The Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held in the form of a dinner, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Feeling the emotions of his lover through their clasped hands, Chi Feiran exhaled slowly, gradually relaxing and starting to enjoy the witty remarks of the hosts and award presenters.
The award for Best Foreign Language Film marked the first win for “Heroic Bones” at the ceremony. Director Jin’s demeanor on stage was much calmer than Chi Feiran had expected. Although he was joyful, his predominant expression was one of steadiness. When delivering his acceptance speech, his presence was commanding and composed, truly befitting a great director.
In his closing remarks, Director Jin said, “This is not the first time a Chinese film has won, nor will it be the last. I hope Chinese filmmakers will continue to bring more and better works to the world. Thank you.”
The entire audience applauded, including Chi Feiran and Rong Jin. As fellow Chinese filmmakers, they shared the same hopes.
The award dinner continued, and eventually, the camera turned to Rong Jin. Naturally, Chi Feiran, sitting beside him, was also brought into the frame. Two handsome Chinese faces were a rare sight at an international awards ceremony, and with Rong Jin being a favorite to win, the camera seemed to show him some extra attention.
Rong Jin smiled, naturally and at ease. People often say there are vast differences in beauty standards between the East and the West, but sometimes, the appreciation of beauty is universal.
This Eastern man was arrogantly elegant, his sharp features softened just right when he smiled, combining stunning looks with a contradictory charm that created an almost lethal attraction.
Even the presenter, the previous year’s Golden Globe Best Actress, couldn’t help but exclaim dramatically, “Oh my God, his smile is making my heart flutter! If I were twenty years younger, this might be the beginning of a romance!”
The guests all laughed good-naturedly, including Chi Feiran. Unexpectedly, the actress on stage pointed at him too, saying, “Oh, the young man beside him looks great too, but this time it might take thirty years.”
The laughter grew louder. Chi Feiran wasn’t embarrassed by the joke but felt a bit shy being the focus of it. He turned to look at Rong Jin and found him also smiling at him.
This moment of eye contact was captured by countless viewers watching the live broadcast, but the real frenzy was yet to come.
The actress opened the envelope and, after the first letter of the name for Best Actor in a Drama, announced Rong Jin’s name.
An unexpected, yet not surprising result.
Rong Jin stood up, with those around him standing and applauding to congratulate him. Chi Feiran also stood up, intending to continue clapping, but found himself embraced by Rong Jin. It was a brief but strong hug.
After a moment of surprise, Chi Feiran returned the hug. At such a joyous moment, there was no need to avoid anything.
Their hug set off a frenzy among viewers, who captured screenshots to exhaustion. What a divine image! They hugged! Hugged!
Many shippers were ecstatic, with some still buzzing about the matching rings. Now, seeing them hugging publicly was too sweet!
If Rong Jin had time to check his secret Weibo account, he’d see the explosion of excitement online.
Back at the awards, after hugging Chi Feiran, Rong Jin hugged Director Jin and then went on stage to receive his trophy from the previous Best Actress.
Rong Jin’s acceptance speech was well-prepared and delivered in both Chinese and English. It was smooth and steady, concluding just as Chang Haoqing, his agent, was about to faint from nervousness.
He didn’t pull any stunts! Chang Haoqing felt like he was dreaming!
Compared to Chang Haoqing, the wider Chinese online community felt they were living a dream. After winning Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor in a Drama, “Chivalrous Bones” also won Best Director!
With all three major awards, and finally having a Chinese actor winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor, the excitement was palpable!
Along with the excitement about the awards was the buzz about Rong Jin and Chi Feiran’s hug and their rings.
The debate online was heated, with supporters saying, “They must be together! Why else would they wear matching rings now? Rong Jin hugged Chi Feiran first, even with the director nearby! Look at their eyes! I don’t believe there’s nothing between them!”
Detractors argued, “Why can’t friends wear matching rings? Haven’t you ever bought something with a friend? A hug means they’re together? Rong Jin hugged the director too! They’re good friends. Why read more into it? Rong Jin even gave the actress a cheek kiss; why not say they secretly married?”
Supporters retorted, “You’re all blind!”
Detractors shot back, “You’re all seeing things!”
