416-420

*Chapter 416: What Does It Mean to Be More Excited the Harder You're Pushed?*

Splash!

In the theater restroom, Luca cupped some cold water and vigorously scrubbed his face. After rubbing it dozens of times, he looked up at the mirror. The reflection showed a pale face, eyes bloodshot, and veins visible.

"Luca, are you okay?"

Tony handed him a towel, looking at him with concern.

They had just finished shooting a scene with twelve takes.

Tony had been standing nearby, watching the whole time. He couldn’t tell the difference between the third take and the seventh or eighth; the scene just felt more and more oppressive as it went on. Luca’s transformation was also significant.

From the ease at the start to the hysteria at the end—though it wasn’t the explosive kind, with screaming and flailing. Instead, it was a deep, suppressed intensity.

Just watching his back, you could clearly feel the emotions—sadness, loneliness, despair—that tugged at your heart.

Director Nolan had mentioned that this was what charisma and presence meant. It was a quality in an actor's performance that could resonate emotionally with the audience, like an invisible bullet hitting straight at the heart.

When this kind of charisma erupted, even without lines or movements, the audience could still grasp the character's feelings. It’s a tough test for any actor, and Luca had done well.

After twelve takes, Director Nolan immediately halted the shoot, saying that continuing would be overkill.

Once the scene wrapped, Luca walked off the set and silently made his way to the restroom, where he repeatedly washed his face.

Tony followed him in, not saying a word, just watching quietly. He noticed Luca’s shoulders trembling, his pale cheeks rubbed red, and bloodshot eyes—all of it radiating a sad aura.

Seeing Luca like this was unsettling for Tony.

Off set, Luca was typically sunny, friendly, and humorous, with no star arrogance. He was easy to get along with.

But once they were filming, Luca seemed like a different person—serious, focused, intense. Sometimes, the character's emotions even influenced him, making him volatile.

It wasn’t until after the entire film wrapped that he would gradually relax.

Watching Luca change like this made Tony think that acting seemed like a dangerous profession—it could mess you up if you weren’t careful.

"I'm fine!"

Luca took the towel, forcing a smile.

His hoarse voice, stiff smile, and bloodshot eyes made Tony feel a little spooked, especially in the dim restroom with the dripping faucet.

"Luca, want some water? I’ll go get a cup."

"Sure!"

Luca nodded and walked out of the restroom.

On stage, the crew continued shooting Bale’s scenes, including tying the rope and Julia's reaction after her murder—mostly some small close-up shots.

Luca sat in the front row, watching the performance like he was at a theater.

From Bale’s performance, it was clear how well he controlled the character.

He didn’t need to exert much effort—just lightly acting, and he could perfectly express what the director wanted.

Zhang Yimou, who had worked with him before, highly appreciated him.

After they worked together on The Flowers of War, Zhang praised him heavily.

He said Bale’s acting was delicate and layered. It was like painting with oils, where the different colors represented the character's emotions, and the depth of feeling was reflected in the shades. A good painter skillfully uses color and controls the intensity of the shades.

Bale was clearly an excellent oil painter.

Though the compliment was a bit exaggerated, Bale’s acting was undeniably impressive.

Bale performed with ease on stage, needing only two or three takes to nail the scene each time.

Luca admitted to himself that he wasn’t there yet. He had acting skills but still lacked the polish. He knew how to perform well but couldn’t always bring it out smoothly.

It was like having a bookshelf full of books but not being able to find the one you needed when you wanted it, while Bale could just grab the right one.

That’s the gap in experience and technique—Bale had started acting at eight and had over twenty years of experience, far more than this newcomer.

"Luca, how do you feel?"

Director Nolan patted him on the shoulder and sat in the seat next to him.

"Mr. Bale’s performance is incredible. I’m learning from him!"

Luca shrugged.

"You’re not bad yourself. You just lack experience, but you’ll get there with more practice," Nolan said.

Luca nodded. "I understand."

"So do you understand why I’ve been pushing you so hard?"

Nolan paused before asking.

"Huh?"

Luca looked at him, confused. Isn’t it a director's job to push the actors? Does it really matter whether the actor understands?

Like when he filmed Match Point with Woody Allen, the director constantly pushed him, yelled at him, nitpicked, and drove him crazy a hundred times over, nearly warping him.

And Allen never said a word afterward.

Nolan was still too young.

Luca chuckled, "Chris, I get it. My performance isn’t good enough, so you keep pushing me to bring out my best. Isn’t that right?"

"Pushing you to bring out your best? Do you think I’m a thief?"

Nolan joked.

"No, I think of you as the captain of a pirate ship—like the mighty Captain Jack Sparrow!"

"Haha, pushing you is only part of it. The other reason lies on stage."

