Chapter 398: Nepotism

Because of He Daren's unexpected win, even when it was announced later that Wang Zhong was Best Director and *Sanshan* was Best Picture, many people at the scene were still immersed in the shock brought by the former.

By comparison, Wang Zhong and *Sanshan* winning the award was completely within expectations.

The hot work *Late Spring* ended up with nothing, the Best Screenplay award was taken away by *White Pearl*, and Best Cinematography was snatched away by another film.

It can be said that *Sanshan* was the biggest winner tonight.

Although Lu Yan He was also shocked by the result of Best Actor, he still chose to comfort this frustrated friend first at this time.

"It's your first time filming a movie and you've already been able to get so many nominations, you've already been great for a long time. Look at Director Wang, he has been filming for a long time, and it's his first time winning Best Director at the Feihong Awards." Lu Yan He said, "You must have lost because you are too young."

Liu Bige looked sideways at the trophy in Lu Yan He's hand.

"The youngest winner of Best Supporting Actor in history, telling me that I lost because I'm too young." Liu Bige looked at Lu Yan He, "I don't even know how to find a better reason to comfort me."

Lu Yan He said with a smile: "Best Director is still different."

They chatted and laughed for a while, and Miao Yue, who was sitting behind, walked over.

Nominated for Best Screenplay, Miao Yue, as one of the screenwriters, also attended the awards ceremony tonight. It was a pity that she didn't win the award in the end.

Liu Bige was a bit helpless and said: "I thought, no matter what, at least they would give us a Best Screenplay award."

Indeed, the script of *Late Spring* was good without controversy.

*White Pearl*, a film with mixed reviews, won Best Screenplay—it can only be said that it might really be to the taste of this year's judges.

Miao Yue smiled and said: "Didn't win the award, let's work harder next time."

Liu Bige asked Lu Yan He: "Are you going back directly later or what?"

Lu Yan He said: "Are you guys planning to do other activities?"

"Didn't win this award, it's too uncomfortable to go back now, let's find a place to drink." Liu Bige said, "Are you going?"

Tomorrow is Saturday, no classes. Lu Yan He nodded and asked: "What about Kong Fan and the others?"

Liu Bige said: "They will come over later, they all have some other arrangements."

Lu Yan He nodded.

Liu Bige asked curiously: "You won the award, don't you need to celebrate with the *Sanshan* crew?"

Lu Yan He said: "We have celebrated several times, I didn't hear that we would continue to celebrate today, Director Wang is probably tired too."

However, tonight *Sanshan* was the biggest winner, winning both Best Picture and Best Director, this honor is indeed worth celebrating.

Just as they were talking, Chen Ling, a producer who had long-term cooperation with Director Wang Zhong, came over.

He was organizing everyone to get together later.

Lu Yan He said: "I have already agreed to go drinking with Bige and the others."

Chen Ling smiled and said: "Director Bige, come together, everyone from your *Late Spring* crew come together."

Lu Yan He looked at Liu Bige.

Liu Bige nodded readily and said okay.

Lu Yan He also called Li Bi and He Lan together.

However, he specifically instructed them not to take photos or record videos anymore, as it was not a public occasion and they should pay attention to privacy.

Li Bi understood the number and nodded.

Lu Yan He occasionally had such opportunities and would bring people from *Jump Up* along, letting them have the opportunity to meet various people.

Many times, it is really necessary to know people yourself to play a role at critical moments.

Lu Yan He didn't want the people at *Jump Up* to have titles that sounded louder than their names—this is very difficult, but you can't be content with the status quo just because it is difficult.

Li Bi was already familiar with the road, but He Lan was attending such a gathering with many celebrities for the first time.

He Lan was inevitably nervous.

However, when she found that the people who were bright and beautiful before had all removed their makeup and changed into casual clothes, not as "precious" as they were at the awards ceremony scene, and had an approachable aura, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Yan He was too familiar with the two crews of *Sanshan* and *Late Spring*.

Mainly because he was familiar with the two directors, so Lu Yan He had no social burden at all.

After introducing Li Bi and He Lan to everyone, he didn't care anymore and pulled Liu Bige to a corner to drink and chat.

Miao Yue, on the other hand, chatted with Director Wang Zhong and the others about a film released recently.

Liu Bige asked: "After you finish filming *Road to Glory*, are you really going to act in that fantasy film called *Burning Fire*?"

Lu Yan He nodded, "I have this plan. Sister Ziyan told me that I have accepted too many serious art films before and haven't filmed commercial blockbusters. Over time, it will form a stereotype in the industry that I only want to act in art films. I don't want to let everyone misunderstand that I only want to act in art films."

Liu Bige: "You definitely won't have a problem acting in commercial films. However, I originally had a play that was going to be filmed next year, and I originally wanted to find you."

"Ah? Is it the one you mentioned to me in Venice before?"

"That's not it, that script is still being revised, Yueyue has new ideas for the script." Liu Bige said, "It's a script sent over by Long Yan Pictures, they want me to film it. Actually, it can be considered that they supported me in filming *Late Spring* before, and I promised to film a film with stronger commerciality after filming *Late Spring*."

