431-435

*Chapter 431: Luca’s Daily Life as a Dad*

“George, say papa!”

“Pfft pfft~”

“It’s papa, not pfft pfft. Catherine, your turn. Say papa!”

“Poopy~”

“Alright, fine, I won’t push you two!”

On the second floor of the villa, in the nursery, Luca was lying on a cartoon foam mat, holding a toy, trying to entertain the two little ones.

But the little ones were more interested in him than the toys. They saw him as an obstacle to climb over, moving from left to right, then from right to left, and occasionally climbing on his back. Little Catherine even went as far as sitting on his neck, pulling at his hair, happily babbling and squealing.

After playing for a while, the two got tired and, like little lazy pigs, fell asleep in his arms.

Luca smiled softly, quietly watching the two pink-cheeked little ones. Their tiny noses, small eyes, and rosy little lips, along with their fidgety little hands, made him feel so content.

As he watched them, he gradually fell asleep as well. After who knows how long, he was awakened by the sound of soft laughter. Opening his eyes, he saw Mrs. Aniston had returned.

She was holding a camera, taking pictures of the scene from different angles, laughing as she snapped away. Behind her stood Veena, with a faint smile on her lips.

“Jenny, you’re back!”

Luca rubbed his eyes and sat up.

“Wait, I want to take a few more pictures!”

“Alright, fine.”

Luca cooperated and lay back down.

After taking a few more photos, Aniston handed the camera to Veena, and they took some family pictures together. Aniston kept directing Luca into different poses.

Meanwhile, the two little ones were still fast asleep, completely unaware that they had become props.

“Can Catherine and George say daddy yet?” Aniston asked as they left the nursery, smiling.

“No, they’re only six months old. Saying ‘daddy’ is a bit too hard for them,” Luca responded, not minding it too much.

“Maybe you should practice with them more. George and Catherine are both smart.”

“That’s a good idea. I do have time, so I’ll definitely teach them to say daddy.”

“Just don’t scare them!”

“Haha, of course not!”

When they reached the living room, they started eating. The villa had a nanny and a chef, so the food was abundant and delicious.

“What’s Kate been up to lately? There’s something I want to talk to her about,” Aniston said.

“What’s it about? Kate’s been prepping for the Victoria’s Secret show, but she’s not too busy.”

“Kate, the famous author, is doing a lingerie show?” Aniston said, surprised.

Luca shrugged, “It’s her hobby. She’s gradually stepping away from modeling, and this is her farewell show.”

“She should step back. She’s one of the most famous female authors in the world and a cultural icon. Modeling doesn’t seem to fit her anymore,” Aniston remarked.

“Yeah. So, what did you want to talk to her about?”

Luca set down his fork and wiped his lips.

Aniston thought for a moment, “You know, I’ve been doing charity work for years, mainly focusing on women and children.”

Luca nodded. He had seen reports of this in the news. Aniston was deeply involved in charity work and was widely recognized as a philanthropist.

She had been engaged in charity work for over a decade. In addition to serving as a spokesperson for a children’s medical charity, she had been involved in various causes, including women’s rights, female health, child welfare, education, HIV relief, environmental issues, and more. She had donated millions of dollars over the years.

When Catherine and George were born, she was overjoyed and, on June 1st, International Children’s Day, she donated one million dollars to the Lily Children’s Foundation.

Remembering this, Luca suddenly understood why Aniston wanted to talk to Kate.

A few days earlier, Kate had also made a donation to a breast cancer charity, which garnered significant attention and widespread praise.

At the same time, Luca was making headlines for his acting, with many saying his portrayal of a villain was superb, joking that he was "playing himself" and hinting that he wasn’t a good guy in real life.

Some media outlets compared him to Kate, labeling her an angel and him a demon. They even brought up an old joke about "ear pulling," saying that since Luca became famous, he had gone bad and that Kate should pull his ear more often to keep him in line.

Luca didn’t mind the jokes. He had considered donating to charity himself but decided against it, thinking he’d leave the reputation-building to Kate.

“Jenny, do you want to team up with Kate for a charity initiative?”

“Yes, Kate is really passionate about women’s rights, which is something I focus on as well. I thought if we join forces, it could have a bigger impact.”

“Great idea! You should talk to Kate. She’s practically a feminist now, so she’ll probably be very interested.”

Luca chuckled.

“Alright, but would you want to be involved?”

“Me? In protecting women’s rights?”

Luca had a strange look on his face.

