Chapter 381

On the glittering stage of the Golden Rooster Awards, Zhang Songwen and Zhang Guoli stood side by side, the audience below waving glow sticks, the noise palpable.

The guests below watched the stage with calm eyes.

As the junior, Zhang Songwen naturally gestured for the senior Zhang Guoli to speak first.

Zhang Guoli first delivered a long list of thanks, ending with: "Thank you, Feng Kuzi—you're the best director; thank you, Xiao Wang and Da Wang—you're the best bosses; thank you, Huayi Brothers—you're the best company in the entertainment industry, better than some other companies by a hundredfold."

"Recently I watched a movie—I won't say its name—but it was all flash and no substance, just visuals and showy tricks, empty content. It's obvious the director and company behind it have abysmal cultural depth. Isn't there a saying: ignorance is terrifying?"

He was referring to Now You See Me.

His words sparked a wave of uproar from the audience—it was an open endorsement of Xiao Wang, Da Wang, and Huayi Brothers.

At the same time, he belittled Yutu Company and Principal, whose film it was.

He called Yutu Company a cultural desert, only interested in money, devoid of art, and claimed Principal was an uncultured man.

He really dared to say it, unafraid of stirring trouble.

But with Zhang Guoli's clout, Principal couldn't touch him—he was his own circle, close with Huayi Brothers and Fang Long, and had nothing to fear.

Other actors and stars couldn't compare, couldn't imitate him—most still deeply respected Principal.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Da Wang, the General Manager, was the first to clap from below.

Feng Kuzi also smiled, revealing his rotten teeth, and joined in clapping.

He even gave a thumbs-up to the stage, signaling that he'd spoken well, that he'd hit the mark.

The opportunistic followers clapped along.

Suddenly the applause grew loud, though some kept their hands low, avoiding the cameras—being seen would be bad.

After all, there were so many people—who knew who was clapping?

Huayi Brothers had risen, its market cap reaching around 45 billion yuan, firmly leading the entertainment industry by a wide margin.

But it was National Day, the entire market was rising—not just Huayi.

After National Day, it would drop again; this happened every year, a normal technical adjustment.

Yutu's artists and creative teams showed signs of resentment but could only endure—there was nothing they could do at such an event; they couldn't just beat the man up!

After Zhang Guoli finished speaking, he didn't even look at Zhang Songwen, then stepped aside, letting him begin his acceptance speech.

Zhang Songwen's emotions had settled; he appeared calm and said: "To win this award, I thank the entire crew and the director—without your creation of such a fine work, I could not have received this honor."

He took a deep breath and added: "When this film was first released, its box office was poor in the early days—I was worried then, fearing I hadn't created value for the company, that I'd disappointed Principal and the creative team. I blamed myself, thinking I'd acted poorly."

But Principal told me: don't care about box office—who stays successful forever? Failure is normal; it's not because you acted badly."

I've remembered those words ever since, never forgotten—if a boss has, for years, supported and encouraged you without caring about money or profit, what reason is there to say he's bad?"

This was a rebuttal to Zhang Guoli's earlier claim that Fang Hong was not a good person.

Zhang Guoli's expression remained neutral, revealing nothing.

The audience below fell silent; Xiao Wang and Da Wang, along with Feng Kuzi, wore faint displeasure plainly on their faces.

"Some say Yutu isn't the best company—this is both true and untrue. It may not be the best, but it is the most open, the most inclusive, the company that offers the most opportunities—anyone can realize their dreams here."

Those familiar with me know that before joining Yutu, I was just a background extra, having worked at every company—I remember once serving as acting coach in Feng's crew—but I love acting, and Yutu was the only one who gave me a chance to act."

What I want to say is, this isn't a company that judges by seniority, past achievements, or track record. Principal isn't what outsiders imagine—he's open-minded, carefree, willing to give others chances to try. Thank you!"

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Yutu's people raised their hands above their heads and clapped fiercely—this was said perfectly.

Everyone who's met Principal knows he's someone who allows others to make mistakes; in other companies, one or two failures might land you in the cold room.

But here, under Principal, you can fail multiple times!

Seeing Yutu's people so passionate, the opportunistic followers had no choice but to clap.

After all, the goal was to offend no one.

Xiao Wang and Da Wang's faces darkened as they looked toward Huang Jiaozhu, Huang Bo, Deng Chao, and others.

These people knew the situation was awkward—they feared being filmed not clapping for Principal.

They'd just clapped for Huayi; now clapping for Principal would be fair.

In fact, Zhang Songwen's words were a rebuttal to Zhang Guoli's earlier remarks—you said Yutu was culturally barren, but Yutu isn't closed-off; it gives more opportunities to the young and the underappreciated.

