561-565

Chapter 561: Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Eva stayed the night and left the next morning. Luca, nursing a sore back, dragged himself to the set.

“Boss, you don’t look so great. Want to take a day off?” Annie asked.

“No need. A little rest, and I’ll be fine.” Luca waved her off, stretching his back as he walked.

Annie smirked. At first, she thought her boss was merely misunderstood, with tabloids exaggerating his scandals. But after six months of working for him, she realized the truth—those tabloids barely scratched the surface of his "charm."

“Annie, make me some goji berry tea. Extra berries this time,” Luca said.

“Got it. Should I order some turtle soup, too? Tony said you like it,” Annie teased.

“Ehhh... fine,” Luca relented. That soup would indeed hit the spot right now.

“Don’t make a fuss about it, though. If the animal rights groups find out, they’ll have my head.”

“Understood!” Annie chuckled.

On set, the crew began rehearsing for the day’s scenes. The morning shoot was a classroom group scene, where Ben Campbell demonstrated his math genius, catching Professor Mickey’s attention. Later, he received an invitation to join Mickey’s card-counting team, meeting characters like Jill, Xiao Cai, and Lisa.

“Do you play blackjack?” Professor Mickey asked.

“No,” Ben replied.

“It’s simple. You and the dealer are opponents. Picture cards are worth 10 points, and whoever gets closest to 21 wins. If you go over, you lose. Same for the dealer,” Mickey explained.

“It’s the world’s most popular card game,” a team member added.

“It’s a game of memory. Dealt cards are the past; what’s left is the future,” Jill said.

“And the best part? It’s beatable,” Mickey added.

“You’re talking about card counting?” Ben smirked.

“No. We’re talking about making a lot of money,” Mickey replied.

“You’re all card counters?” Ben asked.

“Yes, we’re a team.”

“Cut!” the director shouted. “Everyone, slow the dialogue down a bit. Make it feel more natural. Kate, Alan, bring more enthusiasm.”

The cast nodded, and the scene resumed. Ben initially declined Mickey’s offer, focusing on his job to pay tuition. Only after Jill persuaded him did he decide to try it out.

“Cut! That’s a wrap for this scene!” the director announced.

During a break, Annie handed Luca the phone. “Boss, Mr. Ross called. It’s about work.”

Luca returned the call to discuss casting choices for Inglourious Basterds. They settled on Mélanie Laurent and Diane Kruger, prioritizing authenticity and budget over star power.

“Luca, why not Eva Green?” Ross teased.

“She’s too glamorous, not the 1940s type. Mélanie has that timeless, classic beauty,” Luca replied.

The shoot progressed, moving to Las Vegas for the gambling scenes. The team rented casinos and nightclubs to capture the vibrant, high-stakes atmosphere. The iconic line, “Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!” came alive as Ben excelled at blackjack under Mickey’s guidance. However, greed led to his downfall, culminating in betrayal and eventual redemption.

After months of grueling work, Luca wrapped up the shoot and returned to Los Angeles, utterly drained. His much-needed rest was cut short by Ed’s reminder about the upcoming Venice Film Festival. Luca sighed, calling for his "guest" on the balcony, who leapt into the pool with a splash, embodying the carefree energy Luca craved.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 562: Too Familiar to Act Ruthlessly*

"Why did you ask me to step aside earlier? I don't think Ed would mind knowing," Julie asked, lounging on the beach chair nearby.

Luca shook his head. "Ed can be so nagging. He always meddles in my personal life under the guise of 'what's best for me.' If he saw you here, I’d be hearing about it for days. It's annoying!"

"Meddling in your personal life? That's an incompetent manager. Why not get a new one?" Julie asked with a sly smile.

"Too familiar to act ruthlessly!" Luca thought for a moment before responding.

"Haha, you're too soft-hearted."

"Maybe. Ed’s average at best—his professional skills, emotional intelligence, you name it. But if I let him go, he'd probably struggle to find another job. Without work, he'd get bullied at home by his wife. I just can't bring myself to do that," Luca said with a shrug.

