Against the Light - Chapter 101
Chapter 101: I'm Serious About This Slapdown
"Oh, oh, oh, the young miss is on stage," Ye Nan exclaimed softly.
Shi Qing, who had been resting beside her with her eyes closed, slowly opened them. She turned her head to look at the phone, but saw Ye Nan walk to the side, deliberately keeping it from her.
"Mmm~ Our young miss is so beautiful~ And President Gu is so considerate, helping her with her dress." Ye Nan said, her back to Shi Qing, watching with relish.
"…" Shi Qing sat up straight and craned her neck, trying to see the screen past Ye Nan's face. But Ye Nan deliberately thwarted her, blocking her view.
Shi Qing's expression darkened. Just as she was about to speak, Ye Nan handed the phone over at just the right moment, leaving Shi Qing completely disarmed.
On stage, the two film crews stood on either side of the host, who was introducing them one by one.
"Both Never Parting and Picturesque Rivers and Mountains were huge hits during the summer blockbuster season, and I'm sure many of you have seen them. The voting results for awards like Best Director and Best Actress are based on a combination of the films' and actors' reputations. While audience popularity accounts for thirty percent of the vote, the remaining seventy percent comes from industry professionals, making these awards incredibly prestigious." The host finished and nodded at the crowd.
"And now, it's the moment you've all been waiting for!" The host glanced at her cue card, then at the audience, speaking in a deliberately mysterious tone.
The audience erupted in a clamor, urging her to announce it quickly.
"I announce, the winner of the Best Director award is…"
The entire audience held its breath. On stage, everyone watched her with anticipation. Gu Xinran, however, was perfectly composed, looking extremely confident, as if the award was already in the bag.
"The winner of the Best Director award is… from the crew of Picturesque Rivers and Mountains, Liu Ping, Director Liu!"
As the host announced the winner, the entire audience was stunned, momentarily unable to process it.
Gu Xinran raised an eyebrow slightly and glanced at Liu Ping. He looked just as dumbfounded, as if he had never imagined he would win.
After a moment's thought, Gu Xinran glanced down at Bai Yiyue in the audience. She was smiling with satisfaction, and when she saw Gu Xinran looking, she met her gaze boldly, her expression the very picture of arrogance.
Gu Xinran smiled back at her, a beautiful and enigmatic smile.
【Holy shit, this is so rigged. Teacher Bai doesn't deserve a Best Director award? Isn't Never Parting way better than Picturesque Rivers and Mountains?? Its box office blew the other one out of the water, okay?】
【Seriously, what kind of garbage judges are these? This has to be rigged, right?】
【And this is supposed to be a prestigious industry award?? Are they taking the audience for fools? Do they really think the audience doesn't know anything??】
【This is so obviously rigged. I demand they release the list of voters. Let's see who these so-called industry authorities are.】
【To be fair, Picturesque Rivers and Mountains was decent, but putting it up against Never Parting is just a public execution. It really didn't deserve the award.】
【I remember this Liu Ping. Wasn't he the one who brought people to trash the Never Parting set during filming? Just to cause trouble? He looks so shifty, you can tell he's no good.】
【Hey, let's not resort to personal attacks.】
On the bullet screen, the audience was in an uproar over Never Parting's loss. Some even began to attack Liu Ping, saying he was unworthy of the honor and didn't deserve the award.
Back at the suburban manor, Ye Nan frowned upon hearing the result. "Sister Qing, this is such blatant manipulation. Do you think Bai Yiyue was behind it?"
Shi Qing didn't reply, her eyes fixed on Yilan on the screen.
Back in the venue, the audience slowly recovered and offered a round of perfunctory applause.
The host invited the sponsor, Bai Yiyue, to the stage to personally present the award to Liu Ping.
The applause grew a little more enthusiastic when Bai Yiyue took the stage. She was a titan of the fashion world, after all, and deserved some respect.
Bai Yiyue held the trophy, walked up to Liu Ping, congratulated him, and smilingly handed the trophy to him.
