371-375

Chapter 371: China Isn't Really for You

After a night of coffee, Luca returned to New York the next day.

He had left Los Angeles at the end of February, and by the time he was back in New York, it was nearly April.

Spring had arrived in New York. The trees were green, life was returning, and the people on the streets were dressed more fashionably. Women were out in mid-length skirts and low-cut tops, showing off the latest trends.

Especially on 1st Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Times Square, where you could light a cigarette, sit on the steps, and just watch the pedestrians. The scene wasn't much different from a runway—most women had perfect makeup, slim figures, and wore the latest designer clothes, walking with confidence and pride.

Occasionally, you could even spot some elite women with striking poise or women more beautiful than celebrities.

Luca spotted one and was about to strike up a conversation, maybe ask if she’d ever considered acting, when Jina tapped him on the shoulder.

“Luca, what are you doing?”

“Oh, nothing. Just thought I recognized someone, but she’s already gone.”

In the square outside the Publishing House on 1st Avenue, Luca patted his jeans and stood up.

“Oh, really?”

Jina smirked, silently cursing him as a scumbag. Even with a girlfriend as stunning as Lima and so many other rumored women in his life, he still wasn’t satisfied. Always eyeing the next thing—what a total player.

“Jina, why are you just standing there? Lead the way.”

Luca pulled down his hat brim.

“Coming!”

Jina hurried to catch up.

“How’s Yaya doing?”

Luca asked as they walked.

“Thanks for asking, Yaya’s doing much better. After her surgery, she’s pretty much like any other kid, though she can’t do intense activities. I’m actually thinking of sending her to school.”

Jina smiled.

“School?”

Luca shook his head. “That’s a terrible idea. Life is precious, why waste it in school? Plus, Yaya is Chinese. She’s new to America and will definitely get bullied in school.”

“So, what should I do?”

Jina hesitated. Though Yaya’s health had improved, her heart condition would be a lifelong issue. A small mistake could lead to serious consequences.

So, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Yaya’s life was precious, and daily school could indeed feel like a waste of time.

“You should ask Yaya what she likes, what her dreams and goals are, and then decide. For example, I love soccer, so I started playing when I was eight, and I’ve done pretty well. Does Yaya have any hobbies?”

“Yaya likes drawing.”

Jina thought for a moment before responding.

“Ha, there you go! If Yaya loves drawing, then let her do that. Find her a teacher, or even send her to an art school—that’s an option.”

Luca hesitated briefly. “But no matter what, school is a beautiful time. She’ll make friends and have fun; Yaya would probably enjoy it.”

“So, after all that, you’re still saying she should go to school?”

Jina frowned.

“Yes, but it’s just my opinion. What you and Yaya think is what matters most. If you run into any problems, just let me know, and we can figure something out together.”

“Alright, thanks, Luca. You’re a good guy!”

Jina felt touched.

“Don’t say that. I never aimed to be a good guy.”

Luca waved it off and stepped into the elevator.

“Why not?”

Jina asked, puzzled.

“Director Li An once told me there’s an old saying in China: ‘Good guys never get rewarded,’ or ‘Good guys always end up unlucky.’ Is that right?”

“No, no, Director Li got it wrong. There’s a second part to that saying: ‘It’s not that the reward doesn’t come, it just hasn’t arrived yet.’ Meaning, good deeds do get rewarded, but sometimes it takes a while, and you just need to wait.”

Jina explained awkwardly.

“Oh, I see.”

Luca nodded and secretly laughed to himself. “Jina, when you were back in China, did you learn anything about the entertainment industry there? How’s the movie scene now? Any money to be made?”

Jina thought for a moment. “I don’t know much, but according to the news, the highest-grossing film in China last year only made around 30 million dollars, about the same as Brazil.”

“But China’s movie industry will definitely improve. The country is developing so fast—every time I go back, places look unrecognizable, especially the big cities. When I landed in Shanghai, I was shocked by how much it had changed—it’s on par with big cities like Chicago.”

“And China has over a billion people, 1.3 billion! With a market that big, whatever you do will make money.”

“Sounds promising. I’m thinking of setting up a film company in China in a couple of years, working with Chinese actors, and making Chinese movies. What do you think?”

