Chapter 126: Red Carpet's Pillar
In the Presidential Suite of the Peninsula Hotel, Rongchen Film and Television’s two leading actresses, Zhou Xun and Tang Yan, had already changed into their gowns.
Tang Yan wore a stunning bright red spaghetti strap dress, showcasing her tall figure and fiery red lips.
Li Chen wanted her to break free from her future 'silly sweet girl' persona right from her first appearance on the red carpet!
This was a masterpiece by Rongchen Film and Television's exclusive designer, Lawrence Xu, with inspiration drawn from Li Chen's sketches.
Ever since Li Chen saw Lawrence Xu gain prominence in Berlin a couple of years ago with Zhang Jingchu's peacock dress,
He had kept an eye on this Chinese fashion designer.
After the company moved into Jinxiu Mingzun, they offered him a high price to join Rongchen Film and Television as its exclusive chief designer.
While creating red carpet looks for Rongchen Film and Television artists, Li Chen also didn't restrict his freedom.
Among Miss Liu's four gowns, one was designed by him.
Zhou Xun, on the other hand, wore a V-neck black long dress personally styled by her stylist boyfriend, paired with elbow-length gloves, looking mature and exquisite.
She was nominated for Best Actress for 'perhaps love,' while Tang Yan was nominated for Best Newcomer for 'father's love is like a mountain.'
Tang Yan's competitors also included Jay Chou and Ye Xuan, among others.
Liu Yifei was the slowest; her gown was the most troublesome.
Among the four gowns, she ultimately chose a light pink princess dress by Gucci.
When all three appeared before Li Chen and Yang Siwei in their gowns, they were indeed a delight to behold.
Zhou Xun was lively, Tang Yan was cool and aloof, and Miss Liu exuded an ethereal aura.
Zhou Xun, standing between the two, protested: "Director Li, I'd rather walk the red carpet with Director Chen and the others. With Yifei and Tangtang, these two long-legged beauties, by my side..."
"My petite figure instantly becomes stumpy! I'm not doing it!"
Yang Siwei chuckled secretly. Zhou Xun was right; both Yifei and Tangtang were 1.7 meters tall, and with high heels, they were almost 1.8 meters.
Zhou Xun was indeed at a disadvantage, and with her black dress, Yang Siwei always felt she looked a bit old-fashioned, but she didn't say much.
Li Chen nodded: "That works too. We don't want people to say we're stingy, especially since you're nominated for 'perhaps love.'"
Liu Yifei was a bit apprehensive: "Li Chen, will my outfit be too eye-catching? I'm not even nominated."
This dress was too beautiful; even she herself felt like she had stepped out of a fairytale.
Tang Yan was also a little flustered: "Me too, my outfit is too flashy!"
Li Chen, however, saw it differently: "Both of you need to be clear-headed. I won't say anything about Sister Xun; she's an old hand on the red carpet."
"Today is your first appearance on a domestic red carpet, so I'll explain it clearly to both of you."
"On the red carpet, don't be afraid to steal the spotlight. Other actresses wish all the spotlights were on them!"
"But you two? You want to keep a low profile. If you want to keep a low profile, don't enter the entertainment industry!"
Yang Siwei nodded and interjected: "The boss is right. Yifei, Tangtang, don't be confused. Our company is already a leader in the industry."
"Yifei is fine, but Tangtang and Sister Xun's appearance on the red carpet also represents the company's image, so we can't be careless."
Yang Siwei understood. Liu Yifei and Tang Yan exchanged glances, then smiled with a pout.
"Alright, alright, Tangtang and I wouldn't dare argue with Director Li and Director Yang. We'll just let you arrange everything."
Li Chen shook his head and smiled: "For actresses, the red carpet is no less than another battlefield!"
"Do you two think keeping a low profile will resolve things? The media won't let you off the hook."
"Perhaps you're still on the red carpet, and headlines like 'Liu Yifei's fashion sense looks old-fashioned' or 'Tang Yan is naive and unconfident' will already be online."
"Both of you have many fans. Actresses compete for beauty on the red carpet, and off the red carpet, your fans will also compare with each other!"
Zhou Xun looked at Li Chen strangely from the side: "Director Li, you really don't seem like someone in his early twenties. I don't think anyone in the entertainment industry understands things as well as you do!"
Li Chen didn't explain much, standing up and saying: "Alright, let's go. Tonight, I'm also a target. I don't know how many people want to take a shot at me!"
Liu Yifei hooked her arm through Li Chen's: "It's alright, you have a bulletproof vest!"
"Haha, Yifei is right!"
The group left the Peninsula Hotel. Zhou Xun and her boyfriend left first in one car.
Li Chen, Liu Yifei, and Tang Yan were in another, driving one after another towards the Hong Kong Coliseum.
