Anson: ?
What's going on?
Honestly, Anson still trusts others' professionalism. Just because he hasn't noticed anything doesn't mean nothing is happening. He knows he still lacks experience. Now, seeing the black-suited guard on high alert, Anson becomes vigilant as well, following the guard's gaze to scan the crowd.
Looking left, then right, Anson confirms there's nothing unusual around the red carpet. The journalists haven't broken through the barricades, nor have any fans breached the security. All the other black-suited guards, media, and festival staff are calm, and there are no other film crews around. Everything seems normal.
So, what's going on here?
Is this guard just pretending to be a "bodyguard"?
Anson found it amusing. He patted the guard's arm and joked, "Relax, relax!"
However, the guard didn't turn his head, refusing to make eye contact or offer any explanation. He just shoved Anson up the stairs like he was herding chickens.
Something was off.
Caught off guard by the shove, Anson stumbled a step. Instinctively, he moved aside, stepping away from the guard's burly arm.
Suddenly, it felt like a crisis.
If this were a Hollywood movie like "Mission: Impossible," the guard would whip out a knife and stab Anson in the heart.
Then... there'd be no more story.
But this isn't a Hollywood movie.
The guard sensed Anson's resistance and the sharp, piercing gaze. Finally, he turned to Anson and said, "You've had your time. You should leave now and give the space to the real actors."
Anson: Huh?
What did he mean by that? What does he mean by "real actors"?
This story was starting to resemble a French comedy.
Anson didn't want to speculate on others' attitudes, especially since security was just doing their job, and he tried to cooperate as much as possible.
But what was with the disdain and contempt in the guard's eyes?
What, are "vases" not allowed on the red carpet? Or is there a time limit for how long they can appear at the festival? Or are they outright banned?
Unintentionally, Anson laughed.
It wasn't a mocking laugh but a sincere one.
During his days in Cannes, Anson truly felt the festival's grandeur, everything centered around movies—a true haven for cinema.
Of course, there were also some hostile attitudes because Anson is a "vase." "Vase = brainless." They didn't think Anson understood movies, or even believed his opinions were worth sharing, listening to, or discussing, showing disdain in their words and rejecting him outright.
But Anson didn't mind.
Having been through social media trolls and overwhelming online hate in a previous life, these attacks were like water off a duck's back.
Anson's attitude remained calm. If they wanted to talk, he was open to dialogue. He might not be a master debater, but he wouldn't back down. If they were blinded by prejudice and refused to open their minds, he wasn't about to waste his time on them.
Anson didn't care about being labeled a "vase" and didn't consider it shameful. He also wasn't looking to please everyone or expecting everyone to like him.
Attending the festival for the first time, he came to soak in the atmosphere and experience the movies.
But he never expected "vase discrimination" to happen right on the red carpet—
In front of everyone, under the spotlight.
That was certainly a surprise.
So, did this guard think that the presence of a "vase" sullied the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals? Or did he believe that the "vase's" appearance lowered the festival's standards?
If he truly felt that way, he should address those who selected "The Elephant" for the competition. He should confront the jury who invited the "The Elephant" crew back.
But clearly, he didn't dare.
So, he took it out on Anson, the "culprit," an easy target.
Unfortunately, Anson was not an easy target.
Anson directly laughed and looked at the guard confidently. "What if I refuse?"
The guard was taken aback, not expecting Anson to push back. Those clear, bright eyes looked straight into his own without flinching.
Calm, straightforward, and decisive.
The guard, on the other hand, felt a pang of guilt and avoided Anson's gaze.
Suddenly, he was enraged. The guard didn't say anything else but raised his hands, ready to use force.
This time, Anson wasn't so obedient. He blocked the guard and firmly pushed his right arm away. "So, does Cannes have an official rule on how long someone can stay on the red carpet? How many minutes exactly? I'm all ears."
Not arrogant, not humble, not rushed, not slow.
Anson didn't make a scene, but he also wasn't going to let it slide.
The guard was stunned, a flicker of frustration and anger in his eyes. He barely managed to keep his composure and didn't directly respond to Anson's question, instead insisting, "You should leave."
Anson was thrilled, smiling brightly. "Says who, you?"
People often think that "vases" have a good temperament. It's not that they actually do; it's the PR image. They're reminded repeatedly by their agents and PR people to behave because if word gets out that a "vase" is being difficult, they'll get torn apart by the public.
But that doesn't mean "vases" don't act up. They just do it behind closed doors, out of public view.
Now, in front of everyone, Anson wanted to see what it was like to "act up."
It was a bit thrilling.
Standing his ground, Anson smiled without raising his voice or making any aggressive moves. His clear blue eyes looked straight ahead, calm and composed.
Guard: Um.
He was stuck. His anger was now beyond control. He raised his right hand again, intending to use force. But Anson didn't back down; instead, he took half a step forward.
However, he didn't strike. He just stared right back at the guard.
The guard's movements froze, his hand stopping in mid-air.
And just like that, the atmosphere became tense.
Click, click...
Camera shutters and flashes went off like a storm, capturing every moment of what was happening. Anyone who wasn't blind could see that something was going on.
Moreover, it was clear Anson was the victim.
But what's the actual situation? Why was that guard pushing Anson to leave the red carpet?
Damn it.
"Let him stay."
"Anson!"
"Let him stay!"
Emanuel hadn't anticipated this scene at all. She was still trying to figure out what was happening when voices started erupting around her. She looked around in confusion, noticing that her colleagues all wore expressions of frustration. She quickly caught on—
Tonight's award ceremony was full of surprises, and all the unpredictability was making everyone uneasy. They finally found a focal point, only to encounter this kind of situation. Emotions were spiraling out of control.
"Let him stay."
One voice after another, the calls began to merge into a swelling chorus, the whole place becoming charged.
This scene was something no one had expected to happen.
So now, what kind of movie is this? An Italian absurdist comedy?
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