A few days later, the 31st Shanghai Television Festival officially kicked off.
The main venue for the TV festival was chosen to be the Riverside Art Center, where the urban prosperity of Lujiazui was right in front of you, separated by the cool breeze and shimmering waves of the river.
The red carpet stretched from the plaza in front of the main entrance of the venue all the way to the riverbank, a length of more than fifty meters. The bright red carpet was gently swayed by the breeze from the river, and was quickly pressed down by the staff.
On the red carpet, spotlights on both sides illuminated the surroundings, and countless media reporters crowded behind the railings, frantically taking pictures of the artists on the red carpet with their cameras.
The flashing lights shone on the artists' faces, but their smiles remained unchanged. Dressed in gorgeous and solemn attire, they still smiled and waved, trying their best to present their best selves to the cameras below.
Another black car slowly drove up to the starting point of the red carpet.
All the cameras converged on us instantly.
The car door opened, and a young man in a sharp suit was the first to get out of the car.
His hair was combed back, revealing his smooth forehead, making him look both handsome and full of mature masculine charm.
The camera faithfully recorded everything, but the young man didn't even blink. His gaze calmly swept over the dark array of cameras, without showing any discomfort.
He got out of the car, then bent down and, in a gentlemanly manner, took the arm of another woman as they stepped out of the car.
As a female celebrity, her attire is more fashionable and sophisticated. A fiery red dress and dazzling designer gemstones on her chest make her beauty exude aggression and arrogance, like a thorny rose that unreservedly displays its beauty and haughtiness under the spotlight.
They are Xiao He and Yi Man'er, the two main actors in the drama "Shining Stars".
Iman walked to the front of the red carpet with Xiao He's arm in hers, smiling and waving to the camera.
On their other side, Zhang Mo, the male lead of "Shining Stars", stepped down.
As a middle-aged actor, he dressed very modestly, wearing a three-piece suit like Xiao He, but with the addition of glasses, which gave him a more scholarly air.
Walking ahead of them were the film crew's director, Wen Hongyuan, and screenwriter, Tan Yuan.
As the cast and crew of "Shining Stars" made their official debut, the surrounding spotlights flashed even more wildly.
The group walked across the red carpet and arrived in front of the huge signing curtain.
After exchanging a few words with the host, they each received a marker and left their signatures on the backdrop.
To be honest, this part felt a bit awkward, like a tour group just stopping by. Xiao He politely returned the pen to the staff member next to him, then stood with the rest of the crew, smiling as they posed for a group photo with the large screen camera in front of them.
Once this step was finally completed, they were finally able to officially enter the inner area.
The art center is very large and is mainly divided into two areas. One area is the inner area where they are now, which has a banquet party feel to it. Long tables are filled with food and drinks for people to take as they please. Around them are elegantly dressed men and women, gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing. From time to time, uniformed waiters weave through the crowd to help serve and collect glasses and plates.
Xiao He ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) even saw a small open window next to him, where a chef was frying fresh steaks, then skillfully placing the fragrant steaks on a plate and pushing them towards the window.
Soon, a male celebrity came over and took the tray away.
Looking at the other side, there were even freshly baked pastries and buns, with steamers placed on the table, still emitting hot steam. Xiao He sniffed and walked closer, and saw volcanic stone sausages.
This little sausage seems to be quite popular; there's only one left on top. The chef, dressed in white, is currently adding a new sausage, while several celebrities stand nearby, holding plates and waiting.
The scene before him inexplicably gave Xiao He the feeling of returning from a high-end club to a buffet restaurant.
The imagined scene of splendor, lavish banquets, and elegant ladies was shattered by the food before me, and the awkwardness of being alone in this world of fame and fortune vanished completely.
So this place is actually no different from a buffet restaurant. Everyone here is just an ordinary person who also loves to eat grilled sausages, instead of trying to look sophisticated by holding up a champagne glass and toasting with the distinguished guests.
