Chapter 522: The World Is Unpredictable

The seating in Zhongshan Hall was arranged in an arch, as if guarding the central stage; the design was fine, but the venue felt small, not particularly grand.

The place was already packed with celebrities from both sides of the strait and Hong Kong; some were chatting, others laughing.

But when they saw the Principal, all conversation seemed to halt, and everyone turned their gazes toward him—with curiosity, and also reverence.

They may have once looked down on him, but since this incident, their awe had become genuine.

Many simply watched, without greeting him.

Fang Hong nodded greetings to familiar faces like Xie Miao, Liao Fan, Lu Yang, and the behind-the-scenes crew of Yutu; the rest were strangers.

He knew very few people in this circle—all from his early days, and he'd barely kept in touch since.

Liu Tianxian, however, knew people here, especially Yi Nengjing.

Two years ago, Yi Nengjing got Liu Tianxian's WeChat at the Bazaar Gala, and they chatted often online, so they were quite familiar.

"Sister Jing, you look amazing—something good must be coming your way!" Liu Tianxian noticed Yi Nengjing holding hands with Qin Hao, looking deeply affectionate.

The two had publicly announced their relationship on Weibo in September this year, but since neither was very famous, it drew little attention.

Wangyi who followed them knew; those who didn't follow them had no idea.

"Hahaha, we're getting married next year." Yi Nengjing laughed.

"Oh, really? Congratulations!"

Liu Tianxian looked surprised, turned to Qin Hao, and politely shook his hand.

"Thank you!"

Qin Hao was slightly shy, and unconsciously glanced at Fang Hong.

He wanted to curry favor, but dared not.

He'd spent years acting in art films, hoping to switch to commercial ones—otherwise he wouldn't have lowered himself to star in web dramas or take supporting roles in minor productions.

Plainly put, he just wanted to be famous—nothing else; art films don't make money.

He's about to get married—he can't keep chasing dreams with meaningless roles forever; he needs to live, be realistic.

He just had bad luck: such great acting, yet never broke through with a role. If he'd become famous like Zhang Songwen did with "Gao Qiqiang," he wouldn't be playing sidekick to Da Mimi.

"Alright, we'll head over now." Liu Tianxian signaled.

"Go ahead." Yi Nengjing nodded.

As the two walked down the aisle just a few steps, Guoji Zhang greeted them: "Principal, Xianxian, hello."

"Hello!" Liu Tianxian replied—it wasn't a close acquaintance; though they'd met a few times, meeting often didn't mean familiarity.

"You're both from Baodao in Beijing too?" Guoji Zhang pulled them into conversation.

"Yes." Liu Tianxian said.

"Oh no! I wish I'd come with you!" Guoji Zhang clapped his hands, looking genuinely regretful.

Others watching this performative act felt nauseated—was it really necessary to be this obsequious?

"Hehe, yes."

Liu Tianxian remained calm, pointing ahead: "The ceremony's about to start—we'll go now."

"Go ahead." Guoji Zhang knew he wasn't close to them, so he didn't insist—just meeting her and remembering her was enough.

After greeting people, the two reached the front row, where sat old-timers from Baodao: Hou Xiaoxian, Yang Dechang, Zhang Aijia, and others.

They glanced at Fang Hong deliberately.

Gong Huang was here too; Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian sat beside her. Having met a few times, the three nodded to each other.

Gong Huang said: "Principal, you're truly the center of attention—everyone turned to look the moment you walked in."

"Just empty fame, just empty fame." Fang Hong waved it off, appearing modest.

"Sister Gong Li, you're definitely taking home the Golden Horse Best Actress this year." Liu Tianxian leaned forward slightly, her gaze passing over Fang Hong.

"Who knows? You and I could both win." Gong Huang remembered that Liu Tianxian's Golden Rooster had been awarded by her.

That film, "Return," was once her contender—now it's a Golden Horse competitor. Truly, the world is unpredictable.

"I watched 'Return'—your performance was outstanding. I can't compete with you—it's yours, no doubt."

As Liu Tianxian spoke these words, she felt Fang Hong's hand on her arm, stopping her. She frowned: "What's wrong?"

"Don't say it so confidently—the world is unpredictable." Fang Hong felt he had to stop her.

If she kept talking like that and Gong Huang didn't win, it would be humiliating, unbearable.

He knew this year's Golden Horse Awards were flawed, highly controversial—it wouldn't go to Gong Huang, but to someone with problematic ideology.

"Yes, the world is unpredictable!" Gong Huang agreed.

Though her face showed nothing, she still hoped to win.

Otherwise, why would she attend after so many years of absence? If she didn't want the award, why come now?

Liu Tianxian didn't say anything more, but leaned her head toward Fang Hong and whispered: "I think Gong Huang will win."

"Why don't you think you'll win?" Fang Hong asked.

"I have self-awareness." Liu Tianxian said.

"Before we came, you told me, 'What if I win?'—you needed hope. Now you're saying the opposite?" Fang Hong was speechless.

"Ah, it's different! When acting reaches its peak, one meets Gong Huang—and all is empty." Liu Tianxian grinned.

"Who taught you to recite poetry?"

"You did—you're always saying that to me."

"."

Soft chatter filled the hall, but soon the lights dimmed and the stage burst into dazzling illumination.

A musical performance took place on stage; Huang Zijiao and Chen Jiahua came out to host.

Chen Jiahua was the "E" from SHE—more masculine in appearance.

The two introduced several celebrities.

One introduced, the other played the straight man.

