Huayu Entertainment: Starting with Exorcising Evil from a Film Queen

Chapter 101 The Dinner (4K)

Lou Ye turned to the side and introduced Zhang Ze to a French man with a full head of silver hair next to him.

"This is Zhang Ze, the youngest director in this year's main competition, and also the creator of that very competitive script."

The silver-haired man pushed up his glasses, sized up Zhang Ze, then extended his right hand and uttered a string of English with a heavy French accent.

Zhang Ze remained calm and responded to the other party's praise in fluent English. The two exchanged a few words about the handling of the film's pacing.

Hao Lei stood to the side, took a glass of water from the waiter's tray, sipped it, and scanned the crowd in the hall.

Li Xiaoran seemed a little awkward. She stayed close to Zhang Ze, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the necklace pendant.

As the staff rang the bell, everyone was guided into the screening room.

The lights in the screening room dimmed, the heavy dark red curtain was drawn back, and a golden podium was placed in the center of the stage.

Zhang Ze was seated in the front row, right in the center, flanked by a French producer and an American film critic.

Chen Zhixi sat in the row behind Zhang Ze, her body pressed tightly against the back of the chair, her hands on her knees, her nails digging into her palms.

Li Xiaoran sat to Zhang Ze's left, and her breathing rate was noticeably faster than usual, with her chest heaving frequently.

After sitting down, Zhang Ze relaxed his back against the soft red sponge cushion and calmly looked at the stage in front of him.

As the ceremony began, several French actresses dressed in black evening gowns walked onto the stage one by one and read their opening remarks in French and English, respectively.

The first part of the awards mainly focused on technical and short film categories, and applause rang out continuously in the hall.

When the presenters of the "Golden Camera Award" walked onto the stage, the venue, which had been filled with some quiet conversations, fell silent.

The Golden Camera Award aims to recognize a director's debut feature film. It is not divided into categories and is highly prestigious.

The guest opened the envelope, glanced down at it, and his voice was amplified throughout the venue.

"Zhang Ze, winner of the Camera d'Or at the 61st Cannes Film Festival, for 'Like Father, Like Son'."

As the name was read, Zhang Ze felt Li Xiao beside him stiffen slightly, then suddenly grab his arm.

Chen Zhixi, who was behind her, stood up abruptly and slammed her hands together heavily, making a very large movement.

Liu Hua swore from behind, not loudly, but with a sense of catharsis.

Zhang Ze straightened his bow tie, stood up, and first turned to gesture to Chen Zhixi and Liu Hua behind him.

He strode up the steps, his long legs echoing with the dull thud of his leather shoes on the floor.

The award presenter was a renowned film critic, who handed the weighty trophy to Zhang Ze.

Zhang Ze accepted the trophy, his fingertips touching the cool metal casing; it was heavier than he had expected.

He stood in front of the podium, looking at the dark mass of people below and the rows of flashing camera lights.

"Thank you to the jury for recognizing this film, and thank you to my team for completing it with a limited budget."

Zhang Ze's voice was output through the microphone, and the tone was steady without any noticeable fluctuations.

He didn't give a lengthy explanation; after a brief thank you, he took the trophy and walked off the stage.

When Li Xiaozai returned to her seat, her eyes were already misty with tears. She looked at the trophy that Zhang Ze had placed on his lap and touched it with the back of her hand.

"Let me see it! This is the first time I've ever seen anything like it!"

Zhang Ze handed her the trophy, saying, "What's so interesting about just looking at it? Here, you can touch it."

Liu Hua leaned over, looking at the golden trophy with a hint of envy in his eyes.

"Director Zhang, you're amazing! Your first film has won you a major award!"

Zhang Ze looked at the stage and said, "This award doesn't just belong to me, it belongs to you all too."

While the group was talking in hushed tones, the awards ceremony continued.

Awards were presented one after another, with the Jury Grand Prize, Best Actor, and Best Actress being announced in succession.

The atmosphere on site grew increasingly tense, and a sense of oppression seemed to fill the entire huge space.

When the presenter announced that the "Best Director Award" would be presented, the lights in the entire venue dimmed again.

Clips from the nominated directors' works began to play on the big screen.

A clip from "Like Father, Like Son" appears on the screen, showing a close-up of the father, Ryota, watching his child's sleeping face late at night; the scene has a cool yet delicate color palette.

However, it only happened briefly.

Zhang Ze noticed that the French film critic next to him had also sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the screen.

The award presenter lowered his head, his fingertips rubbing against the edge of the envelope, before slowly pulling out the card.

In the media area below the stage, countless cameras rotated their angles, aiming their lenses at the first row.

