Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 170 Actress Jiang's Wife

From the opening day of the Venice Film Festival, every film crew that was shortlisted for the main competition planted a seed in their hearts.

That seed about the closing ceremony, about the awards, about the glory.

Everyone knows that the lucky ones who receive that "unspoken rule notification" are usually less than a third.

It was a silent signal, a tacit agreement: if your film crew receives a personal invitation from the vice chairman of the film festival organizing committee, earnestly requesting that you "must stay to attend the closing ceremony," then congratulations, your film is very likely to win an award.

This is to avoid the awkwardness of the winners having already left Venice by the time the awards are presented, and it is also a way for the film festival to pay tribute to those who are about to be crowned.

When Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei returned to Venice from Milan, the setting sun was lazily resting on the surface of the canal, dyeing the entire water city into a warm golden dream.

The gondoliers, having finished their last trip of the day, were humming a little tune in Italian as they cleaned their boats; in the open-air cafes, tourists held wine glasses and admired the sunset; in the distance, the bells of St. Mark's Square chimed six times, long and steady.

Neither of them had any interest in appreciating the twilight of the water city. As soon as the car stopped in front of the hotel, Jiang Yu pulled Liu Yifei out of the car in a hurry, handed the suitcase to the doorman, and quickly walked into the lobby.

In the elevator, Liu Yifei looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a little messy from the wind, her cheeks were slightly flushed from excitement and running around, but her eyes were sparkling.

"You said—" she began, her voice hoarse with nervousness, "Will it really be us?"

Jiang Yu pressed the button for the sixth floor, turned to look at her, and a confident smile appeared on his lips: "If it weren't for that, why would the vice chairman come in person? He could have easily made a phone call or had a regular staff member notify him. Coming in person and waiting for twenty minutes—don't you understand the level of courtesy he's receiving?"

As the elevator doors opened, the palpable sense of excitement filled the corridor.

Several staff members walked by quickly, whispering words like "notification," "invitation," and "closing ceremony." Upon seeing them, they stopped immediately, their faces lighting up with bright smiles: "President Jiang, Sister Yifei, you're back! Everyone's waiting in the conference room!"

Pushing open the door to the conference room on the third floor, the scene inside stunned both of them.

This temporarily rented meeting room was originally simply furnished with a long conference table, a dozen chairs, a whiteboard, and a projector.

At this moment, the place is packed with people, and the air is filled with the aroma of coffee and perfume, as well as the excitement that is about to burst forth.

George Miller, the producer of Fox Searchlight, a middle-aged man who is usually as steady as a block of marble, is now standing in front of a whiteboard, gesturing wildly and writing something with a marker.

His suit jacket was draped over the back of the chair, his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and a fine layer of sweat covered his forehead.

David, head of Light Chaser Animation Studios in North America and Jiang Yu's right-hand man, was rapidly speaking into his phone in a corner, a mix of English and Italian, at a speed like a machine gun.

Director Darren Aronofsky sat at the head of the conference table, his hands crossed on the table, seemingly calm, but his constantly shaking left leg betrayed his nervousness.

Vincent Cassel and Mila Kunis sat side by side by the window, talking in hushed tones and occasionally glancing toward the door.

Jiang Yu's assistant, Wang Wei, was the first to spot them, practically jumping up: "President Jiang! Sister Yifei! You're finally back!"

""

In an instant, all eyes turned to them. The conference room was silent for a second, then burst into a cacophony of greetings.

"Jiang! Liu!"

"You've finally arrived!"

"How was the trip? Was it smooth sailing?"

"Is Milan fun?"

George Miller was the first to rush over and give Jiang Yu a big hug.

This is common among Americans, but George isn't usually this enthusiastic.

"Jiang! My God, you're finally back! You know what? At three o'clock this afternoon, Mr. Marco Bellotti, the vice chairman of the organizing committee, came in person! He waited in the meeting room for a full twenty minutes!"

David leaned in, his eyes behind his glasses shining like searchlights: "It wasn't just a simple notification. Mr. Bellotti explicitly stated that he hoped we were fully prepared. I asked what we should prepare, and he smiled and said, 'Of course, prepare an acceptance speech!' That's practically an open instruction!"

Director Darren stood up, walked over, and shook hands with Jiang Yu.

The director, known for his dark psychological films, had icy fingers and sweaty palms: "Jiang, thank you. Without the investment from Light Chaser Pictures and your unwavering support for Liu, this film wouldn't have made it this far."

Liu Yifei was somewhat at a loss for what to do in this situation. She glanced at Jiang Yu and saw that he was trying to remain calm, but the slight upturn of his lips and the bright eyes betrayed his true emotions.

"Everyone, please sit down." Jiang Yu pulled Liu Yifei to sit in the main seat, and sat next to her. "Wang Wei, please explain the details."

Wang Wei immediately handed over a printed memo, still warm from the printer: "At 3:07 PM this afternoon, Mr. Marco Bellotti, Vice Chairman of the Film Festival Organizing Committee, arrived at the hotel in person with two assistants. They first inquired about the room number of the 'Black Swan' crew at the front desk, and then went directly up to the sixth floor and knocked on Mr. George's door."

George chimed in, "I was on the phone with Fox headquarters when I heard the knock and thought it was room service."

I opened the door; my goodness, it was Mr. Bellotti! He was dressed in a formal suit and bow tie, followed by two staff members. He said, "Mr. Miller, I hope I haven't disturbed you. On behalf of the Venice Film Festival organizing committee, I formally invite the entire cast and crew of 'Black Swan' to attend the closing ceremony on the evening of the 13th."

David added details: "I heard a noise and came out of the room. Mr. Bellotti saw me and specifically repeated what he had said, emphasizing that he hoped the crew would be fully prepared. I tentatively asked if there was anything special that needed to be prepared," and he smiled and said, "like an acceptance speech"—then he politely took his leave. The whole process took less than ten minutes."

A suppressed cheer erupted in the conference room.

Mila Kunis couldn't help but slam her hand on the table, while Vincent Cassel smiled, shook his head, and muttered something in French:

"Incroyable".

""

"Calm down, calm down." Jiang Yu waved his hand, but the smile on his lips grew wider. "This is just a possibility, not a certainty. There have been precedents in the history of film festivals where people were invited but left empty-handed. We can't have too high expectations."

George rubbed his hands together, pacing around the conference room. "I've been in this industry for thirty years, attended countless film festivals. With an invitation of this caliber, with this level of innuendo, if I don't win an award, I'll eat my suit!"

This remark drew laughter, easing the tense atmosphere slightly.

"Okay, then we'll treat it as an open card." Jiang Yu turned to Darren, "Director, based on your understanding of film festivals, what award do you think we're most likely to win?"

Darren paused for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "Best Actress is the most likely candidate. First, Liu's performance is the soul of this film; all the media reviews are focused on her. Second, the Venice Film Festival has a tradition of promoting actresses, especially young actresses with breakthrough performances. Third...1"

He looked at Liu Yifei, his eyes full of sincere admiration, "Her performance was truly remarkable. This is not flattery, it's a fact."

""

Liu Yifei blushed and whispered, "The director did a great job, and the script was excellent too—"

"Both are important." Jiang Yu gently held her hand, gesturing for her to accept the praise. "We need to be prepared for both scenarios. If it's just a technical award or a screenwriting award, we have to accept it gracefully. We can't let the media think we're determined to win; that would only attract criticism."

