Sister Li: "I’m not in the entertainment industry, and there’s no need to announce this to the world. When we get married, we’ll be sure to send you wedding candy."

Ji Mingxi was practically beaming. Marriage! ’With the marriage and birth rates declining every year, I thought I’d never get married myself. I can’t believe Sister Li is already thinking about this.’

Everyone could feel Ji Mingxi’s good mood, and Sister Li certainly noticed. ’He’s my boyfriend, so what can I do but indulge him?’ she thought. ’Besides, he’s so easy to please.’

"That’s wonderful, Sister. I wish you all the happiness."

Sister Li was in an excellent mood. "Thank you. Let’s exchange contact info later. I’ll let you know about any events or news so you don’t always have to wait outside."

"Okay! It’s just a shame we won’t get to see Sister Wen in person."

"I think Lu Wen would much rather see you all comfortable like this than starving and freezing outside by the red carpet," Sister Li said seriously. "There will be plenty of photos from the event. I’ll pick out a bunch to send you later."

"And there’s a livestream of the event, so everyone can watch that."

The girl who had just been furiously snapping photos of Lu Wen smiled. "Sister Wen is especially beautiful today. She seems much softer. Before, I always thought she was beautiful, but she gave off this unapproachable vibe."

"But when I saw her smile just now, I thought it was incredibly sweet, and she seemed so gentle."

"It might be because of her dimples. We rarely see Sister Wen smile so happily. You know, when she accepted her award overseas, her smile was very restrained."

Surrounded by the young women, Sister Li was escorted to the coffee shop. After a few words with the owner, she and Ji Mingxi left with takeout coffee and pastries.

As for the fans, they used the coffee shop’s Wi-Fi to start watching the online livestream. It was a shame they couldn’t see Lu Wen on the red carpet in person, but on second thought, not every celebrity would treat their fans to a meal—let alone hot pot.

They were already very fortunate.

Ji Mingxi and Sister Li returned quickly. Once they were back in the car, Sister Li began handing out small cookies.

"Have one or two to tide you over so you don’t get low blood sugar later," Sister Li said, pushing over a few small boxes filled with little tea cakes. They were basically one-bite treats that wouldn’t mess up anyone’s makeup.

Lu Wen was the first to reach out and take a small pastry. "I really am a bit hungry. Are the fans all taken care of?"

"All set. I’ve also placed an order with the hot pot restaurant, so we’ll head over right after the ceremony. And I’ve arranged for another car to pick them up and take them there with us."

Sister Li was always meticulous, considering every single detail.

Lu Wen’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "That’s great. I haven’t had hot pot in ages."

The group shared two boxes of the tea cakes, and after the pangs of hunger subsided, it was time for them to walk the red carpet. A security guard came over to give them the signal, meaning it was their turn to make their entrance.

Lu Wen’s eyes, holding a strange glint, were fixed on the security guard who had come to notify them. "Is the quality of security guards this high now? With those looks and that physique, he could easily be the male lead in a military drama."

Jin Xi’s ears twitched. He had clearly heard Lu Wen’s comment. ’Seeing her up close,’ he thought, ’she really is more beautiful the longer you look.’

Sister Li was always well-informed. "I heard the security company they hired this time is extremely professional. All the employees are military veterans. See how he carries himself? So disciplined. I bet he’s served before."

Lu Wen nodded slightly, her gaze still lingering on Jin Xi. ’There’s something different about this man,’ she thought. ’He’s not just anyone.’

Director Qi was the first one out of the car, followed by Hu Yi. Only after them did Lu Wen step out. As for Sister Li and Ji Mingxi, they remained in the car; they would enter through the staff entrance later.

Once Lu Wen was in place, Wei Wei, Wan Yi, and the rest of the crew from the car behind quickly gathered around her. Every single person in the group was stunning, and for a moment, all eyes were drawn to their team.

Hu Yi linked her arm with Director Qi’s. "I’m going to be blinded by all these flashes."

Lu Wen hissed through her teeth, "What, you don’t like being the center of attention? It’s freezing out here."

’Even though I’m wearing a fleece-lined qipao and have heat packs on,’ she thought, ’I have to admit, walking a red carpet in this freezing weather is pure torture.’

"Then let’s walk faster? I can’t take much more of this, either," Hu Yi said, subtly quickening her pace. She obviously had no desire to linger on the red carpet.

Jin Xi, who was responsible for directing people at the edge of the red carpet, lowered his gaze and smiled to himself. ’I never expected Lu Wen to be like this in private. It’s actually quite surprising.’

Wei Wei and Wan Yi had no intention of lingering on the red carpet, either. Stars and celebrities loitered for photos because they wanted more exposure and publicity, but that wasn’t who they were. From the start, they had always defined themselves as actors, not celebrities or internet sensations.

Unfortunately, no matter how well they planned, it all depended on whether the host would give them the chance. They had only taken a few steps when the host’s voice at the end of the red carpet boomed with excitement, "And now approaching us is the crew from *Prison Tyrant*! Director Qi, lead actors Hu Yi, Wei Wei, Wan Yi, and the show’s screenwriter, Lu Wen!"

The host’s voice grew even more enthusiastic when she announced Lu Wen’s name. Lu Wen’s scalp tingled. "Is Sister Xin getting a little too excited? There’s no need to be so..."

Now that the host had called them out by name, and with reporters on both sides asking them to cooperate for photos, Hu Yi and Lu Wen could only slow down and comply. Otherwise, the next day’s headlines would be about them acting like divas with sour looks on their faces. ’Since we’re here, we might as well do what’s required.’

Wan Yi said, "Sister Xin is on good terms with you. On an occasion like this, of course she’d want to give you a grand introduction."

Lu Wen replied, "She’s suffering, too, having to host out here in this cold."

After posing for the reporters’ photos for several minutes, Lu Wen truly couldn’t take the piercingly cold wind any longer. "Let’s go. We need to get inside, it’s way too cold. I really don’t want to come to these kinds of events in the future. Isn’t it much nicer to just sit quietly inside?"

Director Qi challenged, "So what if you win an award next year? Will you come then or not?"

"Well... I suppose I’d come. I can’t really get a reputation for being arrogant and aloof." Lu Wen thought about it and finally relented. ’When you’re in this business, can you really just do whatever you want?’

At the end of the red carpet, Sister Xin came forward to greet them as Lu Wen and the crew approached.

Lu Wen gave Sister Xin a hug. "Long time no see."

Sister Xin beamed, clearly pleased that Lu Wen was hugging her in such a public setting—it was a great honor. "Long time no see. You look gorgeous today."

Lu Wen took two steps back. "You look beautiful, too."

Sister Xin adopted her professional host persona. "First, let’s welcome the crew of *Prison Tyrant* to this year’s awards ceremony! And congratulations to the team on winning a major award at the international film festival..."