**Chapter 146: The Agreement with Winona**

"These are for you!"

"Thank you, come on in!"

Gwen took the flowers and led him into the small living room.

The living room was luxuriously and exquisitely decorated, with various brand-name furniture and carpets, dazzling colorful lights, a starry ceiling, and cool-toned walls, giving it a high-tech feel.

Richard looked around and then sat on the sofa.

"What did you do this afternoon?"

Gwen came over with a cup of coffee.

"I went to a psychiatric hospital with Winona."

"What for?"

"For the movie. My new character has some psychological issues. The director thinks my image is too positive and my performance lacks impact. Winona thought it was necessary for me to experience something negative, so we went to the psychiatric hospital for some immersion."

Richard shook his head. Given his situation, he didn't need that kind of immersion, but seeing Winona's enthusiasm, he didn't refuse.

"What's your relationship with her in the movie? Is she trying to seduce you?"

Gwyneth laughed.

"No, Winona is the producer. She values this movie a lot and wants me to perform well."

"I get it. She wants to win an Oscar."

Gwyneth smiled softly and leaned on his shoulder.

"Yes, she's been nominated twice and has pretty good acting skills, so it's reasonable for her to want an Oscar."

But thinking about the information, Richard knew her plan would fall through. The award would go to Julie instead.

The last time he checked, their relationship was still good. Who knows how it will be after this collaboration?

"I don't care about the Oscars at all."

Gwyneth shrugged, looking indifferent.

"Really?"

Richard lifted her chin and asked. This year's Oscars were held in early March, and Gwyneth was nominated, but Cameron Diaz won the Best Actress award.

"Yes, let me show you something good."

Gwyneth flipped her hair and took a thick stack of newspapers and magazines from the rack. There were The Sun, The Herald, The American Express, Newsweek, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly, mostly entertainment newspapers.

"After the Oscars, many newspapers reported on it. The most controversial topic was Diaz winning the Oscar."

"99% of the news reports said she didn't deserve the award, that it was the most unworthy Best Actress in Oscar history. Haha, you know how happy I was when I saw these news reports?"

Gwyneth sat down happily, opened an issue of Entertainment Weekly, and started reading.

This section mainly discussed the selection of the Best Actress at this year's Oscars.

It said that Cameron Diaz's win was surprising. Although her acting was good, she was far from being an Oscar Best Actress.

Compared to the other two nominees, Gwyneth and Cate Blanchett, Diaz had a significant gap.

The report sympathized with Gwyneth and Blanchett, stating that their performances were excellent and they were the most likely to win, but Diaz won due to her PR efforts.

The article also criticized the Oscar Academy, saying that many judges accepted bribes from the Weinstein brothers and voted for Diaz, calling it a disgrace in Oscar history.

The article ended with "The golden statuette is fading."

"Every time I see these news, I feel that giving up the Golden Globe and Oscar was the right decision. I haven't won any movie awards before, even worse than Diaz."

"If I suddenly won an Oscar, many people would criticize me, saying I didn't deserve it. Just thinking about the pressure is overwhelming."

Gwyneth threw away the magazine and lay back on his lap.

"Now I feel very relaxed and happy!"

"You did well. The Oscar statuette is something everyone in the industry dreams of. You had the chance to win it but gave it up. That takes a lot of courage."

Richard gently said, stroking her golden hair.

"Yes, you gave me the courage. When I decided to give it up, I thought of you, your feelings, whether you'd be angry or happy. Do you believe that?"

"I believe you."

"Is there a reward then?"

Gwyneth blinked and smiled.

"How about a future Oscar?"

Richard raised his eyebrows.

"No, I just want you!"

"Wait, I need your help with something."

"What?"

Gwyneth asked curiously.

"Help me run lines. If I don't perform well, I'll be kicked out of the crew tomorrow. That would be so embarrassing."

Richard took out a script.

"Haha, really?"

Gwyneth took the script and looked at it. "Wow, there are love scenes, two of them. How about we combine practice with rewards?"

