Chapter 346: A True Villain Is Stronger Than a Hypocrite

The two walked across the red carpet, Tang Yan keeping her head lowered most of the time, looking a bit shy.

They reached the steps at the front of the red carpet, where the interview area was. Yu Xian and Tang Yan took questions from the media.

The host said: "Hello, Director Yu. First, congratulations on your film *The Fault in Our Stars* doing huge business at the global box office. Now that you've set foot on the soil of the motherland, how do you feel?"

"Very excited. Seeing the motherland so prosperous and strong, I feel proud," Yu Xian said with feeling.

"It seems Mr. Yu really has the motherland close to his heart."

The host said that, then turned to Tang Yan: "Walking the red carpet together with Director Yu — is there anything you'd like to say?"

"Being able to walk the red carpet hand in hand with such an outstanding international director as Director Yu is my honor." Tang Yan didn't dare look at the person beside her the entire time she spoke, afraid she'd fall for him.

"Alright, thank you both. We're very glad you could come to the Shanghai International Film Festival." The host gestured that they could go.

That's how interviews work — a couple of lines and then the next group comes on. There's not much time, because the stars and crews showing up are simply too many; everyone needs to be given space.

Just then, the *Now You See Me* crew came walking down the red carpet. The host announced them — it was Fang Hong, Liu Tianxian, and the rest.

Accompanied by enthusiastic cheers, mainly because this lineup was still pretty strong by current standards, and most of the audience recognized them.

Yu Xian stopped walking and looked back. Seeing the brother he hadn't met in a long time, he was suddenly filled with a sense of warmth.

After all, back in the country, he was only really close to a handful of people.

Fang Hong saw him too. The two locked eyes. Yu Xian placed his hand on the bridge of his nose, one finger pressing against his eye socket, face expressionless in a cool pose.

He was deliberately playing the cool guy — just like the Xiang Zuo character in the film, only a bit like the landlord's silly son.

Fang Hong copied his pose, hand on the bridge of his nose, eyes sharp.

That gesture and that look left Tang Yan and Liu Tianxian standing beside them completely baffled. Was this some kind of secret signal?

Or had they come down with some strange illness? Couldn't figure it out.

Some bystanders noticed too, but didn't think much of it — their attention was on the audience on either side.

Actually, Yu Xian didn't really get it either. He was copying old Hong Kong films — Zhou Xingchi and Yuan Hua used this pose when acting opposite each other, and Li Xiaolong used the same gesture too. He thought it looked really cool and just wanted to show off a bit.

After posing cool for a moment, he followed the staff's directions and headed toward the theater.

Liu Tianxian was completely baffled and asked: "What did that pose you two just did mean?"

"Nothing, just bored," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian was speechless. So it really was just boredom. Men sometimes have problems too — especially two men who are close. Serious problems.

At this moment she was holding onto Fang Hong's arm, a flowing black spaghetti-strap gown trailing on the ground, looking dignified and graceful.

Spotlights kept flashing across her.

Around them, Zhang Songwen, Duan Yihong, Xie Miao and the others were waving to the audience on both sides.

"Hello, please come over here." The host held the microphone: "In keeping with the tradition of our Shanghai Film Festival, we must take a group photo."

Fang Hong helped Liu Tianxian up the steps. The group stood in a row on the stage — Duan Yihong and Liu Tianxian in the middle, since they were the male and female leads.

Fang Hong stood next to Liu Tianxian, and the others lined up shoulder to shoulder beside them, forming a single row.

Behind them was a backdrop with advertising logos and also the bold, flamboyant characters reading "The 16th Shanghai International Film Festival."

The lights flashed for a while.

"Alright, could you tell us what kind of story *Now You See Me* tells?" The host handed the microphone to Duan Yihong.

Duan Yihong passed it to Fang Hong, letting him do the talking.

"It's a story about robbing banks with magic," Fang Hong said, brief and to the point.

"Wow, really looking forward to it."

The host pretended to be exaggerated, then turned to Liu Tianxian: "Tianxian, I heard you play a magician in it — can you show us a couple of tricks?"

"I don't actually know any either. The film uses Best Special Effects," Liu Tianxian said with a smile.

"Then show us your poise, will you? Just strike a pose for us."

That last line from the host was directed at the audience, and he added: "If the applause isn't enthusiastic, how can she strike a pose?"

"Waaaah!"

Suddenly the crowd erupted in loud heckling cheers.

Liu Tianxian stepped forward, planted one hand on her hip in front of the audience, stood tall and straight, radiating an aggressive, commanding aura.

