She Said: A Passionate Kiss [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 23
A few days later, Qunjun moved to Jiangcheng with her parents and sold their house in Jincheng.
After Qiang Huai handed over the evidence Gu Pingwan had collected, Qunjun immediately passed it to her lawyer. The online abuse still hadn’t stopped — in fact, the mockery and insults had only intensified.
A few days before the Lunar New Year, Qiang Huai went to Beijing to attend a newcomer actor awards ceremony. She had been invited as an award presenter, and many artists under her company also attended.
Beijing’s weather was much drier than Jincheng’s. On her first day there, Qiang Huai’s lips cracked from the dryness, and only improved after applying some vitamin E.
Gu Pingwan’s research institute was also in Beijing. She wanted to meet up for a meal, but both of them were extremely busy, with barely any time to even reply to messages.
Qiang Huai was at the hotel going over the rundown for the next day. The award show had three segments, and she only needed to present an award in the final part to the best new actor.
The artists from her company were staying on the lower floors, while she was in a suite on a higher floor. Originally, Sister Qin was supposed to come too, but since the company was about to go on holiday and there was still a lot to handle, only Xiaoyu accompanied her.
“Teacher Qiang, the gown has been delivered. Would you like to try it on now?” Xiaoyu knocked and came in.
Qiang Huai set down her script and asked Xiaoyu to bring the stylist in.
The gown this time was warmer — a long-sleeved dress, and she could wear thermal underwear beneath it. In the past, the styling team would usually choose outfits that showed off her figure, but now that Qiang Huai had more influence in the industry, she let her own artists wear whatever they wanted as long as it followed the rules.
She put on the dress — it fit perfectly, and even with the thermal wear underneath, she still looked slim.
Qiang Huai took a selfie in the mirror and sent it to Gu Pingwan.
Gu Pingwan didn’t reply right away.
The next day, at the awards ceremony, Qiang Huai walked the red carpet in a long gown, immediately surrounded by cameras from every angle.
Fans screamed outside. Some actresses were wearing spaghetti straps and short dresses like it was summer.
Among all the gowns, Qiang Huai’s long-sleeved dress stood out. The host seized the opportunity to ask, “Teacher Qiang, this outfit is quite different from what you usually wear. Could you share the inspiration behind your look tonight?”
Qiang Huai smiled gently and brushed her hair back. “Mainly because the weather is too cold.”
“Did you wear thermal underwear?” the host joked.
“Of course. I care a lot about wellness, and I hope all girls will take good care of their bodies,” Qiang Huai replied with a small smile. The host continued with a few more questions before finally letting her enter the venue.
Newcomer award shows usually feature many veteran stars, and Qiang Huai was one of them. She sat in the front row, easily visible whenever the camera panned across.
After the introductions, it was Qiang Huai’s turn to present an award.
“Let’s welcome Teacher Qiang Huai to present the award to Zheng Yu,” the host announced, teasing, “Hard to believe that Teacher Qiang, who once stood here receiving an award herself, is now here to present one.”
The crowd burst into light laughter.
Qiang Huai maintained a professional smile as she walked up the steps. She took the trophy from the usher and, as scripted, needed to say a few congratulatory words to the recipient.
“Teacher Qiang, would you like to say a few words to encourage the newcomer?” the host asked.
Qiang Huai calmly stepped up to the mic. “I’m very glad to see so much fresh bl00d entering our film and television industry. On this long and brilliant journey ahead, I hope both our newcomers and all actors can hold on to their original aspirations and remain steadfast. Congratulations, Zheng Yu, on winning this year’s Best New Actor Award.”
Zheng Yu was a spirited young woman, about 19 years old. Her shoulder-length hair and bright eyes gave her a lively charm. She blinked at Qiang Huai with admiration.
“Thank you, Teacher Qiang. You’ve always been my role model. I’ve been watching your movies and dramas for… uh… years now…” Zheng Yu said, not realizing that age was a sensitive topic in the entertainment industry.
The host quickly jumped in to smooth things over, “Zheng Yu is indeed a hardworking new actor. Just earlier, Director Chen mentioned how she’s been studying her role on set every day — no wonder she’s so familiar with Teacher Qiang’s work.”
Zheng Yu realized the undertone in the host’s comment and looked apologetically at Qiang Huai.
Qiang Huai’s elegant face showed no emotion. “Hearing Zheng Yu say that does add a bit of pressure — I’ll have to hold myself to even higher standards and strive to deliver better work.”
She skillfully diffused the awkward moment about age.
After the award ceremony, the venue hosted a cocktail reception, and the actors headed backstage to mingle.
Qiang Huai changed into a simple, elegant dress for the gathering. Zheng Yu saw her arrive and immediately brought over two glasses of cocktails.
With a guilty expression, she said, “Teacher Qiang, I really didn’t mean to offend you earlier.”
Qiang Huai didn’t take the drink she offered. Instead, she grabbed a glass of whiskey from a server’s tray.
“It’s fine,” Qiang Huai said with a polite smile.
“You’re not mad at me, right?” Zheng Yu looked up at her with teary puppy eyes, as if she were the one being bullied.
Artists from Qiang Huai’s company came over to toast her. Usually, they didn’t see much of each other — only during big events or meetings. The rest of the time, everyone was busy with their own schedules.
Zheng Yu looked like she was about to cry, so Qiang Huai quickly reassured her, “Of course not.”
“Teacher Qiang, I’ve liked you since I was little. Could I add you on WeChat?” Zheng Yu reached for her phone as she spoke.
An artist named Lian Tang, who had come over to toast, interjected, “Our boss doesn’t carry her phone. Why don’t you add mine instead?”
Lian Tang knew from the office that Qiang Huai didn’t like interacting with strangers, so she stepped in to help.
Qiang Huai smiled but said nothing. She didn’t really want to add strangers on WeChat anyway.
Zheng Yu pouted. “Okay then. Can you at least give me an autograph?”
“Sure.” Qiang Huai asked a server for paper and pen, signed her name in an artistic flourish, and handed it to Zheng Yu.
“Thank you, Teacher Qiang. I’ll work really hard to join your company someday.” Zheng Yu left with the autograph. Lian Tang chatted with Qiang Huai a bit before leaving as well.
Later that night, Gu Pingwan messaged:
“Ah Huai, want to grab some late-night snacks together?”
Qiang Huai checked the time — it was about right — and replied:
“Sure.”
Xiaoyu brought over a down jacket for her to wear, and Qiang Huai waited at the hotel entrance for Gu Pingwan.
But before Gu Pingwan arrived, she ran into Zheng Yu — who seemed completely drunk.
She stumbled out of a car, alone, with no assistant in sight.
The way she walked, it looked like she could fall flat on her face at any moment. Qiang Huai hesitated for a second, then walked over to steady her.
Zheng Yu looked dazed at first, but the moment she recognized Qiang Huai, she collapsed right onto her.
Just then, Gu Pingwan arrived and saw the scene.
She walked up and asked, “Qiang Huai, what’s going on here?”
“This is a new actress I met at the awards ceremony,” Qiang Huai quickly explained.
Zheng Yu promptly shut her eyes and slumped even further against her.