People who are discussing business tend to chat more, sitting quietly in their seats and exchanging ideas in hushed tones. People who are eating, on the other hand, are completely absorbed in their food, not socializing or discussing business—except, of course, sharing their food.
Iman nudged Xiao He with her elbow, her gaze already fixed on the desserts over there: "See that? That pink pastry in the second row over there."
Xiao He's gaze instinctively followed the look: "Oh, I saw it. What's wrong?"
Iman cleared her throat lightly: "The pastry shop that the organizers partnered with is really delicious."
Xiao He immediately understood: "I'll go get you a few."
Iman looked conflicted, and finally said reluctantly, "Since you want to invite me to eat, then take less. I'm on a diet—you're the one who made me eat."
Xiao He suppressed a laugh: "Fine, I'll take the blame for you."
No wonder many agents give so many instructions to their artists before they enter; they're afraid the artists will let loose and do whatever they want inside.
Looking at the artists over there who kept stuffing things into their mouths, Xiao He inexplicably felt a sense of déjà vu, like "evil demons devouring their prey."
Being an entertainer is indeed a lucrative job, but the requirements for body management are extremely strict. It's no exaggeration to say that you can look ten sizes bigger on camera, especially for female entertainers, whose body management is even more demanding.
Xiao He only dared to give Yiman'er two pieces of pastry.
"Thanks."
Iman picked up a piece and put it in her mouth with an elegant and composed demeanor, but her speed was not slow at all. In the blink of an eye, she had finished off the two pieces of pastry on the plate.
Looking at her face again, there was no food residue left, not even a trace of lipstick; her makeup was still flawless.
Xiao He was amazed.
Is this what professional ethics are like for female celebrities?
"Would you like some too?"
Iman reminded Xiao He.
"There's still more than an hour before the awards ceremony. We'll only get inside after everyone has walked the red carpet, and the awards ceremony will take almost two hours. If you don't eat something beforehand, you'll definitely be hungry tonight."
Xiao He glanced around the scene, then nodded: "Okay."
However, Xiao He didn't dare to eat too much; he just ordered a steak to fill his stomach.
There weren't many familiar faces at the event, as most of the attendees were from the nominated and award-winning film crews. Several actors who were familiar with Xiao He were not present. So, after eating, Xiao He didn't wander around but sat and waited in the rest area with Iman'er.
Xiao He had no intention of making friends everywhere, but others did not think so.
After sitting for a while, people started coming to chat with Xiao He one after another.
Following Liu Rulan's instructions, Xiao He interacted with all the actors, some he had only met a few times and others he had never spoken to.
About half an hour later, Xiao He felt a little tired of sitting. He greeted Iman and stood up to go outside to the balcony of the hall for some fresh air.
But as soon as he stepped out, Xiao He regretted it.
The smell of smoke is overwhelming.
No wonder there aren't many people outside.
Xiao He was about to return the way he came when he heard someone call out to him, "Xiao He!"
Xiao He stopped and looked suspiciously at the man standing alone smoking in the corner of the balcony.
The man was dressed in a bespoke suit. As he smoked, he inadvertently revealed a million-dollar watch on his wrist. One of his fingers was adorned with a gemstone ring the size of a pigeon's egg. His phoenix eyes were filled with arrogance and disdain, and he looked at people with the scrutinizing air of someone in a high position, making people feel inexplicably inferior, which made Xiao He very uncomfortable.
Xiao He had already recognized who the other person was.
—Qin Yuezhang!
It really is true that "enemies are destined to meet".
Xiao He's eyes flickered, and he took the initiative to walk over, a reserved smile on his face: "Hello, Teacher Qin."
With a cigarette between his fingers and the other hand resting on the carved railing beside him, Qin Lezhang looked Xiao He up and down, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke, and said in a sarcastic tone, "So you know who I am."
Xiao He rolled his eyes inwardly.
Damn it, I hate this kind of loading.
