Chapter 85
The minor ripples online didn't disturb Li Chu's life. The filming location for this workplace drama was in the south. Although the wind was still cold, compared to the outdoor temperatures up north, filming exterior scenes wasn't quite so unbearable.
This kind of role posed no difficulty for Li Chu. Moreover, the screenwriter had added a foodie trait to the character, often allowing her to eat hot pot under the guise of filming. Li Chu couldn't be happier.
Upon learning that she had brazenly eaten hot pot three times during one week of filming, Tang Congnan flew over immediately to supervise her consumption of fat-reducing meals.
Li Chu tried to argue, "I ate the clear broth hot pot, it doesn't really matter much."
Tang Congnan smiled. "Is that so? Get on the scale."
Li Chu stepped onto it with extreme reluctance. Tang Congnan's eyes widened.
"Three jin! You've gained three jin!"
Tang Congnan's pupils quaked, his finger trembled, utterly grief-stricken.
"You've been filming for over half a month, and you gained three jin! Do you know there's an awards ceremony next month! The nomination list is about to be released. Even if you aren't nominated, you still have to walk the red carpet. How are you going to fit into the gown like this!"
Tang Congnan roared, looking at Li Chu as if she were a heinous heartbreaker.
Li Chu touched her face and mumbled, "I didn't feel it."
As the saying goes, fat people gain weight in their face first, while thin people lose it in their chest first. She hadn't felt her face getting fatter.
Could it be... Li Chu looked down at her chest. She couldn't really tell herself; it would require Teacher Ning's assessment.
Thinking of Ning Manqing, Li Chu recalled the temperature and scent from the day they parted. Ning Manqing had left a temporary mark on her, which took about five or six days to disappear.
Actually, when it became very faint towards the end, she couldn't smell it herself, so she specifically sought out a tool person to sniff.
Yes, that tool person was Ming Zhi.
Although Ming Zhi had issues with her glands, her sense of smell was fine. Only after Ming Zhi confirmed there was no scent did Li Chu dare to go out.
While her mind wandered, Li Chu let Tang Congnan's nagging go in one ear and out the other. By the time she snapped back to reality, Tang Congnan had tired himself out.
Li Chu thoughtfully offered him hot water, handing it over and saying, "Brother Nan, have some hot water."
Tang Congnan took it irritably and sighed, sitting down in a chair.
"Sometimes I feel like you really give me headaches, but then I look at other people's artists, and I feel you're actually quite well-behaved."
"This circle is chaotic with many temptations. Didn't Lao Cao's precious talent get exposed for drug use just two days ago? I mean, couldn't they do something better? Why insist on walking down a dead end?"
"And that other one, under Sister Shen. Her relationship got dug up, and she was even two-timing. Sister Shen didn't even know about it. She said she was so angry she almost developed mastitis and called me in the middle of the night to complain."
Tang Congnan sighed wistfully, saying softly, "You're still the good one. Never messing around with that nonsense, never hiding relationships from me, and basically no romantic scandals. That ridiculous stuff with Zhao Zhichun doesn't count."
Hearing this, Li Chu suddenly felt guilty and forced a smile against her conscience.
Yuanzi and A Yao in the room: ...
Ok, fine.
Tang Congnan stayed on set for several days, consequently cutting Li Chu off from those delicious foods. She could only take a few bites during filming, and afterward, the food would be distributed among the staff.
Tang Congnan only left the set reassured after seeing the nomination list. He needed to get busy with other matters, like figuring out which brand's haute couture to borrow, what resources could be gained from this nomination list, and how to screen them.
Li Chu looked at the nomination list, feeling quite uncertain.
The nominated TV dramas all had excellent reputations. Besides the summer hit 《Die at Dawn and Dusk》, there was an anti-drug drama and a political drama. Among the remaining seven, three were historical dramas (history and court intrigue types), and the other four were modern dramas, ranging from campus life to the workplace, and even family sagas.
It could be said that each one was remarkable. The other four actresses nominated for Best Actress alongside Li Chu included three veteran actresses and one currently popular leading lady.
Initially, these awards were intended to be divided by the three genders (based on primary gender), but this was quickly changed to be based on secondary gender.
This was because, back then, very few Alphas and Omegas worked in the film and television industry, and those who did were mostly behind-the-scenes personnel. If divided by three genders, they might not even have enough people to fill the categories, while the Beta category would likely be overflowing. So, the change was made and has been followed ever since.
Even later, if a female Alpha and a female Omega lead from the same drama were nominated simultaneously, they would compete together for Best Actress.
Among the four actresses nominated alongside Li Chu, besides one popular actress who shared Li Chu's Omega gender, the other three were Betas.
Furthermore, they all had one thing in common: besides the nominated drama, they had starred in other hit or critically acclaimed dramas, whereas Li Chu did not. Moreover, these actresses consistently delivered stable performances, which made Li Chu feel quite apprehensive.
However, she wasn't one to set her expectations too high. She felt that being nominated was already an affirmation.
The crew also received the news and congratulated Li Chu one after another.
Other friends in the industry also called to celebrate. Li Chu replied with thanks to each one and chatted animatedly in the 《Die at Dawn and Dusk》 group chat.
《Die at Dawn and Dusk》 was nominated for several awards. Besides Best Actress, there were also nominations for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.
