Chapter 439 439 Wins the Award
439:
After the New Year, at the end of February, the Golden Osmanthus Award ceremony was held as scheduled.
Ye Qingxi, Mu Shaowu, and other nominees from the cast walked the red carpet together.
They were both considered strong contenders for the award, so the camera shutters never stopped clicking from the red carpet to the autograph wall.
After many years, Mu Shaowu made a rare appearance on the red carpet, and the host naturally wouldn't let him off the hook, asking him many questions with a microphone. Mu Shaowu smiled and answered her questions politely.
When asked, "So many years have passed, and you've been nominated for Best Supporting Actor again, how do you feel?"
Mu Shaowu smiled and said, "I'm very happy."
"I was very happy when I was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the first time, because it was an affirmation of my acting skills."
“Now, I am nominated for this award again, and I am very happy because this film was made by Xiao Xi. I acted in his film and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor again because of the character he created and the film he directed. I feel this is a wonderful feeling. I am very happy and I like it very much. Of course, I am also very proud.”
"What are your thoughts on Director Ye's nomination this time?"
"I think he's too modest. If I were him, I would have nominated him for Best Director."
Friendly laughter immediately filled the room.
Ye Qingxi was amused by her father's remark.
The host smiled as he looked at him, then turned to Ye Qingxi, "So, Director Ye, what are your thoughts on Teacher Mu's nomination this time?"
“I’m very happy,” Ye Qingxi said. “It’s rare for me and my father to be nominated together for the same film and walk the red carpet together, so I’m very grateful to the Golden Osmanthus Awards for giving us this opportunity.”
His comment prompted viewers watching the live stream to remark: "Yes, this is the second time they've both been nominated!"
Time really flies! It seems like just yesterday Xiaoxi was so small, and now he's almost as tall as his dad.
[I never imagined I'd actually witness a child's growth within the entertainment industry; it's such an amazing feeling.]
[Absolutely! From Xiaoxi when he was five, six, or seven, to Xiaoxi when he was a little older, to Xiaoxi when he was in his teens, to Xiaoxi when he was seventeen or eighteen, and now, Xiaoxi in his twenties—I've witnessed every stage of his life firsthand!]
Not only did I witness it, but the children all behaved very well; they didn't grow up to be anything less than perfect.
To be honest, some of my distant relatives' children probably don't feel as close and familiar to me as Xiaoxi.
[Our Xiaoxi won an award last time, so she should win one this time too, right?]
[I think Xiaoxi is a big favorite this time!]
[Hopefully, both Xiaoxi and Teacher Mu will win awards this time!]
[Yes, yes, Teacher Mu didn't win an award last time, she must win one this time!]
[Begin the ritual, may the heavens and earth spirits pray that Xiao Xi and his father will surely win!]
Netizens offered their prayers, while Mu Shaowu and Ye Qingxi calmly walked into the awards hall.
They found their names, sat down, and Zou Ren, who was traveling with them, sat next to Ye Qingxi. He was also nominated for Best Editing for "Nobody Cares" and was dressed in a suit and tie. He remarked, "The last time I sat next to you was your stepfather."
Ye Qingxi said playfully, "Then, Teacher Zou, if you'd like, we can switch seats. You can sit with my dad."
Zou Ren: ...
Zou Ren was both amused and exasperated, and ruffled his hair, asking, "What are you planning to film next?"
Ye Qingxi shook his head; he hadn't decided yet.
Seeing this, Zou Ren didn't rush him: "Take your time to think it over, don't rush. If you ask me, your current box office performance is already very good. You can try to shift your focus to awards and try to win them."
“Of course,” Zou Rendao said, “I’m talking about international awards, not the Golden Osmanthus Award.”
Ye Qingxi's winning of the Golden Osmanthus Award for Best New Director at his age is well-deserved. He has solid box office achievements, and even if some people think he is too young, they won't say anything.
However, if he wins a major award like Best Director, then inevitably some people will think that he manipulated things behind the scenes and that his award is worthless, especially since his father is Feng Que and Mu Shaowu.
