After The Forced Marriage, I Ended Up With The Top Celebrity - Chapter 37

Just before the Golden Statue Awards ceremony, the internet exploded again.

Weibo Hot Search:
#MistressAndScumbagBackTogether?(Shocking!)

Netizens’ Comments:

— Did you hear? That wedding-wrecker Luo Nianshu is marrying scumbag Wang Xu? My worldview is shattered.
— Wasn’t she dating Qiao Jinyan? Weren’t they planning to get married? What is this? Another CP I shipped down the drain? I even paid to read their fan comics… can’t believe this.
— Ugh. The love triangle crew again. I won’t believe anything about these three anymore.
— What’s up with Luo Nianshu? I think she just used Qiao Jinyan’s popularity. Deep down she still likes men. Qiao Jinyan was at her peak, so Luo used her for clout, and now she’s marrying the man she really loves.
— Feels like Luo and Wang Xu schemed all this. Qiao Jinyan is the real victim here.
— Focus on the work, not celebrity drama! Qiao Jinyan is attending the Golden Statue Awards today. I’m betting my queen will win Best Actress.

Qiao Jinyan sat in the guest room, scrolling through Weibo with trembling fingers.

Molly rushed over and yanked the phone from her hands. “Stop reading. The more you look, the more upset you’ll be. Focus on the ceremony. Don’t worry Luo Nianshu will be fine.”

Qiao Jinyan gave her a cold look but said nothing. She turned obediently toward the mirror, letting the makeup artist dab more powder onto her flawless face.

Normally, five guests shared a room at the awards, with top-tier celebs getting a room for two. But due to the situation, Molly had arranged for Qiao Jinyan to have a room to herself for her safety.

She was dressed in a silver sequin mermaid gown, hugging every curve of her figure. The sequins sparkled under the lights like a falling galaxy.

But the brighter the dress shimmered, the more faded its wearer seemed.

The soft tones of the gown only served to accentuate the cold emptiness in Qiao Jinyan’s expression.

“Come on, the ceremony’s about to begin. Let’s head out.”

The face in the mirror finally showed signs of movement. Qiao Jinyan stood with elegant grace, her gown folding into a perfect crease at the knees.

Molly had been worried Qiao might do something impulsive. But she’d been surprisingly obedient this whole week no tantrums, no disappearances, following the company’s instructions to a T.

They opened the door, walked down the long winding hallway. A soft light glimmered at the end.

Qiao Jinyan lifted her dress and stepped onto the red carpet. Behind the velvet ropes, a swarm of reporters jostled for photos.

“Smile, Yan Yan,” Molly whispered gently.

Qiao Jinyan glanced at her but didn’t oblige. Her face remained icy cold, no hint of her usual sweet persona.

“Congratulations, Jinyan.”

Zhang Weiyin walked by, hands in the pockets of her striped silk trousers, casting a cryptic smile.

Qiao Jinyan’s gaze turned sharp, but she only said one thing, calmly and clearly: “Thank you.”

Molly swiftly stepped between them, and security moved in closer.

“Yan Yan, we’re late. Let’s find our seats,” Molly said with a bright smile.

It was an excuse, of course to get them away from Zhang Weiyin.

Zhang smiled knowingly, unfazed, stepping aside.

As Qiao passed her, a chill radiated from her body, stopping Zhang Weiyin in her tracks. She watched Jinyan’s retreating figure, and a cold shiver climbed her spine.

The award ceremony began. Movie clips from the nominees played on the big screen. The host delivered his lines with playful flair.

Qiao Jinyan didn’t hear a word.

After a while, she furrowed her brow and asked Molly, “The wedding… how far along is it?”

Molly checked the livestream. “Guests are still arriving. It hasn’t started yet.”

Qiao Jinyan gave a soft “mm,” lowering her eyes. Her thick lashes shadowed her emotions.

“This year’s Golden Statue Award for Best Actress goes to… it’s a tie! The winners are the dual female leads of The Heiress and the Pauper Qiao Jinyan and Tang Fu!”

Thunderous applause.

Molly nudged Qiao Jinyan. “It’s your turn go get your award!”

Qiao blinked, a bit dazed.

Winning Best Actress had been her dream for years. But right now, she felt empty inside.

“Act like you care,” Molly muttered nervously, worried she’d make a scene. “Don’t make Luo Nianshu worry.”

Luo Nianshu.
Her name hit like a lightning strike.

Qiao Jinyan straightened up, forced a graceful smile, and walked toward the stage with Tang Fu.

As she climbed the short steps at the end of the red carpet, Qiao thought about the wedding she once had, about rescuing Luo Nianshu at the altar. Was Luo now walking down a red carpet like this?

Her hand clenched the fabric of her dress. The sequins and silk wrinkled beneath her grip.

The trophy was gold-plated and heavy. Qiao Jinyan smiled for the cameras.

She looked toward Zhang Weiyin in the audience. Zhang lounged back in her seat, eyes glittering with undisguised desire.

“And thank you again.”

Tang Fu ended her speech and bowed gracefully.

The room erupted in applause everyone clapped, except Qing Jiuyan, who sat motionless. But a smile played in her eyes.

Silence fell again.

All eyes turned to Qiao Jinyan, waiting for her speech.

“Your turn, senior,” Tang Fu whispered, nudging her.

Qiao snapped out of her thoughts.

