Chapter 425
On the big screen inside the venue, a climax from the drama "The Unparalleled General" was playing. For some viewers who have rewatched the show, they could practically recite this scene with their eyes closed. For the audience and artists present, this was their second time seeing it.
For the Best Actor nominations, the production team submitted a clip featuring the two nominees' captivating scenes. The duel between the new and established actors stirred up countless waves. The audience buzzed with discussion, and even Ma Congyue, sitting in the front row of the artist booth, smiled.
The atmosphere was tense and suffocating. When the two talented actors on stage approached Fang Xi and opened the envelope together, the eager audience immediately booed in disappointment. This wasn't disrespectful to the three actors, but the director and actors' faces showed no emotion at all, making it difficult for them to guess what they were saying.
On stage, after some demurrers, Yuan Yili and Dai Linfei smiled at each other and said in unison into the microphone, "Congratulations to the winner of the 'Best Actor Award'—"
"Huang Xiang, who plays Urawa Ze in 'The Warriors'!"
The other four candidates on the big screen all looked at Huang Xiang with smiles on their faces at the same time. Regardless of their true feelings at the moment, they subconsciously applauded and celebrated.
The burly Huang Xiang had already stood up, his gaze fixed firmly on the stage. After giving Zheng Cheng a tight hug, he exchanged a smile with Ji Shao beside him. With this smile, the complexity in Huang Xiang's expression faded considerably.
Even though many people think that he is the undisputed winner of this year's Huacai Awards Best Actor, Huang Xiang is actually not so confident about this award that outsiders think is "a sure win".
As a prestigious award in China, the Huacai Awards clearly favors mainstream themes, which isn't a good thing for "The Unparalleled General." Furthermore, compared to other prestigious awards that prioritize an actor's qualifications, the Huacai Awards prioritizes acting skills and potential, a factor that Huang Xiang harbors concerns about.
Take this year's Best Actor Award, for example. This year's nominees, Ji Shao and An Xin, are both first-time Huacai Award nominees. Ji Shao, with two nominations, is the biggest variable Huang Xiang is worried about.
However, now all worries have disappeared!
"Brother Xiang, congratulations!"
Huang Xiang felt relieved when he heard Ji Shao's congratulations. He had even noticed the way Director Zheng recommended Ji Shao to Director Fang when Ji Shao went on stage to receive his award. No one wouldn't envy Ji Shao's situation, and Huang Xiang was no exception.
Compared to him, Ji Shao's career path has undoubtedly been smooth sailing. But he understands that if a suitable role comes along, Director Zheng will recommend him to other directors as well.
Looking at this brother who was so much younger than him, Huang Xiang was at a loss for words. He felt a little ashamed, realizing that he had subconsciously considered Ji Shao a rival. He also felt a little regretful that Ji Shao hadn't won the award because of him.
Seeing the sincere congratulations in the other person's eyes, Huang Xiang tightly grasped Ji Shao's outstretched hand. His lips trembled slightly as he was about to say something when he suddenly heard another voice.
"And Ji Shao, who played Xie Zhengyun in 'The Unparalleled General'!"
This sound immediately caused everyone present to exclaim in surprise. Li Anben, who was a few seats away from Ji Shao, jumped up from his seat, walked quickly to him, hugged Ji Shao and patted his back hard.
"You kid, you can do it!"
The crew behind "The Invincible General" had also gathered around him at this moment, announcing their excitement to everyone. However, at this moment, no matter how loud the noise they made, the eyes of everyone around them were filled with gentle tolerance.
"Brother Ji!" "The Best Actor Double Yolk!" "Oh my god, little Ji, hurry up and get on stage with your brother Huang..."
Everything that happened suddenly seemed so unreal to Ji Shao, who was at the center of the vortex. In a trance, he could feel everyone's eyes on him. There was praise, envy, jealousy, resentment... countless emotions intertwined in this moment, and then, reaching a peak, exploded.
"Come up on stage and receive your trophy."
Zheng Cheng took a deep breath, then put his arm around someone and solemnly uttered these words. A rare double-yolk award winner at the Huacai Awards, all for a TV series he directed! This supreme honor was even more intoxicating than the upcoming Best Director Award.
The Huacai Awards unexpectedly gave out two Best Actor winners, which was beyond everyone's expectations. But when their eyes fell on the looping images on the big screen, everyone suddenly understood the reason.
Before the broadcast of "The Unparalleled General," the film industry's slump wasn't just a joke among netizens and industry insiders. Facing a recession, the need to save ratings, spark nationwide discussion, and ultimately, save the sluggish market...
Its contribution to this year's film and television dramas is enormous.
Ji Shao's eyes met Huang Xiang's. Something seemed to have changed between them, but something else had also become deeper. Walking down the red carpet, amidst the cheers of the audience, the two walked side by side onto the stage.
"Congratulations!"
When Ji Shao passed by Tang Yuan, he saw the pleased smile from the senior. He paused for a moment, took a half step behind Huang Xiang, and stepped forward to hug him.