All were black Mercedes, provided by Xiang Huaqiang.
Upon arriving at the Hong Kong Coliseum, it wasn't completely dark yet.
Unexpectedly, there was a traffic jam. A Mercedes was stopped in front of Li Chen's Mercedes, not moving.
Yang Siwei complained: "Who is so important that they neither drive forward nor get out of the car?"
The driver of the car in front sat inside, asking Zhang Ziyi, who was in the back: "Sister Ziyi, what should we do?"
Zhang Ziyi sat motionless in the back: "Wait a little longer."
The driver smiled bitterly. Reporters in front were interviewing Fan Bingbing.
Zhang Ziyi didn't want to share the photographers' film and reporters' microphones with others! So she refused to get out of the car.
Actually, there was another reason the driver wasn't aware of.
Fan Bingbing's green small V-neck evening gown clashed with Zhang Ziyi's peacock feather shawl.
Most importantly, Zhang Ziyi didn't want to be in the same frame as Fan Bingbing. She knew her place.
In terms of star power, she crushed Fan Bingbing.
But in terms of looks and figure, it was quite the opposite!
"Boss, should I go down and check?" Yang Siwei was getting a bit impatient.
If the car in front didn't move, they couldn't move either!
Before Yang Siwei could get out, Golden Horse Awards staff had already arrived.
Zhang Ziyi had no choice but to get out of the car.
Fan Bingbing, who was being interviewed in front, also turned around and saw this scene.
Seeing Zhang Ziyi get out of the car, the media reporters all abandoned Fan Bingbing and flocked to Zhang Ziyi.
Fan Bingbing saw Zhang Ziyi in a purple short dress, also with a heavy shawl, looking like a fat peacock, and secretly chuckled.
Earlier, Zhang Jingchu in a swaying black long dress had already been completely outshone by her.
When Zhang Jingchu saw her get out of the car, she quickly avoided her, as if afraid of being in the same frame.
This Zhang Ziyi behind her even showed her lack of confidence in her actions.
She even hid in the car and didn't get out until the staff 'invited' her out.
Fan Bingbing turned and walked with her head held high towards the purple carpet of the Walk of Fame.
"Boss, it turns out to be Zhang Ziyi, no wonder, no wonder!"
"Xiao Fan is in front. It's right for Zhang Ziyi not to get out. Besides Yifei and Tangtang, I think no one else tonight can hold their own against Xiao Fan; everyone else is just a foil for Xiao Fan," Yang Siwei said with a smile.
In her heart, she felt sorry for Xiao Fan. If Xiao Fan were with their company, who would be the most dazzling actress tonight would truly be debatable.
Yifei's outfit tonight was too dazzling, simply like a celestial fairy who had descended to the mortal world.
Tangtang's outfit was also not bad, perfectly showcasing her slender figure and fair skin.
And Xiao Fan was destined to be the backdrop for Yifei and Tangtang.
It's only because Huayi Brothers is not strong enough.
Zhang Ziyi had just posed for reporters, but before a few photos were taken, the fans and reporters burst into exclamations of awe.
"Director Li and his group are here!"
Li Chen was the first to get out, extending his hand gallantly, with the driver blocking the car door.
The fans then saw Tang Yan make a stunning appearance in a gorgeous red spaghetti strap dress.
This immediately caused a stir among the fans.
Before they had seen enough, Liu Yifei then appeared before everyone like an angel descending to the mortal world.
The fans and media immediately went wild.
The truth was that none of the mainland actresses who had just passed by were able to hold up the facade for mainland actresses.
Fan Bingbing couldn't either, not because Fan Bingbing wasn't pretty enough.
It was really a loss in fashion sense; all her outfits looked old-fashioned.
And the appearance of Liu Yifei and Tang Yan finally gave mainland fans and media a sense of triumph.
"Look, it's Liu Yifei and Tang Yan!"
"Yifei, Tang Yan!"
"Yifei, Yifei, look this way!"
"So beautiful!"
The scene immediately became chaotic, with fans loudly shouting Liu Yifei and Tang Yan's names.
Li Chen immediately became a mascot.
The photographers in front of Zhang Ziyi all vanished in a flash.
Zhang Ziyi's face turned so green it was almost the same color as her peacock feather shawl.
Her facial muscles were cramping from embarrassment.
If she had known this, she would have gotten out of the car earlier.
Even competing with Fan Bingbing would have been better than being outshone by the two newcomers, Liu Yifei and Tang Yan!
Li Chen's light gray suit today was also understated and high-end enough, but unfortunately, he was destined to be the green leaf accompanying the red flowers.
The fact was that Liu Yifei and Tang Yan's gowns, combined with their natural advantages, were too dazzling.
Compared to these two, the actresses who had walked by earlier looked like they had just arrived in the city from the countryside.
