The luxurious hall of the Palazzo del Cinema glowed beneath countless crystal lights.
Every seat in the venue was occupied.
The world's top filmmakers, actors, producers, distributors, critics, and media representatives had gathered together for the final night of the Venice International Film Festival.
For many people present, this was simply another awards ceremony.
For others, it was a battlefield.
A battlefield where years of effort, countless sleepless nights, and immeasurable sacrifices would ultimately be judged by a few words spoken on stage.
Inside the audience, the entire Getting Home crew sat together.
Although everyone tried their best to appear calm, the tension in the air was impossible to hide.
Earlier that afternoon, the organizing committee's invitation had already guaranteed one thing.
Getting Home would not leave Venice empty-handed.
The only question now was—
How big would the prize be?
When Luo Zheng hung up the phone announcing their invitation to the ceremony, the suite had instantly erupted into celebration.
Even the usually composed Chen Guofu had nearly lost his composure.
As for Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan, the two veteran performers had looked like children who had unexpectedly received exam results far beyond their expectations.
But excitement was one thing.
Now that they were sitting in the actual venue, facing the reality of the awards ceremony, nervousness naturally returned.
Especially Zhao Benshan.
This was Venice.
One of the three greatest film festivals on Earth.
Winning an award here meant entering film history.
It meant proving to the entire world that Chinese actors could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the very best.
As the ceremony progressed, award after award was announced.
The atmosphere inside the hall gradually grew heavier.
Every crew still remaining knew the same thing.
The closer they got to the end of the night, the more important the prizes became.
Meanwhile, Gao Yuanyuan sat quietly beside Luo Zheng.
Tonight she wore an elegant evening gown that highlighted her natural beauty without appearing overly extravagant.
Under the lights, her already flawless features seemed almost unreal.
But despite her outward calmness, her fingers had unconsciously tightened around Luo Zheng's hand.
Luo Zheng noticed immediately.
He gently squeezed her fingers.
That small gesture eased her nerves slightly.
The two exchanged a glance.
Neither said anything.
There was no need.
Sometimes a simple look carried more meaning than a thousand words.
As the ceremony continued, Gong Li sat among the jury members.
Tonight she was not an actress.
She was the President of the Jury.
One of the most important figures in the entire festival.
Her expression remained professional and composed.
Yet every now and then, her gaze would subtly drift toward Luo Zheng's direction.
No one noticed.
But she knew better than anyone how fiercely the competition had been this year.
The final discussions among the jury had lasted far longer than expected.
Even now, remembering those debates made her feel mentally exhausted.
Fortunately, the results had finally been determined.
Soon enough, the world would know the answer.
On stage, the presenters continued announcing awards.
Then came one of the most anticipated categories.
Best Actor.
The moment the category appeared on screen, Zhao Benshan's entire body visibly stiffened.
His breathing became noticeably slower.
Song Dandan, sitting beside him, patted his arm.
"Relax."
She spoke softly.
"Whatever happens, you've already succeeded."
Zhao Benshan forced out a smile.
But anyone could see how nervous he was.
After all, opportunities like this might only come once in a lifetime.
The presenters deliberately dragged out the suspense.
The audience laughed.
But the nominated actors certainly weren't laughing.
Finally, the envelope opened.
The winner was announced.
"Congratulations to Stefano Accorsi for A Journey Called Love."
Thunderous applause filled the venue.
Stefano stood up and embraced the people around him before walking toward the stage.
Meanwhile, Zhao Benshan's shoulders slowly relaxed.
For a brief moment, disappointment flashed across his face.
It was impossible not to feel disappointed.
He had dreamed about this possibility.
He had imagined standing on that stage.
He had imagined bringing the trophy back to China.
But dreams and reality were different things.
After several seconds, Zhao Benshan exhaled deeply and forced himself to smile.
"It's alright."
His voice was calm.
"Maybe my luck wasn't good enough."
Song Dandan immediately comforted him.
"You already acted brilliantly."
Chen Guofu nodded.
"Many people thought you had a real chance."
Even Luo Zheng joined in.
"Teacher Zhao, this isn't the end. There will be other opportunities."
Hearing that, Zhao Benshan laughed.
"You don't need to comfort me."
His eyes gradually regained their usual confidence.
"If I didn't win Best Actor, maybe that's actually a good thing."
Everyone looked at him.
