Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 171 Global Spokesperson: Asia's First

September 14, 7:00 AM in Venice.

The long shouts of gondoliers echoed across the canal, mingling with the gentle lapping of the water.

This is the moment when the city awakens, but for the filmmakers who partied until late last night, most are still dreaming.

Liu Yifei woke up first.

She opened her eyes and took three seconds to remember where she was.

Venice, hotel, the first morning after the awards ceremony.

Then she remembered everything from last night: the flashing lights on the red carpet, the moment Gong Li called out her name, the heavy trophy, Jiang Yu's passionate kiss, the countless congratulations in the banquet hall—

This is not a dream.

She sat up gently and turned to look at the bedside table.

The golden Volpi Cup stood there quietly, gleaming softly in the morning light.

She reached out and touched it; the cool metallic feel confirmed its authenticity once again.

I could hear even breathing around me.

Jiang Yu was still asleep, lying on his side, with one hand unconsciously resting on her waist.

His sleeping face was very relaxed, with even a slight smile on his lips, probably having a good dream.

Liu Yifei didn't wake him. She quietly got out of bed, walked barefoot on the soft carpet, and went to the living room.

The coffee table was piled high with things I brought back last night: trophy boxes, media materials, business card holders, and a dozen or so gift bags of various sizes, all congratulatory gifts from the party last night.

She picked up her phone, unlocked it, and the sheer number of notifications on the screen made her gasp.

Unread SMS messages: 127.

Weibo @ and private messages: 999+ (showing the maximum).

Missed calls: 28.

Unread emails: 16.

She opened the text message first.

At 3 a.m., Liu Xiaoli posted a long message: "Yifei! My daughter! Mom saw the live stream! I cried, Mom cried! — Baby, Mom is so proud of you, really, Mom is so proud —"

The second message was from An Shaokang, and it was very simple: "Daughter, well done." But it was followed by three thumbs-up emojis.

The third message was from Zhou Huiwen, Jiang Yu's mother: "Yifei, congratulations! Auntie was so excited I couldn't sleep all night, I recorded the live stream and watched it three times! Is Xiaoyu with you? Tell him to take good care of you, Auntie will cook a big meal to celebrate when you get back!"

Scrolling down further, there were over a dozen messages from Sister Li at the company, sent from the end of last night's awards ceremony until 5 a.m. this morning: "Yifei, call back when you see this message! The country is in an uproar!" "The Weibo server crashed three times!"

"More than fifty media outlets have requested interviews. I've done a screening; please take a look at the list first—"

"We've received over thirty brand collaboration offers, all from top international brands. It's insane, absolutely insane!"

Then came the congratulations from friends and colleagues.

Wang Jia sent a message at 1 a.m.: "Yifei! My God! She really won an award! Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival! I'm impressed! The school is probably going to put up banners, I'm really impressed! You have to treat us when she gets back! Quanjude, it's on you!"

Scroll down for more.

Directors, actors, producers, and even some industry insiders whom I had only met once sent their congratulations.

She even has to think for a moment to remember who some people are.

She exited the text message and opened Weibo.

Although the network in Venice is slow, it can still load.

Of the top ten trending topics, seven are related to her:

1. #Liu Yifei Wins Best Actress at Venice Film Festival# (Breaking News)

2. #22-year-old Venice Film Festival Best Actress# (Breaking News)

3. #BlackSwan#

4. #Gong Li presents an award to Liu Yifei#

5. #Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei kiss#

6. #Chinese actress wins Best Actress at Venice Film Festival after 17 years#

7. #LV Liu Yifei's red carpet look#

Clicking on the first topic, the number of views has reached an astonishing 50 million, and the number of discussions has exceeded 50,000.

The latest trending Weibo post was made by CCTV News' official Weibo account at 9 AM: "[Congratulations! Liu Yifei wins Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival] On the evening of September 13th local time, the 66th Venice International Film Festival closed. Chinese actress Liu Yifei won the Best Actress Award for her outstanding performance in the film 'Black Swan.' This is the first time a Chinese actress has won this honor at the Venice Film Festival since Gong Li in 1992. Congratulations to Liu Yifei! Proud of Chinese cinema!"

The accompanying photos are a nine-grid layout: her accepting an award on stage, hugging Gong Li, giving her acceptance speech, kissing Jiang Yu, her red carpet look, and movie stills —

This Weibo post has been forwarded over 1 times, and the comments are full of congratulations and national flag emojis.

