Chapter 204
A road crusher chugs away on the concrete floor, accompanied by several workers in hard hats. The vibrations of the machine are punctuated by the occasional clacking of shovels. The warehouse, once quiet in winter, is now abuzz with activity.
Wearing a hard hat and a mask, Zhou Xiao stood in the distance, watching the workers from a landscaping company break up the pavement. This was the construction company she had contacted years ago, and today was the official first day of work. A groundbreaking ceremony had been held in the nearby open space, complete with red banners and tablecloths emblazoned with "Good Luck in the Start of Work," creating a festive atmosphere.
"Boss, don't worry!" A man in a hard hat offered Zhou Xiao an open cigarette box. When she refused, he simply smiled and deftly tucked the cigarette between his lips and his ear. Communicating with a business owner who didn't have to accompany him with drinks and cigarettes was a great job.
The man offering Zhou Xiao a cigarette was the project manager for the garden project, and he had some aspirations of befriending this generous owner. Since the Huashang District began its rapid development, acquiring land from the upper echelons has become quite challenging for newcomers. He had inquired with the security guard before entering, and upon learning that Zhou Xiao owned the entire warehouse and land, he was filled with envy.
"Thank you for your help," Zhou Xiao said politely, her gaze shifting from the construction site to the two warehouses that had not yet been started.
Originally, she planned to renovate the photography studio first, then work on the exterior landscaping—this is the order most people would follow. However, Zhou Xiao had been discussing the renovation plan with the designer years ago, but nothing had been finalized to this day.
The design and construction of the photography studio would take several months, and achieving the perfect finish for the landscaping would likely take even longer. Considering the actual situation and the landscaping company's suggestions and follow-up support, construction finally began early.
After politely declining the offer of a meal, Zhou Xiao returned her hard hat to the security room. The security guard she hired now had a new job: every worker had to get a hard hat from him and put it on before entering the warehouse.
Seeing that she was about to leave, the security guard standing next to her looked around and saw that there was no one around. Then he told Zhou Xiao with a serious face about the situation of the leader who came to investigate this morning.
Zhou Xiao frowned when he heard it, but then he heard the old man say, "Don't worry, baby, we will definitely keep a good eye on these people for you!" The puppy that was originally lying on the ground stood up immediately when it heard "we", and responded with two "woofs" in high spirits, which instantly broke the originally serious atmosphere.
Zhou Xiao squatted down and stroked the puppy's head vigorously, saying, "It's okay. When I came here this morning, I saw that the police station that was originally under construction is now completed, and people are moving things in! It will be very safe from now on!"
After bidding farewell to the old man, Zhou Xiao walked out the door and leaned against the horse chestnut tree next to the warehouse. The trunk was somewhat hard, and upwards it was completely bare, but the tips of the forked branches were already sprouting many hidden buds. Would she see new leaves next time she came? Zhou Xiao wasn't sure, but at that moment, she was full of anticipation for the new year.
…
Huashang Times Square was unusually bustling at night; even New Year's Eve wasn't this lively. Today was the Lantern Festival, and everyone had come for the advertised iron flower-making event.
In the crowd, Zhou Xiao and Qi Sisi held onto each other to avoid being separated by the crowd. "Ahhh, I regret dragging you along!" Qi Sisi, squeezed to the point of tears, shouted at Zhou Xiao beside her amid the clamor. Why did she shout? It was simply because there were too many people around!
Zhou Xiao, a tall man, had already noticed the security guards diverting the crowd. He turned to comfort Qi Sisi, saying, "It's okay. Even if you didn't pull me, I would have thought of pulling you in." The security guards' handling of the situation seemed quite skilled. Perhaps this was thanks to the experience gained by Star 101 when they were filming here.
The crowd of onlookers were stopped by the railings set up in advance. There were several furnaces placed in the middle of the square, which looked quite ordinary.
