"Spring Light" is a film shot three years ago. Because it was set in that special era, it couldn’t be released for a long time. Even though director Sun Wujiu revised it many times, he still couldn’t get the official approval. Last year, when Bo Yan was shooting "Sunrise", he suggested that if it couldn’t be sorted out domestically, they could try the international A-list film festivals. As long as they were confident in the quality of the movie, they wouldn’t necessarily need to win an award; just entering the main competition would help in getting approval for release.

Sun Wujiu had indeed thought the same, but when Bo Yan proposed it, the deadlines for the three major European festivals had already passed that year. Helpless, he had to continue polishing the movie, partly to tone down some overly radical scenes for domestic release and partly to re-edit and refine the film.

The three major European awards are Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, all part of the international A-list film festivals. These festivals have a rule that one can only enter one of them to compete, no double entries allowed. Cannes is the most prestigious and also the most challenging to win. It’s fair to say that Sun Wujiu choosing Venice was indeed a fallback option.

Xia Siyu had no trouble coming to Venice; currently, China has particularly stringent pandemic requirements. Yet in other countries, as long as you present a negative test, you can move freely. In the crew, John Scott and the director also needed to attend Venice. Only the director served as a jury member, while John Scott was invited to participate in the festival’s activities.

Having hung out with John for a while, although he’s unquestionably a playboy with a knack for flirting, he never means it seriously—it’s just a playful banter. If things got serious, he might run faster than anyone else. Once, he casually flirted with an Asian, who took it seriously, scaring him so much that he skipped school for a week, keeping his distance from conservative Asians ever since.

Of course, when he told this to Xia Siyu, she understood that flirting was merely a way to spice up life. If he said anything intimate, she wouldn’t take it seriously: "Come on, what do you mean scared you skipped school for a week? It’s not like she’s a predator."

John’s smile slightly faded, thinking Xia Siyu might have taken it seriously. But then she added, "You just didn’t want to go to school, didn’t you?"

John paused, then burst out laughing, "Sylvia (Xia Siyu’s English name), you’re right." Then he patted her shoulder, and they became good buddies from then on.

Due to the tight filming schedule, Xia Siyu arrived in Venice just a day before the awards ceremony.

She flew on the same flight as the director and John. Shortly after takeoff, he spotted a pretty flight attendant, and went to hit on her. Later, he went to the bar and had a few drinks. When Xia Siyu woke up from a nap, he was staggering back to his seat, visibly tipsy.

Fortunately, the first-class cabins on such international flights have bedrooms, offering privacy and washing facilities. His assistant ensured John took a shower before landing to wash off the smell of alcohol. Xia Siyu changed her clothes too and freshened up. Alongside Wei Jingjing, her dedicated makeup artist was also there, who applied a delicate light makeup before landing.

Venice, Xia Siyu had visited before with her mother. A city of water, somewhat reminiscent of Gusu in China, at its height, the city was the center of the European Renaissance, with exceptionally thriving commerce.

Besides attending the award ceremony, she had no other work engagements. But since Bo Yan had managed to come abroad amid the pandemic, returning would mean quarantine; it was unlikely they would just meet briefly and then part ways. She applied to the director to stay a couple more days in Venice, officially reporting it as "business activities".

Since shooting started, Xia Siyu has been a model worker; whenever she had scenes, she diligently completed them. Unless it was entirely beyond her capability, she wouldn’t use a stunt double. There was a scene involving riding a heavy motorcycle, which she personally executed.

The director generously granted her leave, allowing her five days with travel time included. Just as they deplaned, John grinned cheekily and said, "Hey there, Little Sylvia, we’ll have to split for the next three days, don’t miss me too much!"

As soon as he finished talking, Xia Siyu spotted a familiar silhouette amidst the people waiting at the airport. Without responding, she immediately ran towards that person.

No need to say, it was definitely Bo Yan. He asked with a bit of curiosity, "How did you recognize me?"

He wore a mask and black-rimmed glasses. To blend in with the local crowd, he intentionally dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, making him look just like a local picking someone up at the airport.

Xia Siyu tilted her head upward with a face asking for praise, "Needless to say."

Bo Yan was about to respond when a commotion arose, and John was making a scene before coming out, with his bodyguards and assistants clearing the way, escorting him forward. There were indeed plenty of fans waiting, screaming and rushing over.

When Xia Siyu glanced back at him, John winked at her before being escorted down another passage by his bodyguards.

In fact, Xia Siyu had experienced such circumstances many times; at the peak of Bo Yan’s popularity, his fans genuinely enjoyed sticking around airports to either pick him up or send him off. If she and Bo Yan wanted this fanfare, arranging it beforehand could achieve this effect, though the locals might not recognize them. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Nevertheless, while the serious film judges might see John Scott as merely making popcorn flicks, his superhero films were indeed quite popular, with a higher global recognition.

If Xia Siyu and the team were to organize something, there probably wouldn’t be many die-hard fans in the local crowd, maybe at most some Chinese fans joining in.

Bo Yan noticed her gaze lingering in that direction, half in doubt and half in jealousy, "You and him, quite close?" He had just seen John winking at her.

Xia Siyu giggled, "Of course, he’s my buddy. Don’t worry, he’s not interested in Asians; his type is super S-curves, voluptuous, like Kardashians."

Bo Yan glanced over her, and Xia Siyu immediately puffed out her small chest, "I have it too!"

But then she quickly deflated, "But I have to admit, it’s a matter of racial difference. In that crowd, I’d be considered a mini size."

"Mini as you are, I like it," Bo Yan actually never doubted her feelings. Ever since they parted ways, they would video chat whenever they had a chance. Earlier, with just a glance, she immediately recognized him.

"Tsk, it’s not like I’m this way for your liking."

As they were chatting, Wei Jingjing and others came over with luggage, and the group got into a car headed for the hotel.

Having completed the check-in process, they took their room cards and went upstairs. This time, the hotel was a four- to five-hundred-year-old building.