Julie burst out laughing. "I know Ed's wife—her name's Nina, right? She’s definitely a strong woman. Kind of like Kate. You and Ed are pretty similar."

"We're not the same. I'm way more of a man than Ed," Luca retorted.

Julie shook her head. "Didn't Ed say you're also attending the Venice Film Festival?"

"Also?" Luca was confused.

Julie chuckled softly. "Why do you think I’m free to visit today?"

"Pete's not around?"

"Exactly. He left for Venice yesterday. He’s got a shot at winning a major award this year and needs to do some networking."

"I’ve heard The Assassination of Jesse James is pretty good," Luca said.

"What about you? Does Atonement stand a chance?" Julie asked.

Luca pondered for a moment and shook his head.

"That unconfident?"

"It’s not about confidence. Atonement is set during WWII, and the protagonist fights in France against the Italian-German alliance. No way the Venice Film Festival would give me Best Actor," Luca joked.

"Haha! I hadn’t thought of that," Julie laughed heartily.

"What about you? Your movie’s wrapped up. What’s next?" Luca asked.

"As a UNHCR goodwill ambassador, I’m planning a trip to Africa," Julie replied with a smile.

Luca raised his juice glass solemnly. "A noble endeavor, Ms. Julie. I salute you."

"Mr. Tycoon, have you considered donating some money? There are still many people starving in the world," Julie teased with a wink.

"Are you here to ask for donations?" Luca laughed.

"Exactly!" Julie grinned.

"Alright, how does a million sound?"

"Thank you, generous sir." Julie leaned over and planted a playful kiss on his forehead.

"Maybe you should talk to Kate. She’s passionate about charity these days. Knowing you're heading to Africa, she’ll definitely support you," Luca suggested.

Julie nodded. "Kate and Aniston’s Women and Children’s Charity Fund is doing great work."

"Yeah, she’s an official member of the Betty Book Club, backed by a bunch of wealthy women. Funding isn’t an issue."

"Alright, I’ll chat with Kate," Julie said.

After a bit more conversation, Julie left for other commitments. Luca stretched lazily, swam a few laps in the pool, and began preparing for his trip to Italy.

---

The rest of the day passed with calls to Kate, Lima, and Britney to discuss upcoming plans. Kate was busy with book signings for Hunger 2, which had skyrocketing sales, leaving her swamped for the foreseeable future. Luca felt a twinge of guilt for disrupting her schedule.

Lima was juggling parenting and fashion design, gearing up for the September fashion week.

Then there was Britney. Her new album was out, but it was being overshadowed by Fanny’s Poker Face, a chart-topping phenomenon breaking records. Britney lamented the inevitable shift of generations, but Luca offered a few comforting words before heading to Aniston’s villa.

---

"Didn’t you say you were exhausted today? Why come over now?" Aniston called down from upstairs.

"I forgot to tell you. I’m flying to Venice tomorrow. Atonement is screening at the festival, so I’ll be tied up for a while," Luca explained.

“Daddy! Daddy!” Little Catherine, dressed in a princess outfit with twin ponytails, came running down the stairs.

"Haha, my little angel! Slow down," Luca said as he caught her and spun her around in the air.

"Wow! I’m flying! Mommy, look at me!" Catherine giggled.

"Careful! Don’t make her dizzy," Aniston warned with a smile.

"Alright, let’s listen to Mom," Luca said, setting Catherine down. "Where’s George?"

"Upstairs building houses. He’s obsessed with it lately. Do you think he’ll become an architect someday?"

"He won’t. I used to love fighting as a kid, but I didn’t grow up to be a boxer," Luca joked.

“Don’t be silly!” Aniston playfully hit his shoulder.

Upstairs, Luca found little George engrossed in building blocks. "George seems more introverted than Catherine," Luca observed.