Scroll down further, and you'll find a compilation of reports from major media outlets.

Central media outlets such as People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and Guangming Daily all released breaking news in the early hours of the morning, and her story dominated the front page headlines of their morning papers.

The headline of the Beijing News was "Liu Yifei, who was crowned Queen of Venice at the age of 22, dances the 'Black Swan'."

The Southern Metropolis Daily wrote, "From 'Fairy Sister' to International Film Queen, Liu Yifei Completes a Gorgeous Transformation."

The Beijing Youth Daily published an in-depth analysis titled "Behind Liu Yifei's Award: A New Milestone in the Internationalization of Chinese Cinema."

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The entertainment media coverage was even more extensive.

Sina Entertainment created a special page to provide comprehensive coverage from multiple angles, including film analysis, acting performance, red carpet looks, and the significance of the awards.

Tencent Entertainment compiled a timeline, from the start of filming of "Black Swan," its nomination at Venice, its first place in the festival's daily publication, to its final award.

NetEase Entertainment interviewed several film critics who praised her performance, saying it "reached a new height for Chinese actresses."

The Weibo comment section was a scene of pure celebration: "I cried, I really cried, I started crying the moment she went on stage to accept the award!"

"A 22-year-old Venice Film Festival Best Actress winner! What an incredible life! I was still playing video games in my dorm at 22!"

"That kiss between President Jiang and Yifei was so sweet! This is what love should look like!"

"Where are those people who say Yifei only has a pretty face? Can a pretty face win a Best Actress award at Venice?"

When will Black Swan be released in China? I want to watch it ten times!

"From today onwards, Liu Yifei is my idol! She's beautiful, talented, and hardworking!"

"I heard she practiced dancing for this movie until her feet bled, that's why she was able to succeed."

There were also some dissenting voices, drowned out by the sea of ​​congratulations, but they still lingered: "I'm so jealous, so incredibly jealous. She's only 22 years old!"

"I guess I was lucky to have a good director and a good script."

"With a boyfriend like Jiang Yu, what resources can't she get?"

"Just wait and see. Winning such a big award at such a young age is bound to make you arrogant."

Liu Yifei calmly scrolled through the comments.

The joy was real, the emotion was real, and those jarring voices also brought her to her senses; that's how this industry is, some people cheer for you, while others are waiting to see you fall.

She closed Weibo and opened her email.

Most of the unread emails were invitations for media interviews, some were inquiries about brand collaborations, and there were even a few script offers from Hollywood production companies.

She glanced at the titles quickly without looking at them closely; these all needed to be filtered and processed by the team.

"Awake?" Jiang Yu's voice came from behind, hoarse from just waking up.

Liu Yifei turned around and saw him walking over in his bathrobe, his hair a little messy and his eyes still sleepy.

He walked up behind her, hugged her from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder: "What are you looking at?"

"Let's watch the news." Liu Yifei leaned against him. "The whole world is reporting on it. It feels so unreal."

Jiang Yu glanced at his phone screen and laughed: "This is nothing. The real global headlines will come out when the newspapers come out during the day, and when the morning news in Europe and America air."

He's right.

At the very moment they were speaking, newspapers from all over the world were being delivered to every household's doorstep, morning news was being broadcast on television, and headlines on online media were being updated.

Italy, La Repubblica front page headline:

"The Swan of the East Conquers Venice: A 22-Year-Old Chinese Girl Wins Best Actress Award"

The accompanying photo is a large picture of Liu Yifei holding a trophy on stage, wearing a smoky pink dress and smiling brightly.

The two-page interior coverage provides a detailed report, ranging from film analysis to the significance of the award, concluding with: "Liu Yifei's award is not accidental, but an inevitable result of the rise of the Chinese film industry and the increasing influence of Eastern culture. Her performance has shattered Western stereotypes about Asian actresses, proving that good acting knows no borders."

France, Le Figaro's culture section headline:

From Gong Li to Liu Yifei: The Venice Legacy of Chinese Actresses

The article provides a detailed comparison between Gong Li's award in 1992 and Liu Yifei's award this year, and analyzes the changes in Chinese films and actors on the international stage over the past 27 years.

"If Gong Li's award was the first time that Chinese films were truly seen by the world, then Liu Yifei's award means that Chinese actors have the strength to compete on the mainstream international stage."

The Guardian website in the UK headline:

"Liu Yifei, the 22-year-old Venice Film Festival Best Actress: Her 'Black Swan' Moment"

The article focuses on analyzing her performance, calling it "one of the most stunning performances by a female actress at the Venice Film Festival in recent years."

