The Golden Flower Awards are the formal major awards of the film industry. They have high standards, great reputation, and are well known. Even people who don't pay attention to the entertainment industry have heard of them. They are known to every household.
Before the award ceremony, the nominated works had already caused a wave of enthusiasm online. Naturally the Best Actor and Best Actress awards received the most attention.
Who doesn't want the laurel crown of Best Actor and Actress?
Since "Rose Gold" was nominated, the organizers would definitely send an invitation to Jian Jing, even if Jiang BaiYan doesn't ask her.
The same goes for Kang Mu Cheng. He was the investor of the film.
Jian Jing asked, "Are you going?"
Kang Mu Cheng's stance on business engagements was that they were just work: "Of course. You?"
"I'm going--- but I'll have to buy a dress again." She was troubled.
Kang Mu Cheng only had one requirement: "Don't wear white again."
Jian Jing laughed loudly, "Do you have ptsd or something?"
"Wear something else. If you wear white, I won't buy it for you." Kang Mu Cheng said.
"Okay, I won't wear white." She smiled and said, "Anyway I'm just going for fun. Any dress will do."
However, Kang Mu Cheng wasn't the only one concerned about her dress.
Jiang BaiYan called and asked if she wanted a new designer grey-blue summer dress: "It's very suitable for you. It doesn't constrict the chest or stomach. I'm their spokesperson, so I can get it for 30% off."
Jian Jing was attracted by his "doesn't constrict the chest or stomach".
What's the most annoying thing about wearing formal dresses? The chest and stomach being constricted too tightly, making it extremely uncomfortable. Many celebrities can't even drink water before wearing formal dresses, let alone eat.
"Really?" She shamefully felt tempted.
Jiang BaiYan swore: "Absolutely."
"Let me try it on."
Jiang BaiYan didn't lie to her. The dress was light and breezy, not overly emphasizing slenderness. Although it wasn't as comfortable as a suit, at least it wouldn't dig into her stomach after drinking a sip of water.
Moreover, it was 30% off.
30% off!
She bought it.
Everything was ready, just waiting for the award ceremony.
The summer night temperature was very comfortable. A bare shoulder dress was just right. The celebrities were in no hurry to walk the red carpet, leisurely posing for photos.
Just across the street, fans of each celebrity held up signs and shouted their idol's names, the sound deafening.
Jian Jing was too lazy to join the hubbub and went straight to the indoor venue with Kang Mu Cheng.
The interior was lavishly decorated, the stage glittering with gold and jade. But to be honest, award ceremony sets were all impressive nowadays. What was truly eye-catching were the invited guests.
This was the group with the highest looks in the country. The men were handsome and the women were beautiful, each with their own distinct attractiveness.
So pleasing to the eye!
Jian Jing greeted familiar faces and slouched in her seat playing on her phone.
Some people came looking for her, saying their younger sister/son/cousin liked her books and asked her to sign them. Jian Jing believed in mutual courtesy, so she also took signatures from whoever came to her.
"You've never asked me for an autograph before." Jiang BaiYan sat down next to her and complained, "Don't I qualify?"
"These are for other people." Jian Jing glanced at him. "Why aren't you in high spirits? Did someone scold you on the red carpet?"
"I heard a rumor that 'Rose Gold' might win Best Picture." He said resentfully, "Then I'd have no chance at Best Actor."
Jian Jing immediately sympathized.
"Hide and Seek also won Picture." Jiang BaiYan listlessly said, "I'm so unlucky."
Jian Jing was at a loss, not knowing how to comfort him. She changed the topic: "Just now, coco walked past giving me the stink eye several times. What's that about?"
Jiang BaiYan casually said: "She originally wanted to borrow your dress but I got to it first."
Jian Jing was surprised: "You'd do that kind of thing?" She always felt he handled things smoothly, never offending others. She didn't expect him to be at odds with coco.
"It's different being an actor than a boss. In the past I'd avoid offending people if I could, but now if they step on you and you don't fight back, they'll think I'm a pushover." Jiang BaiYan turned and asked, "Right, Chairman Kang?"
