Reborn in Hollywood

[Raphael Lee (Li Rui): Constitution 1.6→1.9, Spirit 1.3→2.5]

[Skills: ... (New) - Vampire Combat Instinct Level 4, Dark Perception Level 3 (Greatly enhanced Force perception in dark environments), Force Mind Control (Enhanced).]

[Dream World: Underworld (Completely subverting the original plot)]

[Purchasable Item: Immortal Physique (Cursed) - Price: $100,000,000]

[Purchaseable Item: Serena's Moon Goddess Bloodline (Perfect Grade) - Price: $10,000,000 (Price reduced by 90% due to the establishment of bloodline connection)]

[Purchasable Item: Vampire Physique Enhancement (Progenitor Level) - Price: US$50,000,000]

[New Special Status: Blood Bond (with Serena) - Description: No matter how far apart you are, you can vaguely sense each other's presence and emotions. This bond cannot be severed, blocked, or interfered with by any known force.]

[New Special Status: Blessing of the Moon Goddess - Description: The Vampire Queen's blessing bestows some changes upon you, yet you are exempt from the vampire's curse.]

Li Rui stared at the line of words, a slight smile playing on his lips.

That silver-haired woman really did leave her mark on herself.

He remembered her last words.

"Wait for me."

That wasn't a farewell, it was a promise.

Needless to say, there's also the blessing of the moon goddess.

In addition to significantly improving his physical and mental attributes, he also gained two new abilities, which enhanced his existing abilities.

The key point is that you don't need to purchase any items!

Leaving aside the fact that the immortal body is unaffordable, who would dare to buy the other two?

Aren't you afraid of becoming a vampire?

Even immortality is not what Li Rui wants.

He took a deep breath and turned off the panel.

Life must go on.

But Li Rui knew that somewhere where the sun couldn't reach, a pair of silvery eyes were waiting for him.

Outside the window, the traffic in Los Angeles never stops.

-----------------

Three days after returning to reality, Li Rui drove to the 20th Century Fox studio.

The sunlight was bright, shining on the glass curtain walls of Century City and reflecting a dazzling white light.

Li Rui parked the Mustang in a familiar spot—it was here three months ago that he auditioned for Anakin Skywalker.

He's here today to audition for another role.

iceman.

Bobby Drake from X-Men 2 is a mutant who can freeze everything. He is Professor X's student and a future "Omega-level mutant".

Li Rui was deeply impressed by this role.

In his past life, the first time he watched "X-Men," he was captivated by Iceman's cool abilities—freezing everything with a wave of his hand was incredibly cool.

Of course, he now knows that the Iceman's character in the comics is far more complex than what's depicted in the movie.

Its potential is absolutely limitless, but the film's limited length prevented it from being shown.

The audition room was located in Studio 3 at Fox Studios.

Along the way, Li Rui has met several familiar faces, including Sean Ashmore, who played the Iceman in the original story.

This Canadian actor, like the Iceman he plays, appears low-key and introverted, simply sitting there lost in thought, with no intention of interacting with the people around him.

"Number 7, Raphael Lee!"

Li Rui pushed open the door and went inside, only to find several people sitting there.

Right in the center is producer Avi Arad, Marvel Entertainment's chief creative officer, an old man with gray hair and sharp eyes.

Sitting next to him was Stan Lee—the Marvel creator with his signature glasses and a smile like a friendly old man next door.

Next to him was director Bryan Singer, blond and slightly overweight, who was looking down at some documents with a cold expression.

There were also a few people Li Rui didn't recognize, probably screenwriters or casting directors.

"Raphael Lee".

Avi Arad looked up and smiled. "Fast & Furious, Star Wars prequel—you're hot right now."

"Thank you." Li Rui nodded neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Stan Lee also looked at him, his gaze carrying a certain scrutiny.

"Mixed-race face".

Stan Lee said, "You're very distinctive; there's that...contradiction about you."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow slightly.

"A sense of contradiction?"

"right."

Stan Lee smiled. "He's like a hero, and a villain at the same time. He's both kind and aggressive. That's a rare quality."

Before Li Rui could respond, Bryan Singer suddenly spoke up.

"We're auditioning for the Iceman today."

His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. "Bobby Drake, a mild-mannered, reserved, even somewhat shy high school student. He's not Wolverine, not Cyclops, he's the quietest kid in Xavier's School."

He looked up at Li Rui.

Do you think you can portray him well?

This question carries a subtle hint of skepticism.

Li Rui met his gaze.

"I think it's okay."

Bryan Singer nodded, not asking any further questions, and simply gestured for the casting director to hand over the script.