As the event time approached, Zhou Xiao saw a host, microphone in hand, awkwardly squeezing into the crowd and shouting, "Those with hats, wear them! Parents, don't let your children crawl in! If you're wearing expensive coats today, take them off immediately. It's cold for a while, but I'll keep you safe all night!"
As the crowd entered, the loudspeakers at Huashang Times Square kept repeating the precautions for watching the iron flower show. The host's words were met with laughter from the crowd. Zhou Xiao looked at the people standing in the front row, thought for a moment, and then obediently put on the hood of his coat, waiting for the event to begin.
Seeing that the time was up, at this moment, the large screen above the square that was originally playing the advertisement suddenly paused. Then, all the members of NINE STAR appeared on the screen in festive attire.
"Hello, everyone! We are NINE STAR! Wishing everyone a happy Lantern Festival!" The video was short, and by the time the audience had time to react, the iron flower show had officially begun!
Bang, bang, bang! The topless flower-beaters in the arena are beating the iron in mid-air with their rhythm increasing. The molten iron they scoop up is hit by another in mid-air, sending sparks flying. The transition from sparse sparks to a dense, star-like brilliance takes less than a second, creating an ultimate visual feast.
As the iron flowers flew across the stage, the crowd exclaimed with each blow from the performers. Those who had been captivated by the big screen were now unable to take their eyes off the spectacular spectacle. Although the performance wasn't particularly large-scale, its beauty and awe were palpable to everyone.
The iron flowers, swung vigorously into arcs and then exploded again in the air, were a truly breathtaking sight. Zhou Xiao stood in the crowd, taking in the festive excitement. The molten iron plummeted like a meteor, then exploded into a shower of golden ripples. Unlike the others, who were filming with their phones and cameras, she lowered her hat and looked up, capturing this moment of exquisite beauty in her mind.
There were two iron flower displays at Huashang Times Square, and Zhou Xiao and Qi Sisi were watching the first. Whether they should wait for the next one would be determined by the crowds retreating nearby. While the excitement was intense, the damp chill seeped into their bodies soon after it ended.
"Get out!" Qi Sisi rubbed her hands together and beckoned Zhou Xiao to leave. The originally crowded place immediately became empty due to everyone's understanding. As she walked out, she suddenly stopped where she was.
Qi Sisi realized it later and turned around to look at Zhou Xiao. "Was there a NINE STAR announcement just now? Is this just my illusion?"
The announcement was real! That evening, someone on the super topic shared a video of NINE STAR's announcement projected on the giant screen at Huashang Times Square. Then, videos from various angles appeared, making one wonder if this was truly the national boy band. At the request of many fans, the official NINE STAR Weibo account even released the original HD video that evening.
…
The excitement was growing. After several days of watching sparklers and filming a ton of footage, Zhou Xiao was heading to the 20th anniversary fashion gala hosted by Shang Ken in Shanghai. While it was bustling, it wasn't the usual crowds; it was a feast for the entertainment industry.
A simple red carpet majestically stretched out to the runway. As an invited guest, Zhou Xiao was told by staff before entering that she could choose whether to walk the red carpet. When she arrived, models in sky-high heels were already walking the runway.
In this situation, hesitating for even a second would be disrespectful to himself. Zhou Xiao politely refused to walk the red carpet and then went into the ceremony with the other staff.
Walking around the runway, what caught my eye were magazine covers hung like paintings on the walls or laid out in the open space. Zhou Xiao noticed that these framed covers were all honors that S.K. Magazine had won. As a near-first-tier second-tier magazine, it naturally had a strong financial foundation.
But Zhou Xiao noticed something as he looked at it: the peak period for these award-winning covers was almost a decade ago. The further back in time the dates are, the fewer there are. Even in the past two years, no new covers have won major awards.
His pace slowed down, and Zhou Xiao stopped in front of the last painting. It contained a mirror, a mirror that could reflect the photographer's eyes and the hand holding the camera.
