CHAPTER 176

Hao Meihua couldn't help but exhale with frustration. She was infuriated to the point where two Buddhas would be born and ascend to heaven. Qin Yinong must be going crazy today!

In the past, when she teased her with a few words, she would just laugh it off and not bother with her. That perpetually calm and unaffected demeanor, so hypocritical, what was the most intolerable thing when facing opponents? It was when they didn't even consider you worth their attention.

Has she finally acknowledged me now?

A certain actor tremblingly caught between the two of them.

Why didn't his luck with lottery tickets turn out as "good" as this? Sitting between these two fierce women, he would definitely complain to the organizers later.

He was worried that if their conflict escalated, he would have to bravely stand in front of them to defuse the situation. However, he heard Haomei Hua on his left side give a cold snort, miraculously silencing the battlefield.

The actor lifted his eyes and saw the live broadcast camera sweeping over, understanding what was going on.

Oh, being in front of a national audience, it's not good to confront each other face to face.

He silently prayed: Please don't let the camera miss this, so he could have a peaceful night.

......

Due to objective factors, Hao Meihua's words were not recorded by the on-site microphone and broadcasted, but the heartfelt confession from Tang Ruoyao was heard clearly and distinctly by the audience who were eagerly watching the live stream, giving rise to the second hot search related to the Golden Magnolia Awards, listed under Qin Yinong's name.

[The top two hot searches are all dog food, this is enough!]

[Tang Ruoyao...publicly confessing her love?]

[If I were her boyfriend, I would be so happy that I'd faint.]

[Tang Ruoyao has become so affectionate ever since she started dating, always emitting pink bubbles, so obvious.]

[It looks like she really loves her little boyfriend. Ah, speaking of it, I'm still jealous, but as long as she's happy :)]

[Why doesn't she say boyfriend, but instead say partner? I have a bold idea.]

[Why do some people enjoy speculating about others' sexual orientations? Her boyfriend has already been exposed, hope you know that, thinking the internet doesn't require any consequences, what a bunch of idiots spreading rumors.]

[Court summons warning!]

Spreading rumors and gossip on the internet, especially about celebrities, in today's era, most of the time it truly doesn't require any consequences. With a light tap on the keyboard, malice flows freely along the network cables.

But a few days before the Golden Magnolia Awards ceremony, something happened online that caused a huge uproar.

Over a month ago, Qin Yinong, along with several marketing accounts and even netizens who had insulted her and her daughter, received court summons.

An Ling kept her word, she followed through with her threat to take legal action. Though the court summons were delayed, they would definitely arrive, as legal procedures take time.

First, a netizen in a gossip group disclosed that at home, a public official came directly to his door and handed him a subpoena. He was confused at the time, thinking the person was a scammer, but the person showed identification that looked genuine and even mentioned that he could make a phone call to verify, reminding him to appear in court on time.

The netizen took a photo of the subpoena and posted it online, asking for help from other netizens to determine its authenticity.

The result, of course, confirmed that it was real, with the court's official seal on it. The reason behind it was that over a month ago, the netizen had spread rumors about Qin Yinong online and made many inappropriate comments.

Then the matter became a hot topic, and of course, all of this was arranged by An Ling.

When she played with public opinion back in the day, it was her younger brother who was at the forefront.

Qin Yinong's studio released a statement straightforwardly: Yes, it was us who did it. It's not just him, but many others as well. Anyone who leaves traces online shouldn't think they can escape. We will come after each and every one of them. It's too late to delete now! We have already preserved the evidence, and some subpoenas might be on their way. Don't do things that weigh on your conscience, and don't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door. Please wait patiently, those in a hurry.

The general idea is as above, but the wording is very appropriate, thanks to the studio's "exquisite" touch.

The statement came with a picture: a thick stack of court subpoenas.

Netizens commented:

[Is this madness? Are they so bored that they care about such things. Which celebrity hasn't experienced this? They're too sensitive.]

[Of course, you won't feel the pain if the knife doesn't fall on you. Aren't celebrities human beings? I'm not a fan of Qin Yinong, but I support her lawsuit. These keyboard warriors need a lesson.]

[Am I the only one thinking: How much money and energy does this take?]

[Qin Yinong used to let things slide, right? Why is she suddenly so tough?]

[I guess it's related to her child. As a mother, that's the bottom line.]

Another topic made it to the trending list: Do internet bullies need to pay a price?

The answer is undoubtedly yes.

