216-220

*Chapter 216: After Drinking*

(The previous three chapters have been updated with a different version. Thank you for supporting the official release.)

"Okay, Ryan, I'll be careful!"

Rachel hung up the phone, walked back to the campfire, and let out a soft sigh.

Luca scratched his head, wanting to say something but unsure of what to say.

Ring, ring, ring  

His phone rang again. It was Director Mark calling, asking where he was staying tonight and when he would be back. He wanted to invite him for drinks.

But the rain outside was still pouring, and his clothes weren’t dry yet—how could he rush back in this weather?

After chatting briefly, he hung up the phone.

The two sat silently, staring at the fire, listening to the rain and thunder outside, waiting for the storm to pass so they could leave.

Luca stared into the fire, feeling like his whole body was burning. He scratched his head and suddenly stood up.

"Rachel, do you want some watermelon?"

"What?"

Rachel asked in surprise.

"Wait here. I’ll go grab one!"

Luca quickly walked to the door and opened it. He needed to cool down, or he feared he might lose control and do something reckless.

"Don't go, it’s still thundering outside!"

Rachel stood up and called after him.

"I’ll be careful."

Luca rushed into the downpour. When the cold rain hit his body, he felt like he heard a sizzle, as if the flames inside him were extinguished.

"Watch out! You’re going to catch a cold!"

Rachel shouted from the doorway.

"I’ll be fine!"

Luca walked quickly toward the watermelon patch, crouching down to knock on the melons. The heavy rain hit his back, creating a misty spray.

Crack!  

A flash of lightning illuminated the mountain peak and the watermelon patch.

Rachel was startled and yelled, "Idiot, just pick any one! They’re all ripe!"

"I know!"

Luca wanted to check a few more, but with the thunder and lightning, he wasn’t keen on risking getting struck. He grabbed one that looked decent and headed back to the shed.

"Rachel, do you think this watermelon is ripe?"

"I’m not guessing."

Rachel rolled her eyes at him, then grabbed a half-dry T-shirt and helped him wipe his back and chest. The rain made his muscles look even more defined.

"Thanks, Rachel."

Luca took the T-shirt and dried his hair and face. Now, he was soaked from head to toe.

After drying off, he took the watermelon to the fire, cracked it open with his hands. It was ripe, but it didn’t look as appealing as the last one.

"Haha, is this what you got after all that effort?"

Rachel teased.

Luca pointed to the sky. "The thunder was too loud; I couldn’t hear the knocking. I misjudged, but it’s still about seventy percent ripe, good enough to eat."

"So, your trick doesn’t work when it’s raining?"

Rachel laughed.

Luca smiled, handing her half.

The two of them sat by the fire, munching on the watermelon. It tasted good—sweet and juicy—but the melon was small and had a thick rind. They finished it in just a few bites.

"Haha, Luca, you eat watermelon like a bear eating corn."

Rachel teased.

"You’re no different."

Luca wiped a black watermelon seed from the corner of her mouth.

Rachel chuckled and handed him the other half of the watermelon.

"I’ve got too much; you can have it."

"Alright."

Ring, ring, ring  

Just as they were eating, Luca’s phone rang again.

"Luca, where are you?"

Kate asked on the other end of the line.

Luca smirked. "Kate, you won’t believe it, but I’m sitting in a watermelon shed near Toronto, eating watermelon by a fire while it’s thundering and pouring rain outside. Listen, that’s the sound of thunder!"

"Wow, really? That sounds so vivid. Are you alone?"

Kate asked curiously.

Luca glanced at Rachel. "No, there’s someone else with me. But I can’t tell you who."

"Jerk! The next time I see you, I’m going to punch you!"

Kate shouted angrily over the phone.

Pfft  

Hearing Kate’s angry voice, Rachel covered her mouth and laughed.

"Haha, I heard that. It’s a woman, right?"

Kate laughed. "Knowing your habits, you wouldn’t casually meet a woman, so it must be someone you’re familiar with. You don’t know many women in Canada except for the three in the crew—Rachel, Amanda, and Lindsay. It must be one of them, right?"

Luca scratched his head, feeling a bit helpless. That’s the problem with revealing too much.

"Kate, do you have something important to say? If so, say it quickly; I’m still eating watermelon."

"Alright, I won’t interrupt your watermelon time. I just called to say goodnight and hope you have an unforgettable evening."

Kate sighed softly.

Luca stared at his phone for a moment. "Goodnight."

"You and your sister get along so well!"

Rachel remarked.

"Yeah, we’re pretty close."

Luca shrugged and put his phone down.

"But why did you suddenly get all gloomy?"

