China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 983 The True Meaning of Life [Two Chapters Combined]

The afterglow of the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony remained strong on the internet the following day.

The headlines of major entertainment sections were almost entirely dominated by the phrase "Starry Sky Series".

Previously there were "Beijing Circle", "Shanghai Circle", "Hong Kong Circle" and "Northwest Circle", but now there are no more circles, it's just "Starry Sky System".

[Starry Night Image Shines at This Year's Golden Rooster Awards, Becoming the Biggest Winner!]

[Well-deserved! Zhang Yi wins the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actor for "The Martian," becoming the leading actor in the "Starry Night" genre!]

[Liu Yifei crowned "Fairy Sister"! Wins Best Actress for "Mountain Cry," Her Acting Skills Gain Mainstream Recognition!]

[Wu Jing wins Best Directorial Debut Award for "Wolf Warrior," showcasing the talent of a tough-guy director!]

At this year's Golden Rooster Awards, in addition to founders Sun Yi and Liu Yifei, directors and actors under Starry Sky Pictures won a series of important awards, thoroughly proving that this film and television company, which was established only a few years ago, has become a powerful force that cannot be ignored in the Chinese film industry.

"Yes, that's right. The company's achievements this year are indeed remarkable, with success in every aspect. Hmm, okay, I have no objections. Just handle things as you see fit, Brother Fan. Hmm, alright."

The morning after the awards ceremony, Sun Yi and Liu Yifei did not disturb any media or friends in the industry, and did not even have their assistants with them. They drove an ordinary SUV that they had left at the villa, with Liu Yifei in tow, to his wife's house.

In the passenger seat, Liu Yifei took off her high heels, curled her chubby little feet up on the seat, hugged a soft cushion in her arms, and rested her chin gently on it. She had no makeup on, her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she was listening quietly to Sun Yi on the phone.

The two still-warm Golden Rooster trophies, like a married couple, stood quietly against each other, head to head and feet to feet.

This year's Golden Rooster Awards were held in Jiangcheng, Liu's hometown. She had discussed it with Sun Yi in advance, and after attending the awards ceremony, she wanted to go back to her maternal grandmother's house for a visit.

Just then, she won a big prize last night, one for herself and one for Sun Yi. So, she'll bring them to her grandmother to show her the fruits of her granddaughter and grandson-in-law's hard work.

Sun Yi held the steering wheel with one hand and put away the phone with the other. He glanced at Ms. Liu out of the corner of his eye and casually explained, "It was Brother Fan who called. He watched the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony last night and was quite excited, so he called to congratulate us."

"Yes, I know, I can tell."

This girl has pretty good hearing; she heard everything even though Sun Yi didn't turn the speaker on.

"Yes, he also said he wanted to celebrate with everyone. I said it's almost the end of the year, so we can celebrate together at the annual party."

"Sure, we really should celebrate!"

Liu Yifei raised an eyebrow and happily agreed.

She really enjoys these company gatherings. There are no boring social obligations or complicated interpersonal relationships. It's like meeting up with good friends—very relaxing and enjoyable. So she attends them almost every year and is a key member of the group.

As the two were talking, the car drove into a villa area. The license plate had been recorded beforehand, so the barrier was raised to let them pass.

Actually, the two of them live in Jiangcheng, which is not far from their maternal grandmother's house at all. The residential complex has the same name, just two blocks apart, and it doesn't even take 20 minutes to walk there.

However, due to the nature of their professions, it is not suitable for them to walk openly during the day, mainly because they are afraid of disturbing their grandparents' lives.

Although most of the neighbors in the old Phase 1 area know Liu Yifei, after so many years of being neighbors, no one has the time to gossip.

After just one turn, the car stopped in front of an old-fashioned villa covered in ivy.

As soon as Liu Yifei got out of the car, she saw her grandmother standing at the door, waving at her. Her white hair danced gently in the wind, and her face was beaming with a smile like a chrysanthemum. "Qianqian, Xiaoyi, we're here! Come in quickly, the door isn't locked!"

"Grandma!"

Liu Yifei urged Sun Yi to get out of the car quickly, then picked up the two trophies from the back seat, took his hand, and walked into the courtyard like presenting treasures.

"I could hear the car from across the yard, so you should be here by now! Come inside quickly, it's windy outside."

Grandma Liu said with a kind expression.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and carried a calming power.

Sun Yi and Liu Yifei went into the house together. Hearing the noise, Grandpa also returned from the backyard. He was wearing a comfortable cotton and linen outfit with sleeves on his arms and a small pair of pruning shears in his hand. He had obviously been tending to the flowers and plants in the backyard.

