811-815

*Chapter 811: Deeply Worried*

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking broke the heavy, drowsy air in the apartment. Goosebumps shot up across everyone’s backs, spreading like wildfire. Their bodies froze in place.

Who is it?

Who would be knocking at the door at this hour?

Could it be Anson and Kate?

No way! They knew the apartment door wasn’t locked, and that everyone was waiting for them to return to the set to resume filming. The sooner they wrapped up, the sooner they could go home.

The neighbors next door?

They had been quiet for nearly twenty minutes—no noise, no disturbances. If the neighbors wanted to complain, now wouldn't be the time.

So, who else could it be?

Wait… could it be…

A flood of questions surged in their minds, jolting them awake. Everyone exchanged nervous glances, holding their breath, too scared to move.

All eyes turned to the apartment door. Involuntarily, they held their breath. No one dared make a move, as fear slowly crept through their veins. Their skin prickled as every hair stood on end.

Eeeek.

The door creaked open, and hearts began to race, pounding so hard they were about to explode. Some, too terrified, had already squeezed their eyes shut, curling up into tight balls.

A head popped in, floating eerily in the air like a ghost.

They held their breath.

“Director, could I trouble you to come out for a moment? I have some questions.”

The ghostly figure spoke, its voice drifting like smoke in the quiet apartment, chilling their skin. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Michelle.

Michelle froze, her chaotic mind struggling to catch up. Reflexively, she stuffed her cigarette back into the pack, frustrated and annoyed, before stepping outside.

The apartment returned to silence.

Everyone exchanged glances, their brains slowly starting to process what had just happened—

Wait, was that… Anson?

Anson?

It was just a false alarm! They had scared themselves silly, drenched in cold sweat. The whole supernatural nonsense was a bit ridiculous in hindsight.

But after a brief moment of relief, more questions piled on.

Why was Anson seeking out the director alone? Was Anson planning to quit the crew? Was he avoiding everyone to break the news privately?

And where was Kate? Why hadn’t she shown up? Was she in danger? Or had she gone back already, leaving them all in the dark?

Speculation ran wild.

What was supposed to be a relief—seeing Anson finally show up—only intensified the tension and confusion.

What now?

Inside the apartment, more worried looks were exchanged.

The hushed whispers grew louder, impossible to suppress.

Even Grant, after a moment’s hesitation, walked over to the window and looked down at the street.

In the dim light from the streetlamp, he could make out two figures leaving the apartment and joining a third person who had been waiting outside. The three walked a few steps and then slipped behind the bushes near the neighbors’ door. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, and the view was blurry.

Instead of easing his mind, this only made him more anxious.

“...What?”

In the night air, a faint voice, filled with shock and anger, could barely be heard. It was quickly muffled, and no further clues could be gathered.

Michelle covered her mouth, shock and confusion written all over her face.

For a split second, Michelle was frozen. Her brain short-circuited, and she didn’t even realize she had covered her mouth and instinctively turned back to check the apartment, ensuring no one else was watching. These actions were purely reflexive. Then, she stared wide-eyed at Kate.

A jumble of thoughts swirled in her mind, but she couldn’t react.

In the midst of her shock and confusion, Michelle struggled to reign in her spiraling thoughts.

“So, you’re planning to quit the crew?”

Kate: ???

“Who should we find to replace you? Is it going to be Nicole Kidman? No, no, no, she probably wouldn’t take on the role last minute, and her schedule is probably full. So, do we need to find a new lead actress?”

“What about the timing?”

“If we delay, we might not finish shooting this winter. Should we wait until next winter? Or move the shoot to a soundstage in Vancouver? No, no, we don’t have the budget for that.”

“Damn.”

“Damn, damn, damn.”

Michelle was immediately caught up in the logistics of the film’s production.

For Michelle, she didn’t care about who the father of Kate’s child was, or Kate’s current mental and physical state, or her acting career. None of that mattered to her. What concerned her was her own mess.

The movie! What about the movie?

Without a lead actress, the project was dead in the water.

Now that was the real disaster.

Michelle’s thoughts spiraled as she muttered to herself, completely consumed by her worries about the film, with no time left to worry about Anson and Kate.

Kate’s heart tightened painfully, her fingers and toes turning ice-cold.

She knew it!

