Chapter 2981: You Are My Fashion Darling 40

The awards ceremony officially began at seven o'clock.

The inner hall of the awards ceremony was brightly lit, with celebrities gathering. Jin Chen and Gu Chenzhou were seated in the same row, with a few seats between them. After sitting down, they exchanged little conversation, each quietly watching the stage or occasionally nodding to familiar people nearby.

Chenshu has been busy with a big project lately, working overtime for several days straight.

But tonight is the grand ceremony.

It is a ceremony sponsored by the group, the first major move for the high-end jewelry line, and the ceremony where Jin Chen was nominated for the Best Model of the Year award.

Jin Chen clicked his tongue, flipped open the schedule, and found the page for the presenters.

A few names had been announced in advance, a few were listed as mystery presenters, but Chenshu wasn't among them; Jin Chen glanced for two seconds then closed the schedule.

Awards were presented one by one. Finally, the host walked to the center of the stage, holding a cue card, and said, "The next award to be presented is tonight's most anticipated award, Best Model of the Year! Please welcome the presenter……"

"Please welcome the presenter, the Chief Executive Officer of the Opalus Group, Mr. Chenshu."

The venue fell silent for a second, then applause erupted, more enthusiastic than for any previous award.

Jin Chen: "?"

Chenshu emerged from behind the side curtain, walked to the microphone and stood still, his gaze sweeping over the audience below.

At the moment Chenshu's figure appeared under the spotlight, Jin Chen instinctively sat up a little straighter, reflecting the radiant figure on stage.

He realized.

It turned out that when his family said they might have to work overtime tonight and couldn't watch the live broadcast, this was what they meant.

After he met Chenshu, it seemed that every important, special milestone in his life involved this person's participation.

From the mysterious observer who suddenly intruded into his world on the island, to the guardian who came through the rain holding a black umbrella in the jungle, to the companion in Zhuang Yuan who shielded him from all wind and rain, and now to the presenter standing on the dazzling stage, about to personally hand him the honor.

Jin Chen actually really liked this—liked the feeling that no matter where he went, when he turned around he could always see that person's steadfast presence behind him, though he had never told Chenshu so.

But Chenshu had never been absent.

At this moment, looking at that radiant figure on stage who nonetheless directed the gentlest gaze solely at him, Jin Chen felt a warm surge of excitement rise again.

On stage, Chenshu delivered a brief speech in fluent, elegant English, his gaze once again turning toward Jin Chen, his smile deepening: "The winner of this year's Best Model award is…… Jin Chen."

"Congratulations."

Jin Chen stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and walked onto the stage; the spotlight followed him, each step projected onto the big screen.

As the camera pushed in, everyone saw the warm, tender smile in Jin Chen's eyes, like winter sunlight shining on snow.

He walked up to Chenshu and stopped.

The two stood facing each other under the brilliant lights, under the gaze of countless cameras and eyes.

Jin Chen took the trophy, stepped forward, opened his arms, and embraced Chenshu.

This is a customary hug between an award winner and a presenter.

In that embrace, Jin Chen slightly turned his head and kissed Chenshu's cheek, then quickly pulled back and resumed his stance.

Chenshu curled the corner of his lip, stepped back half a step to yield the center of the stage to Jin Chen, gesturing for him to give his acceptance speech.

: Damn damn damn! He kissed him! He kissed him!

: A cheek kiss! Ahhhhh I'm dead!

: It's out! This counts as going public, right!

: The trophy is honor, that kiss is love! I'm fulfilled!

Jin Chen walked to the podium microphone, adjusted its height, and his voice came through the sound system: "Thank you to the organizers, thank you to the Opalus Group, thank you to my team, thank you to everyone who supported me."

"Also thank you, my family."

The love known to all truly needs no subtle expression.

Because at this moment, what he holds in his hand is not only a trophy recognized by the watch industry, but also proof that he has reached a standing where he can stand shoulder to shoulder with the person beside him over the past two years.

No one will doubt anymore what Jin Chen relied on for his success; his ability, influence, and the radiance he now displays on stage are just as dazzling, eye-catching, and beyond reproach as the excellent man beside him.

Jin Chen and Chenshu standing together are the most compatible, most dazzling couple in the world.

—

The awards ceremony drew to a close amidst the clamor and starlight.

Afterward, Jin Chen didn't linger at the reception; he merely exchanged polite greetings with a few important figures before leaving early together with Chenshu.

In the car, Jin Chen took off his suit jacket, loosened his collar, and wearily leaned back in the seat, still holding the golden trophy, his fingers unconsciously rubbing it.

Chenshu turned his head to look at him, his gaze gentle.

"Tired?" Chenshu asked softly, reaching to sweep the stray lock of hair from his forehead behind his ear.

"Fine." Jin Chen shook his head, casually placed the trophy on the adjacent seat, then naturally leaned in, resting his head on Chenshu's shoulder, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

"This award is an important step in earning my wife's dowry."

Chenshu let out a lost laugh and pinched his nose tip, "Still thinking about that?"

"Of course." Jin Chen nodded solemnly, "We agreed I'd covet you, so I need to present something respectable, although……"

"It seems I'm still far behind compared to you."

Chenshu cupped Jin Chen's face, gazing deeply into his eyes.

"Not far off; we have plenty of time, we can take it slow, go see higher mountains and farther seas—you can keep pursuing any awards you want, achieve any heights you desire, and you can also stop anytime to return to my side, becoming the Jin Chen who just wants to play games and sleep in."

"No matter which path you choose, how fast or far you go, I will be here."

Jin Chen looked at him, at those golden eyes brimming with gentle love, his heart feeling as if it were instantly submerged by the warmest tide.

He suddenly recalled long ago on the island, when Chenshu held him, trembling from a stress reaction, and whispered that question in his ear.

— "Have I made you feel even a hint of attachment to this world?"

At that time, he did not answer.

Now, Jin Chen thinks, he has the answer.

Jin Chen answered with a gentle, lingering kiss instead of words.

Before meeting you, the world was a black‑and‑white silent film; only after meeting you did it gain color and sound.

Dear you, you are my complete attachment to this world.

Outside the car window, London's nightscape fled backward at high speed; the dazzling neon lights streamed with brilliant color, as if paving a Milky Way‑like road for their future.

Inside the car, the embracing couple's heartbeats beat as one; amid silent vows and overflowing love, they moved toward their warm, long tomorrow.

We will still have many tomorrows.