novelnext Chapter 169, Part 1: We're Going to Win the Big Prize!
Chapter 169, Part 1: We're Going to Win the Big Prize!
Chapter 169 First, I'm going to win the grand prize!
On the morning of September 5th, Venice was still asleep.
The mist over the canal had not yet dissipated; the mornings in this water town always arrive lazily and slowly.
Jiang Yu woke up first.
He glanced at Liu Yifei, who was still fast asleep beside him. She was lying on her side with one arm sticking out of the blanket, breathing evenly, clearly sound asleep.
We both got back from a premiere late last night, and we were both exhausted.
Jiang Yu quietly got up, stepped barefoot onto the soft wool carpet, and walked into the living room.
On the coffee table, three mobile phones and two computers were flashing various notifications.
Jiang Yu picked up his phone, unlocked it, and raised an eyebrow at the number of unread messages on the screen.
128 text messages, 7 emails, and 21 missed calls.
Most of them were sent after 3 a.m., which is late at night in Venice, but it's morning working time in China.
The most eye-catching message was Wang Wei's three consecutive messages sent at 4 a.m.: "President Jiang, it's breaking news! Global media are reporting on 'Black Swan' and Ms. Liu's performance!"
"All three major Italian newspapers gave us their front pages, and we were also the headline story in the online editions of Variety and The Hollywood Reporter!"
"The domestic Weibo server crashed for another minute; the technical team is working on it!"
Jiang Yu sat down on the sofa, poured himself a glass of water, and then clicked on the news links.
The headline in *La Repubblica* read: "A Stunning Dance of the Oriental Swan: Liu Yifei Interprets Madness and Elegance in *Black Swan*." The accompanying photo showed Liu Yifei's profile on the red carpet, her royal blue gown shimmering in the night.
The article states: "Darren Aronofsky's new film 'Black Swan' received a standing ovation after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The most surprising performance was that of Chinese actress Liu Yifei. This 22-year-old actress plays a ballerina who gradually collapses in her artistic pursuits. Her performance is rich in layers, from initial restraint to final madness, each transition is convincing. Especially the solo Black Swan dance, which can be considered one of the most stunning performances at this year's Venice Film Festival—we have every reason to expect that this Eastern beauty will shine brightly on the international film scene."
Corriere della Sera's review was even more direct: "Liu Yifei: A new discovery in Venice. Her performance is reminiscent of a young Isabelle Adjani, that strange combination of fragility and strength is captivating. When she dances on screen, the entire theater holds its breath—this is not an exaggeration, but a fact."
Flipping to The Hollywood Reporter, the cover featured a photo of Liu Yifei on the red carpet, wearing a royal blue dress, with a calm gaze and a faint smile on her lips.
The lengthy article inside provides a detailed analysis of the film's commercial prospects and awards season potential, concluding with: "Black Swan"
This film could very well be a dark horse in this year's awards season, and the production company, Light Chaser Animation, deserves praise for its foresight. Liu Yifei, a name largely unfamiliar to American audiences, could become Hollywood's hottest Asian face overnight. We predict the film will gross no less than $6000 million in North America, and Liu Yifei's performance could very well earn her a Golden Globe or even an Oscar nomination.
Jiang Yu continued scrolling down, and found that almost all major European media outlets, including the British newspaper The Guardian, the French newspaper Le Monde, and the German magazine Der Spiegel, were reporting on it.
Asian media went wild. Japan's Asahi Shimbun headlined it "Chinese actress stuns the world in Venice," South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo wrote "Liu Yifei: A beacon of Asian brilliance," and Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao headlined it "She showed the world the infinite possibilities of Chinese actors."
He opened the international version of Weibo, but the internet speed was a bit slow; Venice's internet has always been like that.
As expected, #LiuYifeiBlackSwanVeniceGoddess# is already at the top of the trending searches, followed by three "hot" characters.
The topic garnered over ten million views in just a few hours.
The comments section was absolutely buzzing: "Yifei is awesome! She's made Chinese people proud! This is true cultural export!"
"Where are those people who say Yifei only has a pretty face and no acting skills? Come out and show yourselves! Isn't this performance enough to slap them in the face?"
"I heard the audience gave it an eight-minute standing ovation? What kind of amazing movie is this? I want to see it right now!"
"Light Chaser Pictures is so good at picking projects! CEO Jiang has a sharp eye! This is true 'supporting your girlfriend'!"
"Waiting for its domestic release! I must watch it three times! Support Yifei!"
