Returning to the Chinese Music Awards for the second time, Wu Fangyuan was as nervous as ever.
Since Luo Ding had already signed on as an ambassador for Vanke and Zhen Jian, there was no need for Duan Xiubo’s assistance in choosing his wardrobe this time. As a responsible brand representative, Luo Ding naturally wore his endorsed products to the event.
Gu Yaxing was also fully prepared for the occasion. This year’s music awards seemed to be a season for newcomers. With fewer veteran singers releasing albums, more opportunities had opened up for fresh talent. Gu Yaxing planned to scope out the event for any promising unsigned talent to recruit for his agency.
In the car, the satellite TV was tuned to the Chinese Language Channel, airing its daily “China Film Report.”
The female host’s clear, pleasant voice shifted from discussing the recent influx of foreign films dominating the Spring Festival box office to a new topic—*The Assassin.*
Wu Fangyuan was the first to react. Hearing the title *The Assassin,* he quickly called out to Luo Ding, “Hey, Luo Ding! They’re talking about your crew!”
Luo Ding, recalling the interview he’d overheard before leaving the set yesterday, wasn’t surprised. The screen gradually showed Xu Zhen controlling his wheelchair, moving toward the camera. His face appeared on the screen, looking closer and older.
Perhaps out of sympathy for him, or because public sentiment had been largely in Xu Zhen’s favor, the questions weren’t too probing.
Even so, Xu Zhen’s appearance on TV looked a bit off. His facial muscles didn’t seem fully under his control. At one point, it looked like he was trying to smile, but his mouth turned downward instead, his eyes filled with an inexplicable fear, as though he might burst into tears at any moment.
The reporter asked a few benign questions about the filming process and the professionalism of the crew. At the end, they sighed, bringing up the tragic accident that had nearly derailed the production.
“The *Assassin* production has been in the works for nearly two years now. Teacher Cao Dingkun put so much heart into the film, and that accident nearly shattered the crew’s morale. But now that everyone has persevered through the hardships, I’m sure Teacher Cao, wherever he is, would be very proud. Director Xu, do you have anything you’d like to say to Teacher Cao?”
Xu Zhen’s pupils constricted to pinpoints. The camera zoomed in on him, and he stared into the lens, his facial muscles twitching slightly. His mouth opened and closed several times, and sweat began to bead on his forehead. Finally, with a long, exhausted sigh, he muttered, “Akun, I’m sorry.”
The interviewer was clearly taken aback, likely hoping for a different response. The female host had been prepared to ask more questions, but Xu Zhen’s mental state deteriorated so rapidly that they had no choice but to end the interview.
That single sentence was loaded with meaning, yet on the surface, there was nothing to interpret.
The broadcast hadn’t edited out the moment, and the host lightly elaborated on Xu Zhen’s words, but no conclusions were drawn.
Gu Yaxing, watching the screen, was startled. “That’s Xu Zhen? Why does he look even worse than he did on the first day of filming?”
Luo Ding was still thinking about the “I’m sorry” and chuckled softly at Gu Yaxing’s comment. “Is that so?” He hadn’t noticed much change in Xu Zhen, having seen him every day on set. However, Pan Yiming, who had been away from the crew for a week, had also remarked on how unsettling Xu Zhen had become. Luo Ding recalled Xu Zhen’s warning about the mountain being “unclean.” Unclean? How amusing.
On the red carpet once again, Luo Ding’s car was now positioned toward the end of the lineup. Stepping out just before a veteran diva, he exuded confidence as he set foot on the carpet.
Although he wasn’t the final guest to arrive, no one dared to underestimate him. In the music world, rankings were determined by one’s standing in the industry. Luo Ding straddled both the music and film worlds, excelling in both. In terms of influence, he surpassed many in attendance.
The music industry didn’t carry the same prestige as the film industry, and dual-career artists like Luo Ding were rare. His arrival had seasoned veterans turning their heads to greet him with nods and smiles.
