Rise and Slay: From Scandal Queen to Academic Genius

After walking the red carpet, the award ceremony was next.

Every year, the Fashion Night selects various awards such as Most Popular Artist of the Year, Best Musician of the Year, Best Newcomer of the Year, Most Anticipated Crew of the Year, and more.

Once all the artists entered the venue, the host on stage began with the opening remarks, followed by the awards ceremony.

Ji Xizhi ultimately sat with Director Wang.

The “Love Begins Here” crew’s position was too far back, so Director Guan didn’t keep Ji Xizhi there.

Director Jin’s crew and Director Wang were basically seated front and back, relatively close to each other.

Director Jin was with other crew members, while Director Wang was alone.

Ji Xizhi finally sat beside Director Wang.

Director Wang, who had just lost in banter with Director Jin, immediately teared up upon seeing Ji Xizhi’s gesture!

Ji Xizhi still thought of him!

Director Wang was so touched, his eyes filled with tears, and was about to speak to Ji Xizhi.

Suddenly, he saw a head pop up from behind Ji Xizhi’s seat.

At that moment, the host was still giving the opening speech on stage. Shanli bent forward slightly, smiled, and greeted Director Wang, then wrapped an arm around Ji Xizhi’s neck in front.

“This position is still better! I told you that side was too dark, didn’t I? With ten years of photography experience, I guarantee this spot has perfect lighting, and you look great from any angle!”

Ji Xizhi actually didn’t care where she sat, but she couldn’t resist Shanli’s strong request, so she complied.

As long as Shanli was happy.

Director Wang, who misunderstood the situation: “…”

He expressionlessly looked up, holding back his tears.

Director Jin in the back, witnessing the scene, briefly lost his elegant demeanor, “Pfft~”

The fans in the live stream couldn’t stop laughing.

There were photographers broadcasting throughout the award venue. The cameras would occasionally focus on each artist for close-ups, and the interactions between artists would also be aired in the live stream.

Ji Xizhi had only walked the red carpet three times and was already a hot topic, so the photographers paid her extra attention.

Especially with Shanli intimately holding Ji Xizhi.

The photographers in the venue had a close-up shot ready.

[So beautiful, truly stunning! I’m forming the “Pear Juice CP” on the spot, waving the flag high, ah ah ah! So sweet~]

[Wow~ Check out the trending searches on Weibo. There are pictures of the “Pear Juice CP” walking the red carpet together, so adorable~]

[Sweetness aside, look at Director Wang’s eyes? What’s with that resentful gaze?]

[Hahaha the “Pear Juice CP” is sweet to the point of disregarding Director Wang’s existence. When Ji Xizhi sat beside Director Wang, he was so happy, almost tearful, but as soon as Shanli popped up, Director Wang immediately had a resentful look! I’m dying of laughter, fight, quickly fight!]

The fans only wanted to enjoy the spectacle, and the host’s opening remarks were almost finished.

The process of awarding was similar to last year, with a few selected artists first being nominated to build suspense before finally revealing the winners, who would then go on stage to receive their awards and give acceptance speeches.

From the groups of Director Wang, Director Jin, and Director Guan, only Qiu Hu from Director Jin’s group won the Best Newcomer Award.

The others were quite self-aware and didn’t hold much hope.

Ji Xizhi was in sync and hadn’t thought about winning any awards either. When the three directors asked her to walk the red carpet, they only mentioned the red carpet, nothing else.

Ji Xizhi sat quietly below the stage, waiting for the event to end so she could leave.

However, when it came to the Most Popular Female Artist of the Year, the host on stage unexpectedly called out a name.

“The Most Popular Female Artist of the Year, please welcome — Ji Xizhi to the stage to receive the award!”

A round of applause filled the venue.

The spotlights and close-up cameras simultaneously focused on Ji Xizhi’s frowning and surprised face.

The live stream burst into excitement.

