Chapter 546: Xixi is Domineering

Liu Tianxian's face couldn't help but show some awkwardness; this Cui Yongyuan's mouth was just too venomous—she had only been being modest, and he really thought she didn't have the stature.

She adjusted her mindset and said, "I remember it was around August or September, right? At that time, Director Tan and Councilor He said they wanted to come find my family's Fang Hong to discuss the matter of the Macau Film Festival.

They discussed for a whole day and didn't reach a conclusion.

So I asked him, I said, are you going to take over this Macau Film Festival? He said he didn't want to take it, with time so tight, who has the energy to run this thing? And taking it on is thankless work—no matter how well you run it, people will still curse you, absolutely no benefit at all.

At that time, my family's Fang Hong didn't want to run this, and I only said one word and he agreed."

Liu Tianxian swept her gaze across the audience, faced the camera, and raised one finger: "Do it!"

"Whoosh!"

The guest seats below couldn't help but stir, all of them looking at each other with expressions of disbelief.

The feeling was that the Principal didn't want to do it, yet you, Liu Tianxian, with just one word got the Principal to do it—such enormous clout.

But it really might be like that; the Principal never gets up without profit, running this film festival would mean losing at least tens of millions.

Given the Principal's contrary temperament, it's really possible he didn't want to run it!

If that's the case, then everyone who's won an award now should thank Liu Tianxian—it's equivalent to Liu Tianxian having given them honor and exposure.

"Domineering, my family's Xixi is domineering!"

"Without my family's Xixi, what the hell are you, Cui Yongyuan? You wouldn't even have a job."

"Exactly, and you still have the nerve to mock my family's Xixi!"

"Fire Cui Yongyuan."

"Please call my wife Tianxian Gong!"

"."

The livestream had over ten million viewers, and the scrolling comments were all flooded with the phrase "Liu Yifei is domineering."

Soon, a PS image of Liu Tianxian raising a slender white finger and saying "Do it!" also appeared on social platforms, spreading like crazy across the internet.

It was quickly turned into a viral meme by Wangyi, the speed of which was jaw-dropping!

Da Mimi, who was watching the livestream, felt a bit sour seeing it, and looked at her husband lying next to her—why does it feel like he's useless? He's far behind the Principal.

If her husband were also awesome, she too could say something like that in front of tens of millions of viewers worldwide like Liu Tianxian.

"Why are you looking at me? Feeling needy again?" Liu Kaiwei scooted closer affectionately, placing his hand on Da Mimi to rub.

"Nothing." Da Mimi pushed his hand away.

Liu Kaiwei wore a baffled expression—women really were fickle creatures; just now she was dying to get it on.

Xia Jie was also watching the livestream; she mainly went to see Liu Tianxian, after all, she made her living off the little celestial fairy, so if she didn't understand the original, how could she defeat the original?

Hearing Liu Tianxian's domineering words, she couldn't help but cough and choke on her water.

Was this still the Liu Tianxian he knew?

Actually, Liu Tianxian had always been like this—her gentleness was only when others didn't provoke her; if provoked, she would also retaliate without hiding her emotions.

In the past, she endured because she had no strength, feeling it wasn't worth arguing with people, just walking her own path was enough, but now the situation was completely different.

In the front row of the awards venue, Commander Cui was whispering with Director Tan and Councilor Gu, heads bowed.

The inquiry was naturally whether this was true.

Actually, they didn't know whether it was true either, because when they had discussed it with the Principal at the time, the Principal really was reluctant to take over, but in the end he still agreed.

Whether Liu Tianxian had pushed behind the scenes, they didn't know a damn thing.

If Liu Tianxian really had pushed it from behind, then they weren't even as useful as a woman.

At this moment, Fang Hong wore a faint smile on his face, not caring what these officials were discussing—if he didn't take it over, no one would.

It was simple: who would be willing to fork out fifty million from their own pocket and spend most of a year running such a ceremony, and still lose money?

Running this wasn't about money or not—channels, resources, talent, influence, connections, not a single one could be missing.

