Chapter 315

But Black Widow's debut in Iron Man 2 left such a deep impression on audiences that it completely overshadowed Pepper Potts,

even overshadowing Tony Stark himself.

That's the charm of Black Widow!

It was through this film that Black Widow gradually became the highest-grossing female actress worldwide, reaching a $15 million salary and entering Hollywood's top tier of actresses.

Scarlett Johansson herself was well aware that after this film's release, her fame and status would rise another level, breaking through her previous bottleneck.

Add to that Pacific Rim, and her value might double overnight!

"Thank you, Xu Can, from the bottom of my heart."

Scarlett Johansson looked into Xu Can's eyes and said seriously.

She genuinely regarded Xu Can as her benefactor.

Back when casting Black Widow, it was Xu Can who made the final decision and signed her directly, without considering anyone else.

This favor was truly precious in Hollywood.

Xu Can merely smiled faintly:

"We're friends, no need to say that. If you really want to thank me, just take me to dinner…"

"Sure. No problem."

Scarlett Johansson smiled cheerfully, then cautiously asked:

"Is this a date?"

"What do you think?"

In front of Scarlett Johansson, Xu Can was always the riddle-man.

Black Widow could never figure out Xu Can's idea.

"I think it's not," Black Widow pouted. "Just a thank-you dinner."

"Mm, fine, if it's not, then it's not," Xu Can said without any disappointment, calm and composed.

"This…" Now it was Black Widow who felt disappointed; she clenched her teeth and made up her mind.

"But I think we could treat it as a date, if you're not afraid Taylor and Emma will get jealous."

"Alright, then it's a date. I'm free tomorrow night—let's do it tomorrow night."

Xu Can cut through the confusion with a swift decision, locking it in before Black Widow could change her mind again.

"No problem, then it's tomorrow night!"

Black Widow's psychological defenses were slowly breached by Xu Can, until she finally gave up and went all in.

She knew that if this truly was a date, and the two of them truly began developing a romantic relationship,

it would send shockwaves through her views on love.

Scarlett Johansson, with her traditional views on romance, had for the first time willingly initiated a date with a man who had a publicly announced partner.

"Oh-god…"

At the premiere of Iron Man 2, Scarlett Johansson, seated in the creators' section, was lost in thought.

Around her, Robert Downey Jr., Pepper Potts, Jon Favreau, and others were answering questions,

but she was thinking only of her arrangement with Xu Can.

"... What-have-I-done? What have I done?"

The audience had been asking questions for a long time, yet Scarlett Johansson didn't respond.

Luckily, Pepper nudged her arm, and Black Widow snapped back to reality.

"Sorry, the movie was so stunning—I'm still savoring it. I didn't hear the question."

Black Widow casually defused the awkwardness, just as her gaze met Xu Can's from the crowd.

He was giving her a thumbs-up in encouragement.

Her mood stabilized somewhat.

"Miss Johansson, will you be taking on a recurring role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the Chouzhelian Alliance?"

"Yes," Black Widow nodded,

"Though I can't reveal specifics, you'll likely see me frequently in Xu Can's films over the coming years."

The audience erupted in cheers.

Scarlett Johansson had always been one of Hollywood's most visually striking and memorable actresses, beloved by audiences.

Now that she would appear frequently in Xu Can's films, it was great news for fans.

Who doesn't love a beauty like that?

…

The celebration dinner for Iron Man 2 followed immediately after the premiere.

Since the entire company had complete trust in Xu Can and had watched the final cut more than once, everyone was confident in the film's quality,

so champagne was already prepared.

The actual audience reaction matched expectations perfectly—enthusiastic.

Iron Man 2: Extraordinary Dragon surpassing Iron Man 1 was a foregone conclusion.

Besides the Iron Man crew, some unexpected yet perfectly logical guests had arrived at the celebration dinner.

"Taylor? Emma? What are you doing here?"

At the party entrance, Pepper Potts, holding a glass of champagne, was about to approach Xu Can when

she suddenly spotted two unexpected guests, her expression awkward.

As if caught in the act of adultery, even though she hadn't done anything.

The worst part was that Taylor Swift and Emma Stone arrived together, arm in arm, like sisters.

"Holy Shit!!"

Gwyneth Paltrow's heart screamed a thousand curses.

The news that the two of them were openly pursuing Xu Can and openly competing for Xu Can was no longer a secret.

The whole world knew the two were incompatible, fighting to a standstill.

How, without noticing, had their relationship become so good?

"Hello, Miss Paltrow."

Stone and Pepper had a slight acquaintance. "May I ask if you have seen Xu?"

"Him? I haven't found him either. Go look in the private rooms behind; I just seemed to see him go over with Miss Johnson."

Gwyneth Paltrow feared nothing more than chaos.

In her heart, it would be best if all these women of Xu Can started a fight, the bigger the better.

In the end, everyone would abandon Xu Can, and only she would remain by Xu Can's side, gazing at him with deep affection.

"Baby, I still treat you best."

Thus, Xu Can's business empire might, perhaps, change its surname to Paltrow.

If they married then, and then divorced, she could also split half the assets...

Pepper thought it exciting and couldn't help but run over to watch the show.

She had thought she would see a battlefield, several women tearing each other apart.

Unexpectedly, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone, and Taylor Swift were three women huddled together chatting, chatting with great enthusiasm.

Xu Can sat nearby playing on his phone, with a calm demeanor as if controlling the situation.

"Ah?"【】

Gwyneth was quite curious and leaned over next to Xu Can.

"Xu, they seem to have a good relationship, so compatible."

Xu Can looked up and glanced at her with a half-smile.

Gwyneth almost thought Xu Can had seen through her thoughts and smiled awkwardly.

"I was just asking casually."

"Otherwise what? They have no conflict, so why wouldn't their relationship be good?"

"No problem."

Clearly both sides knew the truth, but Gwyneth still could not bring herself to reveal her own desire for chaos.

Actually, on the other side, the relationship wasn't good; it was just a balanced situation formed temporarily.

Emma Stone and Taylor Swift were originally in a competitive relationship.

Now that many external enemies had not yet been cleared, Scarlett Johansson had arrived.