"That's quite interesting," a voice called from behind him. Zhou Xiao was startled, and a woman in a suit appeared in the mirror. His brain quickly searched his memory bank, and Zhou Xiao replied softly, "It's quite interesting."
The person who started chatting with her was Cai Qi's agent Cai Hua. It seemed that he entered the party before his own artist, and happened to run into Zhou Xiao who entered earlier.
"By the way, Teacher Zhou, the Qiqi magazine you photographed will be on sale on the first of next month~" Cai Hua's encounter with her was not an accident as Zhou Xiao had thought. On the contrary, she came over specifically to make friends with Zhou Xiao and to inform her of the magazine's release date.
After seeing the sample issue, she had already secured at least three trending search spots with the company's marketing department, and now she's waiting for the preview to be released tomorrow. The March issue was previewed on February 28th and officially went on sale in limited quantities on March 1st.
Zhou Xiao nodded, and seeing someone walking towards them from behind, he entered the inner field with Cai Hua and the "Shang Ken" employee beside him. The two were led away by the staff at the door because of their positions.
"Ms. Zhou, your seat is here. If you have any requests, just raise your hand! If the waiters see you, they will come to serve you!" The staff took Jiang Zhouxiao to the second row of round tables in the venue.
The round table sat at the edge, flanked by a row of low, round stools. Zhou Xiao only realized later that this seat was truly prime, but only if the person sat there had an assistant and a desire to socialize. Sadly, she had neither.
The tables for the ten people were decorated with corresponding nameplates, and a floral arrangement was placed in the middle of the tablecloth, effectively blocking the view from the opposite side. In Zhou Xiao's opinion, this was undoubtedly a very friendly gesture towards the people.
Seeing that the show hadn't started yet, Zhou Xiao casually glanced around from his seat, his gaze meeting the eyes of the person across the table. Di Jiangtong, sitting in the back, looked a bit surprised. Focused on her singing career, she naturally had no idea that Zhou Xiao had shot the cover of "Shang Ken" for a colleague from her former company.
Although they had only worked together once, they had met once before at the Blueberry Starlight Dinner. This time, after being surprised, she was pleasantly surprised. She changed her usual quiet demeanor and raised her hand to interact with Zhou Xiao from a distance.
As time went by, the banquet gradually filled up with people. Only the red carpet of the 20th anniversary of "Shang Ken" was broadcast live. When the live broadcast ended, the evening party officially began.
The show opened with a performance by a popular foreign female singer specially invited by the magazine. Her music is also quite famous in China. As the familiar music sounded, the atmosphere on the scene gradually became lively.
In addition to the artists who had collaborated with the magazine, the attendees also included a rare group of outstanding behind-the-scenes staff. Zhou Xiao's table was a bit more mixed, with photographers, designers, supermodels, and others.
Her quiet demeanor didn't seem out of place in this kind of social setting. Listening to the lively conversation at the next table, Zhou Xiao felt a bit happy. She had landed a good table!
Just as he was thinking this, a tall glass was extended to him. Zhou Xiao casually picked up the red wine the waiter had just poured and clinked his glass with the visitor's. His hand, which was much too slender for an ordinary person, withdrew, and the man's calm face, now transformed into something incredibly charming as he smiled.
Hui Anxin, an international supermodel, is not even active in the domestic magazine industry on Shang Ken Magazine, but is more active on the top women's magazine, Fashion Pioneer.
As a guest this time, she felt like she was entering the "enemy camp," and was clearly a bit reserved. While Hui Anxin can command attention on the catwalk and in photoshoots with her expressiveness, she seemed a bit more reserved during offline events without her agent by her side.
Before Hui Anxin arrived at the dinner, her agent specifically shared the intelligence they'd gathered with her. Among them was Zhou Xiao, a rising star in China. She'd been incredibly popular lately. The commercials she shot for Dai Linfei, in particular, had clearly established this new talent within the industry.