This was exactly what Kate feared the most—being seen as a problem, someone to be discarded without a second thought. The opportunity she had worked so hard for, waited so long for, was slipping away just like that.

The thing she had dreaded and avoided was finally happening.

Damn it!

This was an utter disaster!

But instead of breaking down, Kate found herself growing calm.

That was Kate’s nature—stubborn and determined. She wouldn’t just accept her fate without a fight. She would give it her all, no matter the outcome, so at least she could say she didn’t give up on herself.

This time was no different.

Michelle wasn’t holding back, spewing frustration and anger, but Kate still managed to find her voice amid the storm.

“Director.”

“Director!”

“Director, listen to me. It’s not as bad as you think.”

Kate finally managed to pull Michelle’s attention back to her.

Michelle’s eyes focused again, finally settling on Kate’s face.

But Michelle was still furious. Anger flashed visibly in her eyes, like a raging storm ready to erupt. This enraged version of Michelle was a stranger to Kate.

“Heh, it’s not that bad?”

“The only reason it’s not a complete disaster yet is that we’ve only been filming for three days. Starting over won’t waste too much time or film.”

“I don’t even know if I should be grateful that you took a pregnancy test this morning.”

The more Michelle spoke, the angrier she became.

“Kate.”

“Kate, Kate, Kate. How could you do this to me after I went to such lengths to make you the lead actress?”

“And this is what I get?”

“I can’t believe it. My God, we’re done. We’re absolutely finished.”

“No, no, no, we’re not done. There has to be a way out.”

Michelle was losing control. Her wild hair looked even crazier, like some kind of mad scientist. Her eyes were bloodshot, and it seemed like she was moments away from tearing Kate apart.

But this scene, in Anson’s eyes, was somehow…

Amusing.

Inappropriately funny.

Anson knew it wasn’t the right time, but a smile crept onto his face, and he couldn’t hold it in.

Pfft.

Anson burst out laughing.

*Chapter 812: Intense Output*

"Pfft."

A light, uncontrollable chuckle broke the tension inappropriately.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—their gazes immediately shifted toward Anson, who had been ignored on the side.

Michelle glared at Anson with eyes wide in anger, as if she wanted to swallow him whole.

Kate also looked at Anson in disbelief, her eyes full of shock and disappointment.

Anson straightened his mouth, putting on a serious expression. He gestured with his hand, "Go on, go on. No need to mind me."

After speaking, Anson made a zipping motion with his mouth, stepped back half a step, and gave the discussion space back to Michelle and Kate.

Kate didn't think much of it and turned to face Michelle, ready to continue making her case.

However, Michelle noticed the mockery in Anson's expression and gestures and kept her gaze locked on him.

And then, she couldn't hold back any longer.

"So, what do you think?"

"You're our leading man, no matter how we resolve this, we need to consider you."

"When did you know? Why do you have that bystander attitude? You should know, this situation is far from simple."

Bang, bang, bang!

A barrage of words poured out from Michelle. Her tone couldn't be stopped, all that frustration, anger, and anxiety, rather than calming with time, only intensified—

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

And so, Anson became her punching bag.

But Anson didn't mind; in a way, he hoped for this moment to shift the focus and pressure, dispersing Michelle's fire so Kate could relax a bit.

Anson shrugged lightly, his face full of innocence, waiting patiently until Michelle finished before responding calmly.

"Of course, no one wants unexpected changes, but plans can't keep up with life’s unpredictability. That’s just how it is. Surprises don’t mean the world is ending."

Michelle, still fuming, couldn't hear any of it. And now Anson was giving her some philosophical talk? She wanted to strangle him on the spot.

"Ha, Anson Wood—don’t think that just because you worked with Steven Spielberg, you’ve become Spielberg."

Her sarcasm was so thick even Kate couldn't bear to hear it.

Anson, still unbothered, replied, "I'm new to this industry, and the director’s no seasoned expert either. There's no need for us to tear each other apart."

He casually struck back at Michelle, hitting a nerve.

Ignoring Michelle's murderous stare, Anson continued, "Actually, the solution is simple. We just keep filming."

Michelle blinked. "What?"

Anson replied, "No need to change the plan, and no need for drastic measures. We keep filming as scheduled. Kate can still play Clementine—I don't see the problem."

Michelle laughed. "Ha. Hahaha."

Anger turned into laughter.

