But this was the symbol of a company's strength—and of an artist's standing.
Having it didn't mean you were extraordinary.
But not having it meant your company couldn't even secure the most basic resources for you, proving you weren't a priority at all.
So why would a production cast someone so marginal?
In that sense, red carpet photos were a kind of entry ticket for a star.
Only with them did you qualify to be chosen.
Otherwise, people wouldn't even glance your way.
Yet Jennifer quickly found herself bewildered.
She couldn't locate the "dedicated photographer" her company had arranged.
Because the moment she stepped onto the red carpet, the sound of shutters was endless.
Flashbulbs kept blinding her eyes.
"Su Hang! Over here! Look this way!"
"Su Hang, over here! We're BBC!"
"Su Hang! Right here! Gazzetta dello Sport!"
"Su! Look this way! Sky Sports!"
"Su! Bild here!"
"Please, Su, over here!"
"Slow down, Su! Walk slower!"
Jennifer was stunned.
The chaos and dazzling flashes around her made her feel like she was dreaming.
Before meeting Su Hang, she had spent a few minutes looking him up.
She'd gathered that he was a promising football newcomer working for a "big club."
But she assumed that meant Su Hang's level was like a third-tier celebrity—
the kind hyped as one of the so-called "Five Rising Stars" or "Six Newcomers."
Yet the current scene was first-tier, top-of-the-industry treatment!
Was this man the Leonardo DiCaprio of the football world?
And not just any DiCaprio—the one fresh off Titanic!
In her daze, Jennifer even heard the host's voice echo from the speakers nearby:
"Su, could you walk a little slower?"
"Su, give our journalist friends more time for photos. Otherwise, their editors-in-chief will complain—and that would put us in a difficult spot."
"Yes, thank you, Su. Thank you very much."
"Operations team, adjust timing—delay the next group by three minutes."
Walk slower?
Jennifer swore she'd only ever heard things like that in the bragging of her senior colleagues.
Most people on the red carpet were already established stars.
Many had fame and status.
But for them, simply avoiding the host's "please hurry along" was already considered fortunate.
Some even lingered shamelessly, forcing security to drag them off.
Yet Su Hang—he was being asked by the organizers to slow down—something almost unheard of!
This...
Jennifer turned to look at Su Hang again.
Her opinion of the man who'd sounded so cryptic on the phone changed instantly.
It was like overhearing a group of loudmouths at a roadside barbecue bragging about their billions—
only to realize they were Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, Jeff Bezos, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Beyoncé...
Jennifer's mind went blank.
But her professional training quickly kicked in.
She began striking a variety of polished poses.
Many of them paired naturally with Su Hang.
And Su Hang, good-natured as ever, played along—serving as her human backdrop.
It was just a few minutes—a small gesture of kindness.
When the two finally reached the end of the carpet, Jennifer thought it was over.
But to her surprise, after signing autographs, Su Hang was invited to stay for an interview.
The host: "Su, you've finally arrived. You're not the youngest player to attend, but our records show you've played the fewest competitive matches of any Ballon d'Or nominee."
"How do you feel about that?"
Su Hang answered with ease: "Yes. I'm grateful to football, and to Real Madrid. They've given me recognition. To appear here and be acknowledged by the Ballon d'Or is an honor."
Reporter: "As expected from Real Madrid's captain—your words always make us want to applaud. Who do you think will win this year's Ballon d'Or?"
Su Hang smiled: "Honestly, I feel great sympathy for the jury this year. I believe this is the most difficult year in history to choose a winner."
"Football doesn't produce a clear king every year.
Some years, multiple players are all worthy of being number one. Any one of them winning would be deserved. Any one of them losing would be a pity."
"This year's finalists—Ronaldinho, Lampard, Zidane, Gerrard, Figo—each fits that description."
"I wish every one of them could lift this trophy that represents the very best. But I also want them to know: not winning isn't a failing. Each of them has been the world's best over the past year."
The host couldn't help applauding: "Wonderful! A perfect answer—genuine and heartfelt."
"So your well wishes extend even to Ronaldinho? He's a Barcelona player—your greatest rival!"
Su Hang shook his head quickly: "No, no, no. Don't put it that way. Ronaldinho has been one of the best players in the world in recent years. That's undeniable."
"I admire his football deeply. He brought something different to the game. He's the only player who can truly inject joy into football."
"He's made fans everywhere happier. That's a miracle in football history. Before him, no one achieved it. After him, it will be hard for anyone to do so again."
"Off the pitch, I'd welcome being his friend. On the pitch, I regard him as the most dangerous opponent. But that only proves his worth."
"I want my rivals to stand on top of the world—because that means my teammates and I are competing in that same arena."
The host was almost out of superlatives: "One last question—when do you think you'll win the Ballon d'Or?"
Su Hang slipped his arm free from Jennifer's and patted her shoulder.
"I don't know if I'll ever win the Ballon d'Or. But I believe my friend Jennifer will definitely win the Golden Globe someday!"
The host and Jennifer both froze.
"What?"
Su Hang explained: "The Golden Globe Awards—for American film and television."
The host finally understood, turning to Jennifer with a smile.
"So this beautiful lady is an American actress?"
"May I ask what your relationship is?"
Su Hang answered openly: "Of course. Her name is Jennifer Lawrence. We're good friends. She's a very promising actress with great potential."
...
(35 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser