Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 73 First Encounter at the Awards Ceremony

The buzz surrounding the finale hasn't even died down yet, and the year-end awards season is already here.

"Model Taxi" was nominated for seven awards, including Best Drama, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best New Actress, and Best Couple. Kim Dong-wook compiled a list of nominees and posted it in the company group chat. Yoon Shi-yoon immediately replied with eight "likes" emojis, Chae Soo-bin sent a trembling bear emoji, Park Ji-yeon said "It's on me," and Sulli said "+1."

Su Yu replied with "Okay," and then asked Kim Eun-sook to book a table at a Korean beef restaurant in Myeongdong.

All the main cast members attended the dinner. The director, drunk, hugged Yoon Shi-yoon and cried, saying it was the best film he had ever made. Screenwriter Lee Young-eun, who hadn't been drinking, had been reading online comments on her phone and started crying as she read. Yoon Shi-yoon, unable to move while being held by the director, cried out to Su Yu for help, but Su Yu pretended not to see him.

Cai Xiubin sat next to Su Yu, drank two glasses of soju, and blushed. She leaned on Su Yu's shoulder and whispered, "Am I dreaming?" Su Yu pinched her arm, she hissed, glared at him, and then laughed.

"It's not a dream," Su Yu said.

"Why are you pinching yourself instead of me?"

"You'll only know pain when I pinch you."

Cai Xiubin punched him lightly.

It was almost midnight when the dinner party ended. Su Yu and Cai Xiubin were at the back, while Yin Shiyun was ahead trying to flag down a taxi. After trying for a long time without success, he squatted by the roadside saying he was going to sleep on the street. Jin Dongxu shoved him into a taxi and told the driver, "Go to Apgujeong. If he throws up in the car, I'll pay double."

Cai Xiubin watched as Yoon Shi-yoon was shoved into the car, shaking her head with a smile.

"He really drank a lot today."

"I'm happy," Su Yu said. "This is his first Best Actor nomination since his debut."

"You too. This is your first time being a producer since your debut."

Su Yu glanced at her. "I'm not a debut artist."

"Then what are you?"

"I'm the boss."

Cai Xiubin laughed and took his arm. "Yes, you're the boss. The youngest, the most handsome, and the most tongue-tied boss."

"I can't speak?"

"You don't know how to say nice things."

Su Yu thought for a moment. "You look great today."

Cai Xiubin paused for a moment, then laughed. "Isn't that just nice talk?"

"Didn't you say you couldn't talk?"

"You say it occasionally, but I need to remind you."

Su Yu's lips curved slightly, but she didn't reply.

The two strolled slowly along the streets of Myeongdong. Myeongdong wasn't as crowded at night as during the day; the streetlights illuminated the entire street, and a few shops were still open, their staff tidying up outside. Chae Soo-bin stopped in front of a jewelry store, looked at the hair clips in the window for a few seconds, and then walked away.

"Not buying?" Su Yu asked.

"Just take a look."

Su Yu pulled her back and pushed open the door to the store. The shop assistant was already preparing to close, but turned the lights back on when they saw someone come in. Cai Xiubin felt embarrassed and said, "Never mind, don't keep them from getting off work." Su Yu ignored her and pointed to a pearl hair clip in the window, asking the shop assistant, "How much is this?"

The shop assistant quoted the price, and Su Yu scanned the code to pay. Cai Xiubin said from the side, "It's too expensive." Su Yu handed her the hair clip and said, "Put it on."

Cai Xiubin took it, tucked it into her hair, and walked to the mirror to look at herself.

"Is it pretty?"

"nice."

"You're not just giving me a perfunctory answer, are you?"

When have I ever been perfunctory with you?

Cai Xiubin looked at himself in the mirror, then at Su Yu standing behind him. His expression was serious, not like he was just going through the motions.

She smiled, turned around, and hugged his waist.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Let's go and get off work."

The two walked out of the jewelry store hand in hand. Behind them, they heard the sound of the shop assistant turning off the lights and locking the door, plunging the entire street into darkness.

Back home, Cai Xiubin removed her makeup and took a shower. Su Yu sat on the sofa, opened her phone, and saw that Kim Dong-wook had sent her a schedule for the awards ceremony. It would be held next Friday at the Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul, broadcast live on SBS. The cast of "Model Taxi" were seated together, and the seating arrangement was already complete.

Su Yu glanced at his seat, which was in the first row, next to Cai Xiubin and Yin Shiyun.

He replied with "Received," then put down his phone, leaned back on the sofa, and closed his eyes.

His mind was racing. An awards ceremony wasn't just a celebration; it was a social occasion. He'd meet many people—high-ranking officials from the television station, production company owners, investors, and actors he'd only ever seen on TV. It was an opportunity, and a battleground.

Cai Xiubin came out of the shower with her hair still wet. She was wearing a white nightgown and barefoot. She walked over and sat down next to him, handing him a towel.