Luca chuckled.

“Sure, the Chinese government has introduced a lot of policies in recent years to attract foreign investment. You’re a big star; you’d definitely be popular there.”

“That’s great.”

Luca rubbed his chin. “At the Oscars, I met a Chinese actress named Zhang Ziyi—did I say that right?”

“Yeah, close enough.”

“Yeah, I saw her in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ directed by Li An. It was amazing. We chatted a bit, and she was really warm. She said if I ever visit China, she’d show me around the Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and all the sights.”

“Really?”

Jina frowned. Were they really just going to see the Great Wall?

“Yes. I also know a Chinese actress named Gong Li. She’s incredibly talented and beautiful.”

“She’s 40 now.”

Jina reminded him.

“Alright, but still, I said she’s beautiful—what does her age have to do with it?”

Luca shook his head. “And there’s another one, Xu Jinglei. Director Burbank loves her films and wants to meet her. If I go to China, I’ll help him make that happen.”

“Luca, why do you only mention female actresses? Don’t you know any male actors?”

Jina said, exasperated.

“No, why would I?”

“Oh, never mind!”

Jina covered her face, realizing she’d made a mistake. She should never have mentioned China’s booming film industry. If this player ever went there, who knows how many women would fall for him? With his charm, money, and influence, few actresses would be able to resist.

“Luca, you probably don’t understand China very well.”

In an attempt to protect her fellow Chinese women and stop Luca from becoming even more of a player, she felt the need to warn him.

“Jina, what do you mean?”

Luca paused and asked.

“China is a very traditional country, especially when it comes to relationships.

In public, you can’t dress too provocatively. Couples can’t kiss on the street, and if two people live together without being married, they can be arrested and jailed.

For celebrities, the rules are even stricter. If a public figure has too many scandals, cheats during a relationship, or tries to date multiple people at once, their career is ruined.”

Jina said seriously.

“That strict?”

“Absolutely. It’s that strict.”

Jina said with a stern face. “So, Luca, Hollywood is really the best place for you to thrive. China might not be the right fit for you.”

“Really? But my goal in China is to make movies, not to flirt with women. Why are you telling me all this?”

Luca asked.

Jina bit her lip. Yeah, right. Who would believe that?

“Nothing. I just think the Chinese film industry isn’t the best investment for now. You should think carefully before deciding.”

“Alright, thanks, Jina. I’ll definitely give it some thought.”

Luca smiled and stepped out of the elevator.

Watching him walk away, Jina sighed, hoping he’d delay his trip to China. She also prayed that the actresses in China would stay composed and not fall for his charms.

That was all she could do for the Chinese entertainment industry.

Jina thought to herself.

“Jina, is Kate filming here?”

“Yes, this way!”

Jina hurried to catch up.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 372: Anne Hathaway

At noon, on First Avenue, in the Publishing House Building, the set of The Devil Wears Prada.

The scene was set in a stylishly decorated office, filled with bright lights and walls adorned with tasteful artwork.

In this scene, Anne Hathaway’s character, Andy, realizes she needs to focus on her appearance after receiving a wake-up call from a colleague. She takes off her frumpy clothes and walks into the office dressed in a fashionable, elegant outfit.

Inside the office, Miranda’s first assistant, Emily (played by Emily Blunt), is chatting with Serena (played by Mrs. Kate Kelly), who is visiting the office.

With everything set up, director David Frankel signals to start filming. Anne Hathaway, dressed in a chic outfit, opens the glass door and walks into the office.

Emily and Kate are chatting.

"Wow, Andy!"

Emily looks at her in surprise, amazed at her transformation.

"What’s wrong?"

Anne Hathaway smiles widely.

"Andy, you look great!"

Mrs. Kate Kelly leans against the desk, arms crossed. Wearing gold-rimmed glasses, her golden hair tied back, she reveals her exquisitely beautiful face. Her fitted office attire shows off her stunning figure, and her long legs are striking on camera.

She exudes elegance, sensuality, and an extraordinary aura, with a powerful businesswoman vibe. Casting her as a commanding CEO type would be perfect.

"But this isn't what I want."

