"Oath of Allegiance" has been in theaters for a few days, and the box office performance is quite good, but not particularly explosive.
Losing money is inevitable.
Actually, everyone knew it would lose money because with a cost of 270 million, unless the box office hits 800 million, it's bound to lose.
Could "Oath of Allegiance" possibly reach a box office of 800 million?
Dream on.
So, this is a battle that will definitely lose, and everyone knew it before shooting. You can't blame Li Lianjie, and even less Qi Hao.
As for why it was made...
Qi Hao couldn't be bothered with such upper-level games, nor does he need to be concerned with them.
Anyway, after "Oath of Allegiance" was released, his business resources visibly improved by a notch.
What the brands valued was the "prestige" he had just discarded like an old shoe recently.
Endorsing spicy strips made him lose some prestige.
But now it's coming back.
He participated in such an epic co-production, collaborating with Chen Kexin, Li Lianjie, and Liu Dehua. He's impressive; fans acknowledge it, audiences accept it, and brands can only recognize it too.
In fact, Qi Hao's spicy strip commercial isn't low-class.
On December 18th, the day of Qi Hao's 26th birthday, the Little Flying Stick spicy strip commercials were launched in full.
On TV, online, in malls... Qi Hao eating spicy strips could be seen everywhere in images and videos.
If it was just him eating, it might indeed seem low-class, giving a cheap vibe of willing to do anything or be with anyone for money.
However, appearing in the ad with him were also Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng, and the prestige immediately upgraded.
A few young customers stood in front of a mall TV.
Watching Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng, listening to that electrifying "Little Flying Stick is here," unwilling to move for a long time.
Eventually, they finally found the Little Flying Stick spicy strips with the ad poster printed on the packaging, bought some of each flavor to take home.
The gaming nerds in the internet cafe lay sprawled, with one leg propped on the computer desk, controlling their characters while pulling out a Little Flying Stick spicy strip from the packaging, mumbling:
"Little Flying Stick is here~"
As if An Feng or Gao Yuanyuan were feeding them spicy strips.
They were in an incredibly good mood.
Even getting camped by Horde players felt fun.
The person next door playing Dance Dance Revolution couldn't help but roll their eyes, almost burning the keyboard with their rapid typing.
Eating spicy strips in the internet cafe, have you no sense of public decency?
Damn, I'm about to drool.
With the hot sale of Little Flying Stick spicy strips, more and more people are paying attention to this brand.
Of course, online, there's more focus on Qi Hao shooting the ad with Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng.
Market Bully: I was surprised Qi Hao endorsed spicy strips. At first, I thought it was fake, but it turned out to be true.
Last Night Bridge in Cambridge: The Little Flying Stick manufacturer is kind of funny, emphasizing on the packaging that this Qi Hao is real.
Xiaolou has been registered for 20 years: Little Flying Stick spent a lot having Gao Yuanyuan and An Feng shoot the ad with Qi Hao.
Annie doesn't go out without a bear: Qi Hao, are you blind? One is sexy, the other is cute, and you don't choose either, choosing Little Flying Stick instead, you dead gay!
Righteous Gourd Baby: Got my girlfriend to shout "Little Flying Stick is here" for ages, exhausted me.
Li Meng Meng Meng: The one above, she shouted, why are you tired?
Bored watching all day: Little Flying Stick... ah, that's what it means, you get it now?
Li Meng Meng Meng: Still don't get it, you guys are too filthy.
Drunk Dream Dead: If we were to find a girlfriend for our Qi Hao, who do you think is more suitable, Gao Yuanyuan or An Feng?
What is Destiny?: Choose Gao Yuanyuan, you'll know once you use her, cute pales in significance before sexy.
Great Demon God No. 2: I choose An Feng, cute really can be eaten, especially if you're good-looking and cute.
A man from Qi has a wife and a concubine: Actually, why must you choose?
Telepathic Peach Zhenzhen: The one above, what you're suggesting is illegal!
2 Mao: If you don't get married, isn't it legal?
Qi Hao held the mouse in his right hand, scrolling through the online information, releasing the mouse whenever he found something interesting, and then grabbing a plastic fork to shove a few mouthfuls of instant noodles into his mouth.
He's currently in the new office, browsing online news and eating instant noodles.
Even celebrities, when hungry, can eat instant noodles.
"Qi Hao, ask him a few questions, he's here to interview for a manager position." Old Tian brought a young chap who looked fresh out of school to the door of Qi Hao's office.
The newly rented office space isn't big, only Qi Hao and Old Tian have offices.
Old Tian's office also serves as a meeting room, everyone else works in an open space.
"Come in, what's your name?"
Qi Hao put down the mouse and pushed the instant noodles aside.
This was his "task," but the person who came seemed a bit unreliable.
It wasn't that he looked ugly, but rather too young.
"Zhang Nan, Zhang with a bow, Nan as in nanmu wood."
"In general, in our industry, we usually look for experienced managers, easier to start with, and they even bring resources themselves. Do you have any work experience?" Qi Hao curiously asked.
