I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 422, Zhang Mouzi, Ma Xiaogang, Jiang Wen, Li Xuan!

"What are you standing there for? Go and claim your prize!" Jiang Wen clapped his hands, showing no sign of dissatisfaction.

Li Xuan nodded.

He walked toward the podium.

How dazzling!

As I walked step by step onto the podium.

Li Xuan felt that the lights were incredibly dazzling.
So dazzling.
The most valuable year yet.
"congratulations"

When Li Xuan received the trophy, which was the Hundred Flowers Award.

The flower goddess, with her short, ear-length hair, raises her hands, holding up a flower and a certificate.

The certificate proving that I have received this highest honor
"Dying to Survive".

It won the Best Film award at the Hundred Flowers Awards.
At this moment, both Wang Suo and Zheng Long fell silent.

Looking at Li Xuan, who was beaming with pride after winning the award.

Nothing to say.

Because it truly deserves the title.

So I have nothing to say.
"The Best Film Award Winner at the Hundred Flowers Awards: 'Dying to Survive'".

"The most 'extraordinary' film in terms of influence, in some ways, has a stronger impact on the general public than 'Let the Bullets Fly'."

Wang Suo remained silent for a moment before speaking.

To provide an objective evaluation.

Li Xuan certainly has a way to win.

Compared to "revolution".

This will make it clearer to everyone what "medical insurance" and "medical care" mean.

They understand these things that are closely related to themselves even more.

We must understand the sacrifices made by our revolutionary martyrs.

We must also understand the current predicament of the general public.

This feeling of profound resonance.

This is a predicament and wound that every ordinary person can recognize.

In the evaluation method of the "popular" Hundred Flowers Film Festival.

He can win.

It's not really anything particularly strange.

"The voting section for popular films carries the weight of public votes. Li Xuan's 'Dying to Survive' has achieved such results, which is truly remarkable."

Even Zheng Long.

There was nothing more to say at that moment.

A film truly voted on by the people.

It is what everyone expects.

Ma Xiaogang.

Zhang Mouzi.

At this point, they no longer placed their hopes on Lu Chuan, as he was simply not on the same level as Li Xuan.

For now.

The level difference is still quite large.

Meanwhile, in the other audience seats...

The two of them were just smiling.

His face, however, was now only serious.

"Isn't this a bit unexpected?" Ma Xiaogang said, looking at Zhang Mouzi beside him. "You originally thought he could be used to support and suppress the younger generation in the Beijing circle, but he actually has this kind of ability."

Zhang Mouzi remained silent for a moment in response.

Then he said it casually.

"Indeed, it was a bit of a surprise."

I originally thought he was a pawn.

But that wasn't the case.

Not a chess piece.

He is not a player, but a very strong one.

His talent and abilities were extraordinary.

It has now become a significant force.

"We originally thought that Jiang Wen was the only one who could reach our position, but now it seems there's more than one," Ma Xiaogang said, adding, "Let's add one more."

Li Xuan.

One thing that even Zhang Yimou and Ma Xiaogang had to admit.

This young man is now allowed to sit at the table.

The very top-tier table.

The Hundred Flowers Awards ceremony has ended, but the uproar is far from over.

The awards ceremony isn't completely over yet.

This was just the beginning.

"Still struggling in its death throes."

At that moment, Wang Lei was in his office, looking at the public opinion on the internet.

The two old men in Beijing's elite circle are still struggling.

They are still using their own resources.

To influence public opinion.

We want to make a push at the Huabiao Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards.
To influence public opinion.

Go and struggle.

Lu Chuan is no longer of any use.

His film works are simply incomparable to Li Xuan's.

Even the sixth generation of directors couldn't compete.

All the resources were put into Ma Xiaogang, this guy who was already a bit out of control.

And then there's Zhang Yimou, the top figure in China who has completely distanced himself from the Beijing entertainment circle in terms of interests.

It now only holds a symbolic meaning.

It's all symbolic now.

"There's absolutely no way to stop the outflow of profits anymore; all we can do is maintain our dignity by keeping our clothes on," Wang Lei said, looking at Wang Haiyang beside him. "The era of the Beijing elite circle is over."

The era of unified dynasties has come to an end.

Wang Haiyang, who was standing next to him, was also filled with mixed emotions.

It is undeniably complex.

