Rob left, and Cassius took a long shower before slipping into comfortable sweats. He sank into the couch and flipped through channels. Local news was still milking the Oscars—red carpet shots, after-party clips, and quick cuts of him holding the statue.
It felt surreal, like watching someone else's highlight reel.
His phone kept buzzing with messages—congrats from friends, directors, producers. He answered the important ones and left the rest for Rob's team.
A video call from Shen Man popped up. He answered.
Her face filled the screen, background full of crew. "Congratulations, Mr. Oscar."
"You're crying?" Cassius asked.
"Happy tears." She wiped her eyes. "I just wrapped and watched the replay in the green room. When you switched , I lost it for half an hour."
Cassius didn't know what to say.
Shen Man sniffled. "I'm directing variety shows now. This afternoon I showed your clip to some new kids on the team. I told them this is one of our own—standing on the biggest stage in the world and thanking us in our language."
She paused. "One of the girls cried. Said she studied media because of you but never told her parents because they'd call it chasing foreign dreams. Now she can say her idol was on national TV."
Something in Cassius's chest tightened.
"Tell her thanks."
"I will." Shen Man nodded. "Also, CCTV-6 is airing a ninety-minute Oscar special tomorrow night. They're leading with your win and doing a full profile on you. The higher-ups are treating this like a big deal."
Cassius raised an eyebrow. "That fast?"
"You're the first actor to win in a performance category. They moved quick."
Shen Man smiled. "From tomorrow on, you're officially a household name back home."
Cassius leaned back after the call and stared at the ceiling.
The next evening , families gathered around TVs for the prime-time broadcast. Kids dragged parents to the screen. "Mom, that's the actor I told you about!"
"Foreigner?"
" He won an Oscar in Hollywood!"
The special played. Professional narration walked through the night—red carpet, Jennifer's fall and Cassius rushing to help, his speech. Then a ten-minute profile on his journey: background gigs, early TV roles, the Hunger Games set, Guardians chaos.
The voiceover ended with: "From the sets of Los Angeles to the Oscar stage, Cassius turned four years into a lifetime of work. But his story is only just beginning."
The comments section on Weibo went nuclear. trended hard. Fans posted crying emojis. "I watched with my parents. They finally get why I stan him." "Central TV made a whole special. That's national recognition."
In industry circles, producers were already circling. "His commercial value just exploded. Five brands are bidding on domestic endorsements—eight figures minimum."
Back in L.A., Cassius was scrolling through the noise when Rob called.
"Dior just locked in the joint campaign with you and Jennifer. They want you for their men's line too—Asia market focus, one-year deal to start. The numbers are strong."
Cassius read the draft contract. "Run with it."
The next morning he flew back to London. The Guardians set was buzzing when he walked in.
Dave spotted him first. "Oscar boy returns! Heard you're the new face of Dior now?"
"Word travels fast."
Zoe walked over in full Gamora makeup. "Congrats. Dior has good taste."
Gunn appeared with his walkie. "Welcome back. How's the gold statue treating you?"
"Haven't slept with it yet."
Gunn grinned. "Try it tonight. Might give you ideas."
They shot the big group argument scene on the Milano. Cassius slipped into Star-Lord's cocky rhythm without even trying. The win had loosened something in him—he felt lighter, more in control.
During a break he checked his phone. Dior had just posted a teaser: "The most beautiful flowers deserve the most careful hands. Coming soon."
The image was a blurred silhouette of a man and woman standing side by side—clearly him and Jennifer.
Comments flooded in instantly. "Dior is eating this up." "Oscar couple energy is unmatched." "That tagline is literally about him catching her on stage, right?"
Cassius smiled and locked his phone.
The bloom was real. And it was only getting brighter.