For the next two hours, the makeshift conference room transformed into a true combat command center.

George and David began discussing publicity strategies and release schedules for the film after it won awards.

George drew a timeline on the whiteboard: "If Liu wins Best Actress, it will be a nuclear boost to the film. The North American awards season officially begins in October; the Venice Film Festival Best Actress title will give us a strong foundation at the Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards, and..."

It even holds a significant advantage in the Oscar race.

David chimed in excitedly, "The Chinese market goes without saying. Jiang told me that the domestic media has been raving about Liu Yifei, and she's been trending on Weibo for almost a week. If she really wins an award, the box office will explode. I predict the domestic box office will reach at least 2 million RMB, and that's assuming it's an art film!"

Jiang Yu was more concerned about the practicalities: "What about the release date? It was originally scheduled for a simultaneous release in China and the US on October 1st. Is there still time to adjust it?"

"Absolutely enough time!" George wrote the date on the whiteboard. "If we win the award tomorrow night, we'll release a press release overnight, have a global media frenzy for two or three days, and then start intensive promotion. The film will be released on October 1st, perfectly catching the peak of the award's popularity. And this release date..."

He glanced at Jiang Yu and said, "In China, it's the National Day Golden Week, a seven-day holiday, which is when moviegoers are at their highest. Although the US isn't a traditionally popular release period, it's just right for award-winning films. Without competition from big-budget commercial films, word-of-mouth can fully develop."

Director Darren nodded in agreement: "Award-winning films need time. Releasing it in October will coincide with the start of voting for major film critics' awards, maximizing the film's popularity and award potential. If we delay until November, your 'Insidious 2' and 'Twilight 2' will be released, and the Christmas season in December will be packed with blockbusters, making the competition too fierce."

Final agreement: simultaneous release in China and the US, on October 1st.

In North America, it was distributed by Fox, and in China, it was distributed by Light Chaser Pictures.

George immediately called Fox headquarters to confirm that the marketing budget had increased by 50 percent.

"There's one more detail," David reminded her, looking at Liu Yifei, "If Liu really wins the award, should her acceptance speech be prepared in advance, or will it be improvised?"

All eyes were on Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei hesitated for a moment and looked at Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu held her hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand: "No need to memorize a script, just say whatever comes to mind. But there are a few key points to remember: thank the film festival and the jury, thank everyone in the crew, thank your family and fans. Finally..."

'

He paused, and a good-natured laugh filled the conference room. "If you'd like, you can mention me. Of course, it all depends on your mood."

Mila Kunis jokingly teased, "Jiang, you're practically asking for a public confession! You're quite the schemer!"

"I'm just offering options," Jiang Yu said seriously, but his ears were clearly red.

Liu Yifei smiled, her face flushed, her eyes resolute: "I know what to say. If I could really stand on that stage, I would say what's truly in my heart."

"That's good," said director Darren. "Sincerity is the most important thing. The audience and judges can both feel the sincerity."

The meeting didn't end until 9 p.m.

George had champagne and Italian sparkling wine sent up from the hotel, and everyone celebrated briefly; no one dared to drink too much, as there was an important closing ceremony the day after tomorrow, and they needed to be in top condition.

"Just one drink to celebrate this wonderful evening." George raised his glass. "Regardless of the outcome, we have made history; Black Swan was the most talked-about film at Venice this year, and Liu's performance has won worldwide acclaim. That in itself is a huge success."

"To the movies!" Darren raised his glass.

"Homage to art!" Vincent said.

"Respect to Liu!" Mira added.

The glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

The golden liquid sloshed in the glass, reflecting the hopeful faces on each one.

Back in her room, Liu Yifei collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted. Her high heels were kicked to the side, and her ankles were red and swollen.

Jiang Yu took an ice pack from the mini-fridge, wrapped it in a towel, and applied it to her feet: "How much did you walk today? Your feet are all swollen."

"I don't know, but I just wandered from Milan to Venice."

Liu Yifei closed her eyes, letting him massage her calves. "But I'm so happy, Jiang Yu, I'm really so happy. Not because of the possibility of winning an award, but because of all of this. For your support, for the team's trust, for my own hard work. You know what? Just now in the conference room, looking at Director Darren, George, David, and the others, I suddenly felt so moved. So many people working hard for the same film, this feeling is so beautiful."

Jiang Yu leaned down and kissed her forehead: "Your hard work, your talent, and your perseverance all deserve the best reward."

"What if we don't win the award?" Liu Yifei opened her eyes, a hint of worry in them. "What if the vice-chairman was just being polite, or the jury ultimately chose someone else—"

"If you didn't take it, you didn't take it," Jiang Yu said casually, but seriously. "Your performance has already been recognized worldwide; the trophy is just icing on the cake."

He laughed, deliberately using a relaxed tone, "Even if we didn't take anything, we've already bought so much stuff in Milan. Didn't you really like that shawl? That watch will appreciate in value too. It wasn't a wasted trip."

Liu Yifei was amused by him and gave him a light kick: "All you ever do is buy things—President Jiang, you're spending money more and more extravagantly these days."

"Everything I bought is useful," Jiang Yu said matter-of-factly. "The shawl is warm, you can wear it when filming in winter; the watch is an investment, it appreciates every year; as for jewelry..."

'

He leaned close to her ear and lowered his voice, "The jewelry is for the future Mrs. Jiang; we'll have to buy it sooner or later."

Liu Yifei blushed even more and pushed him away: "Who wants to marry you—"

"It was bound to happen sooner or later." Jiang Yu laughed and dodged away, sitting back down next to her. "Alright, enough joking. Go take a shower and get a good night's sleep. You need to be well-rested for tomorrow; tonight's the main event."

Liu Yifei didn't sleep well that night.

She had many dreams, sometimes dreaming that she was standing on the stage of the Venice Film Festival, holding a golden trophy, with thunderous applause from the audience.

Sometimes she dreams of the presenter announcing someone else's name, and she sits in the audience forcing a smile; sometimes she even dreams of forgetting her lines on stage, standing awkwardly, while whispers circulate among the audience.

She woke up at three in the morning and couldn't fall back asleep.

She quietly got up and went to the balcony.

The nights in Venice are quiet, with only the gentle murmur of the canals and the occasional distant singing of drunkards.

The night sky was very clear, and the faint outline of the Milky Way could be seen.

"Can't sleep?" Jiang Yu's voice came from behind. He was awake too, and draped a coat over her shoulders.

"Yeah, I had a nightmare." Liu Yifei leaned on his shoulder. "I dreamt I didn't win an award, I dreamt I made a fool of myself on stage—"

"What you think about during the day, you dream about at night." Jiang Yu put his arm around her shoulder. "Don't overthink it. Remember, no matter the outcome, you've already won; you've won the audience's recognition, the media's respect, and a breakthrough as an actor. The trophy is just an extra reward."

"You're right." Liu Yifei took a deep breath; the cool night air cleared her head a bit. "I was too stubborn."

"It's not about being obsessive, it's about caring," Jiang Yu corrected her. "Caring about your work and the team's efforts is normal. But don't let that caring become a burden. Relax and enjoy the process."

The two stood on the balcony for a while, until the clock struck four in the morning, before returning to bed.

This time, Liu Yifei slept more soundly and didn't dream.

September 13, the closing day of the Venice Film Festival.

