My girlfriend is from the future!

At 6 p.m., outside the ROJO Art and Culture Space, night was just beginning to fall, yet it was as bright as day.

Countless flashes illuminated the crimson carpet laid out on the ground, making it dazzlingly bright. Media cameras and microphones were set up on both sides of the red carpet, behind which were throngs of people and enthusiastic fans chanting the names of various celebrities.

Before the lavish banquet and clinking of glasses even began, the clamor of the world of fame and fortune had already reached its first climax.

He Tianran was not put into the limousine in the waiting area by the organizers. Instead, to match his identity as a director, he was placed in an open-air control room not far from the red carpet.

The huge monitor screen in front of him was divided into eighteen sections, each with different angles and perspectives, captured by cameras on the red carpet. The main image currently being played online and on-site showed him dressed in casual clothes, seemingly discussing the filming process with his staff.

As fans from various groups watched He Tianran appear on the live stream screen, their enthusiasm, though not as high as when their own idols made their entrance, still erupted in a "Wow!" signaling the official start of the red carpet event.

Then, the camera switched to a limousine slowly driving in outside the red carpet, where the first celebrity guest made a dashing entrance, leading a Doberman Pinscher.

Seeing the camera cut away and the event proceed as scheduled, He Tianran secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

That scene just now wasn't a random cut by the director; it was a shot specially designed for him by the organizers. It has to be said that the red carpet in the Chinese entertainment industry is getting more and more elaborate these days. Without some clever design, people can't even walk properly. He will also start from here in a while and walk to the "BVLGAR" light sign in the middle to walk the red carpet with Wen Liang.

He Tianran leaned against the control panel, his gaze casually sweeping over the monitor screen divided into eighteen sections.

On the screen, celebrities from all walks of life took turns appearing, vying for attention. A male star walking a Doberman tried to create a cool and aloof persona, but was pulled off a fall by the overly excited dog. A female star wearing an exaggerated tutu lingered in front of the autograph board for a long time, changing angles, until a staff member had to step forward and whisper a reminder.

The air was filled with the low hum of equipment in operation and the intermittent static of dispatching instructions coming from walkie-talkies. The noise outside rose and fell, faintly coming through the glass walls that were not very soundproof, providing a noisy background sound for this embodiment of fame and fortune.

Bulgari took this banquet very seriously, bringing together over fifty collaborating artists and social celebrities. Following the tradition of starting with the head and ending with the tail, the organizers arranged for actress Shu Qi to appear third. As a Bulgari ambassador, she certainly deserves a prestigious presence on such an occasion. Meanwhile, their other female ambassador, Liu Yifei, known as the "Fairy Sister," was scheduled to make her grand finale appearance.

Speaking of which, although the celebrities at the event were all dazzling in Bulgari jewelry and spoke eloquently about the products, acting like brand ambassadors, the title the brand usually gives them is nothing more than the most basic "brand friend." To put it bluntly, it's a short-term, light collaboration, or even just a one-off deal where they're invited to walk the red carpet. Wen Liang is one of them.

Sui Chulang left with Gu Qiaoman. The two were a popular couple in "Wild in My Heart" and their pairing lasted for quite a while. However, even if they were popular, several months have passed and the promotion period is long over. Even if it was a couple's post-coital relationship, it has been a bit too long. Moreover, Sui Chulang's other new drama is currently airing. If they were really going to be together, he should have left with the female lead of the new drama, especially since she was present today.

He Tianran heard from the staff on site that this was Gu Qiaoman's request, and the original arrangement was for Sui Chulang to walk the red carpet alone.

Although Gu Qiaoman and he are of similar status, Sui Chulang is the only male spokesperson present today. He not only has to take care of the female fans in the audience, but also a group of wealthy female clients after he enters the venue. This is fundamentally different from the previous request from the brand for He Tianran and Wen Liang to appear together.

"So... you agreed after Gu Qiaoman said that?"

He Tianran asked the staff member in charge of the liaison out of curiosity.

"Actually, we wouldn't really agree to this kind of request, but Director He, you're here today, and considering the integrity of your crew, we communicated with both sides, and they said it was no problem to film together."

Ah, so it turns out I inexplicably gave away some face...

