From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Cody's heart was pounding wildly, almost bursting, his mind a chaotic jumble of thoughts that wouldn't quiet down.

Cody thought to himself that at least he could minimize the damage and avoid implicating everyone else, since they were all just trying to make a living and no one had it easy.

So, he gritted his teeth and steeled his heart.

Cody waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, it's not like that, it's just that we—I was talking about you behind your back, and nobody likes being unfairly criticized, including me, so I was just expressing my apologies."

As he spoke, Cody finally saw the expression on Anson's face clearly.

Calm, composed, natural.

Cody was stunned, his mind filled with question marks, and he even began to doubt his own judgment—

Could it be? No, no, no, it couldn't be. But? The way he looks right now?

"Wait, could it be…" Cody swallowed, his face hesitant, but he finally mustered the courage, "Could it be that you really don't care?"

As soon as he said it, Cody himself felt it was absurd: how could that be possible, it's not like something out of a fairy tale.

Subconsciously, Cody rejected his own absurd idea, deciding that instead of clinging to hope, he should just apologize properly—

The best outcome would be that he alone lost his job, and wouldn't drag everyone else down with him.

The words of apology were already on his lips, but Cody saw the smile on Anson's face, calm and composed, "Do I need to care?"

Cody was taken aback, "Don't you need to?"

Anson smiled, "I believe there must be many people saying bad things about me in the corners I can't see, and I don't think that needs to be taken to heart."

Cody, "But you heard these words, didn't you!"

Anson, "So what? Everyone in Hollywood smiles at you and showers you with praise, should I believe it all and float on cloud nine?"

Cody tilted his head: Things… things don't seem to be going the way they should.

Anson shrugged slightly, "Your words can't hurt me, and neither can those behind-the-back comments. I'm too powerful to be harmed by insignificant microbes like you, you can't even touch me."

"How about it, did those words hurt you?"

Those frank words actually launched a counterattack, and the condescending attitude made the petty thoughts of the staff present seem absurd and ridiculous, to the point that everyone was stunned—

Things… don't seem to be going the way they should, right?

Wait, were they just looked down upon?

Looking at the surprised expressions in front of him, a smile appeared in the depths of Anson's eyes.

"Haha, sorry, my attack was a little sharp."

"What I mean is, I won't be hurt by the attacks of strangers. You don't understand me, so your attacks have no power."

"To avoid you still holding this attitude when filming wraps, I think I should show off my personal charm during the next shoot."

Light, humorous, and frank.

The atmosphere relaxed unintentionally.

Cody mumbled, not knowing how to respond, looking slightly dazed.

Anson's expression became even more relaxed, "Sorry, I delayed the filming schedule because of my issues, but we still have time to catch up, and I hope we can finish filming on time, so as not to delay your seamless transition to the next project."

"As for now…"

Speaking of which, Anson paused for a moment and looked around.

"The morning coffee and afternoon tea desserts are on me, unlimited variety and amount, is anyone buying this bribe?"

Confident. Composed.

Anson didn't hide his intentions, preparing to win over the crew, the word "bribe" was spoken so generously, showing an open and aboveboard attitude.

He didn't keep defending himself, nor did he try to maintain his image in every possible way, nor did he adopt a tough attitude to make an example of others. The whole response was completely different—

Pfft.

Finally, someone couldn't control themselves and chuckled.

Then, the laughter spread and could no longer be contained.

The atmosphere became wonderfully cheerful.

Cody was completely stunned, things weren't going the way he imagined.

Anson took the initiative to extend his right hand, "If I now invite you to record the requests of everyone in the crew and give them to my assistant to go out and buy, would that be considered retaliation?"

Cody couldn't keep up with Anson's train of thought, standing there dumbfounded like a fool.

Noah, on the side, was eager to try, ready to volunteer for the job, but Anson gave the job to Cody instead, making him look slightly dejected.

The others behind him had already started to jeer, "Yes! Yes! Of course it's retaliation!"

One or two people echoed Anson, seemingly complaining, but the atmosphere was already completely different.

Cody finally reacted, smiling wryly, "Yes, that's retaliation; but I accept it, thank you for being willing to give me a chance to redeem myself."

Noah suddenly understood that Anson's every move was planned, using Cody as a starting point, as Anson's lever to integrate into the crew.

After all, Noah was Anson's man, and if Noah did these things, he would always be an outsider, a thorn in the side; but Cody was not, he was the crew's "own man", relying on Cody to complete this task, the crew could vent and communicate freely internally.

Finally, resolve the conflict.

A small action, but it showed Anson's wisdom.

Cody also relaxed a little, "So really anything is okay? No limit?"

Anson shrugged slightly, "This is sincerity. In any case, I did bring chaos to the crew, and I'm worried that my reputation might not sound too good when it gets back to Hollywood."

The corners of Cody's mouth twitched, Anson's humor was indeed readily available, "I thought you didn't care."

Anson, "My publicist cares."

"Haha." Explosive laughter!

Now it seemed that Anson understood all the words they used to complain about Anson—

Everything was the brand image created by public relations.

But Anson didn't mind, not only didn't mind, but even knew how to make fun of himself.

A crisis, a conflict, was dissolved into nothingness with ease.

The street was filled with cheerful laughter, a harmonious scene, where could one see the grumbling and complaining from the morning?

At this time, Anson looked at the bearded man in front of him again with a smile, "Good morning, I'm Anson."

A formal self-introduction, and also asking the other person's name again.

Cody was still a little hesitant, but his mood relaxed, "Are you sure it's not to retaliate against me?"

Anson laughed directly, "If I wanted to retaliate, do you think I would need to ask your name?"

Cody: …

Anson joked, "Or are you going to turn around and shave off all your beard?"

Haha, hahaha.

The surrounding staff collectively laughed, and one or two followed Anson's lead.

Cody's cheeks flushed slightly, and he reached out to shake Anson's right hand, "Cody. I, I'm just an insignificant nobody on the crew."

Anson added, "But also a member of the crew."

Cody scratched his head, not knowing how to respond, and finally just nodded clumsily.

Behind him, the staff complained.

"Cody is shy."

"Oh, God, Cody, I thought you weren't interested in men."

"Cody, oh, Cody Cody."

Cody looked at Anson, who was laughing heartily in front of him, turned his head and rushed towards the staff, looking fierce, "Shut up, all of you shut up!"