Huayu: Just started as a stagehand, but the director's comeback system

The Golden Rooster Awards started as usual, awarding small prizes whose names are so forgettable that they're not even worth remembering.

The only thing that could lift Jiang Huai's spirits was the few award presenters present.

Unfortunately, even the funniest jokes, if laughed at too much, will only make your face hurt.

After waiting for ages, Jianghuai finally received its first nomination for Best Screenplay.

He was nominated along with two other films, "On the Way to School" and "Beautiful Shanghai," neither of which Jiang Huai had seen, but judging from the titles, they were likely art films.

"Let's congratulate the winner of the Best Screenplay Award... Jiang Huai of 'Crazy Stone'!"

As soon as Ni Ping finished speaking, Jiang Huai immediately stood up and greeted her. Although he didn't know many people there, that was the proper procedure.

Jiang Huai originally remembered that there was a hugging session with the losers, but since the seats were too far apart, he thought it best not to humiliate the other two.

After speeding up slightly to get onto the podium, Ni Ping stood up and handed the trophy to Jiang Huai.

"I remember Jiang Huai, you just graduated last year, right? You're a real prodigy."

As the host of the entire awards ceremony, Ni Ping certainly couldn't remember everyone's information, especially for younger people like Jiang Huai; she had to read everything from the teleprompter.

Although I was a little surprised to see that Jiang Huai had only graduated a year ago, it was only a slight surprise, after all, there are too many so-called geniuses in the entertainment industry.

"Teacher Ni Ping, you flatter me. I did graduate last year, but I polished the script for Crazy Stone for a long time to achieve the current effect."

"We see that Jianghuai is still very humble. Does Jianghuai have any acceptance speech to share with everyone?"

"I am very grateful for the recognition from all of you seniors. I used to only see you on screen, and now I feel really apprehensive."

After thinking about his acceptance speech, Jiang Huai decided to avoid thanking the Golden Rooster Awards officials. Although they had given him the award, a newcomer award wouldn't translate into much box office revenue.

After Jiang Huai offered a perfunctory thank-you speech, he stepped down from the stage after shaking hands with Ni Ping so as not to delay the subsequent award ceremony.

Before Jiang Huai could even sit back down for a short while, the stage announced his next nomination: Best Directorial Debut.

"So the winner of the Best Directorial Debut Award is... Crazy Stone! Let's congratulate Jiang Huai again."

This time, the losers were too close to him, so it wouldn't be right not to give them a hug. Apart from Jiang Huai's genuine smile, the other new directors used all their skills to barely manage a half-hearted smile.

Fortunately, this step took very little time, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief after Jiang Huai left.

But after relaxing, a wave of disappointment washed over me. We're both newcomers, so why am I worse than you?

Do you think your smile is more hypocritical than mine, Jianghuai?

Unfortunately, Jiang Huai couldn't hear their complaints. At this moment, his smile wasn't so fake anymore, after all, the award presenter was Tong Dawei, which was free movie publicity.

"Director Jiang Huai has had a very fruitful day. Are you even happier now?"

"Yes, I'm really happy. I never expected to receive two awards."

After some thought, Jiang Huai decided to stick to not mentioning the Golden Rooster Award.

"I heard that Director Jiang and Xiao Tong recently filmed a movie together, and they've gotten together today. What are your thoughts on this?"

Ni Ping wasn't very familiar with the two people on stage, but the teleprompter told her to hold out a little longer to allow enough time for the important awards later, so she chose to leave the stage to the two young people.

"Jiang Huai is an excellent director, and I am very happy to be able to work with him on this new film."

"Tong Dawei is a very good actor. If you have any roles to play, you should consider casting him."

After they finished speaking, they looked at each other and forcibly suppressed their laughter.

After Jiang Huai finished speaking, he looked at the teleprompter in front of him and, seeing that he hadn't been given a chance to leave the stage, he simply started promoting his new movie.

"I am very happy to receive these two awards today under the watchful eyes of all the seniors present. I am also grateful to all the seniors for their guidance. I have really learned a lot from your films."

Finally, my new movie will be released during the Spring Festival next year. I hope you all will enjoy it.

Even after Jiang Huai finished speaking, the teleprompter still didn't let him leave the stage. However, Jiang Huai couldn't care less. Continuing to stand there was a waste of time, and he wouldn't have to wait for Feng Kuzi to criticize him. Tonight, the audience would be the ones criticizing him.

Ignoring the gestures made to him by the staff behind him, Jiang Huai pretended not to see them and returned to his seat.

This time there's no need to get up again; we just need to wait until we leave. The only thing to look forward to is whether Guo Tao will win an award.

"Now let's see who wins Best Actor..."

After Ni Ping finished speaking, she paused for a long time, and the cameras immediately scanned the faces of the three nominees.

Liu Ye had the most screen time, while Guo Tao had the least, so it's pretty clear who else was present later.

"Let's congratulate Liu Ye!"

As Ni Ping finished speaking, applause erupted in the audience. Jiang Huai clapped twice as the crowd went along with it before lowering his hands.

The following awards were not related to Jiang Huai either. Just then, he saw that Tong Dawei had reached the back door and was about to leave, so he bent down and walked out.

Fortunately, the people in the front row were all big shots, and they only glanced at Jiang Huai's departure before paying no further attention.

Upon arriving at the entrance, Jiang Huai greeted the reporters waiting there and then got into Tong Dawei's nanny van.

"How's it going, Director Jiang? Are you happy today?"

Tong Dawei really didn't expect the Golden Rooster Awards officials to be so humane, knowing that he had recently collaborated with Jiang Huai, and temporarily arranged for him to present the award.

He already had a bad impression of the Golden Rooster Awards because of Feng Xiaogang's scandal, but now he's saying, "Who is Feng Xiaogang? I don't know him at all."

Because there are so many people paying attention to this kind of occasion, even a casual remark from the two of them can bring in a lot of box office revenue.

The higher the box office, the more stable his position as a national heartthrob becomes.

"It's alright, I thought this trophy was made of gold."

Jiang Huai just secretly took a bite; it's brass. It would be better to just give him a certificate; that would save some effort.

"Director Jiang, shall we go back tonight or tomorrow morning?"

Upon hearing Tong Dawei's question, Jiang Huai promptly called his assistant to book the earliest flight, as there happened to be a flight from Yinchuan to Hengdian.

Seeing that Jiang Huai had already sent Guo Tao a text message to comfort him, Tong Dawei followed suit and sent the other party a comforting text message with a modified template.

And so, until they boarded the plane, the two barely exchanged another word.

Tong Dawei is still thinking about his schedule after filming "Beauty Inside" wraps up.

Jiang Huai, meanwhile, was using his phone to assign tasks to his assistant.

It's uncertain when Feng Xiaogang will launch his attack, but Jianghuai needs to prepare in advance and start generating buzz now, so they can get two waves of traffic in one go.

The work wasn't finished even by the time the plane took off, but it was enough.

Jiang Huai looked at the night outside.

That's really shady.