He Tianran smiled, pondered to himself, and said:
"Well... thank you so much for promoting my brand."

He made polite remarks, but his gaze unconsciously drifted to the surveillance camera at the entrance to the red carpet.

Time passed by, and celebrities came and went on the red carpet, like stars on an assembly line. Everyone played their roles meticulously, with impeccable smiles and flawless postures.

He saw Gu Qiaoman enter the venue arm in arm with Sui Chulang. To be honest, He Tianran, in his "lead singer" persona, didn't have many memories of his own works, so when the two lead actors came out and recreated a famous scene from the drama, he wasn't really moved...

He just stared at the exquisite face on the screen, the gorgeous clothes, the smile distorted by the spotlight, and felt as if it were all a meticulously choreographed silent play. The screams of the fans around him drilled into his eardrums, gradually stretching into an endless buzzing sound—

He remembered something...

He felt like he'd encountered this scene somewhere before...

However, the blurry images that flashed through my mind didn't seem very pleasant...

Unbeknownst to He Tianran, beads of cold sweat the size of rice grains had already formed on his forehead.

"Here it is! Teacher Wenliang's car has arrived!"

Finally, a low, indicative shout came through the walkie-talkie.

The man leaned forward slightly, his gaze instantly focusing on the small display showing the entrance.

A black Maybach came to a smooth stop at the starting point of the red carpet, and the door was respectfully opened by a waiter...

First to emerge was a foot clad in a silver stiletto heel, with a slender ankle and clean, defined lines...

Then, a bright red burst forth like a torrent of fire—

Wen Liang bent down slightly and got out of the car.

At that moment, it seemed as if all the flashes were lit up just for her.

The red one-shoulder Armani haute couture gown, with its rich, true red color, made her skin look even whiter than snow. The one-shoulder design revealed her delicate collarbone and rounded shoulder line, while the fitted cut outlined her perfect curves. The skirt flowed like a flame as she walked.

The girl's long hair was carefully styled, revealing her slender neck and defined jawline. Bulgari tourmaline earrings swayed beside her ears, reflecting a dazzling yet gentle pink light. A matching necklace around her neck hugged the curve of her collarbone, like a frozen shooting star.

She wore a polite smile, but her eyes were clear and calm. She raised her hand to respond to the calls from the media on both sides, her steps were unhurried, and a perfectly timed, playful smile appeared on her lips—a smile that could only be seen on her face.

As He Tianran stared at the radiant figure on the monitor screen, all the surrounding noise seemed to fade away in an instant—the director's instructions beside him, the screams of fans in the distance, the crackling of camera flashes…

Everything faded into a blurry background noise, and for some reason, a thought popped into He Tianran's mind—

"A girl who was the center of attention since high school is still the most blatantly arrogant one in this cutthroat world of fame and fortune."

"Director He, it's your turn to get ready," a staff member whispered a reminder.

He Tianran snapped out of his daze, took a deep breath, and saw the cameraman already in position behind him. The director looked up, his finger already on the switch button, ready to switch to this scene as soon as he was ready.

The man stopped looking at the screen, made an "OK" gesture, and the broadcast camera switched. Now, whether viewers were watching the red carpet live or online, they could see He Tianran's figure reappear in the control room.

In the footage, he patted the director on the shoulder, then took off his leather jacket with one hand, kicked open the door to the control room, and walked out...

Outside the door, an assistant who was already waiting handed over a well-tailored black velvet suit jacket...

The camera followed He Tianran closely, capturing him taking the coat without stopping, his arm smoothly sliding into the sleeve, while he tossed the expensive leather jacket behind him.

He hurried along the temporary passage outside the control room. The passage was narrow and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the intensity of the red carpet. Staff members were running around on both sides, equipment boxes were piled up, and cables were tangled. The camera quickly shifted to He Tianran in front of him, where he was just finishing adjusting the last button on his suit.

As he approached the corner leading to the red carpet entrance, He Tianran slowed his pace slightly, turned his head, and as if remembering something, waved to the camera in front of him. The photographer picked up the camera and brought it closer for a close-up, but the man treated the lens as a mirror...

