Lin Muci stepped off the stage with her trophy.
Huo Ziyao's expression was grim as she watched Lin Muci's retreating back with a stern face.
Next, Zhao Lan took the stage.
She was the presenter for the next award.
The organizers had arranged for Huo Ziyao and Zhao Lan to present awards one after another, a deliberate move.
It was widely known that among the five leading actresses in the entertainment industry, Huo Ziyao and Zhao Lan were the most at odds.
Huo Ziyao had made a name for herself in the entertainment circle, navigating it with ease and charm.
In her youth, she was dazzling, starring as the female lead in many major productions and serving as a beautiful adornment for popular male stars.
Zhao Lan, on the other hand, possessed exceptional acting skills.
She had achieved a Grand Slam at the European Film Festival.
Her professional capabilities were far more impressive.
The fact that they were presenting awards consecutively meant they were unlikely to cross paths.
Everyone paid closer attention, eager to hear what Huo Ziyao and Zhao Lan would say.
Zhao Lan grasped the microphone and began her speech confidently.
"As everyone knows, this year has been a very important one for me. 'Fangfei Juedai' is a project I've been preparing for a very, very long time."
"I've poured a great deal of my heart and soul into this project."
"To find the right actors, I interviewed a great many people."
"Especially the role of Qi Qingling."
"For me, it was exceptionally important."
"She is a spark that ignites the human heart. Although a supporting character, she is the most crucial figure in the entire production. She is resilient, grand, and has endured hardships and trials unimaginable to ordinary people."
"Yet, she remains unyielding and completes her task."
"In my heart, she is a phoenix spreading its wings. She is great and glorious, sacrificing for the cause she believes in and for the people she loves."
"I deeply respect a girl like her."
"When I read the script, I knew I needed a very special young lady to interpret her."
"My greatest fortune is that I found the Qi Qingling in my heart."
"Regardless of whether she wins an award, Lin Muci, you are my pride, the hope of the entertainment industry, and the junior I have the highest hopes for in the film world!"
Zhao Lan's words were met with thunderous applause from the audience.
Zhao Lan's speech perfectly underscored the exceptional performance Lin Muci had delivered, earning the widespread official recognition of industry professionals who had seen the film.
"The next award is the Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Supporting Actress."
"Congratulations to the winner."
Zhao Lan opened the envelope.
The big screen began to scroll.
Zhao Lan took a deep breath, and a slight smile curved her lips.
Seeing her smile, everyone already knew who the winner was; the winner's identity was clearly revealed.
"Lin Muci!"
The large screen behind her started playing scenes from the film featuring Yue Qingling and Shen Jin'an.
The shy girl in the bluestone alley, her eyes nonetheless filled with strength and determination.
She got into Shen Jin'an's car, dressed in a simple blue robe, as a light rain began to fall from the sky. She looked at Shen Jin'an.
"You like me?"
"Alright. I'll go with you."
The girl's voice was like the sound of rain falling.
Once she confessed her feelings, it was for a lifetime.
Thousands of newcomers emerged in the entertainment industry every year.
But she was the most unique.
The scene changed, moving into the more heart-wrenching part of the story.
Shen Jin'an cupped her chin, tears welling in her eyes.
Her natural allure flowed like water, tears tracing paths down her cheeks.
In times of war and chaos,
Love and hate were too heavy.
Qi Qingling was a bright spot in the dark years.
She illuminated Shen Jin'an's life.
She died in Shen Jin'an's arms, and as he held her, his soul began to shatter.
When Shen Jin'an ended his own life with a gun, his mind was filled with the memory of that first rainy moment, her appearance before him, her charming smile, like a dream.
Such a beautiful young girl, he had been smitten, he had loved her deeply.
The camera focused on Lin Muci's seat – but her seat was empty!
Everyone was surprised.
Huh?
Strange.
Where did she go?
The awards ceremony was on the verge of a mishap.
Just as everyone was utterly bewildered, a figure appeared gracefully from the side of the main stage.
It was Lin Muci!
But she... she had changed her dress!
A murmur swept through the audience.
"Is that... the 'Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace' dress? How is she wearing it? Didn't the renowned actress Huo Ziyao wear this dress earlier, and wasn't it said that there was only one in the world..."
"One of them is wearing a fake, a counterfeit!"
Everyone was stunned, never expecting such a wardrobe malfunction.
Huo Ziyao, standing in the audience, felt her palms clench so tightly they threatened to shatter.
This young girl had so much nerve!
To openly clash outfits with her on such an occasion was akin to slapping her across the face!
How dare she, how could she do such a thing!
Yet, Lin Muci dared.
The 'Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace' dress, when worn by her, exuded an innate elegance.
This dress was woven with tens of thousands of golden threads.
It was the most intricate of Zi Mu's original design drafts, utilizing a rare, almost lost embroidery technique.
The design draft she presented had so impressed Karl, the chief designer of Chanel, that he was willing to pay a sky-high price for the 'Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace,' but Zi Mu had refused, only offering the 'Oriental Ancient Charm' series to Chanel.
The 'Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace' was kept by Zi Mu herself.
It was rumored that the dress was later auctioned off at an exorbitant price by an auction house – which was why Huo Ziyao's appearance in it had been so stunning.
This dress was indeed a legendary existence in the fashion world.
It was considered a peerless battle gown for female celebrities.