“Why not? Supporting women’s rights isn’t just for women. Men should be proactive too. Don’t forget, most of your family members are women,” Aniston laughed.

“You’ve got a point, but I think I’ll pass. I’ll just focus on making money and leave the charity work to Kate.”

“That’s fine, but your public image is kind of poor. Don’t you want to fix that?” Aniston teased.

“Nope. No matter how fast I clean up my image, they’ll smear it just as quickly. I’d rather embrace being the ‘bad guy’ and let them say whatever they want.”

Aniston smiled, “You’ve grown so fast; it’s making a lot of people jealous.”

“Yeah, not just because I’ve grown fast, but also because of you.”

Luca gently took her hand, smiling, “I’m definitely worth being jealous of, but I don’t care.”

“Well, I care. I don’t like hearing people speak badly of you. So in the future, I’ll make sure to include you in any events—especially ones focused on women’s rights. Maybe I’ll even help you earn the title of ‘Friend of Women.’ What do you think?” Aniston grinned.

“Friend of Women? No thanks! I don’t think I can handle that title.”

That title seemed too easily misunderstood, and being a man championing women’s rights could feel like betraying his fellow men. He couldn’t quite stomach it.

“I think it’s a great idea. I’ll talk to Kate about it.”

Ahh~

Before they could finish their meal, the two little ones woke up one after another, crying out loud.

“You stay seated, I’ll go check on them!”

Luca stood up and headed upstairs.

“Go ahead!”

Aniston watched him walk away, her lips curving into a smile. She felt happy, content, and just a tiny bit wistful.

“Aw, don’t cry. Are you hungry or did you have an accident?”

Luca held one baby in each arm. With the nanny’s guidance, he was learning to be a hands-on dad—changing diapers, feeding them, teaching them to walk, and playing with them.

After a few days of being a dad, he realized how tough it was—far more exhausting than playing soccer for a month straight. But despite the exhaustion, it was rewarding.

Under his careful guidance, Catherine had learned to say “crawl” and little George would purse his lips and say “boo boo.”

Hearing their sweet little voices, his heart melted, and all his fatigue disappeared. He lay down on the floor again, ready to be their doting dad once more.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 432: You Lack the Scent of Deep Passion

After spending a few days with the kids, Luca accompanied Britney on a trip to Alaska.

The two drove north from the southeastern part of the Gulf of Alaska, making stops in the state capital, Juneau, and Fairbanks. They soaked in the hot springs at Chena, watched the aurora in Arctic Village, and even picked up some gold ore along the Ford Knox River. They enjoyed the scenic beauty, spending a full week in Arctic Village before returning to New York.

During the trip, Britney had a burst of inspiration, creating five new songs, while Luca managed to copy two. All in all, the trip was quite productive for both of them.

Back in New York, it was mid-November. Kate, Lima, and Miranda were preparing for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which was set to air on December 6th this year.

Luca attended the rehearsals, intending to enjoy the view, but ended up being surrounded by a group of women who treated him like a spectacle, teasing and giggling, making suggestive comments. It felt like he was in the middle of a pack of female demons. Terrified, he fled.

"Luca, the casting for My Blueberry Nights has started. But Director Wong has very strict requirements for the actors. PR tactics don’t work on him; only the actors who satisfy him can pass. Do you think you can win him over?"

Luca shook his head, "I’m not sure, but I heard Wong prefers working with good-looking guys, especially those with an artistic vibe. I think I fit his profile."

"Alright then, good luck!"

Ed smiled and asked, "By the way, how was your honeymoon with Britney?"

"Honeymoon? That’s just media nonsense," Luca replied with some frustration. Despite their efforts to keep the trip low-key and secret, they couldn't avoid running into Britney’s fans along the way. The news leaked, and soon reporters swarmed the Arctic. They had to cut the trip short.

"This was a creative journey. Britney’s preparing to release her sixth album, but she didn’t have enough songs. I was just there as a muse, a tool."

"Is that so? But many media outlets are speculating that you two may have secretly tied the knot. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for the wedding," Ed said, with a smirk.

"Ed, just say what you mean. No need for the passive-aggressive comments."

Luca, clearly annoyed, replied.

"Okay, last time you said you wanted to keep things low-profile, but now you’ve had a ‘honeymoon,’ and unfortunately, you've attracted a new wave of haters."

Ed chuckled.

Luca scratched his head, "What can I do? Britney and I are just dating normally. I don’t understand why they hate me."