Rachel blinked, her eyes bright and piercing.

"It’s nothing."

Luca shook his head, but then something shiny in the hay caught his eye. He smiled softly. "Rachel, want some whiskey?"

"Where’s the whiskey?"

"Right here."

Luca pushed aside some dry hay in the corner, revealing a bottle of Johnnie Walker whiskey. It was new and unopened.

He unscrewed the cap, took a whiff, and then a swig. The fresh vanilla scent and unique smoky flavor were familiar to him.

"Rachel, want some?"

He sat on the haystack, handing the bottle to her.

Rachel looked at the bottle, then at him, hesitated for a moment, and took a sip.

Cough, cough

"This brand of whiskey is strong—better suited for men. You should drink a little at a time."

Luca laughed.

"You could’ve said that earlier!"

"I did it on purpose."

"You jerk!"

Rachel gave him a playful glare, handed the bottle back, and sat beside him on the haystack.

The two leaned against the wall, passing the bottle back and forth, each taking a drink.

"Rachel, do you know why I’m feeling down?"

Luca said, his breath heavy with alcohol.

"Why?"

Rachel leaned against his shoulder, snatching the bottle to take another sip.

"Kate—Kate’s got a boyfriend."

Luca took the bottle back and downed a large gulp, coughing violently afterward.

"She has a boyfriend?"

Rachel scratched her cheek. After drinking the strong whiskey, her face flushed.

"Kate found a boyfriend, and you’re upset about it? Haha, I know why."

Rachel clapped her hands, laughing drunkenly. "You’re a sister complex, aren’t you?"

"No, I’m not!"

Luca waved his hand, denying it.

"You must be! Otherwise, why would you be upset about your sister’s boyfriend? You’ve been brooding for days."

Rachel giggled.

"It’s not that. Kate has terrible taste in men. I’m just worried about her."

"Is that so? Her last boyfriend was Leonardo DiCaprio. By the way, I heard you were the one who broke them up. Haha, you really are a sister complex."

Rachel waved the bottle around.

"Fine, I am a sister complex."

Luca took the bottle and drank another big gulp, now more than half the bottle was gone.

"Haha, what’s wrong with that? I’m a brother complex!"

Rachel grabbed the bottle and shouted.

"Brother complex? You mean Ryan? He’s two years younger than you."

"No, I have a twin brother, Louis!"

"A twin? Wow, that’s so cool! I’d love to meet him someday."

"You can’t."

Rachel shook her head, gulping down more whiskey. Her face turned even redder, and tears started to flow.

"Rachel, are you okay?"

Luca sensed something was wrong and patted her back.

"I’m fine. I was just thinking about Louis. I’m older by half an hour. We used to look exactly the same when we were kids, but as we grew up, we became different. We did everything together, went to school, ate, and even slept together. I thought of him in everything I did. But when we were nineteen, he..."

Rachel put down the empty bottle and lowered her head, her tears dripping onto the dry hay.

Luca sighed softly, put his arm around her shoulder, and patted her gently.

"I’m sorry, Rachel."

"It’s okay. It’s been a long time."

Rachel suddenly lifted her head and smiled through her tears. "You know, being a sister complex or a brother complex is a blessing—at least your family is still around, right?"

Luca paused and smiled. "Rachel, thank you. You’re right. As long as Kate is happy, I shouldn’t be making her upset."

"Exactly. But you’re still allowed to feel down. When Louis got a girlfriend, I was furious too."

Rachel paused for a moment, then suddenly asked with a mischievous smile, "Have you ever slept with Kate?"

"What?"

Luca shook his head repeatedly. "No way!"

"Why not? I gave Louis my first time."

Luca froze for a moment. "That’s... pretty wild!"

"Yeah, it was. We were drunk, and it just happened.

I've never told anyone about it, not even Ryan. Can you keep it a secret?"

"I swear!"

"I trust you!"

Rachel blinked, and Luca stared at her.

The fire danced in their eyes.

Suddenly, Rachel leaned in, cupped his face, and kissed him passionately.

"Rachel..."

"Don't say anything."

Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck and said softly, "Come on, you can pretend I’m Kate."

"K-Kate?"

"Mm-hmm~"

(End of chapter)

Chapter 217: Audition in the Sky

"Achoo~ Achoo~"

"Dad, Dad, can we switch seats?"

"Why do you want to switch seats?"

"The guy next to me has a cold, and he keeps sneezing. What if I catch it?"

"What about me? Aren't you worried I'll catch it? You little rascal!"

"Haha, little bro, how about we switch seats?"

"No need, Xiao Chun. Stay here and take care of your brother!"