He took off the hair tie from his wrist and quickly tied his previously loose hair into his favorite bun. A few strands of hair fell restlessly in front of his forehead, which, compared to his neat and proper appearance a few seconds earlier, highlighted a bit of unruliness and casualness.

Once everything was settled, he stepped without hesitation into the crimson area illuminated by countless flashes of light…

Instantly, a deafening chorus of camera shutters and shouts erupted.

The 30-second long take was filmed in one go.

The outdoor clamor instantly enveloped him, but he ignored it. He walked through the deafening crowd of fans, ignoring the cameras trying to get him to look at them. The man walked unhurriedly towards the huge "BVLGARI" sign in the center of the red carpet.

Under the light sign, the light was intense.

Wen Liang happened to walk to this spot and stopped as per the procedure. She turned slightly to the side, perfectly showcasing the jewelry around her neck and the flowing lines of her dress. Her chin was slightly raised, and her gaze, piercing through countless cameras, landed on the figure walking towards her against the backlight.

Eyes facing each other.

Just a few steps away, separated by countless flashing camera lights and the clamor of voices.

He Tianran stopped beside her and naturally extended his arm.

Wen Liang looked at him, and the formulaic smile on her lips seemed to soften a little. Something gently rippled in the depths of her eyes. Without hesitation, she gently placed her hand on his arm.

The moment the two touched, it felt as if a faint electric current surged through them.

The next second, all the cameras simultaneously captured this scene—

The clash of black suits and red tuxedos, the director and actor side by side, the blend of calm and brilliance—they stood before a dazzling array of lights, with the bustling world of fame and fortune behind them and countless flashing cameras in front of them… The most perfectly matched pair stood at the center of the red carpet.

He Tianran turned his head to the side, his gaze falling on Wen Liang's profile outlined by the light.

"Let's go."

In this vast arena of fame and fortune, it seems that he only has his roses in his eyes.

Wen Liang's eyes curved slightly, her lips curved into a smile, and that playful smile that was uniquely hers reappeared:

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

They walked side by side and started anew.

The red carpet seemed both very long and very short.

The shouts from both sides grew even more frenzied, with the names "He Tianran" and "Wen Liang" intertwined, and the flashes of light from the cameras like lightning in broad daylight, capturing their figures time and time again.

He Tianran walked steadily, his steps small, perfectly matching Wen Liang's rhythm. His arms steadily supported her. The girl maintained a perfect smile on her face, but her eyes unconsciously glanced at the man beside her again and again. Beneath her carefully applied makeup, a faint blush quietly rose at the base of her ears.

Finally reaching the end of the red carpet, in front of the autograph board, He Tianran picked up a pen, signed his name, and then handed the pen to Wen Liang. The girl took it, and the pen tip glided across the backdrop, leaving delicate handwriting very close to He Tianran's name.

There was no lingering or deliberate interaction.

As usual, the host asked a few questions about jewelry, which He Tianran answered casually, only occasionally turning his head to give more speaking opportunities to those around him.

Having done her homework thoroughly, Wen Liang answered all her questions and dutifully explained what the brand wanted, adding her own playful interpretations. The president of Bulgari Greater China laughed heartily. As for the brand CEO, who was not yet fluent in Chinese but was already at a very high level, He Tianran quickly translated a few words in English, which made the foreigner praise Wen Liang repeatedly. He took her hand, took out his phone, and didn't hesitate to take a solo photo with her in front of many cameras.

This vast arena of fame and fortune, a place of extravagance and debauchery, a place of bizarre and dazzling spectacle, where everyone is striving to perform and to gain. Yet, at this moment, He Tianran felt gratified. This fiery red flower, which had originally only grown around him, could finally bloom stubbornly, vibrantly, and dazzlingly under the witness of countless flashing lights…

After taking photos with the senior executives, it was finally time for the media.

Compared to the officially appointed hosts, the questions asked by these media friends were much bolder.

"Director He, Miss Wen..."

An entertainment reporter in the front row asked the question first, almost shoving the microphone in front of the two of them:

"Recently, there has been a lot of discussion online about the two of you, with many saying that you fell in love while filming the drama."

Including what we learned from your appearance on the show "A Day in the Life," you were high school classmates. Could you share with everyone whether this special bond you formed had already blossomed during your innocent high school years, or whether it sparked during your later collaborations?