"Be serious, we have plenty of time."

Richard patted her butt and pulled her up.

"Alright, this is also quite fun."

Gwyneth kissed him and stood opposite him.

"Richard, you can treat me as Susanna. Let's be serious."

"Okay!"

Richard nodded slightly, starting to prepare his emotions.

This character was an ordinary young artist, a bit gloomy. After a one-night stand with Susanna, he liked her and even considered running away with her.

The role had few scenes. Compared to the con artist, playboy, teacher, and rookie detective he had played before, this wasn't the most difficult.

The challenging part was that "Girl, Interrupted" had a stronger artistic flavor and was gloomier than "Murder" and "Genius." His acting style needed to match the crew, which was a real test of his skills.

Richard stood quietly for a while, recalling some past events. From the chaotic Bronx to the dark orphanage and the violent underground boxing ring, he had experienced worse things than those women in the psychiatric hospital.

But he didn't want to dwell on the past or live with a heavy mental burden. Gradually, he learned to let go. To Winona, his heart seemed 'empty,' like an innocent person.

Richard squinted slightly, a cold smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Richard, ready?"

"Yes!"

"Scene 128, take 1, action!"

"Have you ever thought about dying?"

On set, in a dim bedroom, the bedside lamp emitted a faint yellow light. Winona asked softly, resting on a pillow.

"Yes, many of us have thought about it at some point."

Richard lay beside her, with long hair and an artistic mustache, looking at Winona with puzzled and hazy eyes.

"Hmm~"

Director James, watching the close-up from the camera, was surprised at Richard's improved performance overnight.

"James, is there a problem?"

Screenwriter Lisa Rumm asked.

Director James shook his head slightly, watching their performance intently.

"What kind of death would you choose?"

Winona asked softly on the bed.

"I don't know."

Richard shrugged, smirking thoughtfully, "I've never seriously thought about it."

"Really? Once you think about it, you become weird, like an alien. You'll talk about death all the time. Then, try suicide. If you miss a train, try suicide."

"Susanna, can we not talk about this?"

Richard put his arm around her shoulder.

"Why not?"

"Because it's stupid!"

Richard turned to her, staring into her eyes.

Winona blinked, pushed his shoulder, sat up, and started dressing.

"What's wrong?"

Richard waved his hand helplessly. "Are you upset because I don't want to commit suicide?"

"I didn't mean to commit suicide. I was just saying."

Winona said while dressing.

"Hey, Susanna, the world is a mess. If an idiot ruins my birthday party, I might die."

Richard sat on the bed, frowning.

"When is your birthday?"

Winona blinked.

"December 30th!"

"Okay, I'll pray for you!"

Winona opened the door and left.

"Cut!"

Director James called for a break, sitting by the monitor to review the playback.

Richard sat on the bed, waiting for the director's verdict.

After a while, Director James stood up and clapped.

"Hey, Richard, you can get up now!"

"Did I pass?"

"Yes, your performance was excellent."

Richard exhaled and lay back on the bed. It wasn't easy. He and Gwen had practiced until midnight for this scene.

"Hey, aren't you getting up?"

Winona sat by the bed, tapping his shoulder with a smile.

"Didn't sleep well last night, don't feel like getting up."

Richard chuckled, getting up to dress.

During the shoot, both he and Winona wore only shorts, making the scene quite realistic.

"Richard, your performance today was great, from emotions to actions. How did you do it?"

Winona handed him his clothes.

"Thanks to you. Going to the psychiatric hospital with you filled my heart, allowing me to capture the essence."

Richard said while dressing.

"Really?"

Winona watched him quietly, smiling. "Shall we visit again sometime?"

"No problem!"

After this scene, the crew moved on to shooting the psychiatric hospital scenes. The next scene involved Toby visiting the psychiatric hospital to take Susanna away, but Susanna refused to leave.

This scene wasn't difficult. Once Richard found his rhythm, it only took two takes to complete.