Regarding the possible cooperation, Hui Anxin first extended an olive branch of friendship to Zhou Xiao. However, her purpose of coming here was not for this, but... Then her eyes turned to the stage -
An elegant blonde lady stood in the center of the stage. No traces of time were visible on her face. Only the occasional wrinkles on her neck reminded everyone that this was a very experienced person. She was Simone, the editor-in-chief of the parent magazine of "Shanghai Ken".
Standing next to her was Guan Shanqing, editor-in-chief of the Chinese edition of Shang Ken. The two were addressing the audience. Simon wore a Bluetooth headset in his right ear, and there was also a live Chinese translation service next to the stage. While many of the attendees knew foreign languages, it was still important to have the necessary resources.
After some formal speeches, the most important part of the evening came to the awards ceremony.
Zhou Xiao had already been informed by the magazine staff that the cover he shot for Ji Shao would be the cover of the year. Besides the nominated awards, most of the participating guests had a good idea of what to expect.
What surprised the audience was that the award presented by "Shang Ken" wasn't just about giving out prizes. The winning works on screen were all eye-catching. But once they saw some of the works dated back three or four years, the audience understood.
What surprised Zhou Xiao at the scene was the high probability of winning at her table. Little did she know that her presence at this table was also surprising.
International supermodel Hui Anxin, veteran designer Yu Xinyu, socialite Zhuang Xi... and then, in the eyes of the established crowd, a rising photographer named Zhou Xiao, whose fame stems from his virality? Many of the self-proclaimed artists in the scene place a high premium on background, and Zhou Xiao is already considered an internet celebrity.
Guan Shanqing on stage smiled slightly as she looked at the list in her hand. Yu Di, her co-host, was a bit surprised when he saw it. But that didn't stop him from shouting, "Congratulations to Zhou Xiao, the photographer for the annual cover of 'Shanghai Ken'! Let's give her a round of applause!"
There was a rumble of applause from the audience. Don't get me wrong, this was not meant to question Zhou Xiao. The noise was not much different from that of the previous few people who received awards.
But by the time Ji Shao's cover appeared on the screen, many had already come to their senses. Artists who knew Zhou Xiao's name spontaneously applauded, with Di Jiangtong leading the charge. She gave Zhou Xiao a heartfelt show of support, and as a vocalist, her cheers were particularly striking in the atmosphere.
Zhou Xiao was a bit amused and embarrassed. She had originally planned to quietly accept the award, but Di Jiangtong's applause was like a spark, causing everyone else to inexplicably join in the applause. Those who didn't know would have thought it was some big shot, the outcry was so overwhelming. But when her eyes shifted to the cover on the big screen, the initially inexplicable applause became more substantial.
The instantly recognizable imagery, coupled with the interpretation of today's most sought-after celebrities, and the professional technique and meticulous filming techniques that capture the subject's unique characteristics and charm, further exploring their potential, makes Zhou Xiao's cover photo worthy of the title of "Shanghai Ken" cover of the year.
Amidst the applause, as her shoe soles touched the steps leading to the stage, Zhou Xiao suddenly felt a sense of reality. Following Ji Shao's schedule, she'd been to many evening parties. But usually, she'd just sat back, capturing the action with her camera. But she hadn't anticipated the swift transition from "behind the scenes" to the stage.
Zhou Xiao smiled as she stared at the camera facing her. Then, seemingly casually, she reached out and interacted with the camera, naturally pushing it back a few inches. Although she wondered if the photographer had a grudge against her, Zhou Xiao's smile remained.
The crystal cups at "Shang Ken" were a collaboration with an international crystal brand. It wasn't immediately apparent from the audience, but only when they were in hand did they truly appreciate the dazzling brilliance of the high-quality craftsmanship. Zhou Xiao accepted the trophy, emblazoned with the magazine's logo, from Guan Shanqing and gazed down at the nearly pitch-black audience below. Great! All the pressure instantly vanished.
