In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Yang Guangming walked to the microphone, took a deep breath, and then spoke—in fluent Italian.

"Thank you to the Venice Film Festival, and thank you to the jury for awarding me this prize. Thank you to director Jiang Wen, and thank you to all the crew members. Without your hard work, there would be no film, and I wouldn't be who I am today."

His Italian was fluent and elegant, which surprised the Italian audience, and applause rang out again.

"Film is a dream, a light, a bridge connecting different cultures and hearts. I am honored to participate in this wonderful art form through acting."

This award is not only a recognition of me personally, but also a recognition of Chinese cinema and everyone who poured their heart and soul into this film.

He paused, turned his gaze to Jiang Wen and the others in the audience, and said in Chinese, "Thank you everyone."

Then he switched back to Italian: "Finally, thank you to my family, and thank you to everyone who supported this film. This trophy belongs to everyone who believes in the power of film. Thank you!"

His acceptance speech was brief and sincere, demonstrating both an international perspective and a deep understanding of his roots. After speaking, he raised the trophy again and saluted the audience.

The applause lasted for a long time.

Yang Guangming walked off the stage amidst applause and returned to his seat. Along the way, many international filmmakers nodded to him in congratulations.

Jiang Wen excitedly patted his shoulder: "Great! Great! We've won an award! The Volpi Cup! Best Actor!"

Liu Xiaoqing also said happily, "Guangming, your speech just now was really good. Your Italian was so fluent that it amazed all the foreigners."

Looking at the trophy in his hand and then at the bright smile on his face, Chen Hong felt that the man in front of her was full of infinite charm!

This young man has created another miracle.

However, the surprises were not over yet.

The awards ceremony continued. When the Best Director award was presented, everyone assumed this prestigious prize would go to a renowned international director.

The room fell silent again when the presenter announced the winner.

The winner of the Best Director Award at the 51st Venice International Film Festival is—

"—Jiang Wen, 'In the Heat of the Sun'! Congratulations!"

Even Yang Guangming was surprised this time.

In the original timeline, this film only won the Best Actor award. But now, thanks to more ample funding, superior production quality, and more extensive promotion, thanks to his influence, it even won the Best Director award!

This is indeed a positive change brought about by the butterfly effect.

Jiang Wen was completely stunned until Liu Xiaoqing nudged him, which brought him back to his senses.

"Old Jiang! It's you! Best Director!" Liu Xiaoqing was so excited that tears streamed down his face.

Jiang Wen suddenly stood up, almost tripping because of the sudden movement. He steadied himself, his face filled with unbelievable ecstasy.

He first hugged Yang Guangming tightly, his voice choked with emotion, "Young Master, thank you! Thank you so much!"

Then he strode onto the stage and his hands trembled as he received the trophy from the presenter.

Standing in front of the microphone, this usually eloquent director became somewhat incoherent.

"I...I really didn't expect that."

He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. "Thank you to the Venice Film Festival, thank you to the jury. Thank you to my crew, my actors. I especially want to thank Yang Guangming; without his support, this film would never have been completed, let alone standing here."

He looked at Yang Guangming below the stage, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude.

"Film is my life, my way of expressing my views on the world. This award is recognition of me as a director, and also recognition of the emotions and thoughts conveyed in our film. Thank you everyone! Thank you!"

Jiang Wen's acceptance speech was simple and sincere, which won enthusiastic applause.

When he walked off the stage with the trophy, he was radiant.

It's rare for a film to win both Best Actor and Best Director awards at the Venice Film Festival. "In the Heat of the Sun" became one of the biggest winners of this year's festival.

After the closing ceremony, the area outside the Palazzo Cinema was packed with reporters. It was big news that Chinese films had won two major awards at Venice.

Jiang Wen and Yang Guangming were surrounded by reporters, who bombarded them with questions.

"Director Jiang, what's it like for your film to win two major awards at the same time?"

"Mr. Yang Guangming, as the youngest actor to win the Venice Film Festival Best Actor award in history, what would you like to say?"

What are your views on the future of Chinese films on the international stage?

The two patiently answered questions, sharing their joy at winning the award and their understanding of the film. Chen Hong and Liu Xiaoqing stood to the side, their faces beaming with pride.

By the time they finally managed to shake off the reporters and return to the hotel, it was already late at night.

But no one was sleepy. Excitement and joy still lingered in everyone's hearts.

In the hotel lobby, Jiang Wen suggested, "Let's go to the bar for a drink! We have to celebrate today!"

