Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1529 - 1528: Getting into Character

Thief crying "Catch the thief!"

Cliff knew this phrase wasn’t entirely accurate here, but looking at Li Wei’s upright expression, a feeling of absurdity rose in his heart, and his first reaction was just that — everything was too ridiculous.

Cliff widened his eyes, "Li Wei. He’s Li Wei!"

Beside him, a journalist finally realized, showing a look of sudden understanding. Cliff noticed and repeatedly nodded to encourage that journalist.

"Levi?" the journalist said, "That actor?"

Cliff was stuck for breath, his eyes nearly about to burst. There’s no Asian actor named Li Wei, this is nonsense. "Li Wei. NFL. Super Bowl MVP. Do you have no idea?"

The crowd: ...

Ha!

Finally, they came to their senses.

Even though everyone present were entertainment reporters, even though football’s influence was still limited to the North American continent, even though this was a film festival where art films played the leading roles, even though football couldn’t compete in this soccer backyard, the keyword "Super Bowl MVP Li Wei" still stirred memories.

A name that had been constantly on the news now connected with the real person.

For a long time, in the eyes of Europeans and Americans, Asians always looked particularly young, with no way to distinguish age; but seeing in person, it was even more surprising.

"Oh, God, you look just like a college student," someone marveled.

Li Wei remained calm, just as he had with Cliff. Li Wei had foreseen this scenario long ago and prepared mentally, completely unflustered.

Li Wei opened his hands and shrugged lightly, "Here, we’re all film lovers."

That natural, easygoing stance showed none of the airs of a global superstar. Instead, he demonstrated the young person’s enthusiasm for joining the film festival, instantly closing the distance.

Then, Li Wei gestured to the badge on his chest, "I have work too."

Hahaha.

A burst of laughter arose, the atmosphere incredibly harmonious.

Cliff: ?

Things, aren’t right!

This man before him was a force stirring up the entire North American continent, secretly slipped across the Atlantic Ocean to appear at the Berlin Film Festival. There was undoubtedly something fishy about this, so why were the reporters so calm?

This scene was clearly a cat entering the tiger’s den, but why were all the tigers circling around the cat?

Cliff only felt like he was splitting mentally — was he the odd one out or was everyone else?

Yet there was no time to sort through the thoughts because the cast members arrived, and Li Wei naturally sat with his newly acquainted journalist friends. Cliff, not quite understanding, hurriedly took a seat behind Li Wei, temporarily setting aside the plethora of question marks in his head to focus on the moment.

The attention was slightly unfocused —

What exactly is Li Wei doing?

He now looks entirely like a regular journalist, everything perfectly normal, no flaws, no anomalies; yet precisely because of this, it wasn’t normal. Everything happening was not normal, right?

As a senior reporter for The New York Times, Cliff was accustomed to big waves and storms, but at this moment, his brain capacity was completely insufficient, almost burning out.

In the crowd, Cliff felt this way; on stage, Thalia felt the same.

A bit dazed, a bit distracted, immersed in her own world.

"Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always," the film indeed sparked heated discussions after its screening, but the focus was entirely on director Eliza Hittman and leading actress Sidney Flanigan, having almost no relation to Thalia.

Thalia had long prepared herself for this —

This is normal.

The film has and can only have one leading role, which is Sidney Flanigan, while Thalia merely plays her cousin, although her role is indeed important. They were the only two actors sent by the crew to Berlin; but the entire film revolves around Sidney’s character, so the media focus should naturally concentrate on her, and it’s expected that the applause the film receives would revolve around her.

Even Thalia herself thought the same.

Or maybe it’s her wishful thinking, she convinced herself she was prepared, she thought she had adjusted her mindset. The fact that this work could grace the Berlin Film Festival stage was already a rare experience, she shouldn’t be greedy or overthink, just focus on the festival; but sitting in the press conference, reporters rushing to question only targeting Eliza and Sidney, not noticing her at all, made her feel completely invisible.

On stage at this moment, there were only three people.

This feeling gradually fragmented Thalia’s focus. After the premiere ended with everyone standing up to applaud, the frenzy and excitement retreated, reality finally settled back in, cold like ice nudged into her stomach, causing spasms.

Then, her gaze started to drift.

Thalia knew she shouldn’t be like this, under the spotlight in the press conference, every move she made was under the watchful eye, easily noticeable. She even warned herself not to be like this, pinching her leg twice trying to maintain focus.

But it wasn’t easy.

The whole day she was tense, from waking up at six in the morning to work, spinning like a top without a moment to breathe, over twelve hours only eating two chocolates, her attention was slipping away bit by bit, pinching her leg was of no use.

Her smile still lightly raised at the corners of her mouth, but her mind was filled with thoughts of pizza and cream cakes.

"...Thalia."

A voice called from far to near, finally pulling Thalia back to reality, making her jump. She hurriedly straightened her back, pretending to listen intently, secretly wiping her mouth, worried about traces of drool.

Thalia glanced at Sidney next to her but found Sidney indicating ahead.

Looking over, Thalia was stunned —

Li Wei.

Was this a dream? Was it an illusion? Why was Li Wei here again? The phantom from the red carpet was emerging again?

But this time, no tumultuous crowd, no biting cold, in the warm golden glow, Li Wei’s eyes, smile, expression were clearly presented in view. She could even outline the contours of his eyebrows.

If it’s an illusion, can it be so vivid?

"Thalia, you need to replenish some sugar."

Li Wei stepped up to the stage, pulling out a small bag of chocolate from his pocket, placing it on the table. His gaze briefly paused on Thalia’s eyes, with bright shining eyes revealing a faint smile, like a warm spring, gently flowing.

Thalia’s heart skipped a beat.

Subconsciously, Thalia grabbed the bag of chocolate, feeling a slight warmth in her palm, seemingly carrying Li Wei’s dry soap scent, instantly her palm felt scorching, her mood inexplicably uplifted.

Looking up, Thalia saw Li Wei had returned to his seat, standing.

"Hey, Thalia, good evening, I’m Li Wei, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, the next question is for you."