Chapter 138: The Clown in Hell

May 28, the day after the Cannes closing ceremony.

The entertainment sections of major domestic portal websites were all filled with news from Cannes the day before.

"Big upset! Chen Nuo misses out on Cannes Best Actor, smiling and calm."

"Explosive scene! Cannes' youngest Best Actress takes the initiative to kiss; Chen Nuo and Emma offer a shocking kiss, destined to be recorded in film history (photo)."

"Emma Stone, the youngest Cannes Best Actress in history! Acceptance speech expresses deep affection for Chen Nuo, the two gaze at each other (photo)."

"As expected, *My Blueberry Nights* finally wins the Palme d'Or, Wong Kar-wai sheds tears on the spot."

"Wong Kar-wai's acceptance speech mentions Chen Nuo for the first time, bluntly calling it a casting that changed fate."

"Wong Kar-wai says Chen Nuo's acting skills exceeded expectations, and he is the Best Actor in his mind."

"Wong Kar-wai, Chen Nuo, Emma Stone photo after the awards ceremony (photo)."

Almost every piece of news that came out was moved to the BBS of the Film Academy.

After a few months, Chen Nuo's name dominated the BBS of his school again.

"While I'm failing my Level 4 exam, my classmate misses out on Cannes Best Actor." This post was replied to more than 50 pages.

This number of replies was very rare in a small school like the Film Academy.

It clearly included students from various departments of the Film Academy. Besides some who were just slacking off or being smart, there were also many high-quality replies.

Especially one that was quoted by many, which said: "When you are complaining here, lamenting that the gap between you and your peers is getting bigger and bigger, why not reflect on yourself? Have you truly invested in acting class, have you gone all out in physical training class, have you done line practice every morning, have you pursued perfection in every performance? Although Chen Nuo hasn't done any of the above, you must."

However, the post with the most replies on the BBS wasn't this one, but the repost of the "Explosive Scene."

"No way, I haven't even found a girlfriend yet, how come Chen Nuo is already kissing a foreign girl?"

"You'd better re-watch it, that's the foreign girl kissing him."

"You'd better re-watch it too, that's not just a foreign girl, that's the latest Cannes Best Actress, only 18 years old, estimated to still be a... hehe."

"She won Cannes Best Actress at 18, I couldn't get into the acting department at 18, so I had to learn animation. Hehe. By the way, has anyone seen *My Blueberry Nights*? What is it actually about? Did Wong Kar-wai film it well this time?"

"You really asked the right place. People like us who browse BBS must have all been to Cannes, right? (Smile emoji)"

"Can Chen Nuo already sit in the first row of the Cannes awards ceremony?"

"Hehe, it seems so. And I don't even know which country Cannes is in, damn!"

Yuan Shanshan didn't go to class this morning. At this moment, she was wearing a cool nightgown, gnawing on an apple, sliding the mouse, and looking at the comments on the computer screen. A smile was on her lips, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of shared honor in her heart.

Wang Meng came out of the bathroom and hugged her neck affectionately from behind, asking: "What are you looking at, so happy?"

Yuan Shanshan blushed and prepared to close the webpage.

Wang Meng grabbed her. "Don't. Let me see. Damn, who is Chen Nuo being kissed by?"

Yuan Shanshan asked in surprise: "You don't know yet?"

"Know what? I just heard during the break that Chen Nuo didn't win Cannes Best Actor."

"Then do you know who this year's Cannes Best Actress is? It's her, the female lead of Blueberry. After winning the award, she acted like she was crazy, didn't even ask, and kissed Chen Nuo." Yuan Shanshan said a bit sourly.

"What, what?"

Duanmu Conghui and Yang Mi, who had just returned to the dormitory, heard half of it and immediately crowded around.

Several girls had just returned to the dormitory after class and hadn't had time to go online, so they simply gathered in front of Yuan Shanshan's computer to watch together.

After browsing through the news reposted on the forum, the other three people besides Yuan Shanshan couldn't help but look at each other.

Duanmu Conghui, the generous and straightforward Northeast girl, exclaimed: "These foreign women are really bold. That's the Cannes awards ceremony, and she actually dared to kiss him!"

Wang Meng said: "Does she really like Chen Nuo? Damn, this girl's eyes are so big, I feel like they are twice the size of mine."

Yang Mi's focus was elsewhere.

During this period, because of the fire of *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, she, this Guo Xiang, also gained several layers of heat, and her popularity greatly increased. Not only were there constant acting offers, but she even took on quite a few commercial performances. Whether in school or outside, she was truly glamorous for a while.

She was also a bit proud, feeling that she could be considered to have made a name for herself.

And at this moment, she couldn't help but ask: "This girl is only 18?"

Yuan Shanshan said: "Yeah, and this seems to be her first time filming a movie."

