Huayu Chunqiu, starting from being adopted by a fairy mother

Chapter 422 Sissi's Crowning as Empress
Amidst laughter, this segment ended, and the presenters and recipients left the stage simultaneously.

Liu Jing went on stage alone, but came off stage hand in hand with another person.

Before I even returned to my seat, the trophy that the presenter had just awarded was back in the presenter's hands.

The audience burst into laughter; these two young people were really funny.

"Thank you Ms. Liu Yifei and Zhang Guoli for their crosstalk performance. Was it wonderful?" Zeng Zhiwei said as he went on stage.

"Brilliant..." came the loud response from the audience.

"I'm not worried about Zhang Guoli taking my job; we're not on the same wavelength. I'm worried about Ms. Liu Yifei taking my job. She's beautiful and such a good host. If we both stand on stage, everyone will look at her, who will look at me?" Zeng Zhiwei said self-deprecatingly.

“I think we’ve missed giving out one award,” Wang Zulan responded.

"What award? Best host? That's definitely me, no doubt about it. Zhang Guoli's hosting style has a bit of a crosstalk feel to it." Zeng Zhiwei played along.

“No! Best supporting role award.” Wang Zulan shook her head.

"I hereby announce that Liu Yifei has won the Best Supporting Role at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards," Zeng Zhiwei shouted.

"You stole my lines," Wang Zulan said, looking aggrieved.

"What are your lines? Say them!"

"Please welcome director Wong Kar-wai to the stage to present us with this year's Hong Kong Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award..."

The Lifetime Achievement Award is an honor, not given out every year, but every recipient has made outstanding contributions.

In 1983, the second Hong Kong Film Awards presented its first trophy to Mr. Shaw. At that time, the organizer was "Film Biweekly," which had virtually no influence. Mr. Shaw was certainly qualified, but their awarding him was just a publicity stunt. He didn't even attend and had no idea about it.

The next time the award was presented was fourteen years later in 1995. The 14th Hong Kong Film Awards awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to Wong Man-lai, one of Hong Kong's first generation of film stars.

Then it was Raymond Chow in 1999, Pai Suet-sin in 2001, Chang Cheh in 2002, and last year it was Raymond Chow. Liu Jing seriously suspects that if Mr. Chow doesn't retire, he might not get the award.

Sister Li also remarked that Zhou Wenhuai should thank me, because if I hadn't acquired Jiahe, he would still be a long way from retirement.

This year's winner is Josephine Siao, the seventh winner in the history of the Hong Kong Film Awards, for her role as Li Lianjie's mother in "Young Fong Sai-yuk".

When Josephine Siao gave her acceptance speech on stage, she was unable to hear the applause from the audience due to a hearing impairment.

This year, someone suggested giving the role to Zhang Min, but she refused, saying, "I haven't contributed anything to Hong Kong cinema, and I don't want to be a nobody."

Back when I was working hard at acting, I couldn't even get a nomination. Now that I'm no longer in Hong Kong, you're giving me a lifetime achievement award?

Zhang Min didn't see it as an honor, but rather as an insult and a mockery of the hard work she put into filming back then.

And the Golden Horse Awards are the same. She doesn't even act anymore, yet they give her a Golden Horse Best Actress award. Isn't that ridiculous?

"Your crosstalk was quite good. It seems the trip to Deyun Society to listen to crosstalk was worthwhile," Liu Jing praised.

"I can barely catch them all," Sisi said with a pained expression.

"You caught it really well, the best straight man," Liu Jing joked.

"Ugh, you're making fun of me too." Sisi clapped her hands twice and sighed, "When we were rehearsing our lines, I complained that I didn't have enough. But once we were on stage, I had so many lines. The audience applauded, and I was completely stunned."

"No way, you can talk so fluently about the Grammys?" Liu Jing didn't believe it. "My ugly daughter is a worldly person."

“This time was different. I saw the results beforehand, and you won an award. I was so nervous,” Xixi explained, adding, “I wish I hadn’t looked. I was even more nervous than if I had won the award myself. I was thinking about it the whole time I was on stage. My mind went blank, and I even forgot my lines. Actually, my lines weren’t things like ‘yes,’ ‘right,’ ‘um,’ or ‘that’s right.’”

