CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: ANYWAY, WE’RE ALREADY HERE (REQUESTING MONTHLY VOTES)

Actually, the story about Qi Hao and the male big shots isn’t being mentioned for the first time.

It’s just not been as concentrated as this time.

Now it’s accumulated to an explosion after last year’s Golden Rooster Best Actor.

At the time, because of Qi Hao’s constant shenanigans, competitors didn’t release too many negative articles about the Golden Rooster Award.

And Qi Hao’s acting was truly stunning; he sacrificed a lot for the movie.

He winning the Best Actor could be said to be well-deserved.

Now that the popularity has expired, it’s harder to make a fuss about the acting.

It’s harder to wash off stuff like male relationships.

You say you’ve already become a movie star, so why in the past few months are you still so high-profile, constantly the focus of major media reports, and making news every now and then?

What can we do!

If we don’t suppress you somehow, we’re left with no way to survive.

If every resource ends up going through you first, then we’ll just be left picking up scraps.

We might as well gather and blast you with a wave of negativity first!

And supporting these negative reports are a lot of photos of Qi Hao with male big shots.

Most of them are with him buddying up with the big shots, and some show them entering hotels together and only leaving hours later.

There’s even a mix of photos where his head is leaning in close while dining with big shots in a restaurant.

The negative publicity is getting more and more frequent.

Some originally not planning to get involved saw all the buzz and thought...

Well, since we’re here anyway.

It doesn’t cost much.

If they manage to bring down Qi Hao, wouldn’t it be like turning a bicycle into a motorcycle?

Scandals about female stars usually only involve male big shots, rarely female, since the entertainment circle mainly respects males.

But scandals about male stars, there’s more flexibility.

They can be kept by female big shots, can be male big shots’ private playthings, or even play together with a big shot couple.

"No matter to the official front, inside or outside the yamen, I’ll take care of everything, ensuring sister-in-law breaks with us..."

If you hear someone coming to Qi Hao Studio humming Peking opera, it must be senior legal affairs guy, Yao Weihong.

Actually, Yao Weihong isn’t that old, just been in the business a long time, and his hobbies are Beijing-style like drinking tea, walking birds, and listening to Peking opera, so naturally, he gives off an old-school vibe.

"Mr. Yao, stop singing. The sky’s falling."

"If the sky falls, tall ones will hold it up. What’s there to be afraid of?"

Yao Weihong remains calm, as befits a legal affairs personnel; calmness is the prerequisite to solving problems.

"The boss got smeared like crazy."

"It’s not like I got smeared crazy, plus he’s such a hot celebrity, isn’t getting smeared a normal thing?"

"This time is different."

"What’s so different? An Yu didn’t call me at night, which means it’s no big deal. Has An Yu come to work?"

"Sleeping in the boss’s office."

"Want some fried gnocchi? I’ll give you half."

"Nah, if I eat yours, I’ll be hungry before noon."

Most people at Qi Hao Studio are pretty calm, not taking the overwhelming smears seriously at all.

And indeed, Zhanqi Laiden isn’t worried; he hasn’t even gotten up in a hurry, so why should anyone else panic?

Yao Weihong took his fried gnocchi to the boss’s office.

Saw Zhanqi Laiden snoring on the long sofa in the office.

"Stop sleeping, how are we handling it this time?"

Though he’s playing it down verbally, the necessary work still needs to be done; if his legal expertise is needed, he might have to grab a few media or troll leaders as an example.

Scaring one to warn a hundred is the key to solving the problem.

In this situation, showing tolerance isn’t the way, as those trolls wouldn’t appreciate it.

"Boring, these people are like bots, incredibly weak."

Zhanqi Laiden muttered, turned over, and continued to snooze, soon snoring again.

Yao Weihong chuckled and went back to eating his fried gnocchi.

Zhanqi Laiden’s behavior indicated it’s not a big problem.

And that guy being here sleeping it off in the morning suggests he’s been keeping an eye on the situation all night, maybe even staying up all night.

Since the studio isn’t making a fuss, Qi Hao cares even less about this mindless slander.

"Worthless, can’t even Photoshop? Wouldn’t they at least Photoshop me sitting bare-assed in a big shot’s lap?" Qi Hao mocked the media.

"Boss, that’s a crime..." Zhang Nan reminded.

"True." Qi Hao sighed.

"We’re not going to the Golden Image Award thing, right?" Zhang Nan mentioned this event before, Qi Hao wasn’t keen.

"No, they’re not giving me an award anyway." Qi Hao shook his head.

He once mixed around in Xiangjiang for a while; he had an average impression of the people there.

To be honest, most of them, over eighty percent, look down on mainlanders, yet their market shrinks exaggeratedly, so they have to rely on the mainland market to get by.

It’s hypocritical.

The "Oath of Allegiance" was nominated for 12 awards, Li Lianjie and Liu Dehua were both nominated for Best Actor, yet alone, he wasn’t even nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

It’s just because he’s a mainland celebrity.

Why go warm someone else’s cold rear with your hot face?

Besides, he doesn’t have any movies to promote right now, so it’s better to wait and shoot Wen’s movies honestly.

Qi Hao is indifferent to the negative rumors, while things are lively online.

