Ji Yi held the microphone and stood silently on stage for two seconds before raising it to her mouth. "I'm a little nervous," she said.
Her one sentence made the live audience burst into laughter again.
"I'm serious. I'm really nervous."
This time, Ji Yi wasn't over-hesitant to continue speaking.
"Honestly speaking, I really can't believe I won the award for best actress tonight."
"In my hands, this award..." As Ji Yi said this, she raised the award up high. "...feels heavy, real heavy, and this all still feels surreal."
"All I can say is that I'm very lucky. I came across a good script, a great director, a great production team, and a great partner, so although this award was given to me, it actually belongs to everyone who worked hard on 'Jiuchong Palace.'"
"Here, I want to thank my company, Huan Ying Entertainment; thank Cheng Weiwan, who wrote such a great script for 'Jiuchong Palace'; thank the director of 'Jiuchong Palace,' Director Li; and thank my fans who've always supported me. I'm truly grateful."
As Ji Yi said this, she took a deep bow.
Another round of applause ensued.
After the applause died down, Ji Yi straightened up and brought the mic to her lips. "Besides giving a speech of thanks, I have something even more important to say."
"I know it's not very suitable for me to talk about my private life in this kind setting, but I have to say it."
When Ji Yi received Ning Shuang's call earlier, she started to write a script for this very scenario.
On the way to the Television Awards, she ran through what she wanted to say tonight.
It flowed very well.
But now that it was time, Ji Yi realized she was actually a little nervous.
"Yesterday, I got a phone call from someone. I told him, 'You said you'd walk step by step with me from the lowest point to the highest point of my career. Tomorrow is the Television Awards and I'm nominated. If you're free, could you come..."
As Ji Yi said this, her gaze scanned the room full of people.
She was too far away and there were too many people. She had no idea where the person she was looking for was seated.
"...He agreed to do it. I don't know where he's sitting exactly, but I know he's definitely here."
As Ji Yi said this, quite a few people started to turn their heads and look all around.
"A few days ago, on New Year's Eve, I had an interview with TB. In the interview, the presenter asked me, 'Xiao Yi, are you single right now?'"
"I said, 'No, I'm not single. I'm just waiting for someone.'"
"Everyone thought I liked someone and that I was waiting for the person I liked to come back."
"That really wasn't the case. I'm not single. I'm married."
Ji Yi's casual words incited uproar amongst the audience. Even the two presenters on stage shot a glance of confusion at each other.
"And the person I've been waiting for is my husband."
"And he's also the person I just mentioned would come here in person today."
"A year ago, because of some issues, he left me. I've been waiting a year and seven months for him. This year, I was finally able to see him."
"He's the person who treats me the best in this world. I've already missed out several times, so I don't want to miss any more opportunities."
"I've never been as brave as I am today, but this time, I'm willing to be brave for him."