Shrine - Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Ruan Ruan didn't get a chance to see how Shi Ran was engaging with her fans, because Shi Ran didn't give her the time. They spent the whole night frolicking through wave after wave of climaxes, tossing and turning, over and over again.

Cinderella waited for the clock to strike twelve, and Shi Ran and Ruan Ruan were waiting for the New Year's bells.

Once the calendar turned, they would have to go to their separate sets. One would return to Shucheng to film the dual-female-lead web drama Shrine, while the other would go to the Gobi Desert, the on-location filming site for Non-Desire.

One in the south, one in the north, worlds apart.

Ruan Ruan lay on the bed, searching for news about Shi Ran on her phone. The woman herself was right beside her, but she couldn't stop. She looked at the Super Topic where Shi Ran was holding a celebratory lottery, at the trending topics she had completely dominated, and at the fan club, which had remained calm after getting a heads-up and was now executing a beautifully coordinated move with pre-prepared promotional images.

The once-anxious career fans were revived at full health, saying that being a fan of Shi Ran was so reassuring.

The paparazzi seized the moment to reveal that they had previously photographed Shi Ran, Ruan Ruan, and the author of Shrine having dinner. It seemed Shi Ran was simply pulling strings to recommend an artist under her label, and Ruan Ruan's participation in Shrine was now a sure thing.

With this combo of moves, the popularity of both Shrine and Shi Ran soared. By putting herself on the line, Shi Ran not only hyped up Shrine but also used the controversial point of "taking the plunge" into GL to attract a massive amount of attention, building momentum for her final announcement of Non-Desire.

Faced with such powerful team operations and narrative control, Ruan Ruan felt both secure and vaguely worried.

What if, just suppose, what if I don't do a good job?

For the first time, her resolve was shaken. Under the overwhelming attention, she began to worry about success and failure.

The annual Feihua TV Festival was the last major event the two would attend together before heading to their respective sets. In previous years, Ruan Ruan, having no works to her name, would not have received an invitation, but this year was special. To encourage young actors and cultivate new talent, the festival gathered outstanding newly signed artists from several major agencies to observe and learn. They would also present the lifetime achievement award alongside veteran artists, symbolizing the passing of the torch.

Including Ruan Ruan, a total of 12 new-generation actors would walk the red carpet together.

Without Zhong Yi by her side, and needing to stand out among the 12 newcomers, preparing her gown was especially important.

Sylvia's studio called Ruan Ruan's team in advance, asking if they should prepare an off-season haute couture gown.

Artists with insufficient status generally have a hard time borrowing haute couture. Sylvia undoubtedly wanted to show off the resources and PR power behind Ruan Ruan. Ruan Ruan pressed the speakerphone button and asked for Shi Ran's opinion with her eyes.

Shi Ran mused, "Previously, an actress borrowed a couture piece through a buyer, and the brand was very unhappy."

That actress was third-tier, and the brand felt it lowered their status.

"I'll make it clear to the PR beforehand. I'll say she's your little one," Sylvia said nonchalantly.

Sylvia meant Shi Ran's Little Radish, but to Ruan Ruan's ears, it sounded rather suggestive.

"There are so many couture gowns on the red carpet; it won't necessarily attract that much attention," Shi Ran said tactfully, holding back the rest of her thought. Ruan Ruan was currently at the peak of public opinion; if she were any more ostentatious, it could easily backfire.

"Pick a vintage dress for her. Something from a more niche brand, one that's harder to borrow," Shi Ran said lightly after a moment of thought.

Sylvia understood immediately, praising Shi Ran for being brilliant.

Vintage dresses were collector's items, no easier to borrow than haute couture, yet they weren't too high-profile. In the subsequent publicity, she wouldn't be compared too much with the A-listers wearing couture that night. Plus, they could create buzz around the dress's history, making her seem very cultured.

To match the vintage dress, Ruan Ruan also wore slightly retro makeup, with her beauty mark made a little more prominent. Amidst a sea of fresh and gorgeous tulle gowns, she was as beautiful as a misty oil painting.

The TV Arts Festival focused more on the works, so its overall atmosphere was more serious and solemn compared to an awards ceremony red carpet. The red carpet was set up indoors, and fans were not allowed entry, leaving only the faint sound of music, the clicks of media shutters, and the calls to pose for photos.

After quickly walking the red carpet, Ruan Ruan took her seat with the other newcomers. She watched the entire ceremony earnestly and reservedly, her gaze occasionally falling on the back of Shi Ran, who was seated in the front row.

