CHAPTER 241: BATTLE OF WITS AND WORDS

Artists discussed amongst themselves. "Beauty in the City" had been a big winner, yet Wen Nuan alone received nothing, which indeed felt quite awkward.

When reporters came for interviews, Wen Nuan behaved with great grace, always smiling. When asked about the opinions of other award-winning actors, Wen Nuan genuinely offered her affirmation and congratulations.

Peng Shuyao came over, a smile on her face, and said, with the wisdom of experience, "You’ve only been in the industry for a few months. Don’t be too concerned about gains and losses. There will be many more such occasions in the future, and many more such awards. Just accept the challenge."

Wen Nuan merely smiled, unable to help but wonder if they all thought of her as fragile. She was indeed disappointed, but it wasn’t that serious, was it? Even her senior colleague came to show concern.

Li Yuanyuan also came over, but didn’t mention the awards. She only said Wen Nuan looked beautiful tonight, greeted her, and left. Wen Nuan turned her head; everyone seemed accustomed to the proud demeanor of the beautiful Li.

Tang Shuwen had largely recovered from his injuries and, with Chen Xueru, made their first public appearance together. They were a golden couple, envied by all. Everyone who saw them felt the profound love between the husband and wife.

Most of the reporters’ focus was on the couple. When Han Bi personally came over to greet her, Wen Nuan smiled brightly. Upon seeing both Han Bi and "Little Han Bi" together, the entertainment reporters eagerly requested a group photo.

They couldn’t refuse. Both women were wearing dresses from the same brand tonight, one black, one purple. One resembled a queen, the other a princess. The group photo was quite pleasing to the eye.

After all, they were both beauties.

After the group photo, interviews ensued before they dispersed.

Han Bi exuded boundless charm and radiance, her elegance imbued with the composure that comes from years of experience. Standing before Wen Nuan, she instantly created a sense of hierarchy.

She was accustomed to such positioning, and to being the center of attention.

Wen Nuan didn’t mind, and asked with a smile, "Is there something, Miss Han?"

Han Bi shook her head, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Just here to encourage you. Keep up the good work."

"Thank you."

Her agent, Linda, covered her mouth, chuckling with a hint of mockery. Wen Nuan knew she was indeed a topic of conversation tonight, and it was rather awkward, but the more so, the calmer she needed to be.

Whether it was mockery, cold looks, or malicious speculation, she had to face it calmly, throwing all that derision back in their faces and upholding her dignity.

Cai Xiaojing snorted coldly. Linda’s attitude... there would be a time for her to mock her too.

It just wasn’t the right moment yet.

"You seem calm about it, but I know you must be very disappointed deep down," Han Bi said with a smile.

Wen Nuan proudly lifted her chin, appearing even more composed, with no hint of disappointment on her face, instead exuding a sharp, imposing presence.

Their heights were similar, both wearing high heels. One sneered, the other smiled, calm yet imposing, clashing with each other. Everyone could feel a sense of competitiveness and resolve.

It was a feeling of "it’s either me or you."

Linda and Cai Xiaojing could both sense the intentions and rivalry between the two.

Many artists moved around them, and the media took photos. Wen Nuan maintained her pride, asking with a smile, "How do you know I’m disappointed inside? Have you perhaps experienced it yourself?"

Han Bi didn’t get angry and said with a smile, "Of course I have. Back then, it was also the A City Film Critics Awards. Cai Xiaojing accompanied me, and she confidently told me that the Newcomer award would definitely be mine. My chances were the highest back then, but unfortunately, I didn’t win the Newcomer award in the end. So, I understand exactly how you feel right now, Wen Nuan. Don’t trust your agent too much; sometimes she can’t do anything."

Cai Xiaojing gave a cold laugh. Han Bi was indeed formidable. First, she made Wen Nuan miss out on the Newcomer award, and then she brought up old matters to sow discord between her and Wen Nuan. Although she had long given up hope on Han Bi, she hadn’t expected such malice.

A woman’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

Every awards ceremony is a battle of wits and schemes.

Wen Nuan smiled faintly, looking at Linda. "Miss Linda, Miss Han told me not to trust my agent. It seems she doesn’t trust you either. You’ve put so much effort into her, doing so much, and yet she doesn’t trust you. How tragic, wouldn’t you say? If I were you, wouldn’t I be a bit more cautious?"

"You..." Han Bi’s expression changed slightly. Wen Nuan smiled warmly and amicably. Who couldn’t sow discord?

Linda’s face wasn’t good. She looked angrily at Wen Nuan and hastily said, "Miss Wen, you’re too green to try to sow discord between us."

Wen Nuan sneered, remaining silent.

Cai Xiaojing chuckled and pulled Wen Nuan, saying, "I forgot to tell you something. That Newcomer award back then was originally hers. But, as ill luck would have it, she offended a judge that night, so naturally, it wasn’t hers. Speaking of which, Wen Nuan, you’re much better than her. When she didn’t get the award back then, she secretly hid and cried her eyes out. It gave me a headache just watching her. You have such grace."

Han Bi’s expression changed slightly. Wen Nuan smiled, her spirits greatly lifted.

Han Bi gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "Don’t be happy too soon, Wen Nuan. You’re not as important as you think you are. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have won nothing at this Film Critics Awards."

"What kind of life did you have in your previous life, to use such a lowly and frequent method of sowing discord? What I do, what business is it of yours?" Wen Nuan said coldly, stepping closer, almost confronting Han Bi. That proud arrogance emanated from her very bones.

"Don’t try to mislead me again, Han Bi. Ye Feimo is my man. How important I am to him, you can ask him yourself. I think you’ll hear the answer. If you have the ability, then step on me."

Han Bi’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Wen Nuan, don’t be so arrogant. Otherwise, when you fall, you’ll know how much it hurts."

She also lowered her voice, looking calmly at Wen Nuan. "I will win him back."

Wen Nuan smiled slightly, enunciating each word: "I’ll be waiting!"

Cai Xiaojing looked at Wen Nuan with a sense of relief. Faced with Han Bi’s provocation, she had finally shed her past childishness, her former insecurities, and her lack of confidence. She could now so bravely and proudly challenge Han Bi directly.

This was something the old Wen Nuan would rarely do.

At least in such public settings, she would avoid Han Bi. She would only explode when no one was around, like that day in the parking lot.

But now, in plain sight, perhaps even with flashbulbs flickering, she dared to confront Han Bi.

This was a form of growth.

The display of demeanor and attitude, whether in public or private, should always be consistent. Why would one dare in private but not in public?

Cai Xiaojing could feel Wen Nuan’s growth and transformation.

She was more poised and more assertive.

Since Tang Shuwen’s wedding, her performance had been consistently remarkable, showing much more maturity.