"Best Director Award - Zhang Ze, Like Father, Like Son"

The hall fell silent for two seconds.

Then, thunderous applause erupted inside the theater.

If the Golden Camera Award is a reward for newcomers, then the Best Director Award is a recognition of their professional abilities.

Li Xiao covered her mouth again, tears of emotion streaming through her fingers.

Hao Lei's mouth was slightly open as she looked at Zhang Ze, and she didn't close it for a long time.

They never expected that Zhang Ze's film would win two highly prestigious awards at Cannes.

Zhang Ze never expected that he would receive another award.

Hearing his name, his heart skipped a beat. He then took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

He walked step by step onto the stage, the spotlight following his body, casting his long shadow on the red carpet.

He stood in front of the microphone again.

This time, the applause lasted for a full minute before it stopped.

Zhang Ze raised the trophy for Best Director, the metallic sheen reflecting on his face, revealing a cold, hard physique.

"Film is a medium that transcends race and language; it explores the common emotional dilemmas of humanity."

His speech was brief and powerful, without any unnecessary emotional outbursts.

Amidst a standing ovation, Zhang Ze returned to his seat with the trophy.

Chen Zhixi leaned back in her chair as if all her strength had been drained. Her makeup was a little smudged, but her smile was extremely bright.

"Double salvo!"

Liu Hua repeated in a low voice, rubbing his hands vigorously on his legs, appearing unusually excited.

After the ceremony, a large number of reporters rushed to the front row.

Zhang Ze was surrounded by the crowd in the middle, with the microphone almost touching his chin.

"Director Zhang, having won these two major awards, what's the thing you most want to do now?"

"Director Zhang, as the youngest Chinese director to win the Cannes Best Director award, what are your plans for the future?"

Zhang Ze stretched out his hand and placed it in front of his chest to create some space.

"Right now, all I want to do is have a bowl of bouillabaisse and then go back to the hotel to sleep."

He pushed away the recording pen the reporter offered, and relying on his superhuman physical abilities, he squeezed through the crowd and led Li Xiaoran and Hao Lei away through a side door.

The night outside was already deep, and the sound of the Mediterranean waves rose and fell in the distance.

Chen Zhixi hugged the two trophies tightly. She walked at the back, her eyes constantly fixed on the trophies, afraid of bumping or knocking them over.

Liu Hua walked beside Zhang Ze, his voice slightly off-key from excitement.

"Boss, we've really hit the jackpot this time! If this news gets back home, think how big of a stir it'll cause!"

Zhang Ze didn't say anything, and didn't even look at his phone.

In just a few short minutes, his reputation points increased by over a hundred.

Since the Lunar New Year, he hasn't paid much attention to his reputation.

On one hand, he receives a few reputation points every day; on the other hand, Zhang Ze's skills are already sufficient.

Even after the awards ceremony ended, Zhang Ze and the others were still unable to leave.

Because there is another banquet to attend later.

The closing banquet for Cannes was held in the ballroom of the Carlton Hotel.

The dazzling crystal chandelier cast a warm yellow glow, illuminating the elegantly dressed figures moving among the crowd.

The air was filled with the scent of expensive champagne and complex perfumes.

The waiter, carrying a silver tray, moved with precision through the crowded streets like some kind of tireless machine.

Zhang Ze stood on one side of the long table, holding a glass of champagne in his hand.

His surroundings were not peaceful.

"Zhang, your films are full of the mysterious poetry of the East."

A blonde woman in a deep V-neck green evening gown approached, her body almost touching Zhang Ze's arm.

She is an Italian actress who just served as a presenter at the awards ceremony.

Zhang Ze politely took half a step back and raised his glass in acknowledgment.

"Thank you for the compliment, but that's just a universal feeling."

The woman did not back down because of his concession. Instead, she went a step further, stuffing a folded business card into Zhang Ze's suit jacket pocket and casually tracing a line across his chest with her fingertips.

"If you're free tonight, we can explore this poetic sentiment in more depth."

She spoke in English using her feet, her blue eyes fixed intently on Zhang Ze.

Li Xiaoran, who was standing next to Zhang Ze, suddenly reached out and took Zhang Ze's arm.

Her fingers were clenched tightly, her nails almost digging into the fabric of Zhang Ze's suit.

"Sorry, the director has a debriefing meeting with the creative team tonight."

Li Xiaoran wore a polite smile, but her tone was harsh.

The Italian woman glanced at Li Xiao again, shrugged, and turned to walk towards another producer.