"Definitely. Catherine’s a wild child, while George is our quiet angel. I wish he’d be a bit more mischievous, though," Aniston said fondly.

"Mommy, what’s a wild child?" Catherine asked curiously.

"Haha! A wild child is someone like you—beautiful, lively, and free like a little sprite," Aniston replied.

"Wow! I’m a wild child!" Catherine exclaimed, hopping around excitedly—until she accidentally knocked over George’s block house.

"Ahhh!" George began to wail.

"Don’t cry, sweetie. She didn’t mean it. We can build another one together," Aniston comforted him.

"Yes, George, let’s make a new house, okay?" Luca said, sitting on the floor with Catherine.

George stopped crying and gestured with his little hands. "House, this tall!"

"Alright, we’ll make a skyscraper!" Luca laughed.

The family worked together to build an even taller tower, with Catherine occasionally "helping" by causing minor chaos. Soon, a 70cm-tall structure stood proudly.

"Wow, a big house!" George beamed.

"That’s right! George built a big house—amazing!" Luca praised.

"They’re growing so fast," Luca remarked to Aniston as they compared the kids’ heights.

"It’s all thanks to you, dear," Aniston said with a smile.

"Glad you know it!"

As evening fell, the family gathered in the living room, laughing and enjoying a cozy night watching cartoons.

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 563: A Woman in a Qipao*

The next day, Luca flew to Venice, the "City of Water" in Italy.

Keira Knightley came to meet him at the airport.

"Why is it always me picking you up?" she demanded upon seeing him.

"Because we're good friends?" Luca replied with a smile.

"You feel more like my nightmare," Keira retorted, turning to leave.

Luca paused, confused. "Wait, where's the car?"

"I walked here. If you want a car, find one yourself," she quipped.

Anne, his assistant, stepped forward. "Boss, we have a car ready."

"Never mind. You head to the hotel first. I feel like taking a walk and enjoying the island's scenery," Luca decided.

"Alright!" Anne loaded the luggage and left in a Ferrari.

"Are those two your bodyguards?" Keira asked, gesturing toward two people standing not far away.

"Yes, they're new hires, both ex-military," Luca explained with a smile. One was Zhou Jie, a 26-year-old acquaintance of Gina's, and the other was Lauren, 32, hired from a security firm. Both had solid training.

Keira smirked. "Having money sounds troublesome."

"It is, a bit. Wealth means you can buy more freedom, but you have to sacrifice personal freedom—like an emperor in ancient times," Luca mused.

"I'd rather be poor. No one follows me, and I can go wherever I want," Keira declared, stretching dramatically.

Luca chuckled. "Did you ditch your assistant again?"

"No, I gave her a vacation. I hope she has a romantic encounter here," Keira laughed.

"As a big star, you should be careful. If I were your fan and saw you alone, I'd knock you out and carry you home. I heard that's a thing in Italy."

Rolling her eyes, Keira shot back, "Do you think everyone is as barbaric and weird as you?"

Luca shrugged. "If I weren't a bit wild, how could we be friends?"

Keira gave him a hard stare before walking ahead onto the Rialto Bridge.

The bridge, made of white marble, stood as a 400-year-old masterpiece of ancient elegance. Tourists thronged the area, and shops on either side sold Italian souvenirs and specialties.

Standing on the bridge, Keira wore a white round-brimmed hat, a floral blouse, and sky-blue wide-legged pants—looking fresh and refined, the most striking figure on the bridge.

Luca smiled, picked out a straw hat from a roadside shop, and followed her onto the bridge.

"What are you looking at?" Luca asked.

"The water. It's so clear. Look at that fish! It's golden," Keira exclaimed, pointing below.

"Golden fish? Where? I don't see it." Luca peered down at the river, where clear water flowed under the arch, revealing swaying plants, sparkling coins, and a few fish.

"Right there! Look carefully!" Keira grinned mischievously and gave him a hard shove from behind.

Luca stumbled. Had it not been for the railing, he would have plunged into the river.

