Exclusive Love Chpt: 82

Chapter (lxxxii)

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Edited: 12.13.2023

When the weather turned cooler in Winter, “Into the Scene” was finally released in major domestic theaters.

As Film Emperor Jiang’s first movie after his return to the screen, coupled with the current hype of his relationship, there was no need for publicity at all, and the pre-sale box office alone quickly exceeded 100 million. Fans organized thousands of movie-booking events, the movie theater scheduling rate exceeded 70%, and related topics remained high on the trending searches.

The opening song sung by Xia Xi’ai shot to No. 1 on all major charts and topped the charts for many consecutive weeks. Even the sharpest music critics commented: “It’s only been more than two years since his debut. To see that he can compose his own lyrics and music to create such a song is really formidable.”

Of course, what fans paid the most attention to was their rivalry in the movie. Although the shots of the two of them in the same frame only lasted a minute or two in total, fans came up with thousands of ideas, coloring and retouching batch after batch, and the editors who had new material even used their imaginations. In the end, all kinds of mixed cuts and plots emerged from the fans and for a while, the entire fan circle was as lively as Chinese New Year. The topic #If in Love, Please be in Deep Love# was refreshed every second and there were dozens of new contents:

[I can stare at this rivalry for the rest of my life! ! ! ! ! In my next life, I still want to be a Deep Love fangirl! ! !]

[F*ck! How can they match so well? ! I’m so jealous! I’m so jealous that I even kicked my boyfriend!]

[I don’t want Deep Love dog food anymore, please give me something sharp, okay? I want the typical shoujo plot, where the male lead starts chasing after the female lead even though he was the one who ignored her first! Which author is willing to write about it? I can’t take it anymore, Deep Love is too sweet!]

[To be honest, this movie is really great. It’s heartwarming and funny. I’ve watched it three times. It seems like it’s Brother Shen’s first time in this type of movie, right? Could it be that your style has changed since you fell in love?]

[The opening song really made me cry, waaaa. The lyrics written by Ai Ai feel like they are talking about the protagonist, but it also feels like his own mental journey. It was so amazing that I went through a whole box of tissues, waaaa…….] 

[It’s almost time for the Chinese Melody Award! Sisters, what a blessing! Xi’ai didn’t win the New Artist Award last year. We must not let that happen again this year! ! !]

……

On the day of the Chinese Melody Award, the specially customized set of couple outfits Jiang Liushen had requested were delivered; it was a set of dark blue and a set of light blue. Xia Xi’ai took the light blue set and placed it on his body as a comparison. It was indeed good-looking and the color matching the style was fresh and elegant, but to wear a couple’s outfit on such a formal and solemn occasion with Jiang Liushen……

“Must we wear these?” He asked helplessly.

Jiang Liushen had already changed his clothes and the deep blue made him look very calm: “Is it not good? Such a plain color is very safe. I originally wanted to put some prints on it, but I was afraid you wouldn’t like it.”

“No, I just think……that this kind of high-profile show of love is too tawdry.”

But in order not to refute Jiang Liushen’s interest, he silently swallowed those words back into his stomach.

As a result, someone else said it for him.

“Damn, you guys are so showy? Do you think this is your wedding ceremony?” Li Luo laughed as soon as they met and waved his hand, “How embarrassing, I’ll go sit somewhere else. I can’t let the fans see me sitting with you, it’ll lower my status.”

Jiang Liushen pulled him back, held him down, grabbed his braid, and smiled coldly: “Try saying another word. I’ll shave your hair and make you the most beautiful monk in the entertainment industry.”

“Ai Ai——” Li Luo trailed off, blinked, and instantly changed his face, begging pitifully for help, “You should look after your man, he’s always bullying me.”

Xia Xi’ai’s skin trembled with goosebumps and he was helpless against these two buffoons.

“Cough.”

A light cough suddenly came from the side. Xia Xi’ai turned his head and it was Duan Mingyang, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. His face was a bit cold at the moment and behind him stood two bodyguards with a posture that made others respect him.

Jiang Liushen let go of Li Luo’s hair and stood aside with a playful smile, looking at the person in front of him.

“Hi, I was just about to go look for you.” Li Luo greeted him casually, like an old friend.

Xia Xi’ai was a little surprised, didn’t Jiang Liushen say that these two people weren’t on good terms? 

Duan Mingyang’s gaze shifted slightly downward and landed on Li Luo who was sitting, and said three words calmly and indifferently: “Is that so?”

Li Luo smiled at him: “Of course not, can you take your butt back to the monitoring room? You’re affecting my mood.”