Even Fan Bingbing couldn't compare.
"Boss, let's step aside a bit and leave some space for Yifei and Tangtang."
Yang Siwei said with a smile. She was very satisfied with the sensation caused by Yifei and Tangtang.
Today's red carpet battle was a success.
Yang Siwei glanced at her boss.
If there was a genius in this world, her boss would undoubtedly be one.
He effortlessly excelled as a writer, director, actor, composer, and designer.
Perhaps his only flaw was his raspy voice; otherwise, he would truly be omnipotent.
Thinking of this, Yang Siwei smiled again.
This was probably the meaning of perfect imperfection—no one is perfect.
Zhang Jingchu, who was ahead, saw Li Chen and forced an unnatural smile before quickly heading down the red carpet.
After getting what they needed from Liu Yifei and Tang Yan, the reporters naturally wouldn't let Li Chen off the hook.
The group stood together, Tang Yan and Liu Yifei in the very center, Li Chen next to Liu Yifei, and Yang Siwei beside Tang Yan.
A group photo was taken.
"Yifei, you're walking the red carpet with Rongchen Film and Television today.
Have you already signed with Director Li, or are you planning to make an official announcement today?"
A Sina reporter began to dig a pit for Liu Yifei.
"He is indeed interested in me, but I haven't agreed yet!" Liu Yifei said playfully.
After speaking, she glanced at Li Chen with a smile in her eyes.
The media was already accustomed to this; as long as the two weren't caught red-handed, they would play tai chi with the media.
"Director Li, when you attend the Golden Horse Awards in Hong Kong, you can't show favoritism and forget our mainland's Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival," the Six Princess reporter said with a smile, putting pressure on Li Chen.
Hong Kong Island gossip media also eagerly inquired about Li Chen's dinner party with Tsang Chi-wai that night.
"I'll go when I have time.
Let's not hold up the people behind us here, or the staff will start rushing us soon," Li Chen said humorously.
The reporters all laughed and didn't make things difficult for Li Chen and his group anymore.
Wang Zhonglei, Zhang Liangying, and Li Bingbing were already poised and ready behind them.
Wang Zhonglei and his group nodded and greeted Li Chen.
Li Chen and the other three walked onto the purple carpet, with Tang Yan and Liu Yifei waving to the fans on both sides as they walked.
The Return of the Condor Heroes would be introduced on Hong Kong's TVB in July, but pirated copies were already rampant online.
Liu Yifei was also incredibly popular in Hong Kong.
Many mainland fans of Liu Yifei and Tang Yan even traveled to Hong Kong to show their support.
Especially Liu Yifei's fans, while perhaps not comparable in number to Andy Lau or Jay Chou.
They excelled in a powerful, unstoppable momentum.
Just then, a man broke through the crowd and rushed towards Liu Yifei like an arrow shot from a bow.
Li Chen's hairs stood on end, and purely out of instinct, he forcefully pulled Miss Liu next to him.
With a bang, the man missed completely.
The enormous inertia caused the media and reporters behind Miss Liu to fall over each other, and the scene instantly descended into chaos.
Everyone finally reacted, and the security personnel nearby quickly stepped forward to restrain the man.
"Are you alright?" Li Chen's heart pounded.
In his previous life, Miss Liu seemed to have encountered such a crazy fan at an event as well.
"Are you alright, Yifei?" Tang Yan was also terrified, her scalp tingling, and goosebumps all over her body.
It was her first time encountering such a crazy fan.
"No, I'm fine." Liu Yifei's face turned pale, and she was also greatly startled.
If Li Chen hadn't pulled her, she would probably be lying heavily on the ground by now.
Even if she wasn't injured, she would certainly be in a disheveled state, and an accidental exposure would be inevitable.
The event staff kept apologizing to Liu Yifei.
Li Chen ignored them, letting Yang Siwei deal with them.
He only said to Miss Liu, "Do you want to go back to the hotel to rest?"
Liu Yifei smiled sweetly, "I'm fine."
"Really fine?"
"Really fine.
With you by my side, I feel very secure," Miss Liu whispered.
Tang Yan pursed her lips and smiled, "Boss, boss's wife?
Do we still need to walk the red carpet?"
"A queue has already formed behind us!"
Li Chen smiled softly, and the four continued to walk the red carpet.
However, Li Chen took it to heart.
He would have to find a personal bodyguard for Miss Liu later.
Preferably a female, who would follow her everywhere! Otherwise, it was hard to guarantee there wouldn't be another incident.
As the four had just walked a short distance from the signing board, they heard an "Ah!"
The sound wasn't loud, but it attracted the attention of those around them.
It turned out that Fan Bingbing was about to go on stage to sign when Zhang Jingchu, passing by, stepped on her skirt, almost causing her to fall.