"Help me wipe it."

Su Yu took the towel and helped her dry her hair. Her hair was soft and long, and it became even softer when wet; it was still damp even after drying for a while.

"I'll buy a hairdryer tomorrow," Su Yu said.

"There's a hairdryer at home."

"Then why don't you use it?"

"I'll wait for you to wipe it for me."

Su Yu paused for a moment, then continued wiping. Cai Xiubin had her eyes closed, a smile playing on her lips.

"Su Yu, will you be watching me from the audience at the awards ceremony?"

"meeting."

"If I win an award, will you come up and hug me?"

"meeting."

"What if I didn't take it?"

"Yes, it will too."

Cai Xiubin opened her eyes and turned to look at him.

How can you be so sure?

"Because whether you win an award or not, you're mine."

Cai Xiubin stared at him for several seconds, then smiled.

"You have such a sharp tongue."

"What's wrong?"

"They don't speak when they should, and they say things they shouldn't."

Su Yu put the towel aside, ran her fingers through her hair, and smoothed it out.

"Then I won't say anything."

"No, continue."

Su Yu didn't say anything more, but lowered his head and kissed her.

On the day of the awards ceremony, the area outside the Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul was packed with fans and reporters.

The red carpet event started at 5 p.m. Su Yu wore a black suit without a tie, and the top button of his shirt was undone. Cai Xiubin wore a champagne-colored long dress, her hair was up in an updo, and she wore the pearl hair clip that Su Yu had given her.

When the two walked the red carpet together, the flashbulbs were as bright as day. Reporters shouted, "Look this way!" "Smile!" "Hold hands!" Su Yu walked the whole way with a blank expression, while Cai Xiubin smiled along the way, but her hand was always on Su Yu's arm and she never let go.

Upon arriving at the photo area, the host asked Su Yu, "What are your expectations for tonight's awards ceremony?" Su Yu replied, "None." The host paused for a moment, but Cai Xiubin, standing next to her, smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Representative Su means that no matter the outcome, we are already very satisfied."

Upon entering the venue, Su Yu found his seat and sat down. Next to him was Cai Xiubin, then Yoon Shi-yoon, and past that was Lee Young-eun. Sulli sat in the second row with Park Ji-yeon. Su Yu glanced back; Sulli was also looking at him, and their eyes met. Sulli smiled, Su Yu nodded, and turned away.

The awards ceremony has begun.

The hosts, a man and a woman, gave their opening remarks, jokingly referring to this year's hit drama, "Model Taxi." When they mentioned "Model Taxi," the camera cut to Su Yu and Cai Xiubin, and their faces appeared on the big screen. Cai Xiubin smiled and waved, but Su Yu didn't move.

The first award presented was for Best New Actress. Chae Soo-bin was nominated but didn't win. The winner was an actress from another drama, in her forties, who had been acting for over a decade and finally received the Best New Actress award. She went on stage and cried her eyes out.

Cai Xiubin clapped, a smile on her face, but Su Yu noticed her hands were clenched into fists on her knees. He placed his hand over hers and gently squeezed it. Cai Xiubin turned to look at him, smiled—a smile tinged with disappointment, but mostly with relief.

"It's okay," she said softly.

Su Yu didn't speak, but didn't loosen his grip.

Next, the Best Screenplay award was presented, and Lee Young-eun won. She cried when she went on stage, saying, "Thank you, Representative Su. If it weren't for you, this script would still be on my hard drive." The camera cut to Su Yu, whose lips twitched slightly, a smile in itself.

Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director—the awards were presented one by one. "Model Taxi" won Best Director and Best Screenplay, while Yoon Shi-yoon won Best Actor. When he went on stage, his eyes were red, and he said a long string of thank-yous—thank you to the director, the screenwriter, the crew, and the fans. He concluded by saying, "Thank you, Su Yu. You're the least boss-like boss I've ever met, but you're the best boss."

Some people in the audience laughed, and some applauded.

Su Yu sat below, expressionless, but Cai Xiubin felt him tighten his grip on her hand.

Then comes Best Actress.

When the host announced the shortlist, Cai Xiubin's hands began to tremble. Su Yu glanced at her; she was biting her lip, her eyes fixed on the screen.

After the clips of the five finalists finished playing, the host opened the envelope.

The winner is—

The entire room fell silent.

"Model Taxi", Tsai Hsiu-pin.

Cai Xiubin was stunned.

People around her were clapping and watching her, but she didn't move. Su Yu nudged her arm, and she finally reacted, almost tripping over her skirt as she stood up.

She walked onto the stage, accepted the trophy, and stood in front of the microphone.

With so many people in the audience and the lights so bright, she couldn't see anything at all.

"I..." Her voice trembled slightly, "I don't know what to say. I never imagined I would be standing on this stage."

She took a deep breath, and tears fell from her eyes.

