Chapter 16: Unexpected

On the 17th, the final day of screenings, Cao Yang’s *On the Beach at Night Alone* was selected to be shown.

This day is a very special occasion, and having a film screened on this day has a very impressive name—the "grand finale."

Cao Yang did not want the grand finale.

When he learned a few days ago that his film had been chosen for the grand finale, Tian Zhuangzhuang sighed and explained to Cao Yang with some regret that for major awards, if two films are neck and neck, the organizing committee usually gives some compensation to the film that is regretfully left out.

Perhaps, in the major award categories, Cao Yang lost to another film, and the compensation offered by the organizing committee was the grand finale screening slot.

Furthermore, the organizing committee specifically arranged a 500-seat screening hall, which could be considered showing great sincerity.

Cao Yang had originally been a bit worried; if the attendance rate was too low and only a few dozen people showed up in a 500-seat hall, how embarrassing that would be.

However, the situation exceeded expectations. Thirty minutes before the screening time, Cao Yang looked at the bustling hall and quietly asked Cheng Jianye to count; it was actually 80% full.

This kind of "high-end game" was something he hadn't experienced in his past life, but thinking about it carefully, it was reasonable. The organizing committee certainly wouldn't smash its own brand; films in the grand finale are generally not bad, and the very words "grand finale" are the best advertisement.

The connections Old Tian had introduced to Cao Yang a few days ago all came to show their support, and quite a few filmmakers were in the screening hall.

Wang Xiaoshuai also came, bringing two young people, along with Gao Yuanyuan and Xun Ge'er to show support. At this time, the great beauty did not yet have her future allure; her face, with a bit of baby fat, was quite green and pure, like a girl next door.

Everyone was polite on the surface, and Wang Xiaoshuai and the others soon returned to their seats to wait for the movie to start.

Cao Yang went to greet the arrivals from Taiwan; Jiao Xiongping came with directors Lin Zhengsheng and Zhang Zhen. They sat next to Wang Xiaoshuai, and the two parties clearly knew each other.

Gao Yuanyuan sat with Xun Ge'er and whispered, "I heard Cao Yang is only a junior in college. He's so young, how did his first film get selected for the main competition section?"

Xun Ge'er looked left and right, then whispered, "Didn't you see Tian Zhuangzhuang? I heard he's been on the set the whole time."

"You mean..."

"I didn't say anything."

Cui Lin and Li Bin, who had come with Wang Xiaoshuai, had a similar conversation and concluded that Cao Yang had been pushed to the forefront, but in reality, it was filmed by Tian Zhuangzhuang, who had come up with this method because he was banned from directing.

The big shots always appear last.

Just before the screening time, Cao Yang saw Xie Fei arrive accompanied by several foreigners.

After introductions, Cao Yang learned that among these people were not only the jury president but also the Berlin Film Festival organizing committee president, and the rest were members of the jury.

Jiao Xiongping told Wang Xiaoshuai who these people were, and Wang Xiaoshuai was incredibly envious.

He had been quite happy that Xie Fei was able to attend the premiere of his film yesterday, but compared to this, it was better not to compare; there was nothing to compare.

Gao Yuanyuan also heard Jiao Xiongping's words and whispered to Xun Ge'er, "This is too prestigious; both the jury president and the organizing committee president came."

Xun Ge'er was also incredibly envious. She looked up several times and agreed, "It really is very prestigious."

Last year, domestic media rated the so-called Four Dan Actresses, and Xun Ge'er occupied one of the spots. Like the others, she wanted to prove herself through awards.

But resources are limited, and top-tier resources have fixed partners; what reached her were all second-tier.

Xun Ge'er was very distressed. Little Swallow had explosive national popularity, International Zhang was clearly breaking into the international scene, and Xu Jinglei had the Beijing circle's resources; her resources were the worst.

"Is this the connection of the academic school? It would be great to enter this circle," Xun Ge'er muttered to herself.

