Everyone weighed their comparisons and still felt Ao Chen’s work was more outstanding and more likely to be acknowledged by a larger audience.
Moreover, since his debut, Ao Chen had never experienced a failure.
One might say he was invincible.
Huo Qi admitted that he indeed harbored selfish animosity towards Ao Chen, but these feelings didn’t affect his final decision.
As the head of the creative team, if he couldn’t even listen to public opinion, he wouldn’t deserve his role.
Furthermore, after seeing the integration of Ao Chen’s song with the movie footage, he believed that everyone’s decision was not wrong; at the very least, it wasn’t a perfunctory attitude, but a hundred percent certainty that Ao Chen’s composition was better.
This process was firstly a mark of respect towards him and secondly, it maintained a consultative stance towards the problem.
The music supervisor for "AI: Interstellar" was a foreigner, and Huo Qi entrusted the whole matter to him, believing that only communication with Ao Chen was necessary, as the final composers were Ao Chen and the music supervisor.
After delegating the miscellaneous tasks, Huo Qi felt a lot relieved.
He had not planned to have any further contact with Ao Chen, yet the development of events was always unpredictable, and somehow, for inexplicable reasons, they would find themselves intersecting again.
After the music director, Owen, conveyed the opinions of the entire creative team to Ao Chen, Ao Chen particularly inquired about Huo Qi’s views. Owen’s previously exuberant expression suddenly quieted down as he relayed Huo Qi’s wishes and suggestions to Ao Chen.
Thinking Ao Chen might find Huo Qi’s attitude problematic, he hurriedly explained.
"Mr. Ao, our team leader Huo Qi is an outstanding individual. Regarding this music competition, he is absolutely fair and impartial. Please understand, Mr. Ao."
Ao Chen casually signed the contract and asked indifferently, "Is your team leader Huo Qi very busy?"
Owen honestly replied, "He’s been quite busy lately; Huo hasn’t had a break in a long time. I’m fully responsible for the film’s music tracks."
Ao Chen’s lips tensed, and he seemed displeased.
But Owen, completely oblivious, confidently completed the signing process and left Ao Chen’s home in high spirits.
On the way back to the company, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had overlooked something.
Upon returning to the company, he promptly called Huo Qi to report that the signing went smoothly and that Ao Chen had signed the contract without a word.
Huo Qi’s hand tightened on the phone, and he suddenly laughed. What was he expecting? Ao Chen must have understood the underlying message when Owen came to sign the contract, especially Owen’s emphasis on being fully responsible.
Ao Chen probably grasped his plan. Yet even so, Ao Chen acted as if nothing had happened and signed the contract, which only meant one thing: Ao Chen didn’t care that much about their relationship anymore.
Since the day they parted, a seemingly indestructible wall had been erected between them. Although they were aware of each other’s innermost thoughts, neither wanted to become the person the other despised.
Huo Qi’s attempt at testing the waters had utterly failed.
He hummed in acknowledgment and praised Owen, who instantly forgot his previous unease as Huo Qi told him, "From now on, you don’t need to supervise personally. Ao Chen will complete the work within the stipulated time and send it directly to you. Since he signed the contract, he is a very responsible person."
Although Ao Chen’s private life was criticized in the industry, it was undeniable that he was highly acclaimed for his professional skills and ambition.
Owen repeatedly agreed.
After hanging up the phone, Huo Qi was somewhat distracted. To tell the truth, he was not satisfied with this conclusion, but he couldn’t demean himself to beg Ao Chen either.
Everyone has their own bottom line and pride. He had yielded enough in front of Ao Chen, and yet it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap between them, which meant his efforts had only moved himself.
Ao Chen might not care whether he could let go or not.
Ao Chen had probably spoken that way before because he was interested at the moment and wanted to toy with him. Since he didn’t play along, then let it be. Ao Chen, being so outstanding, could have anyone he wanted.
What about Huo Qi? How much did he weigh to insist on this issue?
To compete with Huo Qi meant your downfall; Huo Qi was not a person to engage in petty squabbles.
"Director Huo, the actors are ready; we can start now."