Chapter 86

To be honest, just reading the script gave me goosebumps—I was afraid he'd pull out a revolver and shoot me.

Christian Bale was still shaken by it.

His role in American Psycho wasn't as mentally unstable as Xu Can.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"

A bright voice came from behind, startling the three men.

"Nothing, just smoking."

Xu Can's behavior seemed perfectly normal, his eyes as clear as ever.

The California sun shone as hot as ever,

yet Nolan, bathed in sunlight, felt a chill when facing Xu Can.

The good news is, if he can immerse himself in the role just by reading the script, Xu Can is perfect for the Joker!

In Nolan's view, as long as he maintains this state, he will surpass Jack Nicholson!

Create an unmatchable Joker!

…

While the media and internet debated Xu Can playing the Joker,

The Dark Knight officially began filming.

"Batman" Christian Bale, "Two-Face" Aaron Eckhart, "Alfred" Michael Caine, "Commissioner Gordon" Gary Oldman, "Black God" Morgan Freeman…

A host of veteran and rising powerhouse actors gathered at the New York studio, forming a stellar cast.

The film opens with a solo performance by the villain, the Joker,

and during his scenes, no one else had any lines.

Yet these seasoned actors were all curious about Xu Can's performance and flocked to the set to watch him.

"Why are you all here? Trying to pressure me?"

"No no, we heard you were scary while reading the script—we're all curious about your acting state."

Gary Oldman joked.

"Oh? Really…"

With Joker makeup applied and dressed in a purple suit, Xu Can suddenly twisted his mouth into a sinister grin and smiled at Gary Oldman:

"I'm about to rob a bank—will you arrest me, Commissioner Gordon?"

"Jesus!"

Gary Oldman's heart tightened—he instantly felt the urge to flee.

He didn't know what this "madman" might do next!

"Hey, Gary, I was just joking—don't take it seriously."

Xu Can, still in full Joker makeup, wore a Peter Parker-like innocent smile.

"You really scared the hell out of me, kid—I guess these old bones of mine are getting obsolete."

Gary Oldman gave him a genuine thumbs-up.

He himself was the "Thousand-Faced Actor," having portrayed wildly different roles, and knew each character demanded a completely new performance style.

Actors with less experience simply couldn't absorb a role in such a short time; forced performances stayed superficial.

That's why many young actors keep playing the same type over and over.

Xu Can's one-second transformation was something even Gary Oldman himself couldn't achieve.

Even switching from "Sirius Black" to the villain "Norman" in Léon would take him minutes to prepare.

At this moment, Gary Oldman's expression mirrored the future viral video clip of a shocked crew member,

utterly stunned!

This kid will become a giant!

…

As The Dark Knight began filming, days flew by.

Not only was Xu Can busy, but the two women closest to him were equally occupied.

The dreaded harem scenario Xu Can feared never materialized.

Taylor Swift was naturally working on her new album, with several songs already fully recorded.

The title track of the Fearless album had been arranged by Sony Music for rotation on major radio stations, preparing for the album's promotional push.

"Xu, I've finished writing the demo for my new song—come listen."

"Oh? What song?"

"I'll sing it with guitar accompaniment first—wait, I'll go get my guitar."

On this day, after finishing filming, Xu Can rested in his hotel room when Taylor Swift called via video.

Video calling apps were still immature, so Xu Can used his laptop to connect via FaceTime.

On the other end, Taylor Swift, like a little girl, hurried off to fetch her guitar and bounced back.

Whenever she picked up an instrument, her entire aura changed, fully immersed.

Amid a slightly upbeat country melody, Taylor softly sang.

"When I first saw you, we were both young;"

"I closed my eyes and saw that moment again."

"Lights flickered, people in formal wear at the party."

"I saw you weaving through the crowd, and I waved."

"Only I knew this."

Huh?

Hearing this, Xu Can felt it was incredibly familiar!

In his past life, he had heard this song countless times,

but he never expected that the scene described in Taylor Swift's song was actually their first meeting!

It was at that Sony party,

Xu Can had pushed through the crowd and found Taylor Swift on the edge.

"You are Romeo, the one who threw stones at my window..."

"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone."

"I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run."

"You'll be the prince and I'll be the Princess."

"It's a love story, baby, just say yes..."

After the song ended, Taylor Swift put down her guitar and looked at the camera.

As if trying to see through the lens and into Xu Can's eyes.

"How was it? Isn't my song good?"

"It's very good; I like it very much!"

"You're not just being polite?"

"Of course not; I could listen to this song for ten years and never get tired of it!"

Xu Can was very serious; he had listened to this song for at least fifteen years, continuing to listen to it even in 2023.

Taylor Swift hadn't expected him to like it so much; she shyly lowered her head, then smiled and looked at Xu Can again.

"Then do you know... what the meaning of this song is?"

"I... I'm not sure."

Xu Can had initially thought the song was written for him,

but later he realized that in his past life, this song "Love Story" already existed, inspired by a boy Taylor Swift met during her school days.

He must have been overthinking it.

"If you want to know, I'll tell you the next time we meet, how about that? You still owe me a date!"

Taylor Swift played it coy, but her expression wasn't shy; instead, she looked at the screen with some seriousness.

Why was she so hung up on the song's meaning? Xu Can had no idea.

Anyway, the answer would be revealed the next time they met.

"Clearly, you are the one who owes me a date."