816-820

Chapter 816: Step by Step, Closing In

Silence was spreading, creeping up the skin like ants. The cold air touched the burning skin, and goosebumps erupted uncontrollably.

Yet, this silence carried an entirely different atmosphere.

In the apartment, the shift in mood was palpable. Before realizing it, one held their breath, drawn into the scene before them.

Clementine's passion and initiative contrasted with Joel's shyness and restraint. Their back-and-forth interactions shattered the stereotypical dynamics people usually expected, presenting an entirely different position and state. However, the real focal point was the chemistry that overflowed and grabbed attention, making it impossible to look away.

So, what’s the next step?

When Clementine’s enthusiasm collided with an iceberg, she didn’t continue to press forward. She pulled back slightly, allowing cold air to rush in between them.

Awkwardness, unfamiliarity, unease.

Clementine played the high-and-mighty role, waiting for Joel to take the initiative. She exuded an air of unattainable elegance.

But then...

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

The air cooled down, and awkwardness spread in the silence.

Clementine felt a bit frustrated.

In the end, she couldn't hold out—

For more than two seconds.

She turned her head, pouting at Joel, dissatisfaction written all over her face. Surprisingly, she noticed Joel’s gaze flickering.

Hmm? Wait, what’s going on?

Clementine raised an eyebrow slightly, patiently waiting.

Sure enough, she saw Joel's timid and restrained gaze flicker over. Before it could even land on Clementine, it hurriedly retreated.

Like a fox walking on the frozen surface of a winter lake, ears pricked, cautiously alert. At the slightest disturbance, it would disappear without a trace. Even in stillness, it remained vigilant, rejecting any stranger's approach.

However, he couldn’t hold back, and his eyes flicked over again and again, sneaking glances at Clementine.

So, what's the deal?

Clementine stared at Joel, a trace of curiosity gleaming in her eyes—

Joel sat upright, back straight, legs neatly placed. Both hands rested on his knees, his left hand holding a water cup. His thumb continuously rubbed the cup, the small action betraying the storm within.

Then...

His gaze inadvertently flicked over again, but this time, Clementine caught him.

“You're very quiet, aren’t you?”

Joel, "Sorry."

He shrugged slightly, his first instinct to apologize. He averted his eyes but realized he hadn’t made eye contact when speaking, which was impolite.

Joel quickly lifted his eyes, glanced at Clementine, and gave an awkward, stiff smile before immediately looking away again.

"My life isn’t what you'd call interesting. It's just work and home every day. Nothing worth discussing."

He looked up again and noticed Clementine staring at him intently, her gaze calm and warm. His eyes lingered there, not hurriedly retreating this time. Carefully, he used his gaze to trace the contours of Clementine’s face.

Unintentionally, he held his breath.

Clementine seemed not to notice, simply gazing at Joel, watching him quietly.

In that brief instant, time seemed to stop. Eyes met eyes, and sparks and currents blossomed, the sound of heartbeats turning into a roar in his ears.

But...

Joel looked down.

Again, Joel broke eye contact.

He could feel Clementine's gaze; she hadn't moved or looked away. She kept staring at him. The warmth on his cheeks was palpable, making Joel swallow hard.

His mouth went dry.

"You should see my diary. It's practically... blank."

Joel spoke in a low voice, squeezing out the words with difficulty.

"Really?" Clementine's voice broke the silence.

Though her volume and pace were normal, maybe a bit high-pitched, against Joel's calmness, she seemed a bit too loud.

Clementine continued to look at Joel, her gaze so intense it could burn holes in his face.

This time, Clementine gathered her courage again, shifting slightly closer to Joel. She leaned forward, trying to catch Joel's eyes once more, "Does that make you feel sad or anxious?"

Her tone was slightly urgent.

Joel felt like a furnace was approaching him, his skin nearly burning. His body instinctively leaned away, but his eyes crept back up to her face, lingering cautiously on her lips.

Clementine didn’t notice, lost in her thoughts. "I often feel anxious, always thinking life isn't fulfilling enough. I want to seize every opportunity, making sure not a single moment is wasted."

Rattling on like a whirlwind, she said everything in one breath.

Joel then heard his own voice whisper in his ear, "I've thought about that too."

