I Became the Koi Actor After Entering the Book

**Chapter 97: Confession (Grand Finale)**

Translator: Namizaki

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The China TV Peony Awards, a popular award, is considered on par with the Flying Hope Awards in terms of prestige. While industry insiders recognize subtle distinctions between the two, the Peony Awards’ significance remains undeniable.

<Invisible Crime> didn’t submit for the Peony Awards because a key actor was later discovered to be involved in drug use. Fu Jingshen was reshooting the actor’s scenes, making the original submission impossible. The main cast unanimously agreed that the scandal would reflect poorly on the series and tacitly approved the withdrawal.

Technically, this wasn’t the production team’s fault. Viewers understood—the actor had enjoyed an impeccable reputation both within and outside the industry before the scandal broke. Who could have imagined he would do something like this?

Yet after consulting with his assistant directors, Fu Jingshen decided to revise the series. As a crime drama centered around detectives, <Invisible Crime> wasn’t explicitly about drug enforcement, but it touched on the issue. Having an actor involved in drug use in such a series was intolerable to the entire team.

In Yan Qingbo’s words, “The series’ core message celebrates the meticulous work of law enforcement. This situation is practically an insult to that ideal.”

When the scandal broke, Chi Zhongqiao was abroad filming <The Cage>. He didn’t hear about it until he returned to China and was called in for reshoots.

When he asked Fu Jingshen about it, Fu Jingshen waved dismissively. “It’s not good news. Why bother telling you? Just asking for trouble. This works out perfectly—one less competitor for you.”

If <Invisible Crime> had been nominated with Ge Fangyu involved, Chi Zhongqiao’s chances would have been significantly affected.

Fu Jingshen even patted Chi Zhongqiao on the shoulder. “Good luck. If you win, remember to treat Li Xi and me to dinner.”

Chi Zhongqiao frowned. “I was also a key voice actor for <Invisible Crime>. It’s still my work. How is this good news? Do you even know how to talk? Has Li Xi not beaten you up in a week?”

Realizing he’d spoken out of turn, Fu Jingshen quietly endured Chi Zhongqiao’s scolding, then clicked his tongue. “Fine, fine, I was wrong. Go fuss over your own projects. I’m off to find Li Xi.”

While the situation with <Invisible Crime> felt like an undeserved blow to Chi Zhongqiao, it was undoubtedly a stroke of luck for <The Patriot>.

The judges of the Peony Awards also breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Although <Invisible Crime> slightly lagged behind in viewership and streaming numbers, both dramas were considered masterpieces in terms of production quality. Their distinct genres made direct comparison impossible. Had they competed for the same award, the judges and audience would have been torn, and fans of both shows might have gone into a frenzy.

Whatever the reason, <Invisible Crime> ultimately didn’t submit its nomination, sparing <The Patriot> from facing such formidable competition and preventing voters from being torn between the two.

As April warmed, the Peony Awards ceremony took place on one of the year’s warmer days, a boon for the stars vying for attention on the red carpet.

Chi Zhongqiao wore a suit sponsored by Du Ke, while Du Yusheng, so nervous he kept gulping mineral water, shivered from the cold.

“Brother Du, don’t be so tense,” Chi Zhongqiao said.

The Lu Group, a long-standing sponsor of the Peony Awards, sent a “representative” to the event.

That representative was none other than the CEO himself.

Lu Yuzhou took a watch from its box and fastened the cold metal band around Chi Zhongqiao’s wrist. He then took Chi Zhongqiao’s hand and kissed it lightly.

Chi Zhongqiao gripped Lu Yuzhou’s hand tightly in return, whispering, “Why is everyone acting like they’re going to war?”

Lu Yuzhou smiled faintly, his relaxed features revealing an extraordinary depth of handsomeness. He released Chi Zhongqiao’s hand. “I’ll be waiting for Qiao-ge’s trophy.”

Chi Zhongqiao chuckled. “Alright, I’ll definitely work hard to add another display piece to your bulletproof glass cabinet.”

Du Yusheng glanced at the time and cleared his throat awkwardly. “I see <The Patriot> crew. Let’s head down.”

Chi Zhongqiao nodded, and under Lu Yuzhou’s gaze, he fastened a button on his suit jacket and stepped out of the car with Du Yusheng.

