Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years
Chapter 71 - 070: Don’t Come Over Here (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 71: Chapter 070: Don’t Come Over Here (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

"What’s it this time?"

Qi Hao took the phone and browsed the news website.

The headline was striking:

New development in love triangle: Fan Xuexue and Qi Hao are inseparable, An Feng is completely sidelined.

"What’s so interesting about this? It’s just gossip."

Qi Hao didn’t really get it.

With "October Fortress" involving him, Fan Xuexue, and An Feng, discussions like this were bound to arise, and the media would write all sorts of ambiguous things to ride the hype and boost site traffic.

"I’m not asking you to look at that, it’s the one below!"

Zhang Nan replied calmly.

If it were Old Tian, he would’ve started ranting by now, "Did God give you eyes just to discover your own scandals?"

"Oh, Qi Hao and Mrs. Hua don’t get along~"

Quite an accurate observation, and indeed, they don’t quite mesh. They used to mind their own business, but now that Qi Hao has introduced resources to An Feng, though no one knows, it’s actually crossed the line.

"A company about to go public, having discord among shareholders is a serious issue... I bet Mrs. Hua will come to us soon."

Zhang Nan asked Qi Hao to click into the headline and take a look.

The content revolved around the prospectus recently announced by Mrs. Hua, discovering that many stars were shareholders, and they were all Mrs. Hua’s collaborators, except the biggest star shareholder, Qi Hao, had nothing to do with Mrs. Hua.

To prevent public over-interpretation, Zhang Nan guessed Mrs. Hua would have to take action.

So he reminded Qi Hao to be mentally prepared.

"What will they do?" Qi Hao curiously asked Zhang Nan, preferring not to think when someone else was already pondering.

Inborn with talents for a reason, I avoid using my brain if I can.

"There are only a few options, like buying back your shares, but this can’t be forced, boss, if you don’t want to sell, there’s nothing they can do..."

Before bringing the news to Qi Hao, Zhang Nan had done quite a bit of preparation, discussed it with Shi Feng and the others.

Shi Feng handling marketing, Yao Weihong handling legal matters, and Fan Qingxi handling financial affairs all stayed with the crew to cooperate on the work.

This movie isn’t just starring Qi Hao; Feiyang Media is also the third-largest producer.

"Let’s not sell for now."

Qi Hao shook his head. Firstly, holding Mrs. Hua’s shares can wait for their value to increase once the listing happens. Secondly, helping An Feng means standing against Mrs. Hua, and holding many shares can somewhat make the other side hesitate before making a move.

"Then, they will strive to pull you into Mrs. Hua’s camp; even if not joining Mrs. Hua, they will sign some cooperation agreements with our studio, effectively forming an affiliation."

Zhang Nan, "representing" Mrs. Hua, proposed a second plan.

"They don’t look great, but they sure think beautifully."

Qi Hao couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

The night gave him dark circles, but he used them to roll his eyes.

"Then their only path is to cooperate on film projects with you. I recently reviewed Mrs. Hua’s capital-related project filings, and found ’If You Are the One’ has finished shooting. The most presentable projects are probably ’Dragon and Phoenix,’ ’Di Renjie,’ and ’Wind Sound’..."

Zhang Nan couldn’t get the scripts for these projects, but based on the filings, directors, and investment scale, he could make a preliminary judgment.

"So, they’re sending resources my way?" Qi Hao was amused.

He could almost imagine the reluctant yet helpless expressions of the Wang Brothers.

Not only sending resources but also seeking Qi Hao to star in them.

Once he stars in Mrs. Hua’s project, the rumors of shareholder discord will naturally be easily resolved.

"Boss, stop smiling, stay classy~"

Zhang Nan felt Qi Hao should maintain his aloof persona, though that persona was already precarious.

"Where’s Zhou Yun, why isn’t she here? When’s our scene being shot?"

Qi Hao started talking business.

Since the resources at Fan Xuexue’s disposal weren’t suitable, he had to keep pushing with Zhou Yun.

"She doesn’t have a scene today, probably enjoying the AC in her hotel room. In two days, you’ll shoot the scene where Li Yutang takes you to propose, and the romantic scene by the river will be in about a week."

Zhang Nan looked around and found quite a few actors missing.

The weather was just too hot.

But boss, you’re already tangled with An Feng and Fan Xuexue. Do you really need to include Zhou Yun?

She’s already got a husband.

"Book me a restaurant, I want to invite her to dinner tonight to chat... about her husband."

Qi Hao thought it over, deciding that being straightforward would prevent misunderstandings better than beating around the bush.

Sis, I’ll treat you to dinner, and you ask your husband to get me a part, or introduce me to a role.

Such things are common in the entertainment circle; no one would think there’s a problem.

However, restaurant, dinner, chatting about someone else’s husband?

Zhang Nan knew all the words, but put together, it sounded particularly bizarre.

But he still nodded.

The agent would handle the restaurant booking, but the invitation had to be extended by Qi Hao himself to show sincerity.

No need to knock on her door, just a phone call would do.

Zhou Yun, sitting at the vanity, hung up, tossing her phone onto the bed.