Kang Mu Cheng had just returned from socializing. He sat down on Jian Jing's other side and responded: "I suppose so."
Jiang BaiYan felt emotion: "It's so hard being a boss."
Kang Mu Cheng glanced at him: "You're still young, you'll learn slowly."
"Chairman Kang, do point out areas I can improve on." He smiled and said, "I'll learn well."
Kang Mu Cheng flatly said: "No pointers to give, the cameras are on you."
"Oh." He instantly sat up straight and made a heart to the cameras.
Jian Jing continued playing her game.
Candy Crush was so fun.
After a while, the award ceremony officially started. The lighter awards like Best Newcomer and Best Screenwriter were given out first.
Jiang BaiYan occasionally chatted with Kang Mu Cheng, critiquing the films.
"The Lonely Me had a good script but the actors didn't carry it. Their acting was too forced. The director's style didn't seem to match."
"Funding issues, they changed directors."
"The investor's fault."
"Best Newcomer should have been xxx. She doesn't seem to have signed with a company yet."
"You want to sign her?"
"Didn't get her. The big companies were too aggressive."
Next were Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress. These were all familiar faces.
Jian Jing commented: "I saw that show. The supporting actor was more good-looking than the main actor."
Jiang BaiYan immediately dished: "He has a godfather you know, that old man over there."
Jian Jing: "..."
After the much anticipated Best Actress, it was time for Best Actor. Best Picture had yet to be announced, so Jiang BaiYan's fate was still uncertain.
He was in no mood to chat now, sitting upright and staring solemnly at the screen.
Clips from the Best Actor nominees were shown in order. The host slowly introduced each film's name and cast.
Jian Jing had seen some of these films, not others, but they all left a good impression.
"Let's welcome Best Actor Qi to announce the Golden Flower Best Actor winner."
Amid thunderous applause, Best Actor Qi took the stage and was handed the envelope with the winner's name.
He joked: "I remember eight years ago, I also stood on this stage, only I was a nervous nominee then. Time flies, and today I finally get to watch others fret."
"Let's see who-"
As he spoke, he opened the envelope and read the name.
"Oh, hard to believe. My feelings are suddenly complicated. I was 27 eight years ago and considered accomplished for my age. But today-"
Jian Jing noticed Jiang BaiYan's breathing hitch for a moment.
She couldn't help smiling.
"Today's winner is actually so much younger than me. Okay, I'm a little jealous now." Best Actor Qi guffawed. "The Golden Flower Best Actor goes to—Jiang BaiYan. Congratulations."
Jiang BaiYan slowly exhaled and got up to bow all around without losing composure.
"Please come on stage."
He smiled and walked up. "Senior."
"The younger generation keeps exceeding the previous. Young people get more outstanding every generation." Best Actor Qi shook his hand. "Keep up the good work."
"Thank you for your praise. You've always been my role model." Jiang BaiYan paid him lip service, his smiling expression joyful but not frivolous, keeping his emotions in check perfectly.
His acceptance speech was similarly well-handled.
"Thank you everyone for your care. I wouldn’t have won today without not just my own efforts... Thank you to the director, screenwriter, cinematographer, all the crew... also to Jian Jing for writing such a great work... And of course my fans..."
He spoke clearly and fluently without needing to jog his memory, modulated his emotions without needing to fake excitement. More would have been too much, less too little. This humility and propriety were just right.
The reporters kept snapping photos, competing to capture every moment.
"Thank you again for your unchanging support. I will keep working hard." Jiang BaiYan ended his speech with a deep bow.
As the flashes went off, a thought struck him suddenly—I actually still like acting.
After the award ceremony was the banquet, mainly for celebrating achievements, networking, and discussing business.
The Best Actors were naturally the centers of attention, flattered by everyone. Kang Mu Cheng used the occasion to socialize with several company presidents.
Jin Wu had been in the domestic industry for so long, the path was not as difficult as overseas. Jian Jing wasn't worried about Kang Mu Cheng being plied with drinks.