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"Through her performance, Lin Xin is both fragile and strong, both elegant and mad. The subtle emotional layers are reminiscent of a young Juliette Binoche or Isabelle Huppert."

The Hollywood Reporter website (USA):

Venice Film Festival Best Actress Liu Yifei: Hollywood's Next Asian Superstar?

The article not only reported on her award but also provided an in-depth analysis of her career prospects: "At 22, fluent in English, with superb acting skills, a background in dance, and backed by China's largest private film company, Liu Yifei possesses all the qualities to succeed in Hollywood. It is understood that several Hollywood production companies have already extended offers to her. Her next choice will determine whether she can become the next international Asian star."

Japan, Asahi Shimbun International Edition:

Chinese actress Liu Yifei wins Best Actress at Venice Film Festival, a new pride of Asian cinema.

"This is an honor for Asian actresses. Liu Yifei's award proves that Asian actors are fully capable of competing for the highest honors at A-list international film festivals. Her success will also inspire more young Asian actors to go global."

South Korea, JoongAng Ilbo entertainment section:

22-year-old Chinese actress Liu Yifei wins Best Actress at Venice Film Festival, sparking reflection within the South Korean entertainment industry.

While offering congratulations, the article also compared the performances of Chinese and South Korean actors on the international stage: "While Chinese actors have won awards at Cannes and Venice, South Korean actors are still striving to enter the main competition. Behind this lies the rapid development of the Chinese film industry and large-scale capital investment, something the South Korean film industry should reflect upon." Meanwhile, in China, newspapers are already being delivered to newsstands at 7:00 AM.

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen—the front page of every major city's morning newspaper is filled with photos of Liu Yifei and news of her awards.

On the subway, commuters, newspapers in hand, glanced at the young woman holding a trophy on the front page and whispered among themselves, "Liu Yifei won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival! Amazing!"

"Only 22 years old, that's amazing."

When will "Black Swan" be released? I want to see it.

In the office, the first thing colleagues say when they meet isn't "Have you eaten?", but rather, "Have you seen it? Liu Yifei won the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award!"

"I watched it! I stayed up until the early hours of the morning, I was so excited!"

"Her dress is so pretty, it's a dusty pink."

"Jiang Yu is so doting! That kiss was so sweet it was almost sickening."

At school, college students ate breakfast while scrolling through their phones: "My goddess won Best Actress! Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival!"

"From today onwards, Liu Yifei is my idol!"

"I heard that her feet were blistered from practicing dance; success really isn't easy."

This is a morning that belongs to Liu Yifei.

From Venice to BJ, from Paris to New York, her name and photos have appeared in media outlets around the world.

The title "22-year-old Venice Film Festival Best Actress" is eye-catching enough, not to mention the excellence of the film itself, the stunning performance, and the Chinese story behind it.

Within the entertainment industry, a subtle yet tacit "congratulatory ceremony" is unfolding.

At 9:00 AM Beijing time, celebrity congratulations began on Weibo.

Those who spoke up first were the true friends.

Huang Bai posted on Weibo at 8 a.m.: "@Liu Yifei Congratulations Yifei! Best Actress at Venice! You've brought glory to our Beijing Film Academy! You must treat us when you get back, we're waiting!" The accompanying photos were a picture of the two of them in Venice, as well as a group photo of the "Cow" crew.

Director Yan Ni reposted Huang Bai's Weibo post, writing: "Well deserved. Yi Fei's performance in 'Black Swan' is a breakthrough for Chinese actresses on the international stage. Congratulations! Looking forward to more great works from her."

Next are the actors and directors I've worked with before.

Hu Ge posted on Weibo at 9:10: "Congratulations Yifei! Best Actress at Venice, so amazing! I'm so proud of you!" The accompanying picture was a still from their collaboration on "Chinese Paladin" many years ago, when they were both still quite young.

Following closely behind were actresses of similar age, including Tang Yan, Yang Mi, and Wang Zhi, who all posted congratulatory messages on Weibo around the same time, with very appropriate wording: "Congratulations, Sister Yifei!" "Fantastic! The pride of Chinese cinema!" "Learn from Yifei!"

Then there are the seniors.