"No, I just graduated not long ago." Zhang Nan shook his head.
"Then what are your advantages? Let's hear them..." Qi Hao didn't immediately dismiss the other party, since Old Tian chose him, there must be a reason.
"I'm... really interested in the job of a manager. Although I don't have any experience as a manager, I worked part-time as a crew assistant for two years in college and as a manager assistant for half a year after graduation."
"You have some work experience..." Qi Hao nodded.
"I have some resources... I know quite a few people in the entertainment circle, including directors, actors, producers, and behind-the-scenes people." Zhang Nan spoke somewhat vaguely, but it didn't seem like he was bluffing.
The persona is self-given, but if it can easily be punctured, then it has no meaning.
"Pretty good!" Qi Hao was quite satisfied.
"And then, my dad is..." Zhang Nan mentioned a name.
Qi Hao's eyes widened in surprise. Luckily, he wasn't eating instant noodles, or he might have sprayed them out of his nose.
This reason was too strong!
Since the reason is so sufficient, what was the point of all that previous nonsense?
"Actually, I really want to do something on my own and don't plan on relying on my family." Zhang Nan quickly explained.
"I understand. You're personally quite capable, so there's really no need to rely on your family. But being a manager, wouldn't that be a bit beneath you?"
Qi Hao tried hard not to appear too fawning.
He solemnly told himself that with the system in hand, he also has some cheats.
There's no need to be intimidated by these second or third-generation types.
Moreover, the person in front of him doesn't look particularly arrogant.
"Of course not. I actually don't know how to get started as a manager. My plan is to first work as an assistant, learn from Brother Tian for two years, and then officially become a manager once I've got the hang of it. But Brother Tian said I should directly take the title of manager to make it easier to discuss things outside, and he would guide me for a while..."
"Why did you choose our place? We're just a small studio." Qi Hao was puzzled.
With Zhang Nan's conditions, whether it's going to China Film, Mrs. Hua, Bern, Light, Chengtian, or any other entertainment-related industry, he'd receive excellent treatment.
If he didn't want to work, he could just sit back.
If he wanted to work, opportunities would be presented in abundance.
"I don't really like the vibe of state-owned or big companies. I prefer the feeling of entrepreneurship."
At this point, Zhang Nan's tone began to get a bit excited.
The ease that comes after hard work is called going with the flow; doing nothing and letting fate decide is called idling away one's time.
Apparently, he's someone born into privilege but untainted by power, with ideals and aspirations, quite suitable for being nurtured... a young ambitious cattle horse.
"When can you start work?" Qi Hao was already very satisfied.
No wonder Old Tian sent him over for him to make the final call.
"I can start anytime!" Zhang Nan nodded eagerly.
"Then let's start today. You'll need to help me sort out the upcoming schedule, familiarize yourself with the work, and see if there are any oversights."
Qi Hao pointed to a pile of newly moved-in documents on the table.
The new guy dove right in, completely without the basic demeanor of the privileged second generation.
[Task four completed, reward: Stamina +10, script of 'Don't Talk to Strangers', starting capital of 10,000 yuan]
[Completed the task, received training opportunity]
[Training NPC choose one from three: Zhu Yuanyuan/Xin Baiqing/Li Mingqi]
[Starting to issue a new task]
[Task five: As the year draws to a close, the calendar market is turbulent. The host with outstanding looks must seize the opportunity to shoot a set of calendar posters. Task difficulty: 3 stars, time limit: 60 days]
[Task completion reward: Charm +10, song 'Green Light', starting capital of 50,000 yuan]
[Task failure penalty: Electric shock three times]
Shoot a calendar?
In the 1980s, a calendar in the market could be sold for several yuan, while buying a pound of pork in the capital only cost one yuan and sixty cents.
As a result, there emerged a large number of "calendar celebrities."
At that time, the most popular calendar 'Shadow People' had a print run of 220,000 copies, featuring Liu Xiaoqing, Chen Chong, and other top female stars of the time.
Mr. Zhou also debuted as a calendar girl.
Back then, scantily clad beauties were boldly displayed on the walls of bedrooms and living rooms.
Especially those playing by the water at the beach...
However, that was the eighties and nineties!
It's almost 2008 now, calendars aren't even in vogue anymore.
Shooting a calendar is a joke.
As for the last task's reward, the script for 'Don't Talk to Strangers' and the initial 10,000 yuan can be ignored.
However, the stamina +10 is pretty good.
For Qi Hao, who will be joining the cast of 'Chinese Paladin 3', it's definitely a substantial boost.
Not just for filming, stamina is needed in many areas.
This is the second time receiving stamina +10, and there's a noticeable all-around improvement in physical fitness.
And with the newly issued task, even more money is rewarded.
Then there's the song "Green Light."
The one that goes, "Love is a ray of light, green enough to make you flustered..."
Damn, too much internet surfing has made me forget the original lyrics.
Charm +10 isn't as good as stamina +10. Qi Hao is currently surrounded by peach blossoms, and more charm would be troublesome.
Really afraid that more actresses would irresistibly fall in love with me.