Chapter 411: Getting Used to Being a Good Man

On December 23, the Macau Film Festival was held in the banquet hall of Wynn Macau.

A long red carpet was laid out in the hotel lobby, with reporters and fans on both sides; the star power wasn't all that dazzling.

Not many reporters came; most of the bigger media outlets didn't show up, only the Film Newspaper gave them some face.

Macau's weather this month wasn't as cold as up north, with an average temperature of 20 degrees — still quite warm.

Liu Tianxian, in an ink-green dress, was as beautiful as a heavenly fairy, her long hair pinned up, dressed like a gentle, soft little woman — too lovely for words.

The lights all paled beside her.

Fang Hong didn't accompany her on the red carpet; he had already gone into the venue long before. The venue wasn't some big arena, just a banquet hall, and inside the banquet hall were placed round table after round table, just like a place to eat.

It wasn't all that spacious, looking petty everywhere; even the stage was tiny — one step and you'd be on it.

Pretty much like the annual meeting scene of some small company, getting more and more trashy every year.

Reporters and staff stood around the entrance; space was so limited there wasn't even a place to sit, so seats could only be given to those stars and celebrities.

Some big names from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Neidi also came — Fang Long, Li Bailian, Ge You, and the like were all there.

Li Bailian and Ge You were serving as Judges; Fang Long was there to collect an award.

Meanwhile, Fang Hong was walking and chatting with several Macau officials, with people nearby nodding to greet them or saying hello every now and then.

Tan Sijiang of the Cultural Bureau said, "Welcome back to Macau, Principal."

"I came along with my Tianxian," Fang Hong said bluntly.

A leader from a small place — no need to be overly polite, just say what there is to say. If he didn't come to Macau, Macau couldn't do anything to him either.

He doesn't gamble or anything, so it's not like he absolutely has to come.

It's just that this place has a special status — it needs to develop its cultural tourism. Mainly, the other side can lick up to you when you come. Unlike the place next door, where even a dog wouldn't go.

In '24, Brother Dao chose to hold his concert here rather than next door, and the official side even specially released a promotional clip to welcome him — that kind of brown-nosing is very comfortable.

"Where's Tianxian? She didn't come with you?" Tan Sijiang looked around but didn't spot that gorgeous figure.

"She's walking the red carpet, she should be coming in soon," Fang Hong said.

"Oh, in the future Yutu should come film here more often — we can offer policy conveniences," Tan Sijiang said with a smile.

The release of Now You See Me brought them tourism benefits.

The movie was filmed here, so many domestic and foreign fans who watched it wanted to see if Macau really looked like it did in the film.

It sparked a tourism wave, gave the gaming industry a boost too, and set an example for fellow filmmakers — a pretty good start.

"If there are projects in this area, we'll prioritize choosing here," Fang Hong indicated his agreement.

Filming anywhere is filming anywhere — whichever city has fewer procedures and less hassle, that's where they film.

He also said in a low voice, "It's just that your film festival is run a bit too shabbily."

The awards given out don't even carry any weight.

"Can't be helped. If we make it too big, the stars and big names won't come, and an empty hall would be embarrassing too, wouldn't it?" Tan Sijiang was also in a bind.

Who doesn't want to make it big, like the Golden Horse Awards, Golden Rooster Awards, or Shanghai Film Festival? They just don't have that kind of clout.

"I see!" Fang Hong said he understood.

Putting on an awards ceremony doesn't just take money — you also need enough influence to invite enough stars and big names. Like next door, they already have that foundation.

Liu Tianwang, Liang Chaowei, Zhang Manyu, Du Qifeng, Chen Kexin, Xu Ke — these people's influence is enough.

Back in the day, Neidi filmmakers all aimed for the Hong Kong Film Awards and took winning one as an honor; later they realized those people were just playing their own game, so they gave up that idea.

What does Macau have? Just gaming.

As they chatted, Tan Sijiang walked over to a big round table, pulled out a chair, and gestured, "Please sit, General Manager Fang."

There were others at this table too — Ge You, Huang Baiming, all influential figures in the film and TV circle.

After Tan Sijiang and his colleagues sat down, he said, "Big Brother Fang Long, welcome to Macau."

Fang Long was chatting animatedly with Li Bailian; hearing the greeting, he put on a smiling face: "Oh, hello, Tan Sijiang."

As he spoke, he also looked at Fang Hong and said, "Why didn't the Principal bring Tianxian?"

He seemed quite warm, as if he hadn't taken that past incident too much to heart — well, he's an old hand at this, he's been through everything, able to pick things up and put them down.

"She came, she should be coming in soon," Fang Hong said casually.

If it weren't for that thing with Liu Tianxian, he had no ill feelings toward Fang Long — character, private morals, none of that had anything to do with him.

It was just that with that incident, things were always a bit awkward.

He added, "You guys show up everywhere."

"That proves we have fate — the circle is so big, yet we still run into each other," Li Bailian said with a smile.

Once a person becomes famous, they really do love attending this event and that — people entertain you, and you get to show off, why not?

Fang Long is especially enthusiastic about this — you'll find him at any event, whether it's an awards ceremony or a gala, his figure is always there.

Later when the movie market tanked, he even called on people to put down their phones and go watch movies.

"Principal, you released two films this New Year Slot, and both did well at the box office — congratulations on the big sales!" Li Bailian cupped her fists in flattery.

She was referring to Dad Where Are We Going and Love Story.

"Sigh, it's all collaborations, we just earn a bit of hard-earned money," Fang Hong said, sounding quite wistful.

