Next, the Starry Radiance production team experienced both joy and sorrow.
Zhang Mo once again won the Best Actor award, while Yi Man'er missed out on the Best Actress title.
Finally, under the tense yet expectant gazes of everyone, the host revealed the final major award—
"And the winner of the 31st Best Television Series is—"
"Starry Radiance!"
When this name appeared, thunderous applause erupted in the venue, and everyone from the production team stood up.
Amid the cheers, the host's prompt could also be heard: "With profound historical depth and weight, Starry Radiance carves out the brilliant moments of our predecessors' starlight, recalling the shining spirit of our forebears, becoming this year's breakout hit—"
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, Director Wen!"
People around offered their congratulations one after another. Wen Hongyuan took his beloved Tan Yuan's hand, smiling as he raised his hand to acknowledge the surrounding crowd.
Yi Man'er also lifted her red dress and, supported by Xiao He, stood up, following by Xiao He's side as she smiled and waved toward various cameras.
On the large screen, the young man's smile appeared sincere and earnest, still carrying the youthful spirit many had already lost—that passionate determination to follow one's heart regardless of outcome, a scene that moved many present.
In his peripheral vision, Xiao He saw himself on the large screen, his smile unchanging as he instead waved directly at the camera. Then he followed the production team members onto the brightly lit stage before them, accepting the gazes of everyone in the audience.
This was the artistic hall of China's entertainment industry, with numerous outstanding Chinese actors gathered below the stage. The moment they stepped onto this platform, they were destined to become the most dazzling stars of the evening.
Xiao He gazed deeply at this stage, this shining platform enveloped by surrounding spotlights, then calmly shifted his gaze downward without changing expression.
He saw many people.
Some had previously come to chat with him, others were familiar faces frequently seen online, and also—Qin Yuezhang.
Qin Yuezhang's expression wasn't particularly pleasant, and somehow, their eyes met across the distance.
Qin Yuezhang curled his lips, mouthing the word to Xiao He from afar: "Loser."
What did it matter if he made it onto the big stage? He was merely riding on the production team's coattails, actually amounting to nothing—just a failure who hadn't won a single award.
Xiao He didn't get angry, merely smiling at him and nodding in acknowledgment, as if completely unaffected by his provocation.
The public's eyes were sharp—even though he hadn't won any awards, when faced with the characters he had portrayed, audiences couldn't utter a single word about "poor acting skills."
As for Qin Yuezhang?
He would only ever be a minor character from now on.
Xiao He calmly withdrew his gaze.
"Thank you everyone, thank you to our producer and screenwriter, thank you to Fruit Video, Jiaxing Entertainment, Taidong Entertainment..."
Finally, as the representative speaker, director Wen Hongyuan held the trophy in his hand, looking at the crowd below with complex emotions, beginning to thank the production's investors and producers one by one.
As the final award of this ceremony, its worth went without saying. Even Wen Hongyuan, with his previous award experience, couldn't help his voice growing hoarse while speaking. In the end, Tan Yuan took over the microphone, clearly and logically expressing the subsequent words of gratitude.
This award was recognition for everyone in their production team, and the pride of them all!
Amid this joyful atmosphere, the host called all award recipients onto the stage for a group photo.
Apart from the Best Actor and Actress winners, the Starry Radiance production team members undoubtedly stood at the very center. Even though Xiao He held nothing in his hands, he still stood behind Zhang Mo's position, catching a spot in the shot.
The camera captured a constellation of stars, with that young man holding nothing standing in the very back row, his handsome face particularly striking. His expression showed no regret, instead smiling with spirited confidence, full of anticipation and longing for the future.
This could be considered thoroughly drawing a conclusion to that confused period when he first entered the entertainment industry.
During his Starry Radiance period, he met Sister Liu, established his studio, became acquainted with more directors and investors—he was no longer the Xiao He who was completely clueless about the entertainment industry and had to fight alone.
Losing the Best Supporting Actor award wouldn't be his end, but rather the beginning of his new journey—
Xiao He had never doubted this.
...
After leaving the stage, the production team held a simple celebration banquet.
Naturally, the award winners became the focus of the banquet, with people toasting them one after another until they could only shake their heads in refusal.
After the festivities, Wen Hongyuan held his glass and toasted with the key creative personnel who hadn't won awards one by one.
