Chapter 311

On the evening of September 2, Cao Yang got into the Mercedes-Benz provided specifically for him by the committee and went to the Venice airport.

Not long after waiting near the gate, Xiao Gangpao and Li Xiaoran walked out one after the other and headed straight toward him.

Cao Yang waved his hand, and Li Xiaoran quickly waved back, but then she reacted and said to Xiao Gangpao next to her: "Director Feng, wave quickly, there are quite a few reporters over there."

Xiao Gangpao was stunned, cursing inwardly: Adulterer and... bah!

Using me as a shield, what a piece of work.

However, no matter how much he complained in his heart, it didn't stop him from waving his hand rapidly, and he even mischievously shouted out:

"Cao Dao, I'm over here!"

Phew, he felt much better inside.

Sure enough, following his shout, the reporters immediately noticed the man who had been deliberately keeping his distance while wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap.

"Cao Dao, it's Cao Dao! Quick, quick..."

"Cao Dao, are you here to pick up Director Feng?"

"Cao Yang, it is rumored that you stayed behind specifically to present the Venice Lifetime Achievement Award. Is that true?"

"Cao Dao, do you think Chinese-language films can achieve good results in the main competition section this year?"

"Cao Dao, are you and Director Feng good friends?"

In an instant, Cao Yang was surrounded by the few Chinese reporters waiting at the airport.

These reporters were all from domestic media; with so many Chinese-language films participating in the Venice Film Festival this year, many domestic media reporters had come.

These reporters at the airport had all received news that the flight carrying Xiao Gangpao and Li Xiaoran was arriving, which is why they were waiting here. They hadn't expected an unexpected harvest—catching a "big fish."

Watching Cao Yang being surrounded, Xiao Gangpao smiled very happily. You two bastards used me as a shield, you deserve it.

Disgusting!

Actually, Xiao Gangpao had a grudge in his heart; what had made him very unhappy these past few days was Cao Yang's "Inception."

This was his way of getting a little revenge.

"Director Feng, you're still smiling so happily. We're here to promote 'The Banquet.' Now that they aren't interviewing you, how can you still smile?"

Li Xiaoran felt that she had caused trouble for Cao Yang, so she gave Xiao Gangpao a little "jab."

"Ha, Xiaoran, you don't understand. Just watch, tomorrow's domestic news will definitely all be about Cao Yang coming to the Venice airport to pick me up. Isn't that enough publicity?"

Xiao Gangpao didn't care about Li Xiaoran's attitude.

Given his temper, if it were any other female star, even Zhang Ziyi, he would have definitely retorted with sarcasm. But Li Xiaoran was a different story—who let her have that bastard Cao Yang standing behind her?

He currently had a good idea he wanted to ask Cao Yang to adapt into a script, so he definitely couldn't offend Cao Yang or his mistress.

Just from the fact that Cao Yang would come to the airport late at night to pick up Li Xiaoran, Xiao Gangpao could guess that Li Xiaoran definitely held a very significant place in Cao Yang's heart.

After answering a few questions, Cao Yang was finally able to break free.

He took Xiao Gangpao and Li Xiaoran and didn't let out a sigh of relief until they were in the car.

He glared fiercely at Xiao Gangpao: You did that on purpose, didn't you?

Xiao Gangpao was extremely smug inside: I did it on purpose, what are you going to do about it?

He coughed and changed the subject: "So, nice car. Is this a rental?"

"Oh no, that's bad."

Cao Yang deliberately looked at Xiao Gangpao and said: "I saw Director Feng say in an interview that 'The Banquet' was specifically invited by Venice to participate in the festival. Since you were invited, the committee must have sent you a special car, right?

Director Feng, why don't you hurry up and call the committee to ask where their special car is? It's late at night, don't let people wait for nothing all night."

Who doesn't know how to play childish games?

"Oh, Cao Dao, this Mercedes we're sitting in is the transport tool provided to you by the committee, right?"

Li Xiaoran knew very well how to play along. After saying this, she couldn't help but laugh herself.

Two childish men.

Xiao Gangpao felt a bit uncomfortable. It might not have been obvious back in the country, but once abroad, the gap between him and Cao Yang was clear.

The committee can provide a special car? And it serves him alone, damn it!

Is there no justice!

Isn't the Venice Film Festival supposed to be quite arrogant?

Now that I see it, it's nothing special. Luckily, I never participated in the main competition section of the Venice Film Festival.

Bah, shameful!

I disdain to be associated with such a film festival.

And this woman next to me, although I have no designs on you, we have at least collaborated on two films, "A World Without Thieves" and "The Banquet."

I gave you two female lead roles under pressure, and you don't even show gratitude, instead siding with that bastard Cao Yang.

Bah, you dog-like couple!

Xiao Gangpao was smiling on the surface, but he kept complaining and cursing Cao Yang and Li Xiaoran in his heart.

Back at the hotel, Li Xiaoran didn't go to the room booked for her by "The Banquet" crew, but came straight to Cao Yang's suite.

Taking off her coat and sprawling out on the big bed in an "X" shape, Li Xiaoran couldn't help but moan, "Comfortable."

"Go take a shower and change your clothes first."

Cao Yang patted Xiaoran's butt and asked with a smile: "How did you get so tired?"

"Sigh, don't mention it. Two hours before getting on the plane, I was still at a preview screening promoting the film. These past few days have exhausted me."

Li Xiaoran couldn't help but complain.

"Preview screening?"

Cao Yang was a bit confused and couldn't help but ask:

"Didn't your 'The Banquet' promote that it would be released on August 30? I was just wondering, shouldn't it be in the middle of a hot run right now? How do you have time to run to Venice?"

"It is indeed August 30, but it's not a wide release. Instead, we selected five cities and used a touring preview screening method to increase the film's promotional reach."

When Li Xiaoran said this, she couldn't help but turn her head and look at Cao Yang resentfully.

"What kind of expression is that?"

"It's all because of you. Your 'Inception' has been out for a month and a half, and who knew the follow-up box office would still be so strong? Because of the precedent set by 'A World Without Thieves,' 'The Banquet' was afraid of being affected at the box office.

But it wasn't easy to change the release date casually, otherwise people would think Director Feng was afraid of a film that had been out for a month and a half. We could only come up with the idea of previewing first, dragging it out for two weeks, and then releasing it."

Li Xiaoran then climbed up from the bed, hugged Cao Yang's arm, and acted spoiled: "Cao Yang, I don't care. Both of my films were sniped by you; you have to compensate me properly."

Cao Yang felt a bit dizzy from being shaken; those two globes were still very eye-catching. He quickly said with a smile: "Alright, alright, I'll compensate you. I'll compensate you well. How about you also try a 'snipe'?"

Li Xiaoran giggled, "How do you want me to snipe?"

As she spoke, her hands began to move.

She had a hidden trap, specifically used for sniping.

"Hiss..."

Cao Yang let out a breath. Women are truly strange; you were just saying you were exhausted, and now you have energy again.

(End of chapter)