Chapter 14: And the Best Actor Award Goes to—Jiang Wan

Next up was the performance by Song Yanyan and Jiang Qi.

To be honest—

Jiang Wan was so captivated while watching that she almost forgot to breathe.

Who said Jiang Qi couldn’t handle emotional scenes?

Sure, the initial part with the confession phone call was a bit stiff, but after being stood up, it was like he became a whole new person!

That look of feigned nonchalance and ease when his hopes were dashed, the confused and helpless self-deprecating smile, the suppressed confrontation with the female lead where his eyes turned red with unshed tears—all of it was incredibly immersive.

And then…

The moment Jiang Qi’s tears fell despite his expression remaining stoic—it was obvious that wasn’t scripted. Song Yanyan clearly froze for half a beat and almost missed her cue.

When the performance ended, there was a few seconds of stunned silence in the audience before thunderous applause erupted.

【Holy crap, who was spreading those lies about Jiang Qi being bad at emotional scenes? This was bad?! If it were a one-on-one competition, even Xie Zhiyi might not beat him!】

【Even his fans are shocked… starting to wonder if they’re dreaming】

【Feels like the sweet part at the beginning was his actual acting ability, and the second half was pure raw emotion!】

【The immersion was insane. I actually cried when he cried. He looked so pitiful, like a heartbroken puppy T_T】

【When the misunderstanding was cleared and they got back together, the look in his eyes was incredible. It felt like he didn’t truly believe it, but chose to deceive himself anyway.】

【“She’s willing to lie to me? That means she still cares about me.”】

【The script may be a happy ending, but the way he acted it felt like he knew deep down reality would be a tragedy. So painful.】

【That bright, sunny puppy exterior hiding a dark, twisted male ghost energy… such contrast is addicting.】

【Reality, please give Jiang Qi a healing redemption story! Forget that woman! I’ll take you in and care for you myself!!】

Jiang Wan had originally planned to compliment Jiang Qi.

But after catching a strange, pitiful gaze from him across the room, she unconsciously pressed her lips together.

Fine.

She stayed quiet.

Shang Gubai, ever perceptive, lifted his eyes and asked coolly, “What did you do to him?”

Jiang Wan instinctively waved it off, then guessed, “Maybe because this whole script idea was my suggestion? He had to expose his wounds in public?”

“Is that so?”

Shang Gubai lowered his head, pretending to tidy up his clothes, but actually moved away from the mic and asked, “Don’t you think Jiang Qi’s attitude towards you is… special?”

“Maybe. Especially annoyed with me?”

Jiang Wan didn’t take Shang Gubai’s words seriously. She picked up a mirror to check her makeup, then stood up. “It’s our turn now.”

Being the final group to perform came with pressure.

Especially since the earlier acts had been so spectacular, the audience’s expectations were definitely high by now.

No one wanted to be—

The ones who completely bombed it.

Jiang Wan sighed and braced herself.

And then—

The audience was treated to an immersive “sweet couple” scene of a domineering jock showing his boyfriend power in front of his girlfriend.

Of course.

Jiang Wan played the domineering jock.

Shang Gubai played the girlfriend.

Jiang Wan was a natural actor—she could become whatever role she played. And this time was no exception.

In one second, she showed eight exaggerated fake moves, strutted on stage, suddenly mimed a basketball shot, gave Shang Gubai a greasy full-body scan with her eyes, blurted out cringey, outdated pick-up lines, followed it up with a self-satisfied wink she thought was charming, and added hands that just couldn’t behave.

The audience lost it.

【Oh no… my eyes…】

【By the time I realized what I was watching, it was already too late】

【Help! After that combo move from Jiang Wan, I’m about to pass out (presses pressure point)】

【Even through the screen, I felt violated… suddenly had a hallucination of that one stinky-feet confident dude from real life…】

【Director team, this is what you call a sweet romance? You might as well have stuck to the original storyline!】

【This felt less like a romantic drama and more like the awkward PDA you see from some real-life couples】

【It was sweet though. You could totally tell they’re in the honeymoon phase. Felt like they’d start making out under the dorm building any second now (covers nose and squeezes past them into the dorm.jpg)】

【Sometimes I really don’t understand how some girls can put up with this】

【No wonder everyone has a partner. So this is what dating is like】

【Shang Gubai’s acting went from “doesn’t seem real” to “doesn’t seem like acting.” I don’t get it.】

【Seriously, Shang Gubai?! Why are you smiling so happily? You’re actually into this? Even if it’s Jiang Wan, a stunning beauty, that shouldn’t matter!】

【I think it’s not happiness. That’s him breaking character, right? LOL】

【I’ve already screenshot and screen-recorded this whole bit. Can’t wait to use it to torment my bestie, hahahaha】

The live comments were full of laughter.

Same with the audience in the venue, each round of laughter louder than the last.

The performance ended.

Thunderous cheers erupted from the crowd.

The result exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Everyone was shouting Jiang Wan’s name.

Jiang Wan blinked in surprise and instinctively looked at the person next to her.

At this moment, even Shang Gubai didn’t hold back his praise: “Didn’t expect your acting to be this good.”

During rehearsal, Jiang Wan hadn’t used her full skill, so her performance today surprised even Shang Gubai.

Jiang Wan recalled all the weird guys who had confessed to her over the years and smiled bitterly.

She’d seen it all.

Been grossed out too many times—she’d memorized their behavior, and eventually learned how to mimic it.

The director team, meanwhile, was speechless.

Anyone could tell Jiang Wan was exploiting a loophole in the rules! But annoyingly, they couldn’t say anything about it!

Because technically—this was love! And this kind of couple did exist! Besides, whether in person or on livestream, the results were fantastic!

The director took a deep breath and said nothing. He grudgingly let them pass and moved the schedule forward.

Next was the live audience vote—to determine the best actor and actress of the round.

It was a heated segment. The live chat was divided when it came to Best Actor.

【Ahhh so excited! Will it be the steady Xie Yingdi, or the surprisingly explosive Jiang Qi?】

【Though I personally think Xie Yingdi’s acting is more solid, I have to admit Jiang Qi’s performance this time really moved me】

【But shouldn’t we look at the overall performance? Jiang Qi was pretty average in the first half】

As for Best Actress? The opinions were more aligned.

【If it’s not Jiang Wan, then it’s rigged—right to our faces】

【Actually, Song Yanyan’s acting is usually pretty good too. But this time, Jiang Qi’s breakout totally overshadowed her】

【…Even though I want to say Jiang Wan nailed it, her performance was so bad it was good, yet still painful to watch】

The director team asked the guests for their predictions on the best actor and actress.

Xie Zhiyi and Jiang Qi pointed at each other. Shi Lan and Song Yanyan both voted for Jiang Wan, sharing the same thoughts as the live chat.

Until—

The final voting results were announced.

Fifty audience members voted.

Jiang Qi and Xie Zhiyi received eleven and twelve votes respectively.

And the winner for Best Actor this round—

With twenty-seven votes…

Was Jiang Wan.

Everyone: “!!”

Jiang Wan: “…?”