She had wanted to slip away.
But she was caught by Screenwriter Xu and Director Huang and dragged to a private room to discuss Evil Spirit 3.
Why was coming up with a manuscript so hard?
"Since everyone is here today, let's chat about the actors." By the third installment, the crew's work was already on track, and Director Huang's temper had become much more affable.
Jian Jing: "No ideas."
Screenwriter Xu immediately said: "How about the plot? Did you read the script I sent you?"
Jian Jing: "I did, I did."
"Tell me your thoughts." Director Huang called on her as if a teacher in class.
Jian Jing was forced to pitch in with champagne in hand.
It went on for three to four hours, with people constantly coming over to schmooze and promote themselves overtly and covertly.
She was finally rescued by Kang Mu Cheng coming over to say hello.
"I came to attend a wine reception." Jian Jing complained, "But it turned into an audition."
Kang Mu Cheng smiled.
"How are things on your end?"
"Not bad. Many asked me when your new work will come out and if you're considering adapting it."
Jian Jing covered her ears, pretending not to hear the cries for her to write.
"I won't rush you." Kang Mu Cheng shook his head and removed her arms, "Let's go back. I'll have the driver drop you off too."
However, "Teacher Jian." Sister Chen staggered over to block her, face flushed and reeking of booze, "Do you have a moment?"
Jian Jing was puzzled: "What's up?"
Sister Chen whispered over, blabbering on.
She held in laughter: "Really?"
Sister Chen hiccupped from the alcohol and nodded helplessly.
"Alright." Jian Jing told Kang Mu Cheng, "You go first, I'll head back myself."
Kang Mu Cheng glanced at Sister Chen, seeming to know what was up. He told her: "Be careful, go home early."
"Don't worry." She pushed him into the car and nagged in return, "You rest early too." She also told the driver to go slowly so the drunk wouldn't feel sick.
After sending off the worrisome guardian, she went with Sister Chen to sober up another drunk.
Jiang BaiYan sat in the van, pitifully saying: "I want to go pick up Pudding."
"Pudding is at school, you should go home." Qiu Lin had pulled an award-winning performance from the actor, and hadn't drank any less red wine, slightly irritable from tipsiness, "Don't make me angry, go home."
Jiang BaiYan clutched his trophy tightly, clinging onto the car door, softly pleading: "Pudding."
Qiu Lin: "..." First time seeing a drunk throwing a tantrum for a cat.
"What's going on?" Jian Jing came to defuse the situation.
Sister Chen was quite embarrassed: "Teacher Jian, say a few words to him. Pudding got fat again, so we sent him to school to lose weight the day before yesterday. He was fine before, but got drunk and forgot about that."
She explained while trying to push Jiang BaiYan into the car, but drunk people are heavy to begin with, and they had all drank quite a bit, unable to budge him at all.
Jian Jing looked at him and silently sighed: "It's fine, I'll go with him." She pried him from the car door and stuffed him into the leather seat, waving them off, "You guys head back and rest."
Sister Chen and Qiu Lin looked at each other.
Jian Jing closed the door and asked: "Is someone on duty at the school?"
"Mhm mhm." Jiang BaiYan nodded profusely, "Pick up Pudding."
"Drive." She told the driver.
The driver knew the way and quickly brought them to the school entrance. Inside was pitch black, only occasionally hearing meows and barks.
Jian Jing took Jiang BaiYan's phone, found the number, and called from the manager to the duty office, finally getting the door open and picking up Pudding who had only been in school for two days.
It was overjoyed, lying in its crate and meowing.
"Pudding." Jiang BaiYan took it out and hugged it tightly in his arms.
Jian Jing's eyes showed pity.
He stroked the cat's back and bragged to it: "Pudding, Daddy won an award." He also kissed its head and said, "Let's go home okay, we'll go home and celebrate with canned food."
Pudding softly meowed: "Meow~~"
He laughed and held his cat and trophy tightly.
It was as if that was his whole world.
