Chapter 595: Chapter 595

He Jinxia hadn’t spoken yet when Xu Xiuzi preemptively smiled and said, "Director Duan, you’re being too modest. You’re not some old fogey at all, and you certainly have good looks. If you’re interested in a career in the entertainment circle, I believe many talent agencies would welcome you."

"Think about it. A director of arthouse films nominated at the Berlin Film Festival transforming into an actor—just hearing that sounds like a great selling point."

Duan Yu promptly shook his head and waved his hands, saying, "I’m alright directing and coaching you all in acting, but if I had to act myself, I probably wouldn’t even know how to position my arms and legs, just floundering around!"

Xu Xiuzi didn’t agree and subtly encouraged Duan Yu to transition into acting.

As a director, Duan Yu was quite easygoing, at least the actors weren’t afraid of him.

But one negative aspect was that he was too informal, causing the actors to sometimes behave too familiarly and not show enough respect.

For instance, as now, what could be more important than entering the venue?

Yet, Xu Xiuzi dared to stop Duan Yu and talk to him.

And Duan Yu had one flaw: once he started talking, he’d drift off, enjoying fully engaging in conversations and easily forgetting the time and place.

Seeing that the next crew following them was about to arrive, He Jinxia furrowed her brows and interrupted with a smile, "Shouldn’t we go in and continue this conversation?"

It was then that Duan Yu came back to his senses and quickly said, "Right, let’s hurry inside!"

The venue was large, part of which was seats specifically sold by the organizing committee to the public who witnessed the Berlin Film Festival award ceremony.

Such a large space solely filled with film professionals would seem too empty, and since they were frequently in the entertainment circle, they didn’t idolize celebrities as much as ordinary audiences, so it was hard to get the atmosphere excited.

At that moment, the audience became a necessary presence to help liven up the atmosphere.

At some less prominent awards ceremonies, the organizing committees would even hire people specifically to energize the atmosphere, mixing them among the crowd to boost the mood.

Zhang Ming and Luo You were still talking, not particularly focusing on the celebrities entering, while the people behind them had just taken their seats, excitedly whispering and discussing rather loudly—they were here for Sheng Yan and He Jinxia!

Luo You and Zhang Ming listened while chatting, and after a while, they suddenly snapped back to reality, both wearing somewhat strange expressions.

The people sitting behind them were fans of He Jinxia and Sheng Yan, what a coincidence?

"I wonder if Sheng Yan has entered yet?"

"No, he wouldn’t come in so early. I’ve been to the film festival several times, and he always makes his entrance last. On the other hand, Jinxia should be coming in soon."

"Has Jinxia come in? Ah, why isn’t the big screen sweeping towards the celebrities? The stage up front is too far, I can’t see a thing. I should have come in earlier!"

"I wonder if Jinxia brought her phone, maybe send a WeChat message to check?"

Mrs. He and Aunt Rui were chatting, craning their necks to look around when suddenly their gazes met with the people sitting in front, and both parties paused in surprise.

"Oh, Zhang Ming (Luo You)!"

"Aunt Sheng (Aunt He)!"

After calling out the names, they all simultaneously said—

"What are you doing here?"

As the words came out, everyone paused again, then all laughed.

Zhang Ming and others were seated near people, and after communicating with the nearby people, they happily agreed to exchange seats.

Thus, Mrs. He and Aunt Rui moved to the front row. Now, the communication between two people became four people, just like celebrating the Spring Festival, gathering joyously and festively.

Aunt Rui naturally asked about the recent situations of Zhang Ming and Sheng Yan, while Mrs. He sought to learn news of Jinxia from Luo You. Anyway, the stars up front were too far for them to see, so they might as well chat.

While they chatted lively on this side, the crew of "Eighteen Years Old Sky" members stood wordlessly not far from the stage.

Xu Xiuzi was ambitious and dared to strive, she was not foolish either.

After being interrupted by He Jinxia at the entrance, she belatedly realized that her behavior was inappropriate, focusing on talking to Duan Yu and neglecting others, most crucially, she had ignored He Jinxia!

She guessed in her heart that He Jinxia might have already started to feel discontent toward her, which made Xu Xiuzi slightly uneasy. From time to time, she would lift her head to glance at He Jinxia, hesitating to speak.

After much hesitation, she turned her head to look at Xi Jing, who was sitting right beside her on her right, while on her left, the next three seats were occupied by directors, with He Jinxia sitting at the very first one, separated from the two actresses.

The seating was carefully arranged; the organizing committee had started placing seats only after knowing the number of people from the crew arriving, arranged according to the nominated categories of awards, all set up early in the morning.

The staff led them over, pointing to a group of six seats for them to choose freely since they were all from their crew.

Xu Xiuzi had initially wanted to sit next to He Jinxia, but as soon as He Jinxia sat down, she cheerfully told the director to sit down quickly.

Xu Xiuzi and Xi Jing, standing at the back, followed the directors who sat in a sequence, naturally making it impossible for her to sit next to He Jinxia.

But perhaps it was better not to sit together. This way, she could speak to Jingjing without He Jinxia overhearing. Xu Xiuzi thought this and turned to quietly ask, "Jingjing, does Senior Jinxia really dislike me?"

Xi Jing was stunned for a moment, shook her head, "No?"

Xu Xiuzi furrowed her brow, "Don’t you feel her attitude towards me is quite cold?"

Xi Jing paused, still shaking her head, with other thoughts in her mind.

Even as a friend of Xiuxiu, standing by and watching, she felt that Xiuxiu was somewhat in the wrong. For He Jinxia, it probably felt even more incorrect.

But these things couldn’t be told to Xiuxiu. She knew Xiuxiu’s personality well: strong-willed and stubbornly seeking clarity in things she couldn’t understand. She feared Xiuxiu would become too fixated and would directly confront He Jinxia, making things awkward for both sides.

It was better to keep her in the dark, so no issue would arise.

Besides, after today, Senior Jinxia would be leaving Berlin, and it wouldn’t be too late to tell Xiuxiu after the senior had left.

"Are you really sure you didn’t notice any different attitude towards me?" Xu Xiuzi asked with some doubt once more.

Xi Jing nodded slightly, whispering, "I didn’t really see it, she seems the same to you as to me."

Xu Xiuzi "Hmm"ed softly, then suddenly said, "Jingjing, we’ve been friends for over a decade now, right?"

Xi Jing did not understand. Follow current novᴇls on novel※fire.net

Xu Xiuzi smiled, speaking casually, "It hasn’t been easy knowing each other for so many years. If you decide to enter the entertainment circle in the future, I hope we can support each other and become top celebrities together. If there’s anything I’m doing wrong, remember to tell me—"

Pausing, she earnestly looked at Xi Jing and said, "If even you keep things from me, how am I supposed to improve and correct myself?"

Xi Jing froze, momentarily speechless.