137: tug at the hem of her clothes

At the same time, Ming Lin's girlfriend, Chen Yan, approached Shen Lian after Shu Mingyue left.

Shen Lian was naturally wary of her; after all, just being associated with Ming Lin was enough to be on guard.

Chen Yan's acting was mediocre, and with her poor psychological state, it was even worse; she might have thought she was disguising herself well, but in Shen Lian's eyes, it was overdone.

Chen Yan said with a smile, "Shen Lian, there's a cocktail party at my place tonight. A director wants to meet you. Why don't you come along?"

"I can't go." Shen Lian shook his head. "I have to go home."

"What's so fun about going home?"

Shen Lian: "My boyfriend is fun."

Chen Yan's expression cracked for a split second.

Following Ming Lin, she knew more or less that Shen Lian was with a big boss, but Ming Lin hadn't said who it was, and no matter how Chen Yan asked, it was useless. Later, Ming Lin told her... Chen Yan had come prepared; she had planned on the way that if Shen Lian didn't agree, she would bluff using his relationship with that boss. Who knew Shen Lian would reveal his cards in just two sentences? He didn't care what she said.

"Just go," Chen Yan persisted. "Your career is going so well now; another connection means another path."

Shen Lian shook his head. He could have questioned Chen Yan about which director and who else would be there, then gone to see what kind of trick Ming Lin was playing, but unfortunately, he wasn't missing any screws in his head.

Let these people worry themselves to death.

No matter how much Chen Yan tried to sugarcoat it, Shen Lian simply wouldn't agree.

The red carpet ceremony ended, and the mistress of ceremonies kindly invited everyone to the award ceremony. The doors opened, and the celebrities began to move one after another. Chen Yan couldn't keep blocking Shen Lian, so she made an excuse to leave, her expression quite unsightly.

Shen Lian saw Chen Yan head straight for the restroom and took out his phone.

Shen Lian knew very well that going would mean falling into a trap. Ming Lin wasn't targeting him, but Chu Yilan. If he and Chu Yilan weren't in a relationship and he didn't care about Chu Yilan, he might be willing to play along with Ming Lin. But now, Shen Lian's bottom line was to never cause any harm to himself or his partner.

He still had the life-saving medicine for sudden heart attacks in his pocket, which Chu Yilan had personally put there this morning, repeatedly reminding him about it. He didn't want Chu Yilan to worry, so Shen Lian wouldn't play.

Finding the "blazing fire" crew's seating, Shen Lian sat next to Lin Fu. The two chatted from time to time. Shen Lian was calm, and while Lin Fu didn't show much on his face, he was actually nervous to death.

In a spot the camera couldn't reach, Lin Fu had already asked Shen Lian for two tissues.

"Calm down," Shen Lian said with a laugh. "You're sweating like a faucet."

Lin Fu whispered, "Brother, you don't understand. I've worked hard for years just for today!"

The camera just happened to catch this scene.

The shippers in the bullet comments couldn't help themselves again.

[Shen Lian's smile just now was so doting.]

[Lin Fu is usually so cold and aloof, but as long as Shen Lian speaks, he seems to answer every question.]

"Hmph." Chu Yilan stared at the screen with his arms crossed. If it weren't for a phone call, he would have stared a hole through it.

Shen Lian hadn't expected there to be an extra surprise today.

When the host was reading the nominations for the latest Golden Scale Award for Best Supporting Actor, Shen Lian's name was suddenly mentioned. Shen Lian himself was stunned for a moment.

Shen Lian turned to look at Director Zhao, pointed at himself, and asked with his eyes: "Me? You didn't say anything."

Director Zhao also looked surprised. As the spotlight hit, he signaled for Shen Lian to stand up first.

Shen Lian straightened his suit and stood up, giving a reserved and gentle smile to the camera.

The host didn't see any signs of ecstatic joy on Shen Lian's face, so the prepared lines had to be changed on the fly.

The host praised Shen Lian for having the demeanor of a veteran actor more and more. Compared to another young actor who almost jumped up after being nominated, he was as steady as a rock.

