Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Zhuang Huai'an's initial plan was that...

Before the competition for awards even started, he took all the awards he was entitled to. He doesn't need them personally, but his company's artists and his wife are in dire need.

The Film and Television Awards Ceremony was held in Beijing and was broadcast in a pre-recorded format, with Anhui TV remaining the broadcasting platform.

Wang Changtian really went to great lengths to establish the stick.

Well-known figures in the TV drama industry came to show their support. Although there were very few people from the film industry, Director Zhuang made up for the void.

In the waiting area, the young couple dealt with the conversations of the artists. Zhuang Huai'an secretly observed that Liu Xiaoqian remained calm and composed in her every move, displaying a certain diplomatic demeanor.

"Director Huai'an?"

Upon hearing the sound, Zhuang Huai'an turned his head and looked over, his heart immediately tightening.

Ah~ It's the King of Northeast China~

"Hello, Mr. Benshan."

At this time, Benshan's reputation was at its peak. Although the things behind him were a bit too complicated, people in the entertainment industry are always involved. Out of childhood nostalgia, Zhuang Huai'an was still willing to get to know him, but there was no need for a deep friendship.

"Director Huai'an, it's finally time to meet you."

Offstage, Benshan exudes an aura of dominance. Compared to Heitu's simple honesty, he is more like Ding Lianshan—shrewd and cunning, capable of taking lives with a smile.

"Indeed, I've always seen you on TV, this is the first time I've seen you in person."

The two men shook hands with smiles and were about to find a place to sit down and chat when Chen Daomin and Zhang Guoli approached them.

Old Zhao chuckled. "I just came in and didn't even realize you two brothers were here. Perfect! I'll arrange a drinking session tonight."

When these three walk together, no one would ever guess that Zhao Bensan, who looks the most mature, is actually the youngest. But then again, it seems that Zhao has never been young since he stepped onto the stage and became known to the public.

"Benshan, I'd rather not drink. If it weren't for Chairman Wang's repeated invitations, I wouldn't have come to this event at all." Chen Daomin, who usually appears refined and elegant, rarely showed such a sigh today.

At the end of last month, he was exposed by paparazzi for having an affair and living together with actress Zuo Xiaoqing. This Rashomon-like incident in the entertainment industry caused a great deal of trouble for him, even though both of them denied it afterward.

Is this story true or false?

Hehe, I'm not telling you.

Zhang Guoli, on the other hand, also had a tough year. The case of his son Zhang Mo's girlfriend, Tong Yao, selling herself, finally came to a close at the beginning of the year.

This girl is quite a character, nicknamed "Little Zhang Ziyi." Her actions are indeed very similar to those of the real Zhang Ziyi. It can only be said that Peking University deserves it. Her subsequent resurgence in popularity also allowed the world to witness the decadence of the entertainment industry.

Faced with these two unfortunate brothers, Zhuang Huai'an tried his best to say as little as possible to avoid making mistakes, and to say nothing at all. Fortunately, Old Zhao was a man of good manners and managed to liven up the atmosphere in just a few words.

During the casual conversation, Wang Changtian personally came over to inform everyone and arrange for everyone to walk the red carpet. As expected, Director Zhuang was the grand finale.

Before him, two couples ignited the red carpet show.

Huang Shengyi and Yang Zi walked the red carpet hand in hand in a high-profile manner. When reporters pressed them about their relationship, Yang Zi publicly stated: "The critical point between friendship and love."

When Zhang Weijian and Zhang Qian, a couple, walked the red carpet together, they were also asked by reporters about their wedding date.

Despite being overshadowed, Zhuang Huai'an didn't care at all. He thought it was pointless for someone like him, who worked behind the scenes, to get so much screen time. "Your sister is amazing, and your brother is awesome."

Haha, let him come.

Oh, no need. Let's get past Mr. Wang first.

This awards ceremony was actually quite amateurish. The host was Xie Nan, the head of Enlight Media and wife of Wolf Warrior, along with Zhou Qun, Guo Degang's benefactor and a star at Anhui TV, and Liu Yiwei, who had not yet transitioned into the culinary industry.