Therefore, he should be aiming for awards at the three major international film festivals.
Firstly, the awards from the three major international film festivals are more prestigious.
Secondly, when he wins an award at such an international film festival, everyone will only be amazed, and no one will question it.
So Zou Ren wanted him to give it a try, to step onto a broader stage and a higher podium.
He was also curious whether someone with directing talent like Ye Qingxi could break through internationally and achieve her own honors in her early twenties.
Ye Qingxi does indeed have this idea, but he hasn't decided what to film yet.
Therefore, he said, "It should happen later."
“But it may not be my next film,” Ye Qingxi said. “I don’t want to compete for awards just for the sake of competing for awards. If a film is suitable for competing for awards, then it should naturally compete for awards. If it is not suitable, but I like it very much, I am also willing to make it and let everyone see it.”
What he wants to be is a director, a director who stays true to himself and feels relaxed and at ease.
Rather than an award-winning machine.
Zou Ren was quite surprised to hear this.
Most of the time, people are swept up by external forces, propelled higher and higher by applause, honors, and flowers.
There's nothing wrong with that, of course. Who doesn't like applause, honors, and flowers?
But Ye Qingxi is clearly not that kind of person.
He lived with a clear mind.
So even though his films are now box office hits, even though he's sitting at the Golden Osmanthus Awards ceremony, he'll calmly say, "But I really like them, and I'm willing to make them."
For him, the more important thing is clearly himself.
It's his likes and dislikes.
Rather than external affirmation and praise.
At that moment, Zou Ren suddenly felt that Ye Qingxi's life was very happy.
He is not happy because he has achieved such success at such a young age.
Rather, it is because he must have received abundant love and support during his growth that he can so calmly and naturally only care about what he likes and only use what he likes as the standard.
"Okay," Zou Ren said gently. "Then remember to look me up when the time comes."
"Of course," Ye Qingxi said with a smile.
Soon, the awards hall was filled with people.
At 8:00 a.m. sharp, the awards ceremony began on time.
As the host gracefully walked onto the stage, Ye Qingxi unconsciously sat up straight.
The viewers in the live stream couldn't help but tense up: [It's starting! It's finally starting!]
The members of the Mu family remained calm.
Even Aunt Zhang can knit while watching a live stream.
Mu Ge tilted his head curiously, looking at the ball of yarn next to her, and reached out to pluck it.
Cotton Candy immediately returned the ball of yarn to him.
Mu Ge dialed it again.
With a leap, the cotton candy slammed the ball of yarn to the ground, whereupon the round ball of yarn bounced and rolled.
Cotton Candy's eyes widened as she chased after it, and Mu Ge hurriedly followed, then carefully tied up the yarn and put the ball of yarn back, feeling guilty.
He whispered, "I was wrong."
Aunt Zhang smiled and said, "It's alright, go play with Cotton Candy."
Mu Ge nodded, then asked curiously, "Auntie, what are you knitting?"
"I'll knit a little scarf for Cotton Candy. I knitted one for it before, but it lost it. Your brother Xiaoxi said it really liked it, so I'll knit another one for it."
"Then I want one too."
"Okay, then I'll knit one for you too," Aunt Zhang said softly.
Mu Shaoting laughed, "You have a scarf, don't you?"
"There is no such thing as a marshmallow."
Mu Shaoting chuckled, "You want the same cat as your brother? Did you ask your brother first?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Ge obediently replied, "Then I'll ask my brother when I get back."
After he finished speaking, he curiously ran to Mu Shaoting's side and asked her, "Mom, can my brother win an award?"
“Of course.” Mu Shaoting replied without hesitation, “Your brother is so capable, he definitely can.”
"What if he doesn't take it?" Mu Shaoyan asked worriedly. "Everyone thinks he can take it now. If he doesn't, wouldn't Xiaoxi be very disappointed?"
"It can't be that bad," Mu Shaoting said. "Would the judges really go against the audience?"
