Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 185 The Coronation

Liu Yifei woke up.

I wasn't woken up by the alarm clock; my heart woke me up on its own.

That instinctive warning that "something big is going to happen" made her biological clock start an hour and a half earlier than usual.

She opened her eyes and saw the hazy light of dawn through the gap in the floor-to-ceiling curtains.

In Los Angeles, the dawn breaks late in January, and the silhouettes of palm trees in the distance stand like silent guards, motionless in two rows.

She turned her head to the side.

Jiang Yu is still asleep.

He lay on his side, facing her, breathing evenly, inhaling for three seconds and exhaling for three seconds, with extremely brief pauses in between.

She stared at him for five seconds; her eyelashes were very long.

When she was asleep, the faint lines between her eyebrows were gone, and her whole face relaxed, making her look several years younger than her actual age.

Despite being a workaholic who gets less than six hours of sleep a day, she sleeps in such an adorable position.

Liu Yifei couldn't help but reach out and gently poke his face with her fingertips.

no response.

I poked it again.

Still no response.

Before she could even thrust out the third time, her wrist was grabbed.

"You're addicted to poking." Jiang Yu didn't open his eyes, his voice low and hoarse from just waking up.

Caught red-handed, Liu Yifei guiltily pulled her hand back, saying, "Weren't you asleep?!"

"You woke up the moment I poked you the first time."

"Then why don't you open your eyes!"

"Because I wanted to see if you would poke me a third time." Jiang Yu finally opened his eyes, his gaze clearer than someone who had just woken up. "Conclusion: Yes."

Liu Yifei buried her face in the pillow.

So embarrassing.

She heard Jiang Yu chuckle softly, a faint, almost inaudible sound escaping from his chest.

She pulled the pillow tighter around her head.

"Aren't you bored?" Jiang Yu's voice came from outside the pillow.

"It's not boring."

"So how long do you plan to stay inside?"

"Wait until the awards ceremony begins." Liu Yifei's voice was muffled and muffled, muffled from inside the pillow.

Jiang Yu didn't say anything.

A few seconds later, she felt him gently pull the pillow open a crack.

Fresh air rushed in, along with his face so close to mine.

"Nervous?" he asked.

Liu Yifei paused for a moment.

"----Um."

Jiang Yu held her hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.

"Today you'll be walking the red carpet," he said, "wearing the most beautiful dress, the glitteriest jewelry, and facing hundreds of cameras."

He paused.

"But what you really have to face isn't those cameras, it's yourself."

Women's eyesight.

"You're ready."

Liu Yifei remained silent.

A long time passed, long enough that the light from the gap in the curtains moved from the foot of the bed to the head of the bed.

"Jiang Yu," she said softly.

"Um."

"What if I don't win the award?"

Jiang Yu thought for a moment.

"Then next time," he said. "You're still young, you'll have plenty of opportunities."

"What if you don't take it next time either?"

"Then next time."

"What if we still can't get it?"

Jiang Yu looked at her.

"So what?" he said. "You're still Liu Yifei."

Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment.

Then she buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled: "You really don't know how to say sweet nothings."

"Um.

""

"But they always hit the nail on the head."

"Um.

She looked up, her eyes sparkling.

"Get up," she said. "There's a lot to do today."

She threw back the covers and got out of bed, stepping barefoot onto the carpet. After taking two steps, she turned back.

"Jiang Yu".

"Um."

"I love you."

Forty minutes later, Liu Yifei sat on a high stool on the kitchen island, holding a cup of hot honey water, watching Jiang Yu fry eggs.

The founder of Light Chaser Pictures, China's richest man and listed on the Forbes list, is currently wearing a striped apron and standing in front of a frying pan, intently working on an egg.

Liu Yifei held the cup and watched Jiang Yu scoop the fried egg out of the pan. His movements were a little clumsy; he hadn't controlled the heat well, and the edges were slightly burnt.

He used his chopsticks to remove the burnt edge and then placed the egg on the plate in front of her.

"It's burnt," he said.

"It's okay." Liu Yifei poked the yolk with her fork, watching the golden egg liquid flow out. "I'll eat it even if it's burnt."

Jiang Yu didn't say anything, and turned around to fry a second egg for himself.

Liu Yifei looked at his profile illuminated by the sunlight and suddenly asked.

"Jiang Yu, are you nervous today?"

His hand paused for a moment.

.

"A little."

"Really?" Liu Yifei was a little surprised. "You don't look like it at all."

Jiang Yu flipped the second egg over.

"Just because you can't tell doesn't mean it's not there," he said.

Liu Yifei thought for a moment and nodded: "That's true. You always have only three expressions on your face."

Which three?

"Calm," she counted on her fingers, "more calm, and a very hard-to-pretend calm."

Jiang Yu remained silent for two seconds.

"—You have a very keen eye."

"That's right." Liu Yifei took a bite of her fried egg and said indistinctly, "She's a professional actress after all."

