Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 173 The premiere was halfway around.

On the third day after returning to China, Liu Yifei felt as if she had been stuffed into a juicer called "work," and a high-speed one at that.

At six o'clock in the morning, just as dawn was breaking, she was abruptly pulled from a deep sleep by her phone ringing.

I groggily reached for my phone, and the words "Sister Li" on the screen flashed with a devilish light.

"Yifei! Get up! If you don't get up, I'm breaking down the door!" Sister Li's voice came through the receiver.

Liu Yifei buried her face in the pillow, her voice muffled as if it came from underground: "Sister Li—it's only six o'clock—the chickens haven't even gotten up yet—"

"You'd better be up before the rooster! Today marks the start of our nationwide roadshow! Beijing is the first stop, with a meet-and-greet at Wangfujing Cinema at 2 PM and another show at Wanda CBD at 7 PM! Get up now, immediately!"

Sister Li spoke at breakneck speed, "The stylist arrives at eight, and breakfast is delivered at seven-thirty: low-fat oatmeal and boiled eggs. Don't even think about sneaking a bite! I'm watching the security cameras!"

"—My house doesn't have security cameras," Liu Yifei muttered to herself.

"I said it's there, so it is! Get up!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and began to contemplate life: Why am I more tired than before after winning the Best Actress award? This doesn't make sense.

The bedroom door was gently pushed open, and Jiang Yu walked in carrying a cup of black coffee. Seeing her "life is meaningless" look, he couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Sister Li's deadly combo is here?"

"Here it comes—" Liu Yifei said weakly. "She said there are security cameras in my house, and she made me eat grass-based meals."

Jiang Yu placed the coffee on the bedside table, sat down on the edge of the bed, and poked her puffed-up cheek: "Get up, Teacher Liu. Starting today, you're embarking on a week-long national tour," first stop Beijing, second stop Shanghai, third stop Hangzhou—congratulations, you've just received a "Flying Trapeze Experience Card."

"I don't want to fly—" Liu Yifei rolled over, pulled the blanket over her head, "I want to be a sloth, the kind that sleeps 20 hours a day."

"Sloths can't win the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award." Jiang Yu pulled back the covers and scooped her out of bed. "Go wash up, breakfast will be ready soon. Sister Li said it's low-fat, but I secretly asked the auntie to fry an extra egg and hide it under the oatmeal. Don't tell her."

Liu Yifei's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Really." Jiang Yu pinched her nose. "It's a reward for our teacher, Ms. Liu, who was memorizing her lines until 2 a.m. yesterday."

As it turns out, Sister Li's work arrangements were comparable to military-style management.

The following week, Liu Yifei's schedule was so packed it was suffocating:

At the fan meeting at Wangfujing Cinema, there were so many fans that they blocked the emergency exits.

The security guards were sweating profusely while maintaining order, and Liu Yifei signed autographs on stage until her hands were sore.

One fan was so excited she fainted, and the first thing she said when she woke up was, "I saw Liu Yifei! It was all worth it!"

In an interview with the movie channel, the host asked, "Has winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival changed your life in any way?"

Liu Yifei honestly replied, "I've become busier and I'm sleeping even less." The whole audience burst into laughter.

The Sina live interview attracted over 300 million viewers, causing the server to lag three times.

Netizens commented in the live chat: "Yifei is so real!"

"Your dark circles are really bad, I feel so sorry for you!"

"Is that General Manager Jiang handing out water? How thoughtful!"

During the recording of Dragon TV's "Kefan's Listening," Cao Kefan asked a pointed question: "Many actresses in this position start to be picky about scripts and put on airs. Do you?"

Liu Yifei thought about it seriously: "No. Of course, I will choose good scripts. I won't feel superior just because I won an award. An actor's duty is to act; everything else is secondary."

This interview was included in the trailer and received widespread praise.

I took some photos for a LV brand event, and the photographer was a master from France. After the shoot, I excitedly said a whole bunch of things in French.

The translation is: "Liu, you are the most expressive Asian face I've ever photographed! Your eyes speak volumes!"

Jiang Yu muttered to himself, "He said that in Milan too. It seems to be a standard line."

At a meet-and-greet at a Hangzhou cinema, fans' enthusiasm went completely out of control.

When Liu Yifei left the stage, she was jostled and staggered. One of her high heels was stepped on and fell off, so she had to hop on one foot to find it.

The photos were posted online, and the hashtag #LiuYifei'sShoeWasPushedOffAtPromotion# became a trending topic.

Fans felt both sorry for him and amused: "He looks like a rabbit that can't find its shoes!"

"Security guard, please help!"

"Where's Boss Jiang? Come quick, save your wife!"

Jiang Yu was on a work call backstage when he saw the news and immediately called Sister Li: "From now on, Yifei must wear flat shoes to all fan meetings! If it happens again, replace the entire security company!"

At the fan meeting in Shenzhen, many Hong Kong fans came, holding up light boards with traditional Chinese characters.

Liu Yifei said "Thank you everyone" in Cantonese. Although her pronunciation was not standard, her sincerity was evident, and the fans screamed continuously.

At a meet-and-greet in Guangzhou, a mother brought her autistic son, saying that her son spoke for the first time after watching her TV series.

