Huayu Entertainment: The Birth of a Succubus Top Star

The grand finale, Best Actor, was announced, with six actors from different generations competing on the same stage.

Yi Yangqianxi, Liang Jiahui, Zhu Yilong, Cheng Long, Wang Baoqiang, and Gu Zhiyan are all formidable competitors, making the competition highly suspenseful.

The large screen displayed the vote count in real time, and a glaring result caught everyone's eye—Wang Baoqiang received 0 votes!

The camera immediately cut to Wang Baoqiang, who paused for a moment, then forced a smile after a brief moment of surprise, and applauded the other nominees.

The footage immediately went viral and became a trending topic online, with "[Wang Baoqiang 0 votes]" and "[Are comedians underrated by awards]" dominating the search rankings.

Netizens split into two camps and engaged in heated discussions. Some viewers felt indignant, lamenting that Wang Baoqiang's popularity was extremely high and the result of 0 votes was too cruel.

Another group of film critics explained, based on the voting rules of the Hundred Flowers Awards, that the public jury only votes for the first-ranked candidate, and 0 votes does not equate to a denial of acting skills. It simply means that the comedic role is less competitive in the awards category compared to realistic works.

A discussion has also prompted the public to rethink the relationship between box office success and acting awards.

Just as the online discussion was still ongoing, the host slowly announced the final result:

"Best Actor at the 38th Hundred Flowers Awards for Popular Films – Gu Zhiyan, *Nanjing Photo Studio*, Su Liuchang!"

Applause instantly swept through the entire venue.

Gu Zhiyan was slightly taken aback. Da Mimi, Liu Shishi, and Gao Ye, who were standing beside him, immediately stood up and went forward to hug and congratulate him.

Liang Jiahui nodded and smiled, and Zhu Yilong, Yi Yangqianxi, Cheng Long, and Wang Baoqiang also stood up and applauded.

Gu Zhiyan walked slowly onto the stage, holding the heavy trophy in his hand, and all the spotlights fell on him.

His expression was calm, his gaze sweeping over the thousands of filmmakers and audience members below the stage. He spoke slowly, his voice solemn and earnest:

"Thank you to the 38th Hundred Flowers Awards for Popular Films, thank you to the 101 public judges, and thank you to every audience member for your support and encouragement."

The name "Hundred Flowers" comes from the masses and originates from the hearts of the people.

This trophy is never a crowning achievement for the actors, but rather a gentle remembrance by the audience of the characters, the story, and a poignant period of history.

I was fortunate enough to play Su Liuchang in "Nanjing Photo Studio". He was not a hero, but a microcosm of countless ordinary people in the midst of chaos.

He was once timid, hesitant, and he tried to survive by any means necessary, but he held onto his conscience, his bottom line, and his integrity amidst the pain of the times.

Having acted for many years, I have always believed that: great times conceal ordinary people, and ordinary people reveal the great nation.

We look back on suffering not to wallow in pain, but to remember, to feel awe, and to be vigilant.

Light and shadow can freeze time, and performance can convey one's original aspirations. This is the actor's most meager yet most profound power.

Today marks my fourth time standing on the podium at the Hundred Flowers Awards. Each year brings a different kind of success.

The past is but a prologue; honor belongs to the past; reverence is reserved for the light and shadow; breaking conventions is a stroke of luck; staying true to oneself is one's duty.

Thank you to the entire crew and all the outstanding actors who competed on the same stage. It is your brilliance that made this competition pure and respectable.

Going forward, I will continue to use my roles as a boat and humility as an oar, without seeking empty fame or pursuing fleeting gains.

To portray the myriad aspects of human life, to uphold the original aspiration of the screen, to live up to the times, to the audience, and to every moment of blossoming.

Thank you everyone.

As soon as he finished speaking, the applause from the entire audience lasted for a long time.

……

As the spotlights of the awards ceremony slowly dimmed and the noise subsided, the backstage rest area remained warm and inviting.

Shedding the solemnity and tension in front of the cameras, everyone finally relaxed and gathered in a private rest room. There were no media crowds or cameras, only the most sincere congratulations and relaxed chats among colleagues.

