Award Ceremony

Golden Broom Award Ceremony.

The audience was sparse, barely filling the seats, and even the media stood in a thin, reluctant line.

On stage, the host announced loudly, "Now, at this moment of anticipation, we welcome the most important event of tonight—the Most Disappointing Actress of this year's Golden Broom Award is... Congratulations to Wan Qu, please come to the stage to accept your award."

The atmosphere was desolate—after all, everyone expected this. Who would willingly come to claim such a prize?

Yet, the leading lady, dressed in a spring-summer haute couture gown, lifted her skirt and strode confidently onto the stage.

Amidst astonished murmurs, Wan Qu took the Golden Broom from the hostess.

Her face wore a composed smile as she stepped up to the microphone.

"Hello, everyone. I am Wan Qu. It is an honor to stand out in such a fierce competition. Thank you all for your support and recognition. I will continue to work hard and strive for improvement. Thank you."

At that moment, the live broadcast surged with viewers.

[I heard someone actually came to accept the Golden Broom?]

[Who’s so bold? To claim this award?]

[Is this woman out of her mind? No one accepts this prize.]

[Has Wan Qu gone mad in her quest for fame?]

[Is there something wrong with her? Does she even know what the Golden Broom means?]

[What a strange family—one a Best Actor, the other the Most Disappointing Actress.]

[Clarify, who’s related to whom? Don’t drag our brother into this. He’s at his film set, working earnestly. Wan Qu, stop trying to piggyback.]

In the lounge, Wan Qu propped her chin, watching tonight’s trending topics.

Tsk, her influence was still formidable. Even the popular actress launching her new drama tonight couldn’t surpass her in heat.

Wan Qu generously liked a post from her main social media account, praising her own beauty from a promotional account.

Among the top ten trending topics tonight, she occupied five. She could still do better—last year, when she announced her relationship, she had claimed nine out of ten.

"Wan Wan, stop looking at it. It makes me uncomfortable. These people are impossible to please. If you don’t show up, they scold you; if you do, they scold even harder. You should’ve listened to Sister Ye and stayed home asleep. Coming here at midnight just to get cursed," her assistant Miao Miao grumbled nearby.

"Why wouldn’t I come? It’s the first award of my acting career, and it comes with a hundred thousand in prize money. Why turn down free money?"

"Don’t be upset. They’re targeting you on purpose," her assistant believed Wan Qu was about to be driven mad, given the filth online made even her uncomfortable, let alone Wan Qu herself.

Wan Qu nodded, "I know. After all, I have the husband everyone envies."

She winked at her assistant, cheerfully put away her phone, and prepared to head home to sleep.

Taking the elevator directly to the underground parking lot, Wan Qu saw the man waiting by her car and ran over with delight.

"Why are you here?"

"Finished filming, just got back," the man replied, opening the passenger door for her.

Stars shone in Wan Qu’s eyes as she gathered her skirt and sat inside.

"Wrapped up already? So quick? Even my 8G surfing didn’t catch it. Has your crew officially announced it yet?"

"Not yet. Still under confidentiality."

Wan Qu rolled down the window and waved to her assistant, "You all head home too."

The man started the car, smoothly leaving the award venue. From afar, Wan Qu could see many reporters blocking the entrance, but thankfully she was quick.

"Why did you come to pick me up right after returning? If we’re photographed, we’ll hit the trending list again."

"Just happened to be on the way," Jiang Zeyu replied calmly.

Wan Qu gazed at Jiang Zeyu’s profile—the sharp features, the straight nose. After a while, she reluctantly withdrew her gaze.

"Will you be working again soon?"

"I’ll be resting for now; future work is still uncertain, but there’s no rush," Jiang Zeyu answered slowly.

"Oh." Wan Qu nodded slightly. "Do you think I embarrassed myself tonight? You came in person."

"I watched your film. Your acting was decent, a bit restrained where it should’ve shined. True, it wasn’t your best, but not the worst either," he said as he drove, even his words of comfort sounded matter-of-fact.

Indeed, Jiang Zeyu was only so earnest when acting—or perhaps only so indifferent with her.

"Oh, I’ll pay more attention in the future and hone my skills."

"If you get a script, let me see it first."

"Really? Won’t that bother you?" Wan Qu asked, surprised.

"It’s no bother."

She beamed at him, "Okay, when I get one, I’ll show you."

Jiang Zeyu’s car entered a luxury complex, and soon the two stepped into the elevator, the space tight.

Wan Qu noticed his presence was overwhelming; standing side by side, the clean, woody scent from him filled her breath.

She swallowed unconsciously.

They paused before a door. While Jiang Zeyu entered the password, Wan Qu quietly stood by his side.

With a click, the door opened, and the next second Wan Qu was pulled inside by a large hand.

The faint light from the corridor was blocked by the closing door.

In the darkness, the man’s kisses fell urgently. The blazer draped on her shoulder slipped to the floor.

Forced to tilt her head, she met Jiang Zeyu’s kiss.

He bent, lifting her by the hollow of her knees, carrying her into the lit living room.

Jiang Zeyu kicked open the bedroom door and laid her on the bed.

Amid the chaos, Wan Qu remembered her expensive dress.

She gently pushed him away.

Jiang Zeyu’s eyes were deep, pure desire within, staring at her, puzzled by the rejection.

"The dress—I have to return it tomorrow. It can’t be ruined."

The next moment, Jiang Zeyu covered her lips again. Pausing only briefly, he whispered hoarsely, "I bought it."

Wan Qu cheered inwardly—Boss Jiang was so generous—and soon her reason began to slip away.

"I heard you met with Si Yuan Gu a few days ago?"

Amid the haze, Wan Qu seemed to hear his low voice in her ear, questioning.

"Yes, we had dinner together. How did you know?" She pecked at him, amazed he knew even about a meal.

With a hiss, she trembled as he lowered his head, biting her collarbone. "Are you a dog?"

"Don’t meet with him again," his voice rumbled.

Wan Qu lazily looked at him, then wrapped her slender arms around his neck. Sweat mingled, she curled her lips and sweetly whispered, "If Ze Yu treats me better, I’ll stay away from him."

Jiang Zeyu captured her lips once more. Amidst the haze, Wan Qu heard him murmur, "Little witch."

Thinking about it, Jiang Zeyu was right—his fans always called her a witch.

The bedroom window fogged with condensation, and the room’s temperature gradually rose.