Liu Ping accepted it politely, then looked down at the trophy, weighing it in his hands with a small smile.
"Thank you, President Bai."
"You deserve it." Bai Yiyue smiled slightly, nodded at him, and then turned to leave the stage.
She had only taken two steps when she heard…
"Just how much is this thing really worth?" Liu Ping asked.
Bai Yiyue stopped in her tracks. "Hm? What?"
The host also looked a bit lost, watching him in confusion.
"I just want to ask, who exactly are these so-called industry professionals? Did they vote with a clear conscience?" Liu Ping's smile was disarmingly simple, but his words struck like a thunderclap, leaving Bai Yiyue completely cornered on stage.
"What do you mean by that?" Bai Yiyue's expression was displeased.
"It means nothing. Please don't misunderstand, this isn't directed at you. I just want to ask those professionals… anyone with eyes can see that the quality of directing in Never Parting is leagues above that of Picturesque Rivers and Mountains. That comes down to the director's skill. Since you're all industry authorities, professionals representing the highest standards of our field, did you genuinely not see the difference, or were you blinded by something?"
The moment he spoke, the hall erupted. Gasps echoed through the audience. No one could have imagined that the seemingly ordinary Liu Ping would dare to say such a thing at an event like this!
Even Gu Xinran was stunned. She looked at Liu Ping. This guy really has some nerve…
【??? My brain just short-circuited. What's happening? I'm so confused??】
【??? Where are all the people who were trashing Liu Ping earlier? How's that face-slap feel? Does it sting?】
【Holy shit, this guy has guts! He didn't just throw the big shot's dignity on the floor, he stomped on it twice! Awesome!!!】
【I'm a fan now! People who dare to speak the truth are rare these days. From now on, I'm booking out a whole theater for every movie Director Liu makes!】
【Me too!! I need to apologize to Director Liu. I shouldn't have called you shifty-eyed. I'm sorry, I was wrong!】
On the bullet screen, public opinion shifted in an instant. The more viciously they had attacked Liu Ping moments ago, the more passionately they praised him now.
【I'm just thinking, why is a fashion mogul presenting an award at an entertainment event? Isn't that weird? Look how awful her expression is!】
【I agree. I heard she's secretly funding Le Tao, and Liu Ping used to be with them. Picturesque Rivers and Mountains was funded by Le Tao, too. Hiss! Don't tell me she rigged the award?】
【If she really did rig it, this is amazing. Did she just get double-crossed by her own guy?】
【Holy shit, I admire Liu Ping even more now!】
【Doesn't anyone feel bad for the mogul? Xinran is slapping her face into next week.】
On stage, Liu Ping sighed. "I may not be a saint, but I can't keep being a scoundrel, can I?" He smiled, placed the trophy on the floor, and refused the award.
A thunderous applause suddenly erupted from the audience. As if by unspoken agreement, all the guests cheered for his actions. The applause was far louder than it had been when he'd won.
Liu Ping bowed to the audience and walked off the stage with composure, exiting to the sound of applause.
The cast and crew of Picturesque Rivers and Mountains looked at each other in dismay. Their director had just walked off, leaving them stranded on stage. It was incredibly awkward.
Bai Yilan watched Liu Ping's suddenly imposing figure from behind and leaned closer to Gu Xinran. "Why is Liu Ping being so cavalier all of a sudden? Turning down an award he already won?"
Gu Xinran raised a hand to her mouth and coughed lightly, mouthing, "Would you believe me if I said he works for Heart Entertainment?"
"???"
Gu Xinran's eyes crinkled as she smiled without saying a word.
The host looked awkwardly at the remaining people on stage, then glanced down at the cue card with the winner for Best Actress. Suddenly, she didn't dare to read it aloud…
The host's mind raced. She put the cue card away and turned to the audience.
"Since this award has been called into question, I believe the organizers should launch a full investigation into whether these awards have been compromised. After all, the judges for this festival are all respected industry authorities. Perhaps the organizers could contact the judges to provide a reason for their selection? That would allow everyone to accept the results wholeheartedly."
