The moment the final scene of Getting Home faded from the screen, a strange silence settled over the massive screening hall.
For a few seconds, nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
The audience simply sat there.
Not because the film had failed to impress them.
Quite the opposite.
Many viewers were still trapped inside the emotions the story had created.
For more than two hours, they had laughed with Old Zhao's stubbornness, smiled at the absurd encounters along the journey, and witnessed the countless small acts of kindness hidden within ordinary lives.
But by the end...
The laughter had slowly transformed into something deeper.
Something heavier.
Something that lingered.
The film wasn't trying to lecture anyone.
It wasn't trying to force a message into the audience's mind.
Instead, it quietly showed the warmth, resilience, and humanity of ordinary people.
And that was precisely why it struck so hard.
Then—
Someone started clapping.
A single pair of hands.
Soon another joined.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, the entire screening hall erupted into thunderous applause.
The sound echoed through the venue like a tidal wave.
Many audience members had already stood up.
Some distributors were clapping while nodding repeatedly.
Several reporters exchanged excited looks.
Even veteran filmmakers present in the hall wore expressions of approval.
The applause lasted nearly two full minutes.
It showed no sign of stopping.
Several audience members' palms had already turned red.
Yet they continued clapping enthusiastically.
This wasn't polite applause.
It wasn't courtesy.
It was genuine appreciation.
At that moment, everyone understood one thing.
Getting Home had succeeded.
Perhaps not yet commercially.
Perhaps not yet in awards.
But at least among the audience present tonight, the film had already won.
Near the front rows, countless reporters and distributors were practically vibrating with anticipation.
If security weren't present, they probably would have rushed toward Luo Zheng immediately.
Meanwhile, Luo Zheng calmly stood up from his seat.
His expression remained composed.
As though everything happening now had been expected.
Gao Yuanyuan secretly glanced at him.
The excitement in her eyes grew even stronger.
No matter how many times she witnessed it, she still couldn't understand how someone so young could remain this calm under such circumstances.
Around them, Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan were equally emotional.
The two veteran performers had experienced countless stages throughout their careers.
Yet Venice was different.
This was an international film festival.
One of the highest stages in world cinema.
And tonight, the audience's reaction had exceeded even their expectations.
Soon, the cast and production team walked onto the stage together.
The applause finally began to settle.
Microphones were prepared.
Reporters surged forward like hungry wolves smelling blood.
Questions started flying immediately.
One foreign reporter raised his hand first.
"Director Luo, your debut film The Man from Earth became famous because of its clever twists and philosophical science-fiction themes."
He paused.
"Yet Getting Home is completely different. It is warm, realistic, and deeply humanistic."
"What caused such a dramatic shift in your style?"
"And which style represents the real Luo Zheng?"
The question immediately attracted attention throughout the hall.
Many people were curious about this as well.
After all, the gap between the two films seemed enormous.
Luo Zheng smiled.
Then he answered calmly.
"I don't think there's actually a contradiction."
"The Man from Earth and Getting Home may appear different on the surface, but they explore the same thing."
"Human nature."
"The first film examined humanity through philosophy and imagination."
"The second explores humanity through reality and emotion."
"They simply use different methods."
His gaze swept across the audience.
"As a creator, I don't want to be trapped inside a single genre."
"I don't want people to say that Luo Zheng only makes science-fiction films."
"Or only makes artistic films."
"Stories are stories."
"As long as a story interests me, I want the freedom to tell it."
The answer immediately earned another round of applause.
Several journalists rapidly wrote notes.
The response was both confident and mature.
More importantly—
It sounded exactly like something an auteur director would say.
Another reporter quickly turned toward Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan.
Both actors were already famous throughout China for their comedic performances.
Yet in this film, their acting styles had undergone a complete transformation.
"Teacher Zhao."
"Teacher Song."
"You are both known for comedy."
"But your performances in this film were restrained, subtle, and emotionally heavy."
"How difficult was this transition?"
"And what does it mean to receive recognition here in Venice?"
Zhao Benshan chuckled.
His weathered face showed the honesty that audiences loved.
"Comedy exists to make people laugh."
He scratched his head.
"But after people laugh, shouldn't they also think about something?"
The audience laughed softly.
Then he continued.
"This film made me think."
"And if foreign audiences can understand the kindness and integrity of ordinary Chinese people through this movie..."
He nodded seriously.
"That means more to me than simply getting laughs."
The audience applauded again.
Beside him, Song Dandan smiled.
"As actors, we always hope to challenge ourselves."
"This film allowed us to remove our comedy labels."
She looked toward the audience.
"The applause tonight proves one thing."
"If emotions are genuine..."
"People can understand them anywhere in the world."
Whether they laugh.
Or cry.
Human emotions are universal.
The room erupted once more.
Then, inevitably...
