This actor has something

Chapter 451 Meeting an Old Friend and Winning a New Award

A timely snowfall promises a bumper harvest, but too much snow can be quite annoying.

The heavy snow at the beginning of the month seemed to open a floodgate, making sunny days a rare occurrence throughout January. The sky was overcast with occasional light snowfalls, though they were usually weak and would only drift in briefly before stopping.

Today was the same; light snowflakes drifted down, looking quite lively as they danced everywhere, but unfortunately, they melted as soon as they landed on my clothes.

He Daqi opened the car door, got out of the nanny van first, then happily carried the two little rascals out of the car, and then helped Zhou Huimin out of the car.

The fluttering snowflakes excited the two children. As soon as they got out of the car, they didn't do anything but hurriedly reach out their little hands to catch the snow. Unfortunately, the snow melted the moment they caught it, leaving only a few traces of water.

"Once inside, it's the same as before. You must listen to your father obediently. Wherever your father goes, you must follow him, understand?"

"Okay!" X2
The two children's obedient responses filled Zhou Huimin with joy. She quickly gathered the two little ones to her side and eagerly led the way into the CCTV building.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, the day when all the Spring Festival Gala programs officially premiere. There are many artists coming and going right now. When they saw Vivian Chow with her two children, people who knew her and those who didn't came over to say hello.

The two little ones have given Vivian Chow a lot of face. They were all set out at the door to have He Daqi lead the way inside, but now Vivian Chow is happily keeping the children by her side, smiling like a flower.

As she entered the rehearsal hall, Vivian Chow's smile grew even brighter.

Whenever the two children beside her politely greeted her as "uncle" or "aunt," she would receive a compliment, followed by Zhou Huimin's insincere response, saying that her own children could continue to improve and didn't deserve such praise.

He Daqi followed Zhou Huimin speechlessly, watching her try so hard to suppress the smile on her face, and couldn't help but click his tongue.

Vivian Chow has certainly had a great time enjoying showing off her kids lately.

She finally realized that showing off in front of He Daqi's fans wouldn't bring her any benefit.

He Daqi's fans are seasoned veterans, often making Zhou Huimin's scalp tingle with their displays of affection, so if you want to show off, you have to find the right audience.

When He Daqi and his wife first brought their child to the CCTV headquarters to rehearse for a program, Zhou Huimin immediately decided to show off her child after seeing these smiling and pleasant-speaking celebrities.

It's amazing how Zhou Huimin, who used to be reluctant to communicate with others, suddenly became enthusiastic and even dragged He Daqi to rehearsals every day. She was so diligent that she seemed like a completely different person.

"Have fun!"

From a distance, several little ones came running over, shouting.

He Daqi's family members greeted them with smiles, and soon a group of little ones gathered together.

I don't know what children's friendship is all about. Even though we've been spending every day together because of rehearsals, we still greet each other with such joy, as if we haven't seen each other in ages.

At this point, He Daqi and his wife parted ways, and Zhou Huimin's baby-showing journey temporarily came to an end.

Fortunately, after He Daqi led the children off the stage, Zhou Huimin could still lead them to show off for a while before singing "Unforgettable Tonight".

The fact that she couldn't show off her child made Vivian Chow lose her spirits. She grumbled a few words to He Daqi, but he didn't respond.

Seeing Zhou Huimin glance at him sideways before walking to the side, He Daqi chuckled as he watched the kids jumping and skipping around. He didn't say anything to stop them, but leisurely accompanied them to the other side of the rehearsal hall.

Over there, Zhang Yimou, He Bing, Wang Feng, and Wu Mengda were chatting idly.

He Daqi took a shortcut with his Spring Festival Gala program this year, simply submitting the theme song from "Where Are We Going, Dad?".

Coach Lang probably coveted the popularity of "Where Are We Going, Dad?", and agreed without hesitation.

So these fathers had to gather again in Beijing. Except for Wang Feng, none of them gave He Daqi a good look, not even He Bing.

It's almost Chinese New Year and they're still not calming down, still rehearsing for the show. I bet Zhang Yimou and Wu Mengda are really regretting participating in the "Where Are We Going, Dad?" variety show.

"Director Zhang, what are you talking about? It's almost Chinese New Year, why do you all have such gloomy faces?"

"What are we going to talk about? Of course, we're going to talk about how we're not going home for the New Year, but instead singing with you on the Spring Festival Gala."

Before Zhang Yimou could even respond to He Daqi, He Bing spoke up in an annoyed tone.

