Literary Master: Starting with Refusing to Be a Child Star

Chapter 96 Awards Season

December in Shanghai is unusually cold, unlike the south.

Old Yan sat in the audience at the Magnolia Awards ceremony. His suit was sent by Director Qin at the last minute. The sleeves were shortened by two inches, but the trousers were still half an inch too long, and they crumpled up on his leather shoes.

He tugged uncomfortably at his collar; the thing was constricting his neck.

Seated in the front row were veterans who represented half of the domestic television drama industry. Behind them were actors and directors he had only ever seen on television. Director Qin sat to his left, dressed in a suit and tie, his hair styled with gel, making him look five years younger than usual. The young screenwriter Luo Jinnian sat to his right.

"Nervous?" Luo Jinnian turned his head and asked in a low voice.

"Why should I be nervous?" Old Yan said, his mouth trembling as he looked at the stage.

"Then why is Uncle Yan shaking his leg?"

Old Yan glanced down at his legs; they weren't trembling anymore. He looked up and met Luo Jinnian's half-smiling eyes, realizing he'd been tricked. "You little brat, who taught you this trick?"

Luo Jinnian smiled and turned back.

The awards ceremony had been going on for over an hour, with awards for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Actor, and Best Actress being presented one by one. Some people went on stage to accept their awards, while others shed tears in the audience. "The Long Season" had already won two awards—Best Cinematography and Best Actor.

When Lao Yan went on stage to accept the Best Actor award, he stood silently in front of the microphone for several seconds. Some people in the audience started to applaud, and he raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. "I've been acting for almost twenty years, and this is the first time I've been on stage to accept an award." He paused, his voice trembling slightly, "Thank you, director, thank you, crew, thank you—Early Spring Tea. Without your script, I might still be playing those roles that nobody remembers. Talented people are common, but discerning mentors are rare. I feel so indebted to you all for being able to stand on this stage today."

The applause of the audience was thunderous.

As a middle-aged man in his forties with red eyes that he didn't want anyone to see, Lao Yan wiped away his tears and stepped off the stage.

After presenting two more awards, the host announced the next award—Best Screenplay.

Luo Jinnian's breath stopped for a moment.

A montage of the shortlisted works began playing on the big screen. A scene of Zhang Dongsheng pushing someone in "The Hidden Corner" flashed by, followed by a shot of Gong Biao smiling and looking out the window in a taxi in "The Long Season".

The host's movements as he opened the envelope were slowed down. Actually, it wasn't that they were slowed down; it was that Luo Jinnian's own perception became dulled at that moment.

"Best Screenplay Award—the winner is—" the host drawled, "Early Spring Tea, *The Long Season*!"

Applause and cheers erupted at the same moment.

Luo Jinnian remained seated. Director Qin nudged him with his elbow, "Go up." Old Yan pushed him from behind, "What are you standing there for? We're calling you."

A boy of about ten years old walked through the aisle of the audience, his back ramrod straight, his steps neither hurried nor slow. Everyone was watching him; the older, more respected figures in the front row turned around, their eyes filled with surprise and doubt—who was this child?

He walked onto the stage and accepted the trophy from the presenter. The trophy was heavier than he had expected and felt cold in his hand. He walked to the microphone, and the stage lights cast a long shadow behind him.

The audience was completely silent.

Luo Jinnian glanced at the sea of ​​heads below the stage, then looked down at the trophy in his hand.

"Hello everyone," his voice was soft but steady, "I'm a good friend of Early Spring Tea. He's unable to be here today, so he asked me to accept this award on his behalf."

When he said this, polite applause rang out from the audience. He noticed that the expressions of several people in the front row changed from doubt to relief; some of them had just had some speculations that they themselves didn't believe.

That makes sense. How could a screenwriter who has written so many national treasure-level works be so young? It's his children who are probably so young.

Ignoring the murmurs from the audience, Luo Jinnian continued:

"Early Spring Tea asked me to convey a few words. First, thank you to the judges, and thank you to the Magnolia Awards for giving me the opportunity to stand here. Second, thank you to the director; Early Spring Tea specifically asked me to add that Uncle Qin was also his mentor, and thank you to every actor and staff member. Third," he paused, a slight smile playing on his lips, "this world is beautiful, and it's worth fighting for."

Most people here know that this quote is from Hemingway, quoted in "Seven"—only the second half is quoted, which is also an Easter egg left for readers by Early Spring Tea.

Luo Jinnian raised the trophy briefly, then turned and walked off the stage.

The spotlight followed him to the side of the curtain, then went out. He stood backstage for a few seconds, took two deep breaths, and let his heartbeat slowly return to normal. The stage manager, a middle-aged woman wearing a headset, glanced at him. "Are you alright, kid?"

"It's alright." Luo Jinnian switched the trophy to his left hand and loosened his collar with his right hand.

When he returned to the audience, the awards ceremony was still ongoing.

Director Qin has been smiling nonstop ever since Luo Jinnian received the award.

Luo Jinnian placed the trophy on his lap, cupping it in his hands.

There were two more awards after the Best Screenplay award, but he wasn't too concerned about them anymore. His gaze fell on the words engraved on the base of the trophy—"Best Screenplay, The Long Season, Tea in Early Spring."

When the show ended, some people in the audience were talking about him.

"Who was that child who accepted the award on behalf of someone else?"

He said it was a good friend of early spring tea.

"What is the real identity of 'Early Spring Tea'? He's so mysterious. Has anyone in the industry actually seen him?"

"They're probably within the system, so it's inconvenient for them to show their faces."

"Or is it social anxiety?"

"Do you believe that someone who can write 'The Long Season' would have social anxiety?"

Luo Jinnian walked through the murmurs without turning back. Director Qin walked ahead, with Lao Yan beside him. Lao Yan held the Best Actor trophy in his hand and clinked it against his Best Screenplay trophy with a crisp sound.

"You deserved to win the grand prize," Lao Yan said.

"This isn't mine," Luo Jinnian corrected. "I collected it on his behalf."

Old Yan glanced at him, and that "you're still pretending with me" look made Luo Jinnian feel a little guilty.

On second thought, what does the tea ceremony in early spring have to do with me, Luo Jinnian?

"Okay, you can collect it on my behalf."

The three of them walked out of the venue. The night wind in Shanghai was much colder than in Langya City. Luo Jinnian hunched his shoulders, tucked the trophy under his arm, and used his free hand to button up his suit jacket. His phone vibrated several times in his pocket. He took it out and saw it was a celebratory message from Fei Yuxi and the others.

Chu Qingning sent a long message: "Brother!!! You're on TV!!! Dad got so happy he drank too much, congratulations!"

After reading the message, Luo Jinnian stood by the roadside and laughed out loud.

Fei Yuxi also sent her congratulations, while also expressing her regret: she is still being pressured by her mother to study hard.

I really want us all to get together sometime.

"It's time for us to get together."

It had indeed been a long time since the four of them had all gotten together.