The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 2013 Entering the House
Singer? Actor?
Nicholas couldn't help but burst out laughing. He tried to say something but found his thoughts were jumbled up. In the end, he gave Anson a thumbs up.

Then, a rustling sound erupted from all around, followed by a burst of laughter, and some people even whistled, creating a lively atmosphere.

Nicholas finally regained his composure. "Anson, you never do things the way things are, do you?"

Anson looked completely innocent and shook his head slightly. "No, I'm just following the usual procedure. You guys were going to bring this up sooner or later, I'm just going with the flow."

"Aren't you going to ask about the rehearsal?"

Haha, hahaha.

To everyone's surprise, Anson launched a surprise attack. Before Nicholas could even deny or deny it, someone in the crowd shouted, "So, what exactly happened at the rehearsal? Rumor has it that you just returned to Los Angeles today and were in Seattle before, is that true?"

Ansen's lips curled into a smile, piquing everyone's curiosity.

Then Anson said, "No comment."

Everyone: Oh!

His expression immediately fell apart.

Anson's eyes gleamed with a sly smile. "Wouldn't it be better to confirm everything at the awards ceremony later?"

Everyone cried out, "No! No, no, no!"

Anson looked disappointed. "Aren't you all looking forward to it? I'm really looking forward to it, to step onto the stage as a singer tonight."

Hilarious!

As Anson said, he knew that the attacks, the criticisms, and the contempt were still there, and they wouldn't disappear even if he pretended not to hear them.

So, Anson faced reality with composure, even preemptively joking that tonight he was a singer, not an actor. From the Grammys to Paris to London, Anson has many identities, but he has never been an actor, and the discerning eyes of tonight's awards ceremony will certainly not let him off the hook.

However, it doesn't matter, Anson doesn't mind.

Laughter and applause erupted from the crowd, and someone called out, "So, are you confident you'll win?"

Anson shrugged slightly. "I'm confident I can deliver a fantastic performance, and that's the only thing that matters, isn't it?"

Anson's footsteps didn't linger any longer; he had already gracefully departed.

Elegant, composed, unrestrained, and flamboyant.

He effortlessly stole all the attention, exuding superstar charisma in every gesture.

Later, Nicholas wrote in his New York Times column that Anson was well aware of the expectations and the pressures.

If he performs well, he will leave his mark at the Oscars as a "singer"; if he performs below expectations, he will struggle to remain a "pretty face" and in other words, it is a battle he is destined to lose, and he will be on edge no matter whether he moves forward or backward.

However, amidst this chaos, Anson remained true to himself. Singer, actor, model, designer, stand-up comedian, and so on could not be the labels that defined him. Just as a vase cannot truly let people appreciate his charm, Anson used this way to declare his existence.

He, Anson Wood, that's his label, a unique existence, a superstar who breaks boundaries, breaks free from constraints, and redefines himself.

Even the Oscars were no exception; they were merely one part of his many journeys.

More than just praise, just as Nicholas recognized Anson's epoch-making potential early on, he saw "authenticity" becoming the key word of the next era; now he sees Anson leading the way, writing his own story. Such praise even overshadows the word "superstar."

Amidst the bustling gazes of onlookers, Anson gracefully departed, and immediately afterward, at the Kodak Theatre, people were demonstrating Nicholas's judgment and interpretation through their actions.

There were welcomes and praises, cheers and enthusiasm, vigilance and rejection, hostility and disdain... all kinds of gazes were present, but without a doubt, Anson was the focus.

This scene reminded Anson of his first Golden Globe Awards appearance. Back then, he was like a panda who had wandered into a circus, with everyone speculating and assessing his worth. The naked measurement and calculation in those eyes revealed a side of the world of fame and fortune beyond the spotlight.

So it turns out the Oscars are the same.

Or to be more precise, the Oscars are different. The gaze here is more subtle and understated. On the surface, it appears noisy, with clinking glasses and laughter, and people trapped in glamorous evening gowns all wearing masks, like a masquerade ball; but the atmosphere here is more turbulent, more intense, and more... suffocating.

After all, anyone can get into the Golden Globes, even without a film; a little money spent on public relations can make someone a guest of honor. But the Oscars are different.

After waiting and waiting, Anson finally entered the hall of fame, the grandest feast at the top of the Hollywood pyramid. And not as a clueless newbie, but as a top superstar, shining brightly. The air in the Kodak Theatre quickly became hot and thick, almost suffocating.

Then, someone appeared.

In such situations, someone always needs to break the deadlock; the difference lies in whether it's done with good intentions or bad.

Last time at the Golden Globes, it was Maggie Gyllenhaal who extended the olive branch; and this time at the Oscars, it's... Leonardo DiCaprio and Gisele Bündchen.

A gasp of surprise filled the air as people saw Leonardo standing in front of Anson, their astonishment and disbelief rising in the air.

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and the others were all caught off guard by Leonardo's move, exchanging glances with expressions of confusion and doubt.

why?
In fact, not only them, but Anson also showed confusion in his eyes, never expecting that the first person he would meet at the Oscars would be Leonardo DiCaprio.

Having spent many years in Hollywood, Anson thought his past life's filter should have mostly disappeared, but when he saw Leonardo DiCaprio in person, just like when he first saw Kate Winslet, breaking the fourth wall of film easily awakened the memories in his mind.

Anson made no attempt to hide his surprise.

This scene, witnessed by Leonardo, elicited a smile, followed by a slightly sarcastic remark: "I thought the renowned Anson could handle everything with ease."

Anson could hear the sharpness in the words, though it was pointed, it was not malicious. He regained his composure, spread his hands, and put on a calm expression.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you. It seems that rumors are often exaggerated, and we'd better not believe them too easily."

"Miss Bangchen, what do you think?"

Gisele smiled to herself.

Leonardo's lips were curving upwards, but he paused slightly when he saw the smile in Anson's eyes. A thought flashed through his mind. "Wait, are you turning around and saying I'm undeserving of the title?"

Gisele's smile widened, her grin fully blooming.

Anson waved his hands repeatedly, "No... of course not."

He denied it verbally, but the mockery and teasing in his eyes told a different story.

Leonardo was completely taken aback, raising his right index finger and pointing it outwards, "I never expected you to be like this, Anson!"

(End of this chapter)