Celebrity Neighbor: My girlfriend is a big star?
Chapter 153. Award Ceremony Concluded Successfully (Please subscribe! Please vote monthly!)

Chapter 153: 153. Award Ceremony Concluded Successfully (Please subscribe! Please vote monthly!)

When the camera focused again on Liu Xin’an coming up to the award podium.

The handsome face that was difficult to fault elicited screams from the audience below.

Liu Xin’an steadied his breath, the initial nervousness no longer causing his hands and feet to fumble uncontrollably, and he calmed down by picturing Bae Juhyun’s confident and cheerful demeanor in such situations.

"Honestly, receiving this award is quite daunting for me... as just another ordinary gaming host on this small platform, getting this award is an affirmation of my efforts this past year, and I am profoundly grateful."

He swept away his earlier nervousness backstage and mocked himself with a slightly self-deprecating tone.

"Here, I definitely have to thank my fans who have supported me for a long time and, of course, the big spenders in my live streaming room, without whom I definitely couldn’t have won this award."

"Xin’an bro, you also have to thank your glitchy 3D video capture software!"

A roar from the audience momentarily broke Liu Xin’an’s composure, and he smiled, successfully amused by this interjecting fan.

And when the image of him revealing that easily likable smile appeared, the audience, whether they were fans of Liu Xin’an’s live streams or not, all started screaming.

Backstage, Old E and the freelancers could only smirk helplessly.

Damn, why does he have to compete with them for the same rice bowl with those good looks? Wouldn’t it just be better for him to honestly be an actor or an artist!

Of course, not all of the audience was enchanted by Xin’an’s infectiously warm smile, at least not Li Chenglu and Bae Juhyun.

In contrast to Li Chenglu’s indifferent expression,

Bae Juhyun was biting her lower lip hard, desperately trying to suppress the acid rolling in her heart.

She needed to be calm. All these cheers and screams were for her boyfriend, which would greatly help his career, and she couldn’t get jealous over something so trivial.

But... these feelings were really hard to contain.

Bae Juhyun was twisting inside, a struggle Liu Xin’an onstage obviously knew nothing about. He quickly regained his composure and after a moment’s thought, said in a reluctant tone, "Alright, then I also thank that unreliable software. It was your crashing that suddenly boosted my popularity. I’m going to write you a bad review when I get home."

After another round of laughter, Liu Xin’an checked the time and stopped joking.

"Next, I will definitely continue to work hard to produce more high-quality game commentary videos for everyone, and of course, the highly requested vlogs and lifestyle videos... I am currently studying hard, so soon, I think you’ll be able to see a less socially awkward Xin’an bro on your phones or computers. So if you could, please continue to support me until then, thank you."

His award speech lasted just over a minute, speaking any longer would disrupt the schedule.

Having said that, Liu Xin’an took a deep breath, stepped lightly back to Cotton and Lace, smiled for a photo with the little TV, and finally, he could get off the stage.

No sooner had he entered backstage than several close up friends immediately surrounded him.

"Holy shit, did you just evolve under all that pressure?"

Old E was the first to exclaim in surprise. He had always known how nervous Liu Xin’an was before going on stage. How had he suddenly become so confident after just a short while out there, transforming from that top-tier socially awkward camera guy into someone so full of confidence?

The recently confident and humorous self-deprecation from Liu Xin’an made it difficult for him to reconcile his usual impression of Liu Xin’an with the man now standing before him.

"Uh... sort of, you could say that," Xin’an replied.

"Damn, that works?"

"Awesome, Xin’an bro, if you really switch to lifestyle videos, we’re about to welcome a top-tier hard worker."

Liu Xin’an awkwardly grinned and waved his hands repeatedly, "I can’t, I’m not good at creating content."

Wanting to switch, especially to a competitive field like lifestyle videos, relying on good looks alone isn’t enough.

The small platform isn’t lacking in handsome guys, but those who are both handsome and can create engaging content are rare.

In terms of looks, Liu Xin’an could easily outshine the entire lifestyle section...

But when it comes to creating content... he is still a beginner.

He’s good with game content, but things like shooting lifestyle vlogs and various other messy stuff, he’s much less skilled.

After the compliments and jokes dissipated, the few old friends still around Liu Xin’an were the ones who remained.

"What kind of lifestyle content are you planning to do, the ’Try Not to Laugh’ challenge?"

Liu Xin’an pursed his lips and shook his head.

Although he no longer viewed those quirky lifestyle content videos with skepticism, he still didn’t want to make videos with no substance.

For lifestyle content, he planned to adapt slowly, first overcoming the hurdle of not being able naturally to talk to himself in front of the camera.

Afterwards...

"I’ll think about it some more. Since I’m switching, I don’t want it to be too trivial; at least I don’t want the audience to watch something boring."

"Tch, there goes his literary disease again."

Liu Xin’an shrugged and didn’t bother explaining, simply pulling out his phone to check, but he didn’t see any message from his girlfriend.

Confused, he sent a "?" her way but didn’t get a response from Bae Juhyun.

Bewildered, he also sent a message to Li Chenglu. Had these two really not seen his performance just now? He still thought it was pretty good; at least his voice wasn’t shaking, nor his legs.

However, Li Chenglu didn’t respond either.

Now Liu Xin’an was really perplexed.

