The awards ceremony was already highly anticipated by fans and netizens alike, and on the day of the event, the atmosphere was truly grand.
Inside and outside the venue, fans and media reporters had claimed every available space, creating a sea of heads as far as the eye could see.
The red carpet walk has always been the most eye-catching and exciting part of any awards ceremony, providing a spectacular occasion for stars to showcase their glamour and compete for attention.
Which star wore which unreleased design from an international brand? Whose figure was more alluring and captivating?
Even the order in which celebrities walked the red carpet was scrutinized.
It’s common knowledge that the more famous and prestigious the star, the later they’re scheduled to appear on the red carpet. Naturally, no one wants their idol to be overshadowed by others or placed on equal footing with less popular stars.
So when it came time for the red carpet walk, fans of various celebrities became incredibly energized, their eyes darting from one star to the next. They eagerly anticipate their idol’s stunning appearance while secretly watching out for any other celebrity who might outshine their favorite.
As each star descended the red carpet, the cheers from their respective fan groups grew deafening.
Numerous online platforms were livestreaming the event, with countless viewers already waiting. The comment section was flooded with fans fervently supporting their idols, creating a vibrant, overlapping tapestry of colorful messages. The excitement was palpable.
It was amid this lively atmosphere that Jing Li entered the public eye.
He wore a wine-red suit, its tailored design perfectly accentuating his physique. His hair was styled upwards, revealing his smooth, broad forehead and emphasizing his already strikingly handsome features.
Combined with the gentle smile on his face, he radiated brilliance like a celestial being.
Even the famously sexy actress accompanying him on the red carpet failed to divert much attention from him.
The moment he appeared on the red carpet, he captured the attention of surrounding fans, reporters, and all online viewers.
“Damn! This is the first time I’ve seen someone look so noble and stunning in a wine-red suit!”
“Mom! I’m in love!!!”
“Holy sh*t! Isn’t that X brand’s unreleased latest design? I heard they refused to sponsor a certain film emperor, but Jing Li is wearing it?!”
“Finally seeing my Jing Shao! As always, he’s making my heart flutter!”
…
However, some discordant voices also emerged.
“Isn’t Jing Li just a traffic star? He hasn’t even won any significant awards. Why is he placed in this position?!”
“As expected of a capitalist’s young master, he can do whatever he wants.”
“I bet he just bought that outfit outright. After all, being from a wealthy family, what brand can’t he afford!”
…
However, such voices were in the minority. Given Jing Li’s now vastly increased fame and ever-expanding fan base, these comments were quickly drowned out.
Unaware of the online discussions about him, Jing Li smiled and waved at the fans calling his name before gracefully walking towards the host’s platform.
Coincidentally, the hosts for this awards ceremony were the same as last time. With Jing Li’s rising status, their attitude towards him was noticeably more enthusiastic.
“Wow, when Jing Li appeared, I could hear fans screaming even from this distance!” the female host said with a smile. “We already had the eye-catching Movie Queen1影后 (yǐng hòu) – movie queen; best actress award winner Zhang, and now with Jing Li, it’s instantly explosive, isn’t it?”
As she finished speaking, another round of intense screams erupted from the crowd.
The female host exaggeratedly leaned back, pretending to be startled by the fervent reaction, making everyone laugh.
“Lan-jie, please don’t tease me,” Jing Li said with a gentle smile. “If anything, Lan-jie, you’ve grown even more beautiful since we last met.”
“Such a sweet talker,” the female host laughed heartily. She then turned her attention to the sexy actress accompanying him. “But compared to our Movie Queen Zhang, I’m quite ordinary.”
Movie Queen Zhang smiled and exchanged a few polite words with her before skillfully steering the conversation back to Jing Li.
Having reached her position in the industry, she naturally had a keen eye for opportunity. Considering Jing Li’s skyrocketing popularity and his family background, he was someone she wanted to befriend. She was determined to make a good impression, even if she couldn’t fully get close to him.
The female host, recognizing Zhang’s intentions, was happy to have someone provide talking points. She followed Zhang’s lead and redirected the conversation to Jing Li, chatting for several minutes before letting them enter.
