Chapter 100: 100 Nominations

Chapter 100: 100 Nominations

"The key is that Lu Xu isn’t wearing heavy makeup, get it?"

"Bro, piggybacking on Lu Xu’s fame really isn’t your lane, try someone else to tag along with, mainly because it’s hard to watch, consider my feelings."

"I just feel bad for Lu Xu, when he wasn’t famous he was fighting alone and still got criticized, now that he’s finally famous, all kinds of weirdos try to glom onto him, just because he’s too good-natured, right?"

Su Zhao’s move indeed got him widely mocked, but Lu Xu’s fans were still very dissatisfied.

Lu Xu himself only focuses on acting, and outside of filming, he keeps a lower profile than anyone else, he’s practically underground, yet he always runs into some shady characters. Although Lu Xu silently set the record straight, the fact that he got mixed up with Su Zhao was enough to make people unhappy.

Of course, Flying Entertainment did respond.

Lu Xu is currently the leading young talent in the company, and he gets first dibs on the company’s resources. Although Su Zhao’s actions didn’t cross the company’s bottom line, they might cause a rift in the relationship between Lu Xu and Flying Entertainment.

Compared to other celebrities, Lu Xu’s contract is more flexible, and given his current standing, it would be easy for him to leave Flying Entertainment.

The company came down hard with a warning to Su Zhao, and also used this opportunity to warn other artists eyeing Lu Xu’s fame.

Su Zhao wasn’t the only one with such thoughts, but he was the only one who acted on them.

No matter what, he was way too obvious about it, cutting off others from cashing in on Lu Xu’s fame. Others only thought of gradually and quietly tapping into Lu Xu’s fame, asking him to help promote their works, which Lu Xu might not necessarily refuse.

Although other artists at Flying Entertainment didn’t interact much with Lu Xu, they’d heard whispers about his easygoing nature.

Although—he’s also got a fierce side.

After the company’s warning, naturally, no one could hitch a ride on his fame.

However, other artists still felt that Su Zhao had gained some advantage. Although he got roasted, Lu Xu also explained things through the variety show "Me and My Friends," but Su Zhao was originally a nobody, and now at least he’s got some visibility now.

Su Zhao’s agent and Su Zhao got into it—between company management and family-style management, Su Zhao could only choose one.

If Su Zhao prefers the approach of having family speak out and buying hot searches, then Flying Entertainment would struggle to back him fully.

...

In Lu Xu’s view, Su Zhao didn’t completely benefit.

Although he gained some fame, whether it was recklessly chasing clout or changing his name, he earned enough negative sentiment. Unless Su Zhao has something substantial to turn things around.

The entertainment industry is first and foremost a circle. If Su Zhao wants to go further, he must collaborate with senior artists in the industry. However, with Lu Xu’s precedent, any attempt to use senior artists for marketing would inevitably raise caution.

If Flying Entertainment is willing to invest resources to support him, this approach isn’t impossible.

However, Flying Entertainment doesn’t intend to be Su Zhao’s backer. Without the company’s support, no celebrity would willingly share their popularity with others.

Su Zhao broke the rules first.

"He should change his name," Xu Wen said. "This way, people will only remember him for latching onto you for hype, and constantly riding on others’ popularity isn’t a long-term strategy."

Lu Xu agreed with Xu Wen’s view.

The agent sighed silently: "But popularity is indeed important, make a name for yourself first, then we’ll see."

Lu Xu nodded gently.

The agent looked at him and smiled: "This time you didn’t lash out, many online said you’ve become softer."

Xu Wen pulled up the netizens' comments for Lu Xu to see, and sure enough, some said Lu Xu hadn’t confronted Zhang Zhizhen, while others said he hadn’t confronted Su Zhao either.

Lu Xu: "...Should I make up for it now?"

Agent: "Probably not a good idea."

"The Starlight Award nominations are about to be announced."

According to the agent, the Starlight Award winners are finalized between the announcement of the nominations and the award ceremony. During this period, Lu Xu should keep a low profile. Although his reputation won’t influence the awards, since there’s a chance of winning, it’s better to eliminate any unfavorable factors.

In earlier years, a few artists under contract with Feiyang Entertainment had served as judges for the Starlight Award, so Xu Wen had a basic understanding of the process. Although the timing might have changed—for instance, the winners might have already been decided, possibly through an unspoken agreement among the judges—it still didn’t guarantee the list wouldn’t change midway.

"If you want to confront someone, take your time—I’ve got your back." Mentioning this, Xu Wen couldn’t help but laugh.

He couldn’t help but marvel at Lu Xu’s tendency to attract unusual people. Fortunately, no matter who the opponent was, Lu Xu usually didn’t lose.

With Su Zhao this time, Lu Xu had been quite restrained. Xu Wen figured it was likely because Su Zhao was signed by Peng Xi, a friend of Lu Xu’s, so Lu Xu didn’t escalate things.

It was the same with Zhang Zhizhen, as Zhang had some prior connections with Feiyang Entertainment.

Having worked with Lu Xu for so long, Xu Wen could confirm that the people Lu Xu would confront were those he personally couldn’t stand and had no reason to hold back against.

Fans were spot-on calling Lu Xu a little dog.

He was fiercely protective of those close to him.

Even after years in the industry and encountering all kinds of celebrities, Xu Wen was still touched by Lu Xu’s sincerity—he was among those Lu Xu protected.

