Chapter 743: Human Relationships and Social Customs

The promotional campaign for The Martian is proceeding steadily, and Liu Tianxian's personal promotion is also gaining momentum.

News has emerged domestically that Liu Tianxian is abroad and will attend this Oscar.

"Liu Tianxian Oscar!" has trended on hot search—any mention of Liu Tianxian's name can trend.

After all, this promotion targeted overseas markets, not the domestic one, yet domestic media are well-informed.

Suddenly, the media erupted with speculation that Liu Tianxian would win an award and bring glory to the nation.

Domestic media are like this—anything for a bit of heat, reporting wildly even before the Oscars have begun, assuming she'll win.

This put immense pressure on Liu Tianxian, as if she were being roasted over a fire.

Fang Hong could only comfort her not to care.

As the Oscar date drew near, the nominees' luncheon was held a week in advance, equivalent to a pre-competition troop review.

This year's nominees' luncheon was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

It's said this hotel is the longtime venue for the Golden Globe Award; the Academy deliberately chose it to send a message to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, though Fang Hong didn't know the specifics.

Anyway, the Americans aren't exactly on good terms among themselves.

The Hilton Hotel sits at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard, adjacent to the Jewish capital corridor.

Around half past eleven, the red carpet media interview segment began; a long corridor opened as the La La Land creative team entered from the side, with lead actress Emma Stone wearing a deep-V silver gown.

This woman has flat breasts, yet the deep-V plunges nearly to her navel, offering no visual appeal whatsoever.

She was a frontrunner for Best Actress; after stepping onto the red carpet, she was interviewed by a Black host.

"Every Oscar segment costs money—La La Land bribed the host, so they only ask motivational topics." Donna explained some Oscar insider details to them.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian listened intently.

Donna continued: "Look at Fences—its entire cast is Black, and director Denzel Washington was grilled about whether Black films deserve special treatment—that's a deliberate trap. Racial tensions in the United States are severe; a single wrong answer sparks negative public opinion."

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian saw from afar how the La La Land team easily sidestepped the questions.

But Fences' director stammered and struggled to respond, which hurt his scoring.

"What about us? Did we pay the protection fee?" Fang Hong asked.

"Of course we paid. When the host asks you questions, just answer normally," Donna said.

Everything here costs money—just like a presidential election; you don't know if you'll win, but the money's still demanded.

As one by one, Hollywood's white and Black "glamorous vixens" walked the red carpet and gave interviews, it was finally Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian's turn.

Since this wasn't the official Oscar ceremony but merely a pre-heating event—just a chance for nominees to meet and get acquainted—it wasn't overly lavish.

But it was still exposure.

The two stepped onto the red carpet, with a backdrop wall behind them displaying the artistic lettering "oscars"—meaning Oscar.

Liu Tianxian wore her long hair loose, dressed in a sleek black suit that accentuated her figure, heels making her appear tall; Fang Hong was also in formal suit and tie.

They stopped before the "oscars" backdrop, one arm around the other's waist, facing the cameras set up ahead.

After the photos, the Black female host waited for them, her expression exaggerated: "Wow, you two are truly made for each other!"

"3q," Liu Tianxian smiled.

"Your film is The Martian, right? What motivated you to make such a film?" the host asked.

"We felt the subject matter was meaningful—the protagonist is an optimist who maintains a positive mindset even in dire straits, something we all should learn from. It also embodies international team collaboration and respect for life," Liu Tianxian replied calmly, having prepared her lines.

"As an ethnic Chinese, it's hard to win an Oscar. If you don't win, will you feel disappointed? Will you think the Oscars are unprofessional?" the host asked.

This caught Liu Tianxian off guard—this wasn't the script.

The Black host first confirmed her Chinese heritage, then asked if she'd complain about the Oscars if she didn't win, implying the Oscars were garbage.

A poor answer would spark controversy and damage her reputation.

Fang Hong didn't understand what they were saying, so he couldn't interject.

"Of course I'd be disappointed, but if I don't win, it's because there are actors who performed better than I did—I'll work harder to learn and improve," Liu Tianxian answered flawlessly.

Her reply indirectly affirmed the Oscars' professionalism—they chose the better performer.

"So, coming to the United States, do you think it's better than China?" the host deliberately asked.

Liu Tianxian frowned—this was clearly a trap; answering either way would invite condemnation from citizens of that country.

Clearly, this wasn't following the script—Donna's money was wasted.

"What's wrong?" Fang Hong noticed her expression.

Liu Tianxian leaned close and whispered a few words in his ear; Fang Hong listened, then adjusted their stance and whispered back to her.

Hearing his words, Liu Tianxian's brow relaxed, she slightly arched an eyebrow, and gave him an approving glance.

"When I'm in the United States, I think the United States is better; when I'm in China, I think China is better," Liu Tianxian replied.

"Wow, you're truly a clever girl," the host said, ending the interview and gesturing for them to proceed.

Others were coming up—they couldn't linger.

Walking down the corridor, Liu Tianxian exhaled deeply: "That host clearly meant to trap us—our money was wasted."

"That's how it is abroad—nobody coddles us," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian nodded, agreeing—they ruled domestically, but in Hollywood, they were nothing, like switching maps.

