[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-24":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hong Kong 1984",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2223687,4066,"Chapter 24","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-24",24,"\u003Cp>Inside the Dolby Theatre, the lights blazed and stars shone brightly. Xiang Fei led the Drive My Car team, guided by staff, toward their seating area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have good seats,\" Han Shanping whispered, \"directly facing the stage; the cameras will easily catch us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei nodded, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. The theatre was packed to capacity, with Hollywood's top directors, actors, and producers gathered together. Spielberg, Nolan, Tom Hanks, and other big names were already seated, occasionally casting glances in their direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin gently took Xiang Fei's hand: \"Are you nervous?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei took a deep breath: \"A little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shanping patted his shoulder: \"Relax; tonight is destined to be our night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The host stepped onto the stage, and thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Academy Awards ceremony!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei stared at the stage, hearing the host's humorous opening remarks, yet his mind drifted far away. He knew that if he could secure the little golden statue tonight, he would leap to become a world-renowned top-tier director. This thought filled him with both excitement and apprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next, we present the award for Best Supporting Actress...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing instantly straightened her back, her fingers unconsciously twisting together. This was her first Oscar nomination; although her chances of winning were slim, one always harbors hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The winner is... Judi Dench, for Shakespeare in Love!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As applause rang out, Li Bingbing's shoulders slumped slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao leaned over, whispering: \"Don't be discouraged; you are still young.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xingchi also offered comfort: \"Just being nominated is already impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin held Li Bingbing's hand: \"There will be many more opportunities; next time, it will surely be you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bingbing forced a smile: \"Thank you all; I'm fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Best Supporting Actor...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xingchi's fist unconsciously clenched, his knuckles turning white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The winner is... Steven Zhou, for Drive My Car!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xingchi froze, as if he hadn't heard clearly. Hong Jinbao slapped him on the back: \"What are you daydreaming about! It's you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Zhou Xingchi snap out of his daze; he jumped up and embraced each team member one by one. Xiang Fei forcefully patted his back: \"Well deserved!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked onto the stage, Zhou Xingchi's legs felt somewhat weak. Accepting the little golden statue, his voice choked: \"Thank you to the Academy voters, and thank you, Director Xiang Fei, for giving me this opportunity...\" Halfway through, tears streamed from his eyes. Beneath the stage, benevolent laughter and applause arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Best Actress was claimed by Gwyneth Paltrow. Zhou Huimin maintained a proper smile on her face, but Xiang Fei could sense her disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the future, I will definitely make you win Best Actress,\" he promised in a low voice, \"I guarantee it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin shook her head: \"It doesn't matter to me, truly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, Hong Jinbao won Best Actor for Drive My Car. The veteran actor was so moved his eyes turned red; he hugged Han Shanping and Xiang Fei tightly: \"Thank you! Thank you both!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His acceptance speech was sincere and moving, especially expressing gratitude to Xiang Fei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Best Director...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei held his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The winner is... Steven Spielberg, for Saving Private Ryan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei's face instantly darkened. He clapped mechanically, his eyes icy cold. Zhou Huimin tightly gripped his hand, while Han Shanping and Hong Jinbao cast comforting glances, but he could no longer hear any words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Spielberg ascended the stage, he specifically nodded in the direction of the Drive My Car team to acknowledge them. This director also knew in his heart that this award rightfully belonged to Xiang Fei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The award for Best Original Screenplay once again slipped past Xiang Fei. His fury had reached its peak; the rhythm of his fingers tapping on the armrest exposed his inner agitation. If there were one more disappointment, he would likely leave his seat on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Best International Feature Film... Drive My Car!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunderous applause filled the hall. Zhou Huimin glanced worriedly at Xiang Fei, then quickly exchanged a glance with Han Shanping. Understanding the signal, Han Shanping rose to accept the award on behalf of the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you to the Academy voters for this recognition,\" Han Shanping stated with propriety and restraint, \"the success of this film belongs to the entire team...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei sat in his seat, clapping with an expressionless face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the presenting guest announced, \"Best Picture... Drive My Car!\" the entire team leaped to their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao shouted excitedly: \"I knew it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xingchi and Li Bingbing embraced, weeping. Han Shanping pulled Xiang Fei up: \"Let's go; it's our turn on stage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei forced a faint smile as he walked onto the stage. After accepting the trophy, his acceptance speech was brief and sharp: \"Thank you everyone for your support. However...\" He paused, scanning the entire hall, \"is my directing ability really that poor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience fell silent instantly, then burst into laughter and applause. Spielberg smiled helplessly from his seat—behind this joke lay Xiang Fei's unmasked dissatisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the awards ceremony concluded, Xiang Fei returned to the hotel with a cold face all the way. At the victory banquet, he sat alone in a corner, drinking champagne glass after glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin approached, speaking softly: \"Don't be like this; we won several major awards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is my directing ability really that poor?\" Xiang Fei sneered, \"They simply do not understand what true directing art is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shanping sighed: \"That is just how the Oscars are; many factors must be considered...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need no explanations, Uncle Han.\" Xiang Fei stood up, \"I am tired; I will return to my room first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone exchanged bewildered glances, yet no one dared to stop him. This night, which should have been a moment of celebration, turned victory bitter due to the absence of one award.\u003C\u002Fp>",972,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","8a42b1662a228b27afb4f54a777a1e328a5df8a3a36a2f1c6af8145d4206fd9b","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-25","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-23",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]