Chapter 16: Qi Hao, Are You Blind? (Requesting Monthly Votes)

The film “The Promise” has been in theaters for several days, and its box office performance has been very good, though not explosive.

Losing money is inevitable.

Actually, everyone knew he would lose money—because with a 270-million-yuan cost, if the box office didn’t reach 800 million, he was definitely doomed.

Could “The Promise” possibly earn over 800 million at the box office?

Maybe in a dream.

So this was a guaranteed loss, and everyone knew it before filming began—it wasn’t Li Lianjie’s fault, let alone Qi Hao’s.

As for why it was made at all…

Qi Hao didn’t care about this kind of upper-level maneuvering, nor did he need to.

Anyway, after “The Promise” premiered, his commercial resources visibly rose a notch.

Brands valued precisely the “prestige” he had recently discarded like trash.

Endorsing spicy strips cost him some prestige.

But now he’d regained it.

He starred in this epic co-production alongside Chen Kexin, Li Lianjie, and Liu Dehua—he was awesome, fans accepted it, audiences accepted it, and brands had no choice but to accept it.

In fact, Qi Hao’s spicy strip ad wasn’t low-class at all.

On December 18, the day of Qi Hao’s 26th birthday, the Xiao Fei Gun spicy strip ad launched nationwide.

On TV, online, in supermarkets… images and videos of Qi Hao eating spicy strips were everywhere.

If he’d been eating alone, it might’ve seemed low-class, giving off a cheap vibe that he’d do anything for money, be anyone’s pawn.

But alongside him in the ad were Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng—the prestige instantly changed.

In front of the mall’s TV, several young customers stood still.

Watching Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng, listening to that intoxicating line, “Xiao Fei Gun’s here~,” they couldn’t bring themselves to move.

Eventually, they found Xiao Fei Gun strips with the ad poster printed on the packaging and bought a little of every flavor to take home.

In the internet cafe, a WoW nerd slouched awkwardly, one leg propped on his desk, controlling his character while pulling a Xiao Fei Gun strip from the package, muttering:

“Xiao Fei Gun’s here~”

As if Gao Yuanyuan or An Feng were feeding him.

He was in an excellent mood.

Even being corpse-guarded by tribe dogs felt fun.

The guy next door playing Dance Dance Revolution rolled his eyes, fingers flying over the keyboard until it smoked.

Eating spicy strips in an internet cafe—do you have any sense of public decency?

Damn, I’m salivating.

With Xiao Fei Gun’s soaring sales, more and more people began paying attention to the brand.

Of course, online, everyone was more obsessed with Qi Hao’s ad alongside Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng.

The Market Bully: Qi Hao endorsed spicy strips? I thought it was fake at first, but it’s real.

Last Night Kangqiao: The Xiao Fei Gun company is kinda funny—they even printed on the packaging, “This Qi Hao is real.”

Xiao Lou Was Stolen for Twenty Years: Xiao Fei Gun really went all out—getting Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng to film the ad with Qi Hao.

Annie Doesn’t Carry Her Bear: Qi Hao, are you blind? One’s sexy, one’s cute—you pick neither, and go for Xiao Fei Gun? You’re a dead faggot!

Righteous Hu Lu Wa: Made my girlfriend scream “Xiao Fei Gun’s here~” for hours—I’m exhausted.

Li Mengmengda: Dude upstairs, if she screamed, why are you tired?

Bored, Watched All Day: Xiao Fei Gun… yeah, that’s the meaning, you get it, right?

Li Mengmengda: Still don’t get it? You guys are way too dirty.

Drunk in Dream: If we had to pick a girlfriend for our Qi Hao, who do you think suits him better—Gao Yuanyuan or An Feng?

What Is Fate: Pick Gao Yuanyuan—you’ll know once you use her; cuteness means nothing next to sexiness.

Great Demon God #2: I pick An Feng—cuteness really can feed you, especially when she’s pretty and cute.

The Man With a Wife and a Concubine: Why pick one at all?

Soul-Mate Tao Zhenzhen: Dude upstairs, that’s illegal!

2 Mao: If you don’t marry, isn’t it not illegal?

Qi Hao held the mouse in his right hand, scrolled through online info, and whenever he found something interesting, he’d release the mouse and grab a plastic fork to shovel noodles into his mouth.

He was currently in his new office, reading online news while eating instant noodles.

Even stars can eat instant noodles when they’re hungry.

“Qi Hao, ask him a few questions—he’s here for the agent interview.” Lao Tian led a young man who looked like he’d just graduated to the door of Qi Hao’s office.

The newly rented office space was small—only Qi Hao and Lao Tian had private offices.

Lao Tian’s office also served as the meeting room; everyone else worked in an open-plan setup.

“Come in. What’s your name?”

Qi Hao set down the mouse and pushed the noodles aside.

This was his “task”—the guy looked a bit unreliable.

Not because he was ugly, but because he was too young.

“Zhang Nan, Zhang with the bow, nan wood’s nan.”

