Abstract Art Award Winner

Zhao Liying had previously mentioned that the content of the awards ceremony might change, but Zhou Le did not expect the changes to be so significant.

The Best Actress award was given to Zhao Liying.

He won the Best Actor award himself, while the Most Popular Actress award went to Tian Xiwei.

"How was it? Surprised?"

Zhao Liying said from the side.

But when Zhou Le heard Zhao Liying say this, her voice trembled a little. Although Zhao Liying's current status wouldn't cause her to lose her composure just because she won a Best Actress award, this award was still quite important to her.

She's been competing with Yang Mi for so many years.

The more prestigious the awards one has, the more one can overshadow the other. After all, over the years, Yang Mi has relied on her looks and status in the industry, while Zhao Liying has no other choice but to keep acting in better works and winning more awards.

Although it may seem unfair, it's considered relatively fair in the entertainment industry; at least she still has a chance to meet the other person.

If she were in any other field, she probably wouldn't have had the chance, no matter how hard she tried.

"But to be honest, logically speaking, you shouldn't win the Golden Eagle Award on your first try. I know that many people only get a nomination the first time they win the award, and they only have a chance on their second try. But I won the Popularity Award at the Golden Eagle Awards once before, in 16, for 'The Journey of Flower'. I remember that year I also got a Best Actress nomination at the Magnolia Awards for 'The Journey of Flower'."

But this is truly my first time attending the Golden Eagle Awards. I thought I would only get a nomination this time, and would have to wait until next time to bring other works to have a chance. I didn't expect to be nominated this time.

"Sis, winning an award proves you have the ability," Zhou Le said at the right moment.

"Haha, I knew you'd say that. After all, you got it. If you say it's no good, wouldn't that be saying it's no good for you too?"

After Zhao Liying finished speaking, she paused and said, "But Xiao Le, to be honest with you, some people have compared the Golden Eagle Award with the Magnolia Award before, but I have always felt that the Golden Eagle Award is not in the same league as the Magnolia Award at all."

Because I participated in these awards quite early, back when they didn't even exist, the awards we received today are things like "Most Popular Audience Favorite".

Essentially, it's similar to the Tencent Video All Star Awards, iQiyi Scream Night, and the National Drama Awards. It's just that it was held earlier and we had more contact with it, and Hunan is a place with a certain reputation in entertainment.

But especially in recent years, the number of awards has been greatly reduced, so the prestige of the awards has gradually increased.

Moreover, this year marks the first time that Best Actor and Best Actress have been awarded, so we're the first to be among the pioneers. Our competitors aren't mediocre at all, but our work is decent enough, so we're not afraid of what others might say.

Zhou Le thought for a moment: "What about Xiao Tian? Although she is very popular now, and her fans are doing a good job with various data on Weibo, she still can't compare with the previous ones."

If Yang Zi, Dilraba Dilmurat, or you had even competed for this award, she would have had no chance. It's just that the two of them didn't compete this time, and then you went on to win Best Actress.

But sister, do you think it's more of a benefit or a greater drawback for her to receive this award now?

"Sigh, I was just thinking that it's a mixed bag right now. The good thing is that her commercial value has increased, and winning this award will also help the ancient costume drama you're going to broadcast next. I've heard some news that your show is rated very well by Tencent internally. Scripts that reach S level have the potential to be a huge hit."

But once she takes this position, it means she will become a thorn in the side of many people. In other words, her every word and action will be watched, and any outrageous thing she does will be used against her.

Even if you are careful with your words and actions and don't do anything that might be criticized, it's still possible for some people to take things out of context, misrepresent them, or even spread rumors. It's impossible to completely prevent such things from happening.

Therefore, it can only be said that the higher one stands, the more targeted one will be; with great power comes great responsibility—that's the principle.

Zhou Le nodded: "Okay, then I'll talk to her again later. But if possible, Sister Zhao, could we have a meal together later? You can also help me talk to her. After all, you might have more experience in this area. Back then, people were criticizing me online just because I was a bit out of line and often offended others."

Others simply dislike my personality, but because of my higher position, I'm not often the one who gets inexplicably insulted. Of course, there might be some, but their private messages are mostly pushed down by those who play with abstract concepts, so I rarely see them.

