[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-became-a-movie-star-and-only-then-did-the-syst":3,"chapter-i-became-a-movie-star-and-only-then-did-the-syst-i-became-a-movie-star-and-only-then-did-the-syst-chapter-9":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Became a Movie Star, and Only Then Did the System Finish Loading",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2285335,4470,"Chapter 9","i-became-a-movie-star-and-only-then-did-the-syst-chapter-9",9,"\u003Cp>Lao Tian could imagine how heartbroken Qi Hao’s fans would be if it became known that he was doing commercial performances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And how furious netizens would become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lao Tian, who had been Qi Hao’s close friend for years, found it hard to believe Qi Hao wasn’t doing this on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing someone is just a matter of chopping off their head—it’s over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why go to such lengths to torment your own agency?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guy… he hasn’t done anything truly unforgivable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This villain role is too crushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ziwen has really drawn the worst luck by getting stuck with you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But lately Qi Hao had been acting crazy all the time, and Lao Tian was numb to it—what could he do even if he didn’t want to go along?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only keep coddling Qi Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But any commercial move must be communicated to Ziwen first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in these final months before the contract expires—any misstep could become ammunition for rivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, did I hear that right? Qi Hao’s going to do commercial performances?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ziwen’s Artist Management Director stared at Lao Tian, his head throbbing—he had no idea why any of this was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman had called the general manager in and chewed him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The general manager claimed he didn’t know, so he summoned the deputy general manager—who had previously gloated when Qi Hao endorsed spicy strips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, facing his superiors, the deputy pretended he knew nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This blame landed squarely on the Artist Management Director’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, I still had two burdens on my back, and now another one’s flying straight at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, sometime soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Tian had just come to give a heads-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hao has extremely high autonomy—his own team can handle commercial gigs on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?!” the director’s voice cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t a single line of polished technique—just raw, bloody, tearful accusations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the original plan, besides giving Qi Hao junk endorsements, forcing him to tour the country for commercial gigs was also a strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had to be scheduled for three gigs a day, overwhelming his body with impossible labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marketing firms could also be used to leak his dirt, crushing his reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Agencies and artists are nearly one entity—they all know some hidden dirt about their artists. Leaking it recklessly is a total annihilation strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this industry, who doesn’t have some dirt?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If an artist survives the agency’s exploitation, they soar free; if not, they either submit to the agency’s control or vanish without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current online sentiment? The director dared not touch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did he dare not act—he now feared Qi Hao might sabotage himself, because the blame would still land on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply couldn’t understand why Qi Hao was doing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not that complicated—he just wants to do it, and I can’t stop him,” Lao Tian muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you his agent? Haven’t you been with him for over a decade? Why can’t you talk some sense into him?” The director vented his frustration—he felt deeply wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being misunderstood by the whole world wasn’t pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I could talk him out of it, I would’ve done it already,” Lao Tian said, equally wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood the director’s pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this commercial gig news broke, it’d trigger another massive public backlash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy hell, Ziwen would get absolutely shredded by netizens and fans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one taking the blame? Probably this guy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t there any way out?” The director stared at Lao Tian with watery eyes—he felt his job was already slipping away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t expect…” Lao Tian looked awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at what they’ve done to this poor director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, this guy wasn’t particularly capable or likable, but he was still a human being—he deserved to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is he insane?!” the director shouted in anguish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think of it this way—in three months, our contract ends and you’re finally free. But me?” Lao Tian pointed to his chest, pained: “I still have to keep going along with his madness—who understands my suffering?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three months…” The director had never felt three months so long—but then a sudden insight struck him: “We don’t have to wait three months. If you don’t want to renew, we can terminate the contract right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy shit, I’m brilliant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we announce termination now, no matter if Qi Hao crashes into his rival, endorses spicy strips, or does commercial gigs—it’s all off Ziwen’s record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he thought about it, the more excited he got—he immediately grabbed Lao Tian to draft the termination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, hey, no need—it’s only three months left, really no need…” Lao Tian hurried to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell is going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the director ignored him completely, ordering him to bring Qi Hao right over to sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck, get out already!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Qi Hao and Lao Tian stepped out of Ziwen Tower, Qi Hao still felt it wasn’t real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too sudden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We finished the contract smoothly with the agency—but why do I feel zero sense of reality?