Nolan pointed at Bale.

"I push you as a form of training.

"When I first auditioned you, I noticed a problem. When you act with Bale, you tend to get overshadowed. It’s like you’re a 100-watt bulb, and he’s an 80-watt one.

"Bale outshines you. In the same shot, he’s more attention-grabbing, which is why I hesitated at first."

Luca had worried about this too. "Then why did you still cast me?"

"Because after comparing with other actors, I still felt you were the best fit."

Nolan spread his hands. "I also tried Hugh Jackman, but he’s too old. In our story, both Angier and Borden are in their early twenties. Bale is already 32, which is pushing it. Jackman is 39, and his performance wasn’t much better than yours.

"We considered other actors too, but they were all about the same as you. Taking everything into account, I went with you, someone I was more familiar with."

"Thank you for trusting me, Director Nolan!"

Luca shook his hand. Who knew you secretly auditioned so many people? That’s sneaky!

Nolan laughed. "You're welcome. You haven’t let me down. As I said, pushing you is part of the training. For now, the crew will focus on shooting your solo scenes, helping you get into character.

"Once you’re at your peak, we’ll shoot the scenes where you and Bale face off. That way, you won’t get overshadowed. I hope you can grow quickly during this time, so you don’t fall behind in those scenes with him!"

"I understand. I’ll give it everything I’ve got."

Luca looked up at Bale on stage.

"So next time I push you again, you’ll understand, right?"

Nolan chuckled.

"Of course. I’ve always believed that a director who doesn’t push is not a good director."

"Hahaha! No wonder Director Allen said you enjoy being pushed—the harder you're pushed, the more excited you get. So that’s where it comes from! Don’t worry, Luca, I won’t go easy on you."

Nolan patted his shoulder, laughing as he walked away.

Luca’s face went pale, then dark. What does he mean by the harder you're pushed, the more excited you get? I'm not a masochist!

And Director Allen is a crafty old man, always telling it like it is. If word of this gets out, won’t I be tortured by all the crazy directors?

Next time I see him, I’ll have to give him a good talking to.

"Mr. Kelly, we’re ready to shoot!"

"Okay!"

Luca downed a glass of water and walked back onto the set.

(End of chapter)

Chapter 417: Come Over, I'll Buy You a Drink

"Hey~ Sally"

Click... beep beep beep

"Huh? Why'd she hang up without saying a word?"

Luca stared at his phone, puzzled.

After returning to his hotel in the evening, he had called Ms. Theron. It was around 6 PM in London and about 10 AM in Los Angeles—perfect timing for a call.

Yet, the call was disconnected as soon as it connected.

Luca was baffled. Maybe her boyfriend was there, and it wasn’t convenient to talk? But they couldn’t do anything over the phone, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, right?

He let his imagination run wild for a moment, then sent a message, politely apologizing and greeting her properly.

He started by mentioning things on set—how he was bullied by Director Nolan and overshadowed by Christian Bale, struggling without even the right to make phone calls. Then he asked about Ms. Theron’s well-being: how she was feeling, how her mood was, if there was anything he could help with. His message was a sincere 700 or 800 words.

After sending it, he reclined in the bathtub, a glass of red wine in hand. He mimicked the posture of Marat, lounging lazily in the tub, enjoying the freedom of his soul.

Ring ring ring

After a while, the phone rang. He rubbed his eyes and answered it.

"Hey~ Sally, it's so great to finally hear your voice."

Luca smiled, resting his head on the soft pillow by the tub.

"Are you that busy? No time even to answer a phone call?"

Ms. Theron’s voice was cold.

"Yeah, the film crew just started shooting, and there's a lot of work every day. I’m juggling acting, learning magic tricks, noble etiquette, rehearsing scenes... I only get to rest at night."

"Alright then, I’ll forgive you for now."

Forgive?

Luca raised an eyebrow. Turns out she was actually mad. "Sally, thank you. That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a while."

"Is it really that bad for you? You mentioned Director Nolan was oppressing you, and Christian Bale was bullying you. Should I expose them for you?"

"Uh..."

Luca broke into a sweat. "Sally, I was joking. I get along well with Director Nolan and Mr. Bale. Nolan just said my acting is a little behind Bale’s, so he’s giving me some pressure early on to help me catch up."

"So, you lied to me?"

"Not really... but yeah, it’s been tough these past few days."

Luca quickly sat up, explaining just how miserable things had been: bad weather, poor food, and lack of sleep. He rambled on for thousands of words.

"Oh, hearing how miserable you are makes me feel relieved."

Ms. Theron sighed contentedly.

What could Luca say? He could only smile wryly. "Sally, was there something you needed when you called earlier?"

