Chapter 30

New York City, Columbia Pictures Studios

The filming of John Wick is already halfway through, and the entire crew is impressed by Xu Can's acting skills and professional attitude. No matter the scene, he can quickly immerse himself in the character in a way that is simply impeccable. Even when a co-star makes a mistake and the shot needs to be redone, Xu Can never complains. Instead, he patiently helps the other actor analyze the details of their performance.

Ian McShane, a veteran actor playing Winston, later praised Xu Can on a talk show:

"I've been acting for decades, and this is the first time I've learned acting skills from a 20-year-old. I gained so much from this filming."

Under Xu Can's leadership, the entire crew worked with astonishing efficiency. Happy, who also served as the producer, was stunned:

"Xu, we have a budget of 20 million this time. You can take more time with each shot. Don't be afraid to spend money."

"Don't worry, I'm watching. Every shot is outstanding," Xu Can reassured.

David Leitch, the director, was relatively new and had not directed any independent works before. Xu Can, therefore, took on some directing responsibilities while performing, essentially becoming the film's co-director. He improved every detail, sometimes making it better than the original.

Unexpectedly, his first time investing in a film also gave him some valuable experience as a director.

Today, they were filming the second half of the film, particularly the fight scene in the hotel. Willem Dafoe, who previously played the Green Goblin, was invited by Xu Can to do a guest role as a master sniper.

After the two completed an intense scene, the camera temporarily stopped.

"Willem, thank you for your hard work," Xu Can said gratefully.

"Hahaha, Xu, I should be thanking you for inviting me to film. After Spider-Man, my agent almost drowned me in scripts. Now, thanks to you, I found an excuse to take a break," Willem Dafoe replied with a laugh.

When he played the Green Goblin, Willem had to wear heavy equipment and engage in intense fight scenes with Xu Can. Xu Can, a young man, could handle it, but an older man like Willem found it challenging. After filming Spider-Man, Willem wanted to take a year off, but the movie's global success meant many directors wanted to cast him.

When John Wick extended an invitation, Willem Dafoe accepted without hesitation. Filming with Xu Can was a much easier experience.

While the two were chatting, Xu Can suddenly sensed someone sneaking up behind him. The next moment, he felt hands reaching for his neck!

A sneak attack?

Instinctively, under the influence of his "spider sense," Xu Can grabbed the person's arm and was about to perform an over-the-shoulder throw! This was a subconscious reaction, likely because he was too deep into the role of John Wick.

"Ahhhhhhh——"

The person behind him panicked and screamed in fear. Fortunately, Xu Can realized in time and adjusted his move, lifting the attacker onto his back and holding them securely.

"When did you get here? You didn't even tell me, and then you try to attack me?"

"Who knew you'd almost dislocate my arm with a throw!"

The familiar voice behind him was unmistakable—it was Emma Stone.

The two were flirting while Willem Dafoe tactfully retreated, leaving them alone.

Xu Can gently put Emma down, and she immediately planted a passionate kiss on him. It had been over a month since they last saw each other, and she had missed him terribly.

Emma was still busy filming Twilight but had taken advantage of her vacation to visit Xu Can's set and play a supporting role. In John Wick, she was cast as Perkins, a female assassin who has a love-hate relationship with Xu Can's character.

"Did you go around flirting with other girls while I was away?" Emma asked with a teasing smile.

"No, who would I even have time to flirt with? I've been busy filming," Xu Can replied, trying to sound convincing.

"Like Avril Lavigne, Emma Roberts, Taylor Swift?"

"Well…"

How did she know about that? Xu Can wondered if she had been keeping tabs on him. He suddenly remembered that all three actresses had posted photos with him online—photos that were quite intimate, especially the ones with Emma Roberts and Taylor Swift, where they looked almost like a young couple.

"Hey, it was just a party… But you, with all those handsome guys on set, did you do anything inappropriate?"

"Of course not! I kept my distance," Emma said, puffing out her chest in mock indignation.

Even though Robert Pattinson, the lead actor in Twilight, was undeniably handsome, Emma felt no attraction. Ever since she filmed a kissing scene with Xu Can, she had eyes only for him.

At the director's call, the break ended. After touching up her makeup, Emma joined the crew and officially started filming. For some reason, she only felt tired when filming with other crews; with Xu Can's crew, she felt happy and thoroughly enjoyed the work.

Later, Xu Can called home.

"Are you coming back for the New Year this year?" his mother, Li Ping, asked.

"No, we're still filming here. I'll try to come back in the summer," Xu Can replied, feeling a pang of guilt.

"All right," his mother said, sounding disappointed.

Xu Can felt even more guilty. He was thousands of miles away, working hard to give his parents a better life, but he couldn't even go home for the New Year. If he didn't work hard, he could only continue being an extra in China, with no way to make enough money to support his family.

Now, he had made a name for himself in Hollywood and sent plenty of money back home. His parents had even bought a new house, but they were unwilling to move to North America. They had lived in their hometown for decades and didn't want to leave.

"By the way," Xu Can suddenly remembered something, "my movie should be released in two days. You can see me in the cinema then."

"Really? Then I'll have to buy a ticket quickly," his mother said, excitement creeping into her voice.

"Let Xiaoling buy them for you. I'll send her the money and treat the whole family to the movie."

In China, Zhenhai Experimental Middle School.

As the Chinese New Year approached, senior high school students continued to have extra classes. Xu Yuling was doing her homework during self-study when she overheard the boys at the back of the class discussing Spider-Man.

With the movie gaining popularity abroad, rumors were spreading in China.

"Spider-Man is about to be released. Are you going to watch it?" one boy asked.

"I heard Spider-Man is played by a Chinese actor?" another replied.

"Fake news! Hollywood would never cast a Chinese actor as a lead. Do you really believe that?"

"What's so special about Spider-Man? Is he as powerful as Superman or Batman?"

"He could definitely beat up Batman," someone retorted.

In those days, the only American superheroes that Chinese kids knew about were Superman and Batman. Spider-Man was somewhat known, but Captain America had only appeared in 8-bit FC games. As for Iron Man and Thor, they hadn't even heard of them.

The students around them joined the discussion, and Xu Yuling couldn't help but join in as well. She knew her cousin was playing Spider-Man in Hollywood, but she didn't fully understand what that meant.

"Spider-Man really is Chinese, and he's played by my cousin," she said.

Her words immediately silenced the students, only for them to burst into laughter a moment later.

"Yeah, right. Then I'm Superman," one of them joked.

"Your bragging is out of control. You might as well say my brother is the president of the United States," another added.

"It's true!" Xu Yuling insisted, growing frustrated. She pulled out her hidden mobile phone and showed them a still of Xu Can in costume.

"Isn't this just cosplay?" someone sneered.

"He probably just bought a tights suit and put it on. That doesn't make him Spider-Man," another chimed in.

The other students remained skeptical. The promotion and distribution of Spider-Man in mainland China had been outsourced to China Film. Whether intentional or not, they hadn't emphasized that the actor playing Spider-Man was Chinese. All the posters, both online and offline, only showed Spider-Man with his mask on, and the cast was not clearly listed.

Xu Yuling wasn't aware of this. All she knew was that the movie itself was proof.

"If you don't believe me, go see the movie and find out if Spider-Man is my cousin. If I'm wrong, I'll bring you breakfast for a month. But if I'm right, you have to bring me breakfast for a month," she challenged.

"Deal!" The classmate at the back happily agreed to the bet. Even if Spider-Man was Chinese, there was no way he was related to Xu Yuling.

In just two days, the truth would be revealed.

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