Gu Zhiyan had just removed her makeup and was dressed in simple black casual clothes, gently holding the heavy Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actor in her hand.

The cool touch of the metal made his features appear even more calm and gentle. Despite the legendary four seals of a hundred flowers falling upon him, he remained composed and indifferent, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

Gao Ye smiled and patted Gu Zhiyan on the shoulder: "Little Yan, you deserve this award tonight. The character Su Liuchang has gone from the screen to the audience's hearts. No one will object to you winning this award."

She regrettably missed out on the Best Actress award tonight, but there was no trace of frustration in her eyes. Those in the industry know best; upsets are common in the Hundred Flowers Awards, and audience empathy is the highest standard. She lost gracefully and was genuinely happy for Xiao Yan's brother's successful performance.

Yang Mi followed closely behind, her eyes gentle and relaxed, having shed her poised and restrained demeanor on stage and becoming more casual: "Four Hundred Flowers Awards, unprecedented! Little Yan, you truly demonstrated the meaning of 'deep cultivation of acting skills' to everyone today."

She received two film nominations but won none, and after a brief period of disappointment, she has long since let go of it.

Liu Shishi stood to the side, nodding with a slight smile: "Well deserved."

She has long since let go of the difference of just one vote. Her stunning appearance on the red carpet is a testament to her confidence, and the award she received is a matter of destiny for her role. She understands this clearly, with composure and clarity.

Li Yunxiao, Na Zha, Lan Yu, and Jiang Peiyao also gathered around to look at the trophy and joke, laughing and reminiscing about tonight's moment of triumph.

"The most impressive thing today was Xiaoyan's acceptance speech. It was gentle yet powerful, and her vision was truly remarkable."

"Winning four Best Actor awards is truly a unique legend in the Chinese entertainment industry."

The warm voices and laughter softened the tense and harsh atmosphere of the awards ceremony.

Not long after, Wang Xiao and Wang Chuanjun also pushed open the door and came in.

Holding the Best Supporting Actor trophy, Wang Xiao smiled gently and patted Gu Zhiyan's arm: "Our 'Nanjing Photo Studio' has been a complete success tonight. You've steadily carried the weight of the entire film."

Wang Chuanjun smiled frankly: "I knew you would win the award. Being able to act in this movie with you and Brother Xiao is more worthwhile than winning an award.

What's most precious in this industry is this: fierce competition, a gentle approach, and an open attitude towards winning and losing.

Later, senior actors Liang Jiahui and Cheng Long passed by the rest area and stopped to congratulate Gu Zhiyan.

Liang Jiahui said in a gentle and sincere tone: "The younger generation is truly formidable. Your Su Liuchang is steady, composed, and has backbone. Winning the award tonight is entirely reasonable."

As a veteran actor, he openly acknowledges the rise of younger generations, showing no airs of seniority and displaying the demeanor of a great man.

Jackie Chan also smiled and remarked, "Four Hundred Flowers Awards is truly remarkable. I will stay true to my original aspirations and continue to make good films."

As people came and went, backstage conversations inevitably turned to the many memorable moments of the evening.

Everyone felt a pang of regret when Wang Baoqiang received zero votes.

Comedians have always found it hardest to win mainstream awards. Despite being box office stars, they often suffer in the acting competition, which is a source of regret for many. People say that the industry should not define acting skills in a single way. Acting can be seen as everyday life and sincerity.

When discussing the stark contrast between Nezha and Zhang Yimou's performances on stage, the film industry figures sighed softly.

This has always been the case in the industry, with both innovators quietly paving the way and established brands accumulating supreme glory.

The changing of the guard and the clash between the old and the new, behind the controversies, are actually traces of the continuous progress of Chinese-language films.

When talking about Jill Vidal's unexpected win, everyone was genuinely pleased.

Newcomers emerging as dark horses, Hong Kong films breaking through, and delicate empathy defeating mere popularity and traffic – these are the purest and most touching original intentions of the Hundred Flowers Awards.

Awards are never about fame, but about people's hearts.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of casual conversation, all the wins and losses, regrets, upsets, and controversies are transformed into a gentle resonance within the industry.

The night was deep, and the city of Beijing was ablaze with lights.