Rise to the occasion

Hugo's attire today appeared casual, with a black base t-shirt paired with a deep blue open-collar shirt, loose jeans, and a ginger yellow work jacket layered on top. He had no accessories on his hands or body, and there were no special highlights. It was a plain and ordinary outfit.

After entering the restaurant, Hugo took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. It was evident that the cotton t-shirt had become loose due to frequent washing, and the open collar hung loosely without any design elements. There was even a black stain on the sleeve cuff, indicating a lack of careful cleaning during laundry.

The entire ensemble appeared simple and casual but slightly unkempt. It was indeed inappropriate for such an important audition. In Nora's imagination, even if Hugo didn't dress up, he should at least be clean and tidy. From a female perspective, although Hugo's appearance was indeed eye-catching, this outfit deducted three points from the overall impression. No woman would have a favorable first impression of a man dressed like this.

Upon hearing Nora's comment, Joseph immediately became nervous. He kept his eyes on Hugo but also kept an eye on Nora. He had questioned Hugo's clothing choice before leaving, but Hugo insisted, and Joseph eventually compromised. Now it seemed that the situation was indeed unfavorable.

When Rob looked at Hugo, his brows furrowed. During the previous audition, Hugo's attire had left a deep impression on him. It was not grand, but formal and perfectly suited to the role. The jacket even appeared multiple times in the film's official shooting. Today, Hugo's dressing was not only not grand or formal but also untidy. It was disrespectful.

However, Hugo didn't seem nervous at all. He even gave Joseph a glance that said "Don't worry" before turning to Nora and speaking, "I was originally worried that I wouldn't even have a chance to speak. From beginning to end, we were only having a meal and didn't discuss anything about the movie. So I thought, how can I prove that I'm actually suitable for the role of Sam without being rude and that I'm not as handsome as you imagine."

Clothes maketh the man, and this applies to anyone. Although there are many top models who can still look stylish even when wearing rags, a white t-shirt and jeans can have different effects on different people. However, it is undeniable that cleanliness, suitability to one's temperament, and appropriateness to the occasion are basic elements that must be considered. If a spotless white shirt is worn by a blue-collar worker, it can be annoying, whereas oil-stained overalls can look stylish. The same applies in reverse.

Therefore, even someone like Hugo, who had inherent advantages, must consider the occasion, atmosphere, and situation when choosing his attire in order to highlight his temperament. Hugo's outfit today was indeed inappropriate, and it made him look a few years older and considerably untidy. Upon closer inspection, one could even see the shadow of stubble on his chin. He appeared out of place in this setting but emitted a sense of... a disillusioned middle-aged man.

The answer was about to emerge! Hugo's statement of "proving oneself without being rude" referred to his acting skills, which stem from real-life experiences. When combined with Hugo's behavior after arriving at the restaurant, the result became apparent: Hugo's audition had already begun.

Rob immediately felt relieved. He recalled the audition for "A Few Good Men". Didn't Hugo convince him in the same way? Although Rob had seen many excellent actors, Hugo's dedication and professionalism had brought a smile to his face.

After hearing Hugo's words, Nora's first reaction was to be stunned for a moment, and then her gaze began to carefully assess the young man in front of her. No wonder Nora felt a bit strange today. On one hand, it was because Hugo was different from the handsome and sunny boy in her impression. Instead, a mature and stable impression quietly left its mark in her mind. On the other hand, it was because even though she had the upper hand, the theme of the dinner eventually returned to the movie. It turned out that Hugo had been giving his all from the very beginning.

The Hugo in front of her definitely looked older than twenty-five. Saying he was around thirty years old wouldn't be a problem. The stubble on his chin, the untidy t-shirt, the stain on the cuff, and the plain attire all indicated that this middle-aged man had a somewhat subdued aura. But it wasn't obvious on the surface because he wore a smile, spoke gently, was witty and humorous, and his focused and sincere gaze revealed a sense of stability. He was a modest man who was not flashy but down-to-earth. Under such an appearance, the desolation revealed through the details quietly hid in his heart, more like the melancholy brought by his life. However, he didn't want to show it in front of others and still faced life with strength.