Li Bailian pursed her lips, unable to stand his nonsense; Fang Long also fell silent — the Principal seemed to have no interest in him. Fang Hong leaned over the table and said mysteriously, "Hey, Ms. Li, tell me, did Tianxian win anything?"

He looked like he was speaking softly and mysteriously, but actually everyone at the table could hear — the two were a bit apart, but nobody took it seriously, this wasn't some super big award.

"Oh, Principal, you don't care whether you win an award yourself, but you care about your Tianxian first," Li Bailian teased.

"Can't be helped, I've gotten used to being a good man," Fang Hong said.

"Hahaha!"

This remark made everyone at the table burst into laughter. Ge You said, "The Principal really is witty."

Huang Baiming and the others nodded in agreement; some of them were meeting the Principal for the first time and weren't very familiar with him.

His impression of him was stuck on scheming and trickery, thinking the man was cold and heartless, but now seeing him, he found him quite interesting.

"This really puts me in a bind — if I tell you, it breaks the rules; if I don't, it hurts our relationship." Li Bailian put on a deliberately troubled look.

"Looks like those rules rank above our relationship, huh." Fang Hong pretended to sigh, implying their bond wasn't deep.

"You can't say that — if I don't tell you, that'd be a serious offense." Li Bailian laughed prettily, and the others laughed along.

She beckoned, hinting: "Come here, I'll whisper it to you."

Announcing the winner in front of so many people would look bad — the Macau officials are here too, so they have to be discreet about it.

Even a trashy award has its trashy rules!

Fang Hong rose, walked to Li Bailian's side. Ge You scooted his chair over a bit, then Fang Hong bent down and brought his ear close to Li Bailian — a faint fragrance drifted off the woman.

The two were quite close, Li Bailian whispering in his ear.

The others watched with interest, and this little scene happened to be seen by Liu Tianxian, who had just finished the red carpet and was walking this way.

Seeing the two chatting and laughing, looking quite close, her brow furrowed.

Hearing Li Bailian's words, a satisfied look crossed Fang Hong's face. He joked: "Looks like our relationship is deep after all."

"Hehehe, that's good then." Li Bailian laughed prettily.

Fang Hong turned back, and just as he was about to head to his seat, he spotted Liu Tianxian. Surprised, he said: "You're here — why are you just standing there?"

Saying that, he pulled Liu Tianxian to his seat and sat her in the chair beside him, looking perfectly natural about it.

Fang Long raised a hand in greeting: "Tianxian, we meet again. Your 'Four Great Constables 2' seems to have a pretty bad reputation."

They'd met before at the Golden Horse Awards. Liu Tianxian replied: "Whether the reputation's good or bad is for the audience to say — I think it's not bad."

She was refusing to offend Enlight Media, refusing to offend the director Chen Jiashang!

At an occasion like this, one had to watch what they said — an offhand remark might just reach someone's ears and earn their enmity.

No one else spoke — some chatted with those beside them, some watched them. Li Bailian sensibly fell silent too; she sensed Liu Tianxian was a touch displeased — a woman's intuition.

Liu Tianxian added: "Brother Fang Long, your 'Police Story 2013' opens tomorrow — how come you still have time to be here?"

Tomorrow was the 24th, the very day the film premiered — conveniently chosen for the day before Christmas. They sure knew how to pick a date.

"The Propaganda Department rounds I needed to do are done, nothing left for me. Tan Sijiang invited me, so I came." Fang Long said.

Liu Tianxian gave an "oh" and said nothing more.

Though the two were chatting, it no longer felt like the easy familiarity of before — they'd drifted apart, acquaintances at most.

"Tianxian, welcome to Macau." Tan Sijiang rose and extended his hand.

Liu Tianxian also rose, stretched out her arm, and gave him a light handshake: "Hello, Tan Sijiang."

"Hello, hello — we were just talking about you a moment ago." Tan Sijiang sat back down.

"Talking about me?" Liu Tianxian was puzzled.

"Nothing much, just asked the Principal why you hadn't arrived yet. She said you were on the red carpet and about to be here." Tan Sijiang made small talk.

Liu Tianxian couldn't help glancing at Fang Hong, saying nothing.

Seeing Liu Tianxian go quiet, a hint of coolness on her face, Fang Hong assumed she was still angry over the matter with Zeng. Leaning close, he whispered: "What's wrong? Still angry?"

Liu Tianxian shook her head, indicating she wasn't angry.

"Don't be angry — I apologize, I should have told you in advance." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian said nothing, unusually quiet — whenever something was on her mind, she got like this.

But she wasn't angry about that.

"I just secretly asked Li Bailian — Best Actress is you." Fang Hong lowered his voice again, hoping to cheer her up.

Liu Tianxian looked at him, puzzled: "You leaned that close to Li Bailian just to ask that?"

"Yep, she said the judges picked you — Best Actress." Fang Hong nodded.

"I thought—" Liu Tianxian stopped herself, didn't finish.

"Thought what?" Fang Hong was puzzled.

"Nothing."

Liu Tianxian shook her head, and couldn't help feeling a quiet relief inside.

Then again, if this man really wanted to play around, he would have long ago — he wouldn't pick a place like this. And countless past facts proved Fang Hong was very proper.

It had just been a simple conversation, nothing improper — she was just being too sensitive.

The main thing was, she was about to follow Fang Hong back to Wuhan, back to his rural hometown — after this she'd get the marriage certificate and become his wife. With that mindset, it was hard not to feel anxious and uncertain; after all, she'd invested real feelings, which was perfectly normal.

(End of chapter)