American Comics: Something's Wrong with This Superhero World

Chapter 103 Magnanimity

Xiao Xian and Mary Jane stood in the center of the set, as director Steven Spielberg directed the crew to adjust the camera angles to ensure every detail was perfectly captured. Around them, the actors and crew held their breath, hoping this crucial shoot would proceed smoothly.

"Why are there so many onlookers?" Xiao Xian asked helplessly, looking at the audience around him.

"With the world's most popular superhero filming a kissing scene, who in the entire crew could resist coming over to watch?" Mary Jane said smugly, enjoying the envious glances from the other girls around her.

Harry sat to the side, his eyes filled with a complex and unreadable expression. He held a freshly peeled fruit in his hand, seemingly nonchalant, but actually watching the scene that was about to unfold with great tension.

"Jane? Should we use a body double?"

Looking at Harry, who was clearly very concerned, Spielberg took the initiative to say that even if other actresses were Oscar winners, they wouldn't be able to use a body double for kissing scenes in his movies, but this woman in front of him was the young mistress of the Osborne Group, and Harry Osborne was sitting right next to him.

Harry is magnanimous now, but who knows if he'll blame himself for being jealous in the middle of the night?

"No need, director, I'm a professional actress." Mary Jane immediately shook her head upon hearing this. Why would she refuse? What a joke! Giving up the kissing scene with Xiao Xian and letting Xiao Xian kiss the stand-in instead, she wasn't being mind-controlled by the White Queen.

"Alright then." Spielberg glanced at Harry, and seeing he didn't speak, he didn't press the matter further, so he simply asked, "Are you ready?"

Xiao Xian nodded, and Mary Jane also nodded slightly, took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and prepared to immerse herself in the role.

"Action!" With Spielberg's command, the entire set fell silent instantly.

Xiao Xian slowly walked towards Mary Jane. Their eyes met, and an electric current seemed to fill the air. Xiao Xian reached out and gently stroked Mary Jane's cheek. She closed her eyes, savoring the tender touch. Then, Xiao Xian lowered his head, and their lips slowly drew closer, finally meeting in a passionate and deep French kiss.

Harry watched from the side, his expression constantly shifting from initial tension to a complex sense of relief, as if at this moment he had finally accepted how things had unfolded.

"Cut!" Spielberg's voice broke the silence in the scene. "Great! Mary Jane's acting is superb! Xiao Xian is also very handsome. The audience will absolutely love this scene."

What does it mean that Xiao Xian is also handsome? The subtext is that I have no acting skills, right? Xiao Xian thought to himself as he supported Mary Jane, whose legs were already weak.

"That's the feeling. Let's shoot one more take as a backup." Spielberg wanted to strike while the iron was hot and finish shooting as soon as possible.

"Wait a minute, director, let's film it later. I need to calm down," Mary Jane politely declined. She was already unsteady on her feet, and she was afraid of embarrassing herself in front of everyone if they had to do it again.

"Your emotions aren't quite there yet. Okay, let's take a break and film again later." Just as Spielberg was about to say that Mary Jane's emotions were very convincing, he noticed that Mary Jane was leaning on Xiao Xiancai to stand up and immediately changed his mind.

Taking advantage of this time, Spielberg decided to give Xiao Xian some acting advice. Although Xiao Xian's looks are enough, it would be better to make his acting as realistic as possible.

Spielberg pulled Xiao Xian aside and whispered his acting lessons, explaining the character's inner world, thoughts, and motivations.

Finally, Spielberg concluded

"In short, you're just playing yourself, just act like you usually appear in public, but in this scene, you'd better be able to show that you're attracted to someone."

"Heartbeat? I think I did a pretty good job just now." Xiao Xian asked with some doubt. Today, Mary Jane was wearing a bright red costume, going for a pure and seductive style. Xiao Xian was really moved and decided that she would serve him tonight.

Looking around to make sure Harry was with Mary Jane and hadn't noticed what was happening, Spielberg whispered...

"What you're portraying isn't the feeling of being moved, it's desire. What I want is the sparkle in a young man's eyes when he meets his first love, not the sparkle in the eyes of a seasoned client seeing a particularly beautiful masseuse. You know what I mean?"

"I understand, you're making things difficult for me, right? Or is it the screenwriter making things difficult for me?" Xiao Xian nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this, and then said...

"I'm just playing myself in a cameo role. Do you think I could possibly evoke that 'eyes light up' feeling in someone when they meet their first love? Everyone knows I'm nicknamed 'Goddess Killer,' and you actually want me to play an innocent young man?"

"..." Wow, what he said makes so much sense. I was speechless. Spielberg, who was completely stumped by Xiao Xian's words, was taken aback and realized that it seemed to be the screenwriter's problem after all.

"Then just act like that, it does make more sense."

Spielberg finally said helplessly, "Oh well, Xiao Xian's role in this movie is just to be a male eye candy to attract female viewers. His acting skills don't matter."

As a guest star, Xiao Xian had very few scenes. After filming the kissing scene with Mary Jane and a few more scenes where he was adored by female fans, Xiao Xian's task for the day was considered complete.

However, just as Xiao Xian was about to leave, Harry unexpectedly came over and invited him with a mysterious expression.

"Xiao Xian, I was thinking, maybe we could... have dinner together? Mary Jane has some things she'd like to discuss with you about the plot and acting."

"Huh?" Xiao Xian was a little confused. Harry invited him to dinner? The White Queen is that fierce?

"I know we've had our disagreements in the past, but for Mary Jane's sake, I'm willing to put those disagreements aside for now," Harry added awkwardly, seeing Xiao Xian's surprised expression.

"Okay then." Xiao Xian thought for a moment and nodded.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Xiao Xian's affirmative answer. He dared not imagine how disappointed Mary Jane would be in him if she knew that her invitation had failed.

"Thanks, you're much more generous than I thought."

"Oh, it's alright." Looking at Harry, Xiao Xian thought to himself, "Who can compare to you in terms of generosity? Inviting me and your wife to dinner is something most people wouldn't do."

At night, in Harry's mansion, the three sat around an exquisite dining table. Expensive artwork adorned the walls, and soft lighting bathed the space in a warm and luxurious ambiance. The light from the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling reflected off the fine silverware and tableware, creating an indescribably elegant atmosphere.

As the host, Harry wore a well-tailored suit and watched Mary Jane and Xiao Xian chatting happily. Mary Jane's face also showed a smile of satisfaction.

Beside the dining table, the White Queen, ignored by Harry and Mary Jane, bent down to look at the scene under the table and spat.

"Bitch~"

(End of this chapter)