Fang Hong had Chang'e Technology's platform providing channels and resources; Jade Rabbit had a large number of film and television talents and stars—hadn't they noticed that the judges and award presenters were basically all Jade Rabbit's talents and stars?

Without his influence and connections, Donna, Zhang Hongsen, Li Xuejian, Chen Daoming, Gong Huang—these people wouldn't have come even if invited.

Let alone Fan Xiaopang, Guoji Zhang, and these people.

Although Liu Tianxian had embellished a bit, it was no big deal—she had to hit back hard; only then did she have his style.

At this level, if she still got bullied, then what was the point of all the effort?

Fan Xiaopang, Guoji Zhang, and many female stars showed looks of jealousy—they could only say Liu Tianxian had found a good man.

If it were before, daring to say such words, they would have torn her apart online; if she survived, it would only be because she was thick-skinned.

"Now it's over, I've offended the boss's wife—will I not have a job to eat from in the future?" Facing the domineering Liu Tianxian, Cui Yongyuan's tone remained flat.

He had seen every storm life could throw at him!

The people below all smiled, but those who had just mocked Liu Tianxian couldn't quite smile anymore, gaining a few shades of awkwardness and bitterness, unsure whether they had been seen.

What director filming a movie doesn't need investment? In the future, what actor daring to act can claim no connection to Jade Rabbit? Here, the Principal was the biggest boss—of course, Universal's Donna didn't count.

It could be said this was Liu Tianxian flexing her muscles.

"We who are celebrities don't just use our mouths; if we relied on mouths, we'd have starved long ago—we still have to deliver the labor value we should." Liu Tianxian was mocking him for only knowing how to yap.

Repaying the earlier grudge of him calling her thick-skinned.

Spontaneous "clap clap clap" enthusiastic applause rang out from below—whatever the boss's wife said was right.

Actually, it was because Liu Tianxian couldn't out-talk Cui Yongyuan earlier that she acted so domineering—first raise the momentum and then talk; she wasn't like this before, maybe she had no choice.

The livestream was still scrolling: "Xixi is domineering!" "Great comeback!"

"The woman who runs the household is really impressive. I think in the future, whoever wants to film a movie and find investment—if the Principal doesn't work, find Liu Tianxian, she'll definitely solve it." Cui Yongyuan was still in that tone, not angry or anything, steering the topic back to movies.

If he got into an argument with Liu Tianxian on stage, that would be a joke—women really were tougher!

"Between me and Fang Hong, whoever says it doesn't count—reason counts, whoever has reason, we listen to them. If a film project is good, even if you don't find me, find Fang Hong and he will invest too. Actually, he has better taste than me, that's true." Liu Tianxian also knew when to stop, steering the topic back to movies.

Everyone also recognized this—as long as it was a movie the Principal filmed with her, or a movie he chose, it had all gained good reputation and box office.

But when directing films by other directors, the word-of-mouth and box office were both poor.

Moreover, the Principal has never failed in investing in films—almost all of them made money; no one else can match his vision.

Below, the audience, seeing the two quiet down, let out sighs of relief, fearing they'd start arguing; yet some were disappointed—why didn't they fight? That would've been good entertainment. It could only be said that capital suppresses everything!

"I see—if you're unsure whether a project is good, you go to the Principal; if you're certain it's good, you still go to the Principal," Cui Yongyuan chuckled.

"Still, I'll show it to Fang Hong," Liu Tianxian smiled too.

"There's nothing to be done—everyone can only polish their own work, make it excellent, then submit it to investors."

Cui Yongyuan spoke these words to the audience below, then signaled Liu Tianxian to begin the award presentation.

The guests' expressions varied: some silent, some calm, some complex, some friendly—it was a mixed array.

They had a different impression of Liu Tianxian.

She was the only one tonight who could go two rounds with Cui Yongyuan's tongue—and only because her confidence was unshakable.

The film festival is ours to run—what can you do?

Live-stream viewers still fawned over Liu Tianxian, saying she was incredible.

"I'm also working hard for the film industry I like—in plain sight, and out of sight, I'm working hard."

"I'm an actress. My duty is to perform well in every director's film. So I hope today's award goes to this year's best director."

