CHAPTER 339: NAVIGATING THE AFTERMATH

Wen Nuan didn’t like entertainment reporters. She disliked a profession that was all about digging into people’s private lives. She felt they always wrote to boost newspaper sales and online clicks, twisting the truth. For example, her interview today might be taken out of context tomorrow, so she had to be very careful with every word she said, especially when it came to Ye Feimo.

She knew she couldn’t offend entertainment reporters, no matter how much she disliked them. She wasn’t Lin Ning, who would swing a chair at a reporter just because he was in a bad mood. Lin Ning was probably the only person in the industry who would do something like that.

However, she was interested in hearing about other people’s gossip. It was a guilty pleasure of hers.

Ye Feimo was being interviewed elsewhere, and Wen Nuan saw that he wouldn’t be done anytime soon. Just as she was about to leave with Cai Xiaojing, a few second-tier artists came over to take pictures with her.

Wen Nuan smiled and took pictures with them. They all congratulated her with smiles on their faces, and Wen Nuan thanked each one of them.

The winner of the Best Newcomer award from the Film Critics’ Award also came over to congratulate her. Wen Nuan smiled and responded. Whether they were sincere or not, she had to play the part. Li Yuanyuan came over and hugged her. She was also holding a Most Popular Actress award. Wen Nuan felt a little guilty, but she kept a calm smile on her face. She was used to it, even though she felt a little insecure.

She knew that Li Yuanyuan was the favorite for the Best Actress award at this Golden Chapter Awards and that she truly deserved it. Even though Wen Nuan had spoken so confidently on stage, she knew that if it weren’t for Ye Feimo, that Best Actress trophy would have been Li Yuanyuan’s.

"Congratulations, Wen Nuan," Li Yuanyuan said, a slight curve on her lips. "Even though you won Best Actress because of someone else, there’s no denying that you are very talented. But if you always rely on connections for your career, you’ll only go so far."

Wen Nuan pursed her lips and didn’t argue. She just smiled faintly. Li Yuanyuan didn’t seem to want to say much more to her. She turned her head as reporters were taking pictures, and both of them showed a graceful and poised smile.

With so many eyes on them, they couldn’t afford to make a single mistake.

The tension was hidden between their smiles, but Wen Nuan knew that she and Li Yuanyuan were now on bad terms. Li Yuanyuan wouldn’t be friendly with her. This woman was very strong-willed. Wen Nuan hoped there wouldn’t be any more conflicts.

After the pictures, Li Yuanyuan walked away. Among the four beauties of Anning, Peng Shuyao looked the least aggressive. She was gentle and elegant. She and Yang Yang came over to say hello and took pictures with Wen Nuan.

"Wen Nuan, you’ve got this!" Peng Shuyao said with a smile. "You really do deserve it."

Wen Nuan smiled and didn’t respond. A little later, Cheng Yu came over. Wen Nuan greeted her warmly. Cheng Yu looked at her outfit and nodded repeatedly. "You look so beautiful. It’s like you’re a different person. I was so impressed watching from the stage."

"Teacher, stop making fun of me," Wen Nuan said coyly, her cheeks a little red.

Cheng Yu smiled, looked at the trophy in her arms, and nodded. "You stole the show today, and your performance was great. But Nuan, remember that you are still a newcomer. You have to know how to hold back and be humble. If you’re arrogant, you’ll be met with a powerful backlash of jealousy and hatred. That power is terrifying. You can’t just rely on someone protecting you to have a smooth sailing career. I know you don’t like to socialize with people in the industry. But no matter who you meet, you have to be humble to your elders and kind and helpful to your juniors. You also have to know how to maintain a good relationship with your peers. Do you understand?"

"I know, Teacher. Don’t worry, I have a good temper. I can handle this." Wen Nuan said with a calm smile. That’s why when Li Yuanyuan spoke to her like that, she didn’t argue. She just smiled. She accepted everyone’s congratulations, whether they were sincere or filled with disdain.

"Teacher, thank you for the Golden Chapter Awards this time," Wen Nuan said, looking at the Best Actress trophy.

Cheng Yu said, "You don’t have to thank me. Everyone was in agreement about the Best Newcomer award. For Best Actress, the votes were tied. The other votes went to Li Yuanyuan. It was mainly up to me. Even if Mr. Ye hadn’t said anything, I would have still chosen you. For a newcomer, your performance in *Beauty of the Nation* was truly great. Just as you said, you deserve it. Don’t worry too much about what others say."

"I know," Wen Nuan said with a light laugh. Cheng Yu didn’t like to socialize, so after talking to Wen Nuan, she left. Han Bi came over after her interview. Wen Nuan instinctively looked for Cai Xiaojing, but Cai Xiaojing was with Lin Ning, so she had to face Han Bi alone.

"Congratulations," Han Bi said with a smile. Wen Nuan nodded and said casually, "You look very beautiful today."

Han Bi’s lips curled up. Her eyes fell on the trophy in Wen Nuan’s arms. She had won Best Actress trophies at the Venice Film Festival, the Berlin Film Festival, the Japan Film Critics Association, and the British Academy Film Awards, so she wouldn’t care about a Golden Chapter Awards trophy. But the sneer on her face clearly mocked Wen Nuan for being undeserving of the trophy.

"You really are a lucky one," Han Bi said, looking at Ye Feimo in the distance. She added, "The cheongsam is beautiful today. Feimo’s taste is as good as ever."

Wen Nuan wanted to say that she had chosen the cheongsam herself, not Ye Feimo, but she didn’t. She lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "Yes, Feimo’s taste is as good as ever. Just like the dress you’re wearing, it’s also very beautiful."

Han Bi’s eyes narrowed. "You know Feimo designed this dress?"

Wen Nuan nodded as if it were a given. "Of course. He told me everything about you two. All of it, without leaving anything out."

"That’s impossible!" Han Bi flatly denied it. How could he have told Wen Nuan everything about their past? That was impossible. Those were their memories. Why would he tell Wen Nuan?

Wen Nuan was just making things up. Ye Feimo was hoping she wouldn’t ask about his past with Han Bi. There was no way he would tell her himself.

"Why is it impossible? He designed the dress you’re wearing. He has a lot of talent in jewelry and clothing design. The design from years ago still looks very modern."

Han Bi’s face was pale. Ye Feimo had actually told her.

"Oh, what else did he tell you?" Han Bi asked, maintaining her composure. There was no hint of sharpness in her voice. She looked gorgeous and elegant. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she wouldn’t lose her poise.

"Actually, Han Bi, I’m not interested in your past. I really am not. Who doesn’t have a past? It was just a first love. I’ve had a first love, too." Wen Nuan’s smile turned cold.

"Did he tell you we have a child?"