This director loves making friends.

The red carpet at the closing ceremony of the 50th Venice International Film Festival stretched all the way to the steps of the Palais des Festivals, with media on both sides crowding the area with cameras, creating a constant barrage of camera shutters.

Xu Qing linked arms with Qin Keqing, her smile never fading. She had specially chosen a well-tailored white dress with a slit that revealed her slender calves, the hem of which swayed gently with her steps.

This was her first time standing on the red carpet of the main competition at one of Europe's three major film festivals.

Previously in China, the movies she starred in received lukewarm responses. She greatly admired Gong Li walking the red carpet in Venice and dreamed that one day she could walk on it herself.

I never imagined that I would actually be able to walk down the red carpet today as an actor in a film nominated for the main competition, a path that filmmakers all over the world aspire to.

She was well aware that she was able to realize her dream so quickly because of the handsome and refined young director beside her.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried and how cooperative I was, the other person never even considered finding a girlfriend, which was a real shame.

"Your eyes are so bright, they're almost blinding the photographer's lens."

Qin Keqing turned his head and whispered a laugh in her ear. He was wearing a dark gray custom-made suit today, without any extra decorations. Standing next to the bright and beautiful Xu Qing, he appeared even more composed.

Xu Qing subconsciously straightened her back, her smile was just right, and when she waved at the camera, even the tips of her ears were flushed with excitement.

Lin Guobin, who was half a step behind the two, felt a dreamlike sense of unreality as he stepped onto the red carpet. Who would have thought that just over four months after walking the Cannes red carpet in May, he would be standing on the main competition stage in Venice?

He will still play the male lead.

It's like a dream!

This was something he would never have dared to imagine before.

Director Qin is truly amazing!

At this moment, Lin Guobin, who came from a martial arts background, suddenly felt an impulse to "die for one who understands him".

"From now on, Director Qin's business is my business, Lin Guobin's business. Anyone who dares to cause trouble for Director Qin, I'll kill them!"

Along the way, many foreign journalists recognized the creative team of "The Man from Nowhere" and took photos of them. Occasionally, someone would call out "Director Qin" in Chinese. These were some Chinese students studying in Europe.

After numerous film critics analyzed the films "A Bittersweet Life" and "The Man from Nowhere," not only did their artistic merit increase, but Qin Keqing also became a pioneer in creating a new style of fighting, known as "elegant violent aesthetics."

The unique style of "elegant violence aesthetics" is that fighting must be done in a suit, making one look gentle and refined, but in reality, the first move is a simple and effective killing move.

Qin Keqing has not only become famous in Europe, but has also gained countless fans, including a large number of Chinese students studying abroad.

As they entered the cinema's lobby, Xu Qing couldn't help but look back at the glittering red carpet behind her, tightening her grip on Qin Keqing's arm: "Director Qin, did I walk too fast just now? Will it look bad on camera?"

"Ha ha……"

Qin Keqing smiled and patted the back of her hand. "You were the most dazzling person on the entire red carpet just now. An Italian reporter even asked me if you were the ace up our film."

Xu Qing chuckled. She had been holding Qin Keqing's arm the whole time, so how come she didn't know that an Italian reporter had asked this question?

She knew Qin Keqing was praising her indirectly, and the joy in her heart almost overflowed; even her steps were light as she looked for a seat.

Xu Qing prayed in her heart that "The Man from Nowhere" must win an award. After all, the film's reputation after the screenings speaks for itself. Many festival publications gave "The Man from Nowhere" good scores, and some even gave it a high score of 3.4.

Although Qin Keqing said it was impossible for her to win an award, it would be a lie to say that Xu Qing had no expectations at all.

Unfortunately, she was destined to be disappointed.

In the end, following the Berlin and Cannes Film Festivals, the Golden Lion also resulted in a tie, awarding Best Film to "Blue: The Three Colors" and "Crossing Point".

This year has been quite strange. First, the Golden Bear in Berlin had a double yolk, then the Palme d'Or in Cannes followed suit, and today the Golden Lion in Venice is following suit.

Six films won the top prizes of the three major European awards in one year.

However, it has nothing to do with "The Man from Nowhere".

As the lights came on, Xu Qing's smile gradually faded.

She turned her head to look at Qin Keqing, whose face showed no surprise, his expression as calm as if he had just finished watching an ordinary internal screening.

"Don't look so down, keep smiling, it's still being broadcast."

Qin Keqing leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You're already here, you've walked the red carpet, what's there to be unhappy about? Wasn't this your wish?"

That being said, the joy that Xu Qing had been building up for months deflated little by little, like a balloon with a small hole punctured.

She was truly disappointed.

For the past few days, Qin Keqing went to collect several awards every day. She genuinely believed that "The Mister" was going to be a hit and might actually win the Golden Lion.

Otherwise, how could he have won so many off-field prizes?

Aren't those off-field prizes supposed to be a bellwether?

What kind of weather vane is this? It's all just self-aggrandizing bullshit!

It was already past midnight when we got back to the hotel.

Xu Qing followed Qin Keqing into his suite, gently hugged Qin Keqing's waist from behind, pressed her face against his back, and said softly, "Director Qin, I'm sorry, our film didn't win any awards."

Qin Keqing turned around, reached out and cupped her chin, and smiled, "What do you have to apologize for? Awards were never my purpose in making this movie."

Xu Qing looked up at him, tiptoed and kissed him, her movements carrying a deliberate attempt to please him, as if she wanted to knead all the regret and joy she hadn't dissipated during the day into this kiss.

The temperature in the room gradually rose, and all the unspoken emotions eventually transformed into the burning heat on each other's bodies.

It's hot.

It's very hot.

The next morning, just as the sunlight began to stream through the gaps in the curtains, there was a rapid knocking on the door.

Qin Keqing opened the door in her pajamas and saw Marco Müller standing there. The veteran film selector from the Venice Film Festival had a gloomy face that looked like it could drip water, and even the smile he usually wore was gone.

"Ke Qing, I have some bad news."

Marco Müller walked into the room, sighed, and dropped the bombshell: "That son of a bitch Harvey Weinstein has changed his mind!"

Qin Keqing raised an eyebrow, showing no surprise whatsoever. He simply pulled up a chair and sat down, gesturing for Qin to continue.

Just before the closing ceremony yesterday, they signed a North American rights agreement with Miramax representatives.

They agreed to buy out the North American theatrical distribution rights for "The Man from Nowhere" for $100 million, and the other party immediately paid a deposit of $20. The remaining $80 was to be settled within a week.

At the time, Marco Müller jokingly told Qin Keqing that this price was quite good for the Venice Independent Film Market this year, and that although Harvey Weinstein was difficult to deal with, he was straightforward this time.

Unexpectedly, the person changed their mind just over ten hours later.

"Harvey meant that since The Man didn't win any awards in the main competition, the expected box office revenue in North America would be significantly reduced."

Marco Müller's tone was full of helplessness and anger.

"He said the invoice would still show $100 million, but he would have to return $30 to him privately, which means the actual transaction price of 'The Man from Nowhere' was $70, but nominally it was still $100 million."