### Chapter 130: New Role

Sizzling sound~

In the morning, at the Tribeca apartment kitchen, Richard was frying eggs when a phone rang from the living room. He put down the pan and walked to the living room to pick up his phone.

"Anthony, why are you calling so early?"

Richard leaned on the sofa, peeling an orange, and asked while eating.

"Haha, Richard, I have good news for you. You passed the audition for 'X-Men.'"

Anthony said loudly over the phone.

"Are you serious? I got the role of Wolverine?!"

Richard was a bit surprised. A few days ago, after attending a party, he went for an audition for 'X-Men,' and the process went smoothly. The producer, Richard Donner, even said he had a good chance.

However, this movie had a budget of over seventy million dollars, making it a major A-level production, so he wasn't confident about getting the role.

If he really got it, it would be a pleasant surprise.

"Uh, Richard, it's not the lead role of Wolverine; it's the fourth male lead, Cyclops!"

"What? Cough, cough~"

The orange got stuck in his throat, and he almost choked to death.

"Richard, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I auditioned for Wolverine, how did it turn into Cyclops?"

Richard asked, clearly displeased.

"The actor who got Wolverine is Hugh Jackman, a famous Australian actor. This role was personally decided by Murdoch. Your role was also discussed because you left a good impression, so you got the fourth male lead, Cyclops. Do you want to take it?"

Richard pondered for a moment, "Yes, since I've been given the role, I can't refuse."

"Haha, I'll accept it for you then."

Anthony laughed loudly.

"Okay, how about the other audition results?"

After the audition ended, it was Christmas, and many companies went on vacation, so many audition results were delayed.

"By the way, there's also the role of Detective Solomon in 'Mystery Puzzle,' the fourth male lead."

"Anything else?"

"Uh, no!"

"All supporting roles? What about the lead in 'Star Wars'? The lead in 'Sky Racing'?"

"Didn't get them!"

"Fuck!"

Richard was very displeased, "I've been playing supporting roles since last year, and I'm still playing supporting roles now. When can I get a lead role?"

"You were the lead in 'Dangerous X Games,' Richard. Don't be so anxious. You've been in the industry for less than two years and have already become a C+ level actor. Compared to those who have been struggling in Hollywood for ten or twenty years, you're practically on a fast track."

Anthony laughed.

"Nonsense, I started out as a boxing champion, so my starting point was already high."

As he spoke, Richard sniffed and suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly rushed into the kitchen, where smoke was filling the room. He quickly turned on the exhaust fan and picked up the pan. The two fried eggs in the pan were already unrecognizable.

"Richard, what's wrong?"

"The fried eggs are burnt."

Richard wiped his forehead and said.

"Where's Bündchen?"

"She went back to Brazil."

Richard shook his head, "Anyway, keep an eye on the movie roles. Try to get me a lead role. And Norman also went over, didn't he? Tell him to not just focus on chasing girls and to put in some effort. Once I become a top star, BAA will definitely make money."

"Haha, alright."

Anthony hung up the phone.

Richard let out a breath. A fourth male lead and two wasted eggs, not worth it.

After cleaning up the kitchen, he continued to make fried eggs, toast, and heated a cup of milk. After half an hour of busy work, he finally sat down to eat.

While eating, he thought of Bündchen. It was daytime in Brazil too, so he called her.

"Dear, when are you coming back?"

"What's wrong? Do you miss me?"

Mrs. Bündchen laughed.

"Yes, I've been missing you since you left. I think about you during the day and at night, and even when I'm eating."

Richard took a bite of the fried egg, which didn't taste as good as Bündchen's.

"Haha, you must be thinking of me while you're eating. Are you having breakfast? What are you eating?"

"Fried eggs, I made two portions, one got burnt, so a 50% success rate. Not too bad, right?"

"Haha, you can't even fry eggs. Your cooking talent must be negative."

Mrs. Bündchen laughed out loud.

"Stop laughing, tell me when you're coming back."

"Maybe in about ten days. It's been a long time since I came back. My parents don't want me to leave, so they want me to stay a few more days. What should I do?"

"Then spend more time with your parents. Remember to say hi to them for me and thank them for having such a wonderful daughter."

"Hahaha, got it. I brought the gifts you gave to my parents, and they love them. My dad also watched your matches and said your boxing is impressive. My mom said she wants you to visit our home when you have time. Will you come?"