A morning in Venice begins with the aroma of coffee.

At seven o'clock in the morning, the hotel restaurant was already full; not tourists, but media reporters from all over the world.

They held coffee and notebooks, conversing in hushed tones, their eyes constantly fixed on the doorway, like hunters waiting for their prey.

"Have you heard? The Black Swan production team received a personal invitation from the vice president," an Italian journalist said to his companion, his voice low but unable to hide his excitement.

"It's all over the place already." A reporter from the French magazine Cahiers du Cinéma sipped his espresso. "The news of Vice President Bellotti's visit to the hotel spread throughout the Lido within three hours. Now everyone knows that 'Black Swan' is sure to win an award tonight."

"What do you think she could win? Best Actress?"

"Ninety percent. Liu Yifei's performance was phenomenal, with a 3.6 rating in the festival's daily publication, ranking first. If she doesn't win Best Actress with that, the jury will be furious."

"But what about the Golden Lion? Is that even possible?"

"It's difficult. 'Lebanon' is also highly anticipated, and its political subject matter is more in line with Venice's tastes. However, winning Best Actress is already a remarkable achievement; Liu Yifei is only 22 years old, my God—"

Such conversations took place in every corner of the restaurant.

The media are the most perceptive; they can sniff out news from the slightest noise.

How could such a significant signal as the vice chairman personally visiting them possibly escape their ears?

At this moment, on the sixth floor of the hotel, Liu Yifei's room has been transformed into a temporary styling studio.

Ken and Lisa brought two large suitcases filled with dresses, shoes, accessories, and cosmetics.

"We'll be walking the red carpet twice today," Ken explained while adjusting his clothes, his tone professional and calm. "The first time is the closing ceremony red carpet, Yifei, you'll be walking with the director and the main actors; the second time is the official photo session after you win an award, if you do. So we'll need two outfits and two sets of makeup and hair."

Liu Yifei sat in front of the makeup mirror, still feeling a little sleepy.

Lisa was giving her a skincare treatment, her touch gentle: "Didn't sleep well last night? Your dark circles are quite noticeable. But it's okay, I can handle it."

"I had so many dreams," Liu Yifei said honestly. "They were all jumbled up."

"It's normal to be nervous," Lisa laughed. "I've served so many celebrities, and very few of them can sleep well the night before a major event. When Gong Li won the Best Actress award at Cannes, she told me that she didn't sleep a wink the night before."

These words made Liu Yifei relax a little.

It turns out that even a veteran like Gong Li gets nervous; this isn't just her problem.

The first outfit was for the closing ceremony red carpet.

The dress was a bespoke LV gown, not borrowed; Jiang Yu had ordered it a month ago specifically for tonight.

When Ken took the dress out of the dust bag, even the well-traveled Lisa gasped.

It was a smoky pink strapless dress.

The color is very special; it's not the common light pink or peach pink, but a smoky pink with gray undertones, like the last glow of the sunset—sophisticated, gentle, and textured.

The skirt has an irregular design, reaching to the knee in the front and trailing a long fishtail in the back, spreading out like flower petals when walking.

"It's so beautiful," Lisa exclaimed softly. "This color is so rare; it's neither too girlish nor too mature, which perfectly matches Yifei's current state—young yet substantial."

The makeup took a full two hours.

It is more refined than the opening ceremony, while still maintaining a fresh and natural feel.

The eye makeup used pinkish-brown tones, with each eyelash clearly defined; the blush was a light coral color; and the lip color was a gentle dusty rose, moisturizing but not greasy.

Her hair was styled in soft curls and loosely draped over her shoulders, with only a small diamond hair clip peeking out from behind her right ear.

"Change your clothes now," said Ken, accompanied by two assistants.

The process of putting on the dress requires the cooperation of three people: one to lift the skirt, one to adjust the position of the strapless top, and one to tie the straps at the back.

When Liu Yifei was fully dressed and stood in front of the full-length mirror, the room was quiet for a few seconds.

The girl in the mirror wore a smoky pink dress that made her skin look as white as porcelain. The irregular hem of the dress swayed gently as she turned, revealing a section of her slender calves.

Her makeup was exquisite but not heavy, her hair was slightly curled and natural, and she exuded a gentle yet firm glow.

Just then, the door opened.

Jiang Yu walked in, dressed neatly in a black custom-made suit, white shirt, dark gray tie, and his hair was combed meticulously.

The moment he saw Liu Yifei, he stopped at the doorway, his eyes widening slightly.

"How is it?" Liu Yifei turned around and asked nervously.

Jiang Yu didn't answer immediately, but walked over, stood in front of her, and looked at her carefully.

After staring at it for a full half minute, he finally spoke: "It's unrealistically beautiful."

Liu Yifei blushed: "It's not that exaggerated—"

"No exaggeration," Jiang Yu said seriously, taking a black velvet box out of his pocket. "There's one last one."

The box was opened, revealing a platinum lantern necklace.

The design is extremely ingenious, with pendants in the shape of small lanterns strung together. The "body" of the lantern is hollowed out and inlaid with tiny diamonds, which sparkle with starlight as they rotate with the light.

"A Bulgari collector's item." Jiang Yu walked behind her and personally helped her put it on. "I ordered it from the Bulgari flagship store in Milan last month. There are only three in the world. It was just transferred from Rome yesterday and delivered to the hotel this morning."

The necklace rested below her collarbone, the cool sheen of platinum and the sparkle of diamonds perfectly complementing the dusty pink dress.

Liu Yifei looked at herself in the mirror again and again, then turned around and hugged Jiang Yu: "Thank you, I like it very much."

"I'm glad you're happy." Jiang Yu put his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "I can't walk the red carpet with you today. You go with Darren and the others. George, David, and I will go straight inside. I'll be in the third row, a seat you can see right away."

"Mmm." Liu Yifei nodded, leaning on his shoulder. "You'll be watching me from the audience, right?"

"Of course," Jiang Yu promised, "I'll always be watching over you."

At 5 p.m., the team set off in batches to the cinema.

Venice was even more lively today than at the opening ceremony. The streets were packed with tourists and movie fans, and the boats on the canals were lined up in long queues. The gondoliers were all dressed in traditional striped shirts and straw hats, as if they were attending a festival celebration.

A festive atmosphere filled the air; it was the last day of the film festival, and also the most important day.

All the suspense will be revealed tonight, and all the expectations will be answered tonight.

Jiang Yu, George, and David rode in one car and entered the venue ahead of time.

Their seats were in the middle of the third row, offering an excellent view.

After sitting down, Jiang Yu glanced at his watch. It was 11 p.m. in China, and the major portal websites and movie channels should have already started broadcasting live.

He guessed right.

Right now, China is experiencing its most vibrant nightlife.

In countless families' living rooms, offices, and dormitories, people were glued to their screens, waiting for the closing ceremony of the Venice Film Festival.

BJ, Sina.com headquarters.

The news center was brightly lit, and the large screen was divided into more than a dozen images.

Live broadcast from Venice, backstage preparations, film critic analysis, historical data comparison —

Editor-in-Chief Zhang Ming stood at the command post, walkie-talkie in hand: "Attention all departments, there are twenty minutes until the red carpet begins. Is the entertainment section's headline ready?"

"Ready!" the entertainment editor replied. "Two versions: Version A is about Liu Yifei winning the award, with the title 'After 17 Years'..."

