165: Was I sitting in the center of the row at the Golden Rooster Awards ceremony?

After being forced by Brother Hu to walk the red carpet at the neighboring Feitian Awards, Lin Pei was finally able to return to the red carpet scene of the Golden Rooster Awards.

Seeing Brother Hu’s fanatical energy just now, Lin Pei strongly suspected he had been bribed by the organizers.

Soon, Lin Pei once again stepped onto the red carpet with the creators and actors of shaolin soccer.

The reporters and fans by the red carpet, who had been calmly taking photos, were no longer composed.

"Holy crap, it's Brother Lin! He looks way too handsome in that suit today."

"True, that face, that physique, that aura—it's perfection."

"Brother Lin must be nearly 1.9 meters tall. He looks a head taller than Stephen Chow and a head and a half taller than Lau Tak Wah."

"Eh? Is Lau Tak Wah also part of the shaolin soccer Film Crew?"

Everyone felt more and more that something was off; how did the group on the red carpet suddenly grow from a few people to a whole crowd?

Looking closely, it turned out that The Director and several invited actors from the God of Gamblers Film Crew were also walking among them.

The Director, who was originally scheduled to appear later, saw how unusually lively the red carpet was and decisively called over a few actors to experience the atmosphere and ride the wave of popularity.

Wow, there really are a lot of people.

Everyone snapped photos in a frenzy of "clack-clack-clack."

"I'm starting to look forward to God of Gamblers now. With Brother Lin in it, it shouldn't be some trashy film."

"It doesn't matter even if it's a trashy film; I'll just watch Brother Lin's cuts."

"Hiss, have you noticed? The complexions of the people in the God of Gamblers Film Crew are exceptionally good. They're practically glowing with health. That's not common in the entertainment industry, where malnutrition and sub-health are serious issues."

"Before the movie even started filming, it was made popular by Brother Lin. The popularity of the actors in the same crew has increased a lot. Maybe success really does make people look better?"

"..."

The red carpet was being live-streamed across the internet, and the online netizens were also boiling with excitement.

"Man, Brother Lin is so busy. He was just dragged over by Brother Hu to walk the Feitian Awards red carpet, and now he's back at the Golden Rooster Awards, haha."

"Exactly. I've never seen an actor who doesn't want to go, to the point where the award officials have to send someone to catch him."

"It's said that the Feitian Awards ceremony was originally supposed to be held in a few days, but they moved it forward just to snatch Brother Lin's popularity from the Golden Rooster Awards."

"Hoho, they've finally realized how high Brother Lin's national popularity is and how famous he is."

"That's different. This time, Brother Lin has gained more recognition through his work and acting skills."

"In just over two years since entering the entertainment industry, Brother Lin has actually become a top-tier star. He's a natural-born Celebrity."

"These organizers need to understand that there's no need to fight over this popularity. No matter when or where, my Brother Lin brings his own hype."

"..."

...Inside the venue, Guo Jingming watched the red carpet scene on the big screen, his fists slowly tightening.

Why was it so quiet when he walked the red carpet just now, but as soon as Lin Pei appeared, everyone wanted to scream their lungs out?

Doesn't this guy just have a handsome face? What's the big deal?

He was also a "flower boy," just that his overall size was a bit smaller.

Thinking back to his recent movie's box office being crushed by Lin Pei's two films, Guo Jingming felt even angrier.

Crucially, as he looked around the venue, the organizers had actually pasted Lin Pei's name in the first row.

Guo Jingming was fuming.

Setting him aside, many current top-tier actors were sitting in the second row with him.

How could Lin Pei, an actor who just entered the industry and only performed in two movies, be qualified to sit in the first row?

Guo Jingming's hands moved faster than his brain. He walked to the front row, ripped Lin Pei's name off the chair, and then pasted his own on to swap them.

A staff member happened to see this scene. From a distance, based on his build, she thought some child had snuck in to cause trouble.

Only when she got closer did she see clearly that it was Guo Jingming.

Although she felt this behavior was indeed childish and somewhat annoying, the staff member maintained basic politeness.

"Director Guo, these seats were all arranged in advance. Please don't move the labels."

Being stopped, Guo Jingming's face was full of hostility, and his tone became even more unfriendly.

"I'm asking you, Lin Pei is a newcomer with a pitifully small number of movies."

"What right does he have to sit in the first row?"

The staff member pursed her lips, holding back from retorting directly.

Seeing that Guo Jingming had already pasted his own name on the first-row seat, she almost couldn't help rolling her eyes.

What right?

Doesn't this guy know that Lin Pei is way more popular than him? How does he have the nerve to paste his own name there?

The staff member explained.

"Oh, this seating order is the result of our organizing committee's deliberation."

"Additionally, sitting in the first row makes it convenient for Brother Lin to accept his award."

Guo Jingming's brow furrowed, and he spoke even more aggressively.

"Hmph, you're so sure he can win an award? Based on what?"

"He's just a nominee. Don't you see how many actors are nominated?"

The staff member was not to be outdone.

"Based on what? Based on his great acting!"

"Not just the online audience, but Brother Lin's acting is recognized by professional teachers."

She reached out, tore Guo Jingming's name off that seat, took Lin Pei's, and put it back.

"Sorry, Director Guo, the seats must be arranged according to our plan."

"If you have any objections, you can report the situation to The Directors of our organizing committee."

Guo Jingming let out a breath and sat back in the second row indignantly.

It seemed this staff member was also a die-hard fan of Lin Pei.

Besides, what use was reporting it now? The award ceremony was about to start.

Fine, if the committee arranged it, let him sit there.

The first row was filled with best actors, big shots with many representative works, and veteran actors.

If Lin Pei couldn't win an award, he would naturally feel ashamed and have nowhere to hide.

When the time came, he would watch closely and enjoy the embarrassed look of this incredibly popular actor... Similarly, some top-tier stars in the second row and further back also felt somewhat unbalanced in their hearts.

They had indeed been shocked by Lin Pei's red carpet appearance just now. They thought they were popular enough, but they didn't expect this guy to be this famous.

But fame is fame; this guy's works really aren't many.

The Golden Rooster Awards committee's current seating arrangement was too hasty. No wonder the popularity of the event seemed to be declining every year.

What kind of acting skills could a "little fresh meat" who just debuted a few years ago have?

They had been in the industry for so many years and filmed so many movies, yet in the best-case scenario, they were only nominated to fill the numbers.

On what basis could he beat those veteran actors to win an award?

Hmph, if he can't win, sitting in the first row will only be awkward... Lin Pei also didn't expect to be placed in the first row.

In this first row sat Chen Daoming, Liang Chaowei, Ge You, Zhang Ze, Yan Ni, and many other powerhouse big shots. He was actually arranged in the C-position, sitting right between them?

Is he that excellent now?

Just as he was feeling a bit prideful, Stephen Chow whispered in his ear.

"Big brother, just sit. They've definitely heard of your footwork."

"Cough... maybe they're afraid you'll accidentally kick the front seats to pieces."

Lin Pei, "..."

Was he really that unable to control himself?

Lin Pei politely greeted the seniors in the front row and sat down in his seat.

Thanks to Xing Weihuan for the tip.

Thanks to Reward-loving True Monarch for the tip.