This director loves making friends.

Qin Keqing chatted with Peng Jiesi for about half an hour. If he didn't have to attend the Cannes Film Festival awards ceremony and walk the red carpet, he would definitely have chatted for a while longer.

It wasn't that Qin Keqing wanted to pursue Peng Jiesi; he was still very confident that he wouldn't do such a thing. Moreover, because of Peng Jiesi's status, if he became her boyfriend, Qin Keqing would be passively drawn into the vortex of politics.

This is not what he wanted.

Qin Keqing knew a little about it. When Peng Jiesi's father was working in Hong Kong, he did a lot of dirty tricks and set traps. It is well known that Britain may not be good at other things, but it is quite good at being a troublemaker.

The situation in Hong Kong right now is very complicated, especially in the entertainment industry.

Many actors and film company owners are already preparing for immigration; even actor Stephen Chow is considering immigrating to Canada.

This is one of the reasons why gangsters flocked to the film industry, wanting to make quick money without any scruples; they all wanted to make a quick buck and run away.

Qin Keqing only learned about these circumstances after he went to Hong Kong.

Gangs have become incredibly unscrupulous in the film and television industry these past two years.

Using coercion to snatch people to film movies is nothing compared to the fact that many have died unexpectedly.

Why did Li Lianjie flee back to the mainland last year? It was because his manager was murdered, which nearly scared him to death.

You should know that his agent is no ordinary person. He's not like the average Hong Kong gangster; he's a truly ruthless individual who used to be involved in the Dutch underworld and is infamous in the criminal world.

And what about Lin Guobin's ex-girlfriend, Anita Mui? Why was she so scared that she fled to Thailand? In the end, she had to use her connections and spend 20 million to settle the matter.

It was because of her that several "big shots" died.

These past few years have been the most chaotic time for the Hong Kong film industry.

Qin Keqing's film "Sweet Life" was invested in by Win's Entertainment, and Zhang Min was listed as the producer. However, when filming on the street, they still had to pay the street thugs a "tea money" fee.

You won't give it to me?

It's okay if you don't give them anything. They won't smash or loot, but while you're filming, a big bag of garbage will fall from the sky, they'll throw in animal carcasses from time to time, they'll harass the actresses... and so on, making it impossible for you to film.

The losses caused by downtime are far greater than the "tea money".

Qin Keqing is also afraid of the current chaotic state of Hong Kong.

Especially since Cannes has made a name for itself this time, if "A Bittersweet Life" does well at the box office, staying in Hong Kong will definitely involve more interests, which will lead to countless troubles.

Popular stars like Li Lianjie, Stephen Chow, Liu Dehua, and Zhou Runfa all need to cooperate with Win's Entertainment to avoid other troubles.

However, Stephen Chow earns 800 million for films from other companies, but only 300 million for films from Win's Entertainment. Lau Tak-wah's reported fee is 500 million, while Win's Entertainment's is only 200 million…

The reason why Qin Keqing's "Sweet Life" was able to negotiate such favorable terms, even to the point that Win's Entertainment gave up the European and American copyrights, was entirely because Win's Entertainment thought it was a waste of money and was giving face to Stephen Chow and Anita Mui.

If they were to collaborate again, Qin Keqing's desire to retain the European and American copyrights would be nothing short of wishful thinking.

What if we don't cooperate with Win's Entertainment in the future?

Qin Keqing guessed that unless he sought refuge with the even more stingy Golden Harvest or Shaw Brothers' Metropolitan, things would be troublesome.

However, the moment Qin Keqing saw Peng Jiesi, he used up his points without hesitation.

Before Qin Keqing went to Hong Kong, and even after living for so many years in later generations, he really didn't have a deep understanding of it.

Only by personally visiting Hong Kong can one understand what the Governor meant in this self-proclaimed democratic, free, and lawless place before 97!

In short, he was a true local tyrant!

Before 97, the Governor held supreme power in Hong Kong, wielding executive, legislative, judicial, and military authority. He was responsible only to the United Kingdom of Little Britain and was not subject to any local constraints.

It's anything!

Just think about the word "colony" and you'll understand its meaning.

If Peng Jiesi were in Hong Kong, she would be a true "princess".

Unfortunately, this "princess" was born and raised in England, and is now attending university in England. Her father took up a post in Hong Kong last year, but she did not go with him and stayed in England to study.

She couldn't even imagine the power her father wielded in Hong Kong, nor could she imagine what she would become if she went to Hong Kong.

During her conversation with Peng Jiesi, Qin Keqing learned that her father went to Hong Kong to take up his post last July, taking her mother and sister with him. She stayed in the UK to study at university and also worked as a model.

She then quickly explained to Qin Keqing that before her father went to Hong Kong, he was the chairman of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom of Little Britain. The Conservative Party was the ruling party, and although the chairman of the Conservative Party was not the same as the party leader, he still held a very high position.

Therefore, she works as a very professional model, taking on jobs such as emceeing official events.

She had planned to go to Hong Kong to reunite with her parents during last year's winter vacation, but she didn't go because she received a job as an award presenter at the Berlin Film Festival.

This time, it was because "A Bittersweet Life" was a Hong Kong film that she learned more about it and took the initiative to greet Qin Keqing.

"Why are you explaining all this to me?"

Qin Keqing glanced at Peng Jiesi and muttered a complaint to himself.

Well, anyway, it seems like a relationship has been initially established.

In other words, almost ten months have passed since Peng Jiesi's father took office last July, and this "second princess" has yet to visit Hong Kong.

It's good that you haven't been!

If you've been there, you might develop a sense of superiority, and then you might not have the chance to get to know them.

Before Qin Keqing and Peng Jiesi parted ways, they agreed that if "Sweet Life" won an award, he would invite Peng Jiesi to the celebration party; if it didn't win an award, Peng Jiesi would treat Qin Keqing to a meal to comfort Qin Keqing's "wounded" heart.

Peng Jiesi agreed with a smile.

Back at the hotel, the official service department's limousine had already arrived. Zhu Yin and Lin Guobin were getting a little anxious, both worried about Qin Keqing.

They knew Qin Keqing had gone to receive an award, but since she hadn't returned for so long, they thought something had happened.

Unlike the opening ceremony red carpet, when Qin Keqing and his group walked the closing ceremony red carpet, they were no longer unknown passersby. Reporters even called out to Qin Keqing and his group to stop so that they could take pictures.

The targeted promotion for "La Dolce Vita" during this period has been extremely effective. Not only did the program booklet give it a high score, but many media outlets also predicted that "La Dolce Vita" might win an award.

Many media outlets even believe that if Qin Keqing doesn't receive the Golden Camera Award, no director at this year's film festival is qualified to receive it.

5月24日晚上7点30分，京城时间凌晨1点30分，象徵全球最高荣誉之一的坎城电影节颁奖典礼隆重举行。

After a speech by the festival's artistic director, Giles Jacob, the first major award of the evening was presented.

The first award presented is the Camera d'Or, which aims to recognize the best debut feature film by the most outstanding director in each competition section of the film festival.

After the award presenter chuckled and said a lot, he took out an envelope and opened it.

"The winner of the Camera d'Or at the 46th Cannes International Film Festival is…"

He looked up and scanned the surroundings.

"Qin Keqing, *Sweet Life*!"