Yang Guangming shook his head: "Director Jiang, you guys go ahead. I'm a little tired and want to rest early."

Jiang Wen nodded understandingly: "Okay, then you should get some rest. Today was really...fantastic!"

Liu Xiaoqing also said with a smile, "Guangming, you performed exceptionally well today. You even spoke Italian so fluently. Get some rest."

Everyone said goodnight to each other and went back to their rooms.

Yang Guangming returned to his room and had just taken off his coat when he heard a soft knock on the door.

He went to open the door, and Chen Hong was standing outside.

She changed out of her evening gown and into a simple off-white knit sweater and trousers. Her hair was down, and she wore light makeup. Under the soft lighting of the corridor, she looked stunning.

“I want to celebrate for you.” Chen Hong’s eyes shone. “Just the two of us.”

Yang Guangming smiled and stepped aside to let her in: "Okay."

He walked to the small bar, opened the refrigerator, and took out a bottle of red wine and two glasses: "The red wine provided by the hotel should be quite good."

Chen Hong sat down on the sofa, watching Yang Guangming skillfully open and pour the wine. His movements were elegant and composed, possessing a unique charm.

Yang Guangming handed her a glass of wine, then sat down opposite her and raised his glass: "Tonight."

"For tonight." Chen Hong clinked glasses with him and took a sip.

The red wine was full-bodied, melting in the mouth with a slightly astringent aftertaste followed by a sweet finish. The room was quiet, with only the faint sound of water outside the window.

“Guangming, congratulations.” Chen Hong looked at him and said, “Venice Film Festival Best Actor, this is an achievement that many people can’t reach in their entire lives. And you are only seventeen years old.”

"Just lucky," Yang Guangming smiled.

“No, it’s not luck.” Chen Hong shook her head. “It’s your talent, your hard work, and your uniqueness. I’ve never seen anyone like you.”

Her eyes became somewhat unfocused, perhaps due to the alcohol, or perhaps because she was too emotional tonight.

"You know what? On the red carpet, when you walked beside me, I suddenly felt that I wasn't afraid of anything anymore. Those cameras, those gazes, didn't seem so scary anymore. Because you were by my side, I felt very at peace."

Yang Guangming watched her quietly without interrupting.

Chen Hong continued, "During this time, I've been thinking a lot about what kind of person you really are. Sometimes I feel like you're a middle-aged person, knowing everything and handling everything well. Other times I feel like you're really a young person, with such a clean and bright smile."

She paused, her voice even softer: "But no matter what, I feel very safe and happy with you."

Yang Guangming put down his wine glass and sat down next to her.

The two were very close, and could feel each other's breath.

"Chen Hong," Yang Guangming called her name softly, "I'm also very happy to share these moments with you."

His gaze was gentle and focused, and Chen Hong saw her own reflection in it.

Their eyes met, and something in the air seemed to subtly change.

Chen Hong felt her heart racing and her cheeks burning. She closed her eyes slightly and waited.

Yang Guangming lowered his head and gently kissed her lips.

The kiss was light and gentle, carrying the subtle intoxication of red wine and the tenderness of the night. Chen Hong responded to him, her hands unconsciously encircling his neck.

The kiss deepened, from tentative to passionate, from tender to lingering. All emotions—the excitement of the evening, the joy of winning the award, the affection that had grown over the past few months—were poured into this kiss. They didn't know how long it lasted before slowly parting.

Chen Hong's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were unfocused, and her chest rose and fell slightly. She looked at Yang Guangming with determination in her eyes, but also a hint of shyness.

“Light. I…” She wanted to say something, but didn’t know how to start.

Yang Guangming gently stroked her cheek: "No need to say anything. Tonight belongs only to us."

He kissed her again, this time with even greater passion. Chen Hong completely relaxed, letting herself sink into this emotion.

Everything happened naturally.

When Yang Guangming discovered that it was Chen Hong's first time, he was surprised and somewhat touched.

In the entertainment industry of this era, especially for a beautiful actress like Chen Hong, to maintain her youthful appearance until the age of twenty-six requires not only an exceptional family background but also strong willpower and a firm adherence to her own principles.

This innocence seems especially precious on this night.

He became even gentler and more patient, guiding her to explore the unknown. Although Chen Hong was inexperienced, her complete trust and dedication filled the process with genuine emotion.

As night deepened, Venice outside the window remained as still as water.

Chen Hong nestled in Yang Guangming's arms, her breathing gradually becoming steady. She was exhausted, but her heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of fulfillment and happiness.

