Chapter 72: Thanks

At the end of November, the Jinyun Awards ceremony was held in Ningcheng. As one of the three major domestic film awards, it garnered extremely high popularity and attention every year.

On the trending topics list, a famous actress’s haute couture gown was flown to Ningcheng from Europe under heavy security; former screen partners arrived on simultaneous flights but didn’t even greet each other from a few dozen meters away, causing fans to lament how tragic it was; and the topic of who would win Best Actress and Best Actor this year had fans of the several hot contenders arguing for a week straight, in a total mess…

Amidst all the various topics, more than one marketing account broke the news: “A certain newcomer with the surname Shen has truly miserable fashion resources for this red carpet. An international big brand gave its current season’s new design to a certain second-generation star, giving the newcomer with the surname Shen only an out-of-season ready-to-wear piece. Luckily he’s a male actor. If he were a female actress, she’d be mocked for years, right? What do you think?”

“—Is Shen Xici that pathetic? Isn’t his popularity really high? Could he be another one of those wonderful people whose popularity is all self-hyped, who goes to brands with fake buzz, and gets immediately rejected once the ‘monster-revealing mirror’ is shone on him?”

“—The only second-generation star walking the red carpet this time is Xu Lingjia. To be honest, tactics like stepping on others to climb, snatching resources, and spreading rumors are normal in the entertainment industry, right? It’s just that they haven’t been exposed. When it’s really time for the red carpet, Shen Xici’s thunder will still be stolen by Xu Lingjia. And with Shen Xici’s qualifications and status, does he have the confidence to pull off a big brand?”

“—Xu Lingjia just spreads rumors and snatches resources? What about the incident where Zhong Yue went into shock? What about him bad-mouthing domestic brands? What about snatching resources from artists at his own company? Also, you can’t just say this phenomenon should exist because it’s common! Xu Lingjia is just bad! I will continue to boycott Xu Lingjia!”

“—It can only mean that Shen Xici’s commercial value is poor, can’t even compare to Xu Lingjia. With such high popularity and still being disliked by big brands, wow, could there be some unexposed scandal behind Shen Xici? It’s highly possible!”

“—Delphi’s out-of-season ready-to-wear… it would be better not to borrow it. Isn’t he afraid of being mocked for wearing it on the red carpet? If I were a fan, I’d be embarrassed!”

In the hotel room, it was a scene of bustling activity. Shen Xici was getting his final touches. Ge Lanjing was even more nervous than he was, pacing back and forth on the room’s carpet and repeatedly reminding him, “Don’t be afraid, just walk normally, relax. If someone calls your name, just give a greeting, smile. Remember not to smile too widely, it’s easy to get photographed with a weird expression. What else, let me think…”

Shen Xici lifted his chin to let the stylist adjust his collar, smiling. “Sister Lanjing, I’m just walking the red carpet, not going to a battlefield. Come, take a deep breath with me.”

Ge Lanjing subconsciously took a deep breath with Shen Xici. After she did, she realized the staff around her were all laughing. She immediately came to her senses, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Who’s walking the red carpet, you or me? You’re not nervous at all?”

Although it was his first time walking the red carpet in this life, Shen Xici had plenty of red carpet experience from his past life. He comforted Ge Lanjing, “Don’t worry, don’t worry, I’m not nervous. Nothing will go wrong.”

At the end of November, the temperature in Ningcheng was already very low. The heat was on in the courtesy car, but Wen Yage was still wrapped in a down jacket, clutching a hot water bottle, trying to store up a little more warmth before getting out to walk the red carpet.

Shen Xici brought a chill with him as he got into the car. Wen Yage’s gaze fell on the clothes he was wearing, and she said deliberately, “Well, where did this handsome guy come from?” She recognized the origin of the outfit at a glance. “So you’re the person Baudouin was talking about?”

Baudouin was the chief designer of the top luxury brand Saherny. In an interview not long ago, he had said that after watching a Chinese film, he was deeply attracted and moved by a character in it. Inspiration struck, and he stayed up for over thirty hours without sleep, drawing design sketches all night, which became the prototype for Saherny’s new haute couture season.

He even stated bluntly that the actor was his muse, and for his muse, he had made a special trip to China to visit the film’s location. During the interview, he expressed to the camera that if that person could wear the clothes he designed, it would be the most wonderful thing to happen this year.