In this era of information technology, cyberbullying is an unavoidable topic. In recent years, a series of suicides by celebrities has put this issue in the spotlight. A group of conscientious individuals or collectives have been actively advocating against cyberbullying, although with limited success, but its impact cannot be ignored.

Qin Yinong's studio's decisive action immediately seized the moral high ground and sparked a heated discussion among netizens.

Even official sources came out to endorse the studio, with major media outlets specifically criticizing the rampant online bullying and expressing their commitment to strengthening the legal framework and supervision in this area.

The official intervention was something An Ling didn't expect, but she didn't have the ability to do it anyway. When she mentioned it to Qin Yinong, after a few seconds of contemplation, she said, "It's fine, I probably know who it is."

Qin Yinong's side made such a big move, of course, there were also attempts to take advantage of the situation and attempt to disrupt the situation. She knew that clarifying things openly, and honestly wouldn't be so easy.

And thus, some absurd comments emerged, which seemed reasonable at first glance but were actually nonsensical.

[Half of the money celebrities earn comes from being scolded. Otherwise, why would they receive such high pay? They enjoy the benefits while pretending to be innocent. If they received the same salary as ordinary workers, I guarantee no one would scold them.]

[Why don't you hand over the money won by lottery winners? That's also an effortless gain. Each profession has its expertise, and Qin Yinong is an artist, a globally recognized actress. The value she creates determines her high salary, which is justified! She even receives millions of dollars for shooting foreign films. Why don't you protest to foreigners? If you want to criticize, do it with some intelligence. Thank you.]

[Her scandals are all real, not rumors. Now that she's acting tough, she's trying to whitewash herself. Disgusting.]

[Are you a judge? Or are you hiding under people's beds, eavesdropping professionally? Do you know the truth better than the parties involved? If there is fabrication, the court will make a fair judgment.]

[Why don't other people have so many problems?]

[Why do you have so much nonsense to say?]

Back and forth, the hired internet water armies by An Ling and the opposition's professional trolls clashed fiercely, intensifying the situation.

After some back and forth, An Ling decided to investigate the marketing company hired by the opposition, hoping to cut them off at the root cause. They were becoming too bothersome.

When the official side appeared, these distinctive comments faded away, and only a small number of detractors sporadically expressed their "wise" opinions in the comment sections, but they were insignificant.

Just a few days later, the phrase "court subpoena warning" had become a meme specifically targeting malicious rumors.

Although Qin Yinong hadn't appeared in the public eye since the day she exposed Ningning, her studio had kept her legend alive.

Tonight, she made a public appearance at the Golden Magnolia Awards ceremony, marking the first stop on her journey to a new chapter paved by her studio.

"I'm happy. Do you have a problem with that?"

She wasn't just talking to Hao Meihua, she was speaking to the millions of people who had directed malice towards her. From now on, she would live happily, true to herself, and indifferent to others.

So, if she wanted to confront Hao Meihua, she would. If she wanted to show affection, she would. Because she knew that there would always be someone watching her from behind, someone who would forever hold her hand.

She wasn't afraid of anything.

The lights in the award ceremony hall dimmed, leaving only the stage illuminated. The male and female hosts, dressed in suits and evening gowns, announced the opening of this year's Golden Magnolia Awards with grandeur.

Qin Yinong stood tall, slightly raising her chin, and for a rare moment, a hint of arrogance appeared on her face as she directed her gaze towards the brightest spot in the room.

Tang Ruoyao sat a few rows behind her, occasionally pretending to look at the stage but secretly glancing at the back of Qin Yinong's head. At first, she was afraid of attracting attention in a crowd, so she quickly averted her gaze each time. But then she realized that everyone around her was looking at Qin Yinong.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

The organizers arranged the seating order, considering not only fame and experience but also thoughtfully taking age into account. A group of talented young actors, like Tang Ruoyao, were all placed in the same area.

How can we describe Qin Yinong's position in the industry? She can turn any place filled with stars into her fan meeting; that says it all.

She has acted in TV dramas, and "Feng Shen" is a childhood memory for many '90s kids, including Tang Ruoyao. Although Daji is a villainess, most people are superficial and obsessed with appearances, so playing a villainess didn't affect her popularity. After that, she was criticized by film critics for being a "flower vase" in her works, almost covering all popular TV drama genres: ancient costumes, fairy tales, modern urban, workplace, crime, and more. It can be said that she monopolized the television industry back then and became extremely popular. If the above was all seen through the lens of childhood nostalgia, then her experiences in the film industry afterward were legendary. In just ten years until now, when it comes to female actors in the Chinese film industry, she is willing to admit being second, but no one dares to claim the first spot. Only one actress from the 1990s, who retired long ago, can be compared to her.