Essentially, out of the five people in this group chat, three were nominated.
Ji Yun stingily sent a five-yuan red envelope to celebrate, then lamented only grabbing five cents himself.
Teacher San Qiu was much more generous, sending fifty yuan and grabbing twenty himself.
【Zhao Zhichun】: This world is too cold. A 50-yuan red envelope, and I grabbed fifty cents. Is this something a human would do?
【Zhao Zhichun】: And in a group of five, I don't even have a nomination. Luckily, Sister Ning is here to keep me company.
【Li Chu】: Can't be helped, who asked this lead actor to be such a rookie?
【Zhao Zhichun】: Isn't this Teacher San Qiu's fault! But Sister Ning, who played your love interest, wasn't nominated for Best Supporting Actress either, hehe. I still feel quite comforted.
Zhao Zhichun wanted to mock a bit more, but then he considered that if Ning Manqing got angry, he might end up digging for oil in Africa again.
Speaking of which, Ning Manqing was ruthless. She had actually found him a role filming in Africa, but the director didn't want him, so he was kicked back.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Why hasn't Sister Ning grabbed the red envelope? Where did she go?
【Zhao Zhichun】: Li Zi, does Sister Ning know about your nomination?
【Li Chu】: She knows. She probably hasn't seen the message yet.
In fact, she had messaged Ning Manqing the moment she found out about the list.
She wanted to share her happiness with Ning Manqing immediately. Although Ning Manqing hadn't replied yet, she knew she would definitely be happy for her.
The group chat continued its lively banter. Ji Yun was even discussing with San Qiu what snacks to bring to the awards ceremony.
【San Qiu】: Boneless chicken feet, maybe? Your sister makes them really well, and you don't have to spit out bones, convenient.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Your sister's pickled bamboo shoots are pretty good too. Director Ji, can you ask her to make some more?
【Ji Yun】: Tsk tsk tsk, someone who didn't even get nominated actually wants to freeload off my sister's cooking?
【Zhao Zhichun】: Is that my fault? Depends on who wrote the script and who directed the show, right?
Li Chu had never met Ji Yun's sister, but she knew of her because she had eaten duck necks sent by Director Ji's sister while on set. Director Ji's sister was outside the industry, apparently a foodie skilled in cooking.
Although the food was delicious, that wasn't Li Chu's focus.
【Li Chu】: Aren't you guys nervous at all?
They were actually thinking about what snacks to eat to pass the time. Li Chu felt they were too carefree.
【Ji Yun】: Nervous about what? It's not the first time anyway. It doesn't matter even if we don't win.
【Ji Yun】: It's unlikely for the awards to be concentrated on one drama. After all, we didn't completely crush them to that extent, and some aren't even the same genre, so they can't be compared. Just relax.
【Ji Yun】: Actually, the most important thing is that I've won before.
【San Qiu】: Actually, I've won before too.
Ji Yun and San Qiu's breakthrough works had already won several awards back in the day. Everyone knew this.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Although I wasn't even nominated this time, I still have to say, actually, I've won before too.
Zhao Zhichun, a strong dark horse back then, had swept both the Best Newcomer and Best Actor awards in one go, then coolly went off for further studies.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Although Sister Ning isn't here, I can speak for her: actually, she's won before too.
Ning Manqing didn't have great resources initially, but she performed well and worked incredibly hard, resulting in high output.
Developing both in film and television, she went from Best Supporting Actress to Best Actress in TV dramas within two years. Her breakout film also received nominations, and subsequent films earned her Best Supporting Actress nominations, but she narrowly missed winning each time.
It wasn't that she wasn't good enough, but the competition was too fierce.
One group, five people, four had won awards.
【Li Chu】: ...
Turns out I'm the clown.
The group chat was still buzzing with discussion about what snacks to eat.
【Ji Yun】: So what are we eating then?
【San Qiu】: Boneless chicken feet.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Pickled bamboo shoots.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Won't boneless chicken feet smell too strong? Listen to me, plus the packaging keeps your hands clean.
【San Qiu】: Don't you have wet wipes or mouthwash?
【Ji Yun】: Why make it so complicated? I'll just ask my sister to make both portions, bring them both. But let's be clear, pay up first.
【Zhao Zhichun】: Seriously? You're charging money on such a joyous occasion?
【Ji Yun】: Alright, Li Zi and Lao Qiu don't have to pay. I'll only charge you.
【Zhao Zhichun】: That's not fair!!!
【San Qiu】: Who asked you not to get nominated?
Li Chu remained silent, still immersed in the painful blow she had just received.
It felt like taking the college entrance exam with classmates. She was anxious about her results, while her classmates acted completely unconcerned.
Because they were either guaranteed admission, admitted early, or preparing to go abroad. Only she had nothing and was nobody.
Li Chu rubbed her hands together, feeling this winter was exceptionally cold.
But then she suddenly remembered that the three people currently chatting in the group were all single, while she was not.
Li Chu instantly perked up and demurely offered a suggestion.
【Li Chu】: Doesn't anyone want chicken cartilage?
【Zhao Zhichun】: Seconded!
【San Qiu】: Seconded!
【Ji Yun】: Okay, send the money.
Just then, red envelopes suddenly popped up, five in a row.
【Ning Manqing】: Enough?
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