That morning, over 30,000 feet in the air, a plane flying from Toronto Airport was smoothly en route to San Francisco International Airport.

In the middle section of the cabin, Luca was dozing off when he overheard a conversation in Chinese coming from the seats next to him. The tone wasn't very friendly.

He opened his eyes and saw a boy, around ten years old, glaring at him before getting up and moving seats. A round-faced middle-aged man followed him, lightly tapping the boy's head and sitting down beside him.

When Luca saw the man, he blinked in surprise. It was none other than Director Li An, whom he'd encountered with Rachel at a breakfast diner a few days ago.

"Haha, good morning, Mr. Li!" Luca greeted him as he stood up.

"You’re... Mr. Luca Kelly!" Li An responded, surprised, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Dad, let go! He’s probably got germs and viruses on his hands!" the boy who switched seats shouted, acting like he had encountered something terrible.

"Quiet, you rascal!" Li An pulled his hand back subtly, wiping it on his pants.

"Dad, what's there to be afraid of? He doesn’t understand Chinese!" the boy smirked and looked at Luca. "Isn’t that right, Mr. Virus?"

Luca, pretending not to understand, smiled and said, "Little guy, are you trying to ask how I am? I'm fine, thank you for your concern!"

"Haha, Dad, did you see that? I insulted him, and he thanked me!" The boy proudly wiggled his head.

"Sit still! Don’t mess around! Xiao Chun, keep an eye on your brother!" Li An said sternly.

The boy made a face before being pulled down by his brother.

"Haha, Mr. Li, your children are very cute and polite," Luca smiled.

"Thank you," Li An replied, scratching his cheek a bit awkwardly.

Achoo~

Luca sneezed again, but he quickly covered his nose with a handkerchief.

"Sorry, Mr. Li. It rained heavily yesterday, and I was out by the lake. I caught a bit of a cold."

Luca explained that he and Rachel had spent the night in a melon shed, and when they woke up in the morning, the fire had gone out, and the straw bedding wasn’t warm enough. Both of them ended up with slight colds.

When he boarded the plane, he had worn a mask, but the flight attendants asked him to remove it, as they feared it might alarm other passengers.

"Haha, no worries, no worries. It really did rain hard yesterday," Li An responded, though he discreetly shifted his seat slightly away while laughing. "Mr. Kelly, did you finish filming your movie?"

"Yes, I only had three scenes in Toronto," Luca replied with a shrug.

"Oh~" Li An nodded. He wanted to continue the conversation, but the two had only met twice, and there wasn’t much to say. So, he pulled out a newspaper.

"Take care of yourself, Mr. Kelly!"

"Thanks!"

Luca smiled lightly and added, "Mr. Li, I really enjoy your films—Blind Massage, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and The Incredible Hulk. When’s your next movie coming out?"

Li An gave him a look and blinked, wondering to himself, Why is he asking about my next movie? Does he know about the casting for Brokeback Mountain? Is he aiming for one of the lead roles?

It was possible. Last week, the news about the casting call had been released, and now, just a few days later, they’d run into each other twice in Toronto.

Was this really just a coincidence? Toronto was a big city. Why would they happen to meet at a breakfast diner and now again on a flight, even sitting next to each other? Maybe this guy was trying to engineer a chance encounter to get a role. He might have even chased him down from Toronto to the plane, pretending to have a cold just to attract attention. It was said this guy was smart and ambitious, and it seemed to be true.

Li An glanced at him a few more times. Luca's looks were indeed top-notch, one of the best among the new generation of young actors. He could be great on the big screen, even in a same-sex love story. But how was his acting?

Luca, noticing Li An's odd gaze, was puzzled. I just asked about his new movie. Why is he looking at me so strangely?

"Mr. Li, I’m just really excited about your films and hope to see your next one soon. I didn’t mean anything else," Luca said openly.

Li An studied him, impressed. Not bad. He stays calm and casual, even when being scrutinized. That’s good acting.

Maybe I should give him a chance, considering how determined he seems.

"Haha, it’s fine!" Li An chuckled, then suddenly asked seriously, "Mr. Kelly, what’s your opinion on same-sex relationships?"

"Uh..." Luca was taken aback. Why the sudden shift to such a serious topic?

Wait a minute... An idea struck him. Could Li An be considering him for Brokeback Mountain? Was he being scouted for one of the leads?

It seemed likely. After all, he was good-looking, had solid acting skills, and had a decent reputation. Plus, he was perfect for the role. However, the thought of playing a gay character, with kissing scenes and more, especially in a tent... It made his skin crawl. There was no way he could agree to that!

