Chapter 666 Camel Hump Merchant Ye Chu watched an old TV series when she was a child, and there was a line in it that left a deep impression on her:
"If there are three winners in the end, I am one of the three; if there is only one winner, I am that one."
·
The awards ceremony.
The venue was warm and inviting, and the presence of many handsome and elegant guests made the room even brighter.
The host rattled off a review of Asian films from the past year in Korean, while an English translator followed closely to translate.
"In the past few years, Asian cinema has shone brightly. Excellent works such as 'Waiting for Legality,' 'Rice and Pear,' and 'Snow Sugarcane Field' have emerged... Choosing among these works is truly a difficult task..."
Luo Yao sat on the far right, while Shang Yechu sat upright between Yang Huanyi and Luo Yao. Yang Huanyi leaned slightly to the other side, maintaining a subtle distance from Shang Yechu.
Luo Yao became nervous as soon as she entered, constantly scratching her dowager's bun, ignoring repeated reminders that cameras were filming. Seeing this, Shang Yechu also felt an itch to scratch it herself.
Shang Yechu was even more nervous. If the lead actor from her previous life won an award while she didn't, she, Shang Yechu, would truly lose face. She might as well give up on acting in "Ice and Iron," pack her bags, and go home to be a blacksmith.
Beyond the tension, there was another layer of emotion that was hard to describe.
What if Yang Huanyi wins the award?
Shang Yechu couldn't imagine that moment.
She seemed to hope Yang Huanyi would win the award, expecting Yang Huanyi to make a comeback. But the thought of becoming Yang Huanyi's defeated opponent filled her with an even more awkward feeling. Especially since Yang Huanyi's improved acting in "The Forest Without Flowers" was spurred on by her own tireless efforts. If Yang Huanyi were to defeat her and win the trophy, it would be as if she had shot herself in the foot.
When emotions took over, she found Yang Huanyi pitiful and adorable. But when the desire to win took over, she saw Yang Huanyi as a formidable opponent.
But if someone else were to win the award, it seems they wouldn't be as good as Yang Huanyi...
These thoughts, like pebbles, irritated Shang Yechu, making her feel extremely uncomfortable. She wanted to turn around and look at Yang Huanyi's expression, but she forcefully held back.
If Ji Juntao could connect remotely and understand Shang Yechu's mind, he would probably smile knowingly.
Shang Yechu is a very interesting person. She never hesitates to repay those who have helped her, and she is willing to pay money, energy, or even greater prices for those she values. But if that price is "admitting that I am not as good as you," then that's a different story.
To put it bluntly, Shang Yechu is willing to spend money and effort for her friends; but if she were to belittle herself for the sake of her friends and admit that her acting skills are inferior, she would be extremely anxious and desperate. It would be tantamount to asking for her life.
For example, although Shang Yechu respectfully calls Qi Ming her teacher, Ji Juntao knows that she has been secretly studying Qi Ming's performance, preparing to one day make a name for herself and surpass Old Lady Qi, or at least be on par with Old Lady Qi.
If Qi Ming, whose acting style is almost completely different from Shang Yechu's, is like this, then Yang Huanyi, who starred in the same movie as Shang Yechu, is even more so.
The two actresses had similar roles and status in "The Forest Without Flowers." If Ye Chu lost to Yang Huanyi, it would be tantamount to announcing to the world: "Ye Chu's acting is worse than Yang Huanyi's." Ji Juntao could almost imagine how frustrated and devastated Shang Ye Chu would feel. He might even jump into the sea in despair.
Shang Yechu's immense pride and ambition were monsters that nothing could tame. Love and friendship could only temporarily numb him, but they couldn't cut him down with a knife.
Perhaps Yang Huanyi already knew these two monsters.
Lost in thought, the Best Art Direction award went to someone else. "Happiness Street, Please Come In!" had essentially become a one-day trip to South Korea for nothing. This seemed like an unlucky omen, and Shang Yechu's eyelids twitched twice.
Next up are the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards. This year's Best Supporting Actress is an Indian actress. When the host announced her name, the actress covered her mouth and burst into tears.
She was an older woman with a tanned face and wrinkles that spread like a chasm. Looking at her face, Shang Yechu suddenly recalled her first time attending the Film Awards ceremony and the disappointment she felt when she heard the name of Best Supporting Actress. In fact, she had almost cried in embarrassment back then.
Unsurprisingly, "Waiting to Be Legal" swept both the Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay awards.
As the Best Director award approached, Luo Yao visibly tense; she practically scratched the dowry around her neck flat. While it was understandable that South Korea, as the host country, would favor its own films, the decisive factors were ultimately the film's quality and the actors' performances. What if...?
Shang Yechu let out a breath and gently pressed Luo Yao's hand. They both knew that Luo Yao's chances were slim. After all, they were on someone else's turf, with so many veteran directors sitting in a row; how could a newbie like Luo Yao possibly get a share?
Luo Yao forced a smile, and a bead of sweat fell, splashing onto Shang Yechu's hand.
"It's alright," Shang Yechu comforted her, "Wait—"
“@#￥%……&LUOYAO**@##……”
etc.
Shang Yechu's brow twitched. Why did she seem to hear two familiar syllables in the host's rapid-fire Korean?
Luo Yao was clearly stunned as well.
Before the Korean host could finish speaking, the English translator rushed in:
"I am honored to announce that the winner of this year's Best Director Award is Luo Yao, for 'Anatolia'!"
Luo Yao stared wide-eyed in disbelief, his eyes bulging like camel bells, his chin almost drooping onto Shang Yechu's hand.
Shang Yechu froze for two seconds, then suddenly realized what was happening, and an indescribable joy welled up inside her—
"Luo Yao!" Shang Yechu hugged Luo Yao tightly, giving the camel's hump a couple of squeezes, and exclaimed with joy, "It's you! Our 'Anna Doraemon' won an award!"
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