[I knew it was Zhi Zhi! So deserving~]

[Indeed, there’s nothing more to say. Congratulations to Ji Xizhi on winning her first award! Truly well-deserved!]

Ji Xizhi was caught off guard by this award.

But compared to Ji Xizhi’s bewilderment.

Director Wang, Director Jin, and Shanli were even more stunned.

They had interacted with the organizers of Fashion Night a few times, and for an award ceremony like tonight, if anyone from Director Wang’s or Director Jin’s groups were to win an award, there would at least be a notification.

Just like Qiu Hu, even though he wasn’t sure he would win, the organizers had informed him about the nomination beforehand.

But Ji Xizhi…

Before the list was finalized, it seemed she wasn’t even on the list of nominees for Most Popular Female Artist of the Year.

How did she end up winning?!

The organizers of Fashion Night felt equally stifled.

They were pressured into it!

Previously, they hadn’t considered Ji Xizhi for the Most Popular Female Artist of the Year. She wasn’t nominated, let alone expected to win! The reason was simple, Ji Xizhi was different from other artists in the entertainment industry, she had no ambition for awards, no agency, and no so-called background. Coincidentally, she had been inactive for a while, so the organizers quietly removed her eligibility and secretly nominated another artist.

But who would have known, Ji Xizhi could cause such a stir just at the red carpet event. Now on Weibo Hot Search, Ji Xizhi’s topic had already exploded.

At this point, who dared to award the Most Popular Female Artist of the Year to anyone else?!

Ji Xizhi had proven her popularity with undeniable data to the organizers.

Unless the organizers wanted to be lashed by netizens for corrupt practices, they had no choice but to switch the name back immediately.

After switching back, it became perfectly natural for Ji Xizhi to win the Most Popular Female Artist of the Year.

After announcing the Most Popular Female Artist of the Year, the host continued by revealing the Most Popular Male Artist of the Year.

Both winners went on stage and received their trophies.

Their acceptance speeches followed.

The male artist took the microphone first, expressing his gratitude from the show team to his family, and when he mentioned his fans, he was on the brink of tears.

The male artist spoke a lot.

When it was Ji Xizhi’s turn to speak.

The host warmly asked Ji Xizhi the same question:

“Teacher Ji, who would you most like to thank for this award?”

With the male artist having set the standard answer first, whether Ji Xizhi thanked the directors, her family, or her fans, it would be an excellent choice.

Even Director Wang, who had just misinterpreted the situation, couldn’t help but have a glimmer of hope as he stared intently at the stage.

Ji Xizhi held the Most Popular Award without any burden and answered with great ease: “Myself!”

Director Wang: “?….” His heart tightened, but then relaxed again, oh~ after all, it was Ji Xizhi!

[As expected of Ji Xizhi hahaha~ this answer is really bold! Only Ji Xizhi would dare to say that!]

[And it’s valid, Qing University’s exams were taken by herself, the airport incident was handled by herself~]

[As an old scholar, I also thank Zhi Zhi, I think I should be able to get into my desired university this year! Exceeded the target scores in all mock exams!]

The awards host was momentarily stunned by Ji Xizhi’s response, then laughed lightly:

“Indeed!”

“Teacher Ji, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?” The host, with high emotional intelligence, cueing Ji Xizhi once more.

Ji Xizhi: “Yes!”

“With the college entrance examination coming up, prepare well and good luck! Previously, at the airport, I promised everyone that after the exam, they could get signatures, and I’ve already prepared them. Just waiting for you to come and grab them!”

The first half of Ji Xizhi’s sentence startled the group of students watching the live stream, but the latter half lifted everyone’s spirits to new heights.

She remembered!

She really remembered!!

She even prepared for everyone!!!

Cheers erupted in the live stream and at the venue.

The male artist standing next to Ji Xizhi looked at her bewilderedly.

His gratitude speech, polished over a month, couldn’t compare to Ji Xizhi’s easy two sentences.