Chapter 62: Popularity and Awards, Both Must Be Had

Chapter 62: Popularity and Awards, Both Must Be Had

Chen Yuwen lay on the ground, still dazed after having his name tag torn off, utterly bewildered. The cameraman was equally stunned.

The director, however, jumped for joy, clapping his hands and exclaiming, "Quick, get a close-up of Chen Yuwen’s face!"

A girl who looked sweet and delicate had just taken down Cheng Yuwen—this hilariously contrasting cuteness was exactly what would captivate the audience!

This was ratings! This was popularity!

The director immediately decided not to replace An Wen for the next day’s recording.

The results were announced, and the director addressed the group: "Today’s victors are our Black Cloud Clan members, who will receive gifts sponsored by Fu Yuan Jewelry!"

Everyone applauded as the hostesses brought out the prizes.

"In addition, An Wen, who survived till the end, will receive an extra reward."

The hostess presented the prize—a smaller name tag.

"How are we supposed to tear this off now that it’s so tiny?" He Jie remarked.

"Yeah, she was already hard enough to eliminate," Chen Yuwen, the victim, complained.

The group burst into laughter.

Li Jiaming chimed in, "I thought An Wen was a sheep among wolves, but turns out she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing."

"Seriously, An Wen, you’ve completely ruined your image in our eyes!" He Jie added with a grin.

An Wen accepted the small name tag and fell into deep thought. Song Jia told me to preserve Qing Sha’s image before the drama airs. I tried my best today—this little mishap shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

In her past life, she had only focused on acting and rarely appeared in variety shows. Even when she did, she usually stayed quiet in the background. Today, she had genuinely tried to blend in.

But fate had other plans—she was practically forced into this situation. Surely Song Jia would understand?

She definitely would!

But clearly, she didn’t. If not for Jiang Shiyu stepping in, Song Jia would have smacked An Wen in the face with a rolled-up piece of paper.

"Good grief, what were you thinking? I told you to maintain your image, and instead, you go and tear off Chen Yuwen’s name tag!" Song Jia shouted at An Wen from behind Jiang Shiyu.

"Do you know what’s most fatal for an actor? When the audience gets too close to you, losing that sense of mystique—or worse, pigeonholing you in their minds. No matter what role you play afterward, they’ll never be able to immerse themselves!"

Exhausted from yelling, Song Jia slumped onto the couch and said, "Ding Qian Kun is about to air. If this episode gets broadcast, you’ll lose fans, and the audience won’t be able to take your roles seriously anymore!"

"I’ve positioned you as an actress. Your path is to become an award-winning leading lady!"

"But now you’re pulling stunts like some popularity-chasing idol—how are you supposed to win awards like this?"

The Entertainment Industry worshipped beauty yet also scorned it.

To become famous and gain fans, looks were everything.

But to win awards and climb to the top, beauty became a sin.

The Entertainment Industry was just that contradictory and bizarre.

"But Song Jia, look at me," An Wen leaned back on the sofa. Fresh out of the shower, her skin glowed with a rosy hue, her peach-blossom eyes mesmerizingly beautiful. Her straight hair, slightly damp, clung to her face, giving her an ethereal, lotus-emerging-from-water allure.

"With a face like mine, do you really think I can stay low-key?"

Though Song Jia disliked An Wen’s cocky tone, she had to admit—she wasn’t wrong.

"So, Sister Song, people should have ambition. Why must strength and popularity be separated by a clear boundary?"

"What do you mean?" Song Jia asked.

An Wen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her slender, fair fingers and said softly, "I mean... I want it all."