Sunlight gently stroked her long hair, and looking at her sleeping face, he felt a sense of peace.

The road of this life is still long, but at this moment, on this night, in this water city, the beauty in my arms and the trophy in my hand are all real and beautiful.

The next morning, Yang Guangming was the first to wake up.

Due to his biological clock, despite going to bed late last night, he still woke up at his usual time. Chen Hong was fast asleep in his arms, curled up like a lazy cat, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, her sleeping face serene and beautiful.

Without disturbing her, Yang Ming gently withdrew his slightly numb arm and got out of bed.

He took a shower, changed into clean pajamas, and walked to the window, pulling back half of the curtains. Sunlight immediately flooded in, illuminating the room and falling on Chen Hong's face.

She frowned slightly, mumbled something, her eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

After the initial disorientation of waking up, memories of last night flooded back. Seeing the figure standing by the window against the light, Chen Hong's face flushed red, and she instinctively pulled the blanket up to cover herself.

Yang Guangming turned around and saw her little movement, and couldn't help but smile: "Awake? It's still early, you can sleep a little longer."

"What time is it?" Chen Hong's voice was a little hoarse.

"A little past eight." Yang Guangming walked to the bedside and sat down, reaching out to smooth the messy strands of hair on her cheek. "Are you hungry? I'll order breakfast."

Chen Hong nodded, then shook her head, her expression conflicted, both shy and enamored with the warmth of the moment.

Yang Guangming noticed her discomfort and considerately said, "You go wash up first, and I'll have the hotel send breakfast for two to your room. There shouldn't be any urgent arrangements this morning, so we can take our time."

After saying that, he got up to make a phone call.

Looking at his tall, straight back, Chen Hong felt a warm current welling up in her heart. His thoughtfulness and naturalness greatly alleviated her embarrassment and shyness after their first experience.

She sat up, still wrapped in the blanket, the slight soreness in her body a reminder of what had happened the night before, and her face began to burn again. She took a deep breath, got out of bed, and headed for the bathroom.

The warm water washed over her body, carrying away her fatigue and slight discomfort. Looking at the faint marks on her body in the mirror, Chen Hong blushed again, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. It was a complex emotion mixed with shyness, sweetness, and a sense of belonging.

When she finished washing up and changing her clothes, breakfast had already been delivered.

On the elegant silver trolley were laid out a variety of breads, pastries, fruits, yogurt, as well as fried eggs, bacon, sausages, a pot of steaming coffee, and a pot of black tea. It was a feast more than enough to replenish the energy expended the previous night.

The two sat down at a small round table by the window and quietly enjoyed their breakfast. The atmosphere was somewhat subtle, but not awkward. Yang Guangming acted naturally, occasionally placing a croissant on her plate or pouring her a glass of milk, as if it were just an ordinary morning.

Chen Hong gradually relaxed and began to enjoy this belated breakfast that held special significance.

"What's the plan for today?" Chen Hong asked, slicing a fried egg.

"There should be official interviews and photo sessions arranged by the organizing committee in the morning, mainly for the winners. In the afternoon... if Director Jiang doesn't have anything else to do, I think we can have some free time." Yang Guangming took a sip of coffee. "Since we're in Venice, besides the film festival, we should also explore this water city."

Chen Hong's eyes lit up: "Is that okay? Won't it interfere with our business?"

"The main business is basically done. What's left is the copyright negotiation, which is something Director Jiang and Duan Yunfeng need to worry about." Yang Guangming smiled. "We can say we've successfully completed our mission and can relax a bit."

Chen Hong nodded happily. Being able to stroll around Venice alone with Yang Guangming was something she had never dared to imagine before.

Sure enough, shortly after breakfast, Duan Yunfeng called to inform them that the organizing committee had arranged a group media meeting for the award winners at the Film Palace at 10:30 a.m., and asked them to attend on time.

After getting ready, Yang Guangming and Chen Hong went downstairs together.

I ran into Jiang Wen and Liu Xiaoqing in the elevator. They both looked radiant, clearly having had a good night's rest.

Jiang Wen looked radiant, the wrinkles around her eyes seemed to have smoothed out, and she laughed heartily and patted Yang Guangming on the shoulder when she saw him, her voice full of energy.

The press conference was mainly a routine affair, answering questions about their feelings on winning the award and their future plans. Yang Guangming and Jiang Wen remained the focus, their teamwork seamless; one was composed and poised, the other passionate and energetic, complementing each other perfectly.