"Normal dating?" Ed laughed. "It’s been almost three years since you two started being linked together, and Britney hasn’t had any other rumors or partners in all that time. You two have been together longer than Britney and Justin."

"People online are even saying Britney isn’t herself anymore. She used to be rebellious and cool, but now she’s way too well-behaved."

"Some are speculating that you’ve got her under some kind of spell, that you're using ancient Mayan magic. There’s even a novel written about it, where the main character is a man who knows magic. You should read it when you have time—it’s actually quite good."

"It’s all nonsense. My charm is enough for any girl—I don’t need any spells. They’re just jealous."

Luca wasn’t bothered at all.

"Alright, I just wanted to remind you that too much negative press can affect your career."

"I get it."

Luca took a sip of his coffee. "Ed, why are you always bringing me bad news lately? Don’t you have any good news?"

"Good news? Sure. Your performance in Match Point earned you a nomination for Best Actor from the Chicago Film Critics Association. You didn’t win, but you and Scarlett Johansson did win Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards."

"And?"

"Step Up did very well, earning six nominations at the Golden Satellite Awards, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. You won the Best Original Screenplay award. Does that count as good news?"

Ed handed him a folder.

Luca shook his head, "These are small-time awards. I only care about the Big Three European festivals, plus the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Have you made any headway in campaigning for the Globes or Oscars?"

"No, this year you only had two films released: the lead in Match Point and the supporting role in North Country. Getting a Best Actor nomination is tough. But your performance in North Country has been highly praised by industry insiders."

"However, your screen time was too fragmented, and Sean Bean, the other supporting actor, gave an even stronger performance. So it’s unlikely the nomination will go to you."

Ed said, with some regret.

Luca sighed deeply. The competition in the industry was fierce, and getting even a nomination was hard work.

"Still all bad news!"

He grumbled.

"Bad news is good for keeping you grounded. Good news only blinds you."

"But I’d rather be blinded by good news than constantly hear bad news."

"Haven’t you had enough good news this year? Step Up was a box office hit, earning you millions. The Man from Earth DVD sales are through the roof, and according to the papers, you made even more money from that."

"Match Point was also a hit, netting you $2 million. Your performance in North Country was well-received, and then there’s Little Miss Sunshine. The papers say you could’ve made a fortune, but you got greedy and opted for a share of the profits, and they say you’ll lose out big."

"But I know you. You wouldn’t take a loss unless you were sure. So, I’m betting you’ll rake in the cash again with that film, just like with Jennifer Aniston."

Ed paused, looking at him intently before laughing, "You’ve had so much good fortune this year. Why aren’t you satisfied?"

"Can you ever have too much good fortune?"

"Fair point—I wouldn’t complain either."

Ed laughed softly.

The next day, Luca flew to Los Angeles for the audition of My Blueberry Nights, the first English-language film by director Wong Kar-wai, which was also a love story.

The movie was about a young girl who embarks on a journey across America, meeting different people along the way and trying to discover the meaning of life and love, eventually falling for the male lead without even realizing it.

Wong Kar-wai was already a big name in the international film industry, having swept up numerous European film awards.

When casting began, many A-list stars came to audition: Edward Norton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman, and more—Oscar winners, Grammy winners, veteran actors. The competition was intense.

Inside the audition room, Luca saw five people sitting there. Wong Kar-wai was in the middle, flanked by his longtime collaborator William Chang Suk-ping, screenwriter Lawrence Block, and two producers.

Once the audition began, Wong simply said, "Perform anything you like."

Luca was stunned. That was a tough request. After a moment’s thought, he recalled that this was a love story, and Wong liked his actors to be both handsome and brooding.

He took out a cigarette, crouched down, lit it, and slowly took a drag. In the haze of smoke, he wore a melancholy expression tinged with nostalgia. At the end, he wiped the corner of his eye.

When he finished, Wong stared at him for a long time before turning to William Chang and softly said, "This guy has great eyes, and a very melancholic vibe—reminds me of Leslie."

Leslie?

Luca smirked. One of the characters in the movie was named Leslie, and Leslie Cheung’s English name was also Leslie. Luca wasn’t sure which Leslie Wong was referring to, but either way, it sounded like a compliment.

"But he’s still too young. He lacks that deep, passionate air," Wong added.

Luca’s face darkened. How could a player like him exude deep passion? Wasn’t that an unreasonable request?

Just then, one of the producers leaned over and whispered something to Wong.

"Oh, so it’s him!"

