027 Big Brother Fang Long Takes the Initiative to Visit

Time slipped by in silence, yet the awards ceremony was a scene of jubilation.

"The nominee for Best Supporting Actor is Huang Bo for *Crazy Stone*! Please, let the representative come to the stage to accept the award!"

"The nominee for Best Screenplay is Qian Lang for *Crazy Stone*! Please, let the representative come to the stage to accept the award!"

Hearing the host announce the wins for *Crazy Stone* with such excitement, Wang Bo nearly burst into tears on the spot. It was exactly as Director Qian had predicted—one hundred percent! He had actually won!

"Thank you, Director Qian! Thank you, President Pei! Thank you to the organizing committee! Thank you to my family at Galaxy Film!"

On stage, Wang Bo kept repeating those same lines over and over. He was so overwhelmed that his mind had gone completely blank. All the eloquent acceptance speeches he had memorized so thoroughly had vanished, leaving him with only those few words of gratitude.

"Thank you, Director Qian! Thank you, President Pei! Thank you to the organizing committee! Thank you to my family at Galaxy Film!" Wang Bo repeated, wiping away tears. He didn't know what else to say.

"Hahaha!" Both the host and the guests in the audience were caught between laughter and tears at his display. They laughed because his very presence on stage was inherently comedic, yet they were moved to tears because they saw themselves in him. The path to success was paved with bitterness—the suppressed frustration after countless rejections, the painful struggle to persevere through every setback.

One could say that Wang Bo was a Best Actor who had crawled his way up from the gutter. His achievement today was the result of not giving up despite the setbacks, and not stopping despite the struggles. In the darkest, most difficult moments of his life, amidst the mockery and insults of others, he had never abandoned himself. He had remained nameless, quietly accumulating his strength.

"Mr. Best Actor, you have defined the meaning of dreams with your persistence; the road ahead will surely be filled with flowers! But if you keep being this sentimental, you’re going to make everyone cry!"

Beside him, Qian Lang patted his shoulder in comfort. To put it bluntly, if he didn't give him a way to step down, Wang Bo might just end up stuck on that stage forever.

"I'm sorry, everyone! I'm just too excited! I'll head down now!" Wang Bo composed himself and scurried back to his seat.

"Hahaha!" This action drew another wave of laughter from the crowd. Many were laughing so hard they were in tears. Goodness! Even the legendary Master Zhuo might not have been as funny as this Best Actor, right? This guy was a natural-born entertainer.

The guests whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with amusement. Cheng Jie, however, frowned in impatience. Every mention of *Crazy Stone* and Qian Lang felt like needles pricking at him.

What rotten luck! Who would have thought this awards ceremony would turn into Qian Lang's personal show? It was nothing but an embarrassment for him, the former boss. The more talented Qian Lang proved to be, the more it highlighted his own short-sightedness. And why had he been so loose-lipped earlier? He could have just let the boy go. Why had he lost his mind and suggested convincing Qian Lang to return to Xingyao? Now look at the mess he was in! Boss Jiang Yan would take that seriously!

What was the most humiliating thing in the world? Isn't it slapping one's own face? If Qian Lang didn't give him face or simply ignored him later, it would be impossible to handle. Of course, he wasn't someone who cared too much about face, but he was currently under the gaze of everyone. Boss Jiang Yan was watching right next to him! If she witnessed him making a fool of himself, how could he continue to survive in the company?

"Thank you to the organizing committee for such affirmation of *Crazy Stone*! I would also like to thank the entire crew for their contributions to the film. Someone once told me, 'As a director, just focus on filming, why compete for the screenwriter's job? If it turns out to be a disaster, you won't be able to dodge the blame!' But I want to say that whether I am writing a story or filming a movie, I will always try to make it as perfect as possible. If a project flops, my first thought will be how to make up for it, not how to shift the blame..."

On stage, Qian Lang delivered his acceptance speech. He had already given his thanks when he won Best Director, but now that he was up here again, he had no choice but to share his past experiences. However, his words sent a jolt through Cheng Jie. *Make up for it?* Could it be that *Crazy Stone* was the very script he had tossed aside? Oh no! Someone, tell him this wasn't true!

"Director Qian is truly incredible. To win four awards with just one film!"
"Is this perhaps the most awarded film in history?"
"Oh, why don't I have that kind of talent!"
"Heh, you can't compare people like that!"

Exclamations broke out among the guests from time to time. Every word felt like a thorn in Cheng Jie's back. He wished he could dig a hole in the floor and hide. But he couldn't. Beside him, Jiang Yan kept looking at him with a faint, inscrutable smile. He was speechless! The invisible pressure on Cheng Jie grew heavier, like Mount Tai pressing down on him, or like the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

Please! Let time pass a little slower! Let the ceremony end a little later! Cheng Jie was in agony. If he made a fool of himself today, he wouldn't just be finished at Xingyao; he probably wouldn't be able to stay in the entertainment industry at all.

"Thank you to all the guests for gracing this awards ceremony and witnessing such a legendary masterpiece of Great Xia cinema..."

The host was delivering a sentimental closing speech. Everyone knew the ceremony was drawing to a close. Cheng Jie’s face was deathly pale, his gaze vacant as he stared ahead. He knew better than anyone what the end of the ceremony meant.

"Let us meet again next time!"

As the melodic, soulful background music began to play, many guests began to leave in an orderly fashion.

"Vice President Cheng, whether Qian Lang returns to Xingyao or not is all up to you!" Jiang Yan blinked, leaving those words behind as she departed with her assistant.

Cheng Jie didn't dare to go against her wishes. Regardless of whether he actually managed to run into Qian Lang, if Qian Lang didn't return to Xingyao, he was doomed anyway! It was a cut either way—it didn't matter if it happened sooner or later.

Cheng Jie bit the bullet and stepped forward. One step, two steps, three steps... His legs felt as if they were filled with lead. Each step was incredibly heavy!

At that moment, Qian Lang was walking toward the exit with Pei Duoduo and the others. As for Cheng Jie? He didn't even notice him.

*Xiao Lang, what a coincidence running into you here. How have you been lately? If things aren't working out, why not come back to the company?* Cheng Jie recited his lines in his head, inching closer.

"Smack!"

Just as he had steeled himself to speak, he was shoved aside by two figures who suddenly flashed in front of him.

"Director Qian, I've heard so much about you!" Jackie Chan grabbed Qian Lang's hand as if he had found a long-lost relative. Beside him, Lu Guang also promptly grabbed Qian Lang's other arm.

The two of them flanked him, shielding Qian Lang as they continued to walk forward. Behind them, Pei Duoduo and Wang Bo stared in stunned silence at the trio's retreating backs, taking a long moment to collect themselves.

"Is... is that Brother Jackie Chan?" Wang Bo gulped, unable to believe his eyes.

"Brother Jackie Chan, I was just looking for you!" Qian Lang’s expression shifted from shock to delight. He had just been thinking about paying a visit to Brother Jackie. He never expected to run into him here! Had Brother Jackie sought him out personally? Was this an unexpected surprise, or a mutual meeting of minds?