Director David Frankel stared at the monitor, feeling more and more frustrated.

“Cut!”

He looked at the footage repeatedly, feeling even more uneasy.

“Mrs. Kelly, could you come here for a moment?”

David Frankel called out politely.

“Is there a problem, Director?”

Kate raised her sharp eyebrows and walked over to the director’s area.

“Uh, ahem…”

Director David was a bit intimidated by her. Kate had been invited to join the cast, and given her status, the crew didn’t want to upset her.

“Mrs. Kelly, in the script, after seeing Andy’s transformation, Serena is supposed to express surprise and admiration.”

“I know. I followed the lines, praised her, and gave her an admiring look. What’s wrong?”

“Well, something’s a bit off…”

David scratched his head. “Mrs. Kelly, the admiration I need is one between equals. You previously looked down on this person, but now your attitude is changing.”

“But your admiration came across more like a superior praising a subordinate—like a world-class athlete complimenting a local community player. Do you understand what I mean?”

“So you want me to lower my attitude?”

Kate pondered.

“Yes, exactly! Lower your stance and act with sincerity.”

“All right, I can do that.”

Kate nodded and returned to the set.

“Hey, Kate!”

Luca waved at her from the sidelines.

Kate looked over, her eyes lighting up.

“Darling, you're back.”

“Yeah, I just got here!”

Luca gave her a light hug. “It’s a fascinating experience watching you act.”

“What’s so fascinating about it?”

“Because outside of this, you often have a cold expression and don't like showing emotion. You're not the type to take direction and make extra expressions. For example, if someone asked you to smile, would you? No, you’d probably just throw a punch.”

“Well, now I do, because I’m an actress,” Kate said, lifting her chin.

“Really? Now, please smile for me—a big one.”

Luca pulled at the corners of his mouth.

“No, that’s silly. I’m not a fool,” Kate said dismissively.

“See? That’s what I mean. Your expressions are rare. Seeing you make so many on set feels out of place.”

“Hmph. At first, I thought acting would be fun, but it turns out it’s boring. When you act badly, it’s embarrassing. Like earlier, I thought I did well, but the director wasn’t satisfied, telling me to lower my stance. How exactly do I do that?”

Kate paused and looked at him. “You’ve been acting for a while. Show me how to perform this scene.”

“Okay, let me see the script.”

Luca glanced at it, understanding quickly. “It’s simple. You see the protagonist dressed stylishly, you give her a sincere compliment, but Emily gets upset because you and Emily are on the same side. You need to be genuine here. It’s not that hard.”

“Fine, show me how it’s done.”

Kate crossed her arms, gesturing for him to go ahead.

“No problem!”

Luca stepped onto the set, leaned over the desk, rested his face on his left hand, and casually flicked his pinky near his lips, looking relaxed and playful.

“Wow, Andy, you look great.”

He delivered the line in a high-pitched voice, imitating a woman.

Clap, clap, clap!

“Haha, Mr. Kelly, that was great! That’s exactly the feeling I’m looking for,” the director and a few cast members said with laughter.

“Thanks!” Luca nodded and walked back to the sidelines, only to see Kate turning away, covering her face.

“What’s wrong?”

Luca asked in confusion.

“Don’t talk to me. You’re not my brother. This is too embarrassing.”

Kate fanned her face, blushing with embarrassment.

“What’s embarrassing? Actors cross-dress and do all sorts of weird things. It’s normal.”

Luca shrugged it off.

Kate shook her head. “I’m not as shameless as you.”

“Fine, fine. Did you see how I did it? If lowering your stance is hard, just hunch over a bit, and you’ll get the effect. Can you do that?”

“Fine, I’ll give it a try. But you need to leave. I can’t act if you’re watching.”

Kate pushed him out by the shoulders.

“Is that necessary?”

“Of course! Get out.”

“Alright, alright. Finish the scene quickly, and we’ll go for a big meal afterward.”

“OK!”

Kate waved him off, signaling that if he dared come back, she’d punch him.

“Got it!”

Luca waited outside the set.

“Hey, Luca!”

Anne Hathaway waved after putting out her cigarette.

“Hey, Anne!”