Wong looked Luca over again and said through the translator, "Mr. Kelly, thank you for auditioning, but you don’t quite fit the role."

"Director Wong, is it because I lack the scent of deep passion?"

Luca suddenly asked in broken Cantonese.

"Uh—"

Wong and William Chang both froze. "You speak Cantonese?"

"A little," Luca replied slowly. "Director Wong, I’m a big fan of yours. I’ve seen Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, and Happy Together. When I heard you were making an English film, I was so excited that I started learning Cantonese. I really hope to work with you."

"Your Cantonese is very good. Did you just start learning?"

"Yes, about a month ago, when my agent told me you were coming to Hollywood, I began studying it. Now, I can just about get by."

"You learned Cantonese in a month? Impressive."

Wong looked at him with a complex expression. This guy seemed quite remarkable—handsome, with beautiful, melancholic eyes. But his reputation wasn’t great. Should he use him?

"Mr. Kelly, thank you for coming to the audition, and also for liking my movie. As for your candidacy, we need to discuss it. You'll be notified of the result in three days."

"Alright, thank you!"

Luca politely left the audition room.

"Luca, how'd it go?" Tony asked.

"Not sure. Waiting for the news!" Luca shrugged and got into the car.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 433: A Person's Shamelessness Truly Knows No Bounds*

"Luca, I heard you specifically learned Cantonese just to work with Director Wang?"

On November 20th, during the premiere of Brokeback Mountain, Director Li An paused on the red carpet to ask.

"Huh, Director Li, how did you know?"

Luca finished signing his name and handed the pen to a staff member.

"Director Wang told me. He called yesterday to ask for my opinion on young male actors in the industry," Li An said as they walked.

"Did you say anything good about me?"

Three days had passed and the role still wasn't finalized, leaving Luca a little anxious.

"Say something good about you?"

Director Li An looked at him curiously. "Why would I say something good about you?"

"Haven't we shared stinky tofu three times? Doesn't that make us friends?"

Luca spread his hands as he asked.

"It was only twice, not three times!"

Director Li An held up two fingers, feeling a bit embarrassed as he hadn’t helped Luca out despite their food sharing. "Even though we’re friends, I can't just say anything. I gave an honest and objective opinion."

"I'm curious, what did you say about me?"

Luca asked, intrigued.

"A very talented actor, but not too serious!"

Director Li An thought for a moment before answering.

"Not serious? Are you talking about me? How am I not serious?"

Luca protested, clearly displeased.

"Because the gossip about you in the tabloids always outnumbers your movie reviews," Director Li An replied.

"That’s not my fault. The media prefers gossip, so they report it all the time. It has nothing to do with me,"

Luca explained.

"Is that so?"

Director Li An chuckled and continued walking.

Luca pursed his lips. "Director Li, you know, last time I learned Mandarin just so I could work with you."

"Really?"

Director Li An sounded doubtful.

"I wouldn’t lie, I swear!"

Luca replied in Mandarin.

"Haha, not bad, not bad. You’ve even learned Buddhist sayings. Your language talent is impressive,"

Director Li An laughed heartily.

Luca smiled wryly. When Li An brought up Luca’s Cantonese earlier, it felt slightly passive-aggressive, and this exchange only confirmed it for Luca.

"Director Li, do you still think I'm not serious?"

Luca pressed on.

Li An shrugged, "Don’t worry about what I said. Director Wang is very decisive. If he likes an actor, he’ll use them. If he doesn’t, no one’s opinion will sway him."

"Alright then,"

Luca shook his head. If he’d known Li An wasn’t much help, he wouldn’t have bothered coming today. Anyway, none of Li An’s future films had roles suitable for him, so there wasn’t much chance of collaboration. Although, if the male lead in Lust, Caution were changed to a foreigner, that would be ideal.

"Director Li An, Mr. Kelly, can we interview you both?"

A group of reporters called from the red carpet.

Luca and Director Li An stopped talking and walked over to the interview area.

"Director Li, we heard you initially considered Luca for the male lead. Why did you pass on him? Was it because of his acting skills?"

A reporter from the Los Angeles Times asked loudly.

"That’s not the case. Brokeback Mountain is a film about same-sex relationships. When casting, we auditioned pairs and chose the two actors with the best chemistry. We first cast Mr. Heath Ledger, but Luca and Heath had similar temperaments, which didn’t quite fit. So, in the end, we went with Jake, who was a better match."

Director Li An explained patiently.

"Luca, how do you feel about losing the role in Brokeback Mountain?"

