599-600

*Chapter 599: Succeeding Together*

"Up here, up here! Down there, down there! Middle, middle!"

Smack!  

"Exactly where?"

"Just press anywhere you like. I played tennis all day yesterday, and now my back and waist are killing me," Luca said, lying face down on the sofa inside the villa.

"Didn't you pull an all-nighter last night?"

Seron, barefoot, perched on his back, clenched her fists, and began pressing firmly along his back and waist.

"An all-nighter for what?"

"Lively. I was at the tennis court yesterday too."

"Ah, easy!" Luca winced slightly. "Then why didn’t you come say hi?"

"You were busy flirting. What would I do there?"

Seron twisted his waist sharply, making Luca groan in a mix of pain and pleasure.

"I wasn’t flirting. Lively invited me for a game, and I happened to feel like exercising, so I agreed. Other than playing and eating, nothing else happened."

"So you're saying the young lady was the one flirting with you?"

"Probably. There are plenty of women in the industry who have their eyes on me, so one more doesn’t make much difference. Ouch—Sally, your technique’s getting better and better!"

"Of course," Seron laughed. "I’ve been practicing."

"Good practice. Keep this up, and massage me more often."

Smack!  

"You think I’m your nanny now?" Seron grumbled.

"I can massage you too! I’m pretty skilled myself. We can exchange techniques."

"No need."

She shifted to sit on his lower back, kneading his shoulders. "Was this shoot particularly exhausting?"

"Very. It’s not just physical fatigue, but mental too. Once this movie’s done, I’ll need a six-month break."

Luca shrugged.

"That must mean Sherlock Holmes is shaping up nicely."

"Yeah, I think I did a good job," Luca said, smiling. Hearing Seron’s soft breathing, he turned and pulled her down to lie beside him.

"Want me to give you a massage? My technique combines authentic Chinese massage and Brazilian jiu-jitsu—very effective."

Luca kissed her hair.

"No need. Let’s just lie here and chat."

Seron nestled against his shoulder, her long legs draped lazily over his waist, her fingers tracing his chest muscles.

"Talk about what?"

"Anything. You talk, I’ll listen."

Seron smiled.

"I saw Hancock. It’s great. Sure to be another blockbuster."

"I’m just a pretty prop in it. Nothing much to discuss. Tell me about your projects."

She nuzzled his chin with her forehead.

"Alright, let’s talk about filming. There’s a rumor among directors that the more they push me in scenes, the better I perform. So now I’m paying the price—Nolan, Wright, Guy Ritchie—they all push me to my limits. By the time we wrap, I’m practically dead."

Seron chuckled. "That just proves you’re a great actor."

"No, it proves they have a vendetta against rich people. They can’t bully me normally, so they do it on set. And I can’t fight back. Sigh, I must be the kindest rich guy in the world."

"Yes, you’re so easy to bully. I feel like bullying you too. What should I do?"

Seron propped herself up, smiling mischievously.

"I’ll just lie here. Do as you wish!"

"You said it. I’m going all in."

"Alright, just be gentle."

"...Never mind. Let’s just keep talking. This is nice."

Seron laughed softly and rested against him again.

"Fine by me," Luca said, brushing her hair aside as they murmured softly to each other.

---

The next morning, after bidding farewell to Seron with a kiss, Luca drove to his company to tackle another busy day.

After a three-month theatrical run, Juno grossed $150 million worldwide, surpassing expectations by $10 million and earning the company $60 million—a significant profit.

However, controversy arose after reports from Gloucester, Massachusetts, claimed that a group of high school girls, inspired by Juno, had signed a "pregnancy pact," with 18 successfully becoming pregnant.

The backlash accused the film and Luca of promoting improper values, blaming him as the culprit.

"Talk about undeserved blame," Luca muttered.

By mid-July, preparations for The Hangover were underway.

Despite his initial reluctance, Luca threw himself into the project, supervising everything from directors to cast to locations. Under his guidance, filming began swiftly.

On July 14, The Dark Knight debuted in 4,366 theaters, breaking opening records.

Luca attended the premiere. Heath Ledger’s Joker performance was stunning, though he wasn’t present, recovering in Australia.

Watching Heath’s performance, Luca couldn’t help but wonder, If we meet at the Oscars, who will come out on top?  

The applause at the end confirmed the movie’s success, elevating Nolan to Hollywood’s elite directors.

"Nolan, congratulations!"

"Thanks, Luca. Let’s catch up sometime."

"About what?"

"My next film, Inception. I’ve mostly finished the script and want to discuss a few things with you."

"Great. Got someone in mind for the lead? Just a heads-up: I’m open to bending the rules for the role."

Nolan smirked. "If you can stay professional, I’ll consider you."

"Deal."

Back at his company, Luca instructed his production team to pursue co-producing Inception.

Meanwhile, The Dark Knight smashed records, grossing $200 million in just five days and $300 million in ten.

Amidst the Batman frenzy, 27 Dresses, a modest romantic comedy, quietly hit theaters, earning $24 million in its opening weekend. With a budget of $30 million, its global box office was expected to exceed $100 million—a profitable success for the studio.

At the celebration party, Luca raised a toast to Anne Fletcher, the film’s director.

"Anne, congratulations!"

