“My goddess!”
The shouts of enthusiasm continued even after Shu Qing had entered the theatre.
Song Rongrong said proudly, “People like Shi Wei are nothing compared to my idol. My idol is a real goddess with countless fans! She’s a legend even though she does not usually film domestic movies!”
“Enough of your bragging!” Shi Nuan cut Song Rongrong off hurriedly. “I have only seen female fans screaming upon seeing their male idols. Why are you behaving in the same way when you see a female celebrity?” Shi Nuan smiled. Shu Qing is not young anymore, yet she has such an enthusiastic fan like Song Rongrong. She must be a really good actress.
“Well, I can brag about Shu Qing for the entire day.”
“Enough. The press conference is about to start.”
At this moment, a staff member entered the room. “Ms. Shi, the press conference is about to start. The manager has asked me to bring you and your friends to the press conference.” The higher-ups had instructed the organizers to serve Shi Nuan and her friends well, so they had specially appointed someone to take care of them during the entire event.
Shi Nuan nodded. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Please follow me.”
Thus, Shi Nuan and her friends were shown to the press conference venue and seated on the second row in the VIP-designated area.
The first row in the VIP-designated area was occupied by the movie production teams, and the organizers, while the second row usually seated prominent figures. Hence, the reporters and fans were surprised to see Shi Nuan and her friends sitting on the second row. They started to gossip amongst themselves as they wondered about the three women’s identities.
Song Rongrong was oblivious to the curious stares from the reporters and fans and tugged at Shi Nuan’s sleeve excitedly. “Nuan, my brother-in-law is the best to have gotten us seats in the second row! I’m so thrilled! Nuan, do help me convey my gratitude to my brother-in-law!”
Shi Nuan shook her head resignedly. “You can just treat us to a meal next time.”
Song Rongrong’s jaw dropped. “Me treating you and my brother-in-law? I can’t afford to buy him an expensive meal!” I will love to treat them, but I really can’t afford to treat the prestigious Second Master Fu to a meal! His taste is too expensive!
“Look at you!”
Meanwhile, Shu Qing was leaning against the sofa lethargically backstage. Her manager was nagging her about the matters she should pay attention to during the press conference and even reminded her that Xinhuang had helped with the film promotion. So, her activities in the country must be arranged by Xinhuang in the future.
Shu Qing massaged her temples. “Haven’t we agreed to discuss White Nights only? Leave the stuff about Xinhuang for another time!”
“Okay.” Her manager scrutinized Shu Qing’s face and frowned. “Did you not sleep well yesterday?”
“Ms. Shu, Mr. Su has said that you must…”
“Enough!” Shu Qing cut him off briskly. “You have no right to interfere with my matters!”
Her manager raised a brow but did not speak another word.
Shu Qing felt uneasy knowing that her manager had read her mind. Hence, she vented her frustrations on her. “Although Su Huaibei and I are only using each other, I can convince him to fire you easily because he still likes me.”
However, her manager did not rise to the bait and replied calmly, “Ms. Shu, you must have mistaken what I mean. The White Nights press conference is scheduled for today, while you have to attend another media conference tomorrow followed by discussions about your endorsements. Oh yes, the manager told me that Xinhuang had sent a representative from its senior management just now. Maybe you will need to chat with the representative later…”
“What do you take me for?”
“I think it’s necessary for the sake of your future!”
“Do you really expect me to entertain others?”
“Don’t worry. She’s just a lady.”
Shu Qing raised her head to look at her manager in surprise. “Lady?”
“Yes, and she is very favored by the bosses. I understand that she is your fan, and the higher-ups have specially arranged for her to see you in person. It will benefit your career development in Z Nation in the future.”
Shu Qing felt assured upon hearing her manager’s words. It’s nothing if the other party is a woman. Furthermore, she is my fan. I guess there is no harm in having a small chat with her later.
Shu Qing understood her plight very well. Although I may appear to be glamourous to outsiders, there is no denying that I am getting old. I can’t carry on with my old ways. Furthermore, my prospects in Hollywood are not as good as what outsiders may perceive them to be.
Therefore, this visit to Z Nation was an opportunity for Shu Qing. After all, given my age now, I don’t have an advantage against those popular and young pop idols.
“The press conference is starting. Ms. Shu, are you ready?” a staff member asked suddenly.