The circle of the old aristocracy.

For Wang Haiyang, who has served in the Beijing entertainment circle for many years, this job has given him a lot: a car, a house, and other material things, as well as profound lessons.

But in fact.

They also act as lackeys of their predecessors to suppress newcomers.

Go and stop them from "climbing up".

But now...

Then came the moment when someone gave it their all.

A powerful figure, whom even his own shrewd and resourceful CEO couldn't defeat, climbed up the ladder.

Li Xuan.

I must witness the end of an era, but at the same time, I must also witness the rise of a new one.

In Han Ping's office, a purple clay teapot was bubbling and steaming, the rising white mist blurring his always serious face.

He personally picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Liu Lili across from him.
"To be honest, I'm still a little dazed." Liu Lili held the warm teacup, but the warmth on her fingertips couldn't dispel the shock in her heart.

Her eyes still held the dazzling lights and shadows of last night's Hundred Flowers Awards ceremony, as well as the tsunami-like storm of public opinion sweeping across the internet.

The headline, "Dying to Survive Wins Hundred Flowers Award," was like a bombshell, creating a massive uproar throughout the Chinese-language entertainment industry.

The silence of Beijing's entertainment circle, the sidelong glances of veteran directors, the astonishment of countless industry professionals... all of this converges into one name—Li Xuan.

Online public opinion is even more direct.

'As expected by all'

Li Xuan won the Golden Statue at the Hundred Flowers Awards; this work is absolutely what everyone has been hoping for.
"When I called to congratulate him, guess what he was doing?" Han Ping put down the teapot, his voice tinged with a wry smile.

"A celebration banquet? An interview?" Liu Lili guessed.

“Neither.” Han Ping shook his head, picked up his teacup and took a sip. “On the other end of the phone, he was discussing with me where to find the special effects team for ‘Interstellar’, and even asked if I knew any experts from the Academy of Space Technology, whom he wanted to invite to be consultants. His tone was so calm, as if he hadn’t received the Best Film Award at the Hundred Flowers Awards last night, but rather an Outstanding Youth Award from the neighborhood committee.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Lili was completely speechless.

What kind of state of mind is that?
While everyone else was still reeling from the massive waves he had created, he himself was already standing at the bow of the ship, gazing at the vast ocean ahead.

This feeling is less about calmness and more about a terrifying focus.

For him, winning an award was just a natural refueling station on a long journey. Once he was refueled, he would set off again without any lingering attachment.

his goal.

Then you'll understand.

That's the 'peak'.

"Monster..." After a long while, Liu Lili finally managed to squeeze out these two words from her throat.

She has seen too many young people who become arrogant after achieving overnight fame, and too many so-called geniuses who are complacent after achieving a little success.

But Li Xuan changed her understanding of the word "monster".

"The Hundred Flowers Awards are just the beginning." Han Ping's eyes deepened as he looked out at the gray sky and said in a deep voice, "The commotion is not over yet. The true picture will only become clear after all three major awards have been decided."

……

At this moment, Han Ping was already focused on the upcoming awards, and he rushed to the next podium, this time in Beiping.

If the Hundred Flowers Awards represent a combination of the will of the public and the judges, then the Huabiao Awards, which follow closely behind, represent more of the will and praise of the authorities.

This time, the awards ceremony was not very suspenseful or competitive.

When Ma Xiaogang won the Best Director award without any controversy for his deeply moving patriotism in "Assembly", the entire audience stood up and applauded.

This is the highest affirmation of his exquisite balance between commercial success and mainstream ideology over the years.

The most prestigious award of the night, for Outstanding Feature Film, was given to another film that no one, especially the official judges, could refuse.

—Nanjing Photo Studio.

Li Xuan stood on the podium once again.

This time, he is no longer the "Medicine God" who challenges the rules, but a recorder who uses his camera to document history.

This film, with a restrained yet powerful perspective, reveals the nation's deepest wounds and the brilliance of humanity shining in the darkness.

The weight it bears gives it an unparalleled advantage on this stage.

From the Hundred Flowers Awards to the Huabiao Awards, from folk to official works, Li Xuan achieved a dual "deification" through two works with completely different styles, yet equally moving.

Online discussions about him have completely exploded.

But the real grand finale is yet to come.

When the final chapter of awards season—the Golden Rooster Awards—opens, all eyes are on it.