She swallowed the egg, then suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, right," she put down her fork, "Ziyi is here today too."

Jiang Yu looked up at her.

"Um."

"You...don't have anything to say?"

Jiang Yu put the fried eggs into her plate and took off her apron.

"What do you want to hear?"

Liu Yifei rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

"I don't know," she said. "It's just that—back when I was on set, the senior actors would chat about Chinese actors who went to Hollywood, and they would always mention her. They said she was the one who went the furthest."

She paused for a moment, then said, "Back then, I felt that reaching her level was the ceiling."

Jiang Yu sat down opposite her without saying a word.

"Now I've gotten here too." Liu Yifei looked down at the cracked egg on the plate. "It's not the ceiling, it's the floor she's standing on."

She looked up.

"What do you think she'll think?"

Jiang Yu put down his fork.

"That's her business," he said. "It's not your concern."

He paused for a moment: "There's only one thing you need to do today: stand where you're supposed to stand."

Liu Yifei looked at him.

"and then?"

"Then I stood in the audience watching you."

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then lowered her head and continued poking at the egg.

"—Glib-tongued."

"truth."

The two of them quietly finished their breakfast.

At 9:30 a.m., Isabella's nanny van arrived at the villa on time.

Liu Yifei looked out of the second-floor window and saw the side door of the black GMC van slide open.

First, two assistants jumped down, each carrying a huge makeup case; then came the costume assistant, pushing a mobile clothes rack covered with dust covers; then came the hairstylist, nail technician, lighting assistant, and two other people she didn't recognize but who looked very professional.

Finally, there were those red-soled high heels.

Then there's Isabella's signature platinum blonde short hair.

"Coming, coming," Liu Yifei whispered.

Jiang Yu stood up from the sofa and casually put the coffee cup into the kitchen sink.

"Isabella's here," he said. "George should be here soon too."

The moment he finished speaking, the villa doorbell rang.

Two minutes later, Isabella burst into the living room.

"Darling!" She hugged Liu Yifei tightly, kissing her cheeks twice. "My Venus! My Swan Princess! The star of the night!"

Liu Yifei was a little dazed by her hug. Before she could say anything, Isabella had already taken two steps back and looked her up and down.

His gaze was like a scanner, sweeping from the shine of her hair to the calluses on her heels.

Ten seconds later, Isabella nodded in satisfaction.

"My skin is a 90 out of 100," she said. "It's two levels better than in Cannes. Did I get eight hours of sleep last night? Did I not stay up late?"

"I'm asleep," Liu Yifei answered honestly. "I went to bed at 9:30."

"Good girl." Isabella patted her head like a child. "This is the kind of actress I like. Some young stars go to parties the night before walking the red carpet, and the next day their faces are swollen like bread, and I have to use three pounds of powder to cover them up."

She turned around and clapped her hands: "Let's get started!"

The entire group of people, like a well-trained army, instantly occupied the dressing room on the second floor.

Liu Yifei sat down in front of the makeup mirror, looking at her face, which was still damp with moisture; her hair was casually tied into a ponytail, and she was wearing a bathrobe.

Three hours later, this face will appear on the screens of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

"Relax." Isabella placed her hand on her shoulder, with just the right amount of pressure. "Your skin will remember your emotions."

Stress can cause pores to shrink, making it difficult to blend foundation.

Liu Yifei tried to relax.

Isabella began her work, and the lights in the dressing room came on. They were professionally colored to mimic natural light, neither too cool nor too warm, and they could reproduce the most authentic texture of the skin.

Isabella's makeup brush landed on her face like feathers.

Liu Yifei closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, in the living room downstairs, Jiang Yu was sitting with George Crane and Darren Aronofsky.

George Williams is the CEO of Searchlight Pictures, a British man in his fifties, bald, and wearing his signature round-framed glasses.

He pulled a document out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Jiang Yu.

"The final week of public opinion monitoring," he said. "Your girlfriend's approval rating has risen by 7 percentage points."

Jiang Yu took the document and quickly browsed through it.

67th Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Drama – Final Prediction Report: 1. Sandra Bullock, *The Blind Side* – 42% chance of winning.

2. Liu Yifei in "Black Swan"—Winning rate 38%

3. Emily Blunt's *The Young Victoria* — 12% win rate

4. Helen Mirren's win rate in "The Last Station" is 5%.

5. Gabriel Stippy's *True Love* — Winning rate 3%

George took off his glasses and slowly wiped the lenses with a suede cloth.

"Sandra's advantage is her seniority and connections. She's been in the industry for twenty years, and everyone owes her or her brother a favor."

He paused, then continued, "The Blind Side is another typical Hollywood inspirational film, based on a true story, a perfect example of the American Dream. The judges buy into that."

Darren leaned back on the sofa, unusually not showing his signature serious face.

"But Crystal Liu's advantages are real." He smiled slightly and said, "Winner of the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award, $1.6 million at the North American box office, and $3.5 million worldwide. 96% critical acclaim and 92% audience rating."