The Peony Awards, one of China’s most prestigious television awards, drew immense public attention. Nearly everyone who could attend was present, creating a dazzling constellation of stars from across the entertainment industry.

After Chi Zhongqiao publicly announced his relationship, his interactions with Lu Jiu became less guarded. They walked the red carpet together, Chi Zhongqiao offering his arm with gentlemanly grace. Lu Jiu, wearing a wine-red gown that exuded commanding presence, stood beside him, equally captivating.

As they walked the red carpet, Lu Jiu murmured, “Won’t your partner at home be jealous seeing you escort me?”

Chi Zhongqiao remained composed. “No, I often have female companions.” If Lu Yuzhou were to object to such things, wouldn’t he also have to question why Lu Yuzhou attends dinner parties? Respect for women transcends context; even if Lu Yuzhou were in his place, he would readily offer his arm to a woman struggling in high heels.

Objectively speaking, Lu Jiu didn’t need anyone’s support. Like Lu Yuzhou’s secretary, she could navigate stairs in sky-high heels as if walking on flat ground, her steps swift and steady.

In Yan Yiyun’s words, “Those fierce and beautiful young ladies are true treasures of the world.”

Chi Zhongqiao, however, was genuinely concerned for Lu Jiu. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Lu Jiu paused. “…No.”

Chi Zhongqiao breathed a sigh of relief. “Then it’s fine.”

Lu Jiu considered for a moment before objectively remarking, “…It’s just as well your boyfriend is a man.”

The pair paused several times along the way to allow the media to take photos before arriving at the autograph board just in time. After signing their names, they were led by staff into the lounge.

An opening ceremony would begin shortly, with all nominees and guests entering from backstage, while representatives from the sponsors had already taken their seats.

The seating arrangements were predetermined. Chi Zhongqiao glanced at the awards stage on the display screen, its surface dazzling under the bright lights. He lowered his gaze and touched the pocket of his suit jacket, where a ring lay hidden.

He hadn’t been seated long when Ge Fangyu entered, following a staff member. As an award presenter, he would be entering the venue with the nominees shortly.

Ge Fangyu chuckled twice at Chi Zhongqiao and gave him a thumbs-up.

Chi Zhongqiao smiled faintly.

Having already won the Peony Award for Best Actor, Ge Fangyu wasn’t competing this year. Instead, he was here as a presenter for the Best Actor category.

The Peony Awards were divided into categories for television dramas, variety shows, documentaries, animated films, commercials, and the highly anticipated acting awards.

As actors, their primary focus was naturally on the drama and acting categories.

<The Patriot>, a full-length drama, had secured a nomination for Best Drama. None of the other nominated series posed a serious threat to its position.

The individual nominations for the production team were even more numerous. By the time Chi Zhongqiao had finished reviewing the list, he felt like he no longer recognized the words “Best” and “The Patriot.”

The lights in the awards hall seemed to grow brighter. Unlike the Flying Hope Awards, the Peony Awards, being a popular choice award, had a more lively opening. The nominees exchanged greetings as the host outside concluded the opening remarks and invited all guests and nominees to enter.

Announced by the host, Chi Zhongqiao and Lu Jiu emerged from the backstage lounge together.

The screams from the audience grew noticeably louder as Chi Zhongqiao walked down the aisle. He glanced to the side and saw Lu Yuzhou sitting nearby. Sensing his gaze, Lu Yuzhou turned and met his eyes.

While the host continued announcing the nominees, Chi Zhongqiao subtly curved his slender fingers into a heart shape and flashed it at Lu Yuzhou.

Lu Yuzhou blinked rapidly, his expression shifting into a restrained smile.

Chi Zhongqiao settled into his seat in the front row, just a few steps from the brightly lit awards stage. As a nominee for Best Actor, he was one of the most closely watched figures in the room.

Chi Zhongqiao remained remarkably composed—his three nominations—Most Popular Actor, Most Beloved Actor, and Best Actor—were all major awards announced later in the ceremony. If he couldn’t maintain his composure now, he wouldn’t last until the end.

The host engaged with the actors in the audience before quickly transitioning to the awards presentation.

<The Patriot> won Best Long-Form Drama.

Lu Jiu and Jing Xi won Most Beloved Actress.

Ye Hang and Chi Zhongqiao won Most Beloved Actor.

Yu Shuo won Best Director.

Li Xi won Best Screenwriter.

