Chapter 30: Double Yolks! The Golden Lion Award

Huayi Company.

"So what if they invested a hundred million and produced two Best Actor winners and a Best Newcomer? His movie still lost money, didn't it?"

Looking at the reports regarding the Venice Film Festival that had just been uploaded online, Young Mr. Wang remarked mockingly.

As the first private film company in the country, Huayi produced movies purely for profit. As for awards, as businessmen, they certainly didn't hold them in high regard. Otherwise, the films invested in by Huayi wouldn't all be commercial blockbusters.

"The kid still has talent. Although he can't make money, at least he can break stars. Next time he shoots a new movie, we can squeeze a few people in. As for investing, let's forget it," said Big Mr. Wang.

Standing to the side, Fan Shuangbing's eyes shifted as she overheard this.

"Mr. Wang, could you help me land the female lead role in Director Cheng's next movie?" Fan Shuangbing asked, playing with her fingers.

"What? Is the female lead in *Cell Phone* not enough for you?" Young Mr. Wang looked at Fan Shuangbing.

Last year, during the filming of Feng Dapao's movie *Cell Phone*, Fan Shuangbing was still a newcomer in the entertainment industry. Although she was well-known for her role as Jin Suo in *My Fair Princess*, she was still just a maidservant; rising to become a female lead was a sudden leap.

While filming *My Fair Princess*, Fan Shuangbing had signed with Qiong Yao's company, but as her fame grew, she paid a breach of contract fee to transfer to Huayi.

And *Cell Phone* was the sincerity Huayi showed to facilitate Fan Shuangbing's jump. Otherwise, why would Huayi give a newcomer such high-quality resources immediately after she joined?

Now, Fan Shuangbing was asking for resources from Cheng Shengwei's movies. In Young Mr. Wang's view, this was going a bit too far. If they actually arranged a female lead for her, what would the other female artists in Huayi think? It would destroy the internal unity of the company.

Hearing Young Mr. Wang's words, Fan Shuangbing's expression didn't change, but she was already cursing him in her heart.

*You damn Wangs! You were all smiles when you poached me, but now that the contract is signed, you just toss me aside! If you won't give me resources, I'll just have to grab them myself! I am definitely going to snatch the female lead in Cheng Shengwei's movie.*

In her eyes, Cheng Sheng was just a young man in his twenties who hadn't even graduated. For a youth who hadn't been beaten down by society, she could easily win him over with just a little flirtation.

***

Central Academy of Drama.

President Xu Xiaozhong, along with teachers from the directing and acting departments, were also following the Venice Film Festival. When they heard that the Best Picture award did not go to Cheng Sheng's film, they each let out a sigh.

Just when everyone thought the awards ceremony had ended, the presenter suddenly smiled at the camera.

He spoke again: "There is one more film in this session, a film that has shocked everyone, from China: *The Great Tang Dynasty—Origins*. This is a magnificent historical film that reflects the dynastic changes in Chinese history. After watching it, I was so deeply moved that the judges did not know what kind of award to give this great film. If the Best Picture award does not go to it, I will not agree. Therefore, congratulations..."

Dammit!

The jury is playing games!

Can't you just finish your sentence?

Everyone thought Cheng Sheng had no chance, only to find out they were creating a "double yolk" situation.

Listening to the presenter's rambling on stage, Cheng Sheng felt as if every second were an eternity. *Stop talking, please, stop the nonsense. If he keeps talking, I'm going to hit someone. Just say it, say the name.*

"The other winner for Best Picture at Venice is—"

As the presenter dragged out the words, building suspense until everyone was on the verge of losing their patience, he slowly said, "Shengcheng's *The Great Tang Dynasty—Origins*."

Applause erupted like thunder as everyone celebrated the double winner of this year's Venice Film Festival.

When he heard his own name, Cheng Sheng was momentarily stunned.

"Cheng Sheng, we won... the Venice Golden Lion..."

The coal boss beside him lost his composure instantly, shouting excitedly.

"Director Cheng, congratulations," Su Chang said with a bright smile.

"Congratulations, Director Cheng, you won the Golden Lion."

"Congratulations..."

Zeng Li and the rest of the crew members all congratulated Cheng Sheng.

On the screen on stage, brilliant clips from *The Great Tang Dynasty—Origins* and *Vera Drake* appeared. The camera also focused on Cheng Sheng.

He had won. And it was the Golden Lion, the award that seemed most impossible to obtain.

Cheng Sheng was incredibly excited. He had originally thought he wouldn't win, but he had achieved it unexpectedly. While the presenter was rambling earlier, he knew he had won, but since the name hadn't been spoken, he had been anxious, thinking he was hallucinating.

Now, he had truly won.

Cheng Sheng took a deep breath, stood up, and embraced the crew members and the coal bosses beside him.

*Clap, clap, clap!*

The applause at the scene grew even more fervent. Most of the guests couldn't help but cover their mouths to keep from screaming when they saw Cheng Sheng.

This Chinese director was too young—was he even twenty? Because Cheng Sheng looked quite youthful, it was easy to overlook his age. A winner of this age would likely be the youngest person in the world to win Best Picture at Venice.

Under everyone's gaze, Cheng Sheng and another foreigner walked toward the podium.

The presenter proactively embraced Cheng Sheng and offered praise: "Cheng, your film is magnificent. It made me fall in love with Chinese history, especially the Tang Dynasty. It makes one deeply fascinated by that great emperor, Li Shimin."

"Thank you," Cheng Sheng replied politely as he took the Golden Lion from the presenter.

Cheng Sheng did not give his speech immediately. Instead, he beckoned toward the crew, inviting all the lead actors onto the stage. Best Picture was not just Cheng Sheng's glory; it belonged to the entire crew.

Mike Leigh did the same, calling all his crew members up.

Standing on either side of Cheng Sheng were the male and female leads, with the coal boss standing behind them. As it was the final award, the festival organizers gave everyone plenty of time. After the photographers finished taking pictures of the entire crew, Cheng Sheng and Mike Leigh officially began their acceptance speeches.

Cheng Sheng made a gesture of deference toward Mike Leigh. Mike Leigh did not stand on ceremony; he stood before the microphone and gave a speech for about five minutes before yielding the spot to Cheng Sheng.

Holding the microphone, Cheng Sheng originally had a thousand words to say, but seeing that the audience below was entirely foreign, the speech he had prepared was tossed out the window.

Instead, Cheng Sheng flashed a confident smile and spoke directly in Chinese, without attempting English.

"I want to thank the Venice judges. It is they who gave me the honor of standing here. Half of this Golden Lion in my hand belongs to them."

As he finished, regardless of whether they understood him or not, the foreigners gave him a very respectful round of applause.