"That's not necessarily true," Mu Shaoyan said, still uneasy.
Mu Shaoting: ...
Mu Shaoting glared at him: "Stop jinxing me. Anyway, if I say I can get it, I definitely can."
Li Jing echoed, "It shouldn't be a big problem."
Mu Shaoyan: ...
Mu Shaoyan fell silent, afraid that he might actually jinx it.
Mu Zheng looked at them and asked his son in a low voice, "What did Xiao Xi say? Does he think he has a good chance?"
Qin Cheng nodded.
He added, "However, Xiaoxi doesn't seem to care much about this award, so Dad, you don't need to worry."
“But since we’ve made it to the finals, even if we don’t care, we’d still hope to win,” Qin Luan said.
Qin Cheng: Of course.
Therefore, if possible, he also hopes that Ye Qingxi can get it.
Mu Feng lowered his head, looking at his book. He didn't watch the live broadcast of the Golden Osmanthus Awards with his children.
After all, he really wasn't interested in things in the entertainment industry.
And there's nothing much to see.
His grandson's two movies have been so popular in the last two years. If he's not a rising director, then who is?
So there was no suspense at all about this award.
If Ye Qingxi doesn't win in the end, it just means the award is a joke.
It's not even worth his time to watch.
Therefore, he found the noise too noisy to go out and stayed alone in the study.
Until Mu Ge came to call him.
Mu Ge knocked on the door politely and asked, "Grandpa, may I come in?"
"Okay." Mu Feng closed the book and watched him tiptoe to open the door and walk in.
"Mom asked me to call you," Mu Ge said sweetly. "It's time for your brother's award."
Upon hearing this, Mu Feng looked at his smiling face, stood up, and led him out of his study.
Mu Ge was clearly in a hurry, afraid of missing the opportunity, so he grabbed Mu Feng and started running.
Mu Feng: ...
Mu Feng picked him up and said, "It's okay, no rush."
"Then we won't be able to see our brother," Mu Ge said anxiously.
“Yes, it’s possible,” Mu Feng affirmed.
"Really?" Mu Ge looked at him skeptically.
"Of course," Mu Feng said softly. "Don't worry, when you get there, your brother definitely won't be on stage yet."
At the same time, at the Golden Osmanthus Awards ceremony, the presenter excitedly announced: "Next up is the Best New Director of the Year award, and the nominees are—"
The big screen immediately started playing the works of the shortlisted directors.
Ye Qingxi's fans got excited at that moment and flooded the live chat with Ye Qingxi's name.
Other viewers in the live stream also commented: "This award definitely belongs to Ye Qingxi."
[One hundred percent, if Ye Qingxi doesn't sign up, fine; but if he does, it's definitely him.]
[I must say, Ye Qingxi is truly remarkable!]
If he wins, will he also be the youngest recipient of this award?
"Of course! He's only twenty-three, my goodness! Just graduated! While everyone else is still busy looking for jobs, he's already won a major award at work!"
It's true what they say, comparisons are odious, but thankfully I never compare myself to others!
Haha, me too!
Mu Shaowu looked at his own face on the big screen, then turned to look at Ye Qingxi.
Sixteen years ago, seven-year-old Ye Qingxi sat beside him and attended the Golden Phoenix Awards ceremony with him, where she received her first trophy.
Sixteen years later, twenty-three-year-old Ye Qingxi sat beside him again, attending the Golden Osmanthus Awards ceremony with him, waiting for the first director's award that belonged to him.
He went from actor to director, from child to adult.
He grew up very quickly, and before I knew it, he was standing next to me.
He has grown up very slowly, and even now, he remains as sincere and passionate as a child.
Mu Shaowu couldn't quite articulate his feelings; he only felt gratified, happy, and content.
He was content with having such a child in his life.
I'm also very proud.
I'm proud of him.
He is proud to be his father.
"Whether you win an award or not, you are your father's greatest pride," he whispered to Ye Qingxi.