Once this interview clip was released, many people tried to find out which movie Baudouin was talking about and who the muse was, but Saherny never responded publicly. Speculation was rampant, and it trended on both domestic and international social media, with many fans fighting over it.

It wasn’t until Shen Xici got into the car wearing Saherny’s “super-season” haute couture that Wen Yage realized the answer to the mystery was right in front of her.

Shen Xici was a little embarrassed. “I didn’t expect it either. After you told me that news, I told my agent, and then Saherny happened to contact us, so—”

Wen Yage interrupted him, her tone exaggerated, “Alright, stop right there. Just listen to what you’re saying. Saherny contacted you! That brand is so aloof, and they actually took the initiative to contact you! Sigh, this gown I’m wearing suddenly isn’t so special anymore. I’m very jealous right now, extremely jealous!”

The smile in Shen Xici’s eyes was sparkling. “My agent blamed herself for a long time. She said I must treat Sister Yage to a meal to thank you for the special reminder.”

“Then shouldn’t I be treating you to a meal?” Besides the staff, it was just the two of them in the car. Wen Yage spoke directly, “I went to find that female director you mentioned, Ding Wu.”

Shen Xici didn’t expect Wen Yage to move so quickly. “You’ve already contacted her?”

According to the current timeline, Ding Wu had shot a small, independent film last year and won a gold award from a European directors’ association at the beginning of this year.

Whether now or two or three years later, the quality and artistic level of Ding Wu’s films were extremely high, but her fame in the country was, if not low, then almost non-existent.

Ultimately, domestic films focused more on capital and connections. A lack of fame didn’t mean a lack of talent, just a lack of opportunity to showcase that talent.

During his hospitalization in his past life, he had watched all of Ding Wu’s films and admired them greatly. Moreover, he felt that the things Ding Wu’s camera focused on were exactly what Wen Yage needed. So when Wen Yage asked, he only recommended Director Ding Wu. Even if they couldn’t collaborate in the end, making contact wouldn’t be a bad thing; it might lead to other inspirations.

Wen Yage’s makeup was exquisite, and the high jewelry on her slender neck was very eye-catching. Her eyes held a triumphant look. “Didn’t expect that, did you? The night I got back from the Plum Garden, I had a friend abroad get me the original cut of Ding Wu’s award-winning film. After watching it, I immediately found a way to contact her, and at the same time had my agent turn down Director Liang’s film. Luckily, it hadn’t started filming yet, we had only had preliminary talks. I paid a small breach of contract fee and that was the end of it.”

She made no secret of her eagerness to break through her bottleneck and her ambition to keep climbing. She added, “If I had known, I would have come to chat with you sooner. Then I wouldn’t have had to waste so much time and diet for so long.”

“That’s not necessarily true. If I had said that to you a year or half a year ago, Sister Yage, you definitely wouldn’t have had such a light tone. You would have said, ‘You think you can teach me what to do?'” Shen Xici’s voice rose at the end, full of disdain and doubt.

Wen Yage, clutching her down jacket, glared at him. “We’re just chatting. Why are you imitating my tone so perfectly?” After saying that, she herself started laughing, then added, “Ding Wu has a script she’s been wanting to shoot, about female crime at the bottom of society. But she couldn’t find a suitable actress, the subject matter is too niche, and she couldn’t get investment, so it’s been shelved. But after I read it, I loved it. I’m planning to give it a try. If there’s not enough money, I’ll invest some of my own.”

“Then I wish Sister Yage’s new film a successful start in advance!” Shen Xici didn’t think there would be any problem getting investment. Wen Yage herself was a brand name. Once word got out, even if the risk wasn’t low, people would still be scrambling to throw money at it.

“You’re just a sweet-talker.” Wen Yage’s eyes shifted. Looking at the bustling crowd outside the car window, she suddenly smiled softly. “I understand what you meant by that sentence.”

She was no longer satisfied with being the rose in the eyes of men and the audience.

She was a thorn to begin with.

The thorn that would pierce through the shackles of fate and reality.

The courtesy car slowly stopped in front of the red carpet. Through the closed car window, the host’s voice came in: “And now, let us welcome the cast and crew of ‘Mountain Range Line’! ‘Mountain Range Line’ is…”

Wen Yage took off her down jacket and handed it to her assistant, revealing a swan-like shoulder and neck line. She offered her hand to Shen Xici, her red lips curved up as she whispered, “Let’s get out. I already have a premonition that Delphi’s brand director will be spitting blood with regret over their decision.”