Clementine paused, looking up at Joel.

Unintentionally, she found herself caught in that ocean of blue, "Really?"

Her voice trembled slightly.

"You’re really too kind." A smile crept up her lips, and both Clementine and Joel started laughing. Clementine immersed herself in the atmosphere. "Oh, God, I should really stop saying that. What I mean is... you, you're wonderful."

Even though she knew she shouldn't say it, she couldn't help it.

Clementine moved closer again, almost touching Joel. She looked deeply into his eyes, the smile on her lips freezing, her gaze slowly unfocusing, falling into that ocean of blue.

Half-awake, half-dreaming, she murmured to herself.

"I want to marry you."

The thought blurted out, but Clementine didn't feel flustered or embarrassed. Seeing Joel’s bewildered and panicked expression, she just smiled, took a sip of her drink.

"I know. I’m serious."

Her gaze remained fixed on Joel.

Joel blinked repeatedly, forgetting to look away for the first time, staring at Clementine.

This was the first time Joel openly looked at Clementine for such a long time. He knew he should turn his head, but his neck felt stiff. His heart raced as if about to break free, his brain pressed the pause button, and a warm wave surged in his chest.

"...Okay?"

His voice rose at the end, uncertain, but deep inside, he didn’t reject it. His lips curled up uncontrollably.

Shy yet joyful, happy yet nervous.

His wildly beating heart roared in his ears.

Joel was a hundred percent sure this wasn’t like him. Every cell in his body screamed to run away; this wasn't something he would normally do.

But more importantly, every inch of his soul longed for this, uncontrollably drawing closer. The feeling was so intense, so overwhelming, that it scared Joel.

This feeling that emerged from an unfamiliar corner was spiraling out of control. Joel didn't know if it was nervousness or happiness taking over.

Adrenaline burned throughout his body.

*Chapter 817: A Familiar Feeling*

Completely unfamiliar, yet irresistible.

This feeling left Joel at a loss. Unconsciously, his breathing quickened, and his instincts urged him to retreat, to withdraw back into his shell.

However, he couldn't help himself.

Once again, his gaze sneaked over to Clementine, carefully tracing the contours of her face—her eyebrows, her eyes, her nose, her freckles, her smile—reluctant to miss a single detail.

Before he even realized it, a faint smile had already crept onto his lips, like the first glimmer of spring breaking through the long winter, clear and bright.

Huh.

The entire apartment held its breath, eyes wide open, afraid to miss a single moment. Brains buzzing, they slowly fell along with him—

The shyness and restraint, the unease and resistance, the unfamiliarity and hesitation—all so vivid yet unable to resist the pull of instinct. The tension and trepidation in their eyes intertwined, echoing the heartbeat.

So, this is what it's like to fall in love.

Not just Joel, everyone around them fell with him, the air filled with a faint warmth and a subtle excitement that made hearts tremble.

Clementine felt it too.

Though Joel said nothing, remaining clumsy, inexperienced, and slow, it seemed like one glance from him had drained every ounce of courage from his body.

But it was enough.

For Clementine, one look of affirmation was more than enough, enough to make her gather her courage, enough to make her rush toward him like a moth to a flame.

She moved, inching closer.

Bit by bit, Clementine closed the little space left between them. Then, she lifted Joel's left arm, ignoring how his left side went stiff and numb, and nestled into his chest, adjusting herself until she found the most comfortable, secure position.

Moreover, Clementine was meticulous—

Adjusting left, then right, as if Joel were just a cushion.

Thinking about it that way... it wasn't wrong.

Joel's stiffness had spread from his left side to every corner of his body, including his eyes. He remained frozen in place, letting Clementine position him however she wished. If he wasn't a cushion, he was pretty close to one.

Not until Clementine finally settled, curling up in his arms like a cat, did they both freeze for a moment—

Why did this feel so familiar?

Though they were strangers meeting for the first time, at this moment, they found a sense of closeness in each other's embrace and warmth.

Everything felt familiar.

Joel's eyes revealed a trace of confusion, his expression softened slightly, the stiffness giving way to exploration.

Clementine felt it too. Leaning entirely on Joel, she adjusted her position again, using every cell in her body to absorb his warmth.