It almost hit the man lying there.

"Don’t throw things around, what if something breaks?"

"Qi Hao is inviting me to dinner..."

"Then go."

"Oh, you’re not afraid he’ll seduce you?"

"Haha, wasn’t the media recently saying he seduced you?"

"What a mess!"

Zhou Yun was getting a bit dizzy from all the talk; Qi Hao is really something, to actually have the skill to green both him and his wife.

"It’s just getting greened, need to maintain composure."

"I think he wants to ask about resources. Are you interested in collaborating with him?"

After Zhou Yun married Jiang Wen, she became one of the connections to Jiang Wen for many people.

"Of course!" Jiang Wen sat up shirtless, speaking in an odd tone, "I heard he’s hooked up with some nouveau riche and has more money than he can spend."

Why can’t I meet someone like that? I also enjoy having an easy ride.

"Are you going to the dinner tonight?"

Zhou Yun thought about it; since Qi Hao’s goal was to tap into Jiang Wen’s resources, it wouldn’t be a problem for Jiang Wen to go along.

No one knew Jiang Wen was on set; he hadn’t ventured beyond the door, focusing on his script work indoors.

"What kind of food?" Jiang Wen felt the craving for alcohol kicking in.

In the evening, Qi Hao showed undisguised surprise upon seeing Jiang Wen and Zhou Yun together.

"Teacher Jiang Wen, what are you doing here?"

And Zhou Yun, I invited you to dinner, what’s with bringing your husband?

Fortunately, I have no intention towards you.

Actually, Qi Hao invited Zhou Yun to dinner, but it certainly wouldn’t be a cozy world of two; he had Zhang Nan with him.

Agents hold high status in the entertainment circle; joining for a meal is quite common.

Usually, Zhou Yun wouldn’t attend alone either.

"Came to drink with you." Jiang Wen patted his belly.

"Then let’s drink to our limits!"

Qi Hao felt that his task of dining with a female celebrity had been completed in advance. As for the celebrity’s husband joining, the system seemingly had no reason to prohibit it.

Next, it’s just about getting a role from Jiang Wen.

He didn’t have high expectations for collaborating with Jiang Wen, as Jiang Wen’s films are always hard to understand, but he wasn’t against working with him.

Even on the scale of leading actors, Jiang Wen is a desirable collaboration partner.

It’s just that Jiang Wen doesn’t think much of them.

Qi Hao managed to earn Jiang Wen’s respect mainly due to his drinking capacity.

Now, there’s another edge.

Hooked up with a Coal Boss.

Jiang Wen isn’t new to meeting Coal Bosses; his reputation precedes him, and some Coal Bosses are even his fans.

However, there’s a downside to Coal Boss investments.

They want substantial shares but aren’t willing to fork over much money.

Perhaps they think investing with a Rolls-Royce is just perfect, with the film and Rolls-Royce both showcasing status.

If it exceeds the cost of a Rolls-Royce, the act loses its value.

"Feiyang Media, that name certainly has some flair..." Jiang Wen complimented, making it hard to relate it to a Coal Boss.

"It’s alright."

If you knew how Gao Fei referred to his company, you wouldn’t associate it with flair.

"What kind of films do they usually invest in?"

Jiang Wen isn’t lacking investors himself; for the last movie "The Sun Also Rises", Wang Shuo found Taihe Film and Television’s chairman Wang Wei for Jiang Wen.

Taihe planned to invest 30 million, but after spending 18 million, not even a third of the film had been shot.

As always, it went over budget.

If it doesn’t over budget, it’s not a Jiang Wen film.

During "Sunny Days", Jiang Wen burned 250,000 feet to complete; the editing ratio was 1:15. The average ratio for domestic films is 1:3.

"The Invaders" was even more bottomless, using 480,000 feet in total.

Taihe felt "The Sun Also Rises" was a trap, and wanted to withdraw halfway.

With the crew facing starvation, Han Sanping helped connect with Emperor Entertainment’s CEO.

Emperor Entertainment took over but imposed a condition: once the film hit the box office, Emperor would get the revenue share before Taihe.

Having boarded the pirate ship, Taihe had no choice but to agree.

Emperor Entertainment pumped in 22 million, and still couldn’t finish the filming...

"Boss Gao is a businessman," Qi Hao poured wine for Jiang Wen, cautiously speaking, "He’s all about investing in profitable films. As for art films, he probably lacks culture and doesn’t understand your movies, Teacher Jiang Wen..."

Don’t get closer!

"How do you know I’m not profitable? Is my reputation that bad now?"

Jiang Wen was indignant.

You invite my wife to dinner, and I don’t guard against you.

Yet you, damn it, are guarding against me!

"Cough, cough, Teacher Jiang Wen..."

Qi Hao felt Jiang Wen was getting quite drunk indeed.

Sure enough, Jiang Wen put his arm over Qi Hao’s shoulder, furiously saying, "Old pal, do you trust me or not?"

"Trust, trust, trust!"

What else could Qi Hao say?

"You swear..." Jiang Wen stared into Qi Hao’s eyes.

"Come on, let’s drink!"