Huayu: You were supposed to be a top star, but you've become capital?

Chapter 109: Even the Red Carpet Can Be a Game of Death

By evening, the area outside the BTV theater was completely blocked.

Chen Zhixi's car was stopped at the intersection. The driver drove forward for several dozen meters, but could not go any further.

"Let's get off here," Chen Zhixi said, pushing open the car door as a blast of cold air rushed in.

Bai Mengyan wrapped her down jacket tightly around herself and got off the bus. Tian Xiwei and He Handan also jumped off quickly. Xiao Zhang came out last, carrying several bags in his hands.

When Chen Zhixi led the group through the side entrance of the BTV Grand Theater, it was already completely dark.

The theater entrance was brightly lit, and the screams of fans could be heard from a great distance on the red carpet.

This was Tian Xiwei's first time in a place like this, and she couldn't take it all in. She kept looking around, exclaiming, "Wow, this place is so big! — Is that the red carpet over there? Can I see it?"

He Handan pulled her along, saying, "Walk slowly, don't fall."

Xiao Zhang followed behind, holding a bag in his hand, also looking around curiously.

Bai Mengyan walked ahead, her face tense, trying her best to look like someone who had seen the world.

But it was actually her first time in such an occasion, and her heart was beating much faster than usual.

Chen Zhixi glanced around and pointed towards the side door: "Go in that way, there's a rest area where you can see the red carpet. I'll go in first to say hello, then I'll come find you later."

Bai Mengyan nodded: "Okay, Sister Xi, you go ahead and get busy. We'll stay here and look around."

Chen Zhixi patted her on the shoulder, turned around and walked towards the main entrance of the venue. He walked quickly and disappeared into the crowd in a short while.

Bai Mengyan led the three people towards the side door. There were security guards at the door. Chen Zhixi had given prior notice and let them through after giving his name.

There's a corridor inside. Walk to the end, turn right, and push open a door. Inside is a fairly large rest area.

The floor-to-ceiling windows face the red carpet, offering a view of the dense crowd outside.

Several rows of sofas were placed in the corner, with water and snacks on the coffee table, and a TV was hanging on the wall, showing a live broadcast of the red carpet event.

"Wow!" Tian Xiwei was the first to rush to the window, her face almost pressed against the glass. "You can see outside from here! You really can!"

He Handan also joined in: "Wow, so many people—"

Xiao Zhang had already taken out his phone and taken a few pictures outside, then turned back to take pictures of the rest area.

Bai Mengyan sat down on the sofa, took off her down jacket and draped it over her shoulder, then picked up a glass of water and took a sip.

She didn't go near the window, trying her best to appear calm.

But his eyes kept glancing at the TV.

The TV was showing footage of the red carpet, and the host, Li Ai, was standing in the interview area with a microphone, introducing the next celebrity to appear.

Feng Shaofeng came out first, then Han Geng, and then Tong Dawei.

One after another, screams echoed from outside.

Tian Xiwei commented on each one: "Feng Shaofeng's outfit today is good." "Han Geng is so thin." "Why does Tong Dawei look so silly when he smiles?"

He Handan nodded in agreement from the side, while Xiao Zhang took the photos.

Bai Mengyan sat on the sofa, occasionally interjecting a sentence, maintaining the demeanor of a "senior".

But the water glass in her hand hadn't been touched for a long time.

Then, the scene cuts to a black minivan parked at the entrance to the red carpet.

The car door opened, and Deng Chao got out.

The screams outside exploded instantly, and could be heard even through the glass.

Tian Xiwei stomped her feet excitedly: "Deng Chao! Deng Chao! The one from Running Man!"

He Handan also leaned closer to look: "He's being interviewed."

On television, Deng Chao stood in the interview area. Li Ai asked him a few questions, and he answered while gesturing. It was unclear what he said, but the audience burst into laughter.

After Deng Chao went in, the red carpet was empty for a while, and then another car came in.

This time it's Huang Xiaoming.

Tian Xiwei's eyes lit up again: "Brother Xiaoming! He looks so handsome today!"

He Handan nodded beside her: "Didn't Baby come along today?"

Bai Mengyan added, "They should have gone their separate ways."

The car on TV has changed again.

Suddenly, it exploded even more outside.

The screams were louder than ever before, wave after wave, deafening even through the glass.

Someone started calling out names, one after another, growing more and more unified—

"The forest is deep!"

"The forest is deep!!"

"The forest is deep!!!"

Tian Xiwei jumped up immediately: "It's Brother Shen! Brother Shen is coming out!"

He Handan also got excited and grabbed Tian Xiwei's arm: "Quick, quick, look!"

Bai Mengyan's heart skipped a beat.

She put down her water glass, stood up, and slowly walked towards the window.

As I walked to the window, I saw a black minivan stop at the entrance to the red carpet.

At the entrance to the red carpet, Lin Shen sat in the car for a while.

The sounds outside could be heard even through the car door; screams came one after another, someone was calling his name, someone was shouting, and the flashlight beams shone through the cracks in the car window, making one's eyes sting.

