Preparations had begun two to three months in advance—not just for tailoring and styling, but for gathering intel on what others would be wearing. Colors, cuts, even brands—everything was worth investigating.
They say outfit clashes aren't scary—it only gets awkward when one looks good and the other doesn't. But if two people show up in the same outfit, no matter who looks better, the comparison is bound to become gossip fuel.
They didn't start preparing any earlier because fashion is fickle. What's trending today might be considered hideous just a few days later. Once a trend fades, it turns into cringe.
Originally, Chen Shufen had prepared a luxury-brand tuxedo for Leslie, but the moment she saw the design draft from Janet, she scrapped it without hesitation. That's the difference a world-class designer makes—you can tell the level of craftsmanship at a single glance.
There's a saying: turning 100 bucks of fabric into a 100-buck outfit is just usage, not design. Turning 100 into 1,000 shows talent. And turning 100 into something worth 10,000 or more—that's the magic only top designers possess. "Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary"—that phrase couldn't be more fitting for them.
The same material in different hands produces vastly different results. On Oscar night, nearly every male guest shows up in a standard black tux and white shirt—the height of formality. Figuring out how to stand out among such uniformly serious attire without looking gaudy is a challenge many men tackle beforehand.
Janet, after collaborating with Xuanji Embroidery House on Laila's iconic Eastern-style dress, incorporated similar Eastern elements into Leslie's outfit this time. No wonder Chen Shufen fell in love with it at first glance—it was genuinely stunning. Even Leslie himself was deeply fond of it.
What he valued most was that the outfit featured elements from his Eastern heritage. When preparations for the Oscars had just begun, he'd wanted to wear a traditional Tang suit. Unfortunately, Chen Shufen vetoed the idea, saying it was too festive and lacked the necessary gravitas.
And so, amid the whirlwind of final touches, Oscar night arrived quietly.
Every year, the event kicks off with a 90-minute red carpet session. This year was no different. Fans had come from far and wide—some even flying in from other countries—just for the chance to cheer on their idols in person.
When Roy and Laila stepped onto the red carpet hand in hand, a wave of excitement instantly swept over the crowd. The entertainment reporters and cameramen—veterans of many such events—were still startled by the sheer volume of screams. If their hands hadn't been full with cameras, they probably would've covered their ears.
The fans lining the carpet couldn't contain their screams. They called out Roy and Laila's names, waving frantically, holding up signs and placards with photos of the two printed on them.
Tonight, they were once again dressed in matching couples' outfits. Knowing that the Oscars carried a more formal tone, both had opted for classic, understated colors. Laila wore a sapphire-blue mermaid gown that perfectly showcased her elegant figure.
Roy's tuxedo, though black, was accented with the same blue and shimmering fabrics at the cuffs and bowtie, echoing Laila's look.
But using the same fabric didn't mean the outfits looked like a set—it was more about shared style elements. Both had gone for a more vintage-inspired design, with subtle Eastern-style patterns embroidered in dark thread. Though not easily spotted under the flash of cameras, once zoomed in, those patterns carried a sense of ancient elegance and cultural depth.
Laila never let her fans down when it came to fan service. Waving, smiling, even walking over for selfies and handshakes—if time allowed, she was always ready.
Then, suddenly, the screaming stopped.
The abrupt silence was so unnatural that both Roy and Laila, in the middle of interacting with fans, turned to see what was going on.
A lone figure walked toward them from the far end of the red carpet. Even though his face wasn't visible yet, his presence alone made it impossible to look away.
Time seemed to slow down around him, as if the very seconds passing were reluctant to leave his side. Just looking at him seemed to bring calm to even the most restless hearts. The fans, whose emotions had just been at a fever pitch, now felt an unexpected tranquility settle over them.
But the silence lasted only for a moment. The very next second, when the fans realized who it was approaching them, the cheering returned—louder than before.
"Zhang! Zhang!"
Voices layered on top of one another, creating a sonic boom that could've pierced the heavens.
Leslie waved to the fans as he walked, greeting them with his usual warmth, before joining Roy and Laila where they stood.
The three of them walking side by side on the red carpet practically obliterated every photographer's memory card.
Silence had catapulted both male leads to global popularity. Laila had approached the film with the structure and pacing of a commercial movie, even though it was technically an art film. Many critics considered this a betrayal of the genre, a reckless move. But the truth remained—because more people had watched it, the film and its actors had gained massive recognition.
Roy had already been the youngest-ever Best Actor winner at the Oscars and had starred in several fan-favorite roles in Laila's past films. In Hollywood, when people talk about actors with both looks and talent, no one could ignore him.
It wasn't unprecedented for Asian actors to appear at the Oscars. Even this year, several had walked the red carpet. But Leslie—an Asian actor—receiving such a tremendous reception was something no other Asian star could compare to.
It just showed how important it was to land the right project.
"Whoa, Zhang, you just about stole my thunder," Roy said dramatically, clutching his chest. "Good thing I asked the magic mirror before coming out, and it told me I'm still the most handsome man in my wife's eyes today."
Laila burst out laughing. "No wonder you kept me waiting—you were busy admiring yourself in the mirror?"
"Obviously! When I'm standing next to you, I've got to bring out the full power of the world's most handsome face!" Roy joked. But deep down, he knew it wasn't entirely a joke.
He had never cared much about being voted "Sexiest Man Alive" year after year. But Leslie's appearance… was lethal. One wrong move and his own wife might just get lost in those deep, serene eyes. That was something he absolutely couldn't ignore.
That's why he had called Janet in advance, asking her to send her best stylists to dress him for the night.
He had only one goal: on the red carpet, he had to outshine his wife's idol—so that Laila's eyes would stay on him and him alone.