Once everyone was seated, the film began to play.

Before long, there was quiet discussion.

"The female lead is so beautiful, she is so pitiful."

Gao Yuanyuan couldn't help but move closer to Xun Ge'er, holding her arm, watching the screen with a heavy heart.

Xun Ge'er stared at the screen, a flurry of thoughts appearing in her mind: Is this Li Xiaoran? Can this be Li Xiaoran? How could Li Xiaoran have such acting skills!

She knew Li Xiaoran and had even worked with her on *Love in the Fog* last year; didn't she know her acting skills?

Why was there such a huge change?

"Yes, I want to curse that old bastard to go bald. The old bastard is really not a human; such a charming sister, and he doesn't even go find her..."

As the film played, there was whispering in the hall from time to time. The foreigners' words, when translated, were: "Wow, she is so charming."

"I think I've fallen in love with her."

"Sister, don't be sad."

"Yes, I'll curse him to go bald with you, sister."

"The song she sings is so nice."

"Her posture while smoking is so sexy."

"She is so pitiful."

"..."

Cao Yang watched the reactions in the screening hall and couldn't help but smile, whispering to Li Xiaoran beside him, "Did you hear that? They are all following the plot and discussing you."

What is this? This is everyone being temporarily immersed in the story, involuntarily moving with the female lead's emotions; this is the greatest affirmation of acting skills.

When the female lead played by Li Xiaoran woke up on the beach and walked away alone, just as the subtitles appeared, the discussion suddenly grew louder.

!

Gao Yuanyuan looked at Xun Ge'er with red-rimmed eyes, "She's dreaming. The bastard director who cheated her feelings didn't repent. She's lying to herself; she's too pitiful."

Xun Ge'er took a deep breath, quickly pulling herself out of the emotion, and looked at Li Xiaoran sitting in the front row, a mess of thoughts flashing through her mind:

Her acting is really good!

I can't act out this effect!

She is so lucky!

She has a representative work now!

She might become the Berlin Film Festival Best Actress!

She will become a great leading lady... I really envy her.

Jiao Xiongping was silent for a moment and said to Wang Xiaoshuai beside him, "The Best Actress award might lose its suspense."

Wang Xiaoshuai shook his head, his voice low, answering irrelevantly, "This is not Tian Zhuangzhuang's style; this is Cao Yang's film."

Then he added, "Not simple."

Cui Lin and Li Bin, who had come with Wang Xiaoshuai, heard the conversation and couldn't help but look at each other. Cui Lin said slowly, "Did Cao... Director really film this?"

Li Bin nodded, "Director Wang should know Director Tian very well. If he says no, then it shouldn't be."

The two were a bit tongue-tied; this young director was truly amazing.

The film had been over for several minutes, but the screening hall was still buzzing with discussion until, from somewhere, a round of applause broke out. It was as if a button had been pressed; the applause began to grow and slowly filled the entire hall.

Cao Yang and Tian Zhuangzhuang saw Xie Fei and the others off. Before leaving, Xie Fei patted Cao Yang on the shoulder and said, "Stay and wait for the notification."

It seemed like he had said everything, yet it also seemed like he had said nothing at all.

I hate riddlers.

When Jiao Xiongping left, he smiled and said, "Director Cao is young and promising; let's collaborate sometime."

When Wang Xiaoshuai left, he said, "The film is great, the actors are great, and you are great too."

When Xun Ge'er left, she specifically shook hands with Cao Yang and said, "Director Cao, I am Zhou Xun. I really like your film and hope to have the chance to work with you."

Then, she specifically hugged Li Xiaoran beside him, "Xiaoran, long time no see, you acted really well."

Gao Yuanyuan followed Xun Ge'er's lead, "Director Cao, I really like this film of yours and hope to have the chance to work with you."

She also hugged Li Xiaoran beside him, "Sister, you acted so well; you are beautiful, cool, and charming."

The premiere ended successfully.

(End of chapter)