Reborn in Hollywood

Chapter 23 Gisele Bündchen explodes

"The Wachowski brothers made the decision on the spot? How did you manage that?" Ali's voice still sounded somewhat excited.

"Let me show you my skills."

"...That's it?"

"That's it."

Ali took a deep breath.

"Okay, I'll handle the contract. There's one more thing: Mark Pratt wrote—they've approached Biller Woodruff for the director; he's directed many music videos and has experience with musicals. Jessica Alba has already signed a letter of intent; we'll finalize the contract once her schedule becomes available."

"Fast & Furious 2?"

"Neil is still arguing with Universal. Let's wait until they're done."

"That's all, I'm hanging up."

After the call ended, before Li Rui could even get into his car, his brother Philip called immediately, as if they had planned it beforehand.

"The shooting dates for CK have been set."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow: "When? Where?"

"Two weeks later, in New York."

How long is the filming period?

"Three days."

Li Rui was taken aback. "Three days? CK's GG... Are you sure you only want three days?"

"That's someone else!"

Philip's tone was brimming with self-assured confidence. "I told their marketing director that Raphael Lee doesn't need to dawdle. A face that's flawless from every angle, perfect 'camera presence,' a figure that can make women from 8 to 88 years old scream in front of the TV—three days is enough!"

He paused, then added, "My exact words were: 'He can film all the footage for your next three years of dating sim in just three days, and the budget saved will be enough for you to hire another second-tier celebrity.'"

Li Rui's lips curled into a slight smile.

"They agreed?"

"certainly!"

Philip laughed heartily, "The main reason is—they've seen your clip from 'The Tonight Show' and your cover shoot for Empire magazine. The photographer, Chloe, even wrote a letter of recommendation to CK, saying you're 'born to be chased by cameras.'"

"...When did she write it?"

"Last week. She contacted CK herself."

Philip's tone was somewhat incredulous. "Raphael, do you know what this means? A top photographer writing to a brand to recommend an actor—this kind of thing happens once a year in Hollywood."

Li Rui recalled that young photographer who didn't talk much but had a very sharp eye.

I remember what she said when she finished filming the last set of shots.

"You have a story to tell."

He smiled.

"Okay, three days it is."

"Then it's settled. Fly to New York on the 23rd, shoot from the 27th to the 29th—oh right, remember to make those abs more defined. CK said this time they want to shoot 'breathable' underwear guys, not the stiff bodybuilder style."

Li Rui rolled his eyes.

"I've been practicing for nineteen years."

"I know, but it's never a bad thing to practice a few more days."

Philip chuckled. "I'm hanging up now. I'll keep an eye on the contract details."

After ending the call, Li Rui suddenly felt a surge of curiosity.

This should be the first time he's ever filmed a gay movie; I wonder how it differs from making a film.

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

One week later, in New York.

When Li Rui walked out of the gate of Kennedy Airport alone, the person who was picking him up was already waiting.

It was a middle-aged man in a black suit, holding a sign that read "Raphael Lee," with a serious expression as if he were on a secret mission.

"Mr. Li, I am the driver sent by CK."

The man took Li Rui's suitcase. "Mr. Philip specifically instructed that you do not need an assistant, and we respect your choice."

Li Rui nodded and followed him into the black van parked outside.

The car drove into Manhattan, through the skyscrapers of Midtown, and finally stopped in front of a glass curtain wall building.

CK's global headquarters.

As soon as Li Rui entered the hall, a tall, smartly dressed blonde woman came to greet him.

"Raphael Lee? I'm CK's GG Director, you can call me Lisa."

She extended her hand, her smile professional yet warm. "Welcome to New York. Everything is arranged; the director and co-stars are waiting upstairs."

Li Rui shook hands with her and followed her into the elevator.

"The director is Mel Di Natale."

As Lisa pressed the elevator button, she explained, "He's worked with CK for over ten years; Mark Wahlberg and Kate Moss's GG bags were his creations. He excels at capturing the 'breath' of things—something your manager, Mr. Philip, particularly emphasized."

Li Rui didn't say anything, he just nodded.

He trusted Philip's judgment and professionalism.

The elevator stopped on the 23rd floor.

Pushing open the conference room door, the first thing Li Rui saw was a man with a distinctive head of silver hair, in his fifties, wearing a simple white shirt and black trousers, looking down at the manuscript in his hand.

Mel Di Natale.

He looked up, his gaze falling on Li Rui, pausing for two seconds.

"They're here."

He stood up, walked over, and without shaking hands, simply circled around Li Rui.

"Take off your coat."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow, but still took off his casual suit jacket and casually draped it over the back of the chair.

Di Natale stared at him for a few more seconds.

