Chapter 104: Best Director (Fifth Update Today) 100.2 Billion

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“…The 21st Golden Rooster Awards, Best Director, Wu Xiang, ‘Emperor Wu of Han’!”

Wow!

Applause and exclamations erupted simultaneously.

Most of those present were prominent figures in the domestic film industry. They felt that Wu Xiang seemed quite young—perhaps the youngest director ever to win a Golden Rooster Award?

You have to admit, that’s entirely possible. Even after this, no one might break this record!

However, the applause came a little prematurely; the host hadn’t finished announcing.

“Huo Jianqi, ‘Blue Love’!”

It turned out that this year’s Best Director award was shared by two people, which was not unusual—Golden Rooster often favored dual winners.

Still, it was a great achievement for Wu Xiang; this was the first Best Director award in his career, truly the very first!

“No award for me? Then why did you invite me here? Just to watch you win?! Brother Xiang, you’re so mean!”

“Uh…” Before Wu Xiang went up to receive his award, Zhang Jingchu gave him a polite hug. But her words, spoken with a smile, contrasted sharply with her expression.

Wu Xiang was speechless. Actually, he hadn’t even known about the award. Initially, they only mentioned there would be several awards, so he just went up to accept it.

Naturally, he had to give a speech. Being so young, Wu Xiang graciously invited Huo Jianqi to speak first.

“Thank you…” Director Huo Jianqi was quite eloquent, delivering a fluent and heartfelt thank-you.

When it was Wu Xiang’s turn, the host gave a brief introduction: “Director Wu, your film ‘Emperor Wu of Han’ has been spectacular this year, surpassing a hundred million at the box office and now sweeping multiple awards at the Golden Rooster. I feel like a reporter—may I ask, how do you feel at this moment?”

“Simply put, it’s one word: beautiful!” Wu Xiang joked again.

“Ha ha ha…” The audience warmly indulged him.

“Thanks to my parents, to all who supported me, and to the Film Academy. No particular order.”

“Ha ha…” His humor was well received; this young man was quite entertaining.

But Wu Xiang knew this wasn’t the time just for jokes. He continued, “I want to say why I made this film. When I first thought of it, it was like throwing bricks at someone’s window.”

“Ha ha ha…” Naturally, this sparked laughter throughout the hall.

“That was two years ago.”

“…” Suddenly, the audience fell silent. They hadn’t expected that throwing bricks wasn’t just a childish act.

Wu Xiang went on: “But this year, we also had some troubles. America did go too far. But thankfully, they have their own troubles too. Not long ago, someone hit two of their buildings. When I heard that, I also condemned the terrorists, because we must seek justice. We can’t just act like barbarians, right? That would be uncultured.”

“Ha ha ha ha…” At this point, the audience burst into laughter again. The 9/11 incident was no laughing matter, but Wu Xiang’s way of putting it was oddly amusing.

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Wu Xiang swore to heaven he wasn’t being disrespectful. Of course, he condemned terrorism. He said, “Those Americans are untrustworthy; many have grievances against them, and so do we. But normally, we should live in peace. We can’t be like Mr. Bin Laden, resorting to barbaric methods. What should we do instead? We should follow our traditional way: self-improvement and perseverance, accumulating strength without seeking quick gains. Only when we have fully surpassed our rivals can we say: ‘Those who offend the mighty Han shall be punished, no matter how far!’”

After speaking, Wu Xiang bowed deeply to the audience.

Applause... at first sporadic, quickly growing warm and enthusiastic, with many rising to their feet.

After the awards ceremony came the reception.

“Xiangzi, tell me, so many people got awards, why didn’t I?” Huang Xiaoming spoke to Wu Xiang. Huang now followed Wu Xiang’s lead completely. After shooting ‘Emperor Wu of Han,’ Huang immediately took on a TV drama, ‘The Son of Han.’

Yes, it was the famous show that had once made him known. This drama didn’t conflict with his previous film work; it even enhanced his reputation. The producers were very pleased, saving a lot of trouble in promotion. The drama was about to air, and Huang’s banner was ‘Huang Xiaoming, Emperor Wu Specialist.’

Wu Xiang understood what Huang was thinking—he wanted to become famous quickly, to become a superstar and pursue his beloved Xiao Yanzi. But Wu Xiang also knew it was all a pipe dream, though he couldn’t say so.

“Brother Ming, don’t rush. Look at Sister Wei now—one film, ‘Shaolin Soccer,’ and her status rose a notch. You have to understand, while you’re improving, so are others. Like I said earlier, we must endure for now, take one step at a time. You can’t expect instant success; that’s unrealistic. Brother Ming, self-improvement! I promise you, someday you’ll close the gap with Sister Wei, but it will take time—three to five years at least. Brother Ming, can you wait?”

Before Wu Xiang finished, Huang said immediately, “Forget three to five years! I’ll wait thirty or fifty years if I have to!”

One had to admit, Huang’s passion for love was fiery at this moment. Wu Xiang felt embarrassed to continue with his well-meaning lie.

