Chapter 45 Zhao Yang... You know... I can't take this joke
Jiangcheng Art Center is star-studded tonight.
This is the annual literary awards ceremony, where writers, publishers and critics gather together.
Zhao Yang sat in the front row of the guest seats.
He came as a special guest award presenter, and his company sponsored one of the awards.
He was not unfamiliar with this kind of occasion, but he was not very enthusiastic about it either. He had a proper business smile on his face, but there was a hint of boredom in his eyes.
The host made witty remarks throughout the show, and the audience applauded politely and restrainedly.
Zhao Yang adjusted his sitting position and felt that his tie was a bit tight.
The spotlight once again focused on the center of the stage, and the host announced in a rhythmic tone: "Next, we will announce the highly anticipated Best Suspense Award of the Year!"
The audience became quieter, and many people craned their necks to listen.
"The winner of this year's best suspense masterpiece is..." The host stretched out his voice, whetting everyone's appetite, "The work is "Misty Forest"! The author is - Huanhua Jinyue!"
"Let's give our warmest applause to Ms. Huanhua Jinyue and invite her to come up to the stage to receive the award!"
The applause was thunderous, much louder than before.
Zhao Yang followed suit and clapped his hands. A random thought crossed his mind: Manhua Jinyue? This pen name is quite literary. It sounds like a beautiful writer.
He raised his head and looked casually in the direction where the winner had walked out.
A spotlight shone over, illuminating the figure that slowly walked out from between the seats.
A woman wearing a champagne-colored long dress, with a slender figure and long hair loosely tied up, revealing a fair and graceful neck.
She walked steadily and calmly, her skirt swaying gently with her movements.
The smile on Zhao Yang's face froze before it could deepen.
His eyes were fixed on the figure that was getting closer and closer.
As the woman walked closer to the stage, the bright lights gradually outlined her face clearly.
Pure and quiet.
It's really her.
Gu Manman walked onto the stage calmly, took the trophy from the host, bowed slightly, and then walked to the podium.
She adjusted the height of the microphone and calmly scanned the dark crowd below the stage.
"Hello everyone, I am Manhua Jinyue." Her voice was clearly heard throughout the venue through the microphone. "Thank you to the jury, thank you to my publisher, and thank you to the readers who have always supported me."
"The story of 'Misty Forest' is about searching, about redemption, and also about... how to not give up a glimmer of hope in a desperate situation." She paused, and the corners of her lips seemed to have a very slight arc. "I hope this story can bring some strength to everyone. Thank you everyone."
The speech was short and restrained.
She bowed again, holding the trophy, and walked calmly off the stage amid applause from the host and other guests.
Zhao Yang suddenly came to his senses and jumped up from his seat as if he was scalded. His movement was so big that he hit the back of the chair in front of him, making a dull "bang" sound and attracting several surprised looks from the people around him.
He couldn't care less.
He now had only one thought in his mind - he must notify Mingzhou immediately!
He almost stumbled out of the venue, bumping into several people along the way, without even bothering to say "sorry".
The signal inside the venue was poor, so he rushed to the corridor outside, took out his cell phone, quickly found Feng Mingzhou's number, and dialed it.
"Beep...beep...The number you dialed cannot be connected at the moment. Please call again later..." A cold mechanical female voice came.
Unable to connect!
His heart sank, and he immediately remembered that Feng Mingzhou said he was going to Nanfeng Island tonight.
At this point in time, you are probably on the plane!
He immediately called Feng Mingzhou's chief assistant.
The result is still the same - unable to connect.
Damn it!
Zhao Yang grabbed a handful of hair in annoyance and paced anxiously.
The award ceremony was almost over, and there would be a huge crowd. What if... what if she disappeared without a trace like she did three years ago? Where would he find another Gu Manman to compensate Feng Mingzhou? !
He swiped his phone screen again, and this time, he called his assistant. The call was answered almost immediately.
"Mr. Zhao?"
"Xiao Li!" Zhao Yang's voice was urgent and fast, with an unquestionable command, "Right now! Right now! Bring me two teams of people! The most capable ones! To Jiangcheng Art Center! Quick!"
The assistant on the other end of the phone was obviously startled by his tone, but still responded immediately: "Yes! Mr. Zhao! I'll be there right away! What preparations do you need?"
"There are too many people in the venue. Have them in plain clothes spread out and guard all exits, especially the guest passage and the exit to the underground parking lot! The award ceremony will be over soon. Too many people will cause chaos. Keep an eye on one person! I'll send you a photo."
"Understood! Don't worry, Mr. Zhao! I will ensure that the task is completed!"
After hanging up the phone, Zhao Yang's palms were full of sweat.
He raised his hand to wipe his forehead, his eyes fixed on the direction of the venue exit.
Gu Manman...you must not run away.
Zhao Yang dialed Feng Mingzhou's number again.
The voice coming from the receiver was still that damned, emotionless, mechanical female voice.
"Fuck!" Zhao Yang cursed, turning around twice in annoyance, the veins on his forehead throbbing. Sweat had soaked the back of his shirt.
He found his assistant's number and dialed again.
This time, the ringing lasted less than two seconds before the call was picked up.
"Mr. Zhao?" The assistant's voice came with a bit of noisy background noise, like the airport broadcast and human voices.
"Give Feng Mingzhou the phone!" Zhao Yang's voice was urgent and aggressive, almost a shout, completely lacking his usual calmness.
There was an obvious pause on the other end of the phone, and the assistant's voice was confused and embarrassed: "Mr. Zhao, Mr. Feng... we are preparing to board the plane..."
"Now! Immediately! Right now! Give him the phone!" Zhao Yang interrupted him.
There was a rustling sound in the receiver, and the assistant lowered his voice and explained in a panic: "...Boss Feng, it's Boss Zhao calling, it's urgent..."
Then, a deep voice came through the electric current, very light and without any ups and downs: "Hello?"
"Ming Zhou! Gu Manman! She's here! Jiangcheng Art Center! She's not dead! She's still alive! Come here quickly!"
After the words were spoken, the other end of the phone fell into deathly silence.
There was no answer, no question, even the sound of breathing disappeared.
In the airport VIP channel, Feng Mingzhou, who was about to step onto the gangway, froze in place.
The phone was still pressed to his ear, but he seemed to have his soul taken away and did not move.
In the distance, the engines of airplanes roared, and all other sounds faded away.
The hand that was holding the phone began to tremble uncontrollably.
Was it another hallucination? Or...was he himself getting sicker and imagining that Zhao Yang was calling him?
He tried to speak, but found that his voice was stuck in his chest and couldn't come out.
After a long time, so long that Zhao Yang thought the call had been disconnected, a voice finally came from the receiver.
Very soft and very hoarse, with a voice full of fear and pleading.
"Zhao Yang..."
He paused, and used all his strength to finish his words.
"You know..."
"I can't take that joke."
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