A reporter aimed the microphone at him.

"Brokeback Mountain is a great story. It’s a pity I didn’t get to be part of it, but I’m genuinely happy to see the most suitable actors bring this story to life on screen,"

Luca replied with a faint smile.

"Luca, you think Brokeback Mountain is a good story. Do you support same-sex relationships?"

Another reporter asked.

"I don't oppose it,"

Luca answered frankly.

After the interviews, the two headed into the theater, where Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Anne Hathaway were already present.

Luca knew all four actors well and went over to chat for a bit. All five were young actors, with similar levels of fame—Anne Hathaway being slightly more prominent, and Michelle Williams a bit less so.

"Luca, I heard you also auditioned for Director Wang’s My Blueberry Nights?"

Jake Gyllenhaal asked.

"Yes, but I haven’t heard back yet. How about you?"

Luca had heard that Jake had also auditioned.

Jake shook his head, "Same here, still waiting. But I heard Jude Law had a great audition. He might have a better shot."

"Really? Jude Law is a great actor. He fits Director Wang’s style well,"

Luca said objectively.

Jake smiled faintly, "Yeah, he does."

As the movie was about to start, everyone took their seats.

"Hey, Luca!"

Anne Hathaway, dressed in a white gown and looking like a princess, sat beside him.

Luca was a bit surprised. "Anne, long time no see. Did you finish filming The Devil Wears Prada?"

"Yes, we wrapped in August. Have you been working on anything recently?"

She asked.

"I just finished The Prestige, and now I’m taking a break."

In truth, Luca didn’t want to rest. The entertainment industry’s prejudice against him had left him without roles, so he was forced into a break.

Anne Hathaway nodded, eyeing him up and down.

"Luca, do you know Jane Austen?"

She asked, catching him off guard.

Luca was surprised by the sudden question about the famous author but quickly remembered a recent news piece.

"Of course. Jane Austen is my sister’s idol. She’s always wanted to be as great a writer as Austen, so I’ve learned a bit about her. For example, my favorite Austen quote is: ‘To bury feelings too deep can sometimes be a bad thing. If a woman dares not pursue the man she loves, she may lose her chance to be with him.’"

At the last sentence, Anne Hathaway paused, a little stunned. Is he implying that I’m interested in him? How shameless!  

She thought to herself.

"Haha, I like Pride and Prejudice too. My favorite quote is: ‘A person’s shamelessness truly knows no bounds.’"

Anne Hathaway laughed.

Shameless?  

Was that a veiled insult?

Luca touched his face, knowing he had thick skin.

"I think the opening line is great too: ‘Pride makes others unable to love me, and prejudice makes me unable to love others.’"

Anne, with her princess-like beauty and grace, had a somewhat poor public image. Many people found her "difficult," and Luca had faced similar issues, with the media often portraying him in a negative light.

Together, they were like Pride and Prejudice.

Anne Hathaway smiled softly. "I don’t have any prejudice against you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to talk to you."

"Oh? What’s up?"

Luca asked.

"There’s a new project based on Jane Austen’s life. If you’re interested, you might want to look into it."

Anne Hathaway hesitated before speaking.

"Thanks for the tip. I’d love to work with you!"

"Me too. Hope you get the role!"

The movie started, and the two focused on watching.

Chapter 434: So White~

"Ennis?"

"Hmm?"

"Stop humming outside. If you're cold, come in and sleep!"

Up on Brokeback Mountain, frost formed in the middle of the night. Heath Ledger's Ennis lay on the ground, shivering under a blanket, while Jake Gyllenhaal's Jack poked his head out of the tent and called to him.

Ennis dragged his blanket inside.

The two squeezed together in the cramped tent, and after a while, Jack took Ennis' hand and slid it into his pants.

"What are you doing?"

Ennis woke up.

"Don't worry! Don't worry!"

Jack tried to soothe him while starting to undo his belt.

But Jack was a second too slow, and Ennis took control.

Passion immediately ignited inside the tent.

"Wow~"

A wave of exclamations swept through the theater. It was rare to see such an explicit scene; most films were more subtle. But Brokeback Mountain went all in.

"Ugh~"

Watching this, Luca couldn't help but cover his forehead—it was a bit too much for him.

"Luca, are you blushing?" Anne Hathaway teased.

"No, just a little uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable after just one scene? Why did you audition for it in the first place?"

"I thought it would be more subtle."

