Cruel words cut deeper than the winter chill of June.
Sometimes, words are more terrifying than a knife!
Wang Li and Bei Bei’s faces grew hideous as they looked at the toxic comments flooding Weibo.
How they wished they could strangle those trolls through the internet cable!
They were like cockroaches on Weibo, scurrying around chaotically, and as unkillable as they were nauseating!
Bei Bei’s head felt like it was on fire. "Aaaah, I’m so angry, I could die!"
She bit her lip fiercely and jabbed at her phone screen so hard it seemed she might break it.
Without looking, Wang Li knew exactly what she was doing and whispered softly, "Don’t let your sock puppet accounts get discovered."
She didn’t stop Bei Bei, her own hands kept busy even as she cautioned her.
Even an enraged agent was waging war against the trolls.
Holding back the frustration was just too agonizing!
Bei Bei was startled: "Uh... Sister Li, be careful not to expose any of your own sock puppets either."
Wang Li snorted lightly, "I’m an agent, I should be better at hiding them than an assistant like you."
The actresses familiar with Qiao Xi sent her messages of comfort to express their concern, though it was hard to tell how genuine these sentiments were.
Qiao Xi calmly replied to all the messages.
Su Tutu was quite fierce, openly clashing with the trolls with her verified account.
She fired back with insults, each one unique.
Wang Li and Bei Bei: "..."
Compared to Queen Su, their fighting spirit was a little weaker.
Regardless of outside opinions, Qiao Xi herself wasn’t very disheartened.
Awards relied on timing, location, harmony, and one’s own strength.
The actress who won Best Actress tonight had received countless prestigious awards over the years.
Her acting was textbook-level, and she had long since been enshrined as a legend in various countries.
The movie she starred in also won Best Picture.
She truly deserved the award.
Although Director Qian might feel some regret, he was nonetheless convinced by the outcome.
He patted Xu Anfeng and Qiao Xi on the shoulders, managing a smile, "Both of you are excellent, keep up the hard work."
They comforted each other.
Qiao Xi received a message from Shen Dang on her phone and glanced at it, "Boss Shen is treating us to dinner, everyone must be hungry by now, let’s go together."
"Boss Shen’s treat?" Director Qian pushed his emotions aside, "Then I’m going to order the most expensive dish."
Why not eat if it’s free?
Turn your sorrow into strength.
"Of course," Qiao Xi smiled faintly, unabashedly saying, "Boss Shen has plenty of money."
Xu Anfeng, "Then a thank you to both the boss and the boss’s wife in advance."
Shen Dang had indeed booked a spot at the restaurant.
The restaurant was in a commercial building next door, with views of the shimmering ripple of the Seine River below from upstairs.
Director Qian retracted his gaze from the window, sighing, "The view here is fantastic, a place that reeks of money."
Bei Bei giggled, "We can only come to places thanks to my future brother-in-law."
Wang Li raised her glass, smiling, "Let’s toast to Boss Shen then."
Everyone clinked their glasses.
Not one mentioned what had happened at the film festival.
Tonight, Qiao Xi allowed herself some indulgence and drank two glasses of red wine.
Sitting by the window, the lights outside illuminated her face, casting a lustrous sheen over her delicate features.
She was captivatingly beautiful.
Shen Dang watched her intently, noticing she was about to take another sip and gently stopped her, "You don’t handle alcohol well, don’t get drunk."
Qiao Xi leaned her head on his shoulder, giggling at him, "So what if I get drunk? You’re here, aren’t you?"
His presence gave her a sense of security.
She didn’t even need to think about anything else.
Bei Bei whispered a reminder, "Sister Xi, you have an interview tomorrow."
Bei Bei was indignant on Qiao Xi’s behalf—no award and yet that interview had to be attended while domestic netizens were mocking her, denying her achievements; it was infuriating.
Even if Sister Xi didn’t say it, she must be feeling somewhat distressed.
Qiao Xi had almost forgotten about it.
Indeed, there was an interview.
She set down her wine glass, her slender, delicate hand making a dismissive gesture, "Then I can’t drink anymore."
"Have some juice instead."
Shen Dang offered her a glass of juice.
Qiao Xi shook her head.
After drinking wine, she couldn’t have juice; her stomach was already bloated.
"I’ll drink the juice," mumbled Director Qian, somewhat tipsy, "Juice is sweet, it’ll lessen the bitterness."
Director Qian’s face was flushed from a mix of red and white wine.
He was dizzy and uncomfortable, yet his mind was alarmingly clear, unable to forget the troubles—a most agonizing feeling.
The bitterness must be in his heart.
Director Qian was undoubtedly an excellent director, and he had invested countless efforts into this film.
He was so close to winning, only to miss out on the award—of course, his heart wouldn’t be at ease.
The winning war film had an epic scale and conveyed the sorrow brought by war to humanity, as well as various warnings for the future, all on a different level from what ’Snowball’ conveyed.
Coupled with the lead actress’s divine performance, the film achieved its success.
At Qiao Xi’s age, she still had unlimited potential, but Director Qian, with his years of experience and effort, and having peaked this time, was only one international award away.
He didn’t know if he could ever make a film again.
Suddenly, Qiao Xi felt a pang of discomfort inside, she pursed her lips faintly, "We have plenty of juice, Director, drink as much as you want."
She hoped to alleviate some of his inner bitterness.
Director Qian, grinning, "Boss Shen is spending quite a bit tonight."
"No problem, I’m wealthy," Shen Dang replied indifferently, not at all concerned about the cost.
Though the wine they ordered that night might amount to the living expenses of an ordinary family for a lifetime.
Hearing this, Director Qian couldn’t help but laugh, giving a thumbs up, "Boss Shen and Qiao Xi are truly a match."
"You two be happy forever!" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NovᴇlFirᴇ.ɴet
"Or have a baby soon."
"I don’t believe in showbiz romances, just yours."
Director Qian said, sipping his juice after each remark.
Qiao Xi, Shen Dang: "..."
Director Qian was babbling.
No one could tell for sure, but in the end, Director Qian did indeed get drunk.
Thankfully, the hotel wasn’t too far away.
After the dinner, Xu Anfeng took the intoxicated Director Qian back to the hotel.
Wang Li and Bei Bei went back to rest, leaving Qiao Xi in Shen Dang’s care.
Shen Dang supported Qiao Xi’s head, kneading her slender waist with his hand, which felt quite comforting.
Qiao Xi leaned into his arms, her body nearly pressed against his, "Not tired."
Her eyes shone like mist, gazing up at him steadfastly.
"But the way you’re massaging is so comfy."
Qiao Xi sighed contentedly,
Nestling even closer into his embrace.
She was still wearing the haute couture dress by L’Artisan, its feathers brushing against his skin, giving him an unusual sensation.
Looking into her eyes, veiled as if by a haze of smoke, something twitched inside him.
Seeing how she wholly relied on him stirred an urge he struggled to contain.