Chapter 72.3

In the audience, the front row was filled with directors, actors, and investors, while the back row had regular viewers. The camera panned through the audience and eventually stopped for a close-up of one person in the front row, lasting at least five or six seconds.

The person featured was Zhou Jingyu, who had come as an investor and was seated in the first row, directly in front of Wen Tang.

Zhou Jingyu’s appearance was widely recognized in the industry, considered even more striking than male celebrities. The camera had briefly captured him several times, drawing attention, but because of the many stars present, the camera didn’t linger on him long enough to stir much discussion.

Now, with the camera focused solely on his face, the audience went wild.

[Ah ah ah ah ah! Who is this, oh my god!!!!]

[He’s so handsome, how could I have not seen him before!]

[Oh my god, did I just see a deity at the awards ceremony?!!!]

[Three seconds, find out all his information!]

[He’s so stunning, he’s making my fragile heart pound!]

……

[I think I know who he is now.]

[It’s Mr. Zhou! Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah! He also came to the awards ceremony! I thought he looked like him when the camera first showed him! I didn’t expect it to really be him!]

[Mr. Zhou? Which Mr. Zhou?]

[President of Shengling Group! Zhou Jingyu! Mr. Zhou!!!!]

[Even his name sounds so nice, wuwu……]

……

Zhou Jingyu had briefly appeared in hot searches during a company event, but aside from that, he was very low-profile and never gave interviews. People knew little about him. This was the first time he attended an awards ceremony, so when viewers recognized him, they were extremely excited.

Zhou Jingyu had originally been focused entirely on Wen Tang, watching her as she stood up and walked to the stage. He only realized the camera was on him several seconds later.

He gave a polite and shallow smile to the camera.

[Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah——]

[Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah——]

[My soul has been taken. I’m mesmerized!!!!]

[I’m dead.]

……

While the public was unaware of the relationship between Zhou Jingyu and Wen Tang, the industry had long known about it. Everyone was curious about the man who had captured Wen Tang’s heart.

Wen Tang won the award, and at this moment of glory, the director unexpectedly cut the camera to Zhou Jingyu for several seconds. Those who understood the situation knew what was happening.

After the camera lingered on Zhou Jingyu for a moment, it returned to Wen Tang.

By then, Wen Tang had gracefully walked up to the stage to receive her award.

The award was presented by Director Hu Congyue and Jin Xia, who won Best Actress twenty years ago. Both of them are towering figures in the film industry.

Wen Tang politely exchanged pleasantries with them. The two senior figures chatted briefly with Wen Tang and made a few harmless jokes. After maximizing the show’s effect, they jointly presented Wen Tang with the Best Actress Award. Once she received the award, Wen Tang was expected to give an acceptance speech.

Before attending the award ceremony, Li Yingjie had already advised Wen Tang to prepare a speech, regardless of whether she won or not. Preparation was crucial, especially given the one-in-four chance of winning.

Wen Tang adjusted the height of the microphone with one hand while holding the trophy in the other.

Initially, her speech consisted of standard gratitude:

“Thank you to the company for its support, to the fans for their encouragement, and to Director Xu for giving me the opportunity to star in this film, which allowed me to win this award today. I’m truly grateful. I’m very happy to receive this award and didn’t expect it, especially considering the many talented actors I competed with. Thank you all for your support and love.”

At this point, Wen Tang paused.

Such speeches are typically bland and unremarkable, but she stopped, and everyone thought she had finished and was preparing to applaud. However, Wen Tang suddenly shifted her tone, her bright eyes focusing on a particular spot, and continued:

“I’d like to give special thanks to one person. Over the past two years, as I transitioned from television dramas to films, I faced difficulties, confusion, and even thoughts of giving up. But he has always been by my side, supporting and accompanying me, which is why I’m confident and shining today.”

“I want to thank my loved one, my husband.”

“Thank you.”

Wen Tang’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, landing on Zhou Jingyu in the center of the front row, “And… I love you.”

The audience erupted in astonishment!

Amidst the whispers and murmurs, there was a burst of applause and cheers that nearly shook the venue’s ceiling!

No one expected Wen Tang to be so bold, making such a public announcement at this moment!

