Chapter 195

Fortunately, Sister Guajie came over in time and saved the situation.

"Xu, there's something I want to chat with you about—it's about what I mentioned last time…"

Saying this, she grabbed Xu Can's arm and pulled him aside.

"Why don't you just act opposite her? Otherwise every time you come to set, she clings to you."

Sister Guajie said with a teasing smile.

"No way. If we're talking about acting opposite someone, I'd rather act opposite you."

Xu Can turned the tables on her.

"Well then, that's not bad, it's not like we can't… but does Emma agree? Or what does Taylor say?"

Sister Guajie tossed the ball back to Xu Can again.

"We're just acting opposite each other—do we need their approval? Or do you, 840, have some other meaning in mind?"

Xu Can looked at Sister Guajie with amusement.

"I…"

Sister Guajie had failed to gain the upper hand against Xu Can twice in a row, and had instead been flirted with by him.

She had been wanting to regain her footing, but ended up losing face again.

"I am talking about proper acting opposite each other. By the way, besides Marvel superhero movies, do you have any other plans? I'd really like to be part of one."

Sister Guajie quickly changed the subject—she was afraid that if the conversation continued, she'd be conquered by Xu Can before long.

If it weren't for Taylor or Emma, she would have actively pursued Xu Can herself.

Unfortunately, with two younger, prettier, and more capable rivals,

Sister Guajie actually felt a slight lack of confidence.

"Indeed, Marvel is only one of my plans; my focus isn't on superhero movies."

Xu Can nodded. He was now trying to hand Marvel off to others and step behind the scenes.

He would appear in or direct more films of other genres himself.

Likewise, Sister Guajie was a remarkably excellent actress, worthy of some better roles.

Every actress dreams of an Oscar for Best Actress. Sister Guajie daring to actively ask him for a chance was quite good—

Xu Can actually liked this about her. She was very genuine and didn't come across as mercenary.

Over the past year, Xu Can had seen plenty of third-tier Hollywood actresses at social events—clearly angling for an opportunity in roundabout ways, yet always putting on airs.

In Xu Can's eyes, she was not just Sister Guajie, but Scarlett Johansson.

A slew of films instantly flashed through Xu Can's mind—*Her*, *Lucy*, *Ghost in the Shell*, *Vicky Cristina Barcelona*, *We Bought a Zoo*, *Marriage Story*…

She had won Best Actress at the Rome International Film Festival with just her voice; her *Lucy* cost $40 million and raked in $460 million at the box office; *Marriage Story* earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination;

These were indeed outstanding films worth investing in.

"I do have some script ideas on hand that would suit you. When the time comes, if there's a shooting plan, there's no need for a screen test—I'll just come straight to you to collaborate."

"That's great, then it's a deal. I'll be waiting."

Scarlett Johansson smiled sweetly,

"By the way, are you free tonight? As a thank-you, let me treat you to something good."

"I'd love to, but I already have plans. We can free up some time next week and go out together."

"Alright then. I'll go shoot my scene first—see you later."

Sister Guajie's expression showed a hint of disappointment, though she had hidden it well.

Little did she know that Xu Can's powers of observation at this moment—especially his observation of women—had become extremely keen; no clue could escape him.

The debts of affection kept piling up. Xu Can wanted to say something, but thought better of it.

He preferred this kind of natural, easy rapport with Sister Guajie.

There were things he couldn't discuss with Emma or Mei Mei, but chatting with Sister Guajie was always the right call.

She always replied instantly, and with her high emotional intelligence, gave Xu Can plenty of emotional value.

This state was wonderful—it felt a bit like soulmates.

Xu Can worried that once it crossed into a physical relationship, it might ruin this state.

"Let it take its natural course."

Xu Can and Scarlett exchanged a glance across the distance, then turned and left the set.

……

Just as *Spider-Man 2* was sweeping the summer box office, *Love and Other Drugs* had already wrapped production.

Urban romance films don't have special effects to begin with, so editing didn't take much effort.

Because the film contained a large number of mature scenes, it was rated R, destined to struggle at the box office.

Sony wasn't planning to make much at the box office, but a film like this would do well in the DVD rental market—the steady, long-tail revenue would be considerable.

The film was scheduled for release around Christmas, and Xu Can would have a bit of a headache when the time came.

If Mei Mei or Emma wanted to watch this movie, would Xu Can take them to see it?

"Damn, when I took the gig, how did I not think of this?"

But precisely because the male lead's soul had fused with his, Xu Can could use his silver tongue to smooth over the two women's emotions in just a few words.

And during the film, Xu Can had discussed many creative insights on pharmaceutical backgrounds with the screenwriter and director.

This gave him more confidence in his craft, enabling him to bring *Dying to Survive* into this world perfectly.

After returning from the *Iron Man* set, Xu Can had been polishing the *Dying to Survive* script.

During this period he was somewhat of a recluse—whenever writing tired him out, he'd take Mei Mei or Emma Stone out for a meal.

Until Sister Shitou landed another new gig, *Easy A*.

After finishing "Spider-Man 2" and "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," Emma could have taken a proper rest,

but she really couldn't sit still, and in the end she still took this film.

It was invested in and produced by Xu Can's Starlight Pictures—a PG-13 teen-oriented youth campus film.

No vulgar scenes, no intimate scenes for the female lead—Xu Can could rest easy letting her go shoot it.

She might even bring back a Best Actress award.

A small investment of a few million, just for fun.

"Baby, when I'm not around, don't you go doing anything rash. If the paparazzi catch you in some scandal with Taylor, then I'll…"

"Then what?"

"Then I won't be able to coax you back!"

"Pfft."

Xu Can nearly laughed out loud—Emma was really adorable when she got girlish like that.

"Fine, fine, fine, I won't get caught by the paparazzi."

"That's more like it… wait?"

It took Emma Stone a moment to catch on.

Xu Can had only promised not to get caught by the paparazzi!

"You really do have that kind of thought?"

To keep Xu Can from misbehaving, before leaving, Emma Stone really put in the effort.

So much so that the next day, Xu Can had Vanessa send her to the airport, and he himself slept straight through until the afternoon before getting up.

"Darling, are we going out tonight?"

"I still have to write a script today—let's go out tomorrow."

"Alright then, that song I finished writing, I was going to sing it for you—I'll sing it for you tomorrow instead."

Mei Mei pouted and hung up the phone.

Her "All Too Well" had come into being ahead of schedule, and she planned to put it in her third album; the songs for this album were already mostly gathered, and it was nearly ready for release.

The company had recently signed three young, beautiful female singers—they all had real talent and were preparing to make their debut albums.

All three were newcomers personally picked by Xu Can,

which gave Mei Mei a bit of a sense of crisis—she worried that if she ever fell out of favor, would Xu Can choose one of them instead?

……

After receiving Mei Mei's call, Xu Can found that his body was overly exhausted and he had slept (cgbg) rather deeply, missing several calls.

Among them was Christopher Nolan.

"Xu, I have a script I'd like to show you."