The driver glanced back at him, and Lin Shen nodded, reaching out to open the car door.

The moment my foot touched the ground, the flash went off.

Everything was a blur of white, and nothing could be seen. Lin Shen paused for a moment to let his eyes adjust before turning around and reaching into the car.

Song Qian put her hand on his and used his help to get out of the car.

The two stood side by side, and the flashes intensified, the shutter sounds like a machine gun, clicking away incessantly.

Lin Shen put on his standard smile and waved to the media.

The screams grew even louder.

The red carpet wasn't long, but there was a certain etiquette to walking it.

He couldn't go too fast, or the media wouldn't be able to take pictures; nor could he go too slow, or the people behind him would get stuck. Lin Shen knew this, so he walked at a steady pace, waving to both sides as he went.

There were people behind both railings.

There were fans holding up light sticks, paparazzi carrying long lenses and tripods, ordinary viewers holding mobile phones, and a few young girls who squeezed in from somewhere, their faces flushed, desperately stretching out their hands, whether they wanted to shake hands or hand something over, no one knew.

The fan area was also a sea of ​​black, with hands holding up light sticks densely packed together.

Lin Shen's gaze swept over and he quickly saw his own name, several pieces of it, shining very brightly.

Song Qian, who was standing next to her, peeked over and said with a smile, "You've got quite the presence."

Lin Shen smiled but didn't reply.

The two walked forward side by side.

The reporters' camera shutters clicked incessantly. Someone shouted, "Lin Shen, look this way!" Someone else shouted, "Sister Qian, look this way!" and someone else shouted from behind, "Brother Shen, slow down!"

Lin Shen slowed his pace, waving in all directions with a standard smile on his face.

Song Qian linked arms with him, walking steadily.

At the end of the red carpet, the host, Li Ai, was already waiting with a microphone in hand, and several staff members stood beside her, holding placards with inscriptions.

Li Ai wore a sequined dress today, her hair was up, and she smiled quite warmly. She had a good figure, but she wasn't very pretty.

The two walked over, and Li Ai first handed the microphone to Lin Shen: "Lin Shen, why don't you say hello to our camera first?"

Lin Shen smiled at the camera: "Hello everyone, I'm Lin Shen."

Li Ai then turned the microphone to Song Qian: "Song Qian, please say hello to the audience as well."

Song Qian smiled and waved: "Hello everyone, I'm Song Qian."

Li Ai nodded and began the formal interview. She first looked at Lin Shen: "Lin Shen, you look so handsome today. Could you tell everyone about it?"

Lin Shen glanced down at his clothes and said, "Today I'm wearing a custom-made Gucci suit. I'm very grateful for the brand's thoughtfulness."

Li Ai then turned to Song Qian: "Qianqian looks especially beautiful today. How does it feel to walk the red carpet with Lin Shen?"

Song Qian smiled sweetly: "It's a great honor to walk alongside Lin Shen and bask in his glory."

Lin Shen chimed in from the side, "Sister Qian, you're too kind. She's the one who took me away."

Li Ai was amused: "You two shouldn't be so modest with each other."

She paused, then changed the subject: "Lin Shen, let me ask you a question everyone's interested in: your brand sold 1.3 million units during Singles' Day."

"A hundred million? People online are calling you a business genius. What's your opinion on that?"

As soon as the question was asked, several staff members nearby perked up their ears.

Lin Shen thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "What business genius? I'm just lucky. I'm happy as long as people like the clothes I make."

"You're too modest!" Li Ai replied with a smile. "And 'The Lone Warrior' is so popular right now. I've heard it's used as background music in many places?"

Lin Shen nodded: "I've heard about it, and I'm honored. This song was originally written for those who work quietly behind the scenes, and I'm especially satisfied if they like it."

Li Ai asked a few more questions about "The Grave Robbers' Chronicles," which Lin Shen answered one by one. Then she turned to Song Qian: "Qianqian and Lin Shen work at the same company. Are you usually very close?"

Lin Shen chimed in, "Yes, we're both at Lucky Film, so we see each other often. Sister Qian even helped me promote the track before, she's really kind of her."

Song Qian added from the side, "That's only natural, Guiji's clothes are really nice."

Li Ai quickly changed the subject, preventing the two from continuing their banter. After asking a few more questions, seeing that it was almost time, she nodded to them, "Okay, I wish you both good luck winning the grand prize tonight! Let's move on, take a few more pictures over there at the backdrop!"

Lin Shen thanked her and continued walking forward with Song Qian.

Several people were already standing in front of the backdrop, queuing to take photos. Lin Shen glanced at them; some he recognized, some he didn't, and they all nodded and greeted him.

When it was their turn, Lin Shen stood in front of the backdrop, and Song Qian stood next to him.

The media started shouting again, "Lin Shen, look this way!"

"Left, left!"

"Smile!"

"Song Qian, move a little closer to Lin Shen!"

Lin Shen stood in front of the board, striking several poses in different directions, with Song Qian assisting him. The flashbulbs were going off like crazy, so bright they were almost blinding.

After taking the photos, the two walked towards the inner area.

The screams continued behind us.