"Hahaha!" Keira burst out laughing. "You look terrified! You're such a coward."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "You started it." Without hesitation, he scooped her up in a princess carry and headed for the bridge's edge.

"Ah! You jerk! What are you doing?" Keira clung to his collar, panicked.

"Relax. I wouldn't throw you in. I just wanted to carry you," Luca said with a sly smile, walking down the bridge.

"Put me down! If people see us, they'll misunderstand our relationship!" Keira protested.

"What's there to misunderstand?" Luca teased.

"Hmph! I'm worried even if you're not. You're a world-famous playboy. I don't want your reputation rubbing off on me," Keira huffed, hiding her face under her hat.

"Too late!" Luca laughed, carrying her down the steps. "Keira, you're too light. Do you even weigh 110 pounds?"

"118. I just checked."

"Still too light." At 172 cm tall, 118 pounds was indeed slim.

"Do you prefer curvier women? Magazines say you like women with big chests and hips—like Lima and Britney. Even Aniston got curvier after having kids," Keira remarked with a pout.

"Maybe. Know why?" Luca leaned in and whispered, "Because in Brazil, they say curvy women are better at having sons. I used to doubt it, but after Lima, Britney, and Aniston all had boys, I'm convinced."

"Sons? That's so sexist!"

"Can't help it. We Brazilians love soccer. Everyone dreams of having a son to play. Daughters can only cheer from the sidelines."

"Why not become actresses, models, teachers, doctors, or scientists?" Keira countered.

"Sure. As long as it's your child, I'll love them," Luca replied cheekily.

"Ugh! Who said anything about having kids? You're shameless!" Keira pinched his chest hard.

"Ouch! That stings!" Luca winced.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from a nearby shop. "Hey, Luca! Is that really you?"

Luca adjusted his hat and glanced over. "Sorry, wrong person," he said hastily, turning to leave with Keira.

"Put me down," Keira whispered, her face flushed.

"Fine," Luca relented, setting her down. He turned back and suddenly grinned. "Hey, Lee! What a coincidence!"

Luca grabbed Lee An's hand, shaking it enthusiastically. "How lucky to bump into you!"

Lee rolled his eyes dramatically. "Luca, your acting has improved. Congratulations!"

"Thanks! Let me introduce you to Keira," Luca said, making introductions.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Knightley."

"Hello, Mr. Lee."

After exchanging pleasantries, Luca noticed the leather shop behind Lee. "Shopping for your wife?"

"Not me. It's—" Lee began, but a woman in a qipao stepped out. It was Ms. Tang, the lead actress from Lust, Caution.

"Lee, your bravery knows no bounds," Luca whispered, giving him a thumbs-up. "Aren't you afraid of sleeping on the couch?"

Lee's face turned bright red. "I hate dealing with nosy foreigners like you," he muttered, pulling Luca aside. "It's not what you think. We're just sightseeing. Only a few of us came from the crew—me, Leung, and Tang. Tang wanted to shop, and Leung hates walking around, so I had to bring her."

"Got it, got it. No need to explain. Besides, look at me. Do I have the face to judge anyone?" Luca said, stifling laughter.

Lee paused. "Fair point, but it still sounds weird coming from you. We're not the same."

"Okay," Luca replied with a mock salute.

Lee shook his head, feeling his dignity slipping away.

"Luca, want to join us for a stroll?" Lee offered.

"No thanks. I just got off a plane and need some rest."

"Let's head back together, then. We can chat on the way."

"Sure."

The group boarded a small gondola, drifting along the canal toward their water-side hotel.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 564: Who is Li Bai?*

Venice is a world-famous city of waterways, crisscrossed by canals where small boats serve as the main mode of transportation—essentially the taxis of the streets.

The boats are usually 20 to 30 feet long, narrow, and deep, with their prows and sterns curving upward, somewhat resembling grasshopper boats. They glide swiftly along the canals.