Fierce Flat Monster: Qi Hao is gay, oh my god, that’s hilarious.

Fantasy Morning: He’s linked with so many people, could it be to cover up his true orientation?

I Love Sugarcane: You guys are too much, our Seventh Brother is already feeling down, yet you’re still slandering him.

Sleepy Winter Months: Such a good kid, it’s so pitiful that he’s being slandered like this.

Lifelong Lonely: If you touch my behind, I’ll show you what a true beauty is.

Galaxy Painting Sun and Moon: So you don’t even spare men, huh?

Expired Medicinal Wine: How can they make nonsense sound so serious?

Righteous Gourd Baby: If you like little brother, you can find me, QQ**9230*

Are you kidding: The one above, are you a guy or a girl?

Master Yichen: He’s a guy!

Are you kidding: Wow, that’s even more exciting!

Curious Child: These negative articles are probably bought by Qi Hao himself; he doesn’t want to just sleep with half of the industry, he wants the whole entertainment circle!

Nightmare Century: From now on, female fans call him hubby and male fans call him husband.

Lei Ruoxuan: Why don’t we just leave the industry and give other actors some face, they’re just jealous of you.

Inspiration King en: Only a true man can withstand heavenly tribulations, you’re only envied if you’re talented!

Homebody Golden Retriever: Since Qi Hao starred in "Heavenly Dog" and "Oath of Allegiance," he’s secured a place beyond just being an idol.

Apart from some online trolls hired by various forces, the public opinion wasn’t swayed.

Come on, you’re telling us Qi Hao, the playboy for years, doesn’t like women, you think we’re idiots?

The internet is too deep, and people’s hearts are divided by obstacles, you can’t just follow the crowd.

Qi Hao didn’t attend the Golden Image Award red carpet, where Li Lianjie, Fang Long, An Feng, Li Xue’xue, Michael Angarano, and Zou Zhaolong walked together.

This lineup is definitely at a scene-dominating level.

Today, Li Lianjie is going to walk the red carpet twice.

Once for "Oath of Allegiance," and the other for the upcoming "King of Kung Fu."

Both are major productions.

At the interview area, Li Lianjie had to walk the red carpet a second time, so he didn’t give any interviews.

The host asked a few questions about "King of Kung Fu," and quickly shifted to the most popular gossip.

"An Feng, Li Xue’xue, you’ve both worked with Qi Hao, and there are currently rumors online about his orientation... um, there seems to be an issue, what are your thoughts on that?"

Isn’t this a coincidence? A movie "King of Kung Fu" brought together two of Qi Hao’s rumored girlfriends.

As if by tacit agreement, upon hearing the host’s question, Fang Long and Zou Zhaolong both moved aside a little, while Michael Angarano, the foreigner, although didn’t understand, followed suit.

"Ah, I’ve seen it..." An Feng didn’t avoid the question, she said without hesitation, "I think this is definitely not true, he’s a very confident person with strong principles in real life, he wouldn’t do something against his principles just for resources... all those photos were taken when drinking with many people, and they’re all old photos..."

Ms. Liu had talked with her daughter beforehand about possible questions from the media.

She didn’t want her daughter to get involved.

After all, anyone can see this is like a scene where the six sects attack the Bright Summit.

Getting involved means making enemies with those people.

However, An Feng still persuaded her mother.

Firstly, because when her own rumors circulated online, Qi Hao helped out, reciprocating kindness, she couldn’t not get involved.

Murakami Haruki said, remember those who held an umbrella for you in the heavy rain.

In those years, 2005-2006, the media directly asked Qi Hao if he’d heard that An Feng is a man.

Qi Hao didn’t answer directly, but instead asked the reporters back, actually, I’m a woman, do you believe it?

Then added, "Do you believe she’s a man, or do you believe I’m Emperor Qin Shi Huang."

Countering absurdity with absurdity, it’s a clear show of support for his partner.

At that time, Qi Hao and An Feng were collaborating on "The Return of the Condor Heroes."

And that’s precisely why their rumors spread so wildly, Hong Kong media even directly used terms like "staunchly supporting girlfriend."

Secondly, as someone who has been mindlessly blackened, An Feng understands that feeling of loneliness and helplessness the best.

What Qi Hao needs most right now is support from friends.

After An Feng finished speaking, everyone turned to look at Li Xue’xue, wanting to hear her opinion on Qi Hao.

"Sorry, I don’t want to discuss topics that insult my intelligence."

Although Li Xue’xue was still smiling, her words were very stern, with a demeanor of ’if you ask me again, I’ll just walk away.’

The host thought to himself, Li Xue’xue and Qi Hao clearly have issues.

Rumor has it that after Li Xue’xue collaborated with Qi Hao on "Waiting Alone," they basically were in a state of mutual alienation.

Everyone is speculating on the reasons behind it.

Some say it’s because the work didn’t perform well, and both young actors, being on the rise, were embarrassed to bring it up.

However, there’s a more convincing version.

Insiders revealed that during filming, Li Xue’xue developed feelings for Qi Hao and even confessed in real life, but unfortunately, Qi Hao was too career-focused and didn’t accept the sentiment.

Nevertheless, even if it was because of love turned hate, Li Xue’xue has a clear stance on today’s question too.

She thinks such questions insult intelligence.