"Liu Yifei Wins Venice Film Festival Award!" (Page B, which didn't win, is titled "Defeated Yet Honored! Liu Yifei's Venice Performance Receives Global Acclaim.") All photos, videos, and materials are ready; just waiting for the results.

"What about on Weibo?"

"The top trending topics are already locked in: #VeniceFilmFestivalClosingCeremony# is third, and #LiuYifeiBlackSwan# is fifth. If they win an award, they'll immediately surge to the top."

"Okay." Zhang Ming nodded. "Tonight is a big day for Chinese cinema, and we need to produce the best coverage."

Beijing, Movie Channel studio.

The host, Li Wei, sat in front of the camera, and the director's instructions came through her earpiece: "Switch to live broadcast in thirty seconds."

She took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and gave a professional smile.

"Good evening, viewers. Welcome to the special live broadcast of the Venice Film Festival closing ceremony on the Movie Channel. I'm Li Wei. It's 4:20 PM Venice time, and the closing ceremony of the 66th Venice Film Festival is about to begin—"

The exterior of the Venice Film Palace appeared on the large background screen, the building resplendent in gold under the setting sun.

"After two weeks of screenings and judging, all the awards will be announced tonight. The most anticipated award by Chinese audiences is undoubtedly whether Liu Yifei will win Best Actress for her role in 'Black Swan.' If she wins, she will become the second Chinese actress to win the Venice Film Festival's Best Actress award, after Gong Li in 1992, and the second youngest actress in history to achieve this honor."

The live stream comment section exploded: "Go Yifei! Go Chinese cinema!"

"After waiting for half a month, this day has finally come!"

"I heard that Liu Yifei has a high chance of winning an award; she didn't get first place in the program book for nothing."

"I don't care about awards or anything, I just want to see what Yifei is wearing today! Her royal blue dress at the opening ceremony was absolutely stunning!"

"Will President Jiang accompany her on the red carpet? I want to see the couple reunite!"

"+1 to the comment above! The red carpet couple is the best!"

In apartments and villas, actresses known as "big flowers" and "little flowers" were all watching the live stream.

In a high-end apartment in Beijing's CBD, a woman in her late 20s and early 30s is curled up on the sofa, hugging her knees and staring at the TV.

Her agent sat beside her, holding a tablet computer, constantly monitoring online activity.

"She's only 22 years old—" Da Hua murmured to herself, her voice filled with undisguised envy. "What was I doing when I was 22? Still playing the third female lead in a TV series, worrying every day about where my next role would be—"

The agent sighed, "That's fate. She's found a good project, investors willing to support her, and the right timing. Liu Yifei has all three. 'Black Swan' is a good project, Light Chaser Pictures is the investor willing to support her, and now is the best time for Chinese films to go international."

"Fate?" Da Hua smiled bitterly. "Then why isn't my fate so good? I try my best, I act seriously too—"

The agent, unsure how to comfort her, could only change the subject: "Actually, this is a good thing. Liu Yifei's success shows that Chinese actors have opportunities internationally. We can pay more attention to international co-production projects in the future; maybe you'll be next."

Da Hua didn't say anything, she just stared at the TV.

On the screen, the movie channel is replaying Liu Yifei's dance clip from "Black Swan".

The girl spinning in the practice room, her eyes shifting from clear to frenzied, every movement precise and powerful.

"She really acted well," Da Hua said softly. "That dance scene requires years of training to perform. She must have put in a lot of effort for this movie."

"So," the agent said, seizing the opportunity, "opportunities are for those who are prepared. Liu Yifei has been dancing since elementary school and speaks fluent English; these are the foundations that allow her to stand firm on the international stage. We also need to strengthen these areas."

Da Hua nodded, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

The same scene is playing out in multiple cities.

Envy, jealousy, resentment, helplessness—all sorts of emotions intertwined.

The entertainment industry is the most realistic arena of fame and fortune. When someone suddenly rises to a height that you can only look up to, the impact is enormous.

At 6 p.m., the red carpet for the closing ceremony of the Venice Film Festival officially began.

The red carpet area in front of the Palais des Festivals had turned into a sea of ​​excitement.

Tourists, media, fans, and moviegoers from all over the world packed both sides of the red carpet.

Security personnel had to join hands to form a human wall to barely maintain a passage.

Long lenses and short lenses were set up in rows, and flashes of light went off one after another, forming a sea of ​​light.

.

The red carpet host, renowned Italian television star Sofia Loren, was already standing at the starting point of the red carpet, microphone in hand, introducing the arriving stars in alternating Italian and English.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the red carpet of the closing ceremony of the 66th Venice Film Festival! Now approaching us is the cast and crew of the film 'Soul Kitchen' —"

Luxury cars lined up at the starting point of the red carpet, and celebrities got out one after another.

Every time the car door opened, it triggered a scream and the click of camera shutters.

The Italian media were particularly enthusiastic, with cheers almost lifting the roof off whenever a local star appeared.

Everyone knows that the real focus of tonight is yet to come.

Forty minutes into the red carpet event, a black Rolls-Royce slowly drove up.

The appearance of the car caused a stir in the media area. Everyone recognized it as the official limousine of the film's organizing committee, which is usually only used to pick up important guests.

The car stopped. A waiter in uniform approached.

The first person to get off the bus was director Darren Aronofsky.

He was wearing a dark blue suit today, his hair was meticulously styled, and his mustache was neatly trimmed.

After getting out of the car, he didn't walk directly onto the red carpet, but turned around and Dan reached his hand into the car.

This action left all the media holding their breath.

Then, a hand wearing a long silver glove rested on Darren's hand.

Her fingers were slender, and she wore a platinum bracelet on her wrist.

Then, a silver high heel stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet.

Liu Lefei got out of the car.

At that moment, the flash went off.

Click! Click! Click! Click!

The shutter clicks were as dense as a downpour, and the white light stretched out in a continuous blur, almost turning the evening sky into daylight.

Reporters pushed forward like madmen, and security personnel struggled to maintain order. Shouts, screams, and the sound of cameras clicking all mingled together, creating a deafening noise.

Liu Lefei's feathers look amazing today.

The smoky pink LV dress shimmered with a soft, pearly sheen under the flashlights. The irregular hem swayed gently with her steps, and the high-low design revealed her long, slender, and fair legs.

The Platinum Well Lantern Necklace shimmers at the neckline, with diamonds in each small lantern pendant refracting light.

Her makeup was exquisite but not heavy, with a gentle lip color, deep eye makeup, and her hair was slightly curled and draped over her shoulders, with only a small diamond hair clip behind her right ear.

She stood on the red carpet, smiled in the direction of the media, and then naturally took Darren's arm.

Darren was unusually talkative today, waving at the camera with a bright smile.

The second car stopped.

Vincent Cassel and Mila Kunis got out of the car, walked quickly over, and together they walked onto the red carpet.

"Liu Lefei! Look this way!"

"Crystal! Overhere!"

"Director Darren! Please take a picture with Ms. Liu!"

"Vincent! Mira! Look to the left!"

The media went crazy. Shouts in various languages ​​mingled together, and reporters frantically waved, trying to get their attention. Fans on both sides of the red carpet were also screaming.

Crystal! I love you!

"Liu Lefei! You're so beautiful!"

"Black Swan is fantastic!"

