From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Gentle and refined, yet with a hint of teasing, a typical Anson.

Involuntarily, Annie's mood lifted slightly. "This is wonderful, perfect, unparalleled! There's finally something to look forward to in this busy day."

Anson's lips also curved upwards. "However, didn't you just say you had a date tonight, and you were worried about whether you'd make it in time?"

"So, it doesn't matter?"

Heck!

"Damn it!" Annie blurted out, then immediately covered her mouth with both hands, unable to believe she had just cursed—

During a movie promotion, it was absolutely forbidden; moreover, at home, her mother didn't want them to do that.

But now, Annie couldn't care less. Clutching her head, she looked up at Anson in stunned panic. "I completely forgot."

"Today is my brother's birthday. Crap, we agreed to have dinner together."

So that's it.

Anson suddenly understood, "Michael, right?"

They had once communicated by phone because of the gallery.

Anson nodded lightly, "Okay, no problem."

Annie waved her hands repeatedly and shook her head. "No, I can definitely find a way to get out of it. After all, it's not a big birthday. He already passed twenty-one a long time ago, but thirty is still far away."

Annie thought Anson was going to say "Forget it."

Anson chuckled, "No, I mean, if you don't mind, I can go with you, as your date."

Annie was stunned. "You, uh, are willing to attend my brother's birthday party as my date?"

Seeing Annie stutter, Anson couldn't help but feel nervous. "If you don't have a problem with it, I mean, we talked because of the gallery last time; but if this is a family gathering…"

Annie waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, no, there's no problem, of course there's no problem."

After a pause, "But as far as I know, Thomas might be cooking tonight, and he's recognized as the worst cook in the world."

"However, maybe you can fill up in Midtown beforehand, and then we can go together."

Anson laughed directly, "Thanks for the reminder."

Annie couldn't help but laugh as well, "Then it's settled."

… …

Glug, glug.

The huge soup pot was burning and boiling, and the entire kitchen was filled with smoke. The rich aroma of meat wafted in the air, surprisingly looking quite impressive.

Thomas Hathaway was busy, showing off with a smug look on his face, stirring the silver tall pot with a ladle. "I feel like a male witch."

Nearby, Michael Hathaway, who had just hung up the phone, walked towards the kitchen with a puzzled expression. Hearing this sentence, he subconsciously complained.

"Then it certainly looks like it's cursed. Is that color normal?"

Thomas glared, "Careful, I'll add something to your food tonight."

However, Michael didn't continue to complain. "Annie just called."

Thomas, "What, is work going to be delayed? Do we need to wait for her to arrive before we start eating?"

Michael tilted his head, "…No, actually, she said she'll be there soon; and, she's bringing a ‘plus one’."

Thomas was about to complain, but was directly hit by the bombshell, "What? Does this ‘plus one’ have a name?"

"Oh, damn it!"

Before the complaint could continue, Thomas saw that the oven was smoking, and he rushed over in a flustered manner, no longer caring about anything else.

Michael slightly regained his attention, glanced at Thomas, "I refuse to be a guinea pig for that dish, just let Annie's ‘plus one’ try it out."

While saying this, he turned and walked towards the bathroom, a hint of worry between his brows—

Annie had never brought a boy to meet them, not even once!

She didn't when she was in school, and even less after entering Hollywood. As far as Michael knew, Annie had never dated a boy.

Then, her first official date is meeting them?

Or, had Annie already dated boys before meeting them?

Damn it!

No matter which possibility, Michael didn't think it was good news.

Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.

The doorbell rang.

Thomas looked at the oven, "Michael? Michael Hathaway, go open the door!"

Unfortunately, there was no response.

Thomas looked up at the sky speechlessly, jogging all the way, muttering as he sprinted, "Michael, this is your apartment, why do I have to be responsible for opening the door?"

Rushing to the door, he glanced at it in a hurry, "Hey, Annie, come in quickly, the food is in danger of burning, I'm worried we might all go hungry tonight."

While saying this, his footsteps didn't stop, and he rushed to the kitchen in a flustered manner.

As a result, Michael's voice came from inside the house, "Thomas Hathaway, step lightly, I don't want the neighbors to complain about the noise again."

Annie and Anson were left alone at the door.

Anson's right hand, which was about to greet them, stopped in the air, a little embarrassed. He took the opportunity to pat the wall, as if swatting a mosquito, "Summer is here."

Annie pursed her lips and smiled, making an inviting gesture to make way.

Before Anson could enter, Michael hurried out of the bathroom, "Turns out, beef bourguignon is harder than I thought."

Annie looked embarrassed, "He's making beef bourguignon? Why didn't you stop him?"

Michael spread his hands, "Don't ask, asking is the explosion button."

Then, Michael saw the tall figure standing next to Annie.

"Hey, good evening… Oh, for God's sake, you are…"

Michael was dumbfounded, his jaw almost dropped.

Annie had to use her interruption skill, "Michael, this is Anson."

Michael: … …

A voice came from the kitchen, "Crisis averted! You should really thank me, I have a hunch, you will all succumb to my cooking skills tonight."

Annie looked over, "Thomas, this is Anson."

Thomas came over in a hurry, wiping his hands with his apron, "Welcome, welcome, Anson…"

Burp!

"Wood."

Thomas's smile completely froze, "You're the guy who was wandering the streets late at night!"

Michael finally came back to his senses, "Wandering late at night, what wandering late at night?"

Anson was about to explain what happened last time when he escorted Annie home, but before he could speak, the doorbell rang again.

Michael took a deep breath, "Wait for me."

Michael turned to open the door, leaving several people standing in place looking at each other.

Annie glared at Thomas speechlessly, and mouthed at Thomas behind Anson's back, "Calm down, calm down!"

Thomas protested with his eyes, "You actually brought him here!"

Annie ignored Thomas, turned to look at Anson, "What kind of drink do you want? Red or white?"

"…Tea?" Anson squeezed out a word.

The three of them were slightly stunned, the atmosphere relaxed instantly, and Annie and Thomas both laughed.

On the other side, Michael opened the door, preparing to tell the person in front of him about the situation in the apartment, but he never expected that the person came in cheerfully, not giving Michael a chance to speak at all.

The person entered the hall and happened to see Anson, who stood out from the crowd, turning his head to look over, and their eyes met.

"Oh, God, crap!"