Chapter 144: The Civet Cat Replaces the Crown Prince

Cannes, Cannes International Airport.

After a flight lasting over ten hours, Zhou Ran and Zhang Xiaofeng finally arrived at their destination. They had departed during the day, and it was daytime once again upon their arrival in Cannes.

The two were there to attend the awards ceremony of the Cannes International Film Festival. Zhou Ran had been nominated for Best Newcomer, while Zhang Xiaofeng, unfortunately, had not received any nominations. She was there simply to accompany Zhou Ran and Chef Huang to the ceremony, while also attending the festival in her capacity as the lead actress.

Zhang Xiaofeng was at a disadvantage because her role in the film *The Drummer* was not her first acting appearance, which meant the Best Newcomer award was out of reach. As for the Best Actress category, it was naturally beyond her grasp as well. *The Drummer* was a film centered on the male protagonist’s perspective, leaving Zhang Xiaofeng with limited screen time. Furthermore, the competition at this year’s Cannes was fierce, with many renowned actors receiving nominations. It was an incredibly high-pressure year, leaving no real hope for Zhang Xiaofeng to win; it is rare for newcomers to secure major awards so early in their careers, even for someone as naturally gifted as she, who could often nail a scene in a single take.

Moreover, winning awards often depends on the genre of the film; female-led stories offer better chances for actresses. Few possess the extraordinary talent required to win an international award based on only a few minutes of screen time.

The news of Zhou Ran and Zhang Xiaofeng attending the festival had already been made public online. Once the announcement hit Weibo, it sparked heated debate, and as both were currently trending figures, the news quickly surged into the top three of the platform’s hot search list.

"Are you kidding me? Can any Tom, Dick, or Harry attend an international film festival now?"
"I wonder what they're going there for—to embarrass themselves?"
"I can accept Zhang Xiaofeng getting a nomination, but why Zhou Ran? He’s just a newcomer. Does he even deserve it? If you said he was good at singing, I might agree, but acting? He’s really not good!"
"I believe in Zhou Ran’s acting. With Teacher Huang and Zhang Xiaofeng in the film, it’s bound to be a quality production."
"The people above sound so bitter. Professional judges nominated Zhou Ran, and yet here you are, spewing sour comments. Do you think you’re better than the professional jury?"

The comment section immediately split into two camps: one supporting Zhou Ran and another opposing him, doing everything possible to drag his name through the mud. Discerning observers could easily tell that the negative comments were the work of hired internet trolls. Zhou Ran had long since become a thorn in the side of certain people, as his success cut into the interests of many. Since they couldn't attack his singing, they shifted their focus to his film career, determined to smear him.

This nomination provided them with the perfect excuse. Regardless of whether his performance was good or bad, they attacked blindly, eager to cash in on their paid agendas. These professional trolls had long abandoned logic and dignity; they knew that in the chaotic, murky waters of platforms like Weibo, there would always be someone gullible enough to believe their rhetoric.

Their confidence in attacking Zhou Ran was bolstered by the fact that one of the other nominees in his category was a seasoned television actor who had transitioned into film. Since that actor’s acting skills were already well-recognized, the trolls argued that a newcomer like Zhou Ran stood no chance. It was a clear loophole in the festival’s eligibility rules that the organizers had not yet addressed, though they planned to adjust the criteria for the following year.

Upon landing, Zhou Ran and Zhang Xiaofeng were cautious. They knew that paparazzi—both domestic and international—had been tracking their movements, hoping to snap photos the moment they emerged to sell for a high price. These international paparazzi had already identified the high-profile figures from the Chinese market, and Zhou Ran was a primary target.

However, Chef Huang had already anticipated this. He decided to employ a classic ruse: a "bait and switch" to lead the paparazzi astray.

When they arrived, Chef Huang instructed the group to split up. Zhang Xiaofeng and a person brought by Chef Huang—who was of similar height to Zhou Ran—walked through the arrival hall accompanied by bodyguards, intentionally creating the illusion that the decoy was Zhou Ran to draw the attention of the paparazzi. Meanwhile, Chef Huang quietly guided the real Zhou Ran through the VIP exit, leaving the photographers no chance to spot him.

The plan was a success. As soon as Zhang Xiaofeng and the decoy appeared, the paparazzi, including a contingent that had flown in from China, swarmed them, snapping photos frantically. Meanwhile, Chef Huang whisked Zhou Ran away with ease. It seems that when it comes to strategy, experience always prevails.