He paused, then added, "This combination of data has only been achieved by Meryl Streep in history."

George put on his glasses, thought for a moment, and replied, "Yes. So she's not a dark horse, she's a real competitor." He looked at Jiang Yu, "And our $500 million in public relations funds wasn't wasted; no matter what happens tonight, Searchlight will fully support her Oscar run."

David sat on the edge of the sofa, hesitant to speak.

Three hours later, the makeup and styling were completed.

Liu Yifei stood in front of the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the person in it.

Jiang Yu had pre-ordered that Dior Spring 2010 Haute Couture gown three months prior; it wasn't borrowed, it was purchased.

The pinkish-purple gradient transitions from a light apricot at the chest to a smoky purple at the hem, resembling the sky over Santa Monica Beach at dusk.

The fabric is silk organza, layered yet incredibly light, with a subtle sheen flowing with every step.

The tailoring is Dior's proudest design this season. The upper body is a modified strapless style with a well-defined waistline that is both flattering and not revealing. The skirt is an irregular design with a shorter front and longer back, revealing slender ankles in the front and flowing into an elegant fishtail in the back.

Isabella circled Liu Yifei three times, scrutinizing her from every angle.

The first circle shows the overall silhouette, the second circle shows the fabric drape, and the third circle shows the light reflection.

Finally, she nodded in satisfaction.

"Perfect," she said. "This dress was made for you."

The hairstylist created a low bun, loosely tied at the back of the head, deliberately leaving a few wisps of hair falling around the ears and the sides of the neck.

Isabella insisted, "The more casual the updo, the harder it is to do; the position of every single stray hair must be precise. Too neat, and it looks like you're attending a state banquet; too messy, and it looks like you just woke up. This sense of proportion is the same sense that Dior used when styling Grace Kelly."

Liu Yifei looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a little dazed.

Simply because she deserves it.

Isabella took two steps back to assess the overall effect.

"The jewelry is too plain," she frowned. "Dior said they could lend us their blue diamond necklace, 20 carats. Nicole Kidman wore the same design at Cannes last year..."

'

"No need to borrow."

Jiang Yu's voice came from the doorway. Liu Yifei turned her head, and he walked in, holding a dark green box in his hands.

The box was small, about the size of a palm, with silver trim around the corners and the Bulgari logo printed on the lid.

It's not the white packaging typical of Bulgari's regular product line.

It is a dark emerald green with a gold-stamped logo and traces of hand-stitched edges.

Jiang Yu walked up to her and opened the box.

The dressing room fell silent, and Isabella gasped.

The crown lay quietly on the black velvet background, like a small patch of frozen starlight.

Platinum base, pavé-set with diamonds.

The center stone is a pink diamond weighing over five carats, cushion-cut, that gleams with a soft, dreamy pink glow under the light.

The crown's design is a minimalist Art Deco style, not the kind of elaborate crowns used in weddings or beauty pageants, but a modernist work with clean lines and a restrained structure.

Liu Yifei was stunned; she had seen many kinds of jewelry before.

She borrowed genuine jadeite from the props department during the filming of "The Forbidden Kingdom," saw a pigeon blood red jadeite that sold for eight figures at an auction, and was gifted a complete set of diamond earrings by the brand she endorses.

This one is different; it's so light, it doesn't feel like it should weigh three million seven hundred thousand US dollars.

"This is—" she said softly.

"It's from Bulgari's haute couture collection," Jiang Yu said. "The order was placed two months ago, and it just arrived from Switzerland last week."

He removed the crown from its velvet base and gently placed it on her hair, which was styled into a bun.

The weight of the crown settled on her hair.

Liu Yifei turned around and looked in the mirror.

The woman in the mirror wore a pink diamond crown and a pinkish-purple floor-length dress, standing under soft lighting.

Her makeup was light and elegant, her eyes were clear, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.

She looks like a princess.

"Jiang Yu." Her voice was a little hoarse.

"Um."

"How much is this crown?"

Jiang Yu paused for a moment.

Are you sure you want to ask now?

"Sure."

"Three million seven hundred thousand US dollars."

Liu Yifei was silent for three seconds, then said, "Let's cancel."

Jiang Yu was stunned for a moment.

"It's too expensive." Liu Yifei looked down at the crown. "I haven't even won an award yet, and I'm wearing such an expensive crown. What if I don't win? Tomorrow's headlines will be 'Venice Best Actress Wears 3000 Million Dollar Crown with Zero Nominations, Jewelry More Dazzling Than Acting Skills.'"

Her voice grew softer and softer.

"I'll be laughed at."

Jiang Yu didn't speak. After a few seconds, he reached out and gently lifted her face.

"Liu Yifei," he said.

She looked up at him.

"This crown isn't for you to wear when you win an award," he said. "It's for yourself." Jiang Yu paused. "Regardless of tonight's outcome, you're already a Best Actress. Venice has certified it, the audience has certified it, and I have certified it."