Liu Yifei squatted down to be at eye level with the boy and chatted with him softly.

The boy was nervous at first, but gradually relaxed, and finally whispered, "Sister—you look beautiful."

During the recording of "Happy Camp," He Ling began by saying, "Today we have a very special guest, Venice Film Festival Best Actress Liu Yifei! Let's give her a round of applause!"

Liu Yifei waved her hand shyly, "Teacher He, please don't do that—"

The game segment required impromptu performances.

Xie La gave the following question: "Act out the reaction of someone who wins five million but loses the lottery ticket."

Liu Yifei paused for three seconds, then began her performance; first, she was overjoyed, rummaged through her bag, her smile froze, she turned the bag upside down and shook it, crawled on the ground to look for it, and finally collapsed to the ground with an empty look in her eyes.

Without uttering a single line, he perfectly captured the feeling of going from heaven to hell.

The audience remained silent for three seconds, then erupted in thunderous applause.

He Jiong exclaimed, "This is the power of a Best Actress winner!"

Vega added, "Nana, could you make the questions easier next time? This one is too difficult."

During the recording of "Day Day Up" that evening, Wang Han asked her, "Now that you've won an international award, what are your plans for the future?"

Liu Yifei said, "First, I'll promote 'Black Swan' properly, then I'll rest for a few days, and then—maybe I'll go study."

Wang Han asked in surprise, "Study? Study what?"

Liu Yifei earnestly said, "Actresses need to constantly enrich themselves by learning about aerospace, biology, and psychology."

These three cities are operating non-stop, one city per day.

Liu Yifei slept soundly on the plane and couldn't even open her eyes when she got off.

At Wuhan Airport, she followed the crowd in a daze and almost boarded a plane to Sanya, but Wang Wei pulled her back.

"Yifei, wake up! We're in Wuhan!" Wang Wei said, both amused and exasperated.

"Oh—Wuhan—" Liu Yifei rubbed her eyes, "Then I want to eat hot dry noodles—"

"I ate, I ate in the car." Jiang Yu helped her up. "You can walk with your eyes closed now, your skill points are maxed out."

In Chengdu, a face-changing master came to the meet-and-greet and taught her how to change faces on the spot.

Liu Yifei learned it quite well, although she ended up getting the mask stuck on her face and couldn't get it off, making her blush with embarrassment.

Xi'an was the last stop, and it was already 11 p.m. when we finished.

Liu Yifei fell asleep in the car on the way to the airport, her head resting on Jiang Yu's shoulder, drooling all over his shoulder.

Jiang Yu didn't want to wake her, so he told the driver to slow down.

"She's too tired," Wang Wei said softly.

"Mm." Jiang Yu gently wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth. "After the premiere at Beijing Film Academy tomorrow, give her three days off. She won't take any work, no matter what."

June 28, Beijing Film Academy.

At six o'clock in the morning, before dawn, the entrance of Beijing Film Academy was already bustling with people.

The fans, bundled up in coats and holding up light boards and posters, shivered in the early autumn breeze but their enthusiasm remained undiminished.

Media reporters set up their cameras and microphones, and the sounds of them adjusting their equipment filled the air.

The security team was on high alert, with instructions constantly coming through the walkie-talkies. To the uninitiated, the scene looked like a visit from a head of state.

"My goodness, there are so many people!" A sophomore squeezed through the crowd, craning his neck to see what was happening. "I arrived at six o'clock, and I can only get to the third row!"

"You're lucky!" said a girl next to me. "I arrived at 5:30, and my legs are numb from standing. But it's worth it for Senior Yifei!"

"I heard half of the entertainment industry is here today? Is that true?"

"Really! I just saw Huang Xiaoming's car drive in! And Zhou Xun's car too!"

"Not just celebrities, but directors too! Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang—they're all here!"

"The Beijing Film Academy really went all out this time! Even their anniversary celebration wasn't this lively!"

"Of course! Liu Yifei is the pride of Beijing Film Academy! A Venice Film Festival Best Actress winner! She deserves all the recognition!"

The red carpet event officially began at 8:00 AM.

The Beijing Film Academy went all out this time, laying a brand-new red carpet on the main road of the campus, stretching from the school gate all the way to the screening room, a full two hundred meters long.

On both sides were student volunteers wearing matching white T-shirts with the "Beijing Film Academy" logo printed on their chests, maintaining order with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

The first group to walk the red carpet were the leaders and teachers of the Beijing Film Academy.

President Zhang, accompanied by a group of department heads, all dressed in dark suits, walked with a beaming smile and an air of confidence.

Today, Mr. Wang Jinsong specially wore a newly tailored suit and a flashy red tie.

When he saw the camera, he nervously loosened his tie, prompting a laugh from the teacher next to him: "Old Wang, what's the rush? You're the protagonist's teacher today!"

"Go away, go away," Wang Jinsong said with a laugh, his mouth stretching to his ears.

At 8:30, the celebrity convoy began to arrive one after another.

Huang Xiaoming got out of the first car, and the fans erupted in screams: "Brother Xiaoming!"

Huang Xiaoming waved to the students with great poise and even went over to the student volunteers to sign a few names.

Next was Zhou Xun's car. She was very low-key today, wearing a simple white shirt and black wide-leg pants, without makeup, and wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses.

