One Useless Rebirth

“Didn’t sleep well last night? Hmm, I don’t think sleep is the problem here.” said Jiang Guanshan in a sassy tone, he then put on a serious face and said, “This award might be the first big award in your film career, everyone around you is getting nervous and excited for you, it’s very important to you Qiuhe, I want you to understand.”

“Sorry Uncle Jiang, I’m a bit under the weather today, thank you for your reminder.” Di Qiuhe apologized, then he sat straight and brought his mind back to the venue.

Jiang Guanshan wasn’t actually blaming Di Qiuhe for not getting excited for an award, he sighed in his heart and looked at the stage.

He Bai who was wearing a formal suit and tie in the car was watching the live ceremony on his iPad, he rushed the driver, “Xu Qing, please drive faster for me, the next category is the Best Actor and I don’t want to miss it.”

“Please fasten your seat belt.” answered Xu Qing and he began to pick up the speed.

He Bai was still looking at the screen, it just so happened the camera snapped Jiang Guanshan and Di Qiuhe were talking to each other.

He Bai immediately noticed Di Qiuhe was in low spirit after over one year’s being together with him, he clenched his fists and blamed himself for running away from home, he thought that was such a childish move. He bit his lips and rushed Xu Qing again, “I’m holding on tight now, let’s try to get there faster, even a second would help.”

Xu Qing nodded his head and gave him an approving look from the rear mirror.

“Let’s welcome the presenters!” exclaimed the hos. Mr. Jia and Professor. Xu walked on the stage amid the music and the applause.

Di Qiuhe’s eyes were wide open, he asked “How come the presenters are Mr. Jia and Professor. Xu? Bai told me Professor. Xu went south for winter.”

Jiang Guanshan was a bit confused too, he looked at his two friends on stage and was lost in thought, soon he looked at Di Qiuhe sideways and cracked a deep smile, it indeed looked like everyone around Di Qiuhe was excited for him.

The video of the actors who had made it to the shortlists and their works was playing on the screen, “Cheng’s Army” was the first one to play, while the freeze frame of Di Qiuhe was not a poster he shot for the movie, but a fun sidelight shot taken by He Bai instead.

“We are here.” said Xu Qing in high spirits.

He Bai’s eyes were still glued on the screen, he opened the car door and rushed to get out, but he was so distracted by the screen that he almost fell on the ground, thanks to Xu Qing who supported him by the car door promptly that he didn’t make a fool of himself.

“This is your invitation, and I just called Mr. Xing Shaofeng, he said he would be waiting for you at the entrance.” said Xu Qing excitedly, he also took a glimpse at the screen and asked nervously, “Master He, do you think will Master Di win the award?”

Di Qiuhe’s fans were waiting outside the venue waiting for the outcome, they were waving the posters and glow sticks excitedly, seeing that, He Bai replied Xu Qing in a firm tone, “Yes, he will, I know he will, and trust me, this is the first movie award for him, he has many more to come.”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Jia announced, he looked at the envelop in his hand and swept across the audience, “The Best Actor Award goes to Di Qiuhe!”

The audience burst into thunderous applause, the spotlight soon caught Di Qiuhe, the highlight moments of his performance in “Cheng’s Army” was playing on the screen.

Hearing his own name, Di Qiuhe was dumbfounded for a second, soon he stood up and bowed to the audience, he wanted to hug the person sitting right next to him instinctively, only to find it was Dong Ni. He suppressed the disappointment rippling in his heart and hugged Dong Ni gently, then he hugged his director before he marched towards the stage.

The audience was still clapping for him, and his fans were shouting and screaming outside the venue. Hearing the loud applause, He Bai handed the iPad over to Xing Shaofeng who was ushering him in and adjusted his camera, with that he also marched into the venue.

Right under the spotlight, it was his Childish Di who was receiving the award from Professor. Xu.

“Thank you so much, Professor. Xu.”

“Great job, Qiuhe, keep up with the good work, don’t let my Bai down.” Professor. Xu hugged Di Qiuhe and whispered by Di Qiuhe’s ear with a big smile.

“I will definitely make him proud.” replied Di Qiuhe, and then he went to hug Mr. Jia and expressed how grateful he was.

Mr. Jia also felt happy for him, he said, “Qiuhe, you should thank yourself, it’s you who has worked hard.”

Di Qiuhe smiled shyly.

Di Qiuhe shook hands with the host and walked to the mic, he looked at the audience and started to give his acceptance speech, “This is such a great honor, I’m so humbled to just be here, let alone getting this award from the most respected Mr. Jia and Professor. Xu. This is such a great surprise, thank you all thank you all so much.”

The audience clapped their hands again, they felt happy for this young man.

Di Qiuhe continued, “I can never thank you all enough, my family, friends, my crew that I have worked with, and of course my fans... ... thank you so much. I... ...”

A familiar figure pushed the door open and walked in.

Di Qiuhe halted and looked at that person with his eyes wide open.

The audience noticed that and they turned back to see what happened.

Jiang Guanshan looked back and saw He Bai. He smiled knowingly, with a look like ‘I have totally see this coming’ on his face, his eyes travelled from Di Qiuhe to He Bai, from He Bai to Di Qiuhe, then he began to clap his hands.

Dong Ni followed suits, she also signaled other people in the crew to join her, she already knew Di Qiuhe was the boss of Huading, she was determined to make a good impression on his boss, well, the boss lady to be accurate.