Reborn in Hollywood

The next day, the two went to shoot the cover of Teen People magazine.

This is a magazine specifically for teenagers, and it has a considerable circulation.

The photographer had them stand in front of a white background, sometimes putting their arms around each other's shoulders, sometimes gazing deeply into each other's eyes, and sometimes turning their backs to each other as if they didn't know each other.

Halfway through the shoot, the photographer had a sudden inspiration.

"Jessica, hug him from behind."

Jessica did as she was told, wrapping her arms around Li Rui's waist from behind and resting her chin on his shoulder.

The photographer then gave directions.

"Raphael, look down at her."

Li Rui lowered his head.

The two locked eyes.

The shutter clicked away in a continuous stream.

After taking the photos, the photographer looked through the viewfinder with a satisfied expression.

On the third day, the two went for an interview with Access Hollywood.

This is a national entertainment news program with a significant influence.

The host asked them if dancing was difficult.

Li Rui answered honestly.

"It's quite difficult. I practiced for half a month, jumping from morning till night every day. I felt like my legs were about to break."

Jessica nodded in agreement.

"I'm a little better than him. I've been dancing since I was little, so I have some foundation."

The host looked at Jessica.

"Did you teach him?"

Jessica thought for a moment.

"I taught him, but he doesn't really listen to me."

Li Rui refuted this.

"Who said that? I've always been willing to listen to other people's advice, okay?"

"You won't listen! I told you to take smaller steps, but you insist on taking big strides."

That's because your legs are short.

Jessica slapped his arm.

"Say it again?"

Li Rui raised his hands in surrender.

"I was wrong."

The host and the audience members couldn't stop laughing.

"Do you two usually act like this?"

Jessica paused for a moment.

"What is it like?"

"Just like that, playing around and bickering."

Jessica glanced at Li Rui.

"More or less."

The host pressed for an answer.

"So what exactly is your relationship?"

Li Rui and Jessica exchanged a glance.

Then they open their mouths at the same time.

"friend."

"good friend."

The host gave him a knowing look.

On the fourth day, the two went for an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

This is a reputable media outlet, so the questions aren't too gossipy; they're more about the film itself.

But the reporter couldn't help but ask a question.

"You two have amazing chemistry. Is it natural, or is it something you've practiced?"

Li Rui thought about it.

"Both are true. Jessica is a good actress, and it's very easy to act with her."

Jessica thought about it too.

"Raphael is very focused. When he acts, his eyes are only on the plot and his immersion. This makes it easier for his co-stars to get into character as well."

The reporter nodded.

"So your relationship is more about work-related understanding?"

The two exchanged another glance.

"That's one way to put it." *2

After saying that, the two of them laughed at the same time.

What did the reporter jot down in his notebook?

On the fifth day, the two went to a fan meeting.

Hundreds of teenagers crowded into a shopping mall, screaming their names.

The two stood on the stage, answering questions from fans.

A little girl wearing glasses raised her hand.

"Raphael, do you like Jessica?"

The audience immediately fell silent.

Li Rui glanced at the little girl, then at Jessica.

Then he laughed.

"Of course I like her. She's a great actress and a great friend."

The little girl pressed for more information.

"Just friends?"

Li Rui shrugged.

What do you think?

The little girl was stumped by the question.

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience.

Another little girl raised her hand.

"Jessica, do you think Raphael is handsome?"

Jessica glanced at Li Rui.

"It's alright."

The audience booed loudly.

Jessica laughed.

"Just kidding, he's handsome, but don't tell him, he'll get arrogant."

Li Rui said from the side.

"I've heard you."

Jessica glared at him.

"Even if you hear it, you have to pretend you didn't hear it."

Li Rui readily accepted good advice.

"Okay, I didn't hear anything."

The audience burst into laughter.

On the sixth day, the two were interviewed by Billboard.

Because the movie features many dance scenes, the soundtrack has also garnered significant attention.

The reporter asked them what their favorite song was.

Jessica sang a slow song.

"That song, 'You Got Me'? We filmed that scene all night long, we were exhausted, but the result was great."

Li Rui sang a fast song.

"Get Loose, I can't help but want to dance whenever that song plays."

The reporter asked them if they danced together in private.

Both of them shook their heads at the same time.

"Won't."

"Absolutely not."

The reporter was curious.

Why?

Jessica looked at Li Rui.

"Because he doesn't jump as well as me, he'll step on my feet."

Li Rui refuted this.

That's because you always beat the beat.

"I don't."

"You have."

"I don't!"

The two of them started arguing again, exchanging words back and forth.

The reporter watched with great interest.

On the last day, a small event.

A small media event at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

A dozen media outlets sat below, while the two individuals sat on the stage for the final round of questions and answers.

A reporter stood up.

"Raphael, Jessica, is there anything you want to say to each other?"

Li Rui thought for a moment, then turned to look at Jessica.

"Thank you for spending this week with me. Although you talk a lot and do a lot, I feel much more at ease with you by my side."

Jessica paused for a moment, then smiled and lightly punched Li Rui twice.

Are you praising me or insulting me?

"Yes, we have them all."

Jessica gave a soft snort, then turned to look at him.