"Can’t I call you for no reason?"

Ms. Theron asked, a bit annoyed.

Smack

Luca slapped his own mouth. How could he ask something so low in emotional intelligence when talking to a woman?

"Sally, how’s the weather in LA? I really miss the beaches there. How about we take a walk by the sea when I get back?"

"No time. I’m heading to the Toronto Film Festival next week for the premiere of North Country. Are you coming?"

"I won’t be free next week, or at all in September, but I’ll make it to the national premiere in October. How about that?"

"That’s fine. You’re just a supporting actor, anyway. It’s not a big deal if you don’t come. Okay, I’m hanging up!"

"Wait a second!"

Luca shouted quickly. "Sally, there’s something important I haven’t told you yet."

"What is it?"

"Sally, I miss you. I miss you a lot."

"Shut up. I’m not some teenage girl who gets charmed by a few sweet words. So don’t even try to seduce me with that childish nonsense. It’s not going to work."

Ms. Theron snorted.

"Alright then, let me try a different way to seduce you. Do you know what I’m doing right now? I’m lying in the bathtub, completely naked."

"Hah, I like this approach. Keep going!"

Ms. Theron responded with interest.

"I’m leaning back in the tub, holding your bikini poster in my left hand, and in my right hand..."

"What’s in your right hand?"

"My phone, of course. How else would I be calling you?"

"Hmph, what are you doing with my poster?"

Ms. Theron asked, sounding annoyed.

"Emm... I was thinking about hanging it above my toilet, just like you did."

Crash

It sounded like something broke on her end.

"Luca!"

Ms. Theron took a deep breath and said seriously, "I miss you too, for real. When are you coming back?"

"I miss you too. I’ll be back for the national premiere next month."

"Good. I’ll be waiting for you in LA, with a whip and handcuffs ready. Want to play? If so, hurry back, you jerk!"

Ms. Theron hung up with a dangerous tone.

Luca chuckled wryly. A whip and handcuffs? Are women really this wild nowadays?

He felt a bit nervous.

Ring ring ring

The phone rang again, and he glanced at the contact name, raising an eyebrow. Interesting. Why was she calling?

"Good afternoon, Keira. It's wonderful to hear your voice!"

Luca greeted her cheerfully.

"Can you not sound like such a sleazebag? It makes me want to hang up."

Keira Knightley snapped back without hesitation.

Luca chuckled softly. A rose with thorns, indeed.

"Alright, dear Keira, what brings you to remember an old friend you haven’t contacted in ages? Whatever it is, you must tell me, because I’m very excited!"

"Ages, huh? Well, I called to ask if you needed a new gravesite."

Luca smiled wryly. Classic sharp-tongued Keira.

"Haha, Keira, I never knew you had such a cold sense of humor. I’m finding you more and more to be a treasure. As for your question, yes, I do need a gravesite. But let me ask, is there an empty spot next to yours? I’d love to lie beside you."

"You want to come over? Fine. I’m at the 606 Club in Chelsea’s West End Park. It’s not far from your film set. Come over, I’ll buy you a drink."

"You’re buying me a drink?"

Luca was secretly surprised. This girl had always been guarded around him, carefully keeping her distance. Why the sudden invitation? She even knew where his film set was located. Something was definitely up.

"Are you coming? If so, hurry. I won’t wait."

"Wait, how many people? Is Jamie there?"

"Just me. Ugh~"

Keira hiccupped, then hung up.

"Just her? Should I go? Could it be a trap? A setup? Do Brits even pull off stuff like that?"

After thinking it over, Luca decided to go.

Keira’s voice on the phone had sounded troubled, probably due to something unpleasant. As a friend, he felt it was his duty to step up and help out.

He called Tony to prepare a car, then dried his hair, muscular body, and long legs with a towel. In front of the mirror, he styled his hair meticulously and changed into a dark, British-style overcoat, pairing it with a bowler hat and a subtle spritz of Hugo Boss cologne.

As dusk fell, he left the hotel discreetly.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 418: We Broke Up*

The 606 Club, located in the East End of Chelsea, on the west bank of the Thames, is a run-down bar.

Originally, it was a Protestant church from the Middle Ages.

During World War II, the church was bombed to ruins by German warplanes.

After the war, it was left as a war memorial, but later, people felt it didn’t have much significance, and someone bought it to turn it into a club.

From the outside, it looks like a pile of rubble. Inside, it’s just as shabby, consistent inside and out.

It's said that the pile of broken bricks and debris in the corner by the entrance has remained untouched since World War II, left in the same state for over half a century.

Luca wanted to kick it, but worried people might think he was uncivilized, so he restrained himself.

He walked down a dark, deserted hallway and entered the main bar area.

