At the awards ceremony, two new films Mist and Dawn entered the running, so Doomsday Rescue no longer swept the prizes. Among the three movies, Dawn had fewer nominations and fewer wins. The real competition was between Mist and Doomsday Rescue.
Yu Shiqing was nominated for two awards: Best Actor for Mist and Best Supporting Actor for Doomsday Rescue. Both were strong contenders. Even before nominations were announced, many fans online were already calling for him to win. This year’s Best Actor nominees were all top-tier: five-time Best Actor winner Yu Shiqing, debut Best Actor winner Jiang Yu, the excellent actor Du Han, and a veteran favorite. In a less competitive year, any of them could win. Probably for this reason, the live viewership broke records. The director repeatedly cut to Yu Shiqing, hinting he was the evening’s biggest winner—but viewers didn’t catch that meaning. Whenever the camera focused on Yu Shiqing, the live comments always zeroed in on someone else:
“They’re whispering again. Pisces (their ship name) hang out every day what’s there to say? Let us hear!”
“As expected! We thought it would be tense since both are Best Actor nominees but they just don’t seem to care!”
When the Best Supporting Actor award was announced and Yu Shiqing walked on stage, the live comments finally switched back:
“Congratulations!!!”
On screen, Yu Shiqing held up the trophy, gave a short acceptance speech, and returned to his seat without any host trouble. Jiang Yu stood to meet him, took the trophy, and sat back down with him. The camera then panned to the other nominees, all smiling as they clapped for Yu Shiqing. Du Han was among them. When the camera left him, he clenched the armrest. “It’s fine. Supporting Actor isn’t as big as Best Actor. I still have a chance!”
As the ceremony dragged on, time felt long and finally it was time for Best Actor. Du Han straightened, listening as hosts bantered, then glanced at Yu Shiqing’s back still calm. Du Han sneered inwardly. Yu Shiqing always acted like he didn’t care, even though this award was something every actor wanted. It was the same four years ago and now.
“Little Du, are you nervous?” Qi Heping beside him asked. He straightened up and said, “A little.” Qi patted his shoulder in comfort. Up on the big screen, clips of the nominees began to play.
After they finished, two hosts returned to the mic. Jiang Yu sensed something, looked toward Yu Shiqing, and reached to take his hand but then noticed the camera and gently grasped Yu’s arm instead. Yu looked back and asked:
“Are you nervous?”
Jiang Yu nodded and leaned closer, whispering:
“We promised, right? If you take my award, you have to make it up to me.”
The crowd around them couldn’t hear, but the big screen showed their exchange. A female guest swooned, “They met on set that’s so sweet.” Fans in the audience screamed. The guest added meaningfully, “Looks like today’s another ‘bright after the rain’ day.” That stirred the crowd even more. The camera kept capturing them.
Then the host returned to the award:
“Let’s announce Best Actor!”
Before the name was called, Jiang Yu whispered again:
“If it’s not you, then let me compensate you properly. You’ll be sure to come out ahead, okay?”
Yu Shiqing smiled, a bit resigned, and looked back at the stage. The host announcer read:
“Best Actor audience vote: Mist, Yu Shiqing!”
They both cheered, “Congratulations, Yu Shiqing!” Jiang Yu stood, hugged him, and lifted him in celebration. The camera caught it live and on the big screen, showing Jiang Yu whispering something at Yu’s ear. Everyone thought it was congratulations, but Yu heard:
“You better start thinking now about how you’ll make it up to me.”
Stone Zhefing and others stepped forward. Jiang Yu added before letting go, “Or let me help you think of something.” Yu smiled at him, then shook hands with the crew and returned to the stage. The camera followed his graceful walk, as applause and cheers filled the hall. Fan excitement was palpable.
Du Han clapped mechanically; the noise all seemed distant. He watched Yu on stage and felt hollow. The same story replayed ever since Yu won his first Best Actor award, Du Han only got Best Newcomer, and now again lost at the big moment. No matter how hard he tried, any chance he got was overshadowed by Yu. Yu was always the shining star; he remained in the background. The pain inside him screamed but he had no strength to protest.
After the ceremony, Du Han did not attend the celebration. He went straight home, drank a glass of liquor, and sat alone in the dark, stumbling onto the sofa. Then, click, the lights came on.
“Brother Du?” Qi Taihua came out of the bedroom. “Is that you back?”
Du Han didn’t answer. But Qi Taihua already saw him.
Seeing how defeated Du Han looked, Qi Taihua gave a silent sneer. When he noticed the wine on the table, a thought crossed his mind. He turned around, poured two glasses, and then walked over to the sofa.
“Brother Du, don’t be upset. You’re still young. You’ll have more chances in the future!”
Du Han looked up at the wine glass handed to him and then looked at Qi Taihua behind it.
Qi Taihua said, “Drinking can help ease sorrow. Just drink, sleep through tonight, and think about everything tomorrow.”
He had watched the live broadcast of tonight’s award ceremony and knew better than anyone why Du Han was like this now.
Du Han let out a mocking laugh.
Ease sorrow with alcohol?
Alcohol was never a good thing.
All these years, he hadn’t touched a drop just to avoid ending up like Yu Shiqing.
But today?
He thought about tonight, about all the moments in the past, and about that figure on stage who always seemed out of reach someone he could only look up to forever.
Du Han took the glass and downed it in one go.
At the same time.
Daning Hotel.
After the celebration banquet, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
As soon as they entered and closed the door, Jiang Yu looked at Yu Shiqing.
“Have you thought it through?”
Yu Shiqing asked, “Thought what through?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
Jiang Yu raised his hand, holding Yu Shiqing by the waist, turned, and pressed him against the door. He gave him a light kiss on the lips and asked again, “How are you going to make it up to me?”
Yu Shiqing smiled softly. “How do you want me to make it up to you?”
“You already know.”
Jiang Yu leaned closer. His dark eyes shone brightly under the ceiling light.
“Tomorrow is—”
Before he could finish, a ringtone suddenly came from Yu Shiqing’s pocket.
Jiang Yu frowned, took out the phone, saw the caller ID, and relaxed a little. He looked up and said, “It’s your mom.”
Then he answered the call and brought the phone to Yu Shiqing’s ear.
Lin Shuang’s voice quickly came through. “Shiqing, are you done with work now?”
Yu Shiqing said, “Yes.”
“That’s good.” Lin Shuang said, “I just wanted to ask if you’re free tomorrow?”
Yu Shiqing paused. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Lin Shuang’s voice sounded hesitant, a bit nervous. “If it’s okay with you, can I prepare your birthday this year?”
Jiang Yu’s fingers suddenly clenched.
Yu Shiqing noticed and looked at him. Jiang Yu’s expression didn’t change.
After Yu Shiqing agreed and hung up the phone, putting it away, Jiang Yu said in a deep voice, “Now you owe me double.”
Yu Shiqing smiled and asked, “Why?”
Jiang Yu said, “Because tomorrow is your birthday, and it was supposed to be just the two of us.”
Yu Shiqing asked again, “Did you make any plans?”
Jiang Yu’s eyes flickered slightly, and he unconsciously looked away. “No.”
Then he heard Yu Shiqing’s reply.
“Then no need to make up for anything.”
Jiang Yu: “……”
He looked at Yu Shiqing’s face, stayed quiet for a moment, then leaned in and kissed his lower lip.
And then bit it hard.