Luca walked over. “How are you feeling today?”

Anne Hathaway glanced at him and shrugged. “Not bad. What about you?”

“I’m feeling down.”

Luca sighed.

“What’s wrong? Something bothering you?”

Anne Hathaway chuckled.

“Yeah, before I asked how you were feeling, I wanted to tell a joke to show off my humor. But after thinking for a while, I couldn’t come up with one, so I’m a bit frustrated.”

“Hahaha! Luca, has anyone ever said you’re funny?”

Anne Hathaway laughed, covering her mouth.

“Thanks. Hearing you laugh makes me feel much better,” Luca said, smiling.

Anne Hathaway looked at him. “You know, I’ve heard of you before.”

“Because of the rumors?”

Luca replied, a bit regretfully.

“No, from Director Li An and Heath. They said you’re a decent guy. Director Li An even praised your acting. He almost cast you as the second lead last time, but something unexpected came up.”

Anne Hathaway smiled.

“Yes, it’s a shame. We could’ve met sooner, but due to those unforeseen events, this conversation got delayed by over a year. What a pity.”

Luca sighed.

Anne Hathaway blinked at him with her big eyes, then suddenly laughed.

“Luca, I finally understand why there are so many rumors about you.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re all true.”

Anne Hathaway flicked her cigarette butt into the trash and, waving her fingers, walked back onto the set.

Luca smiled softly, watching her leave, thinking to himself, “Her boyfriend at this time should be that con artist, right?”

Poor Anne!

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 373: Why Do You Like Strong Women?*

In the afternoon, after filming wrapped, Luca and Kate drove away from the busy First Avenue. With Luca around today, Gina left work early to go home and spend time with Yaya.

"You had a nice chat with Anne Hathaway just now," Kate said, leaning back in her seat and crossing her long legs.

"Yeah, we talked a bit."

"Do you think she's pretty?"

"She's alright!"

"Do you want to hit on her?"

Kate smiled and looked at him.

"No way, we just met and talked for a bit. How can you say I want to hit on her? I really don't!" Luca replied, both amused and exasperated.

"She's pretty—big eyes, fair skin, nice figure. Isn't that exactly your type when you're out hunting?" Kate said with a teasing smile.

Luca shook his head, "No way. There are so many beautiful actresses in the entertainment industry. If I tried to get with every one I met, what would that make me? A stud?"

"Aren't you though? Don’t forget about Jenny. She was in her 30s and had fertility issues, yet you still managed to get her pregnant. If you’re not a stud, what are you?" Kate asked, laughing.

"That was an accident, alright?" Luca rubbed his forehead.

"Fine, an accident. I just hope for more of those accidents, and in about ten years, all the second-generation stars in Hollywood will be your nieces and nephews. That would be fun to see, haha!" Kate laughed loudly.

Luca forced a smile. The thought was terrifying. If that actually happened, wouldn’t he end up like Duan Zhengchun?

"So Luca, be honest. Do you want to hit on Anne? If you do, I can help. She and I get along pretty well on set. I can help you set up a date, or even chat with her for you. What do you think?" Kate asked, blinking her long lashes.

"Stop joking around. I promised Lima I’d change my ways and stop cheating."

"Oh, so you're saying you do want her, but you're just suppressing the urge because of Lima, right?"

"It’s not just that. After playing around for so many years, I’m ready to settle down. It’s no longer as exciting as it used to be."

"Why not? Is something wrong with your body?"

Kate frowned.

"Of course not. My body is fine. It's just that when I'm with them, I realize I'm actually the one being hunted. When you’re the wolf, hunting sheep is exciting. But when you're the sheep, it’s definitely not," Luca sighed.

"Haha!"

Kate covered her eyes, almost laughing to tears.

"Dear, did you get hunted by some female wolf in Minnesota?" Kate asked, still laughing.

"No, it’s just something I realized after being with Sally, Julie, Jenny, and Britney. They’re all so dominant, and they’re very attracted to my body. When I’m with them, I feel like I’m being bullied."

"Haha!"

Kate rubbed her flushed cheeks from laughing and said, "Dear, this is entirely your fault. One reason is that you're too weak when it comes to women."

