Reporters from CCTV are quite different from entertainment journalists. Their questions were all very official and focused mainly on the film, without prying too much into Tan You’s personal life, so Tan You was very cooperative.

After a few minutes of conversation with Zhu Lin, the reporter from CCTV, Sister Li glanced at the time. "I’m sorry, but we need to hurry to the venue now. Mr. Zhu, if you’re interested, we can schedule another time later on."

Zhu Lin smiled. "Of course. I’ll arrange an exclusive interview with Sister Wen later. You won’t refuse, will you, Sister Wen?"

Tan You, understanding the social niceties, replied, "Of course, not a problem. It would be my honor."

Zhu Lin’s smile deepened. "Great. Then we’ll talk in more detail after the awards ceremony."

While Zhu Lin was asking her questions, the entertainment reporters nearby scribbled furiously, quickly filing one story after another. This was all firsthand material; it was just a matter of who could get the scoop first.

Every year, the film festival’s red carpet is a stage where stars of all kinds compete for the spotlight. From the car, Tan You could see countless celebrities striking various poses for the photographers.

Even when security guards went to usher them along, they still lingered on the red carpet.

Tan You couldn’t help but shake her head. "Red carpet crashers... They’re really everywhere, regardless of nationality or gender."

Director Qi was unfazed. "If they had notable work and actual talent, would they need to resort to this? With no work and no talent, this is all they can focus on. That’s what you call a ’carpet star.’"

Having said that, Director Qi couldn’t help but shake his head. "I believe that when you step onto the red carpet in a moment, you’ll definitely be the first person everyone sees. And they won’t get tired of looking."

Tan You remained calm. "My bone structure is average; I only have superficial beauty. You’re giving me too much credit, Director Qi."

"But I’ve never met anyone with such superior features in all my years," Director Qi said, studying her face with a critical eye. "More than that, it’s your aura. You just seem completely different from everyone else."

"You possess a kind of Magic Power that adds complexity to simplicity. Even if you’re wearing the plainest, simplest clothes, the moment people see you, their minds will conjure up all sorts of scenes."

Tan You gave a resigned sigh. Before she could say more, a security guard came over to tell them it was their turn. She said no more, simply looking toward Director Qi.

Director Qi understood her meaning. "I’ll get out first. I really hit the jackpot today, getting to be Sister Wen’s escort. How many people are going to envy me when the photos come out?"

Tan You played along smoothly. "It’s my honor as well, to be able to walk the red carpet with Director Qi."

The director, Little Qi, grew a bit smug. "But of course. We’re a golden partnership. We’ll have to walk many more red carpets together in the future."

As everyone watched, the car door opened, and Director Qi, rarely seen in formal attire, stepped out first. He didn’t walk away immediately, but instead bent down slightly and extended a hand back into the car.

A porcelain-white hand rested on Director Qi’s right hand. It was as if some people possessed a certain Magic Power; even the sight of a single hand was enough to make it impossible for anyone to look away.

Tan You kept her head slightly lowered, only raising it after she had steadied herself. Her stunningly beautiful face immediately drew a collective gasp from the crowd, and camera flashes erupted all around. Countless people began asking for her name and what films she had been in.

Hu Yi, Wei Wei, and Wan Yi, who followed her out of the car, received far less attention; Tan You was simply too formidable. Lu Wen’s face and figure, combined with Tan You’s composed and unruffled temperament—to put it romantically—made her seem worlds apart from everyone else.

After getting out, Hu Yi went straight to Tan You’s side, showing no sign of disappointment at being compared or outshone. On an occasion like this, if Hu Yi didn’t stick close to Tan You to show off their good relationship, she’d have to have been kicked in the head by a donkey.

Besides, not just anyone gets to share the frame with Tan You. Ultimately, Hu Yi was the one who came out ahead.

A group of such unfamiliar faces on the red carpet naturally aroused curiosity. But entertainment reporters are extremely well-informed, and everyone quickly connected this film crew with the dark horse of the awards ceremony. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

One reporter even put their new knowledge to immediate use, calling out "Lu Wen!" in heavily accented Chinese. Tan You turned at the sound of the name. Seeing the photographer’s gesture, she slowly curved her lips into a smile, and the cacophony of camera shutters intensified.

That’s just how some people are. Compared to the heavy makeup or revealing outfits of other celebrities, Tan You’s attire could almost be described as conservative. Her qipao only revealed her forearms and calves; the rest of her was wrapped up securely.

And yet, this only served to accentuate her exquisite curves all the more. She was just standing there, yet it was as if everyone could see a thousand stories through her.

Old Qi and Old Wang walked behind the film crew. Watching the group ahead of them pose for the photographers, Old Qi couldn’t help but sigh. "I’m even jealous of Little Qi’s good fortune, finding such an outstanding screenwriter."

"Tell me, why didn’t she approach me first? No matter how you slice it, I’m more experienced than Little Qi."

Old Wang teased, "That’s your son. Are you really jealous?"

"Of course. It’s better to have it yourself than for your son to have it," Old Qi shrugged. "My wife has been insufferably smug lately. She says my entire career of directing films doesn’t measure up to what Little Qi has done in just a few years."

"When all’s said and done, it just comes down to Little Qi’s good luck. Sigh."

"You can’t really blame Lu Wen, though," Old Wang said, speaking practically. "Which one of us isn’t close with the investors? She’s the type who refuses to be controlled. If she had approached one of us, those investors would have eaten her alive, leaving nothing behind."

"It’s not that she couldn’t win if she dealt with those investors directly. I just think she can’t be bothered to wrangle with them," Old Qi shook his head. "Rather than getting caught up in negotiations, she’d rather step aside and bake her own cake."

"That way, she has more peace and quiet and doesn’t have to deal with all the filth and scheming."

Old Wang replied, "Isn’t that the truth? She’d rather spend years slowly laying the groundwork than deal with those investors. Her stance is already perfectly clear."

Old Qi asked, "What are President Zhou and his people saying? You got a script from Lu Wen."

Old Wang said, "What do you expect? I heard Lu Wen isn’t investing, and they sounded a bit disappointed."

"An old fox versus a little fox, and it looks like the little fox has come out on top," Old Qi saw the situation clearly. "Lu Wen played this hand beautifully. Would you call this infighting among the investors?"

"Of course it does," Old Wang chuckled. "They probably never expected Lu Wen to be so decisive. Honestly, if she had invested, they’d just find something else to complain about."

"What about your end? I saw you were making plenty of calls yesterday. I assume all the influential people in the circle have been in touch?" Old Qi didn’t forget to pry for information. They might be old friends, but they were also old rivals.

"They have," Old Wang admitted freely. "I’ve already told them I have someone in mind for the male lead. They were disappointed, of course, but this is a Lu Wen script. Right now, even A-list actors who’ve been famous for years are fighting over the second and third male lead roles. The Best Supporting Actor award is a pretty sweet prize, after all."

"You’re pretty confident, aren’t you? Can you guarantee you’ll win an award next year?" Old Qi rolled his eyes, unable to stand Old Wang’s smug satisfaction.