“Usually, in our industry, we hire experienced agents who can hit the ground running, even bring their own resources. Do you have any work experience?” Qi Hao asked curiously.

“No, I just graduated.” Zhang Nan shook his head.

“Then what’s your advantage? Tell me…” Qi Hao didn’t immediately dismiss him—since Lao Tian picked him, there must be a reason.

“I… am very interested in being an agent. Though I have no agent experience, I worked part-time as a set assistant for two years in college, and after graduation, I served as an assistant agent for half a year.”

“Some practical experience…” Qi Hao nodded.

“I have some connections—I know quite a few people in the entertainment circle: directors, actors, producers, and behind-the-scenes staff.” Zhang Nan spoke vaguely, but didn’t sound like he was bluffing.

A persona is self-made, but if it crumbles too easily, it’s meaningless.

“Good!” Qi Hao was satisfied.

“Also, my father is…” Zhang Nan named someone.

Qi Hao’s eyes widened in shock—thankfully he hadn’t been eating instant noodles, or he might’ve sprayed noodles out his nose.

This reason was more than sufficient!

If this was the reason, why bother saying all that nonsense earlier?

“I really want to build my own career—I don’t plan to rely on my family.” Zhang Nan quickly explained.

“I understand. You’re clearly capable—you don’t need to rely on your family. But isn’t being an agent a bit beneath you?”

Qi Hao struggled not to look overly flattering.

He reminded himself firmly: I’ve got the system—I’m a buffed-up guy too.

No need to be intimidated by second- or third-generation heirs.

Besides, this guy didn’t seem arrogant or entitled.

“Of course not. I don’t even know how to start as an agent. My plan is to begin as an assistant, learn from Brother Tian for two years, then officially become an agent—but Brother Tian said I should take the agent title right away to make negotiations easier, and he’ll guide me for a while…”

“Why choose me? We’re just a small studio.” Qi Hao was puzzled.

With Zhang Nan’s background, he could’ve gone to China Film, Huayi, Bona, Guangxian , Orange Sky—or any other entertainment company—and received top treatment.

If he didn’t want to work, they’d just pamper him.

If he wanted to work, opportunities would flood his doorstep.

“I don’t like the atmosphere in state-owned enterprises or big corporations—I prefer the startup vibe.”

As Zhang Nan spoke, his tone grew passionate.

Easy Fendou is natural flow; doing nothing and waiting for fate is just eating and waiting to die.

Clearly, this was a young man born into privilege but untouched by power—idealistic, ambitious, and perfectly suited for… exploitation.

“When can you start?” Qi Hao was already very satisfied.

No wonder Lao Tian brought him here for final approval.

“Anytime!” Zhang Nan nodded vigorously.

“Then start today. You need to organize my upcoming schedule first—get familiar with the work, check for any oversights.”

Qi Hao pointed to a pile of newly moved files on the desk.

The new guy rolled up his sleeves and got to work—no trace of a second-generation’s entitlement.

【Task Four Completed. Reward: +10 Stamina, Script “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” Startup Capital: 10,000 RMB】

【Task Completed. Training Opportunity Unlocked】

【Train with One of Three NPCs: Zhu Yuanyuan / Xin Baiqing / Li Mingqi】

【New Task Now Released】

【Task Four: The Year-End Is Near. The Calendar Market Is Booming. The Host, With Outstanding Looks, Must Seize This Opportunity and Shoot a Calendar Poster Set. Task Difficulty: 3 Stars. Deadline: 60 Days】

【Task Reward: Charm +10, Song “Green Light,” Startup Capital: 50,000 RMB】

【Task Failure Penalty: Three Electric Shocks】

Shoot a calendar?

In the 1980s, a calendar could sell for several yuan—while a pound of pork in Beijing cost only 1.6 yuan.

Thus, a wave of “calendar stars” emerged.

The most popular calendar then, “People in the Film,” printed 220,000 copies, featuring then-top female stars like Liu Xiaoqing and Chen Chong.

Zhou Young Master also debuted as a calendar girl.

Back then, sexy women with very little fabric were displayed boldly on bedroom and living room walls.

Especially those by the seaside, playing in the water…

But that was the 80s and 90s!

It’s almost 2008 now—calendars are totally out of style.

What’s the point of shooting a calendar anyway?

Then there’s the reward from the last mission: the script “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and the starting capital of 10,000 yuan—both negligible.

The +10 to stamina, though, is pretty good.

For Qi Hao, who’s about to join the cast of “Immortal Sword 3,” this is definitely a useful boost.

It’s not just for acting—stamina is needed in many places.

This is the second time he’s gained +10 stamina; he can clearly feel his physical condition has improved across the board.

The newly released mission rewarded even more money.

Then there’s the song “Green Light.”

You know, the one with “Love is a light, green enough to make you panic…”

Damn, surfing the internet too much—I’ve forgotten what the original lyrics even were.

+10 charm isn’t as good as +10 stamina; Qi Hao already has women chasing him—the higher his charm, the more trouble it brings.

I’m genuinely afraid more female stars will fall helplessly in love with me.