From the once immensely popular international actress Gigi to Princess Mary of the top-tier British royal family, all had coveted this dress.
The reason Huo Ziyao dared to wear a fake 'Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace' dress
was also because Zi Mu had been missing for a full five years, her whereabouts unknown, possibly even deceased.
As long as Zi Mu did not appear,
and did not present the authentic piece,
no one could expose her.
The most significant reason she was willing to risk her reputation in the fashion world to wear this counterfeit dress
was that she had been disheartened by the dresses Lin Muci and Zhao Lan wore at the previous red carpet event.
Lin Muci wore "Azure Mist."
Zhao Lan wore "Blue Sea Tide."
Both were selected among the top ten red carpet gowns of the year.
While she received no attention.
Those two dresses were too beautiful!
Her only hope of overshadowing their splendor was to wear Zi Mu's exquisite, limited-edition 'Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace' dress.
But—
As she watched Lin Muci walk onto the stage to accept her award, wearing the exquisite gown with its golden-threaded phoenix shimmering with every step, her mind reeled.
How could she also be wearing the "Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace"?
No, that's impossible!
Her dress must be fake!
Lin Muci, wearing the stunning gown, went on stage to accept the Best Supporting Actress award.
Zhao Lan handed her the trophy, and Lin Muci spoke to the cameras with poise.
"Thank you to the crew. This is my second award today, and I am immensely grateful to the staff of the crew and my co-stars. I will continue to work hard and bring better works to everyone, thank you!"
She turned, the hem of her dress shimmering.
Viewers watching the live broadcast were almost blinded by the brilliance.
【Wow! Little Ci's dress is so beautiful, so beautiful!】
【Confidently a stunning actress. How can the Nine Heavens Phoenix Palace suit her so well?】
【I love this woman. She is openly wearing her ambition. Our Little Ci is destined to be a legend in Chinese cinema!】
However, those with a keen eye recalled Huo Ziyao's earlier dress and found it peculiar.
【Wait... hold on, did Little Ci and Huo Ziyao have a wardrobe clash?】
【Huo Ziyao also wore that dress. Wasn't it said that there was only one of this dress? Could it be that one of them is wearing a counterfeit?】
At this, the bullet comments exploded.
【Who is wearing the counterfeit?】
【Do I even need to say? Huo Ziyao is a top actress, would she really risk ruin to wear a fake?】
【On the contrary, Lin Muci is just a newcomer. Perhaps to gain attention, she risked wearing a fake gown, but unexpectedly clashed with a top actress...】
There were not a few people holding this opinion.
Lin Muci's fans grew anxious.
【You are talking nonsense! Little Ci is a princess from a wealthy family, a billionaire heiress, she wouldn't stoop to wearing a fake dress!】
【And haven't you noticed that Little Ci's dress is clearly much more refined?】
【The phoenix on it is golden and lifelike.】
【Even the phoenix's eyes are embroidered with divine spirit, it feels like her phoenix could fly at any moment!】
【This is called a counterfeit?】
【On the contrary, Huo Ziyao's gown is lifeless. The color is off, and the embroidery is crude.】
【I say her dress is the counterfeit!】
The fans argued heatedly.
The topic #LinMuciHuoZiyaoWardrobeClash# quickly trended.
Marketing accounts immediately began taking screenshots, providing detailed comparisons of the dress details, and upon closer inspection, one could indeed discern some differences.
【Huh? Strange, Huo Ziyao's dress... it really doesn't seem right.】
【This is real, her gown is clearly of poorer quality.】
Fashion bloggers also stepped in to offer explanations.
@ComparingTonight:
【It is said that all works by the genius designer Zi Mu are incredibly exquisite, especially the embroidery on her gowns, with their beautiful and stunning patterns.】
【At the previous charity gala, Lin Muci and Zhao Lan wore Zi Mu's authentic pieces. This proves she has a very good relationship with Zi Mu, and hers is indeed likely to be genuine.】
【Exquisite and beautiful, it is indeed not a shoddy counterfeit product.】
ComparingTonight is a renowned figure in the fashion world.
However, with his statement, it was clear who was the counterfeit.
But Huo Ziyao was a top actress in China!
She actually wore a fake?
This was too, too unbelievable.
Huo Ziyao seemed to have disregarded her own reputation.
Her wearing a fake... people marveled at it.
After accepting her award, Lin Muci saw Ling Qianhe's finger on his phone!
Distracted during the awards ceremony, wasn't that inappropriate?
Ling Qianhe smiled at her, his eyes holding a hint of tenderness.
"I was just telling a friend in the fashion circle to post something."
Lin Muci looked at Huo Ziyao to her left. Even under the bright lights, she could tell Huo Ziyao's complexion was very, very poor.
She was merely forcing herself to stay until the end.
Lin Muci muttered to herself.
Serves her right.
Who told her to forge something from Zi Mu.
She had won two trophies in one night. Ling Qianhe leaned close to her ear and whispered.
"Shall we celebrate when we get back?"
"How many times will we celebrate today?"
Lin Muci glared at him in disbelief.
This was considered a celebration?
Whom was he celebrating?
Lin Muci replied with a huff.
"When I win an Oscar, you can celebrate however you want!"
Ling Qianhe actually nodded seriously.
"Alright, Little Ci, you said it yourself."
"We have a deal."