Michelle said, "Even though you're not expecting a baby yourself, you should know that once a woman is pregnant, her belly starts to show."

"So, are you saying Joel and Clementine are about to welcome a baby?"

"This isn't just a minor tweak; it could change the entire story. The love story becomes a marriage story in an instant. Are you going to explain this to Charlie, or is Kate? Do you think Charlie is willing to let us make such a reckless change to the script?"

As Michelle started veering off topic, Anson had to pull it back.

"Director, director!"

"I’ve never been pregnant, but I know that during early pregnancy, it doesn't show. Generally, it takes at least three to four months for signs to become visible."

"Kate isn't even two months along yet, which means we still have a window of four to six weeks."

"Look, we need to race against time. There's not much winter left in New York, and these two timeframes align perfectly. We can finish filming before winter ends and before Kate’s pregnancy starts to show."

"No need to rewrite the script, no need to recast. We can stay on track."

Michelle was stunned for a moment—

He hadn’t thought about it this way, and at least from a scheduling standpoint, it seemed possible.

But then Michelle shook his head.

"You're still too young."

"Pregnancy isn’t that simple. Starting from week five, morning sickness begins—nausea, dizziness, it’s overwhelming. Kate started feeling these symptoms, along with changes in her cycle, which is why she suspected something and took a pregnancy test, right?"

Michelle looked at Kate, who didn't deny it.

"Morning sickness is just the beginning. Next, your body will start reacting in all sorts of ways to signal that you’re nurturing a new life."

"That means your body might not keep up with the demands of filming. On top of that, our movie involves running around in the cold, jumping, and even lying on a frozen lake to watch the stars. How are we supposed to film under those conditions?"

Michelle calmed down slightly, taking a deep breath, and his eyes showed a trace of concern.

"Kate, you probably think I’m a jerk right now, caring only about my movie while you're facing a major life change."

"I admit, I am a jerk. I won’t deny it—this film is a huge turning point for my directing career."

"But setting that aside, have you thought about yourself?"

"If you keep filming and end up losing the baby, will you regret it? What about the baby’s father?"

"Don’t say it’s impossible. In Hollywood, there are countless stories of actresses losing babies because of the grueling demands of filming—day-and-night schedules, unhealthy eating, lack of rest, exposure to cigarettes and alcohol, and overwork."

"Hollywood is a heartless place. No one cares—men don't care, and neither do women."

"Today you lose the baby, and tomorrow filming resumes."

"The studio sets in Burbank have buried countless unborn souls, and still, no one cares."

Pausing for a moment, Michelle glanced at Kate, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

"Kate, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Michelle didn't have to say these things. If he was really selfish and only cared about his film, he could’ve ignored Kate's situation and kept shooting. But he couldn’t do that.

Kate was stunned, pain and struggle flashing across her face.

She may not have spoken it aloud, but those fears had certainly crossed her mind. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, standing at a crossroads, unsure of which way to go.

Anson stood nearby, silent—

There was no perfect solution.

That’s the challenge of adulthood: making choices without a clear right answer, only trusting yourself.

Once you make your move, there’s no going back.

For a moment, all three were silent.

Michelle sighed again, rubbing his cold hair in frustration, and turned to leave, but Kate stopped him.

*Chapter 813: Willful Recklessness*

A dilemma—

Kate has her own predicament, and Michelle has her own as well. They both need to face their decisions, which will determine the course of their careers.

In truth, Anson is no different. The future direction of "Eternal Sunshine" is just as crucial to him, but he cannot voice his opinion. Whether it's helping Michelle or helping Kate, he has no standing.

Everyone has their own dilemma.

"Director..."

Kate called out to Michelle, who was about to leave. Both Michelle and Anson were surprised, their faces full of astonishment as they looked at Kate—

So soon!

Such a life-altering decision should take time to ponder over carefully. Although, in Anson's experience, overthinking could lead to missing opportunities. Often, following one's instincts opens new doors. But most people just can’t do that.

Kate was likely the same, or she wouldn’t have been so restless all day.

But now?

Noticing Anson’s concerned gaze, Kate flashed a quick smile to reassure him that she was fine. She then turned back to Michelle, took a deep breath, and braced herself.

"Michelle, give me some time."

"I... need to discuss it further, and think it over. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?"

"But tonight, let's continue filming."