Zhang Ziyi posted a long Weibo post at 10 PM: "Last night I watched the Venice Film Festival awards ceremony live, and I cried when I saw Yifei go on stage to accept the award. It reminded me of my own moments at international film festivals when I was young. Yifei's performance was solid and powerful; all actors understand the effort she puts into her roles. This award is the best affirmation for her. Congratulations Yifei, Chinese cinema is proud of you. Looking forward to seeing more of your great works in the future."

This Weibo post quickly became a trending topic, and the hashtag #ZhangZiyiCongratulatesLiuYifei# soon surpassed one million views. In the comments section, fans of both sides were unusually harmonious: "International Zhang confirms! Yifei is awesome!"

"The recognition from seniors is the most important! Keep up the good work, Yifei!"

"This is what Chinese actresses should be like: supporting each other and making progress together!"

Following closely behind, Zhou Xun, Li Binbin, Fan Binbin, Zhao Bafei—the so-called "Four Dan and Two Bing" (referring to four top actresses and two top actresses in China)—as well as other leading actresses, all posted congratulatory messages on Weibo between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

The wording was very official and polite, and there was nothing wrong with it.

In this circle, beneath the surface of respectability often lie complex and genuine emotions.

BJ, a high-end apartment.

A young actress born in the 85s put down her phone and said to her agent, "I've already posted it, isn't that respectable enough?"

The agent looked at the Weibo backend data: "The number of reposts is good, and the comments section is alright too. There are just a few fans comparing, saying when will you win an international award—"

Xiao Hua sneered: "Win an international award? Do you think international awards are like cabbages at the market? You need a good project, a good team, good timing, and capital to back it up. Liu Yifei has all three. What do I have?"

The agent whispered, "Actually, we could contact Light Chaser Pictures. They have a lot of projects on hand right now, and if they find anything suitable—"

"You think I haven't thought about it?" Xiao Hua interrupted her. "How do we approach him? Just say, 'Mr. Jiang, I also want to act in your international blockbuster.' Liu Yifei is his girlfriend; resources will definitely go to her first. We outsiders don't even know where we'll be in the queue."

"That's not necessarily true. Jiang Yu is a businessman, and businessmen look at profits. If we have enough commercial value, he'll consider it."

Xiaohua fell silent.

She walked to the window, looked at the bustling traffic below, and said softly, "You know what? What hurts me the most isn't that she won the award, but the age at which she won it. 22 years old — what was I doing when I was 22? Filming idol dramas, creating on-screen couples, fighting for top billing."

At 22, she was already standing on the stage in Venice.

The agent didn't know how to comfort him.

A villa district in Shanghai.

A renowned actress born in the 70s, known for her acting skills, is drinking tea in the garden.

The assistant came over with a laptop: "Sis, look, Weibo is full of comparisons between you and Liu Yifei."

The actress took the computer and scrolled through the comments: "Although XX has won all three major domestic awards, she still has no international awards."

"Liu Yifei won the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award at 22, what was XX doing at 22?"

"Times have changed, and young people today have more opportunities."

She calmly finished reading and handed the computer back to her assistant: "Let them talk. Every era has its own opportunities. In our time, it was difficult enough to go abroad to participate in film festivals, let alone win awards."

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"But----"

"There's no 'but' about it." The actress took a sip of tea. "Liu Yifei's success is a good thing, it shows that Chinese actors are gaining more and more international recognition. This is beneficial to the entire industry. As for myself—I've won all the awards I should have won, and I've acted in all the roles I should have acted in, so I have no regrets."

The assistant nodded, seemingly understanding.

A film crew in Hengdian.

During a break in filming, several young actors gathered together and scrolled through their phones.

"My goodness, Liu Yifei won the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award! That's incredible!"

"She's only 22 years old, a year younger than me —"

"I heard that Jiang Yu acquired a Hollywood company specifically to promote her and tailor-made projects for her."

"With a boyfriend this good, anyone could succeed, right?"

"You can't say that. Liu Yifei is talented too. She's such a good dancer and speaks fluent English. These are things you can't get just by having a boyfriend."

"Yeah, right—sigh, we can't be envious. Let's just focus on filming."

This is the true state of the entertainment industry.

On the surface, everyone congratulated each other and seemed amicable; in private, envy, jealousy, comparison, and reflection were intertwined.

Regardless, everyone must acknowledge one fact: Liu Yifei has reached a whole new level, a level that most people may never reach in their lifetime.

This "decent" congratulatory ceremony was completely disrupted at noon by a sudden bombshell announcement.

It was exactly 12:00 noon Beijing time.

Louis Vuitton's official websites in China, Asia, and globally have been updated simultaneously.