Unexpectedly, at the beginning of the month, He Bing asked his nephew if he would be on the Spring Festival Gala this year, and just two days later, his nephew dragged him to rehearsals as well.

He is simply not a human being!
The thought of performing children's songs in front of men, women, and children all over the country made He Bing's old face blush.

Of course, He Bing is alright; he can afford to lose face.

The thought of Zhang Yimou, at his age, being dragged by He Daqi to the Spring Festival Gala to act cute always gave He Bing a sense of victory, like the pot calling the kettle black.

Looking at the carefree He Daqi, He Bing couldn't help but roll his eyes.

So what if he rolled his eyes? His uncle didn't like him, so He Daqi couldn't do anything about it. He shrugged and continued to bother Old Zhang, trying to make conversation.

"Director Zhang, when do we start filming after the New Year? I heard that because I brought you in for rehearsals, the Painted Skin 2 project has been delayed, and many people are complaining about me. Is that true?"

"What do you think?" Zhang Yimou asked dryly.

"I think it's definitely a rumor. After all, it's Coach Lang's face that invited you here, it has nothing to do with me." He Daqi looked innocent, as if he had been wronged for no reason.

Zhang Yimou didn't want to talk to him anymore.

If it weren't for that bastard He Daqi signing me up for a show, Coach Lang wouldn't have bothered to bother me.

They couldn't refuse, since they had collaborated on the Olympic opening ceremony before, and Zhang Yimou owed him a favor back then.

He didn't want to pay attention to He Daqi, but He Daqi wouldn't let him go, still buzzing around him incessantly.

"Director Zhang, are you going to participate in the Berlin Golden Bear Awards after the New Year? I'm sure I'll win this time. I'll take you there to see what it's like. After all, you helped with the editing of 'Wild Chrysanthemum,' so if we win the Golden Bear, you can go up and say a few words when you receive the award."

"Heh, do you think I need you to show me around?"

Zhang Yimou replied with a forced smile, his mind racing with frustration. "Someone get rid of this fly! I really want to start a killing spree!"

No one could hear Zhang Yimou's inner thoughts, so his wish was not fulfilled for the time being.

Seeing that Old Zhang was silent, He Daqi started rambling on and on with He Bing for half an hour before it was their turn to rehearse.

Singing nursery rhymes isn't bad; at least it can improve blood circulation and relax muscles.

Wu Mengda is a veteran comedian who has done all sorts of embarrassing things. Even though he brought his own son on stage this time, he was still as steady as a rock.

Zhang Yimou reaped many benefits; his dark face now had color again, clearly showing the great benefits of exercise. This proves that more movement and singing are indeed beneficial for the elderly.

"In my home, there's someone really cool, with three heads and six arms, invulnerable to swords and spears..." "Thank you for visiting, my little monster, you are the most beautiful love letter I've ever written..."

"Dad, Dad, where are we going..."

This dad is a real dad; it's impressive that he's so old yet still manages to act cute.

……

……

Aside from appearing on the Spring Festival Gala, He Daqi had a rather uneventful year.

There was no need to go out to pay New Year's visits. Old Master He had moved twice with He Bing, and he had lost touch with his old neighbors. This saved He Daqi a lot of trouble.

Nowadays, mobile phone messages are sent in groups. You can just pick a good one, and send it with one click, no matter who's in your contacts. It's so convenient and effortless.

As for those who call to wish him a Happy New Year, He Daqi only gives them a few perfunctory replies before making excuses and hanging up.

Everyone thought that someone of He Daqi's status would be very busy during the Lunar New Year, needing to travel around, but actually there was nothing much to do. He spent half the day on the first day of the Lunar New Year answering phone calls, and then he could just lie at home like a couch potato.

More than ten days passed in a blur. On the evening of February 13th, He Daqi took a plane to Berlin. He landed on February 14th and received the award on the same day, with the timing perfect.

To be honest, He Daqi was actually a little excited.

After all, his performance skills have been stuck for so long. If this award meets the prerequisites for upgrading, it will at least give He Daqi some idea of ​​what direction he should strive for.

He Daqi brought nothing but a few extra clothes this time, not even a suitcase, his main goal being to receive the award and leave immediately, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

However, we still need to find a place to sit and wait for a while, since the awards ceremony doesn't start until tonight, and it's not time yet.

"Mr. Adolf, where are you now? I'm coming to find you."

"Well, I'm at the film festival. Seagate's people are with me, discussing copyright prices with distributors. Of course, the final price will be set after the awards ceremony tonight."

"Okay, I'll call you when I get there."