...

This year’s Starlight Award nominations were announced as quietly as usual.

In a way, this was the confidence of a prestigious award—it didn’t require extensive promotion, as the entire entertainment industry’s focus would naturally turn to it.

Even the typically aloof and well-connected celebrities would drop their pretenses and adopt a low-key demeanor during this time.

Along with the nomination list came the announcement of the award ceremony date.

While this wasn’t a standout year for the Starlight Award, and the competition wasn’t as fierce as last year, the caliber of the nominees was still impressive.

Before the nomination list was announced, major forums, drama critics, and marketers had already made their predictions. Whether the predictions favored mainstream or niche works, *The Year I Was 18* was a show that couldn’t be ignored.

"This year is Lu Xu’s time."

"This year... there’s no reason for Lu Xu not to win."

"*The Year I Was 18* is this year’s top 1. If Lu Xu doesn’t win because he’s young, I’ll really hate it."

"Hate +1."

Last year’s nominated shows weren’t as popular as *The Path of Bones*, but the actors’ performances and the themes presented were superior. Yue Hui even delivered a performance worthy of an award in *The Ups and Downs*.

But this year, Lu Xu had no weaknesses.

Although the Starlight Award doesn’t consider an actor’s past performances, there’s no doubt that the starkly contrasting roles of Yu Yi and Huang Luning would leave a deep impression on the judges.

With enough nomination experience, a strong performance in the show, and the popularity, reputation, and themes of *The Year I Was 18*... it ticked all the boxes for a top contender in the awards season.

As expected, when the list was released, Lu Xu’s name appeared once again in the Best Actor nomination list.

Among the five nominees, Lu Xu is ranked first.

His nomination came as no surprise to anyone, but seeing Lu Xu nominated for the Starlight Award for three consecutive years, netizens were amazed that Lu Xu single-handedly lowered the average age of Starlight Award nominees.

"The ultimate cosmic pup!"

"Go grab that award, Lu Xiao Gou!"

From being ranked third to first, Lu Xu made the leap in just one year.

Although Yue Hui, who was second on last year's nomination list, won the award, it was because Zheng Yeping had already won two Best Actor awards, and winning a third would make him the first in Starlight Award history.

According to the judges, Zheng Yeping's performance in "Spring River Water" did not surpass his previous works. His previous award-winning work was similar in theme to "Spring River Water," and in that drama, the character he brought to life was more captivating.

Although his performance was not inferior to his competitors, he couldn’t outdo his previous performances.

In other words, since Lu Xu is ranked first, he’s highly likely to win the award.

"I’d love to hear Zhang Che’s thoughts."

"Hey Che, guess what? I’m nominated for the Starlight Award again. Although you haven’t been nominated, I’ve been nominated three times. I hope you’ll join me in the nominations next time. Love, Xu."

"OMG, no way! They can’t be together, I’ll feel like the puppy has been tainted!!!"

"Didn’t Zhang Che switch to making movies because he couldn’t compete with Lu Xu? His movie’s been out forever, and he still can’t top Lu Xu, it’s quite tragic."

Brand M quickly dropped Zhang Che—the contract was only for one year, so there was no additional drama.

Of course, Zhang Che was no longer in the spotlight.

Wild Sea Agency pulled out all the stops to save Zhang Che’s career, but once a star starts to fade, nothing can stop the decline.

There are too many male stars waiting to rise, and Zhang Che also has competitors within Wild Sea. His resources have been split up, and even though he still has fan support, he’s lost his edge.

For celebrities, the first tier and the second tier are worlds apart.

Even if Zhang Che hasn’t fallen to the second tier and is hanging on at the bottom of the first tier, the top and bottom of the first tier are night and day.

Zhang Che is even worse off than some second-tier stars, as second-tier stars have the potential to rise to the first tier, but he’s unlikely to reclaim his glory days.

...

This year’s Starlight Award, Brand G has gone all out, preparing a full dozen outfits for Lu Xu to choose from, specifically for the award ceremony.

Although the award ceremony has not yet begun, and the winners are far from being announced, in the eyes of Brand G, the Starlight Award for Best Actor is already Lu Xu’s for the taking.

Therefore, Lu Xu must and will be the most watched star at the Starlight Award, from the red carpet to the stage.

Lu Xu: "..."

Trying on clothes until he wanted to cry.

He thought every set was quite good.

But!

Who would believe it?

The foreigner sent by Brand G seriously conducted astrological calculations, axing several outfits thought to bring bad luck for winning.

Lu Xu: "No to outdated superstitions, thanks."

But G brand clearly takes it very seriously, the foreigner’s tone on the topic of mutual influence and restraint is unusually serious.

Lu Xu had no choice but to play along with the brand.

According to the brand, Lu Xu is the only Best Actor nominee in recent years partnered with G brand.

Only five nominees are selected each year, and the most popular and talented ones were snapped up by competitors decades ago. The remaining strong actors lack public recognition and rarely attract luxury brands.

The last nominee to wear G brand on stage while accepting an award was 25 years ago—back when G brand had just entered the domestic market and opened its first store.

So, Lu Xu is the hope! Lu Xu is the light!

Lu Xu quickly raised his hand: "No way!"

He's alive, he's human!

This whole thing is making him a little nervous.