Chapter 57: Don't Waste Breath on a Fool (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Besides registering his company, Qi Hao also had to attend the premiere of *Kung Fu King*.

This film, co-produced with Hollywood, had a budget of 500 million and featured a star-studded cast.

It premiered in North America on April 18 and in mainland China on April 24, with a grand premiere ceremony held in the capital.

The invitation to Qi Hao was sent by Li Lianjie.

After all, they had previously collaborated on *The Promise*, which went smoothly; now that Qi Hao’s popularity in mainland China was so high, it was natural to invite him to lend support.

Moreover, Qi Hao had complicated, unresolved relationships with both An Feng and Li Xuexue in the film.

This kind of publicity was an absolute killer for the movie.

If Qi Hao hadn’t come to the Beijing Student Film Festival and stayed a few extra days to register his company, he might have found an excuse to avoid sharing the stage with both his rumored ex-girlfriends.

But when he arrived, he realized many female stars had shown up.

Fortunately, none of his other rumored girlfriends were there.

At least Fan Xuexue hadn’t come.

Fan Xuexue had left Huayi to start her own path, and rumors said she lost the battle for top actress to Li Xuexue.

Now that Li Xuexue’s film was releasing, she had no reason to show up.

Qi Hao’s arrival livened up the red carpet considerably.

Still, the media were disappointed—they wished Qi Hao could walk the red carpet holding An Feng in one hand and Li Xuexue in the other.

He could easily marry for looks, yet he chooses talent and stays single.

Qi Hao took his seat in the guest area; today’s stars were the main creators of *Kung Fu King*, and guests like him just needed to sit quietly.

Many stars attended: Zhao Wenzhuo and his wife, Dong Xuan, Yu Quan, Shang Wenjie, Zhang Liangying, Huang Xiaoming, Sun Nan, Hao Lei, and others.

Qi Hao was seated next to Huang Xiaoming.

The studio arranged this on purpose—maximum heat; if they started fighting, even better.

These two had never collaborated; they were each other’s most direct rivals.

Huang Xiaoming’s start was far better than Qi Hao’s.

He graduated from the 1996 class of the Beijing Film Academy; in the year Qi Hao ran away from home to chase dreams in the capital, Huang Xiaoming, then a sophomore, landed his first commercial and earned 1,500 yuan from it.

By the next year, Qi Hao was still playing minor roles.

Meanwhile, Huang Xiaoming had become the male lead in the CCTV drama *Love Is Not a Game*.

In the third year, Qi Hao was still playing minor roles.

Huang Xiaoming starred as the male lead in the film *Let’s Get Married*.

Then he collaborated with Chen Baoguo on *Dragon Pearl Storm*; with Wang Xueqi and Xiao Taohong on *Bright Heart*; with Chen Daoming on *The Great Han Emperor*…

Even after Qi Hao’s resources improved, he still couldn’t match Huang Xiaoming.

Yet during the casting battle for *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, Nie Yuan and Huang Xiaoming fought fiercely—until Qi Hao snatched the role, after which his career exploded.

Qi Hao was also the first of the Four Young Leads to shed his idol image.

This boldness earned him the Golden Rooster Best Actor award.

It also gave him the chance to appear in *The Promise* alongside Li Lianjie and Liu Dehua.

Fortunately, neither Qi Hao nor Huang Xiaoming held grudges; seated together, they chatted amiably and laughed freely.

Actually, during the *Condor Heroes* casting, the ones who broke ties were Huang Xiaoming and Nie Yuan; even if they resented Qi Hao, they never truly clashed.

“Your *The Deer and the Cauldron* is coming out?”

“Yeah.”

“When?”

“May 5th, Jiangsu Variety Channel.”

“If I have time, I’ll definitely watch—*The Deer and the Cauldron* is great, and it has so many female actors.”

“….”

Forget it, no point arguing with a fool.

You think everyone’s like you? Act in a drama and your rumors never stop—you’re the least accomplished, only ever rumored, never even got a girlfriend.

Even shit gets pulled—your hand? Nobody wants to touch it!

“How’s *Chinese Paladin 3* going?”

“We’ve been shooting for over three months; the Hengdian scenes wrap by mid-May, then we move elsewhere—progress speeds up.”

The two fell silent for a moment; Qi Hao couldn’t hold back, turned to Huang Xiaoming, and whispered:

“Your *The Marksman*, uh…”

“…”

Just ask already—why cough like that?

You always pretend to be aloof—where did all this curiosity come from?

“Can’t release it on the mainland anymore. Hong Kong will wait until next year when the heat dies down. Bad luck, nothing we can do.”