The lighting inside was just as dim, except for the stage in the center, illuminated brightly.

On stage, there was an underground band, a group of seven or eight musicians.

Some were playing saxophones, others English horns, French horns, violins, and drums.

A Black female singer stood at the front, singing Whitney Houston’s “When You Believe” with a husky, rich voice, heavy with nasal tones.

Around the stage were about a dozen round tables, with several dozen people seated, all well-mannered and dressed in upscale clothing.

Everyone was holding wine glasses, enjoying the music, and the atmosphere was lively.

“Good evening, sir!”

“Good evening!”

Luca tipped his hat, returning the greeting with aristocratic etiquette as he passed by.

As he scanned the bar, he didn’t see any single women, nor anyone who resembled Keira Knightley.

His face darkened as a bad feeling crept in—he might have been played by that woman.

She had used bait to lure him in, and like a cat catching the scent of fish, he had fallen for it.

Oh well, since he was here, he might as well make the most of it.

He approached the bar and tapped the solid wood counter.

“One Ballindalloch!”

This was a high-proof whisky, a malt distilled liquor, and one of his favorites.

“Don’t have it.”

The bartender replied briskly.

“Don’t have it? Isn’t it on the shelf? Wait, miss, could you turn your face toward me?”

Luca suddenly found the bartender’s voice familiar.

He looked her up and down.

She was around 170 cm tall, with a slender figure, long legs, but a small rear.

Dressed in a long black shirt paired with light-colored jeans, her golden curly hair was tied into a ponytail, giving her a fresh, college-girl vibe.

“Had enough staring?”

The girl asked angrily.

“Not yet.”

Luca glanced at her chest, still small. Now he was sure. With a charming smile, he said,

“Hey~ Keira, long time no see. You’re still as beautiful as ever.”

“Long time no see, and you’re still just as pervy!”

Keira pursed her lower lip, clearly not pleased.

“Thank you. It proves that I haven’t changed.”

Luca chuckled softly.

“Hard for a scumbag to change.”

Keira smirked, carrying two cocktails out from behind the bar.

“Are you moonlighting as a bartender here?”

Luca gestured toward the counter.

“This is a self-serve bar. If you want a drink, make it yourself. If you’re lucky, you might find a bartender.”

Keira replied while walking.

“Forget it. You said you’d buy me a drink, so is this one mine?”

Before she could answer, Luca grabbed a glass and took a sip.

It was a fruity Mojito, with mint leaves, soda water mixed with white rum, and lime—a fresh, sweet-and-sour taste with a hint of bitterness, like a girl who had just been heartbroken.

“A Mojito suits you!”

Luca chuckled.

“That one’s yours!”

Keira snatched the drink from his hand and shoved another long-necked glass into his hand.

This drink was a bright cherry red, with the scent of pineapple and lemon mixed with the aroma of rum.

He took a sip—smooth and delightful.

“What is this? It’s amazing!”

They sat down at a corner booth.

“A Vampire cocktail. You said you’ve lived for centuries, so it’s fitting for a vampire!”

“Haha, dear Keira, you’re so thoughtful!”

Luca clinked glasses with her.

“Scumbag, how’s filming going?”

Keira asked, swirling her drink.

“Not bad. I heard they wanted you to play the second female lead, but you turned it down?”

The second female lead was the wife of Borden, a key role in the story.

“Yeah, she ends up committing suicide. I didn’t like that ending, plus, with you in the cast, there was no way I’d take it.”

“Wow, so blunt. Aren’t you worried about hurting my feelings?”

Luca intertwined his fingers, staring into her eyes.

“Do you even have feelings?”

Keira batted her long lashes.

“Of course not. I actually like how you talk to me like this. It feels like our friendship just grew by another hundred years. So, dear Keira, don’t be too polite with me!”

Luca said earnestly.

Keira stared at him for a few seconds. “Luca, you know, I’ve noticed something strange.”

“What? Did I get even more handsome?”

Luca flashed a mischievous grin.

“...”

Keira held her forehead and sighed, “For some reason, every time I see you, I really want to punch you. Like, punch your face, kick your stomach...”

“Such violence?”

Luca chuckled awkwardly.

“Yeah, I don’t know why. I’m usually a gentle, quiet girl, but the moment I see your face, I just want to hit you. Do you see my fist?”

Keira clenched her right hand and shook it on the table. “It gets tense every time it sees you.”

Luca’s mouth twitched. That sounded cool, but if he said it out loud, would it be considered harassment?

“What are you laughing at? Why do you look so punchable?”

Keira asked, clutching her fist.

“Cough, nothing, Keira. You can put your fist down now. It looks too intimidating.”

Luca raised his glass with a smile.