"If Li Bai ever came to Venice, he’d surely compose a thousand poems," mused Li An, sitting in the cabin with a glass of wine in hand. He gazed at the ancient bridges, towering historic buildings, colorful glass walls, and the shimmering reflections on the water outside the window.

“Who is Li Bai?”

“Our great poet from China,” Li An, the director, explained. “Like Goethe, Shelley, or Heine. He could drink three jin of liquor and compose a hundred poems—amazing, right?”

Luca chuckled. “Incredible, incredible. I heard there was a great poet in the East who got drunk, stood on the bow of a boat to catch the moon, and accidentally drowned. I wonder who that was?”

Li An frowned. “That’s just a rumor. Historically, Li Bai died of illness, not drowning.”

“Oh, I see. But I also heard about a Chinese poet who got drunk, stood on the bow to relieve himself, and fell into the water and drowned.”

Li An blinked. “Did that happen?”

“Yes, he wrote a beautiful poem. I remember two lines: A wisp of cloud drifts in the sky, a gentle breeze blows on the earth; the breeze brushes my hair—how can I not think of her?”

“How can I not think of her?” It sounded familiar to Li An, but he couldn’t immediately recall the poet.

“Was it Liu Bannong?” asked Miss Tang, smiling.

“Oh, right, Liu Bannong!” Li An slapped his knee. He suddenly remembered: Liu Bannong did indeed drown late at night while relieving himself.

Glancing at Luca, Li An felt a bit annoyed. The pleasant moment of sipping wine, enjoying the scenery, and discussing poetry had turned frustrating. First, Luca claimed Li Bai drowned, then Liu Bannong. What a buzzkill.

“Li, last time in Toronto, I saw a dragon boat race. I heard it’s to commemorate a great poet who fell into the water. Is that true?”

Li An fell silent. Within moments, Luca had "drowned" three poets.

Beside them, Miss Tang leaned on the window, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

“What are you two talking about?” Keira asked as she walked back from the bow.

“Li and I were discussing Chinese poets,” Luca said. “Li mentioned that Chinese poets love drinking and composing poems on boats. When they get drunk, they lean over the bow to catch the moon. Very romantic.”

“Drinking and composing poetry on boats does sound romantic,” Keira said with a smile. “Luca, why don’t you compose a poem?”

“I can’t. On the boat, with the fleeting scenery on both sides, the only thing I can think of is holding you tightly, kissing you, and freezing this moment in time.”

“What are you waiting for, then?” Keira curved her lips, closed her eyes, and leaned forward.

Luca wrapped his arm around her waist, stood at the bow, and kissed her softly in the breeze.

Li An looked up at the sky, overwhelmed. Who am I? Where am I? Why am I on this boat with them? This PDA is unbearable.  

Miss Tang blew at her bangs, feeling the awkwardness.

“Director Li, Miss Tang, sorry for losing ourselves just now,” Luca said as he and Keira returned to their seats.

“No problem!” Li An wiped the sweat from his forehead. Finally, they’re done. No more poetry talk, or something even more awkward might happen.  

Clearing his throat, Li An shifted the topic. “Luca, let’s talk about the film festival. Congratulations on your movie being chosen as the opening film. The papers are saying Atonement, Free World, Chaos, and The Sun Also Rises are all award contenders.”

“Don’t forget Lust, Caution,” Luca added with a smile.

“Alright, Lust, Caution too. Are you aiming for the Best Actor award at Venice? If you win, you’ll have the Best Actor titles from all three major European festivals.”

“I’d like to, but the chances are slim.” Luca glanced at Li An. “Li, are you close with the jury president, Director Zhang Yimou? I’d like to have a word with him.”

“Trying to pull strings?” Li An shook his head. “It’s useless. Zhang is a man of principle. He wouldn’t manipulate the results.”

“I know. I’ve heard great things about Director Zhang’s work. I just want to see if there’s an opportunity to collaborate with him.”