"We've been busy for hours. I know everyone is tired, and it feels like we've accomplished nothing. I imagine the crew won't be able to sleep well tonight, so let's finish the job and at least wrap up the evening's work."

Michelle found it absurd. "What if we replace the lead actress tomorrow? What are we even doing here, wasting our time and energy?"

Kate smiled. "But what if I decide to stay tomorrow?"

Michelle was stunned.

The Kate in front of him seemed somewhat different. Though there was still a shadow of melancholy in her expression, her eyes and demeanor had grown calm—

Composed.

No matter the difficulties, there was a newfound courage and determination to face them head-on.

Kate continued, "Even if I ultimately decide to leave, at least the crew will know how this scene should be shot, and the director can get some practice."

"It might inconvenience Anson, though. He'll have to indulge me a little."

Being mentioned, Anson’s lips curled into a subtle smile. "This is an actor’s job. Whether it’s one scene or ten, it’s all the same to me. There’s no such thing as indulgence; the real challenge is for the director."

Having said that, Anson and Kate exchanged a knowing glance toward the director.

Michelle’s chest tightened. "Anson, are you sure?"

"This scene tonight was a disaster. Neither of you are in the right headspace."

"If we go back and try to film again now, with both of you distracted, I doubt we’ll achieve anything by dawn after all this back and forth."

Anson shrugged. "I'm fine with it."

Michelle, momentarily at a loss for words, looked from Anson to Kate and couldn’t help but sigh, "You actors... you’re so willful."

Kate lowered her head, wearing an innocent expression, without offering a rebuttal.

Anson, normally quick with comebacks, was surprisingly deferential, listening quietly.

Without the expected retorts or jokes, Michelle’s thoughts became jumbled, and he shook his head in exasperation.

"Fine, if you want to mess around, go ahead."

As he spoke, his expression softened, and he revealed a hint of inner struggle.

"It’s my fault. Out of all the actors in the world, I had to choose you two."

Despite his words, Michelle still believed Kate and Anson were the best choices.

To be honest, Anson was right: if they could finish the filming as planned, Kate could continue portraying Clementine. Deep down, Michelle hoped she would stay—

He genuinely wanted to see Kate and Anson’s version of "Eternal Sunshine."

But the choice had to be Kate’s.

If she chose to leave, tonight’s filming might be the swan song.

Michelle... couldn’t let go.

He knew he was conflicted, that his mind was a mess, and he couldn’t even remember half of what he had just said. But his frustration, his concerns, and his care were all real.

Looking once more at Kate and Anson, Michelle swallowed the rest of his words.

"I’ll head back. You two gather your thoughts, and then return to the crew."

With that, Michelle left without further delay. As he walked away, they could faintly hear him muttering under his breath. Following his retreating figure, they noticed the crew peeking from the windows like prairie dogs, curiously observing—

"Ah!"

The crew, caught by Anson’s gaze, ducked back in shock, disappearing as quickly as they appeared. The flickering lights betrayed their panic.

Anson’s lips relaxed into a smile, which he quickly regained.

Kate smiled, too.

The problem was still there, waiting for a decision. But at least, with the weight lifted from her chest, Kate began to see a path through the fog, and that helped her rediscover herself.

"Thank you." Kate looked at Anson. "You really didn’t have to listen to all this…"

Anson cut her off. "I know. But I don’t mind. Hey, Kate, at least now I know you're not just a screen image, a simple label. You're just like me, a normal person."

"Ha." Kate laughed aloud. "So, have you been thinking of me as an alien these past few days?"

Anson pressed his lips together, not denying it.

This made Kate laugh even harder. "You’re honest."

"When people look at me, they only see Rose. Not just the audience—the crew, the director, audition rooms, other actors—they’re all the same. Rose has eclipsed Kate as my identity, at least in their eyes, but none of them want to admit it."

"So, that’s where you’re different."

Anson spread his hands. "Which also happens to be why I offend so many people."

Hahaha.

Kate couldn't stop laughing. So many words circled her tongue, but she swallowed them back down. "Are you ready now?"

Since their first meeting at the station, Kate had been looking forward to seeing Anson act. As time passed, her anticipation only grew.

As an ordinary person, and as an actor, Anson had revealed so much potential.

Anson took a deep breath. "I’ll try my best."

Then, he gestured invitingly. "Are you ready?"