It was a fleeting moment, gone in an instant. Neither noticed anything strange, instead, they melted naturally into this sense of familiarity. Not the kind of instant chemistry from a first date, but more like they had always belonged to each other—

As if it was ingrained in their body memory.

Clementine skillfully grasped Joel's left hand, her fingers tracing his palm, pressing, intertwining, and finally locking with his without a second of hesitation.

She liked this feeling of familiarity.

"Joel, someday you should take me to the Charles River. The river is already frozen this time of year."

Joel: ...

Clearly, unlike Clementine's naturalness, Joel remained slightly confused—

Why?

Where did this familiar feeling come from?

Why did his head ache?

He raised his right hand to rub his temple but didn't completely drift off. He reacted a bit slowly but still heard Clementine's words and responded with a smile, glancing at her warmly.

"That sounds terrifying."

Clementine seemed to sense the warmth in his gaze, lifting her head to look at Joel, "It is."

Meeting his eyes, Clementine's heart suddenly blossomed.

She adjusted her position again, resting her ear against Joel's chest—

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sound of his heartbeat echoed through his chest like a lullaby, calming her.

Clementine didn't think much of it, just liked the sense of security it gave her. A smile quietly bloomed on her lips as she began to study Joel's large hands and long fingers, playing with them like a toy.

"I'll make some snacks."

"A night picnic feels different. We can..."

However, before she could finish, Joel interrupted her.

"That sounds wonderful."

His voice was soft, a gentle murmur.

Joel didn't realize he was already falling, the familiar scent of her shampoo and the warmth of her skin slowly drawing him in. Before he knew it, his cheek was pressed against Clementine's head, using his nose to take in her familiar scent—

The sense of smell often lies in the deepest recesses of memory, never fading.

Even the most distant, long-forgotten memories, like the fresh scent of playing barefoot in the stream as a child, can awaken years-old memories in an instant.

Just like that.

Joel hadn't awakened those memories, but his body's instinctive response softened his rationality, clinging to Clementine to feel her warmth.

Sinking, falling—

The entire apartment, the whole world, fell with Joel.

All other thoughts vanished at this moment. They simply watched this scene quietly, feeling the intensity and warmth overflowing, unable to help themselves.

It wasn't just love; it was a bond, a connection engraved in their bones and souls, one touch enough to awaken the entanglement of past and present lives.

Contradictory yet harmonious, turbulent yet passionate.

Perfectly natural.

Everyone held their breath, their bodies frozen in place, afraid that the slightest movement would disturb the tranquility and beauty before them. Before they realized it, they were already caught up in this calm storm.

Clementine's contentment, Joel's daze.

Two completely different states somehow formed a resonance.

And then, hearts stopped beating.

No one was an exception, no one.

Attention naturally fell on Joel—

Slightly awkward, slightly stiff, slightly shy, he was clearly a dull, boring bookworm. Even tonight, everything had been led by Clementine, her brilliance completely overshadowing Joel, making people wonder what she saw in him.

Perhaps this scene held the answer.

Clementine's tension and joy gradually unwound, as if she had entered a safe harbor—perhaps this was what she had always been looking for.

And Joel?

Joel's expression seemed to be crumbling, losing control bit by bit, his passion on the verge of bursting from his chest.

---

*Chapter 818: Panic*

Serenity and peace—that’s what it looks like on the surface.

Beneath it all, waves crash and surge with true emotion.

Joel’s handsome and refined face, even hidden under a layer of stubble, couldn't mask his charm. Yet, his reserved and awkward demeanor kept his head down, hiding his face from view. His low-key, introverted aura made it easy for him to be swallowed up by the crowd.

Until now—

Joel lifted his chin slightly, burying his nose deeply in Clementine's hair. His brows furrowed, a mixture of pain and struggle flickering across his features as he found himself slipping further into the push and pull of reason and emotion.

His handsome face came alive, tangled and vivid with emotion. There was a hint of vulnerability beneath his rugged exterior and a sliver of longing hidden within his fear. Like the wings of a butterfly trembling on a flower, a ray of sunlight broke through the cloudy sky.

Breath-taking, leaving one in awe—

"Beauty lies in the bones, not the skin."