"Thank you for taking care of me this week. Although you can be annoying at times, it was a pleasure working with you."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow.

"bother?"

"bother!"

"What's bothering you?"

"Everything is annoying!"

The two looked at each other and then laughed at the same time.

Applause erupted from the audience, but a group of reporters felt like they'd been force-fed dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), with two recent breakups almost having a stress reaction—they vomited.

With this, the publicity campaign has officially concluded.

That very night, the two returned home and collapsed onto their beds.

Jessica closed her eyes.

"My leg is broken."

Li Rui also closed his eyes.

"Go to sleep, you'll feel better after a good night's sleep."

Jessica rolled over and leaned on his shoulder.

"But it seems pretty worth it, don't you think?"

Li Rui hummed in agreement.

"Of course, I have no doubt about that."

My phone suddenly rang.

Li Rui answered the call and saw that it was from Ali.

"Raphael, the box office figures for the fourth week of Star Wars: Episode II is out."

Li Rui opened his eyes.

"How many?"

"3.58 million in North America, 7.49 million globally."

Li Rui was stunned for a moment.

7.49 million?

This is nearly 100 million more expensive than the original!

Ali continued speaking.

"The North American run will last another month, and the global run will last another three to four months. Fox estimates that the final global box office should reach around $7.7 million."

Li Rui remained silent, after all, it was nearly 300 million less than the previous work, which he didn't think was something to be proud of.

Ali added another sentence.

"Fox seems quite satisfied, and so does Lucasfilm. They asked me to ask you if you'd be interested in discussing a third film?"

Upon hearing this, Li Rui immediately sat up.

"What do you mean?"

"They're worried you'll ask for an exorbitant amount."

Ali put it bluntly, "After all, you only signed a contract for one film initially, and the third one has to be renegotiated—it seems someone is destined to be held responsible for this foolish decision."

Li Rui smiled.

"Ali, tell Lucasfilm that I have no intention of abandoning them after using them. I will make a third film, and the salary can be paid at market price, but you must not try to lower the price."

Ali was taken aback for a moment.

"Are you sure? This is the last Star Wars prequel. If you want a high price, they'll definitely have to pay it."

Li Rui shook his head.

"There's no need. They've been very kind to me, and we might still have dealings with each other in the future."

What Li Rui didn't tell Ali was that the Star Wars series would be rebooted in about ten years.

Even if he can no longer portray Darth Vader in stories decades later, he might still be able to make a cameo appearance.

The universes of Star Wars VII, VIII, and IX contain a lot of good stuff.

Alibaba considered it for a moment.

"Okay, I'll relay your words verbatim."

After hanging up the phone, Jessica watched him from the side.

"You really don't plan to ask for more?"

Li Rui thought about it.

"The Star Wars series has given me more than just money. Fame, connections, and opportunities are more valuable than money. I've already taken enough, and there's no need to squeeze out the last bit."

Jessica stared at him with wide eyes.

Sometimes I really don't understand you.

"What do you not understand?"

"I don't understand whether you're smart or stupid."

Li Rui smiled.

"Whether I'm smart or stupid, I won't suffer any losses."

At that moment, there was still one sentence in his mind that he didn't say: Who said that Lucasfilm had to be handed over to that big black rat? Why can't I be the one to buy it?

Suddenly, Jessica flipped over and straddled Li Rui, her eyes bright and clear, but her words were full of lewd and inappropriate language.

"You should hand in your homework now—I suddenly think the phrase 'hand in homework' is very well used, don't you think?"

Helpless, Li Rui could only lie down in a "Tai" shape, saying, "It's all up to you. Do whatever you want."

Jessica then smiled with satisfaction and bent down...

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

The day after the promotional campaign for "Step Up" ended, Li Rui and Jessica lay on the sofa all day, neither of them wanting to move.

Jessica suddenly rolled over and lay on his chest, her eyes sparkling.

"Raphael".

"Um?"

Let's go on a trip for a few days.

Li Rui opened his eyes, suddenly becoming interested.

"Where to?"

Jessica thought for a moment.

"Let's go on vacation, find a place where nobody knows us, and really relax."

Li Rui became interested.

"That's a good idea."

He sat up. "Where do you want to go? Europe? Asia? Or stay in the United States?"

Jessica shook her head.

"America won't work, there are paparazzi everywhere. Europe won't work either, there are plenty of people who know you there."

Li Rui thought about it.

"What about Asia? I'm not that popular there yet. Let's find a small island in Southeast Asia, just the two of us."

Jessica blinked.

"Southeast Asia……"

She suddenly laughed, a sly laugh.

"I have a better idea."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Jessica leaned close to his ear and whispered.

"In Mexico, there's a place called Paradise Island where you can rent the entire island for private use."

Li Rui was stunned for a moment.

"Put the entire island on your own?"

"right."

Jessica nodded. "There were only the two of us on the whole island. No waiters, no staff, no paparazzi, nothing at all."

Her eyes were shining.

"We can do whatever we want. Run on the beach, swim in the sea, dance in the moonlight... or do nothing at all, just lie there and sunbathe."

Jessica paused, her voice becoming low and soft.

"Besides, no one will hear us..."