Seeing Luca’s serious expression, Li An nodded internally. Very good. He’s taking the question seriously. A thoughtful young man with ambition.

"Mr. Li, I think same-sex relationships are cool, but personally, I’m not very comfortable with it, especially between men," Luca shrugged, trying to subtly dissuade Li An from casting any fantasies on him.

"I see!" Li An said thoughtfully, his suspicions deepening. He knows Brokeback Mountain is a same-sex love story, yet he says he’s uncomfortable with it.

This guy’s honest, and that’s rare in the entertainment world. But his reaction is perfect for the role since the characters also struggle with their feelings.

Li An nodded to himself. Maybe I’ll give him a chance during auditions.

Luca, noticing Li An’s silence, breathed a sigh of relief. Although he wasn’t interested in this role, Brokeback Mountain was undeniably a great film, one that raked in both awards and praise. If Li An were to insist on him being in it, Luca wouldn’t know how to turn it down. But for now, it seemed like their differences would save him from having to reject it outright.

"Attention passengers, we are now preparing to land at San Francisco International Airport."

At around noon, the plane touched down.

"Goodbye, Mr. Li, and farewell, young Mr. Li’s!" Luca said as they shook hands at the airport.

"Goodbye, Mr. Kelly!" Li An replied.

Achoo~

Just as Luca walked away, Li An suddenly sneezed.

"Dad, I’ve got a bad feeling," the boy said, waving his hand in front of his nose.

"What is it?"

"Dad, I think you might be catching a cold!"

"Impossible!"

Achoo Achoo~

Chapter 218: You're Just a Small Man

"Luca, why do you have a cold?"

In the car, Ed glanced at the rearview mirror.

Luca lay lazily in the backseat, occasionally sneezing and yawning, looking tired, weak, and a bit out of it.

"I went to see the big waterfall yesterday, then went boating, and it suddenly started pouring rain. I got drenched," Luca explained lazily.

"Do you need to see a doctor?"

"No, it's just a mild cold. I've taken some medicine."

"Alright, we’ve got three hours until the event at 3 PM. You can head back to the hotel and catch a nap."

"Sounds like a great idea!" Luca said, yawning.

"Are you sure it's just a cold?" Ed asked suspiciously, glancing at him. "Why do I feel like you were up to something else?"

"Up to something? Haha~ No way. I don’t know anyone here in Canada," Luca said, rubbing his nose.

"No need to explain. Just a reminder—if you’re going to fool around, always use protection," Ed said with a grin.

"Protection?"

Luca blinked. Last night was unexpected, and neither of them had prepared anything.

"You didn’t use one, did you?" Ed frowned. "I’ve warned you before—catch any disease in the entertainment industry, but don’t get an STD. It’ll ruin your career."

"Stop imagining things. I didn’t fool around, so why would I need protection?" Luca spread his hands, seriously saying, "Ed, you know me. Am I the kind of guy who messes around?"

"Aren’t you? You had Lima and still got involved with Britney, causing all that commotion.

Men cheat all over the world, but who makes as big of a scene as you? Nina complains to me daily, saying I’ve been a bad influence on you, and now she watches me like a hawk, afraid I’ll learn bad habits from you."

Ed said, clearly unhappy.

"Learn bad habits from me? Haha~ That’s the biggest joke ever. I’m 21 and have only been with two women. How is that bad? Don’t tell me you only had one woman in your twenties."

"Yes, I’ve only ever had Nina," Ed said with a slight nod, looking blissful.

Luca opened his mouth but had no words. How do you even continue a conversation with someone like that?

Yawn~

Luca yawned again, lying back in the seat. "Ed, anything else? If not, I need a nap. Got up too early this morning."

"Wait a second. Did you read the newspaper on the plane?"

"Nope!"

"Didn’t think so. Take a look now; it’s somewhat related to you."

Ed tossed over two newspapers, the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle, both on the entertainment section.

The front page had a picture of Britney, with a headline about her press conference addressing the “proposal incident” for the first time. The next two full pages were filled with explanations, interviews, and a detailed recap of the event, with thousands of words in small print.

Luca felt a headache coming on. "Ed, just tell me the main points. I’ll read the papers tonight."

"Alright, first point: Britney’s spokesperson stated that her sudden squat during the concert was due to an old knee injury, not a proposal gesture."

Luca nodded. He’d already known this. Britney's management team came up with this explanation.

Last year, she hurt her knee while filming an MV. Afterward, the world tour and dance rehearsals aggravated it, and the injury never fully healed. Fans worldwide knew about this.

As for why they were only now addressing it, they probably wanted to let the rumors linger for a bit.