In front of everyone, the struggle and pull within that man’s memory leaked out for just a moment.

In an instant, it took everyone's breath away, including Michelle's, who was watching intently.

Despite there being two people in front of them, and one constantly chattering, everyone's gaze fell on the silent figure, unable to look away.

But Joel didn’t notice. He was lost in his own turmoil, too distracted to hear what Clementine was saying.

His consciousness was slipping away from his body—

He closed his eyes, his heartbeat thundering. It was so intense, so fierce, so rapid, that it felt like his heart might explode, with a faint sense of pain.

That longing was unbearable in its intensity.

Sometimes, even when the other person is in your arms, you miss them madly; sometimes, even when they’re right beside you, you still yearn for them; sometimes, without knowing how it started, you’ve already fallen.

Joel was both panicked and afraid.

This emotion was so strong it threatened to consume him.

He didn’t know where it came from or how to identify it. The tangled emotions and subtle sting made no sense to him, breaking down his logic and will with such intensity it was like a free fall from a great height.

It was all too strong, violently disrupting the order in his mind.

Joel was in a panic.

He clenched his jaw, opened his eyes, his pupils shaking. Afraid of being noticed, not knowing how to react, he lowered his eyes, trying to conceal the storm within them, abruptly breaking the atmosphere.

"Uh, but..."

"I should go."

Blunt, direct, even somewhat crude, rudely destroying the mood.

But Joel had no better way. He needed to leave before that emotion completely consumed him.

He didn’t expect Clementine to react so assertively, grabbing his left arm and pulling him back.

"You should stay."

Clementine looked deep into Joel’s eyes, excitement gleaming within her gaze.

Joel froze, looking into the misty, ambiguous look in Clementine’s eyes, completely flustered.

"Okay."

The affirmative response was on the tip of his tongue, almost biting down. "...No." In the end, Joel corrected himself, "I... uh, I mean... I have to work early tomorrow."

He couldn't meet Clementine’s eyes, nor could he wait for her response. Like he was running away, he stood up quickly and walked away.

One step. Two steps.

So heavy, yet so hurried, Joel forced himself to move quickly because he feared what might happen if he slowed down. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to resist and turn back.

He knew, he remembered, that he had chosen to take a risk today. He had skipped work and broken his daily routine to try something new.

But now, things had gone too far, overwhelmingly so.

He needed to calm down, to escape, to retreat to his safe space and breathe.

At this point, Joel couldn’t care about anything else. He didn’t care how he appeared in Clementine’s eyes. He was like a headless fly, aimlessly circling the room, awkward and clumsy, even a bit pitiful.

After two circles, Joel finally found the coat rack. He quickly grabbed his coat, fumbling to put it on.

The more he rushed, the worse it got.

Clementine followed him.

Joel had expected her to be upset or even angry at how he treated her, but she wasn’t.

Not at all. In fact, Clementine was smiling, watching Joel with joy.

Joel felt awkward. He glanced at her quickly but lowered his gaze, trying to shove his arm into the sleeve.

Clementine watched, her eyes overflowing with amusement, biting her lower lip as she took in Joel’s struggle.

"I hope you’ll call me."

Joel: ???

"Can you?"

Clementine was serious. Without waiting for an answer, she picked up a pen and looked at Joel with wide eyes, signaling him with her gaze.

"I’m looking forward to it."

Step by step, Clementine showed unbelievable initiative, tilting her head slightly to observe Joel like she was admiring a masterpiece.

Joel noticed her intense gaze.

He looked at her, quickly glanced away, but couldn’t resist looking again.

"Okay." He finally couldn't refuse.

Clementine’s smile bloomed like a flower, stepping closer to Joel.

Joel instinctively stepped back.

Clementine grabbed his left hand, bit the pen cap off, and quickly wrote her number in his palm.

Involuntarily, Joel looked up, meeting Clementine's eyes from beneath his brow. It was as if she had predicted his shyness and awkwardness, and when she saw it, she burst into a smile.

A soft chuckle rumbled in her throat, her eyes full of playful teasing.

Joel’s palm felt scorching hot. He pulled his hand back, not daring to look at Clementine. He muttered a quick "goodbye" and hurried out.

Open the door, leave, close the door.

It was all done in one swift motion.