Seeing his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, he smiled and nodded: "Was the journey smooth? Please sit down, please sit down. My dear, please make Xiao Yi a cup of tea."

"Grandma, Grandpa, you don't need to be so polite. I can do it myself."

Sun Yi took the teapot and poured a small cup for himself and Liu Yifei.

Before Liu Yifei could put down the trophy, Grandma Liu smiled and deliberately asked, "Qianqian, what are you holding in your hands?"

"Grandma, these are trophies, one for me and one for Sun Yi. He's the best director, and I'm the best actress!"

Miss Liu placed the trophy on the table like she was showing off a treasure, with a smug look on her face.

"Oh, this is my daughter Sisi's trophy! Let Grandma see it, my Sisi is so amazing now!"

"Hehe~"

"Then tell Grandma quickly how Sisi won the trophy!"

"that is."

Looking at his wife's childlike demeanor, Sun Yi's first reaction was to smile and shake his head.

She was perfectly normal before, but after going to her maternal grandparents' house, she seemed to have aged 20 years and become like a 6-year-old child.

But when he saw that Granny Liu was treating Liu Yifei like a child, he seemed to understand something.

She went abroad with her mother when she was about 9 years old, and never had the chance to be coaxed by her grandmother like that again.

Thinking of this, Sun Yi felt a pang of heartache and couldn't smile anymore. He just watched quietly.

Liu Yifei recounted the origin of the trophy to the two elderly people from beginning to end, regardless of whether her grandparents knew about their film and television industry.

The two elderly people listened with smiles, occasionally offering a word of encouragement.

When talking about Sun Yi's Best Director award this time, Ms. Liu was still a little indignant, feeling that "Shout Mountain" deserved the award and that they were owed a trophy for "Gravity".

It looks like this girl won't be making it to the last Golden Rooster Awards.

Grandma and Grandpa looked at Sun Yi, their eyes full of questions. Sun Yi was pouring tea for Grandpa when he heard this. He smiled helplessly, put down the teapot, and then, after organizing his thoughts, explained to Liu Yifei again:

"Okay, Sisi, when it comes to awards, there aren't so many things that are absolutely deserved. What's past is past. To be honest, I feel that this award for 'Shout Mountain' is a kind of indirect compensation from the organizing committee for me. The scale of this is unprecedented."

Despite Sun Yi's earnest advice, Miss Liu still pouted, looking somewhat unwilling, which made Granny Liu smile.

"Sisi, Xiaoyi is right."

Grandpa Liu, having been a cadre in his younger days, had a more insightful perspective. He took a sip of tea and spoke at the opportune moment, his tone slightly lecturing towards a younger generation:

“Every industry has its own rules and balance. The tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind. Sometimes, being too sharp and outstanding is not a good thing. You have already won a great victory this time and gained the honor and attention you deserve. You should know when to stop and maintain harmony within the industry. Easily breaking the balance can easily lead to unnecessary trouble. Then, wouldn't you be giving Xiao Yi trouble to do?”

"Besides, this award carries significant weight. You're still young, and it's a real skill that you've managed to win it. But it's also more tiring, as more people will be watching you from now on, and the burden on your shoulders will be heavier."

These words were reasonable and justified. Although Liu Yifei still felt a little awkward, she understood. However, she refused to admit defeat, sticking out her tongue pitifully and muttering under her breath, "You're all so right~"

Grandma Liu and Grandpa Liu burst into laughter.

Seeing that it was almost time, Grandma Liu changed the subject, "It's almost dinnertime. What would you like to eat? Grandma will cook for you. By the way, Qianqian, you've been married to Xiaoyi for almost a year now. Have you learned to cook yet?"

This is clearly rubbing salt in the wound.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei blushed and her voice lost its confidence, "I learned a little bit."

Grandma Liu saw through it but didn't say anything, smiling with her eyes crinkling.

We had a pleasant and harmonious lunch.

Today, only Grandma and Grandpa, Sun Yi and Liu Yifei are here; Liu's mother and eldest uncle are not present.

In the afternoon, Liu Yifei put on her grandmother's floral apron and, in the bright living room, learned from her grandmother how to pickle the crispy radishes that she loved to eat as a child.

Sun Yi took the initiative to go to the backyard with his grandfather and helped him tend to the precious orchids. He listened to the old man talk about how to "nourish the roots" and how to endure loneliness to wait for the flowering season.

As the afternoon sun slowly moved, Grandma Liu watched Liu Yifei awkwardly handling the radishes. Feeling a surge of affection, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "Qianqian, this year must have been very busy, right?"