"Second point: When asked about Justin wanting to reconcile, the spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied it, saying they are just friends for now.

When a reporter asked Britney if there was any chance of her and Justin getting back together, she said there was no possibility.

The reporter then asked if it was because of you. Britney said no."

"Hold on!" Luca waved his hand. "Ed, is any of this the main point?"

"Haha, don’t rush. The good stuff is coming."

Ed smiled, clearing his throat. "A reporter asked Britney if she had to choose between you and Justin, who would she pick. Britney straightforwardly said she’d choose you. Her spokesperson quickly clarified that Britney just admired your talent and that you’re only friends. Haha~"

"That’s not really the main point, either, is it?" Luca said, rubbing his chin with a smirk.

"Haha, here’s the real kicker. This part might help salvage your reputation."

"Really?" Luca perked up. "Spill it!"

"A reporter mentioned that fans see Britney as a princess, Justin as a prince, and you as the villain standing in the way of their reunion. They asked what Britney thought of this."

"And what did Britney say?" Luca asked curiously.

"Haha, Britney scoffed and said, ‘Everyone thinks the princess should be with the prince, but it’s the princess’s choice who she’s with. Why can’t she choose the villain? Is it racial discrimination?’"

"Cool!" Luca praised.

"Yeah, very cool. Because of that bold stance, she’s gained a lot of support. Now, many fans are rooting for the princess and the villain to be together. And the villain, by the way, is you," Ed said with a wide grin.

"Villain, huh? I’ll take it. Villains are cooler than princes, anyway," Luca chuckled, pulling out his phone to text Britney and thank her for the explanation. He was genuinely worried about getting blasted by both fanbases.

"Do you want to be with Britney?" Ed asked, turning his head.

"Of course not. We’re not right for each other. You know me—I’ve got a bit of an alpha personality. I’m not cut out to be some weak guy," Luca shrugged.

"You’re not a weak guy? Haha~ Luca, how can I believe that when Kate and Lima constantly boss you around? Kate gives you your allowance, tells you what to do, and scolds you when you mess up. If that’s not being a weak guy, then what is?"

"Go on, keep talking," Luca said, glaring at him.

"Haha, nothing," Ed said with an awkward laugh, realizing he was essentially describing himself, making the situation all the more uncomfortable.

Luca shook his head, thinking, Same boat, different oars. No need to recognize each other.

Ring~

Luca’s phone rang.

"Luca, are you in San Francisco yet?" Britney asked over the phone.

"Yes, dear Britney. How’s your mood today?"

"Haha, it was so-so, but hearing your voice has lifted my spirits."

"Really? Well, I’m not feeling great. This morning, someone called me a villain."

"Sorry about that, Luca."

"Is ‘sorry’ enough? I’m not just any villain. I’m Mr. Big, not just a villain. Being called one feels a bit off."

"Haha~"

A long string of laughter echoed from the phone.

Luca smirked and said, "Britney, thanks for sticking up for me. I’m touched!"

"No problem, Big, Big, Big Villain. I’d gladly do more for you," Britney said sweetly.

"So would I!"

Britney’s call was also about her new song Young and Beautiful.

The last version was only a rough draft with barely correct lyrics, and the song still needed some polishing. Britney’s team had taken charge of completing it.

Now that the song was done, Britney loved it and planned to release it as a single. However, there were some copyright and royalty issues, and the record company offered two options.

One was to buy it out for $300,000, and the other was profit-sharing, where Luca would get 8% of the revenue for both the lyrics and music. Given Britney’s success, 8% was excellent, considering most songwriters only got 5%, and many were forced to sell outright.

Luca naturally chose the second option. The song would eventually be featured in a movie, and its sales were bound to be solid. While it felt like he was leeching off someone’s success, at least he was doing it with talent.

"Luca, we’re here!"

"Got it!"

Once they reached the hotel, Luca, half-asleep, didn’t even bother greeting Billy, Jessica, or anyone else. He went straight to his room and crashed.

Later that afternoon, there was a street dance competition in the Bay Area. The Honey cast members were participating in the amateur category, and both he and Jessica had to show off some moves.

Street dance practice was physically demanding, so he needed to rest up and recharge!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 219: Jessica Knocks on the Door (Happy New Year)

Knock knock knock

San Francisco, Bay Bridge, Vitale Hotel, twelfth-floor luxury suite.

Luca had no idea how long he had been asleep when a knock on the door woke him up. He rubbed his forehead and glanced at his watch—he’d only been asleep for about an hour and a half.

"Just a second!"