The main image on the homepage is a brand new poster featuring the brand's spokesperson.

The backdrop is the red carpet of the Venice Film Palace, with blurred lights shimmering like a galaxy.

In the foreground, Liu Yifei is wearing a smoky pink LV haute couture gown, the same one she wore on the red carpet at last night's closing ceremony.

He stood sideways, turned his head slightly, and his eyes were calm yet powerful.

Her right hand hung naturally at her side, while her left hand gently touched her neck, and the platinum lantern necklace shimmered at her collarbone.

The overall image is elegant, sophisticated, and powerful.

The poster features a line of English text at the top: "LOUIS VUITTON ISPLEASED TOWELCOMECRYSTALLIUAS"

GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR.

Below is the Chinese text: "Louis Vuitton announces actress Liu Yifei as its global brand ambassador."

Almost simultaneously, Louis Vuitton's official Weibo, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts all updated, releasing the same poster and official announcement text.

The Weibo post reads: "She is actress Liu Yifei (@刘艺菲). She is the Best Actress winner at the 66th Venice Film Festival. She is a global ambassador for Louis Vuitton. Welcome to the Louis Vuitton family. #LouisVuitton #LiuYifei"

Within three minutes of its posting, this Weibo post was forwarded over 10,000 times, received over 50 million comments, and garnered over 20,000 likes.

The entire internet is in an uproar.

If the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award represents the highest recognition in a professional field, then being a global LV ambassador is the pinnacle of commercial value.

Moreover, this is not an ordinary brand ambassador or a spokesperson for a product line, but a global spokesperson. No Asian star has ever held this title before.

Who are LV's global brand ambassadors? Hollywood's Angelina Jolie and France's Léa Seydoux—all top international stars.

Now, a Chinese name has been added to this list: Liu Yifei.

The Weibo server crashed for the fourth time.

The CTO roared in the work group: "It crashed again! LV officially announced! Liu Yifei is their global brand ambassador! My God, are they going after Liu Yifei today?! All backup servers! All of them! Go online! Notify the cloud service provider to urgently expand capacity!"

The crash lasted only five minutes.

Five minutes later, the server recovered, and the trending topics list looked like this:

1. #Liu Yifei becomes LV global ambassador# (Breaking news)

2. #First Asian LV Global Ambassador# (Breaking News)

3. #Liu Yifei Wins Best Actress at Venice Film Festival# (Breaking News)

4. #LV officially announces Liu Yifei#

5. #22-year-old life winner#

6. #Gong Li presents an award to Liu Yifei#

7. #BlackSwan#

8. #Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei kiss#

Eight of the first ten entries are related to Liu Yifei.

The comments section went completely wild: "My God! LV global ambassador! The first one in Asia! What does that even mean?!"

"Venice Film Festival Best Actress + LV Global Ambassador, 22-year-old Liu Yifei has achieved legendary status today!"

"Yesterday I was envious, today I'm convinced. This can't be explained by luck anymore; it's a combination of ability and the times."

"LV has a keen eye; the timing of the official announcement maximizes the buzz."

"I heard the contract was signed a while ago, and they're just waiting for the official announcement after winning at Venice. LV made the right bet this time!"

"From this day forward, Liu Yifei is the female celebrity with the highest commercial value in China, bar none!"

"Where are those sour grapes? Come out and keep being sour! Let's see what true, well-deserved recognition looks like!"

The fashion media was also in an uproar.

Vogue Asia editor-in-chief Zhang Yu posted on Weibo: "Congratulations Yifei! This is a historic moment for the Chinese fashion industry! The first Asian LV global ambassador, well deserved! Last night's red carpet look has already proven her fashion sense. Looking forward to more wonderful collaborations in the future!" The post included nine fashion photos of Liu Yifei from different periods.

Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief Su Mang: "Liu Yifei's appointment as LV's global ambassador is a landmark event signifying the rise of Chinese celebrities in the international fashion world. Her temperament, image, and professional attitude perfectly align with LV's brand spirit. Congratulations!"

ELLE China: "From actress to Best Actress, from Best Actress to Global Brand Ambassador. Liu Yifei's 24 hours have rewritten the international standing of Chinese stars. Congratulations!"

Within the entertainment industry, this news caused a greater stir than winning the Venice Film Festival award.

While awards can be considered artistic recognition and involve an element of luck, being an LV global ambassador represents genuine commercial value—the result of the brand voting with real money.