Yang Mi asked in disbelief: "Won Cannes Best Actress on her first time acting?"

Wang Meng suddenly shouted, "Isn't that very similar to Chen Nuo? Chen Nuo also won Berlin Best Actor on his first time filming. Damn, why do I suddenly feel they are so well-matched."

Yuan Shanshan sneered: "Don't worry, drama is drama, reality is reality. Chen Nuo distinguishes them very clearly. How could he like a foreign woman? I'd rather believe he really has something with Fan Fan Binbing."

Wang Meng laughed. "Yo, now you think Fan Fan Binbing is not bad? I don't know who it was who couldn't eat when she saw the news and was angry for a whole day."

Yuan Shanshan blushed and spat: "I'm just making an analogy. Chen Nuo and Fan Fan Binbing have already clarified, okay? They are just colleagues. Fan Fan Binbing is now a person in Chen Nuo's studio. Hmm, I'd rather believe he's with Wen Yushan!"

Wang Meng asked curiously: "Who is Wen Yushan?"

Yuan Shanshan really cared about Chen Nuo's news and even collected Hong Kong gossip. She explained it to Duanmu, saying: "I saw that woman, she is indeed quite pretty, but I don't think she is worthy of Chen Nuo."

Wang Meng laughed: "You're the only one worthy, right?"

While Yuan Shanshan and the others were chatting, Yang Mi felt like she was being pricked by a needle.

While she was complacent about a few plays and a few commercial performances, others had already stood on the highest podium for filmmakers in the world.

What was her little achievement compared to this American girl?

At this time, Duanmu, who had been carefully reading the news post, suddenly sighed: "This girl's acceptance speech is simply a confession to Chen Nuo; it even moved me."

Hearing her say this, several people crowded around again. After reading it carefully, they all fell silent.

It really was like a confession.

On the stage of Cannes, when she won one of the most influential Best Actress awards in the world, this American girl actually gave such a speech.

It is conceivable how important Chen Nuo was to her!

I'm afraid the help and teaching she mentioned in the speech were not exaggerated, but true.

Wang Meng, Yang Mi, and the others, as women, could naturally understand this.

After being silent for a long time, Wang Meng finally said: "When Chen Nuo comes back to class, I also want him to teach me how to win Cannes Best Actress!"

In fact, it wasn't just on the Film Academy's BBS, and it wasn't just on the Chinese Internet. Even in the whole world, this peach-blossom news that suddenly appeared at the Cannes awards ceremony last night was also spreading at the speed of light.

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Sony Music Japan office.

"We have now received 32 songs, this quantity is far from enough. Next, we will continue to expand our scope of collecting songs. We expect to reach more than 100 songs by the end of June to ensure the quality of the songs for Liu's first album. We guarantee that every song is a boutique."

Liu Xiaoli said with satisfaction: "Thank you, President Sonoda, our Xixi will also continue to work hard."

Sony Music Vice President Ichiro Sonoda nodded heavily after hearing the translation: "According to your request, we have re-evaluated Liu Yifei's learning progress. We have decided to advance the album release time to the end of July. Please be prepared." Liu Xiaoli glanced at Liu Yifei, who was silent on the side, and nodded: "Okay, President Sonoda."

Ichiro Sonoda continued: "Hi, Sony Music is very optimistic about Liu. Let us work together to build Liu into a global pop superstar who surpasses Utada Hikaru and Ayumi Hamasaki."

Liu Xiaoli laughed and said: "Thank you, Mr. Sonoda, for your appreciation. Our Xixi will not let you down. Right? Xixi."

Liu Yifei had been listening silently on the side, and at this time gave an "en."

Both sides talked for a while about the next work, and Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei got up to say goodbye, preparing to return to the dance studio in Harajuku to continue rehearsing.

Just as Ichiro Sonoda said, Sony Music was indeed very optimistic about Liu Yifei. He personally led a group of Sony Music executives to send them to the elevator entrance.

At this time, a Japanese broadcast suddenly came from the media playback wall on the side of the elevator hall.

Liu Yifei had learned Japanese for more than half a year. Although the news anchor on TV spoke very fast, she could understand some of it.

She heard the news anchor on TV saying: "Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony... Emma Stone... Best Actress... Chen Nuo... staging a kiss of the century... live."

Liu Yifei turned her head back suddenly, almost subconsciously.

At this time, the 34-inch TV just switched to a magnificent, crowded awards ceremony.

A European-American actress with black hair and green eyes was standing up from her seat, wearing a gorgeous black long dress, her face full of disbelief.

Her eyes were filled with tears, clearly hit by a huge surprise.

She stood up, and the first person she hugged, Liu Yifei knew; the second person, Liu Yifei was familiar with.

At this time, he was another face that Liu Yifei had never seen before. It wasn't the Chen Nuo who was always smiling and free-spirited. He was wearing a black tuxedo, a bow tie, serious and mature, looking particularly masculine.