"Am I the only one who noticed that President Jiang was protecting Yi Fei the whole time? I'm totally shipping this couple!"
"Add one more comment! The way President Jiang looked at Yi Fei on the red carpet was so sweet!"
Just as Jiang Yu was about to continue flipping through the pages, the bedroom door opened.
Liu Yifei, wearing a silk robe, rubbed her eyes and walked out, her hair a little messy: "What time is it—why is it so noisy?"
She walked barefoot into the living room, where sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing her in a golden glow.
"It's just past eight." Jiang Yu put down his phone, got up, and walked over. "Did you sleep well?"
"It's alright—I was dancing in my dreams." Liu Yifei yawned and walked to the coffee machine. "What were those messages—"
"The report about 'Black Swan'." Jiang Yu handed her his phone. "Take a look for yourself."
Liu Yifei took the phone and scrolled through the screen while waiting for her coffee.
After watching for a few minutes, her expression changed from drowsiness to surprise, and then to disbelief.
"This—this is too much!" She pointed to the cover of The Hollywood Reporter. "How did I end up on the cover? Shouldn't it be the directors?"
"Because you were absolutely stunning." Jiang Yu hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Now you know how amazing your performance is, right?"
Liu Yifei blushed slightly: "That's thanks to the director's excellent guidance and the whole team's hard work—Vincent and Milla's performances were also fantastic. I can't give all the credit to myself."
"But it's you standing in front of the camera, it's you bearing the pressure, and it's you performing those difficult dance moves," Jiang Yu interrupted her. "Accepting praise is also a skill, Ms. Liu. Humility is a virtue, but excessive humility is hypocrisy."
The coffee is ready, and its rich aroma fills the air.
Liu Yifei poured two glasses and added a little milk.
Venice is beautiful in the early morning. The canals are shrouded in mist, and the distant chimes of St. Mark's Square can be faintly heard, ringing eight times.
Several early risers sat on the shore sketching, while the gondola drivers began cleaning their boats and talking loudly in Italian.
"It feels like a dream," Liu Yifei said softly, leaning against the railing. "A month ago, I was worried that this movie would flop, worried that I wouldn't act well enough, worried that I would embarrass the team—now—"
"The whole world is praising you right now," Jiang Yu chimed in, standing shoulder to shoulder with her. "But don't get too cocky. The real test will come when the program scores come out this afternoon. The media's immediate reactions might be emotional, but the program scores are rational and professional evaluations."
"Program?" Liu Yifei turned to look at him, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Yes, the official program of the Venice Film Festival, Ciak, scores all the films in the main competition. The scores are given by dozens of professional film critics, and the average score is taken."
Jiang Yu explained in detail, "This score greatly influences the judges' perception and even affects the final award winners. Historically, films with higher scores in the festival's daily publication have a higher probability of winning awards."
Liu Yifei gripped the coffee cup tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white: "Then—the pressure is back."
"Relax." Jiang Yu patted her shoulder gently. "You've done the best you could. The rest is up to fate. And I have faith in you."
At 2 p.m., the latest issue of Ciak, the official program booklet of the Venice Film Festival, was distributed at the entrance of the Palais des Festivals.
This thin booklet has the film festival's official poster on the cover, featuring a golden Venetian lion.
At this moment, it has become the most sought-after item on the entire Lido Island.
Media reporters, film professionals, film critics, and even ordinary movie fans lined up to receive them, with the queue stretching from the entrance of the cinema all the way to the canal.
Jiang Yu asked Wang Wei to fetch a few books.
The team gathered in the living room of the hotel suite, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense.
Director Darren Aronofsky, George Miller, Vincent van der Rohe, Milla Jovovich, and Ivanka Linda, the public relations manager for Light Chaser Animations, were all there.
The coffee table was covered with half-empty coffee cups and mineral water bottles, and there were several cigarette butts in the ashtray; Darren would smoke when he was nervous.
"Why aren't they back yet?" Mira glanced at her watch; it was already 2:20.
"There are too many people in line," Jiang Yu said relatively calmly. "Let's wait a bit longer."
The door was pushed open as soon as he finished speaking.
Wang Wei jogged in, her forehead covered in a fine sheen of sweat, holding three program books that still smelled of ink: "Got them!"
"I waited in line for twenty minutes!"
Director Darren took a deep breath, took the book, and opened it.
His fingers trembled slightly. Although he was already a famous director who had made classics like "Requiem for a Dream," the moment of waiting for evaluation after each new work was released was always the most difficult.