"What other words are there?" Liu Jing asked curiously.

"That's right, really, quite impressive, you know, really..."

Liu Jing was speechless. This was still just crosstalk.

"Thank you for your hard work, presenter." Liu Jing wanted to see the trophy, but Qianqian wouldn't let him, smiling brightly, "Hey! I worked so hard, the trophy is mine."

"You'll convince me," Liu Jing said with a wicked grin.

"I'll present the award, you'll receive it, so the trophy belongs to me. How's that reason?" Sisi smiled, completely oblivious to the filth in his words.

"No problem." Liu Jing gave a thumbs up; that's a good reason.

Having won the lottery, he didn't keep it for the New Year, not even overnight.

Congratulations! You've been selected to receive the script for "Love is Not Blind." Please choose a suitable time to collect it.

One thought moves the system, another thought moves the heart.

Overwhelmed by a flood of information, Liu Jing was somewhat dazed.

Sisi thought Liu Jing was unwilling to give it to her, and pouted, "You won't even give me a broken trophy? I'm not playing with you anymore. When I get a prize, I'll put it next to my pillow, and you can go to sleep."

"Yes, I'll definitely give you whatever you want," Liu Jing quickly reassured him, and then explained in a serious tone, "Without your support, there would be no 'Under the City Wall,' and no trophy. You deserve half the credit for this medal, no, you deserve the majority. My contribution is insignificant; it's mainly because I couldn't have done it without your strong support."

"Tch! Why didn't you say that on stage just now? That's definitely not what you really meant." Sisi laughed even more brightly.

She didn't want to fall too far behind Liu Jing, so she kept striving to improve herself, which is why she loved listening to these things.

"It couldn't be more real. If you don't believe me, just put your hand on my chest and listen." Liu Jing took Qianqian's hand and placed it on his chest.

“You hesitated just now, you must have been unwilling.” Sisi was really about to lean in to listen when she suddenly noticed the camera panning over, and she quickly sat up straight.

"I suddenly had an inspiration just now, and I'm going to create a script based on this. It would definitely be perfect for Shu Chang," Liu Jing explained.

"I'm presenting you with this award on stage, and you're thinking about Shu Chang in your heart. How can you be so shameless?" Xixi said with disdain.

"I'm sorry." Liu Jing showed no sign of embarrassment.

I'm sorry, but the awards ceremony will continue.

On stage, one person finishes performing while another takes the stage, awarding one prize after another.

"Red Cliff" won the awards for Best Sound Effects, Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Film Music, while "Ip Man" won the award for Best Action Design.

"Painted Skin" was nominated for so many technical awards, but only won the Best Original Film Song award.

As "Painted Skin" lost out on one award after another, and with the Best Actress award about to be announced, Sisi became nervous.

She gripped Liu Jing's arm tightly, so tightly it hurt, which made Liu Jing very nervous.

He recalled his experience cultivating immortality in Jingzhou. The young lady was very proactive and generous, but when the time came, she grabbed Liu Jing and hurt him even more than today, which showed that she was not generous at all.

"You too, why do you need to have any expectations? The results came out the day before yesterday, and I asked Chen Jiashang, but you wouldn't let me. Now we're just sitting here waiting, like we're waiting to be beheaded." Liu Jing gently patted Qianqian's arm to comfort her.

"Honey, why don't you go ask now?"

She's even calling him "husband" now; she really wants to know.

but……

"It's too late. Look at how far they've progressed on stage."

“It sounds like Sandra Ng is talking about me.” Sisi doesn’t understand Cantonese very well, but she can hear her own name clearly.

"It's not time for the awards announcement yet."

“I know, Zhang Guoli is wrong about one thing. He definitely couldn’t understand what Sandra Ng was saying.” Sisi sighed, suddenly wanting to learn Cantonese, but then quickly dismissed the idea.

Learn English because it's a required subject in school, and if you're going to learn it, learn it well.

I'm learning French because my dad lives in France.

She's not involved in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, so there's no need for her to create trouble for herself. Actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan who come to the mainland are working hard to learn Mandarin, so she has even less need to learn Cantonese.

"It would be great if the Hong Kong Film Awards used Mandarin when they started."

"There will come a day."