Luca shrugged. He had only seen a censored version before, where the intimate scenes weren't as intense. The full version, however, included even more action—and they even showed butts.

The thought of doing those scenes made his scalp tingle. If he had actually taken on that role... Luca shook his head. No way he could handle it.

He silently thanked his luck for not getting cast. It would’ve been a huge headache otherwise.

"That was a one-time thing. It’s never happening again," Ennis said.

"This is between us. It has nothing to do with anyone else," Jack replied.

"You know I'm not into guys."

"Neither am I."

Then, they ended up doing it a second and a third time.

Luca was sweating as he watched. Back when he was trying for awards, he hadn't really cared what he had to do.

"Kissing between two men can actually be quite sexy. If you had played Jack, it might’ve been great," Anne Hathaway said, clearly enjoying the movie.

"I don’t think I’d do a good job."

Luca was honest.

After a while, Anne Hathaway's own intimate scene came on.

"Wow~"

Once again, the audience gasped.

Wow~ So white!

Being a respectable man, Luca kept his thoughts to himself.

Toward the end of the movie, both Ennis and Jack were married with their own families. But every year, they still found time to go "fishing" together.

After this movie became a hit, the idea of two men going fishing became something entirely different.

When Jack died and Ennis visited Jack’s house, he found two shirts hanging together. Holding the shirts, Ennis broke down in sorrow.

At this moment, Luca let out a deep sigh.

Before he became an actor, he thought acting was easy—he could do it too, if he tried.

But once he actually entered the industry, he realized how complex it was. To truly play a character well involved not only acting but understanding the physical, mental, emotional, and personal aspects of the role.

Luca didn’t think he could have portrayed Ennis as well.

"Jack, I swear..."

On the screen, Ennis gazed at the shirts in the closet, tears streaming down his face.

The movie ended, and the theater was silent for a few seconds.

Then came the applause—thunderous and sustained, lasting five to six minutes before it began to fade.

"Anne, congratulations!"

Luca turned to Anne Hathaway.

"Thank you!"

She smiled. Despite having starred in many movies, she had never received such overwhelming applause before. She knew this was her breakthrough.

"Congratulations! Your performances deserve an Oscar."

Luca also congratulated Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

"Thanks!"

Jake Gyllenhaal acted pretty normally; once he finished the role, he moved on.

Heath Ledger, on the other hand, seemed fine before, but after watching the movie, he didn't seem quite right—his face looked a bit pale.

Luca initially wanted to joke about going fishing sometime, but he changed it to getting a drink instead.

"Director Li, congratulations!"

This movie had a budget of $14 million and grossed $170 million, winning numerous awards. After this film, Li An officially joined the ranks of top Hollywood directors.

"Haha, thank you! I can finally breathe easy now!"

Seeing the enthusiastic response from the audience, Director Li An grinned, looking a bit smug.

"Director Li, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Luca remembered something: the YouTube Short Film Competition was still missing a few jury members, and he planned to invite Woody Allen, Li An, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, and others.

When YouTube was first launched, Director Li An was present to witness it. His eldest son also worked at YouTube, so inviting him shouldn’t be too difficult.

"Being a judge?"

Director Li An hesitated for a moment. "I’ll have to check my schedule. How about we talk next time? If I have time, I’ll treat you to some stinky tofu."

"Alright then!"

Director Li An waved and went off to accept more congratulations.

After the premiere, Luca drove back to the estate.

Beep beep~

Ed called.

"Luca, we got the results from My Blueberry Nights."

Ed’s voice sounded a bit low.

"It didn’t make it? That’s okay. I just heard about another promising project; there might be an opportunity there."

My Blueberry Nights was Director Wong’s attempt at breaking into Hollywood.

For this, he hired screenwriters, cast a bunch of famous and talented actors, and sped up the production. But in the end, American audiences just weren’t that into this kind of film.

If it didn’t make the cut, Luca wasn’t too concerned.

"The audition went through!"

Ed’s voice came through again.

"It did?"

Luca frowned. "Isn’t that good news? Why do you sound like that? Are you messing with me?"

"No, it’s just that the film’s budget is only $1 million, and there’s very little left for the actors. Your pay would only be $80,000. Do you still want it?"

Ed asked.

"Only $80,000?"

Luca thought to himself how cheap that was. "Take it. The pay doesn’t matter," he wanted the experience.

"Alright, I’ll get it done for you."

The next day, they finalized the contract. However, the filming date was still uncertain because the script wasn’t ready yet. So far, there was only an outline based on the female lead.

