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As Shao Cixin watched the distance between herself and the awards venue shrink, she couldn’t help but start to panic.
Even though she knew she should approach this aspect of the industry rationally, she couldn’t.
According to a famous proverb, “In one’s life, no one can stop what’s coming, and it’s useless to force it if it’s not fated to be.[1]”
But the reality was not so simple. When the time comes, everyone resists their fates.
Humans all have aspirations, expectations, and the desire to be recognized for their hard work.
Shao Cixin was not someone who silently gives without asking for anything in return.
She was a very flamboyant person. To her, what’s good is good, what’s bad is bad, and an inner voice gave her the motivation to move forward.
When it came to her acting career, her inner voice was the Best Actress award.
Shao Cixin hoped to achieve in this life what she couldn’t achieve in her previous life, and add luster to her career.
She was silent for a long time, trying to calm herself down.
Almost out of instinct, she thought of Wen Zhihan.
Before she knew it, her fingers had already opened their chat room.
[Shao Cixin]: Zhihan, I suddenly feel a little scared…
She explained her mental state very honestly.
At this moment, she craved Wen Zhihan’s comfort.
Wen Zhihan happened to be free at the time, so she responded quickly.
A new message quickly appeared on Shao Cixin’s screen.
[Beautiful Mrs. Shao]: What are you scared of?
[Shao Cixin]: I’m scared that I won’t win the Best Actress award again. I’m afraid that I still can’t do it…
After expressing her frustrated feelings, she anxiously watched as Wen Zhihan’s WeChat status changed repeatedly.
Then, Wen Zhihan’s replies appeared on the screen, one after another.
Each reply was a voice message, waiting for Shao Cixin to listen.
Shao Cixin quickly put on her headphones.
After clicking on the first message, a soft voice fell into her ears, instantly blowing away some of the sadness in her heart.
She listened quietly to Wen Zhihan’s voice.
“Don’t think about it like that, Cixin.
“There are mountains beyond mountains, people beyond people[2]. No one can predict which dark horse will emerge in the industry, and which newcomer or veteran will shine in the public’s eye this year or the next. Therefore, every award requires you to be the right person at the right time in the right place. So just because you didn’t get it, it doesn’t mean you weren’t good enough.
“It’s rewarding to win a prize, but there’s no need to be displeased if you can’t win it. You’ve tried your best. It’s just that luck hasn’t caught up to you.
“In this process, you’ve still made good progress and improved your abilities. These are the rewards that will accompany you down the road, so we have not gained nothing for our efforts.”
Wen Zhihan’s gentle and powerful voice drifted into Shao Cixin’s ears.
Shao Cixin’s browns relaxed, and her mind gradually became calmer.
Yes, her acting skills had improved. Wasn’t that more rewarding than winning any award?
As long as she held onto her acting ability, she would always have the qualifications to pursue these awards, and she could let her strengths speak for themselves.
She looked down at the screen and discovered that Wen Zhihan had sent over a new voice message.
She could tell that Wen Zhihan was worried about her bad mood.
Shao Cixin smiled and continued to listen.
“Cixin, I actually think that your status right now is not bad.
“If you stand at the top from the beginning, you will inevitably face greater and greater expectations and standards. There will be overwhelming pressure to perform well, pressure that can suffocate you on all sides if you aren’t careful.
“This is not happiness, Cixin. What I fear the most is that you will not be happy.
“Life is an arc with highs and lows, wins and losses. This is a normal state of living.
“So we should relax. What belongs to you will wait for you. Even if today’s result is not what you want, you can still feel happiness about the process.”
After she finished listening to the last sentence, Shao Cixin’s ears suddenly felt empty. It was so quiet that she could almost hear the sound of air circulating through the car.
She was so fixated on a single award, but the person who loved her most only cared about her happiness…
Wasn’t it true that people live just to make themselves happy?
She had already experienced so much sadness in her last life, so she needed to be more carefree in this one.
If you cared too much about recognition, you would become trapped in a cage. All your joys and sorrow would be tied to obtaining it, unable to break free—this was too depressing.
She had done her best, so now it was up to the heavens to decide what her destiny was!
[Shao Cixin]: Okay, I understand. I feel much better now!
She couldn’t help but begin acting ambiguously.
