The wealthy military officer spoils his wife excessively

A reporter called for them to stop for photos, and Xiao Rong immediately cooperated, pulling Su Wen around. Su Wen's facial muscles were almost stiff from smiling, her hands hooked around his arm, yet the distance between them was enough for another person to stand. Maintaining such a delicate posture without moving was tiring, you know. After the photos were taken, Xiao Rong whispered above her head, "It's just a photo, did you have to go to all that trouble?"

"This is my job," Suwen replied coldly while smiling and greeting fans on both sides of the red carpet.

"You'll be more comfortable leaning against me." He said, pulling her arm towards him.

Suwen immediately tensed up and stared at her as if preparing for battle. When she was met with his smiling gaze, she quickly looked away and said coldly, "It's also my job to try to avoid scandals."

"You need scandals to get exposure. Do you want everyone to forget you?"

“I hope they notice me from positive news.”

"So you're not the most famous, but you're definitely the hardest working. It's a pity that, so far, your image hasn't changed at all because of your efforts." He concluded casually, and his sarcastic tone was infuriating.

Suwen resolutely ignored him. Even during the red carpet interview, the two of them had a clear division of labor, each holding a microphone to answer their own questions, and they absolutely did not cross paths.

"Now approaching us is Mr. Xiao Rong, the young master of the Xiao Group, the sole sponsor of this film festival." The host said, then added cryptically, "Mr. Xiao, you're making a truly dazzling appearance today! Your attire alone puts all our stars to shame!"

The female host was adept at social maneuvering. When she saw Nie Suwen, she was clearly a little surprised, but being a seasoned veteran, she quickly added her own explanation.

"And there's also Ms. Nie Suwen, a double nominee for Best Actress and Best New Performer at this year's Golden Horse Awards. Ms. Nie's cheongsam look in Venice previously amazed the world, so why didn't you choose a cheongsam today?"

Su Wen breathed a slight sigh of relief, lifted her skirt and stood on the steps. Just as she was about to take the microphone to answer, Xiao Rong jokingly said, "If she wears a cheongsam, wouldn't I have to wear a Zhongshan suit to match her? No, no, that would make me look old."

His humorous and witty response attracted the attention of numerous reporters.

The male emcee explained in surprise, "So, Miss Nie, your outfit today is to match Mr. Xiao? Miss Nie, what are your thoughts on receiving this nomination?"

Su Wen was afraid that Xiao Rong would give her some strange answer again, so she quickly took the microphone and said simply, "It is an honor and a pleasure."

"How come you're walking the red carpet with Mr. Xiao?" the female emcee couldn't help but ask, though she had a gossipy look on her face, eager to hear firsthand information about Suwen's upcoming marriage into a wealthy family.

“Mr. Xiao is the boss of the company. He needs a female companion to attend the ceremony. He can’t very well go to other companies to find actresses. It’s better to keep the good stuff in the family,” Suwen answered honestly.

The female host was practically bursting with laughter. "Why let the good stuff go to outsiders?" Did this mean Mr. Xiao was going to produce and sell everything within his own company?

After Suwen and Xiao Rong left, the male emcee turned to the staff next to him and asked, "What's going on with Nie Suwen? Wasn't she supposed to withdraw her nomination? Why is she participating again?"

The staff were also confused: "Has the organizing committee resumed operations?"

"This procedure wasn't written down, and it almost made me look bad just now."

The female emcee heard this and shook her head at him dejectedly.

Upon entering, Suwen found the film crew's location, quickly put her hands down, said goodbye to Xiao Rong, and hurried towards Director Wei and Xue Shaofeng, almost running as fast as she could.

Xiao Rong stared at her back, smiled, and found a seat to sit down on her own.

Xiao Yuan, who was already seated, glanced at him and sneered, "Brother, you're not just a failure. Look how fast they ran away; they don't appreciate your kindness at all."

Xiao Rong didn't even look at her. Her alluring eyes scanned the seats of the female celebrities, and she casually replied, "Don't tell me that your sour grapes tone is because you're jealous?"

Xiao Yuan immediately turned her face to glare at him as if she had been stung: "I'm jealous of her? That's ridiculous. She's not walking the red carpet with Third Brother, why would I be jealous!"

Whether it is true or not, only they themselves know the answer.

When she received the invitation, her best friend asked her if she wanted to find a male celebrity to accompany her and walk the red carpet for a bit. At the time, she acted aloof and indifferent: "A girl should be noble and reserved. Do I have to pose and steal the spotlight from those actors in front of the camera?"

Her best friend immediately fell silent.

She disdained walking with those celebrities, but if it were Xiao Rong...

The award ceremony usually proceeds by presenting the smaller awards first, with the most important Best Actor and Best Actress awards always being given out last. So Suwen obediently sat down in the middle of the film crew.

As soon as she sat down, Director Wei came over and gently hugged her, whispering in her ear, "Girl, I've heard about what happened to you. I've already asked some old friends in the industry for help. If they really blacklist you because of this film, I'll definitely help you to the end."

