Chapter 119 - 112: The First Film Queen
The Huabiao Awards have relatively few categories. Even with the hosts cracking jokes to kill time, about half the awards had already been given out by the time Ni Bingyan and Wei Shuojie returned to their seats.
The director had just accepted the Best Feature Film award and returned to his seat. Seeing them finally back, he couldn’t help but ask in a low voice,
"Is everything taken care of?"
Ni Bingyan replied in an equally low voice, "Don’t worry. It’s all been handled."
Hearing her say that, Deng Yu didn’t press further and began to intently watch the short film playing on stage: *The Next Decade, We’ll Still Meet in the Movies*.
Producer Zhao, seated a row away, simply gave her a reassuring smile.
News of what had just happened on the red carpet had spread like wildfire.
Seeing her return, many people were stealing glances in her direction. The cameras were trained on her, relentlessly filming as if they wouldn’t be satisfied until they captured a hint of fear on her face.
Ni Bingyan maintained her smile and calmly sat down. Disappointed, the crowd had no choice but to look away.
"With her consummate skill, she has shown us what it means to be a young person in this new era. She is Liang Hongying, and she is Ni Bingyan! Please welcome our Outstanding Actress—Ni Bingyan!"
The awards were being handed out one after another at a rapid pace. Ni Bingyan had only just sat down and hadn’t yet adjusted to the rhythm when she suddenly heard the host call her name. She was a little stunned.
’This awards ceremony isn’t at all what I imagined!’
’As one of the main events, shouldn’t the Outstanding Actress award involve a few envelopes? Shouldn’t they build some suspense until the nominees are on the verge of tears before revealing the winner?’
’I can’t believe award ceremonies in this world are so direct.’
"It seems our new Best Actress feels we haven’t given her enough fanfare! Come on, everyone, let’s congratulate Ni Bingyan again with a thunderous round of applause!"
The applause was deafening. Ni Bingyan finally snapped out of it, hastily getting to her feet and hurrying toward the stage.
Wei Shuojie, just two rows away, saw Ni Bingyan’s stunned expression—so natural and genuine—on the big screen and couldn’t help but crack a sly smile.
In truth, she and the company had received insider information long ago and knew the award was in the bag. But to ensure Ni Bingyan’s reaction was completely genuine, they hadn’t told her.
Ni Bingyan felt like she was floating, as if walking on clouds.
She still hadn’t fully processed what was happening by the time she reached the stage.
"Ni Bingyan, you seem very surprised?"
The host, Li Hongjie, was a slim and cheerful star presenter from CCTV with a very approachable demeanor. Once she was steady on her feet, he began their routine interaction.
Clutching the microphone, Ni Bingyan admitted honestly, "My fellow nominees are all so exceptional that I’d only ever dreamed of this moment. I never thought it would actually come true."
"Oh? Lacking that much confidence?"
The other host, a woman named Xie Yun, was Mango TV’s star hostess, known for her incisive style. She immediately fired off that pointed question.
It was a tricky question. Any misstep in her answer would surely draw criticism.
"It’s not that I lack confidence. I was just afraid that if I got my hopes up too high, the disappointment would be just as great. I prefer to keep a level head. That way, when good fortune does arrive, it feels like an extra special surprise."
"So you’re in a state of double surprise right now?"
"Exactly!"
"But you don’t seem ecstatic."
"Perhaps I’m just a slow reactor. The excitement might not hit me until after the ceremony is over. I might have to run all the way home just to calm down."
Ni Bingyan remained perfectly composed as Xie Yun hit her with several more superficial questions.
"If you run home every time you win an award, you might just make a contribution to our national track and field team! But that method will only work for so long. Eventually, you’ll be going to Berlin! To Cannes! To Venice! To Hollywood! You won’t be able to run home from those places."
The moment Li Hongjie spoke, it was clear he was in a different league than Xie Yun.
His words were both witty and heartwarming.
Ni Bingyan looked at him, touched.
"Your words have filled me with strength! Thank you for your encouragement. I will keep working hard!"
"Alright, let’s congratulate Ni Bingyan one more time! And now, let’s welcome internationally acclaimed actress Li Jingjing to present her with the award!"
Li Jingjing had won more Best Actress awards than one could count. Ni Bingyan was thrilled that the organizers had managed to invite such a legend to present her award.
As the music swelled, Li Jingjing approached with elegant strides. Even in her fifties, her skin looked taut and flawless up close.
"Hello, Ms. Li!"
Li Jingjing was a master of nuanced performances. Ni Bingyan adored her films and had seen them countless times; it would be no exaggeration to call her a fangirl.
But if she revealed it here, under the scrutiny of so many, people would surely accuse her of sucking up.
So Ni Bingyan said nothing, offering only a polite and respectful bow as a greeting.
"You have a real flair for acting. Don’t ever let that talent go to waste. I hope you continue down this path. I’m certain there will be a place for you in the future of this industry!"
Ni Bingyan was stunned that she would say something like that to her. Music was playing, and since Li Jingjing wasn’t holding a microphone, only the two of them could hear her words.
Many people believed the industry was a world of fame and fortune, where peers were constantly backstabbing each other and seniors were always suppressing the newcomers.
In reality, there were plenty of senior figures with integrity who were generous with their encouragement and support for the next generation.
"Thank you for your encouragement! I’ll do my best!"
Her eyes sparkling, Ni Bingyan bowed again.
After a few more brief words, Li Jingjing handed her the trophy and certificate, then left the stage.
Now she was alone on stage. Li Hongjie prompted her to give her acceptance speech.
Ni Bingyan ran a hand over the trophy and the large, crimson certificate with gold lettering, her gaze sweeping over the audience below.
She took a deep breath before she began to speak.
"A long time ago, when I came in first on a test, I brought my certificate home and proudly showed it to my father. He told me, ’As a student, it’s your duty to study hard. What’s so praiseworthy about simply doing your duty?’"
She knew the ornate, pre-written acceptance speech in her head by heart, but standing on the stage, she suddenly felt it wasn’t sincere enough. She decided to improvise.
Afraid she was about to botch it, Wei Shuojie couldn’t help but clench her fists.
But it was too late now. She couldn’t very well rush onto the stage to stop her. All she could do was prepare to scold her later.
After two seconds of silence, her voice came from the stage again.
"My dad told me when I was little that I only received that certificate because my teachers taught me well enough to understand new things. It was because he cooked for me every day, raising me to be healthy and strong, so I had the energy to study. It was because my classmates were all working hard, creating a good atmosphere for learning..."
"Back then, I refused to accept that. But now, I understand he was right."
Ni Bingyan smiled. "Receiving this award today, I feel I’ve simply done my duty. There’s nothing to be especially proud of."
"I must thank my teachers. They’re the ones who taught me the professional skills I needed to complete this role. I must thank my colleagues. It was their collective effort that created this outstanding film. I must thank my agent, Sister Wei. She handles everything behind the scenes so I can focus on my work. And I must thank my family for their quiet support all these years..."
Her words were sincere and humble, and the applause from the audience was thunderous.