The media cameras were pointed at her frantically, but she just nodded slightly and walked quickly across the red carpet. She really walked across, and her stay there for no more than thirty seconds.

"Brother Xun is still so cool," a reporter remarked.

"She has the right to be cool, she's a three-time Golden Horse Award winner."

Li Binbin and Fan Binbin arrived in their cars one after the other, less than a minute apart.

The media area instantly erupted in excitement—this was "the two Bingbings in the same frame"!

Although the two are with different agencies and rarely interact, they both gave each other face today.

Li Binbin got out of the car first, dressed in a silver suit, exuding a powerful aura; Fan Binbin followed, wearing a red dress, looking radiant and beautiful.

The two met halfway down the red carpet, gave each other a polite hug, and then gave separate interviews.

"Sister Bingbing, why did you come to the premiere of 'Black Swan' today?" a reporter asked Li Bingbing.

"Support good movies and outstanding young actors," Li Bingbing replied tactfully.

On the other side, when asked the same question, Fan Bingbing smiled and said, "Yi Fei is an actress I admire very much. Her success is a source of pride for Chinese cinema. Of course, I had to come and support her."

Although the words were all well-chosen, the media had already mentally drafted headlines for their press releases: "Bing and Bing appear together, undercurrents are brewing."

Supporting Liu Yifei, or competing with her?

At nine o'clock, the director team arrived.

Zhang Yimou, wearing his signature Zhongshan suit, was the first to get off the car.

He wore glasses today, which made him look more like a university professor.

Tian Zhuangzhuang, Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang, Gu Changwei—half of China's directors appeared one after another, and the red carpet instantly turned into a master class.

Zhang Yimou lingered in front of the autograph wall for a moment, and actor Wang Jinsong quickly went up to him: "Director Zhang, thank you for coming!"

"Of course," Zhang Yimou smiled. "It's a good thing that the Beijing Film Academy has produced such outstanding students. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm really looking forward to it."

Please give me your guidance.

Chen Kaige and Gu Changwei chatted on the red carpet. Gu Changwei pointed to the students on both sides of the red carpet and said, "Kaigge, look at these kids, their eyes are shining. We didn't have this kind of opportunity back then."

Chen Kaige nodded: "Times have changed. There are more opportunities now, but the competition is also fierce. It's not easy for someone like Liu Yifei to break through."

The most surprising thing was that Jiang Wen also came. This guy rarely participates in such events, but today he was even wearing a tie.

As soon as he appeared, the reporters swarmed around him like wolves seeing meat.

"Director Jiang, what brings you here today?"

Jiang Wen grinned, revealing his signature roguish smile: "Come see a show? I heard the young lady is quite good, so I've come to learn from her."

What did you think of Liu Yifei's performance?

"I haven't seen it yet, I'll talk about it after I've seen it." Jiang Wen waved his hand, "Move aside, you're blocking my way."

That's a very honest statement, but everyone knows Jiang Wen's temperament. If someone can make him say "come to learn," then it must be something truly good.

Around 10 o'clock, the bigwigs from the film and television companies began to appear.

Han Sanping of China Film Group, Ren Zhonglun of Shanghai Film Group, Ye Ning of Wanda Group, Wang Zhonglei of Huayi Brothers Media Group, Wang Changtian of Enlight Media Group, and Yu Dong of Bona Film Group —

These bigwigs, who usually dominate the headlines of the finance and entertainment sections, are making a rare appearance together today.

As soon as they got out of the car, the reporters' financial colleagues were also excited, because this was an industry bellwether!

Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun walked over side by side, talking about something with serious expressions.

The reporter quickly snapped a photo, and tomorrow's financial section will have the headline: "Bigwigs from China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group hold secret talks, big moves may be on the horizon."

Wanda's Ye Ning looked exceptionally energetic today, dressed in a custom-made suit with his hair slicked back.

Upon seeing the reporters' cameras, he waved and even stopped for a brief interview: "Black Swan is a good movie, and Wanda Cinemas will fully support it. Of course, I'm even more looking forward to Mr. Jiang's next film, Avatar."

Wang Zhonglei was even more direct: "I'm here today for two reasons: first, to support a good film, and second, to see if there are any opportunities for collaboration. Mr. Jiang is a benchmark in our industry, and we should learn from him."

At 10:30, foreign faces appeared: director Darren Aronofsky, Vincent Cassel, and Mila Kunis arrived.

The appearance of the three caused a minor climax.

The students waved excitedly and shouted "Welcome to China!" in broken English.

Darren was very friendly and tried to say "hello" in Chinese, although his pronunciation sounded like "nihao," but he was very sincere.

Vincent and Mila smiled and waved. Mila even went over to the students and took a few photos with them. She was wearing a sexy deep-V dress today, which caused a series of screams.

At 10:50, the final guest is finally about to take the stage.

At the starting point of the red carpet, a black Rolls-Royce slowly came to a stop.

The entire room fell silent instantly, and all the cameras focused on the car door.

Security guards quickly cleared the area and created a passage.

The car door opened, and Jiang Yu got out first.

He wore a dark gray three-piece suit today, without a tie, and with one button undone on his shirt, looking casual yet composed.

.

A hand wearing a silver watch rested on his hand; the wrist was slender and the skin was fair.