It's like a student handing in an exam paper and waiting for the teacher to grade it.
He flipped to the rating page, his eyes quickly scanning it.
Then, his eyes widened.
"How much?" George Miller leaned closer.
Darren didn't say anything, but handed him the program booklet and pointed to a number.
George glanced at it and gasped: "3.6!"
"What?" Liu Yifei didn't quite understand the meaning of the number. "3.6 is—"
"Out of 4 points," Jiang Yu explained softly, but his voice also carried a suppressed excitement. "3.6 points is an extremely high score in the history of the Venice Film Festival. Last year's Golden Lion winner, *The Wrestler*, received a 3.4 in the festival's daily publication, and the year before, *Lust, Caution* received a 3.2. Moreover..."
He took the program and looked down at the rankings: "Of the seven films in the main competition that have been screened so far, we are in first place. Second place is the French film 'A Prophet' with a score of 3.2; third place is the Lebanese film 'Lebanon' with a score of 3.1."
The living room fell silent for a moment.
Then cheers erupted.
"That's fantastic!" Mila Kunis was the first to jump up and hug Liu Yifei tightly. "I knew it! I knew this movie would be a success! Darling, you're amazing!"
Vincent Cassel smiled and said in French, "Formidable!"
Then he walked over and kissed Liu Yifei on both cheeks, a French-style congratulatory gesture.
Darren Aronofsky, the director known for his dark films and always with a stern face, was now rubbing his hands together like a child, "That's wonderful—that's really wonderful—thank you everyone, thank you—"
George Miller had already taken out his phone and started making calls: "Yes, 3.6 points, number one in the game report—I know, I'm excited too—prepare the press release immediately, I'll handle the communication with Fox headquarters—"
Jiang Yu remained relatively calm as he continued to peruse the specific comments in the program.
Besides the ratings and rankings, there are also short reviews from over a dozen prominent film critics: "Darren Aronofsky's most mature work to date. And Liu Yifei's performance is the soul of this film." — Cahiers du Cinéma critic. "A story about art and madness, performed with such breathtaking power. Liu Yifei uses her body and eyes to tell a story that transcends language. Her dance is not merely dance, but an outpouring of emotion, a cry from the soul." — The Guardian chief film critic. "A breakthrough for an Asian actress on the international stage. Liu Yifei's performance shows the infinite possibilities of the art of acting. She proves that good acting doesn't need language, only genuine emotion and professional skill."
99
Almost all of the comments from Variety's contributing commentators praised Liu Yifei, with some barely mentioning the director and focusing entirely on analyzing her acting skills, emotional nuances, and body language.
Looking at these comments, Liu Yifei said, "I—I don't know what to say."
97
Liu Yifei's voice choked with emotion, "I just... want to cry."
"Then cry." Jiang Yu pulled her into his arms. "These are tears of joy."
The news spread very quickly.
Ten minutes later, Sister Li's phone exploded with calls from domestic media outlets calling from overseas, and text messages kept ringing incessantly.
"Yes, the event program has a rating of 3.6, currently in first place."
"Yifei is in a good mood now, thank you for your concern."
"7
"The specific itinerary has not been finalized yet. We will notify you as soon as we have any news."
"I'm sorry, Yifei is not accepting interviews at this time. There will be a unified arrangement after the closing ceremony."
After hanging up the phone, Sister Li wiped the sweat from her brow and said to Jiang Yu, "My God, how do these reporters know our room number? They even called my personal cell phone!"
"Venice is only so big; there are no secrets during the film festival."
Jiang Yu calmly stated, "Hotel staff and film festival staff could all have leaked the information. Have the PR team prepare a press release with a unified message: 'Thank you for the recognition from the media and audience; we will continue to work hard.' Avoid excessive boasting and remain humble."
At the same time, we remind domestic teams to control public opinion and avoid putting down other actors.
"clear."
The news of its top ranking in the program booklet was like a bomb, exploding simultaneously in the international film industry and the domestic entertainment circle.
In Venice, the film festival organizing committee made a decision that afternoon: due to overwhelming demand from film fans, the screening of "Black Swan," originally scheduled for one per day, would be increased to two per day.
Even so, the tickets sold out within five minutes of going on sale.
Scalpers even appeared outside the cinema, reselling movie tickets originally priced at 20 euros for 50 euros, and demand still exceeded supply.
"I've never seen anything like this before," a staff member who has worked at the Venice Film Festival for 30 years told the media. "Usually, only retrospectives of master films or re-screenings of classic films generate this kind of frenzy. This is the first time in my memory that a premiere of a new film has attracted such a crazy following."