Right. Her turn…

What part of the wedding are they at now…?

“I want to thank my agent, my fans… this film took two years to complete and received wide acclaim…”

Qiao Jinyan spoke clearly, reciting the pre-written script.

On screen, stills from The Heiress and the Pauper flickered.

She pointed playfully at one scene
“During this shot, Tang Fu was sick, so we used a stand-in. That stand-in… was my Nianshu.”

The crowd gasped. Qiao’s voice softened as she said that name.

“She’s not here tonight. She’s off getting married.”

A louder gasp this time, but the crowd quickly quieted, all eyes locked on her.

“That kissing scene? The one on screen now? That’s not Tang Fu. That’s Luo Nianshu.”

“I know you’ve all heard our story. Two years ago, she stole my groom at my wedding. But I wasn’t sad at all because I didn’t love Wang Xu. That marriage was arranged by my family.”

“You were right our wedding was fake. A PR stunt. Wang Xu used it for clout and tricked Luo Nianshu into a farce. We were both victims.”

“But I don’t hate him anymore. In fact, I thank him for bringing Nianshu to me.”

“I realized… I’ve never truly loved anyone. Man or woman.”

“Nianshu once distanced herself from me to protect me. She said some harsh things. But she was right. I was arrogant, inconsiderate. I only ever loved myself. I was a peacock, blind to others’ beauty.”

“But she taught me what love is.”

“My growth in acting? My emotional breakthroughs? All because I fell in love with Luo Nianshu.”

“I love Luo Nianshu,” she said again, firmer. “So much.”

She laughed, incredulous and teary.

“Never thought someone like me would confess on stage. But Nianshu changed me. That’s what love does it humbles the proud and gives courage to the timid.”

“I love her. Her smile lights my world. Her tears break my heart.”

“I won’t let her marry anyone else. Not even for show.”

She bent down and placed the trophy on the floor, its thud echoing.

“I don’t want this trophy.”

“I want to find my Nianshu. She protected me. Now it’s my turn.”

Each word was resolute. And tender.

She wiped her tears, lifted her gown, and walked straight off the stage.

Zhang Weiyin’s face darkened. She waved a hand several large men moved to block Qiao Jinyan’s way.

Molly stiffened. Bodyguards moved in to shield her.

Tension filled the air.

Qiao met Zhang Weiyin’s gaze.

No fear. No surrender.

She wasn’t afraid of what Zhang might do.

She was afraid of leaving Luo Nianshu to face danger alone.

“Go back to the stage, and I’ll let you off,” Zhang sneered, but even she doubted it would work.

“No,” Qiao Jinyan refused flatly.

“Then don’t blame me for what happens!”

Zhang’s men lunged. The guards fought back.

Chaos erupted.

Screams filled the hall as stars were whisked away by their agents.

In a corner, Qing Jiuyan gestured. Her assistant spoke into a headset. Within moments, uniformed security stormed in to restore order.

Qiao slipped away, shielded by her guards, only to run into

Qing Jiuyan.

“There’s a car waiting outside,” Ying said calmly.

“You planned this all along?” Qiao frowned.

Ying nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“You suck at acting. If I told you, Zhang would’ve seen through it.”

Qiao had no comeback.

“Don’t worry about Luo Nianshu. Zhao Corporation has people at the wedding. They’ve hacked the system.”

“Why wait till the wedding day? Why not stop it earlier?”

“I wanted a one-shot kill. Needed something big like a scandalous livestream wedding.”

Qiao Jinyan: “You mean you used me!?”

Qing Jiuyan smirked.

But Qiao’s public confession turned out to be the perfect bombshell.

“Shouldn’t you be going to get your Nianshu now?” Ying reminded.

With a huff, Qiao lifted her skirt to dash out then paused.

“You decided to help after Tang Fu wished me happy birthday, didn’t you?”

She didn’t wait for an answer. She was already out the door.

Ying stood there, momentarily speechless.

She watched as Zhang Weiyin was subdued by the security team.

Then she looked up toward the stage, where Tang Fu stood alone.

Ying approached slowly. The woman’s scent drifted through the air, gentle and intoxicating.

Ying inhaled deeply. When she lowered her gaze, she caught sight of Tang Fu’s exposed neckline snowy white skin like polished jade. Her eyes darkened, and she quickly looked away.

“They’re… really something,” Tang Fu murmured, staring toward the glowing exit.

Ying gave a soft “mm.”

Sensing someone behind her, Tang Fu turned. Her hair brushed Ying’s lips.

Ying licked her lips subconsciously.

Realizing how close they were, Tang Fu stepped back.

Ying didn’t move.

“Wonder who dared to take on Zhang Weiyin like that,” Tang Fu said, voice light.

“Rumor says… Zhao Yingsong’s granddaughter.”

“Zhao Yingsong?” Tang Fu blinked. That titan of the entertainment world? Helping a little star?

She raised a brow. “Whoever she is, she’s got guts.”

Ying lowered her lashes, hiding her smile.

“I don’t know either.”

“Jie,” Ying took a step closer. Her tone softened. “There’s still part of the script I don’t get. Can you help me tonight?”

“Of course,” Tang Fu smiled, gentle as spring breeze.

A pretty face who wants to work on her craft such actresses are rare.

Ying smiled too.

But it wasn’t enough.

She wanted more.