Chapter 89

The reason Xu Can was speeding up his actions was to complete a monopoly before Netflix.

Fortunately, the other party was just a company that rented out discs and hadn't ventured into online streaming.

Xu Can had enough opportunity to build his own moat.

Two days later, Hollywood, Los Santos, Galaxy Pictures studio.

The *La La Land* crew gathered here, preparing for the opening ceremony!

The director/screenwriter/lead actor was naturally Xu Can; this film was written, directed, and starred in by him.

People around were already used to Xu Can’s versatility.

Assistant director Damien Chazelle was the original director,

whom Xu Can had discovered and pulled over to act as labor.

Lead actress Emma Stone, the original lead.

It was a bit challenging for Stone; at 19, she needed to act out the bitterness and helplessness of a 28-year-old.

Other than that, they were all supporting roles, basically cast according to the original film.

It’s worth mentioning that J.K. Simmons, who played the restaurant owner, had worked with Xu Can in *Spider-Man*.

He was the editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, the man who targeted Spider-Man every day.

In *Spider-Man 2*, the two would continue to collaborate.

"Alright, we are all here. I announce that the film *La La Land* has officially started filming!"

"Yay!!"

The staff applauded, and Stone twisted open a party popper, jumping with excitement like a little girl.

The first set of shots for the film was the scene where the lead, Seb, sat in the restaurant, lost in playing jazz.

The lead, Mia, opened the door; only she could appreciate the melody the lead was playing.

This was also their second meeting.

In front of the piano, Xu Can sat on a chair, with J.K. Simmons ready beside him.

Even now, Emma Stone still couldn't believe it.

"No, can you really play the piano?"

"Of course."

"Then why haven't I heard you play before?"

"I was busy filming before, no opportunity."

"Ah?"

Xu Can’s mansion didn't have a piano. He hadn't touched one before, and Stone never thought he could play!

She thought she already understood this man enough, thought she was already his confidante.

Xu Can was always like a mystery, constantly bringing her new surprises.

The rest of the crew, including the landlord who rented the venue and the wealthy socialite Ivanka who came to visit the set, were also looking forward to it.

What level could Xu Can actually play at?

Under everyone’s gaze, Xu Can, who had zero foundation in piano, wasn't panicked at all.

He took a deep breath and quickly focused his attention.

His soul seemed to have rushed out of his body, shattering the void.

My name is Sebastian, friends call me Seb,

a jazz musician... a pure jazz musician.

A few years ago, my partners and I founded a jazz club. We were happy then, thinking we could carry forward traditional jazz.

Unfortunately, due to differences in philosophy, the club went bankrupt.

They went to do so-called trendy jazz, planning to incorporate pop elements...

Is that still jazz?

Anyway, I’m currently unemployed and can only try my best to keep my part-time job at the restaurant to create my own melodies.

The damn restaurant owner only lets me play boring tracks.

Is there really no one who understands jazz anymore?

That lady in the blue dress over there, are you here to laugh at me?

Damn it!

In just an instant, Seb, the musician full of ideals and ambitions but frustrated, had completely merged with Xu Can.

Countless melody fragments flickered in Xu Can’s mind.

He felt his creative desire exploding!

If he didn't know he was on set, he would have loved to record those notes on a score immediately.

*Hoo*—

Xu Can took a deep breath, his fingers flowing slowly over the piano.

"Huh? Silent Night? Isn't this music even a child can play?"

At first, everyone was surprised; Xu Can was playing a very basic piano piece.

Perhaps Xu Can was just joking before; he had learned a little piano, but not much?

Stone relaxed slightly; if Xu Can’s piano level was just this, she would feel better.

If this man were too excellent, it would be tiring to look up to him.

However, the melody then changed!

Everyone’s pupils constricted; they instantly felt something was wrong.

"This... what melody is this?"

"It feels so sad; I’ve never heard it before!"

"It sounds so good! Is the director composing it himself?"

"I heard the music in the movie is all composed by the director!"

"My God!"

Ivanka on the sidelines had her eyes shining, full of surprise.

Throughout the set, a faint melody was flowing slowly, like sobbing, perfectly fitting the film’s script outline!

This was the lead couple’s theme song, "Seb & Mia Theme," and also a melody that ran through the entire film.

Xu Can was just like in the film, the spotlight hitting him,

everything around him void, only he was playing between heaven and earth.

Stone was just like the female lead, Mia, standing in the distance looking at Xu Can,

her eyes full of shock!

He... could really play!

Los Santos, next to the Griffith Observatory.

This was a unique dating spot belonging to Xu Can and Emma Stone.

Now it was crowded with crew members—camera, makeup, lighting, field staff...

A group of people gathered on the slope without starting work,

either looking out at the distant Los Santos, chatting in twos and threes, or hiding in corners playing on their phones.

Xu Can and Emma Stone sat side by side on a bench, both silent.

Assistant director Damien Chazelle couldn't help but come to Xu Can’s side.

"Director, how long are we waiting? It’s been a day... why don't we start filming? The background can be color-graded in post."

"Wait a bit longer; the actual scenery can't be graded."

"But, those conditions are too difficult. Within the hour before sunset, our filming difficulty is a bit high..."

"Strive for a one-take; we'll get it done today."

"Ah?"