The domestic reaction was even more exaggerated.
The Weibo server was put to the test again at 3 p.m. The hashtag #LiuYifeiBlackSwanProgramFirst# garnered over 10 million views and more than 30,000 discussions within half an hour.
Baidu Tieba, Douban, Tianya—all Chinese online communities are discussing this.
A lengthy analysis by a professional film critic appeared on Douban: "Looking at the International Breakthrough Path of Chinese Actors from Liu Yifei's Performance". It analyzes the internationalization process of Chinese films, the actor training system, and cultural differences from multiple perspectives. The number of likes exceeded 100,000 overnight and the number of collections exceeded 10,000.
However, amidst the praise, there were also some discordant voices.
BJ, a high-end apartment building.
An actress known as one of the "Four Dan and Two Bing" is scrolling through her phone with a gloomy face.
Her agent sat opposite her, carefully observing her expression. Two cups of tea that had gone cold were on the coffee table.
"3.6 points — number one in the festival's daily publication —" The actress sneered, tossing her phone onto the sofa. "She's only 22 years old, what makes her so special? I've been acting for fifteen years, what great directors haven't I worked with? I've been to all three major European film festivals, Cannes, Berlin, every time with my work. Why doesn't anyone write me a review like this?"
The agent carefully chose her words, speaking softly: "Sister Zhao, she really got lucky this time, she encountered a good director and a good script—Darren Aronofsky is a master at making films about women, anyone who gets to be in his films will shine—"
"Luck?" The actress turned her head sharply, her eyes gleaming. "Are you saying I've had bad luck all these years? Or that my acting skills aren't as good as hers?"
The agent, sweating profusely, said, "That's not what I meant—I meant timing is also crucial. Liu Yifei has Light Chaser Pictures behind her, and Jiang Yu tailored projects specifically for her—not everyone has these kinds of resources."
The actress remained silent for a few seconds, then picked up her phone and started scrolling through the reports.
After a long pause, she sighed and softened her tone: "You're right, resources are very important. I read those descriptions. If that Black Swan solo was truly performed without a stunt double, then her professional skills are beyond question."
The agent breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "So we don't need to be too anxious. She'll pursue her international path, while we'll steadily develop the domestic market. There's no conflict."
"No conflict?" The actress smiled wryly. "The advantage is that in the future, when we're offered roles in Hollywood movies, our salaries can be directly comparable to hers? Or does it mean that in the future, domestic awards for us veteran actors will have to give way to international film queens?"
The agent didn't dare to respond.
The same scene is playing out in different cities and different apartments.
Actresses with more experience and awards than Liu Yifei are experiencing mixed feelings at this moment.
A renowned actress born in the 70s, who has won all three major domestic film awards, made a statement in a private QQ group with only five members.
"This puts a lot of pressure on me. If I really win the Venice Film Festival's Best Actress award at 22, where will we, the senior actresses, put our faces? Will the media have to say in their articles that this actress's representative work is XXX, but she has never won one of the three major European awards?"
After a few minutes of silence in the group, someone replied: "It's not certain yet. The film festival is only halfway through, and there are still several films to be shown. The German film 'Others' hasn't been shown yet, but it's said to be very strong."
"First place in the program book—how many times have you seen someone who first place in the program book end up empty-handed?" the actress retorted.
Another silence followed.
That's how the entertainment industry is. On the surface, everything is glamorous and people congratulate each other, but behind the scenes, there are undercurrents of intrigue and scheming.
Liu Yifei's success has affected the interests and self-esteem of many people.
From September 6th to 10th, Liu Yifei entered a work mode of non-stop operation.
I get up at eight o'clock every morning and start the first interview at nine o'clock.
Italian media, French media, British media, American media, Asian media—all took turns reporting on it.
The questions were all similar, and Liu Yifei always answered them seriously and never gave a perfunctory answer.
How did you prepare for the ballet portion?
"I've studied dance since I was little and have a foundation in classical dance. For this film, I still underwent six months of intensive ballet training, five days a week, six hours a day. The director required me to do all the dance scenes myself, without using a stunt double. During those six months, I had new injuries every day, and my toes often bled, but I felt it was worth it."
"What was the biggest challenge for you in playing a character who is gradually experiencing a mental breakdown?"
