Li wasn’t asking Qi Hao to bag the role for her but needed a backing to eliminate the original author’s influence on casting.

The original author didn’t have much authority, but unfortunately, she was also the screenwriter of the TV series.

Just one statement that when she created the character, she had someone in mind.

Could easily nullify all of Sun Li’s efforts.

However, if the producing side stood by her and supported her, that would be different.

"A meal is not a big deal. I’ll check with Director Zheng Xiaolong if we can arrange that... Jiang Xin, are you serious?"

Since he’s decided to connect the dots and get Zheng Xiaolong to give Sun Li a shot, he might as well bring Jiang Xin along.

Qi Hao didn’t ask An Feng if she wanted to go along.

An Feng couldn’t possibly be Sun Li’s backup. She had works "Golden Family," "Heavenly Dragon Eight Books," "Chinese Paladin 1," and "The Return of the Condor Heroes." In TV viewing figures, she certainly wasn’t behind Sun Li.

As for An Feng going for the female lead...

Let’s not mention it.

With An Feng’s aura, in a palace drama, she likely wouldn’t survive past half an episode.

"GOGOGO!" Jiang Xin got excited.

Come on, palace intrigue, let’s see who dies first.

"GO my foot, be polite when you meet with the director. Zheng Xiaolong is no ordinary person," Qi Hao thought about it and then asked Sun Li, "Once it’s settled, ask if Deng Zhao is available, so he can join the meal. "

Although Qi Hao was willing to arrange a dinner, he would first inform Zheng Xiaolong.

Sun Li needed to earn the role based on her own ability.

Feiyang Media invested seventy million in this TV series, and they absolutely cannot afford to be sloppy with the casting.

As for bringing Deng Zhao along, it was to involve him.

So he wouldn’t suspect his wife did something disrespectful for this role.