Putting away his phone, He Daqi gestured to the Dragon and Tiger brothers to hail a taxi.

He Daqi doesn't have many fans here, so he didn't bring too many bodyguards this time. Besides, there is security at the awards ceremony, so there's no need for He Daqi to bring too many people.

Upon entering the venue, it wasn't long before Adolf Reinhard and his entourage came into view.

Today is the last day of the film festival, and also the day with the most people. Although it's said to run until the 15th, the 15th is actually the day when award-winning films are re-screened, and the stars basically leave after that.

So, apart from Adolf Reinhard and the others, almost everyone attending the awards ceremony tonight is here, especially the film distributors, who are very active, trying to talk to the directors everywhere.

"Daqi! It really is you! You're here too? I didn't know you were going to participate in the Golden Bear Award!"

Before he could reunite with Adolf Reinhard, He Daqi was stopped halfway through his journey.

Looking at the overly excited Chen Kaige in front of him, He Daqi was a little at a loss for words.

Clearly, neither side paid much attention to who was in the main competition segment.

Chen Kaige didn't care because she didn't see any other domestic directors nominated, so she didn't pay attention.

He had met Adolf Reinhard before, but he assumed Adolf Reinhard made foreign films, so he didn't even go to see what movies he was making. He'd been there for several days, only thinking about how to win awards.

He Daqi didn't care because he had done everything before the awards ceremony. He already knew the rankings before the ceremony even started, so he didn't need to know anything about the other people.

When the two sides finally met, it was surprisingly awkward.

Especially after Chen Kaige asked, "Why are you here?"

Actually, Chen Kaige regretted asking the question as soon as he did. Based on his understanding of He Daqi's personality, if He Daqi hadn't been nominated, he probably wouldn't have even come.

"I've seen Director Chen's 'Mei Lanfang,' and it was filmed with such artistry. I think Director Chen has a great chance this time."

He Daqi quickly checked the film library to see which film Chen Kaige was participating in for the awards, and then began to convincingly tell him.

You don't know me, but I know you, so I'm not embarrassed anymore anyway.

Looking at He Daqi's serious face, Chen Kaige rubbed his nose and nodded with a smile, saying, "Actually, the filming was just so-so. I wasn't very confident this time. It's a pity you weren't available when we were filming. Otherwise, with your acting skills, I'm absolutely certain you would have won an award."

Long time no see, Chen Kaige has become quite tactful.

To avoid awkwardness and to make He Daqi feel that he wasn't being paid attention to, instead of asking what film He Daqi was presenting for the awards, the conversation subtly shifted to praising He Daqi.

"That's such a pity. Anyway, I've always wanted to work with Director Chen again. But what I said earlier was true. I really think Mei Lanfang is a great film and has a high chance of winning an award."

He Daqi didn't care at all whether the film was good or not, since he hadn't seen it anyway. What he cared about was first fooling Old Chen, and then making an excuse to slip away.

Sure enough, Old Chen just needs praise.

He Daqi's few words instilled confidence in everyone, probably because he genuinely believed Mei Lanfang was going to win the award. After He Daqi left under some pretext, Chen Kaige was in high spirits, as if he had eaten several Snickers bars, and his voice became much louder.

As a result, Chen Kaige was completely numb after the awards ceremony.

Mei Lanfang didn't win an award, but He Daqi actually won the Golden Bear and also took home the Silver Bear.

What movie is "Wild Chrysanthemum"? I've never heard of it!
No one had said they thought this movie was good before, so how did it suddenly win two awards?

As He Daqi walked out, Chen Kaige's gaze towards him changed.

At this moment, Lao Chen was really thinking that if he had insisted on waiting for He Daqi's schedule when he was filming Mei Lanfang, would he be the one winning the award now?
Chen Kaige wanted to have a good talk with He Daqi, but she couldn't stop him. Even the reporters from the mainland couldn't stop He Daqi.

Because He Daqi, that bastard, slipped away as soon as he received the award, and even slipped away through the side door, without intending to answer the reporters' questions at all.

Aside from a few photos of He Daqi receiving the award, reporters suddenly realized that he seemed to have left nothing behind. In fact, when He Daqi went on stage to accept the award, he didn't say much, only saying "thank you everyone."

How to do?
It's so difficult for the journalists from China to get any news about a Chinese person winning an award.

After discussing it, everyone decided that since they couldn't interview He Daqi, they would interview the foreign director instead, and stay another day to watch the movie "Wild Chrysanthemum" properly, so they could at least explain the plot when they got back.

(End of this chapter)