“Well, I can introduce you if there’s a chance,” Li An said.

The boat weaved through the intricate waterways and eventually reached the pier at Lido Island.

Lido, an 18-kilometer-long sandbar island, boasts stunning natural scenery and numerous entertainment venues, including grand hotels, nightclubs, casinos, and theaters. It’s the bustling site of the annual Venice International Film Festival.

“Director Li, Miss Tang, see you tomorrow!” Luca and Keira headed toward the San Marco Plaza Grand Hotel, the island’s only four-star establishment.

“Luca, are you and Director Li close? You talk like old friends,” Keira asked.

“Yes, we met in Toronto in ’03 while I was filming,” Luca replied. “To secure my role in Brokeback Mountain, I treated him to two meals—one of stinky tofu, one of McDonald’s.”

“Oh, I remember! He’s even in that video where you pitched YouTube.”

“Exactly. We’ve stayed in touch since, and his eldest son even became a key member of YouTube. After they sold it last year, he became a millionaire.”

Keira glanced back at Li An and Miss Tang walking away. “Are they dating?”

“Probably not. Director Li wouldn’t dare!” Luca chuckled and started recounting Li An’s early days of "living off women."

Meanwhile, Li An and Miss Tang were chatting too.

“Director Li, the news says Luca is worth over $3 billion. Is that true?”

“It is. You know YouTube? When they proposed the site, I was right there. Luca was full of big ideas, and I didn’t believe it’d work. But just three years later, YouTube became the largest video site, and Luca became the youngest billionaire. Life is full of surprises!” Li An sighed.

“Three billion dollars... over 200 billion yuan. Wow. With that much money, why is he still acting?” Miss Tang asked.

“He doesn’t just act—he writes, directs, models, invests, and builds websites. There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s a true genius. We ordinary folks can’t understand his world,” Li An replied.

Miss Tang chuckled, then remembered something. “I heard from some Hong Kong actors that Luca has over a hundred girlfriends. Every actress he works with ends up involved with him. Is that true?”

Li An smirked. Clearly an exaggeration. “Not that many—seven or eight, maybe a dozen.”

“Still, that’s pretty awful!” Miss Tang exclaimed.

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 565: Don’t Forget He Has Over a Dozen Girlfriends*

On the afternoon of August 29th, the Venice International Film Festival opened.

The Venice Film Festival is the world’s first film festival, established in 1932—14 years earlier than the Cannes Film Festival and 19 years earlier than the Berlin Film Festival. It is hailed as the "father of international film festivals."

It is held annually on the Lido Island from late August to early September.

The Venice Film Festival is different from Cannes and Berlin.

Venice emphasizes independence and adventurous spirit, with its motto being "Cinema serves serious art," and the judging criterion is "artistic merit."

Cannes, on the other hand, balances commercial appeal with artistic value.

Meanwhile, Berlin places more focus on ideological themes.

This is why Luca won Best Actor at Cannes but isn’t confident about winning at Venice.

At around 3 p.m., the opening ceremony was held at the Venice Grand Theater, attended by numerous celebrities and familiar faces.

Among them were rivals like Brad Pitt, the stunning Cate Blanchett, old friends like Christian Bale, and veteran actors like Tommy Lee Jones. Over half of the stars came from Hollywood.

The rest hailed from various countries, with the largest contingent being Chinese, including jury chairman Zhang Yimou, directors Jiang Wen, Li An, Johnnie To, Jia Zhangke, and actors Tony Leung, Lau Ching Wan, and Tang Wei.

Chinese cinema has a close relationship with the Venice Film Festival.

Every two years, Chinese films tend to win major awards. In Venice’s history, two directors have won the Golden Lion twice, one of whom is Zhang Yimou.

This year, the festival is set to welcome a third, director Li An, who previously won the Golden Lion in 2005 and is expected to win again this year.

Last year, Jia Zhangke won the Golden Lion for Still Life at the Venice Film Festival.

