When Lin Mu Ci went to the film set, she didn't expect Wu Min Long to be waiting for her.
He was a forthright person.
He said what he thought.
"I heard Sister Lan say you've taken on a new project?"
"Will that affect your current filming? Xiao Ci, an actor must be dedicated. You can't be greedy and try to do too much. Each project must be done well, and when it's released, it must make a splash!"
His words were powerful and resonant.
Hearing Wu Min Long speak like this,
Lin Mu Ci gave a hum.
"Don't worry, I won't delay the filming here."
Wu Min Long hadn't sought her out for that reason. He was looking for her regarding the overseas Golden Globe Awards.
"Xiao Ci, I heard you've been nominated for a Golden Globe Award?"
"Your film was excellent. My wife even said that if they don't give you the award, it must be because of foul play."
"But those foreigners are devious; they love to play dirty! When I was a newcomer, I worked abroad for a while, and they openly discriminated against us. The roles they gave us were always bad ones."
"For good projects, they prioritized foreigners!"
"They were wary of us. In the films they produced, they would often uglify us. They were afraid that foreign audiences might develop even a sliver of positive regard for us. How petty!"
Wu Min Long sighed.
And it wasn't just Wu Min Long who felt this way.
From behind Wu Min Long, an elder suddenly walked over.
This elder also pondered for a moment,
And then spoke.
"I also worked in Hollywood back in the day. They truly harbored prejudice and a lack of recognition towards us. I vowed then that one day, we would slap their faces by doing even better than them."
"Our films must be made better than theirs."
"Our actors must be more outstanding than theirs!"
This elder was a great senior in the entertainment industry! Hong Tong Shan!
Thirty years ago, Hong Tong Shan was already a big star.
But later, he retired from acting and went into business.
He no longer participated in the film industry. This time, it was Wu Min Long who went to great lengths to persuade him to return.
Now, Hong Tong Shan looked at the young girl before him and sighed.
"Actually, thirty years ago, our 'Huá flow' had already become popular globally, achieving immense success! Our martial arts films, our action movies, left foreigners in awe!"
"They had never seen Kung Fu, nor did they imagine that humans could perform those… martial arts moves that surpassed their imaginations!"
"Suddenly, everyone overseas wanted to learn Kung Fu. That momentum was no less than today's idol craze! Our martial arts stars, our film stars, went abroad and were adored by thousands."
Hong Tong Shan was a senior from that era.
He couldn't help but lament.
"How peerless our radiance was back then! But precisely because we were so strong, we were suppressed… Our films couldn't be released, and our generation of stars became targets of public scorn overnight, left with no place to apply our skills. Coupled with our later economic struggles, the number of films produced also decreased…"
"This is how we lost that opportunity to sweep the world with 'Huá flow'!"
Hong Tong Shan's gaze was fiery.
"But now, we have become stronger. We have more confidence when making films."
"The awards that should be ours, in my opinion, no one has the right to take away."
Hong Tong Shan's tone was extremely firm.
"If this award is meant for you, then it should be yours!"
"Don't be afraid; go fight for it. We seasoned veterans of the entertainment industry, we seniors, are your backing."
"We will fight our way to the top, inch by inch. It doesn't matter if they try to block us. As long as we are good enough, they cannot conceal our brilliance."
Ambition never dies.
Daring to make the sun and moon shine.
Lin Mu Ci did not expect such a heavy burden to be placed upon her shoulders in an instant. She hummed, her voice suddenly deepening.
"I understand. I won't disappoint the seniors either."
Hong Tong Shan looked at her and suddenly smiled.
"I heard your boyfriend… is that young fellow Ling Qian He?"
Lin Mu Ci almost choked.
She had been feeling so motivated, but the atmosphere had suddenly shifted. Also—how could even an elder be so gossipy?
"Ahem. That's personal business. It's not appropriate to discuss it in a professional setting…"
Hong Tong Shan smiled even more happily.
"What are you shy about? In your era, I was even more wild! I dated many girlfriends, and each one was beautiful. Although I wasn't acting anymore, I still kept a little track of the entertainment industry."
"Young Ling Qian He is quite good. Some of my old colleagues have worked with him. They say he has exceptional talent and is very hardworking. They say he has opened up the foreign market, earning the respect of those foreigners."
"They believe we can also have top idols."
"That young man has backbone, and his character is strong. I think highly of him!"
Hearing Hong Tong Shan speak like this, Lin Mu Ci nodded and said gratefully,
"Thank you for your good opinion, senior. I will relay your words to him."
Hong Tong Shan beamed.
"Still saying you two aren't a couple?"
"You're even helping me pass messages!"
Lin Mu Ci: "..."
Never mind, she wouldn't explain anymore. Explaining was covering up, and covering up was admitting the truth.
Hong Tong Shan handed Lin Mu Ci a list.
"After all, I've been around in this industry and have some minor, insignificant connections. This is a list of the judges. I'm not trying to curry favor with them, but I pursue one thing."
"That is fairness."
"The awards that should be ours must be given to us."
"If they want to unjustly deny our actors the awards they deserve, then I will not stand for it. This matter should not happen, no matter what!"
A true powerhouse is a true powerhouse.
When they spoke,
Every word carried weight, resonating with conviction.
Lin Mu Ci smiled. She knew that this film industry titan was saying this to reassure her. In response to Hong Tong Shan's words, she nodded slightly, giving an even clearer affirmation.
"It won't happen. Rest assured. Times have changed. The awards that should be ours are destined to be ours."
"My awards, even if God himself tried to take them, he couldn't!"
She said this,
Her spirit soaring with pride.
Hong Tong Shan opposite her looked pleased.
"Little girl, you have courage!"
Hong Tong Shan was getting older. After a few more words with Lin Mu Ci, he left. Wu Min Long also had to go and guide the actors with their scenes.
Lin Mu Ci sat there.
Her agent called her.
"Xiao Ci, there might have been a slight change regarding your award. It's said that this year's Golden Globe Awards will use a secret ballot system, with global judges selecting the best film and actors. It's rumored that they intend to manipulate things and pre-determine the award for Jin Xiu Yuan."
"Currently, overseas film critics are leaning towards her, believing she is more artistic… and has made great sacrifices for the film industry…"
Sacrifice?
What sacrifice?
Sacrifice of an affair with the director?
Lin Mu Ci narrowed her eyes and said,
"Don't worry, I'm looking forward to the awards ceremony! It's a global live broadcast, with everyone watching. Let's see who dares to steal my award?"
Stealing her award.
Are they that shameless?