Liu Yifei thought he was quite handsome.

But he seemed to be a bit fatter than last time.

The girl with ridiculously big eyes, like containing thousands of acres of green waves, hugged him, and then kissed him heavily. The boy's face was a bit surprised, clearly not expecting it.

In the background of their screen, the well-dressed men and women in the audience all stood up. Everyone looked excited and agitated, and some ladies even covered their mouths with both hands, as if they had seen some incredible scene.

Everyone was clapping, and the atmosphere was as enthusiastic as attending an extremely gorgeous wedding.

The screen turned, and the big-eyed girl was wearing a dress, walking onto the gorgeous stage, taking a golden trophy from Bellucci, the female lead of *Malèna*, and then Liu Yifei saw her start to deliver an acceptance speech full of hot tears.

The Japanese narration continued: "18-year-old Cannes Best Actress... the youngest one... in her speech... explained the reason for doing so... Chinese male actor Chen Nuo... gave her powerful strength..."

Liu Yifei watched intently.

She didn't know what was wrong with her, why she felt so strange in her heart now.

Ichiro Sonoda walked over at this time and said: "This scene made the news headlines of major media around the world today. The company knows that you and Chen-san are good friends. Can you invite him to join your future music promotion plan? This will be very helpful for your promotion in China and Europe and America in the future."

Liu Xiaoli looked complicated on the side, wanting to speak but stopping.

Liu Yifei took one last look at the TV, turned her head back, and said expressionlessly to Ichiro Sonoda: "Mr. Sonoda, I haven't been in contact with him for a long time. Thank you for your reception, goodbye."

After speaking, Liu Yifei walked into the elevator first.

The elevator door closed in the eyes of Ichiro Sonoda and a group of executives.

A bald man said: "What should we do now?"

Ichiro Sonoda said lightly: "Continue according to the plan."

In the elevator.

Liu Xiaoli sighed and said: "Xixi, actually Mom never stopped you from being friends with him. I just want you to keep a little distance from him, and you don't have to cut off contact with him completely."

Liu Yifei said lightly: "Mom, I don't want anything now, I just want to practice singing and dancing well, and release the album early."

Liu Xiaoli was still preparing to persuade her a few more words, but the high-speed elevator of Hitachi was really fast. After only two sentences, it went down from more than 20 floors to the lobby on the first floor.

Liu Yifei walked out of the elevator first.

After that meeting in LA, she never sent a text message to Chen Nuo again.

The reason was that after sobering up, she had a big fight with Liu Xiaoli, and then she made an agreement with Liu Xiaoli.

As long as she focused on doing the contracted album release well, Liu Xiaoli would no longer interfere with her future development direction and the decision to change management companies.

Having lost such a big face in front of Chen Nuo that day, and hearing Liu Xiaoli say that it was he who lifted her into the back seat of the car, made her not know how to face this friend of hers.

For these few months, she lost his news, until today.

Seeing that the other party had already boarded such an unreachable stage, Liu Yifei's mood was not just something that "mixed feelings" could describe.

They agreed to cheer together, but the other party was already running wildly on the road, while she was still standing still.

The bright sunshine outdoors in Tokyo fell on Liu Yifei's face. She couldn't help but take a deep breath, suddenly wanting to send him a text message, asking him where he had been for these few months, and why he had suddenly become so much fatter.

Sonoda was right; not just Japan, news around the world reported this anecdote that happened at the Cannes awards ceremony.

Including the United States.

After all, the female lead was a 18-year-old authentic American girl, and she won the Cannes Best Actress at a record-breaking age, which itself was a matter worth writing about. Standard American Dream, isn't it?

Not to mention the romantic scene in the middle.

After being reported by TV stations like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc., the names of Emma Stone and Chen Nuo had gained considerable popularity in the United States overnight.

Especially Chen Nuo, when someone on the Internet linked this name to the role of the Joker in *Batman 2*, it formed a communication effect again.

Even Christopher Nolan, in his busy schedule, heard his assistant mention this matter.

After finding the news and reading it, he couldn't help but sigh silently.

Chen Nuo's time to enter the crew was today.

And according to the shooting plan, in a week, they would film the Joker's scenes.

In just seven days, could he withdraw from the glitz and glamour of Cannes in time and return to the state of the Joker?

Just at this time, his assistant director came over and called: "Christopher, Chen has arrived."

Nolan looked at his empty back and asked: "Where is he."

The assistant director looked stunned, as if he had encountered something strange just now, and hadn't recovered yet.

Afterward, he shook his head and said seriously: "He went directly to makeup. Christopher, I think, the Joker you've been waiting for, he's here."

Happy National Day~ Are you all out playing?

Looking at the fact that I code words every day and can't go anywhere, give me some encouragement~

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 139 =====