Liu Yifei didn't speak. She stared at the crown shimmering under the lights in the mirror for a long time. Then she smiled softly.

"Jiang Yu".

"Um.

""

"You really know how to spend money."

Jiang Yu didn't answer, he just held her hand.

Liu Yifei looked down at the Hawaiian ring on her ring finger and the $3.7 million crown on her head.

At 4:30 p.m., a convoy of three black Cadillacs departed Beverly Hills on time.

Liu Yifei sat in the back seat, her palms slightly sweaty.

Jiang Yu held her hand and gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.

"Nervous?" he asked.

"A little," Liu Yifei honestly admitted. "This dress is too long, and the heels are too high. If I trip and fall on the red carpet, tomorrow's headlines will be 'Venice Best Actress Embarrassment on the Red Carpet.'"

Jiang Yu nodded seriously.

"Then throw it on me."

"what?"

"Tomorrow's headlines will be about the Venice Film Festival Best Actress and the richest man showing off their love on the red carpet."

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Jiang Yu, you're really good at comforting people."

"Um.

""

total.

"Although the method was strange."

"Um.

""

The car drove into the Hilton Hotel's underground private passageway.

Security personnel in black suits stood on both sides of the passageway, one every five meters.

Liu Yifei's heart began to race as she looked out the car window at the red "Red Carpet Waiting Area" sign ahead.

The moment the car door opened, she heard a commotion coming from afar.

That was the roar of hundreds of reporters and thousands of fans, clearly audible even through the walls.

She took a deep breath.

Step out of the car.

The waiting area was temporarily converted from the Hilton Hotel's largest banquet hall.

The huge space was divided into dozens of small rest areas, with each film crew occupying a round table.

A champagne tower, a cold buffet table, waiters moving about, and soft background music filled the air, creating the unique "solemn yet relaxed" atmosphere of the Golden Globes.

Liu Yifei walked in arm in arm with Jiang Yu, and she felt dozens of eyes on her at the same time.

It wasn't a hostile scrutiny, but rather a curious look that said, "Oh, so this is that Chinese actress."

Then she saw a man stand up, James Cameron.

This global box office champion director strode towards them like a moving mountain.

"Ginger! Crystal!" Cameron's voice, like his personality, was resonant and could be heard throughout the waiting area. "6"

You've finally arrived!

He gave Jiang Yu a firm bear hug, then turned to Liu Yifei, revealing a rare gentle smile.

"Crystal, I wish you success tonight," he said. "Although I personally hope Avatar sweeps all the awards, I'm casting my vote for you for Best Actress in a Drama."

Liu Yifei was somewhat flattered.

"Thank you, Director Cameron—"

"You're welcome," Cameron waved his hand. "Your performance deserves this award."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"Moreover, awarding the prize to a Chinese actor would make the Golden Globes seem more international. Those veteran judges love that."

Jiang Yu coughed lightly, and Cameron burst into laughter.

"Just kidding! I'm talking about skill, ability!"

During the small talk, more people turned their attention to them.

Darren was pulled away by some old friends.

Vincent Cassel is chatting with a French journalist in French.

Mila Kunis is surrounded by two young actresses, who are gesturing at something.

Liu Yifei stood there, when suddenly she saw a familiar figure.

Morgan Freeman.

The veteran actor was dressed in a well-fitting dark gray suit and walked with a composed gait.

He walked alone through the crowd, without an assistant to clear the way or bodyguards to escort him, slowly and steadily making his way over.

He walked up to Liu Yifei and extended his hand.

"Lucy, it's been a long time."

Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, then she realized that he was calling her character's name from the movie "Lucy".

That was a movie she filmed half a year ago, and it hasn't been released yet. Morgan Freeman played her mentor.

They only had two scenes together, and she didn't expect him to remember her character's name.

"Mr. Morgan, what brings you here?"

"A Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in Invictus." Morgan Freeman winked. "Although I know I won't win; that's Christoph Waltz's domain."

He paused, then looked at Liu Yifei intently.

"I've seen the rough cut of 'Lucy.' Luc called me and said your performance was amazing."

He said, "This girl will become a world-class star."

Liu Yifei didn't know what to say, so Morgan Freeman patted her on the shoulder.

"There's no need to be modest. Acknowledging one's talent is a virtue."

Before he turned to leave, he suddenly turned back.

"Enjoy tonight. Whatever the outcome, you've already won."

Liu Yifei stood there, watching his calm figure walk away.

"He's right," Jiang Yu's voice came from the side. "You've already won."

Liu Yifei didn't say anything, but she straightened her back even more.

Liu Yifei was discussing the awards ceremony with Darren when she suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of her eye.

The woman, dressed in a dark blue tuxedo with her hair neatly styled in a bun, was talking to several foreign judges; Zhang Ziyi.

She met Zhang Ziyi three times.

The first time was in 2006, when she had just debuted, and I caught a glimpse of her from afar at a brand event.