Near the end, the 12 newcomers were invited on stage to witness a respected veteran artist present the lifetime achievement award. A VCR began to play, its solemn music echoing through the silent hall. The history of film and television unfolded, with scenes emerging and fading in the river of time. Television dramas went from black and white to color, while the people who made them went from color to black and white.

The audience was incredibly moved, and applause broke out spontaneously.

The host was also deeply moved. After composing herself, she began to interview the 12 new-generation actors. She tossed out questions one by one to liven up the atmosphere, and the venue became animated again, like tender shoots sprouting from soil cultivated by their predecessors.

The host came over to Ruan Ruan, gave a little shrug, and teased, "Ruan Ruan, you've been quite popular lately, haven't you?"

The audience roared with laughter. Ruan Ruan smiled shyly and gave a slight bow.

"Ruan Ruan, standing here today, are you nervous?" the host asked, handing her the microphone.

Ruan Ruan took it, holding the microphone with both hands. "I'm nervous, but also very moved. I've personally witnessed the passion and sincerity the veteran artists have for the craft of acting. Watching that VCR just now, and standing on this stage, I feel especially proud to be an actress myself."

Amid the applause, the host nodded in agreement. "I think Ruan Ruan has spoken for all the new actors here. But Ruan Ruan," she said, her tone shifting, "you must be more nervous than the other eleven people on this stage, right?"

"Why is that?" Ruan Ruan asked with a faint smile, tilting her head.

"You must be the only one whose boss is watching from the audience, right?" the host laughed.

The audience erupted in another wave of laughter. It was true; the bosses of the other agencies weren't actors and hadn't been invited to attend.

Just as Ruan Ruan was about to answer, she heard an even louder roar from the crowd. Acting on a hunch, she turned her head and saw that the director, knowing exactly what to do, had cut to Shi Ran. Shi Ran's face appeared on the big screen.

Ruan Ruan instinctively raised a hand to cover the tip of her nose, her face instantly flushing red.

On the big screen, Shi Ran's smile was cool and distant, but the meticulously designed indoor lighting made her eyes sparkle and her teeth gleam. She looked exceptionally magnificent.

She smiled and lifted her head slightly, glanced at the actor beside her, then turned back to look directly into the camera and gave a slight nod.

Though she was looking at the camera, her gaze seemed to travel through the big screen and straight into Ruan Ruan's heart. Shi Ran knew Ruan Ruan was flustered and was subtly offering her a pill to calm her nerves.

Ruan Ruan turned her head to watch, took a deep breath, and turned back, a fine sheen of sweat on her skin. The blush on her face gradually faded. She pursed her lips and spoke into the microphone. "I'm not nervous about that. Because here, my only identity is that of a television professional. Whenever I'm on stage or in front of a camera, I only need to face the audience."

"This is also what my company, my team, and my colleagues have always told me. They are all helping me, striving for the day I can truly meet the audience through my work."

She finished speaking in a low voice, put down the microphone, and gave a small bow.

The applause was thunderous. Ruan Ruan lightly bit the inside of her lip. Shi Ran narrowed her eyes, raised her forearm, and clapped lightly along with the crowd.

They couldn't see each other's expressions clearly, but Ruan Ruan believed that Shi Ran was surely offering her heartfelt encouragement.

The host began her closing remarks. Music and ceremonial cannons sounded from the stage as confetti rained down like a glamorous, decadent snowstorm. At this inopportune moment, Ruan Ruan remembered Shi Ran telling her, "I'll make you a star," and also remembered her returning exhausted from Shucheng, saying she would be "managing an artist" for the next few months.

Shi Ran truly had pushed Ruan Ruan into the public eye, and she truly had brought her onto one stage after another.

Next, they would go their separate ways. This brief and beautiful dream was either coming to a grand conclusion, just like this night, or perhaps, it was just beginning.

Ruan Ruan would return to Shucheng with her manager, assistant, and an experienced team, with a commercial vehicle and that large black umbrella she had coveted for so long.

The Somersault Cloud was ready, and the east wind was blowing to the heavens. But whether she could become the Victorious Fighting Buddha, soaring ninety thousand li into the sky—the final landing point…

…was on herself.

Ruan Ruan crossed her arms, sighed, and bowed deeply once more—to Shi Ran, and to the audience that had been waiting for so long.

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