CHAPTER 121

Being nominated for the "Magnolia Award" Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Drunken Wanderer" marked the first major milestone in Xiaoyuan's 26-year acting career. She saw it as a symbol of leaving past shadows behind and a sign of her newfound maturity compared to previous years.

Too excited and thrilled to notice the odd tone in Wei Zhuang's voice, she sweetly said "See you tomorrow night" before hanging up.

The next evening, the red carpet at the Shencheng TV Broadcasting Hall was already packed with fans of various celebrity actors, separated by distant barricades on both sides, creating a human sea as far as the eye could see.

Under dazzling spotlights, numerous celebrities walked the red carpet, guided by staff, waving as they moved forward.

Xiaoyuan wore a simple yet elegant red dress, with exquisite details that accentuated her curvaceous figure—not too revealing nor too conservative. Her graceful movements blended youthful innocence with womanly charm, making her exceptionally eye-catching.

She walked the red carpet arm-in-arm with Xiang Zhishi, smiling at media reporters, signing autographs, and then entering the venue. Taking a deep breath, her heart pounded uncontrollably—nervousness was inevitable.

"Don't be nervous," said Xiang Zhishi in a formal black suit, looking slightly thinner than usual as he smiled down at her. "I'm so proud of you."

Xiaoyuan snuggled into his arm, pouting. "Did Ms. Yu finally allow you to visit me?"

Xiang Zhishi smiled. "I've already made it clear to her last month, then I went to Pengcheng."

Slowing her pace, Xiaoyuan looked at him with concern.

Her brother patted her head. "I'll tell you later. Tonight is more important."

Xiaoyuan looked at him, wanting to speak but hesitating. Just then, she heard someone call her name from behind. Turning around, she saw He Chenying.

He Chenying wore a white evening gown with flowing layers of tulle and sparkling tassel earrings. She came over to hug and exchange greetings with Xiaoyuan.

Xiaoyuan introduced Xiang Zhishi to her.

With refined handsomeness and gentlemanly demeanor resembling his sister's features, He Chenying remarked, "Your family has great genes—both siblings are so good-looking!"

"Sister Chenying, you're about the same age as my brother, yet you're speaking like an elder..." Xiaoyuan teased back.

He Chenying smiled and glanced at Xiang Zhishi, who gently tapped Xiaoyuan's forehead, saying, "Mind your manners with Teacher He."

"Oh, it's fine, Xiaoyuan and I are very close," He Chenying smiled, looking at her. "Where are you sitting?"

"Oh, I'm still waiting for Sister Ruan Qing..." As she spoke, Ruan Qing came to find them, smiling, "Our small studio doesn't have as much prestige as your Tonghua, but the seats arranged are decent, let's go."

"Sweetheart, you're so beautiful. Don't be nervous!" Ruan Qing reached out and patted her cheek.

Xiaoyuan groaned, "Oh no, I had already forgotten to be nervous, but you just made me nervous again!"

Ruan Qing laughed again. "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. Later, your senior sister Chenying will be presenting the Best Supporting Actress award, so you don't need to be nervous."

He Chenying, who was a few steps ahead of them, turned back with a reassuring smile.

The awards ceremony was long, with lengthy speeches and acceptance remarks. Actors and artists had to manage their expressions carefully, keeping their smiles on, and applauding promptly. She sat until her back ached, secretly glancing at the people from Tonghua Company who had excellent seats in the front. She now understood why Wei Zhuang disliked attending such ceremonies; they were simply too tedious and boring.

Yet she couldn't help wishing Wei Zhuang were here—at least then she could steal glimpses of her.

As the wait continued, her back grew sore. She whispered to Xiang Zhishi, "Brother, if you're tired, you can go home first."

Though weariness showed on his face, he smiled and said, "No, I have to stay with you."

She smiled and leaned against his shoulder, sighing softly. She couldn't play on her phone, and for an artist participating in such a major awards ceremony for the first time, it was best to be cautious. If the cameras caught her, it could cause trouble. So, she just endured it.

Finally, it was time for the Best Supporting Actress award.