"Chen Jianbin wrote, directed, and starred in 'A Spoon,' which was nominated for Best Screenplay, Best New Director, and Best Leading Actor."

"Congratulations, Teacher Jianbin, amazing!" Applause erupted in the venue; the camera panned to Chen Jianbin, who smiled, beside him his wife Jiang Qinqin.

"Xie Miao reminded me of my childhood—this should be his first time starring in a film, 'Xiu Chun Dao,' and he's been nominated for Best Leading Actor."

"Childhood nostalgia—I hope you win," Chen Jiahua raised a fist, looking powerful.

Xie Miao smiled and clasped his hands together in thanks.

"Berlin Film Festival Best Actor Liao Fan—the first Chinese actor to become Berlin Film Festival Best Actor."

"Wow, so amazing, so powerful."

"Thinking of Berlin makes me think of Gong Huang—she was the chair of the fiftieth Berlin Film Festival's jury, and after 27 years in film, with countless works and stellar reputation, this is her first nomination for the Golden Horse Awards."

"Wow! Sister Gong Li, you've finally come!"

The camera turned to Gong Huang; she smiled and nodded to the audience.

Her mood was still good now, but whether it would stay that way depended on whether Fang Hong's butterfly effect wings were strong enough.

Although he had changed many things, he rarely altered anyone's personal fate.

"Liu Tianxian has been nominated five times and lost four—she's been defeated again and again."

"Not necessarily—she's already a Golden Horse Best Actress; she's won before."

"Oh really?" Chen Jiahua made an exaggerated expression: "Then congratulations! I hope you win this time too!"

Liu Tianxian smiled and thanked him.

Fang Hong sat with one leg crossed over the other, looking calm.

The two hosts alternated lines on stage, coordinating smoothly—they must have rehearsed.

The first award was soon announced: Best Styling.

The nominated films were 'Di Renjie Zhi Shen Du Long Wang,' 'No Man's Land,' 'Kano,' 'Military Entertainment,' and 'Xiu Chun Dao.'

"Liang Tingting, 'Xiu Chun Dao!'" The presenter on stage announced the winner directly.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian turned around; it was a beautiful woman with long black straight hair, her long dress flowing.

After celebrating with her friends, Liang Tingting slowly descended the steps, holding her dress—she moved very slowly, as if she had no urgency at all.

She deliberately walked to the front and shook hands with Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian.

"Congratulations."

"Congratulations to you."

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian offered their congratulations.

"Thank you, Principal, thank you, Tianxian," Liang Tingting said; she had a round face and was quite pretty.

Then she went onstage—also slowly, especially when climbing the steps, as if she might trip.

"Is she from your company?" Liu Tianxian whispered.

"Probably, I don't know," Fang Hong shook his head.

Yutu Company has thousands upon thousands of people—how could he possibly recognize everyone?

"I never expected the first award to be this one—I was still watching the show on stage, uh, my heart's about to explode."

Onstage, Liang Tingting gave her acceptance speech, speaking in pauses, her chest rising and falling as if deeply moved.

"Thank you, Director Lu Yang, for giving me such a vast creative space; thank you to my makeup team; thank you, Yutu Company; Principal, thank you."

She raised the Trophy; applause erupted in the venue.

Then she slowly went backstage for interviews, though no one watched her interviews.

Next came Best Documentary, awarded to a film called '.'

Then Best Supporting Actress went to Wan Qian; applause continued.

After that, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best New Performer all went to 'Pushing,' and the film's creators came onstage five times in a row.

Lou Ye still had skill—art films still had an edge in winning awards, even if they didn't make money.

Liu Qingyun and Gui Lunmei came onstage to present Best Creative Short Film and Best Supporting Actor—one pair presented two awards.

There were too many awards and not enough presenters, so they had to do it this way.

Best Supporting Actor went to Chen Jianbin!

Pu Shu came onstage and sang 'The Ordinary Road'; he sang as if utterly absorbed, never interacting with anyone, just singing his own song.

But he sang well—full of emotion.

After the singing came Best Visual Effects and Best Action Design.

'Xiu Chun Dao' was also nominated for Best Action Design, but it went to a film called 'The Firefighters.'

The Golden Horse Awards had become long and tedious; there were touching moments too—several elderly white-haired figures received Lifetime Achievement Awards and Outstanding Film Professional of the Year.

Anyone unfamiliar with this film market simply didn't recognize these people.

Best Original Film Score went to 'Coming Home'; Best Original Film Song went to 'The Ordinary Road' from 'The Wind Blows Where It Pleases.'

Pu Shu's acceptance speech was stiff, but the audience still applauded.

"This guy seems really introverted," Liu Tianxian said.

"He's an artist—his eyes are only on art; he rarely interacts with people, so of course he's introverted," Fang Hong said.

"Oh, I actually like people like this—pure," Liu Tianxian said.

Onstage, Zhang Tianwang sang a song with one finger curled delicately and his foot crushing a cigarette butt; the awards continued.

Chen Jianbin won Best New Director again!

Then Best Director went to Xu Anhua for 'The Golden Era'; after this award came Best Leading Actor.

It should have been Best Actress, but this year Gong Huang is competing for it, so the award carries immense weight this year.

It was placed not only after Best Actor but also after Best Director, just before the grand prize of Best Feature Film — a clear sign of its importance.

Put it this way: every single actor here, without exception, lacks Gong Huang's weight.

With this setup, everyone believes the award should go to Gong Huang!

(End of Chapter)