Chapter 552: Tonight, Let the Oscars Feel the Charm of Chinese!

Lin Mo took the tea Jason handed over, took a light sip and laughed, "This tea really wakes you up, but compared to the nervousness of walking the red carpet later, it's still a bit lacking."

"Nervous? You kid can still be nervous~" Cheng Long elder brother laughed, patting Lin Mo's shoulder.

To say nervous, indeed a bit.

After all.

The Academy Awards really is the biggest hall of the film industry.

Cameron looked at Lin Mo and couldn't help but sigh, "Youth is still the best, I remember when I first won Best Director at the Oscars, it was Titanic…"

"That was a legendary night!" Jason immediately followed, eyes shining, "11 little golden statues, no one has broken that record to this day!"

Beside them, Shi Tailong raised his coffee cup, laughing, "Old buddy, that Oscars you were in turned Titanic into a real trophy‑harvesting machine!"

Titanic won awards in 1997.

Everyone present still remembers it vividly.

Bell couldn't help interjecting, "I still remember that year's ceremony, all the media said Cameron ruled the Oscars!"

Lin Mo turned to the quiet Heath Ledger sitting beside him, laughed and patted his shoulder, asking, "Heath, have you prepared your acceptance speech? Your name is already engraved on tonight's Best Supporting Actor trophy."

Heath Ledger, hearing this, was slightly stunned, then showed a shy smile, "Lin, I still can't quite believe it… the Joker role gave me a space to completely let go."

The dining table fell silent at once, everyone looking at the actor who stunned the world as 'Joker'.

"Come on, Heath," Jason nudged him with his elbow, "your improvised performance in The Dark Knight is now textbook‑level acting."

Bell, feigning grievance, spread his hands, "Look, my Batman was such a failure. The movie is called The Dark Knight, yet the knight didn't even get a nomination, while the villain stole all the spotlight."

Beside him, Fan Di Sai Er immediately replied, "I've been learning Chinese lately; in Huaguo there's a saying, 'Sacrifice the small self, achieve the great self.' Without a perfect Batman like you, how could the Joker's charm shine?"

"Exactly!" Cheng Long elder brother slapped Bell's shoulder, laughing, "That's the spirit of the supporting role! The Oscars owe you a Best Supporting Actor award!"

Heath Ledger lowered his head and smiled, "If I really win… I want to thank Lin, and our whole team." He lifted his head, eyes clear, "You gave this crazy character a soul."

Lin Mo raised his tea cup, "Then let's wish that we all bring home the little golden statues to the hotel tonight."

As he spoke, Lin Mo suddenly quoted the Joker's classic line from The Dark Knight: "Why so serious?"

Heath Ledger was taken aback at first, then burst into hearty laughter.

The atmosphere at the table revived, everyone was amused by the sudden joke.

"Heaven," Cameron shook his head and laughed, "I'm even more looking forward to tonight's ceremony now."

Dolby Theatre.

Located in Los Angeles, JiaLiFuYaNiYa Zhou, Hollywood Boulevard, it is the permanent venue of the Academy Awards and one of the world's iconic theatres.

In front of the main gate, a long red carpet had already been laid out early.

Theatre entrance.

Media reporters from around the world had been waiting early.

You should know, on a grand day like today, over 200 media outlets worldwide broadcast live, and TikTok also purchased the streaming rights this time.

Los Angeles time, 5 p. m. afternoon.

In the mainland, it's 8 a. m. now.

Must say.

The timing of the Academy Awards is really perfect.

It starts at 7 p. m., which is exactly 10 a. m. back home.

At this moment.

Across the Pacific.

TikTok official live room "Academy Awards Ceremony".

Even before the red‑carpet ceremony begins, more than 500,000 viewers are already online!

The bullet comments keep scrolling nonstop.

"Looking forward, looking forward!"

"I believe Director Lin will definitely win!"

"Best Director, it has to be Director Lin!"

"Heath Ledger is also a sure winner for Best Supporting Actor, right?"

"Why hasn't it started yet!"

"It's only 5:30 p. m. Los Angeles time now, the official start is at 7!"

"Director Lin must win!!!"

"......"

You can tell from these comments as well.

Quite a few viewers are cheering for Lin Mo.

How to say…

Previously, it wasn't that there hadn't been a Chinese director winning Best Director.

Li An did.

And he even won twice, still holding the record as the first Asian to win Best Director multiple times.

2006's Brokeback Mountain and 2013's Life of Pi.

What a coincidence.

Heath Ledger was one of the male leads in Brokeback Mountain.

But this time it's different.

Lin Mo is a proper mainland director.

And still so young.

If he could win Best Director at the Oscars this time...

That's simply unimaginable.

A few days ago, media outlets worldwide were speculating whether Lin Mo could win this Oscars Best Director.

If he wins, will the global film landscape change?

The answer is inevitable!

The backstage lounge of the Dolby Theatre.

Lin Mo also met Li An.

Well, this person is his senior.

So when Cheng Long introduced Lin Mo, Lin Mo also showed more respect.

Likewise, Li An has long admired Lin Mo.

I've wanted to meet him for a long time, but there just hasn't been an opportunity.

Lin Mo stepped forward slightly, bowed slightly, and extended his hand: "Director Li, I've long admired you!"

Li An grasped his hand, smiling: "Director Lin, finally meeting you, your *Batman: The Dark Knight* is truly the work that amazed this old man."

"You flatter me," Lin Mo laughed and shook his head.

Cheng Long interjected: "You two don't need to be modest with each other; if I may say, after tonight, you two will be the Chinese-language duo of the Oscar Best Director Club!"

Li An laughed and said: "Director Lin, seriously, I've seen foreign media's predictions, your chances of winning tonight are high." He paused, "If you win, are you preparing to give your speech in We need to output lines: English or English?"

Of course it's We need to output lines: English!

This is not just because I am Huaguo people, but also because there are still tens of millions of Huaguo viewers watching tonight!"?

Lin Mo's tone was quite firm.

"Ok, let's cheers to your decision; tonight let the Oscars hear the charm of We need to output lines: English!"

"Cheers!"