"Agreed!" The host's words immediately drew a response. Many guests voiced their support for publicizing the judging criteria, hoping to prevent any more ambiguous results or awards clearly going to undeserving, well-connected winners.
Hearing this, someone from the organizing committee hurried onto the stage to mediate.
Gu Xinran picked up the microphone and smiled calmly.
"Personally, I feel that for any work, whether it's Never Parting or Picturesque Rivers and Mountains, to be fully presented, to be enjoyed and judged by the audience, to bring everyone laughter or emotion—that significance already surpasses whether or not it wins an award."
"Knowing the audience loves my work is more motivating and brings me more joy than any trophy."
The moment Gu Xinran finished, the audience once again erupted in thunderous applause, with all the guests cheering her magnanimity and grace.
Gu Xinran gave the crowd a slight bow, glanced at the few people remaining on stage, and then led Yilan down. The rest of their group followed her closely like a trail of ducklings, returning to their seats and sitting down quietly.
"That's so infuriating! Why did they have to pull a stunt like that? The Movie Queen award was in her grasp and it just flew away," Lin Guo grumbled, still resentful. After all, among the Best Actress nominees, Xinran had been the front-runner. Without any foul play, the award would have been a sure thing.
Gu Xinran took it in stride. "It's fine. There will be plenty of other chances."
"Tsk, I love listening to Sister Ran. Always so confident!" Qin Qiong said, laying on the flattery.
【Sigh, this is upsetting. I came specifically to see Xinran win an award, and then this happened.】
【Me too. I thought Xinran had finally made it, but then…】
【Sigh, it was a watered-down award anyway. It's no big loss. Xinran is so amazing, she'll definitely have many more chances to win Movie Queen in the future!】
【Sisters, don't be down! Look, Xinran isn't even sad. She has the talent, she just lacked a bit of luck. In the future, our Ranran isn't just going to win Movie Queen, she's going to win a Grand Slam!!】
【Go for the Grand Slam!!】
【Pardon my saying so, but we probably won't see Ranran on screen much in the future, right? After all, her company is pretty big now. It makes me sad just thinking about it.】
【?? WTF, how did I not think of that?】
【I hope Ranran can focus on acting. I still want to watch her act, I can't get enough, boo hoo hoo.】
【Go bankrupt! Make her go bankrupt! If her company goes bankrupt, she'll have to act to support her family. Make her go bankrupt!!】
【…??? Are you the devil?】
In the venue, because of the commotion, the winners of the subsequent awards lacked much enthusiasm. There was even a sense of reluctance, as if they were embarrassed to accept their awards, afraid of being seen as the one who benefited from the rigging.
From her seat, Gu Xinran rested her chin in her hand and watched the stage. She wasn't looking at the guests, however, but at Bai Yiyue in the front row. She was dying to see the look on Bai Yiyue's face, but unfortunately, the woman never turned around, having lost all of her earlier arrogance.
"What's the deal with Liu Ping?" Bai Yilan asked in a low voice.
"Do you remember when I asked you about Liu Ping before? You said his character was decent, and he had room to grow in terms of ability."
"Yes."
"At the time, Le Tao was trying to get rid of him, so I seized the opportunity to bring him over to Heart Entertainment. Then, I secretly sent him abroad for advanced training. When Le Tao contacted him to come back a while ago, he checked in with me. I told him not to reveal he'd signed with us and to go feel out the situation at Le Tao."
Bai Yilan was left speechless. Just how many moves has this woman planned behind my back?
Once all the major awards had been presented, the host breathed a sigh of relief. She had to admit, for the latter half of the show, she'd felt like a complete buffoon.
As the host delivered her closing remarks, the farcical film festival finally drew to a close.
Everyone left the venue in an orderly fashion.
The moment they stepped outside, they were met with a sea of flashing lights.
Reporters swarmed them, scrambling to get an interview with Gu Xinran.
Gu Xinran's head throbbed. With a cunning move, she led Yilan back into the venue. They waited for the other guests to draw the reporters' fire before sneaking out.
