The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 1885 Heartbroken Alliance
"It's really, really... really regrettable."

"Don't be sad, we'll fight again next year."

"Wow, it seems that double nominations really are a curse, right?"

Anson's judgment was correct.

No grains were harvested.

Even before the awards ceremony was over, the guests coming and going had already begun to comfort Anson, and the casual greetings from passersby were all expressions of reassurance.

Tonight, still, does not belong to Anson.

Anson Chan received two nominations for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his roles in "Spider-Man 2" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," but lost to Jamie Foxx, the "King of Soul."

Like Anson, Jamie Foxx also had a breakout year in his career. His thriller "Collateral" with Tom Cruise was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, and his role in the biographical film "Ray" was also a huge hit. Tonight, he received two Golden Globe nominations for his two films.

"Borrowing a Knife to Kill," Best Supporting Actor; "King of Soul," Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series.

With two nominations, Jamie and Anson shone on the Golden Globe nomination list. Before the awards ceremony, professionals had already predicted that the Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy award would be a head-to-head battle between these two hottest rising stars. As expected, Jamie ultimately had the last laugh.

One person with two nominations lost to another with two nominations; the loss was not unjust.

For Best Original Song, Anson earned a nomination for "Sunflower," the theme song for "Spider-Man 2," and almost everyone thought he was a shoo-in. However, to everyone's surprise, "Alfie," starring Jude Law, pulled off an upset, snatching the Golden Globe Award from Anson's hands.

There was an uproar.

After the awards were announced, a complex mix of gazes poured down on Anson from all directions, including pity, sympathy, schadenfreude, and encouragement.

As the person involved, Anson appeared calm and composed. Looking back at those gazes, he had the composure of an onlooker, clearly seeing through the vicissitudes of life.

Just as Anson predicted, the Ballon d'Or was destined not to belong to him tonight.

Not only did Anson lose his individual awards, but all the other nominees for "Spider-Man 2" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" also lost, making him a complete spectator for the entire night.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" was a resounding success, winning Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actor – Drama, and Best Original Score.

Clint Eastwood, still going strong, firmly holds his place in the "Million Dollar Baby" category, while the film's two major awards—Best Actress in a Drama and Best Director—signature it as it enters the second phase of the awards season.

In the musical comedy category, "Sideways" and "Stealing Hearts" emerged as the biggest winners.

"Sideways" won Best Picture, Natalie Portman won Best Supporting Actress for "Closer", and Clive Owen won Best Supporting Actor.

The most regrettable thing was not the loss of "Sunflower" in the Best Original Song category, but that Charlie Kaufman was once again ignored in the Best Screenplay category.

This time, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" lost to "Sideways." Alexander Payne's self-written and directed film "Sideways," which focuses on midlife crisis, has swept through the awards season this year, winning the fervent acclaim of all film critics, screenwriters, and industry professionals.

however--

This is the Golden Globe Award.

A cake is neatly divided and distributed equally, in an effort to ensure everyone receives a reward, but ultimately not everyone gets one.

Amusement to the death, a party, nothing more.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, another Golden Globe Awards have come to a close, marking the official end of the first phase of the 2004 awards season.

Next, the Oscars will announce their nominations, gradually kicking off the fierce competition of the second phase of awards season. Although the cutthroat battle of the second phase of Academy public relations has not yet begun, the air is already thick with tension following the conclusion of the Golden Globes.

Putting aside the distant past, tonight's celebration party is a battlefield without gunpowder, where tonight's winners and Oscar nominees are already eagerly sharpening their knives.

"...Oh, Anson, don't be disappointed. You still have a chance at the Oscars. I believe in you. A nomination is no problem. You're definitely in the running."

So, are you planning to attend the awards ceremony?

In a brief greeting, a wealth of information was conveyed, including a gloating mockery, clearly delighted to see Anson suffer a setback that evening; followed by a furtive inquiry into whether Anson would attend this year's Oscars, a spectacle that no one in Hollywood wanted to miss.

Anson, unfazed by this, looked over with an air of nonchalance and said, "So, it seems I've already won your vote? Can I look forward to a nomination?"

With a single sentence, he turned the tables, punctured the other party's mask, and the fake smile immediately changed the subject, followed by a brief exchange of pleasantries before tactfully turning and leaving.

These open and covert attacks were too low-level and posed no threat to Anson; they were incredibly easy to deal with.

But for Charlie Kaufman, it was a different story. The cutthroat competition of deciphering subtext in glances and words was simply a waste of life.

Anson approached the small encirclement with unhurried steps, a faint smile in his voice, "So, what kind of small group is here? Can I get involved?"

“Oh, guys, this reminds me of back in high school, when those football guys would always gang up on us and push us next to the garbage dump.”

"You know what I did? Haha, you'll love this idea. I dumped all the trash in the bins onto the football field and left traces in the players' locker room. The coaches thought the guys were just playing a prank, but they ended up giving those guys a good scolding."

"After that, no one in our school ever sat next to a trash can again."

It was all done casually, amidst laughter and joy.

However, no one in the circle surrounding Charlie Kaufman could laugh; they all avoided eye contact as they saw the glint in Anson's eyes.

Until——

"Haha." Charlie laughed out loud, breaking the silence.

Charlie and Anson exchanged a glance, and Anson's lips curled into a smile.

The group of people all made excuses to leave, and Charlie suddenly found himself in a quiet place.

Charlie looked at Anson, slightly reserved, and said, "Anson, thank you."

Anson waved his hand dismissively, "Just put on a poker face when dealing with these people. They're like a bunch of fruit flies, excited by fresh food and even more excited by rotten food. If we get entangled with them, no matter what we say, we'll only end up losing."

Charlie didn't answer, but instead carefully examined Anson.

That look left Anson completely bewildered. "What's wrong? Did I just steal some food and leave evidence?" he asked, wiping his mouth as he spoke.

Charlie remained expressionless, looking as if he hadn't woken up properly, and quietly watched Anson.

Then, without warning, "Sorry."

Anson: ? ? ?
Despite his ease and confidence in front of others, Anson always felt his mind couldn't keep up with Charlie's every move.

Anson laughed directly. "...It's okay? Wait, if you're asking for my forgiveness, you should at least let me know what we're discussing, right?"

(End of this chapter)