Chapter 174

After the silence of the past few hours, the temperature in the living room had quietly risen by a few degrees.

At least for Wang Fei.

That was the case.

The gentle yet forceful kiss made her completely intoxicated, enjoying the feeling of their souls merging; the heat radiating from those large hands made her waist twist slowly.

Until the other party slid his hands down to knead her buttocks.

Kneading her into a state of panic.

Wang Fei forced the little goldfish out and panted as she looked at the man: "I've discovered something—you're too bold. Do you know what you're doing?"

"Touching your butt."

Li Luo was very honest.

"Pfft!"

This honest remark caused Wang Fei's feigned anger to instantly collapse, and she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Composing herself, she repeated her earlier question:

"Do you know what you're doing?"

"I do."

Li Luo stopped kneading her buttocks.

"What is it?"

Wang Fei asked hurriedly.

"Hmm."

After a moment of contemplation, Li Luo said earnestly: "I am a pure, innocent young man with a clean record, who has been seduced by a certain diva and is forced to endure shameless bullying."

As he spoke, Wang Fei's eyes widened.

She simply couldn't believe it.

That she was hearing such shameless words.

"You! I!!!"

She was so angry she didn't know what to say.

Struggling to get up.

"Don't move."

Li Luo laughed and used his arms to pull her tightly into his embrace: "Just a joke, why so excited? If you move again, I'll spank you!"

"You dare!!!"

Wang Fei tried to struggle.

"Smack."

Li Luo used a heavy slap to prove whether he dared or not.

After the crisp sound.

Her buttocks rolled along with it.

The burning pain in her butt left Wang Fei staring at the guy before her in shock; this bastard truly didn't care about her status, daring to act so aggressively toward her.

Her mouth opened, and she lay silently in Li Luo's arms.

Instead, a happy smile appeared on her face.

She didn't like being abused.

It only took one kiss to entangle their feelings, and one slap to prove that the other party treated her as an ordinary woman.

Unfettered by fame or profit.

Even if he was a bit aggressive, it was fine; it was better than all sorts of affectation.

Looking at Wang Fei, who was no longer making a fuss.

Li Luo chuckled.

One should be serious when it's time to be serious, and decisively seize the opportunity when it's not; as long as the timing is right, some things will soon fall into place.

"Of course I know what I'm doing."

He sat up with her and held Wang Fei's face in his hands: "I wanted to kiss you, so I did!"

"It has nothing to do with who you are."

"If you feel offended."

Before he could finish, Wang Fei shook her head repeatedly.

Indicating she didn't feel offended at all.

"Good." Li Luo smiled and rubbed her face, asking softly:

"And you?"

"Me too."

Wang Fei hesitated slightly, but spoke decisively.

"Shh."

Pressing a finger to her lips, Li Luo interrupted: "No need to rush to give an answer. Calm down and think it through first. Princess Wang, I like you, but I don't want to be anyone's substitute."

"Give yourself a little time to see if the feeling is right."

If he had plenty of time, he would have occupied the path to her heart directly.

But clearly, there was no such opportunity now!

Better to retreat to advance.

Sometimes retreating is more effective than pressing the attack.

Seeing Wang Fei's moved expression, as if she wanted to argue, Li Luo kissed her lightly and patted her butt: "Go back quickly, Xiang Naying will wake up soon!"

"Oh."

The big sister stood up obediently.

She thought for a moment, then bent down to kiss Li Luo, saying indistinctly: "You aren't anyone's substitute, and no one else makes me feel as annoyed as you do."

Biting Li Luo's lower lip, Wang Fei turned and walked out.

Her little steps were quite relaxed.

Bouncing along.

Like a little girl who had just bought her favorite candy.

Li Luo shook his head and chuckled, opening the cigar box to light one. After blowing out the smoke with extreme comfort, he poured himself another glass of red wine and whistled as he put away the extra glass.

A few minutes later, the mahjong friends gathered in the room.

Continuing the battle.

Compared to before, it didn't seem any different; Li Luo and Wang Fei continued to bicker, and even more vigorously.

But Xiang Naying felt something had changed.

Her sister.

Was radiant.

Even without makeup, her skin had more luster than usual.

As long as a person is in good spirits.