Everyone present is a talented genius on their artistic path, but geniuses always look up to those who are even more talented.

Suddenly, Qin Yinong appeared, making these young people excited. Tang Ruoyao overheard a conversation about the lipstick shade Qin Yinong was wearing today and superstitiously wondered if using the same shade would noticeably improve her acting skills.

Some were studying Qin Yinong's ears, her hair color, her posture, trying to guess her current expression.

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

In that case, Tang Ruoyao followed the crowd and stared at Qin Yinong.

Best editing, best original film music, best art direction, best screenplay... The awards were being presented one after another, and Tang Ruoyao silently recited the order of events, knowing that the best director category was coming up soon.

Qin Yinong, who was seated in the front row, had already gone backstage in advance. She was one of the presenters, and the seat she left behind was occupied by a staff member—a stand-in to avoid empty front row appearing awkwardly on the live broadcast.

The host glanced at the script and solemnly announced the nominees and works for the Best Director category. Lin Guoan unbuttoned and buttoned his suit jacket, nervously took two deep breaths.

"The winner of the Best Director for this edition is... Director Lin Guoan! The award-winning work is 'Under the Southern Mountain'! Congratulations, Director Lin!"

The presenter came up from the right side, holding the sparkling trophy with a red base on a tray. Qin Yinong, wearing a wine-red strapless gown, walked gracefully, resembling a wild fire, shining even brighter than the trophy itself.

The host stepped aside, extending their arm in an inviting gesture and loudly said, "Please welcome the award presenter, Miss Qin Yinong, to present the award to Director Lin."

Applause erupted.

As a result, Tang Ruoyao's presence of mind was completely lost. Even in public, she couldn't pay attention.

Lin Guoan stood up from his seat, embraced the people nearby from the front and back, accepting their congratulations. Only one person remained motionless, and Lin Guoan sighed inwardly. In an unseen angle, he lightly tapped Tang Ruoyao's high heels with the tip of his shoe.

Tang Ruoyao, as if awakening from a dream, stood up and embraced Lin Guoan, then stepped aside to let him come out from the inside.

Lin Guoan, standing below the stage, adjusted his attire and took a deep breath before steadily walking up.

Qin Yinong held the trophy in her hands from the tray and handed it to Lin Guo'an, saying, "Congratulations, well-deserved."

Lin Guoan's face was flushed with joy as he carefully took it and held it firmly, saying, "Thank you, thank you."

A tinge of sadness flickered in Tang Ruoyao's eyes.

She had a wish for Qin Yinong to present her with an award, but she didn't know when that wish would come true.

The host jokingly said on the side, "You two are old acquaintances. Is there anything you'd like to say to each other on stage?"

Qin Yinong thought for a moment and added a hint of teasing in her tone, saying, "Director Lin is a very serious and hardworking director."

Laughter filled the audience.

If anyone else said those words, they would be trending on social media the next day. Because it's true that Lin Guoan hasn't won the Best Director award in many years, and his recent films haven't been successful. But he has the experience and others can't casually mock him. However, Qin Yinong is not just anyone. Firstly, she has the confidence, and secondly, she has a relationship with Lin Guoan.

So her teasing was jus that, a tease.

Lin Guoan smiled and responded, "Yinong is also a very serious and hardworking actress." He threw a bait and raised his chin towards her, "How about it? Are you confident about the Best Actress award later?"

Qin Yinong wore an expression of "you're too much" and said, "Are you trying to set me up?"

Lin Guoan raised an eyebrow, "So what if I am? You're allowed to tease me, but I'm not allowed to set you up?"

Qin Yinong shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Fine, since you insist on hearing me say it, then of course I'm confident."

Lin Guoan asked, "Are you that certain?"

Qin Yinong replied nonchalantly, "If I guess wrong, there's no loss. I don't lack this award."

Lin Guoan was slightly stunned.

She's too confident.

No, maybe she's just being playful?

The audience fell into silence.

Hao Meihua took off the decoration from her handbag forcefully, accidentally ruining her freshly done manicure.

Qin Yinong also realized that she had been too self-indulgent. She smiled lightly and naturally made up for her previous statement, saying, "There are many talented young people who need this award more than I do. I hope to see more young actors emerge in the industry one day, making the performing arts industry flourish even more."

Lin Guoan sighed in relief and chimed in, "For example, among this year's nominees, there are three young talents who are outstanding. Director, please switch the camera."