"Thanks, Luca. Joining your studio was the best decision I ever made."

"Thanks for believing in me back then."

Clink.  

Later, as Anne mingled, Billy, another director, sighed, "She’s becoming unstoppable."

"You regret not sticking around?" Luca asked.

"A little," Billy admitted, "but I doubt Step Up would’ve been as successful with me directing."

"Don’t dwell on it. You’ve done well."

"Thanks, Luca."

"Cheers!"

Chapter 600: Birth, Aging, Illness, and Death

"Mr. Schwartz, wishing you a speedy recovery."

On the lawn of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, the elderly Mr. Schwartz sat in a wheelchair, his face paralyzed and unresponsive to the world around him. Luca sighed lightly as he observed him.

He had collaborated with Mr. Schwartz in the past, though their meetings had been infrequent. The most memorable occasion was at the celebration banquet for Twilight in 2003, where they shared drinks and conversation.

Hearing about Mr. Schwartz’s stroke and critical condition, Luca made a special trip to visit.

Seeing the man in this state, Luca deeply felt the fragility of life. Time, like a fleeting shadow, had transformed the vibrant elderly man into someone nearing the end, while Luca himself had aged from a young man into middle age.

Meanwhile, in the distance, a little toddler had just learned to run.

“Daddy~”

Little Louis, holding a young girl’s hand, came running toward him with bouncy steps.

The girl was Jessica, who Luca had lifted off the street back in 2002 when she wasn’t even a year old. Now, she had grown into a sweet, blushing young lady.

“Uncle Luca~”

Jessica greeted him warmly.

“Jessica, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Luca crouched down, holding little Louis, and asked her.

Jessica tilted her little head and blinked her blue eyes. “A writer, like Sister Kate.”

“That’s a great idea. Keep it up, Jessica!”

Luca smiled.

The little girl shyly smiled back and poked Louis on the cheek. “Louis, what about you? What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Luca looked at the chubby little boy as well.

At nearly three years old, Louis stood 85 centimeters tall, a bit taller than his peers, and 6 centimeters taller than little Max.

His short legs had inherited the best traits from his parents—long and strong. He was sure to grow into a tall, handsome man.

Louis glanced at his dad, then at Jessica, stretched out his small hands, and gestured:

“I want to fly… in the sky.”

The little guy spoke with effort.

“Being a pilot is a great choice too. Daddy supports you!”

Luca patted the boy’s head.

“A pilot?”

Louis blinked. Was that the same thing he meant?

“Dad, Louis says he wants to be a pilot when he grows up.”

Jessica looked at Felix, who was approaching them.

“Well, that’s easy. Just ask his dad to buy him a plane—or better yet, one of every model. Their family can afford it,” Felix quipped.

Luca shook his head, bid Mr. Schwartz farewell, and walked away with the two children.

“Is there a chance Mr. Schwartz might recover?”

“There's a chance, but it’s slim,” Felix replied.

Luca didn’t ask further. Birth, aging, illness, and death are natural laws, unavoidable for anyone. The only thing one can do is live well while alive and pass away peacefully without regrets.

---

The next day, while playing golf with Eva, Luca brought up the topic. Eva mentioned that her father would likely want to meet Felix and asked Luca to make the introduction.

Luca agreed and found himself acting as a political broker again.

Shaking his head, he executed a smooth turn and struck the ball, landing it on the green less than ten meters from the hole.

“Not bad, you could make an eagle,” Eva clapped and smiled. She wore a white baseball cap, a blue T-shirt, and tight white pants—a fresh yet striking look.

“You’re a good teacher,” Luca smiled lightly. After dozens of practice attempts, he considered simply hitting the ball a significant achievement.

“Now it’s my turn. Want to bet if I can sink this in one stroke?”

Eva stood beside her ball, smiling mischievously.

“In one stroke? I doubt it. At least two,” Luca estimated, glancing at the hole ten meters away.

“What’s the reward if I make it?”

Eva brushed a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

“Well, what do you want?”

“Hmm… come with me to a family gathering.”

“Are you sure?”

Luca raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t everyone in America know I’m a playboy? You really want to take me to your family gathering?”

“Of course. Doesn’t everyone in America also know how successful you are?”

Eva laughed.

“Alright, I’ll go. Please, go ahead.”

Luca gestured.

Eva smiled slightly, gripping her club firmly and focusing intently on the ball. Her posture was perfect—her long, athletic figure well-suited for the sport, though her prominent chest made it a bit challenging.

Rotating with her hips and waist as the axis, she swung the club over 200 degrees, striking the ball cleanly.

Thwack!  

The ball soared through the air, landing seven meters away before rolling forward.

“Great shot, a hole-in-one,” Luca praised.

“Almost,” Eva observed. Her swing had been slightly underpowered, leaving the ball one meter short of the hole.

“Still, I’m happy to join your family gathering,” Luca said, wrapping an arm around Eva’s waist.

“Really?”

“Yes. It sounds fun.”

“Thank you, darling!”

Eva hugged his neck and kissed him excitedly.

“Wait, let me finish the shot first,” Luca said.

“Alright. But I bet you won’t make it in one stroke,” Eva teased.

“Come on, it’s so close. I could sink it with a pool cue,” Luca said confidently. He carefully aimed and gently nudged the ball.