At that time, Zhang Ziyi was already "International Zhang," standing in the center of the crowd, surrounded by layers upon layers of reporters.

The second time was in 2008 at the press conference for "The Forbidden Kingdom".

She played Golden Swallow, while Zhang Ziyi didn't; Jackie Chan invited her to support the role. That day, Zhang Ziyi was dressed in all white, and when she greeted her, she smiled and said, "Go, little girl!"

The third time is now, and Zhang Ziyi has also seen her.

Seven or eight meters apart, the eyes of the two Chinese actresses met in mid-air.

Liu Yifei noticed a change in Zhang Ziyi's expression.

It's not hostility, it's not indifference.

It was something very complex and fleeting that she didn't see clearly, because the next second, Zhang Ziyi was already walking towards her.

"Yifei".

Zhang Ziyi's voice was very steady, and no emotion could be detected.

"Sister Ziyi."

The two stood facing each other, separated by the noisy crowd in the Golden Globe Awards waiting area.

Zhang Ziyi smiled first, "You look beautiful tonight. The dress and the crown were both excellent choices."

Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment; she hadn't expected Zhang Ziyi's first words to be a compliment.

"Thank you, Sister Ziyi————"

"You're welcome." Zhang Ziyi paused for a moment. "When I was your age, I wouldn't have chosen this style."

She spoke in a very calm tone, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her, and Liu Yifei didn't know what to say in response.

"Mr. Jiang," Zhang Ziyi turned to Jiang Yu, her face beaming with a bright smile, "I've heard so much about you."

Jiang Yu nodded as well.

"Miss Zhang."

Three simple words, without any unnecessary formalities.

Zhang Ziyi's gaze lingered on Jiang Yu's face for two seconds before she turned back to Liu Yifei.

"Good luck tonight," she said. "It's not easy for Chinese actors to stand on this stage."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, she turned and left; Liu Yifei stood there, watching her retreating figure.

Zhang Ziyi walked to the round table at the far edge of the rest area and sat down.

Assistant Xiao Zhou handed me a glass of warm water.

"Ziyi, are you alright?"

Zhang Ziyi took the water glass but didn't drink it.

"fine."

Xiao Zhou dared not ask any more questions.

Zhang Ziyi held the glass of warm water, looking in the direction of Liu Yifei not far away.

The girl stood in the crowd, wearing a pinkish-purple dress and a pink diamond crown, next to China's richest man.

At 22, she received a Golden Globe nomination and won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival.

What was she doing when she was twenty-two?

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has just finished filming but has not yet been released.

Ang Lee said she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but she was scolded every day on set. There was one scene that took 37 takes, filming until 3 a.m., and she hid in the toilet and cried after work.

She thought she had tried her best, but the girl in front of her, at twenty-two, had already reached a point that she herself hadn't reached at thirty-one.

Zhang Ziyi lowered her eyelashes, and ripples spread out in the water glass.

She recalled 2001, when she attended her first Oscars.

She was wearing a Chinese cheongsam, her hair was styled in a high bun, and her legs were shaking as she walked on the red carpet.

When asked by a reporter what it felt like to come to the Oscars for the first time, she said, "It feels like a dream."

That's true.

She later attended the Oscars many times, was nominated, presented awards, and served as a judge. She thought she had reached the highest point that Chinese actors could achieve.

Even today, she looks at Liu Yifei; the girl is talking to Morgan Freeman, her smile polite and composed.

She wasn't as nervous as she used to be; she was very composed.

Zhang Ziyi slowly put down the glass of water she hadn't drunk.

"Xiao Zhou."

"Why."

"After the results come out tonight," she said, "please arrange a meeting with Liu Yifei's agent for me."

Xiao Zhou was stunned for a moment.

"Around—when?"

Zhang Ziyi remained silent for a few seconds.

"Tomorrow," she said, "if she's free."

Liu Yifei stood at the very front of the waiting area.

Outside, the sound of camera shutters was like a torrential downpour, and screams rose and fell.

She heard people shouting "Sandra!", "George!", and sporadic shouts of "Liu Yifei!" The voices weren't loud, but she could hear each one clearly.

She took a deep breath. Jiang Yu stood beside her, impeccably dressed in a suit, his expression composed.

He wore a dark blue suit tonight, with a white shirt underneath, and the top two buttons of his shirt were casually undone.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Liu Yifei nodded.

The emcee's voice came from the front: "Now walking onto the red carpet are Mr. Jiang Yu, founder of Light Chaser Pictures, and Ms. Liu Yifei, Venice Film Festival Best Actress and Golden Globe nominee!"

The moment the lights shone on her, Liu Yifei found herself no longer nervous.

She took Jiang Yu's arm and walked step by step onto the red carpet.

The flashes of light came down like a torrential downpour.

"Crystal! Look this way!"

"Mr. Jiang! Please wait a moment!"

"It's so beautiful! What brand is that crown?"