Surprisingly, Duan Mingyang didn’t get angry and only said faintly: “You’re also an eyesore.”

……What kind of scary dialog was this?

Xia Xi’ai carefully took a step backward, wanting to hide behind Jiang Liushen to avoid these two people with swords drawn.

Who knew that this movement of his attracted Duan Mingyang’s line of sight instead?

“Xia Xi’ai.” Duan Mingyang’s voice wasn’t as cold and hard as it was just now, and took on a little bit of humanity, “I’m sorry about last time.”

Xia Xi’ai took a moment to react before he understood what he was referring to. When he was about to reply, he was blocked by Jiang Liushen.

“And then what? Do you think an apology will make everything fine? You’ve caused a psychological shadow to my little kiddo, how are you going to compensate?” 

Xia Xi’ai lightly punched Jiang Liushen’s back and whispered: “Don’t spout nonsense in my place……”

Saying such words in front of such a serious person like Duan Mingyang wasn’t appropriate in any way, and perhaps it would make the other person even more angry——

“Then how does the little kiddo want me to compensate?” 

“……”

“……”

“N-No need to compensate……” Xia Xi’ai thought hard about his words, “It wasn’t wrong for Mr. Duan to do that at that time, I never blamed you…… “

“You are very considerate, thank you for your understanding.” Duan Mingyang’s eyes seemed to have a little warmth, “I wish you the best of luck tonight.”

After saying that, he turned around and left, not knowing exactly what the purpose of this trip was.

“You’re done.” Li Luo said to Jiang Liushen: “Your little kiddo is the type he likes, so be careful.”

“How dare he? He can’t beat me. Really, what’s wrong with him, who allowed him to call him ‘little kiddo?’”

Li Luo laughed and didn’t say anything else.

Xia Xi’ai’s gaze curiously followed Duan Mingyang, but Jiang Liushen turned it back towards him. 

“One glance is enough. If you keep looking, someone is going to get jealous.”

Xia Xi’ai cocked his head: “You?”

“It’s not just me, there’s also——” he lowered his voice, “some guy with a very sharp tongue.”

The awards ceremony started on time and was even grander than last year. The number of live broadcast viewers reached a record high. Xia Xi’ai sat in the corner last year and wasn’t in the spotlight. This year, he sat in the front row and felt the spotlight.

The camera on the big screen would pan towards them from time to time and he had to sit properly every second. After all, it was a solemn occasion, and he couldn’t be as casual as the usual live broadcasts. After sitting for a long time, he would inevitably feel tired.

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“You can lean on my shoulder if you’re sleepy.” Jiang Liushen joked.

Xia Xi’ai glared at him: “You want to make the headlines again?”

“There’s no need for me to make it, you’ll definitely be the big news tonight.” Jiang Liushen smiled and squeezed his hand.

As a result, the two of them were coincidentally projected on the big screen, holding hands for all to see.

There was a burst of “Oh——” from the audience, mostly female voices, which made Xia Xi’ai’s ears turn red and he immediately drew back his hand.

How come these celebrities were unreserved like their fans? 

Fortunately, the big screen only stayed on them for two or three seconds and then cut to other celebrities. Xia Xi’ai suspected that the cameraman was simply staring at the right time to cut over on purpose.

Halfway through the award ceremony, when the Best New Artist of the Year award was about to be awarded, Jiang Liushen turned his head and asked if he was nervous. Xia Xi’ai shook his head.

He was a little nervous before he came, but now that he was actually sitting here, he didn’t feel much at all. Being able to win the award shows that his efforts were not in vain, but not being able to win the award…….in the absence of external obstacles like last year, only meant that he wasn’t qualified enough. After all, this award was determined by a panel of expert judges based on a number of factors. It didn’t rely on fan popularity but relied on hard work. If one were to lose, they could only admit that they still needed to work hard.

The host began to announce the list of nominees for the New Artist Award. The VCR was played on the big screen as usual, and there were still four nominees.

After the announcement, there was still no him.

“Pfft.” Xia Xi’ai didn’t seem to hear the commotion from the people around him and even laughed. He turned his head and looked at Jiang Liushen, his eyes reflecting the light from the stage, like a handful of bright diamonds.

“I think I might actually win the Chinese Melody Award.”

Jiang Liushen loved his confident spontaneity at this moment.

“What if you don’t win it?” He deliberately said, “The strength of that senior who released a song two months ago can’t be underestimated.”

