Reborn in Hollywood

[System update in progress...]

[Host ability fusion detected as complete]

[Raphael Li (Li Rui) Attribute Update]

[Constitution: 1.9 → 2.0]

[Spirit: 2.5 → 2.8]

[Skill List Updated]

Force-related (Star Wars universe):

Anakin Skywalker's Force Talents

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Vampire (Underworld)

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Wuxia (Heroic World - New):

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Fighting games:

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Language-related:

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Lifestyle category:

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[Current Debt Overview]

I. Purchased Projects (Star Wars World)

Dominic Toretto's total assets: $1,000,000 (already repaid)

……

Broken Sword's handwritten inscription. The character "Sword": US$1,500,000

[Loan already repaid]

$1,000,000 (Debt repayment for the Fast & Furious franchise)

[Remaining Debt]

$167,000,000

[Next repayment deadline]

《星球大战前传Ⅱ：複製人的进攻》上映前（2002年8月16日）需偿还剩余债务的97%（162，000，000美元），否则将随机剥夺一项已购能力。

[System Notes]

Congratulations, host, you have obtained the [Broken Sword Handwritten Sword Character]. This item can be hung in your residence. Daily meditation will slowly increase your sword comprehension speed.

When used in conjunction with the [Sword of Intent], it can create a virtuous cycle between the consumption of mental energy and the concentration of sword intent.

Congratulations, host! The Force and Sword Intent are slowly merging within you. This cross-world power system fusion may give rise to unique abilities in the future.

Seeing this, Li Rui took a deep breath and waved his hand, making the panel disappear from his sight.

The improvement of physical attributes is not achieved overnight, but gradually.

Li Rui had already noticed this after the previous few dream worlds ended.

From his own experience, it would take anywhere from three to five days to a maximum of ten days.

He casually picked up the "Broken Sword Handwritten Sword Character" that had appeared out of nowhere beside his bed and put it in the bedside table.

Jessica's villa isn't very big, so it's unlikely that there would be a separate meditation room.

Li Rui plans to buy a larger villa after the promotional campaign for Star Wars: Episode II is over.

In a place like Los Angeles, as long as you have money, you can buy any kind of house, it's just a matter of price.

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August 5, New York JFK Airport.

As Li Rui walked out of the passage, he immediately saw the staff who had come to pick him up.

She was a young woman in her early twenties, wearing a Star Wars-themed T-shirt, holding a sign that read "Raphael Lee," and standing on tiptoe, peering into the crowd.

"Raphael!"

Seeing him come out, the girl's eyes lit up. "Over here!"

Li Rui walked over and took the bottled water she offered.

"Has the rest of you arrived?"

"Mr. McGrey arrived yesterday, Miss Natalie will arrive this afternoon, and Mr. Lucas will fly over tomorrow. All the main cast and crew will be here before the premiere."

Li Rui nodded and got into the car with her.

The car drove toward Manhattan, and the street scenes outside the window rushed past.

The girl, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and handed him a folder.

"Mr. Li, this is the schedule for the next week. Please take a look."

Li Rui opened the folder and glanced at it.

Good guy!

August 6: Morning live interview on "Good Morning America", noon recording of "Today Show", afternoon cover shoot for "Entertainment Weekly", evening interview on FOX News.

August 7: Morning interview with The New York Times, noon fan meeting, afternoon ABC radio interview, evening crew dinner.

August 8: Outdoor promotional activities will be held at Rockefeller Center throughout the day, with an estimated 8 movie fans in attendance.

August 9: Fly to Chicago in the morning, record "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in the afternoon—the highest-rated show in the United States.

August 10: Chicago fan meeting, then fly back to New York in the evening.

August 11: Premiere rehearsal, final group interview with the media.

August 12: World premiere.

Li Rui closed the folder, leaned back in his chair, and took a deep breath.

This isn't a promotional period; this is clearly a triathlon.

The young woman glanced at him in the rearview mirror and asked cautiously, "Mr. Li, aren't we in too much of a rush?"

Li Rui shook his head.

"It's okay, I'm used to it."

If even he is complaining, how are the others supposed to survive?

The car drove into Midtown Manhattan and stopped in front of a hotel.

The hotel isn't large, but it's in a great __cpLocation, just two blocks from Rockefeller Center.

"Mr. Li, this is a hotel arranged by the film crew. Your room is on the top floor, next to Mr. McGregor's."

Li Rui got out of the car and took the room key.

As the elevator went up, he suddenly remembered something.

Natalie will arrive this afternoon.

He glanced at his watch—it was 11 a.m., and he still had time to rest.

I pushed open the door, and my luggage had already been brought in.

Li Rui washed his face, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes.

I mentally went over the schedule for the next week.

Good Morning America, Today Show, Entertainment Weekly, The Oprah Winfrey Show... each one more prestigious than the last.

He recalled the Hollywood stars' promotional interviews he had seen in his previous life; they were all smiling and chatting, seemingly very relaxed.

Now he knows it was all an act.

During the actual promotional period, I was exhausted like a dog.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Li Rui was awakened by a knock on the door.