"Miss Liu, are you confident tonight?"

Her smile was just right, neither overly bright nor deliberately reserved.

Jiang Yu stood half a step to her side, maintaining that distance at all times; he could protect her at any moment without stealing her spotlight.

When Liu Yifei had walked a third of the way down the red carpet, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Sister Yifei! Over here!"

She turned her head.

In the international media zone at the edge of the red carpet, several Chinese journalists were waving frantically.

She recognized them: Li Jia from the movie channel, Zhao Lei from Guangying Video, Yuan Yuan from Sina Entertainment, and A Fei from Tencent Entertainment.

She smiled and deliberately walked over.

Li Jia handed her the microphone, and the camera was pointed at her.

"Sister Yifei, are you confident tonight?"

Liu Yifei thought for a moment.

"I'm confident I can play every role well. The results are up to the judges."

"Mr. Jiang!" Zhao Lei's question took a sudden turn. "Where will you be spending the Spring Festival this year? You're both from Wuhan, will you be going back to your hometown?"

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, and the tips of her ears turned slightly red.

Jiang Yu remained expressionless. "It's not decided yet. It depends on Yi Fei's schedule."

"Will we spend Chinese New Year together?"

Jiang Yu glanced at Liu Yifei.

"Yes."

Liu Yifei's face turned even redder.

The surrounding international student fans started cheering: "Oh! Let's celebrate the Lunar New Year together!"

She lowered her head and pretended to adjust her skirt.

The red carpet continued, and as she walked to the end, Liu Yifei looked back.

The red carpet remained brightly lit, with celebrities walking in twos and threes, and flashes of light from cameras still going off constantly.

Where she had just stood, a newlywed couple had already taken over the spotlight.

In the banquet hall, Liu Yifei experienced the "roundtable culture" of the Golden Globe Awards for the first time.

Dozens of large round tables filled the entire banquet hall.

It's not arranged in a rigid, theatrical style, but rather scattered in a staggered and orderly fashion.

Each table seats ten to twelve people and is equipped with champagne, bread baskets, silver cutlery, and even mini salt shakers and pepper shakers.

It wasn't an awards ceremony, it was an awards banquet.

Those seated at their table included Darren Aronofsky, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, George Crane of Searchlight Pictures, David of Light Chaser Animations, and two producers of Black Swan.

Waiters moved around, constantly refilling wine, changing plates, and clearing away cold food.

Liu Yifei looked down at the rare Wagyu beef steak in front of her. She used to think that award ceremonies were all about sitting upright and having your hands...

Names like "heart pounding, breath held" and "sweat escaping".

It turns out that people wait for the Golden Globe Awards while eating steak.

On stage, host Ricky Gervais is giving his opening remarks.

This British stand-up comedian, known for his sharp tongue, had already made fun of Mel Gibson, Hugh Grant, and the entire Hollywood Foreign Press Association within the first three minutes.

"Tonight, we gather here to celebrate the most outstanding film and television productions of the past year." Theveston paused, scanning the room, "and of course, the most outstanding, commercially successful."

The whole audience burst into laughter, and Liu Yifei laughed along with them.

Gervais's eyes suddenly fell on their table.

“Oh, let me see,” he squinted, “that’s—James Cameron, who just broke a new record with Avatar. That’s Quentin Tarantino, who just wiped out the Nazis with Inglourious Basterds. That’s George Clooney, who just received two nominations for Up in the Air and was also voted the Sexiest Man Alive in the World.”

His gaze swept over Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei.

"That's—Ms. Liu Yifei? The Venice Film Festival Best Actress, the lead actress in 'Black Swan.'" He paused, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "And beside her is Mr. Jiang Yu of Light Chaser Pictures, an investor in 'Avatar,' a guest of honor at the six major Hollywood studios, and, according to the latest statistics from Forbes magazine—"

He paused deliberately and looked around the room.

"His net worth is more than the three people I just mentioned combined."

The crowd erupted in laughter again, mixed with whistles.

Gervais raised his glass.

"Mr. Jiang, welcome to the Golden Globe Awards. I hope you have a great time tonight. By the way, next time you invest in a film, remember to reserve a small role for me."

Jiang Yu calmly raised his glass and waved to Gervais from afar, while Gervais laughed heartily.

"I like this man! He doesn't even feel embarrassed!"

Liu Yifei sat next to her, trying hard to suppress her laughter.

"Is everything he said true?" she asked softly.

"Half and half," Jiang Yu said.

Liu Yifei looked down and poked at her steak with her fork.

After the opening performance, the television awards began to be presented.

.

Liu Yifei wasn't very familiar with these things. She rarely watched American TV series and spent her limited time reading books and studying scripts.

She watched the award winners on stage give their passionate speeches and saw her colleagues in the audience applauding sincerely.

There was a strange sense of detachment; she was neither an observer nor a complete participant.

Jiang Yu sat next to her, quietly watching the stage.