"Sure, but it probably won't be possible right now. Otherwise, I'll add her on WeChat first and then call her to talk to her."

“That makes sense.” Zhou Le felt that this made sense. He was currently very busy with work, and he was only granted two days off because he was going to win an award.

This morning I attended social events until noon, and then came to receive the award in the afternoon. Tomorrow will be similar. After getting up in the morning, I will have to socialize with others, have lunch with a different group of people, and then receive the award in the afternoon, followed by a banquet.

In reality, there's simply not enough time for private gatherings.

Moreover, he won Best Actor on the first day, and Xiao Tian won Most Popular Actress. He must visit a few more people tomorrow.

On one hand, there are the judges this time, and on the other hand, there are those senior figures.

After the first day of awards ceremonies, they went home. Of course, the organizers explicitly advised the guests not to drink alcohol or to drink in moderation, so as not to be unable to get up the next day due to excessive drinking.

Zhou Le went back to his room and went to sleep.

By noon, most of the people who were supposed to come had arrived. In the evening, there were many people watching over the place. Plus, since he had just won the Best Actor award, people would knock on the door from time to time to say hello and ask how he was doing.

After seeing that everyone had come and gone, he simply hung up a "Do Not Disturb" sign at the door.

Zhou Le didn't dare let Xiao Tian come over either.

At this moment, neither the hotel, the paparazzi, nor other industry professionals will let their guard down. Just as Zhao Liying said before, any slightly outrageous thing will be dug up.

It's terrifying.

Even if he could eventually move behind the scenes to invest and develop through those industries, Xiaotian would still have to stay in the spotlight.

So he only looked at his phone for a short while before going to sleep.

The next day was an arts festival organized by the TV station, where several awards would be given out. Zhou Le naturally had to be a guest at this event. However, since there weren't many awards, after entering, he watched the host chat on stage for a few minutes. After the awards were given out, there was a closing ceremony. Finally, after all the awards were presented, some of the invited guests went to attend the banquet.

Zhou Le's status has now risen.

We sat at the third table during the meal.

The first table was occupied by the station's leaders, who naturally held the highest positions at this gathering.

The second table featured veteran actors like Chen Baoguo, Wang Jinsong, and Jiang Wenli, and even Sun Li looked young sitting there.

The third table was headed by Zhao Liying and Yang Mi, followed by Zhou Le, Wang Yibo, Yi Yangqianxi, Zhang Yixing, Tian Xiwei, and others.

Tian Xiwei was originally the lowest seated person at the table. Although her future was promising, that was still the future. Right now, she couldn't compare to the others in terms of popularity or influence. She was just following Zhou Le, so she sat down next to him.

"Congratulations, Lok-er, you've won Best Actor this time. You'd better treat us to a meal later, wouldn't you?"

Zhou Le smiled and raised his glass: "I must treat her, it's only right. I'll treat Xiao Tian to a meal too. If it weren't for Sister Mi and Sister Zhao's help, she wouldn't have been able to get first place in popularity." Zhou Le had also specifically looked into Tian Xiwei's winning of the Audience's Favorite Actress Award this morning.

These things can't be found in the news, but Zhou Le still heard inside information from some informants and fans who like to travel around.

At the time, Zhao Liying and Yang Mi were competing for the lead, and their votes were steadily increasing.

But then, for some reason, Yang Mi suddenly told people not to vote for her anymore, but to vote for Tian Xiwei instead. After that, Zhao Liying also immediately changed her tune and told her fans to support Tian Xiwei.

That's why Tian Xiwei received this award.

And since it was Yang Mi who brought this up, Zhou Le had to mention Yang Mi first when he expressed his gratitude.

Although I have a better relationship with Zhao Liying, let's keep things separate.

Whoever helps first should be thanked first.

Looking back now, Yang Mi probably felt she couldn't surpass Zhao Liying, so she had someone support Tian Xiwei to see if they could combine their popularity to surpass Zhao Liying's, thus also doing Zhou Le a favor.

After all, she is about to leave Jaywalk Studio and needs to consider her future. Although with her status and connections, she will certainly not have to worry about resources if she wants to act in the future, Zhou Le's rise is inevitable, and it will not hurt to get to know him better.

The problem arose because Zhao Liying, upon learning the news, also went to support Tian Xiwei.

