chapter 23
Li Mochen stared at Su Jinfan with a stern face.
“As someone from the same company and as a junior, don’t you think your behavior is too much?”
“So, in your eyes, Li Mochen, I’m just not allowed to steal Liu Xin’s spotlight?” Su Jinfan sighed inwardly—what kind of twisted logic was this?
“No, it’s just that your approach is wrong,” Li Mochen replied earnestly.
“True, in your heart, you must think Liu Xin is wonderful, that she wouldn’t play petty games in front of you! But don’t forget, you were the one who told me from the start—this is the entertainment industry, and we have to play by its rules.”
Su Jinfan’s voice was resolute, her eyes brimming with disdain.
Su Jinfan finally understood—this Li Mochen wasn’t here to reason with her at all; he was clearly just looking for trouble!
“You’re right, Liu Xin did have her faults, but those were all company arrangements. I don’t think Liu Xin would go so far as to do such things.”
Su Jinfan didn’t expect him to defend Liu Xin like this and was instantly choked with anger: “Mr. Li Mochen, this is my room. Please leave. Take your precious Miss Liu and get out immediately.”
“By the way, I should inform you that the opening ceremony of the new Phoenix Crown Awards is coming up soon. You’ll need to clear your schedule for that.” Seeing Su Jinfan’s bad temper, Li Mochen coughed lightly and said with a darkened expression, “Su Jinfan, let me remind you once more—don’t make too many enemies in the entertainment industry. From Wang Lili before to Liu Xin now, you’re already treading on thin ice.”
“Yes, I know,” Su Jinfan stared at Li Mochen. “Now take your love tainted with the stench of money and leave.”
Li Mochen originally wanted to say more, but seeing Su Jinfan still looking fierce, he slightly closed his mouth and gently shut the door.
“Did Liu Xin give you a hard time just now?” Fang Yao finally walked in at this moment, placing the iced coffee on the table and asking with a puzzled expression.
Su Jinfan realized she had lost her composure and quickly said, “Fang Yao, what were you thinking inviting Li Mochen here? Turns out you’re a terrible teammate too.”
“What do you know? Should I have invited Li Qin instead? That would’ve made things even messier. I invited Li Mochen, and didn’t he take Liu Xin away in no time?” Halfway through her words, she paused, then a sly smile appeared on her lips again. “But what exactly were you two talking about in there for so long?”
“It’s nothing, he just mentioned the upcoming Phoenix Crown Awards to me.”
That’s one of China’s top-tier film festivals, attracting artists and films from both domestic and international scenes every year, with awards presented accordingly. However, such film festivals in China are rife with □□—directors engage in life-or-death struggles to pull votes for each other, while male and female artists engage in covert and overt battles on the red carpet. It’s both a stage and a battlefield.
When Su Jinfan last won the Best Actress award and earned the title of “Movie Queen,” it sparked a fierce online backlash. Looking back now, the memory of major websites crashing still sends chills down the spine.
“Phoenix Crown Awards—no need to worry too much. They’re pretty much the same every year. Just avoid making a fool of yourself.” Fang Yao sounded somewhat smug. As a seasoned veteran, a mere film festival was nothing to her. But she was concerned about Su Jinfan’s current situation and whether the media might sensationalize it again.
Su Jinfan couldn’t help but take a deep breath, growing nervous about the ‘Phoenix Crown Film Festival’.
……
Night quietly fell, enveloping the entire city in a kaleidoscope of colorful lights.
The award ceremony venue of the Phoenix Crown Awards.
Broadcast live by B City Television, this fifteen-year-running festival features the most renowned domestic celebrities and generates the highest buzz. The live format strips away all embellishments, allowing viewers to see the stars’ unfiltered demeanor without any pretense.
The Phoenix Crown Award has weathered countless storms over the years and has now become a leader in the industry. To this day, its influence and appeal remain unmatched by any other major entertainment event, and the Best Actor and Actress winners selected through voting see their market value skyrocket overnight.
To put it simply, the Phoenix Crown Award is a ceremony that can make someone an overnight sensation or turn them into an overnight target of criticism.
Su Jinfan, as an artist under Dingsheng Entertainment and last year’s Phoenix Crown Award winner for Best Actress, has also been nominated for this year’s award with her film “Chang Ge.” Coupled with recent events like the press conference denouncing Liu Xin, her current popularity is undoubtedly at its peak.
Setting aside recent rumors, the quality of her film “Chang Ge” itself is outstanding, with superb acting. Director Liu Ming is also the most talented among the new generation of directors. An artist like Su Jinfan, who combines both popularity and acting skills, would naturally receive invitations.
Apart from this, Liu Xin was also nominated for Best Actress. Despite the overwhelming online criticism, her extensive connections in the entertainment industry still secured her an invitation to the gala.
Thus, the gala became even more intriguing.
The venue was lavishly decorated, featuring a meticulously laid-out red carpet and photographers constantly flashing their cameras. Everyone eagerly anticipated the event. The grand venue, meticulously designed by a Swedish artist, exuded not only opulence but also an elevated sense of artistic sophistication.