This means that Liu Yifei's commercial value has reached the top international level, comparable to that of top Hollywood actresses.

The woman, born in the 70s, was having lunch when she saw the message.

She was staring at her phone screen and didn't even notice her chopsticks falling onto the table.

"LV—global ambassador—" she murmured to herself, "the first in Asia—even Gong Li hasn't had one—"

The agent was also looking at her phone, her expression complex: "I heard the contract negotiations started three months ago, before 'Black Swan' went to Venice. LV executives watched the rough cut of the film and saw her fashion sense, and immediately made the decision. This Venice award just made the official announcement more perfect."

"Three months ago—" Da Hua smiled bitterly, "What were we doing three months ago? We were fighting tooth and nail for an endorsement deal with a top domestic brand. They were already talking about becoming LV's global ambassador."

"That's the difference," the agent said frankly. "Liu Yifei's current commercial rates are at least ten times higher than ours."

Moreover, she only deals with top international brands, a level we can't access.

Da Hua remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Help me book an English tutor, starting tomorrow, two hours every day. Also, arrange for physical education and dance classes. In addition, see if there are any opportunities for international co-production projects, no matter how small the role, just get in touch."

Top female stars were also affected.

After seeing the news, Zhang Ziyi called her agent: "Have we discussed the title of LV Global Ambassador before?"

The agent replied over the phone, "We've talked to them, but LV has been hesitant. They feel the Asian market isn't significant enough, and their global ambassador lineup is all Hollywood-level."

"Now they've chosen Liu Yifei."

"Because Liu Yifei won the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award, and she's only 22 years old, with huge potential. LV is betting on the future this time."

Zhang Ziyi paused for a few seconds: "Help me contact the president of LV China and arrange a dinner. Also, have the team look into whether we can secure global endorsements from other luxury brands."

"clear."

This is a chain reaction.

Liu Yifei's role as LV's global ambassador not only boosted her personal value but also raised the bar for commercial success among top-tier Chinese actresses.

Previously, the highest title luxury brands could give to Chinese celebrities was "Friend of China" or "Ambassador of China". Now that there is a precedent for "Global Ambassador", other female stars have room to compete for it.

In Venice, Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu didn't see the news until 12:30 pm.

They had just finished lunch at the hotel restaurant and were preparing to go back to their room to pack their luggage, as they were flying to Rome that afternoon to begin their planned trip to Italy.

Holding her phone, Wang Wei's hands trembled with excitement: "Yifei! President Jiang! LV has officially announced her! Global ambassador! The first one in Asia!"

Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then took the phone.

On the screen, the homepage poster of LV's official website came into view; it was a photo of her from last night.

She stared at the words "Global Brand Ambassador" and was momentarily speechless.

Jiang Yu leaned over for a look and smiled, "Pretty efficient. They even prepared the posters in advance, just waiting to release them after winning the award."

"You knew all along?" Liu Yifei turned to look at him.

"I know, but I don't know exactly when it will be officially announced." Jiang Yu put his arm around her shoulder. "You earned this yourself."

They're not a charity; they chose you because you have value.

"But—global brand ambassador, that title is too heavy." Liu Yifei said somewhat uncomfortably, "Can I handle it?"

"LV is even more concerned about this issue than you are," Jiang Yu said. "They conducted a comprehensive assessment of your image, temperament, professional attitude, future development potential, and most importantly, the Chinese market behind you. You are their key to unlocking the younger generation of Chinese consumers. So, relax and just be yourself."

Just then, Liu Yifei's phone rang.

It was a long-distance call from the president of LV Asia Pacific.

"Ms. Liu, congratulations! Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, well-deserved!" The president's voice was enthusiastic. "And congratulations on becoming Louis Vuitton's global ambassador. We are very honored to work with you."

"Thank you, I'm honored."

"Our team has prepared a complete cooperation plan, including global GG photoshoots, event attendance, and special customizations. We can discuss the details after you return to your home country."

"OK."

"In addition, we noticed that your red carpet look last night received rave reviews from the global media. We've already received many inquiries from clients about that dusty pink haute couture gown. This once again proves that our choice was correct."

After the call ended, Liu Yifei was still somewhat dazed.

He looked at Liu Yifei and noticed that she was looking down, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" He walked over and sat down next to her.

"It just feels like...it's all too fast," Liu Yifei said softly. "Yesterday I was worried about whether I could win an award, and today suddenly I have so much—honor, opportunity, attention. It's like a dream, and I'm afraid I'll suddenly wake up."

