Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 147: I Can't Return to Yanjing (asking for monthly tickets)

There was nothing much to do afterwards. Zhang Chao basically just rested and adjusted to the jet lag.

On the evening of November 11th, the Dengeki Novel Awards was held in Akihabara, Chiyoda District, Tokyo, and the scene was very lively.

Giving the grand prize to a foreigner like Zhang Chao has quite a news effect, and Kadokawa Shoten is also warming up for the upcoming animation of "Your Name", so it is basically an internal decision.

Zhang Chao was not very excited, because the title of "light novelist" was not very glorious in the island country, and was at the bottom of the novelist contempt chain. At the publisher's year-end cocktail party, he stood in the corner like a minion.

Many writers who started out as light novelists, after winning awards, will try to prove themselves by writing a few popular works, even if they are not bestsellers. If you ask him/her if he/she is a "light novelist", the answer you will probably get is:
"Many of my readers don't read light novels. What you said is an insult to them."

As the largest publishing base for light novels in the island country, Kadokawa has been working hard to promote this concept in recent years, but the market size of light novels is still only about 35% of that of popular novels.

Therefore, Kadokawa Lehiko personally came to discuss the copyright of "The Vanishing Lover" with Zhang Chao, and his purpose was still to make a difference in the popular fiction market.

Zhang Chao rushed to Narita Airport early in the morning on November 11. He signed a transit visa after landing in the island country, and the stay time was only 16 hours, so he didn't have time to go shopping.

However, he still did not fly back to Yanjing this time, but changed his flight to Sanya, Hainan, because he received another last-minute notice the night before that the movie "Better Days" had received multiple nominations for the 25th China Film Golden Rooster Awards, and the awards ceremony would be held on the evening of the 17th.

As a domestic film that has been ranked among the top five in this year's annual box office and has an excellent reputation, "Better Days" has been nominated for many awards including "Best Feature Film", "Best Director", "Best Screenwriter", "Best Actor", "Best Actress", "Best Supporting Actress", and "Best Cinematography".

For such a grand event, the main creative staff of the film would naturally be present, and Zhang Chao was no exception.

In fact, the crew had already sent him an email, but he forgot about it when he got busy. If he hadn't mentioned it to Song Jia on the phone, Zhang Chao might have missed the award ceremony.

It seemed that the day of returning to Beijing would be postponed again. Fortunately, he had applied for leave until November 11, which was enough time.

On the afternoon of November 11, Zhang Chao's Japan Airlines plane landed safely in Sanya. He took a taxi directly to the hotel. After working non-stop for several days, he just wanted to have a good rest.

Song Jia did ask for leave from the crew of "Cliff", but he can only go to Sanya on the day of the award ceremony on the 17th. Zhang Chao said that this arrangement is the best...

2005 is a special year for the Golden Rooster Awards. Starting this year, the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival will give out awards every other year. The Golden Rooster Awards for Chinese Films are given out in odd-numbered years, and the Hundred Flowers Awards for Popular Films are given out in even-numbered years.

The former is sponsored by the China Film Association and is voted on by film practitioners, so it is a professional award; the latter was first sponsored by the "Popular Film" magazine and is voted on by readers, so it is a mass award.

Early in the morning of November 11, Zhang Chao finally met the long-missed crew members of "Better Days".

In addition to Song Jia, others were also moved when they saw Zhang Chao. When "Better Days" just started filming last year, Zhang Chao was only a little-known name, and his opinions were at most for reference.

Although Zhang Chao is still far from being a "hotshot" in the film and television industry, it is safe to say that he is a "hotshot".

The key is that he covers both the fields of best-selling books and serious literature, and can live a comfortable life without relying on film and television adaptations.

He can also write scripts, and is the source and core of high-quality content production. He is at the absolute upstream position of the industrial chain, and is above the rest of the industry.

"Wotou Guild Hall", which was a big hit at the College Student Drama Festival, has reportedly been sold to another film and television company for TV series development, and they are already preparing the script.