[Shao Cixin]: Oh, my jiejie is too kind. I really want to hug her and stay in her arms…
[Shao Cixin]: [dog shedding tears.jpg]
Shao Cixin wanted to laugh at herself.
She had just got out of her wife’s arms this morning, and now she already wanted to rush back.
She had completely forgotten what it meant to walk independently.
She could work for herself, but she couldn’t live without Wen Zhihan!
When Wen Zhihan, who was far away in Guanglan, saw the GIF of an aggrieved puppy on her phone and paired it with Shao Cixin’s flirtatious words, she could perfectly imagine what her wife’s expression looked like.
Her beautiful Mrs. Wen was too cute for reason.
Wen Zhihan pressed the voice input.
“I’ll pick you up after the event.”
No matter the outcome, she would take Shao Cixin out for a good meal.
When Shao Cixin eventually joined another filming crew, she would have to take care of her figure again. Before then, Wen Zhihan could only convince her to eat well.
A Shao Cixin on a diet was a very sad puppy, capable of making people feel all kinds of pity.
After she sent out her voice message, Wen Zhihan set her phone aside, returning her attention to her desk and continuing to work.
A while later, Shao Cixin sent another message.
[Cixin]: I have good news.
[Wen Zhihan]: What’s the good news?
[Cixin]: I have your child.
[Cixin]: [blush.jpg]
[Wen Zhihan]: ?
[Cixin]: Ugh, your voice is so beautiful that someone accidentally listened to it until their ears got pregnant…
[Cixin]: You must take responsibility for others.
[Cixin]: [yeah shy.jpg]
Wen Zhihan: “…”
In terms of flowery speech, her wife was unmatchable.
But judging from this response, it seemed like Shao Cixin’s mood had improved, which was good.
As long as her Cixin was happy, nothing else mattered.
The White Jade Award ceremony was held with great grandeur and a star-studded cast.
Many well-known actors and actresses were sitting in the venue, a hundred flowers blossoming freely, demonstrating the prosperity of the film world.
Shao Cixin was seated next to Zhou Hong.
She had been nominated for the Best Actress award, while Zhou Hong was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award.
Zhou Hong, who had already won the Best Supporting Actress award in the past, was attending the event with a serene mindset.
When her current project was released next year, she might have the opportunity to compete with Shao Cixin for the Best Actress award.
They were friends who were also rivals, their individual gains inspiring the other to improve in leaps and bounds.
But now, when Zhou Hong looked at Shao Cixin, she saw a trace of nervousness on Shao Cixin’s face for the first time.
She was a little surprised.
She thought Shao Cixin was shameless, fearless, and so flirtatious that even the King of Heaven couldn’t suppress her!
“Are you nervous?” Zhou Hong asked.
Shao Cixin said, “Yes.”
Zhou Hong: “…”
Shao Cixin’s answer was very straightforward. She had no intention of beating around the bush with Zhou Hong.
She lowered her head, looking down at her tangled fingers.
While she had somewhat relaxed in the car, she couldn’t contain the waves in her heart no matter how calm she tried to be.
People always had hope for themselves.
Then she looked up at Zhou Hong again, her eyes lighting up as she remembered:
That’s right, Zhou Hong’s husband had won several Best Actor awards. He must be very experienced when it comes to the anticipation department!
As his wife, maybe Zhou Hong had also learned a trick or two?
“Hong Hong,” Shao Cixin said, “Does your family’s Teacher Zhou get nervous at these types of award ceremonies?”
Zhou Hong raised her eyebrows. “Of course he does.”
Shao Cixin said expectantly, “Then how does he adjust?”
Zhou Hong recalled, “He thinks about what he’s going to eat.”
Shao Cixin: “?”
Zhou Hong said, “Every time he sits down at one of these award ceremonies, he starts to think about what he’s going to eat when it’s over. He thinks about all kinds of delicious food to become less nervous.”
It was such a simple and direct method.
Shao Cixin understood the concept behind it right away.
But she couldn’t think of anything after a while, so she started to troll[3] Zhou Hong.
Shao Cixin said, “I’ve been enlightened.”
Zhou Hong: “?”
Then she seriously began reciting, “Steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted chicken, roasted goose, braised salted duck…”
A volley of words left her mouth.
Zhou Hong: “???”