Liu Yifei nodded and briefly recounted her year's itinerary to her grandmother.

From the wedding at the beginning of the year, the honeymoon, and then flying directly to the United States to film "Superman", to returning to China to stay at home for a few days, then going to Sister Yu's film crew, and then back to the United States, I basically haven't had a proper rest.

Hearing her say this, Grandma Liu felt even more sorry for her. Looking at the trophy on the table, she spoke softly.

“Sisi, Grandma doesn’t understand movies, but your mother was an actress back then. Grandma knows that awards for actors, whether stage actors or film actors, are earned through hard work and self-improvement. Grandma is happy for you.”

As she spoke, she took Liu Yifei's hand and held it in her own palm, which was marked by the passage of time.

"The trophy is proof of your hard work and the honor you've earned, but Grandma wants to remind you of a few other things. Don't think Grandma is old and long-winded."

"Grandma, how could that be? Tell me, I'm listening." Liu Yifei put down what she was doing, wiped herself clean, and looked at her grandmother with anticipation.

"Xixi, it's been almost a year since you married Xiaoyi. Time flies, yet it also drags." Grandma Liu's gaze was like the warm sunshine outside the window; just being looked at by her gave Liu Yifei a warm feeling.

“When you were little, your grandma watched you grow up and could tell that you were a child with your own ideas and high aspirations from a young age.”

Liu Yifei took it all as a compliment and even chuckled to herself, showing no embarrassment whatsoever.

Grandma Liu smiled and continued, "Now that you're married and have won such a great award, it's wonderful. But I want to tell you, a woman, once she becomes a wife, needs to have a different set of standards in her heart."

Liu Yifei blinked, realizing that her grandmother didn't seem to be joking with her, and began to listen attentively.

"I'm not telling you to hide your wings and your pride," Grandma Liu shook her head.

"Your career, your world, fly as high as you want, Xiao Yi supports you, and we all support you. What Grandma is saying is that on one side of the scale in your heart, there should be your career, your awards, your glory; on the other side, there should be your family, the people around you, and yourself."

"When you're successful, remember to look down and see if the people around you are tired, and whether you're standing firmly on your own feet. When you're tired, don't push yourself too hard, because home is where you can lean on. Xiao Yi is your husband, your side, not your audience or your judge. The two of you are companions who will live together, people who know to put on a coat for each other or hand each other a glass of water when it's cold or hot."

Grandma Liu's words, though lacking in flowery language and even somewhat rambling, were like a pot of warm jasmine tea, gently permeating the heart and soul.

She wasn't denying Liu Yifei's achievements, but rather hoping that she could build upon them to create a more enduring and solid foundation for her life.

“Your mood today was a bit off. Grandma wants to tell you that awards and prizes, whether they’re yours or Xiao Yi’s, are all external things.”

"Remember, life is for yourself. As long as you two support each other and live a peaceful and happy life, that's better than anything else. We're old now, we don't want you to become successful, we just want to see you safe, sound and harmonious."

As Liu Yifei listened to her grandmother's words, her eyes reddened. She wasn't stupid; although her grandmother hadn't said it explicitly, the meaning was clear.

To balance family and career, never be like your mother, especially on certain matters. Don't take things too seriously; it's pointless.

Only when you are happy can you truly live a fulfilling life.

"Grandma, Sisi knows!"

Sun Yi and Liu Yifei stayed at their maternal grandmother's house until dusk. It wasn't that they didn't want to stay any longer, but they still had work to do and their flight back to Beijing was early the next morning, so they didn't want to disturb the two elderly people so early in the morning.

As they were leaving, Grandma insisted on seeing them to the building entrance and handed Liu Yifei a heavy thermos: "Pickled crisp radishes, they're good for your appetite. And some tea for Xiao Yi, drink some when you're staying up late reading scripts, don't always drink coffee."

The car slowly drove away.

Holding the thermos, Liu Yifei looked back and saw her grandparents still standing at the intersection, their shadows stretched long by the orange streetlights, nestled together.

Her eyes were slightly red. She turned back to look at Sun Yi, who was driving, and suddenly felt her chest filled with a full yet calm emotion. The excitement and glory brought by the Golden Rooster Award were still real, but at this moment, another, more grounded and happier power took root and sprouted from the bottom of her heart.

"Husband," she said softly.

"Ok?"

"Next time I come back, I want to learn how to make that steamed pork with rice flour from Grandma, and then I'll make it for you. What do you say?"

Sun Yi glanced at her in the rearview mirror, saw the clear and gentle light in her eyes, and smiled: "Okay, I'll take care of eating it all."

(End of this chapter)