The camera followed his cue, scanning Tang Ruoyao and the other two nominated actors.

After mentioning the other two names, Lin Guoan didn't forget to give recognition to his own cast, saying, "Tang Ruoyao, from our crew, is hardworking, diligent, and has a bright future. If there's a suitable script, remember to approach her. She will definitely not disappoint you."

Qin Yinong's "slip of the tongue" narrowly averted a revelation from the past.

Tang Ruoyao felt a weight lifted off her shoulders and relaxed her clenched fist unconsciously.

Lin Guoan began his acceptance speech, thanking his wife, children, and the entire crew. He emphasized that this award didn't belong to him alone but to everyone involved.

Qin Yinong returned to her seat, passing by Hao Meihua. She felt a slight unease beneath her feet and, after sitting down, squinted in the light to get a glimpse—it was a piece of nail art.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Qin Yinong understood and a smile curled up on her lips.

The climax of the evening arrived with the announcement of the Best Actress award.

Qin Yinong truly meant what she said—she didn't care much about winning another award herself, but she cared about who would receive this honor. Even if the chance was slim, she hoped the organizing committee would surprise everyone and give this recognition to Tang Ruoyao.

Last year, she couldn't witness Tang Ruoyao's win from the audience, and she hoped she could do so this year.

The screen was divided into five grids, each showing real-time updates on the nominees.

Hao Meihua clenched her handbag tightly, her knuckles turning white with exertion.

But at the same time, her eyes were fixed on Qin Yinong on the screen, thinking angrily, "She acted so indifferent on stage, but now she looks nervous, pretending and feigning concern!"

Tang Ruoyao pursed her lips, her jawline slightly tensed, revealing her nervousness.

Could it be her?

The host finished introducing the list of nominees, and the thrilling moment finally arrived. "So, the winner of the Best Actress award at this year's Golden Magnolia Award goes to..."

Her heart was about to burst, Tang Ruoyao's eyelashes trembled slightly as she closed her eyes.

"goes to... Qin Yinong!"

There were no surprises. The organizing committee stuck to their consistent decision, which also aligned with popular opinion.

Applause resounded like thunder.

Tang Ruoyao opened her eyes and applauded vigorously.

She smiled, her tears uncontrollably glistening in her eyes.

A bright spotlight shone on Qin Yinong. She calmly stood up, clasped her hands together, and humbly greeted everyone before walking to the stage.

The host welcomed her on the stage and once she reached the top, he bent down to adjust the hem of her dress before straightening up.

The presenter presented the award to her, and they exchanged a few words.

The host said, "Since the establishment of the Golden Magnolia Awards, you are the third consecutive actress to win, you were crowned Best Actress two years ago and last year, making it three years in a row. This is unprecedented, and it's unlikely that anyone will achieve this in the future. So, how do you feel at this moment?"

Qin Yinong's heart remained calm as she raised the trophy in her hand, reflecting a golden light.

She slightly lowered her head and spoke into the microphone, "Of course, I feel extremely excited."

Hao Meihua thought to herself, "Hmph."

The host continued, "Can you elaborate?"

"Sure." Qin Yinong smiled and said, "I want to show this trophy to my loved one and share this joy with her eagerly."

Loved one...

Tang Ruoyao sat in her seat, carefully contemplating those two words. She silently repeated them a few times, and a tingling sensation crawled up her spine, reaching the top of her head. She couldn't help but move her body, but the tingling seemed to seep into every cell.

It wasn't just a tingling sensation, but also warmth.

She felt her ears getting hot, and her cheeks started to blush.

The host, caught off guard by being fed dog food, remained silent for a second before continuing, "We are broadcasting live, so your loved one will definitely see it. Maybe he is applauding for you in front of the television right now."

He playfully added, "You can share it when you get home. Don't run away from the live broadcast. It's not over yet."

"No, I won't," Qin Yinong replied with a slight curve of her lips, her gaze brushing over Tang Ruoyao in the center of the crowd.

She was right there, where could she run to?

Hmm? Are her ears turning red? Is she usually this shy?

Qin Yinong delivered her acceptance speech, slightly adjusting the sentence structure of her previous years' speeches and changing the names, presenting a completely new speech. In the end, she said, "I want to thank my loved one, who has always been with me, supporting me, and never giving up on me. This trophy belongs to you as well. I..."

She moved her lips twice.

The microphone didn't capture her voice, and the on-site director thought there was a problem with the microphone, quickly calling for someone to check it.