Luo Ding returned each greeting with a polite nod, and before long, a senior artist had come over to strike up a conversation. As he waved to the cameras, Luo Ding felt a sense of nostalgia.
He understood better than anyone how ruthless this industry could be. Having people approach him voluntarily was a true sign that he had made it.
In this business, people were incredibly adept at adapting to the changing winds. Luo Ding had been nominated for three categories this year: Most Popular Artist, Best Male Singer, and Best Album. Compared to previous years, this was undoubtedly a year of great success for him. He had risen to fame so quickly that last time he walked this red carpet, few of the senior singers had even known who he was. But now, everyone in attendance recognized his name and understood the gravity of his success.
It had all happened in just one year.
Luo Ding had already won the Best Supporting Actor award, appeared in a Hollywood blockbuster, and expanded his fame from Asia to the Western world. This last achievement alone placed him ahead of many of the industry’s top names.
Astute media outlets quickly pulled up footage from the previous year’s ceremony, comparing Luo Ding’s more confident, mature appearance today to his youthful face back then. He still looked as young and handsome as ever, but the difference in his demeanor was stark. The side-by-side photos allowed fans to witness the remarkable transformation he had undergone.
Naturally, the fans were the most emotional.
Many of them shed tears as they looked at the comparison photos, knowing how difficult it was to succeed in the entertainment industry. So many talented young artists had been buried by the endless waves of competition. Though Luo Ding’s rise had been smoother than most, only he and his fans truly understood the struggles and setbacks he had faced.
Before entering backstage, Luo Ding stood at the top of the steps and bowed deeply to all the cameras. This gesture of respect was clearly directed at those who had supported him from the beginning. The small disturbance it caused among the crowd was a testament to how many of the reporters present were secretly fans of his, struggling to contain their excitement even as they worked.
As he made his way inside, Luo Ding crossed paths with a group of sharply dressed young men and women. The scent of their cologne filled the air, and in the dimmer backstage lighting, it took him a moment to recognize who they were.
It was the Mellen group, old acquaintances from last year.
Luo Ding still remembered how they had ignored him with sour expressions during their competition for the Best New Artist award.
But now, this same group of young people stood in a line, looking stiff and anxious as they glanced nervously at him. The leader, who could speak Chinese, cautiously approached and greeted him, “Teacher Luo, are you doing well?”
Luo Ding waved him off. “I’m fine. It’s crowded backstage, so don’t run around too quickly. Be careful.”
With that, he walked away, not feeling the least bit uncomfortable about his new status as their senior. He didn’t have any strong feelings toward the group—no animosity, but no particular fondness either. Though they had been rude last year, they were still just kids who didn’t know better.
The group stood still, watching him walk away. One of the girls asked the leader in Korean what Luo Ding had said. After a moment of hesitation, the leader translated Luo Ding’s advice.
Everyone fell silent for a moment. This year, Mellen had released a more well-received album, and though they missed out on the New Artist award, they had still managed to be nominated for a popularity award.
Their feelings toward Luo Ding were complicated.
Last year, they had seen him as a rival and resented him, refusing to speak to him at all. When he won the Best New Artist award, they took some satisfaction in seeing their fans criticize him online. The negative comments about Luo Ding brought them a sense of schadenfreude.
But this time, before the ceremony, their manager had repeatedly warned them not to show any disrespect toward Luo Ding. It was only then that the Mellen group realized how much had changed in a single year. Luo Ding had broken through the barriers of the Chinese entertainment industry, not only starring in a Hollywood film but also expanding his album’s reach to the Western music market.
That was the notoriously difficult and proud Western music scene!
The person who had stood at the same starting line as them had now far surpassed them, to the point that they could no longer feel jealous—only envy.
Sensing that Luo Ding wasn’t interested in speaking to them, the group leader regretted his actions. It was he who had decided to ignore Luo Ding last year, and now, because of that disrespect, they didn’t even have the courage to approach him properly. Though his teammates hadn’t complained outright, they had hinted at his poor decision, and the memory of that incident still weighed heavily on his mind.