Whether it was due to a lack of rehearsal or a complete lack of chemistry between the two women, the entire process was marred by mispronouncing names and interrupting each other, leaving veteran host Liu Yiwei sweating profusely and constantly trying to smooth things over.

Wang Changtian's face was frighteningly dark in the audience. Fortunately, the guests were considerate and did not pay too much attention to the matter. Those whose names were called went up to the stage politely to receive their awards, while those who were there to support the event applauded enthusiastically.

It was awkward yet carried a hint of harmony.

The so-called top ten TV dramas of 2005, which are the top ten in terms of viewership ratings, were won by 91 Company, which produced two dramas and invested in three others.

Li Youbing won the Best Actor award for his role in "Bright Sword," beating Chen Baoguo's "Emperor Wu of Han."

Add to that the winners of the Most Popular Actor and Actress awards in Mainland China, Hu Ge and Liu Yifei, and 91 Company can be considered the biggest winner of the night!

However, Wang Changtian broke his promise. It was thought that the old man really intended to hold the "New Flying Apsaras" Awards, awarding prizes based on viewership ratings and audience reviews. Unexpectedly, he still set up a professional judging panel, but the awards were for things like Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director.

But Zhuang Huai'an still felt that he had overestimated Lao Wang.

Why don't you dare to fight back against the Feitian Awards?

Wang Changtian: Brother, do you really want me dead?!

However, that's enough. The top ten TV dramas are not based on expert opinions, but publicly released a ratings list, which is unique at the moment, and many production companies still value this list very much.

"The winner of the Grand Prize at the inaugural Film and Television Awards is 'Bright Sword'! Congratulations to the production company, 91 Productions! Please come to the stage to accept your award!"

After Wang Changtian finished reading the cue cards, he stared straight at Zhuang Huai'an. This almost explicit gesture left Director Zhuang speechless.

He got up, buttoned his clothes, and gave Liu Yifei a cheek hug. The couple's intimate gesture appeared on the big screen at the right time, which caused a stir among the audience.

Seeing this, Zhuang Huai'an initially thought of going up and kissing him to assert his ownership, but fearing that fans would react in real life, he gave up and ruthlessly pushed away Hu Ge, who came up to ask for a hug, and strode onto the stage.

"cough…"

Taking the trophy from Lao Wang, Zhuang Huai'an walked to the microphone, thanked a large group of people as usual, and then began to speak:

"Actually, my going on stage was a bit of a steal, but it's also a good opportunity to use this stage to give everyone a piece of my mind. Please don't cut off my microphone, okay?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd below chuckled, all recalling the amusing incident of Zhuang Huai'an repeatedly making gaffes to promote his films on the Oscar and Cannes stages.

"The Martian, a sci-fi blockbuster directed by me, with participation from China Film Group, produced by 91 Company, and produced by MGM, will be released during the National Day holiday. I won't boast about the quality of this movie, but please remember one thing: anything produced by Zhuang Huai'an is guaranteed to be a masterpiece. Since my debut, I have never let down my fans, and this time will be no exception. I will not break my promise in the future. Thank you all."

Zhuang Huai'an bowed deeply to his benefactors, who responded with thunderous applause.

"Well, since we're already here, it would be a shame to just call it a day. There's something else I was planning to do at a press conference, but I don't want to take up public resources, so I'll just say it all at once."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and looked at the audience below the stage before speaking again.

"Director Zhang Yimou will sign a contract with 91 Company this month to cooperate deeply with our company in the form of a personal studio. To show my personal sincerity, 91 Company will tailor a big-budget film for Director Zhang Yimou, which is scheduled to be about the Battle of Red Cliffs during the Three Kingdoms period, with a total investment estimated at 6.5 to 7 million RMB."

This film will hold open auditions, with actors from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong all having the opportunity to participate. For details, please visit the 91 Company website; I won't mention the domain name here as it's likely to be censored.

After hearing this, the media members in the audience went crazy, quickly taking out their phones to make calls and send messages, asking their editors to save the section!

The artists were also whispering among themselves, knowing that this movie was different from "The Martian." Just listen to the Three Kingdoms period, and you'll know it's definitely Chinese history!

Wang Changtian was overjoyed; this was exactly what he had hoped for—only sensational moments could generate attention!

The Film and Television Popularity Awards Ceremony is a success!