Chapter 117: Don't Know What to Name This Chapter

"Thump-thump-thump"—the urgent knocking woke Xiang Fei.

"Mr. Xiang! I'm stylist Anna!" English with a German accent came from outside the door.

Zhou Huimin sat up, eyes still heavy with sleep: "What time is it?"

Xiang Fei pulled back the curtains, and sunlight poured in: "Eight-thirty. We overslept."

After opening the door, three stylists pushed in two racks overflowing with clothes. Anna, with blonde hair and blue eyes, spoke rapidly: "Mr. Xiang, the red-carpet look needs three hours, the press conference two..."

Anita Mui suddenly burst in wearing a bathrobe: "My eye makeup must be purple!" Seeing the room full of clothes, she immediately screamed, "Oh my god! The latest Dior!"

At nine sharp, the suite's living room transformed into a temporary meeting room. Han Shanping held the schedule: "Press conference this morning, film screening this afternoon, premiere of Shoplifters tonight."

Chen Daoming nervously adjusted his tie: "Will the press conference be in Chinese or English?"

"Both have simultaneous interpretation," Han Shanping reassured him, "Relax, just act like you're back home."

Li Youbin suddenly stood up: "I... I'm going to the restroom." His stiff, same-side arm-and-leg movement made Zhou Xun cover her mouth and giggle.

At ten, Potsdamer Platz Press Center. Hundreds of international media outlets aimed their long lenses and short barrels at the Chinese delegation.

"May I ask, Director, why choose a subject from the lower classes?"

"Does Chinese film censorship affect your creativity?"

"Are you confident about the Golden Bear?"

"May I ask, you won the Palme d'Or last time, and now you're here for Berlin; are you also aiming for Venice?"

Xiang Fei responded calmly: "Shoplifters tells of emotions common to all humanity..."

Suddenly, a sharp question was thrown out: "I heard you're simultaneously shooting commercial films; don't you find that contradictory?"

Anita Mui snatched the microphone: "Art and commerce are like my fast songs and slow songs; both are music!"

Laughter and applause filled the hall.

At lunch, Coppola indeed appeared in the restaurant.

"Hi, young man," he walked over on his own, "I've seen your Titanic; it's great."

Xiang Fei stood up: "Mr. Coppola! I grew up watching The Godfather!"

As the two chatted enthusiastically, Zhou Xun whispered to Wang Zhiwen: "Quick, pinch me; am I dreaming?"

Wang Zhiwen actually pinched her, and Zhou Xun's "Ow!" drew everyone's attention.

At six in the evening, flashlights on both sides of the red carpet shone like a galaxy.

"Take a deep breath," Xiang Fei, holding Zhou Huimin's arm, said, "Remember, we represent Chinese cinema."

Anita Mui, in a golden gown, outshone the entire crowd, answering international media in fluent English.

Teacher Li Qiming, leaning on a cane, walked in the middle; foreign reporters eagerly asked about the identity of this Eastern elderly lady.

"She is our greatest actress," Chen Daoming said proudly, "just like your Meryl Streep."

Before the film started, Xiang Fei stood on stage: "Thank you, Berlin, for letting the world see the real China..."

During the screening, sobbing rose and fell in waves.

The lights came on, and the entire audience stood and applauded for ten minutes.

Cheers of "Bravo!" never ceased.

"Guide!" Zhou Xun cried and threw herself forward, "I'm so moved!"

Li Youbin, eyes red: "Old Li has seen many plays, never have I been so..."

Han Shanping, having finished a phone call, ran over excitedly: "The jury president wants to see you alone!"

Xiang Fei's heart skipped a beat: this was usually a signal of winning.

In the hotel suite, Xiang Fei waited alone. At one in the morning, the phone finally rang.

"Mr. Xiang," the organizing committee secretary said, "before tomorrow night's awards ceremony, please arrive two hours early."

After hanging up, Xiang Fei's hands trembled slightly. Zhou Huimin hugged him from behind: "Good news?"

"Not sure," Xiang Fei turned and embraced her, "but... we might have made history again."

Outside the window, Berlin's night sky sparkled with stars, as if witnessing a new era for Chinese-language cinema. This night was destined to be sleepless.