Into the Night, Jiao Jiao Gets Kissed by a Business Tycoon
Chapter 136: Not Going to Hug?

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Not Going to Hug?

After the red carpet segment concluded, the award ceremony officially began, and major TV stations as well as online platforms broadcast the event live.

After the performers completed the opening dance, the host took the stage and began the proceedings.

The first award presented was for Best Cinematography, followed by Best Screenplay.

The winners who took the stage all bore joyful smiles. As they delivered their acceptance speeches, Xinan genuinely felt happy for them from her seat in the audience.

When the Best Director award was announced, the host called out Lu Jiang’s name. Xinan was not surprised at all; after all, "Mist" had achieved remarkable success this year. If he hadn’t won, that would have been the real shock.

This was also his second time receiving this award, the first being when he was twenty years old. Over the years, he had won numerous awards, but the most prestigious was still the Qingyi Award.

However, despite his many achievements, he remained humble and continued to work hard. Nearly every year, he produced a fine film, consistently proving himself to the audience as a talented young director.

During the awarding process, Xinan’s gaze occasionally drifted toward the central seat in the first row, but it remained empty.

Xinan checked her phone again but still had no messages.

Following the Best Director award were the awards for Best Supporting Actor and Actress.

The recipient of the Best Supporting Actor was a veteran actor who had received Qingyi Award nominations for several of his works. He had consistently been a runner-up, but this year he had finally lived up to expectations and claimed the prize.

When he took the stage, everyone clapped and cheered for him.

Overwhelmed, the veteran actor bowed to the audience and then took a deep breath, smiling downward: "Here, I want to thank the Qingyi Award for providing such a wonderful platform for us to realize our value. I also want to thank everyone for their encouragement and support—thank you!"

He appeared to be in his fifties, with an ordinary face and no particularly striking features. Yet this ordinary man had struggled for many years in the entertainment industry and had finally won the Best Supporting Actor at the Qingyi Award this year with his excellent acting.

This was both recognition from the audience and affirmation of himself.

When the Best Supporting Actress was announced, Xinan felt a sudden jolt for some reason; in her heart, she hoped Yang Shuyu would win this award.

After checking the list in his hand, the host exclaimed, "Wow!" and then spoke into the microphone: "The recipient of this year’s Best Supporting Actress is...Yang Shuyu in ’Mist.’"

The big screen showed Yang Shuyu’s face; she covered her mouth with both hands, eyes filled with amazement.

After the initial surprise, she slowly stood up, bowed to the audience, and then turned to walk up the stage.

Presenting her award was Ran Shasha, who smiled broadly as she took the trophy from the presenter and handed it to Yang Shuyu.

Seeing Ran Shasha presenting the award made Yang Shuyu feel extremely surprised; she had initially thought Shasha would present the award for Best Female Lead.

Now that Shasha was presenting Best Supporting Actress, who would present Best Female Lead?

Since Yang Shuyu had never expected to win this award, she hadn’t prepared any acceptance speech and quickly thanked everyone before leaving the stage.

Next was the highly anticipated award for Best Female Lead. As the video showing the nominated female leads played on the screen, Xinan began to feel nervous.

That week, netizens had started an online poll guessing who the winner of this year’s Qingyi Award for Best Female Lead would be, and Xinan had the highest vote.

As a knowledgeable 5G surfing veteran, Xinan was aware of the poll and knew her fans’ expectations.

However, during this time, Xinan constantly reminded herself not to expect or hope for anything. By not thinking about it, she wouldn’t be so disappointed if the result wasn’t in her favor, which is why she had been feeling quite calm all along.

But now, Xinan started to feel a bit of anticipation, wondering if the name on the list might indeed be hers.

The host, carrying her long gown, stepped onto the stage and recited in perfectly standard Mandarin, "Next, we will announce the most anticipated award of the evening, the Best Female Lead. Let’s see who will take home this award this year."

She and her co-host opened the envelope they held and, after a glance, said into the microphone, "The recipient of this year’s Qingyi Award for Best Female Lead is...Xinan."

As the announcement was made, the entire venue erupted in fervent applause. The shouts from fans echoed one after another, almost overturning the building.

Xinan herself was incredibly incredulous. She sat frozen for several seconds before slowly comprehending that she had won. She couldn’t believe she had actually won.

"Next, we welcome this year’s most capable emerging actress, Xinan, to come on stage to receive her crown of honor and deliver her acceptance speech."

Just as the host finished speaking, the spotlights immediately focused on Xinan, and all eyes in the audience eagerly awaited her speech.

Under the watchful gaze of all present, Xinan took steps toward the stage.

At that moment, the host lifted the microphone again, "Let us welcome with warm applause the president of Yifeng Group, Cheng Yi, to present the award to our Female Lead."

Standing at the center of the stage, Xinan’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the name Cheng Yi. He wasn’t supposed to be here, so how could he be presenting her award?

As she pondered, she saw Cheng Yi, dressed in a silver-grey suit, walking toward her under the lights. His notably handsome face appeared even more chiseled, his lips slightly pursed, outlining an enchanting curve.

Cheng Yi slowly approached Xinan and, under her astonished gaze, handed her the trophy. He curved his lips and his eyes softened with a tender look: "Congratulations, my Best Female Lead."

From the moment Cheng Yi stepped onto the stage, the sound of cameras snapping never ceased, especially when he stood next to Xinan; everyone wanted to capture this scene.

Xinan stared blankly at the man before her, her mind went blank. Eventually, seeing that she hadn’t reacted for a long time, Cheng Yi simply put the trophy in her hand, bringing her back to her senses.

Xinan had never imagined that Cheng Yi would be the one to present her award. Could this be the surprise he had mentioned?

"Won’t you give a hug?" Cheng Yi looked down at Xinan and said with a light laugh.

Xinan glanced at the audience and hesitated.

Before Xinan had time to decide, Cheng Yi wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her entire body into his embrace.