My cousin asked me to go to Wuha, and Hanikezi stuck to me.

Chen Yi did not refute this. When the year-end awards season arrived, Hanikezi herself tested her mindset regarding trophies.

The nomination list was announced on a Thursday.

When Sister Hong called, Hanikezi was squatting on the balcony pruning the mint. Her phone vibrated four or five times before she could answer it.

"You've been nominated for Best Actress for your role in Chen Yi's film."

"Yes, I heard you."

Sister Hong paused for two seconds on the other end of the phone.

"Is that all the reaction you're going to have?"

"What other reaction could there be? You were more nervous than I was last time you were nominated, you should be used to it by now."

"I'm used to it. This time the competition is much stronger than last time. Zhang Ying is also on the list because of that masterpiece, and the reputation in the industry is all leaning towards her."

"Then just go get close to her, she's a really good actress."

Sister Hong let out a long sigh of relief.

"I can't do anything about your mentality. Don't release the press release yet. Talk to Chen Yi later and see if you need to coordinate your statements."

"No need to discuss it, just follow the usual procedure. A nomination is a nomination, whether or not you win an award is up to fate."

After hanging up the phone, Hanikezi put the cut dry branches and leaves into a bag, brushed the dirt off her hands, and went back inside.

Chen Yi was sitting in his study revising a script, the door slightly ajar.

Hanikezi walked over and knocked on the door frame.

"Nominated."

"I saw it. A screenshot was posted in the production group this afternoon."

What do you think?

Chen Yi put down his pen and turned his chair to face her.

"Based on your performance in that film, the nomination was well-deserved. As for the result, you know the answer yourself."

"I know I can't get it. Zhang Ying's film is too good to pass up; I've watched it twice and I'm convinced."

"That's good. It shows you're judging with a professional eye and haven't been misled by empty fame."

Hanikezi leaned against the door, tilting her head to look at him.

"Aren't you sorry for me? After all, it was your directorial debut."

Whether my play wins an award or not is a completely different matter from whether your performance is worthwhile. The solo dance you performed in the rehearsal room is more valuable than any trophy.

"Stop trying to fool me with nice words."

"The truth."

The awards ceremony is scheduled for mid-December.

Hanikezi went to try on dresses a week in advance and chose a dark red fitted long dress.

Hongjie had prepared three plans, but she made the decision after only one glance.

"This one is fine, no need to change."

Sister Hong put the remaining clothes back on the hanger.

"Last time you spent half an hour choosing, this time you're much more decisive."

"Last time was the first time I'd ever been to such a big event, and I felt quite insecure. This time is different; whatever I wear is entirely my own choice."

On the night of the awards ceremony, flashbulbs kept going off on both sides of the red carpet.

Chen Yi did not walk the red carpet; instead, he entered through a side door as a director and sat in the nomination area early on.

Hanikezi walked the entire route alone.

With even steps and a relaxed expression, she turned slightly to the side when she stopped at a designated spot in the media area, the hem of her skirt gleaming serenely under the spotlight.

After taking her seat, she sat down next to Chen Yi, with an empty seat between them.

She didn't move to the side, and Chen Yi didn't lean over either, maintaining a proper distance in front of the camera.

As the competition moved to the Best Actress category, the lights in the venue dimmed, and the big screen began playing highlights of the five nominees.

The scene featuring Hanikezi was her solo dance in the rehearsal hall.

The cool-toned beams of light fell on the barefoot dancers, making them spin, freeze, and bend over to wipe the ground.

The 15-second short film finished playing in complete silence.

Applause broke out, and she bowed slightly.

Next, a clip of Zhang Ying appeared on the big screen.

The middle-aged woman stood in the center of the courtroom, facing the crowd in the gallery, her lips trembling as she finished her final confession.

The camera zooms in for a close-up, and tears stream down her face.

That performance truly captivated the entire audience.

Hanikezi gently patted her knee in the shadows.

As the presenter opened the envelope, the breathing of the audience slowed down.

"Best Actress, Zhang Ying."

thunderous applause resounded throughout the venue.

Zhang Ying stood up from her seat, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes, hugged her colleague next to her, and then quickly walked towards the podium.

Hanikezi stood up and applauded.

His palms clapped steadily and forcefully, without wavering, without the disappointment on his face, and without any feigned composure.

She genuinely congratulated the person who deserved the honor.

Zhang Ying spoke for three minutes on stage, and Hanikezi listened to her from beginning to end, only sitting down again after the applause subsided.

Chen Yi turned his head to look over.

"Are you alright?"

"fine."

"Don't you feel any regret?"

"I had already achieved what I wanted while filming. Awards are just external opinions; I'm happy if I win them, but I'm also at peace if I don't."

Chen Yi looked away from the stage and didn't ask any more questions.

After the event, the two got into the back seat of the van.

The driver bypassed the main road and headed towards the East Fourth Ring Road. It was late at night, and traffic was sparse.

Hanikezi took off her high heels and put her feet on the back of the front seat.

"The new host this year is more efficient than last year's."

"Um."

"Zhang Ying's acceptance speech was excellent; it wasn't overly sentimental, just full of substance."

"She deserves it."

"Can't you talk to me a little longer?"

Chen Yi leaned against the car window, the glow of the streetlights sweeping across his profile.

He turned around.

"You've really grown up."

Hanikezi raised her eyebrows.

"What did you say?"

"Five years ago in Sanya, you said you were afraid of being called a 'pretty face' by others, and your eyes welled up with tears by the end of the story."

"At that time, I had just been misled by marketing accounts, and I felt really suffocated."

"Now you don't care about these excuses anymore. Whether you're a pretty face, a famous director's family member, or a Best Actress nominee, you didn't have a single imperfection on your face when you were clapping in the audience just now."

Hanikezi withdrew her foot and sat cross-legged on the spacious leather chair, the light from outside the window swirling in her eyes.

"Because I've come to know who I am."

He spoke these words in a calm and even tone, but Chen Yi could hear the composure and strength that had accumulated over many years in his voice.

"What I used to fear wasn't how outsiders addressed me, but my own lack of confidence. I wasn't sure if I was capable or worthy of standing on that stage. Now I've overcome that. The solo dance I performed in the rehearsal hall, the short film I shot in London, every detail I personally oversaw in the curation—all of these are things I've built step by step. Let others label me as they please; I know myself best."

The lights of countless residential buildings flashed past the car window.

Chen Yi reached out and grasped the back of her hand, which was resting on her knee, then released it after a couple of seconds.

"You deserve any trophy. Not winning tonight doesn't change that."

"You have to add one more thing to your mouth."

"Add what?"

"Add one more thing, your wife is prettier than all the films you've directed."

Chen Yi turned to look out the window, and the corners of his lips, which he had been pursing, finally couldn't hold back, revealing a hint of a smile.

"Your wife is prettier than all the films you've directed."

Hanikezi gave him a push on the shoulder.

"Just parroting others, come up with a sentence for yourself."

"I can't figure it out; what you've said is quite appropriate."

"You could write three books criticizing outsiders, but you can't even come up with a fresh phrase to praise your own people."

Chen Yi seized the wrist she was pushing towards him and pinned it to the armrest box.

"You can't make it up because the truth is short. It has to be pleasing, outstanding, and worthy of the word. If you think that's too shabby, go listen to someone else's long, parallel passages."

"I won't look for it."

Hanikezi tilted her head and leaned on his shoulder, her voice muffled by his thick coat.

"Short is fine, as long as it's real."