They will radiate vitality from the inside out.

Reflected on the mahjong table, it was like "if a god stands in the way, kill the god; if a Buddha stands in the way, kill the Buddha." Wang Fei's luck finally turned around, and after an all-nighter, she left Gao Yuanyuan and Xiang Naying looking miserable.

She held her chips, unable to stop smiling.

Taking advantage of the moment when the others weren't looking, Li Luo flicked two black chips toward Gao Yuanyuan with lightning speed.

Yuanyuan glared at him.

But finally smiled.

Spending twenty thousand to buy a smile was very worth it; he didn't win or lose, just considered it paying for company.

After finishing the all-nighter.

Although very reluctant, Wang Fei returned to Beijing to continue promoting her new album after receiving a call from her manager. Fortunately, her mental state had recovered quite a bit.

She still had insomnia, but it was much better than before.

Once she started running.

She couldn't stop.

Even though her manager had built her image as cold and goddess-like, for the sake of the new album's sales, she had to keep her spirits up and promote everywhere.

Running between cities, she simply had no time to visit Zhuozhou.

Wang Fei's longing.

All turned into text messages that flooded Li Luo's phone.

Every time he checked his phone during breaks in filming, there were always various messages from Wang Fei.

"Met a very annoying reporter."

"Didn't sleep well last night."

"My throat is uncomfortable; I'm afraid it will affect my performance."

"Suddenly I hate cold jokes so much. Why are there so many? I want to tell him to stop sending them, but we're friends, it's so annoying!"

"Did you miss me?"

"Almost caught a cold. You should take good care of yourself in Zhuozhou too."

Amidst Wang Fei's messages sent in her spare time, the days passed one by one.

The broadcast performance of *Heroes of Sui and Tang* on local channels.

Could be said to be very good.

Although the plot was only halfway through, the excellent ratings had already attracted the attention of purchasing departments at many satellite channels, and having Li Luo starring in it gave them extra peace of mind.

This was Li Luo's first major production since *Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, and everyone wanted to be the first to get a taste.

Li Sipin's phone was almost blown up.

Invitations for banquets were endless.

Although he was flushed red from drinking almost every day, the rising price tag made it all worth it; investing a large sum of money and spending months of time was exactly for this moment!

Unlike Li Sipin, who was full of joy waiting for various offers.

Ma Zhongjun was now incredibly annoyed.

Clearly, he had started filming first, but the post-production progress kept being delayed, and now the broadcast date was nowhere in sight.

That feeling of frustration.

Need not be mentioned!

In the blink of an eye, November arrived.

The filming of *Divine Physician and Heroic Couple* was nearing its end, and Li Luo also received good news: through the joint efforts of Wu Dun, Li Sipin, and Ma Zhongjun, plus the fans' crazy voting, he successfully won his first award.

The latter two participated in helping voluntarily.

Just to varying degrees.

If Li Luo could win "Top Ten Actor," it would be a benefit for their sales as well.

This is also why actors winning awards isn't just about strength; it involves the interests of countless people behind the scenes.

Not just in domestic entertainment.

The same situation happens in Hollywood.

It's just that their bottom line is slightly higher, not to the point of propping up a vase-like actress with poor acting as Best Supporting Actress, treating everyone else like fools.

"The internal voting results are out now."

Wu Dun wrapped his thick coat tighter and looked at Jia Jingwen, who was performing in front: "Your award is definitely no problem; just wait for the announcement."

"The award ceremony is on the 26th; you'll come with me to Leqing then."

"The media might have some questioning voices."

"Keep your temper in check; we've got the award, so don't argue with anyone at this time."

"Questioning voices?"

Li Luo extended his hands toward the charcoal brazier, exhaling a puff of cold air.

Now that he had gained the benefit.

He certainly wouldn't stand out and spout nonsense.

"That's right."

Wu Dun adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled, saying nonchalantly: "The male lead of *The Story of a Noble Family* had a vote count very close to yours and also really wanted to win this award; in terms of television themes, he has an advantage."

"But as for connections, he's a bit lacking."

"I guess he'll be unconvinced."

One Republican-era drama by Zhang Henshui, one martial arts drama by Jin Yong.

Which side the judges favor.

Goes without saying.

