367 Award Winning (1/2)

After the final pair completed the red-carpet walk, buzz from outside the venue gradually died down. Within the venue, though, the atmosphere was still rather tense.

When the last pair entered after strolling down the red carpet, they let out a long sigh of relief. One of them was also gracing the red carpet for the first time and had been so nervous that his entire back was drenched in sweat. He felt that this traversing this short path had been even more exhausting than completing filming for an entire series.

The majority of award nominees were from the cast and crew of ”Founding Era.” Most of them would at least recognize the others even if they weren't familiar with one another. Upon entering the venue, most of them subconsciously glanced at Fang Zhao and realized that he still appeared rather unperturbed. Whether contrived or not, this was worth learning from.

Thus, those that were very nervous also started to put on an act and appear calm. They could hide their actions and gestures, but their palms were clammy and, in their hearts, they were worrying about whether they would win any awards.

The Golden Series Gala quickly started. Compared to the solemn and formal Galaxy Awards Ceremony, the Golden Series Gala was much more random and vivacious. At the start, the host created a relaxed atmosphere as he spoke, sang, and shared some anecdotes, obtaining plenty of laughter from the audience.

In front of the cameras, celebrities and all other film production workers were laughing gently. If they couldn't actually laugh, they faked it. Otherwise, what would happen if the camera caught it? This was a live broadcast! No one knew what the online audiences were saying, and there would be entertainment reporters ready to take screen grabs and caption things. Thus, acting skills had to be ever present.

At the start was the awards presentation for the comedy category. The atmosphere was also much more relaxed, but after the first few categories were completed, the atmosphere was no longer as lively. The younger actors' originally bright smiles had become awkward.

The Best Child Star Award was a turning point, because after it were the awards for the TV series categories.

In the beginning, the Corale Film Festival hadn't had the Best Child Star Award. At some point, this award had been added to serve as an encouragement for outstanding child performers. This time, Lu Aotian had made it into the finalist pool and was the hot favorite.

Indeed, when the honored guest said ”Lu Aotian,” there was no surprise on the faces of those present.

Lu Aotian's parents got up excitedly and gave a standing ovation when they heard his name being called.

Lu Aotian got up from his seat and made a small jog onto the stage before doing a somersault followed by a cartwheel and then a few successive flips, landing in front of the honored guest and drawing a chorus of laughter from the all the elder actors and actresses present.

”Haha! This kid!”

”This little fella is really excited.”

”These somersaults are full of vigor. Not bad, he must have practiced many times in private.”

”Yeah, he even learned to handle guns; his hands were full of calluses when filming 'Founding Era.' That was why he appeared so natural with them in the series. He is indeed a very hardworking little fellow.”

On stage, Lu Aotian didn't even bother to wipe away the sweat from his forehead and was flashing a toothy grin. During the filming of Founding Era, he had been starting to lose his milk teeth. Back then, to increase the authenticity of the film, the director hadn't let him put on fake teeth. Now, he had on a set of custom-made teeth for the awards ceremony. Otherwise, how shameful would it be if people saw the gaps between his teeth? He wouldn't remove the fake teeth until the film festival had concluded, so he wasn't afraid to flash his teeth. Not only did he have to smile, his smile needed to be especially dazzling! This was the first heavyweight award he had achieved relying on his own ability. His father hadn't even been nominated this time around!

Lu Aotian held up the award and was about to give an acceptance speech when he suddenly realized that he had forgotten his lines.

He had clearly memorized them before coming, but now that he was overly excited, his brain seemed to be shooting off fireworks. He simply couldn't think about anything else.

When the honored guest saw the situation, he understood immediately and didn't hurry off the stage. He asked Lu Aotian, ”What a surprise. Are you happy?”

Lu Aotian immediately replied, ”No surprise! I'm very happy! After all, my performance in the series was so good!”

”This little friend really has a lot of self-confidence. Who was your favorite person in the cast and crew during filming?” inquired another honored guest.

Lu Aotian loudly exclaimed, ”My favorite person was Fang Zhao!”

The live broadcast camera gave a special close-up of Lu Aotian's father in the audience.

Father Lu smiled nervously. In his head, he was thinking about how to sort out this little rascal when they got home. When this rascal got excited, he even forgot about his own father. Aren't you supposed to recite your father's name at this sort of time!?

After the camera was cut, the person beside Father Lu joked, ”Want to have a fight with Fang Zhao after this is over?”

”No way,” Father Lu replied firmly.

”Why?”

”Do you know how many sandbags he disfigured during the filming of 'Founding Era'?”

At this point, Lu Aotian recalled the acceptance speech he had memorized. He thanked his parents for his upbringing—without his family environment and conditions, he would have had no way of reaching these heights at such a young age. He also thanked the director and the brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts from the cast and crew.

But many online audiences were no longer concerned with what Lu Aotian was saying. What they were more interested in was why the first person Lu Aotian had mentioned was Fang Zhao?

Thus, many netizens searched for the photograph of Lu Aotian riding on Fang Zhao's shoulders as well as a historical photograph of Great General Wu Yan sitting on Fang Zhao's shoulders, which triggered a wave of discussions.

Inside a residential building on Corale Main.

Blossoming special effects fireworks reminded everyone that yet another award had been issued.

”Which award was just handed out?” a youngster who had just finished a round of gaming asked the companion beside him watching the live broadcast.

”Best Child Star Award. The winner is that little kid Lu Aotian who played the Yanzhou chapter's lead when he was young in 'Founding Era.' Take a look at this trending photograph, then compare it with the historical photograph. Aren't they very similar?”

”Seems like the acting wasn't too bad. I have to go search for the Yanzhou chapter of 'Founding Era.' I have yet to watch it.”