Jiang Yu held her hand and said earnestly, "This is not a dream. I know how much you sacrificed for 'Black Swan,' Darren knows, and all the crew members know. Those days of sweating and crying in the rehearsal room, those days of practicing your eyes in front of the mirror, those days of filming a single scene twenty times—none of that was in vain. The glory you have now is a reward for all that effort."

"But—the pressure is even greater now." Liu Yifei looked up at him, her eyes filled with unease. "I won the award, became the global ambassador for LV, and everyone is watching me. My next project has to be even better, every appearance has to be perfect, I can't make mistakes, I can't let people down—"

"No one is perfect," Jiang Yu interrupted her. "You'll make mistakes, you'll have off days, and you'll have less-than-ideal works—that's all normal. Don't let these titles bind you. Remember, you're first and foremost actress Liu Yifei, and only then are you a Venice Film Festival Best Actress winner or a global LV ambassador. An actor's primary job is acting; everything else is secondary."

He paused, his tone softening further: "Besides, I'm here. I'll help you screen projects, vet collaborations, and shield you from unnecessary pressure. You just need to do what you love—acting—and leave the rest to me."

Liu Yifei looked at him, her eyes slightly moist.

She leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Jiang Yu, thank you. Without you—"

"There are no 'what ifs'." Jiang Yu kissed her hair. "We are one. Your glory is my glory, and I will share your burdens. So, don't be afraid, move forward."

The two sat quietly for a while until Wang Wei knocked on the door to remind them that it was time to head to the airport.

At 3 p.m., the group arrived at Venice Marco Polo Airport.

There were already many media and fans waiting at the airport. As soon as Liu Yifei appeared, the flashbulbs went off immediately, and the screams of the fans almost lifted the roof off.

"Yifei! Look this way!"

"Crystal! Congratulations!"

"Could you sign your name?"

Liu Yifei was dressed simply in a white shirt and jeans, with a baseball cap, but she was still recognized.

She politely stopped, signed a few autographs, took a few photos, and then quickly walked towards VI under the escort of staff.

P channel.

She didn't breathe a sigh of relief until she boarded the plane to Rome.

"There will be more and more scenes like this in the future." Jiang Yu sat down next to her and helped her fasten her seatbelt. "You'll have to get used to it."

"I know," Liu Yifei nodded, "but it just takes time to get used to it."

After the plane took off, she leaned against the window, watching Venice below grow smaller and smaller.

This water city sparkles in the sunlight, like a jewel set in the Adriatic Sea.

When she arrived here ten days ago, she was a young actress vying for awards with her work; when she left ten days later, she was already a Venice Film Festival Best Actress and a global LV ambassador.

Life is truly amazing.

An hour and a half later, the plane landed at Rome's Fiumicino Airport.

Rome's weather is similar to Venice's: sunny and with a clear blue sky, but the air is drier and lacks the humidity of the water city.

The person who came to pick us up was an employee from the Italian branch of Light Chaser Pictures, an Italian woman in her thirties named Sofia, who spoke fluent Chinese: "Mr. Jiang, Ms. Liu, welcome to Rome. The car is ready; we'll take you directly to your hotel."

The hotel in Rome, located near the Spanish Steps, is a converted 19th-century palace that retains its ancient exterior while boasting modern luxury inside.

The room's balcony faces the roof of a Roman-style house, its red tiles gleaming warmly in the setting sun.

"Rest for a bit, I'll take you out for authentic Roman cuisine tonight." Jiang Yu put down his luggage and went out onto the balcony.

Liu Yifei followed and leaned against the railing.

The evenings in Rome are beautiful. In the distance, you can see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, while closer at hand are narrow streets and ancient buildings. Occasionally, a motorcycle will whiz by, leaving behind the roar of its engine.

"Finally, I can relax." She took a deep breath. "No need to walk the red carpet, no need to give interviews, no need to face the cameras."

"This is what a real vacation is like." Jiang Yu put his arm around her waist. "For the next three days, we'll be just ordinary tourists. Eating delicious food, seeing the scenery, taking pictures, and not thinking about anything else."

At 7 p.m., the two walked out of the hotel and strolled hand in hand through the streets of Rome like any ordinary couple.

Liu Yifei changed into a simple dress, wore a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, while Jiang Yu was also dressed casually in a T-shirt and jeans.

On the streets of Rome, no one recognized them. Europeans are not very sensitive to Asian faces, and besides, they looked completely different from the radiant actresses on the red carpet.