She took the microphone from host Yu Di and said softly, "Thank you for your recognition of me, Shang Ken Magazine. I'm honored and look forward to our next collaboration!"
In such occasions, aside from the extra emotional expression given to senior professionals nearing retirement, the proceedings and speeches are generally pre-set. Zhou Xiao's two sentences followed the concise speeches of the previous award winners.
"Wait a minute." Seeing Zhou Xiao about to leave the stage after accepting his award, Guan Shanqing reached out and put her arm around Zhou Xiao, jokingly saying, "Why don't we take a photo together? We don't know when we'll see each other on stage next time."
Elegant, generous, and with the gentleness of a woman from a water town, Zhou Xiao was stunned for a moment, then stood aside obediently to take a photo with the editor-in-chief. Her thoughts drifted, and she suddenly remembered what Qin Shi had said to her.
The fact that Ji Shao, before his debut, was able to shoot the cover of "Shanghai Ken" and even take the camera himself was all thanks to the close relationship between XS Perfume founder Ding Yue and editor-in-chief Guan Shanqing. China truly is a society steeped in relationships! Zhou Xiao couldn't help but sigh after leaving the stage.
Before Zhou Xiao could put the crystal cup on the table as she walked off the stage holding the trophy, many people had already set their sights on her, ready to exchange contact information with her. Among them, her agent who was waiting on the side was particularly concerned.
Zhou Xiao was silent for a moment as she watched the sudden bustle. She began to feel fortunate that she had subconsciously used a fake account when adding the first person. However, she hadn't expected the atmosphere of adding people to the group to be so contagious. Many people who had originally had no intention of adding Zhou Xiao couldn't help but join. The artists seated at the round table, however, watched the scene with considerable reserve.
"Zhou Xiao! Zhou Xiao!" A slender yet powerful arm reached out from the crowd. Zhou Xiao was busy scanning the next person's QR code, but she felt a faint regret. Why did it seem like the more QR codes she scanned, the more they appeared! The force gave her a chance to escape. The people around her seemed to be alerted, and at Zhou Xiao's confusion, they dispersed, searching for their next "prey."
Hui Anxin, who had helped Zhou Xiao escape, pointed at the stage and said to her, "You've been nominated for Photographer of the Year!"
Zhou Xiao nodded. She had known this for a long time. Turning her head and looking around, she saw several people staring intently at the stage, as if they were eagerly waiting for something.
The next second, Simone and Guan Shanqing on the stage said in unison, "Congratulations to Zhou Xiao for being selected as the Best Photographer of the Year by Shang Ken!"
——【Entertainment Forum】——[February 27th evening]
[Topic] Help! Did my sister Zhou win a major award?
[Main Post] I saw on the homepage that the marketing account for the 20th anniversary of Shang Ken said that the Best Photographer of the Year award was given to Zhou Xiao!!! Is there anyone who knows about this who can tell me if this counts as a small ascension?
1L
Wow, congratulations! But is this okay? Just an annual award from a B-list women's magazine?
32L
For your information, "Shang Ken" holds an awards ceremony every five years. The annual title is very valuable and basically represents recognition within the past five years! I watched this young photographer take off, so keep up the good work in the future!
96L
Ahhhh! Simone, the editor-in-chief of the parent magazine of "Shang Ken" is here this year. This gilded gold makes this newbie photographer drool!
148L
It's foreseeable that Zhou Xiao will be shooting for a major magazine soon. Guan Jie is truly generous! I think this is the first time this award has been given to a newcomer, right? Such a strong spirit!
179L
Wow, I saw a marketing account leak saying there's a preview for the March issue shot by Zhou Xiao tomorrow, with Cai Qi on the cover? This girl is so lucky!
205L
I feel like Ji Shao has the best luck... I have to say that Sister Zhou not only has great skills, but her vision is also excellent!
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