Only a fleeting glimpse of his back was caught before the door closed. The sound echoed through the hallway and apartment, leaving a quiet stillness behind.

Clementine watched this unfold, not minding at all. Instead, she laughed silently, like a boy who teases the girl he likes in elementary school, finding joy in her blushing and flustered reaction.

Her heart leaped with excitement.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Clementine tossed the pen aside, sprinting across the apartment like a whirlwind. She opened the window and leaned out, smiling fully as she watched the first-floor door, waiting for that man.

*Chapter 819: Generating Power for Love*

“Cut!”

A voice broke the silence in the apartment, and at the same time, it shattered the fourth wall, pulling everyone from the film back into reality. The thoughts that had stopped in their tracks suddenly surged again, and finally, people remembered to breathe. They gasped for air, but could only inhale the hot air mixed with carbon dioxide, making their hearts race.

One by one, they turned their gazes towards the source of the voice, confused and annoyed—wasn’t the scene still being filmed? Who interrupted it?

It was Michel Gondry.

Once they realized it was the director, the atmosphere in the apartment became awkward.

In this scene, it was clear that there was still interaction between Clementine and Joel. Even if they put aside how to shoot Joel’s scenes for a moment, at least they could have finished filming Clementine’s shots in the apartment.

But Michel had stopped the shoot.

What does that mean...?

But why?

Wasn’t the scene good enough?

The tension between irresistible impulses and emotional collapse, the awkward fumbling in the midst of overwhelming emotions, the push-and-pull, the intricate and vivid richness of it all—it was captivating, drawing people in without them even realizing it.

A pang of anxiety.

It was brilliant—so brilliant it made people forget to breathe.

Kate—no, not Kate, it was fully Clementine.

Lively, outgoing, passionate, and brave, yet behind all that energy was a faint hint of insecurity. Unintentionally, she revealed her fear of lacking a sense of safety, so she burrowed into the warmth of a safe harbor, greedy for a moment of peace.

Once she was sure of what she wanted, she pursued it boldly and took the initiative.

That purity, like a flame.

Though Hollywood has never been short of praise for Kate, having received widespread acclaim and even an Oscar nomination for Sense and Sensibility, it seemed like after Titanic, she had faded from view, completely overshadowed by the idol status the film brought her.

A talent gone to waste.

While Hollywood doesn’t have a direct equivalent to the Chinese saying “the tragedy of Yong,” which refers to wasted potential, there are countless stories of young stars fading into obscurity after their early fame. After a few sighs, no one cares anymore—

Because it happens too often.

There’s always the next genius, always the next superstar.

Kate?

No exception.

Among the masses, she was just ordinary, much like Leonardo DiCaprio.

Didn’t Leonardo finally get to work with his dream director Martin Scorsese? Yet in Gangs of New York, his performance came off as exaggerated and over-the-top, completely overshadowed by Daniel Day-Lewis.

So, like Leonardo, Kate’s situation didn’t garner much sympathy.

But today, tonight, just now—

Kate brought a fresh and captivating performance with a completely different role, showing no trace of herself—she was Clementine, a woman from Venus who bravely faced her true emotions.

Everything was seamless, once again reviving the praise that had once surrounded Kate.

However, the core of the entire performance was Anson.

No one expected that.

A quiet, introverted, shy man who barely spoke throughout the scene, always in a passive position, constantly avoiding and dodging, his gaze even unclear—yet he set the tone for the entire scene.

It was astonishing.

It wasn’t just about facial expressions and dialogue; even in scenes without lines, the subtle changes in his gaze, body language, and even his breathing conveyed Joel’s emotional turmoil.

Anson truly breathed life into the character, making you feel the conservatism, stubbornness, and stability of Joel, while also exuding a peculiar charm. He even established the core tone of the entire story.

A sense of déjà vu.

This wasn’t as apparent with Clementine, because the film’s narrative perspective was rooted in Joel, and through him, the initial sense of strangeness was conveyed in the early scenes. Clementine, by nature, was more carefree, so even if she sensed that something felt familiar, she didn’t dwell on it and accepted everything with open arms.

As a result, everything was shown through Joel.

Anson delivered a flawless performance.

