Bab 67: Chapter 66
Spring 2008
As the world awaits the upcoming Beijing Olympics, excitement fills the air with the Olympic torch relay drawing ever closer to the grand event. Meanwhile, across the ocean in Hollywood, equally big news is making headlines.
La La Land and Spider-Man 2 have both wrapped production!
For Xu Can's fans, this is the best news imaginable.
Having recently enjoyed The Dark Knight and Iron Man, moviegoers eagerly anticipate more from Xu Can. Though films like Horton and Jane Doe, Blackjack, Money Game, and The Teleporter were currently in theaters, none had left a lasting impact. The market desperately craves a blockbuster to jumpstart the summer movie season.
Big studios were gearing up with their own contenders: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull from Paramount, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian from Disney, Sex and the City from New Line Cinema, and The Confused Detective from Warner Bros. All were scheduled for release, and none had considered Xu Can's films as real competition.
Many believed that Spider-Man 2 wouldn't hit theaters until Christmas, and few expected much from La La Land, doubting a musical could make waves in the summer blockbuster season.
But Hollywood was in for a surprise.
Both La La Land and Spider-Man 2 were slated for release much earlier than anticipated: La La Land on May 18, and Spider-Man 2 with a global premiere on July 27!
"Wait, did I hear that right? How did they finish so quickly?"
"Impossible!"
While industry insiders were caught off guard, Xu Can's fans rejoiced. Known for his incredible work ethic, Xu Can had a reputation for releasing two or three films a year. His productivity left little room for his Hollywood peers to catch up. Yet, amid the excitement, Xu Can himself was nowhere to be seen in the promotional circuit. Instead, he was preoccupied with personal matters.
Since Xu Can's friend, Sister Shitou, publicly challenged Swift, an awkward confrontation ensued. The two women, once close in another life, had an unexpected meeting that no one had seen coming. They spent hours together at a restaurant, and though Xu Can tried to pry details out of them later, neither divulged a word.
Both women, however, began to compete for his attention. Swift invited Xu Can to play golf, while Sister Shitou suggested a deep-sea fishing trip. Swift wanted Xu Can to accompany her to a charity gala, and not to be outdone, Sister Shitou offered to join him at a Hollywood party. Within a week, Xu Can was utterly exhausted.
"Baby, how about we stay in tonight and watch a movie together?" Emma Stone asked him sweetly over the phone.
"I'm meeting investors tonight with Happy," Xu Can replied.
"Alright, but stay away from Taylor!" Emma warned.
"I promise, it's all business."
Moments after hanging up, Swift called. "Honey, let's spend the weekend in Las Vegas for a hot spring getaway?"
"Sorry, I've got work commitments this weekend," Xu Can said, hoping to avoid any conflict.
Swift's tone dropped slightly. "You're not seeing Emma, are you?"
"No, no, you can even ask her!"
"Okay, but take care of yourself. You've been working so hard lately—I've noticed your dark circles."
As Swift hung up, Xu Can sighed deeply. Happy Hogan, sitting next to him, couldn't help but smirk.
Fans speculated endlessly about Xu Can's relationships, with some shipping him with Emma Stone, and others rooting for Taylor Swift. But only Happy knew the truth—Xu Can was trying to navigate both relationships without making a choice.
"Xu, I admire you sometimes," Happy quipped. "I struggle to deal with just one relationship at home, but you juggle two!"
"Don't remind me," Xu Can replied wearily.
Xu Can found himself attending a charity banquet hosted by investor Ivanka Trump. Among the attendees were a mix of old acquaintances and fresh faces from the Hollywood elite. One such familiar face was Emma Roberts, whose expression hinted at a deeper curiosity.
"So, are you dating Taylor or Emma?" she asked Xu Can, only half-joking.
"They're just friends."
"Liar!"
Xu Can retorted playfully, "Do you like me or something?"
Emma Roberts blushed. "You wish!"
While Emma had chosen to pursue a directing degree at USC rather than continue acting, her decision surprised Xu Can. He had expected her to build a Hollywood career similar to her previous life.
As he mingled, Xu Can found himself approached by two more women: Kristen Stewart and Blake Lively, who introduced herself with a radiant smile. Blake, then a rising star, was yet to achieve the fame she would gain from Gossip Girl.
"You know why Emma switched to directing, right?" Blake asked casually.
"No, why?"
Blake smiled knowingly. "It's because of you. She wanted to improve herself, so she'd feel worthy to be around you."
Xu Can was caught off guard by this revelation. He hadn't realized the impact he had on Emma.
The conversation with Blake continued, flowing naturally between movie topics and casual banter. But when Xu Can caught sight of Scarlett Johansson nearby, he politely excused himself to greet her.
Scarlett Johansson welcomed Xu Can with a warm smile. The two had shared success with Iron Man, and she was curious about her role in the upcoming Iron Man 2.
"Is it just a small part?" Scarlett asked.
"Do you really think I'd cast you as just a pretty face?" Xu Can teased.
Surprised and flattered, Scarlett's eyes widened. "Wait, are you talking about Black Widow?"
"Bingo," Xu Can said, raising his glass. "You're perfect for the role."
Scarlett blushed. "You sure know how to make a girl feel special."
"Because you are special," Xu Can replied, half-joking.
As they continued to chat, Scarlett realized the depth of Xu Can's respect for her talent. Their conversation touched on both professional matters and a playful exchange of compliments, leaving Scarlett feeling both flattered and intrigued.
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