The female lead had been decided early on. The role was going to the American jazz icon, Norah Jones.

Last October, Norah Jones held a concert in Taiwan, and Director Wong happened to be on the island promoting 2046.

It’s said that one night, Director Wong’s car was stuck in traffic, unable to move, because at that time Norah Jones was doing promotions and the radio stations were all playing her songs.

After hearing Norah Jones’ voice, Director Wong was struck by inspiration: a girl stands barefoot on the side of the road, ready to cross, but hesitates. She stops, and eventually turns and walks in the opposite direction.

Because of that one song, Director Wong fell in love with Norah's voice and decided to cast her, even though she had no acting experience—just like when he cast Faye Wong back then. Bold and unconventional.

Director Wong first developed the story and character for the female lead.

But the male lead's role was still a blank slate.

According to Director Wong, the script had to be tailored to the actors’ personalities and traits.

Luca ended up staying in Los Angeles for a few more days, hanging out with Director Wong and brainstorming the script together.

At the same time, Luca wanted to consult Director Wong about filmmaking.

He was preparing to shoot a short film of his own, and having Director Wong as an advisor seemed like a solid plan.

"Director Wong, what do you think of that little bar up ahead? Should we go inside for a bit?"

"Hmm~ that bar..."

Director Wong adjusted his sunglasses and stood still at the entrance, staring at it for a long time before sighing,

"Interesting!"

Haha~ of course it’s interesting. The main scenes of the movie were shot right here. I’ve been working so hard to find you some inspiration.

"Director Wong, let’s head in. The blueberry pie with ice cream here is pretty good!"

"You go ahead. I want to wander around here for a bit."

He said "a bit," but in reality, he stayed there for three days. Three days!

Thankfully, after three days, Director Wong’s creative juices started flowing, and the script was 25% complete.

Luca smirked and thought about stepping in to help write, but he couldn’t. Only scripts written by Director Wong himself were truly the best for his films.

Originally, the investors planned to hire American screenwriters, but Luca wasn’t a fan of that idea. The flaw in the original My Blueberry Nights was its overly thin story—an issue with the screenplay.

Thanks to Luca's persuasion and support, Director Wong decided to write it himself.

Luca’s role was to translate—taking Director Wong’s Chinese script and turning it into a poetic English screenplay.

With the two of them joining forces, things should turn out better, right?

Luca, the "great screenwriter," was confident about that.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 435: I Really Can’t Sing*

"Hey~ Luca!"

"Hey~ Norah!"

To create a better script, Director Wang invited Norah Jones over once again.

Norah Jones, 26 years old, is a jazz diva and singer-songwriter.

On February 26, 2002, she officially released her debut album Come Away With Me, which sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making her the best-selling female artist of the 21st century in terms of single sales.

In 2003, she was nominated for eight awards at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards. Last year, she released her second album, Feels Like Home, which sold over a million copies in the U.S. in its first week and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has since sold 12 million copies worldwide.

She won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in both 2003 and 2005.

In the music world, her fame is on par with Christina’s.

There’s also an interesting tidbit about Norah in the news: her father, Ravi Shankar, is 86 years old, a full sixty years older than she is.

Ravi Shankar is a maestro of Indian classical music and a global music icon. Norah has inherited her father's musical talent perfectly.

"Please, have a seat, Norah!" Luca invited her to sit in the booth of the bar.

"Sure!"

"Director Wang, are we going to discuss the script?" Luca glanced at the older Director Wang nearby.

"You two chat. I’m just here to observe. I want to see your natural behaviors and expressions so I can tailor the characters in the script to your habits," said Director Wang, adjusting his sunglasses and resting his head on his hand. He sat motionless in a chair across from them, like a mannequin.

"Alright then."

Luca shrugged. "Norah, would you like something to drink?"

"Beer, please."

Norah smiled gently. Petite and with features reflecting her Indian heritage, she had a quietly captivating beauty. As they spoke, she kept studying Luca.

After ordering three beers, Luca noticed her gaze. "Norah, is something wrong?"

"Haha~ no, nothing," she replied, tucking her hair behind her ear and smiling. "I’ve heard a lot about you before, but seeing you in person is a bit surreal."

"My reputation? Good or bad? Probably bad, right?"

"I’m friends with Christina," Norah said, chuckling.

"Oh, I get it. It’s definitely bad then. In Christina’s eyes, I’m the ultimate jerk."