"The audition scene was the first time Bobby confessed to his family that he was a mutant. You had to act in the scene yourself, and someone would prompt you with lines."

Li Rui took the script and glanced at it.

The clip is short—Bobby sits in the living room, facing his parents. He musters the courage to tell them he's a mutant. His mother is shocked, his father is furious, and he must bear all the emotions in that silence.

There were no dramatic lines or intense conflicts.

Only repression, forbearance, and the pain of being "rejected by one's closest relatives."

Simply put, it was a purely technical performance, probably to observe his acting skills.

After all, this part wasn't in the original storyline.

If a commercial film were to include content showcasing actors' acting skills, the director and screenwriter would likely be fired by the investors.

Li Rui closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes again, his entire demeanor had changed.

He's no longer the "speed demon" who made everyone laugh by pushing a shopping cart on "The Tonight Show," nor the "Skywalker" who shocked Bob Anderson during a sword training class.

He was a sixteen-year-old boy.

His shoulders tucked in slightly, his fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of his clothes, and his eyes darted around, carrying a hint of unease and anticipation.

He sat down—there was no chair, so he sat on the open ground with his knees together and his back slightly hunched.

"Begin," Brian Singer said.

Li Rui lowered his head, as if staring at his own hands.

silence.

Five seconds. Ten seconds.

The room was so quiet you could hear someone breathing.

Then he spoke.

"Mom...Dad...I have something I want to tell you."

The voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.

"I've been... I've been hiding something. I thought I could keep it hidden forever, but I realized I can't. I can't, I don't want to lie to you anymore."

His fingers clenched even tighter, his knuckles turning white.

"I am a... mutant."

His voice didn't tremble when he said that word, but his eyes were slightly red.

It's not that exaggerated red; it's an extremely restrained, suppressed red.

He raised his head.

His gaze was unfocused, as if he were looking at some "parents" in the void.

"I can freeze. Anything, just touch it and it freezes. When I first discovered this ability... I was terrified. But now... now I can control it. I haven't hurt anyone, I promise."

He waited.

Waiting for the response from the imagined "parents".

Three seconds later, his body swayed slightly, as if he had been hit by something.

"No, Mom...it's not what you think..."

The voice was still very soft, but there was a hint of panic in it.

"I'm not a monster... I'm just... just..."

His voice choked.

Her lips were pressed tightly together, as if she wanted to swallow all her emotions.

The redness in her eyes deepened, but she still didn't shed a tear.

Silence again.

Then he lowered his head.

"If you can't accept it... I understand."

The sound was as soft as a sigh.

"But I don't want to lie to you anymore."

He stopped after he finished speaking.

The entire audition room fell into a deathly silence.

Avi Arad leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes fixed on Li Rui.

Stan Lee took off his glasses and slowly wiped the lenses—a habit he had when he was thinking.

Everyone else was stunned.

It took Li Rui a full five seconds to detach himself from the role.

He stood up and resumed his usual state as a nineteen-year-old youth.

Avi Arad leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath.

"Raphael Lee, well done. That was one of the best auditions I've ever seen, especially for someone his age."

Stan Lee nodded.

"You brought that pain of 'not being accepted' to life. It wasn't anger, it wasn't accusation, it was that cautious, fearful attempt to please. That's how a sixteen-year-old feels when facing their parents."

He paused.

"You acted very well."

Brian Singer remained silent.

He kept his head down, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Avi Arad turned to him.

"Brian, what do you think?"

Brian Singer looked up.

He looked at Li Rui with a complicated expression.

"You acted very well."

His tone was flat, "But—"

He paused.

"You're not suitable for this role."

Li Rui frowned slightly.

Avi Arad was also taken aback.

"Why? His audition—"

"It has nothing to do with the audition."

Bryan Singer interrupted him, "His acting is fine, the problem is his face."

His gaze was fixed on Li Rui.

"Your appearance is too aggressive. Sharp angles, piercing eyes, and your mixed-race features are very distinctive. Just standing there, without saying a word, you give the impression that you might explode at any moment."

He paused.

"Bobby Drake isn't like that. The Iceman is supposed to be gentle, harmless, and have a look that makes you think, 'This is a good kid.' You—"

He shook his head.

"You don't seem like a good person."

Li Rui remained silent.

Avi Arad's expression changed slightly.

"Brian, this—"

"But you can play the Fireman."

Bryan Singer suddenly said, with a hint of condescension in his tone, "John Allardyce, hot-tempered, aggressive, his face suits you well, he has a lot of screen time, and his character is very well-developed."