"I know, but how do I fix it?" Luca asked sincerely.

"Why fix it? That's actually your charm. Any strong woman would like someone like you—handsome, strong, gentle, humorous, stable, and composed. Being with you doesn’t put a lot of pressure on them," Kate said, patting his shoulder.

"Don't say that, I’m not a kept man," Luca brushed her hand away.

"What's wrong with being a kept man? Okay, fine, you’re a manly straight guy."

Kate laughed. "I just mentioned the first reason, and that’s the main one, but for now, you can't change it. If you do, I’ll beat you up. So let’s not talk about that. Let’s move on to the second reason."

"And what's the second reason?"

"It’s your taste," Kate said, counting on her long fingers. "Look at the women you go after. Aniston—America’s sweetheart and a global superstar. Jolie—bad girl icon, sexy queen. Playing games with her? You’d only get played.

"Then there’s Charlize Theron. She’s my favorite among Hollywood actresses—strong, bold, and charismatic. Her fame is huge, too. If you date her, do you think you’ll be the one in control? Not likely.

"And as for Britney, well, she's a phenomenon. To rise above so many singers and become a unique pop icon, her competitiveness and strong personality are no less than anyone else’s.

"Trying to take the lead with women like that? It’s tough unless you become stronger than them—not just in personality, but in fame, status, and wealth. But by the time you become that strong, you won't be the same person anymore, and they might even stay away from you."

"So all of this is my own doing?" Luca said, smiling bitterly.

"Yes. You like strong women, but you also get suppressed by their strength. Isn’t this your own choice? It’s like you love eating fish but hate the bones. Fish without bones doesn’t appeal to you, though—that’s a contradiction.

"Maybe you should try changing your taste. Go for someone more gentle and submissive. You might rediscover the thrill and excitement in that.

"What do you think about Anne Hathaway? She's not as famous, and her personality isn’t that strong. She could be a great target. Want to give it a try?" Kate suggested temptingly.

"No. My reputation’s already bad enough. I can't afford another scandal, or I’ll never shake off the title of 'scumbag.'"

"You think you can still shake it off?"

Kate chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair. "Dear, there was a time when your taste wasn’t so unique. When did you start liking strong women? And why do you like them?"

"What do you think?"

"I’ll guess," Kate said, smiling as she ruffled his hair. "You like strong women because you enjoy getting beaten up, right?"

"Stop joking. I don’t like getting beaten up," Luca shook his head and parked the car in a public lot next to the city museum.

"The restaurant I reserved is here. Lima’s doing a fashion show at the museum and will be out soon. Let’s go in and wait."

"Alright."

The two got out of the car and walked into a high-end South American restaurant.

After a while, Lima, in high heels, a t-shirt, and high-waisted jeans, walked into the restaurant.

"Dear, we’re over here!" Luca hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"You guys should’ve come to the show. It was packed with people from the industry," Lima said as she hugged Kate and sat down.

"Who was there?"

"Paris Hilton, Ben Affleck, Orlando Bloom, and a bunch of others."

"Is there another show tomorrow? I’ll come watch you," Luca said as he called the waiter to order food.

"Sure, it’s a deal. Let’s eat. After walking the runway for so long, I’m starving."

"OK!"

(End of chapter.)

*Chapter 374: Will You Marry Her?*

"Slow down, slow down! Don’t walk too fast!"

"Why are you so nervous? The baby won’t fall out."

"But your belly is bigger than other pregnant women’s. Be more careful."

"Are you calling me fat?"

"Oh, definitely not!"

In early April, with the spring sun shining brightly and green grass everywhere, Luca was helping a very pregnant Aniston walk slowly across the lawn of her villa.

Aniston was more than nine months pregnant. During this time, she finalized her divorce and officially became a single mom.

As her due date approached, Aniston’s belly grew even bigger, to the point of being almost exaggerated. She had gained a lot of weight during these months of pregnancy, becoming plumper and glowing with good health.

"Jenny, when are you going to the hospital for labor?"

Luca held her hand with one arm and supported her waist and back with the other, taking very slow steps.

Aniston, dressed in a loose maternity dress, gently touched her belly with a soft smile on her face.