The media area fell silent for a moment, then all the cameras were fixed on the two of them, waiting for the answer that would go viral online.

He Tianran's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the microphone. He subconsciously turned his head to look at Wen Liang, who met his gaze. Wen Liang maintained her perfectly timed smile, but a fleeting glint of unspoken emotion flashed in her usually bright eyes.

There was cunning, helplessness, and even a fleeting sense of melancholy.

She recalled the man's almost humble plea in the park, and the line he drew that symbolized "sobriety."

She pursed her lips, took the other microphone from the host, and her voice, clear, bright, and deep, resonated distinctly across the bustling red carpet.

"It seems everyone is quite interested in our high school days."

She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling:

"Back then... we were indeed classmates, but Director He was much more shy back then than he is now..."

She cleverly replaced the sensitive term "budding romance" with the more story-driven and safer terms "classmate relationship" and "personal impression."

"As for what happened later..."

She paused, her gaze briefly meeting He Tianran's again. In that instant, there was the resolute determination she had shown during their confrontation in the park, the passion she had shared during their embrace in the fitting room, and the clear-headedness she felt now, standing at the center of the world of fame and fortune...

But none of these seem to have a single source...

Finally, she parted her red lips slightly and gave an answer that invigorated all the media professionals, yet failed to provide any substantial evidence against her:

"Later... if Director He had been a little braver back then, maybe we would already be a couple..."

"Wow——!"

The scene was in an uproar!
What does this mean? Does it acknowledge that they had feelings for each other in the past? Or does it specifically refer to a period when they didn't have those feelings now? Or is it some more sophisticated public relations tactic, somewhere between the truth and the falsehood?

The flashbulbs were going off like crazy, and all the microphones were eager to be pushed forward.

The experienced media professional immediately posed the question to He Tianran, seeking a clearer answer:
"Director He, Wen Liang said 'what if' when you two were together. Does this mean she's admitting to your past feelings for each other? Or is there some story we don't know?"

He Tianran remained silent.

He looked at Wen Liang beside him, smiling sweetly, and at the familiar, defiant, and desperate smile in her eyes, as if she were saying—

"Look, I can easily cross the line you've drawn, but the decision of where to go after crossing it seems to have returned to your hands."

He Tianran suddenly remembered why seeing Wen Liang walk the red carpet made him so nostalgic, why he had taken the initiative to distance himself from her, even admitting to others that he was the one who had been rejected, and why his other personality had tried so hard to probe and hint at his tragic past during that variety show...

These are all actions that come from the depths of the soul, seemingly from nowhere...

Because there was a time when he was truly brave...

I have indeed been rejected...

That time, just like this moment...

Wen Liang always says to He Tianran, "Why do you like making decisions so recklessly?"

Can……

Isn't the same true for warmth and coolness?

She was like a willful fire, daring to ignite herself in front of the whole world, and daring to drag He Tianran into the center of attention.

What could He Tianran say?
recognition?

Is this a replay of an old dream, a turning point in life, a straight line that becomes a circle once more? What awaits them is either self-immolation or rebirth.

deny?

That was a betrayal of all the genuine feelings between them, an insult to Wen Liang's courage at this moment, and the best punishment to repay them in kind.

Finally, He Tianran, who seemed to carry an unknown and contradictory aura since his awakening, slowly picked up the microphone under the watchful eyes and cameras of countless anxious gazes.

He gazed at Wen Liang, tilted his head slightly, and spoke in a low voice, carrying an almost weary honesty that clearly reached everyone's ears:

"She could say that..."

He seemed to have used all his strength to utter the second half of the sentence:
"...But I dare not think that way anymore."

She can say that, but I wouldn't dare think that way.

Neither admitting nor denying, what he revealed was a starkly different situation, an unequal courage, a helpless yet genuine cowardice buried deep beneath the surface of fame and fortune, and even more so, the overwhelming flood of memories suddenly unleashed by the phrase "if only"—

It was the shame of being rejected in his youth and the embarrassment fermenting over the long years, all converging at this moment to overwhelm him...

A sea of ​​hatred and a sky of love. (End of Chapter)