All the competing works lost out on the prize money because of a slight difference.
Three people from the main production team of “Lumberjack” came to the event: The male and female protagonists, and the director, while they had four people attending the event this time.
When they stood on the stage together, it looked impactful.
They shook hands and hugged one another as congratulations before standing on each side as Joseph gave them the awards himself.
Joseph only gave a perfunctory “congratulations” to everyone, but he told Yun Xiangxiang, and only Yun Xiangxiang this, “You’re excellent.”
No matter if he was consoling or admiring her, Joseph gave Yun Xiangxiang some special treatment.
The host wouldn’t miss this opportunity. “Mr. Joseph, you seem to like the Chinese actress, Yun.”
“Yes, I adore this Eastern angel,” Joseph admitted it honestly.
“Can you tell us the reason? Everyone knows you’re quite hard to approach.” The host was curious.
Joseph wasn’t angry at that comment, since it was true. “A month ago, she refused to play as the protagonist in my film.”
The bomb that Joseph announced shocked everyone, and even the host looked at Yun Xiangxiang incredulously.
Even He Xingzhou, Lu Jin, and Wu Zhao couldn’t believe it.
Yun Xiangxiang was awkward.
That wasn’t the case. If it were under normal circumstances, Joseph would have invited me instead of giving me special treatment.
Even if she didn’t fit the script’s character, she could change herself up to look like a foreigner.
She only refused it because she didn’t want to ruin a long-term benefit for a short-term profit.
Joseph is cheeky. How could he say that? Look at how they’re looking at me like I’m some sort of alien. Oh my god…
Yun Xiangxiang didn’t even need to guess to know that she would be on the headlines of everything tomorrow.
She had even thought up the caption: Shocking! A Chinese actress who refuses Joseph!
The host was truly someone who hosted events. She was the first one to snap out of it, and she wobbled up to Yun Xiangxiang.
As if she couldn’t accept it, she asked gently, “Is that true? Did you refuse to play as the female protagonist in Joseph’s film?”
“I don’t think Mr. Joseph would lie,” Yun Xiangxiang answered.
That was basically confirmation; those who snapped out of it fell into a trance once more, as they couldn’t believe what they heard.
“I think everyone would love to know the reason for your refusal.” The host’s question made everyone nod.
The man whom she had refused was Joseph; a great director who was a multi-award winner of the world’s most prestigious award and the man on the top of this industry.
Most people could only dream of working with him, as that meant they could go higher in their careers, and even top actors around the world wanted to work with him to consolidate their status.
Many people would kill to even act as a supporting character, let alone the protagonist.
And yet Yun Xiangxiang refused Joseph even when she was so easily chosen.
“I’m grateful for the acknowledgment and love Mr. Joseph showed me. Mr. Joseph gave me a chance because he trusted that I could manage well, but I’m not confident as of current, so I don’t want to waste this precious opportunity.
Yun Xiangxiang mulled it over before answering, “I would only work with Mr. Joseph once I am good enough. I don’t want to let him down.”
Yun Xiangxiang knew Joseph was trying to trouble her instead of helping her when he did that.
She didn’t get this chance fair and square, so if she couldn’t say how she got the chance, she had to think up a reasonable excuse.
She couldn’t say the script was no good, and it didn’t suit her, as that would offend Joseph and his screenwriter.
They extended that invitation because they thought the person was suitable. Yet, if the person said the script didn’t suit them, that would imply that they thought they were better than the best international director and screenwriter.
Joseph wasn’t trying to trouble her either, but instead, she thought he was testing her, as any actress who would go global would have to be immensely better in adapting and taking hits than any other actor.
Only someone like that could mess up less in filming. Joseph’s films were multi-million dollar investments.
If he employed a bad actor who messed up at important parts, he would have to bear a lot of responsibility.
The more Joseph was doing this, the happier Yun Xiangxiang was, as that meant he was already considering the prospect of working with her.
No matter if it was now or in the future, Yun Xiangxiang was one step closer to becoming an actress who would play in Joseph’s films.
“My father taught me that no matter what I do, I cannot just have my eyes on the prize; I would also have to think about if I can bear the trust someone else gave me.”
Yun Xiangxiang gave a perfect response, and even though she sounded meek and childish, nobody could nitpick that, because she was at a meek age.
She did garner everyone’s respect, as nobody could refuse such a great opportunity like she did.
Nobody thought she had stage fright or low self-esteem as they watched her handling this easily.
Just like she said, she was just considering that her skills were not adequate for the film.
“Oh dear, you’re a magnificent girl,” the host praised her. “Will you still work with someone who has rejected you before, Mr. Joseph?” the host asked Joseph.
“Of course.” Joseph was satisfied with Yun Xiangxiang’s answer. “I will choose the script that is most suited for her.”
This was miles better than mere special treatment.
In other words, Joseph was promising that he would make a film specifically for Yun Xiangxiang.
It was mind-numbingly shocking, as Joseph had never made any film specifically for someone even before he was famous, let alone after that.
When he promised in this event and in front of so many people, he would fulfill his promise no matter what.
Everyone looked at Yun Xiangxiang with envy and jealousy, including the men!
These people aside, Yun Xiangxiang’s heart was already pounding, as she didn’t even dream that she would have this kind of treatment.
The thing that made her happiest was that this treatment didn’t come from anyone’s interference, but from her charisma and skills that managed to impress this famous director. She finally had his acknowledgment.
She would be willing to wait for it even if the film took many years to complete.
“Then let us hope that the film of Mr. Joseph and the lady he admires will hit the theaters soon, and eventually, our film festival.” The host ended the film festival that way.