Why are you telling me the name of each dish?
If you want to record it down, then record it, but why do you have to record it for me?!
Zhou Hong’s fists tightened, and her stomach screamed out in hunger.
She angrily lowered her voice. “You keep it to yourself, why do you have to report it to me!”
Shao Cixin raised her eyes.
“Friends must share hardships and blessings. Being able to eat is a blessing, so of course, we should think about what we want to eat together,” she responded solemnly.
“Don’t worry. If I win the Best Actress award, I will treat you to all of these dishes, and you can eat as much as you like!” she exclaimed. “Now listen to me as I continue to record these dishes down. There are many more to come, and we should think about it together.”
Zhou Hong: “…”
She held her forehead, feeling a headache incoming.
In the background, she heard Shao Cixin begin making inappropriate puns on food names.
Where did this person come from? How did she have so many naughty things to say all day long???
This happy little episode passed, and soon it was time for the much-anticipated award ceremony to begin.
In The General, Zhou Hong used her outstanding acting skills to portray the role of a princess who was deeply rooted in the hearts of her people.
Not for the first time, she won the Best Supporting Actress award as the highly anticipated favorite in the eyes of audiences and critics.
But not long after the announcement of the winner for Best Supporting Actress, the host of the Best Actress award came onto stage.
The host wore a formal dress and stood gracefully before the microphone, holding a card with the name of the female lead who stood out the most in this year’s productions.
According to the procedure, the host would first raise suspense by introducing the nominated actresses one by one.
The live music was selected carefully, bright and suspenseful, as if a hand was tugging at everyone’s heart, making it difficult to breathe.
Shao Cixin’s eyes fell on the card.
She seemed to be able to feel her heart thumping with every breath she took.
The hostess flipped open the card.
Shao Cixin unconsciously clenched her hands into fists and tightened her grip on her dress.
Thump, thump, thump—
Her heart raced.
She was still holding onto hope, the hope of hearing her name announced.
“The winner of this year’s White Jade Award for Best Actress is…”
An amplified female voice was accompanied by exciting music crescendoing the atmosphere to a climax.
With much anticipation boiling, the host leaned down into the microphone, her shining red lips widening as she clearly announced to the world—
“Shao Cixin, who plays the female lead in The General!”
She raised her hands. “Let’s give her a round of applause!”
Shao Cixin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Wait, it was her…
It was actually her!!!
Zhou Hong’s hand came from the side and gently pushed her forward, a reminder from heaven that everything was real.
“Film Queen Shao,” Zhou Hong said, “Stop sitting here in a daze. Hurry up and go get your award.”
Shao Cixin still couldn’t believe it. Her face had malfunctioned, but her body was reacting. She stood up, holding her dress behind her.
Thunderous applause consumed the venue.
The hem of her blue dress brushed across the steps, as gentle and quiet as a clear spring stream.
Under the spotlight, Shao Cixin walked step by step onto the podium she had dreamed of for countless days and nights.
She only came back to her senses after she received her trophy and blinked before the microphone, gazing out at all her senior and junior colleagues in the crowd.
This was not a dream. Everything was real.
She had won the Best Actress award. She had achieved something she never accomplished in her past life.
Her dreams had come true!
She couldn’t help but stare at the trophy in her hands until the ethereal feeling gradually disappeared.
She raised her bright eyes and looked into the dark auditorium.
At this moment, she couldn’t remember a single word from her pre-written acceptance speech.
Forget it, she’d just act on the spot.
The microphone was a little low, and Shao Cixin leaned down slightly, her long hair falling like waterfalls on her shoulders.
Despite her elegant posture and graceful demeanor, the words that came out of her mouth were full of lightheartedness. “To be honest, I didn’t expect to win this award. I’m so happy that I completely forgot the acceptance speech I prepared.”
Easy laughter erupted from the audience.
Shao Cixin’s eyes curved.
“But I should still say something, so I’m just going to improvise.”
She started, “Thank you to my parents for always accompanying me along the way. Thank you to every friend who has rooted for me, and every fan who has supported me. It is a cumulation of everyone’s affirmation and trust that has made me who I am today.”
Shao Cixin clenched the trophy in her hand. “And…I also want to thank my lover, Wen Zhihan.”
The image of Wen Zhihan appeared in her mind, and her heart was filled with happiness.