"It's about finding control within loss of control." Lin Xin's breakdown wasn't sudden; it was a gradual accumulation. I had to portray that progressive process while maintaining precision in my performance: it was difficult, but I thoroughly enjoyed the process. Director Darren was a great help; he would talk to me about the character's inner world and help me find the emotional anchor.
"This is your first time working with an international team. What are your impressions?"
"It was a fantastic experience. Darren is a genius; he always manages to find the best in his actors. Vincent and Milla are both very professional actors, and I learned a lot from them. The whole team was like family, and I'm very grateful. Language is not a barrier; art is universal."
In addition to interviews, there were also magazine photo shoots.
Vogue Italy invited her to shoot a series of photos with the theme "The Black Swan of the East".
The filming took place in an ancient palace in Venice, where Liu Yifei, dressed in a haute couture black gown, danced in a hall filled with frescoes.
The photographer, Mario Testino, a national treasure of Italy, excitedly shook Liu Yifei's hand after the shoot and said, "Liu, you are the most spirited Asian face I have ever photographed! Your body speaks, your eyes tell a story!"
On the afternoon of September 8th, there was finally a break.
Liu Yifei had just finished an interview with a French television station and returned to the hotel to find Jiang Yu working on his computer in the living room.
"I'm exhausted—" She kicked off her high heels and collapsed onto the sofa. "I have three interviews tomorrow morning, and an ELLE photoshoot in the afternoon—"
Jiang Yu closed his laptop, walked over and sat down next to her, massaging her calves: "Let's cancel the shoot tomorrow afternoon, I'll take you to relax."
"Cancel it?" Liu Yifei opened her eyes. "How can that be? We've already made plans."
"I had Wang Wei talk to ELLE and we've moved it to the day after tomorrow," Jiang Yu said. "Tomorrow afternoon, Huang Bai's movie 'Cow' premieres in Venice, and we have to go support him."
Liu Yifei sat up straight immediately: "The premiere of 'Cow'? When? In which theater?"
"3 PM, Cinema Palace, Hall 2." Jiang Yu smiled. "I knew you'd want to go. Huang Bai messaged me this morning saying he'd reserved the best seats for us, we absolutely have to go."
"Of course we have to go!" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up. "This is Huang Bai's first time bringing his work to Venice, we have to go and support him. I heard it's really interesting."
At 2:30 p.m. the next day, the two appeared on time at the entrance of Hall 2 of the cinema.
Huang Bai was already waiting. Today he was wearing a suit but no tie.
"Yifei! President Jiang!" Huang Bai greeted them with an undisguised smile. "You really came! I was worried you were too busy to have time."
"I have to come to Brother Bo's movie premiere no matter how busy I am," Liu Yifei said with a smile, then looked at Director Guan Hu, Yan Ni, and Liang Jing next to Huang Bo, "Hello Director Guan, Sister Yan Ni, Sister Liang Jing."
Director Guan Hu was a straightforward person, and he shook hands firmly: "Yifei, President Jiang, thank you for coming. To be honest, our film is a low-budget production, it can't compare to your 'Black Swan,' we're just here to broaden our horizons."
"Director Guan is too modest," Jiang Yu said. "I've read the synopsis of 'Cow,' and the subject matter is unique and powerful. Film festivals aren't just about investment and cast; more importantly, they're about expression."
Guan Yu found this very helpful and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, the expression is the most important thing."
After entering and taking a seat, we found that the screening room, which wasn't very large and could seat about three hundred people, was packed full.
The films in the Horizons section don't receive as much attention as those in the main competition; those who come to Venice are true film buffs and industry professionals.
The movie begins.
"Cow" tells the story of a Chinese farmer and a Dutch cow who depend on each other for survival during the War of Resistance against Japan.
Huang Bai plays Niu Er, a farmer who is honest, stubborn, and possesses the survival wisdom unique to Chinese farmers.
Yan Ni plays Jiu'er, a widow who is feisty and kind, and has a subtle, unspoken affection for Niu Er.
The film is in black and white, and its visual language is simple yet powerful.
Huang Bai's performance was outstanding; he perfectly portrayed the humility, resilience, and kindness of a lowly person from the bottom of society.
His interaction with the cow, in particular, was touching. There were no lines, only eye contact and body language, yet it brought tears to the eyes.
Liu Yifei watched very attentively.
As the movie reached its climax, Niu Er fought off the Japanese soldiers to protect the cow, and finally jumped into the cellar with the cow in his arms. She couldn't help but hold Jiang Yu's hand tightly.
Jiang Yu turned his head to look at her and noticed that her eyes were a little red.
