Chapter 17 Best Actress Zhu Qingzhi: Life never fails those who are destined to be with you. ...
Song Linyuan grinned, but there was little joy in his eyes, because what he really wanted to ask was, "I greeted you from the audience just now, why didn't you acknowledge me?"
This kind of problem won't have much impact right now that [Xiao Chong Shan] is so popular, but for future refinement, fans will naturally sympathize with the side that gets ignored.
He deliberately whispered that sentence in Shen Yaozhi's ear just now to prepare for the purification process. He also had someone record the video long ago, which will be the best evidence when it is posted online later. However, if he asks this question now, he will be very suspicious.
Song Linyuan was holding the microphone, trying to brush it off, when he saw Zhu Qingzhi step forward. Her cunning eyes held a barely perceptible danger. He instinctively wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
"Actually, Lin Yuan already asked me that question back in the audience." Zhu Qingzhi kept everyone in suspense, her eyes darting around as if seeking applause, which the audience readily obliged.
"The question is, which do I prefer, [Little Chongshan] or [Wind Cliff]?"
"My answer is that Lingyang will always love Chonghua."
Lingyang and Chonghua are the two characters they played in the drama.
Fortunately, Song Linyuan breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, Zhu Qingzhi wasn't the type to give up on "Little Chongshan." Otherwise, if she had gone all out and disregarded his feelings, the show would have ended.
He immediately stepped forward and perfectly complemented Zhu Qingzhi's performance: "Chonghua will always love Lingyang too."
*
After Zhu Qingzhi stepped off the stage, she went backstage to change her clothes. Shen Yaozhi happened to be going to change as well, and the two bumped into each other again. Because there were many staff members coming and going, they only communicated with each other by looking at each other.
While changing clothes and redoing her makeup, Zhu Qingzhi told Dani about Song Linyuan's thoughts. Dani had actually expected this, but she didn't expect that Song Linyuan would be so impatient just a few days after "Little Chongshan" finished airing.
“It’s understandable to purify the CP fans; it’s only a matter of time.” Dani pondered for a moment. “I’ll go and see if anyone filmed the video back then. I’ll buy it out first to avoid trouble later.”
When Zhu Qingzhi returned to the inner area, the gala was nearing its end, but unlike in the past, the inner area was still full of performers, and almost no one left early.
Only four awards remain to be presented: Best Director, Best TV Series, Best Actress, and Best Actor.
The first award announced is for Best Director.
Director Xu was nominated for his period drama released at the beginning of the year. The drama received excellent reviews and had an amazing long-tail effect. As of December this year, the rating had reached as high as 9.3.
The result was as expected; Director Xu deserved the award.
Next up is the award for Best Drama Series.
Of the five shortlisted works, only one modern urban drama was relatively obscure, while the one that was ultimately selected was a popular historical biographical drama.
Then comes the Best Actress award.
Five people were nominated again. Zhu Qingzhi was nominated for her role as Mu Shuangcheng in "Fengya", and Xiao Tang was nominated for her role in the spy drama "Fengyue" which aired at the end of last year.
The immense popularity of "Feng Yue" propelled Xiao Tang from an unknown star to a top-tier actress. Her portrayal of the stubborn, resilient, and intelligent female agent was outstanding.
Excerpts from each of the five finalists were played on the screen.
The clip reported in 【Fengya】 is the one where Mu Shuangcheng, played by her, is drunk and clings to Xiao Zhai, played by Shen Yaozhi, and acts crazy while drunk. It is also the only one of the five clips that has a comedic element.
"Are you nervous?" Shen Yaozhi tilted his head and asked.
Zhu Qingzhi didn't have high expectations for winning the award: "Being nominated is an affirmation, and I'm already very satisfied." She watched the presenter on stage open the envelope in his hand, and then lowered her head to brush the stray hairs from her forehead. "I bet that veteran actor Li acted really well."
She was even in the mood to joke, completely unaware that the director had already pushed close-ups of the five finalists onto the big screen. It wasn't until Shen Yaozhi kicked her heel from below that she sat up straight, waiting for the answer to be revealed.
"I bet on you, Zhu Qingzhi." Shen Yaozhi's voice was very gentle, and for a moment Zhu Qingzhi even thought she had misheard.
Her name, spoken by him, merged with the loud "Zhu Qingzhi" from the presenter on stage, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Her smile remained on her face, but her mind had already stopped working.
Everyone reacted before she did; she was somewhat bewildered and at a loss, and her genuine reaction was quite amusing.
Shen Yaozhi was the first to stand up and applaud her, then took her arm and gave her a hug: "Congratulations."
Amidst thunderous applause, she seemed to awaken from a dream, barely able to walk. As she passed Senior Li, she reached out, grasped his hand, and bowed deeply.
Sincerity is the most touching thing. Senior Li looked at her kindly, patted her on the shoulder, and pushed her onto the podium.
Xiao Tang watched her from afar, her fingernails digging into her palms, but the pain prevented her from maintaining her composure.