Then, Liu Yifei got out of the car.

At that moment, the flashbulbs 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 overshadowing the daytime sunlight.

Reporters pushed forward like madmen, and security guards had to join hands to form a human wall to barely maintain order.

Liu Yifei wasn't wearing any high-end international designer dress today, but rather a champagne-colored gown that was custom-made for her by the designer.

The dress features a simple design and excellent tailoring.

Her hair was styled in a simple bun, she wore pearl earrings, her makeup was light, and her smile was gentle and sincere.

She stood at the starting point of the red carpet, arm in arm with Jiang Yu, looking at the familiar campus before her, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

"Senior Yifei! Look over here!" The students from Beijing Film Academy shouted excitedly, their voices filled with pride.

"Liu Yifei! Venice Film Festival Best Actress!"

"President Jiang! Look here!"

"You two are a perfect match!"

The two walked side by side down the red carpet.

Liu Yifei walked very slowly, each step as if reliving a memory.

Jiang Yu sensed her emotional fluctuation and gently squeezed her hand: "Are you alright?"

"Hmm." Liu Yifei nodded, took a deep breath, "I'm just a little...感慨 (feeling of mixed emotions)."

As they walked to the middle of the red carpet, student representatives from the Beijing Film Academy presented them with a bouquet of sunflowers, bright yellow, symbolizing "growing towards the sun."

The girl delivering the flowers was a freshman, her hands trembling with nervousness: "Senior Yifei, congratulations! We are so proud of you!"

Liu Yifei accepted the flowers, her eyes welling up with tears: "Thank you."

The younger girl mustered her courage and asked, "Senior, can I hug you?"

"Of course." Liu Yifei opened her arms and gave her a warm hug.

Continuing forward, we arrived at the media interview area.

Reporters bombarded her with questions: "Yifei, how does it feel to be back at your alma mater?"

"It feels so welcoming, like coming home," Liu Yifei smiled. "Seeing these younger students reminds me of myself back then. Beijing Film Academy has given me so much; I'm grateful to my alma mater for nurturing me."

"Mr. Jiang, did you come here specifically to accompany Yifei today?"

Jiang Yu nodded and naturally placed his hand on her waist: "Of course. Today is one of the most important moments for her, and I have to be by her side."

He paused, looked at Liu Yifei with gentle eyes, and said, "I also want to see what kind of place nurtured such an outstanding person like her."

That was such a sweet remark that it drew gasps of surprise from the audience. Reporters pressed their advantage: "When are you two getting married?"

Jiang Yu glanced at Liu Yifei and smiled: "Wait until she's done with this busy period. No rush, we have plenty of time."

Would you consider holding your wedding at the Beijing Film Academy?

The question left both of them speechless. Liu Yifei blushed as red as a tomato, while Jiang Yu laughed and said, "That's a good suggestion, we can consider it."

After passing the media area, you will arrive at the area for teachers and instructors.

Teacher Wang Jinsong stood there, his eyes already red.

Liu Yifei walked over and gave him a big hug: "Teacher Wang————"

"You're back, child." Wang Jinsong patted her back, his voice choked with emotion. "Your teacher is so proud of you. Come on, I'll take you inside; everyone's waiting."

Stepping into the largest screening room at the Beijing Film Academy, it was already packed with people.

When Liu Yifei appeared, the entire audience spontaneously stood up and applauded. It wasn't just a formality; it was a heartfelt and enthusiastic applause.

She looked at the familiar faces below the stage: her teachers, classmates, colleagues, and respected seniors—

Jiang Yu gently took her hand and whispered, "You should be happy today."

"Yes." Liu Yifei smiled and bowed deeply to the audience.

The applause lasted for more than a minute before gradually subsiding.

Host Sa Beining walked onto the stage. The top host from CCTV was invited. Beijing Film Academy really went all out this time.

"Wow, what a sight!" Sa Beining exclaimed humorously as soon as he stepped onto the stage. "Of all the events I've hosted, this is the most impressive one yet. The audience here represents arguably the strongest lineup in Chinese cinema: directors, actors, producers..."

The big names in the cinema industry—those who should have come have come, and those who shouldn't have come have also come.

The audience burst into laughter.

"I'm under a lot of pressure standing here," Sa Beining continued. "What if I say the wrong thing, and director Zhang Yimou won't cast me in his next film, director Chen Kaige blocks me, and director Feng Xiaogang criticizes me on Weibo—how am I supposed to survive in this industry after that?"

An even louder laugh.

After the warm-up, the interview session officially began.

Sa Beining first invited director Darren to the stage, accompanied by simultaneous interpretation.

"Director Darren, how does this first visit to China feel?"

Darren replied through a translator: "It was fantastic. The filmmakers and audiences in China were very welcoming. Liu often talked to me about Chinese culture during filming, and her descriptions filled me with curiosity about this ancient country. Seeing so many excellent filmmakers and enthusiastic audiences made this trip truly worthwhile."

How would you rate Liu Yifei's performance?

Darren's expression turned serious: "Liu is a genius, but more importantly, she's an extremely hardworking actress. On set, she was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. For that Black Swan solo, she practiced for six months, six hours a day, until her feet were covered in blisters, old injuries piled on top of new ones, but she never complained. Once I asked her, why are you working so hard? She said, because the role requires it, because I have to be worthy of the audience."

