Song Huan was about to leave, but Qin Wei grabbed her and wouldn't let her go. Song Huan could only reassure her:
"It's not as scary as you think... Come, let's imagine a scene together where someone comes to attack you, grabbing your neck. What would you do?"
As Song Huan spoke, she raised her hand and grabbed Qin Wei's neck.
"Raise your hand, grasp their arm, pivot your body, and press down..."
As Qin Wei spoke, she followed along and directly pressed the other to the ground. But Song Huan knew how to utilize the force, so she was not injured.
"A person who can single-handedly beat over ten people into the hospital, how could they be afraid of others attacking them? You just need to be careful not to overdo your self-defense and get sentenced for a few years. According to current Huaguo laws, do you have any way to mitigate the sentencing?"
Song Huan rubbed her wrists. Back then when she was taught all those hardcore skills, she didn't expect that Qin Wei would actually learn them, not only learn them but even progress.
This girl really worked hard and was quite harsh on herself when serious.
Qin Wei regained some confidence, but still had a sober understanding of herself:
"That fight, yes, someone helped me. Was it Mu Chen? I didn't see clearly."
"Maybe."
Song Huan looked at her with a smile.
"Or perhaps it was some 'invisible guardian' or something?"
Qin Wei looked at her: "Best not to mention that if there's no copyright."
Song Huan's reassurance was effective. Qin Wei also felt that she had been a little overly nervous, so she let Song Huan leave.
...
Although there were still nearly two days until the evening gala, there were still many preparations that needed to be done. Li Yao came early in the morning to pick her up, first going to try on clothes and confirming which ones to bring. Then they went to test makeup looks.
After confirming all this, the day passed. During this time, Qin Wei only needed to cooperate without having to do anything else.
Bored, but unable to leave...
Reading comics and chasing novels, she had nothing else to do.
She opened the chat app, but ultimately gave up on contacting her roommate. She had just seen on the entertainment ranking hot searches that her roommate was also busy preparing for the evening gala. And with herself feeling uneasy recently, it was best not to disturb her first.
"Weiwei, if you're bored you can watch new anime, but I'm doing your makeup here. You can't fall asleep!"
...
They were staying at a hotel again tonight in order to conveniently arrive at the venue early tomorrow. The other people in the team were also staying at hotels today as they sat in the lobby still making last minute arrangements for tomorrow's event. Seeing that Qin Wei was not attentive, Xiao Yan told her:
"Others started preparing half a year ago. Teacher Qiao's team had already commissioned a famous overseas fashion design team for their evening gowns long ago. You got lucky Weiwei, running into that Dior set. Otherwise you wouldn't even have a presentable evening gown to wear on stage."
Li Liang whispered:
"The one from the Southwest Gala last time was quite good..."
Xiao Yan scoffed:
"It's been worn once already. I guess it wouldn't be bad to wear it again at other events, but to wear the same dress to the Baiying Awards Gala again would be telling everyone your older sister is past her peak without even a new evening gown."
Qin Wei asked Xiao Yan:
"Do you happen to know what color Teacher Qiao's evening gown is?"
"I heard it's red, but no outsiders have seen the actual dress."
Xiao Yan recalled. After all, there were no completely airtight walls. She had heard it from colleagues once before but didn't know if the news was reliable.
Qin Wei asked again:
"Which set did we get then?"
"The big red Dior one. You look best in red!"
"..."
...
This year’s Baiying Awards Gala would be held in the capital. This made many entertainers very happy to not have to rush to fly over or book hotel rooms after since they could just go home afterwards.
The organizers had arranged thoughtfully, booking nearby hotels to ensure every team had their own independent rest area.
It seemed impartial on the surface, but there were still differences in the details, with ordinary entertainers resting in standard rooms, second and third-tier stars in suites, and top-billed celebrities in executive suites on higher floors. So when Li Liang received the room card, she couldn't hide her inner smugness—
An executive suite, my older sister has high billing.
"It's not that I have high billing, you should be thanking the brand sponsors Father Heaven Time Watches for their title sponsorship!"
Qin Wei told her to tone it down a bit and have a clear understanding of her own position. After all, half a year ago the gala hadn't even planned to invite her. It had only been half a year...
...
As night fell, the various teams arrived at the venue at the times stipulated by the organizers to begin the red carpet segment.
In previous galas there would still be some petty teams intentionally arriving late, but the Baiying Awards organizers took a hardline approach, making everyone follow the set schedule. Those who arrived early would wait nearby, while latecomers directly forfeited the opportunity to walk the red carpet.
Having learned from such lessons before, every team obediently arrived on time this year.
There were many sponsors for the gala, one of the biggest being an SUV brand. To showcase the high-end feel of their SUVs, upon the brand’s request, all entertainers had to take their SUVs to the venue to walk the red carpet.
From start to finish the gala would last around five hours, with live broadcasts across major platforms. After all, it was held only once every two years, and the awards carried heavy weight in the industry, considered an important event both inside and outside the entertainment circle.
Now was still early. The first to arrive and walk the red carpet were mostly industry insiders and some small fries who just barely qualified. Aside from fans, there were few viewers as most were still eating dinner.
The stars who arrived later were gradually more well-known, and viewer numbers steadily climbed.
The barrage of comments also grew alongside the billing of the stars:
“Ah! My older sister is so beautiful! But why is she out so early? Earlier than Qin Wei?”
“? Their billing isn’t strictly later is higher. Why did you @ my child? She recognizes your sister.”
...
"Ahhhhh!"
Accompanying the screams outside, an SUV stopped at the end of the red carpet.
The car door opened and a beautiful, delicately made-up woman emerged from within.
Her makeup was meticulous, with long wavy hair draped over her shoulders. A little black dress and heels, carrying a new D brand bag without any other jewelry besides the Heaven Time watch on her wrist.
She got out of the car, waving towards her fans, the media, and numerous cameras while revealing a faint smile.
Many people on-site shouted loudly:
"Lu E look over here!!!"
"My Lu E is so gorgeous!!"
"Hubby!! Quick, let mom take a picture!!"
Qin Wei: "?"
Qin Wei turned quite cooperatively but activity time was limited for everyone and she couldn't linger too long. Seeing Li Liang by the car gesturing for her to get going, she began walking towards the interior of the venue.
Cameras flashed continuously along the way. Qin Wei walked while waving to both sides, gradually realizing this feeling was changing from unfamiliar into something familiar.
The host waited on a platform at the end of the red carpet. Once Qin Wei signed her name on the autograph wall, posed for media photos at the designated spot, she came over for a simple interview:
"Weiwei's new drama series is currently trending. This drama is also about to face a split storyline. Do you have anything you want to say to everyone?"