Sandra Ng was on stage saying, "Let me count for you, there is Liu Yifei, the representative from the mainland, Karena Lam, the representative from Hong Kong, Barbie Hsu, the representative from Taiwan, Prudence Liew, the representative from the United States, and Sister Bao, the representative from Asia."

"We're about to award Best Actress," Tsang Chi-wai responded.

"Zhang Ziyi won the award in 2005, Zhou Xun won the award in 2006, Gong Li won the award in 2007, and Gao Yuanyuan won the award last year. Do you think Liu Yifei from the mainland will take the Best Actress award this year?"

"How would I know? Let Chairman Chen Jiashang and Director Liu Weiqiang reveal the answer for everyone."

As Zeng Zhiwei finished speaking, the two renowned directors walked onto the stage. "I can't ask Old Chen since he's on stage, but you can ask him later," Liu Jing said, holding Qianqian's sweaty little hand.

"I'm already on stage, what's the point of asking questions?" Sisi rolled her eyes, not noticing the camera was right there and she was caught on camera.

"Tomorrow's headline: Newly crowned Best Actress Liu Yifei rolls her eyes to show her dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong Film Awards," Liu Jing muttered.

"Ugh..." Sisi muttered, it was unclear whether she was referring to the camera or Liu Jing.

"How about we make a bet..."

"I must be crazy to make a bet with you," Sisi interrupted.

She knew about Liu Jing's efforts to win the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress.

She had always appeared calm, worried that if she cared too much, Liu Jing would feel pressured.

The answer is about to be revealed, and she's no longer pretending; she genuinely cares. Her concern for the Best Actress award far surpasses her own fame and reputation.

Judging from Liu Jing's expression, he's almost certain to win the Best Actress award. He must be crazy to make a bet like that; he's clearly going to lose.

No bet, no bet, but my man works so hard, he deserves a reward tonight.

Sisi was lost in thought, wondering what reward she should receive.

Material rewards? Moral encouragement? Or... unlock more knowledge? Or...

"Hello everyone." As Chen Jiashang took the stage, Liu Weiqiang also greeted him.

"How are you feeling?" Chen Jiashang asked Liu Weiqiang.

“That’s how it is, Chairman, please speak first.” Liu Weiqiang gestured.

"Having worked on the Hong Kong Film Awards for so many years, there's one year I remember particularly well. Seeing this scene today makes me remember that year even more—2003," Chen Jiashang remarked.

His words brought everyone back to those days.

Many of the audience members were also present at the event in 2003.

Liu Jing also recalled that although he did not come, he watched the show.

That year, Andrew Lau swept major awards with "Infernal Affairs," showcasing the last vestige of Hong Kong cinema's resilience.

That year, the Four Heavenly Kings sang "The Way We Were" together on stage to commemorate the passing of Leslie Cheung.

That year coincided with the SARS outbreak, but it did not dampen the filmmakers' passion. The men were all dressed in suits and ties, while the women were all dressed in plain clothes, making them the most dazzling figures in the entire event.

"Six years have passed since I won the award," Liu Weiqiang sighed.

“During the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003, everyone was worried about who would come.” Chen Jiashang laughed, “With the epidemic raging, it’s normal for them not to come.”

“That’s what I’m most worried about,” Liu Weiqiang said with a smile.

"Did you think you were guaranteed to win the award?" Chen Jiashang asked.

"Many people say yes."

"Thank you all for your support. The seats are just as full as they were in 2003."

“Everyone was very worried that day. The government urged us not to go out. This place was full that day, and many people came wearing masks, but no one wore masks that night.”

"Although the Hong Kong Film Awards are tough, I hope everyone can continue to hold them. Looking back at the simplicity of the past and the glory of today, the times have propelled us forward. The times have made us, and the times can also abandon us. We must actively embrace the times and not be abandoned by them. The Hong Kong Film Awards have been constantly improving, innovating, and keeping up with the trends. We are a trendsetter in the Chinese film industry. This year was good, and next year will be even better. I am Chen Jiashang, and I would like to thank everyone again for coming and for your support."

Chen Jiashang took two steps back, bowed to the audience, and received a warm round of applause.

2008 was a weak year for Hong Kong cinema. Of the five films nominated for Best Film—Painted Skin, CJ7, Red Cliff, Ip Man, and Tin Shui Wai—all but the last one were affiliated with mainland China.