The selection process here is known as the "Expert Award," as it places greater emphasis on the artistic vision of academics and the technical standards of professional judges. It is considered the ultimate test of the technology and art of Chinese-language films.

However, this once again ignited public opinion.

That night, the biggest winner was no longer Li Xuan alone, nor was it Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly" the sole winner.

"Best Feature Film... 'Into the Dust'!"

When the result was announced, it still caused quite a stir in the room.

The fact that this quiet art film was able to stand out amidst the brilliance of "Let the Bullets Fly" and "Dying to Survive" speaks volumes about its artistic merit in the eyes of professional critics.

It proves that Li Xuan's films have such powerful artistic appeal that they can conquer even the most discerning eyes.

What happened next made Han Ping gasp in shock.

"Li Xuan won the Best Actor award at this year's Golden Rooster Awards!"

With his portrayal of a farmer in "Hidden in the Dust," a character who sheds all worldly trappings and becomes one with the land, Li Xuan finally won the first true "Best Actor" award of his acting career. The most prestigious, pure gold Best Actor award!

The regrets I felt as an actress at the Hundred Flowers Awards were completely made up for at this moment.

However, this is not the end.

The two highest honors of the night, Best Director and Best Picture, were a true "battle of the gods".

Ultimately, Zhang Yimou won Best Director for his art film "The Camphor Tree," which possesses a strong classical Eastern charm.

This pioneer of Chinese-language cinema has proven with his talent that he is still as sharp as ever, and his artistic skills remain unparalleled.

The grand prize for Best Picture, as expected, was awarded to that brilliant and powerful film—

Let the Bullets Fly.

Thus, the triennial awards season, the most prestigious and fiercely competitive of its kind, has finally come to a close.

In Han Ping's office, Liu Lili looked at the list of award winners compiled on the computer screen and felt a chill run down her spine.

Flowers, ornamental columns, golden roosters...

The three major awards, especially the most important ones, were almost entirely divided up by the four individuals.

"Do you understand now?" Han Ping's voice rang out beside her.

Liu Lili raised her head blankly.

"A unified dynasty has come to an end." Han Ping tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sharp as a knife. "The era of the Beijing circle's dominance is completely over, but what has replaced it is not a new king, but... a fragmentation of the country into four regions."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling city of Beijing.

"Zhang Yimou is an indisputable 'Grandmaster,' a banner of Chinese-language cinema, holding a transcendent position and undeniably the foremost figure in Chinese cinema."

"Ma Xiaogang has been deeply involved in the commercial film industry and has the broadest audience base. He is a darling of the market and knows best how to stir up public emotions. In a sense, the path that this guy is taking is somewhat similar to that of Li Xuan. Both of them start from the small."

"Jiang Wen is a tyrant. He is exceptionally talented and unruly. He has honed his skills for ten years, and no one can stop him when his sword is pointed. He is the spiritual totem of all literary and artistic youths and film critics, and he is also the most promising candidate to replace the grandmaster in the future."

Han Ping paused here, his gaze seemingly piercing through the layers of buildings, landing on the young man who was perhaps still troubled by the new script.

His voice carried an unprecedented solemnity and...excitement.

"And Li Xuan..."

"He's different."

"He can make realistic masterpieces like 'Dying to Survive' that ignite social issues, and he can also make mainstream films like 'Nanjing Photo Studio' that receive the highest official recognition; he can touch the temple of art with 'Hidden in the Dust' and win the Best Actor award himself... He can do anything and do everything to the best of his ability."

"The path he took, the 'Royal' path, was groundbreaking. Although it was very unstable, in terms of talent, he should be the strongest and most gifted among the four."

Han Ping turned around and said to Liu Lili, word by word.

"He was the one who broke all the rules, forced his way in from outside the chessboard, and stood on equal footing with everyone... the Emperor."

The office was silent.

Liu Lili felt a surge of electricity rush from her spine to her brain, making the hairs on her body stand on end.

She finally understood.

Winning awards is no longer the ultimate goal.

After this most dazzling feast in the Chinese film industry, the old order was completely shattered, and a new pattern has taken shape.

The entertainment industry today is divided into four parts.

Zhang Mouzi, Ma Xiaogang, Li Xuan, Jiang Wen.
Two gods, one emperor, and one tyrant!
(End of this chapter)