Everyone turned their curious gazes toward Xiang Jin, who smiled faintly and said, "You'll all find out soon enough; I won't reveal it now."
The two took their seats at the very front of the venue, and wherever they went, the cameras followed them.
Viewers of the live stream were also moved by the cameraman's dedication, flooding the screen with praise. Looking at the attractive couple on camera, netizens began to go into fits of madness:
"Holy crap, holy crap! Who said they weren't a good match? My nose is bleeding!"
"My God, Mrs. Murong is so beautiful... She's so gorgeous, no wonder that bitch Xiang Qi was jealous of her. I would be jealous too [licking screen]."
"Why bring up such disgusting things on such a wonderful day?"
"Exactly, those convicts should just stay in jail and get through their labor reform. Ten years is a long time!"
…………
On stage, Xiang Jin smiled as she looked at the stage, her nervousness evident in her expression.
This competition was open to submissions from around the world, and the award ceremony was attended by many well-known figures. Although Xiang Jin didn't recognize any of them, as a fledgling painter, she felt somewhat insecure.
She felt unworthy of this first place.
Murong Xiao gently took her hand and patted it, as if to comfort her.
Netizens immediately seized on this detail and launched a new round of barrage comments:
"Aaaaaah! Is this something I can even look at? Move me away right now and bring them the bed!"
"Oh my god... Isn't Master Xiao always arrogant and domineering? What made him lower his head and so carefully comfort his wife... What an amazing man he is!"
"Hey, can I borrow two tissues? My nose is bleeding..."
After the host's opening remarks and the guests' speeches, the awards ceremony quickly began. The awards presented so far were for third and second prizes. There were three third prizes and two second prizes. The moment the winners' names were announced, the audience was filled with awe, because these were all very accomplished individuals in the field.
Next up is the first prize.
Before the awards ceremony, the host deliberately kept everyone in suspense: "Our 'My Love' International Painting Competition only has one first prize winner this year. Compared to the other artists, this winner has less experience and is less well-known and popular. However, when we saw this painting, our judges were captivated. The shock and lasting impact were so powerful that the judges were unable to shake it off for a long time, and they couldn't even look at any other paintings that day."
"At first I thought it was just an exaggeration people use to express their love for something, after all, the Chinese language is profound. But not long ago, when I saw that painting, I fell silent."
Suddenly, the large screen lit up, and a picture appeared on the screen.
A chubby little hand reaches out to a rough, big hand. The little hand gently hooks the big hand, lively and agile. Although the child is not seen, the image of a child's smile appears before one's eyes. The big hand is covered with wrinkles and many bleeding wounds, having experienced the vicissitudes of many years, yet it is so strong and warm, just like a mother's embrace.
The small hand on the left is outlined in bright colors, like a rising sun behind it, representing hope; the large hand on the right is in the muddy, damp darkness, like life worn down by reality, representing reliance.
The simple colors vividly depict love, and the indescribable maternal love leaps off the page, reminding countless people of their own aging mothers and their hands that have become rough from love.
The painting is titled "Mother," and as the commentary states, the mother is not seen, yet she is everywhere, because the mother is omnipresent.
"Now, let's invite the winner, 'Pen Heart Upward,' to the stage to receive the award. Your painting 'Mother' has resonated with countless people. Your delicate style interprets maternal love from a unique perspective. The first prize is rightfully yours!"
Amidst enthusiastic applause, Xiang Jin, sitting in the first row, silently stood up.
She lifted her skirt and walked step by step toward the dazzling stage.
For some reason, she suddenly remembered the days she spent in prison, in the slums, and moving goods in the warehouse.
Back then, she never imagined that she could one day rekindle her dream and stand on this long-awaited stage. Now that she has done it, it is still somewhat unbelievable.
When she stood up, netizens across the country were stunned.
"Are you kidding me? They were calling for the pen to point upwards. What is Xiang Jin doing on stage?"
"Can you please stop being so resentful? Is it possible that she was invited to present an award? The host hasn't said anything, so why are you in such a hurry?"
"Exactly, why worry about nothing?"
At that moment, the host on stage handed her the microphone.
"May I ask, what were you feeling when you created this painting, 'Mother'?"
One sentence left netizens speechless.
What the heck? Xiang Jin is actually the author of "Mother"? She's the author of "Pen Heart Upward"?!
She's not here as a guest; she's here to receive an award!
sky……
Upon hearing the host's words, Xiang Jin's expression changed slightly. She clenched her hands and smiled slightly: "Actually... I wasn't happy at the time because my mother wasn't around. I really hoped that there would be a pair of hands to help me out of my predicament, so I painted this picture."
"Then what?"
"Then... I got through it on my own. Of course, I am very grateful to my friends and family, who gave me a lot of help and taught me the courage to face life."
Xiang Jin looked up and met Murong Xiao's gaze from below the stage.
At that moment, someone said something in the host's earpiece. The host suddenly opened his eyes wide, turned to look at Xiang Jin, and tentatively asked, "I heard that you have more than one pen name. Do you use any other pen names when you paint?"
Xiang Jin thought for a moment: "'Unfinished steamed bun', Mu Xin."
These few words caused a huge uproar.
Holy crap! The pen tip pointing upwards, the unfinished steamed bun, and Mu Xin are actually the same person, and she's even Murong Xiao's wife! How could they be so ruthless!
"Mu Xin... a true design genius... disappeared for many years, I thought she had retired from the industry, I never expected..."
"No wonder she could paint 'Mother.' How could someone who can paint works like 'Light' and 'Umbrella' be an ordinary person?"
"Moreover, her art style and themes carry a sense of redemption. I heard that she didn't have a good childhood, I wonder if that's the reason..."
"Waaaaah, this girl is amazing! I can't believe I only just met her now, I'm so awful..."
…………
"Who said that Master Xiao married a pretty face? Come out and take your beating!"
Upon hearing Xiang Jin reveal that her pseudonym was "Mu Xin," the host became even more excited: "Wow, Mu Xin! She was my goddess during my school days! I'm so excited to finally meet her in person today. Can you sign an autograph for me later?"
"Can."
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