"No rush, there’s still more than half a month to go. It’d be too inconvenient to stay in the hospital too early."

"True!"

Aniston was a major celebrity, and news of her pregnancy had been hot since last year. Some media outlets even offered over $300,000 for a photo of her pregnant belly.

In the villa, security was tight, and there was no fear of paparazzi. Staying in a hospital, though, would make privacy difficult to protect.

"Ah~"

Suddenly, Aniston let out a small yelp.

"What’s wrong?" Luca asked anxiously.

"The little one kicked me again," Aniston said with a slight smile, rubbing her belly.

"This is the second time. This little one is so mischievous."

Luca placed his hand on her belly and felt a few kicks. "Haha, the little one’s pretty strong. Do you think it might be a boy? Jenny, did you ask the doctor about the baby’s gender?"

He had asked this question several times but never got an answer.

"You’ll find out when the baby’s born. It’ll be a surprise."

Aniston smiled.

"Alright, I’m looking forward to it!"

Luca chuckled softly, rubbed her belly again, and spoke to the little one inside. After a few moments, the baby calmed down.

"Your words seem to work."

Aniston smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Yes, the little one is very obedient. I’m sure they’ll be a well-behaved child."

"Why do they need to be well-behaved? I think mischievous kids are smarter."

"Alright, I just hope you won’t regret that later."

"I won’t."

After walking slowly around the lawn, Aniston grew tired. Her body was heavy, and her legs and back were strained.

Luca helped her sit on the sofa and massaged her legs and feet. Despite her regular care, her ankles were swollen, leaving a small indent when pressed.

"I’ve gained so much weight, even heavier than I was at my biggest."

Aniston leaned on his shoulder.

"You’re carrying two now; of course, you’ll be heavier."

Luca said while continuing the massage.

"Do you still think I’m pretty?"

Aniston asked.

"Of course."

Luca kissed her and smiled. "According to health magazines, pregnancy is like a beauty treatment. You’ll only get prettier. In ten years, you’ll still be topping ‘Most Beautiful Women’ lists."

"No, in ten years, our child will take the crown. I’m not going to compete with her."

"Oh, so it’s a girl?"

Luca said excitedly.

"Haha, not telling!"

Aniston smiled and gently pushed his face away.

Luca had a hunch—it must be a little princess. He hoped she’d be just as smart, beautiful, and healthy as her mother. And that she wouldn’t meet any jerks.

Sigh.

Luca shook his head, wrapped his arm around Aniston’s shoulder, and gently rocked her.

After a while, Aniston fell asleep against his chest.

He called for a blanket and pillow to be brought over, covering her to make her more comfortable.

Once she was asleep, he sat quietly beside her, picked up a parenting book, and got lost in reading it. By the time the sun set and Aniston woke up, he had nearly finished the book and learned a lot.

That evening, he stayed with Aniston, eating, walking, and reading together.

The next afternoon, Luca finally left the villa.

"How’s Jennifer doing?"

At the apartment, Kate heard him come in and asked from the kitchen.

"She’s doing great. She’s due in two weeks."

Luca opened a soda.

"That’s wonderful! We’re about to welcome the next generation of the Kelly family," Kate said with a smile. "Did you find out if it’s a boy or a girl?"

"It’s a girl!"

Luca smiled while reading the newspaper.

"A girl? Girls are nice, but I prefer boys. You’ve been with Lima for so long, why haven’t you two made any plans?"

Kate asked.

Luca shook his head. "Lima’s a model with contracts and endorsements. It’s not the right time for her to be pregnant. Maybe in a couple of years when she has fewer commitments, we can consider it."

"In a couple of years, will you marry her?"

"Marriage?"

Luca rubbed his temples. Every time he heard this question, it gave him a bit of a headache.

"I’m not ready for marriage. I really like the way things are now. I feel like if we got married and things changed, I wouldn’t handle it well."

"Why not? Haven’t had enough fun yet?"

"A little, but mostly, I haven’t thought about being without you."

Luca took her hand.

Kate smiled, ruffled his hair, and said, "Well, whatever you decide, I’ll support you."