"Her shoulder lines are beautiful, and her collarbones look great when they're exposed."

He nodded, then turned to Lisa, "We can focus more on the upper body, especially the seam on the jeans, and the seam on the underwear—"

He paused.

"I can't tell because he's wearing pants. Let's see during the audition."

Lisa smiled and agreed.

Di Natale then turned to Li Rui and extended his hand.

"Mel di Natale. For the next three days, you are under my jurisdiction."

Li Rui shook his hand.

"Raphael Lee".

"I know who you are."

Di Natale waved his hand. "Speed Boy, Skywalker, I've seen your video, that shopping cart clip—it's interesting."

After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Lisa.

"Where's your partner?"

Lisa pressed the intercom on the table.

"Let them in."

The moment the door opened, Li Rui understood what "visual impact" meant.

The first person to walk in was a blonde woman, 1.8 meters tall, with excessively long legs, and she walked like a cheetah surveying its territory.

Gisele Bündchen.

The second woman had long, dark brown hair, exquisitely beautiful features that were almost otherworldly, a languid demeanor, and a faint smile at the corners of her mouth.

Alexander Ambrosio.

Two Brazilian women.

Li Rui's gaze swept over the two of them.

Gisele Bündchen – the future pillar of Victoria's Secret, and the world's highest-paid supermodel.

Her facial features are indeed somewhat strong, with a well-defined jawline, giving her a powerful and striking beauty.

Alessandra Ambrosio – also a future pillar of Victoria's Secret, but her advantage isn't her legs – to be honest, among all the Victoria's Secret Angels, her leg length is only average to below average – her advantage is her face.

Those eyes seemed to hold hooks, making you want to look at them more than once when they looked at you.

Lisa explained, "Giselle is paired with the underwear line, and Alexander is paired with the jeans line. Both are long-time friends of CK, so they probably don't need much introduction."

Di Natale nodded and looked at Li Rui.

What do you think?

Li Rui was stunned for a moment.

"I?"

"Yes, you!"

Di Natale said, "You have a choice. CK's rule is that the spokesperson has the right to decide their partner. Of course, the premise is that you have a good enough reason to convince Lisa and me."

Li Rui remained silent for three seconds.

His gaze swept back and forth across the two faces, his mind racing.

Gisele Bündchen – she has a perfect figure, but I really can't like her face.

His facial features were too rugged and did not suit his aesthetic.

Alessandra Ambrosio has short legs compared to other Victoria's Secret Angels, but her stunning looks make her especially suitable for close-up shots.

The CK underwear photoshoot featured many close-ups, emphasizing the face over the legs.

But there is another option.

He remembered the wolf-eyed girl who had approached him at Neal Moritz's party a month ago.

Adriana Lima.

Her legs are longer than Ambrose's, her face is more delicate than Gisele Bündchen's, and her temperament is somewhere in between—she has both Bündchen's strength and Ambrose's charm.

And—they slept together.

No, it's not because we slept together.

Li Rui corrected himself in his mind.

It's because of her on-screen presence!

At the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Lima's catwalk was the most aggressive, with that "I'm the most beautiful" aura that CK underwear guys need.

"I need to make a phone call," he said.

Lisa nodded and pointed to the corner.

Li Rui dialed Philip's number and briefly explained the situation.

"Lima?"

Philip's voice sounded somewhat surprised. "She's a step below Gisele Bündchen in terms of status right now, but she definitely suits your face better, so... are you sure?"

"Sure."

"Okay, I'll go talk to them."

Half an hour later, Philip called back.

"It's settled. There's a vacancy in Lima, so they can fly over tomorrow. CK has agreed to the swap—but you'll have to deal with Bündchen yourself."

Li Rui hung up the phone and walked back to the conference room.

"Have you decided?" Lisa asked.

"It's decided."

Li Rui said, "Gone with the jeans, I'm partnering with Adriana Lima."

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

"Lima?" She clearly hadn't expected that name.

"right."

"What about your underwear?"

Li Rui looked at Ambrosio.

"Alessandra Ambrosio, Lingerie Line".

Ambrosio's eyes lit up noticeably.

For models, wearing GG lingerie can actually help highlight their strengths and conceal their weaknesses, a fact that Ambrosio herself is well aware of.

Di Natale nodded, his expression unchanged.

"You have good taste."

He said, "Ambrosio's face is indeed more suited to close-ups."

Only Gisele Bündchen's expression changed.

"etc."

She spoke, her voice turning cold, "So my role has been changed?"

Lisa quickly explained, "Giselle, this is just—"

"I don't need to explain."

Bangchen interrupted her, his gaze piercing Li Rui. "I want to know why."

Li Rui met her gaze, his tone calm.

"Personal aesthetic sense."

Bangchen was taken aback.