When he reached Xiao He, he joked with a smile: "I've heard that your studio and Old Ma have formed a new production team. Why didn't you think to invite us?"
The Old Ma in Wen Hongyuan's words was none other than Ma Qianyou, the current executive producer of Imperial Decree.
"Ah, it's just small investments. The main creative team consists of freshly graduated college students—they built their own team for minor projects, so we were too embarrassed to present the script to you, Director Wen."
Xiao He took a sip of wine, turning the tables: "But what are Director Wen's recent plans? If you have any good roles, you must consider me—I've been craving scripts from Director Wen's hands."
Wen Hongyuan thought for a moment, then said seriously to Xiao He: "I'm about to take on a crime suspense project, and the villain role would suit you quite well. But are you sure you want to keep playing bad guys from now on?"
Xiao He was momentarily stunned.
"You saw it at this awards ceremony—villain roles indeed require acting skills, but to break prejudices and gain more honors, villains alone are far from enough."
Why did Meng Zetian lose to the police character opposite him?
Because the righteous path was ultimately an outcome that many people internally recognized and could accept.
No matter how many external factors existed, when the judging panel voted, there would inevitably be personal biases and choices in their hearts.
Hearing Director Wen's words, Xiao He fell into silence.
"You've been in the industry for almost two years now, right? It seems like you're constantly moving between productions without breaks." Wen Hongyuan patted Xiao He's shoulder. "If you haven't figured it out yet, why not relax for a bit and change your mindset? If you keep playing these types of roles, it can become quite depressing mentally."
Xiao He thought about how he had indeed felt somewhat depressed recently while portraying Shu Yuxiu, feeling affected by that character to some extent. He couldn't help but nod.
"Mm, I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Director Wen," Xiao He replied. "Recently, our studio has indeed received fewer scripts, and I was planning to have Sister Liu help me choose a slightly more relaxed role."
Wen Hongyuan: ?
Wait, I meant for you to rest for a while, not choose an easier production!
Wen Hongyuan looked at Xiao He, a complex expression appearing in his eyes: "Well, do your best then, and take care of your health."
Youth was wonderful—when these young people went all out, they really spared no effort.
He was getting old—better not compete with these youngsters—
Wen Hongyuan shook his head and turned to find Yi Man'er.
Everyone enjoyed themselves at this celebration banquet.
When they eventually dispersed, Xiao He saw Liu Rulan and Xiao Chen who had come to pick him up.
Liu Rulan walked forward, observing Xiao He's relatively clear-eyed expression, and nodded slightly: "How much did you drink?"
"Just a little."
"Mm, get in the car."
Xiao He got into the car, Xiao Chen started the engine, while Liu Rulan leaned back in the passenger seat.
The car moved forward slowly, neon lights from both sides of the road continuously projected into the vehicle through the windows, then flashed by as the car accelerated away. In the suddenly cooling deep night, the car interior fell into prolonged silence.
After an unknown amount of time, two voices spoke simultaneously—
"Don't be too discouraged about this awards ceremony—"
"What's the schedule after the awards—"
They both paused.
Liu Rulan observed Xiao He through the rearview mirror, noticing that the young man in the back seat indeed showed no dejection or depression after his loss. Those eyes appeared increasingly bright under the flickering neon lights. She chuckled lightly and continued with his line of thought: "You have half a day off after the awards ceremony, but you need to return to the production set tomorrow afternoon."
Xiao He hesitated slightly before asking: "After No Bait wraps up, what's the plan? Are there no scripts for me recently?"
"Xingchen Entertainment has indeed caused us some impact. Fortunately, we haven't discovered any particularly good scripts for you recently either. Once this awards controversy passes, the scripts inviting you will gradually resume."
Losing awards couldn't affect Xiao He's current popularity and traffic, nor could it diminish his acting skills and work ethic.
So the appropriate scripts would inevitably come.
Xiao He thought for a moment, then said: "Sister Liu, you could expand the scope a bit—I'm actually fine with either television dramas or movies. For example, the kind where—the righteous character kills a lot of people?"
Liu Rulan looked suspicious: "...What kind of strange requirement is that?"
Xiao Chen burst out laughing: "Haha, Brother Xiao, you're truly staying true to your original aspirations!"