He slipped on his shorts, grabbed a T-shirt, and was putting it on as he walked to the door. Looking through the peephole, he saw Jessica Alba standing there with her assistant.

"Good afternoon, Jessica!"

He opened the door with a smile.

"Hey, Luca, were you just asleep?"

Jessica gave him a quick once-over. Seeing his groggy eyes and disheveled clothes, she chuckled lightly.

"Yeah, just a nap, but I’m fine now. No need to apologize."

Luca shrugged.

Jessica smirked. "Alright, thanks for understanding. I came by to ask if you wanted to practice some dance moves."

"Dance practice?"

Luca scratched his head, realizing he did need some training.

"Thanks. Give me a minute. Do you want to come in?"

"I don't think that's necessary."

"Alright, no more than five minutes!"

Luca went back into the room, washed his face, brushed his teeth, finished off a sandwich he hadn't eaten at lunch, threw on a loose T-shirt, grabbed his sneakers, and jumped out the door. Exactly 4 minutes and 59 seconds had passed.

"You're right on time!"

Jessica glanced at her watch and smiled, heading toward the elevator.

Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and she wore a yellow sweatshirt with gray leggings that showed off her toned midriff and a hint of her fit figure.

"Jessica, where are we practicing?" Luca asked as they entered the elevator.

"There's a gym downstairs. Billy's already there with Mekhi and the others."

Jessica pressed the button and smiled.

"Oh, thanks for coming to get me."

"No problem!"

Jessica tilted her head with a smile. "Is the movie done?"

"Not many scenes left for me. What about you? I heard you landed the lead role in Into the Blue. Congratulations!"

"Thanks!" Jessica's lips curled into a bright smile. "What about you? What's next?"

"No projects lined up. I’ll probably head back to New York for Fashion Week in the fourth quarter."

Luca spread his hands.

"And Step Up? When do you start that?"

"Not sure. Billy’s trying to secure some funding, but things aren’t moving fast. Maybe if Honey does well at the box office, we’ll pick up the pace."

"Well, good luck to you!"

Jessica smiled as they stepped out of the elevator.

The gym was on the third floor, a luxurious space with glass walls, spacious and refreshing, perfectly suited to the five-star hotel.

Inside the private training room, Luca spotted Billy and a few others.

Billy stood by the stereo, acting as the DJ.

In the middle of the room, Mekhi Phifer, little Leo, and two street dance experts from the cast were dancing energetically to the music.

"Hey, Luca, you made it!" Billy laughed.

"Billy, are you entering the street dance competition too?"

Luca slapped Billy’s hand in a playful greeting.

"I wish, but I don’t think my belly will let me!" Billy laughed, patting his stomach.

Luca smiled and greeted Mekhi and the others.

"Billy, do we really need to practice? I thought we just needed to go up and do a few moves."

Luca crossed his arms, a little puzzled seeing how hard everyone was training.

"These guys are pros. Johnson and Chuck both won street dance championships before joining the cast. Now that there’s a real competition, they want to give it their all."

Billy gestured toward the two supporting actors.

Luca nodded. "Ed, how’s the movie coming along?"

"New Line and Summit are both interested in Step Up, and they’re willing to invest. But they want the film done the Hollywood way, meaning they’d handle everything: director, casting, lead actors—the works."

Hollywood’s way meant the production company would decide everything, essentially buying the script from the creators.

"What do you think?" Luca asked, rubbing his chin.

Billy thought for a moment. "In Hollywood, the one who invests the most calls the shots. If we can secure independent funding, we can go the indie route. If not, we’ll have to let a big studio take over."

Luca nodded. The film would need a budget of 20 to 30 million dollars. He could barely pull that together by leveraging his property and Twilight rights as collateral, but he wasn’t willing to take that risk.

Hollywood was a complex industry, and with limited funds, jumping into a major investment was too risky. He wasn’t ready to commit that much yet.

"Billy, you've been in the industry for a while, and you’ve got the experience. Whatever you decide, I’ll back you. I don’t have a million dollars, but I can invest two or three hundred thousand. If you sell the script, just make sure you get a good deal."

Luca patted Billy on the shoulder with a smile.

"You're willing to sell the script?"

Billy looked at him in surprise.

Luca tapped his head. "I’ve got plenty more scripts up here."

Billy blinked and then laughed. "Luca, of all the young people I’ve met, you’ve got the thickest skin!"

"Why not mention my talent?" Luca protested.

"Alright, you’ve got talent. You can play soccer, act, write scripts, and even compose music."

Billy paused and then added, "Luca, you really are talented."

"Of course!" Luca grinned proudly.

"But you know what I admire most about you?"