Another finalist sat next to her, a little older than Zhu Qingzhi. Xiao Tang remembered that she and Zhu Qingzhi had briefly worked together in a TV series, but there was no resentment or jealousy in her eyes. Instead, she looked at Zhu Qingzhi with pleasure and satisfaction.
Why? Why does everyone like her? Can she even be content with losing something she was about to get?
Xiao Tang tried hard to calm herself down and tried to applaud generously like the people around her, but she couldn't.
She didn't understand.
Why is it that both of them became famous immediately after their debut and both had excellent support teams, but Zhu Qingzhi always has better luck than her?
She was unwilling to accept it.
Unwilling to accept defeat, she whispered in her senior's ear to spread rumors that "Zhu Qingzhi got in through connections," and then willingly accepted the unspoken rules, finally getting her wish and snatching the lead role in "The Beauty."
But then what? And then what? The one who's basking in the limelight now is still Zhu Qingzhi, the one she once dragged into the mud.
Xiao Tang watched her walk steadily onto the stage, each step firm, but she wished Zhu Qingzhi would fall down immediately.
Why should Zhu Qingzhi be innocent enough to get all this? One day, she will find evidence of Zhu Qingzhi's impropriety and then completely replace her!
Complex emotions welled up in her eyes, tears lingered on her chin, yet Xiao Tang suddenly smiled. However, her innocent appearance meant that even though she could no longer hide her dark emotions, they gradually became real with her smile, a sight that only evoked pity from onlookers.
On the podium, Zhu Qingzhi stared intently at the heavy trophy in her hand. Unlike the encouragement award she had just received, this trophy was surrounded by stars and the moon, growing upwards.
The cup base is engraved with the words "Best Actress".
Holding the trophy in one hand and the standing microphone in the other, she was trembling all over and choked up several times, but couldn't utter a single word. She was completely different from the composed and confident woman she had been on stage just moments before.
The audience looked up at her, all eyes focused on her, and she automatically blocked out any unfriendly or discordant glances. Her earlier bewilderment and helplessness receded like the tide.
Then, on the calm sea, a single raindrop suddenly fell. Little by little, the ripples spread, gradually connecting and becoming inseparable, until it was discovered that a torrential downpour had begun. Joy took over, and reason completely collapsed.
"Actually, I didn't prepare an acceptance speech today." Her trembling voice tried to be calm and gentle, which naturally had a touch of humor, but everyone just watched her quietly.
She pursed her lips, trying to calm her turbulent emotions. "I've been very lucky since my debut. I'm lucky to have met excellent directors, excellent partners, and audiences who have always supported me. I'm lucky to have met Mu Shuangcheng, and she has brought me to where I am today."
Shen Yaozhi, sitting in the audience, rested his elbows on the armrests, pressed his thumbs against his chin, and placed his index and middle fingers together under his eyes. He looked up slightly at Zhu Qingzhi, who appeared more mature and composed than when they first met.
Even now, she retained her sincerity, kindness, and innocent naivety. He led the applause once again.
Zhu Qingzhi smiled, looking at him, and her heart suddenly felt much calmer.
“I remember Shuangcheng saying something in ‘Wind Cliff.’ She said that life never fails those who are destined to be together. I think I am that destined person today.”
"Thank you again everyone, thank you to the entire creative team of [Wind Cliff]. Thank you to all the viewers who have supported me all this time."
Two minutes felt like an eternity.
As she stepped off the stage, she suddenly raised the trophy and waved it at a spot not far away. She knew that in that corner, there lay her rose. This award wasn't just hers; it was also an achievement for the rose.
When Dani picked up Zhu Qingzhi, she kept suppressing her excitement, but when they got backstage she couldn't hold back anymore and gave her a bear hug in front of all the staff.
"My ancestor, you are so amazing!" She cried tears of joy, but afraid that her tears would wet Zhu Qingzhi's dress, she held her face in her hands, looking as cute as a koala.
Compared to Dani's frenzy, Zhu Qingzhi was much calmer at this moment. She silently took out her phone and looked at the many messages that came in on WeChat, all of which were "Congratulations".
For some reason, she noticed the "Congratulations" message from Wen Qi. Without clicking on it, she turned on her camera, made a peace sign, and exclaimed in her mind: Zhu Qingzhi, you're awesome!
Meanwhile, an exclusive photo of Zhu Qingzhi smiling and holding a trophy aloft surfaced online, captioned: "[The roses have been seen.]"
A note from the author:
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Qingzhi [laughs loudly]: The weather is so sunny today, the scenery is beautiful everywhere!
Wen Qi [cheer up]: Mm.
Yaozhi [Go for it]: Not bad, not bad, I'm very satisfied.
Author [Good Luck Lotus][Fireworks][Dog Head Holding Rose]: Mima Mima Hum! How to make it, keep making it, save it~ Comment on it~ Water it~
Everyone's inner monologue [glasses]: She seems to have gone mad.
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