"My schedule for next year hasn't been set. When does your film start filming? Have you decided?"

"It's estimated to start around March or April next year." Liu Bige shook his head, "Are you also busy with classes in March or April next year?"

"My compulsory courses for this semester are almost finished, I don't have many classes next semester. If the play can be arranged to be filmed in Yuming, then I'm fine. If it's not filmed in Yuming, then it's tough." Lu Yan He said, "What kind of character is it? You want to find me to film."

"A neurotic rich second generation, in order to get rid of a girl who is more neurotic than him chasing him, decided to fake his death, and as a result, caused a pile of trouble, a comedy." Liu Bige said, "I like this setting very much, feel it's interesting, and it's lively. You know from *Late Spring* that I like plays with many people. There are all kinds of characters appearing in turn, it's very wonderful, and although the script is very vulgar, it's not vulgar, it has that kind of dog-blood feeling of listening to gossip."

Lu Yan He heard this and said: "Then you can find Li Zhibai to act in this character. As soon as you say it, I feel he is suitable for this character, more suitable than me. He acting as a neurotic rich second generation will definitely be easy."

Liu Bige was a bit surprised, "Is that so? How is his acting?"

"Haven't you seen the plays he acted in?"

"Occasionally brushed some clips." Liu Bige said, "However, film performance is different from that. Actually, someone recommended Li Zhibai to act in this character, and brought me a clip of his performance in an idol drama, which is also a similar character image. I feel he acted too simply, not neurotic enough."

Lu Yan He said: "That is definitely because the TV drama doesn't allow him to act too neurotically. You want this male lead to have a bit of evil neurosis, right? Then under this appearance, essentially he must still be a kind person."

"Hmm."

"That is Li Zhibai, I use my reputation to guarantee you." Lu Yan He said with a smile, "You meet him, let him try the play, and you will know why I said so."

"I don't doubt you, okay, then I will contact him later." Liu Bige nodded, "Have time to guest star in a character for me."

"Okay." Lu Yan He nodded readily.

Liu Bige suddenly remembered something and said: "Do you basically have no classes in the second half of next year?"

"Yes, I have to start writing my graduation thesis. I have already contacted the teacher and started choosing the topic." Lu Yan He said, "Preparing to start writing in advance."

"That's best. You have to leave me the schedule for the new play that Yueyue and I are writing, specially customized for you."

"Hmm, you decide the filming time, tell me and Sister Ziyan in advance." Lu Yan He said, "I will leave it for you."

At this time, Sui Fangran and the others came over.

They came specifically to greet Liu Bige.

Lu Yan He immediately acted as an introducer.

Liu Bige was also quite friendly and enthusiastic to Sui Fangran and the others, saying: "I have a deep impression of the three of you, your performance in *Sanshan* is really good." They hurriedly said thank you.

Lu Yan He picked up his wine glass, "Then you guys talk first, I'll go find Director Wang."

As soon as he turned around, he saw Li Bi, who was not as smooth as usual on this occasion, but frowning at his mobile phone.

Lu Yan He walked over and asked: "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Li Bi immediately said: "Because Best Actor was an upset, the internet is arguing."

Lu Yan He didn't feel strange at all that the internet would be arguing.

The moment this result came out, I guess everyone expected the situation later.

Lu Yan He said: "Is there any new news?"

Li Bi said: "Chen Pinhe's agent accepted an interview with a media outlet, saying that He Daren winning the award this time made the Feihong Awards look very unprofessional, and pointedly said that no matter how well you act, it's not as good as having an old classmate who is the chairman of the jury."

Lu Yan He frowned in surprise: "What do you mean?"

"Someone exposed on the internet that He Daren and this year's Feihong Awards jury chairman Xi Wei'an were college classmates." Li Bi said, "This matter should be true, the group photo of their college back then has been exposed."

Lu Yan He opened his mouth in surprise, "Is it really because of this that Best Actor had such a big upset tonight?"

Lu Yan He thought it was because the box office of the film *Galaxy Nine Curves* was too low, and not many people had seen it, including him, missing a very great performance.

He really didn't think in the direction of black curtain.

In this line of work, Lu Yan He knew many plays and many actors, actually had quality not inferior to award-winning films and Best Actor/Actress, just because there was not much fame, so they were not seen.

Like the three major awards in the country, especially the three major film awards, from time to time, a few upsets would be exposed, pushing some people everyone didn't know to the spotlight.

The upset was exposed, but often no one would question that the strength of these winners was not enough.

Like this time, causing a "nepotism" scandal, Lu Yan He hadn't heard of it for a long time.

Li Bi took a deep breath, "I really want to grasp this hot spot. Now the whole internet discussion about this matter has exploded, especially the fans of you and several other nominees, who have gathered together to ask the Feihong Awards for an explanation, making a big noise."

Lu Yan He: "Has the Feihong Awards responded?"

"No." Li Bi shook his head, "The incident happened suddenly, I guess the organizers of the Feihong Awards themselves are still investigating the situation."

This matter was indeed big.

When Lu Yan He came to Wang Zhong, Wang Zhong was answering the phone.