From the inevitable pull to the helpless surrender and the desperate, moth-to-flame intensity, to the sudden awakening when the pain became too much—Joel, in nearly a state of fleeing, hurriedly escaped.

Strange, awkward, yet endearing.

The stiffness and clumsiness added a quirky humor to the scene, bringing a slight comic-book feel, without going over the top, but just enough to add a bit of lightness to the whole moment.

Stunning.

That’s the word—stunning.

Though the industry has showered Anson with endless praise, and the entire crew had been eagerly anticipating his chemistry, to be honest, in the balance between idol and actor, people’s impressions of Anson had started leaning slightly towards “idol.” Even with high expectations, they were tempered.

It wasn’t so much about expecting a brilliant performance from Anson, but rather about hoping he would once again bring his personal charm to the role.

And of course, Anson did exude charm—but in a completely unexpected way.

Brooding, sorrowful, broken.

This Anson was a complete 180-degree turn from any previous role or appearance, yet he maintained a unique allure within this blue-hued mood.

He made it impossible to look away.

And this charisma fused with the character, creating a new kind of chemistry, giving the scene and the story an entirely different color.

More than just stunning.

With every glance, every movement, it was enough to make one completely captivated.

Only now did people finally understand why all of Hollywood had been buzzing with “Anson, Anson, Anson”—

Scorn. Disdain. Anger. Contempt. Complaints. Frustration.

Just moments ago, the entire apartment had been simmering with negative emotions, as if chilled by the wind. You could feel the impatience and struggle in every glance exchanged.

But now, all of that had melted away.

If someone asked why people still pour their hearts into indie films, with their low pay, heavy workloads, and little reward, where it might take three or five years just to get the film onto the big screen, only for it to disappear after two weeks—what’s the point? Why do they keep doing it?

Passion.

Simply put, it’s passion.

More specifically, it’s for moments like this, when the chemistry explodes on screen and becomes a movie.

After a moment like that, all the hard work, frustration, and resentment seem to vanish. There’s nothing left but joy and satisfaction, making it all worthwhile.

However!

Michel had cut the scene—out of nowhere.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Michel. The looks on their faces didn’t bother to hide their shock and surprise, sharp as arrows pointed straight at him.

Michel had only just begun to speak when he realized he’d become a porcupine. He could almost feel the sharp stares sweeping over his skin, each pore tingling with the sensation of being pricked.

Michel: What the...?!?

Chapter 820: Blood Boiling

The atmosphere in the apartment changed subtly once again.

Those feelings of excitement, anticipation, and nervousness quietly surged through the air. The fatigue and weariness seemed to burn away in the heat of passionate energy, and even with great effort, it was impossible to suppress the overwhelming exhilaration.

This is the magic of performance.

Michel was no exception. He could clearly sense the chemistry between the two actors. Like gears finally meshing after some initial stumbles, once a detail aligned, everything flowed smoothly.

This moment of harvest and satisfaction filled his chest, boiling with excitement—

This was the scene he had been desperately seeking. This was the effect he had been dreaming of. Anson and Kate, the two actors, had not only met but far exceeded expectations, sparking even more creative energy.

In an instant, his spirits lifted, and all the fatigue and irritability of the night vanished. The endless ordeal seemed to no longer matter.

"Cut!"

With great passion, he instantly broke free from his constraints, feeling a full surge of emotion.

Michel abruptly stood up, his eyes filled with joy.

But before he could express his feelings, he became the target of numerous gazes, all directed at him like arrows, surrounding him from all sides.

In that moment, Michel truly felt his life was in danger.

Uh...

His voice caught in his throat as he nervously swallowed.

Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding—

Michel understood that the entire night had been spent filming just one scene, and everyone present had been tortured into a state of nervous exhaustion. Finally, they had completed a full take.

And it was stunning—anyone who wasn't blind could see that.

But did his "Cut" mean the director was still not satisfied?

Michel thought that if he were to say "no" now, he might truly taste the sensation of being pierced by those eyes, and his heart couldn't help but tighten.

"Perfect."

Michel quickly defended himself, raising the flag to show his stance.

Whew.

The tense atmosphere in the apartment eased slightly, and Michel felt the metaphorical daggers aimed at his back were temporarily withdrawn. He hurriedly wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Michel let out a long sigh of relief and turned to Kate, "Anson? Anson! You come in first."