This made things quite complicated.

"Le'er, drink slowly, there's no rush. You're the star today, and I bet a lot of people will come to drink with you later."

Yang Mi's words were indeed quite skillful. Although she was sitting next to Zhao Liying, the two of them didn't exchange a single word. But at their level, even if they were having a cold war, outsiders wouldn't be able to tell anything.

"Sigh, she uses all her acting skills on scheming and backstabbing. If she could have that kind of acting ability when filming, what else is there to say? She'd be winning Best Actress and Best Actress awards all the time!"

Zhou Le couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Moreover, Yang Mi's words just now made it very clear that she is the main character, but she didn't specify whether she was the male or female lead. The simple term "main character" is enough to encompass everything else.

Therefore, he casually made a dig at Zhao Liying.

"Le'er, you're the male lead today, so I'll toast you. I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together again in the future."

Not to be outdone, Zhao Liying immediately stood up and continued to toast Zhou Le.

Although Zhou Le had just drunk a glass, he still had to drink the toast offered by Zhao Liying.

Fortunately, Zhou Le's alcohol tolerance is quite good now; he can easily drink three or four ounces of liquor.

There was nothing wrong with him outwardly, but after drinking that much, Zhou Le was already drunk. He could drink more only with the atmosphere and his willpower.

"Sister Zhao, you're too kind. I also hope to cooperate with you more in the future and learn from you."

Although everyone at the table was a friend, the others didn't dare to say much after seeing the scene, for fear of getting involved, because the scene looked exactly like Zhou Le's hellhole.

"It's really strange. I haven't had any in-depth contact or communication with either of these two people. How come it's like I have to choose one of them?"
Isn't this putting me in a difficult position? Wouldn't it be better if you all just played the role of a good older sister for me? Why do we have to argue like this?

Zhou Le sighed inwardly.

When Tian Xiwei saw that Zhou Le was in trouble, she immediately tried to liven up the atmosphere. She started by chatting with this person and then with that person. Everyone was very enthusiastic towards her, but she still felt that the atmosphere was a bit strange.

"I can't stand it. If I were in this kind of environment all the time, I'd probably go crazy in no time."

In that instant, Tian Xiwei suddenly felt that everyone in the adult world was living such a tiring life.

But on the other hand, this just shows that Zhou Le usually protects them very well.

Unlike some female artists in certain companies, who have to sleep with anyone who offers them a role, she doesn't have to do that.

After all, as far as they are concerned, it doesn't matter who gets the role.

There are several top-tier celebrities, not to mention the first, second, and third-tier actors.

When people discuss cooperation, they rarely sit down in a meeting room to talk seriously. Most of the time, they have dinner first, then go to a flower garden, and after they've had enough fun, they discuss the matter, and then the other party nods in agreement.

Everyone already knows what benefits they can get, and they all know each other's true nature. So cooperation is simply a matter of whether the passive party is cooperative and whether everyone can get along.

If all of these conditions can be met, then cooperation is just a matter of a few words.

Because Zhou Le's main job is still acting, and investing can only be considered a side job, he spends all his time either on set or running around to various events. But those who specialize in investing in this area have it much simpler.

He probably spends at least 28 days a month in various nightclubs.

After playing until dawn, rest for a day, and then go again the following evening.

This is what investors do.

And those female internet celebrities and artists who want to climb the ladder are naturally just supporting characters in this kind of game.

Tian Xiwei wasn't unaware of how elaborate other people's methods were; it's just that such things had never happened to her before, she had only seen others do it.

"Sister Mi, let me toast you. Thank you for getting people to vote for me. Half of the reason I won this award today is because of your help."

After toasting Yang Mi, Tian Xiwei did not sit down, but immediately poured another glass for Zhao Liying.

"Sister Ying, I must toast you with this second glass. I won this award thanks in part to your help. I may not have much experience, and I'm not very good at talking, but I will always remember all of this."

Although Tian Xiwei toasted both of them, and even toasted Yang Mi first and then Zhao Liying, both of them actually felt that Tian Xiwei was indeed a nice young lady.

This gesture, which appears to be an expression of gratitude, is actually an attempt to ease the tension and share Zhou Le's burdens.

"What a caring girl." (End of Chapter)