This... completely matched the image of a young widower! Imagine the pain of losing a wife hidden in the endless nostalgia. He didn't have time to take care of himself, and his clothing showed signs of neglect without his wife's care. But at the same time, he had to pull himself together because of his children and become the sole pillar of the family, giving his children more hope in life.

A smile appeared again on Nora's face, but this time it was more genuine. Her interest in Hugo showed an upward trend. "Well, I think you haven't read the script, so why do you think this kind of image is suitable for Sam?"

This question was incisive, and not only Nora was curious, but also Rob and Joseph looked at Hugo with curiosity. In his mind, Hugo answered: because this is how I feel after watching the movie. I have indeed read the script and even more. But this advantage couldn't be revealed to outsiders, so Hugo slightly tugged at the corner of his mouth and revealed a faint smile. "I don't claim that this image is definitely suitable for Sam, but in my impression, this is how a man who has lost his wife but lives a strong life looks like."

"Facing death is not easy for anyone, but people often say that death is not as frightening because everything dissipates after death. But for those who are alive, that's when the suffering begins," Hugo said, and his gaze darkened slightly. He didn't know what kind of mess he had left behind in 2014 after his transmigration, but the only thing he could do now was to continue to be strong as Hugo Lancaster. That was also the most difficult part.

Listening to these words, Nora, Rob, and Joseph fell silent. Among the four people present, Hugo was the youngest, but the meaning behind Hugo's words just now was so profound that it didn't sound like something a twenty-five-year-old would say.

Death, perhaps, was a question that one could never fully comprehend in their lifetime. Joseph couldn't help but think about everything Hugo had experienced in the past. Hugo had gone through a terrible car accident, drug addiction on the brink of death, and the ups and downs of an acting career. Thinking about this, Joseph suddenly felt a sense of admiration towards Hugo, not as a manager, but as a friend.

"Yes, indeed, death is liberation, and it's living that is painful," Nora whispered. In China, there is an old saying that goes, "At fifty, one knows the will of Heaven". Nora had already reached this level this year, and she had entered the stage of comprehending life.

Nora lifted her eyes again and looked at Hugo. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke up and asked, "Hugo, many actors, upon hearing the concept of this film where two strangers fall in love because of a radio program, find it incredible. They believe that such a theme is unlikely to be successful. So why are you willing to take on a project like this?" Nora didn't finish the second half of her sentence, which was, "And you have worked so hard for this opportunity."

The "Sleepless in Seattle" project had been facing difficulties since its inception. Nora originally hoped that Columbia Pictures, the production company behind "When Harry Met Sally", would take over the project. However, after evaluating it, Columbia Pictures didn't think the project could make it to the big screen, let alone be successful, as they believed it would be a disaster. Nora then approached 20th Century Fox, who had invested in her screenplay debut, "Silkwood", but the result was the same – rejection.

In the end, Nora was saved by Columbia Pictures. Their independent label, TriStar Pictures, took over the project. Although they were only willing to invest fifteen million dollars, it far exceeded Nora's expectations.

Subsequently, the film encountered difficulties in casting. The actors Nora had in mind all turned down the invitation. Obviously, the actors lacked confidence in a romantic film like this, and to this day, Nora still didn't know where her male and female leads were. The production start date seemed even more distant.

"If I say it's because I believe in the magic of love, would you laugh at me?" Hugo's words made Rob and Joseph chuckle, but Nora remained silent. Her gaze towards Hugo carried deeper meaning. "I mean, love is a miraculous thing that tightly connects two people who don't know each other at all. Some people fall in love because of looks, some because of personality, some because of a voice, and some even because of a certain detail like fingers or collarbones. Similarly, some people fall in love because of a feeling."

Hugo's words kept a smile on Joseph and Rob's faces, and a curve unconsciously appeared on Nora's cheeks, making her look content.

"Nora, I believe you didn't choose to make this film simply because it's easy to shoot, right?" Hugo said, then suddenly countered with a question.

Nora pursed her lips and earnestly replied, "No, it's because I'm willing to believe that in this society, in this era, there can be a pure love that comes from a spiritual connection."

"Me too." Hugo revealed a gentle smile. "I hope to take on this role not because it will be easy to succeed or bring me box office numbers and popularity, but because I believe this character can bring me new challenges. At the same time, I also believe that this story has magic in it. It can move me and move the audience."