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the signing was absurdly fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terms were entirely drafted by Qi Hao and Lao Tian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just too smooth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lao Tian, how did you convince them?” Qi Hao decided to give Lao Tian a bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That morning he’d been worried Ziwen might turn hostile and abuse him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piling on endless work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even forcing him to drink with rich old ladies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse—those twisted bigwigs with questionable tastes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In ten years in the industry, Qi Hao had heard rumors that some bigshot was interested in him—he always avoided them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time… was he doomed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, out of nowhere, he was called in, signed a few lines, and got kicked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the company breached first—you can break up with me, but you can’t break up with me early. The company didn’t even argue over the payment for Immortal Sword 3 or demand a cut from commercial gigs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t convince them,” Lao Tian gazed at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No smog today—white clouds floated above, cold but otherwise fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When will this hell end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh… after five years here, suddenly leaving… I’m kind of sad…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hao felt a wave of emotion, then turned and realized with deeper sorrow—no one was there to see him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was daytime—why were they even closing the front gates?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go get the car. Stay right here, don’t move,” Lao Tian said, too tired to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two got in the car and headed home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve lined up a singing commercial gig,” Lao Tian pulled himself together, driving as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great, great—I knew you were the fattest, Lao Tian,” Qi Hao praised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, I’ve got a ridiculous system—but I’ve got reliable Lao Tian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balance it all out, and everything’s peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you remember Gao Yang?” Lao Tian asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—he’s out?” Qi Hao nodded vigorously. When he first debuted, he was good-looking, so people always eyed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, at a bar with investors, a rich lady started groping him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t attractive, so Qi Hao naturally refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, he’d never accepted anyone attractive either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then he had no status or polish—he made the investors lose face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luckily, it was Gao Yang’s scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang saw the situation and immediately stepped in as mediator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had wide connections, black and white alike—investors even gave him face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even declared Qi Hao was his friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said Qi Hao was young, and everyone should show him some leniency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they hadn’t stayed close since, Gao Yang had done Qi Hao a real favor—so when Lao Tian mentioned his name, Qi Hao remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He never went to prison,” Lao Tian said flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard he got locked up, and no one’s seen or heard from him for years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hao was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d once considered finding out where Gao Yang was imprisoned and bringing him some gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He went into coal mining in 2002. Rumor has it the state’s about to reform the coal industry—private mines will be nationalized—so he decided to return to his old trade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Tian gave a brief explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A bar or nightclub?” Qi Hao realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t really his fault—Gao Yang had suddenly vanished from the capital’s circle, even selling off his several establishments, and rumors spread everywhere that he’d been arrested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought he went into coal to get rich?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these past few years, those in coal really made fortunes; many became billionaires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Something like that. I didn’t chat much with him—he recently opened a big venue in Sanlitun and plans to invite a few stars to perform; all you have to do is go up and sing a song.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, such venues invite singers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second- or third-tier singers are easy to hire; even top-tier ones aren’t impossible if the money’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Qi Hao, as one of the Four Great Leading Men and a Best Actor, generally wouldn’t bother with such events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, Qi Hao is sick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s currently a patient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next weekend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That won’t work—it’s too late. Ask him if this weekend is possible. Say I’m busy next weekend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hao’s missions have time limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The extra’s deadline is fifteen days; finding an extra with even one line of dialogue isn’t easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spicy strip ad—whether endorsement or not—gave him fifteen days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stage performance is easier than the spicy strip ad, and only seven days are given.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s Gao Yang—someone who used to command respect from both underworld and official circles—and you want him to change the date?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Tian felt a massive headache coming on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then tell him I’ll sing two songs, but charge him just one yuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Hao was already reluctant to take money; after all, Gao Yang had once protected his chastity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he took not a single cent, the system wouldn’t accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine,” Lao Tian grumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Qi Hao would just lift his butt and Lao Tian could tell exactly what color his shit would be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he couldn’t understand him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>",1670,"2026-06-20T03:01:22.774Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","095fab41b093863997f10e6d055d5c8e469e1de83764d1d79c2925504d4c8fbd","i-became-a-movie-star-and-only-then-did-the-syst-chapter-10","i-became-a-movie-star-and-only-then-did-the-syst-chapter-8",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-a-movie-star-and-only-then-did-the-syst-cover.jpg"]