Kate, "No." An unexpected answer. "But I’ll give it a shot."

The two actors exchanged a look, and the mood noticeably lightened. Then, side by side, they walked toward the apartment.

When Anson opened the door, it was clear that everyone inside was awkwardly avoiding eye contact, though they couldn’t resist sneaking glances at the entrance—

It was so obvious they’d been watching.

Suppressing his laughter, Anson stepped aside, inviting Kate to enter.

Kate walked in confidently, her posture strong, her gaze once again filled with self-assurance.

If she decided to leave tomorrow, this would be her last chance with this script and this character, and she intended to make the most of it. If she chose to stay, then all the more reason to give everything she had.

"Alright, let’s make some movie magic," Kate announced with renewed vigor.

*Chapter 814: Watching From the Sidelines*

Complete silence, everyone exchanged uncertain glances.

The atmosphere on set was a little strange—

NG. Still NG.

Filming a movie is definitely not just theory on paper.

Maybe everything is clear in your mind, but the imagined scenes and emotions don’t always translate perfectly into performance.

Sometimes, even after the movie is completed and released to the audience, the actors may end up hating their own performances and refuse to watch.

And this isn't uncommon.

Especially when they're still in the middle of filming.

No, it's just not working.

Anson and Kate left the apartment, had a talk, and everything seemed to be back on track. All the external conditions were in place. By all accounts, the filming should be going smoothly, right?

But reality was not so kind.

They returned to the apartment, resumed filming, and the vibe was still off. Three more NGs later, they were still stuck in the same place, running in circles—

No progress at all.

At this point, it was obvious the atmosphere in the apartment was getting weirder.

No one spoke, and the room was filled with an awkward silence that only grew stranger. Meanwhile, the crew exchanged glances—one look, a pursed lip, or a shrug said more than words ever could.

Sarcasm? Contempt? Disdain? Frustration?

All of the above.

By day four of filming, the initial excitement and anticipation had evaporated, replaced by the clumsy weight of reality. One by one, the crew couldn’t help but sigh:

All that hope was misplaced in the end.

Originally, they still held onto a glimmer of hope—

Maybe the actors had left the set to find inspiration. Maybe they'd return and deliver stunning performances that would blow everyone away. Maybe they'd show the legendary professionalism and talent that would make these small-time crew members eat their words.

Maybe…

But no.

The classic “slap in the face” moment only happens in movies and novels, after all.

In real life, all you get is endless exhaustion and the ugly mess left behind once the glamour fades. The entertainment industry is just a shiny circus, after all.

Look at Kate, then look at Anson. Whether or not they’re great actors is up for debate, but their ability to stir up chaos? Top-tier. The only reason the crew hadn’t completely revolted was that the two actors were mostly tormenting themselves, rather than directly torturing the staff.

As for the indirect torment... let’s not even go there.

After the fourth NG, the apartment's atmosphere turned entirely cold. The crew looked utterly defeated, arms crossed, and they took on a passive "let's see what else these two actors can mess up" attitude.

The tension was invisible but thick, like a pressure cooker about to explode, suffocating everyone in the room.

Even Michelle was worn out, rubbing his temples as he considered whether it was time to call it quits. There was no point in forcing it any longer. Plus, Kate, who was pregnant, shouldn’t be staying up late like this.

The thought made Michelle's headache worse.

"Kate..." Michelle called out.

But Kate didn’t turn around. She was back in the kitchen, muttering to herself.

"One more time."

Michelle sighed in frustration. "Kate!"

Kate raised her voice, "One more time!"

Michelle: …

Kate: "I said, one! More! Time!"

Irritable, firm, decisive, leaving no room for argument.

Kate had made her stance clear. Michelle knew there was no point in further debate. His face showed his exhaustion as he glanced at Anson, who was lounging on the living room couch, giving him a questioning—and pleading—look.

Anson, lost in thought, hadn’t noticed the tension between Kate and Michelle. When he felt Michelle’s gaze, he looked up, confused but gave a quick nod in agreement.

"Sure, I’m ready."

That response was completely off the mark, but it showed Anson was mentally prepared, indirectly answering the question.

Michelle had a lump in his throat but managed to swallow it down.

“Alright, everyone, get ready.”

Since Anson had no complaints, there was no way they could refuse Kate's request. Whether it was good or bad, they had to keep going.