If no one had helped operate behind the scenes, Li Luo really wouldn't have been able to win this award.

The male lead of *The Story of a Noble Family*—isn't that Da Kun!

I didn't expect to have snatched his award; actually, the success of *The Story of a Noble Family* should first be attributed to the script.

As for the character Jin Yanxi.

Any handsome young actor popular now could play it, and the effect wouldn't be bad.

The highlight of Senior Chen's acting.

Still has to be Yu Huatian.

However, like Da Ru, he was later propped up to the point where he lost his way. In *The Rise of Phoenixes*, after changing lines, character settings, and even the settings and lines of other actors, he used the phrase "I'm afraid of spicy," which made people's skin crawl.

The poor ratings directly pierced the bottom line of Mango TV's prime time.

It was even urgently pulled from the schedule.

It makes one feel a sense of sighing.

After chatting with Wu Dun for a few more sentences, Li Luo walked out of the rest cabin amidst the assistant director's shouts, plunging into the winter wind.

November 26, 2003.

Leqing City.

This county-level city under Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, welcomed a rare, festive moment.

The 3rd Television Art "Double Top Ten" Award Ceremony was held here. To host this rare cultural and entertainment event, the local government put in enough effort, even cleaning the streets until they were spotless.

Decorated with lanterns and streamers everywhere, welcoming guests from all directions.

In the cold wind, a black business car drove through the clean and tidy streets.

Li Luo looked at this coastal city with great interest; he didn't know much about Wenzhou, other than the hardworking merchants, and the "Huang He and his sister-in-law" who would later become famous throughout the country.

The leather factory business must be booming right now.

Huang He probably didn't expect that he would later run away and become known to everyone.

"We'll go to the hotel to rest first."

Zhang Long looked at the itinerary in his hand and kept reciting: "Enter the venue directly in the evening, watch the performances, receive the award, accept interviews after the ceremony, and then there's the banquet with the leaders."

"That's your process; Wu Zong and I will watch the show the whole time."

"The award's prestige is average."

Seeing Li Luo's excited expression, Wu Dun suppressed his emotions: "It can't compare to the Golden Rooster, Golden Horse, or Hong Kong Film Awards at all, so don't hold your hopes too high; it's just an extra credential anyway."

"I don't mind if the award is low."

Li Luo laughed and waved his hand: "As long as it's an award, who would complain about having too few?"

"I feel the same way." The female secretary swung her wavy hair, her fingers kneading Wu Dun's thigh: "If only I could win an award sometime; I wonder what that feels like."

Due to the cold weather, the female secretary was dressed slightly conservatively.

But she still made her white shirt bulge high; one wonders what methods she had to make Wu Dun bring her everywhere.

In this drama, she was even given a role as a little palace maid.

Facts proved.

Not everyone is suited for acting.

The acting skills the secretary displayed at the time were absolutely disastrous.

Li Luo even bit the bullet and praised her a few times, making the big sister so happy she almost lost her way, but she was destined for regret; after filming, Wu Dun immediately made a scissor gesture to Lai Shuiqing.

She could play around on set.

But an old hand like Wu Dun wouldn't joke about money-making matters.

Explicitly hinted at by the secretary, he didn't respond at all, biting his cigar and blowing smoke: "In a few years, you'll find this sentence funny. Do you know how many messy awards there are?"

A few words made Li Luo laugh softly.

Award ceremonies.

Didn't expect they could also be turned into an industrial chain.

Some obscure awards even pay appearance fees to attract stars.

Even so.

Many people are still unwilling to go.

Anyway, the organizers just force them out, and few people actually go to receive them.

However, the organizers of the "Television Art Double Top Ten" are led by departments like the Radio and Television Association and the Radio, Film, and Television Newspaper Association, and co-hosted by the local government.

Its prestige is actually not low.

The people winning awards this time will all be present.

This is why Wu Dun came along; for him, various award ceremonies are an important occasion to communicate with industry peers.

Actually, Li Luo hadn't heard of this award.

Probably hasn't been running for many years.

Before it flops.

But as his first honor, he was still looking forward to it.

Wondering what familiar faces he would meet tonight, Li Luo tapped his knees lightly, chatting with the people beside him, and swayed toward the hotel.