Reborn in Hollywood

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Understood."

Ali said, "I'll use all my connections to get information. Now, go back and rest—don't forget the media interview for 'Fast & Furious' tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, Li Rui opened the car door.

With the roar of its engines, the Mustang drove out of the studio and merged into the never-ending traffic of Los Angeles.

In the rearview mirror, the 20th Century Fox logo gradually shrank.

Li Rui didn't know what answer he would get in three days, but one thing he was certain of:

Whether or not Lucas chose him, the role of Anakin Skywalker had forever changed him.

Just as the dream world changed him.

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

Back in his apartment, Li Rui began to ponder more about his future development.

The first thing that comes to mind is money.

He wasn't short of money before.

Although Li Rui's salary for Fast & Furious 1 was only 300,000, his popularity will visibly rise with the release of Fast & Furious.

Not to mention that his second role will almost certainly be Anakin Skywalker, and big-budget commercial films are always generous with actor salaries.

If Li Rui lands the role of Skywalker, he can conservatively estimate that he will receive a salary of three million yuan, or even more.

That's basically equivalent to a tenfold improvement!

But that would require his agent, Ali, to handle the negotiations.

It's rare in Hollywood for a newcomer under twenty to receive a million-dollar salary.

The problem is... Li Rui has just too many expenses!

In reality, he can save money by living frugally, but he can use it to buy the abilities and items in the movie, which requires real money.

Tang Laoda's abilities are worth one million.

Anakin's Force talent = ten million.

Jedi training memory set = 500,000.

A full 11.5 million!

Li Rui couldn't help but gasp.

With so much money, if it all comes from filming fees, the hole will only get bigger and bigger.

Therefore, the only solution is to do everything possible to open source!

Leaving aside the Star Wars contract, even if a contract were signed, the advance payment would only be around 30%, barely enough to repay Dom Toretto's debt.

Dior's brand ambassadorship is only worth 500,000 yuan for two years, and it's just an intention expressed by the brand, which is not a solution to their immediate needs.

After much deliberation, Li Rui finally decided to resort to underhanded tactics.

He brought up the control panel and quickly found his target among the available items for purchase.

[Purchaseable Item: Jedi Mind Control - Price: $500,000]

[Description: Creates realistic illusions using the Force, causing the target to have distorted perceptions or understandings. The controlled person will act according to the user's instructions, but cannot go against their fundamental will. Ineffective against those with strong will.]

In Li Rui's view, since he was already heavily in debt, one more debt wouldn't make a difference.

That afternoon and into the evening, Li Rui practiced the Mind Control Technique.

Throughout his cultivation, a question lingered in his mind: In the real world, could he truly utilize the Force?

Li Rui has already purchased Anakin's Force talent, and the Mirage Worm index in his body has skyrocketed from zero to over 20,000—but this is only the "aptitude" granted by the panel.

The Force itself is an extremely idealistic concept.

He was always worried that the eight million had been wasted, and that he couldn't sense the flow of the Force in the real world.

Until he began to truly practice mind control.

It felt like... in complete darkness, suddenly touching something.

It cannot be seen or touched, yet it certainly exists.

Like countless imperceptible tentacles, they spread out from the depths of consciousness, tentatively touching the world around them.

Li Rui closed his eyes and focused his attention on the room next door.

The neighbor's teddy bear is barking—that annoying little thing, it barks at this time every day.

Li Rui extended his Force slowly through the wall, as if covering it with an invisible film.

Call.

stop.

Call.

stop.

Teddy's barking started and stopped suddenly, like he was having a seizure.

It circled around in confusion, seemingly wondering why it suddenly didn't want to bark anymore, and why it suddenly wanted to bark again.

The owner burst out of the bedroom: "Charlie! What's wrong with you?!"

Li Rui withdrew his original power, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

It became.

He continued to try to expand his range of perception.

He couldn't see anything with his naked eye, but he could clearly sense that several apartments around the building had lights on, and he could roughly tell what was going on in those rooms—some people were watching TV, some were cooking, and a couple was arguing.

This ability, similar to "divine consciousness" in online novels, almost captivated Li Rui.

He sat by the window, feeling the Force surge slowly like a tide, gradually spreading outwards. Five meters, ten meters, twenty meters…

His phone suddenly vibrated, interrupting his meditation.

It's Alibaba.

"Raphael, prepare to cheer!"

Li Rui's heart skipped a beat; he had already guessed the outcome.

"Did George call you?"

"It's his producer!"

Ali's voice was so excited it almost cracked, "They decided you would play Skywalker in just half a day! I dare say this is the fastest casting ever for a Hollywood blockbuster! And they were very generous—five million!"

Li Rui closed his eyes and gently exhaled.

Wow!

His tone was so calm that it didn't sound like he had just received the most important role of his life. "It is indeed a very large number."