The director was also extremely excited!

What was happening? This was heart-stopping!

The camera cut between Wen Tang and the audience several times, with Zhou Jingyu appearing in every shot of the audience.

However, no close-ups were given; a close-up would have silently suggested, “Look, that’s him! Wen Tang’s husband is Shengling Group’s President Zhou Jingyu!”

After all, Wen Tang hadn’t directly stated who her husband was.

This was the most subtle hint the director could manage.

Nonetheless, viewers watching the live broadcast didn’t miss the director’s intentions. Their minds were completely occupied with Wen Tang’s words, “My loved one, my husband!”

The screen was filled with question marks, and then someone finally reacted—

[What did Wen Tang just say?]

[？？？？？]

[Help, I really need help! What did I just hear? Did I mishear?! Is something wrong with my ears?!!]

[If I didn’t mishear, she said… husband?]

[Are they really married????]

[How is that possible!]

[I can’t believe it ah ah ah ah ah, Wen Tang is actually married! How old is she now? Who is her husband?!]

[Announcing her marriage at this moment, I can only praise Wen Tang—You’re amazing!]

[Wake up, Tang Tang, did you misspeak? Don’t leave, come back! You have a chance to say it again!!]

[She used to change boyfriends one after another, a queen of dating, and now she’s married at twenty-seven? If Wen Tang didn’t say it herself, I really wouldn’t believe it!]

[I can’t believe it ah ah ah!!]

……

The barrage of comments had gone wild, so dense that the screen was nearly unreadable.

Meanwhile, Wen Tang, having thrown a bombshell from the stage, smiled and politely exited under the gaze of everyone present.

Even Li Yingjie was shocked by Wen Tang’s daring move.

She had no idea Wen Tang would do this, as Wen Tang hadn’t discussed it with her beforehand!

Soon after Wen Tang’s public marriage announcement at the award ceremony, Li Yingjie’s phone began ringing non-stop with many follow-up issues to handle, forcing her to leave halfway through.

Hot searches quickly escalated.

While the award ceremony had been full of heavyweight stars, the hot searches after Wen Tang’s award now read:

#WenTangAnnouncesMarriage#

#WenTangBecomesBestActressAtWanHuaAwards#

#QueenOfDatingSettlesDown#

#YuYiWinsBestActor#

#OneBillionForTheAnswer,WhoIsWenTang’sHusband?#

#ShengLingPresidentZhouJingyuAVisualFeast#

#WenTangPubliclyDeclaresLove, HusbandILoveYou#

#ListOfWenTang’sExBoyfriends#

#ExBoyfriends,AreYouCrying?#

……

The public was abuzz with Wen Tang’s marriage announcement, spreading the news like it was a festival.

After the award, Wen Tang had interviews. Normally, these interviews were routine and lacked excitement, but Wen Tang’s self-made news was a goldmine for reporters.

“Wen Tang, was your marriage announcement at the award ceremony planned in advance? Did you expect to win today?”

“Since you announced your marriage, when did you actually get married?”

“Why did you choose to announce this news right after receiving the award? Is it really because of love?”

“Can you reveal who your husband is?”

“How did you and your husband meet?”

“Is he in the industry or outside it?”

……

As soon as she appeared, Wen Tang was surrounded by reporters.

Voices overlapped as they eagerly thrust microphones towards her. Having been in the industry for years, Wen Tang was adept at talking without revealing much. Often, her responses seemed to say everything while saying nothing.

This time, Wen Tang didn’t use her usual tactics.

She responded with a direct statement: “Regarding your questions, I will make a statement on Weibo tonight. You’ll find out then. I won’t answer each question here.”

“Today is the WanHua Festival, so please focus more on questions related to the film.”

The reporters were disappointed.

However, they couldn’t stop asking, even if Wen Tang wouldn’t answer. Despite their roundabout questioning, they were ultimately left empty-handed.

After the interviews, Wen Tang was escorted by bodyguards.

Countless media followed until she was safely inside the car. Once the car door closed, the tranquility inside contrasted sharply with the commotion outside. No one knew that the person they most wanted to interview tonight was now sitting inside the car, waiting to return home with Wen Tang.