Liu Lefei maintained her elegant smile, turning around, sideways, and waving in compliance.

She was in great spirits today; her nervousness was replaced by excitement, and what followed was a calm confidence.

She knew her performance had been recognized, and she knew what might happen tonight; this knowledge made her radiate a certain glow.

Walking to the middle of the red carpet, we arrived at the interview area of ​​the Italian national television station.

Director Maria excitedly stopped them: "Director Darren, Ms. Liu, good evening! Would you be willing to give us an interview?"

Darren nodded and very gentlemanly stepped forward, letting Liu Yifei step aside.

Maria's first question went straight to the point: "Ms. Liu, you're a strong contender for the Best Actress award tonight. How are you feeling?"

Liu Lefei answered in fluent English: "I am very excited and grateful. Being able to bring my work to Venice and stand here is already a very precious experience in my career. No matter the outcome, I will cherish this moment."

"Director Darren, do you think Ms. Liu has a chance?"

Darren smiled and patted Liu Lefei's hand: "Liu's performance was phenomenal. As a director, I've already received a well-deserved gift; as an actress, she completely understood the character and exceeded my expectations. As for awards, those are an extra surprise. But regardless of any surprises, Liu has already won."

This interview was circulated back to various countries and sparked another round of heated discussion.

Continuing forward, we arrived at the mixed zone for international media interviews.

The place was packed with reporters from all over the world, and questions rained down on them: "Ms. Liu, is your necklace Bulgari? It's so beautiful!"

"Yes, thank you."

"Are you wearing an LV Lingya today? Was it specially prepared for closed-loop feeding?"

"Yes, LV made it specially for Bianya, and Bianya really likes this color."

"If you win an award tonight, who would you most like to thank?"

Liu Lefei paused, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the entrance of the cinema. She knew Jiang Yu was already in Ridan.

"There are many people I want to thank. The director, the crew, my family, the fans—everyone who supported me."

As she walked to the second half of the red carpet, she saw the area for Chinese media.

Sina Entertainment, Movie Channel, CCTV International — familiar logos, familiar Dan Kong. She walked over to them.

The Sina reporter's voice trembled with excitement: "Le Fei, good evening! There are tens of millions of viewers watching the live broadcast in China right now. Is there anything you'd like to say to everyone?"

Liu Lefei switched to Chinese, her smile becoming even warmer: "Hello everyone, this is Liu Lefei. Thank you all for staying up so late. Regardless of tonight's outcome, I will continue to work hard and create even better works to repay everyone's support."

A reporter from the movie channel was even more direct: "Many media outlets are speculating that you'll win the Best Actress award. Are you looking forward to it?"

This is a sensitive issue, but Liu Lefei handled it very well: "Of course I have expectations; every actor hopes their performance will be recognized. What I care about most is the performance itself. Being able to play a role in 'Black Swan' and to encounter the character Lin Xin is already very satisfying. Awards are icing on the cake; it's nice to have them, but not having them won't affect my love for acting."

The interview was broadcast live, and domestic viewers once again praised her: "Le Fei's answers were so appropriate! Her emotional intelligence is amazing!"

"That's what a true actor is—focusing on the work itself."

"I think she's definitely going to win tonight! Her aura is completely different!"

"This dusty pink maxi dress is absolutely stunning! I want the same one!"

"Is that necklace from Bulgari's lantern collection? I saw it on their official website; it's a limited edition and ridiculously expensive!"

After walking the red carpet for nearly twenty minutes, Liu Lefei, Darren, Vincent, and Mila reached the end of the red carpet, signed the autograph wall, and then entered the Palais des Festivals.

As soon as you enter, the noise subsides considerably.

The cool air from the air conditioner blew in, and Liu Lefei breathed a sigh of relief. She felt her cheeks were stiff from smiling, and her calves ached from wearing high heels for so long.

"Liu, you look absolutely stunning today," Mira exclaimed sincerely, taking her arm. "I bet you'll be at the top of every fashion magazine's best-dressed list. Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar—you'll have your picture on them all."

"Thank you." Liu Lefei smiled, her eyes searching for something.

Soon, she saw Jiang Yu in the Yongpai.

He sat there, dressed in a black suit, turning to look at her with a gentle smile on his lips.

Their eyes met in the air, and Liu Lefei's heart immediately calmed down.

She walked over, and Jiang Yu stood up to greet her, naturally taking her hand: "Are you tired?"

"Hmm," Liu Lefei said softly, taking the opportunity to relax her posture. "The Waidan people are so kind, the flashbulbs are almost blinding."

"Bear with it, it'll be over soon." Jiang Yu tidied her hair, his movements natural and affectionate. "You look beautiful, even more beautiful than when Yi-shi-style persuasion works."

"real?"

"Seriously. The art-themed feeding ceremony was amazing, but today's was breathtaking."

Liu Lefei smiled, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart.

The two sat down, with Jiang Yu to Liu Lefei's left and Director Darren to her right.

Vincent and Mira sat at the other end of the same row.

The front row was where the jury was seated. Li An sat in the center, next to the other judges, including French actress Sandrine Bernard, Italian director Liliana Cavani, and American director Joe Dent.

"Are you nervous?" Jiang Yu asked in a low voice, taking her hand under the table.

"It's okay now." Liu Lefei squeezed his hand. "With you by my side, I'm not so nervous."

"Remember, no matter the outcome, you've already won."

"Um.

""

At 7:00 PM sharp, the Venice Film Festival's closing ceremony and awards ceremony officially began.

The lights in the main screening room of the cinema slowly dimmed, leaving only the spotlights on the stage.

The music began, an excerpt from Verdi's opera "La Traviata," elegant and solemn.

Director Claudio Amenra walked onto the stage. This famous Italian filmmaker and actor is known for his humor.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 66th Venice Film Festival!"

He spoke in Italian, then switched to English, "After eleven days of cinematic feast, tonight we will announce all the awards. But before we begin, please allow me to pay tribute to all filmmakers. It is your talent and passion that keeps the art of film forever young."

After a brief warm greeting, jury chairman Li An took the stage to deliver a speech.

Today he wore a dark-colored silk suit, which made him stand out among the group of people in suits and ties.

Standing on the stage, he first said "Buonasera" in Italian, then switched to English: "On behalf of the entire jury, I would like to thank the Venice Film Festival for the invitation, and thank all the films in competition for the emotions and reflections they have brought us. In the past two weeks, we have watched 23 films in the main competition, had several discussions, some even debates. It is precisely this different understanding of music that makes the judging process so valuable."

The audience fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the stage.

"What is a movie?" Li An continued, his voice steady and powerful. "It's a story, it's images, it's emotions, it's ideas."

But more importantly, film is a bridge, connecting people of different languages, backgrounds, and cultural backgrounds. The films winning awards tonight have all, to varying degrees, built such bridges. Now, let's begin to see the answers.

applause.

Li An bowed and stepped down from the stage.

The awards ceremony began with the peripheral awards.

International Critics' Week, Short Film Award, Lifetime Achievement Award —

Awards were presented one after another, and applause rang out time and time again.

The winners went on stage to give their acceptance speeches; some were moved to tears, while others were humorous and witty.

When the award was presented to the Horizons section, Liu Lefei sat up straight. This section featured Huang Bai and his team's "Bullfighting".