After the meeting, Jiang Wen pulled Yang Guangming and Duan Yunfeng aside to urgently discuss the subsequent copyright sales.

With two major awards in hand, the film's value in the eyes of international buyers has skyrocketed. Since the awards ceremony last night, several powerful international distributors have contacted the film, expressing strong interest in purchasing it.

“Young Master, you are half an investor, so you should also listen to the copyright negotiations.” Although Jiang Wen was excited, he was still clear-headed when it came to real money. “I have already communicated with Mr. Wen Jun. He has given us full authorization to handle it on-site, as long as the price is right.”

Sunlight nodded. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

Over the next two days, negotiations proceeded intensively in the hotel conference room.

Representatives from publishers in France, Germany, the UK, Japan, North America, and other regions took turns making offers, each more enthusiastic than the last.

When the film was nominated, the overseas rights were estimated at around one to two million US dollars. After winning Best Actor, the estimate rose to around five million. Now, with the addition of the Best Director award, the price has begun to climb in an astonishing direction.

After repeated negotiations, comparisons, and weighing of options, a consortium comprised of two major publishers from France and Germany ultimately secured the distribution rights for major global markets, excluding parts of Asia. Meanwhile, the Japanese and North American markets each fetched attractive prices individually.

When all the contract terms were finalized and the figures were tallied up, even Jiang Wen, who was used to big events, couldn't help but gasp.

"Eight million six hundred thousand US dollars!" Duan Yunfeng's fingers trembled slightly as he held the calculator.

Jiang Wen froze for a few seconds, then slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming with wild joy, "Holy crap! We're rich! We're really rich this time!"

Yang Guangming was quite satisfied. This figure far exceeded his expectations and also far surpassed the overseas revenue of the film from the original timeline. The butterfly effect brought about a real and enormous return.

He invested one million US dollars, acquiring a 50% stake. Based on the copyright sales revenue, his share would be four million three hundred thousand US dollars. After deducting the one million US dollar cost, he made a net profit of three million three hundred thousand US dollars.

This was absolutely a very successful investment.

After her initial excitement subsided, Jiang Wen looked at Yang Guangming with a complex expression: "Young Master, without your million, let alone an award, the film wouldn't have even been completed. Now... we've made a fortune."

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "It's because Director Jiang directed it so well, the film is of excellent quality, and the awards are well-deserved that it sold for this price. It's a win-win situation."

“Yes! A win-win situation!” Jiang Wen nodded vigorously, then rubbed his hands together and chuckled, “Um… Young Master, you promised me a bonus if I won the prize…”

Yang Guangming chuckled: "Don't worry, I won't forget. Director Jiang, this time we've far exceeded our expectations, so the 100,000 yuan red envelope we originally promised is a bit too much to offer now."

He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Jiang Wen: "How about this, I will communicate with Mr. Wen Jun and set aside a separate portion of our investors' profits as a special reward for the director and core creative team. Director Jiang, you are the director and have made outstanding contributions. I personally propose a reward of 500,000 RMB for you. What do you think?"

"Five hundred thousand!" Jiang Wen's eyes widened in surprise.

In 1994, 500,000 RMB was an enormous sum, enough to buy two or three decent apartments in prime locations in Beijing. For Jiang Wen, this represented immense recognition and respect.

"Young Master... this... this is too much..." Jiang Wen's voice trembled slightly.

He has a strong personality and rarely shows vulnerability, but at this moment, Yang Guangming's generous gift truly touched the softest part of his heart.

“It’s not much, you deserve it.” Yang Guangming said confidently. “The director is key to the success of a film. This 500,000 is both an incentive and an expectation. I hope Director Jiang can make more and better works in the future. I will have my lawyer and Mr. Wen Jun confirm the details and finalize it as soon as possible.”

Jiang Wen patted Yang Guangming's shoulder heavily, all his unspoken words ultimately condensed into two: "Thanks, brother!"

With the copyright issues largely settled, the remaining procedures were handled by Producer Zhang and his legal team. Yang Guangming, Jiang Wen, and the others could finally escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some leisure time in Venice.

Yang Guangming kept his promise and prepared to take Chen Hong on a good tour.

Before setting off, he asked Chen Hong, "Is there anything you particularly want to buy? Or any places you'd like to visit?"

Chen Hong thought for a moment, then shook her head: "I'm not familiar with this place, so I'll just follow your arrangements. As for what to buy... there's nothing particularly necessary."

Yang Guangming smiled but didn't say anything, though he already had a plan in mind. (End of Chapter)