But he couldn’t reveal the truth; if he did...

“Hey, what’s that?” Zhang Jingchu arrived, boldly interrupting the conversation between the two men.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” Wu Xiang felt uneasy seeing Zhang Jingchu, and he didn’t know why.

“Xiangzi, you go ahead. I’ll find someone else to talk to. Hee hee hee...” Huang wisely took his leave.

Wu Xiang was left speechless. He realized Huang wasn’t actually foolish; he was quite clever.

“You should call Sister Hai Qing over.” Zhang Jingchu was now ignoring everyone else.

“Why would I call her?” Wu Xiang chose to feign ignorance.

“She should be here to see your glory today,” Zhang Jingchu insisted, convinced that Wu Xiang and Hai Qing were a couple.

“I’m just getting an award. What would she want to see?” Wu Xiang’s act was poor even by his own standards, but he couldn’t help it.

“I don’t want to meddle in your business, but you don’t need to lie to me!” Zhang Jingchu was annoyed by his dishonesty.

Wu Xiang still couldn’t admit the truth; he needed to keep the secret. “I really have nothing going on with her. Look, Xiao Chu, this occasion is good. Many big names in the industry are here. Why don’t you network? In the future, there will be...”

“Don’t you plan on using me anymore?” Zhang Jingchu interrupted with that question.

Wu Xiang was frustrated. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to work with her; it was that Zhang Jingchu refused to star in his projects. Women could be so unreasonable and stubborn. He was at a loss. “No, you’re reading too much into it.”

“Hmph! I don’t want to act in your films anyway!” Just as Wu Xiang expected.

“This project isn’t really suitable for you. It’s a TV drama; I don’t plan to make movies this time.” He tried to explain vaguely. Wu Xiang felt exhausted.

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“You’re never making movies again?” Zhang Jingchu was surprised; that wasn’t like Wu Xiang.

“Of course not. This time it’s TV drama; I’ll still make movies later.”

“Forget it. I’m not arguing with you. Hmph…”

Well, he finally got this lady sent away.

Originally, Wu Xiang had considered Zhang Jingchu for the role of Tian Yu in ‘Bright Sword,’ but Gao Yuanyuan had already been cast. Besides, Wu Xiang was too embarrassed to call Zhang Jingchu.

The main reason was cost savings. Gao Yuanyuan was so thoroughly persuaded by Wu Xiang she had no bargaining power; he offered her 3,000 yuan per episode, and she accepted immediately without negotiating. So what was a backup choice became the lead. Wu Xiang was really ruthless when he wanted to be.

Honestly, women’s little tempers were hard to handle. Wu Xiang had a comprehensive theory of love, but in reality, before his rebirth, he had been an unloved, awkward man—otherwise, things with Hai Qing wouldn’t have been so bizarre.

As for Zhang Jingchu, Wu Xiang had known her as ‘Sister Peacock’ before his transformation. Now, he regarded her like a younger sister. That was just the feeling.

No matter what, at the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, Wu Xiang was the brightest star. This night was destined to be his!

“Breaking news: At this year’s Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, renowned director Wu Xiang’s historical epic ‘Emperor Wu of Han’ swept the awards, winning Best Director, Best Feature Film, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Music, and more! After receiving his award, Director Wu gave an impassioned speech. He is currently the youngest Best Director winner in the history of the Golden Rooster Awards, with no precedent…”

“The youngest Best Director in history emerges; a domestic blockbuster bursts onto the scene!”

“‘Emperor Wu of Han’ Night: The Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival taken over by 307!”

“Winning awards and winning beauties—witness the artistic life of Director Wu Xiang!”

Some media were sensational, some were clickbait, others played with photos... These days, everyone had to make a living—it wasn’t easy.

As for Wu Xiang’s multiple awards, the biggest complaints came from the establishment.

“Wu, the historical inventor, won so many awards? How unfair!”

“His plot is so criticized, and yet he still wins? The tragedy of domestic films!”

“What are you jealous of? Go check other films; can they compare to ‘Emperor Wu of Han’?”

“This award is ridiculous! It seems Wu Xiang isn’t just the youngest Golden Rooster Best Director, but among all awards worldwide, his age ranks him as the youngest ever!”

There are always detractors and supporters—that’s what makes it interesting.

As for the words ‘youngest,’ Wu Xiang bluntly stated he’s lived like two lifetimes and is genuinely not young anymore!

P.S.: Thanks to brothers ‘Wen Fei Wu,’ ‘hzwangdd,’ ‘Argentine,’ and ‘leesen’ for their generous tips—much appreciated! Also, thanks to brother ‘Friend0402’ for the monthly ticket—very grateful! This is Black Car’s fifth chapter today; in the past two days, Black Car has updated ten chapters, truly exhausting. Thanks for everyone’s support, please give Black Car a breather—will update a couple of chapters over the next few days. Black Car is begging! Thank you all, thank you very much!