Chapter 248

Xu Can set two records at the 81st Academy Awards that no one could match!

Youngest Best Director and youngest Best Actor in Oscar history!

After stepping on stage, Xu Can held the golden statuette and smiled with such charm that he nearly won over countless girls watching on TV.

Even Hollywood actresses on site were utterly captivated by him.

"First of all, Emma, I love you too."

Xu Can's first words triggered a chorus of screams like a pack of howling wolves.

Emma had just declared her love, and Xu Can publicly responded—making every actress present envious.

Then Xu Can thanked his parents and the entire crew; after his conventional remarks, he gazed at the golden statuette in his hand and felt as if in a dream.

"I don't feel superior to any other nominee or anyone here—we all share the same love: a passion for cinema."

"As a Chinese person, I've been questioned since the moment I entered Hollywood, and I believe I'll continue to face doubt in the future."

"This golden statuette is just the beginning—I'll use my future films to show everyone: Im-the-king-of-movie! I am the King of Cinema."

When James Cameron won Best Director for Titanic, he shouted to the world, "I am the King of the World!"

Xu Can, here, simply stated a fact in a calm tone.

The entire hall fell silent for a moment, then burst into the most enthusiastic applause of the evening—sound levels reached a new record!

No one thought Xu Can was bragging; on the contrary, Xu Can was already ruling Hollywood, ruling cinema!

Just look at the newly released I Am Not a Pharmacist—it clearly has a shot at next year's Oscar!

Moreover, he keeps releasing even more refined films!

For him to call himself "King of Cinema" is not the slightest bit exaggerated—it only proves Xu Can has not lost his ambition for cinema!

This is good news for Hollywood and film fans worldwide!

The 81st Academy Awards reached its climax here!

…

"Do you feel regret about not winning Best Picture?"

That night, in Emma Stone's bedroom.

After finishing their game, they lay side by side, cuddling as they chatted.

Yesterday she was the one who got picked; today it was Stone Sister's turn.

She still harbored resentment over losing Best Picture.

La La Land was poised to sweep everything, yet in the final awards, it lost to Slumdog Millionaire.

"That's normal—I predicted this before the ceremony; the probability was over 80%."

Xu Can remained utterly calm.

"If we had won Best Picture, it would've been the surprise."

"Why? La La Land was far better than that slumdog…" Stone Sister still fumed on his behalf.

Xu Can affectionately pinched her nose.

"Don't say that—Slumdog Millionaire is also an outstanding film, and its themes align better with the Academy voters' tastes."

Compared to love and dreams, Academy voters prefer social issues, racial tensions, wealth gaps, and similar topics.

So compared to La La Land, I Am Not a Pharmacist has a much higher chance of winning Best Picture next year.

"Alright then, but even so, we've already won," Stone Sister smiled again.

La La Land received 14 nominations this year and won Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and seven other technical awards.

A total of ten awards! Nearly swept the Oscars!

It fell just one award short of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Titanic's record of eleven Oscars!

La La Land was truly the biggest winner of this year's Academy Awards!

The next day, major North American media outlets reported the news with frenzy.

Youngest Best Director ever, youngest Best Actor ever, youngest Best Actress ever!

Xu Can and Emma Stone, as a publicly known couple, received universal praise!

CNN, NBC, BBC, and other major media outlets ran continuous coverage of the Oscar's blockbuster news.

Xu Can's impact this time was truly explosive!

In an instant, Xu Can's fame in North America soared again, making him a national idol on par with Bruce Lee—one of the most famous Chinese people ever!

In China, the same was true: less than a week after its last report, the News Broadcast once again covered Xu Can.

News anchor Kang Hui solemnly delivered this joyful news to the entire nation!

"The 81st Academy Awards ceremony concluded in the early hours today; our actor Xu Can, for the film La La Land, won the Oscar for Best Director and Best Actor!"

"He has become the youngest Best Director and youngest Best Actor in Oscar history."

"This is a victory for all Chinese performers!"

"In his acceptance speech, Xu Can stated he would continue striving to deliver even more brilliant works to global film fans…"

Two appearances on the News Broadcast in one week—what a display of prestige!

Following this, provincial satellite channels, major websites, and traditional newspapers and magazines all ran Xu Can's win for Best Director and Best Actor as their front-page headline.

In his past life, Yang Ziqiong winning Best Actress was wildly covered by the media.

Xu Can's achievement is an order of magnitude greater than Yang Ziqiong's—these days, news about Xu Can was everywhere.

Suddenly, Xu Can, who had never been part of the Chinese entertainment circle, garnered more exposure than popular male stars like Hu Ge, Huang Lei, Chen Kun, Deng Chao, Lu Yi, and Sun Honglei!

Of course, all this was later told to Xu Can by Xu Yuling.

Xu Can didn't pay attention to domestic entertainment news—he was busy filming and editing the post-production of Source Code!

On the day after the Oscars, while Xu Can was basking in glory, he did not attend any events, take any ads, or appear at any social dinners.

Xu Can was at the peak of his popularity, throwing himself entirely into the company's post-production studio.

The Los Santos Times and The New York Times wanted to schedule exclusive interviews, but couldn't find him anywhere.

Even talk shows and variety programs like The Oprah Show, The Jimmy Fallon Show, and Conan couldn't book a slot with Xu Can at all.

So much so that Jimmy Fallon told the media helplessly:

"Sorry, I still can't get hold of Xu Can for now. He's really too immersed in the film and has turned down every invitation."

"They say this film is a sci-fi movie, set to release on Easter, and I can't wait to see it!"

The more mysterious Xu Can became, the more all of North America looked forward to his next move.

What kind of work is Source Code, exactly?

Can Taylor Swift's acting skills handle the role?

The newly crowned Oscar Best Director, Oscar Best Actor, Oscar Best Actress, plus the Grammy darling,

The cast of Source Code suddenly became incomparably lavish!

Just as all eyes were watching, Xu Can finally released the first trailer!