"Tell me!"

"Your skill with the ladies!"

"..."

Luca shot him a look, shaking his head. "Billy, it’s called making friends, not flirting."

"Alright, alright. But come on, Britney Spears and Jennifer Aniston are your friends? You’re pretty good at making friends!"

"Jennifer? Why’d you bring her up?"

Luca asked, puzzled.

"She and Brad Pitt started a film company, Plan B, last year. They’re pretty solid."

"Are you thinking of asking her for investment?"

"Exactly. I was hoping you could introduce me to Aniston."

Billy said seriously.

Luca thought for a moment. The film had potential, and getting Aniston to invest wasn’t a bad idea. But with her and Pitt divorcing next year, Plan B would end up with Pitt anyway. Why make money for him?

"Billy, to be honest, I recently wrote a script for Aniston. She’s planning to start production next year, so she might not be interested in another project. But I can mention it when I get back to L.A."

"Alright, I’ll wait for your news!"

After a brief chat, Luca was ready to start practicing street dance. Though he didn’t need to do much on stage, his growing popularity meant the media was paying attention. He didn’t want to embarrass himself.

In my place, in my place, were lines that I couldn't change... I was lost... oh yeah... I was lost...

Thank you to 'FlyingHerToMars' for the donation, much appreciated!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 220: Dad, You’re Getting Ahead of Yourself

"Luca! Luca!"

"Cool! Cool! Do it again!"

It was a hot summer afternoon in San Francisco, at the Bay Area Ocean Park Plaza, where a street dance competition was in full swing. Sponsored by Nike, the event attracted dozens of teams from all over the U.S., with exciting performances one after another.

The plaza was packed with people who had formed a large circle. In the center was a tall, muscular guy performing hip-hop dance moves. He was wearing an oversized T-shirt and sweatpants, with a baseball cap tilted to the side, smirking mischievously. His cool yet bad-boy vibe made the girls scream in excitement — it was none other than the infamous “Devil Luca.”

Luca executed a series of powerful moves: handstands, windmills, and one-arm freezes, all with explosive energy and flawless precision. His muscular build stood out as he danced, showing off his toned, sexy physique.

“Luca is so cool!”

“Mr. Big is in amazing shape! No surprise, he used to be an athlete!”

“Mr. Virus, you’re awesome! Do it again!” shouted a little boy with black hair and yellow skin from the crowd.

“Xiao Han, stop yelling!” scolded a middle-aged man beside him, tapping the boy on the head.

This man was none other than director Li An, who had just arrived in San Francisco. He was here to help his eldest son, Li Chun, check out schools. After visiting the University of San Francisco earlier in the day, they decided to explore the Bay Area with a local friend, and when they heard about the street dance competition, they stopped by to watch.

“Dad, Mr. Virus can breakdance too! He’s so cool!” The little boy excitedly punched the air.

“Mr. Virus?” asked a young man holding a handheld video camera, confused. “Who’s Mr. Virus?”

“Haha, Shi Jun-ge, Xiao Han is talking about Luca. We were on the same flight to San Francisco this morning. Luca caught a cold and kept sneezing, so Xiao Han started calling him ‘Mr. Virus,’” Li Chun explained with a laugh.

“Yep, that’s right. He’s Mr. Virus, and he gave Dad the cold,” the little boy chimed in with a grin.

“Dad, I remember you saying Luca was following you. Turns out he’s here for the competition,” Li Chun teased his father.

“Well, who knows!” Li An’s face flushed red as he rubbed his nose, trying to justify himself.

“Dad, you’re getting ahead of yourself,” Li Chun joked. “Ever since you won the Golden Globe for Best Director, you’ve been acting like this. Do you really think Britney Spears’ boyfriend would follow you just for a movie role?”

“Yeah, Dad, you’ve totally changed! You used to haggle when buying garlic, but now you just say, ‘Keep the change!’” the little boy added, laughing.

“Shut it!” Li An glared, kicking his younger son lightly. “I may be getting ahead of myself, but I can still take you both down, believe that?”

“If you hit me, I’m telling Mom!” the little boy whined, holding his butt in mock protest.

Li An chuckled and patted his son’s sweaty head. “Alright, be good, and I’ll get you some Häagen-Dazs later.”

“I want McDonald’s!”

“Fine, McDonald’s. We’ll feast!”

Money’s no issue for us!

“Wow, that’s so cool!”

In the center of the plaza, Luca had just kicked a soccer ball into the air, and as it came down, he did a sweeping move and caught the ball on his back.

The crowd went wild.

“Luca, can I get your autograph?” the little boy yelled as Luca started to leave.