He would occasionally look down to reply to a work message or two, and occasionally turn his head to ask her, "Do you want some water?"

Most of the time he just sits there, his expression calm, and you can't tell what he's thinking.

Liu Yifei suddenly asked in a low voice, "Do you get bored?"

Jiang Yu turned to look at her.

"Won't."

"real?"

"Really." He paused, "Sitting here with you, I'm not bored."

Liu Yifei lowered her head; why does this guy always manage to say the most heart-pounding things at the most unexpected moments?

The television awards ceremony lasted for over an hour.

Best drama series, best musical/comedy series, best miniseries — names were read out and trophies were raised.

Liu Yifei looked at the actors, screenwriters, and directors who were so moved that they shed tears.

It turns out everyone cries.

No matter how many awards you've won, no matter how many years you've been in this industry.

In that moment, everyone was just a child who had been "accepted".

at last.

The film awards have begun.

Liu Yifei straightened her back unconsciously.

Best Movie Song: "Crazy Heart"

Best Original Film Score: Up

Best animated film: Up.

Black Swan was not nominated for any of the three awards in a row.

Liu Yifei tried her best to maintain a calm expression.

He unconsciously tightened his grip on Jiang Yu's hand; Best script—"Up in the Clouds".

Black Swan was nominated for this award, but didn't win.

She watched George Clooney go on stage to accept the award and heard him thank the writing team, Paramount, and his producers in his acceptance speech.

She clapped along with everyone else.

A polite smile.

Heartbeat.

Four awards now.

Black Swan received three nominations but didn't win any.

She glanced at Darren instinctively. Darren was sitting across the table, his expression calm, talking quietly to David beside him.

He noticed Liu Yifei's gaze, looked up, and smiled slightly at her.

That smile meant: It's okay, there's still Best Actress and Best Story.

Liu Yifei returned a smile and took a deep breath.

Best Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon (Germany)

Best Supporting Actress, Monique, *True Love*.

Best Supporting Actor, Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds.

When Waltz took the stage, the entire audience stood up and applauded.

His performance in Inglourious Basterds was nothing short of divine, making this award a foregone conclusion.

Liu Yifei stood up and clapped enthusiastically.

Meryl Streep, winner of Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for "Julie & Julia".

The entire audience stood up again.

Meryl Streep, seventeenth Golden Globe nominee, eighth win.

She smiled and waved as she went on stage.

"This is ridiculous, I wasn't even there, oh, I was..."

'

The whole crowd laughed.

Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy – Robert Downey Jr., Sherlock Holmes.

When Donnie went on stage, he waved to Jiang Yu from a distance.

His acceptance speech was witty and humorous, thanking the director, the producer, and "the investor who believed I could play Iron Man when I was at my lowest point."

He didn't name names, but everyone in the room knew who he was talking about.

Liu Yifei turned to look at Jiang Yu, whose lips curled into a slight smile.

at last.

"Next up is the Best Actor in a Drama Series."

Charlize Theron walked onto the stage.

She wore a black deep-V dress, her blonde hair flowing freely, and she was stunningly beautiful.

She glanced at the teleprompter and smiled.

"The competition this year is extremely fierce."

.

The large screen lights up.

The faces of the five nominees appeared in turn:

Jeff Bridges's *Crazy Heart*.

George Clooney's "Up in the Air".

Colin Firth's "A Single Man".

Morgan Freeman, Independence.

Tobey Maguire's *Brothers*.

Theron opened the envelope.

Say the name: "Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart."

The audience erupted in applause.

Liu Yifei clapped vigorously, her palms sweating profusely.

After Best Actor in a Drama, it's time for Best Actress in a Drama.

The presenter was changed to Robert De Niro.

The 77-year-old legendary actor walked onto the stage with a cane.

His silver hair was thinning, but his eyes remained sharp.

He stood in front of the microphone and remained silent for three seconds.

"I was supposed to present the Lifetime Achievement Award," he said, "but the organizers said that having De Niro present the Best Actress Award would add drama."

The entire audience laughed, but De Niro remained expressionless.

"I don't understand what's so dramatic about it. Actors are actors, men play men, and women play women."

He paused, then looked down at the envelope.

"Unless it's something like 'Dog Day Afternoon' —"

The whole audience burst into laughter, and Liu Yifei wanted to laugh too; but she couldn't.

Her hand was held tightly by Jiang Yu, and her palm was already sweaty.

The big screen lit up, showing five faces and five names.

Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria.

Sandra Bullock's *The Blind Side*.

Liu Yifei in "Black Swan".

Gabriel Stippy's *True Love*.

Helen Mirren, The Last Station.

De Niro opened the envelope, and the room fell silent.

Liu Yifei stopped breathing, and De Niro looked down at the name in the envelope.

He paused for a second, then looked up and uttered the name.

The syllables seemed to explode into Liu Yifei's ears one by one, like a slow-motion video.

"Crystal Liu"

He paused.

"Black Swan".

