All the Female Protagonists Who Have Been Saved Have Become Obsessed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 25

The San Sebastián International Film Festival opened.

As a major event held every few years in this coastal city, the seaside boulevard was packed to the brim.

Various camera setups, introductions, and languages blended harmoniously.

Zhou Xi stood in the tallest nearby hotel, looking down from a high floor at the bustling scene, marveling.

Being there in person was entirely different from watching on TV.

Besides entertainment reporters, there were fans, light signs, banners, and all sorts of customized merchandise, with fluorescent fonts dazzling Zhou Xi’s eyes.

Chunshui was still preparing, set to walk the red carpet with Hua Yun.

Zhou Xi and Tina took the backstage commercial passage.

Tina wore a short white gown, her dark skin wrapped in the white dress, like a radiant black pearl.

Hua Yun wore a matching designer outfit, also a white dress, though hers was longer. The two lounged on a sofa, waiting for Chunshui.

A female star’s entrance was indeed different, requiring meticulous preparation.

Zhou Xi grew sleepy waiting, ate the hotel’s food, then a plate of fruit, and lay on a single sofa, dozing off, before Chunshui was ready.

Chunshui emerged from the inner room. An assistant opened the hotel’s double doors, and she stepped out, holding her skirt’s hem.

“Let’s go,” Chunshui nodded slightly, unsmiling, fully embodying her outfit.

It was the first time Zhou Xi saw this cool side of her, her overall look like a captivating demon.

Jam-colored lips were the only makeup accent on her face. The princess cut didn’t diminish her; it blended perfectly with the look. Large purple diamond earrings dangled by her ears, and her neck bore matching bold jewelry.

To complement the look, Chunshui held a small clutch, just right for her hand. As she moved, Zhou Xi noticed a striking purple ring on her finger, matching the mysterious purple of her lips.

Hua Yun whistled at Chunshui’s outfit.

She extended her hand to Chunshui like a gentleman, and Chunshui elegantly took it.

Tina looked at Zhou Xi. The four would split into two cars to enter the main venue. Zhou Xi, like a good friend, took Tina’s hand, and they headed to the underground passage.

Chunshui’s car went first, with Tina’s slowly following.

The distance from the hotel to the venue was only a few hundred meters, but due to the crowd, the cars crawled, taking nearly twenty minutes.

Zhou Xi and Tina sat in the car, watching Chunshui and Hua Yun on the red carpet.

Camera flashes were blinding. The two waved to the lenses without blinking.

The festival committee had announced the award frontrunners, and voices with unfamiliar accents shouted, “Chunshui, here!”

Chunshui and Hua Yun waved, moving steadily to avoid blocking those behind, stopping only at the host’s camera.

The host introduced warmly, “This is the shining pearl of San Sebastián, Chunshui from the East! One of the top contenders for the Silver Shell Award!”

Hua Yun let Chunshui go first.

The organizers added a slow-motion cinematic rotating shot. Chunshui stood under the lens, her dark eyes locking onto it. With a flick of her skirt and a hand on her hip, she struck a cinematic pose, her gauze skirt fanning out like a flower.

She moved to the photo zone, where people kept shouting her name. Chunshui posed a few times, waved, and started to leave, not lingering, but was called back.

She was too beautiful under the lens—mysterious and stunning, a rare Eastern face in San Sebastián in recent years.

Many reporters were asking about her, this sudden award frontrunner.

The host asked how she felt about entering the main competition. Surprisingly, Chunshui spoke fluent Spanish, not needing the translator.

“I’m honored.”

The host smiled, “Our candidate seems a bit shy,” and passed the mic to Hua Yun.

Hua Yun was a familiar face, a Spanish-Chinese director with many films. No one expected her to shoot an exotic Eastern movie this time.

Unlike Chunshui, Hua Yun spoke endlessly about her feelings, from filming to the tough release, saying she never expected an award, spouting a mix of nonsense and platitudes.

Chunshui stood quietly, showing none of the host’s mentioned shyness.

Zhou Xi and Tina had entered the venue and taken their seats.

Tina’s family held significant influence in Spain, so they sat in the front row with a clear stage view. As Zhou Xi sat, organizers came to greet them, and people gathered around. Tina handled it with ease, nothing like the little girl she was with Hua Yun, navigating the social scene effortlessly.

Zhou Xi watched, amazed, thinking people were not what they seemed.

Seeing Tina casually buy an estate, she should’ve known she wasn’t ordinary.

Tina was usually quiet, and their communication was limited, but their sand-playing bond held.

Zhou Xi’s Spanish was poor, and Tina only spoke Spanish, with occasional stilted Chinese exchanges.

Hua Yun and Chunshui entered the venue, seated in the middle, far from Tina and Zhou Xi. Chunshui’s eyes scanned and landed on Zhou Xi, who was gesturing to Tina.

Hua Yun noticed too. Communication was hard in the venue, so they waited for the front-row pair to turn.

As if on cue, Tina turned, scanned, and saw Hua Yun. Hua Yun waved subtly, and Tina beamed, tugging Zhou Xi to turn. Zhou Xi met Chunshui’s eyes.

Her eyes were captivating, like the dark night, with long eyeliner tracing a mesmerizing arc, bright like stars. Zhou Xi froze, seeing Chunshui nod at her. She touched her nose awkwardly.

Lately, their interactions were like this.