The moment the car door was pulled open, the cheers of the fans and the flashes of the cameras overlapped into a wave that rushed towards them.

Shen Xici got out first, then turned to support Wen Yage, who was wearing crystal stiletto heels.

Director Wan Shan walked the red carpet with Zhong Yue, Wen Yage, Tao Le, and Shen Xici.

Unlike the conventional suits worn by male actors, Shen Xici’s outfit this time was very special. The white silk top had a pearl-like luster and a beautiful drape. The collar was a slanted placket with frog closures, naturally open to reveal a long, elegant neck. The sleeves were wide, reminiscent of classic lantern sleeves, gathered at the cuffs with a light gold special print fabric. The hem was tucked into black trousers, accentuating his waistline and fully showcasing his body proportions. Noble and aloof, the earring on one side shone in harmony with his eyes, making him look like a young nobleman from a foreign land. Just a slight smile at the corners of his lips could make countless people willingly flock to him.

The moment he appeared, countless cameras aimed at him, followed by the media reporters shouting one after another, “Shen Xici, look here!” “Shen Xici, give us a smile!”

In the waiting area, executive publicist Xiao Ning was closely monitoring the press releases related to Shen Xici being sent out on various platforms. Beside her, Ge Lanjing stood on her tiptoes to see Shen Xici on the red carpet. After confirming that nothing had gone wrong, she relaxed her tense nerves and turned to the live stream on the tablet next to her.

The bullet comments were so dense that the screen was completely obscured.

“—OMG OMG AHHHHH, Shen Xici is what kind of otherworldly beauty! The first second the camera focused on him, I couldn’t help but let out a scream!!”

“—This outfit has a hint of the mute boy, but the mute boy was like a clear spring in the mountains. On the red carpet, he’s more like a handsome crown prince descending the stairs at a royal ball! As expected of my white moonlight, sob sob sob, his beauty breaks my heart!”

“—All reason gives way to this rare beauty! The first glance at Shen Xici and my brain went blank! He’s not even overshadowed standing next to Sister Wen, a red carpet king!”

“—What’s going on? Didn’t they say Shen Xici was wearing Delphi’s out-of-season ready-to-wear? Delphi never released this style, right? Did he switch to some unknown brand at the last minute?”

“—Wait, the ‘Mountain Range Line’ cast is walking the red carpet, did anyone notice someone is missing? Where’s Xu Lingjia? Didn’t they say Delphi lent him the current season’s new design?”

Outside the security line, Xu Lingjia, wearing Delphi’s latest season ready-to-wear, looked coldly at the staff member blocking him. “I said, I need to go in right now!”

The staff member looked troubled, but the hand blocking him didn’t move. “You don’t have an invitation. I really can’t let you in. Besides, the rules for this awards ceremony clearly state that disgraced artists are not allowed to enter…”

Over the crowd, on the red carpet, the cast of “Mountain Range Line” was walking slowly forward amidst screams and continuous camera flashes.

Gritting his teeth, Xu Lingjia forcefully interrupted the staff member, “Who are you calling a disgraced artist? And an invitation? Hah, this face, my name, is the invitation!”

Just then, he heard someone in the audience area exclaim, “Is that Shen Xici? My god, he’s so much more handsome in person than on camera!”

“Shen Xici is so handsome I’m gasping for air!”

“Shen Xici’s outfit is so beautiful. Today’s best red carpet look, right? What brand is it?”

Everyone was looking at Shen Xici, everyone was praising Shen Xici. But he was the one wearing Delphi’s new design; he should be the one getting the camera’s attention!

Just then, someone suddenly exclaimed, “Holy crap! Shen Xici’s outfit! The brand claimed it! Guess which brand? Saherny! It’s Saherny, oh my god!”

Another voice, just as excited, came through, “How anxious must they be? The red carpet isn’t even over and Saherny is already rushing to claim it, and it’s a super-season debut! So amazing, a top luxury brand’s super-season debut! Who dares to say Shen Xici’s fashion resources are bad? Their faces must be fractured from the slap!”

What Saherny? Wasn’t it Delphi’s out-of-season ready-to-wear? And how could it possibly be Saherny’s super-season debut?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!