Anson had just left the apartment but hadn't left the building—

There were no cameras outside, so even though the scene hadn't been fully filmed yet, he didn't need to go outside to face an empty street.

Creak.

Anson pushed open the apartment door and re-entered.

Clap, clap, clap.

Clap, clap, clap!

Grant was the first to react, his shoulders raised in excitement as he enthusiastically clapped for Anson, applauding him without reservation—

Unable to hide his excitement.

It was not just praise but also encouragement.

Grant knew Anson could do it. He knew Anson wouldn't disappoint. It wasn't just his charm; his acting skills were equally impressive.

Now, at this moment, witnessing such a brilliant performance firsthand, Grant was even more excited than Anson himself, unable to contain it.

As for the others?

Grant didn't care.

But this time, Grant wasn't abrupt. Applause slowly spread throughout the room, with one person after another getting lost in the joy of "victory."

Cheers for Anson, cheers for Kate, and most importantly, cheers for the hard-fought victory after a night of struggle.

A tale of hardships.

Applause, mixed with whistles, filled the lively scene.

Anson was also slightly stunned, clearly not expecting what was happening.

He looked at Kate, thinking something must have happened while he was out of the apartment; but Kate also spread her hands in confusion.

Then.

Anson joined in with the uproar, "Woo-hoo!"

There were cheers and whistles, totally different from Joel's state. That cheerful and lively demeanor made everyone in the apartment burst into laughter.

Shh!

Anson quickly realized the issue and put his finger to his lips, signaling everyone to stop. The people in the apartment were confused but quieted down.

Anson listened carefully—

No movement.

"Oh, I was worried the neighbors might complain about the noise. After all, we're in Long Island."

A place where many office workers lived, and the late hour might affect their rest.

Anson shrugged lightly, "But it seems they're working just like us."

Ha ha ha.

Everyone burst into laughter, but as they laughed, some started to tear up.

Then, everyone followed Anson's gaze to the director. How was the progress? The decision lay in the hands of that gentleman.

Michel took a full two beats to react to what Anson was saying, "Haha, hahaha, you're really funny."

Delayed laughter echoed lonely in the apartment.

Michel awkwardly scratched his head, coughing twice to clear his throat.

"Okay, perfect."

"I mean, the scene just now was perfect. I loved every detail in it. Kate, you were great. Anson, you were outstanding."

"Flawless. I have no complaints."

Rambled, Michel poured out his praises in one go.

However, everyone's eyes remained on Michel, clearly waiting for him to finish his words.

Kate said, "But?"

Michel, "Huh?"

Kate, "Based on your tone, there should be a 'but' coming up."

Michel was stunned, finally realizing, "Yes, yes, yes, but we need to switch angles and take some shots. Different angles, different compositions."

"Clearly, this scene isn't suited for a single take. We need to capture those details."

"Don't mind me. The two of you just immerse yourselves in your roles and keep acting. Each performance doesn't have to be identical; it doesn't matter. Forget we’re here for now, get into character. We'll take care of capturing the details."

After speaking, Michel flashed a big smile to emphasize his satisfaction.

Anson reminded, "And?"

Michel, "Huh?"

Anson couldn't help but chuckle, "The shot where Clementine runs to the window—how does the director plan to shoot it? Do we each get in position while the camera waits, or do we follow the timeline and shoot in sequence?"

The difference was:

In the former, Kate would wait in the apartment while Anson waited at the door for the director's cue to start. Anson would exit, and the shoot would unfold.

In the latter, everything would be shot as if it were happening in real-time. Anson would leave the kitchen and head to the window while Anson left the apartment and ran into the street, realistically recreating the scene from the script and showcasing the characters' actual states.

Though the effect seen on camera would be indistinguishable after editing, the actors' performance states would differ.

The realism, the sense of experience, and the immersion—these details would vary.

Michel was taken aback, realizing that Anson was an actor who thought beyond just his role and performance, extending to the entire scene—

This quality was especially rare.

Michel couldn't quite articulate what exactly made it so special, particularly since this was only his second project and he was still a novice director.

But without a doubt, the director's job just got easier.