Wang Zhong signaled him to wait a moment with his eyes.

Lu Yan He made a gesture of "you talk slowly" and waited on the side.

Wang Zhong didn't seem to mean to let Lu Yan He avoid this phone call, so Lu Yan He heard the names "He Daren", "Feihong Awards", and "Xi Wei'an".

After hearing the situation from Li Bi, Lu Yan He guessed the content of the phone call Wang Zhong was making.

I don't know who called Wang Zhong to talk about this matter.

Lu Yan He waited for Wang Zhong to finish this call.

Wang Zhong asked: "Have you heard that He Daren and Xi Wei'an were once college classmates? I heard that it has completely fermented on the internet, and everyone is discussing this matter."

Lu Yan He nodded and said: "Hmm, yes, I have heard it just now, so is it true?"

"It's true that they were once college classmates, but whether it was because of this relationship that an unexpected result appeared in the Best Actor award, I don't know yet, it's being investigated." Wang Zhong said.

"There are so many people on the jury, it's not up to Xi Wei'an alone. However, this result is indeed surprising, which is why it caused such a big controversy, right?"

"If it's really investigated that the selection result of Best Actor this time was seriously affected by Xi Wei'an, then this ugly thing will be big. As far as I know, each award of the Feihong Awards is generally voted by the members of the jury together. The jury chairman generally has to coordinate all the judges when there is a serious disagreement. Of course, his opinion is also very important. In fact, every result still needs his signature."

Wang Zhong suddenly smiled, looked at Lu Yan He, and said: "If this matter gets bigger and bigger later, I guess you will also be hard to stay out of it, and many people will definitely want you to express your opinion."

"Let me express my opinion?" Lu Yan He was a bit surprised, "What opinion do I have to express? I'm just a runner-up, it has nothing to do with me."

"You say so, others don't think so." Wang Zhong smiled, and after laughing, couldn't help scratching his head, "Sigh, the Feihong Awards still want me to be the jury chairman next year. This hot potato, how hot it will be then."

Lu Yan He looked at Wang Zhong with some surprise, "Are you the jury chairman next year?"

"Hmm." Wang Zhong nodded, "So, act well in *Road to Glory*, strive to win Best Actor next year."

"Then I'm too embarrassed." Although Lu Yan He said so, his eyes were bright, obviously looking forward to it.

If Wang Zhong is the jury chairman, not to mention anything else, the prejudice about his age will definitely be reduced to the minimum degree.

"However, I am not the male lead in *Road to Glory*." Lu Yan He said, "Can't win."

"Then come for a consecutive win of Best Supporting Actor." Wang Zhong said with a smile like a joke, "However, if you are compared by others, I can't help you speak. This nepotism scandal, I don't want it to happen to me one day."

"Got it." Lu Yan He smiled, "If so, what about *Rouge*? Bige should want to report Best Actress, right?"

Wang Zhong fell into deep thought and said: "This is really a problem."

After two seconds, "It's not a big problem, *Rouge* may not be released next year."

Lu Yan He was stunned, "Ah?"

Wang Zhong said: "I don't edit films that fast, and there is really no need to rush to release next year. That film, I think it will feel better if it is released in winter."

Wang Zhong said just this, and Lu Yan He immediately had a picture in his mind.

The overwhelming white, black, and gray tones of winter, desolate, cold.

A century seems to be ending here.

Think about it, after watching *Rouge* in the cinema, coming out, walking into the vast night, that atmosphere—

Lu Yan He said to Wang Zhong: "You are right, this film should be released in winter."

"Worrying, our domestic winter is not a good time for this kind of film. It is basically occupied by the New Year's Eve and Spring Festival files. There is almost no room for drama films like *Rouge* to survive." Wang Zhong said, "I really don't know if it can be released in winter in the end."

The production cost of *Rouge* is not low, aiming for at least 100 million box office, definitely can't be willful.

After the Feihong Awards ended, the list of winners received much attention, of course, ninety percent of the attention and heat were snatched away by the result of Best Actor.

Lu Yan He's Best Supporting Actor, even though it broke the record of the Feihong Awards, was only promoted by his fans and didn't cause much of a sensation.

The next day, Xi Wei'an stood up and responded to the saying of "old classmates taking care of old classmates".

"If you know how our jury decides on each award, you will know that the result of an award is not something I can control. We have a total of nine judges. After everyone discusses, they vote separately, and the one with the highest votes wins this award." Xi Wei'an emphasized, "Even if I am the jury chairman, I am only one vote, and only have one-ninth influence on the result."

Xi Wei'an's explanation was bought by some, and not bought by others.

For this kind of thing, basically as long as it happens, there will not be a perfect result.

However, at least it was a response.

According to Lu Yan He's understanding of this matter and the direction of such things, even if some people don't understand, I guess this matter will stop here.

No matter what, this award has already been awarded to He Daren and cannot be taken back.

And even if there are some problems in the judging process, these problems are definitely locked in a small range and will not be made public.

However, it was under such circumstances that someone suddenly exposed the details of the Best Actor judging vote.

The details set off another uproar. ===== CHAPTER 399 =====