At this moment, far away at home, Wei Yaoyao sneezed.

Shrugging his nose to recover, he clicked into the live broadcast of the television awards ceremony and then continued messaging Ning Yunchao.

[So, tell me, is Song Xi staring at other people’s couples?]

Ning Yunchao and Song Xi are both performers at this television festival, and they’re performing on the same stage together.

Song Xi’s contract termination saga finally ended, and he had to use all his resources to get this appearance opportunity at the television festival.

Ning Yunchao is different, with his connections and backing, getting selected was effortless for him.

Ning Yunchao, upon receiving the message, was speechless.

[Why are you so interested in gossiping about others?]

Wei Yaoyao: [Oh come on, we’re so close, I don’t know you? Can you swear you’re not interested?]

Ning Yunchao: [...He did look twice]

Wei Yaoyao: [Ha, I knew it!]

Wei Yaoyao: [I watched the red carpet live, Yu Xia looked stunning today]

Wei Yaoyao: [They’re so in love that they probably forget who they are, poor thing hahahaha]

Ning Yunchao: [You’re really something...]

Wei Yaoyao: [Don’t misunderstand, I’m not gloating, I’m a good guy, I even visited him in the hospital last time]

Ning Yunchao: [And then you casually chatted about the sweet life of Xie Qingci and Yu Xia while you were there, right? It’s a wonder he got discharged well, truly hardy]

Wei Yaoyao: [Who told him to act all mysterious?]

Wei Yaoyao: [Send me an inside picture, I don’t know if I’ll ever get into a place like this in my life]

Ning Yunchao: [Why not let Xie Qingci take the picture for you? He’s the official insider]

After sending the message, he still took the picture, even made sure to aim towards Xie Qingci’s side.

He then checked Wei Yaoyao’s reply.

Wei Yaoyao: [I bet he’s over there chatting with his girlfriend, too lazy to bother with me. Come on, Chaochao, I know you’re stubborn on the outside but soft inside, surely you took photos, right? I’ll buy you ice cream when you get back and teach you how to chase girls]

Ning Yunchao: [...Don’t call me by my nickname!]

He then sent the picture to him, not wanting to reply anymore.

Wei Yaoyao is really a master at being annoying; talking to him always gives a sense of suffocation.

Right next to him was Song Xi, who retracted his wandering gaze, turned around to look at him expressionlessly, adjusted his glasses, and unsurprisingly asked, "What’s up, got annoyed by chatting with Wei Yaoyao?"

It seems Wei Yaoyao’s talent for being annoying is widely known.

Ning Yunchao didn’t respond, but Song Xi could carry the conversation himself.

"He’s only normal in front of Xie Qingci, they’re best buddies, and he’s clinging on to that."

The light words carried a hint of sourness, unsure if it was jealousy towards Xie Qingci for his status or their good relationship.

However, Ning Yunchao was not as bothered by Wei Yaoyao and Xie Qingci’s relationship as he thought, instead, he looked at him with a subtle expression.

"You’ve got it wrong. He’s like that with everyone, only normal in front of Yu Xia."

Song Xi was stunned for a moment: "What do you mean?"

"It means he knows how to differentiate, he reciprocates kindness to those who treat him well."

Truth be told, Wei Yaoyao had talked to him far more often than he did with Xie Qingci, who generally ignored others, and Wei Yaoyao seldom looked for him either.

But when it came to Yu Xia, Wei Yaoyao’s attitude was respectful; sometimes he’d rather mess with Xie Qingci to stand by Yu Xia.

However, Song Xi probably wouldn’t understand this, considering he was always focused on the romance between Xie Qingci and Yu Xia.

After Ning Yunchao said this, he wasn’t planning to continue the conversation, so he went to greet some others.

Song Xi frowned slightly lost in thought; his first idea was that maybe Wei Yaoyao also liked Yu Xia?

But Xie Qingci’s possessiveness was too extreme; he would never befriend someone who shared his affection for Yu Xia.

So, it’s likely that Wei Yaoyao simply felt grateful for Yu Xia helping him once or twice during their audition days, and wanted to return the favor? Ha, it’s quite interesting; this new way of fostering relationships suits someone like Wei Yaoyao.

Thinking further was pointless; they were no longer relevant to him. Song Xi’s gaze hid behind the golden rim of his glasses, then he politely greeted the people in front and behind him with humility.

The inner venue gradually filled up, and about half an hour later, the seats were almost all occupied, and the thirty-second television awards ceremony officially commenced.

The television festival had awards for Best Screenwriter, Best Drama, Best Original Soundtrack, Best Director, etc., totaling nine awards. Among them, the most significant to actors and the most esteemed in the industry were the Best Actor and Best Actress awards, which were saved for last.

Yu Xia patiently waited, her smiling face showed no signs of nervousness or anxiety, not even altering her upright sitting posture.

As the awards for Best Screenwriter and Best Original Soundtrack concluded, it was time for the Best Drama award, which their period drama crew seized.

Her chances of winning were further increased.

Wan Ze whispered softly, "It’s likely secure now."

She looked straight ahead, smiling as she quickly replied, "Thanks for your auspicious words."

Time trickled by, as many grew weary of waiting, finally, the last two awards were up.

Clips of the nominated actors were played one by one. The venue was quiet and heavy as everyone waited for the final results, ready with cheers and blessings.

Yu Xia’s heartbeat began to race, pounding like a drum, her right hand resting on her left wrist, her thumb unconsciously rubbing the protruding bone. Such a motion eased her tension.

As the last nominated actor’s clip finished playing, her heartbeat felt louder and louder, resonating through her body like the roaring echo after a fast run, her ears filled with a thumping sound.

Finally, the nominated clips concluded. The best actors from the previous year stepped up as presenters, opened the result card, and glanced at a particular direction in the audience.

"This year’s Best Actress award goes to—Congratulations Yu Xia!"

The applause roared, the big screen on stage captured the live frame of Yu Xia.

The huge thrill in her body ceased, as if an antique pendulum was forced to stop by an external force, back in the right position.

The director beside her and Wan Ze stood up first, clapping and hugging her.

"Congratulations!"

"Stunned with happiness? Go claim your award, Best Actress."

Yu Xia shrugged off her shawl, hugged them, then stepped out of her seat, making her way forward through the aisle.

On the other side, the Best Actor was also heading to the same spot, courteously extending his hand to assist her up the steps.

This stretch seemed short, but the daze after everything settled made her feel as if she had traversed a long distance, from the debut film awards red carpet, the pedestrian path after her second film’s flop, to all the roads traversed after regaining her momentum.

Such complex emotions almost overwhelmed her.

But as she reached the stage and stood in front of the microphone, she lifted her gaze to see Xie Qingci from afar, smiling at her in a suit, instantly pulling her out of the past.

Inside her, there was only excitement, the kind of excitement from having scaled a high mountain and reached its peak.

She took the trophy, looked straight ahead, swallowed slightly, took a deep breath, then spoke into the microphone:

"Thank you, television festival, the production team, the director, and every actor and staff member. Thank you to my fans who have been with me all along, thank you to my own efforts, and thank you to those who have accompanied me, thank you—

Yu Xia is not just about today, we have a bright future ahead."