He cited himself as an example: in other companies, under other bosses, it was hard to realize his value—only at Yutu could he do so.

This was why Xiao Wang and Da Wang's faces turned sour.

Yutu was an open, inclusive company; Huayi was closed and narrow-minded.

Filmmakers all knew internally which company was more inclusive and offered more chances—but some truths were better left unsaid.

"Here, I thank Yutu and Principal—without your unwavering support and encouragement over these four years, I wouldn't be here today." Zhang Songwen raised the Trophy high.

The audience below erupted again in "Clap, clap, clap!"

Others clapped mechanically; Xiao Wang, Feng Kuzi, and others didn't lift a hand.

If these two companies were truly compared, Huayi didn't have Yutu's resources—Yutu was a pure upstream production company, constantly producing content, not a capital-driven enterprise.

Distribution was handled by Tu Piaopiao; promotion was outsourced to third parties.

Huayi was transforming into a capital-driven enterprise, investing in real estate, games, films.

So Yutu was purer—and thus offered more opportunities.

The ceremony continued; the Golden Rooster Awards had no Best Special Effects category, so Now You See Me held no advantage—but it was nominated for Best Cinematography.

This award went to Lv Le for One Nine Four Two, not to Now You See Me.

Lv Le was very old, nearly sixty, primarily from Beijing Film Academy, so he didn't say anything negative about Yutu.

Yutu was the true Beijing Film Academy lineage—many there earned consultant salaries; what could he say? It left many alumni dissatisfied.

Feng Kuzi, Xiao Wang, Da Wang—all were self-made; the inner circle still had clear advantages—just look at Yu Pangzi, now wearing a little red badge on his chest.

Then came the big award: Best Director!

This award was contested by four films: Feng Kuzi's "1942," Wen Muye's "The Partner," Mojing Wang's "The Master," and Wang Jing's "Ten Thousand Arrows Piercing the Heart."

The presenters were Bai Baihe and Xie Fei.

Just as the two began speaking on stage to announce the award, Wen Muye grew tense in the audience.

Feng Kuzi wore a serious expression; Wang Jing looked calm; Mojing Wang wasn't present—by unspoken rule, he had no chance.

Bai Baihe and Xie Fei opened the envelope, and Xie Fei announced: "The winner of Best Director is…"

Several people in the audience suddenly grew tense; Wen Muye's body stiffened.

"Wen Muye!"

Xie Fei called out the name; music and applause erupted. Wen Muye was ecstatic, leaping up from his seat.

Others embraced him, shook his hand, and offered congratulations.

The audience and film industry guests turned their gaze to one direction—to the young director with black-rimmed glasses, someone they'd only heard of but never seen.

There really were many young directors in Yutu.

The previous winners, Da Wang and Xiao Wang, glanced back; their eyes revealed displeasure and envy. They'd lost to such a green newcomer—loss of face.

Wen Muye was overjoyed. After warmly embracing his companions, he sprinted up to the stage, climbed several steps, took the Trophy and certificate from the presenters, then raised them high.

Cameras captured the moment; spectators in the second-floor balcony cheered, though their cheers were quiet—they weren't celebrities.

Wen Muye was still deeply moved. This was his first major award; he steadied himself, then faced the audience and guests: "I—"

He couldn't think of what to say. He tried again: "Before coming here, I prepared many acceptance speeches. Now that I've actually won, I don't know what to say."

"Hahaha!"

Laughter and applause rose from the crowd, offering encouragement.

Wen Muye was only twenty-eight now, inexperienced, still not steady enough.

"Thank you to the behind-the-scenes screenwriters—you wrote an incredible script; thank you to the creative team—you made this film possible; thank you to Zhang Songwen, Deng Chao, Tong Dawei, and Jing Tian—you acted brilliantly."

Jing Tian wasn't there; Tong Dawei wasn't there—only Zhang Songwen and Deng Chao were present.

Wen Muye thanked everyone, then added: "Thank you, Yutu—without this platform, I'd have no chance to showcase my talent; thank you, Principal—without him, none of us new-generation young directors would have a path. He didn't just give us opportunities—he guided our growth."

Here, I only want to say: Principal! Forever the God!

Yutu staff clapped loudly—trying to restore Yutu's dignity. Others followed suit; whoever didn't clap was defying the Principal.

Of course, some didn't lift a hand at all—their expressions cold, enduring it.

After all, his work won. Let him say whatever he wants on stage—his film won, so he can blab all he likes.

Wen Muye finished speaking and stepped down.

The final major award was Best Story Film—it was a tie, awarded to "The Partner" and "Four Days and Nights."

The latter was a main-theme film.

A group of veteran artists stepped onto the stage, Wen Muye among them—the scene froze in frame.