“If I can’t win it this year, I’ll win it next year, I won’t give up.” The corner of Xia Xi’ai’s mouth was still hooked as he asked rhetorically: “But what if I do win it tonight?”

“Then I’m screwed.” Jiang Liushen laughed: “It took me more than ten years to become a Film Emperor. If it takes you two years to win the Chinese Melody Award, will I still be able to hold my head high in this family in the future?”

Xia Xi’ai’s smile deepened. He looked at him for a long time and said softly: “No, in my heart…….you will always be the first in the family.”

If it weren’t for the occasion, Jiang Liushen could have melted this sweet and soft mouth immediately.

After Li Luo came on stage to present the New Artist Award, he couldn’t stand it and said, “Can you stop acting like a pervert? I could even see it from on stage, calm down.”

“I’ve been here several times, do I need your advice as a first-timer?” Jiang Liushen raised his eyebrows, “I at least have something to do with music, how did you get in? Did you come in because of connections?”

“It simply means I have more connections than you.” Li Luo proudly set up his legs, ignoring Jiang Liushen and winked at Xia Xi’ai, “Xi’ai, cheer up. I’m optimistic about you, there will definitely be a big prize waiting for you later.”

Xia Xi’ai nodded and said heartily: “Thank you.”

The award ceremony continued, interspersed with several rounds of performances. Xia Xi’ai didn’t receive an invitation to perform from the organizer this time. Although it was a bit regretful, the advantage was that he was relaxed and comfortable. He sat in the audience and watched without much pressure. During this period, Jiang Liushen also went up to present an award. When he came back, he looked at the guests sitting in the first few rows and his face seemed a little confused.

“What’s wrong?” Xia Xi’ai asked.

“Something’s not right……” Jiang Liushen searched, “Among the guests who haven’t given out awards yet, there seems to be no one with a high enough status to present the Chinese Melody Award. Do they want a second-tier person to give an award to a first-tier person like you?”

“You’re talking as if the Chinese Melody Award is already mine.”

“I’m 90% sure.” Jiang Liushen was more confident than him, “I’m just worried that Duan Mingyang will do something again.” 

“He won’t, right?……”

“That’s hard to say, but there’s no way to go look for him now. Let’s see how it goes first, maybe they’ll have me present an award twice. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before.”

“Mnn.” Xia Xi’ai slightly relaxed his heart.

If Jiang Liushen was the one giving him the award……he couldn’t help but be excited just thinking about it.

Finally, the last round of intermission performances ended. The host changed into a grand gown and once again walked onto the stage, saying passionately: “Next, we are about to present the Song of the Year Award for this year’s Chinese Melody Award, which I’m sure everyone has been waiting for a long time, so without further delay, let’s take a look at which several outstanding songs have been nominated for this year’s award.” 

The big screen lit up and the first thing that appeared was one of Su Zhi’s big hit singles. It was very popular last year and was indeed a strong competitor.

The second one was the senior singer Jiang Liushen mentioned earlier, who had won the Chinese Melody Award once before and hadn’t released many songs in recent years. This time, he was shortlisted for the nomination list, so it could be said that even though he was old, he was still vigorous.

Xia Xi’ai stared at the big screen and didn’t miss a second. He was a little nervous after all. Although he once bragged that he would win the Chinese Melody Award, and the response to his single was far beyond imagination, his qualifications were still relatively weak and he was still somewhat immature in writing lyrics and music. A large part of the popularity and recognition of the song was because of the movie and the judges may take that into consideration. No one could be 100% sure who would win the prize in the end.

If he goes home empty-handed tonight……he couldn’t help but have some regrets.

After the second VCR was played, the third nominee came out, and it still wasn’t him.

“You’re next.” Jiang Liushen suddenly said.

“How do you know? Did you see the list?”

“Nope, but I believe in you.” Jiang Liushen laughed, “If not today, then ‘next’ can also mean next year’s next, there will always be a next anyway, you’ll definitely win the award.”

Xia Xi’ai was impressed that he still had the gall to joke at a time like this, but his mood relaxed a bit.

It was at this time that the fourth VCR came out.

The animation on the screen flashed and the first thing that popped out——was actually Jiang Liushen’s face.

Xia Xi’ai was unprepared and froze for a moment.

The first reaction in his head was: Jiang Liushen secretly sang behind his back?

It wasn’t until he heard the applause of others around him and saw clearly that the scenes from the movie were on the big screen that he realized that the opening song he wrote for the movie, his first original single, had actually been nominated for the highest domestic award.

“Liushen……” His voice was a little unsteady with excitement.