Was this really all his fault?
Luo Ding rubbed his shoulder, which still hurt a little from the bump earlier. The other group’s costumes had decorative elements, and the impact had been harder than he expected.
His seat had been moved to the front row, and as Luo Ding glanced at the name tags on the chairs, his brows furrowed. To his left was Gu Yaxing, and to his right—Jiang Changfeng.
Luo Ding wasn’t afraid of Jiang Changfeng. He had seen worse in his previous life, including the time when Xu Zhen had beaten Jiang Changfeng until he was covered in blood. Although Jiang was a bit of a lunatic, his physical strength wasn’t much. What made him truly dangerous was his backing at Universal Entertainment.
But Luo Ding wasn’t relying on Universal Entertainment for his livelihood anymore, so there was nothing to fear.
The only concern was Gu Yaxing. It seemed like he had some unresolved issues with Jiang Changfeng.
“Hey!” Just as he was thinking about it, Jiang Changfeng appeared, sauntering over with a casual wave. “You’re here, huh? Where’s your boss, Gu Yaxing?”
He stood still, looking left and right with his hands in his pockets, seemingly indifferent. “What? He didn’t come?”
Luo Ding, well aware of Jiang Changfeng’s eccentric nature, smiled politely but didn’t engage, choosing to sit down instead.
Jiang Changfeng found himself in an awkward position, as if performing a one-man show. Before he could get too upset, Gu Yaxing appeared in the distance with Wu Fangyuan and his new blonde hairstyle, which shone like a beacon under the lights.
“Hey!” Jiang Changfeng tried again, raising his hand in the same casual wave. “I knew you wouldn’t miss an event like this, Gu.”
But Gu Yaxing didn’t spare him a glance, continuing to chat with Wu Fangyuan as he took his seat next to Luo Ding, behaving as if Jiang Changfeng didn’t exist.
Jiang Changfeng stood there with his hand frozen in the air.
Wu Fangyuan, feeling a bit awkward, hesitated before offering Jiang Changfeng a stiff smile and a wave.
Jiang Changfeng, clearly irritated, rolled his eyes and sat down in a huff.
Wu Fangyuan, now regretting his moment of sympathy, thought to himself, *What was I thinking, feeling sorry for a jerk like him?* His head must have been messed up.
Luo Ding wasn’t particularly eager to deal with Jiang Changfeng either, but Jiang seemed incapable of staying quiet, constantly trying to strike up conversation.
The lights dimmed, and Luo Ding relaxed, knowing he wasn’t performing tonight. He was just here to see if he would win any awards, and his mood was quite relaxed. Then, Jiang Changfeng, in his usual nonchalant tone, asked, “How’s the new movie going?”
Luo Ding couldn’t completely ignore that, so he answered, “Pretty good.”
“Xu Zhen causing any trouble on set?”
“Heh,” Luo Ding let out a dry laugh. “Not really.”
Jiang Changfeng clicked his tongue. “When Triumph first asked me for the production rights, I thought Duan Xiubo would be starring in it. Your connections are impressive, huh? Signed with Yaxing’s agency, backed by Triumph, and I hear the funding came from Duan Xiubo?”
Luo Ding immediately sensed the provocation and shot Jiang Changfeng a sidelong glance. “What are you trying to say?”
Jiang Changfeng shrugged and lowered his voice. “Just making an observation.”
Clearly, Jiang Changfeng was trying to bait him, and Luo Ding knew better than to take the bait. Instead, he smiled and turned away.
Jiang Changfeng, being the troublemaker he was, couldn’t help himself. He leaned in again. “You and Duan Xiubo seem pretty close, huh?”
Luo Ding nodded.
“So what is it? Friends? Brothers? That’s a lot of money to just give away. Seems like more than just a normal friendship, doesn’t it?”
Now Luo Ding was getting annoyed. Jiang Changfeng had been a pain to deal with for years. In his past life, he’d seen how satisfying it had been when Xu Zhen had finally lost his temper and beat him up. If Luo Ding hadn’t been stuck at Universal Entertainment back then, he might have given Jiang Changfeng a few kicks himself.
