Chapter 223 – The Most Radiant Actor

Chapter 223 - The Most Radiant Actor

Xing Le's affection for He Baoyi was, in He Baoyi's eyes, nothing more than a childish prank. She didn't regard him as a man, but rather as a young boy.

When Xing Le's parents divorced, he initially stayed with his father, who later abandoned him. He then went to live with his mother, who frequently traveled abroad with her younger boyfriend, leaving him behind once again.

He wandered around, stealing money to gamble on a ship, until he was caught and threatened with having a finger broken as punishment. It was He Baoyi who intervened.

"Why would Zhou Xianfeng and Zheng DanNi's son steal money to play here? You can enjoy yourself on my ship, I'll cover the costs."

Their eyes met that day, two souls who had never experienced attention before. The fervent gaze of one seemed to touch He Baoyi, leading her to take Xing Le, a twelve-year-old 'son', under her wing.

Their initial feelings might have been purely gratitude and assistance, but later, perhaps due to a lack of familial affection, their emotions evolved. But when did it all begin?

Perhaps it was the rebellious phase of adolescence, or maybe as they grew older, within the abnormal family dynamics and social relationships. He Baoyi had never had friends, so she found solace in confiding in Xing Le, sharing her past experiences with him.

As Xing Le approached his late teens, his feelings towards He Baoyi changed. He would secretly kiss her photograph, only to be severely beaten after being caught. At that time, he vowed never to do it again.

But that was just a lie to He Baoyi; he was skilled in deception, his face never betraying any guilt. Turning around, he brazenly declared on the ship that He Baoyi was his woman. Anyone who disrespected Sister Yi would face his wrath, leaving them incapacitated.

Naturally, this led to another scolding. He Baoyi seemed to realize that beating him was futile; Xing Le had no intention of changing. Thus, she distanced herself from him, sending him away at arm's length.

This seed was planted in both their minds, and neither forgot. Though He Baoyi verbally criticized Xing Le's depravity, her care for him remained meticulous. Even miles apart, Xing Le could sense her concern.

Perhaps He Baoyi genuinely lacked a confidant, for despite finding Xing Le repulsive, she still couldn't resist sharing her feelings with him. Perhaps Xing Le was a better listener than any psychologist.

Even if He Baoyi wished to avoid Xing Le, he would persist in his vigil. That was just how stubborn he was.

Both Zhou Weichuan and Xing Le might have been scarred by Zhou Xianfeng's casual approach to marriage, divorce, beginnings, and endings. Subconsciously, they became more cautious in their relationships, unwilling to end one once it started, holding onto someone tightly without letting go.

Zhou Xianfeng was still alone, with only Doudou for company. If he didn't return by nine, his son wouldn't come back either, and it seemed that even Doudou was showing signs of disdain towards him.

The case was solved within 30 hours, and Tang Fei presented a banner of appreciation to the police department.

Tang Fei made a public appearance, extending an invitation to Rattan Candy to visit Mercury City. She reassured her fans about her emotional stability and confirmed that she would immediately commence production on the third season of Heavenly Dragon Eight Provinces after the new year.

This will also mark the climactic conclusion of The Heaven's Sword and Dragon Saber.

And now Guliang's other novel, The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, is about to be published.

As the serialization of Journey to the West progressed, the first part was set for publication, and the filming schedule was accelerated.

In response to He Baoyi's request, He Zhuhua chuckled while recounting it, but Tang Fei analyzed it earnestly. Criminals in films were not entirely off-limits; they could serve as a warning to the audience.

If you have mental health issues, it's crucial to take them seriously and seek help promptly.

As parents, perhaps you should pay attention to your children's psychological well-being; the mental health of children and adolescents deserves more attention.

If you're a victim of domestic violence, there should be better ways to address the situation.

And if you're consumed by envy and suffering, never give in to your emotions.

A criminal as the main character shouldn't be glorified nor blindly condemned; rather, their story should shed light on overlooked corners of society and highlight neglected issues.

He Baoyi might not be the most representative case; perhaps there are many more diverse incidents where people from different backgrounds turn to crime due to similar circumstances.

Aside from societal awareness, persuading someone with potential criminal tendencies to change their path is also a virtuous act. It can deter those with such thoughts from acting impulsively, guiding them back to reason and encouraging them to find healthier solutions.

At nine o'clock, it was decided that this would be the first film for their entry into the movie industry. It would feature three women from different social backgrounds with similar experiences, comparing their choices: one who resolves rationally, one who turns to crime, and one who silently bears her burden.

Tang Fei portrayed He Baoyi, essentially bringing closure to her parents' generation's story.

Upon seeing Tang Fei's packed work schedule and her radiant, joyful appearance as she strolled with her family, fans finally heaved a sigh of relief.

"Mercury City" did not disappoint. From its opening day as the box office champion, it maintained its lead throughout the entire Spring Festival season. Even when it was originally scheduled to end its run, it still had daily box office takings of thirty million yuan, with a total box office revenue of four billion two hundred million. Thus, the screening was extended.

Chen Ye's films typically guaranteed a minimum of two billion yuan at the box office, most exceeding thirty billion, and occasionally one would break the forty-billion mark. "Mercury City" ranked within the top three among all his films in terms of box office earnings, on track to secure second place or even vie for first.

However, "Mercury City" wasn't his best work. Tang Fei's influence could not be underestimated.

Transitioning from TV to film acting, Tang Fei didn't experience any discomfort. Her first film role achieved both high box office sales and critical acclaim, doubling her fan base.

After Tang Fei's confrontation with the Peony Awards, in 2022, other award ceremonies became cautious in their dealings with her. They even sent representatives to clarify the registration fees, emphasizing that the money was for the basic operation of the awards committee, not for buying and selling awards.

They were afraid that Tang Fei might pull another stunt, and few awards could withstand such treatment.

With this precedent, film enthusiasts, audience members, and fans of various actors kept a close watch. They acted as unpaid corruption watchdogs.

This year's Feiyun Award and Changjiang Award were both incredibly fair and transparent, openly disclosing every step of the process.

The 2022 edition was hailed as the most prestigious awards ceremony in terms of credibility.

Tang Fei found herself nominated for three dramas, two of which earned her Best Actress nods. Eventually, Xu Wan from Happiness Hotel won the Best Actress award at the Feiyun Awards, while Li Xiuyun triumphed as Best Newcomer at the Changjiang Awards for her role in Spiritual Frenzy.

At the Starlight Gala, Tang Fei was undeniably the brightest star, nabbing both the Most Radiant Actress and the Most Radiant Actor awards. Throughout 2021, Tang Fei had been the most captivating figure in the spotlight.

Historically, the title of Most Radiant Actor usually went to male stars, with fan girls still predominantly favoring male idols.

However, Tang Fei shattered this convention. Fan girls proved that they could be just as passionate about female stars. Stardom knew no gender; if one possessed both looks and talent, worked diligently, and produced quality projects, they would receive love regardless.

Finally, fans struck back at the articles that often complained about the lack of support for female stars, blaming it on female fans' disinterest in female celebrities.

"Blaming gods for your own incompetence!"

"Criticizing gravity when you trip!"

"Complaining about the government not handing out wives for being single."