The reporters turned toward Gao Yuanyuan.
Or more specifically—
Toward Gao Yuanyuan and Luo Zheng.
A female reporter grinned mischievously.
"Miss Gao."
"You look absolutely stunning tonight."
"We've noticed that whenever Director Luo speaks, you seem to watch him with great admiration."
The audience laughed.
Gao Yuanyuan's cheeks immediately turned pink.
The reporter continued mercilessly.
"You accompanied Director Luo to Venice."
"You've appeared together countless times recently."
"Does this mean good news is coming soon?"
The hall instantly became interested.
Even several distributors stopped pretending not to listen.
Gao Yuanyuan nearly choked.
Yet after spending so much time around Luo Zheng, her composure had improved dramatically.
She smiled gracefully.
"Director Luo is an incredibly talented filmmaker."
"As a friend, admiring and supporting him is perfectly normal."
She cleverly shifted the topic.
"As for everything else..."
"I think everyone should focus on Getting Home."
"The movie is the real star tonight."
The answer was neither confirmation nor denial.
Naturally.
The reporters became even more excited.
Unfortunately for them, Luo Zheng had no intention of allowing the interview to continue indefinitely.
With the help of security personnel, the group quickly escaped the increasingly chaotic media crowd and returned to the hotel.
However—
The real madness was only beginning.
That night, Chen Guofu arrived carrying a stack of offers from distributors.
The moment he entered the luxury suite, everyone immediately gathered around him.
Even Zhao Benshan looked curious.
"How much?"
Chen Guofu smiled mysteriously.
Then he raised three fingers.
"Three million dollars."
The room fell silent.
Zhao Benshan's eyes widened.
"Three million?"
"North America alone?"
Song Dandan nearly dropped her teacup.
That price was already approaching the overseas sales numbers achieved by some major international award winners.
More importantly—
It was only one region.
If additional territories were sold separately...
The total could become astonishing.
Yet while everyone else was shocked, Luo Zheng remained calm.
He simply leaned back against the sofa.
"No rush."
Everyone looked toward him.
Luo Zheng smiled.
"Let them keep bidding."
The room became quiet.
Chen Guofu immediately understood.
His eyes lit up.
"You want competition."
"Exactly."
Luo Zheng nodded.
"If we sell now, that's the final price."
"But if we wait until after the awards ceremony..."
His smile widened.
"The number might become much more interesting."
Everyone exchanged looks.
Then they nodded in agreement.
At that moment, they truly understood why Luo Zheng could play with investments worth hundreds of millions while they were still calculating individual regional copyright sales.
The gap in vision was simply too large.
The following days passed surprisingly peacefully.
During the daytime, Luo Zheng and Gao Yuanyuan attended screenings, receptions, and social gatherings.
At night...
They enjoyed Venice itself.
The ancient city seemed almost dreamlike beneath the moonlight.
Water reflected the lights.
Gondolas drifted silently through narrow canals.
The romantic atmosphere made it difficult for even the most rational people to remain unaffected.
Meanwhile, outside Venice, the media storm continued growing.
Major newspapers across Europe began praising Getting Home.
Hollywood trade magazines published glowing reviews.
Chinese media became even more excited.
Some articles already treated the film as a likely Golden Lion contender.
At the same time—
Photos of Luo Zheng and Gao Yuanyuan together spread everywhere.
Holding hands.
Walking together.
Attending receptions.
Sharing conversations.
The entertainment press practically declared them a couple.
Back in China, countless readers discussed the rumors.
Among them was Fan Bingbing.
After seeing the newspaper coverage, she immediately felt threatened.
Very threatened.
The more she looked at Gao Yuanyuan's photos...
The more dangerous she felt this opponent was.
Beauty.
Temperament.
Figure.
Popularity.
This was clearly not an easy rival.
Meanwhile, Luo Zheng remained blissfully unaware of the brewing storm waiting for him back home.
His attention was focused entirely on one thing.
September 8.
Awards Day.
The morning atmosphere inside the hotel suite felt unusually tense.
Nobody was talking much.
Everyone understood what today represented.
The judging panel would finalize its decisions.
Successful crews would receive invitations to attend the evening ceremony.
Everyone else...
Would quietly pack their bags and leave.
Ten o'clock arrived.
Still nothing.
Ten-fifteen.
Nothing.
Ten-thirty.
The tension became unbearable.
Even Gao Yuanyuan unconsciously clasped her hands together.
Song Dandan stared at the telephone.
Zhao Benshan pretended to drink tea but hadn't taken a sip in nearly ten minutes.
The entire suite remained silent.
Then—
A phone suddenly rang.
Every head snapped toward Luo Zheng simultaneously.
The room froze.
For a brief moment, even breathing seemed to stop.
And as Luo Zheng slowly picked up the phone...
Everyone's heartbeat rose to their throats.