Chapter 142 - Clear Skies and Fine Sceneries 2
If eyes could kill, then Yun Shishi would already be shredded into a thousand pieces.
Damn it!
“Xingze, is this your female partner?” one of the many entertainment reporters asked in surprise.
Gu Xingze grinned and nodded.
“What’s her name? Is it okay if you tell us?”
He lowered his eyes to Yun Shishi and sent her a signal with them.
Feeling a little nervous, she blushed lightly. Fortunately, she had nice makeup applied on, as it covered any of her tizzies or worries.
This was her first ever red-carpet walk, and she already had to be under these many reporters’ cameras. This occasion was no less inferior to any global movie festivals.
Her appearance was already extremely eye-catching.
Her lips curled into a charming smile and her lovely voice reached their ears like spring breeze. “Friends from the media, good evening. I am Yun Shishi.”
She paused for a while before continuing with a radiant smile, “Clear skies and fine sceneries.”
Yun Shishi was always a detailed person, and even for her name’s meaning, she was very particular about it.
The reporters were mesmerized by her voice, which was akin to a passing light breeze. Compared to the self-introduction of fresh female stars, Yun Shishi’s was more reserved and conservative.
Some recalled when Han Yuyan first debuted, it was during the launching ceremony of the first shooting of her movie. Her self-introduction was quite simple yet brute.
“Hello, everyone! I’m rookie Han Yuyan; ‘Han’ as in Korea and ‘Yuyan’ as in the Eight Books of the Heavenly Dragon. Nice to meet you all!”
Just by comparing, one could perceive the difference in cultivation.
Uncultured, indeed.
In that instant, Han Yuyan’s poor level of education and immaturity were once more distastefully made apparent to these entertainment reporters.
Thus, with Han Yuyan serving as a foil, the reporters developed a rather good and deeper impression of Yun Shishi.
However, some reporters still had questions.
“This newbie is so pretty. She has yet to debut, but she’s already walking the red carpet with Gu Xingze. Did she pull off any shenanigans? What’s her background like?”
“Precisely. On what grounds is she able to walk the red carpet with him? Her background is unknown. Since the handsome Xingze is known for his coldness and high status, this newbie probably has a strong backer!”
“Her beauty is also a strength! Look at her; her face is so delicate it seems water can be squeezed from it with a pinch. She even looks way better than those who have gone under the knife!”
“I recognized her now! She’s that auditionee who left the judges with a great impression at the last day of auditioning for ‘The Green Apple’. I was there at that time and saw her amazing performance, too! I heard that Director Lin was so impressed with her!”
“Oh, so it’s her! I heard that the movie’s directors originally wanted to cast Yan Bingqing for the female lead role, but Director Lin didn’t like her rigid acting and strongly voiced his support for a newbie, instead. Rumor has it that he even announced his intention to discontinue filming the movie himself if another person is cast for the role and then walked out of the audition site, causing the assistant director to lead the entire crew into bringing him back.”
“Director Lin is as stubborn as always. The newbie he has his eyes on must be very outstanding.”
“Isn’t it so? He was practically beaming with joy that day and decided the female lead on
the spot without much consideration!”
The reporters gossiped with one another about it.
Once everyone heard that Yun Shishi was the female lead personally handpicked by Lin Fengtian, they took another look at her with increased admiration!
Lin Fengtian was known for his strictness and meticulousness with work; he was so harsh he was nearly apathetic.
He made sure to be involved with everything, even if it was role selection, shooting, post-editing, or even processing. At the set, he was famous for being stringent. His words were final, and no meant no; everything had to be redone if it was not executed satisfactorily. A problem with a scene or an emotion, and the entire crew had to shoot everything again.
Han Yuyan was inexperienced when she first participated in his production; her portrayal of the given role was weak and lacking. For a scene in the rain, she stumbled and made many errors in her lines. Lin Fengtian was so enraged he berated her. Half a night was spent for that one scene.
Thus, Han Yuyan held him in reverence.
She had never been in any of his movies again even when she rose to stardom.
What a monster…
Yang Mi, who had already made her entrance, was curious of the craze among the reporters. She turned to see what it was and spotted an unfamiliar face.
Another newbie. She knew nothing but came in such a grand fashion, nonetheless. She had yet to debut but already wanted to suppress her seniors. She was this ambitious now, so what about in future?
Feeling threatened by the newbie, she sneered. “Why are the standards for this year’s gala set so low? Since when did they start permitting every Tom, Dick, and Harry entry here?”
Tang Yu chimed in, “Exactly! Who is this newbie, anyway?”
Yun Na, who had successfully entered the venue with He Lingxiang, also heard the commotion behind her. The continuous flashes of cameras made the entire venue as bright as day.
She looked over her shoulder in astonishment. Who was putting on such a big show that so many entertainment reporters were clamoring? When she saw that the person was Yun Shishi, she was so shocked she inhaled a chilling breath!
The person was her!
She originally thought her sister would be at her wits’ end from worrying over the missing gown, but never did she expect for the latter to wear a more expensive gown than hers to the event!
Her level was much higher than hers.
She even appeared to this event as Gu Xingze’s female partner!
Once she made her entrance, even Han Yuyan’s presence was overshadowed.
One must know that Yang Mi’s status could not compare to that of Han Yuyan’s!
