CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: FEEL LIKE THROWING UP WHEN SEEING ME (REQUESTING MONTHLY TICKETS)

On the second day, Qi Hao became Wang Zhiwen’s best man.

The bride-fetching involved some antics.

But everyone was respectable, so it couldn’t get too outrageous. Qi Hao downed three consecutive glasses and went through the motions to fetch the bride downstairs.

Wang Zhiwen is such an unruly person; if he really got angry, what if he decided not to marry?

When it was time to go through the formalities, Qi Hao also sat down at the banquet.

Right next to him was — Miao Qiaowei!

The same Yang Kang from the 1983 version of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, which Qi Hao believes to be the most classic version of Yang Kang.

Qi Hao can truly say he grew up watching his works.

Miao Qiaowei and Wang Zhiwen had a movie released last year called Brotherhood of Life and Death, where Miao Qiaowei played Wang Zhiwen’s son.

But in reality, Miao Qiaowei is 8 years older than Wang Zhiwen — the "son" is older than the "father."

The movie was marketed under the banner of the Five Tigers.

Only Liang Chaowei didn’t attend.

Qi Hao’s former rumored girlfriend, Huang Yi, also made an appearance in it.

However, Qi Hao has too many rumored girlfriends, and the filmmakers don’t even like using this gimmick anymore.

"Third Brother, let me toast you!"

Qi Hao grabbed the bottle and poured the drink generously.

Miao Qiaowei knew of Qi Hao, the mainland’s popular young star, and politely lifted his glass.

"Don’t drink with him, he’s a god of drinking!"

The person speaking rudely is none other than Zeng Zhiwei, who’s gained renewed fame thanks to Infernal Affairs.

He seemed a bit displeased that Qi Hao toasted Miao Qiaowei first.

In terms of status, he was clearly higher, especially in recent years when his popularity soared.

He’s gotten used to being the boss in drinking circles.

While Miao Qiaowei was clearly past his prime, now making a living by running an eyewear shop.

Of course, he and Miao Qiaowei weren’t enemies, but rather best friends.

It’s just his personality, he’s habitually outspoken and careless, and with some drinks, he says whatever comes to mind.

He’s just got a sharp tongue.

He once ended up in the hospital needing 29 stitches for mocking Rong Zuer on a show.

"I grew up watching Third Brother’s works, this toast is a tribute to childhood memories!"

Qi Hao emptied his glass in one go.

Miao Qiaowei saw that, and quickly followed suit.

"You like Yang Kang, why don’t you like Weng Meiling!" Zeng Zhiwei wouldn’t let it go.

He even started joking about the deceased.

"Don’t rush, we’ll start with ten glasses later!"

Qi Hao didn’t particularly like Zeng Zhiwei, so since he was asking for it, he’d use him as an example.

Why put oneself out, better to trouble others.

Knowing I’m the god of drinking, he still dared to challenge me.

"I can’t out-drink you..."

What Zeng Zhiwei actually meant was, you’re not worthy of drinking with me.

But since Qi Hao was invited and even became the best man, looking quite familiar with everyone, he couldn’t be too arrogant.

Only those small mainland stars wanting to develop in Xiangjiang dared to be toyed with by him.

"If you don’t dare to drink, why talk!" He Ping didn’t tolerate him one bit.

These Xiangjiang artists always act so arrogant.

No matter if it’s appropriate for Qi Hao to drink with Miao Qiaowei first, they are all mainland respectable actors, not tolerating outsiders bullying them.

And Qi Hao was the best man, considered as vice-host of the banquet.

It’s polite for him to toast guests first, regardless if he toasted Miao Qiaowei or Zeng Zhiwei first; this was trivial.

He Ping, Zhao Baogang, and others enjoyed seeing these Xiangjiang celebrities make fools of themselves.

Fortunately, others helped ease the situation with some jokes.

Actually, when there are mixed people at the table, it’s all sorts of undercurrents. Today, it’s Wang Zhiwen’s wedding, so it’s quite good.

Otherwise, pointing fingers, slamming bottles on heads aren’t out of the question.

When friends come from afar, though distant, they punch.

As long as drinking reaches a certain level, true colors are shown, and the drinking table becomes the most prone place for incidents.

Qi Hao then toasted Liu Dekai, and thirdly to Zeng Zhiwei.

Poured three glasses generously.

I’m young and foolish, if I’ve offended in any way, bear with me.

There are causes and effects, your karma is me.

Zeng Zhiwei looked at the three glasses, and at Qi Hao who drank several already without batting an eye.

In the end, he grudgingly drank them down.

The mainland big shots at the table, many competed in drinking with Qi Hao yesterday.

They still need to come frequently to the mainland in the future for opportunities, it’s not wise to offend these mainland folks.

Previously, they always made women drink, never imagined they’d be made to drink one day.

But lacking strength, they could only be toyed with.

"Refreshing! Let’s do more..."

Poke the unpleasant ones in the side, put a knife to the ones who sing to a different tune, must pursue victory.

Do him!

"No more, no more, drank too much last night, can’t drink today, already started on stomach medicine."

Zeng Zhiwei waved his hand repeatedly.

Dammit, if I were 30 years younger, I’d definitely go head-to-head with you.

"Not leaving today, so how about tonight..."

Qi Hao maliciously suggested another drink.