Later that afternoon, Luca and Kate went out to attend a Zara fashion show, where Lima was the opening model. It was a lively event.

After spending a few more days in New York, Luca flew to Los Angeles.

The crew for Little Miss Sunshine was ready to start filming.

"Luca, you’re finally here," Mr. Ross said, taking off his glasses and rubbing his temples.

"Mr. Ross, is there an issue with the project?"

Luca sat down and asked.

"No, it’s just that you’ve invested nearly $8 million in this project. Aren’t you concerned?"

Mr. Ross leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He was dressed in a white shirt with his glasses hanging from his chest, looking like an old professor.

"Of course, I’m concerned. But I trust you. You’re a seasoned producer—you can handle the crew easily, with or without me."

"Hmph, with your attitude, you’d better stay out of the movie business, or you’ll lose a fortune."

Mr. Ross tossed a pile of files toward him. "Here’s all the paperwork from the project’s inception to now. You’re the investor, so you should be more familiar with the whole process."

"Got it!"

Luca opened the top file, which detailed the casting process and the selected actors.

This movie was a comedy about an ordinary American family facing all kinds of challenges.

There were six main characters in the film: a seven-year-old pageant girl, her drug-using grandfather, her average parents, her awkward brother, and her gay uncle.

Aside from Luca, the cast was the same as in the original.

The role of the little girl was played by Abigail Breslin, a very talented young actress. The grandfather was played by the veteran actor Alan Arkin, who was so excited to take the role that he offered to do it for free.

The parents were portrayed by Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette, both relatively unknown but strong actors.

All the main actors were not very famous, with their combined salaries being less than $600,000.

"Mr. Ross, do you think this movie will make any money?"

"Make money? We’ll be lucky if it breaks even."

Mr. Ross didn’t even look up.

"Then why did you recommend it to me?"

"I was just testing the waters. Who knew you’d actually invest? This script doesn’t seem like something young people would go for. I didn’t expect you to like it.

But the money’s already been spent. It’s too late to back out. Now the only thing you can do is make sure we film it well."

Mr. Ross spoke seriously.

"Fair point!"

Luca smiled and continued going through the rest of the files.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 375: I Haven't Learned to Be a Good Dad Yet*

The next day, the crew of Little Miss announced the start of filming at an apartment in Malibu.

After the opening ceremony, the crew officially began shooting, and Luca stayed on set, focusing on his supporting role.

While filming Little Miss, the movie Step Up entered its promotional phase, with the distribution company planning to release it on May 2nd to coincide with the summer season.

As both the screenwriter and producer of the film, Luca managed to attend a few promotional events amidst his busy schedule over the next ten days. Suddenly, a phone call pulled him back to New York.

Aniston was about to give birth.

Upon hearing the news, he immediately flew back to New York and rushed to Long Island Hospital. After waiting for over ten hours, Aniston gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl.

Luca was stunned when he heard the news. One child wasn’t enough, and now there were two! He felt both joy and guilt.

Holding the two chubby little cuties in his arms, he experienced an indescribable feeling.

"Stop smiling like an idiot. Do you think the babies look more like you or me?" Aniston asked from the hospital bed, her face showing signs of fatigue mixed with sweetness.

"The boy's eyes look like mine—big and dark, like grapes. The girl's hair is the same color as mine—dark brown," Luca observed carefully.

"Good, boys with dark eyes are always the most charming. The girl’s hair might be like yours now, but when she grows up, it'll definitely turn a golden brown like mine. Girls' hair tends to change," Aniston said with a soft and sweet smile.

"Blonde girls are definitely prettier," Luca said, gently stroking the little girl’s soft hair.

"We haven’t named the babies yet. Any suggestions?" Aniston asked with a laugh.

"How about Jack and Lucy?" Luca replied.

"Ugh, I shouldn’t have asked you," Aniston rolled her eyes. "You've been here all day. Go home and rest. My mom and brother are coming soon. If you don’t want to deal with their grumpy faces, you’d better leave early."

"Fine, I am a little scared of your mom," Luca said, kissing the little ones' tiny hands and giving Aniston a kiss before reluctantly leaving the hospital.