These words were conveyed through a translator, and applause erupted again from the audience.

Liu Yifei listened from below the stage, her eyes reddening again.

Next up were Vincent and Milla. Vincent said, "Acting with Liu is a pleasure. She always gives you the most genuine and nuanced reactions. Sometimes, she even inspires me to perform better."

Milla said, "She is the hardest-working young actress I have ever seen. In Hollywood, many young people become arrogant after becoming famous overnight, but Liu has always maintained humility and reverence for acting. This is her most valuable quality."

Finally, it was Liu Yifei's turn.

Sa Beining asked, "Yifei, how do you feel today, returning to your alma mater and seeing so many teachers and colleagues?"

Holding the microphone, Liu Yifei was a little excited: "I'm very excited and grateful. Standing here, I'm reminded of many things."

Thinking back to the nervousness I felt when I first stepped into the gates of the Beijing Film Academy, to the days spent sweating in the practice room, to the teachers' repeated guidance, to the scenes of classmates encouraging each other—this trophy doesn't belong to me alone; it belongs to the Beijing Film Academy, to all the teachers who have taught me, to the colleagues who have supported me along the way, and to every movie lover.

In the audience, Wang Jinsong was deeply moved. Principal Zhang patted him on the shoulder and said, "Old Wang, don't cry. This is a happy occasion."

"I'm so happy—I'm so happy—" Wang Jinsong wiped away his tears, "This child has grown up—"

After the interview session ended, before the movie even started, the theater had already transformed into a large social gathering.

The bigwigs exchange pleasantries, business cards, and discuss collaborations; such occasions are never just about watching a movie.

Jiang Yu was undoubtedly the focus of the entire event.

As soon as he entered, he was surrounded, a scene resembling a fan meeting, except that the "fans" were all industry bigwigs.

"Mr. Jiang, congratulations!" Han Sanping from China Film Group was the first to come over and shake hands. "Black Swan was a huge success at Venice, bringing honor to Chinese filmmakers!"

"Thank you, Mr. Han," Jiang Yu said with a smile. "China Film Group has provided a lot of help in terms of importing and distribution."

"Of course, good movies deserve support." Han Shangping lowered his voice. "I heard the Avatar trailer is out? What do you think?"

"Era-breaking." Jiang Yu summarized it with the single word, "If President Han is interested, you can come to the company another day to see it for yourself."

"Absolutely!" Han Shangping's eyes lit up.

Wanda's Ye Ning squeezed through the crowd: "President Jiang, I'm really looking forward to Avatar! Our Wanda IMAX theaters are all ready, just waiting for your command!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Ye, you'll definitely get a spot in the screenings," Jiang Yu said. "However, Avatar has high screening requirements, and the IMAX theater's equipment—"

"Updated! Just updated!" Ye Ning patted his chest confidently. "You name the equipment you want, and I'll place the order tomorrow! As long as the film is good, we can handle the hardware!"

Wang Zhonglei from Huayi also chimed in: "President Jiang, have you got any good projects lately? We could collaborate deeply. Huayi has all the resources you need—actors, publicity, you name it."

On the other side, Buddha and George were also surrounded by a large crowd.

Despite not speaking the language, Wu Ran was extremely busy translating.

Chinese filmmakers have a huge interest in Hollywood, and as the head of Light Chaser Animation Studios in North America, David Ford has a string of projects in hand, including sequels to "Insidious," "Twilight," and "Taken," as well as "Avatar" and "Inception."

Unreleased Buddhist films like "2012" and "Lucy" are practically a walking resource library.

"Buddhist monk, I heard that Pacific Rim is going to be made? Will there be any Chinese elements?" Bona Rongdong asked.

Fu Wei answered through a translator: "Yes, the script includes battlefields in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and there will be Chinese mechs. We attach great importance to Chinese-themed scenes."

"As for the actors—"

"We will consider suitable Chinese actors." Buddha was very articulate. "Liu is a good example, proving the strength of Chinese actors on the international stage. We are very willing to work with more outstanding Chinese actors."

George's side was even more lively, with several Buddhist directors surrounding him discussing potential collaborations.

Zhang Yimou and Darren Chen got together and, surprisingly, found they had a very pleasant conversation through translating the film aesthetics of Jiaojiang.

Zhang Yimou said, "The use of light and shadow in 'Black Swan' is excellent, especially the bathroom scene. The reflection of the mirror and the movement of the water effectively externalize the character's inner turmoil."

Darren replied: "Director Zhang's 'Red Sorghum' had a great influence on me. Its intense colors and vividness showed me the charm of Eastern films."

Tian Zhuangzhuang and Chen Kaige listened from the side, occasionally interjecting a few words.

Liu Yifei was also surrounded by her seniors and colleagues.

Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi stood on either side of her, like two Buddhist guardian sisters.

"Well done." Gong Li patted her shoulder, her words concise and to the point. "Keep it up, don't let it get out of hand."

"I will, Sister Gong Li." Liu Yifei nodded obediently.

Zhang Ziyi was even more direct: "Yifei, next time you have a good script, remember to recommend me. I also want to go to Hollywood and have some fun; I can't let you steal all the limelight."