The first four films were all big productions, but sadly, the Hong Kong film industry can no longer support big productions.

The decline of Hong Kong cinema over the years is an undeniable fact.

Whether they are conservatives or reformers, they all hope that the industry will get better and better.

Once the applause subsided, Liu Weiqiang got to the point, "Next, we'll be presenting the awards. Please watch the nomination clip."

The big screen then lit up with songs including Paw Hee-ching's "Day and Night in Tin Shui Wai", Prudence Liew's "I Don't Sell My Body, I Sell My Womb", Barbie Hsu's "Keep Talking", Liu Yifei's "Painted Skin", and Karena Lam's "Intimacy".

"I'm so nervous." Sisi took several deep breaths, and while the clip was playing, she thought of several versions of her thank-you speech.

Not just her, but everyone who gets nominated prepares a thank-you speech in advance.

It doesn't matter if we don't need it, but what if we do? Everyone harbors a bit of wishful thinking.

"There's something I've been wanting to tell you. Now that it's almost over, I'll tell you: you didn't win an award, but Paw Hee-ching did," Liu Jing sighed.

"Really? Should I wish her well?" Sisi was lost in thought, looking a little silly, but also feeling a sense of liberation.

"Take this seriously."

"I'll bite you to death..." Sisi was furious. What kind of time is this to be teasing me?

However, after being teased like that, I wasn't nervous anymore.

Sun Li sighed softly, "I'm so envious. I should have brought my husband, Lao Deng. When it comes to showing off our love, Lao Deng is more professional than Liu Jing."

Chen Jiashang opened the envelope, glanced at it, and said, "It's better if you announce it."

"You're also trying to avoid suspicion?" Andrew Lau joked, taking the envelope and loudly reading in his unusual Mandarin, "Best Actress at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards..."

Chen Jiashang interrupted, "Liu Yifei."

"Painted skin." Liu Weiqiang shook his head with a smile. This old rascal, always playing these tricks.

[Congratulations to An Feng for winning Best Actress at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards! You will receive one chance to win a prize.]

Liu Jing applauded enthusiastically, having gained a great deal from this year's Hong Kong Film Awards.

He wasn't planning to draw the lottery now; he planned to celebrate alone with Xixi that evening and draw the lottery at the crucial moment, which would surely be like divine intervention.

[Congratulations! An Feng has activated Liu Shishi's bond skill "There Must Be One Who Can Teach Me," and is rewarded with "Advanced Makeup Technique."]

Liu Jingzheng and Qianqian hugged, both stunned.

After realizing what had happened, he hugged her tightly, almost suffocating Sisi.

The favorability rating was just perfected not long ago, and the results are really fast.

Dog system, I give you a good review.

The conditions for inspiring the idea that "there must be someone I can learn from" are very demanding. First, Liu Jing must be involved in the production of this drama, as he is both the screenwriter and the male lead, so the conditions are definitely met.

Secondly, there's the three-person dynamic: besides Liu Shishi, there's another person involved in the production. Fat Bing is in the cast and is one of the female leads, fulfilling the requirements.

Finally, Liu Shishi received a major award. Xixi won Best Actress; is there any award more important than that? The conditions were met.

If three conditions are met, you will learn a skill related to "Painted Skin" and be able to disguise yourself using some random materials.

[Note: Your makeup skills are so advanced that even your mother might not recognize you.]

After one of the tests was done, Liu Jing was even happier. "I don't even know who my mother is."

Winning a prize before even participating in the draw—what a worthwhile trip!

The audience applauded, cheered, and whistled.

Fatty Wang was so excited that anyone who didn't know better would think that "The Way We Are" had won an award, since he was the producer of that film.

Sisi was very excited. She got up and hugged Liu Jing first, then hugged Sun Li, before walking onto the stage.

"Didn't you say you wanted me to announce it?" Liu Weiqiang joked on stage.

"Didn't you announce it already?" Chen Jiashang said with a smile. As the director, he was proud that "Painted Skin" had won Best Actress.

"You're singing the name without any regard for appearances?" Liu Weiqiang laughed heartily.

“There’s no need to avoid suspicion. She… deserves this trophy.” Chen Jiashang said solemnly.

(End of this chapter)