Chapter 526: “And the Winner of the Hundred Songs Award for Best Actor Is—”

The host on stage had clearly been given a heads-up. During the award presentation for Best Director, he deliberately chatted a bit more with Director Yang Li, stalling for time.

Yang Li was a veteran senior director after all, and naturally understood the host's intention. He didn't mind spending a little extra time hogging the spotlight either. So, clutching his trophy, he happily stood on stage delivering his acceptance speech.

Seeing that the delay was indeed getting quite long, and still no notification from the director below had come through his earpiece, the host glanced at the distant empty seat and the bored expressions in the audience below. He could only brace himself, usher Yang Li off stage, and begin slowly pushing the proceedings forward.

"Thank you so much for Director Yang Li's speech! Now, we finally arrive at the most thrilling moment—"

The host raised his hand, his gaze sweeping the audience below. He frantically exchanged meaningful glances with the assistant director off-stage, turning sideways to gesture towards the large screen behind him in the distance.

"There is such a group of people. They use their acting skills to mold souls, use their characters to move audiences, and use their genuine ability to write legends—let us focus on the most compelling male figures on the big screen and witness together the outstanding presence of this year's Bai Ming Award nominees for Best Actor—"

The next moment, the large screen behind him began playing the pre-prepared VCR, which started showcasing performance clips of the six nominees for Best Actor in rotation.

This also served as a simple introduction, making it easier for people to know who was who and to gain a certain impression of the candidates' faces.

When it came to the clip for the male lead of "No Bait", they selected the scene where the male lead, Shu Yuxiu, stands before a grave weeping for his beloved, only to then wipe away his tears in the blink of an eye.

His body is slightly hunched as he stands before the grave for a long time, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.

—Seeing this scene, no one would doubt his love and loyalty for his wife.

Until the last tear falls. Shu Yuxiu turns calmly, his face now devoid of sorrow and pain, even the love in his eyes completely vanished.

The man, who had seemed somewhat disheveled moments before, slowly straightens his back, as if shedding some heavy shackles, reborn anew.

There was no scene change, not even a camera cut, but with just a subtle lift of his gaze, everyone couldn't help but break out in goosebumps.

And it was at this moment they suddenly realized: everything just now had merely been the man's hypocritical performance.

The woman's existence, perhaps in another sense, was a shackle, a cage, restraining the man and the family.

But now, none of that mattered anymore.

Shu Yuxiu had no heart.

He would ultimately obtain everything he desired—

-

It must be said, Xiao He's portrayal of Shu Yuxiu was simply too dazzling among this group of nominees.

First, because of his youth. Second, because of his acting skills. Third, because of his on-screen presence.

Truly worthy of Director Ning Jiaqi.

Even within the nominee showcase for Best Actor, Ning Jiaqi's long take, executed as a single continuous shot, still appeared incredibly smooth. This clip not only vividly displayed Xiao He's acting prowess but also perfectly showcased a master director's aesthetic use of the camera—it was simply killing multiple birds with one stone.

The only regret was, at such a highly anticipated moment, when the camera landed on the corresponding actor's seat, there was only an empty chair.

The actor himself was not present.

Those at the venue who had followed the gossip already knew this situation.

But seeing the empty seat, the viewers in the live stream still felt a pang of disappointment.

[Brother Xiao's seat is empty. Looks like the rumors online are true.]

[Ahhh, so sad. Seeing Brother Xiao's seat empty makes my heart feel hollow too.]

[How are Brother Xiao and the others doing? Does anyone know? I'm still really worried.]

[I heard someone saw Brother Xiao at a nearby hospital. Not sure about the investigation results. I really hope nothing's wrong with him.]

[I hope good things happen to good people like Brother Xiao, that he stays safe and sound.]

[So, will the final Best Actor be Brother Xiao? Please, please, let it be him!]

[Xiao He, Xiao He, Xiao He... it has to be Xiao He...]

Under the gaze of thousands, the host tried his best to stall for time. Only when he could delay no further did the director finally instruct him through the earpiece to continue with the process; he couldn't stall any longer.

With no other choice, the host handed the card to the important guest presenter on stage.

The guest opened the card, saw the utterly unsurprising name on it, swept a calm gaze over the crowd below, a slight smile touching her face.

"Thank you to the nominees for their brilliant performances. And the actor who ultimately claims the crown is—"

"Xiao He!"

The moment her words fell, thunderous applause instantly erupted in the venue. Just as Director Ning Jiaqi prepared to go on stage to accept the award on his behalf, the camera feed on the large screen switched. A familiar young man emerged from the internal passageway at the side of the stage.

He hadn't had time to put his suit jacket back on. He wore only a simple white dress shirt and suit trousers. In fact, because he was walking so fast, his shirt sleeves were rolled up high, revealing the solid lines of his forearms. His hairstyle wasn't as meticulously styled as when he first entered the venue; instead, it had a somewhat disheveled, yet aesthetically pleasing, quality.

Perhaps having received a tip-off in advance, the camera zoomed in perfectly. Almost the instant Xiao He stepped out from the passageway door, the camera pushed right in, making Xiao He's appearance burst with impact and tension.

This resulted in the image seen by viewers both in front of the large screen and in the live stream: Xiao He's handsome face directly filling the screen, catching everyone off guard and stunning them with his looks.

The next moment, as everyone processed this, fierce cheers erupted in the venue.

It was as if, at this moment, what they were welcoming wasn't the well-deserved Bai Ming Award Best Actor, but a superhero who had successfully saved someone and was returning triumphant with honors.

When the first person stood up, others followed suit one after another.

Whether seasoned seniors or long-established top-tier celebrities, they all rose to their feet, clapping sincerely and genuinely for this hero who had selflessly saved others and emerged completely unscathed.

This was their respect for Xiao He, and also their recognition of him.

As Xiao He walked step by step onto the stage under the lights and applause, the clapping in the venue was accompanied by whistles and cheers from certain familiar faces. The fervent noise almost drowned out the venue's music, threatening to lift the roof right off the building.

The presenter was a veteran actor respected for both her virtue and her art. Her age was similar to that of Xiao He's grandparents. The look she gave Xiao He was exceedingly kind, carrying the unique warmth and concern of an elder.

She handed the trophy in her hands to Xiao He but didn't immediately congratulate him. Instead, she first inquired about his well-being: "Are you alright?"

Xiao He smiled as he accepted the trophy, shaking his head at this senior colleague. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Good, good, that's good."

The senior colleague smiled gently, then took a step back, yielding the microphone beside her and, by extension, the stage itself. She let all the lights and attention fall entirely upon this young man of limitless potential, who always carried kindness in his heart.

Xiao He, holding the trophy in his hand, faced the crowd below. For a fleeting moment, he actually felt a sense of unreality.