Shu Qing shot a glance at her manager before nodding.
“I’m ready. Let’s go out now.”
Shi Nuan swept her gaze across the massive fan turnout, tugged Su Yian’s sleeve, and exclaimed in a tone of amazement, “Wow! I have finally witnessed the power of idols!”
“Of course. She is my idol!” Song Rongrong smiled smugly as she joined in their conversation. But Shi Nuan pushed her head gently in response. “Enough of your bragging.”
“Oh! The MC is on stage already!”
The MC was rather young with a tall and slender frame. His humor brought waves of laughter around the room.
After a brief introduction of the movie, the MC started introducing the cast and the production team, starting with the producer and moving on to the movie’s female lead, Shu Qing. Although the male lead could not attend the press conference as he was tied up in the shooting of another film, the appearance of Shu Qing alone was enough to stir excitement among the audience.
On stage, Shu Qing was a far cry from her defeated self a second ago. Now, she was a dazzling sight; one could not tear one’s eyes off her.
Song Rongrong grabbed Shi Nuan’s hands agitatedly. “Nuan, look at my goddess and her elegant demeanor! She oozes confidence!”
Shi Nuan’s eyes were glued to Shu Qing, and she was suddenly overwhelmed by an inexplicable feeling.
It was apparent that Song Rongrong was oblivious to Shu Qing’s stunned state as she kept gushing over her idol before stopping abruptly. She turned to face Shi Nuan then to the stage before turning her gaze onto Shi Nuan again. “Nuan, I just realized that you bear a strong resemblance to my goddess!”
Su Yian overheard Song Rongrong’s words and repeated the latter’s earlier gestures. After studying both Shi Nuan’s and Shu Qing’s faces, Su Yian commented, “Indeed, Nuan! You do bear a resemblance to her!”
Shi Nuan was startled by her friends’ observations. “I don’t think so.”
“It’s true! No wonder I liked you right when I first saw you!” Song Rongrong grabbed Shi Nuan’s hand and blinked at her. “You really look like her.”
Shi Nuan squirmed under Song Rongrong’s stare and fixed her gaze on Shu Qing on stage instead. The latter was smiling in response to the MC’s witty jokes. Her smile… It does resemble mine.
Shi Nuan shook Song Rongrong’s hands off. “Haha. Z Nation is so big. It’s not surprising to have strangers resembling each other. Anyway, don’t Shen Qianan and I look alike too?”
In her heart, Shi Nuan was trying very hard to suppress her emotions. For reasons she could not fathom, waves of inexplicable emotions were running through her now.
I must control myself and maintain my composure.
Thankfully, Song Rongrong sensed Shi Nuan’s discomfort and changed the subject immediately. “Haha, after taking a second look, you don’t bear that much of a resemblance to her. Rest assured. I will not treat you as a substitute for my goddess just because you look like her!”
“Enough of your nonsense.” Shi Nuan rolled her eyes at her. “I’m not anyone’s substitute.”
On stage, Shu Qing was busy chatting with the MC, and she even engaged in a few brief interactions with some of her lucky fans. In general, the press conference progressed smoothly, and Shu Qing was elegant and eloquent on stage. Soon, it was time for the question-and-answer session.
As the organizers had screened through all the reporters’ questions before the press conference, Shu Qing managed to answer all the questions with ease.
The questions were mostly about her career and her upcoming plans, such as whether she intended to film domestic movies in the future.
Suddenly, a woman in a baseball cap pulled low, and black thick-rimmed glasses stood up. She spoke into a microphone while staring at Shu Qing, “Ms. Shu, I heard rumors that back then, you went overseas to escape from certain responsibilities. Is that true?”
There was an uproar among the audience. Shu Qing’s face turned ashen, and she staggered back a few steps while staring at the woman dumbfoundedly.
Shivering uncontrollably, Shu Qing tried to make out the woman’s face but to no avail. The woman’s face was covered by the cap and glasses that she had on.
The mysterious woman pressed on, “I heard that Ms. Shu had no lack of suitors when you were young. Even Mr. Shen from the capital was wooing you back then. Is that true?”
“Who are you? Why are you slandering me?”
Pale-faced, Shu Qing grasped her microphone tightly as she continued staring at the woman in shock.
