Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 58 Upper Class

The judges for the Magnolia Awards are mainly industry professionals, but they also have different focuses depending on the award category. There is a special invited judge mechanism that includes well-known figures from other fields.

Cai Yinong's arrangement was self-evident: to make early contact with the judges and give them a good impression, which would serve as a prelude to future awards.

Assistant Lin paused, his tone carrying a hint of reminder:

"Director Qi, these people... are of high status, knowledgeable, and each has their own pride. They might speak quite directly, even bluntly. Especially in the film and television industry, some of the older gentlemen and ladies might have rather traditional views. President Cai hopes you can be more tolerant of them."

Following his guidance, Qi Yue calmly swept his gaze across the several faces, some serious, some reserved, and some scrutinizing.

So-called "social celebrities" often have their own set of standards for judgment. They probably don't have much natural respect for young directors who suddenly emerge and become popular with web series. Instead, they are more likely to show an undisguised sense of superiority.

He nodded, his face showing no particular expression.

"Understood, thank you, Assistant Lin."

Seeing his calm reaction, Assistant Lin felt a little relieved.

Then he led the two of them toward the group of people.

He greeted them with a smile and introduced Qi Yue and Nazha's identities—emphasizing that they were the director of "Day and Night" and actors from Tangren Media.

Several celebrities stopped talking and all turned their gazes toward them.

Curiosity, scrutiny, assessment... all kinds of gazes converged on Qi Yue.

Professor Li, the surgical expert, adjusted his glasses and spoke first, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger:

"Oh? 'Day and Night'... It seems to be quite popular lately. My wife watches it every day and says it's much better than those melodramatic family dramas."

These words sounded like a compliment, but coming from him, coupled with his scrutinizing expression, they always seemed to carry a different connotation.

Bestselling author Ms. Wang was even more direct. She sized up Qi Yue, a half-smile playing on her lips:

"Director Qi is so young, yet he can create a hit. His marketing and attention-grabbing skills must be excellent. Unlike us writers, who meticulously craft each word and spend years polishing a single work, readers have to calm down to appreciate its nuances. In this fast-paced era, I'm afraid not many people have that kind of patience."

The lawyer next to him, Zhang, also chimed in slowly, with a professional air of inquiry: "Director Qi, your drama involves quite a few criminal investigation details and legal procedures. Did you hire any professional consultants? Don't mislead the audience."

The questions were increasingly direct, even a bit barbed.

Assistant Lin, who was listening nearby, was a little nervous. He had also seen Qi Yue's last interview and couldn't stand how he really confronted him!

I'm really afraid this young director will offend all of them.

All he could do was keep giving Qi Yue meaningful glances.

Qi Yue sneered inwardly, considering it a gesture of respect to Cai Yinong.

He simply responded calmly with two sentences, neither trying to flatter or defend himself, nor showing the slightest arrogance, before settling down and no longer actively participating in the conversation.

That composure beyond her years made the celebrities, who were used to being flattered, feel somewhat bored, and they gradually changed the subject.

Seeing this, Assistant Lin breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, nothing serious happened. It seems this young director wasn't as difficult to deal with as rumored...

The charity gala officially began in the banquet hall.

Crystal chandeliers gleamed, elegant ladies swayed in the breeze, and glasses clinked in lively conversation.

As is customary, a small charity auction is held before the main meal.

The auctioneer took the stage, and the atmosphere gradually became more lively.

Qi Yue and Nazha seemed to know the people at the next table.

During a break in the auction, the people at the table began to whisper their "comments."

Qi Yue swirled the juice in his hand, quietly watching the show.

These so-called upper-class people, when it comes to cricket fighting, are not much better than the village aunties.

Surgeon Professor Li spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those around him to hear clearly:

"Tsk, how did internal medicine doctors get in here? There should be a threshold for this kind of event. We specialize in cutting-edge cancer research; do they even know what 'cutting-edge' means?"

He paused, glancing almost imperceptibly in Qi Yue's direction, and added,

"Just like some movies these days, they add a little blood and injury and call it a medical drama, it's laughable."

The female writer, Ms. Wang, elegantly sipped her champagne, a hint of sarcasm playing on her lips:

"That's for sure. Some people probably haven't even read a few books, yet they dare to pretend to be cultured. What they write is probably similar to cheap, low-quality literature, relying entirely on hype and good looks."

Attorney Zhang lowered his voice further, speaking with a professional air of speculation: "Who knows if the money at that table is clean? Just like those people in the entertainment industry, there are plenty of cases of tax evasion, using sex to entertain, and all sorts of other shady dealings. How many of them can withstand scrutiny?"

As he said this, his eyes seemed to glance unintentionally at Nazha beside him.

Naza sat next to Qi Yue and could see everything clearly. Her fingers gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, and her face turned slightly pale.

Qi Yue seemed to ignore him, calmly watching the auction stage, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees, lost in thought.

The auction proceeded smoothly.

A small commotion arose in the room when the auctioneer introduced the next item.

"The next item is very special. It's not antique jewelry, nor is it a painting or calligraphy by a famous artist. It's an Arriflex 35mm camera from the private collection of Mr. Zhang Li, a leading figure in our film and television industry and a renowned director! This camera accompanied Director Zhang in filming many classic works, witnessing a glorious era of Chinese television dramas!"

The hostess carefully pushed in an old-fashioned camera that was in excellent condition and gleamed with a metallic sheen; the mottled marks on the body told a story of time.

The auctioneer continued, "Director Zhang Li has entrusted us to state that all proceeds from this auction will be used for film and television education programs for children in remote areas. Starting bid: 20 yuan!"

The starting price and the significance of the item itself immediately attracted widespread attention.

Not only Qi Yue's table and the neighboring tables, but also people at the other tables clearly had their own ideas.

"I just found out, and Lao Liu's bottom line is 40," the lawyer said excitedly.

"As long as we have over 40, we'll definitely have no problem getting the bid!"

After the gavel fell, the auction began.

"25!" Professor Li was the first to raise his paddle for this table.

"28!" The person at the next table immediately followed suit, with a competitive tone.

"30 million!"

"35!" Attorney Zhang personally stepped in, raising the price significantly, his gaze sweeping over the competitors with an air of certainty.

Prices rose rapidly as several parties competed for control.

When the price reached 50, everyone else dropped out of the competition, leaving only Qi Yue's table and the neighboring table still persisting.

They have now become the focus of everyone's attention.

"55 million!"

The middle-aged man at the next table, who was leading the group, gritted his teeth and shouted that this was far beyond their comfort zone.

The audience gasped in surprise; clearly, the price had exceeded the expectations of most people.

"That old Liu is really going to clash with us today!"

Attorney Zhang's face was tense as he glanced at the other people at the table.

The others also looked rather grim; they raised their signs briefly, but ultimately put them down.

Damn it! Attorney Zhang gritted his teeth and raised the sign again:

"60 million!"

A buzz of excitement immediately filled the room, and the host, being very perceptive, directed a spotlight to shine on them.

Under the lights, Attorney Zhang's face revealed a smile of impending victory.

Professor Li, Ms. Wang, and others at the same table also showed satisfied expressions, as if they had already associated this auction item, which symbolized the industry's high standards, with their own "class".

The auctioneer began by asking, "60, first time... 60, second time..."

The hammer is about to fall.

100.

A calm voice rang out.