Inside the venue, it was considerably quieter than outside. Staff members guided them to their seats. Jing Li nodded farewell to Movie Queen Zhang before heading to his own seat.
Jing Li was seated in the second row. The surrounding seats were already occupied by familiar faces, all part of the nominated works’ teams, arranged according to their status to his left, right, and behind.
Jing Li greeted everyone with a smile, and they engaged in friendly chatter until the ceremony began.
The award ceremony followed a typical format. The hosts started with congratulatory words and introduced the list of nominated TV dramas before moving on to the awards.
As per usual, they began with some peripheral awards before progressing to the more anticipated categories.
When it came time to announce the Best Supporting Actor award, Wang Lele emerged victorious from among the nominees.
Although this wasn’t Wang Lele’s first Best Supporting Actor win, it was his first award since signing with Jing Li’s studio, giving it special significance.
Wang Lele immediately stood up, overwhelmed with emotion, and embraced Jing Li first.
Though no words were exchanged, his gratitude and excitement were fully conveyed through his actions.
“This is your well-deserved honor,” Jing Li said, smiling and patting his back. “Go on.”
Wang Lele nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat with misty eyes, then released Jing Li and walked towards the stage.
The ceremony was being livestreamed, and high-definition cameras perfectly captured this moment for the audience. Instantly, many viewers were moved by Wang Lele’s genuine display of emotion, with his fans unable to hold back their own tears.
“Seeing Lele embrace Jing Shao with teary eyes suddenly made me emotional too.”
“Me too. Lele’s journey has been so difficult. I’m really grateful for Jing Shao’s recognition.”
“This is Lele’s first award since joining Jing Shao’s studio. It must hold a special meaning for him.”
…
When Wang Lele later gave his acceptance speech on stage, expressing his gratitude towards Jing Li with choked emotions, it moved many fans to tears.
“Lele, you did it! You’ve lived up to Jing Shao’s expectations!”
“Lele, we fans will always be your most loyal support! We’ll always stand by you!”
“Thank you, Jing Shao! We Lele fans will forever remember your kindness!”
…
Everyone was deeply touched, creating a warm atmosphere both inside and outside the venue.
The host then took the stage, adding a few sentimental words to Wang Lele’s speech before smoothly transitioning to the next award – the most anticipated one – Best Actor.
As the host spoke, the audience, still caught in the previous emotional moment, found their attention quickly refocused.
“…There are many nominees for Best Actor this time, including several experienced veterans. The competition seems fierce.” The host commented with a smile, then picked up the card in his hand. “So who will be the winner of the Best Actor award?”
The host paused, then in the midst of tense silence, announced in a raised voice, “It’s – the actor who played the Young Commander in ‘Absolute Sniper’, Jing Li!! Please welcome Jing Li~”
As the host finished speaking, the seated guests, regardless of their personal feelings of disappointment or genuine congratulations, all smiled and applauded for him. Those familiar with Jing Li stood up with broad smiles to embrace and congratulate him.
The venue was filled with jubilation and smiles.
Jing Li smiled, hugging and thanking his friends before walking to the stage to receive the medal symbolizing his honor.
“Thank you to all the judges, thank you…” He looked at the audience with a gentle smile and delivered his acceptance speech. Though not lengthy, his words were well-chosen and sincere, touching many.
“This is another medal in my acting career, a motivation for me to improve further, and a reminder to stay true to my original aspirations. I will strive to portray more and better roles, to not disappoint you all, especially the devoted fans who have always supported and accompanied me.”
With these words, he bowed deeply to the audience, then slowly left the stage amid thunderous applause.
Upon returning to his seat, the applause continued, and online viewers were frantically sending comments praising his speech.
However, Jing Li couldn’t fully enjoy the moment.
Shortly after sitting down, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
When he took it out and looked, his expression immediately turned serious.
It was a message from Wang Xiaoning, containing only one sentence.
[Wang Xiaoning: I’ve obtained one of its magical artifacts. We can now directly track its underground lair.]
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