Wei Liao has been directing for many years and has countless friends in the industry, all of whom carry some weight in their words. Although she wasn't sure if it would be helpful, she nodded and said gratefully, "Thank you."

Xue Shaofeng also came to comfort her. The day after he left Beijing, news came that she had been blacklisted. The reason was even more unbelievable: she became famous overnight for taking off her clothes? He was also involved in the bed scene, so why wasn't he blacklisted as well?

Just because he's a Hong Kong actor, they're targeting a woman?

Xue Shaofeng appeared indignant: "They're talking about political reasons again, involving spies and traitors. How come it was approved during the initial review process? The script was fine, so why is the problem with the actress? If that's the case, then I'm playing a traitor to the Wang Jingwei regime. Why aren't they banning me?"

When men get stubborn, they're just like children.

Suwen had to comfort him in return: "It's okay, I can come to the awards ceremony again now, right? If all else fails, I'll go learn opera from Teacher He!"

She is optimistic, though.

Teacher He Saichong laughed when he heard this: "With such a beautiful girl, she'll definitely be popular when she sings Yue Opera."

Although it was all just talk, Director Wei patted her on the shoulder and said, "If they're really that unreasonable, then come to Hong Kong with me to develop your career. The culture here is more open-minded, and with your achievements, it won't be difficult for you to apply for a Hong Kong identity card. In the future, we'll take an international route and go abroad to film movies."

With Director Wei's words, Su Wen felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders. Even Xiao Ai breathed a sigh of relief. This was by no means an empty boast; given Director Wei's status in the international film industry, it wasn't impossible for him to promote a female star and send her abroad.

This night was definitely a night of "Lust, Caution".

Su Wen only saw the people around her rising and falling, and the applause and congratulations all around her. Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Original Film Score—the crew members were practically overwhelmed with awards.

Finally, a major award of considerable prestige for actors has arrived. Previously, the media unanimously believed that Xue Shaofeng was the clear favorite for Best Actor, and for Best Newcomer, Nie Suwen, who had just won the Walker Award, was also highly anticipated. The only remaining suspense was the Best Actress award.

Sure enough, the presenter announced the winner of the Best New Actor award on stage – Nie Suwen!

As usual, she hugged everyone in the crew, and Xue Shaofeng gently patted her and pushed her away. What she saw in Xue Shaofeng's eyes was affirmation and encouragement.

Suddenly, I felt a lump in my throat.

When I received the Walker Award, I was filled with surprise and excitement. Now, however, there's a tinge of sadness, like something lost and then regained.

Nie Suwen, who had never cried in front of the media before, surprisingly had tears in her eyes. Considering the recent rumors of a ban, everyone seemed to understand what was going on.

Suwen walked onto the stage, accepted the trophy, and bowed to the audience. This silent gesture was full of meaning.

"Suwen, please give your acceptance speech." The award presenter patted her on the shoulder reassuringly.

Suwen smiled as she wiped away her tears. Afraid that she would choke up and not be able to speak, she didn't go on stage unprepared like last time. However, she couldn't remember a single word of the acceptance speech she had prepared in advance.

It's not that I can't remember, maybe I just don't want to say those meaningless thanks.

She thought for a moment and then said, "I want to say that this award belongs to the entire production team. The honor I have received today is thanks to you all. Without Director Wei, without this film, without so many good actors and dedicated and professional staff, there would be no Nie Suwen today. My acting skills were honed in this film. I have never regretted making this film."

After she finished speaking, she bowed deeply to the camera.

The camera captured the single, glistening tear she shed as she bent over, against a backdrop of dazzling lights and a radiant stage. When the next day's newspapers published this poignant photo, accompanied by the headline "Golden Horse Newcomer Nie Suwen Bids Farewell to the Stage in Tears," countless people felt a touch of bittersweetness.

Everyone knows perfectly well why she said she "doesn't regret making this movie."

On the second-floor stands, a group of spontaneously organized Taiwanese rice cake fans stood up and shouted: "Rice cake, our love for you will never change, we will protect you as you move forward!"

For some reason, the camera on the big screen focused on Director Wei, who stood up from the audience, took a microphone from someone, and said with great emotion, "Nie Suwen said that this award belongs to our crew, but I believe that this award is earned through her own hard work and struggle."

"A Beijing girl was to play a Shanghai woman, and she couldn't speak a word of Shanghainese. Nie Suwen spent three months learning to speak authentic old Shanghainese, learn to sing Suzhou Pingtan (a traditional storytelling and ballad singing art), learn how to wear a cheongsam, and even practice walking with a Chinese dictionary on her head. In the end, she successfully won me over, and only then did she stand on the screen to accept this award. The hardships she endured are beyond words. She often says she was lucky to come to our crew, to learn what acting and being an actor are. The media also says she was lucky to land a blockbuster role in her debut film. But what she didn't know was that meeting her was also a stroke of luck for the 'Lust, Caution' crew. Perhaps she isn't the best actress, but I must say she is the most hardworking, diligent, and serene actress I have ever met."