Now that he no longer had to rely on Universal, he found himself seriously considering some of the revenge fantasies he’d entertained over the years. He knew where Jiang Changfeng lived—he could easily pull off a masked ambush, knock him out, and beat him up without facing any consequences. It would be both cathartic and discreet. Maybe it was time to finally do it.
Jiang Changfeng gave him a sly look, as if he knew exactly what Luo Ding was thinking, his smile full of hidden meaning.
Before Luo Ding could respond, Gu Yaxing suddenly stood up with a snap.
He leaned over Luo Ding, clapping Jiang Changfeng on the shoulder. “Come outside. I’ve got something to talk to you about.”
Jiang Changfeng looked like he’d just been slapped in the face, staring dumbfounded at Gu Yaxing before slowly standing up and following him outside, not asking a single question.
Luo Ding watched them leave, worried. He turned to Wu Fangyuan. “Follow them and make sure Gu doesn’t get into any trouble.”
Wu Fangyuan quickly hunched over and hurried after them, but after a while, he returned with a dejected expression. “They disappeared almost immediately.”
Luo Ding, now restless, couldn’t decide whether to stay for the awards or go after Gu Yaxing. He called Gu, and after a few rings, the line connected. Gu Yaxing’s voice was calm. “Just stay for the awards. I’ll be waiting in the car for you when it’s over. I’m fine.”
Still thinking about Gu Yaxing’s strange relationship with Jiang Changfeng, Luo Ding tried to focus on the awards ceremony. In the end, the Mellen group won the Best Popularity Award.
Everyone knew that award was a bit of a sham. The Chinese Music Awards didn’t base their results on online data, relying instead on the decisions of the judges. When it came to actual popularity, Luo Ding’s album had been unbeatable this year, even ranking high on Western music charts. But certain things couldn’t be measured so precisely. Luo Ding was already winning big, so it was only fair to let others have a taste of the pie.
As the Mellen group came off stage, they made a point of walking past Luo Ding’s seat and bowing to all the senior artists present. After straightening up, their leader quietly approached Luo Ding and, in halting Chinese, said, “I’m sorry for being so rude to you before. I hope Teacher Luo will accept our apology.”
Luo Ding smiled at them. “I hope we can collaborate someday.”
The young artists took the hint and left, beaming with excitement.
After winning the Best Male Singer award, Luo Ding left the venue, while the Best Album award went to a veteran musician. The music industry was all about seniority, so this didn’t come as a surprise to Luo Ding.
Outside the venue, some well-informed fans were waiting. As soon as they spotted Luo Ding, they surged forward, screaming with excitement.
The security team kept the crowd small, but the fans’ enthusiasm still made it difficult for him to move.
Luo Ding took a step back and bowed deeply to them before taking apart the bouquet he’d received on stage, handing out individual roses to the tearful fans.
“Thank you all!!!!” he shouted.
After getting into the car, Luo Ding lowered the window and called out one last time, “I love you!”
The fans erupted into wild cheers, and Luo Ding couldn’t help but laugh as he listened to their joyful cries of “I love you” echoing in the distance. He closed the window and sat in silence, smiling for a while before finally leaning back and looking over at Gu Yaxing.
“What did you and Jiang Changfeng talk about outside earlier?”
“What did we talk about?” Gu Yaxing echoed, pulling the car over to the side of the road and turning to face him. He tilted his head, revealing a bruise on the corner of his mouth. “Take a look.”
Luo Ding’s face darkened immediately. “He hit you?!”
Gu Yaxing let out a cold laugh and started the car, his hands expertly handling the steering wheel as the vehicle shot forward.
In the night air, Luo Ding could hear the faint sound of Gu Yaxing’s satisfied chuckle.
“That son of a bitch is worse off than I am.”
Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! It helps a lot ! Thank you so much ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡
thank you for the chapter 😊🤧