Chapter 98: Public

After the opening ceremony.

Every day, a massive amount of film copyrights are bought and sold here.

Quite a few film distributors who were making contact with Lin Nan for the first time quoted their prices, only to receive the same reply: let's talk after the closing ceremony.

Liu Yifei followed Lin Nan and began binge-watching films.

"Don't just stare at art-house films. If you want to improve your acting, you have to delve into all kinds of movies."

"Then what are we watching today?" Liu Yifei asked.

"Huang Bo's *Cow*. A tragic comedy."

The two entered the screening hall; there were very few people inside, fewer than ten foreigners.

Liu Yifei was a bit of a ditz; sometimes her sense of humor was high, sometimes it was very low, and from time to time, she was sentimental.

After laughing for a long time, the tragic side emerged.

Especially when Huang Bo rummaged through a pile of corpses and pulled out the token bracelet he had given to Yan Ni.

A romance that hadn't even begun had ended just like that.

Lin Nan swore he really had brought Liu Yifei here to study acting.

But it was cursed; whenever she watched a movie with him, she was particularly prone to being swayed by the emotional scenes in the film...

In the end, it was always the soft flesh at Lin Nan's waist that suffered.

What a sin!

The buzzing sound was almost inaudible, but Lin Nan could feel the vibration.

"I'm going out to take a call."

After speaking, Lin Nan stood up and walked out, and Liu Yifei grabbed her bag and followed him out.

"Hello, who is this?"

Lin Nan felt a bit uneasy inside because it was a number from this side.

"What's wrong?" Liu Yifei asked suspiciously.

An inquiry came from the other end of the phone.

"It's me."

"Mm, I know, thank you."

Lin Nan hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and calmed his mood.

"What's wrong?" The girl was still asking.

Lin Nan looked at Liu Yifei and pulled her into his arms; it felt very solid.

"Good news. We can take a guess at what award we might get."

"Really? Then let's hurry back; I need to prepare my outfit..."

Liu Yifei broke free from Lin Nan's embrace and said excitedly.

"How about you just wear something casual? The more carefully you pick, the more worried I get. How about letting your mom or your assistant help you choose?"

Lin Nan persuaded her with a guilty conscience.

Liu Yifei first frowned slightly, glaring at Lin Nan, then slowly relaxed, as if she had recognized reality.

"Hmph, forget it. This time I'll listen to you and let Mom help me choose."

"Let's go, let's head back first." Lin Nan held Liu Yifei's hand, and the two walked toward the hotel.

Someone was watching them from afar.

"Is that Lin Dao?" Mei Ting asked her assistant.

"It looks like Lin Dao Nan."

The assistant said it very definitely. They were all very familiar with each other back on the set of *Painted Skin*.

"Sis, that girl, is she Liu Yifei?"

Mei Ting instantly remembered that when they were on the set of *Painted Skin*, Huang Xiaoming and Shu Chang always had that look of knowing something but not saying it.

Now, she understood. So that time Lin Nan and Shu Chang went to visit the set, they were heading for Liu Yifei on the set of *The Forbidden Kingdom*!

"This is big news. Poor those young actresses, there's one less target they can set their sights on now, haha..."

Mei Ting found it interesting just thinking about it.

"Let's go. Our film made it into the Orizzonti section; we'll greet Lin Dao at the awards ceremony later."

…………

Lin Nan was going to take Liu Yifei to the closing ceremony red carpet and the awards gala.

This caught Liu Mu off guard, but after she reacted, she felt gratified.

It had been several years; it was time to make it public...

Liu Yifei sat on the sofa, fiddling with the jewelry she had brought, the smile on her face overflowing. "Mm, I'll wear this one!"

……

From the day of the opening ceremony, everyone had been waiting for the closing ceremony.

Ma Te Damon, in a high-end custom suit, was in high spirits.

"Lin, I'm really so grateful to you. We've really made it this far, the award is right before our eyes..."

Ma Te was very excited; like Leonardo, he was actively transforming his career.

But in terms of awards, the latter had won the Silver Bear for Best Actor a long time ago, while he didn't have any awards worth showing off.

Perhaps this time, he could get his wish.

"Ma Te, don't be so excited, control your emotions. Ryan was like you back then, but look at the result..."

Lin Nan poured a bucket of cold water on him without mercy; that was better than being devastated at the scene.

Hearing this, Ma Te instantly calmed down.

"He was too unlucky. I hope I'm different from him."

……

Tang Mu had also gotten himself a new outfit, but Lin Nan's words made his heart go cold.

"This time, you don't go on the red carpet."

"Why?"

"I'm planning to take Xixi with me."

"Oh, Crystal..."

Tang Mu rested his forehead on his hand. "But that doesn't affect me, does it?"

"You need to stay outside. In case your aunt needs anything, there'll be someone to run errands."

Lin Nan said with a smile.

Tang Mu looked helpless. "Alright, the boss's mother is also the boss..."

……

After waiting for nearly ten days, the 66th Venice International Film Festival closing ceremony finally arrived.

Lin Nan was in a suit, already prepared.

Ma Te Damon had arrived even earlier and had been on the phone with his wife and kids for a long time.

"Mom, are you really not coming with us?"

Wearing a sky-blue strapless long dress with her hair tied up, Liu Yifei looked ethereal.

"No, you and Lin Nan go ahead. I'll watch the live stream of the awards ceremony at the hotel."

Liu Mu said gently, full of maternal love, and then put the pink crystal lantern necklace on her daughter.

