MFW 12

Li Fei told Fu Siting that walking the red carpet was actually quite simple.

“Just follow my pace. I walk, you walk; I stop, you stop.”

“If someone calls your name, just smile at them. Remember to pause for a few seconds, giving them enough time to take photos, that’s all. Don’t be nervous.”

Fu Siting nodded, but immediately displayed his 120% studious spirit, frantically studying red carpet videos from various domestic and international film festivals on his phone.

Li Fei couldn’t help but smile at his behavior.

Even with amnesia, some traits remain unchanged.

Fu Siting always liked to plan ahead, making thorough preparations to minimize any controllable errors.

Regarding his meticulousness, we have to hear from Chang Aoyu, the kind-hearted vice president who works with him every day.

“Take that press conference, for example. Mr. Fu started choosing the venue a year in advance! He did a thorough site inspection, considering everything from the venue’s capacity and transportation convenience to the surrounding facilities and internal equipment. The agenda was even more meticulous, from the opening remarks, product demonstrations, guest interactions to the closing ceremony, every step was repeatedly reviewed and rehearsed, down to the minute!”

“All the equipment on-site had backups, and technical personnel were always on standby. The same goes for publicity; even before the advertisements went live, they had prepared countless strategies to deal with potential online public opinion.”

As for guest invitations, each guest had a dedicated person within their company responsible for following up, with accountability assigned to specific individuals. They also made thorough preparations well in advance for any questions or needs the guests might have.

“…”

“Even on the day of the press conference, when it poured rain, there were plenty of gear prepared at the venue entrance. If any sound equipment broke, it was replaced in seconds. One big shot even had his flight delayed, but because someone was monitoring him at the airport, he was able to participate and speak remotely via video link, without affecting the press conference’s progress or effectiveness in the slightest.”

“…”

Li Fei had experienced similar meticulousness many times in their three years together.

For example, when he went on road trips with Fu Siting, even if it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit a random city, Fu Siting could always provide meticulous, butler-like planning within just one or two hours.

He knew everything about the road conditions, the weather at the destination, the scenery along the way, and possible rest stops.

Not only that, he could also point out alternative routes at any time and readily produce warm clothing, first-aid kits, mosquito repellent spray, sunscreen sets, car emergency repair tools, portable kettles, various kinds of emergency food, power banks…

And now, Li Fei looked at him frantically watching videos, engrossed in learning.

So Fu Xiaoting was already this well-prepared back in high school?

How adorable.

“…”

Fu Siting diligently buried himself in his studies.

Unexpectedly, after scrolling through dozens of red carpet videos, he actually came across himself on the carpet!

At least he’d only seen photos before; this time, seeing himself in motion was completely unexpected.

It was a year ago at a major film event in China, where he attended as a representative of a game company that had collaborated with the film on animation.

On the red carpet…

His posture was upright, his steps composed. Countless flashes made him look handsome and dashing, natural, and full of spirit.

It was clearly him, yet it didn’t quite look like him.

The short video garnered tens of thousands of comments. Everyone was in a frenzy, with the top-liked comment: “Welcome to witness our iconic, eternally famous true couple’s secret revealed video.”

The second-ranked comment: “President and Movie Emperor.avi.”

Below the video were a flood of comments like “I’m totally shipping them!” and “Waaaaah!”

The reason for this was likely the last ten seconds or so of the video, when Fu Siting went to sit next to Li Fei.

After sitting down, Li Fei whispered something in his ear, then habitually reached out and adjusted Fu Siting’s tie.

That scene caused the video’s comments section to explode. The screen was filled with comments like, “How did they just start touching each other like that?”, “Such perfect teamwork! Help!”, “It’s real, it’s real! If this isn’t real, then everything is fake!”, and “Why are you guys so skilled at this?!”

Fu Siting: “…”

Although he had already endured a lot these past few days, it seemed he couldn’t handle this much yet.

He quickly switched to the next video.

…
The Miami Film Festival venue was located in a modern art center by the sea. The venue was divided into many sections, and the main road outside was completely blocked by fans.