Fortunately, the wait wasn’t too long, and soon Liu Xin’an received a response from his girlfriend and Li Chenglu, one from each.

Old habits die hard; he didn’t even glance at Li Chenglu’s, sure it was either teasing or ribbing him.

So he directly opened his girlfriend’s chat window.

The text displayed warmed his heart, and his curious smile also caught the attention of a bored Old E and the freelancer beside him.

The freelancer even pointed at him, whispering a few words to Old E, causing him to burst into laughter afterward.

After putting away his phone, Liu Xin’an noticed their odd behavior. Before he could speak, voices teasing him cut in.

"Really obedient, huh? Do you need to report everything to your girlfriend?"

"Mommy’s boy, are you?"

"Shit!"

———

"Did he reply to you?"

"Uh... didn’t he reply to you?"

"That bastard..."

Li Chenglu clenched her teeth. She rarely complimented her old friend and was just blatantly ignored by Liu Xin’an like this.

Although she was annoyed, she found herself laughing after a while.

Despite their usual bickering, as a friend who understood him well, Li Chenglu knew the enormous pressure Liu Xin’an was under.

Before he knew who Bae Juhyun was, he was actually fine, but ever since he found out about her situation, Liu Xin’an would complain to her now and then.

Of course, it wasn’t because of a feeling of inferiority due to the status difference, but simply frustration that he couldn’t help Bae Juhyun more.

Li Chenglu really wanted to help Liu Xin’an, but... she genuinely didn’t know how.

In this respect, she shared the same troubles as Liu Xin’an.

What on earth should a content creator do to break out?

Setting aside social status for now, after all, internet celebrities and true celebrities are not that different in essence.

Regarding income... actually, the two of them were even.

This is still a long road ahead.

Or perhaps, Liu Xin’an needs to use the small platform as a springboard, then leverage this springboard to achieve greater success.

The award ceremony momentarily had nothing to do with Liu Xin’an. Bae Juhyun, having lost her drive for stage spotlight, sat cross-legged in the corner, head down on her phone, peering through the brim of her cap, the corners of her lips slightly raised.

Since it was so dark here, and for the sake of comfort, Bae Juhyun had already taken off her mask.

And the thing making her so happy was simply chatting with Liu Xin’an.

Li Chenglu knew a bit about the small platform and, after watching a few other creators with Bae Juhyun for a while, gently nudged her with her elbow.

Bae Juhyun instinctively put her mask on, then sent a puzzled glance towards Li Chenglu.

"What’s up?"

"How about we leave? Liu Xin’an is probably going to just grab another Top 100 trophy and be done. He doesn’t have to say anything for that, and there’s no need for us to wait here anymore."

The "Streamer of the Year" award was far more significant than the Top 100, at least in the Liu Xin’an fan group that Li Chenglu belonged to, which was already exploding with excitement.

Everyone was amazed at Liu Xin’an’s confident and handsome performance today. Was this the same Liu Xin’an who was constantly bantering during game streams?

Frankly, not just the fans, even Li Chenglu found him somewhat unfamiliar.

The change was indeed significant, but she could guess the reason for it.

It was naturally because of Miss Bae Juhyun right beside her.

"Now? Isn’t his award coming up soon?"

"It’s just a formality, but we’d have to wait for a long time here. It’s your call."

"Er..."

Bae Juhyun pursed her lips; she actually wanted to see the whole ceremony, but if it meant waiting till the end when the crowd would thicken, her presence might be revealed amidst the mass of people.

Moreover, since Li Chenglu mentioned that Liu Xin’an didn’t have anything special to say later on, she pondered for a few seconds and then nodded in agreement.

"Let’s go buy some supper! I want to celebrate a little for Xin’an!"

"This works."

Li Chenglu nodded, first glanced around to ensure nobody was watching them, then the two of them, like thieves, quickly got up and stealthily left through the aisle.

Since they were leaving early, there weren’t many people walking in the corridor like them.

Bae Juhyun still kept her head down, just to be cautious.

It wasn’t until they followed Li Chenglu out of the venue into the chilly outside world that Bae Juhyun relaxed.

"Whew... If it’s for a celebration, what should we buy?"

"That’s up to you. What would you like to eat, Juhyun?"

Li Chenglu shrugged. There wasn’t really a need to be particular in this area. A true celebration would mean going home to have Jajangmyeon, but obviously, they couldn’t get the homemade type that Park Jinsuk, Liu Xin’an’s mom, makes here.

They certainly couldn’t ask Park Jinsuk to come over for this either, not to mention there wasn’t enough time.

Pass!

"Me? But isn’t this for celebrating Xin’an?"

"He’s not picky, we can choose whatever looks good."

"Really? That works."

"Yep, but we should head back soon, since we snuck out without telling Liu Xin’an."

Li Chenglu nodded, then suddenly remembered that this outing was done without Liu Xin’an’s knowledge and hurriedly added a comment.

Of course, Bae Juhyun hadn’t forgotten this either. Sometimes Liu Xin’an might seem easygoing, but if he really got angry, it could be quite terrifying!

Sure, Bae Juhyun had never seen Liu Xin’an angry, only his pretend angry face.

Even that was enough to make her scared and panicky. If he truly got angry...

It would be better not to let it come to that!