Xiaoyuan couldn't help but sit up straight, squeezing her palms.

As He Chenying read out the nominees one by one, the audience erupted in applause for each name. Xiaoyuan's heartbeat quickened. She had seen the list before—among the nominees, she was the youngest and least experienced.

Actually, where did her confidence come from to think she had a good chance of winning?

Well, it wasn't impossible, right?

Though the film wasn't mainstream and she lacked the seniority of other nominees, "Drunken Wanderer" had been last year's breakout hit, smashing records, and her performance had received unanimous praise.

Her thoughts swung back and forth, her eyes fixed on He Chenying on stage, her heart almost leaping out.

He Chenying seemed to glance in her direction a few times, then opened the list. Her eyes paused for a moment, and Xiaoyuan's heart instantly sank.

Sure enough, He Chenying announced with a gracious smile, "The winner of the XXth Hundred Flowers Award for Best Supporting Actress is—XXX."

It wasn't her.

Congratulations erupted in applause.

Xiaoyuan knew that as the list was announced, cameras would be tracking the nominated actors. After her initial stupor, she quickly reacted, applauding and smiling, mindful of her expression and demeanor, though her mind had gone blank.

Xiang Zhishi leaned over and hugged her. "It's okay. We'll try again next time. We've already come a long way."

His words nearly brought her to tears.

The harder the journey, the more she craved that validation.

Even after the Best Supporting Actress award was presented, she couldn't leave. She had to wait for the Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor and Actress, Best Director, Best Film, and other awards. It took almost another hour and a half before the ceremony finally ended.

When it was time to get into the car, Xiaoyuan, holding the hem of her dress, felt like a deflated red balloon, her color dimmed. He Chenying walked over, seemingly to comfort her.

Xiaoyuan sighed inwardly, forcing a smile. She didn't dare speak much to her, feeling she had disappointed her, and also very disappointed in herself.

Finally, once she was in the car, her eyes welled up.

Xiang Zhishi knew she was upset. He comforted her with a couple of sentences, and seeing that Xiaoyuan was still dispirited, he quietly asked, "Do you want to go see her?"

Xiaoyuan's lips trembled. "Yes."

Assistant Gao didn't have time to watch the entire awards ceremony live. She knew she wouldn't last twenty minutes, so she relied on updates from the gardening group chat, checking occasionally. When it came time for Best Supporting Actress, she tuned into the live stream.

"Ah!"

When Xiaoyuan didn't win, Assistant Gao sighed, and the group also felt regret. Most people in this group were seasoned film and TV drama fans, and many also worked in media, so their perspective on these awards ceremonies was different from ordinary fans:

[Winning sometimes depends on luck. This year had too many veterans—'Little Yuanyuan' is still new. Being a runner-up was inevitable.]

[True, very few win on their first try. After multiple nominations, they can't ignore you forever!]

[It also depends on the actor's connections. Sometimes you don't need to pull strings yourself, but you must prevent others from stealing your chance.]

"Xiaoyuan's team is decent now, mainly thanks to Ruan Qing. Her talent will earn awards eventually.]

[It's fine, I'm not disappointed. 'Drunken Wanderer' has already made a name for 'Little Yuanyuan.' Mission accomplished. I'm more excited for 'The Long Night'...]

Assistant Gao felt that the people in the group made a lot of sense, but they weren't Xiaoyuan herself and couldn't personally experience her feelings. She thought Xiaoyuan must be somewhat disappointed.

Putting away her phone, she accompanied the CEO to a banquet.

'Are they not planning to meet tonight?' Assistant Gao's gossip antenna twitched.

Seated on the car's side sofa, she glanced at her boss—a black V-neck dress with no accessories except a gold watch. Outside, night had fallen completely. The CEO, exhausted from a day of meetings, rested with closed eyes, her thoughts unreadable.

Just as Assistant Gao debated whether to mention Xiaoyuan's situation, her boss opened her eyes, picked up her phone, and answered.

"Where are you?" She lowered her gaze, her voice magnetic and pleasant. "Shall I pick you up?"