Tang Yuan was stunned for a moment, then reached out and hugged Ji Shao tightly. It seemed like an accident, but also like a continuation of the original variety show.
"Time flies so fast, you have grown into this guy." Tang Yuan patted Ji Shao's thick shoulders with one hand, feeling his growth.
"Xiao Shao, come and claim your award! If you don't, I'll take this trophy back to the company," Dai Linfei quickly reminded Ji Shao, looking at Huang Xiang, who was already waiting in the center of the stage. In her hand was the Best Actor trophy, engraved with Ji Shao's name.
“Here I come!”
Under the spotlight, the trophy shone with golden light, so beautiful that it was beyond description. Ji Shao looked down at the trophy in his hand. It was not much different from the trophy he had just held, but only those who held it could feel the difference in weight.
He should have been more nervous and excited, but compared to his last time on stage, Ji Shao found himself feeling more relaxed this time. While Huang Ge was giving his thank-you speech, he could clearly see Mr. Ma, who was constantly giving him a thumbs-up, his backstage colleagues and director, who were standing and applauding, and the purple glow sticks waving in unison in the back of the audience.
As if noticing his gaze, the light sticks suddenly began waving at a faster pace. But the scene was quiet; at least during Huang Xiang's speech, no other noises disturbed the audience.
"...I am also very grateful to Ji Shao here." Huang Xiang turned his head to look at Ji Shao, and the smile on his face seemed to begin to overlap with General Pu in the play. "Thank you Xie Zhengyun for being you!"
The originally quiet scene suddenly became lively when these last words were spoken. Every actor and character in "The Unparalleled General" is irreplaceable in the hearts of the audience, and Huang Xiang's words moved everyone.
Ji Shao took the microphone and smiled slightly. This smile made countless people at the scene and in front of the live broadcast room feel like a flower blooming in their hearts.
"Thank you, General Pu, for your approval!" Along with the voice, Xie Zhengyun's gesture of bowing to Urawa Ze every time in the play rang out. Like a gentle breeze, it was elegant and refreshing.
"Honestly, I never thought I would be so lucky to receive this award." Ji Shao held onto the microphone, his beautiful peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, "Thank you Huacai Award for giving me this opportunity..."
While Ji Shao was still giving his thank you speech on stage, the fans below had already started rehearsing privately. The moment Ji Shao raised the trophy and waved it towards the camera, the offline support also erupted.
The two words "Ji Shao" echoed in unison throughout the cultural and sports center. Although the number of people shouting was not that large, they could always burst out with infinite power and always attract the attention of everyone in the venue.
The infusion of fresh blood also signified the Hua Cai Awards' tacit acceptance of the fans' support. In other settings, this might have drawn some skepticism. But this moment was different. Not only did the fans need a moment of catharsis, but the Hua Cai Awards itself relished the excitement.
The security guards who had just been arranging paper deliveries to fans couldn't help but secretly praise their own judgment when watching this scene offline. However, they also really admired these fans. Even with tears streaming down their faces, it didn't affect their support for Ji Shao.
…
"Okay, okay, the 'Best Art Award' is being presented now." Zhou Xiao from the audience immediately handed over new tissues to comfort Dong Xiaoyu who had been crying all night.
"Wu...Shaozi...wu...he specially thanked...us!" After Dong Xiaoyu said this, she immediately began to choke up again.
"Hey, Sister Yu," Li Mo sighed on the other end, "I feel like you haven't been this emotional before. Maybe you'll be more emotional after a while!"
“You…you don’t understand!”
“…”
Dong Xiaoyu stopped crying because of this inexplicable bickering. After secretly giving Li Mo a thumbs-up, Zhou Xiao, having handed over the paper and retired, leaned back in his chair and inadvertently glanced at the artist seats in front.
The award ceremony has entered the second half. Because the latter awards are all about the TV drama post-production awards, most of the artists in the artist seats have already left.
Zhou Xiao remained noncommittal. As long as Ji Shao was still present, her camera would continue recording. However, she still struggled to understand the common practice of leaving the venue early, which had become a common occurrence in the industry.
After all, we are attending the Huacai Awards, not some small and insignificant evening party. Is it possible that we can't even wait for less than an hour?
However, this also reveals the character of each agency. For example, at Xincheng, the artists headed by Ma Congyue were still sitting quietly in their seats. Moreover, because some people left, the others simply sat together.
Zhou Xiao felt that if the crew of "The Invincible General" had not been there, Ji Shao would definitely have been called over by Mr. Ma who openly liked him.
As she pondered this, her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. Zhou Xiao instinctively pulled it out and glanced ahead, her gaze curious. With her excellent 5.3mm vision, she could clearly see Director Fang turning around and waving toward the audience.
Although the direction of the wave wasn't quite right, Zhou Xiao knew Director Fang was looking for her. Just as she lowered her head and quickly answered the phone, Fang Xi's voice came over from the other end, "Xiao Zhou, are you still in the audience? Do you have time to chat later?"
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