Reborn in Hollywood

Li Rui, watching from the side, couldn't help but ask.

"How long has it been since you had a proper meal?"

Kate swallowed a mouthful of porridge.

"From the moment I came into this world."

Li Rui was taken aback.

"A few days?"

"A full two weeks!"

Kate said, "This stupid woman named Kate eats only salads, boiled chicken breasts and whole wheat bread to maintain her figure. Those things are even worse than what I ate when I was still human 600 years ago. I just can't swallow them."

Li Rui felt speechless.

"So what have you been eating these days?"

Kate thought for a moment.

"Hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs."

Li Rui: "..."

Kate couldn't help but laugh as she ate.

"This must be the happiest meal I've had since I came into this world."

Li Rui couldn't help but shake his head.

Kate, having finished eating and drinking, put down her fork and looked at him.

"Honey".

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Li Rui's lips curled up. "What are you thanking me for?"

Kate answered without hesitation.

"Thank you for still being here."

The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

Then Kate stood up, walked around the table, and went to him.

She lowered her head and spoke to Li Rui in a low voice.

"What do you plan to do next?"

Li Rui gazed into those deep blue eyes.

"What? What should we do?"

Kate bent down, whispered in his ear, and reached down with one hand.

"I thought I could give birth to your child in that world, but I didn't. Now I don't want to wait any longer..."

Kate suddenly tightened her grip.

Li Rui gasped in shock.

"Kate—"

"I don't care about your other women, whether it's Jessica Alba or those two little models, I don't care. I'm just an ordinary person in this world, but I need you."

She paused.

"You need me too."

Li Rui immediately stood up and picked Kate up in his arms.

Kate propped herself up and kissed him.

That night, Kate stayed at Li Rui's apartment.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Li Rui opened his eyes.

Kate lay beside him, fast asleep.

Her hair was scattered on the pillow, her breathing was even, and there was a slight smile on her lips.

Li Rui quietly got up, went into the kitchen, and began to make breakfast.

Fried eggs, bacon, toast, and a glass of hot milk.

Just as I put breakfast on the table, a cell phone rang in the living room.

Li Rui walked over, picked up Kate's phone, and saw that the caller ID showed an unknown number.

He hesitated for a moment, but still chose to answer the call.

"Hello, Mommy?"

A young girl's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Who are you……"

Li Rui was stunned for a moment.

"My name is Lily. I'm looking for my mommy."

Li Rui took a deep breath.

"Wait a moment."

He rushed into the bedroom with his phone and shook Kate awake.

"Kate, your daughter is on the phone."

Kate groggily opened her eyes and took the phone.

"Lily?"

After listening to a few words, her expression changed.

"Okay, Mommy will be right back. You stay home and behave."

After hanging up the phone, she looked at Li Rui, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

"I have to go back."

Li Rui nodded.

"I know."

Kate threw back the covers and began to get dressed.

"Lily is home alone; the nanny is off today, and I'm worried about her."

Li Rui looked at her.

"Your daughter?"

Kate nodded.

"This body's daughter, Lily Mo Sheen, Michael Sheen's daughter."

She paused.

"I know this isn't my child, but... she's been calling me 'Mommy' for half a month, I can't just ignore her."

Li Rui smiled.

"I see."

Kate finished dressing, walked to the door, and glanced back at him.

"Raphael, I..."

Li Rui interrupted her.

"No rush, you go back and be with your daughter first."

Kate walked over and kissed him on the cheek.

"wait for me."

The door closed.

Li Rui stood there for a long time before finally looking away.

He had known for a long time that Kayla—or rather, Serena—had a strong maternal instinct.

Just by watching the original movie, you can see that even though the daughter wasn't born from Serena's pregnancy, there was still a strong bond between them.

Therefore, Li Rui was not at all surprised that Kate cared so much about this "daughter".

He started clearing the table, then took a shower and changed into clean clothes.

It was already 10 a.m. when I walked out of the apartment.

Li Rui took out his phone and called Jessica.

After a few rings, Jessica answered.

"Raphael? You're back?"

Li Rui listened to the noisy background noise on the other end.

"Where are you?"

"On set".

Jessica said, "I just started a new movie, and we've been filming in Europe for the past few days."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow.

"What play?"

"A romantic film with an artistic flair."

Jessica's voice was tinged with laughter, "Don't worry, there won't be any kissing scenes, not even any misalignments."

Li Rui smiled.

"This was your own choice. If a reporter asks you about it in the future, don't say that I forced you to do it."

Jessica chuckled softly.

"Wait for me, I love you."

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, Li Rui stood by the roadside, watching the traffic flow.

Jessica is not home.

Kate went back to be with her daughter.

He suddenly realized that he had nothing to do today.

Just then, the phone rang again.

It's Philip.

"Where is Raphael?"

Li Rui gave the address.