I want you to see me and feel like vomiting in the future.

He now has the Coal Boss as backing, so he can make decisions on his own, and being a shareholder of Penguin, he completely disregards Zeng Zhiwei, that old lecher.

There are many lechers in the entertainment industry, but most belong to transactional types.

But Zeng Zhiwei, this old lecher, plays it quite dirty, often forcing himself on others, and not just one.

"Got something else to do, maybe next time, next time."

Zeng Zhiwei wouldn’t dare agree; the stronger Qi Hao gets, the more he suspects Qi Hao has backing.

He’s managed until now because he naturally understands the principle of evading the limelight temporarily.

Otherwise, he might leave the hotel today only to find himself in a burlap sack, dragged into an alley and beaten up.

"Leave him a breath, haha..."

Jiang Wen chuckled weirdly as he said.

Now you know how I felt yesterday, damn it, and you’re still laughing at me.

"I actually don’t dare drink tonight either... haha..."

Qi Hao showed a kind of arrogant attitude after having gained the upper hand.

He acts as a knife borrowed by some mainland big shots to strike against Xiangjiang artists represented by Zeng Zhiwei.

But it’s no big deal.

With his current status, as long as he doesn’t have a powerful father and can’t completely integrate into their circle, being used as a tool is already pretty good.

Moreover, he really finds Zeng Zhiwei unpleasant to look at.

Qi Hao has no intention of elevating his status by using the Coal Boss.

I can represent capital now; you can’t just treat me like a drunkard anymore.

The directors present today, including Jiang Wen, He Ping, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Zhao Baogang, and so on, are basically all art film directors.

Investing in their films is purely a chance for self-indulgence for them.

What they produce is hard to comment on.

Only Jiang Wen’s films are slightly better, but his overspending habits are on par with his filmmaking skills, and Qi Hao worries the first shot might depress the Coal Boss.

It’d be best to find something with both some box office pull and some acclaim.

Uh, preferably directors who are easy to work with.

After this small episode, everyone continued drinking while watching the interaction between the bride and groom.

Wang Zhiwen’s wedding went smoothly, and even there one could feel his exceptional acting skill.

He and his bride were on stage; you cry a little, I cry a little, giving off the feeling of a true repentant rascal.

Sun Nan led the celebrity golf team members in singing "The Moon Represents My Heart."

Qi Hao wasn’t arranged to sing on stage.

Wang Zhiwen had already been captured by him, no need to curry favor any further, especially since he’s not paying Qi Hao.

Besides, Qi Hao was the best man, accompanying the groom and bride throughout the toast phase.

Usually, toasting involves soft drinks.

Nowadays, seldom does the groom get drunk during joyful occasions.

If the groom gets knocked out, then who’s going to consummate the marriage?

Qi Hao instead felt like a mascot, constantly a spectacle for the friends and family of the bride and groom.

"Ah, the young lad is so handsome, better looking than on TV."

"Does the young man have a partner?"

"I remember seeing you on TV years ago; how are you still so young now."

"I really love your role in ’Married the Right Man’."

"So tall, doesn’t quite match what’s on TV."

"When are you marrying that Fan Xuexue?"

"Qi Hao, let’s take a picture together; big sis has liked you for ten years now!"

Pretty much all the female guests were focused on him.

The men, seeing his handsome face, couldn’t quite muster a friendly expression even if they weren’t going to hit him.

After all, their wives and daughters looked at Qi Hao with that gaze...

Facing the enthusiasm of these aunts and elder sisters, Qi Hao showed excellent manners.

Reserved and well-behaved, with a touch of aloofness.

So most of the time, Qi Hao remains quite docile unless he encounters someone he doesn’t like.

After finishing the schedule at Wang Zhiwen’s wedding banquet, Qi Hao returned to the set to continue filming.

He was unaware that those three female demons were about to target him.

Actually, the female demons still hadn’t found a chance to act.

First came the buzz around Qi Hao driving a Santana 2000, making everyone wonder why, owning a Rolls-Royce Phantom, he chose such an odd vehicle.

Fondness for old models?

Then why spend so much on a Rolls-Royce Phantom?

The dealership certainly wouldn’t disclose who ordered the car—even the lady who had taken photos of Qi Hao was directly fired.

The dealership even gifted some high-end car accessories as compensation.

They are worth several thousand yuan, no less.

The two young ladies who were fired couldn’t find out who ordered the car.

Therefore, no one knew the car was gifted by someone—think logically: who the heck would gift a Rolls-Royce Phantom?

Not even a father would be that generous.

However, Qi Hao’s strange behavior of preferring to drive a Santana despite having a Rolls-Royce Phantom doesn’t trouble his fanbase.

They themselves come up with various reasons.

Anyway, their Qi Hao brother is just too unique.

Even ordinary passers-by feel this lad, having a Rolls-Royce yet driving a Santana, is quite modest, with a commendably good nature.

This favorable public impression drives other young actors to grind their teeth.

Thus, another wave of malicious reports surfaced.

This time, there was neither a focus on Qi Hao’s Rolls-Royce nor on hyping up his scandals.

Evidence has already shown that those tactics can’t harm Qi Hao.

So, everyone shifted strategies this time.

First, several small articles tested the waters, then consensus was quickly reached to start rumors that Qi Hao slept with various powerful men to climb up the ranks.