Zhao Benshan grinned.
"If the Golden Lion comes home with us tonight, I'd happily trade ten Best Actor trophies for it."
The group burst into laughter.
The disappointment immediately lessened.
Soon afterward, another major category arrived.
Best Director.
Just as Luo Zheng remembered, the award ultimately went to director Lee Chang-dong for Oasis.
The South Korean crew erupted into celebration.
Applause filled the hall once more.
As Lee Chang-dong walked toward the stage, Luo Zheng applauded sincerely.
The man deserved it.
His directing ability was undeniable.
But with Best Director gone...
Only two major awards remained.
The Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize.
And the Golden Lion for Best Film.
At this point, even Gao Yuanyuan could hear her own heartbeat.
The atmosphere inside the venue became almost suffocating.
No one spoke.
Everyone waited.
Then the Grand Jury Prize was announced.
The winner was House of Fools.
For a moment, Luo Zheng's expression froze.
The result was identical to the timeline he remembered.
Which meant...
A dangerous possibility suddenly appeared in his mind.
Could history still repeat itself?
Could Brothel Sisters once again take home the Golden Lion?
The thought made his stomach tighten.
For the first time since arriving in Venice, genuine uncertainty appeared in his heart.
Beside him, Gao Yuanyuan immediately sensed the change.
She gently wrapped both hands around his.
Without speaking.
Without offering empty comfort.
She simply stayed beside him.
Sometimes that was enough.
At that moment, the entire hall fell silent.
Because the final award had arrived.
The Golden Lion.
The highest honor of the Venice Film Festival.
Every remaining crew sat upright.
Every camera focused on the stage.
Every reporter held their breath.
The audience could practically hear the collective heartbeat of the room.
Then Gong Li stood.
As Jury President, she carried the envelope containing the final result.
The spotlight followed her as she approached the microphone.
Her elegant evening gown shimmered beneath the lights.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I believe everyone has been waiting for this moment."
Laughter spread throughout the hall.
Even so, nobody relaxed.
The tension only grew stronger.
Gong Li slowly lifted the envelope.
"The winner of the Golden Lion for Best Film..."
She paused.
The suspense stretched mercilessly.
Rows of filmmakers stared at her.
Some clasped their hands together.
Others lowered their heads.
A few seemed unable to breathe.
Luo Zheng suddenly realized that his palms were covered in sweat.
This feeling was unfamiliar.
In Hollywood, he had negotiated deals worth hundreds of millions.
He had faced Wall Street investors.
He had fought against giant studios.
Yet none of those experiences made him this nervous.
Because money could be earned again.
But opportunities like this...
Rarely came twice.
Time seemed to freeze.
The entire hall became eerily silent.
Then Gong Li opened the card.
Her eyes briefly moved toward Luo Zheng.
A nearly invisible smile appeared.
And then—
"Congratulations..."
The word echoed through the speakers.
Luo Zheng instinctively held his breath.
Everything around him disappeared.
The audience.
The lights.
The music.
The stage.
For one brief second, the world seemed to stop moving.
Then—
The next words exploded across the hall.
"Getting Home!"
BOOM!
The silence shattered instantly.
Thunderous applause erupted like an avalanche.
Cheers exploded from every direction.
People stood.
Whistles sounded.
Camera flashes illuminated the venue like lightning.
For a moment, Luo Zheng couldn't even hear clearly.
All he heard was a chaotic storm of excitement.
Then suddenly, a soft body crashed into him.
Gao Yuanyuan had thrown herself forward.
Her eyes were already red.
Her face was filled with disbelief and joy.
"We won!"
She practically shouted.
"Luo Zheng, we won!"
Behind them, Zhao Benshan leaped to his feet.
Song Dandan covered her mouth.
Chen Guofu looked completely stunned.
Even many nearby crews turned toward them and applauded sincerely.
Because everyone understood what this moment meant.
Not merely victory.
Not merely prestige.
Not merely a trophy.
This was history.
A young Chinese director.
A road movie centered on ordinary people.
A story filled with humanity and emotion.
And now—
The highest honor of the Venice Film Festival.
The Golden Lion.
At that moment, under the countless flashing cameras and roaring applause, Luo Zheng finally stood.
Then he looked toward the stage.
Toward the golden lion trophy waiting beneath the spotlight.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
The journey had been worth it.
Tonight, the lion belonged to them.