Thus, this year's Golden Rooster Awards officially ended.

Of course, endings always bring controversy—it's normal. Mainly, Feng Kuzi couldn't hold back his wild impulses and began ranting at reporters again after the ceremony.

He told reporters: "The Golden Rooster Awards have entered menopause!"

He says anything, but the Golden Rooster committee ignored him—he's been like this for decades, not the first time he's attacked the Golden Rooster.

He once said: "I'll never enter again!"

So what? He still had to submit his work. In Chinese cinema, there are only a few authoritative awards—where else can he go?

Go to foreigners? Do they even know who you are?

Feng Kuzi just speaks without restraint—he loves to blurt out anything.

He never cares if his words offend someone.

Don't look at him now, full of swagger, directing the Spring Festival Gala, acting invincible—he'll settle down later. When he becomes an outcast, he'll never regain his former glory.

A reporter asked him how he evaluated the Principal. He snapped back: "I really want to slap his ass."

That's how brazen he is—no concealment at all!

The Golden Rooster Awards ended amid all this chaos, with endless online debates.

"Feng Kuzi really lives up to his name, Feng Dapao—he rants if he doesn't win, rants if he's dissatisfied. What did the Principal ever do to him? Why does he keep insulting him?"

"Two years ago, his wife didn't win the Golden Horse—he ranted then too."

"Principal forever the God!"

"People who like the Principal really like him; those who don't really don't. What a strange man."

"Of course—the ones who hate him are the old guard; those who like him are the new wave. Look at how many young directors and stars the Principal has launched."

"Zhao Xiaodao and Chen Xiao weren't promoted by Huayi—they were promoted by the Principal. Directors like Wen Muye, Guo Fan, Chen Sicheng, and Wang Ran were all lifted by him."

Even Yu Xian from the United States was pulled up by him. Such a mentor—give me a dozen."

"."

Online discussions were lively, but limited to a certain circle—only those following the entertainment industry were talking.

People inside the industry were also debating: who had the upper hand, Yutu or Huayi?

The answer was obvious.

Fang Hong didn't pay attention to any of this. Since his rebirth, he'd been insulted by Feng Kuzi: "I really want to slap his ass."

Four or five years have passed, and he still hasn't done it.

One day soon, he'd slap Feng Kuzi twice—that would mark a milestone in his life.

If he could slap Feng Kuzi, it meant he'd crushed Huayi—and turned Feng Kuzi into a grandson. That would be awesome.

And making Yu Pangzi call him "Dad"—that was another goal. He always acted so superior, talking down to him like some high-and-mighty teacher.

The company recently gave time off, so Fang Hong stayed home to keep his mother company, and Liu Tianxian was there too.

On the eleventh, the sun shone brightly, but they didn't go out—the tourist spots were packed with people, and all of Beijing was drowned in a sea of festive red; there wasn't even space to stand.

So they decided to just stay home and spend time with family.

"Auntie, you should get a passport—we could travel abroad." Liu Tianxian and Xu Liyun were digging soil in the yard to plant vegetables.

She had originally planned to invite her mother, Fang Hong, and Xu Liyun to travel overseas, but Xu Liyun didn't have a passport, so she gave up the idea.

Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong found it strange: Fang Hong helped Liu Xiaoli plant vegetables but didn't help his mother; Liu Tianxian helped Xu Liyun plant vegetables but didn't help her mother.

The two of them simply switched roles like this.

"I don't even know how to go about it—can you get one in Beijing?" Xu Liyun planted chive seeds.

"I'll look into it for you."

Liu Tianxian looked at the seeds she was planting and asked curiously, "Auntie, why do you keep planting chives?"

"They're good for your health," Xu Liyun said.

"Oh!" Liu Tianxian didn't ask further.

She deeply understood what chives were for—they were planted early to ensure her son's happiness in his intimate life.

"Go keep Fang Hong company, see what he's doing—I'll water the plants." Xu Liyun gestured for her to join her son.

"Alright, you get on with it—I'm off."

Liu Tianxian put down the shovel, patted the head of Heizi, who was lying on the ground, then headed toward the study.

"If you hadn't known how many glasses I drank that night, you wouldn't realize just how beautiful you are—I wouldn't have believed that the moment I saw you, I fell for you so completely."

Before Liu Tianxian even opened the door, she heard loud music coming from inside—the speakers blaring—Fang Hong sat in front of his computer, singing along with a hoarse voice.

He was completely absorbed, thoroughly pumped up.

This man loved gaming and singing—that was it, just those two hobbies; sometimes when he talked to her, he'd randomly burst into song.

The keyboard was sent back to the factory for repair; now typing is too hard, so only one chapter today.

(End of Chapter)