“Don’t run off!”

Luca was swarmed with fans asking for autographs as he stepped off the stage. Li An, not wanting to lose his son in the crowd, quickly caught up and held his little boy’s hand tightly.

“Dad, I want an autograph!” the little boy reached out his hand eagerly.

“I know, I know. Just wait a bit, okay? Don’t you see how many people are here?” Li An shook his head. He couldn’t understand why young people idolized someone like Luca, who had no real achievements apart from gossip and scandals. Why admire him? Wasn’t a big-time director like Li An more worthy of respect?

“Luca, Luca! Over here! Can you sign for me?”

Luca was signing autographs and giving a quick interview with some journalists when a familiar voice called out from the crowd.

He turned his head to see a young boy rushing over, followed by a somewhat exasperated middle-aged man.

“Hey there, little guy!” Luca greeted him, bending down to ruffle the boy’s hair. He took off his hat and placed it on the boy’s head.

“Director Li An! Nice to see you again!”

“Achoo!” The response was a loud sneeze.

Luca paused. “Director Li, did you catch a cold too?”

“Haha, Luca, my dad got it from you!” the little boy laughed heartily.

“No worries, it’s just a cold,” Li An said, rubbing his nose with a slightly resentful look.

Luca laughed out loud. “Mr. Li, I’m so sorry about that. Do you have time later? I’d like to treat you all to dinner.”

“There’s no need for that,” Li An started to say, but the little boy cut him off, “Yes! I want McDonald’s!”

Luca smiled, “Haha, alright. How about you wait a bit? I’ve just got to finish this interview, okay?”

“Sure, go ahead!” the little boy replied happily.

“See you soon, Mr. Li!” Luca waved as he walked away.

“Dad, see? I just saved you the cost of a meal!” the little boy proudly announced.

“Hmph! Do you really think your dad is the kind of person who can’t afford a few dollars?”

“Dad, you’re really getting ahead of yourself. That’s not a good thing!”

“Stop shaking your head. Let’s go!” Li An said, pulling his son along.

“Go? Where to?”

“To get you McDonald’s!”

“What about Luca?”

“Why wait for him? He was just being polite. You really want him to treat us?” Li An shook his head. It would make things awkward when it came time to cast the roles. You can’t accept favors.

“Dad, how can you act like this?” the little boy protested, “You always taught me to be honest and keep promises. You told me stories about people who kept their word even at great cost. Now you’re breaking your own rule! How can I live up to that?”

“...”

"Mr. Kelly, do you like street dance?"

"Of course, street dance is cool, right?"

On the sidelines, Luca was being interviewed by a radio station. According to the interview outline, the host's questions would soon shift from street dance to the movie Honey, and then to questions about Britney.

"Yes, it's very cool. Your street dance performance was impressive. The judges just gave you an average score of 8.25."

"Thank you to the judges. I'll keep working hard."

Luca smiled lightly. He knew the score was a bit inflated. While his moves were decent, his rhythm and flow needed improvement. As a guest performer, his rating was a bit higher than it should have been. Jessica had scored a 9.0.

"Mr. Kelly, how many years have you been practicing street dance?"

"Years? No, no. I only learned about street dance when I took this role. I thought it was really cool. Jessica is a street dance expert, and she taught me a lot. You could say she’s my street dance teacher."

"Jessica, is that true?"

The host turned to look at Jessica, who was standing nearby.

"Yes!" Jessica glanced at him and smiled. "He's a quick learner, very smart, and he used to be an athlete, so he picked it up fast."

"Thank you, Jessica! I have to say, you're a great teacher!"

Luca complimented her in return.

The host glanced at the two of them — a handsome guy and a beautiful woman, both with such attractive physiques. They looked like a perfect match. It was tempting to draw a heart over their heads.

But Luca wasn't the male lead, and there were already rumors swirling about him and Britney. If there were more rumors, he’d really be in trouble.

"Mr. Li, sorry to keep you waiting!"

It was just after 5 p.m., and the on-site interview had ended. Luca found Li An and his group in the crowd.

"No problem!"

For some reason, Luca noticed that Li An’s face seemed a little sour.

"Hello, Mr. Kelly, I’m Li Chun. Your performance was really cool!"

The eldest of the Li family introduced himself.

"Thank you!"

"Hello, Mr. Kelly, I’m Chen Shijun. I really liked your performance!"

A young man holding a camera greeted him.

Chen Shijun?

Luca glanced at him twice. He was in his twenties, had thick lips, wore metal-rimmed glasses, and had a simple, sincere smile. Why did he seem so familiar?

(End of the chapter)