The movie ended with enthusiastic applause.
Although it didn't have the eight-minute standing ovation of "Black Swan," it lasted for three minutes, which is a huge affirmation for a low-budget art film.
During the brief Q&A session after the screening, many foreign audience members surrounded the creators and asked questions.
An Italian film critic asked Guan Hu, "Director, why did you choose to use black and white? Was it to emphasize the weight of history?"
"On the one hand, yes, black and white allows the audience to focus more on the story and characters. On the other hand, it's also because of budget constraints; color film is too expensive."
"6
This straightforward answer drew laughter, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.
Huang Bai was asked the most questions, and his performance was indeed outstanding. Several reporters asked him how he prepared for the role.
"I spent three months in the countryside," Huang Bai said earnestly. "I worked and ate with the farmers, learning the way they spoke and walked. I also spent a long time with that cow; you have to truly understand it to have a genuine interaction with it in front of the camera."
After the exchange concluded, the group left the screening room.
The sun was shining brightly outside, and Huang Bai let out a long sigh of relief: "Finally finished, I feel so relieved."
"Huang Bai acted so well," Liu Yifei said sincerely. "Especially in the last scene, the look in your eyes when you were holding the cow—I almost cried."
"Really?" Huang Bai's eyes lit up. "You think it'll work?"
"Absolutely perfect." Liu Yifei nodded vigorously. "This role will definitely bring you many opportunities."
Yan Ni said from the side, "Yi Fei is right. Bai'er, your performance will definitely win an award when you go back to China."
Jiang Yu also spoke up: "Chasing Light Pictures has several projects coming up. If there are any suitable roles, I'll have the casting director contact you."
Huang Bai was stunned for a few seconds before reacting, and excitedly grasped Jiang Yu's hand: "President Jiang, this—thank you so much! Really, thank you so much!"
"You're welcome. Good actors deserve good opportunities." Jiang Yu patted him on the shoulder.
On the way back to the hotel, Liu Yifei leaned on Jiang Yu's shoulder and whispered, "Actually, Brother Bo has had a tough time. He's not the kind of actor who looks handsome at first glance. He's played supporting roles for so many years, and when he finally got a chance to be a lead, he chose such a dirty and tiring role."
"That's why he was able to act so well," Jiang Yu said. "Good performances come at a price. You practice dancing until your feet bleed for 'Black Swan,' while he spent three months in the countryside and got a tan like a black person. It's all the same."
"Yes." Liu Yifei nodded. "So seeing his movie succeed made me especially happy. It's like—seeing hard work finally pay off."
Jiang Yu hugged her tightly: "Your efforts have paid off, and the rewards are much greater than you imagined."
On September 11, the two finally had a full day off.
Jiang Yu rented a car and decided to take Liu Yifei to Milan for a stroll.
"How can you come to Italy and not go to Milan?" he said as he drove. "Venice is beautiful, but it gets a bit stifling after a while. Milan is different—modern, fashionable, and vibrant. And..."
He blinked. "I checked. Milan has the best Chinese restaurant in all of Italy. I'll take you there to satisfy your cravings."
.
It takes about three hours to drive from Venice to Milan.
The scenery along the way is typical of the Italian countryside: rolling hills, vast vineyards, olive groves, and ancient castles gleaming in the sunlight atop distant hills.
Liu Yifei sat in the passenger seat, the window rolled down halfway, letting the wind blow through her hair.
She was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans today, along with a baseball cap, looking like an ordinary college student.
"It's been so long since I've felt this completely relaxed," she said with her eyes closed. "I don't have to think about work, I don't have to face the camera, I can just sit in the car, listen to music, and enjoy the scenery."
"That's why I let you get some fresh air." Jiang Yu drove with one hand on the steering wheel and held her hand with the other. "The film festival was too stressful, it's easy to get anxious. And after Milan, we might go to Florence and Rome—"
"Really?" Liu Yifei opened her eyes and asked in surprise.
"Really. The film festival closes on the 13th, and we'll fly to Rome on the 14th, spend two days there, then go to Florence, and finally return home from Milan." Jiang Yu had already planned it all out. "Since we're here so often, we should definitely take a good look at this country."
Liu Yifei happily leaned over and kissed him on the cheek: "President Jiang is the best!"
Milan is indeed very different from Venice.
Skyscrapers, busy streets, and stylishly dressed pedestrians hurrying by.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is resplendent in gold, and the spire of Milan Cathedral soars into the sky.
The two parked their car nearby and began their true "tourist mode".