Less than three hours after Aniston gave birth, the news was already being reported by major American TV networks. However, due to tight security around Aniston, no information about the babies was leaked.

The public only knew that Aniston had given birth, but not much more. Reporters desperately tried to interview her family and friends, eager for any bit of useful information.

By now, the price for exclusive photos of the babies had soared to over $500,000.

"Luca, how are the babies? Did you get any pictures?" Kate asked the moment Luca got home.

"They’re doing well, both of them," Luca replied.

"Both? Wait… are you saying twins?" Kate grabbed his shoulders, her eyes wide in surprise.

"Yes, a boy and a girl."

"Wow, that’s amazing! Do you have any pictures? They must be beautiful!"

"They are beautiful. You can see them in a few days. I’ve already spoken with Jen, and she’s happy for you to visit."

"Really? That’s wonderful! Too bad the little ones won’t have the Kelly last name. That would’ve been perfect," Kate said with a hint of regret.

"It’s fine. They’ll be better off with Jen. If they were with me, would you even know how to take care of them?"

"I can learn! I cook, I could make them all kinds of delicious meals!"

"True, you’d be great, but I haven’t even learned how to be a good dad yet. I’m not confident I can take care of them, so it’s better they stay with Jen."

"It’s not that you don’t know how to be a dad. You’re just a coward who doesn’t want to take responsibility."

"Yeah, I admit that. But if I weren’t such a coward, would we have these two little ones? So, in a way, I deserve some credit!"

"You’re shameless! If it weren’t for those two babies, I’d beat you up right now!" Kate pushed his head playfully and then headed to the studio.

Luca chuckled, then went to take a shower before finally collapsing into bed. He hadn’t slept since the previous evening and was exhausted.

The next day, he transformed back into a "flying man," heading straight to the Little Miss set on Highway 10 in Santa Barbara.

This film could be considered a road movie.

The Hoover family had six members, each dealing with their own problems and troubles.

After learning that young Oliver's wish was to participate in a beauty pageant, they decided to help her achieve her dream. The family piled into a rundown yellow van and set off for Los Angeles to get Oliver to the pageant.

Along the way, Oliver's grandfather passed away. Oliver’s father, a motivational speaker, believed his success formula could guide others, yet he was living a failed life—his manuscript had been rejected, and he was facing unemployment.

Oliver's uncle, Frank, was heartbroken after seeing the student he liked with a rival, which drove him mad.

However, none of this compared to Oliver's brother, Dwayne, whose dream of becoming a pilot was shattered when he discovered he was colorblind while riding in the van. Enraged, he contemplated suicide.

In today’s scene, Luca’s character, Uncle Frank, comforts the devastated Dwayne.

"You know Marcel Proust, right? A complete failure—never had a real job, unrequited love, and also gay. He spent 20 years writing a novel that no one read. But he might be the greatest writer since Shakespeare."

Standing on a bridge on Highway 10, Luca, with a short beard and wearing a pink shirt, leaned against the railing, comforting his nephew Dwayne.

"No matter what, when he looked back on his life in his final moments, he realized that all his painful experiences were the best times of his life, because they shaped him. The happy moments? A waste—they taught him nothing," Luca said, patting Dwayne's shoulder.

"Cut!" shouted Jonathan Dayton. "Luca, Frank’s gay. He’s more into physical contact with other men, so you don’t need to just pat his shoulder."

"Got it, Director Dayton!" Luca humbly accepted the criticism and re-shot the scene.

Before filming this role, he had secretly visited several gay bars and regularly sought advice from Tony.

Tony, when he worked as a makeup artist, had spent several years posing as a drag queen, so he had deep insights into the role.

After some time studying, Luca had mostly grasped the essence of the character, though there were still some flaws in the finer details.

Fortunately, Jonathan Dayton was an experienced director with many films under his belt, and his guidance made Luca's performance even more authentic.

"Cut!"

"Great, Luca Paul! Keep up that energy, and we’ll shoot another scene!"

"Alright!"

Filming progressed smoothly, with four scenes shot by 6 p.m.

"Luca, done for the day? Meet me at Santa Ana Bar," Billy, the director, said over the phone.

"Alright!"

(End of chapter)