The argument was intense, but not everyone was fighting. Some were just happy about having a Chinese Golden Globe Best Actor. Although Rong Jin had won other international awards, the Golden Globe marked a significant achievement for a Chinese actor.
Of course, there were party poopers who dismissed the Golden Globe as having little credibility, with mostly amateur judges and no real influence. Others sarcastically remarked, “So many Hollywood bigwigs attend for nothing?”
The debate continued, fueled perhaps by the impending New Year holidays, but it was finally broken by new developments.
The news of “Chivalrous Bones” being nominated for the Oscars spread across the internet, making everyone hold their breath. It felt familiar, reminiscent of last year’s “Wanrong,” which did well at the Golden Globes but failed to win any of its ten Oscar nominations.
With “Chivalrous Bones” also receiving ten nominations, the fear of a repeat performance loomed large.
The anticipation this time was much more subdued. Fans began to temper their expectations, saying, “Being nominated is an achievement! No Chinese actor was ever nominated for an acting award before Rong Jin!”
The pre-emptive downplaying didn’t escape mockery, with some taunting, “Isn’t Rong Jin great? Go win an Oscar too! We’re waiting!”
This was upsetting, as the Oscars felt so far away for Chinese actors and films.
Even Rong Jin’s fans dared not claim he would definitely win. They knew too well how elusive the Oscars were for Chinese cinema.
During this time, they hoped the powerful Barnett family might influence the results, though it wasn’t something they should rely on. While the Barnett family supported them, it couldn’t decide everything.
Until the final votes were counted, they faced immense public and media scrutiny. Any controversial actions could backfire, given the highly sensitive Oscar voters.
By the end of February, Oscar voting closed.
On March 12, the Oscar ceremony began.
The “Chivalrous Bones” team walked the red carpet together, with Chi Feiran beside Rong Jin. A year after their last visit as spectators, they were now participants in the war.
With ten nominations, how would it turn out? The answers would soon be revealed.
In the tense anticipation, “Heroic Bones” won Best Art Direction, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Film Editing, and Best Cinematography. Four out of eight awards revealed so far had raised everyone’s expectations even higher.
The tension peaked with the Best Director award going to Jin Hong’an!
Director Jin, though he had been on stage before, was visibly emotional this time. He stammered through his acceptance speech, pausing for a moment at the end before saying, “As I said before, this is not the first time, nor will it be the last!”
He raised his trophy amid applause and cheers, then went for interviews.
Next was the award most anticipated by Chinese fans: Best Actor!
Though they cared about other awards, they had never had an Oscar Best Actor. Winning Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director was great, but not unprecedented.
Now, everyone held their breath as the previous Best Actress opened the envelope.
Smiling, she announced, “The Oscar goes to—Rong Jin!”
The room erupted in applause. Rong Jin stood up and once again hugged Chi Feiran first, then Director Jin, before heading to the stage. Fellow nominee Pang Wen clapped hard, understanding her place.
Rong Jin’s demeanor was calm, as if this historic moment was meant to be.
His acceptance speech was much longer than at the Golden Globes, thanking everyone from the film crew and Director Jin to Chi Feiran, his agent, and his family, ending with gratitude to his fans.
Chang Haoqing, in the audience, cried with relief, covering his mouth. He had been so scared of a global coming-out!
After his interview, Rong Jin returned and whispered to Chi Feiran, “Don’t keep me waiting too long…”
He regretted not seizing the global spotlight to make a more personal declaration.
Chi Feiran felt immense pressure. He hadn’t even won a domestic Best Actor yet, let alone aiming for an Oscar.
Still, he whispered back, “I’ll work hard.”
He aimed to one day stand where Rong Jin stood and say what Rong Jin hadn’t.
Their journey shouldn’t end with just one award; there was much more they wanted to achieve.
While the Oscar ceremony ended, the celebration among Chinese fans just began, not only for Rong Jin’s win but also for the strong showing of “Heroic Bones,” avenging last year’s disappointment with “Wanrong.” Winning six out of ten nominations was exhilarating, especially as it set a new record with Rong Jin being the youngest Best Actor at 28!
The author notes:
Chang Haoqing: He didn’t pull any stunts! I’m so touched!!!
Rong Jin: When will my boyfriend win Best Actor and declare his love globally???