Mrs. Bündchen asked.

"Thank your parents for me. How about I go with you to Brazil next time?"

"Really? You said it, no backing out."

"Of course not. Whoever backs out is a puppy."

"Alright, I'll remember that!"

Richard smiled, chatted a bit more, and then hung up the phone.

After breakfast, Richard went to Jackson Street, had a steak meal made by Susan, and then went to the boxing gym for training.

The match with Roy Jones was in mid-March, over two months away. Although he was confident in winning the match, boxing training is like rowing upstream; if you don't advance, you fall back.

"Hey, Richard!"

At noon, while Richard, Paul, Alvin, and a group of kids were eating stew in the restaurant, Andy walked into the gym.

"Andy, want some?"

Richard moved aside to make room and asked.

"Oh, no thanks."

Andy sat down nearby, greeted everyone, and said, "Richard, your logistics team is ready. There's a doctor, a nutritionist, and a masseuse. You should check it out when you have time."

"Okay!"

After becoming a boxing champion, Andy suggested forming a standard logistics team for him.

Previously, the team members weren't complete. Dr. L and Old Tang had their main jobs and only helped part-time.

Besides, the old and young logistics team looked too shabby and didn't match his status as a champion. It would seem stingy, so replacing them with a professional team was necessary.

"Hey, Andy, does Richard's masseuse look as good as my Denise?"

Paul grinned.

Andy glanced at Alvin, "No, his masseuse is in her thirties, has two kids, and weighs over 180 pounds."

"Haha, sounds professional. Congratulations, Richard."

Paul laughed.

Richard chuckled, "Andy, can you assign Denise to me?"

"Don't you dare!"

Paul clenched his fists, eyes wide, ready to fight.

"Hey, relax, I'm just kidding. Why are you so worked up?"

Richard smirked.

"Hmph!"

Paul relaxed, then suddenly noticed a pair of scrutinizing eyes. His face changed, and he bared his teeth in a nervous smile.

"Hehe, Alvin, there's nothing between Denise and me. We're just pure colleagues."

"Whatever, just don't forget what your goal is."

Alvin said coolly.

"I got it."

Paul lowered his head.

Richard chuckled, hearing that Mayweather liked his masseuse. He didn't expect Paul to have the same quirk. How low.

"Richard, there's something else."

Since last year, he and Tyson had often been trading barbs in the media, questioning each other's abilities. Many boxing fans had responded by saying, "Stop yapping and just fight already."

"No rush. Let's talk after my match with Roy Jones."

Richard smiled.

"Yes, Bob and I think so too. You've been the light heavyweight champion for less than six months. Your fame and commercial value in this division haven't been fully tapped yet. Jumping to the heavyweight division now isn't wise.

Heavyweight boxers earn more and get more attention, but there are more people competing for the spotlight.

Our advice is to stay in the light heavyweight division, keep fighting, earning money, and building your reputation. Once you're the undisputed king in this division, then consider moving to heavyweight.

By then, your fame and prestige will be at a high level, and fighting big names like Tyson, Lewis, and Holyfield will fetch you record-breaking fees."

Andy said.

Richard nodded slightly, "You're right. I'll stay in the light heavyweight division for another two or three years. Plus, my professional record is still thin—14 fights, 14 wins. Before moving up to heavyweight, I can pad my record and gain more experience."

"Yes, champions usually have about three to four fights a year. In two or three years, you'll have over twenty wins, which is decent."

Andy smiled.

"Alright!"

After finishing their business, Andy left with his briefcase, looking like a salesman.

"Andy is getting less and less imposing."

Paul said while eating.

"He used to worry about assassination attempts, so he took bodyguards everywhere. Now he doesn't need to. Isn't that good?"

"No, being a big shot is cooler."

Paul shook his head.

Richard laughed. After lunch, they rested for two hours, reading and watching match videos. In the afternoon, they continued training.

Training days were monotonous and exhausting, day after day, year after year. But some things must be endured and persisted in for the glory of lifting the championship belt and becoming the ultimate champion.

"I will fight!"

Paul roared, swinging his fists.

Bang, bang, bang, bang~

In mid-January, the film "Mystery Puzzle" was ready to shoot and officially began filming in New York. Richard joined the crew.

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(This chapter ends here)