This time, the Best Actor competition was as intense as ever, permeated with the smoke of war. In addition to Roy, there were Nicholas Cage from "Adaptation" and Adrian Brody from "The Pianist."
The original version of "Chicago" had been nominated for Best Supporting Actor but not Best Actor. This time, due to Laila's direction, Roy's outstanding performance propelled him into the Best Actor showdown, pushing aside the Best Supporting Actor category.
This wasn't surprising; Oscar judges wouldn't allocate all significant awards to the same film. Even if the film truly deserved such recognition, they wouldn't do it. You could say they were dividing the cake, or you could say they were capricious.
"The winner of the 75th Oscar for Best Actor is... Roy Seasonstar!"
Laila: (⊙ｏ⊙)!
She widened her eyes in shock, looking at Roy in disbelief, who was equally astonished.
"You won!"
"I won!"
The two of them spontaneously said the same thing, making the crew burst into laughter.
"Go get your award." Seeing the two standing there in a daze, Renée, who was closest to them, patted Roy's back. "Smile, smile."
"Oh, right!" Roy was momentarily stunned but then rushed to the stage. However, halfway there, he ran back, kissed Laila, and then resumed running up.
His comical actions amused everyone. No one had seen someone run halfway and then come back, and certainly not a Best Actor doing something so silly. But so what? His genuine nature made everyone forgive him.
"This is truly incredible." Taking the trophy from the presenter, Roy still had a shocked expression. "I actually got it!"
Laila watched Roy on the dazzling stage. Although she was also excited and thrilled, a mist filled her eyes.
That was his trophy, but wasn't it also hers?
She discovered him from the streets, molded him with her own hands, and, in return, received genuine affection from him. He was her greatest reward in this world. Seeing him holding that trophy made Laila happier than winning her own.
At 25 years old this year, turning 26 in half a year, he undoubtedly set a record as the youngest winner. It would be challenging to surpass this for a long time.
He was a genius in acting, but at the same time, he was a lucky guy. Before the awards ceremony, who would have thought he would win? Who could have anticipated that, after consecutively winning Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress for "Chicago," he would also take home the Best Actor trophy?
Many people were shocked by this result, but thinking about Roy's performance in the film, they believed he truly deserved the award. A young man in his twenties could portray a cunning and scheming lawyer in his thirties so convincingly. Who could say he didn't deserve such recognition?
"I think today is a day I'll remember for the rest of my life. Laila got her first Oscar, and I got mine. Does this mean we'll continue walking this path together?" Roy said, his eyes accurately finding Laila in the audience, winking at her.
Whistles echoed, including several women behind Laila.
Roy's appearance was already exceptional, and now, with the addition of the Best Actor trophy, he was even more radiant. Even if people knew he was winking at someone specific, many women couldn't help but be captivated by him.
In the eyes of others, he was also an incredible presence. Because his good looks not only didn't trap him in the "flower vase" curse but also made his journey smooth. Just thinking about his growth process made many people understand Laila's importance in it.
This made many people realize that Laila's title as the "First Planner" wasn't just for show; not only was she excellent in planning and promoting products, but she was also magical in planning lives. At least, no one present dared to say they could do the same. If someone was fortunate enough to have someone like Roy, the quickest way was to involve him in significant roles in major productions, often defined as "flower vase" roles.
Why was he so handsome? Wasn't the first glance supposed to be attracted by his appearance? How could there be someone like Laila, whose first glance was at his potential rather than his looks?
In reality, these people had truly mythicized Laila. Her first glance did focus on Roy's appearance because, after all, she was also susceptible to attractiveness. Although she wouldn't become immobilized upon seeing a handsome person, she couldn't avoid wanting to include them in her crew for small roles based on their looks.
In the future era where everything was judged by appearances, her approach did indeed elevate several people. Unfortunately, after becoming popular in her TV dramas, those individuals were often quickly noticed and poached by agents. It wasn't so easy to use them again.
Roy's acceptance speech wasn't long, with one main theme—Laila, I love that woman, more than anything. Peace and war had nothing to do with him; in his eyes, there was only one person from beginning to end!
Audiences forced to witness his affectionate display could only silently accept the dog food being force-fed to them, clapping their hands with the strength of wanting to throw torches at him, bidding him farewell from the stage.
"Laila, I'm so happy." Once Roy returned to his seat, he rested his head on Laila's shoulder.
He had found his brother, established a warm home, had a deeply loved girlfriend, and now, he also had the title of Best Actor. It made him feel that if he were to die right now, he wouldn't have any regrets. He even feared that all this beauty might just be a dream. If the dream suddenly ended, and he woke up to see his shabby tin house, he would surely collapse from losing the world where she existed.
Laila comfortingly patted his shoulder, her lips, painted with deep pink lipstick, slightly curved. "I'm happy too."
There was no other time that could make her as happy as now.
The awards continued in a warm atmosphere. Next was the award for Best Director. The audience was eager to know if "Chicago," having already won Best Actor and Actress, would also allow Laila to receive her first Oscar for directing.
If so, then "Chicago" was truly going against the odds.