“She is always there for me when I need it, providing affirmation, understanding, and patience. Being able to get to know her and fall in love with her is the most fortunate thing that has ever happened in my life.”
Wen Zhihan was her stars and moon, her bright autumn day, her warm spring breeze.
Every season of hers belonged to Wen Zhihan. All the years of her life were in her hands.
“Finally, I would like to thank one more person.”
Shao Cixin raised her eyes, turning in Zhou Hong’s direction with a bright smile.
“Thank you to our Mrs. Zhou for staying by my side when I encounter obstacles, for helping me solve my problems, and for teaching me how to improve my acting skills and become better at portraying my characters. You and I are both the Best Actress today.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Finally, didn’t I just say that if I win this prize, I’ll treat you to all those delicious dishes? Wait for me, I’ll definitely treat you! Not a single item will be missing!”
The host asked curiously, “Which dishes? It sounds like there are not too few of them?”
Shao Cixin turned to the host and co-host. She asked, “Do our two hosts want to know?”
They nodded their heads politely.
Then the two of them were forced to listen as Shao Cixin provided her best rendition of “Name That Dish.”
Shao Cixin stopped speaking after “braised salted duck” and said shyly, “I never expected that I would one day be able to stand on the podium and perform this job[4].”
Hosts: “…?”
We didn’t expect you to tell us the names of so many dishes!!
The venue was filled with laughter and the atmosphere was extremely joyful.
The camera showed Zhou Hong, who had covered her face in shame.
Shao Cixin had actually begun listing food items at the podium of the annual film awards ceremony…
Help, why did she know this person…
The White Jade Awards came to a successful conclusion.
After the event, Zhou Hong watched as Shao Cixin sprinted towards Wen Zhihan, who had arrived to pick her up, showing off her Best Actress trophy in high spirits.
Zhou Hong wasn’t lacking either. She had won a Best Supporting Actress award, and she was also being picked up by her husband.
Zhou Yi smiled and stroked his wife’s hair. He encouraged her with a gentle voice, “You’re amazing. And you will definitely be even better next year.”
Zhou Hong held his arm and nodded.
Wasn’t she going to be a movie queen? She definitely had what it took if she worked harder!
If she couldn’t do it this year, then she would try again next year and the year after that.
Zhou Yi said, “When we’re done here, let’s go eat. Is there anything you want?”
Zhou Hong blurted out, “Steamed lamb.”
After saying this, she was stunned into silence.
A moment later—
“…Shao Cixin, I hate you!”
The author (热到昏厥) has something to say:
#Famous actress’ award speech consisted of naming dishes at the award ceremony. Her rival wants to terminate their relationship.
Note: “Steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted chicken, roasted goose, braised salted duck…” all come from the comedy “Name That Dish.”
I’m so hungry myself…
Since you guys don’t seem tired of it yet, I will put away my blunt knife and continue to distribute honey and sweets.
You guys must read it and comment on the fluff. Otherwise, I won’t have confidence…QAQ
In addition, the main text will probably be finished tomorrow or the day after tomorrow OvO~
[1]“命里有时终须有，命里无时莫强求” is a proverb found in the Jin Ping Mei and Zengguang Xianwen. It can alternatively be more literally translated as something like “It’s meant to be if it’s meant to be, and it’s not if it’s not. There is not much time in life, so don’t try to force it.”
While profound, this proverb provides a fairly fatalistic message, full of helplessness and pessimism about life and worldly affairs. Nowadays, it is more often used to persuade people to “let life takes its course,” so to speak, but you can see here that Shao Cixin counters the proverb’s age-old message, demonstrating some of her modernist streak.
[2] A play on the Chinese idiom “天外有天” (tiān wài yǒu tiān) or “There are skies beyond skies,” a metaphor for the concept that knowledge and skills are endless.
[3] “整活” or “complete life” is an Internet buzzword from the gaming space that means “to do something that is difficult for ordinary people to do”—in other words, to troll for their own amusement (think, like, throwing a game of League of Legends).
This is also used in the title of this chapter, so a Chinese reader might read Chapter 88’s title as something like “she started to troll.”
[4] Shao Cixin uses “整活” again here, but in a much less “troll” context and more of a performative “I’m acting on camera” one.
