Unflinchingly proud

As they conversed, the subway arrived at their station.

Renly and Andy exited the subway station together. This time, Andy didn't continue walking alongside Renly. Instead, he stopped by the side of the road.

Renly took a couple of steps forward before realizing that Andy had fallen behind. He turned around, and Andy's friendly smile came into view. "So, what do you think? Let me plan your future film journey for you." After the lengthy discourse earlier, and two encounters face-to-face, Andy expressed his intentions clearly and accurately for the first time. "I'm a top-tier agent with resources beyond what ordinary people can access. I possess professional knowledge and blueprints. Give me three years, and I guarantee you'll become a true superstar. You know what I mean by "superstar"."

Confident and composed, even carrying a touch of wit, Andy displayed all the charisma an agent possessed.

Several African Americans passed by at this moment, presumably on their way to work. Observing Renly and Andy standing face-to-face by the subway station exit – one sharply dressed in a suit, the other sporting street attire – one looking like a Wall Street elite and the other resembling a hip-hop enthusiast into graffiti art – it was an odd yet normal pairing. Almost everyone involuntarily cast their gazes upon them.

Especially Andy's commanding posture, it drew more attention than if they were observing a lunatic.

Renly couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you believe that? They must be searching for cameras around them now." In New York, street filming scenarios were countless.

Andy spread his arms, his face displaying a calm demeanor. Renly's jest didn't divert his attention. He waited earnestly for Renly's response.

Renly knew Andy's words were incredibly persuasive. Not only did they reveal Andy's business acumen, negotiation skills, and eloquence, but they also conveyed his sincerity. Clearly, he had done his homework, meticulously researching Renly's recent activities and preferences.

From just these two aspects, Andy had already stood out among all the agents who had contacted him so far. Coupled with the background of CAA, Renly had no reason to refuse Andy.

For others, they would probably have agreed directly, but Renly wasn't like others.

Having lived two lifetimes, Renly was acutely aware that people could talk big during negotiations but behave entirely differently in action. Hollywood was an incredibly realistic circle – seize control when it's profitable, then dispose of whatever you've used when you're done. The realities portrayed in films like "Sunset Boulevard" and "The Player" merely scratched the surface of Hollywood's reality.

For most, agents were replaceable at any time. One could sign with an agent to climb the ladder quickly, then drop them after reaching the top, no problem at all. But Renly didn't want that. He had a clear goal and a definite idea of how he wanted to choose his projects. He hoped to find a suitable partner and journey together.

One could say he was idealistic, cautious, or even overestimating himself. However, Renly wanted to test once more.

"I'm a very picky person," Renly began, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Or to be more precise, I'm a very troublesome person."

"Oh? Why's that?" Andy's interest was piqued, and he inquired eagerly.

Renly shrugged, "For instance, I dislike signing exclusive contracts that sell myself off to Marvel in one go." This remark elicited a direct laugh from Andy. "Another example, I might want to take on unconventional roles, which could likely break away from the baggage of image." This was also the major distinction between Renly and actors like Tom Hanks or Brad Pitt.

In Hollywood, to reach the pinnacle, one had to become a beautifully packaged "product". What can be done, what can't be done, which indie films can be taken and which commercial films cannot – all of these were carefully planned.

"Or, for example, I sometimes want to enjoy my own free time." Renly raised the skateboard in his hand, expressing everything without words.

Things were becoming increasingly interesting, Andy felt.

For a newcomer like Renly who hadn't yet proven himself, Hollywood had countless criticisms to throw at him. A single film like "The Pacific" could only illustrate so much. Even someone like David Schwimmer, who had proven himself in "Friends", found it difficult to establish his career and explore new horizons afterward.

In other words, Renly didn't have many chips, yet he remained so selective. Andy had visited him twice in person, demonstrating ample sincerity. However, Renly continued to be meticulous. Any other agent might have overturned the table and walked away long ago.

So, was Renly self-absorbed and foolish, or overflowing with confidence? Was he arrogantly self-righteous, or was it just his competence speaking? Was he seeking fame and fishing for compliments, or was his resolve unwavering?

