# Chapter 198: Shooting for Valentine's Day

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"Are you watching videos again? Are you checking out girls dancing?"

On the set of *Valentine's Day*, Link was sitting under the sunshade, watching several boxing enthusiasts' training videos.

Taylor Swift came over and glanced at his screen. Seeing it was boxing videos, she shrugged and said, "Stop staring at those small screens all day. The doctor says it's bad for your eyes."

"Alright, I was just killing time. Hey, Emma, are you done with your scenes?"

Link put away his phone and greeted Emma Roberts, who was standing next to Taylor.

Emma Roberts, 18 years old and under 160 cm tall, looked even smaller next to the 180 cm Taylor.

Link thought of two other Emmas he knew; he noticed that girls named Emma were often petite but very delicate, like little princesses.

"Hi, Link. Taylor and I have only a few scenes. We finished quickly."

Emma Roberts flashed a sweet smile.

"Emma, it's not just that we have fewer scenes; it's that our acting is so good, we got it in just three takes."

Taylor put her hand on Emma's shoulder and smiled proudly.

Link chuckled. Taylor was the type who thrived on an audience. She had a strong desire to perform. Whenever there were cameras or viewers, she would immediately strike a pose, ready to perform. This made her stage performances very passionate, whether singing or dancing, they were highly entertaining.

But her downside was also obvious—without an audience, she was very lazy. She couldn't be bothered to get up, put on makeup, change clothes, cook, or go shopping.

Even in bed, she was too lazy to turn over. It seemed her enthusiasm for life was confined to the stage and music, leaving her a bit dull offstage.

"Nice work. I usually need two or three takes. You're almost up to my level."

Link joked.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Don't act like a seasoned pro. You've only done one movie, and not as many scenes as Emma."

Emma added, "Link's acting is great. He was fantastic in *The Deep Blue Sea*."

Link smiled proudly and thanked Emma.

Taylor looked at Emma in surprise. "You watched such a terrible movie? You must have been misled by the film's promotion."

Emma giggled and covered her mouth.

"Mr. Beck, Miss Swift, it's time for your scenes."

The director's assistant, Jensen, called out.

Link and Taylor went to the shooting set to begin their scenes.

The set was at UCLA. Link played a swimmer named Link, who, on Valentine's Day, gives his girlfriend Taylor a white bear plush toy. Taylor carries it around, showing off her Valentine's gift.

His character was muscular, simple-minded, and very loving towards his girlfriend, always complying with her wishes.

He had only thirteen scenes, which made the shooting faster than an MV.

"Scene 35, Take 1. Action!"

Director Garry Marshall, aged 75 and from New York, called from behind the monitor.

Marshall, known for his work on *Pretty Woman*, *The Princess Diaries*, and *Runaway Bride*, specialized in female-centric films. *Valentine's Day* was also focused on female characters, with Taylor having more screen time than Link.

"NG!"

Before Link could even speak, Marshall called out, "Link, wake up. I heard from Director Allen that you aim to be an Oscar winner. With your current performance, it'll be hard to reach that goal."

"Wow!"

The staff on set reacted with surprise. They were intrigued that a boxer and singer like Link had ambitions of winning an Oscar.

Link felt helpless. He had impulsively set this lofty goal in front of Woody Allen, hoping Allen would forget and he could quietly remove the goal. After all, winning an Oscar was incredibly difficult.

Past Oscar winners often had to gain weight, lose weight, become unattractive, or undergo extreme transformations—almost a form of self-destructive performance. Link didn't think he could do that and was hesitant about the goal.

Now that Director Marshall knew and had publicly revealed it, he couldn't deny it.

"Dear, you want to be an Oscar winner? Planning to use the little gold man for a fan giveaway, huh? Haha!"

Taylor laughed without mercy.

Link shrugged and said to Marshall, "I understand, Director Marshall. From now on, please judge me by the standards of an Oscar winner."

Marshall's eyes twitched slightly. 

Link's acting was average at best. Applying Oscar-winning standards to him meant he could take a hundred takes and still not pass. Besides, commercial films didn't require such high acting standards.

"Alright! Let's start!"

"Scene 35, Take 2. Action!"

The clapperboard clapped.

Link and Taylor began their scene. Taylor carried the big white bear and placed it on the railing, wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans, looking like her usual self.

"Will you keep holding it?"

Link, dressed in a white collared shirt and jeans, looked handsome and sunny, very photogenic.

Marshall observed Link's profile and couldn't help but appreciate Woody Allen's sharp eye for casting. Link's face was exceptionally good-looking, with no apparent flaws from any angle, like a piece of art.

His face and eyes carried an artistic quality, making one feel there was a story behind them. 

This quality added depth to his handsomeness, making him more intriguing.

Too bad there wasn't a suitable role for him recently; otherwise, Marshall would have tried to snatch him for a leading role.

"Yes!"

Taylor patted the toy and leaned against the railing, asking, "Do you like this gift?"

"I haven't opened it yet."

Link picked up the pink gift box, which was Taylor's Valentine's gift for him.

"Hurry up and open it."

Taylor urged, waving her hand.

Link smiled gently and was about to open the box when Marshall shouted:

"NG!"

"Link, don't use your usual expressions while acting. Your expression earlier gave away that you knew what was inside without opening it. I need some curiosity and anticipation. Can you do that?"

"Sorry, I'll try!"

Link responded.

"Double NG!"

Taylor raised two fingers and teased, "Future Oscar winner, do you want me to teach you how to act? With your performance like this, when will you ever get that little gold man?"

"Don't get too confident. I'll give a serious performance next time. Watch out for being crushed."

"Hmph, do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Taylor wrinkled her nose, indifferent.

"Scene 35, Take 3. Action!"

The clapperboard clapped again.

Link opened the box, revealing a sports t-shirt.

"This is my training shirt."

"Yes, but I've printed your lucky number on the back."

Taylor unfolded the shirt to reveal a red '13' on the back.

"That's your lucky number."

Link said helplessly.

"Don't you like it?!"

Taylor frowned, displeased.

"No, I really like it. I can't wait to wear it."

Link quickly explained.

Taylor happily hugged him. "Then put it on now."

"Now? We're in a public place. Isn't it inappropriate to change here?"

Link hesitated.

Taylor's face immediately fell, looking unhappy.

"Hey, I promise I'll wear it later, okay?"

"OK!"

Taylor smiled again.

"Cut!"

"Let's do another take. Link, I hope you can perform better this time."

Marshall called out.

Link responded with a resigned OK.

"Three NGs. Is this how you plan to crush me?"

Taylor couldn't help but laugh.

"I meant tonight."

"Annoying!"

Taylor hit him lightly with the white bear. Link blocked it, and hearing the clapperboard, he resumed his serious performance.

"Scene 35, Take 2. Action!"

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Thanks to Yuehua for the support! 

(End of this Chapter)