But judging by Anson's distracted demeanor, the next take would probably be another disaster. NG seemed inevitable.

Anson didn’t agree—

If he knew what Michelle and the crew were thinking, he'd want them to be patient, to give them a little more time and space.

In fact, Anson wasn’t worried about more NGs.

Quite the opposite, Anson felt that he and Kate were getting very close to nailing the scene. The recent NGs were totally different from the previous ones.

Before, the NGs were chaotic, like headless chickens running into walls. They knew something was off, but they were crashing around without any sense of direction or strategy. Most of the attempts had been futile.

Now, they were still getting NGs, but both of them had found their direction. They were adjusting, syncing up, and moving closer to where they needed to be.

Same NG, different circumstances.

As far as Anson was concerned, he had been trying to capture a subtle emotion—a feeling of slight excitement that he had to suppress, a panic and fear born from that very excitement. It wasn’t a matter of being insecure, but rather like Icarus flying too close to the sun, knowing the outcome yet still unable to resist falling into it.

That feeling, a mix of conflict and richness.

It seemed simple, but it played a crucial role in the script. Charlie’s script was complex, with details often buried in scenes like these. The actors had to piece together the puzzle through their performance.

So.

Anson had his challenge, and his chemistry with Kate was another layer of difficulty. It was a test on multiple levels that required time to blend together.

Sigh.

Anson let out a long breath, deciding not to dwell on the performance details in his head—

This kind of acting was about the overall mood. Overthinking the details would make it seem forced and would ruin the natural flow of the performance.

What he needed now was to fully immerse himself in the situation.

Then, wait.

The apartment was completely silent. Everyone was waiting for the director’s cue.

But it didn’t come. It just didn’t. Only endless quiet.

Quietly, Michelle raised his right hand and gave the crew an "OK" sign. Lights, sound, and cameras all started rolling, and the crew fell silent. But Michelle didn’t inform the two actors; he just waited patiently—

He didn’t want to give them time to prepare, hoping to blur the line between the movie and reality, allowing them to naturally slip into the scene and deliver an instinctive performance.

Film it like a documentary.

No doubt, this was a bold move, but Michelle had sensed something subtle in the air between Anson and Kate. There was no time to second-guess, just a gut feeling. He believed he should follow that instinct.

Michelle wasn’t sure if it would work, but he decided to go for it anyway.

The filming hadn't officially started, but in reality, it had already begun.

Both actors were unaware, still lost in their thoughts, adjusting themselves, and slowly falling into the state they were crafting in the quiet.

*Chapter 815: Switching Places*

Deep breath, and another deep breath—

Kate had been adjusting, adjusting her mindset, her rhythm, and her pace. She felt like she was getting very close, but something always seemed to be missing just slightly.

Unlike before, Kate wasn't irritated or anxious. She had returned to her familiar work mode, completely focused on the character. Nothing could stop her from continuing to perform and immerse herself in the role.

Finally, she was ready.

But... where was the cue?

The director hadn’t called for action yet, or had he, and she missed it?

Suddenly, Kate lifted her eyes, taking in the entire apartment from the kitchen. Only then did she notice the crew members, all completely absorbed, their eyes fixed on Anson. Her gaze followed suit, unintentionally.

For a brief moment, Kate felt an illusion—

As if the whole world had pressed the pause button. Everyone else’s time was frozen, while only the two of them continued moving, meaning they could do whatever they wanted, as freely as they wished.

The small space was crowded with people, yet it felt like the vast world contained only the two of them. That strange stillness amidst the noise caused her heart to beat in sync with his. Her soul began to sink, slipping into another body, and Kate became Clementine.

A little nervousness, a little excitement.

A little thrill, a little joy.

Various emotions churned and surged in her chest. Clementine couldn’t control herself any longer. She just wanted to leave the kitchen and be with that man—

She had no idea where this feeling came from, but she didn’t care.

Just enjoy it.

Grabbing two glasses of alcohol, she didn't even care as some spilled onto her finger. Reflexively, she raised her finger to her mouth, licking the alcohol clean before turning and walking away, afraid to make him wait even a second longer.

"Two glasses of Blue Ruin."

Clementine flashed a big smile, a bit giddy, and her steps even bounced lightly—

Completely forgetting that she was holding glasses, causing the alcohol to spill.

Clementine looked down at the stain on the carpet and muttered quietly.