"Truly both handsome and beautiful. So I'd like to ask the director — what's the highlight of this film?" The host handed the microphone to Fang Hong.

The microphone from earlier had already been handed back. Fang Hong took it, thought for a moment — what was the highlight?

"With Liu Tianxian in it, it's already great to watch!" Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian beside him laughed shyly. He really dares to say anything.

"Ah, really? Then what about Zhang Songwen?" the host said.

"He's good-looking too." Fang Hong's perfunctory answer was terrible.

But that's just how these events are — you can't take them seriously. Say too much about the highlights and it's a spoiler.

"Alright, thank you all, thank you for coming to the Shanghai Film Festival." The host gestured that they could head inside.

The interview was that simple. Behind them came the *Ex-Files* crew, also members of the Jade Rabbit team.

Liu Tianxian, holding onto Fang Hong's hand, walked down the steps — just two steps. Fang Hong was curious: "How did you used to get up and down steps wearing an outfit like this?"

"I'd hold up the skirt and walk myself," Liu Tianxian said.

"Then why aren't you holding up your skirt yourself now?" Fang Hong asked again.

"Get lost!"

Liu Tianxian stepped off the stairs, slapped his hand away, and refused to hold on anymore — she was annoyed.

Walking further inside, the cameras were no longer trained on them. Their interaction was only seen by the few people beside them.

They all laughed.

"Alright, alright, come on, let me hold your hand." Fang Hong eagerly went after her again, wanting to hold her hand.

"I'm not even willing!" Liu Tianxian tossed her head, looking thoroughly reluctant.

"Come on, hold on. If you can't hold on, your heart will feel empty." Fang Hong took her hand.

This time Liu Tianxian didn't refuse and let him hold her hand. She was just being contrary — she had to be pushed before she'd behave.

The onlookers were also curious; they hadn't expected the Principal to have this side to him. It was somewhat subversive to their perception, but they also felt the Principal had gained a touch of human warmth.

After all, they had little contact with him and didn't really know him well.

The inner theater was quite large; the guest seats were arranged in a tiered, arch-shaped layout, encircling the stage up front.

There was no general audience — only invited celebrity guests and international friends. Many celebrity guests had already arrived: Jade Rabbit artists Zhao Xiaodao, Chen Xiao, and the others, as well as entertainment industry bigwigs, stars, and directors from both sides of the strait and Hong Kong.

The moment Fang Hong, Liu Tianxian, and their group appeared, many people turned their gaze toward them.

Of course, they were mainly looking at the Principal. It had been over half a year since anyone had seen even a shadow of him, and now he had finally reappeared. This time his bearing was different too — much more composed, and he had even cultivated a hint of a superior's aura, inspiring a certain awe.

Jing Tian also turned to look at the newcomers, her gaze intent; Da Mimi wanted to cozy up, but the moment she saw Liu Tianxian, she gave up the idea.

Of course, there were also unfriendly gazes — Fa Ge's, Xiao Wang's, Yu Pangzi's, and the like.

Liu Tianwang was good at reading the room and came right up to greet him: "Hello, Principal! We meet again."

"Hello." Fang Hong shook his hand.

"In a couple of days we have the premiere for 'Blind Detective.' Will you come?" Liu Tianwang invited.

"I won't be there. Wishing you a blockbuster." Fang Hong politely declined.

We're about to throw down, and you want me at your premiere? What a joke.

Huang Xiaoming also stepped forward and expressed his gratitude to Liu Tianxian: "Thank you for what happened last time."

She was referring to the incident where Fang Hong had launched an indiscriminate attack last time, and Xiao Wang's General Manager had asked him to help resolve the matter of Yao Dazui being attacked.

"I didn't help. It was going to be resolved anyway." Liu Tianxian shook her head, refusing to take the credit.

"Still, thank you." Huang Xiaoming was polite, then turned to Fang Hong: "Hello, Principal."

He was using Liu Tianxian as his entry point.

"Hello."

Fang Hong nodded, as if he had nothing much to say.

Huang Xiaoming also felt there was nothing to say, as if the Principal wasn't interested in him.

Then Zhao Xiaodao, Chen Xiao, Xu Guangtou, and others came up to greet him. Pan Yueming was also there — the man had started working the scene again.

His side had a circle of people around it; Xiao Wang's side and Yu Pangzi's side also had their circles, and the Hong Kong side had its circle too. Each was its own little world.