From a positive perspective, individuals like this often knew what they wanted. With clear goals and unwavering focus, they could venture farther on the path of exploration. If given opportunities to shine, they could reach even greater heights. From a negative perspective, such people were either too naive, getting swept away by Hollywood's tides in a blink, or they were overly stubborn and rigid, brittle in their unwavering stance.

Which category did the current Renly fall into?

Andy was also making his assessment, although his expression didn't betray his thoughts. He just smiled warmly and said, "Sometimes, confidence is a good thing. But too much confidence turns into arrogance. The line between the two is thinner than most people imagine."

The teasing remark didn't infuriate Renly. Instead, it made him chuckle as well. The smile at the corners of his mouth held a hint of playfulness. "I thought every actor had to be a bit narcissistic, even a bit arrogant. Otherwise, living under the spotlight every day, receiving praise and criticism, cheers and curses, and even seeing your face everywhere in your life – they would have gone mad a long time ago."

There was no refutation, rather an acknowledgment. Renly nodded slightly, accepting such an assessment politely. He then lifted the skateboard in his hand, pointing towards the direction behind him. "I'm going to be late for my morning competition. So, until next time," he said, and with that, Renly dropped the skateboard to the ground, stepped onto it nimbly, and sped away towards the sun. His lithe figure vanished from sight in an instant.

Andy remained in his spot, gazing after Renly's departure with a thoughtful expression.

Though today didn't lead to a direct conclusion, Andy gained substantial insight, deepening his understanding of Renly. To be honest, among contemporary actors, he couldn't find any suitable reference point. While Edward Norton shared some similarities, he lacked the spirited recklessness and arrogance found in Renly.

This version of Renly resembled... Marlon Brando – self-confident, dismissive of others, audacious, and a natural genius. However, Marlon's flamboyance was external, his radiance blinding, making it difficult to gaze upon him. In contrast, Renly was introverted. His unique pride, which mingled with his temperament, had to be gradually uncovered. It was a charm that defied description, a special allure that brewed from his bone-deep pride.

Far from being disappointed, Andy's curiosity grew even stronger. Was Renly a genius or a mediocrity?

Often, geniuses viewed others as beneath them, sometimes even arrogantly domineering. They could see things that ordinary people couldn't, standing on heights beyond their reach. They clung to truths that wouldn't be discovered for decades to come. This destined them to stand apart from the society around them.

Yet, the line between genius and mediocrity was razor-thin. For mediocrities, the illusion of pride marked the beginning of their downfall. Their abilities and confidence couldn't align, their vision and foundation didn't match. The ending was preordained from the start.

If it was a genius, their abilities would ultimately overshadow opponents. Even repulsion, envy, hatred, and suppression couldn't extinguish their brilliance. However, if it was a mediocrity, the tumult of everyday life would make them perish faster than ordinary people, especially within the dazzling constellation of Hollywood.

Just as Renly had said, every Hollywood practitioner was like this. More or less narcissistic, sometimes even arrogant. The mutual exclusion and competition among them made the realm of fame and fortune even sharper, even bloodier.

So, Renly? Was it his natural authority that brought an air of superiority, or was it foolish pride?

Initially, Andy had been ready to leave, but hesitating for a moment, he decided to follow. His footsteps halted beyond the skateboarding area, and he observed every movement of Renly.

At this moment, Renly was warming up nearby, completely focused. It was as if all the noise around him had vanished, leaving only the world of skateboarding. His intense concentration gave the illusion of a world championship, yet it was merely a street skateboarding competition in the neighborhood.

For many, this might seem disdainful – "Just a small competition in the neighborhood, why make such a big deal of it?" They would find Renly's behavior absurd or even laughable. Yet, that level of devoted concentration was the key to success, something that most people lacked. Thus, those who stood atop the pinnacle were always a minority.

As Renly prepared to take the stage, Andy turned and left. He understood that Renly needed time to consider, and he himself needed time to contemplate. Regardless of his standpoint, Andy genuinely looked forward to Renly's journey in Hollywood. He anticipated Renly's eventual challenges and heights, wondering if he would be lost in the crowd or shine at the world's summit.

Was he a genius or a madman?