This director loves making friends.

Chapter 149 Offending Both Sides

The moment "Old Boys" was read aloud, the guests in the audience were only silent for a moment before bursting into enthusiastic applause.

The fact that "Old Boys" won the Golden Bear wasn't a surprise; it would have been normal for either "Old Boys" or "In the Name of the Father" to win the Golden Bear.

The fact that "In the Name of the Father" only received a consolation prize from the jury is considered a major upset.

No matter how well the festival chairman Moritz says, he cannot hide the fact that the jury prize is a consolation prize.

"We are the Golden Bear!"

Xu Jinglei had planned it all out; she intended to hug Qin Keqing as soon as the movie won an award, to deepen their relationship.

When she actually won the award, her mind went completely blank. She forgot everything about hugging, the purpose, and deepening the relationship.

She was so excited that all she could do was clap her hands and keep clapping.

On the contrary, Ren Dahua, Lin Guobin and Lü Liangwei excitedly hugged each other.

It wasn't until Qin Keqing stood up that Xu Jinglei reacted, and she immediately stood up and hugged Qin Keqing tightly.

"Director Qin, we won the Golden Bear! We got the Golden Bear!"

Her voice trembled with joy.

It's no wonder she's so excited. As a freshman, she won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, one of the three major European film festivals, for her first starring role. Who wouldn't be thrilled?

It's important to understand that for Nortel, the three major European awards are the most prestigious and influential awards in the world.

If we disregard subsequent developments, in terms of debut alone, Xu Jinglei is even luckier than Gong Li. Gong Li only encountered Zhang Yimou and "Red Sorghum" in her sophomore year of college, while Xu Jinglei is only a freshman now.

"Yes, we won the Golden Bear."

Qin Keqing smiled and patted Xu Jinglei on the back before parting ways with her, as there were still people queuing behind them.

"Congratulations, Director Qin! Congratulations—"

Ren Dahua also hugged Qin Keqing, smiling happily and excitedly, repeatedly congratulating her.

"Congratulations to you, Ahua, this is the result of our joint efforts."

Then, Lin Guobin hugged Qin Keqing again and said excitedly, "Congratulations, Director Qin! You did it! You're a Golden Bear Award-winning director now! I knew it! I knew it—"

Lü Liangwei also hugged Qin Keqing, saying, "Congratulations, Director Qin. It's an honor to participate in 'Old Boy.' I'm really excited!"

After hugging several people, Qin Keqing waved and said, "Let's go, let's work together. This is the result of everyone's joint efforts."

The group was stunned for a moment, then became even more excited.

At the three major European film festivals, the director usually goes on stage to accept the top prize. Sometimes the producer and lead actor also go on stage, but that happens less often.

Now, Qin Keqing is going to lead them onto the stage. Although all they can do is shake hands with the award presenter, who is also the chairman of the judging panel, they will not have the opportunity to give an acceptance speech. At most, they can only be considered as the "backdrop" for Qin Keqing's award.

But this is the Berlin Film Festival awards ceremony, which can be watched by nearly a hundred countries around the world and reported by global media. For them, this is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure and expand their popularity and influence. How could they not be excited?

"Congratulations, the movie was great, and you were very lucky. In short, tonight belongs to you, and you are the undisputed star of the night."

The chairman of the judging panel, Jeremy Thomas, shook hands with Qin Keqing and said with some emotion.

"Thanks."

After Qin Keqing finished speaking, Jeremy Thomas moved aside, and it was time for him to shake hands with Xu Feng.

As an award presenter, it is only natural to shake hands with the winners.

But Xu Feng didn't want to.

But it's not a matter of whether you want to or not; not shaking hands during an awards ceremony would be extremely impolite.

Xu Feng thought of her husband's warning, her teacher's warning, and realized that she was already on stage and had come all this way, so what else could she do?

"Congratulations."

Xu Feng forced a smile, but it was a forced, stiff one.

Qin Keqing could understand.

No matter who it was, it's unlikely they would genuinely laugh and offer congratulations.

"Thanks."

Qin Keqing was a very polite person. He sincerely thanked him, saying, "It's all thanks to President Xu's insistence that we were able to win the Golden Bear this time. If it weren't for your adherence to principles, 'Old Boys' wouldn't have won the Golden Bear alone. I'm truly grateful."

After speaking, Qin Keqing solemnly shook hands with Xu Feng. He originally wanted to use both hands, but since he was holding the Golden Bear in his other hand, he could only gesture towards the Golden Bear to express his apology.

"If I didn't have this in my hand, I would definitely express my gratitude with both hands."

Xu Feng almost vomited blood.

Did I offend everyone just so you could win the Golden Bear by yourself?

I offended everyone so you wouldn't get the Golden Bear.

The last trace of a smile on her face had almost disappeared, and her expression became even more rigid. She felt as if she had shot herself in the foot with a massive boulder.

Ren Dahua, Lin Guobin, Lü Liangwei, and Xu Jinglei, the four of them, wouldn't think that much about it; they don't know the inside story yet.

Ren Dahua and the other two Hong Kongers all knew Xu Feng. When they saw Xu Feng on stage, they followed Qin Keqing and shook hands with her. Their gratitude was genuine, and they really thought that Xu Feng had won the Golden Bear Award for "Old Boys".

The three men shook hands with Xu Feng, all extremely polite and expressing their heartfelt gratitude, saying many words of thanks.

"Thank you, Mr. Xu!"

"Thank you, Sister Xu!"

"Sister Xu, you're amazing!"

"Special thanks to Sister Xu————"

The more they expressed their gratitude, the more Xu Feng felt like vomiting blood; she had subconsciously blocked out their words of thanks.

She really didn't want to stay on stage for another second; it was practically a public execution.

Because she knew very well that Ren Dahua and the others were unaware of the inside story. Once the awards ceremony was over, they would have a little contact with the outside world and would know what was going on.

Then—she felt even more ashamed and embarrassed.

Damn Moritz!

Damn Jeremy Thomas!

That damned Qin Keqing!

Although most people in the hall were still unaware of the inside story, Xu Feng felt as if everyone was looking at her with strange eyes.

"Standing here to accept this Golden Bear, I first want to thank all the members of this year's jury, Chairman Jeremy, and especially Ms. Xu Feng. It is because of her persistence that 'Old Boys' was able to win this significant award."

"It's over!"

Xu Feng felt dizzy and wanted to faint.

Her worst fears came true.

Her original intention was to prevent Qin Keqing's "Old Boys" from winning an award, but now it seems to Qin Keqing is saying that he wants "Old Boys" to win the Golden Bear Award alone.

Xu Feng had almost anticipated how the Western media would report on it.

She knew what Moritz said after the red carpet ceremony, and any Chinese person who heard it would surely guess that she was trying to prevent "Oldboy" from winning an award.

Now, it feels like I've offended the whole world?

That's really a case of being too single-minded and ending up with two blocked ends!

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