But from the speakers on both sides of the stage, Qin Yinong's voice came through clearly, saying, "Thank you."

She bowed and left the stage.

It turned out she hadn't made a sound; she had only mouthed the words.

Tang Ruoyao was far away, and it was hard to see what she said, but those present before the live broadcast clearly understood.

Qin Yinong said, "Love you."

Putting it together, it means, "I love you."

[Damn it, I was just bored watching an awards ceremony. Why do they keep feeding me dog food one after another? Why?!]

[Hahaha, this is probably the most cheesy awards ceremony ever.]

[In previous years, people also confessed their love and thanked their spouses and husbands in their acceptance speeches. Why didn't we feel anything back then?]

[Maybe it's because this year is more explosive. I was still immersed in the news of Qin Yinong's secret marriage and hadn't recovered yet. Suddenly, she transformed into a public display of affection maniac. Farewell to her low-key luxury persona.]

[Agreed +10086 to the comment above.]

[And what about Tang Ruoyao? I thought her suddenly going public with her relationship was enough, considering she's always portrayed as a cool and aloof goddess. Now, the Golden Huai Awards is all about 'my loved one' for her. Wouldn't you be shocked if you were in her shoes?]

[I feel sorry for the fans of both sides, hahaha.]

[Why do I feel like there's something coincidental here? Tang Ruoyao goes public with her relationship, and then Qin Yinong reveals she's married. Could they be a couple?]

[Tang Ruoyao is straight, she has a boyfriend, it's been exposed. Blind people should read it three times. Can those who ship them together just go away?]

Qin Residence.

Tang Fei suddenly leaned back and sank into the couch, covering his eyes with both hands. Goosebumps appeared layer by layer on his arms.

It's so cheesy, so cheesy!

He didn't expect his sister-in-law to be like this!

Even he was blushing!

Ningning, lacking experience, didn't understand Qin Yinong's lip movements, but she imitated her and firmly covered her eyes with both hands.

Tang Fei put his hands down, but Ningning still kept them covered. Her eyelashes flickered through the gaps between her fingers.

He couldn't help but laugh and pulled down Ningning's little hand. "What are you doing?"

Ningning asked, "Why were you covering your eyes?"

Tang Fei said, "Because your mom is too cheesy."

Ningning tilted her little head and asked, "What does 'cheesy' mean?"

"Cheesy means..." Tang Fei explained bluntly, "When someone hears those words, they feel a tingling sensation."

Ningning seemed to understand but not quite.

"Then why did you say my mom is cheesy?"

"Because my sister... your Auntie Tang, is now cheesing people to death."

"Auntie Tang is dead?" Ningning exclaimed, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"No, no," communicating with children was a headache for Tang Fei. He himself was still a child, so he changed his wording and said, "They love each other very much. Do you understand? It means their feelings are really, really good."

Ningning nodded.

Tang Fei paused for a moment and added, "They are both married, you know." He emphasized the cheesiness of it.

Ningning heard the familiar "phrase" again and pursed her lips.

......

The Golden Magnolia Awards came to a successful end.

Those who won awards or had newsworthy topics were surrounded by the media early on. As for other celebrities, they had to line up and take turns for interviews, especially when facing mainstream TV stations. They were treated just like ordinary people, without any special treatment.

Tang Ruoyao didn't win an award, but she was always the darling of media interviews. She and Qin Yinong only had time for a brief encounter in the lobby exit—separated by several people, just a fleeting glance—before they each went their own way to be interviewed.

Mu Qingwu was waiting for her at the entrance. She had a jacket draped over her arm and approached her, saying, "Feeling cold?"

"It's alright." Tang Ruoyao waved her hand, indicating that she didn't need the jacket. She asked in a low voice, "Did you see... her?"

Mu Qingwu gestured in a certain direction with her mouth.

Tang Ruoyao looked into the distance and saw a crowd gathering, a dense mass of heads, with one person in the center surrounded by a constellation of stars. She could vaguely see Qin Yinong's security guards maintaining order, and caught a glimpse of Guan Han's clothing in the midst of it all.

Guan Han had her arms stretched out, firmly protecting Qin Yinong behind her. These media people had been holding themselves back all night, and now they were rushing forward like released birds from a cage, frantically throwing questions with their microphones, trying to be the first to ask.

Qin Yinong didn't like the media getting too close, so she waited for order to be restored before she would answer.

At that moment, she held her phone, her expression calm, one hand shielding the screen, and she clicked to send a pre-written message.

Tang Ruoyao's phone vibrated.

[Wait for me at home.]

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