The Best Film Award in the Horizons section was given to a Brazilian film, "City Under the Stars," while the Best Director Award went to Argentine director Pablo Chabiro—"Cow" did not receive a prize.

That's just how it is in film; the competition is fierce, and every award is hard-won.

Following that, the winners of the Best Documentary Award in the Horizons section were announced.

The award presenter, Italian documentary master Franco Piatoli, read out a name from a stack of envelopes: "1428, director Du Haibin."

applause.

Liu Lefei was stunned for a moment, then realized; this was a film by Chinese director Du Haibin, telling the story of last year's major earthquake.

She started clapping first, and Jiang Yu followed suit. Soon, applause filled the entire screening room.

Du Haibin, a young director in his thirties, came on stage. He wore glasses and appeared somewhat shy.

He delivered his acceptance speech in Chinese: "Thank you to the Venice Film Festival, thank you to the jury. This film is about memory, about the resilience of a nation in the face of disaster. This trophy is dedicated to all earthquake survivors, to the resilience of life."

Many foreign audience members in the audience may not fully understand what he is saying, but they can feel the sincerity in his words.

Applause erupted again.

"That's great!" Liu Lefei whispered to Jiang Yu, "Chinese films have won awards."

"Yes." Jiang Yu nodded. "This is a good start."

After the Horizons segment concluded, we moved on to the main event of the evening: the main competition.

The atmosphere suddenly changed.

The air seemed to freeze, and everyone sat up straight as the spotlight focused on the stage.

Liu Lefei could feel her heart racing, thumping like drumbeats in her chest.

My palms started to sweat and felt a little slippery.

Jiang Yu noticed her nervousness, gently took her hand, and lightly stroked the back of her hand with his fingers, soothing her with a soft voice.

His palms were warm and dry, and the warmth seeped through his skin, calming Heng Liu Lefei down a little.

"Take a deep breath," Jiang Yu whispered in her ear. "Relax."

Liu Lefei took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

The stage lights changed, and the music became suspenseful.

Director Claudio returned to the stage: "Now, we will announce the awards for the main competition. First, the Best Technical Contribution Award..."

""

The award presenter was Vittorio Storaro, a renowned Italian photographer.

He opened the envelope and read out the name: "Jacques Van Meal, The Man Who Lost His Surname."

applause.

The winners of the prize circle come on stage.

Next up is the Leigh Debut Award: "Bé di Okonno, 'Impact City'".

Marcelo Mastroianni's Lega Award for Best Newcomer (named after the legendary Italian actor): "Jesmi Trica, Double Agent".

The Best Screenplay Award goes to Todd Solenz, for "War and Persuasion".

None of the awards won were for "Black Swan".

Liu Lefei's body gradually stiffened.

She could feel her breathing becoming rapid, and her fingers trembling slightly in Jiang Yu's hand.

Jiang Yu gripped her hand tightly and mouthed, "Don't rush. The main event is yet to come."

His eyes were very intimidating, and that intimidation infected Liu Lefei.

She nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.

Next award: Best Actress.

The stage lights changed again, turning into a soft, warm yellow.

The music changed to soothing strings, and Claudio's voice became solemn: "Next, we will present the Best Actress Award. This award recognizes artists who sculpt characters with their souls and move audiences with their emotions. Please welcome the presenters..."

He paused, keeping everyone in suspense.

Everyone in the audience held their breath.

"Ms. Gong Li, a famous Chinese actress and the first Chinese actress to win the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival!"

The applause was thunderous.

Many people were surprised and widened their eyes; no one expected that the award presenter would be Gong Li!

Liu Lefei was stunned.

She turned to look at Jiang Yu, who was also stunned; he had no idea about this arrangement!

Gong Li walked out from one side of the stage.

Today she wore a red cheongsam-style long dress, made of silk, with phoenix patterns embroidered on it using fine thread.

Her hair was styled in an elegant updo, and she wore a pair of jade earrings.

She walked onto the stage with composure and a powerful presence.

The spotlight shone on her, and her red dress looked like a burning flame under the light.

Standing in front of the microphone, she first said in Italian: "Buonasera".

Then he switched to English: "Good evening, everyone."

After reaching the finish line, she said in Chinese: "Hello everyone, this is Gong Li."

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause, especially the area where Chinese filmmakers and media were located.

"It is an honor to stand on the stage of Venice as an award presenter," Gong Li continued, her voice steady and powerful. "Filmmaking is an art that requires all your passion, and actors are people who use their own souls to shape another soul. Every role is a rebirth, and every performance is a sacrifice."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the audience.

At that moment, Liu Lefei felt as if her gaze lingered on her for a second.

"Tonight's Best Actress Award will be given to the artist who moved all the judges with her performance. Her performance revealed strength within vulnerability, madness within elegance, and the complex yet genuine humanity of Yidan."

Gong Li took out the light blue envelope from her hand and pulled out Ridal's card.

In that instant, the persuasion seemed to slow down.

Liu Lefei held her breath, and could hear her heart pounding wildly in her chest, thump-thump-thump, as if it were about to jump out.

Jiang Yu held her hand tightly, and she could feel that his palms were sweaty.

She dared not look at him, her eyes fixed on the stage and on the card in Gong Li's hand.

The entire screening room was eerily quiet.

With a thousand seats, you could barely hear anyone breathing.

Everyone stared at the stage, waiting for that name to be called.

Gong Li glanced at the card, then looked up, her gaze searching the audience.

Her gaze swept over the judges in the front row, over the second row, and over the third row...

It stopped on Liu Lefei.

She smiled.

It was a warm, comforting, and encouraging smile.

Then, in clear Chinese, he announced, word by word: "The winner of the 'Wolpi Cup Award for Best Actress in a Rolex,' circled..."

The brief pause seemed to be gathering strength, as if to make this moment even more precious.

"Liu Lefei, Crystal Liu".

Boom!! 1

Thunderous applause erupted, instantly engulfing the entire screening room.

The sound was like a tsunami, a storm, or a thousand drums beating in unison.

Everyone stood up, and the applause, cheers, and whistles mingled together, creating a deafening roar.

Liu Lefei was stunned.

She sat there, motionless, her eyes wide open, her hand covering her mouth, tears welling up without warning, sliding down her cheeks, dripping onto the back of her hand, warm.

it is true.

It really is her name.

Gong Li read out her name.

Jiang Yu smiled.

The man who was once calm, composed, and resourceful was now grinning like a silly boy, his mouth wide open and his eyes crinkling into crescents.

He stood up, and Liu Lefei pulled him up from his seat, hugged him tightly, and shouted in her ear, "Congratulations! You became a movie queen! You did it!"

Liu Lefei then came to her senses.

She hugged Jiang Yu, buried her face in his chest, and cried even harder, her arms trembling slightly.

Director Darren stood up and hugged her: "Congratulations! Liu, you're amazing!"

Vincent and Mira ran over from the other end to hug and congratulate him.

George and David gave each other a high five in excitement, while Wang Wei was already in tears, frantically taking pictures with her phone.

The area where the Black Swan crew was located was transformed into a sea of ​​joy.

People around them stood up and applauded, and many unfamiliar foreign filmmakers cast congratulatory glances their way.

The applause lasted for almost a minute.

Gong Li waited on the stage, smiling, holding the golden Volpi Cup in her hand.

Liu Lefei finally recovered.

She wiped away her tears, but new tears welled up again.