Fa Ge turned to look at Fang Hong being surrounded by people, and gritted his teeth as he cursed to Yu Pangzi beside him: "A petty man in power. What a rotten punk."

He still remembered how Fang Hong had roasted him back in the day, and getting sent to the hospital — maybe that was his doing too. What a memory.

"Don't bother with someone like that. No class. Just a kid from the countryside." Yu Pangzi said quietly.

Similar whispers were going on over at Xiao Wang's General Manager's side.

Yu Xian was with the leaders, responding with a stream of "yes, yes, yes" as they spoke. The leaders told him to do more to support domestic films and help them go international.

Leaders from the Municipal Propaganda Department, the Municipal Culture and Broadcasting Bureau, and the chairman of the Film Festival Organizing Committee were all present.

Zhang Hongsen didn't come this time; the head of the Film Bureau came instead.

This put Yu Xian in an awkward spot — he couldn't even get in, let alone "go out." Wishful thinking!

He noticed Fang Hong's situation. Seeing so many people glaring at him with hostility, it seemed Fang Hong's days really weren't easy.

"I don't know what someone like him has to be so smug about. He'll be taken down sooner or later." Fa Ge looked indignant, still muttering quietly.

"We were too soft on the Principal back then. We should have crushed him right then and there." Yu Pangzi deeply regretted not finishing him off when the Principal was still weak.

"Are you talking about me?" Fang Hong, having finished making the rounds with the others, happened to catch the word "Principal" as he was walking down the steps.

So he stopped and looked at the two of them.

"Don't flatter yourself. What is there about you worth talking about?" Fa Ge was sitting down, his gaze contemptuous, looking down on the man.

Yu Pangzi's eyes were filled with displeasure.

"Oh, Fa Ge, you're getting more and more handsome!"

Fang Hong reached out and touched his head: "Such thick, dark hair — truly enviable."

"Are you trying to start something?" Fa Ge slapped his hand away, not polite in the slightest. He was old enough to be this guy's grandfather.

"Yes, I am trying to start something. So what?" Fang Hong's attitude suddenly turned arrogant.

That brazen attitude left everyone present a bit stunned. Some exchanged glances — the Principal was simply lawless. Practically half the entertainment industry from both sides of the strait and Hong Kong was here.

And there were leaders present too. With an attitude like that, he was simply not putting anyone in his eyes.

Liu Tianxian stood by and didn't intervene. She knew Fang Hong had been full of pent-up frustration lately, bullied by those internet and real estate people.

Yu Xian watched with great interest. Now that was more like his boss — finally standing up straight.

Otherwise, what was the point of all his struggle in the United States!

Fa Ge was furious. He hadn't expected this guy to truly not care about the occasion at all, to publicly humiliate him in front of everyone and leave him with no way to back down.

"This isn't the place for you to run wild." Yu Pangzi chimed in to back him up.

"Not the place for me to run wild — so is it the place for you? What I hate most is someone like you, big-bellied and still wearing a suit. What right do you have to talk to me?" Fang Hong pointed at him.

Yu Pangzi looked down at his own big belly, which looked like he was pregnant, and couldn't help but cover it with his suit jacket. That was a jab at him being all show and no substance.

The two of them had been bad-mouthing the guy quietly for quite a while already.

Liu Tianwang hurried over to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, let's all take a step back. It's the film festival today — don't give people a show."

Fang Hong glanced at him, then walked down and sat in his own seat in the third row. Enough was enough.

The venue fell silent for a moment. Yu Pangzi and Fa Ge's faces looked terrible — they couldn't beat him in the film market, so they certainly had no ground to curse him out.

All confidence comes from strength. The Principal's strength was no weaker than any film company here.

Not only were his films and TV shows both hits, his artist management was on the rise too. There were more and more Jade Rabbit artists here — in the past, you wouldn't have seen them at occasions like this at all.

Some female stars, however, watched with dazzled, mesmerized eyes—Wang Likun, Guo Biting, Da Mimi, Zhou Dongyu, and others. A man this powerful was simply their type.

They don't care if you're handsome; they care if you're powerful.

"This young man really has quite a temper!" one leader remarked with a sigh.

"I think it's fine—an out-and-out villain is better than a hypocrite." Another leader saw the reason behind the matter.

To them this was nothing; what great storm had they not weathered?

A leader asked, "Xiao Yu, I heard you used to be the Principal's photographer. What do you think?"

"In this world, it's always me scheming against you, you plotting against me—nothing to make a fuss about." Yu Xian appeared very composed, as if he had seen the world.

"Hahahaha!"

(End of chapter)