D*mn it!
“Your sister is here!” He Lingxiang, by her side, stared at Yun Shishi with excitement. She was so dazzling tonight he almost lost his will to move his eyes away from her.
The thought of being able to enjoy the two sisters’ services tonight made his Adam’s apple bubble heavily. He could hardly wait.
Noting his excitement, Yun Na was infuriated further. She was so jealous fire almost emitted from her eyes. She bore extreme hatred in her heart. Was Yun Shishi really going to fight her for everything?!
She was not going to let her have her way!
This was when she thought of a plan, causing a sinister smile to blossom on her lips.
Han Yuyan was so furious she turned livid with rage. The situation was already out of her control and she could not do anything to steal the other’s thunder. With a stiff face, she made her way to the venue’s entrance.
However, when she reached the entrance, no one was accompanying her; Shao Dong did not follow her.
“Where’s that man?”
She twisted her neck in annoyance, only to see the man still standing in the same spot. He seemed to be in a daze as he gazed in Yun Shishi’s direction.
His infatuated expression made her so furious she almost threw her high heels at him.
However, being at such an important event and under the watchful gazes of the media personnel, audience, socialites, and influential people, it was just not proper to openly express her anger. She could only suppress the flames of fury inside her. Swallowing her anger, she called out, “Ehem! Shao Dong, it’s time to go in.”
He was jolted out of his dazedness by her call and turned to see her looking dissatisfied. He felt chagrin over his loss of self-control.
Unbeknown to the two, a wayward reporter managed to capture this moment.
“Nice! This shot is too perfect. I’ll use it for tomorrow’s breaking news.”
[Famous actress Han Yuyan’s fine looks at the gala fail to keep boyfriend’s eyes! Newcomer receives all the spotlight!]
This headline is great. It has hype.
Gu Xingze and Yun Shishi made their way to the middle of the venue. Gripping a golden pen, he drew an elegant signature at the center of the signature board. The gala’s red-carpet event had, thus, ended.
She had many butterflies in her stomach and took several deep breaths in secret. It was too stressful being his female partner.
Security was fortunately tight for tonight’s gala. Non-attendees, reporters, paparazzi, and staff were not permitted entry, so Gu Xingze’s fans were kept outside.
If this were not the case, she might receive quite a bit of trouble.
However, despite the tight security, throughout the red-carpet event, she felt uneasy over those envious eyes trained on her.
Gu Xingze was an excellent idol. The scandals he had were close to none. His usual image was that of an aloof and handsome man, and because of this, several female reporters got smitten with him.
However, tonight, the superstar standing next to a newcomer had a gentle smile, which could only appear in movie scenes, on his lips, and the crowd was instantly captivated.
Was this really to make a name for her?
This was not to attract haters, was it?
His fanbase was huge.
The thought of it caused Yun Shishi to break into cold sweat.
A gentle whisper to her ear from him dispersed her wayward thoughts.
“Shishi.” He dipped his head and passed the pen to her. “Sign.”
“Ah? I have to as well?”
“Mhm-mhm, of course. You are my female partner and my female lead.”
She asked with some uneasiness, “Where do I sign?”
“Here.” He pointed at the blank space below his signature.
With her cheeks tinted red, she abashedly signed her name.
She had never practiced her signature before, but just like her, her handwriting was very beautiful and graceful.
“Let’s go.” With eyes as gentle as calm waters, he proffered his hand to her.
She pressed her lips together, gave a bashful smile, and then placed her hand to his.
He held her hand tightly and did not let go.
Her hand was soft and warm, and her skin was as supple as a flower petal. His heart skipped a beat the moment he held her hand.
Could there be love at first sight in this world?
Many years later, when he recalled this scene again, he felt lonely.
He clasped her hand tightly. If he were to hold it tighter, just a little tighter, she would be his…
If he were to go back to this moment, he would hold her hand even tighter – tighter to the point of never letting go ever again…
Anyway, this was a story for another day.
…
In a narrow alley at the back of the event venue, a luxurious Bentley perfectly avoided the sea of reporters and stopped at the VIP entrance.
Mu Yazhe stepped out of the car indifferently. Coldness and detachment were present in his eyes as always.
Under the retro lightings and wearing a handmade Armani suit, his tall and lean figure and long and sturdy legs formed the perfect golden ratio.
Mu Wanrou, who was wearing a purple gown, followed behind him with the sleeping Yichen in her arms; there was indescribable grievance in her eyes.
She gazed up at the stoic-looking man before her in bitter silence. She bit her lower lip as tears welled up in her eyes.
Mu Yazhe looked at his wristwatch. His facial expression seemed to be sealed in ice – it was devoid of emotion. “Feeling indignant?”
“?”
He leisurely turned to look at her with frigid eyes. “You’d better know your place, hm?”
Feeling wronged, she asked back, “My place? What is my place, then?”
The man was still regarding her emotionlessly.
“I’m your fiancée! Your future wife…” Tears flowed out from her eyes as she asked with a cracked voice, “Aren’t I?”
He studied her for a while, and frustration started to stem from his heart.
He had lost some of his patience tonight, so a word of apathy came pouring out of his lips for her, “Ugly.”
She was puzzled.
“If you still show this face, then disappear from my eyes.”