""

In that instant, Liu Yifei heard her own heartbeat.

Then applause erupted, starting from the first row and sweeping across the entire banquet hall like a tidal wave.

Liu Yifei remained seated, without moving.

She looked at De Niro on stage, at her own face on the big screen, and at her colleagues around her who were standing up and applauding.

She heard Jiang Yu shout in her ear, "Go! It's you!"

She felt Jiang Yu holding her hand, then letting go.

She heard Jiang Yu say again, "Go then, my Princess Sissi."

Liu Yifei stood up, not knowing how she got onto the stage.

Her legs were moving, her heart was pounding, and her mind was blank.

All she knew was that when she stood on the podium and accepted the golden trophy...

She saw Jiang Yu stand up in the audience, clapping and looking at her.

Liu Yifei stood in front of the microphone; the trophy was very heavy, much heavier than she had imagined.

She held it in both hands, feeling the cool metallic touch in her palms.

What should she say?

She had prepared an acceptance speech, and her agent, Sister Li, wrote three versions for her.

now.

She couldn't remember a single word.

She looked at the familiar faces below the stage.

Darren clapped, his eyes reddening.

Vincent is whistling, and Mira is wiping away tears.

David and George also stood up and clapped loudly.

Morgan Freeman smiled and nodded.

Robert Downey Jr. is holding up his phone, clearly recording a video.

besides..

Zhang Ziyi.

She remained seated on the judges' panel, not standing up, but simply clapping softly.

Liu Yifei and her eyes met in the air for only a second.

Then Liu Yifei took a deep breath.

"Thank you," she said.

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, thank you to the Golden Globes."

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then said, "Thank you, Director Darren Aronofsky."

Her voice gradually steadied, "Thank you for trusting a Chinese actress to portray Lin Xin's madness and purity; thank you to my parents, thank you to my family, thank you to my alma mater, Beijing Film Academy..."

'

Liu Yifei's eyes began to well up with tears. "Thank you Light Chaser Animation and Fox Searchlight Pictures. Thank you David, George, and most importantly, Mr. Jiang Yu."

She looked at the first row of the audience and said, "Two years ago, you asked me out to dinner. You said that after watching your performance, you believed that I could play more complex roles."

Her voice began to choke, "When you believed me, I didn't even believe myself."

Jiang Yu stood there, quietly watching her, her face full of gentle smiles. "Thank you to all the viewers who have seen 'Black Swan,'" she said. "It is your eyes that made Nina live."

She took a deep breath. "Finally, thank you to my motherland, China."

The entire room fell silent.

"I am Liu Yifei, a Chinese actress," she said. "I am very proud to stand here today."

She raised the trophy.

"Thanks."

Applause rang out again as Liu Yifei walked off the stage with the trophy in her hand, her steps still light and airy.

She walked past Cameron, who gave her a thumbs-up, and then she walked past Morgan Freeman.

The old man stood up and gave her a hug.

She walked past Sandra Bullock, her biggest rival of the night, who smiled and nodded at her; there was no jealousy in her eyes, only admiration.

She finally returned to her seat, and Jiang Yu stood at a distance, arms outstretched, watching her.

Liu Yifei stood in front of him, holding the trophy in her hand.

She wanted to say something.

"I----"

She only uttered one syllable.

Tears fell down.

These weren't the restrained, actor-like tears I saw on stage earlier.

These were real, surging tears that could no longer be held back.

Jiang Yu didn't say anything; he simply reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.

The trophy rested between the two of them, cold and heavy.

Liu Yifei buried her face in his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

She felt his hand gently patting her back.

Once, twice, three times.

It's like comforting a child who has finally cried after being wronged.

"Jiang Yu." Her voice was muffled.

"Um.

""

"I won an award."

"Um.

""

"I really won an award."

"Um.

""

She lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes red and her makeup ruined.

"Don't you have anything to say?"

Jiang Yu looked at her.

There was a three-second silence.

"Yes," he said.

Liu Yifei waited.

"When you cry," he said, "you don't manage your facial expressions very well."

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then she smiled.

Tears still clung to her face, but a smile had already crept onto her lips.

"Can't you say something romantic?!"

Jiang Yu thought for a moment.

"You look quite beautiful even when you cry."

Liu Yifei gently tapped him with the trophy.

The awards ceremony ended, and Liu Yifei sat at the round table, still holding the trophy in her hand.

She didn't hand it over to her assistant for safekeeping; she just held onto it as if afraid it would fly away.

Darren came over to offer a toast, his eyes still red.

"You know what," he said, "when I was filming Black Swan, everyone said it was crazy to cast a Chinese girl as a ballerina."

He took a sip of champagne.

"Now they know who's crazy."

Liu Yifei didn't know what to say, so she stood up and gave Darren a hug.

Darren patted her on the back. "Okay," his voice was a little hoarse, "let's not get sentimental. We'll work together again next time."

"it is good."

After Darren left, Liu Yifei sat down again.