On her fair neck, the pink crystal necklace complemented her perfectly; it was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Go on."

"Mm."

Lin Nan took Liu Yifei's hand, and the three of them left the hotel.

"Crystal, I feel like I'm a bit redundant."

Ma Te Damon joked at the right moment.

"Then in a while, just pretend you're a puff of air, haha..."

……

The closing ceremony red carpet is always the most dazzling segment besides the awards ceremony itself.

Several domestic news websites and official media were doing live text and photo coverage.

Tourists, media, fans, and movie buffs from all over the world were guarding the perimeter of the red carpet, with cameras and long lenses everywhere; it was exceptionally lively...

Many netizens were paying attention to Venice; after all, Lin Nan's track record at international film festivals was magnificent.

With a six-hour time difference, it was already night in China.

"Xixi, are you ready?" Lin Nan asked softly.

Liu Yifei understood and nodded. "Mm."

The car door opened, and Lin Nan stepped out first. It was already evening outside, a sea of people, and the lights were brilliant.

At a glance, Lin Nan saw the logos of several domestic media outlets, and he waved his hand.

"Quick, it's Lin Dao Nan."

In the lens, one could only see Lin Nan bending down, and a soft hand reached out from the car, resting on Lin Nan's hand, and just like that, she walked out...

It was a very beautiful girl. Familiar?

"Holy crap! Liu Yifei!"

Most of the domestic reporters were stunned.

"What's going on?"

"Why is she here? Isn't she filming *Transcendence*?"

"Them?"

"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and shoot..."

"Oh my god, big news!"

Lin Nan held Liu Yifei's hand and, guided by the staff, went to the waiting area with Ma Te Damon.

Quite a few domestic film crews noticed Lin Nan's group.

Liu Yifei's appearance was something almost no one had expected.

Huang Bo took a glance and smiled, "The circle is going to explode now..."

"How long have they been together?" Yan Ni felt Huang Bo should know.

Huang Bo shook his head; he wouldn't touch that topic.

Back home, a series of photos were updated.

Especially the photos of Lin Nan holding Liu Yifei's hand as they walked toward the waiting area.

The internet really started to get noisy.

"This, this..."

"Are they together?"

"They must be together. My Little Dragon Maiden..."

"Lin Dao Nan! If it's him, I have no objections."

"Not necessarily together, right? Okay, it's highly likely..."

"Is she crazy? Dating so young, does she not want to develop in the film and television industry anymore?"

"It hurts, Zhao Linger belongs to someone else now..."

Liu Yifei gripped Lin Nan's hand very tightly.

"Xixi, don't be nervous."

After Lin Nan said this, he saw the girl staring at him, "Lin Nan, will you always treat me this well?"

"I will, always."

Lin Nan tightened his grip on Liu Yifei's hand.

The staff were calling them.

"It's our turn."

The three of them walked toward the red carpet.

A large number of domestic media were incredibly excited.

"Lin Dao, Yifei, look over here..."

Girls are born for the red carpet.

Liu Yifei's earlier sentimentality vanished instantly; a confident smile appeared on her face, and she didn't let go of Lin Nan's hand.

"Look quickly, Liu Yifei's necklace!"

After the *Hunt* crew walked across the red carpet and entered the awards ceremony venue.

A reporter, looking at the photos in their camera, exclaimed.

"What's wrong?"

"This Tiffany pink crystal necklace is the one Lin Dao bought at the Bazaar Charity Night last year!"

"Is this, is this considered solid proof?"

At the awards ceremony venue.

*Hunt*'s seats were quite good, in the middle of the third row.

Liu Yifei sat next to Lin Nan, and Ma Te Damon sat on Lin Nan's right.

"Lin, is this your first time going public?"

"Actually, quite a few friends knew, but in front of the media, this is the first time."

Lin Nan answered with a smile; he could feel his left hand being squeezed tightly by Liu Yifei, as the girl was also very nervous.

"I heard from Tom that you were classmates?"

"Yes, we were classmates in the same class, and eventually, I transferred to study directing."

"Coming out of campus, it's very enviable." Ma Te Damon reminisced about his first love.

At this moment, the jury took the stage.

Ang Lee, as the chairman of this year's Venice Film Festival, began to speak.

"Welcome film workers from all over the world to gather in Venice.

After nearly half a month of judging, tonight we will announce the list of winners for this year's Venice Film Festival..."

Everyone perked up; it was starting.

Starting from the non-competition screening section.

Then to the International Film Critics' Week section, the Venice Days section...

"Orizzonti section, Best Documentary Award, Du Haibin, *1428*, congratulations."

Lin Nan and Liu Yifei were the first to applaud; this was a documentary from home about last year's great earthquake.

In the distance, Huang Bo, Yan Ni, Mei Ting, Guan Hu, Louis Koo, and others also had solemn expressions and gave applause.

Of the four films shortlisted for the Orizzonti section, only this one won an award.

It reached the final competition section.

"Lin Nan?" Liu Yifei called out softly.

"Relax..."

"Best Screenplay Award: *Life During Wartime*, congratulations!"

"Volpi Cup for Best Actress, the winner: *The Double Hour*, Kseniya..."

Now it was Ma Te Damon's turn; Lin Nan clearly felt his body become stiff.

If Ma Te won Best Actor, then the worst-case scenario for Lin Nan later was getting no award.

If Ma Te didn't win Best Actor, then Lin Nan would get one out of the one gold and two silvers...

"Volpi Cup for Best Actor, the winner..."