Once in the car, they both let out a long sigh in unison. Looking back at the venue entrance, they saw actors being mobbed by reporters. It was a complete battlefield.
Fang Jinghai was just about to drive when she suddenly paused and looked in the rearview mirror. "Sister Ran, it's Bai Yiyue."
"Hm?" Gu Xinran turned to look out the window, just in time to see Bai Yiyue emerge from the venue and get completely swarmed by reporters.
Seeing Bai Yiyue's grim expression, Gu Xinran felt a surge of delight. If not for all the reporters, she would have loved to roll down the window and gloat.
"Let's go. No need to stick around for the show. We don't want to get caught in the crossfire," Gu Xinran said.
Fang Jinghai acknowledged and obediently started the car.
"Alright, spill. How many other secrets are you keeping from me?" Bai Yilan asked, looking at her with a half-smile. Her left hand hooked naturally around Gu Xinran's neck, her fingertips tracing the shell of her ear.
Gu Xinran flinched slightly and quickly confessed, "Really, that's it this time. I hadn't planned on playing this card so soon, but Bai Yiyue forced my hand."
"?? You call this being forced into a corner?"
Gu Xinran laughed. If you weren't backed into a corner, who would play their trump card?~
The two returned home. Gu Xinran took off her gown and hung it up carefully, treating it with exceptional care.
Bai Yilan noticed her small action, and her heart warmed.
After her shower, Bai Yilan lay in bed reading, waiting for Gu Xinran to join her. But when Gu Xinran emerged from the bathroom, she grabbed a quilt and headed for the door.
"Hey? Where are you going?"
"To sleep on the sofa."
"?"
"I made my wife angry yesterday, so she told me to sleep on the sofa. I'm not sure if she's forgiven me yet, so I'll keep my distance to avoid upsetting her again."
"…" Seeing Gu Xinran's deadpan expression, Bai Yilan was exasperated. Is she deliberately trying to provoke me?
"Get over here." Bai Yilan pointed at the bed.
Gu Xinran hesitated, took two steps toward the bed, then paused. "On second thought, I'm a restless sleeper. The sofa is better."
"Tsk! Get in the bed!" Bai Yilan sat up, her tone imperious.
"You're sure?" Gu Xinran blinked, her expression one of pure innocence.
"Yes." Bai Yilan was amused by her expression and nodded.
"Alright then." Gu Xinran put the quilt down with a solemn air and slid into bed.
The next second, she was pressed against Yilan, holding her tight in her arms.
Feeling Xinran's mischievous hands begin to roam, Bai Yilan chided her softly and tried to push them away, but failed.
Gu Xinran's lips brushed against the back of her ear, her warm breath ghosting over her neck. "Didn't I tell you I was a restless sleeper?"
"You! Mmph…"
"Jerk…"
The next morning, Gu Xinran woke early. The feeling of Yilan's warm, soft body in her arms instantly revived her, filling her with satisfaction.
She gently turned her head to look. Yilan seemed to still be sleeping soundly, showing no signs of waking.
Gu Xinran didn't dare make any big movements, just held her and patted her gently.
Just as Gu Xinran was drifting off again, she saw Yilan's eyelashes flutter. She instantly perked up, propping herself on an elbow and tilting her head to study Yilan.
"Playing possum?" she murmured, her right hand gliding onto Yilan's chest.
Bai Yilan's composure shattered instantly. She arched her back to fend off Gu Xinran's "claws," but it was too late. The high ground had been taken.
"Enjoy your 'green' sleep?" Gu Xinran asked, hugging her from behind. Her fingertips traced light circles, earning a series of soft reproaches from Yilan.
"You too," Bai Yilan retorted irritably.
"Oh~" Gu Xinran cooed, a mischievous glint in her eyes as her fingers gave a gentle tweak.
"Hey! Gu Xinran, you're horrible!" Bai Yilan exploded, swatting her hand away and smacking her in the face with a pillow.
"Bai Yilan! Who taught you to be so violent! If you hit me again, I'll—ouch…" Gu Xinran hadn't finished speaking before she was hit with the pillow again.