Chi Zhongqiao and the female lead of <The Patriot> won Most Popular Actor.

***

The host couldn’t help but chuckle as he finally announced the nominees for Best Actor: “The nominees for Best Actor are… laughs… Oh, look who’s first! Zhongqiao again! I’m getting tired of saying his name.”

The audience erupted in laughter.

The female host added, “We’ve awarded twenty-one Peony Awards tonight, and the cast and crew of <The Patriot> have already taken home nearly half of them. But this drama truly deserves the acclaim. From its stunning cinematography and meticulous editing to its exceptional performances, it’s undoubtedly one of the finest dramas of recent years. The success of <The Patriot> wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of its cast, especially its lead actor, Zhongqiao, wouldn’t you agree?”

Chi Zhongqiao, having been mentioned so many times already, had grown somewhat numb to the attention. He simply smiled and joined in the applause.

The female host continued, “Now, let’s get back to the main event: Best Actor. His name is already in my hand. This immensely popular actor has been in the spotlight since his debut. His acting skills have earned both critical acclaim and audience adoration. He’s risen to prominence through sheer talent, becoming a benchmark for young actors—humble, understated, and possessing a character as admirable as his acting prowess. He’s brought countless unforgettable characters to life for viewers.”

She slowly opened the envelope in her hand. “And the winner is… Chi Zhongqiao!”

“Let’s welcome Ge Fangyu, winner of the 26th Best Actor Award, to present the award to Chi Zhongqiao!”

Though Chi Zhongqiao had mentally prepared himself, he still froze for a moment when the moment arrived. He glanced around, his gaze finally settling on Lu Yuzhou’s eyes.

Chi Zhongqiao stood up, fastened a button on his jacket, and walked onto the stage. Ge Fangyu was already there, smiling warmly at him.

As Chi Zhongqiao approached, Ge Fangyu, an old acquaintance, beamed with genuine joy for him. He lifted the trophy and placed it in Chi Zhongqiao’s hands, then gently clapped him on the shoulder.

Holding the trophy and certificate, Chi Zhongqiao bowed deeply to the audience before stepping up to the microphone.

The host remarked, “Zhongqiao must have a lot he wants to say.”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled. “I’m deeply grateful to the judges and the audience for their recognition and support. I also want to thank <The Patriot> for giving me the opportunity to stand here. <The Patriot> holds a very special place in my heart. Even when it was just an initial draft of the script, it was brought to me by my friend, the screenwriter Li Xi.”

“The entire cast and crew worked tirelessly, pouring their hearts into this project. Your Jiu Jiu and Jing Xi even pulled all-nighters to catch up on filming, leading to severe hair loss.”

The audience erupted in laughter. Chen Jiu and Jing Xi, seated together, rolled their eyes in perfect unison.

“Filming on location was even more hectic, and everyone struggled to adapt to the local food. Ye Hang kept breaking out in pimples, stubbornly insisting he was reliving his adolescence.”

Ye Hang chuckled in exasperation from his seat.

“Director Yu also pulled all-nighters. To keep his energy up and stay with us through countless takes, he drank all the tea the entire crew had in a single night.”

Chi Zhongqiao named several crew members present before his smile suddenly faded. “For me, it was also a difficult time. Because of the location shoot, my beloved and I endured over half a month of long-distance relationship. I was so busy I lost track of time, relying on his messages to distinguish morning from evening.”

“In the mornings, he’d send a ‘good morning’ message, reminding me to eat a proper breakfast. At night, on the other side of the phone, I’d rehearse my lines while he reviewed documents. When I couldn’t stay awake any longer, he’d tell me goodnight.”

A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

Lu Yuzhou drew in a sharp breath.

Chi Zhongqiao pulled a ring from his pocket, kissed it, and tossed it into the peony-shaped trophy. The gleaming metal ring sparkled at the flower’s heart.

“My glory belongs to you.”

Chi Zhongqiao turned to face Lu Yuzhou, bowing politely. “May I ask if I can put this ring on you tonight?”

zaki~ the main text ends here but we still have 3 extra chapters. Stay with me sweeties 🙂

Zaki~ English is not my first language, but I’ll try to get the translations as close as possible to the Author’s work. If you see any grammatical errors or mistakes in the translation, please feel free to drop them in the comments section so I can correct them immediately. Thank you and Happy Reading 🙂