Chapter 287: Who is Seen in the End?

The award ceremony was long and complicated. Some artists, particularly those without nominations or projects, left early—simply attending for the red carpet. However, Shen Manbing and Xia Yangyang, both Best Actress nominees, were notably absent. Their male companions, Chen Yu and Mr. Gu (Gu Qichen), remained seated. Gu Qichen appeared indifferent, seemingly engrossed in the performance, while Chen Yu repeatedly checked his watch. With only twenty minutes until the Best Actress announcement, time was critical.

Anxious, Chen Yu leaned over and whispered to Shen Shichuan. Shen Shichuan responded, "There's still time; I'm sure they know their boundaries."

Meanwhile, in the restroom on the 16th floor of the banquet hall's auxiliary building, Xia Yangyang confronted Shen Manbing:

"Why did you come with Gu Qichen without telling me?"

"Do I need to report my schedule to you, Xia Yangyang?"

"Not your schedule, but Gu Qichen is my husband."

"So you deliberately stepped on my dress on the red carpet to humiliate me?" Xia Yangyang's tone sharpened. "You brought this on yourself, Shen Manbing. You may be a high-profile queen, but to me, you're nothing."

"Xia Yangyang, you also arranged for that fan to almost push me down the stairs a few days ago!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Stop pretending! Shi Chuan Building security is tight. I checked the elevator footage; you and he took the same elevator. You tried to kill me!"

"Without proof, you can't accuse me."

"I know what you did. I won't let you go easily. Remember your words: if you don't win Best Actress, get out of the entertainment industry."

"I will win Best Actress. We'll see who leaves the industry."

Back in the ceremony hall, the final commercial played on the large screen. The Best Actress award was next. Nominees included reigning queen Shen Manbing, rising star Xia Yangyang, veteran actress Yang Xiaomi, and newcomer Jiang Yuxin. Shen Manbing, a three-time Best Actress winner, was the frontrunner.

The host noticed the empty seats in the front row, panicked. Where had the two leading nominees gone? Just as concern mounted, Shen Manbing and Xia Yangyang entered through a side door and returned to their seats, their mutual disdain evident. They had clearly been settling a personal conflict.

Relieved, the host, after the commercial break, walked center stage, holding a sealed card: "The exciting moment has arrived. The winner of Best Actress at the 23rd SH Film and TV Awards is…"

He paused for dramatic effect, the big screen cycling through images of the four nominees.