Liu Tianxian spoke some formalities, opened the envelope, and saw the winner's pupils widen in surprise.

She then steadied herself and announced: "The winner of the Best Director award at the Sixth Macau Film Festival is, 'Dear Chen Kexin.'"

Not only was she surprised, but the guests were too.

Everyone knew the Principal and Yan Zi were locked in a life-or-death struggle—yet they still gave Best Director to this film.

Isn't this like giving a gift to your enemy?

Still, applause and cheers erupted in the hall.

Let's be honest—'Dear' was indeed well-made; as for its elements that violate values, we can set them aside.

This award is for the director, not the film itself. As long as it passed censorship, the Macau Film Festival can nominate it.

Whether it gets taken down later is another matter.

The audience also felt: "Well-deserved!"

Most people didn't understand the deeper reasons behind the Principal and Yan Zi's feud or the behind-the-scenes figures—they just thought Yan Zi had plenty of dirt to be criticized; Zhang Songwen truly had issues.

No one cared why it ended later.

Chen Kexin didn't come; Liang Jiahui accepted the award on his behalf.

'Dear' is a Guangxian Film production; though Alibaba invested, Alibaba doesn't decide which films to submit to film festival juries.

All this was handled by Guangxian, because Guangxian is the primary investor.

As for Fang Hong and Yan Zi's personal grudge, it doesn't reach the film festival's awarding stage—it's purely private.

On stage, Liu Tianxian politely handed the award to Liang Jiahui, then stood gracefully to one side, waiting for his acceptance speech.

"Director Chen is unavailable today, so I'm accepting on his behalf. But I won't speak his acceptance speech—he'll say it himself."

Liang Jiahui turned toward the big screen, and Chen Kexin's large face appeared—long hair flowing.

All audience members watched intently.

"Thank you, Macau Film Festival, for this honor. I'm currently filming abroad and cannot return in time; I apologize to all staff of the Macau Film Festival."

After speaking, Chen Kexin bowed to the screen.

He then said more polite remarks—all with a smile, nothing indicating displeasure toward anyone.

In truth, this was a battle between capitals—he was just a director, the money was already earned, how they fought didn't concern him, and he didn't join in.

He'd just been shocked when he heard it.

Who knows if he'll ever have a chance to collaborate with the Principal? Who can say?

These great directors are very free—just like when Fang Hong pushed 'The Demon Slayers' and 'Shen Du Long Wang' to death, those two directors still collaborated with him.

After Chen Kexin finished his acceptance speech, the next award was: Best Actress!

This award stirred everyone's attention—wondering if the Principal, having invited Gong Huang, would repeat the Golden Horse move and give it to an unknown.

That would be good drama—after all, Gong Huang had publicly slammed the Golden Horse Awards.

Even Gong Huang sat up straight, yet her face remained calm, as if utterly indifferent.

Even if the award went to another strong contender, she couldn't complain—Fang Hong never used her for publicity; he owed her nothing.

The presenters were Wen Muye and Li Bailian.

Wen Muye was the Golden Rooster Best Director; Li Bailian was the Golden Horse Best Actress—their credentials were fitting.

Unlike Liu Tianxian, who wielded overwhelming capital pressure—who'd dare to object?

Fan Jiuyi's honors weren't enough—she wasn't yet a 'Triple Crown' actress; she only won the Golden Rooster Best Actress later, with 'I Am Not Madame Bovary.'

And Guoji Zhang and Gong Huang didn't get along—if Gong Huang won, the two would be awkwardly placed; so Li Bailian was more suitable.

As the presenters walked onstage to the music, Liu Tianxian had already returned to her seat.

"Awesome!" Fang Hong gave her a thumbs-up.

"Hahaha, don't tease me—I had no choice," Liu Tianxian giggled, leaning slightly toward him.

If she hadn't done that, she'd have been mocked by Cui Yongyuan into silence.

"So, in the face of absolute strength, all the blabbering is just nonsense," Fang Hong misquoted a saying.

"Yes, yes."

Liu Tianxian agreed with him, then added: "By the way, how did you get someone like this to host? So vicious."

"You just praised me for picking him well."

(End of Chapter)