Philip said.

"Wait, I'm coming to pick you up. It's urgent."

Twenty minutes later, Philip's car pulled up to the side of the road.

Li Rui got on the bus.

"What is it?"

Philip handed over a document.

"The Dior perfume endorsement is worth five million a year. It's a rush job, and the shooting period is exactly one and a half days in Los Angeles. Luckily, Ali told me you took leave to come back, otherwise you would have missed it."

Li Rui opened the document and glanced at it.

"Dior perfume? Didn't I sign sunglasses before?"

"Yes, but this time it's perfume."

Philippe explained, "The male model who was originally scheduled to come was injured and couldn't make it. Dior's top management held a meeting and decided to test your appeal, since the sales of the sunglasses you endorsed had increased by 30 percent compared to the same period last year."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow.

"Who is your partner?"

Philip glanced at him.

Charlize Theron.

Upon hearing this, Li Rui's heart stirred.

Charlize Theron?

An Oscar-winning actress—though it will take another year to win—a South African diamond, a top Hollywood goddess.

He remembered seeing the Dior J'adore perfume GG in his previous life.

Although Charlize Theron was past her prime at that time, her charisma was still undeniable.

What now?

In 2003, Charlize Theron was only 27 years old, the prime of her life.

"I'll take this order."

Philip nodded.

I knew you'd answer.

At 2 p.m. that day, Li Rui arrived at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank. Dior and Warner Bros. are strategic partners, and whenever GG is filmed in Los Angeles, the studio is always Warner Bros. Studios.

Dior staff were already waiting.

A woman in her thirties came up and introduced herself as the person in charge of this GG event.

"Li, thank you for coming to the rescue."

She said with a smile, "The male model we originally booked got injured, and we couldn't find a suitable replacement at the last minute. In the end, the higher-ups unanimously decided to ask you to give it a try."

Li Rui exchanged a few polite words.

The person in charge led him inside while explaining things.

"The concept for this GG is very simple: you play a young artist creating in your studio, and Charlize plays your muse. The whole GG is about an ambiguous, hazy, and romantic atmosphere."

Li Rui nodded.

"clear."

Stepping into the photography studio, it was already set up.

An antique-style art studio, with several oil paintings hanging on the walls and painting tools scattered on the floor.

The lighting was set very softly, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Several staff members were setting up the equipment. When they saw Li Rui enter, they all looked up at him.

Li Rui scanned the area but didn't see Charlize.

"Hasn't Miss Theron arrived yet?" he asked.

The person in charge glanced at the watch.

"It should be soon; she's always very punctual."

As soon as he finished speaking, the studio door opened.

A woman walked in.

Blonde hair, fair skin, blue eyes, 1.77 meters tall.

She wore a simple white shirt with black trousers and flat shoes—given her height, if she wore high heels, even Li Rui, who is 1.85 meters tall, would have a hard time matching her.

She walked in simply, without heavy makeup or jewelry, yet the lights in the entire photography studio seemed to brighten her up.

Charlize Theron.

As Li Rui looked at her, a thought flashed through his mind—she's ten times more beautiful in person than in photos!

Charlize walked over, her gaze sweeping across Li Rui's face before looking away.

"Hello there."

Her tone was indifferent: "I am Charlize Theron."

Li Rui extended his hand.

"Raphael Lee".

Charlize took his hand, then released it with a light touch.

That feeling is like touching something you don't really like.

Li Rui couldn't help but frown. What kind of attitude was this?

He recalled that he had never met Charlize before and that the two had no connection whatsoever.

Why was she so cold?

They didn't even bother to hide it.

The person in charge began to explain the details of GG. Charlize listened, nodding occasionally, without glancing at Li Rui once.

Li Rui remained silent, focusing his attention on GG's filming.

Charlize's attitude changed drastically when they filmed the game "GG".

Once she stands in front of the camera, she seems to instantly get into character.

His eyes, expressions, and body language were all just right.

She perfectly captured that languid and dreamy feeling.

Li Rui was not to be outdone.

Although he has never filmed a perfume movie, his performance in front of the camera has been honed over time.

The two standing together create a striking visual effect.

The photographer was having a great time taking pictures, constantly pressing the shutter.

"That's it! That's the feeling! Charlize, come closer! Raphael, look into her eyes!"

We took a break after filming for two hours.

Li Rui sat on one side drinking water, while Charlize sat on the other side, at least twenty meters apart.

The person in charge came over and sat down next to Li Rui.

"Li, how are you feeling?"

Li Rui nodded.

"good."

The person in charge hesitated for a moment and lowered their voice.

"Li, there's something I want to tell you."

Li Rui looked at her and asked.

"What is it?"

The person in charge glanced at Charlize and lowered his voice.

"Charlize's attitude today wasn't directed at you, it was at that person... her boyfriend."