I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 172 - 172 171. Really doubt the extent to which some people

Chapter 172: 171. Really doubt the extent to which some people are idle (Extra update for monthly tickets!)_1 Chapter 172: 171. Really doubt the extent to which some people are idle (Extra update for monthly tickets!)_1 The closing ceremony and awards presentation of the Yannan University Student Film Festival took place at the Yannan Media University’s grand auditorium.

For Lu Ban, it indeed was the first time he personally attended such an award ceremony.

Leaders’ speeches, jury’s speeches, and performances; Lu Ban watched them all very seriously.

Beside him, Zhang Yuefan was already yawning incessantly, looking as though he hadn’t had a good sleep.

He probably felt that he wasn’t going to win any award and was just there for show, so he might as well slack off.

Lu Ban thought that this guy and Qin Tiantian would probably have a lot in common when it came to slacking off.

When it came to the award presentation, Lu Ban distinctly felt that the people around him perked up a bit.

After all, they were the nominees, and you never knew when the camera might swing your way; even if you weren’t the one winning the award, it would be so embarrassing if the camera caught you picking your nose when someone next to you won.

The emcee was introducing the awards; the process of presenting them was a bit like the prize draws at company year-end parties. In the beginning, all the small prizes are given out, and everyone secretly prays not to be chosen. Then at the end, when the major prizes are given out and they haven’t been called, they lament that they would have rather gotten a small prize earlier on.

“…And the winner of this year’s Best Original Screenplay Award is… ‘The Brevity of Spring Night’!”

A certain celebrity guest on stage unveiled another award; thunderous applause filled the hall from below, but the winner didn’t seem that happy.

It was probably because with an award now, the odds of winning another one later were slim.

Wanting to sweep the grand prizes and achieve a grand slam was really difficult.

Lu Ban clapped vigorously for them, genuinely congratulating these respectable competitors.

“You don’t have to be so excited; some might think you’re being sarcastically congratulatory.”

Zhang Yuefan clapped haphazardly, sparingly.

“Really?”

Lu Ban didn’t understand.

“Yes, if you clap too happily, that’s Schadenfreude; if you clap unhappily, that’s envy.”

Zhang Yuefan explained.

“And what about no expression?”

“Clapping without an expression is a sign of disdain.”

“So, it seems like any clapping could be misunderstood; I won’t clap then.”

“But not clapping isn’t okay, either; if you don’t clap, then you look like a sore loser.”

“…”

Lu Ban truly wondered about the extent to which some people had too much free time on their hands.

He still clapped with enthusiasm.

When it came to the Best Special Effects Award, Lu Ban dropped his hands.

He felt that it was time for him to receive the award.

“…Now we welcome Director Lin Sou to unveil this year’s winner for Best Special Effects Award.”

The emcee invited a director onto the stage; Lu Ban recognized him as a pioneer in special effects filmmaking within the country, having made several disaster movies that he enjoyed watching.

The director, in his fifties, briskly walked onto the stage, took the envelope and peeked inside.

Right after reading it, he paused, and whispered something to the emcee beside him.

This action stirred the crowd, causing many to whisper among themselves, curious about the discourse.

After confirming, Director Lin Sou approached the microphone.

“The winner of the Best Special Effects Award at this Yannan University Student Film Festival is… ‘Exam! Exam! Exam!’

“?”

Lu Ban was startled.

Beside him, Zhang Yuefan was also taken aback.

“My film won an award?”

He was clearly not in the moment.

“Congratulations!”

Lu Ban patted him on the shoulder.

Zhang Yuefan suddenly felt a chill down his spine, as if he had returned to the eerie hospital corridor in “Cry.”

“Go get your award!”

Lu Ban urged.

Zhang Yuefan had no choice but to reluctantly go up to receive the award, which felt more like a public execution than an award ceremony.

After spouting off some acceptance speech that he didn’t even understand, Zhang Yuefan sat back down.

“Your movie had special effects?”

Lu Ban had naturally taken the time to go to the cinema and watch all the movies in this film festival; most of the entries were urban daily life themes, and it didn’t look like they used special effects. Lu Ban had thought for sure the award would be his.

But unexpectedly, it went to someone else.

He was a bit curious.

“Special effects? Uh… it was the scene where a whole building of students tore up and threw their books all over the place after the college entrance exam. We didn’t have the time to tear up so many books, so we did a simple special effect…”

Zhang Yuefan felt a bit guilty as he finished speaking and quickly explained.

“I really had no idea about this. I suppose the jury might have wanted to balance out the awards, so they just stuffed this one to me. That means you must have a major award.”

“Is there such a balance?”

Lu Ban felt there were really many insider tricks in the industry.

“There is, even with the Oscars, if the quality of the works is similar, or the director is very famous, they’ll do the same: if they can’t win Best Picture, they’ll go for Best Actor; if they can’t win Best Actress, they’ll go for Best Screenplay. Everyone wants to maintain a cordial front—it’s just something you do.”

Zhang Yuefan added.

“We’ll see in a bit.”

Lu Ban nodded.

The film industry is, after all, a circle of acquaintances; everyone often collaborates, relying on connections to thrive, which means these awards might indeed involve a bit of pie-sharing.

And as an outsider like Lu Ban, unrecognized by anyone, with almost the entire film crew being just him, charging into the circle so brazenly, it certainly warranted some consideration.

After the best special effects award was given, it quickly moved on to Best Actress.

The winner of Best Actress was the lead actress from “Past Like Smoke,” who had always played minor roles in other movies. This time, she won the award through a performance replete with bold scenes. It was apparent that she was very moved, with her eyes welling up with tears.

Following Best Actress was Best Actor.

“The winner of the Best Actor at this year’s Yannan University Student Film Festival is…”Cry,” Lu Ban.”

“?”

Lu Ban hadn’t expected to hear his own name.

He was somewhat skeptical, but he still stood up and made his way to the award stage.

The award presenter was an actor in his fifties, who had played in many popular TV dramas in his youth and now served as a professor at Media University, occasionally making cameo appearances in other movies.

Accepting the trophy, Lu Ban approached the microphone as the emcee indicated for him to make an acceptance speech.

Speaking in a slightly hesitant tone, Lu Ban began, “To be able to receive this award, uh, actually, I’m a bit curious if the organizers have made a mistake in the award. I think I should have received the Best Special Effects award. But since the jury has decided this, I’ll take it.”

His words sparked even more discussion, as no one had ever spoken such words at an award ceremony.

Normally, even if one suspects something amiss with the awarding process, they would still thank the jury on the surface, just for appearances, as some rules are unspoken, and it’s best not to highlight them.

However, someone like Lu Ban who questioned openly like this was indeed very rare.

“… I think my acting still needs improvement,” Lu Ban continued, “Thank you to all the jurors for your recognition. Thank you.”

Lu Ban kept it brief as he indeed had little understanding of acting; in the movie, everything was a true reflection. If someone asked him how to perform a scene of fear and terror, he might suggest they first face a monster to get a real sense of it.

Walking down with the trophy, Lu Ban heard many voices of doubt along the way.

Some thought he was being smug after getting lucky, some felt he was arrogant about his talent, and others believed he did not deserve the honor.

Lu Ban, on the other hand, didn’t care.

Having just sat down, Lu Ban heard the emcee on stage begin to announce the candidates for Best Picture.

He saw his own movie listed.

*

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