“Hmm, afraid now? So, you better not mess with me, or I’ll definitely hit you!”

Keira happily put her fist away and clinked glasses with him again.

“How’s Jamie? Haven’t spoken to him in a while.”

“No idea. We broke up.”

Keira rested her chin on her hand, absentmindedly spinning her glass.

“Broke up? When? Why?”

Luca asked in surprise.

Keira glanced at him. “Don’t you read the papers?”

“It was in the papers? Sorry, there’s been so much negative press about me lately, I haven’t looked at entertainment news in almost two months.”

This was true. The negative reviews were overwhelming, so he had stopped reading them altogether to avoid spoiling his mood.

“I cheated. Then we broke up.”

“What?”

Luca was stunned. So blunt? He couldn’t believe it. “You said you cheated, then you and Jamie broke up? Is that right?”

“Yes. During the filming of Pride and Prejudice, Rupert and I became friends, and then we fell in love.”

Keira stared into her glass.

“Rupert? Who’s he?”

Luca asked, annoyed.

Keira clenched her fist again, pounding the table in frustration.

“Rupert Friend, the young soldier in the film. The role was originally yours, but you turned it down, so they gave it to Rupert.

Last year, he got a lot of praise for his work in The Libertine with Johnny Depp.”

“Oh~ I remember now.”

That guy was the fifth male lead in The Libertine, playing Depp’s lover.

He was nicknamed “Little Orlando Bloom” because he looked like Orlando, who Luca found equally irritating.

Luca wanted to ask why, after two films with Orlando Bloom where they played lovers, she didn’t fall for the real Orlando, but instead liked the knock-off version.

But that question would be too rude.

He sighed. “If I had known you’d fall for whoever played that role, I wouldn’t have turned it down. If I hadn’t, maybe you’d have fallen for me.”

“No way. I’d never fall for you, you scumbag.”

Keira rolled her eyes.

Luca was hurt. He lazily took a sip of his drink and said, “I thought I was good enough, but after two years, you still hate me. I must be such a failure.”

He sighed, taking another sip.

“Are you... mad?”

Keira asked cautiously, watching him. “I don’t hate you. It’s just... you’re too dangerous. I have to keep my distance, block you out emotionally, and physically isolate myself from you. It’s the only way to feel safe. You know, I’m someone who needs a lot of security.”

“Great, so I’m a nuclear weapon.”

Luca spread his hands. “So, Keira, why did you ask me out today? To tell me in person that you’ve got a new boyfriend? You should know, that’s not news I wanted to hear.”

"Bad news?"

This jerk really has no tact.

Kyra clenched her fists, let out a small sigh, and then relaxed her hands. "Alright, I have something minor to discuss with you. Yes, I’ve run into some trouble, and it's really bothering me. I wanted to ask for your advice."

"Go ahead!"

(End of chapter)

Chapter 419: My Purpose in Drinking with You Is Simply to Get You Drunk

“Come on, Kyra. Ask whatever you want. I’ll be completely honest, no holding back. Even if I don’t know something, I’ll find out for you,” Luca said earnestly.

“No need to be so dramatic, I’m sure you have an answer to this,” Kyra responded.

“Oh?” Luca raised an eyebrow.

“Emm… well, Luca, as everyone knows,” Kyra hesitated, “you’re pretty much the most notorious playboy in the entertainment industry.”

“Everyone knows?!” Luca was furious. What kind of ridiculous statement was that?

“Is my reputation really that bad?”

“Yeah, a lot of people know you’re a playboy. That’s not too offensive, is it?” Kyra asked to confirm.

Luca clutched his chest, feeling a bit hurt. “Just say whatever it is you mean. No need to insult me in such a roundabout way.”

“Okay, okay!” Kyra couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction. She took a sip of her drink.

“Luca, people know what kind of person you are. What I want to ask is this: after getting a girlfriend, you still cheated on her, and the rumors about it were everywhere. Did you ever feel guilty about it? Especially at night, when everything is quiet, do you feel any regret?”

“Are you serious? Is this really your question? Are you here to criticize me on behalf of all women?” Luca asked, his face darkening.

“No, no, don’t misunderstand,” Kyra hurriedly said. “I’m not done. What I want to ask is, when your conscience bothers you, how do you get through it? You see, with Jamie… I was the one who broke things off with him. So when I think about him, I feel really guilty, and it makes me sad. That’s why I’m here drinking, but it’s not helping. I thought I’d ask for your advice. Luca, how do you deal with it when you know you’ve done something wrong?” she asked seriously.

“...” Luca rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit depressed. He wasn’t thrilled about this conversation because, in his heart, he didn’t see himself as a playboy. He believed he genuinely loved each woman he was with and wanted all of them to be happy. He thought women were happier with him, so feelings of guilt didn’t really apply.