"It’s not all bad. You’re very talented. Your songs are incredible—each one is a classic. From Young and Beautiful to Remember Me, and even the recently recorded Let It Go. I heard the demo yesterday, and wow~ it was stunning!"

Norah gestured with her hands, "Luca, you’re amazing! Every song you write is like poetry. How do you come up with such beautiful songs?"

Luca blushed slightly. "I just write whenever inspiration strikes. You know, I’m a screenwriter, so I have a lot of stories in my head. Some of those stories get turned into scripts, and some I condense into songs."

"Ah, that explains it. No wonder your lyrics always feel so deep, like they’re telling a story. Luca, you have serious musical talent. If you became a singer, you could easily be a musical poet."

Luca laughed. "I did consider switching to a music career, but Britney told me my singing is awful. Even my manager said I don’t stand a chance, no hope at all."

"That can’t be right. Your voice is rich and magnetic. How could your singing be bad?"

"Why don’t I sing a few lines for you, and you tell me if I’ve got potential?"

"Sure, go ahead!"

Norah said eagerly.

Luca cleared his throat, sat up straight, and earnestly began singing Norah’s Sunrise.

"Sunrise, sunrise, looks like morning in your eyes, but the clock's held 9:15 for hours…"

"Uh…"

As soon as he started singing, Norah’s eyes and mouth opened wider and wider in disbelief. His speaking voice had seemed fine, but when he sang, it was bizarre. Despite his serious attitude, every note was off-key. His voice was rough, like wind howling through a broken window.

"Norah, what do you think? Do I have a shot at being a singer?" Luca asked with anticipation.

"Umm~" Norah scratched her cheek and said, "There’s still hope… if you practice your vocals regularly. Over time, your voice should improve."

Luca burst out laughing. "Norah, I’m just messing with you! I ruined my voice yelling during soccer games when I was a kid. I already know I can’t sing."

Norah smiled. "Not really. You’re steady in the lower registers. Maybe you should try singing some songs with lower tones."

"Alright, I’ll take your advice. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll win a Grammy. When I accept the award, I’ll say, ‘Thank you, Norah Jones, for guiding me. You were my beacon.’"

"Haha~"

Across from them, Director Wang absentmindedly stroked his chin, watching the two of them chat and laugh. He was thinking about the best way to portray Norah's character as a heartbroken woman. But what kind of character should Luca play?

A brooding, handsome man?

A witty, charming guy?

A playboy?

Which type would match best with a heartbroken woman?

Director Wang studied Luca closely. Outwardly, he was warm and sunny, with a "nice guy" vibe, but deep down, he was melancholic and cold—a man who was warm on the outside but cool on the inside.

Considering Luca’s scandals, it was clear that he was the high-end version of a jerk. His warmth and charm were just a facade, hiding the fact that he was really a heartbreaker at heart.

When a heartbroken woman meets a warm guy, she might find comfort and healing, or even a new romance. But if she meets someone who is warm on the outside but cold on the inside, she’ll end up with yet another emotional scar.

Initially, Director Wang planned for a happy ending, similar to Chungking Express, leaving the audience with love and hope—something more suited to American tastes.

But after observing Luca, he had a new idea. Changing the story might give it more depth.

How should he change it? Inspiration suddenly struck, and he immediately grabbed a pen and paper, jotting down notes on the table.

Seeing this, Luca couldn’t help but smirk. Being stared at by Director Wang earlier had given him goosebumps.

"Luca, this is my first time acting in a movie, and I want to do better. Can you give me some advice?" Norah asked.

Luca thought for a moment. In the original version, Norah’s performance was just okay—she was a bit stiff and couldn’t capture the depth needed for the female lead in a Director Wang film. But Director Wang admired Norah and loved her voice. After all, the story was inspired by her, so they couldn’t replace her.

If they couldn’t replace her, they’d have to find a way to improve her acting. If someone as emotionally reserved as Faye Wong could act, surely Norah could do it too.

"Norah, Director Wang is great at coaching actors. As long as you follow his guidance on set, playing this role won’t be hard. Plus, this character is basically you, so you just need to be yourself."

This movie had another problem: the timeline was too rushed. From the start of production to wrap, it took less than three months.

Normally, Director Wang took at least two years to make a film. This time, everything was too rushed, making it hard to produce something truly excellent.

If they’d had more time, Director Wang might have been able to train Norah into a solid actor.

They spent the afternoon at the bar, and by evening, the trio had parted ways. But the next morning, the media surprised Luca with some news.

(End of Chapter)