Our first stop was Trevi Fountain, the famous wishing well.

As evening fell, the area was packed with tourists, all throwing coins into the pool to make wishes.

Liu Yifei also took out a euro coin, turned her back to the fountain, and threw the coin over her left shoulder with her right hand.

"What did you wish for?" Jiang Yu asked.

"I won't tell you, otherwise it won't come true," Liu Yifei laughed, taking his arm. "But I can tell you, one of my wishes is about you."

"About me?"

I hope you can always be this happy.

"6

Jiang Yu smiled, leaned down and kissed her cheek: "With you here, I'm happy every day."

Next, we went to the Pantheon, visited the Roman Forum, and finally had dinner at a well-known local restaurant near Piazza Navona.

The restaurant wasn't big, but it had a nice ambiance, with old photos hanging on the walls and red and white checkered tablecloths covering the tables.

When ordering, Jiang Yu communicated with the waiter in fluent Italian and ordered appetizers, main courses, desserts, and wine.

Liu Yifei looked at him in surprise: "When did you learn Italian?"

"I learned this year in preparation for coming to Italy," Jiang Yu said calmly. "Not much, but enough to order food."

The appetizers were fried artichokes and marinated sardines, the main courses were Roman-style pasta "Cacioe Pepe" and "Saltimbocca alla Romana" (Roman-style fried veal rolls), and dessert was tiramisu and Italian gelato.

"This noodle is so delicious!" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up after taking a bite of the cheese and pepper noodles. "The cheese flavor is so rich, and the spiciness of the pepper is just right."

"Roman cuisine is characterized by its simplicity yet deliciousness." Jiang Yu cut a piece of beef roll from his plate for her. "Try this, it's veal wrapped with sage and prosciutto, it's very tender."

The two chatted as they ate, talking about everything from food to movies, from Rome to Venice, and from the past to the future.

"What are your plans after you return to China?" Jiang Yu asked.

"Black Swan will be released on October 1st, and I need to do promotional work," Liu Yifei said. "And then—it's still undecided; we need to carefully select films."

"Don't rush, take your time choosing. Now that you have the resources, you can pick truly good projects."

"And you? What big moves does Light Chaser Pictures have in store next?"

"The video platform launched during the National Day holiday, the ticketing website launched on New Year's Day, and there's also the promotion and distribution for 'Avatar'," Jiang Yu said. "But all of these are handled by teams, so I don't need to do them myself. But you," he looked at her, "I want to tailor a project specifically for you."

"What project?"

"Remember when you said on the plane that you wanted to act in a romance movie with me?" Jiang Yu smiled. "I've got the screenwriting team working on it. It's a love story about an alien and an actor. You play a big star, and I'll play myself."

Liu Yifei's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Really. The first draft of the script will be ready by the end of the month, and if you like it, we can start filming next year." Jiang Yu held her hand. "But let's make it clear first, I'm an amateur when it comes to acting, so you'll have to mentor me."

"No problem, Teacher Liu will teach you," Liu Yifei said playfully.

After dinner, the two took a walk in the Roman night.

The buildings lining the street looked ancient and mysterious under the lights, jazz music drifted from the cafes, couples kissed on the street, and the sound of motorcycle engines approached and then faded away.

Reaching a quiet street corner, Jiang Yu stopped and took a small box out of his pocket.

"What is it now?" Liu Yifei laughed. "Has President Jiang become addicted to giving gifts these past few days?"

"The last item, I promise." Jiang Yu opened the box. Inside wasn't jewelry, but a key. "The key to a small estate on the outskirts of Rome. I bought it. It's not big, but it has a vineyard, a swimming pool, and a view of the distant mountains."

We can come anytime from now on, no need to stay in a hotel, it'll feel like home.

Liu Yifei was stunned.

She looked at the key, then at Jiang Yu, and her eyes slowly reddened.

When did you buy it?

"I bought it two months ago when I first came to see it. At that time, I thought, if Venice wins an award, I will bring you here to celebrate; if they don't win an award, I will still bring you here to relax."

Jiang Yu placed the key in her palm. "Now, it's yours. Our first home, our home in Europe."

Liu Yifei gripped the key tightly, threw herself into his arms, and tears streamed down her face.

For this dedication, for this love, for this man who always thinks of everything for her.

"Jiang Yu, I love you," she whispered in his arms.

"I love you too." Jiang Yu hugged her tightly. "Forever."