However, Zhang Jingchu's reaction was surprisingly calm, and she quickly left the scene as if nothing had happened.
Yang Siwei, Liu Yifei, and Tang Yan also saw it.
"She wouldn't have done it on purpose, would she?" Liu Yifei whispered.
"Possibly.
Otherwise, she should at least stop and say sorry," Tang Yan added.
"This is a perfect example of what I just told you two about actresses trying to outshine each other.
This is just child's play," Li Chen said with a smile.
"Siwei, tomorrow, this scene will likely be amplified, and the fans and agents of both parties will probably get involved.
You should also consider this scene today.
If it happened to Tangtang, how would you use it to your advantage and benefit Tangtang?"
Yang Siwei was stunned, then immediately reacted, "Boss always thinks further ahead.
I hadn't thought of that layer."
Fan Bingbing was also quite depressed; her good mood from earlier was completely gone.
She had heard the screams before she even finished walking the red carpet.
She turned back curiously and was immediately stunned.
Liu Yifei and Tang Yan were both dressed in elaborate, dazzling gowns.
Either of them made her own green trailing gown look dim.
This wasn't due to her own shortcomings, but entirely because of the clothes people wore; it wasn't a fault of her own.
Last time, Liu Yifei and Tang Yan appeared on the Berlin red carpet only in neutral suits.
She hadn't expected them to change their style so drastically and be so high-profile for today's Golden Horse Awards red carpet!
Fan Bingbing felt a mix of emotions.
The sense of superiority she had found earlier over Zhang Jingchu and Zhang Ziyi instantly vanished.
Now she was stepped on by Zhang Jingchu, almost causing an accidental exposure.
But Zhang Jingchu didn't even say sorry, completely ignoring her.
Fan Bingbing was extremely depressed.
Wearing a mask-like smile, she was helped onto the stage by Tang Jili, signed the signing board, and then stepped down.
"Xiao Fan, you arrived quite early," Yang Siwei proactively greeted Fan Bingbing.
"Director Li, Siwei, Yifei, Tang Yan," Fan Bingbing nodded and greeted each of them.
Li Chen and the others smiled and nodded.
Tang Jili and Li Chen had not met before, but Li Chen's name was well-known to him.
There was no time for pleasantries at this moment, so the two simply nodded, acknowledging each other.
"Let's sign first, we'll talk later," Yang Siwei said with a smile.
Fan Bingbing stood there, not rushing into the inner hall.
She had already seen Wang Zhonglei approaching with Li Bingbing and Zhang Liangying.
Not walking the red carpet with them was understandable.
But if she still wasn't willing to enter the inner hall with them, then the gossip media would immediately spread news about Fan Bingbing's discord with Huayi Brothers.
After Li Chen and the others finished signing, they stepped down to socialize with a few acquaintances.
Fan Bingbing's makeup was exquisite, but her green outfit truly couldn't compare to Miss Liu's and Tang Yan's.
However, her acting was decent; at least, no trace of unnaturalness could be seen on her face.
"Director Li, thank you and Siwei.
After the awards ceremony tonight, I wonder if I'll have the chance to treat you two to a thank-you dinner?"
Looking at Fan Bingbing's exquisite face, smiling like a blooming flower.
Liu Yifei found it amusing in her heart.
If she really wanted to thank someone, she probably should thank her.
"It's too late.
Let's talk about it when we return to the mainland," Li Chen said perfunctorily.
Fan Bingbing smiled, "Alright, I'll take that as Director Li agreeing."
"Yifei looks so beautiful today.
I won't stand here any longer.
I'm afraid if I stand too long, I'll feel ashamed of myself."
"You're not bad either," Liu Yifei replied with a smile.
As they were talking, Wang Zhonglei also came down from the stage, and then Chen Kexin and Wu Junru, the couple, walked over.
Enemies met on a narrow road.
Chen Kexin was radiant, with his pregnant girlfriend on his left arm and Venice Film Festival Best Actress Zhou Xun on his right.
Li Chen found it truly amusing.
"What does Chen Kexin look like to you?"
"Like what?" Yang Siwei asked, puzzled.
Liu Yifei and Tang Yan also couldn't tell.
"Doesn't he look like Xu Xian being held by the Black and White Impermanence?"
"Ah? Hahaha!"
Yang Siwei couldn't help but laugh out loud, and Liu Yifei and Tang Yan also covered their mouths and chuckled.
"How can you say that about him!" Miss Liu chided.
But!
It really did look like that.
Zhou Xun in black, Wu Junru in white, both simultaneously holding Chen Kexin.
Wasn't that Xu Xian being held by the Black and White Impermanence!
Zhou Xun saw Li Chen laughing at her and Chen Kexin from afar and wondered why Director Li had changed his nature.