"Is this all you're going to do?!"

Ali exclaimed in disbelief, "My God, do you know how many people were vying for this role? Every eligible male actor in Hollywood auditioned! You're Anakin Skywalker now, Raphael! You're going to be a legend!"

"I know."

A hint of amusement crept into Li Rui's voice. "When will they start filming?"

"A month from now, mainly considering your participation in the promotional work for 'Fast & Furious.' Rick McCallum specifically mentioned that the production team has hired a swordsmanship master for you, so you'll receive professional training at least three times a week. Swordsmanship! You'll be learning lightsabers, buddy!"

The curve of Li Rui's lips widened.

Sword master?

He recalled the days and nights he spent clumsily using a low-powered training lightsaber to defend against blaster guns.

At that time, he didn't have the Force, and the lightsaber in his hands was just a glowing stick.

Now, he possesses the talents of Anakin Skywalker himself.

It also contains the sword training memories of countless masters of the Jedi Order.

I wonder what kind of expression that so-called "sword master" would have when facing him.

"...In addition, the payment will be made in three installments."

Alibaba also said, "The first payment of 1.5 million will be deposited into your account in a week. Don't forget to check your account then."

"This is so timely."

Li Rui sincerely stated, "I'm really worried about not having enough money."

"Why are you in such a hurry to use the money?"

Alibaba asked suspiciously, "Buy a luxury mansion? Or a sports car?"

"None of those. I'm not interested in any of that."

Li Rui did not disclose his plans to invest in Nasdaq.

Alibaba is a good agent, but he's not exactly one of their own.

He needs a more reliable and discreet source of funds.

This matter cannot be rushed, but we must make plans as early as possible.

After hanging up the phone, Li Rui called his brother Philip.

"Are you seated?"

"What happened? Did you get into trouble?"

From Philip's end came the rustling sound of documents being turned over. "Let's make this clear first, although I've already resigned from my job at the law firm, if you really get into a lawsuit, I can help—though I'm better at corporate law—"

"I am Anakin Skywalker."

There was a three-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Then came a scream.

"Choking to death! Choking to death! Choking to death!"

Philip's voice rose at least an octave, "I knew it! I fucking knew it! My dear brother, you're going to be the most powerful man in Hollywood, I guarantee it!"

Li Rui held the phone further away, waiting for the noise on the other end to subside before bringing it back to his ear.

"Come on, Philip, let's get down to business. Is there any hope for a price increase for that Dior sunglasses brand ambassador?"

"You mean the payment?"

Philip, still breathing heavily, exclaimed, "Of course! With George Lucas and Star Wars, I guarantee I can double the current amount!"

So that's one million over two years?

Li Rui quickly calculated in his mind.

It's still not enough, but it's better than nothing.

"If other high-end luxury brands approach me, don't forget to help me negotiate a price that matches my status."

"Leave it to me."

Philip paused, his tone suddenly softening, "Go see your mother when you have time. She misses you and was talking about you to me last week."

Li Rui remained silent for a moment.

"understood."

"Don't just say 'okay,' just tell me which day you're going, and I'll arrange a time to go together."

"You go about your business," Li Rui said. "I'll go by myself."

Philip chuckled softly on the other end of the phone: "Okay, remember to bring flowers, Mom likes white ones."

After hanging up the phone, Li Rui thought for a moment, then drove his pearl-white Mustang onto the Pacific Coast Highway.

Mother Madeline lives in Malibu.

Li Rui didn't like it there much—it was too quiet, giving off a sense of alienation from the noise and bustle.

He preferred the lively atmosphere of San Marino, the familiar accents of people haggling in the Chinese supermarkets, and the aroma of chili peppers wafting from the Chinese restaurants.

But it must be admitted that the scenery is beautiful when driving along this coastal highway.

The Pacific Ocean stretched to the horizon on the left, sunlight shattering into countless gold foils and sprinkling on the sea. Li Rui lowered the car window, and the salty sea breeze rushed in, ruffling his hair.

He stopped his car in front of a flower shop.

"For your mother?"

The shop owner was an elderly woman with gray hair, who watched him hesitate between roses and lilies.

"Hmm." Li Rui paused for a moment, "She likes white."

"White roses or white lilies?"

"...I want both."

As he walked out of the flower shop carrying a full bouquet of flowers, the old lady leaned out of the window and said, "Your mother must be very beautiful!"

Li Rui turned around and smiled: "Yes."

Madeleine Baker Lee’s residence is situated on a gentle slope in Malibu, just a five-minute walk from the beach.

It was a modern white building with simple lines, and large floor-to-ceiling windows framed the sea view like a giant oil painting.

The courtyard is planted with lavender and olive trees, and a gravel path winds its way to the front door.

Li Rui parked his car in the visitor's parking space and walked up the steps carrying the bouquet of flowers.