While in Hollywood, I used Taoist magic to quell American terrorism.

Previously, according to Cao Kun's instructions, Rachel played the role of Pepper Potts in "Iron Man".

At that time, Cao Kun's idea was to provide Rachel with a stable guarantee.

After all, this role can sustain him for many years.

In this way, it wouldn't be in vain that she gave Cao Kun $20 every month.

As it turns out, man proposes, God disposes.

He and Rachel got together.

They even got her an Oscar for Best Actress.

Now, it's Marvel's turn to benefit from Rachel's fame.

That's how amazing things are.

Cao Kun leaned back in his chair, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Two shrewd businessmen, of course they won't let this kind of buzz slip by."

"but……"

Chris changed the subject, her tone now tinged with schadenfreude.

"Master, your troubles don't stop there."

Amanda, Megan, Anne, and Jessica—they all messaged me, wanting the Oscar for Best Actress too.

Cao Kun immediately looked troubled: "They want them all?"

"Pretty much." Chris covered her mouth and chuckled. "They were all green with envy when they saw Rachel take the Oscar."

Who wouldn't want to stand in that theater, in front of a global audience, and say "thank you"?

Beverly Hills, early morning.

Cao Kun sat in a chair in the restaurant, flipping through the newly delivered copy of The Hollywood Reporter.

The front page featured a large photo of Rachel on the Oscars stage.

The accompanying text was extremely exaggerated.

In a short commentary in the corner, someone has already begun to dig deeper into the mysterious "Chinese-American male companion" behind Rachel.

"Ding-dong."

The doorbell rang rhythmically.

Cao Kun didn't even look up: "Chris, go open the door and see which old lady has arrived."

A short while later, Jessica walked in, wearing high heels.

She carried a faint scent of high-end perfume, and sunglasses were perched on her head.

As soon as she entered the room, she went straight behind Cao Kun and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Damn, I want that little golden statue too."

Jessica got straight to the point, her tone carrying a hint of spoiled arrogance rarely seen in her.

Cao Kun put down his newspaper and leaned back casually: "That depends on how hard you try."

Jessica walked around to face him and straddled his lap: "I'm working hard, don't you know that?"

Cao Kun smiled, grabbed her mischievous hand, and his expression became serious.

"Rachel won the award because the script for 'Walking with Song' was tailor-made for her."

And she truly brought June Carter to life during those three months.

Cao Kun looked into her eyes. "Jessica, tell the truth."

With your current acting skills, you might have a chance to win a Golden Globe Award for a musical or comedy.

But the Oscars... they're still a bit lacking.

Jessica's face stiffened, and her eyes dimmed.

Cao Kun patted her waist, "Besides... good scripts require a bit of luck."

The doorbell rang again as soon as he finished speaking.

Amanda and Lifu walked in together.

Seeing Jessica there, the expressions on their faces became somewhat subtle, but they quickly masked them.

"It seems everyone thinks the same way."

Annie brushed a stray hair behind her ear and fixed her gaze on Cao Kun.

Looking at the three women gathered together, Cao Kun felt a dull ache in his temples.

This doesn't even include Megan, who's currently filming in Detroit and was crying and begging for a trophy on the phone yesterday.

And Anne, who is currently in NY, busy with reshoots for "The Devil Wears Prada".

"Sit down and talk."

Cao Kun stood up and pointed to the large circular sofa in the living room.

The three women sat obediently, all turning their gazes to him.

"To win an Oscar, acting skills are a basic requirement."

Cao Kun looked at them, his tone low and steady.

"Amanda, your explosiveness is good, but your attention to detail is not refined enough."

As for Jessica and Liv..."

Cao Kun turned around, his gaze sweeping over Jessica's face: "The two of you are currently carrying too much of a business label."

When the audience sees you, their first reaction is "beauty," not "acting." This is a major flaw in the judges' eyes.

The room was so quiet that only breathing could be heard.

Cao Kun continued, "I will keep an eye out for the manuscripts for you."

But this year, your task is to perform your current role well.

"You can take on more endorsements and commercial activities, but as for scripts... I'll vet them for you."

After calming the women down, I promised to find them suitable "bonus projects".

The atmosphere inside the room eased up a little.

Since they can't get an Oscar in the short term, these women have started demanding "compensation".

For the next three days, Cao Kun hardly left the villa.

After we've dealt with all these demons...

Cao Kun stood in front of the bathroom mirror, looking at his still muscular, marble-like body, and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

[Thankfully, I've reached the fourth level of Body Refinement... otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to handle it.]

"Master, you look a little weak."

The succubus Chris was wearing an extremely seductive black lace lingerie set.

Appeared at the bathroom door.

She bit her red lips, her eyes burning with intensity.

"Haven't you had enough fun yet?"

Cao Kun wiped the water off his face and looked up at Chris, who was leaning against the door frame.

Chris swayed her hips as she walked over, her fingertips lightly tracing the muscles on Cao Kun's chest.

She left a faint red mark: "I just feel sorry for my master."

After all, these young ladies are far more greedy than the demons of hell.

Cao Kun slapped her hand away, grabbed a bath towel and wrapped it around his waist: "Keep an eye on the wind outside for me, it's almost time."

…………

It was the end of March 2006.

The sky over Hollywood was a clear, bright blue, but the air was thick with tension.

Inside the conference room of the Paramount building, Brad was staring at the pre-sale data on the screen.

Meanwhile, at Sony Pictures and Warner Bros., not far away, countless eyes were fixed on this movie that was about to be released.

Due to Cao Kun's intervention, the film "The Pursuit of Happyness," which was originally scheduled to be released at the end of the year, was affected.

It was released in theaters more than half a year ahead of schedule.

This is Cao Kun's first real "cross-industry" appearance.

It's not just about exorcism.

Rather, it was his first invasion of Hollywood's traditional territory as a producer and a financial tycoon.

…………

In a mansion in Malibu.

Will Smith is sitting on a leather sofa in a private cinema, holding a glass of whiskey.

His agent, James, sat beside him, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

"Will, the test screening results are in," James said in a low voice.

Will Smith took a big gulp of his drink and sneered:

"Those film critics took money from Paramount, so of course they'll say nice things."

I want to hear the truth. Casting Denzel Washington as that Chinese-American was a mistake in itself.

That role...only I can portray that kind of soul, struggling at the bottom of society, yet still retaining warmth.

He put down his wine glass, his eyes gloomy: "Just wait and see. In three days, the audience will vote with their feet."

An Asian person who only knows how to catch ghosts could never understand our history of struggle.

…………

Marvel headquarters, inside an office.

Avi and Permat were also busy.

"Perlmutter, do you think we should wait and see?"

Avi stroked his chin. "If Cao fails this time..."

"Perhaps we could try to buy back some of the copyrights to those heroes."