As the gala began, the entire venue was buzzing with excitement. All the renowned media outlets had arrived on the scene, their cameras held high without pause. Some media teams couldn’t wait and had already started live broadcasts, determined not to miss a single corner.
Every time a celebrity walked down the red carpet, flashes of light illuminated their gowns and suits, capturing every detail of their poses. Under such scrutiny, the stars clenched their fists, presenting their best possible demeanor, leaving no room for even the slightest mistake—not even a minor facial expression.
Most of the early arrivals were second-tier celebrities, while the rare A-listers or currently trending stars always made their appearance last. At this moment, Liu Xin was seen stepping onto the red carpet, immediately met with a wave of murmurs and jeers. Online comments were overwhelmingly negative, but Liu Xin paid no heed, striking glamorous poses on the carpet with unabashed satisfaction. Dressed in a custom-made gown from a luxury brand, she looked utterly captivating.
Meanwhile, Su Jin was still in the limousine, seated beside Liu Ming. She felt a pang of nervousness, but noticing the small, densely scribbled note in Liu Ming’s hand—filled with lines to remember—she realized his palms were drenched in sweat.
“Is this your first time attending such an event in China?” Su Jinfan suddenly spoke up.
Breaking the silence in the car, it finally helped calm Liu Ming’s emotions a bit.
Liu Ming carefully tucked away the small note, steadied his emotions, and then hesitantly replied, “Yeah… Back in Canada, I never saw so many people before.”
In fact, it was Liu Ming’s first time encountering such a grand occasion. No matter how composed he usually was, he couldn’t help but worry about saying the wrong thing—after all, many of the directors here were senior figures in the industry.
“Then… will your parents watch it?”
After Su Jin Fan asked this question, Liu Ming hesitated for a moment: “They… might see it.”
In fact, Liu Ming, who had been accustomed to living in an orphanage since childhood, truly didn’t know what his parents, who died in a fire, looked like. Or perhaps, if he were to see them now, he wouldn’t even recognize them.
He had lived in an orphanage since childhood and was later adopted by an elderly couple. The couple was very kind and sent him to Canada for further studies. But he knew they weren’t his real parents, and he only referred to them as “Grandma” and “Grandpa.”
Or perhaps his parents could really see what he looks like now from heaven, but who’s being childish here?
“By the way, since it’s your first time at the Phoenix Crown Awards, just act naturally later.” Su Jinfan suddenly started imitating a gorilla in the car and continued enthusiastically, “This method works really well. I used to get nervous before going on stage, but I found that as soon as I imitate a gorilla, the tension immediately disappears.”
“Gorilla.” A surge of warmth suddenly welled up in Liu Ming’s heart—it was the first time someone had cared about him so much.
“Of course, you can imitate other animals too, but I think gorillas work best.” Su Jinfan put on a thoughtful expression and subconsciously glanced at Liu Ming a few times. “Are you thinking I’m an idiot again?”
As expected… Su Jinfan knew she had no image to maintain in front of Liu Ming.
Liu Ming froze for a moment, then suddenly let out a stiff “meow,” attempting to mimic a cat’s movement. Su Jinfan burst into laughter, “Liu Ming, you’ve absolutely insulted the very word ‘cat.'”
“I’ve seen you in even uglier states—I took full photos of that complete mess in your home.” Liu Ming pulled out his phone and flipped through the pictures one by one to show Su Jinfan.
“Big bro! Spare me, please!” Su Jinfan tried to snatch the phone, but Liu Ming dodged effortlessly, leaving her with no choice but to keep begging for mercy.
After their playful moment in the car, Liu Ming had dispelled all his negative emotions. As the limousine came to a stop at the beginning of the red carpet, Liu Ming stepped out and gently helped Su Jinfan exit the vehicle.
The gala that night marked another wave of excitement. The film *Chang Ge* had already been the subject of much debate, and this was Su Jinfan’s first public appearance in the media since the major controversies surrounding her. She had not only shaken off the shadows of the car accident and plagiarism accusations but also surpassed Liu Xin, the former top star of Dingsheng Entertainment, solidifying her return to the A-list. This naturally piqued widespread interest.
Moreover, with Dingsheng Entertainment currently under intense scrutiny, there was no reason for Su Jinfan to miss such a grand event.
At that moment, Liu Ming, as Su Jinfan’s director, held her hand as they walked out. Countless cameras were trained on Su Jinfan’s car, and the rapid clicking of shutters instantly drowned out all other noise.
Next, Su Jin Fan appeared in a strapless chiffon gown that appeared white at first glance, but under the lights, the exquisite embroidery craftsmanship within subtly revealed itself. With her delicate shoulders slightly exposed and a pair of white high heels, she walked alongside Director Liu Ming, who was dressed in a sharp suit. How could the reporters resist pressing their shutters at this moment? Instantly, the entire red carpet erupted with flashes.