“I’m here, baby.” Jiang Liushen quickly put his hand on the back of his to comfort him, “I told you that you were next. Don’t get excited yet, there will definitely be more exciting times ahead.”

“Mnn.” Xia Xi’ai took a few deep breaths and temporarily suppressed his emotions, quietly waiting for the final winner to be revealed.

According to the standard procedure, it was now the host’s turn to invite the award presenter to come on stage but this time, the introduction was different from before:

“For the Chinese Melody Award this time, we are honored to invite a surprise guest to present the award! Everyone must be surprised, so I won’t keep it a secret. Next, let’s invite——”

Everyone looked towards the aisles on both sides of the stage, but didn’t see anyone taking the stage. At this time, the large LED floor-to-ceiling screen used as the background board on the stage slowly separated.

“Please welcome our nation’s treasured female singer! Ms. Song Meiying!”

Jiang Liushen almost choked on this breath.

Song Meiying appeared in an elegant floor-length dress and walked slowly to the microphone. She was dignified and noble, which caused an uproar in the audience. Although the Chinese Melody Award had a high status, according to common sense, a singer of Song Meiying’s caliber wouldn’t have agreed to be the guest of honor.

Jiang Liushen held his forehead like he had a headache: “It’s you, little kiddo, it’s definitely you. If it wasn’t you, they definitely wouldn’t have dared to invite my mom.”

Xia Xi’ai was completely confused at the moment and a series of questions ran through his mind: Why did Mother Jiang appear at the scene? After finally waiting nervously for the last moment for the reveal, how come it felt like it was already spoiled? 

While he was at a loss, he suddenly heard Mother Jiang call out his name from on stage. 

“……?”

A loud cheer erupted in his ears, startling him. Before he could react to what was happening, all of a sudden, everyone around him swarmed over to congratulate him, saying things like “congratulations” and so on. He shook a few people’s hands in a daze but had no idea whose hands they were.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get up there.” Jiang Liushen said.

Xia Xi’ai went up to the stage in a daze.

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It wasn’t until he stood on the stage, looked down, and saw that everyone’s eyes were focused on him and all the spotlights were blinding him that he gradually came back to his senses.

He had won the award.

He really won.

The previously suppressed emotions burned and heated up uncontrollably. Heat waves surged under the calm inner lake, bubbling up one by one. They exploded with a bang and the water splashed, rippled, and finally boiled over.

Jiang Liushen gathered his hands under the stage and made exaggerated gestures to him: don’t cry!

Xia Xi’ai’s nose was sore and he really wanted to cry a little.

“Thank you……” He took the trophy, inhaled, and looked at the award presenter with red eyes, “Thank you, Aun……Thank you, Ms. Song. “

“It’s okay.” Song Meiying patted the back of his hand, then made a polite gesture to him, signaling him to go to the microphone to say his acceptance speech.

Xia Xi’ai nodded. Holding the trophy, he walked to the standing microphone and desperately tried to recall what he wanted to say. When he came here, he had actually prepared a draft in his mind, but now that he had really won the award, facing the scene and the millions of people watching the live broadcast, his mind was blank. Seeing that he was about to make a fool of himself, he could only pick out some official words to say first.

“Thank you. I know I still have many shortcomings. Winning this award is an affirmation and encouragement for me. I am very grateful to my fans, my company and agent, and the director for giving me the opportunity. Thank you. Many thanks to the judges for favoring me, many thanks…….” 

He choked on his words and paused for a second. He suddenly raised his head and took a deep breath, as if he mustered up great courage. Then he lowered his head and looked straight ahead. The subtle water in his eyes made his eyes bright and clear.

“Many thanks to my lover.”

Bathed in the glowing spotlight, he kissed the golden trophy, bent down, and bowed more humbly than ninety degrees. Following that, he straightened up, raised the trophy high, and said aloud:

“Thank you for sticking with me until now! Thank you!”

Each word broke forcefully into the air, echoing and vibrating back into his ears.

He was finally able to stand up to the person he was and the person he was now.

Jiang Liushen didn’t fall behind this time. As soon as he finished speaking, he was the first to applaud. The cameraman cut the camera to him with precision and everyone was able to see the always high and mighty Film Emperor Jiang smiling and shouting toward the person on the stage:

“I love you too!” And threw countless flying kisses.

The applause was so enthusiastic that Xia Xi’ai didn’t hear Jiang Liushen’s voice clearly. Instead, he heard Song Meiying on the side clicking her tongue coldly: “How embarrassing.”