Jiang Yu handed her a tissue and said softly, "Go on, your stage is waiting for you."

Liu Lefei nodded, took a deep breath, turned around, and walked step by step towards the stage steps.

Her legs were a little weak, and her steps were somewhat unsteady, but she walked with great determination.

The smoky pink dress spread out on the steps like flower petals in a grand display.

The Platinum Well Lantern Necklace shimmered under the stage lights, like starlight in the night sky.

She walked up the steps, one step, two steps, a leisurely pace—

Gong Li greeted her at the top of the steps.

The two met in the center of the stage, and Gong Li gave Zhang Yi a warm hug.

In the moment of their embrace, Gong Li whispered in her ear, "Congratulations, you deserve it. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you, Sister Gong Li." Liu Lefei's voice was still a little choked up.

Gong Li handed her the well-colored Volpi Cup trophy.

The trophy felt heavy and cold to the touch; Liu Lefei truly felt that this was not a dream.

The trophy is engraved with the Italian phrase "Coppa Volpi per la migliore attrice," and below it is a line of smaller text: "66 Mostra Internazionale d 'Arte Cinematografica di Venezia'."

She walked to the microphone, and the audience gradually quieted down.

Everyone sat down, their eyes fixed on the 22-year-old Chinese girl.

She stood there, holding the trophy in one hand and the microphone in the other, her tears still wet on her face, but a smile already blooming on her face.

She first glanced at Jiang Yu below the stage.

He sat there, looking at her, his eyes filled with pride and love, and a hint of tears.

He raised his hand and gave her a thumbs up.

Then, Liu Lefei began to speak.

Use Chinese.

"Thank you to the Venice Film Festival, thank you to the jury, thank you to Gong Li..."

Her voice was still trembling slightly, but clear: "Thank you to the Black Swan crew, thank you to director Darren Aronin, thank you to Vincent Cassel and Mila Cooney, thank you to Light Chaser Animation Studios, thank you to Fox Searchlight Pictures, thank you to the team behind Bian, thank you to Bian's alma mater, Beijing Film Academy, thank you to Bian's mother, thank you to Bian's father, thank you to Bian's fans and moviegoers —"

She paused for a moment, and tears welled up again.

She took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady.

"After the base, thank you to Bian's beloved husband, Mr. Jiang Yu. Without you, there would be no Bian today. Thank you for always believing in Bian, supporting Bian, and loving Bian. This trophy belongs to all of us."

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause, along with good-natured laughter and whistles.

The camera focused on Jiang Yu, who sat there with red eyes and a bright smile, making a "I love you" gesture to her on stage.

The shape of the mouth.

After her speech, Liu Yifei raised the trophy.

Flashbulbs went off again, capturing this historic moment: after 17 years, a Chinese actress won the Venice Film Festival's Best Actress award once more.

Moreover, it was Liu Lefei, who was 22 years old.

She walked off the stage and returned to her seat.

Before she could even sit down, Jiang Yuyi hugged her and then kissed her.

The kiss was passionate and deep, filled with joy, pride, and boundless love.

Liu Lefei was taken aback at first, then responded, her hand tightly gripping his suit jacket, the trophy sandwiched between them, the cold glass pressed against his warm body.

The crowd erupted in cheers, thunderous applause, and whistles.

The camera was pointed at them, and this painting was broadcast to the world.

Domestically, people were advising each other to break up in the early hours of the morning, but the internet was already in an uproar.

The Weibo server crashed for the umpteenth time.

The CTO lamented in the work group: "It's crashed again! This is the umpteenth time! Is Liu Lefei trying to dismantle all the servers?! Quickly expand capacity! Bring all backup servers online!"

No one complained; everyone was celebrating.

During the five minutes that Weibo crashed, other social media platforms also exploded:

QQ Space was flooded with posts: "Liu Lefei wins Best Actress at Venice!" "Pride of Chinese Cinema!" "Winning Best Actress at 22, what an incredible life!"

Six of the top ten most popular questions on Baidu Tieba were related to the following: "How would you evaluate Liu Lefei winning the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award?", "What level of acting did Liu Lefei achieve in 'Black Swan'?", and "What does it mean to win the Best Actress award for an A-list international film at the age of 22?"

In the Douban Movie group, posts are refreshing so fast they're almost invisible: "Well-deserved! 'Black Swan' deserves it!" "I cried listening to Liu Lefei's acceptance speech!" "That kiss between Jiang Yu and Liu Lefei was so sweet!"

The headlines on portal websites update instantly:

Sina Entertainment: "After 17 years, Liu Yifei wins the Venice Film Festival's Best Actress award! A groundbreaking achievement at 22!"

Tencent Entertainment: "Venice! Liu Lefei with..."

She won the Best Actress award!

NetEase Entertainment: "Chinese Cinema Achieves Another Glory! Liu Lefei Becomes the Second Chinese Actress to Win the Venice Film Festival's Best Actress Award!"

Phoenix News: "From Fairy Sister to International Film Queen! Liu Lefei's Magnificent Transformation!"

In the live broadcast studio of the movie channel, director Li Wei's voice trembled with excitement, and tears welled in her eyes: "Dear viewers, you have witnessed history! Liu Lefei has won the Best Actress Award at the 66th Venice Film Festival! This is the first time a Chinese actress has won the Best Actress award in Venice since Gong Li won it in 1992! Moreover, Liu Lefei is only 22 years old, making her the second youngest Best Actress winner in Venice's history! The record holder is Marie Matlin, who won the award in 1987 at the age of 21! Liu Lefei is only one year older than her! This is a source of pride for Chinese cinema! This is a breakthrough for Chinese actors!"

The comment section in the live stream went crazy, refreshing at an alarming rate: "Yifei is awesome! Chinese films are awesome!"

"I'm crying so hard! I'm really crying so hard! I've been crying ever since she came on stage!"

"That kiss between President Jiang and Le Fei! The couple declares this year's sweetest moment!"

"A 22-year-old Venice Film Festival Best Actress winner! What an incredible life for an artist!"

"What about those who say Leslie Cheung only has a pretty face? Can a pretty face win a Best Actress award at Venice?"

"Light Chaser Pictures has such a sharp eye! CEO Jiang is so good at picking projects!"

"When will 'Black Swan' be released in China? I'll definitely watch it ten times!"

The actresses, both young and old, watching the live stream from their apartments and villas were experiencing a mix of emotions.

A young actress born in the 85s turned off the TV and remained silent for a long time.

The agent asked cautiously, "Are you alright?"

Xiao Hua shook her head and said with a wry smile, "What could be wrong? It's just that I suddenly feel like I've wasted all these years."

He's at the top of the world at 22, while I'm still stuck in domestic idol dramas.

"Don't say that, everyone's path is different—"

"It's different," Xiaohua interrupted her, her eyes hardening. "Help me contact an English teacher; I need to improve my spoken English. Also, see if there are any dance or martial arts training options; I need to learn some real skills. Liu Lefei's path shows that looks alone aren't enough; you also need strength. And you need to get out there."

The agent paused for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

Another actress, born in the 70s and known for her acting skills, posted a message in a private group: "Although I'm a little jealous, I have to admit that Liu Lefei made a brilliant move. A 22-year-old Venice Film Festival Best Actress winner—that's an amazing starting point. Her future is very bright. We all need to think about how to keep up with this trend."