The first stop, of course, is shopping.
Via Montenapoleone is Milan's luxury shopping street, where every major brand you can think of has a flagship store.
Liu Yifei originally just planned to browse around, but she couldn't resist when she entered the first store; the burgundy cashmere shawl in the window was so beautiful, the texture was as soft as a cloud, and the color was just like a ripe grape in autumn.
"Want to give it a try?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Too expensive—" Liu Yifei glanced at the price tag: 1800 euros, which is equivalent to 2 yuan.
"I'll give it to you," Jiang Yu said directly to the shop assistant. "Could you please get me a new one?"
"Don't..." Liu Yifei tried to stop her, but the shop assistant had already rushed to the warehouse to get the goods, with a standard professional smile on her face.
"Consider it a gift to celebrate the success of 'Black Swan'," Jiang Yu whispered in her ear, his breath warm. "Besides, you'll definitely look good in it. You can wear it when filming in winter; it'll keep you warm."
As it turns out, Jiang Yu's judgment was correct.
The shawl draped over Liu Yifei made her skin appear even whiter, instantly elevating her overall look.
Even the sales staff, who were used to seeing celebrities and the wealthy, couldn't help but praise, "It suits you so well! It's like it was made for you. This color is very selective; it can make your skin look dark if it's not fair enough, but you pull it off perfectly."
I bought a shawl and then browsed a few more stores.
Liu Yifei bought her mother a Hermes scarf, Jiang Yu's mother a Tiffany necklace, and also picked out some small gifts for the team members, including perfume, lipstick, and wallets, one for each person.
Jiang Yu spotted a 50s Patek Philippe in an antique watch shop. It had a platinum case, a black dial, and was simple and elegant.
He tried it on and bought it without hesitation.
"You're being too extravagant!" Liu Yifei exclaimed, staring at the seven-figure price tag.
"An investment," Jiang Yu said calmly, instructing the shop assistant to wrap the watch. "These antique watches appreciate in value every year; it's more profitable than putting money in the bank."
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Besides, this is for our son, to be given to him when he gets married."
Liu Yifei's face flushed red instantly, and she punched him lightly: "Who wants to have a son with you!"
"A daughter is fine too." Jiang Yu smiled and dodged the question. "If it's a daughter, I'll buy her jewelry."
At noon, we ate Milanese specialties at a well-known local restaurant: saffron risotto and Milanese fried pork cutlet.
The risotto was excellent, with each grain of rice distinct and fragrant with saffron. Paired with Parmesan cheese, it offered a rich and complex flavor profile.
The fried pork chop is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with lemon juice, making it refreshing and not greasy.
The dessert was tiramisu, which was made extremely authentically, with the aromas of coffee and rum perfectly blended and melting in your mouth.
"This is life," Liu Yifei said contentedly, leaning back in her chair and touching her slightly protruding belly. "No need to face the camera, no need to answer tricky questions, just eating, shopping, and sunbathing. I wish it could always be like this."
"If you like, we can stay a few more days after the film festival," Jiang Yu said. "We can visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, or go to the Tuscan countryside for a couple of days, rent a farmhouse, cook our own meals, and look at the vineyards."
"Great!" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. "But it depends on the work schedule. Sister Li said there are several endorsements to shoot after I go back to China, and also magazine covers—"
"Work can be adjusted." Jiang Yu held her hand and said earnestly, "You are the most important person. Money can never be earned enough, but these moments, once missed, can never be regained."
Liu Yifei felt a warmth in her heart and nodded emphatically, "Mmm!"
'
We continued shopping in the afternoon.
The Sforza Castle houses Michelangelo's last sculpture, the Pietà of Rondanini, and the two men stood in front of it for a long time.
You can go up to the roof of Milan Cathedral. They climbed more than 300 steps and stood on the roof overlooking the whole of Milan, with red rooftops stretching out in the sunlight.
Finally, we went to the Church of Santa Maria della Signoria to see the original copy of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper".
The original is not well preserved; the colors are faded, but the composition and the expressions of the figures still allow one to feel the master's genius.
The two stood silently for twenty minutes, neither of them speaking.
"Every time I see works like this, I feel that my own achievements are nothing special." As she left the church, Liu Yifei said softly, "Hundreds of years from now, who will remember the movies we acted in? But this kind of art will live on forever. Generation after generation will come to see it and experience it."