Hao Lei walked over with a glass of red wine, watching the woman's retreating figure, and said in a low voice, "This is the fifth one already. It seems that the Best Director award in Cannes has an added bonus of attracting attention."

Zhang Ze took out the business card, didn't even look at it, and casually placed it on the tray of a passing waiter.

"I'm going to get some fresh air."

"6

Zhang Ze pulled his arm away from Li Xiaoran's and turned to walk towards the terrace connected to the banquet hall.

The sea breeze at night, carrying a salty and damp scent, swept over us, dispelling the heat and perfume from the room.

There were only a few people on the terrace.

Zhang Ze found a corner to lean against the railing and took out his phone.

The screen displayed more than a dozen unread text messages.

Aside from the congratulations from those insiders whose names I don't even know, the most eye-catching messages came from a few familiar numbers in China: 0

Zhao Liying sent a picture of a newly purchased storage rack for her studio.

[Aze, I've cleared out a spot for you. I want to be the first to draw the trophy when you get back!]

This girl.

Zhang Ze replied: 【Just focus on acting, and the trophy is yours for the taking.】

The next one is about Yang Mi.

[Congratulations! You have to treat me when you get back, and I want the most expensive food! Also, if you don't cast me in your next project, I'm not finished with you!]

Zhang Ze replied: "Queue up and get a number."

Scroll down further to find Liu Shishi's information.

[Zhang Ze, congratulations on winning the Cannes award! When are you coming back? I want to visit you on set!]

Zhang Ze looked at the name on the screen and tapped his fingers lightly on the railing.

Zhang Ze suddenly realized that, according to the original trajectory, Liu Shishi ended up with Wu Qilong, who was more than ten years older than her. He wondered if, after experiencing happiness with Zhang Ze in this life, she would repeat the same mistake.

I'll call you when I get back!

Zhang Ze pressed the send button and put his phone back in his pocket.

As soon as I turned around, I saw Li Xiao standing at the door of the terrace.

The sea breeze tousled her long hair, and her silver-white dress gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

"Who are you texting? You seem so focused."

Li Xiao walked over again, put her hands on the railing, and looked at him sideways.

"A few friends congratulated me."

Zhang Ze didn't explain much. He looked at Li Xiaoran's somewhat dazed eyes and asked, "Have you had too much to drink?"

Li Xiaoran moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm so happy. You know what? Just now down there, all those film producers who used to ignore us are now fawning over Zhixi. It feels so good to be able to hold your head high."

Zhang Ze didn't say anything, but simply put his arm around her shoulder.

"Zhang Ze," Li Xiaoran's voice softened, "thank you for bringing me here."

The next morning, the Mediterranean sun shone through the gaps in the curtains, piercing the dim room like a sharp sword.

Zhang Ze opened his eyes and felt that his left arm was completely numb.

Li Xiaoran was curled up in his arms, one hand tightly hugging his waist, and one leg pressed against his leg.

Her disheveled hair covered most of her face, revealing only a section of her fair neck with several obvious red marks.

The level of madness last night certainly exceeded Zhang Ze's expectations.

Last night, perhaps because of Zhang Ze's award, Li Xiao unexpectedly rallied again, and the two played until late at night.

Zhang Ze carefully lifted Li Xiaoran's arm and pulled his own arm out.

The tingling sensation from the renewed blood flow made him frown.

He threw off the covers and got out of bed, stepping barefoot onto the carpet. He picked up his shirt and trousers, which were scattered on the floor, and casually draped them over a chair.

In the bathroom, Zhang Ze turned on the shower and adjusted the water temperature to slightly cool.

The cold water washed over my body, washing away the lingering sleepiness and fatigue.

He closed his eyes and brought up the panel that only he could see.

Current Reputation Value: 898

The accumulation of this period of time, coupled with the Best Director and Golden Camera awards at Cannes, has brought his reputation value close to breaking the 900 mark, and it is still fluctuating from time to time.

The domestic media is probably in an uproar right now.

Zhang Ze estimated that by the time he returned to China, he would have earned around a thousand.

Zhang Ze plans to max out his cultivation and see what the scenery is like later.

Who knows, it might be able to fly and disappear into the earth?

Zhang Ze turned off the tap and grabbed a bath towel to dry himself.

As she stepped out of the bathroom, Li Xiaoran turned over, pulled the blanket tighter around herself, and let out a muffled murmur.

Zhang Ze didn't wake her. He left a note on the bedside table, picked up the room key, and gently closed the door.

As soon as they arrived at the hotel lobby, Chen Zhixi came to greet them.

She changed into a smart white suit and wore exquisite makeup, but the dark circles under her eyes still betrayed her poor sleep last night.