This scene didn’t escape Joel’s eyes.

Joel was a bit flustered, a little amused, a little panicked, but mostly tense. He could feel Clementine’s lively energy, which was clearly beyond what he could handle.

Instinctively, he took half a step back.

Joel regretted it. Escorting a stranger he’d just met home was already too much for him; now being inside a stranger’s apartment was completely overwhelming.

Joel felt like he was about to explode.

However, Clementine didn’t give him time to.

Without hesitation, without stopping, and without even glancing at the carpet, Clementine was already standing in front of Joel.

Joel's small step back meant nothing. He lowered his head, took the glass from Clementine’s hand, and avoided looking into her eyes, staring down at the glass instead.

But due to his height, even though he looked down, Joel could still see Clementine.

By accident, the corner of his eye caught sight of her sleeveless top...

Joel quickly lowered his gaze again, pretending to study the glass, examining the patterns on it. This clearly wasn’t a wine glass, and the blue liquid inside didn’t even look like alcohol, leaving Joel with a head full of questions.

Clementine seemed dissatisfied that Joel’s attention wasn’t on her. She stepped forward and swayed her body gently—

There was no music.

But Clementine still couldn’t stay still, as if she were in a bar, lightly swaying to an invisible rhythm, naturally closing the physical distance between them.

"Down it in one, young man."

Clementine whispered a spell into Joel’s ear.

Joel still didn’t dare look Clementine in the eye, staring at the glass in shock, estimating the amount of alcohol inside.

Clementine noticed and leaned forward slightly, "This makes seducing you feel more natural."

Joel froze completely—

Awkward but sincere.

Clementine couldn’t hold back, bursting into laughter, bending over with laughter, "Haha, hahaha."

As she laughed uncontrollably, Clementine raised her left hand to rest on Joel’s shoulder, naturally finding a support point, and physical contact happened just like that.

Clementine’s eyes and smile were full of joy, "I was just joking."

Joel blinked, finally looking at Clementine, only to see clear and bright sincerity in her eyes, like the sun. Panicking, he quickly looked away again, focusing on Clementine’s right hand—

More alcohol had spilled. Blue.

Clementine was now watching Joel’s face, from bottom to top, leaving Joel’s eyes nowhere to escape. She adjusted her posture as she pursued eye contact, boldly seeking a connection.

Chasing and evading.

That intense gaze left Joel with nowhere to run.

Instinctively, he lifted his eyes, meeting Clementine’s. Their eyes locked.

In that brief moment of collision, a smile tugged at Joel’s lips, and a muffled laugh bubbled in his chest, but their eye contact broke again.

Joel was the first to give in, retreating in haste.

He smiled, awkward and embarrassed, using laughter to cover his nervousness, even raising the glass to take a sip.

But.

Clementine’s left hand slid down from Joel’s shoulder, landing on his chest, her fingers and palm feeling the heat radiating through his shirt, so hot it almost burned her hand.

A sudden impulse surged up.

Without hesitation, Clementine pushed against Joel’s chest forcefully.

Startled, Joel staggered backward, ultimately falling onto the sofa.

Without missing a beat, Clementine followed, straddling Joel’s lap, her now free left hand wrapping around his neck, gazing deeply into his eyes.

Joel: Uh.

His gaze darted left, then right. His wildly pounding heart felt like it would leap out of his chest, and he barely breathed, his entire body stiff as a board.

A bit of intimacy, a bit of awkwardness, two conflicting atmospheres clashing together, but somehow, it held the attention.

Clementine noticed.

Even as she sat on Joel’s lap, her arms around his neck, looking down at him, Joel’s eyes still darted around, avoiding her.

Up, down, left, right—his gaze flickered, but he never dared to look at her directly.

This made Clementine pause.

Sure, she was bold, passionate, and direct, like a flame; but that didn’t mean she couldn’t read the signs.

Her smile froze slightly at the corners of her mouth. Clementine finally realized she might have been mistaken, and the thought caused her heart to plummet.

Heh.

Clementine let out two dry laughs, masking her embarrassment. She didn’t linger, climbing off Joel’s lap and sitting down nearby, scratching her head awkwardly as a mix of disappointment and frustration filled the air, her eyes drifting elsewhere.

The atmosphere chilled instantly, as if a cold front had suddenly rolled in.