Chapter 245

"Let's witness together the 81st Academy Awards ceremony!"

Accompanied by the jazz band's melody, "Wolf Uncle" Hugh Jackman stepped on stage with a smile as tonight's host.

"Wow, that musical number was truly exhilarating!"

"Honestly, Xu, I'm envious of you—with a companion like this… did you save the world in your last life?"

"Oh right, I almost forgot—you're Spider-Man. I wish I could be a superhero too!"

"Of course, if it's a musical, you can also call me—I can sing Chinese songs too."

"Give me a bowl, can you or can't you…"

Wolf Uncle teased Xu Can at the start, clumsily singing two lines of Chinese song to liven the mood,

then used a stand-up comedy routine to briefly introduce tonight's major award contenders.

As one of tonight's main stars, Xu Can naturally received more close-ups.

"As everyone knows, since last year the global economy has been in recession, and the Oscars can't afford a real host—so here I am."

"The Oscars also said there's no budget for an opening number. Taylor Swift's appearance was only possible because they begged Xu Can."

"Whatever, even without a budget, I'm putting on an opening number."

Wolf Uncle joked around, linking 2008's hit films with songs.

"Slumdog Millionaire," "The Reader," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "La La Land,"

each film's lead actor came on stage to participate in the performance,

even Xu Can took the stage to perform a tap dance from "La La Land," sending the female actresses in the audience into shrieks and sparkling-eyed admiration.

"Wow, seriously, don't let Xu Can perform. He's stealing my spotlight as host, buddy—give me some dignity!"

After more teasing, Wolf Uncle finally got to the main event.

"First, let's welcome Tilda Swinton to announce this year's Best Supporting Actress…"

The awards began with Best Supporting Actress; Penélope Cruz won the Oscars' first award of the night for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

Then came more awards; in the race for Best Original Screenplay,

"Milk," "WALL·E," "In Bruges," "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," and "La La Land" were all mentioned in turn,

until the presenter awarded the prize to the writer of "Milk,"

Xu Can's first award slipped away in disappointment.

"Milk" is a biographical film with LGBT themes, perfectly aligned with the Oscars' political correctness trends.

"Oh no, 'La La Land' is looking shaky."

"Yeah, probably 'Slumdog Millionaire' will take Best Picture…"

"Got it—next time I'll make movies only about LGBT themes, guaranteed to win."

Chinese netizens began mocking the Oscars' particular bias: any film even slightly touching on such themes stood a better chance of winning the judges' favor.

People gradually began to doubt "La La Land."

Its competitor "Slumdog Millionaire" won Best Adapted Screenplay, taking an early lead.

"WALL·E" defeated "Kung Fu Panda" and "Surfer Dog" to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Finally, in the Best Art Direction category, "Sweetheart" Jennifer Aniston announced the winning film.

"Let's congratulate 'La La Land'! They've won the Oscars' first award of the night!"

On the giant screen behind, scenes from the film played: four girls in colorful long dresses dancing on the street—truly a delight to behold.

Xu Can's "La La Land" clawed back one point!

Immediately after, in the Best Costume Design category, "La La Land" won again!

2:1!

In the technical categories, "La La Land" began sweeping up awards!

Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing, Best Cinematography—Xu Can won them all in succession!

7:1!

The Oscars had barely begun halfway, yet Xu Can's "La La Land" had already won seven awards!

Though all were technical awards, they still thrilled Xu Can's fans.

Unfortunately, Best Editing went to "Slumdog Millionaire," leaving the score temporarily at 7:2!

Finally, the most important awards were about to come.

Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Picture—these major prizes were the heart of every Oscars ceremony, the most prestigious honors of all.

Even Emma Stone beside him grew tense.

Her hand began to tremble slightly, until Xu Can gently took it.

Just as during the premiere of "Spider-Man," Xu Can had held her hand then too,

Emma Stone stopped trembling, stopped being nervous—because Xu Can was right there beside her.

They said nothing, only exchanged a silent, knowing smile.

After collaborating on so many films, Xu Can and Stone had already developed a deep rapport.

Taylor Swift beside them, seeing this, pouted slightly in annoyance.

"I want to hold hands too."

"You're not up for any award—why are you messing around?"

Xu Can teased her, but still reached out and took hold of her hand.

Sitting one row behind Xu Can was Black Widow.

She watched as Xu Can held hands with two actresses on either side, then couldn't resist reaching forward to poke his back.

"What's wrong?"

"Mind the impact." Scarlett Johansson's beautiful eyes looked at Xu Can.

"You want to join in too?" Xu Can turned his head to meet her gaze.

"GetLost, shoo shoo shoo." Black Widow rolled her eyes irritably.

Xu Can contentedly turned back and continued holding the two girls' hands,

feeling that Black Widow was very fun — every time she ended up being flirted with by him instead, yet she still loved to flirt with him.

Careful, next time I'll just transform into the Hulk and take you down.

Let you feel the Hulk's anger firsthand!

Speaking of which, the Avengers project should be pushed forward soon — clearly the 2008 releases of Captain America 1, Iron Man 2, and Thor haven't come out yet until now.

It's expected that before this year's summer window, all three films will meet the world,

and afterwards the Avengers is expected to premiere at the earliest by year-end, or early 2010.

When the time comes, the world will see what a Marvel Cinematic Universe, a box-office harvesting machine, really is!

Xu Can was planning the upcoming release schedule when another Hollywood beauty, Charlize Theron, took the stage — as the presenting awarder, she would announce tonight's Best Director winner.

"Every nominee present today is an outstanding director. Let's see whose home the award will fall upon."

She carefully opened the envelope and read out the name on it.

"Bright Xu — Xu Can! Congratulations to our Spider-Man on winning Best Director! La La Land is the masterpiece he has brought us!"

103 — La La Land has once again taken home a major award! 【】

Xu Can, in his capacity as director, has also received his second lifetime Oscar statuette!

"Please welcome the youngest Best Director in Oscar history!"

Amid the applause of the entire hall, Xu Can strode confidently onto the stage, embraced Charlize Theron, and exchanged a cheek-kiss greeting.

"Congratulations, Xu. I really love this film."

"Thank you. We'll have a chance to work together in the future."

Taking the little golden man from Theron's hands, Xu Can looked at the audience below and revealed a charming smile.

"I have a premonition that I'll be coming back up here again later."

His confidence and elegant bearing once again triggered warm applause throughout the hall.

There are still two important awards later — Best Actor and Best Picture — and Xu Can indeed has a very good chance.

Everyone in the hall, including the viewers watching the live broadcast in front of their TVs, couldn't help but look forward to it.

Even "Wolverine" Hugh Jackman was thrown off his game.

"Xu, you've cut the Oscar proceedings a lot shorter like this… ah forget it, handsome is all that matters. Next, let's still reveal the Best Actress!"

Emma Stone was getting nervous at this moment — she was about to compete with Aunt May, Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie, and Anne Hathaway for this year's Best Actress crown!

A top-tier grandmaster match!