He suddenly wanted to laugh, and he actually laughed. The more he laughed, the harder it was to suppress himself. He couldn’t put down the raised corners of his mouth until the host reminded him to go backstage to prepare and then perform the award-winning song live.

It was as if he had returned to his childhood, running barefoot in the fields, happy and at ease.

When the stage lights came on again, Xia Xi’ai was already sitting upright in front of the piano. The light blue suit reflected a white and glittering light under the dark blue, like a slightly glowing pearl in the night.

All he could see were rows of people whose appearance was unclear in the darkness, but he knew that a certain someone from a certain position was watching him and expecting him.

He adjusted the position of the microphone, put it against his lips, and said softly and steadily:

“It’s an honor to sing this song for you all, I hope you enjoy it.”

He smiled in a certain direction, turned his head, and lifted up his cuffs slightly. The dial’s light flashed past, but the name underneath was imprinted on his skin and pulse, witnessing his long fingers pressing down as he played the first note.

The tune that was familiar to his heart flowed out, but Xia Xi’ai’s mind was in a trance.

Memories rolled back, and that night on the streets of Tokyo emerged when Jiang Liushen, who was walking behind him, said to him:

“If you help me this time, you will be the one in charge of the opening song for my next movie.”

At that time, he was already quite content when he was given this opportunity, but now, he was greedy again.

Not only this time, but the next time, and the next time. If he could, he wanted to sing for the people who liked him and the people he liked……for the rest of his life.

“He’s been watching you.” Li Luo, who was listening quietly in the audience, suddenly said, “You damn lucky man.”

Jiang Liushen smiled: “Yes, I once thought that I was the one who gave him the opportunity. Unexpectedly, now it is he who has given me the glory.”

“What are your plans for the future?”

“I don’t have any plans.” Jiang Liushen’s soft eyes fell on the dazzling figure on the stage, “I just want to watch him grow, watch him shine, watch him surpass me, but still being my little kiddo……singing for me for the rest of his life.”

“Are you that confident that he will always love you?”

Jiang Liushen tilted his head and raised his eyebrows: “You haven’t heard this song, have you? After listening to it, you will know where my confidence comes from.”

The prelude of the music coming from the stage gradually stopped. Li Luo looked up to see Xia Xi’ai opening his mouth with lowered eyes as he sang the first lyrics in a low and melancholy voice:

“The scenery in my memory is no more, I’m like a tiny speck of dust.

Drifting in the vast sea of ​​people, stumbling and failing,

When I wake up, I look up to see that the night was like a deep sea. Who could pull me out of this mire?

My cries are like a monologue, no one pays any attention.

The world is a haze, and I don’t want to open them.”

After he finished singing this part, he closed his eyes, as if he was sinking into the past that he didn’t want to recall. His eyelashes trembled slightly and when he opened them again, his eyes were clear, flowing with deep blue waves, and the tune suddenly became melodious:

“Until you opened your arms, and gave me the sea of stars.

You healed the sadness that has been cold in my heart for a long time and cleared away the layers of fog in front of my eyes.

The world laughed at my distress while you laughed at my obedience, spoiling me rotten.

This favor, I can’t cut, can’t understand, can’t escape.

I can’t wait to fall into your flow of color, deep like the sea.

You embrace me into your arms as I worship you.

There’s no one to stand in the way. There’s no should or shouldn’t,

I want a stage where you applaud,

I want a future with you.”

The chorus was repeated and it was about to come to an end. Xia Xi’ai cast his gaze in their direction. The ends of his eyes were as red as his ears as the light outlined his figure with a ring of white, like an angel that had fallen to earth. He opened his lips lightly, and his pure voice accompanying the last section of the piano slowly flowed out:

“Clouds are the childhood sweethearts of the sky, you are irreplaceable to me,

You’re my trust in the midst of my distrust, my candor in the midst of my dishonesty.

Don’t be bad and while you can, let me be your……

Exclusive love.”

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The author has something to say:

The main story is finished! Thank you all for being with me these past two months or so! It’s been so much fun simping on the same CP with you guys! (I tried my best to write the lyrics, but I’m not good at it, so I’m sorry, I’ll probably change them later qwq)

————— [t/n I’ve cut the author’s note short since it was mostly about their curent feelings, the extras, and a little bit about the new story they were going to write]

(t/n: And so we have reached the end! I will be releasing the extras on the regular schedule, there is roughly 7 of them [I think, don’t quote me on that] so stay tuned! As always, thanks for reading!!! (＠＾０＾) )

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