Chapter 25
"Um… wait, Xu."
"Um… Xu, stop, please, just for a moment."
On the sofa in Xu Can's apartment, Emma Stone gently pushed him away with a shy but resolute smile.
During their kiss scene, Xu Can had yet to fully get into the mood when Emma interrupted, leaving him momentarily confused.
"What's wrong? Can't breathe?"
"No, I just want to know… what is our relationship now?"
"Dating."
"Do you have any other ideas?"
Emma lowered her head, a bit uneasy. Xu Can genuinely likes Emma Stone, but he isn't yet ready for a deeper commitment. Their current relationship—enjoying time together and supporting each other in Hollywood—is fulfilling for now. He worries that defining their relationship too soon might lead to misunderstandings or unfulfilled expectations.
"As you know, my current focus is on filming new projects," Xu Can said, looking into her eyes. "I'm very happy to be with you, but I can't make any promises until I'm certain of my feelings."
He was being honest, not using empty words. Emma was a little disappointed but understood. In Hollywood, where relationships often fall under media scrutiny and many couples don't last, enjoying the moment might be the best approach.
At least Xu Can wasn't the type to cheat. A high-profile man like him would naturally attract more attention, but Emma could accept this as long as it meant they could enjoy their time together.
Emma's slight annoyance faded as she remembered how even young actresses, like 16-year-old Emma Roberts, had been trying to get close to Xu Can.
"Woo… since we're dating, do I have the right to see other male celebrities?" Emma asked, partly in jest.
Xu Can, with a playful grin, grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. "Dare you?"
"How can you be so domineering?" she teased.
"Let me show you what it means to be domineering," Xu Can replied, leaning in for a more passionate kiss.
Emma laughed, and Xu Can used the remote to draw the electric curtains, dimming the room and setting a warm, intimate ambiance.
In the following days, Emma Stone essentially moved into Xu Can's apartment, leaving her rented place behind. She had her assistant handle her daily needs and stayed close to Xu Can.
While Xu Can and Happy discussed company matters, Emma would often cuddle with him. When Xu Can worked on his script, Emma would prepare fruit and bring it to him, transforming from a playful actress into a nurturing presence. This change was unexpected for Xu Can.
"Aren't you filming? You should have quite a few commitments," Xu Can inquired.
He wasn't annoyed by her presence; in fact, he enjoyed it. Her constant company made the empty house feel more like home. However, Emma needed her own space too. Besides, Xu Can's rigorous exercise routine was taking its toll.
"This movie, School Bunny Girl, isn't one I'm excited about," Emma said, her eyes filled with affection as she listed film offers:
007 Quantum of Solace (Bond Girl)
Twilight Saga (Heroine)
Madagascar 2 (Hippo voiceover)
League of Assassins (Heroine)
Despite her previous status, Emma was now considered for these roles.
"Do you have any suggestions?" she asked. She trusted Xu Can completely and was willing to take his advice on which role to pursue.
"If you want to boost your popularity, The Twilight Saga could be a great choice. Just avoid any kissing scenes!" Xu Can recommended. Twilight had achieved global fame in 2008, with Kristen Stewart's role catapulting her career. Playing the heroine could significantly benefit Emma's career.
"Okay, I'll go with that. No kissing scenes," Emma agreed, leaning contentedly on Xu Can's shoulder.
"What about you? How is your film preparation going?" she asked.
"The filming starts next week. I'd love for you to make a guest appearance. There's a role for you."
"Any kissing scenes? Should we practice beforehand?" Emma asked playfully, biting her lower lip.
"There are more intense scenes than kissing. Let's rehearse those first," Xu Can said with a grin.
Emma's playful comment was met with Xu Can's warm response, and the curtains in his study were drawn once more.
Xu Can's shooting plan was nearly complete. As the first film from his new company, he was taking the project very seriously. Galaxy-Picture, his startup, was a small production company with just a dozen employees handling administration, finance, production coordination, and publicity. The actual shooting would be managed by Columbia Pictures' team.
To ensure smooth collaboration, Xu Can had dinner with Howard Stringer, chairman of Sony Entertainment.
"Everything sounds good. Columbia Pictures is like home for you. We'll only take 20% of the production share, with the rest based on market standards," Stringer said with a generous smile.
The investment structure meant that the producer would receive about 43% of the box office. Sony would handle distribution and theaters, taking their share, while Xu Can would receive the remaining 80% of the producer's share.
"Thank you, Mr. Stringer, for your generosity. I look forward to future collaborations," Xu Can said.
"By the way, are you ready to film Spider-Man 2? We want to capitalize on the success of the first film. It's earned $440 million in North America in just one week!" Stringer said, excited about the prospect of a sequel.
"I plan to finish this movie first and then start Spider-Man 2 immediately," Xu Can replied.
"Great! I'll arrange a meeting with Kevin Feige. He's eager to discuss the direction for Spider-Man 2. You should have a productive conversation with him," Stringer said, thrilled about the sequel.
Xu Can was not only aiming to make Spider-Man 2 a success but was also looking to secure a prominent role in the Marvel universe. With a smile, he took a bite of his steak, feeling as if he was gradually conquering Hollywood's landscape.
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