"Sister Ziyi, you're joking. You've already been to Hollywood."

"That's different." Zhang Ziyi blinked. "I also need to work harder."

On the other side, the young actors looked at Liu Yifei, who was being fawned over by everyone, with complicated expressions.

Jing Tian whispered to his assistant, "Sister Yifei has really made it big now. Venice Film Festival Best Actress, LV global ambassador, Jiang Yu's girlfriend—this is the pinnacle of domestic actresses."

The assistant nodded: "Yes, I heard that she's now only taking on roles in A-list Hollywood productions, and her salary has increased several times over."

"We need to work harder too." Jing Tian took a deep breath. "We can't fall too far behind. Help me contact my English teacher, and I need to add extra classes for my acting class."

Huang Xiaoming walked over and said to Liu Yifei with a smile, "Yifei, congratulations. You've brought honor to the Beijing Film Academy and to Chinese actors."

"Thank you, Brother Xiaoming," Liu Yifei said with a smile.

"Let's collaborate again sometime," Huang Xiaoming said, half-jokingly and half-seriously. "I can lower my fee now, as long as I can work with a good team and a good script."

"Brother Xiaoming, you're joking. You're a ratings guarantee, so whatever the price, that's the price."

The atmosphere at the scene was warm and harmonious, though everyone might have their own hidden agendas, while outwardly they appeared to be on good terms.

This is the entertainment industry—a place of fame and fortune, but also a place of human relationships.

The movie started at 10:00 a.m.

The lights dimmed, and the hall fell silent.

Everyone held their breath and looked at the screen.

Many people are watching "Black Swan" for the first time and are full of curiosity. What kind of movie is it that could win the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for a 22-year-old Chinese actress?

After the opening credits, the first shot is a close-up of Liu Yifei.

Lin Xin was practicing smiling in front of the mirror in the practice room.

That smile of Xue, from stiff to natural, from professional to heartfelt, was layered and subtle.

Zhang Yimou nodded slightly in the audience.

He comes from a photography background and is extremely sensitive to the language of the camera.

The opening shot is perfect in every way – from the lighting and composition to the performance.

He turned to Tian Zhuangzhuang beside him and whispered, "This shot is well-designed; it externalizes the character's inner world."

Tian Zhuangzhuang nodded: "The performance was good too. Look at the changes in her eyes, from empty to bright, it's very subtle."

As the movie progressed to the first half, Lin Xin began to hallucinate.

In the bathroom scene, she looked in the mirror and saw her face distorted and deformed.

Liu Yifei's performance reached its first climax here. Without any lines, she relied entirely on her eyes and micro-expressions to vividly portray the fear of gradually collapsing.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

Chen Kaige leaned close to Tian Zhuangzhuang's ear and whispered, "This child's performance is beyond his age. Many seasoned actors can't portray this scene with such subtlety."

Tian Zhuangzhuang nodded: "She has talent and skill. What's rare is that she knows when to hold back and when to control herself."

Halfway through the movie, Lin Xin has a scene with her mentor (Vincent Rao).

The scene took place in an empty theater, with one person on stage and the other in the audience, creating a strong sense of oppression through the spatial arrangement.

Vincent Rao's portrayal of the mentor is aggressive, while Liu Yifei's character, Lin Xin, progresses from timidity to resistance, with emotions building layer by layer.

Feng Xiaogang stroked his chin and said to Tsui Hark beside him, "The dialogue in this scene is well-written, but the acting is even better. Look at the trembling of her hands and the tension in her shoulders; that's all acting."

Tsui Hark nodded: "She reminds me of a young Maggie Cheung, with that kind of resilience within fragility."

The last ten minutes of the film feature the famous Black Swan solo.

When Liu Yifei appeared on stage in a black dance dress, the audience fell silent.

The music started, and she began to dance.

That wasn't ordinary ballet; it was a fusion of the frenzied beauty of modern dance.

Every spin carries destructive power, every leap is like a struggle against constraints.

The lights shone on her, and the sequins on her black dance dress reflected an eerie light.

Her expression was smiling, but her eyes were crazed; that split was chilling.

Especially the final fouetté turn, which is one of the most difficult moves in ballet.

The camera zooms in: her face, sweat, a crazed look in her eyes, and a wide grin.

After spinning one last time, black feathers drifted from her dress, and she collapsed to the ground as the camera slowly zoomed out.

The movie has ended.

black screen.

The cast and crew credits started scrolling.

Silence.

A five-second silence.

Then, thunderous applause erupted.

This time, it wasn't just polite applause, but heartfelt and deeply moving applause.

Everyone stood up, including those experienced Buddhist directors and producers, those picky film critics, and those demanding colleagues.

Zhang Yimou clapped his hands and said to Han Gongping beside him, "This film must be promoted with all our might. Not just for the box office, but also to let Chinese audiences see what a good performance and what a good movie are."

Han Shangping nodded, his eyes a little red: "It's already being arranged, for the National Day holiday, and also online. This movie is worth it."

While clapping, Chen Kaige said to Tian Zhuangzhuang, "The Beijing Film Academy has really nurtured a promising talent this time. This performance is top-notch, even on the international stage."

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed: "Old Wang probably won't be able to sleep tonight, but it's also because he taught him well."