Huang Xiaoming sighed.

The problem with *The Marksman* was the cast—a certain Mr. Chen, a cinematographer, appeared in it.

The film was originally scheduled for release at the end of March 2008, but in February, Mr. Chen’s work was exposed, and the film lost its mainland release permit.

The studio decided to delay the release to May and claimed they wouldn’t cut Mr. Chen’s scenes.

But as the scandal grew, the film was doomed to never get a mainland release permit; they could only release it in Hong Kong, to recover some losses.

After another silence, Huang Xiaoming decided to strike back:

“Didn’t you just have rumors with Yang Mi a few days ago? Already switched to someone else?”

“Whether I switch or not isn’t up to me…”

Just get a girlfriend already—you’re like Tang San’s meat, everyone wants a bite.

Be bold—meet a girl you like, lucky you find true love, unlucky you get true fun.

In fact, Qi Hao and Huang Xiaoming were once rumored to be in a love triangle.

Back then, after Huang Xiaoming broke up with Qin Lan, somehow rumors spread that Qin Lan had transferred her feelings to Qi Hao and abandoned Huang Xiaoming.

Qi Hao felt deeply wronged.

He’d never even collaborated with Qin Lan.

At most, they attended the same event, were assigned to the same car, and there were others in the car too.

It was you, Huang Xiaoming, who cheated on Li Feier—you’re a playboy.

Why is it always me who gets hurt?!

Now, when Huang Xiaoming brought up girlfriends, Qi Hao grew impatient and said:

“You don’t have a girlfriend either.”

“I’ve never lacked women.”

Huang Xiaoming said calmly, watching the *Kung Fu King* cast interact on stage.

Qi Hao was speechless—he’d been outplayed.

In fact, two women on stage had both been rumored to date him, but he had no desire to boast.

There’s nothing really worth showing off about.

In this world—birth, aging, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, enduring resentment, unattainable desires, inability to let go…

No one should mock another.

If someone likes you, you don’t have to accept them—but don’t mock them.

“There’s still time before the movie starts. Two special guests are here—let’s invite them up to greet our audience, okay?”

Su Mang of Basha Group hosted; from her perspective, it wasn’t Qi Hao being vain—he felt she was clearly referring to him and Huang Xiaoming beside him.

Damn, she’s really here for the drama.

Me and Huang Xiaoming, me and An Feng and Li Xuexue—I’m definitely not surviving this hellish scene today, right?

Sure enough, Su Mang called out Qi Hao and Huang Xiaoming’s names.

Both stood, clapped, bowed to the crowd, and walked onstage.

“Wow, Qi Hao, you look so handsome with glasses!” Su Mang exclaimed dramatically.

“Thank you.” Qi Hao replied coldly.

Huang Xiaoming internally scoffed—what an actor, pretending to be aloof and cultured.

“Did you two come together by arrangement?” Su Mang asked.

Huang Xiaoming only smiled, as if urging Qi Hao to speak—go on, you’re so good at pretending, keep going.

“It’s all fate…”

“So your relationship must be great. What do you two have to say about this film?”

Qi Hao thought for a moment and said: “I haven’t even seen the movie yet—how can I tell you if it’s good? But with Fang Long and Li Lianjie working together, my expectations are already at maximum.”

“What about Li Xuexue and An Feng joining? Don’t they excite you?” Su Mang suddenly asked.

Huang Xiaoming nearly laughed out loud.

“Already maxed out—they’re a pleasant surprise.”

Qi Hao still showed no expression.

But his answer was witty and perfectly defused the potential awkwardness.

Su Mang turned to Huang Xiaoming.

“I think kung fu is something magical. I personally love kung fu films; both Fang Long and Li Lianjie are my favorite kung fu actors—I’ve watched nearly every one of their movies. I’m truly honored to be here supporting them today.”

Huang Xiaoming spoke with sincere earnestness, giving everyone ample face.

“You two are the most popular male entertainers; everyone is especially curious about your views on love. Could you share them with us?”

Su Mang did his best to generate topics.

He couldn’t ask about Qi Hao and Huang Xiaoming fighting for status, so the romantic lives of these two single, high-quality male idols naturally became the hottest topic.

Huang Xiaoming paused, then said: “I believe love is a composite of trust, tolerance, and self-fulfillment. I want to give my partner a sense of security, while my partner inspires in me a desire to protect…”

Qi Hao internally scoffed.

You just like women weaker than you—look at all the ones you’ve picked: every single one has thick eyebrows, big eyes, and an oval face, the same old formula.

Security, protection instinct—have you been hurt by wealthy women and tycoons?