Ye Qingxi laughed and said, "That makes me happier than winning Best Director."
Mu Shaowu chuckled.
The presenter announced again: "The winner of this year's Best New Director Award is Ye Qingxi."
Ye Qingxi's photo appeared on the big screen instantly.
The guests at the scene all applauded.
Viewers in the live stream exclaimed excitedly: 【Ahhh, it really is him! I knew it was him!】
[It must be him! It would be too much of a shady deal not to give it to him!]
[Exactly! Ye Qingxi's name has become incredibly well-known in the past two years. Compared to him, almost no one else on the shortlist has ever been heard of!]
This isn't just undeserved, it's the undisputed choice!
[Keep it up, Director Ip! Next up, Best Director!]
[Or Best Actor would be fine too, Director Ye, you haven't forgotten you were once an actor, have you?]
[Hahaha, Director Ye, why don't you direct and star in it yourself? I think the audience is really looking forward to it!]
That's right!
When Mu Ge was carried to the living room by Mu Feng, he saw Ye Qingxi standing up from her seat and walking towards the podium.
Mu Ge exclaimed in surprise, "You really haven't gone on stage yet?"
He turned to look at Mu Feng: "Grandpa, you're amazing."
Mu Feng thought to himself, "What's so great about this? I could have guessed it."
He put Mu Ge down and told him to go find Mu Shaoting, then sat down on the sofa himself.
Ye Qingxi walked confidently and smiled as she stepped onto the podium.
He accepted the trophy from the director who presented him with the award, and heard the director say to him, "Keep it up, Director Ye."
Ye Qingxi nodded and replied, "Thank you."
He took the trophy and walked to the microphone.
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.
Ye Qingxi saw many familiar faces amidst the applause.
One of the directors he had worked with before was director Xu Hong.
One of the actors he had worked with before was Qi Yi.
He also met directors like Director Liu and Director Wang at the last directors' gathering.
They all looked at him, their eyes filled with gentle, genuine smiles.
And of course, there's his father, his beloved father who has always been by his side.
When he is an actor, he is the actor opposite him.
When he's the director, he's the actor in his play.
He always supported him, affirmed him, and patiently and wholeheartedly accompanied him through one journey after another, year after year.
Ye Qingxi thought that his father had aged. Compared to when they first met, his temperament had become much more refined. He had become more elegant and was no longer as flamboyant and sharp as a bright rose.
But his father still loves him, whether it was when they first met or now, he has always loved him as always.
Is it easy to be a director?
Of course it's simple.
When his father was Mu Shaowu, everything he did seemed very simple.
Because his father would support him, encourage him, and even appear in the public eye and on the stage he had left so that he could reappear.
Ye Qingxi gazed at him, looking at him deeply and quietly.
He smiled slowly and said, "I remember the first time I stood on such an awards stage was when I was seven years old. I won the Golden Phoenix Award for Best Newcomer. I said that I hoped one day I could walk the red carpet with my father and see him stand on the stage to receive the trophy. Now, sixteen years later, I have finally walked the red carpet with him again. We have finally been nominated together again with a work that is related to both of us and is a work we created together."
“I am very grateful for his encouragement, help and support. I am grateful that even though he has been away from this industry for so long, he is still willing to put down his work without hesitation to help me when I need it. I am grateful that he gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream from back then. I am grateful that he has raised me, taught me and loved me all these years, and let me know what love is and what fatherly love is.”
“Today, I am very happy to receive this award. It is not only because this award is an affirmation of me, but also because this award will make me remember forever that without him, there would be no film, no me today, and no so-called Best New Director.”
“I am very grateful to the organizers for giving me this opportunity, an opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with him again after sixteen years, an opportunity to thank him, and an opportunity that may fulfill my hope from sixteen years ago.”
"Thank you, Teacher Mu!" Ye Qingxi said gently, looking at Mu Shaowu below the stage.
However, what he really wanted to say was:
I love you, Dad. More than thank you, I love you.
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