Chapter 561: The Golden Orchid Awards

The Golden Orchid Awards featured more than twenty categories in total, including various sub-categories. The first award to be presented was for Most Popular TV Series, which had eight nominations.

All of them were exceptionally popular and well-received series from the past year.

"And now, please welcome our special guest presenter, Zane Langdon, to announce the winner of the Golden Orchid Award for Most Popular TV Series."

Zane Langdon walked onto the stage to a burst of thunderous applause.

"So, Zane, do you have any predictions for which series will take home the award?"

"All the nominated series have proven themselves with audiences and in the market. Regardless of which one wins, they are all brilliant, from the screenplays to the production to the actors’ performances. It’s a shame there can’t be eight awards to give out."

"So what Zane is saying is that every nominee deserves to win," the host quipped.

A wave of laughter immediately broke out on stage.

"But, we still have an award to give out. Adaptations of web novel IPs have been incredibly popular lately, and in fact, three of the nominated series are adaptations of major IPs that are beloved by all. Alright, I’ll stop rambling. Let’s have Zane announce the name of the winning series!"

Another burst of thunderous applause filled the air.

Zane Langdon took the envelope from the host. As he slid out the card, even he was stunned.

"Surprised?"

"I am."

"Pleased?"

"Very."

The host gestured for him to continue.

Zane Langdon cleared his throat. "The award for Most Popular TV Series goes to... *Warm Wind Blowing North*!"

The venue erupted in another round of applause, punctuated by excited screams.

"Please welcome Director Wallace to the stage to accept the award on behalf of the production team!" the host announced.

Director Wallace stood up and made his way to the stage.

Zane Langdon quickly passed him the microphone.

"As many of you probably know, the production of *Warm Wind* was not exactly smooth. We had casting controversies, script rewrites, and cast adjustments—any one of which is a major blow to a production’s morale. So, I’m quite surprised to be receiving this award. However, the dedication of our lead actors was there for everyone to see." Director Wallace had always been known as a heavyweight who valued true skill.

And he was never one for false modesty.

"Director Wallace, who is your favorite character from the show?" the host asked.

"Willow Lynch, played by Melody Monroe. As a newcomer, Melody’s performance was a wonderful surprise. She truly brought Willow Lynch to life. Therefore, she is the character I am most satisfied with in the entire series."

Just then, the camera panned over to Melody Monroe, capturing her in a tight close-up.

Many people felt a sour taste in their mouths as they watched Melody Monroe appear on the big screen.

Director Wallace’s integrity was widely acknowledged, and many people held him in high esteem.

They never expected Director Wallace to have such a high opinion of Melody Monroe, let alone praise her so definitively during an acceptance speech.

Melody Monroe’s acting skills were, admittedly, flawless.

And that was precisely why her peers felt so threatened.

"Winning this award is a form of validation for them as well. Zane Langdon and Melody Monroe are both incredibly dedicated, professional actors. Finally, my sincere thanks to you all. Thank you."

"Thank you, Director Wallace. We hope you will continue to bring us many more wonderful productions. And thank you, Zane Langdon, for presenting this award."

Cheryl Rhodes was in no mood to watch the ceremony on stage. The polls had closed, and she had lost to Melody Monroe by over twenty thousand votes.

Now, *Warm Wind Blowing North* had won the award for Most Popular TV Series, which, for Melody Monroe, was just icing on the cake.

’After all the effort she’d put in, all the resources she’d invested over the years, she had still lost to Melody Monroe in the end.’

’There was no way she could swallow this defeat.’