He opened the door, and Ewan McGregor stood there, beaming.

"Raffi! Let's go eat!"

Li Rui rubbed his eyes.

"What time is it?"

"It's three o'clock. You weren't sleeping the whole time, were you?"

Ivan looked surprised. "The weather's so nice in New York, you're sleeping?"

Li Rui rolled his eyes.

"I spent six hours on a plane!"

"But we still need to eat."

Ivan pulled him outside, saying, "I know a restaurant that serves really authentic Italian food, and it's nearby."

The two went downstairs, and Ivan led the way, winding their way into a small alley before finally stopping at a restaurant that looked quite stylish.

The restaurant wasn't big, but it was decorated very nicely, with Italian landscape paintings hanging on the walls and red and white checkered tablecloths on the tables.

"I eat at this restaurant every time I come to New York."

Ivan sat down and expertly ordered the food, saying, "Much better than those Michelin-starred restaurants."

Li Rui leaned back in his chair, looking out at the alleyway.

"Natalie will arrive this afternoon."

Ivan nodded.

"I know, George will be arriving tomorrow too."

He looked at Li Rui, his smile meaningful, "How are things between you and her?"

Li Rui raised an eyebrow.

"What, how is it?"

Stop pretending.

Ivan leaned forward. "Back on set, you think I didn't notice what was going on between you two?"

Li Rui didn't say anything.

Ivan continued.

"She's been talking about you for months. Every time she calls me, she subtly asks what you've been up to lately. Do you think I didn't realize?"

Li Rui chuckled.

That's her business.

Seeing that Li Rui really didn't want to talk about it, Ivan simply stopped asking.

"Okay, I won't get involved."

He raised his glass. "But I have to remind you—don't cause any trouble during the promotional period, George's watching."

Li Rui clinked glasses with him, completely ignoring the fact that he was a few months away from the legal drinking age.

"Know."

After dinner, the two returned to the hotel.

As soon as I entered the lobby, I saw a group of people gathered at the entrance, with flashes going off everywhere.

Natalie has arrived.

She stood in the center of the crowd, wearing a simple white dress, her hair loose, and waving to the reporters with that standard celebrity smile.

Her smile faltered for a moment when she saw Li Rui enter.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he looked away.

Li Rui stood on the periphery of the crowd, watching her deal with the reporters.

Her assistant stood in the way, saying, "Thank you everyone, Natalie needs to rest," while pushing people out.

The reporters took enough photos and gradually dispersed.

Natalie turned around, her gaze finally landing on Li Rui.

Eyes facing each other.

Ivan coughed lightly beside him.

"Um... I'll go up first."

He slipped away very quickly.

Li Rui walked over and stood in front of Natalie.

"have not seen you for a long time."

Natalie looked at him, and the smile on her face vanished.

"Six months."

Li Rui was stunned for a moment.

"What?"

"They haven't contacted me for six months; the last text message was in February."

Natalie's voice was calm, but Li Rui could sense that this woman was holding back her anger.

Li Rui didn't seem to care and smiled slightly.

"I'm filming a movie."

"I know."

Natalie stared at him, her eyes blazing. "Filming Fast & Furious, The Matrix, Step Up, then living with Jessica Alba, appearing in gossip magazines... Oh, and I think there were two lingerie models too?"

Li Rui didn't say anything.

Natalie took a step forward, getting closer to him.

"Do you know how I've gotten through the past six months?"

Li Rui asked casually.

"What do you want to hear?"

Natalie paused for a moment.

Li Rui continued speaking.

"Say sorry? Say I miss you? Say it was all just an act?" He paused. "Would you believe those words if I said them?"

Natalie gritted her teeth, then suddenly laughed without warning.

"I don't believe it, but I still want to hear it."

Li Rui raised his eyebrows.

"What are you doing...?"

"Being a jerk."

Natalie interrupted him, "I know, you don't need to remind me."

She turned and walked toward the elevator.

"Come up with me."

Li Rui stood still.

The elevator doors opened, Natalie stepped inside, pressed the open button, and looked at him.

"What are you waiting for? Do I have to beg you?"

Li Rui shook his head, walked over, and entered the elevator.

The door closed.

As the elevator went up, Natalie suddenly leaned on his shoulder.

She said softly, "You owe me six months."

Li Rui leaned down and whispered in her ear, "How do you want me to pay you back?"

Natalie looked up and met Li Rui's gaze.

What do you think?

That night, Li Rui did not return to his room.

The next morning, when Li Rui woke up, sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.

Natalie lay beside him, fast asleep, her hair spread out on the pillow.

He glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table—seven o'clock in the morning.

The first interview is at nine o'clock.

He quietly got up, went into the bathroom, and took a shower.

When he came out, Natalie was already awake and was leaning against the headboard looking at him.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes, there's an interview at nine o'clock. Your interview is... in the afternoon?"

Natalie nodded.

Li Rui finished dressing, walked to the door, and glanced back at her.

Natalie leaned against the headboard, the blanket slipping down to her waist, revealing her smooth shoulders.

"Wait for me tonight."

After saying that, Li Rui pushed open the door and went out.