This means Chinese films have claimed three consecutive victories—a remarkable feat.

This year, Chinese films have also delivered outstanding performances. Out of 22 films in the main competition, four are from China: Li An’s Lust, Caution, Jiang Wen’s The Sun Also Rises, Johnnie To’s Mad Detective, and Lee Kang-sheng’s Help Me, Eros.

Chinese films at Venice rival Hollywood productions in terms of competition.

---

“Mr. Kelly, in May, you miraculously won Best Actor at Cannes. Do you think you’ll create another miracle this time?” a reporter asked on the red carpet.

Luca pointed to the sky. “God knows!”

“Isn’t it Lady Luck instead?” Keira teased.

“Aren’t you my Lady Luck?” Luca replied.

“No~ I can’t claim that title!”

The two posed for a few glamorous photos on the red carpet before joining the Atonement crew to enter the Venice Film Palace.

In the main screening hall, the opening film Atonement was about to premiere.

---

“Luca, this is Tony. Tony, this is Mr. Luca Kelly,” Li An introduced Tony Leung to Luca in the theater.

Hearing Tony’s English name, Luca almost burst into laughter. He greeted Tony before introducing Keira, his companion.

“Mr. Leung, have you seen my Brazilian remake of Infernal Affairs?” Luca asked.

Tony paused before replying, “I have.”

“We played the same role. What did you think of my performance?” Luca smiled.

“Excellent, very impressive—better than mine!”

“Ha! That’s too generous. Director Wong Kar-wai said my acting is only as good as yours was at 40. I think he’s right. I have a lot to learn from you.”

“You’re too modest,” Tony replied with a smile.

Li An interjected, “Luca, did Director Wong Kar-wai really say that?”

“Yes! While shooting My Blueberry Nights, I asked him how my acting compared to Tony’s. He said I’ve only reached his level from before he turned 40,” Luca laughed.

Li An nodded. “That sounds about right. Of all the actors I’ve worked with, Tony’s acting is the most exceptional—he’s a god-level performer.”

“You flatter me!” Tony said modestly.

Li An chuckled. “Luca, when I first met you, I thought you had great potential—a good image, steady demeanor, and natural talent for acting.”

“And now?” Luca asked.

“Now? Does it even matter? Haven’t you shifted to being a director, screenwriter, and producer?”

“Ha! Fair enough,” Luca laughed, understanding Li An’s playful jab at him for not focusing on acting.

---

At 4 p.m., Atonement began its screening.

The sound of typing keys accompanied the entrance of young actress Saoirse Ronan, clad in a white dress, onto the screen.

Saoirse’s performance was remarkable, especially her striking blue-gray eyes, which captivated the audience.

“Saoirse could be nominated for Best Newcomer,” Keira whispered.

“Yes, she’s outstanding,” Luca replied with a smile.

Sitting nearby, Saoirse smiled nervously as she continued watching, her excitement palpable—this was her first time seeing herself on the big screen.

Soon, Luca and Keira appeared as their characters, Cecilia and Robbie, whose love is fraught with misunderstandings. Their relationship takes a turning point when Robbie mistakenly delivers an explicit letter to Cecilia.

The tension culminates in a passionate encounter in the library, where Cecilia’s emerald green gown and radiant complexion dazzled under the cinematic lighting.

“Keira, you look stunning. This shot could go down in film history as one of the most beautiful ever,” Luca complimented.

“You look amazing too. No one wears a suit better than you,” Keira responded.

---

“Luca is so handsome!” Tang Wei whispered, her gaze fixed on the screen.

“Don’t forget he has over a dozen girlfriends,” Li An reminded.

“Yes, what a shame—such a player,” Tang Wei sighed.

---

After the screening, applause erupted in the hall.

“Our film turned out pretty well,” Luca remarked.

“Yes, we succeeded,” Keira agreed.

“Let’s go. Time to accept the congratulations,” Luca said, leading Keira forward.

 (Chapter ends.)