There are also dramas like "The Great Doctor" which is currently being serialized. Anyone with an eye can see its potential for adaptation. As long as the production is guaranteed, it will definitely be a good drama that will be both popular and well-received.

Zhang Chao held it in his hand and did not release it, just waiting for the right price to sell it.

This person is not a human being at all. The nickname "walking money printing machine" is absolutely correct.

In terms of image, the 20-year-old Zhang Chao has shed his youthfulness and become much more stable after nearly two years of experience in various affairs.

Zhang Aijia took a good look at Zhang Chao and said to Song Jia, "You have good taste."

Song Jia blushed when he heard this, but Zhang Chao was not shy at all. He took Song Jia's hand and said, "That's it!"

Everyone laughed. After the celebration party that night, the relationship between the two was no longer a secret within the crew of "Better Days".

That evening, everyone dressed up to attend the opening ceremony of the film festival awards ceremony. Zhang Chao wore a black evening gown bought in Iowa and walked the red carpet arm in arm with Song Jia, who wore a red dress. The awards ceremony was a bit boring for Zhang Chao, because they had to wait for a long time before it was their turn because they were nominated for major awards.

First up is the Best Supporting Actress award. In addition to Song Jia's Wei Lai, the strongest competitor is the veteran Huang Meiying, who played the mother of the heroine Gao Weihong in the movie "Peacock".

And Gong Zhe, who is also a newcomer in the film industry and plays Xiao Ma in "The Two of Us", is a rather strange nomination because Xiao Ma is clearly the leading actress in terms of her role, but I don't know why she was nominated in the supporting actress category.

After some teasing, the award presenter finally announced the final winner:
"The winner of the 25th China Film Golden Rooster Awards for Best Supporting Actress is - Song Jia!"

Song Jia was obviously very surprised and covered his mouth, expressing disbelief. Because the competitor, Huang Meiying, not only had good acting skills, but also had a lot of experience and extensive connections, so he should be a runner-up.

The award speech for Song Jia was: "Song Jia used an extremely explosive and layered performance to dig out Wei Lai's complex and delicate inner world under the strong color tone of the bully, adding a new role model to Chinese films..."

The huge surprise made Song Jia's voice choke when she took the stage. After thanking everyone, she specifically mentioned Zhang Chao:

"I would like to especially thank the screenwriter of the film, Zhang Chao, who is also the original author of the novel. It was he who created the character Wei Lai and gave him such a wonderful character core..."

Afterwards, "Youth Like You" won two awards, "Best Screenwriter" and "Best Actress", and was the biggest winner of the night. Zhou Xun won the "Best Actress" award together with Jin Yaqin, who played the old lady in "The Two of Us". One old and one young, it can be regarded as a good story.

Domestic film awards are accustomed to being awarded in rows and with trophies distributed, and when it comes to films with major themes, all commercial films have to give way, and this year is no exception.

Zhang Chao was also surprised that he won the "Best Screenwriter" award, but when he thought about the fact that another important organizer of the Golden Rooster Awards was the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, he was not too surprised.

After the award ceremony, this year's China Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival officially came to an end.

The crew of "Better Days" returned to the hotel and naturally celebrated before going back to their rooms to rest.

Because they arrived at different times, Zhang Chao and Song Jia lived on different floors, but the two of them tacitly came to Zhang Chao's floor together.

As soon as he entered the room, without even having time to close the door, Zhang Chao picked up Song Jia and threw him onto the bed.

"Be careful, this skirt is rented and is very expensive."

"Don't worry! I just received a big prize in the island country..."

"Hey, wait a minute, I haven't..."

"What are you waiting for? Don't take it off. It will look better if you wear it..."

"That's so bad... Go close the door!"

Zhang Chao kicked the door of the room shut.

"Your thanks tonight cannot be just words..."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"mouth……"

"Well……"

For a moment, the room was filled with springtime beauty. The two of them released their longing for each other after not seeing each other for three months. They talked for a while and discussed new knowledge for a while...

It was not until dawn that I fell into a deep sleep.

(The last half day, please give me a monthly ticket)

(End of this chapter)