Chunshui was utterly calm, while Zhou Xi felt uneasy all over.

Chunshui had work, so they only met at the estate for dinner. Zhou Xi knew Chunshui was busy, but always seeing her at the dinner table gave her an odd feeling, like Chunshui came back just to see her.

It sounded self-absorbed, but Zhou Xi heard Chunshui’s team complain about her quirk of returning for dinner no matter how far.

After the performances, the awards ceremony began, starting with smaller awards. Tina presented some. Finally, the most thrilling Best Actor and Best Director awards came.

All eyes were on the stage. The presenters teased, and Zhou Xi’s palms sweated for Chunshui and Hua Yun.

“…Let’s congratulate the Best Actress winner! Chunshui! Winner of the Silver Shell Award!”

Zhou Xi nearly jumped, clapping hard, genuinely thrilled for her!

Chunshui stood, radiant under the spotlight.

The stars seemed to converge in her eyes. The Best Actor and Best Director awards followed. Sadly, Hua Yun missed out, her face showing disappointment. Chunshui hugged her, comforting her.

“There’s still a chance.”

The biggest Golden Shell Award for Best Film was yet to come.

Hua Yun stood, patting Chunshui’s shoulder.

“I’m fine.”

Tina cast a worried glance.

Chunshui changed into a gold tie-back gown, elegantly lifting the hem to ascend the stage. The big screen played her stunning performance in Small Town Girl. Holding the Silver Shell trophy at the mic, her eyes swept the crowd, lingered on Zhou Xi, then lowered as she said, “When I was at my lowest, I lost courage and the chance to stand again, thinking the world abandoned me, that no one remembered me. But I found redemption and the courage to return. This award is like proof—proof I have the courage and ability to stand before the camera again. I hope everyone in despair doesn’t give up. One day, you might see hope.”

She raised the trophy, and the crowd clapped warmly.

Chunshui bowed and left the stage.

Zhou Xi heard the system announce, “Task completion progress: thirty percent.”

Zhou Xi nearly shed tears of emotion.

Next was the Golden Shell Award for Best Film. Tina clasped her hands, praying silently for Hua Yun. Hua Yun, after Chunshui’s speech, had accepted her loss. One award was good, and the Best Actress award was for her film, proving her skill. Chunshui teased as she came down, “Yo! Who gave you courage? Not me, right?”

Chunshui let her jest, tolerating the loser’s taunts.

The stage announced the award. Hua Yun looked relaxed.

“Best Film winner—Small Town Girl!!!”

Hua Yun’s face showed shock, caught on camera.

The presenter joked, “Looks like our Golden Shell winner isn’t ready. Shall we play the music again to welcome her?”

The sound engineer played along, restarting the music, and the crowd laughed.

Chunshui smiled, pushing Hua Yun, “Go!”

Hua Yun finally reacted, grinning brightly, and went up to claim her Golden Shell Award.

Small Town Girl reaped a huge harvest. The award news spread from abroad to China, sparking buzz, especially since the film, shot in China, wasn’t released there due to its subject matter. Netizens protested, demanding a domestic release to support a film that brought national pride!

In the post-ceremony interview session, domestic and foreign reporters, tipped off early, asked sharp questions.

“Why do you think you won Best Actress?”

“Chunshui, what were you doing during your three-year absence?”

“There were rumors in your country about you interfering in someone’s family. Any comment?”

“Chunshui! Who do you most want to thank for this award?”

“Is the director an openly lesbian? Has she influenced you?”

A chaotic mix of random questions swirled.

Hua Yun was showing Tina the trophy. Seeing the situation escalate, she called Tina’s bodyguards to separate the reporters surrounding Chunshui, snapping, “We’re not taking questions now!”

“Director, what’s your relationship with Chunshui?”

“Did her win involve any shady deals?”

Hua Yun fumed, “Which outlet are you from? I have a girlfriend!”

Zhou Xi watched in awe. As civilians, she and Tina didn’t draw attention despite standing with Hua Yun earlier. Seeing the chaos, Zhou Xi said to Tina, “Let’s go. Let them handle it.”

Forgetting Tina didn’t understand, Zhou Xi gestured to leave.

Tina nodded worriedly. As they descended two steps, another conflict erupted, with gasps echoing.

The crowd grew. Hua Yun grabbed a reporter’s collar, “What nonsense! I said Chunshui and I are just friends! Don’t spread rumors, or I’ll sue you!”

Zhou Xi sensed trouble and squeezed in. Tina, panicked, could only stand on tiptoes outside.

Zhou Xi’s body moved faster than her mind, wanting to help but unsure how. The reporters, armed with cameras and flashes, aimed to provoke Hua Yun for headlines, stopping at nothing.

Hua Yun’s fiery temper was well-known among Spanish entertainment reporters.

Zhou Xi felt uneasy. Overseas stars could get away with hitting someone if justified, but Chunshui had to return to China, where this could harm her.

Zhou Xi tried to approach but was pulled into Chunshui’s arms. Chunshui raised her hand, drawing the reporters’ attention. Her lips parted, words clear, “There’s one thing I didn’t say during the speech. I have someone I like, and it’s her, right here.”

Zhou Xi froze like a statue.

Chunshui tugged her hair, “Hey, I like you.”

Zhou Xi muttered inwardly: I can’t hear, I can’t hear, I can’t hear.