Chapter 66: The Biggest Winner

It wasn't just the editors and reporters at the three major portals working overtime through the night; even the traditional media couldn't expect to get a good night's sleep.

Although it was already past three in the morning, the Tianya Forum had already exploded. Many night owls who had previously been lurking began to surface, with posts popping up constantly, and even more comments appearing under the hot topics.

A teasing post was pinned by a mischievous administrator and instantly became a hot topic.

"The Tang Monk meat of the entertainment industry—every actress wants a bite."

The original poster wrote: "Cao Yang is about to become the Tang Monk. He has only directed two films in total: one, *Night by the Seaside*, won the Berlin Jury Grand Prix and produced Berlin Best Actress Li Xiaoran."

"The other, *Empty House*, won the Venice Golden Lion and produced Venice Best Actress Yu Feihong, as well as Best Newcomer Liu Ye."

"My dear subjects, have you noticed? Two films, two international Best Actresses. Tell me, don't all those actresses want to 'devour' Cao Yang now?"

"The OP makes sense. If I were an actress... by the way, has anyone seen Cao Yang or have a photo of him? Is he handsome? If he is, I can sacrifice myself for art."

"The person above is too shallow. Who cares about handsome or not? The main thing is wanting to collaborate with Director Cao."

"The person above is too hypocritical. Director Cao, just say the word—should I take off the top or the bottom first?"

"The person above is too shameless. Director Cao, are you free tonight? I want to discuss acting skills with you."

Cao Yang pulled himself away from Yu Feihong’s embrace, straightened his clothes, and called out to Old Situ: "Let's go, time to accept the award."

Afterward, he waved to Cheng Jianye, who was next to Old Situ: "Teacher Cheng, come along."

Passing by Wu Qihua, he patted his shoulder and invited him: "Teacher Wu, come on, follow us up on stage to accept the award."

"Me?"

Wu Qihua was stunned for a moment, then happily agreed.

How should one put it? Wu Qihua had indeed been quite stung today. First, Liu Ye won Venice Best Newcomer, then Yu Feihong won Venice Best Actress. As a fellow actor in the same production who came to Venice together, he was the only one left empty-handed.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't envious.

But at this moment, that little bit of inner gloom was swept away.

It wasn't just because Cao Yang invited him on stage to accept the award; the main thing was that the newly minted Venice Golden Lion-winning director hadn't forgotten him, a minor actor. That was enough.

Cao Yang felt that since Yu Feihong and Liu Ye had already been on stage to accept awards, he should let Cheng Jianye and Wu Qihua go up to experience it too. Since there were only these few people from the crew here, and they had won the Golden Lion, they couldn't come for nothing.

A film that wins the Golden Lion can have the director and producer go up to accept the award together, or the entire crew can go up; after all, it is called Best Film, and it can be said to be an award for the entire crew.

Of course, the biggest beneficiary is definitely the director.

Once they reached the podium, good heavens, the other film that won the Golden Lion, *Monsoon Wedding*, was even more exaggerated—six people went up at once, and the entire podium was almost full.

Each group left their director standing at the very front, while the others consciously stood behind.

After shaking hands with the presenter and the female director from India, Mira Nair, and taking the Golden Lion from the presenter's hands, Cao Yang thanked a few people and, at the host's signal, spoke first.

"Thanks to the Venice Film Festival, thanks to the jury, and thanks to one of the producers of this film, Mr. Tian Zhuangzhuang."

Cao Yang turned around and gestured toward Tian Zhuangzhuang.

Old Situ consciously stepped forward and smiled, nodding toward the audience.

"Thanks to our production manager, Mr. Cheng Jianye."

At this moment, Cheng Jianye was extremely excited. He wasn't like Old Situ—Old Situ was already a famous director before he was banned from directing. He was originally just a small figure at the Youth Film Studio responsible for outreach, and he never expected that in just one year, he would become the production manager of a Golden Lion-winning film!

Sometimes, a person's fortune is just like that.

Last year, when Cao Yang's first film needed an outreach producer, many with more seniority heard it was a student film and their first reaction was that it was a cushy job. Once they knew Tian Zhuangzhuang was on the crew, they felt it might be thankless work and declined, so the task finally fell to him.

Cao Yang's first film won two Silver Bears, but at that time Cheng Jianye was only in outreach; his position was too low, so even if it added to his credentials, it wouldn't be much.

But this film was different. As production manager, he was considered middle-to-upper management of the crew, and he even stood on the podium with them—this added significantly to his credentials.

If he went out to work as a producer next, it would be a very easy task.

Cheng Jianye wasn't stupid; wouldn't it be better to be part of a regular team with a great director? How could he possibly go out and work alone?

"Thanks to one of our leads, Mr. Wu Qihua."

Wu Qihua walked forward a small step with a beaming smile, feeling wonderful inside. Look, look at how Director Cao introduced him: one of the leads. I, Wu Qihua, am one of the leads of a Golden Lion-winning film!

"And our male lead, Liu Ye."

Cao Yang reached his hand downward, and the camera captured Liu Ye in the audience; he was holding a Silver Lion in his hand.

"Because he has a Silver Lion and is afraid of losing it, he can only guard it down there and it's inconvenient for him to come on stage."

Cao Yang's joke made countless filmmakers in the audience feel bitter, jealous, and envious.

!

"And our female lead, Miss Yu Feihong. She is here for the same reason—she has a Silver Lion in her hand, so it's inconvenient for her to come on stage."

Double kill!

The bitterness, jealousy, and envy of the filmmakers in the audience doubled.

So, you're saying all the awards today went to you, right?

"Finally, thanks to my teacher, Mr. Situ, thanks to my alma mater, the Beijing Film Academy, and thanks to my parents. Thank you all."

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Applause rang out enthusiastically. Many actors in the audience suddenly realized that a director who could win awards, could promote people, and was still so young, was truly the best and most ideal partner to collaborate with.

The female director from India looked even more excited than Cao Yang; her voice was trembling as she introduced her crew and thanked a whole host of people.

Amidst the applause, the large group of people left the stage together.

"A Golden Lion. This lion is really beautiful."

Liu Ye touched the Golden Lion and said with an excited face.

This trip to Venice was definitely the most perfect start to Liu Ye's career. A Golden Lion-winning male lead, plus a Silver Lion for Best Newcomer—added together, he wasn't much worse than Xia Yu.

"Other than the color being different, what difference could there be from your Silver Lion?"

Cao Yang said with a smile.

A Golden Lion, indeed, was different from a Silver Lion; at the very least, the "gold" content was different.

"Congratulations, you are a great director now too."

Old Situ said with some envy. Although as one of the producers he would benefit quite a bit, the biggest beneficiary was undoubtedly Cao Yang. Old Situ also knew very well who the true leader of the film was.

"Oh, Senior Brother, don't join in the fuss. There's no need for us to flatter each other, right?"

"Cao Yang, I suddenly feel you are so amazing."

Yu Feihong looked at Cao Yang with deep affection, her eyes almost brimming with emotion. Best Actress, Golden Lion—it still felt like a dream.

"You haven't just realized how amazing I am today, have you?"

(End of chapter)