Shen Lian just nodded repeatedly. He knew very well that a nomination was just a nomination, and the "Best Supporting Actor" award wouldn't ultimately go to him.

There were five nominees in total, one of whom started as an extra and was now forty years old, having contributed many classic roles in the past year. Shen Lian couldn't compete with just "Lu Xiaokai." In other words, he was genuinely impressed, but having a nomination was a good thing. When fans went out to argue with others, their confidence would be different.

As Shen Lian expected, the one finally chosen was that forty-year-old actor.

Shen Lian applauded sincerely and sent his congratulations.

After much waiting, the moment to announce "Best Actor" finally arrived.

Shen Lian looked down and said helplessly, "Brother, you've crumpled the hem of my clothes into a mess."

"Be quiet!" Lin Fu held his breath and focused.

Lin Fu's dedication to the path of an actor was absolutely diligent and down-to-earth. When he heard his nomination, Lin Fu let out a deep breath. Good, the first step was complete. He slightly loosened his grip on Shen Lian's hem, but before Shen Lian could pull it back, the host spoke again, and Lin Fu gripped it even tighter.

Shen Lian: "..."

The final list was announced by a veteran actor. The background music was so intense it made one's breath quicken.

Shen Lian wasn't nervous; he just urged in his heart, "Hurry up!"

"The winner of the 'Best Actor' at this year's Golden Scale Award is—"

"Lin Fu!!!"

"Great!" Shen Lian nodded heavily and then tried to tug his hem back.

The camera and spotlight hit them simultaneously. Lin Fu's face was like a sculpture, full of poise.

[Ahhh! Heaven rewards the diligent! Lin Fu deserves it!]

[Look at Lin Fu's expression; he clearly has everything under control! As expected of my husband! So steady!]

The host was all smiles: "Please come on stage to receive the award, Lin Fu, and share your experience of filming with us."

Director Zhao happily nudged Lin Fu's arm. The film and the actor complemented each other. Lin Fu becoming the Best Actor of the Golden Scale Award for his role as "Feng Zheng" was also an affirmation of "blazing fire."

Lin Fu rose slowly. Shen Lian, beside him, frowned and then pursed his lips in a bit of despair.

[Hmm? Why does Shen Lian look unhappy?]

[Isn't they say they have a good relationship?]

Everyone understood in the next second.

As Lin Fu walked forward, he took Shen Lian's suit jacket with him, flipping it up, clearly visible under the camera.

"Fine, wait a moment." Shen Lian stood up resignedly, quickly unbuttoned his suit, took it off, and stuffed it into Lin Fu's arms. The whole movement was seamless. Finally, he asked Lin Fu, "Is your sense of security still there?"

Lin Fu: "..."

Director Zhao, a meter away: "..."

Host: "This is..."

No one knew who reacted first, then came the insane sound of laughter.

Before receiving his award, Lin Fu contributed a "classic" moment.

Needless to say, it was a live broadcast, and it hit the hot search in just a few minutes.

Shen Lian's expression was even turned into a meme.

[I'm dying of laughter. How long did Shen Lian endure it?]

[Judging by the level of wrinkles on the hem when Lin Fu finally returned the clothes, it must have been at least half an hour.]

[Where are Lin Fu's fans? Hahaha, your 'Big Brother' doesn't seem very steady.]

[Don't mention us, we're in seclusion.]

Shen Lian didn't want to either, but Lin Fu almost dragged him onto the stage.

Fortunately, it was just a small episode, and the award ceremony went very smoothly. "blazing fire" won two major awards, "Best Dark Horse" and "Best Light and Shadow." For Shen Lian, it was another boost to his status.

Once the live broadcast ended, Director Zhao was surrounded by people asking him to treat them to a meal. Director Zhao was well-prepared and agreed repeatedly.

Lin Fu sat in his chair holding the trophy, his soul clearly having transcended.

"Um, I'll be heading back first..."

Before Shen Lian could finish, Director Zhao and Lin Fu suddenly moved, flanking him and holding him in place. "Go back? No way! We're staying up all night tonight!"