After a few minutes of silence in the group, someone replied: "How can we follow that? We don't have a boyfriend like Jiang Yu, nor do we have the capital of Chasing Light Pictures."

The actress responded: "Then become capital yourself. Or, cooperate with capital. In this case of pregnancy, it's always survival of the fittest."

Entertainment is the place where festivals are held.

When someone proves a path is viable and achieves great success, others will immediately want to follow, imitate, or even surpass it.

The awards ceremony is still ongoing.

The Leigh Award for Best Actor went to Colin Firth for *A Single Man*, the Leigh Award for Best Director went to Shailene Neshat for *Women Without Men*, and the Grand Jury Prize, the Silver Lion, went to Fatih Adon for *Soul Kitchen*.

Following that, the Golden Lion Award for Best Film was announced, with Mas Shumrik's "Lebanon" going first.

Black Swan didn't win the Jing Shi Award, but that's no longer important.

The Best Actress Award is already an extremely prestigious honor.

Many people can understand whether Jing Shi won the role in "Black Swan" or "Lebanon," but Liu Yifei is undoubtedly the best actress to play the role.

After the awards ceremony, the official event will be held in the banquet hall next to the Palace of Cinema.

This is an important gathering for award winners to receive congratulations and for industry professionals to exchange ideas, as well as a celebration following the film's initial success.

Jiang Yu led Liu Lefei into the banquet hall to offer his advice, but they were immediately surrounded.

That Qi Dan was practically like the Star-Seeing Dan Meeting.

"Ms. Liu, congratulations! Your performance was fantastic!"

"Mr. Jiang, congratulations! Light Chaser Pictures has invested in another masterpiece!"

"Can we take a picture together?"

"Could you sign your name?"

Filmmakers, producers, media reporters, and even actors from other film crews from various countries came forward to offer their congratulations.

.

Liu Lefei was still holding the trophy in her hand, maintaining a smile on her face, and politely responding to everyone.

Jiang Yu stood beside her, his hand gently resting on her waist, a gesture that served both as protection and a declaration.

Li An and Gong Li walked over together.

Li Anxian shook hands with Jiang Yu: "President Jiang, congratulations. Le Fei's performance was indeed outstanding. She received five out of six votes from the jury, an overwhelming advantage. That one vote wasn't against her; it was just that some judges felt she was too young and could wait a bit longer. The majority of judges believed that talent shouldn't be limited by age."

"Thank you, Director Li, and thank you to the judging panel for their recognition," Jiang Yu said sincerely.

Gong Li then hugged Liu Lefei again: "Lefei, congratulations. This road has not been easy, but you've made it through. Don't let it hold you back. The trophy is an honor, but also a responsibility. More people will be paying attention to you and have higher expectations for you in the future. You must continue to produce excellent works."

"Yes, Sister Gong Li." Liu Lefei nodded earnestly, "I will continue to work hard."

Gong Li then turned to Jiang Yu and said with a smile, "Mr. Jiang, thank you for using my services for '2012' last time. That movie opened another door in Hollywood, and I've received several scripts since then."

Jiang Yu said, "Good actors deserve good opportunities."

Gong Li smiled and pulled Liu Lefei along: "Come on, I'll introduce you to some people. These are important figures in the international film industry: Gilles Jacob, chairman of the Cannes Film Festival, and Dieter Kosslick, director of the Berlin Film Festival. They will be helpful for your future development."

Liu Yifei glanced at Jiang Yu, who nodded: "Go ahead, I'll wait for you here."

Gong Li led Liu Lefei through the banquet hall like a mentor guiding a proud student.

Liu Lefei was well-mannered, spoke fluent English, and was not intimidated by the big names in the international film industry, leaving a good impression on everyone.

"You are excellent, young man," said Gilles Jacob, president of Cannes, in French. "I've seen Black Swan; it's very powerful. I hope to see your new work in Cannes next year."

"Thank you, Mr. Jacob. I will try my best."

On the other side, Jiang Yu was also surrounded.

George and David are in talks with several European distributors about the overseas distribution of "Black Swan". Jiang Yu joins the discussion and quickly secures distribution agreements in several important markets, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

"Congratulations, Mr. Jiang." A voice sounded from behind, in English with a German accent.

Jiang Yu turned around and saw Fatih Aj, the German director who had just won the Jury Prize for "Soul Kitchen".

"Director A-Jin, congratulations as well." Jiang Yu shook hands with him.

"You have a good eye," said Ah Jing, a man in his late twenties with a thick beard and sharp eyes. "Black Swan is a good movie, and Ms. Liu is a good actress."

He paused, then continued, "I've heard that Light Chaser Pictures is very supportive of art films, investing not only in blockbusters but also in works with artistic value. Their next project is currently seeking investment; it's about Turkish immigrants in Germany. Would you be interested in reading the script?"

Jiang Yu smiled: "Of course I'm interested. Music and commerce are never mutually exclusive; a good film should balance both. Send me the script, and I'll read it carefully."

"Great!" A-Jing's eyes lit up. "The agent from Bianhuiheng will contact you."

"Thank you," Jiang Yu said sincerely.

Similar conversations occurred several times.

Jiang Yu stayed in the banquet hall for a while and received a project proposal from a director, a collaboration intention from two producers, and an invitation from the chairman of a film club, hoping that "Black Swan" could be screened at their film club.

This is the ripple effect brought about by the lottery.

The success of a movie or the breakthrough of an actor can open up many doors and create many opportunities.

Liu Lefei returned, her face flushed with excitement, her eyes shining like stars: "Sister Gong Li took me to meet so many people! There was the chairman of the Cannes Film Festival, the film selector from the Berlin Film Festival, as well as producers and agents! They all gave me their business cards and said they would contact me if there were any suitable projects in the future!"

"Are you tired?" Jiang Yu helped her tidy her hair and noticed a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"Yixin." Liu Lefei leaned against him, still clutching the trophy tightly in her hand, "It feels like opening a new door to art, and behind that door is a completely different world."

Jiang Yu put his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "There will be more opportunities for you in the future, and a wider world awaits you. No matter how far you go, I will always be by your side."

Liu Lefei looked up at him, her eyes gentle yet firm: "Yes, let's go together."

The banquet didn't end until 11 p.m.

Back at the shop, the evening in Venice was already deep.

There were fewer boats on the canal, and the lights were dimmed; only the clock tower in the distance was still lit.

Upon entering the room, the first thing Liu Yifei did was place the World Cup trophy on the bedside table, turn on all the lights, and stare at it for a long time.

The dark blue trophy gleamed under the light, and the engraved words were clearly visible.

"It feels like a dream," she murmured to herself, reaching out to touch the trophy; its cool touch reminded her that it was real.

"It's not a dream." Jiang Yu hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her head. "It's real. You, Liu Lefei, the Venice Film Festival Best Actress. A 22-year-old international film queen."

Liu Lefei turned around, hugged him, and buried her face in his chest: "Jiang Yu, thank you. Really, thank you. Without you—"

"There are no 'ifs'." Jiang Yu interrupted her, cupped her face, and looked earnestly into her eyes. "We're together, that's the story. You earned all of this through your own efforts; the other person just gave you a chance. And giving the other person that chance was the right decision you ever made in your life."

Liu Lefei's tears welled up again, this time tears of happiness.

She tiptoed and kissed his lips.

The kiss was tender and lingering, filled with joy, gratitude, and boundless love.

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