First thing in the morning, the two were already in a playful tussle.
After breakfast, the two of them went out.
Gu Xinran didn't say where they were going, which made Bai Yilan a little uneasy. She kept glancing out the window as if she feared Gu Xinran might sell her off. After all, Gu Xinran had lost their morning pillow fight and had grandly declared she would teach Bai Yilan a proper lesson.
The car drove further and further out, gradually leaving the city. Half an hour later, it stopped in front of a four-story building in a quiet and secluded environment.
The two got out of the car. As soon as Gu Xinran saw the brick-red building, she couldn't help but smile.
This was the fruit of all her painstaking effort over the year since Heart Entertainment's founding.
"Is this… Heart Entertainment's secret base?" Bai Yilan looked at her, then at the building, starting to understand.
"Mhm."
Gu Xinran chuckled and took her hand, leading her toward the building.
Detached commercial buildings like this, far from the city center, were hard to come by. It was thanks to Fang Yi and her extensive data searches that they'd found such a suitable location.
As they neared the building, they saw the first-floor windows were covered with privacy film, making it impossible to see in from the outside, though one could see out from within.
The moment they appeared, the main door opened.
"Xinran! Oh, Teacher Bai is here too." Lu Qing came out to greet them warmly.
"Hello, Teacher Lu." Bai Yilan stepped forward to shake her hand and looked at her closely. This was her good friend from her past life. It was the first time she had seen Lu Qing since her memories of that life had returned.
"I was wondering why I could never reach you. So you were hiding here," Bai Yilan said, looking around curiously.
Lu Qing laughed and led them into the building.
Half of the first floor was filled with various kinds of fitness equipment, while the other half had a large mirrored wall and served as a dance studio. Right now, seven or eight girls in black practice clothes were busy with their own activities. Some were sweating on the treadmill, while others were stretching and toning their bodies in front of the mirror.
A quick scan of the room revealed several familiar faces, including Ling Xue'er and Li Jinjin, who had made a splash at yesterday's film festival, and a few other rookies who had recently begun to make a name for themselves.
When they saw them arrive, everyone immediately stopped what they were doing.
"Hello, Boss! Hello, Madam Boss!" the young women chorused.
Bai Yilan pursed her lips in a small smile. "Hello, everyone." She looked at them one by one. Each had delicate features and was full of energy and youthful vitality. It was wonderful.
"Hey, don't slack off," Lu Qing said.
"Where did you find all these kids?" Bai Yilan was very curious and asked Gu Xinran in a low voice.
"A lot of them were extras at the Xiyuan Film Base. I've had Fang Yi keep an eye out. Periodically, she sends me a list of people she thinks have potential. I then observe them for a while myself, mainly to gauge their character. If they're a good fit, I sign them and send them here for Lu Qing to train."
"Tsk." Bai Yilan sighed softly. She remembered Fang Jinghai saying on the phone that day how much she admired Xinran. Yes, even she felt the same way now.
The second floor was set up like a classroom, with twenty desks and chairs, as well as a projector and other equipment. It looked like Lu Qing's domain.
The third floor was a small stage, with all sorts of props and costumes.
The fourth floor was a cafeteria and lounge, along with some recreational facilities.
Standing on the lounge balcony, Bai Yilan looked down at the tranquil surroundings, complete with rockeries, flowing water, and small pavilions. It was incredibly pleasant.
"This secret base is amazing. I almost want to move in."
Gu Xinran chuckled. "To be honest, the original plan was to wait another six months. Once these kids had fully matured, we would announce to the world that Heart Entertainment was on a whole new level."
"Then why…"
"Because of Bai Yiyue."
"Hm?"
"Seeing her acting so arrogant just rubs me the wrong way. And when I think about how she's bullied you since you were kids, it makes me feel even worse. No one is allowed to bully you."
Meeting Xinran's gentle gaze, Bai Yilan's heart warmed. She was just feeling touched when she heard…
"Except me."
…Yep. Confirmed asshole.
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