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They didn't know the host had also targeted Affleck, the male lead of Manchester by the Sea, who was grilled about his sexual scandal and stood there awkwardly.

It was meant to generate buzz, but Liu Tianxian refused to take the bait.

The luncheon venue was packed with Hollywood celebrities and figures—Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, the female lead of the Thor series.

Also there was Garfield, the male lead of The Amazing Spider-Man—his name might not ring a bell, but his face would be instantly recognizable.

Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong seemed somewhat out of place, but they also had a bit of name recognition within the Hollywood circle.

Because last time he came, he was with Lao Zha, and now he's with Donna.

Donna was chatting merrily with several men in suits, and when she saw them, she came over to greet them—after all, the Principal was also her esteemed guest.

"Coming here is just for movie people to gather—no strict rules, but I can introduce you to some people: all big bosses of Squid Capital." Donna said.

"Squid?" Fang Hong narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, in this circle, Squid's influence is enormous. If you don't engage with them, it's hard to get anywhere." Donna didn't hide it.

In global media, Squid already held massive discourse power, and media and the entertainment industry are inherently connected—Fang Hong knew this very well.

"I want to ask one thing: if I don't engage with Squid, do I have no chance at this award?" Fang Hong didn't want to wear a white cap.

He knew clearly that at a certain level, you must deal with Squid—that's why he rarely traveled abroad.

If the Oscar was controlled by Squid, he'd turn right around and return to China without hesitation—you don't integrate with them, how could they possibly give you the award?

"No, the Oscar selection is by voting—nearly ten thousand Academy members vote, and these people are anonymous and a mixed bag—there are more than just Squid people; you won't know who wins until the very last moment." Donna explained.

Oscar upsets happen often—Li An was the biggest upset, so there's still fairness.

"Then that's fine." Fang Hong nodded.

"But if you can engage with them, your chances of success will be greater." Donna noticed the Principal's slight aversion to Squid.

"I won't engage with them—you engage instead. I trust you." Fang Hong said.

"Alright!" Donna didn't press.

After she walked away, Liu Tianxian asked Fang Hong: "If the Oscar is truly dominated by Squid people, won't you withdraw?"

"Yes, I'll go straight back to China." Fang Hong was direct.

"Is that okay?" Liu Tianxian was surprised—they'd come this far.

"Compared to the Oscar, Squid is more dangerous. I won't engage, and neither will you." Fang Hong warned.

He deeply understood Jack Ma's lesson and Milk Tea Sister's problems; though Liu Tianxian was wise, her power was too weak to fight those people.

Those people could dig a single pit and bury them—best to avoid them entirely, ignore them, keep your distance.

"Mm! I know."

Liu Tianxian nodded solemnly, then added: "I'm just afraid that if we give up, domestic media will spread false reports—not just saying I can't handle losing, but claiming we ran away the moment we knew we wouldn't win."

Domestic media had already put her on the fire.

"The domestic circle is just like that—rotten to the core, obsessed with traffic. They want everything—you believe me, no matter who wins, they won't report much, only you, because you have traffic." Fang Hong spoke plainly.

"Like when the White Jade Orchid originally planned to give the award to Sun Li, hyping it up wildly—then gave it to Song Jia instead, simply because they used Sun Li to generate traffic. In truth, who gets the award is all about connections and social maneuvering."

This was also why he launched the Macau Film Festival—it touched their cakes, so they'd constantly scold him.

Liu Tianxian actually knew some of this, but she didn't want to admit it—the Oscar still requires paying enough. For this Oscar, PR costs alone ran into tens of millions of dollars.

You can't refuse—it's impossible to get the award without paying. The whole world works this way.

Soon, all the stars arrived. Though they wouldn't engage with Squid people, they still had to meet Academy President Isaacs.

She was a woman, of mixed Black and Brown descent—there are many such people in the United States, neither fully Black nor fully Brown.

"Principal, hello. I've heard of your name." Isaacs shook hands with Fang Hong; since she spoke English, Liu Tianxian stood by as interpreter.

"I've heard your name thundering through the air!" Fang Hong said—he didn't know her at all.

"Hahaha, in Chinese we'd say we've been spiritually acquainted for a long time." Isaacs laughed heartily.

"You could say that." Fang Hong replied.

"Let's take a photo together as a keepsake." Isaacs waved for a photographer to come over.

There were many photographers here, all there to photograph stars.

Immediately, Isaacs stood in the center, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian on either side—they took a group photo.

Then came the group photo of all nominees: a Little Golden Man was placed in the center, everyone forming a semicircle facing forward.

Nearly a hundred people—Hollywood's biggest stars and top directors.

Liu Tianxian felt somewhat uncomfortable in this setting—it was too high-end for her.

"Tianxian, Emma Stone, you two squat in the middle." Isaacs pushed them into the front-center position.

This implied one of them was Best Actress—they'd both paid dearly!

Emma Stone was fine, but Liu Tianxian being placed in the C-position made several Hollywood celebrities take extra notice of her—she was Chinese-American, standing out.

In truth, Liu Tianxian was nervous.

After the group photo, Academy President Isaacs gave a speech—its content was political, attacking the president's immigration ban.

This speech drew thunderous applause and constant cheers—it was understandable, since this was California!

(End of Chapter)