Amidst the music, Jiang Yue stepped off the stage holding his trophy.
The moment he turned into the backstage corridor, Jiang Kaiwen couldn't help but rush over and throw an arm around his shoulders.
“Quality Drama Actor of the Year!”
The excitement in Jiang Kaiwen's voice was completely uncontainable. “Third Brother, you won!”
Jiang Yue's expression remained calm.
Of course, he was pleasantly surprised, but this was merely a milestone of recognition from the platform, not the finish line.
Jiang Kaiwen was already used to this. If there ever came a day when Jiang Yue openly displayed extreme emotion, he would probably suspect that his cousin had been swapped with an imposter.
Jiang Yue handed the trophy to him, keeping his words brief. “Hold onto it tight.”
Jiang Kaiwen immediately received it with both hands, cradling it as if it were the most precious treasure.
“How could I possibly drop this?”
He stared down at the trophy, his eyes practically sparkling. “When we get back, I have to find a glass display case for it. No, it has to be a locked one!”
Jiang Kaiwen's phone vibrated.
A message from the studio popped up in their work group chat, stating that the congratulatory poster had been published, and related trending topics were already climbing the charts.
Jiang Kaiwen immediately looked down to check.
On the screen, a series of search terms was climbing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
#Jiang Yue Quality Drama Actor of the Year#
#Lamerd Asia Region Spokesperson Jiang Yue#
#Zhou Jinnan Well Deserved#
#Jiang Yue Gala Red Carpet Divine Photo#
The official account of 《The Hidden Sentry》 also reposted his award-winning clip immediately, captioning it: 【The long street has an end, but faith never dies. Congratulations to Jiang Yue for winning Penguin Video's Quality Drama Actor of the Year.】
In the comments section, fans had placed side-by-side a promotional photo of Zhou Jinnan in his vintage attire and a picture of Jiang Yue in his midnight blue haute couture suit, standing on the dazzling stage.
“This photo is incredible.”
Jiang Kaiwen took a deep breath and remarked with heartfelt emotion, “Coming tonight was absolutely worth it. You just secured a top luxury endorsement, and now you've won Quality Drama Actor of the Year.”
Jiang Yue only glanced at it and didn't say much.
Just then, an on-site coordinator wearing a staff badge walked over quickly. “Teacher Jiang, congratulations on your award. Please don't head back to your seat just yet. There is still a closing segment for the gala, and we need you to prepare for it.”
Jiang Yue asked, “What segment?”
The staff member replied with a bright smile, “A special invitation as a VIP Star.”
Jiang Kaiwen was stunned. “He just accepted Quality Drama Actor of the Year, and now he has to go up for VIP Star too?”
“Yes, this is an invitation confirmed by the platform,” the staff member explained patiently. “The VIP Star segment is tonight's closing group event. The platform invites artists who have representative works this year and close partnerships with us to take the stage together, representing this year's flagship lineup. Teacher Jiang is on the guest list.”
Jiang Kaiwen also caught the underlying significance.
Quality Drama Actor of the Year was an individual honor, proving Jiang Yue's ability to anchor a drama and his massive popularity.
The VIP Star segment, on the other hand, was the core lineup the platform pushed in front of the cameras at the very end of the gala—another demonstration of status and position.
The platform was giving him full face on both fronts.
“Go, of course!”
Without a second thought, Jiang Kaiwen clutched the trophy even tighter. “There's absolutely nothing to hesitate about!”
The coordinator glanced at the trophy in his arms and reminded him, “You can temporarily leave the trophy with the reception desk for safekeeping. You can retrieve it with a claim ticket once the closing ceremony is over.”
Jiang Kaiwen's expression instantly became rather reluctant.
Jiang Yue glanced at him. “Just make sure it's properly registered.”
Jiang Kaiwen cradling the trophy, went to register it with the reception staff. He checked the claim ticket twice before finally handing the trophy over.
