From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Clearly, at this moment, the young woman had completely forgotten about Lucas's existence, her eyes, mind, and heart filled entirely with the man before her.

“Oh, God.”

“The moment I saw you, I was curious because you really look like Paul, but your hairstyle seems different. I thought I was mistaken. Oh, don't get me wrong, even so, you're still handsome. Jesus Christ, I can't believe I'm actually meeting you here.”

“I, uh, I wanted to leave, but I couldn't. I needed to confirm, I really like you, I mean, I like your character.”

“Oh my gosh, look at what I'm saying, haha, it's an honor, I'm so happy to meet you. I didn't expect you to be even more charming in real life.”

Incoherent!

Nonsense!

It was a stream-of-consciousness dialogue, the brain unconsciously grabbing onto thoughts and throwing them out without thinking, a kind of chaotic derailment and pleasure. Conflicting emotions clashed together, a rollercoaster ride, every cell in her body screaming.

Anson wasn't sure if she needed to go to the restroom to take care of urgent matters.

This kind of scene was a first for Anson, he had no experience at all, and he wasn't sure if he should interrupt or say something.

Then.

The young woman shuddered, finally regaining some clarity.

“Uh, excuse me, sorry,” she mustered the courage to grab a thought in the chaos, “Can I take a picture with you? Just one.”

Anson thought it was some kind of request. In 2000, wasn't this basic daily life?

“Of course.”

As soon as Anson finished speaking.

Lucas's voice came from behind.

“Anson, the look.”

Lucas was worried about Anson. Had the new movie's look been subject to a confidentiality agreement? Although he didn't need to wear a hat and mask to enter and exit, shouldn't it be kept secret?

Anson turned to look at Lucas, “It's okay, we've always been filming in public.”

Since the start of filming, "The Princess Diaries" hadn't strictly locked down the set. Passersby and reporters often watched the filming, and their looks had already spread.

But, they hadn't been exposed.

Firstly, they were all modern young student looks, nothing special.

Secondly, they were all newcomers, with no buzz.

In other words, there was no value in exposure.

The reporters were waiting for Julie Andrews, but to be fair, even her look wasn't a secret. Garry hadn't stopped the reporters because he actually hoped they would leak it, thus promoting the movie for free.

In an era when the internet wasn't developed, social networks didn't exist, and everything relied on forums and chat rooms, traditional media was still the main battlefield for movie promotion.

So, if there were audience members who wanted to take photos?

Garry's attitude was, the more the better.

Anson gave Lucas a smile, then turned to look at the young woman.

Lucas still didn't understand why she wanted to take a photo with Anson, and then what? And the autograph, leaving behind an incomprehensible scribble, and then what?

The young woman fumbled to take out her digital camera, nervous and trembling, muttering to herself. It wasn't easy to turn it on. She looked at Anson, but then froze.

Anson was stunned: What's wrong?

At this moment, Anson noticed the young woman's gaze, looked around, and finally looked at Lucas helplessly and desperately, almost crying.

Anson: ?

What's wrong with Lucas?

Lucas still sat there expressionlessly, looking like “I don't know you.”

Anson realized after a full beat:

It's 2000.

How could he forget that? Although current cameras already have a timer function, selfies are still not popular. Selfies only became fully popular after mobile phones had camera functions; and now, when people prepare to take pictures, they often need the help of others.

Anson didn't mind selfies, but looking at the digital camera in the young woman's hand, it was still inconvenient and not suitable for selfies.

No wonder.

Looking at the young woman's timid eyes, Anson took the digital camera and handed it over, “Lucas.”

Lucas glared at Anson with a speechless expression.

Nevertheless, Lucas stood up, took the camera, and without waiting for them to pose, he picked up the camera and prepared to press the shutter. Everything was so fast that the young woman was flustered, not knowing where to put her hands and feet, and the upturned corners of her mouth were more like crying than smiling.

Anson raised his hand to signal Lucas to wait.

Just then—

Hiss!

A gasp of cold air sounded beside them, and a middle-aged woman poked her head over.

Taking a step forward, “Paul?”

Then, taking another step forward, she stretched her neck like a turtle, “Paul?”

“Ah, it really is Paul!”

Next to the middle-aged woman was a companion, looking confused, “Who?”

The middle-aged woman was very straightforward, “'Friends', the one who guest-starred not long ago, Paul, Ross's date's brother?”

The companion was still confused.

The middle-aged woman patted her friend's shoulder, “Anyway, he's a handsome guy.”

Without waiting for her friend to react, she strode over, exchanging greetings and expressing excitement, repeatedly exclaiming how incredible it was and that meeting him here had already made their trip worthwhile, but learning that Anson was preparing to take a photo with the young woman, she volunteered.

With a turn, the middle-aged woman took the camera from Lucas's hand, and then, without waiting for them, asked Anson and the young woman to pose for a photo.

Lucas was immediately forgotten on the side.

Click, click, click.

With a flurry of activity, Anson and the young woman had finished taking photos, and the middle-aged woman then stuffed the digital camera back to the young woman, and it was her turn to take a photo with Anson; she even dragged her confused and bewildered companion to take photos, constantly telling her friend that she would regret it if she didn't take photos.

Chatter.

Bustling.

The scene was chaotic.

Lucas didn't understand, one question mark plus another question mark:

Leaving aside those who recognized Anson, why did she have to drag her companion, who didn't even know who Anson was, to take a photo together, and that companion kept asking Anson "What's your name? Are you really an actor? What have you acted in? Why don't I recognize you?" blah blah blah.

Lucas's face grew darker and darker.

And, when the middle-aged woman stuffed the digital camera back to Lucas, asking him to take a photo of the four strangers to commemorate today's encounter—

He erupted.

On the surface, it was still not visible. Lucas looked calmly at the three strangers in front of him.

“Sir, take a photo, just like that, a group photo.” The middle-aged woman looked at the motionless Lucas, completely unaware of the change in atmosphere.

The corners of Lucas's mouth turned up slightly, showing a smile, but there wasn't a trace of a smile, and the forced smile was really a bit creepy.

“Ladies, you should all know that, biologically speaking, Anson is still under eighteen, he is still a minor, right?”

Fourth chapter.