The young actors were even more shocked. Yang Mi, sitting in the back row, watched the credits roll on the screen and whispered to Liu Shishi next to her, "This performance—I may never reach this level in my entire life."

Liu Shishi squeezed her hand: "Don't say that, everyone has their own path. But it really is—too shocking."

Such was his statement, and the envy and awe in his eyes were impossible to hide.

The applause lasted for a full 10 minutes before gradually subsiding.

The lights came on, and the host, Sa Beining, returned to the stage. His eyes were a little red, and his voice was choked with emotion: "To be honest, I cried just now." He wiped his eyes. "This isn't just polite talk; I was genuinely moved."

As a host, I've seen many movies, but few strike the soul as deeply as "Black Swan."

He invited director Darren to the stage.

Darren was thrilled. "Thank you China, thank you Beijing Film Academy, thank you to all the audience members. It is one of the proudest moments of my career to have this film premiere at the alma mater of its female lead and to be screened in front of so many outstanding Chinese filmmakers."

Then, please invite Liu Yifei to the stage.

When Liu Yifei walked up, her steps were still a little unsteady; she was also shocked by the doubles performance she had just witnessed.

Sa Beining handed her the microphone: "Yifei, tell me about the two sausages. How are you feeling right now?"

Liu Yifei held the microphone, looking at the familiar faces below the stage, "Thank you—thank you everyone. This film is of great significance to me. It not only won me an award, but also helped me rediscover myself and showed me the infinite possibilities of acting. It is my greatest honor to be able to screen it at my alma mater today, to receive recognition from my teachers, and to receive applause from my colleagues."

She paused, then looked at her teacher, Wang Jinsong, in the audience: "I especially want to thank my homeroom teacher, Wang Jinsong. I had many shortcomings during my studies, and it was you who guided and encouraged me time and time again. You said that actors must be able to endure loneliness and be worthy of the roles. I have always remembered these words."

Next was the directors' comments session, where Sa Beining invited several heavyweight directors to the stage, and each of them said a few words.

Zhang Yimou was the first to speak, his words brief yet pointed: "Yi Fei's performance showed me the boundless potential of young Chinese actors. She not only perfectly portrayed the character but also imbued her with a soul. That dance scene could not have been achieved without years of training and exceptional skill. She truly deserves this Venice award. Chinese cinema needs actors like her, and it needs films like her."

Chen Kaige continued, with an even more poetic touch: "Film is the art of the director, and what is ultimately presented on the screen is the actor. Yi Fei has proven with her performance that good actors can elevate a film and make a character immortal. Congratulations to her, and congratulations to Chinese cinema, we now have a young actor who can confidently express herself on the world stage."

Feng Xiaogang was even more direct, with his characteristic humor and sharp wit: "I'm straightforward, if I were to direct this film, I couldn't do it. It's not a technical issue, it's the kind of exploration of the dark side of humanity, the exploration of the boundaries between art and madness. Director Darren is truly amazing. Even more amazing is Yi Fei, she presented the director's ideas 120% and added her own interpretation. Mr. Jiang, if you have any good scripts in the future, remember to let me know, I'd like to collaborate with you."

These comments were recorded verbatim by the media.

Tomorrow's headline has already been reserved for more than one page.

After the movie screening, a cocktail party was held in the small auditorium of the Beijing Film Academy.

Wu Ran called it a cocktail party, but it was more like a Buddhist-style social event.

The Buddhists continued discussing their collaboration, the actors exchanged pleasantries, and the media seized the opportunity to interview those who had slipped through the net.

Liu Yifei was surrounded by a crowd. She was wearing flat shoes today, but even so, her feet were still numb and sore after standing for an hour.

Jiang Yu didn't have much trouble rescuing her from the crowd and took her to the lounge: "Sit down for a bit, have some water, and get something to eat. You haven't been very active this morning."

Liu Yifei slumped on the sofa, feeling as if every bone in her body was protesting: "My face is frozen from smiling—my lips are even cramping—"

""

"It's normal." Jiang Yu squatted down, helped her take off her shoes, and gently massaged her swollen ankles. "You were the absolute star today, so it's understandable that you're tired. Everyone was stunned by your performance. Didn't you see the directors' expressions? They were truly impressed."

"Really?" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up, like a child seeking praise.

"Really." Jiang Yu looked up at her, his eyes gentle. "Director Zhang Yimou is such a picky person, yet he gave you such a high evaluation today. Director Chen Kaige is the same; he rarely praises people like that. And those producers, they look at you like you're a blind man."

Liu Yifei smiled, a tired but satisfied smile, like a marathon runner.

After resting for a while, the two returned to the party.

This time, Jiang Yu took her to meet several important figures in Zangzhen, not for pleasantries, but to discuss future cooperation.

They left Han Shangping's side behind.

Han Shangping was discussing the import of "Avatar" with George and Buddha when he saw Jiang Yu coming over. He immediately waved and said, "President Jiang, come here, I was talking about you."

"President Han," Jiang Yu said with a smile as he walked over, "How did the chat go?"

"Georgeson said that Avatar is an absolutely groundbreaking work that will change the film industry." Han Gongping was very excited, his voice several octaves higher than usual. "Our China Film Group has decided to do everything we can to help Light Chaser International import it. We will allocate at least 60% of the screenings to IMAX theaters and give them the best promotional resources."

"Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Han," Jiang Yu said. "By the way, our company has a Sino-US co-production film coming up next year, a fantasy magic film. The script is already being written. I'd like to ask Mr. Han to take a look and see if China Film Group is interested in participating?"

Han Shangping's eyes lit up: "Interested? Very interested! Just tell me what you need!"

Then I went to Ye Ning's place.

Ye Ning was even more direct, pulling Jiang Yu aside to start calculating: "President Jiang, when are 'Twilight 2' and 'Avatar' coming out? When will Wanda 2 start pre-sales?"

"Twilight Saga: The Last Jedi will be released globally on November 20th," Jiang Yu said. "IMAX pre-sales for Avatar will begin next month, and we'll have to trouble Mr. Ye to allocate more screenings then. But Mr. Ye, I have an idea—Light Chaser Pictures wants to collaborate deeply with Wanda, not just on screenings, but also on joint investment and development projects. For example, are Wanda interested in participating in some of the Buddhist projects we're planning to do in China next year?"

Ye Ning's eyes lit up: "Yes! Absolutely! Mr. Jiang's project is a guarantee of box office success! How do we cooperate? Project investment? You name it, we'll go for it!"

"I'll have the team prepare a plan later, and we'll discuss it in detail."

After going around in circles, Liu Yifei felt dizzy and disoriented.

She whispered to Jiang Yu, "I don't understand any of what you're talking about—joint development—."

"It's okay if you don't understand." Jiang Yu put his arm around her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "You just need to focus on acting, play the roles you want to play, and pursue your artistic ideals. Leave these business matters to me. We have a clear division of labor: you are responsible for lighting up the stage, and I am responsible for paving the way."

"But—won't this make you too tired?" Liu Yifei asked with some concern.

"No, not at all." Jiang Yu smiled. "This is what I'm good at, and what I enjoy. Seeing you shine on stage, seeing your work recognized, is what makes me happiest."

The party didn't end until late afternoon.

After seeing off the last Tibetan guest, Liu Yifei was so exhausted that she could barely stand.

Wang Wei and her bodyguards escorted them to the car. As the car drove away from the Beijing Film Academy, fans were still waiting in the cold wind on campus, holding up light boards and shouting "Yi Fei, keep going!" and "Black Swan, for sale!"

Inside the car, Liu Yifei leaned on Jiang Yu's shoulder, her eyes closed, her voice as soft as a sigh: "The final show is over—"

"Okay, it's over." Jiang Yu gently patted her head. "You've worked hard these past ten days. From now on, it's your vacation time. I mean what I say."

"Oh my god—" Liu Yifei murmured, as if talking in her sleep, "I want to sleep, sleep until I naturally wake up—I want Mommy Bao's braised pork—I want to go shopping and buy a bunch of useless things—I want—"

"You can have whatever you want," Jiang Yu laughed. "I'll be with you. I'll be with you when you sleep, when you eat, and when we go shopping."

Liu Yifei chuckled softly and nuzzled against his shoulder like a sleepy cat.

Jiang Yu picked up his phone and browsed Weibo.

Sure enough, the premiere has already taken over the headlines.

Seven of the top ten trending topics were related to this topic:

1. #BlackSwanBeijingFilmPremiere# (Breaking News)

2. #Half of the entertainment industry showed up to support Liu Yifei# (Breaking News)

3. #Zhang Yimou praises Liu Yifei's acting skills# (Trending)

4. #JiangYuLiuYifeiRedCarpet#

5. #VeniceBestActressReturnsToChinaForFirstPerformance#

6. #Directors' Team's Comments on Black Swan#

7. #Liu Yifei sheds tears during her speech at Beijing Film Academy#

Upon clicking, one is immediately greeted with praise from the media and netizens.

The official Weibo account of Beijing Film Academy posted a photo of Liu Yifei with the caption: "Welcome home, our pride @LiuYifei". The post has been reposted more than 10,000 times.

The movie channel provides the most detailed coverage, following the entire process from the red carpet to the screening to the cocktail party.

In the comments section, fans were extremely excited: "The Beijing Film Academy was shining brightly today! Liu Yifei's presence is unparalleled among Chinese actresses!"

"After watching the video, I saw how seriously Director Zhang Yimou applauded; it was genuine approval! To be praised like that by the national director is truly commendable!"

"The way Jiang Yu introduced Liu Yifei to the Buddhist monks was just like, 'This is my wife, please take good care of me!'" — So sweet! I'm totally shipping this couple!

"I heard that many directors on set want to work with Liu Yifei; she's incredibly sought after right now! Her opportunities are skyrocketing!"

"You absolutely must see 'Black Swan' during the National Day holiday! I was blown away by the acting just from the trailer!"

That night, she had a sweet dream.

In her dream, she was still 15 years old, walking into the Beijing Film Academy campus for the first time, looking up at the six big characters "Beijing Film Academy," her heart filled with anticipation and trepidation.

The younger version of herself in the mirror turned to her present self and said, "Look, all the sweat, all the effort, all the perseverance will not be in vain."

Yes, I came down.

From this day forward, the name Liu Yifei will write a new and shining chapter in the history of Chinese cinema.