"It's just that the forms of art are different," Jiang Yu said, taking her hand. "Film is also art. A hundred years from now, when people watch 'Black Swan,' they may be moved by the same universal human emotions we feel today when we watch 'The Last Supper': the pursuit of perfection, the loss of self, and the sacrifice for art. These are eternal."
Liu Yifei turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling: "You're right."
It was already four o'clock in the afternoon when I came out of the church.
The sunlight softened, and the streets became more crowded, with people leaving get off work and strolling around.
Just as the two were about to find a coffee shop to rest, Jiang Yu's phone rang.
It was Wang Wei calling.
"Mr. Jiang, are you with Yifei?" Wang Wei's voice was a little hurried, and the background noise was very quiet, so they must be in a hotel room.
"Yes, what's up?" Jiang Yu asked, while gesturing to Liu Yifei to wait a moment.
"People from the Venice Organizing Committee just came to the hotel and personally invited the entire cast and crew of 'Black Swan' to stay and participate in the closing ceremony on the evening of the 13th."
Wang Wei paused, lowered her voice as if afraid of being overheard, and said, "David said that this is an unspoken rule of the film festival. Usually, only film crews that are sure to win are invited to stay, so as to avoid the embarrassment of the winners not being present during the awards ceremony. Moreover, it wasn't an ordinary staff member who came; it was the vice chairman of the organizing committee who came in person, and his attitude was very solemn."
Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat.
He glanced at Liu Yifei beside him, who was looking at him with a puzzled expression, mouthing, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Yu tried to keep his voice calm: "Understood. We'll head back right away. Have the team prepare; we might need dresses and styling for the closing ceremony."
"Preparations are already underway," Wang Wei said. "Ken and Lisa are both on standby."
After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei asked, "What's wrong? What happened? Is it back home—"
"It's not a bad thing." Jiang Yu looked at her, a smile slowly spreading across his lips, growing wider and wider until it became a radiant smile. "The organizing committee invited us to participate in the closing ceremony."
Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, not reacting immediately: "Closing ceremony? Aren't we supposed to attend? The film festival's schedule—"
She stopped halfway through her sentence.
His eyes widened little by little, and he covered his mouth with his hand.
She remembered what Jiang Yu had said before: the unspoken rule of film festivals is that they only invite film crews that are certain to win awards to stay.
"You mean—" Her voice trembled.
"What I mean is," Jiang Yu took her hand and gently kissed the back of it, "Ms. Liu Yifei, you might want to prepare yourself for an award. A very big one."
Liu Yifei stood there, motionless.
Liu Yifei buried her face in his shoulder, her shoulders trembling slightly.
After a long while, she finally raised her head, her eyes red, but with a smile on her face: "Am I pathetic? I cried just because I heard I might win an award."
"It's not that I'm weak-willed, it's that I'm too happy." Jiang Yu wiped away her tears with his fingers.
On the way back to Venice, the two of them barely spoke.
Outside the car window, the Tuscan sunset painted the sky a golden-red hue, and the clouds resembled burning flames.
Liu Yifei leaned against the car window, watching the scenery rushing by. The olive groves turned into blurry green patches, the red roofs of farmhouses flashed by, and the distant mountains became deep blue silhouettes in the twilight.
Suddenly, she smiled.
"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Yu asked, one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding her hand.
"I'm thinking," Liu Yifei turned to look at him, her eyes gleaming in the twilight, "what should I say in my acceptance speech if I really win? I'm sure I'll be incredibly nervous, my mind will go completely blank, and what if I say the wrong thing?"
"Say whatever comes to mind," Jiang Yu said. "Sincerity is the most important thing. Thank the people you should thank, and share your feelings. That's enough. There's no need to prepare anything or memorize a script."
"Well—I want to thank you first," Liu Yifei said earnestly, squeezing his hand tightly. "Without you, there would be no movie, and I wouldn't be who I am today. You gave me the opportunity and believed I could play such a difficult role well. When I doubted myself, you always supported me and said I could do it."
Jiang Yu reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his touch tender: "Silly girl, that's all thanks to your own hard work. I gave you the opportunity, but it was you who stood in front of the camera, it was you who put in the sweat, it was you who bore the pressure. I was just supporting the person I love in pursuing her dream."
"But you are the one who gave me my dreams." Liu Yifei insisted, "Before I met you, I just wanted to act well and play every role well, but I never thought I could reach such a big stage. You showed me a bigger world."
Jiang Yu did not refute.
He knew that Liu Yifei needed to express her gratitude at this moment; it was part of her emotions.
He simply held her hand tighter and whispered, "From now on, let's see a bigger world together."
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