Assistant Gao suppressed a smile.

The CEO was probably in a hurry to pick someone up and didn't ask her to get out of the car and go home first. She was practically overjoyed inside.

When they reached the meeting point, Assistant Gao didn't see Ruan Qing, but instead saw Xiang Zhishi. The CEO was also clearly a little surprised. The driver came to open the car door for her, and the CEO stepped out. Assistant Gao retreated a bit.

She widened her eyes slightly, watching Xiang Zhishi lead Xiaoyuan towards Wei Zhuang. It was a very short distance, but Assistant Gao felt like it resembled a Western wedding.

"I'll leave her to you, President Wei." Xiang Zhishi said gently, ruffling Xiaoyuan's hair.

Wei Zhuang's eyes flickered slightly but she remained silent, offering only a slight nod.

Once in the car, Xiaoyuan stayed quiet for a while, her mind chaotic and weary, leaning against Wei Zhuang. Assistant Gao wisely kept her mouth tightly shut.

"I thought I would win the award." Xiaoyuan mumbled dejectedly.

Actually, she could understand, and she also felt she was a bit too impatient. But seeing Wei Zhuang, that bit of discomfort spread, mixed with an unknown sense of grievance.

Wei Zhuang looked down at her face, a trace of complexity flickering between her deep, cool brows and eyes.

"Playing Liang Ji was inspired by you."

"I feel like if I don't tell you I miss you now, I won't be able to focus on filming tomorrow."

These two sentences Xiaoyuan had spoken kept echoing in Wei Zhuang's mind. The latter temporarily took precedence. Her gaze softened slightly, and she said, "It's just a minor award."

There really was no need to make such a big deal out of it.

Xiaoyuan froze, straightening up to stare at her intently.

Pursing her lips, she asked, "A minor award?"

Wei Zhuang raised her eyes to meet Xiaoyuan's gaze, seemingly puzzled by this sudden emotional shift.

From the sidelines, Assistant Gao mentally groaned, sensing trouble brewing.

The car fell into several seconds of heavy silence.

When Wei Zhuang remained silent, Xiaoyuan took it as tacit agreement. A surge of chaotic negative emotions welled up inside her.

'So that's why she didn't come to the awards ceremony. I checked my phone several times during the ceremony, pretending to go to the restroom, but she didn't send any private messages asking about my situation. I had to call her myself afterwards.'

'It turns out my matters are just minor things to her!'

Her eyes reddened slightly, and she bit her lower lip tightly.

"So my matters are just trivial to you too, right?" she murmured, her voice trembling with unshed tears.

Wei Zhuang frowned slightly, gazing at her intently.

Assistant Gao bravely cleared her throat, "Xiang—"

"I want to go home." Xiaoyuan turned her face toward the window. "Take me back to my brother's place. Alex, please tell the driver."

Not daring to use the car's intercom, Assistant Gao shot a glance at Wei Zhuang.

Wei Zhuang was still looking at her, the lines of her profile seemingly colder. "You want to go back?"

"Yes!"

"Okay."

Assistant Gao failed to intercept Wei Zhuang's response in time, inwardly cursing at her own hesitation.

"Alex, tell the driver to take her home."

"Huh?" Assistant Gao felt she agreed too quickly, but she couldn't disobey. She mumbled, "Right." Her eyes darted toward Xiaoyuan.

At her boss's words, Xiaoyuan's eyes grew even redder. She turned her face further away, refusing to look at Wei Zhuang.

Assistant Gao had no choice but to relay the instructions.

During the drive back, neither of them spoke again.

Assistant Gao nearly suffocated from the tension.

When they reached the garage, Xiaoyuan opened the door. Pausing mid-step, she hesitated until Assistant Gao ventured again, "Pres... President Wei..."

Wei Zhuang watched Xiaoyuan's retreating figure with furrowed brows, emotions churning in her eyes.

Xiaoyuan didn't hesitate further. With a swish of her dress, she ran inside.

Assistant Gao sighed deeply in her heart.

'President! Couldn't you at least try to comfort her?!'

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