Fu Siting had no idea how their car had navigated the completely congested roads to reach the rest area.

Anyway, once inside the venue, the noisy world finally quieted down for a moment, shutting out the flashes of cameras and the cacophony of shouts.

Here, Fu Siting saw the legendary manager, Ji Cai.

Even though Li Fei had only decided to bring him to the red carpet at the last minute, Ji Cai had already adapted so quickly, even preparing his outfit.

Ji Cai was quite proud of this: “Hey, it’s nothing, leave it to me!”

Her skill was actually honed through exposure to Fu Siting. It was all about being fully prepared, she was prepared for the possibility that Li Fei might suddenly bring his lover along.

It came in handy, didn’t it?

In the dressing room, Fu Siting unsealed his suit jacket; the fabric gleamed exquisitely under the lights.

It was clearly an expensive garment.

He carefully smoothed out the tiny wrinkles and buttoned each button. The clothes were impeccably tailored, almost as if custom-made for him, perfectly showcasing his broad shoulders and muscular chest, and subtly outlining his long legs and perfect waistline.

“…”

Clothes make the man; Fu Siting had only ever learned this phrase in textbooks before.

Now he was experiencing it firsthand. The person in the mirror at this moment didn’t look like himself; instead… he looked remarkably like that twenty-eight-year-old, incredibly handsome, dashing, and composed “President Fu.”

“Are you done changing?”

Li Fei walked over and, just like in the video, casually and precisely tied his tie.

Then he narrowed his eyes and looked Fu Siting up and down.

He smiled, seemingly quite satisfied.

But, was he satisfied with him, or…?

For a moment, Fu Siting couldn’t help but vaguely think that he was probably still satisfied through him, satisfied with that twenty-eight-year-old, perfect Fu Siting. Twenty-eight-year-old Fu Siting must be very, very good.

That’s why Li Fei has been so gentle with him all these days.

Fu Siting thought silently, when suddenly Li Fei grasped his slightly cool hand.

It’s so hot in Miami at night, why is someone’s hand so cold? Li Fei looked at him with his dark eyes: “Fu Xiaoting, Ji Cai-jie just texted me, saying everything else is arranged, she’s free right now.”

“So, if you don’t really want to go, you don’t have to. I’ll have her come and keep you company.”

“You can all wait for me here together, okay?”

“…”

“No.”

Li Fei waited quietly.

“…”

“I mean I want to go.”

Fu Siting lowered his eyes; he was just… afraid he wouldn’t do well and embarrass Li Fei.

“…”

Admittedly, walking the red carpet doesn’t sound difficult; it’s just walking.

But Li Fei was, after all, a big star. Even if those walking beside him couldn’t enhance his image, they shouldn’t embarrass him.

Twenty-eight-year-old Fu Siting naturally had the right to walk beside Li Fei.

But sixteen-year-old Fu Siting had never participated in any major events. What if he made a mistake in public and dragged Li Fei down…

Li Fei smiled after hearing this.

“Fu Xiaoting, listen carefully,” he cupped his face again, his dark eyes smiling, “If you can walk this red carpet with me perfectly for these few minutes, of course I’ll be happy.”

“But if you clumsily move your arms and legs, I’ll be even happier.”

“If you can make a fool of yourself, or fall, that would be even better, so I can laugh at you for the rest of my life.”

“…”

“What, only now realizing how mean I am?”

Fu Siting fell silent again, his mind buzzing.

Mean?

He lowered his head, his heart pounding. He had never thought of Li Fei in this way before.

But that smile of his just now…

Wasn’t it a bit too undisguised, both doting and wicked?

Could he really be a little mischievous?

A little while later, the makeup artist arrived at the dressing room.

Fu Siting didn’t realize until he was being pressed and slapped with powder that going on the red carpet wasn’t just about putting on clothes; it also involved makeup and hair!

The makeup artist had never seen anyone like him. In this day and age? How could there still be handsome men who looked like they’d never worn makeup their whole lives?

She just approached him with various tools, and the handsome man’s face was filled with stiffness and awkwardness. When the eyeshadow was applied to his face, the handsome man instinctively recoiled!