“Luca?” Kyra was waiting for his answer.

Luca sighed. “Kyra, before I answer that, you need to understand something. What exactly is a ‘playboy’? Someone who starts relationships and then abandons them, someone who deceives others for money or sex, someone who toys with women’s feelings—that’s what I’d call a playboy. And none of that applies to me. I’ve never abandoned anyone. I’ve never deceived anyone for money or sex. I have girlfriends, yes, but I also have relationships that are more like friendships with benefits. It’s mutual; we help and comfort each other. It’s not deception.

“And as for toying with emotions? That’s definitely not me. When I’m in a relationship, I never hide my intentions. I’ve never used fake emotions to manipulate someone. I take every relationship seriously. When someone gives me their heart, I give them twice as much in return. So when people call me a playboy, it doesn’t bother me or the women I’m with because we know what we’re getting from the relationship.

“By the way, some of those news stories about me being a playboy? They were orchestrated by the women themselves. They’re just warning other girls like you to stay away because they want to keep me all to themselves.”

Kyra stared at him, wide-eyed. After a long silence, she sighed, “Now I understand why you don’t feel guilty.”

“Why’s that?” Luca asked.

“Because you don’t have a heart. Love is a selfish thing, like a cherished jewel. When you love something, you keep it safe, hidden away, and care for it. Isn’t that right?” Kyra responded.

“I do have a heart, but you’re right about that last part!” Luca replied.

“So if love is like a cherished jewel, would you be willing to share that jewel with others? Let others take turns owning it?” Kyra challenged.

“Uh…” Luca rubbed his forehead. “You’re right, love is like a jewel. But love is also like a treasure. When a treasure is so valuable that many people want it, the best way to protect it is to find trustworthy allies to guard it together, don’t you think?”

Kyra was stunned. Could someone really be this shameless?

“Kyra, if love is like a jewel, would you only ever love one jewel? Jamie used to be your jewel. You loved him as if your life depended on it. Now you don’t love that jewel anymore, so you’ve moved on to Rupert. Will Rupert be the last? No, you’re not that sure. You won’t stay with Rupert forever either.

“But if love were a treasure, it would be different. A treasure guarded by several people, where none of them actually possesses it. The unattainable is always the most desirable. That’s why love as a treasure lasts forever.”

“...” Kyra shook her head in disbelief. Why did his words make so much sense?

“Kyra, why are you shaking your head? You don’t agree with me?” Luca asked, spreading his arms as if inviting her to debate him.

“Luca, are you comparing yourself to a treasure?” Kyra chuckled. “The only reason you think like that is because so many people love you. If one day everyone abandoned you—if no one was willing to protect you anymore—would you still think this way?”

Luca fell silent for a moment. “That day won’t come. But even if it does, there will always be an angel to protect me.”

Kyra laughed. “You’re just trying to defend yourself. Deep down, you’re afraid, aren’t you? You just don’t want to admit it.”

Kyra smiled, finally feeling triumphant. She decided to press on.

“Luca, you might be right about one thing. Love shouldn’t be like a jewel; it should be like a treasure. Two people in love should see each other as treasures, both guarding the relationship. That’s the only way love can last forever.”

Kyra smiled again. “I never thought I’d have such a deep conversation about love with someone like you. This must be what they call staring into the abyss and finding the source of light—discovering your own soul. Thanks, Luca.”

“Thank me?!” Luca was speechless. What was all this talk about the abyss? And why call him a playboy? A real man had to strike back!

“Okay, Kyra, congratulations on figuring out the meaning of love. Now, have you found your treasure? Is Rupert your treasure?”

Kyra was silent for a moment. “I’m not sure.”

“Exactly. You can’t be sure without the test of time. How else would you know who truly loves you, who you should cherish the most? Maybe—just maybe…” Luca grabbed her hand, gazing deeply into her eyes, catching her off guard.

“Maybe your treasure, the one meant to protect you, is right in front of you, and you’ve just misunderstood him. Would you give him another chance, so you won’t have any regrets?”

“Ha!” Kyra rolled her eyes. “If you were my treasure, I’d gladly gouge my own eyes out!”

“You’re cruel!” Luca let go of her hand, pretending to be hurt. “I offer you my heart, and you feed it to the dogs. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

Kyra burst into laughter, pointing at his chest. “Luca, how can you say things like that with a straight face? Put your hand on your heart and ask yourself—do you even have one? If you gave me half of your heart, I might just fall in love with you, but do you even have that?”

That was a tough question. He did have a heart, but part of it had already been given away. What was left had been scattered, so Kyra wasn’t wrong to say he had no heart.

“Luca, do you know?” Kyra poured herself more whiskey, beer, and wine, drinking as she spoke. “You’re actually a great guy—handsome, talented, and fun to be around. You’re the ideal partner for many. But your heart is too elusive, too hard to hold onto. Falling in love with you is dangerous. Lima and Britney are really brave.”

“I’m not that elusive!” Luca weakly defended himself, downing a glass of whiskey.

“Fine, I won’t argue. I admit it—I’m a playboy, and I’m greedy for women.”

“Haha! And I’m a heartbreaker—I get bored with people quickly!” Kyra raised her glass with a smile.

Clink! They drank another round.

“I’m a playboy—I love women’s bodies more than their souls,” Luca said, raising his glass again.

“Haha, I’m a heartbreaker—I don’t feel too guilty about Jamie. In fact, I feel relieved.”

They clinked glasses again.

“Okay, fine. I’m a playboy, and my purpose in drinking with you tonight is just to get you drunk,” Luca said, smiling.

“Hmph, you think I don’t know?”

Keira shot him a glance, swirling her glass as she looked at him. “I’m a bad girl. When I was dating Rupert, I had other men on my mind.”

"..."

Luca didn’t know what to say. He downed a drink and smiled. “Is this a game of Truth or Dare?”

“Yep. Wanna keep going?”

Keira said fearlessly.

“Alright, I’m a bad guy. Who am I afraid of?”

Luca cracked open another bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass.

“Let’s keep going! Loser drinks!”

“Fine by me! Let’s see who’s worse and who drops first!”

“Heh, woman, you’ll regret this!”

The night grew late, and the bar got even louder. The music didn’t stop, and no one knew where this night would end.

*Chapter 420: Do You Dare to Shoot Me?*

“Scene 8, Shot 3, Take 6. Action!”

On the set of The Prestige, in a small theater, the crew continued filming.

Today’s scene focused on Angier, who, after Julia’s death, fell into deep despair and couldn't move on.

Meanwhile, his rival Borden was doing well—he had married, had a daughter, and lived a happy life. His magic career was also flourishing.

When Angier found out, he was furious. Disguising himself with a beard and a hat, he walked into Borden's performance.

Borden was performing a magic trick where he catches a bullet. The trick starts with loading a real gun with gunpowder and a small ball, handing it over to the audience to shoot.

The trick is simple—while loading the ball, the magician secretly removes it, so the gun is empty, and there’s no danger of being shot.

However, if someone with bad intentions put a pebble or something similar in the barrel and fired at the magician, it would end badly.

Angier, in disguise, stepped forward.

Borden was looking for someone to fire the gun, and without recognizing Angier, he handed him the gun.

“Do you dare to shoot me, sir?” Borden said loudly, pulling his shirt open in front of the audience.

“Yes!” Angier, with a thick beard covering his face, took the flintlock gun, loaded the small ball into the barrel, and slowly raised it.

Borden recognized him, and his expression gradually changed.

“That day, what knot did you tie?” Angier tightened his grip on the gun, his finger curling on the trigger.

Borden pursed his lips, staring at him nervously.

“What knot did you tie?!” Angier’s eyes reddened.

“I don’t know!” Borden softly replied.

Angier’s hand trembled slightly as he held the gun. He closed his eyes and pulled the trigger.

At that moment, Borden’s assistant, Fallon, rushed in and knocked the gun away.

The gun fired, and Borden let out a muffled cry, clutching his fingers.

That shot didn’t kill him, but it broke two of his fingers.

Borden knelt on the ground, screaming in pain.

Around him, the extras laughed, watching the scene unfold.

Angier glanced around, then turned and left the small theater.

“Cut!” came the voice of Director Nolan.

“Did we not get it?” The crew looked toward Nolan.

Today was Luca and Bale's first scene together, and they’d already shot it five times—Luca had been given two warnings, and the extras had three.

Once again, Director Nolan called “cut.” Who had messed up this time?

“This take is good. Take an hour break, and we’ll continue with Borden’s magic performance in the next scene,” Nolan announced.

Everyone on set let out a sigh of relief.

Only the assistant director, Brand, looked troubled. Nolan had changed, becoming more unpredictable.

Luca also sighed. It had been over a week of shooting.

Bale’s scenes progressed quickly, sometimes four or five in a day.

Luca’s, however, were slower—at most three scenes a day. During filming, Nolan had a habit of pressing the actors, making Luca shoot each take at least ten times.

His worst day was two mornings ago, when he just couldn’t get into the right state. For the first time ever, he had to redo a scene 22 times.

Now, every time he heard Nolan say “cut,” he couldn’t help but get goosebumps.

“Luca, come over and take a look!” Nolan called out.