The backstage waiting area was much quieter than the front. Several invited artists had already arrived, and Han Song was among them.
When he saw Jiang Yue enter, his gaze first swept over his empty hands, and he smiled.
“Not bad. You've only been acting for a short while and you've already won an award.”
Jiang Yue glanced at the award corsage still pinned to Han Song's chest. “Brother Han, you won Television Actor of the Year in the second half. Hearing those words from you is a bit too modest.”
Han Song laughed. “I only got this thanks to 《The Hidden Sentry》 as well.”
“Cut the modesty.”
Jiang Yue tossed his words right back at him. “Brother Chen won Outstanding Performance Drama Actor of the Year, and now you're saying it's thanks to him. If Brother Chen hears this, he'll make you treat him to a meal.”
Han Song was amused. “Alright, we'll invite Old Chen along later. But seriously, you were the one who brought the character of Zhou Jinnan to life. I was just a witness at best.”
The others present laughed as they chatted, and the atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.
The on-site coordinator began confirming the final rundown. There were seven VIP Stars in total, and they would take the stage one by one according to their assigned positions.
A three-tier cake was prepared in the center of the stage. The final segment would involve everyone cutting the cake together, symbolizing the sharing of joy.
Standing not far away, Jiang Kaiwen's expression turned a bit subtle when he heard the words “cutting the cake.”
“I thought that cake was just for display.”
A nearby staff member explained with a smile, “It will be sliced and packaged afterward, and the guests will also get a portion.”
Jiang Kaiwen nodded. “That's good. Let me confirm the food safety on behalf of my artist first.”
The staff member paused for a moment before bursting into laughter.
The closing music of the gala began to play, and the stage lights shifted from blue to gold.
“Tonight, we have witnessed the birth of many outstanding works. Next, let us welcome Penguin Video's VIP Stars with our warmest applause!”
The seven artists walked onto the stage one after another. Jiang Yue was second to last, while Han Song stood at his designated spot right next to him.
When the host read out his name, the venue erupted in enthusiastic cheers once more.
“With Zhou Jinnan, he kept the lights of the long street burning; and as Lu Ji, he will step into a new martial world. Welcome Penguin Video's Quality Drama Actor of the Year—Jiang Yue!”
Jiang Yue walked to his designated spot and nodded slightly to the audience.
The host smiled and said, “Having just won Quality Drama Actor of the Year and now joining the closing stage as a VIP Star, Jiang Yue's harvest tonight is incredibly heavy.”
Jiang Yue took the microphone, his gaze landing on the three-tier cake in the center of the stage. With a calm expression, he agreed, “It is indeed very heavy.”
The audience immediately erupted into laughter.
The host passed the microphone down the line according to their positions, and each artist offered their blessings.
When it was Jiang Yue's turn, the host asked with a smile, “So, as a VIP Star, what kind of blessings does Jiang Yue want to share with everyone?”
Jiang Yue looked at the sea of light boards gathered for him in the audience, then toward the livestream camera, his voice warm and steady.
“I hope that next year, everyone will still encounter stories they love on their screens and find characters they are willing to believe in.”
He paused for a moment in thought before adding, “And I hope that everyone who lives their life with sincerity will eventually receive the good news they've been waiting for. Thank you for your applause tonight.”
As his speech concluded, guided by the staff, the seven of them jointly held the silver cake knife and cut the cake to the sound of the countdown.
Confetti rained down from above, pushing the atmosphere of the entire stage to its peak.
The gala drew to a close amidst cheers.
Jiang Yue returned to the backstage and finished changing, and Jiang Kaiwen had already retrieved the trophy from the reception desk.
The trophy was back in his arms, and this time, he held onto it with absolute stability.
The coordinator brought over their exit route. As Jiang Kaiwen confirmed the vehicle and the passageway, he kept looking down at the trophy in his arms, reluctant to take even a single step away from it.
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