“Stop! Don’t move! Don’t move! It’ll be done soon.”

“Oh, just a little longer.”

“Almost done, almost done.”

She not only yelled at him but also held him down. For a moment, the makeup artist wondered if she was doing makeup or washing a dog.

Fu Siting wasn’t actually trying to avoid it on purpose; he just felt… the texture of all the brushes was strange, itchy. And why did he even need lipstick? Fu Siting’s eyes widened, his lips stiffened and tightly closed, as the makeup artist applied layer after layer to his lips until it was finally finished.

His reflection in the mirror looked like a ghost.

“…” It was truly heavy makeup, a pile of glittery gold powder, it looked awkward no matter how you looked at it, yet the makeup artist still lied and praised, “So handsome, so handsome!”

How was he handsome?

Fu Siting silently looked at Li Fei.

He also had makeup on, but Li Fei’s finished look was clean, with a clear contrast between black and white, without any of his heavy makeup!

…
After getting into the limousine to go to the red carpet, Li Fei comforted him.

“It’s okay, cameras tend to wash out makeup. It won’t be visible on camera.”

“After you get out of the car, just stay with me the whole time.”

“If anyone calls you, just smile politely. Of course, you don’t have to smile.”

Fu Siting pursed his lips and nodded emphatically. Li Fei looked at him.

“I’m sorry,” he suddenly stretched out his hands, “I made you do something so difficult.”

“Come on, will a hug make you feel better?”

“…”

Even though he had been living in the future for three days, Fu Siting still felt his heart flutter every time he was enveloped by the faint scent of ink from Li Fei.

Li Fei’s embrace was warm.

Fu Siting buried his face in it, unable to shake off the feeling of a daydream.

He let himself close his eyes and bury them in his embrace, then after a while, he emerged with a determined look.

“It’s not… that difficult.”

“What?”

“It’s just going… walking the red carpet. I’m not that… fragile!”

His voice was hoarse. But he really shouldn’t need… need such a thing as a special hug and encouragement.

“…”

Sure enough, Fu Siting is still Fu Siting.

Li Fei silently looked at the person in front of him. Whether he was sixteen or twenty-eight, he had never been fragile, and had always refused to accept his overprotection.

But.

But, no.

His palm warmed.

Li Fei gripped him tightly: “I want you to be overprotected.”

“…”

Fu Siting’s expression looked a little confused, and his ears turned red again.

He finally seemed possessed by his twenty-eight-year-old self, hoarsely learning to argue: “But later, didn’t I also have my own company, my own everything? I shouldn’t need protection…”

In that instant, Fu Siting thought a lot.

He really didn’t want to anger Li Fei at all, so why did he have to argue? Although the word “protection” sounded strange and distant to him, wasn’t it good that Li Fei wanted to protect him?

Wouldn’t it be better if Li Fei just hugged him?

How could he be so ungrateful, engaging in such a pointless struggle?

A moment of silence fell over the car.

Fu Siting felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, his body slowly stiffening. He opened his mouth, wanting to apologize, or at least say something.

“I…”

Li Fei’s hand stroked his head.

“Yes, yes, of course I know you can do everything yourself, and I know you’re the strongest and most capable, you don’t need anyone to protect you.”

“But now you’re not yourself, you’re just Fu Xiaoting with amnesia.”

“I need to cherish him, I need to cherish him even more.”

“…”

After saying this, he cupped Fu Siting’s face again, unexpectedly nuzzling his nose.

Then, while Fu Siting was still dazed, a hand silently reached behind him, and with a snap, the car door opened. Li Fei, smiling, suddenly shoved Fu Siting out of the car.

Snap snap snap, countless flashes of light instantly surrounded him, dazzling everyone. The warm Miami night breeze brushed against Fu Siting’s burning face.

He was caught off guard and stepped onto the red carpet, the center of attention.

Li Fei… is really mischievous!

***

Author’s Note:

Fu Siting: What happened to the promise of extra care?! QAQ

Li Fei: I am pretty mischievous, you know^^