“Coming!” Luca walked over with his thermos cup, where Bale was already waiting.

“Mr. Bale, sorry for holding things up again,” he apologized.

“Haha, no worries. As long as you’re putting in the effort, it’s all worth it,” Bale said, patting his shoulder.

“Come on, let’s watch the footage from earlier,” Nolan said as he played the morning’s shots. There were seventy or eighty brief clips, and after some rough edits, they had about half an hour of usable material.

“Luca, you did pretty well today, but there are still some details to pay attention to. See this expression? It’s a bit over the top. Now, watch Bale in this scene—you can learn something here,” Nolan explained.

The scene he pointed to was after the gunshot, where Bale’s character was hit. He hesitated for a moment before crying out in pain.

Most actors would scream loudly as soon as they’re hurt, using their voice to convey pain.

But Bale’s brief pause before screaming made the audience think—why the delay?

They would realize that there’s a moment before the central nervous system registers the pain. That pause made it feel more real, and the audience could better connect with the character’s experience.

This is the power of subtlety.

Luca nodded, picking up a valuable lesson.

“Luca, now look at the second take of your performance. There’s a particular issue I noticed.”

“Of course, since it’s a matter of style, other directors might not see it as a problem, but from my perspective, it is,” Nolan said.

“Please, go ahead,” Luca said earnestly.

“Luca, your expressions are a bit too obvious. Look at this—you’re clearly showing anger, hatred, and jealousy. Is that right?”

“Yes, Borden caused Julia’s death, so Angier should feel anger and hatred.”

“That’s the issue I’m talking about. Luca, you’re great at expressing emotions—joy, anger, sorrow—very clearly. But sometimes, being too clear can make things feel sharp, like you’re spelling out the word ‘anger’ on your face.

“This method works well for commercial films, where emotions need to be communicated quickly to the audience.

“But in art films, emotions should be more complex, restrained, and layered—like fine wine, where the audience has to savor the flavor over time.

“Look at this shot again.

“When Bale realizes your disguise, his first reaction is to look dazed.

“But if you look closer, there’s surprise, tension, and panic in his expression. His emotions don’t explode all at once—they’re released gradually, with layers,” Nolan explained.

Luca put his hand to his forehead, feeling the pressure increase.

He had worked day and night to perfect his facial expressions, to the point where his facial muscles were almost twisted. Finally, he had mastered the skill.

And now, Nolan was telling him it wasn’t good enough—it was too shallow.

What could he do? Abandon his hard-earned skills?

“Haha, Luca, don’t feel pressured. Most actors, in the beginning, can only express their own emotions—it’s a form of imitation.

“The next step is to refine those expressions, like you’ve done—using facial muscles and eye movements to convey your feelings effectively.

“The third step is to simplify emotions, finding ways to express more with fewer movements. The more you move your face, the more it reveals the mechanics of acting,” Bale explained.

“So, there’s another level between us?” Luca felt a little disheartened.

“Haha, Luca, these three styles of acting aren’t necessarily ranked.

“Many top actors in commercial films stay at the second level. Some comedy stars, like Jim Carrey, have mastered it to the point of perfection. There aren’t many who can do what he does.

“These three approaches represent different types of actors. The direction you choose depends on the audience you want to reach, so your acting style will naturally vary.

“I often work on art films, which is why I focus on that. If I were in commercial films, the second level would be enough,” Bale said.

“I understand,” Luca said, somewhat comprehending but still a bit uncertain.

“Luca, your biggest challenge right now is that you haven’t found your direction yet.

“Since your debut, you’ve acted in musicals, teen dramas, romances, thrillers, crime films, and now a suspense film with The Prestige.

“Wow, Luca, you’re about to cover every genre. Are you planning to try comedy next?” Nolan laughed.

Luca’s face changed slightly—Nolan had guessed right. His next film, The Proposal, was indeed a comedy.

“What should I do?” Luca asked.

“How should I know? Your path is your own. Only you know what kind of road you want to take. You need to think it over carefully, young man!” Nolan grinned.

Bale smiled too. “Luca, it’s not a bad thing to try many genres. If you master them all, Hollywood will definitely have a place for you.”

Luca shook his head. Hitting a home run in every genre wasn’t easy.

To become a top actor in Hollywood, you need to have your own identity and style.

Tom Hanks is known for his mature, reliable, good-guy roles.

Tom Cruise still relies on his looks and action films, and other actors like George Clooney, Sean Penn, Will Smith, and Leonardo DiCaprio all have distinct styles.

So what about himself?

After three years in the industry, it was time to think seriously about his future path.

“Luca, it’s time for makeup!” Tony called out.

“Coming!”

(End of Chapter)