"Thank you to the director, thank you to the screenwriter, thank you to everyone in the crew. Thank you Yoon Shi-yoon, you are my best partner."

"Thank you to my agent, even though you weren't here tonight."

"Thank you to my family, you have always supported me."

She paused for a moment, then tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"Finally, I want to thank one person. He was sitting in the audience. He doesn't know what he means to me. Without him, there would be no Ahn Go-eun, and no Chae Soo-bin standing here."

She looked down at the audience and her gaze found Su Yu.

"Thank you."

The entire room fell silent for a second, then erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Cai Xiubin walked off the stage with the trophy and returned to her seat. Su Yu looked at her but didn't say anything. Cai Xiubin didn't say anything either, but simply reached out and shook his hand.

Their fingers are intertwined.

After the awards ceremony came the banquet. Su Yu and Cai Xiubin were surrounded by a group of people. Some offered toasts, some handed out business cards, and some said, "Su, on behalf of us, let's collaborate again next time." Su Yu dealt with everyone, while Cai Xiubin smiled and kept the guests company, changing her champagne glass three times without drinking a drop.

Shirley walked over with a wine glass in her hand and stood in front of Cai Xiubin.

"Unnie, congratulations."

"Thank you." Cai Xiubin smiled and clinked glasses with her.

Shirley glanced at Su Yu, who was standing next to her talking to someone else, and then at Cai Xiubin.

"Unnie".

"Um?"

"The person you were talking about on stage just now, was it him?"

Cai Xiubin smiled but did not answer.

"You're really lucky." After saying this, Shirley finished her drink and left.

Cai Xiubin watched her retreating figure and remained silent for a few seconds.

Su Yu walked over and asked her what was wrong. Cai Xiubin said, "Nothing, I just chatted with Shirley for a bit." Su Yu glanced in the direction Shirley had left, then looked at Cai Xiubin, and didn't ask any more questions.

As the banquet was drawing to a close, Su Yu went to the restroom. When she came out, she encountered someone in the hallway.

Son Ye-jin.

She was wearing a black dress, her hair was down, and she wore a pair of large diamond earrings. She leaned against the wall, holding her phone, as if waiting for someone. When she saw Su Yu come out, she looked up and smiled.

"Representative Su, it's been a long time."

They had never met before. Su Yu knew she was doing it on purpose.

"Sun Ye-jin sunbaenim."

"Just call me unnie." Son Ye-jin put her phone away. "I watched 'Model Taxi,' it was really good. Are you the producer?"

"Yes."

"Young and promising." Son Ye-jin glanced at him. "I saw you at the banquet earlier. I wanted to go over and say hello, but I was surrounded by people and couldn't squeeze in."

"Have we seen each other now?"

"Yes, I've met you now." Son Ye-jin smiled, took a business card from her handbag and handed it over. "This is my contact information. Remember to contact me if you have any good scripts in the future."

Su Yu took the business card, glanced at it, and put it in his pocket.

"I probably can't afford Son Ye-jin's salary."

Son Ye-jin smiled. "Contact me first, and we can discuss the fee."

Su Yu nodded and turned to leave.

"Representative Su," Son Ye-jin called out to him.

Su Yu turned around.

"Your girlfriend is very beautiful. Her speech on stage just now was very touching."

Su Yu glanced at her. "Thank you."

He left. Son Ye-jin stood in the corridor, watching his retreating figure, a slight smile curving her lips.

It was quite late when they got back. Su Yu drove, and Cai Xiubin sat in the passenger seat, holding the trophy and looking at it the whole time.

"I've been watching it the whole way," Su Yu said.

"I want to see it. This is my first award."

Su Yu didn't say anything, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"Guess who I ran into at the dinner party just now?"

"Who?"

"Son Ye-jin. She came over to congratulate me and said she watched 'A Model Taxi' and really liked Ahn Go-eun."

Su Yu didn't speak.

She also asked you about you, whether you were my boyfriend, how old you were, and where you were from.

Su Yu tapped his fingers lightly twice on the steering wheel. "What did you say?"

"I told you you're my boyfriend, 23 years old, and Chinese."

"Anything else?"

"Also, you're very busy and don't have time to chat with her." Cai Xiubin turned to look at him. "You won't blame me, will you?"

Su Yu glanced at her. "What's it to you?"

"It's my fault for not letting you talk to her more."

Su Yu reached out and ruffled her hair.

"I already have you."

Cai Xiubin smiled, hugged the trophy, and leaned back in his chair.

The Seoul nightscape receded outside the window, streetlights flashing by one by one, casting flickering light and shadow on Chae Soo-bin's face. Her eyes were closed, a smile playing on her lips, and she clutched the trophy tightly in her hands, as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

Su Yu glanced at her, then looked away and continued driving.

He recalled what Son Ye-jin had said in the hallway earlier—"Your girlfriend is very beautiful."

It is indeed beautiful.

But to him, she was more than just pretty.

She is his.