From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

A fleeting moment.

Just a brief instant.

But for Anson, that fleeting moment was enough. Knowing when to stop, knowing when enough was enough, before Kate, Brad, or Jennifer could speak, the smile on Anson's lips smoothed out and disappeared, returning to his cool demeanor of the evening, seamlessly continuing to speak.

"Clearly, as a guest, the most important thing is to know your place and not steal the spotlight from the stars. I think, before I steal all the attention on the red carpet tonight, I should leave."

A double entendre.

Humorous and witty.

Without waiting for Kate to remind him, or for Brad and Jennifer to speak, amidst the low chuckles around him, Anson made an inviting gesture, returning the focus to them.

Once again nodding to Brad and Jennifer, Anson then stepped away.

Just like that, he left… just like that… he left…

Brad: … …

Jennifer: … …

Something's not right, is it?

Thinking about it, Anson just appeared, greeted them, said a few words, and then left?

The initiative, from beginning to end, was in Anson's hands. A brief appearance like a dragonfly skimming the water, then a casual wave of the sleeve, leaving no room for reaction.

Just, just that?

But how did he leave such a deep and distinct impression?

Kate was no exception—

A moment of surprise.

She hadn't expected Anson to be so decisive. After a self-introduction and a lasting impression, he turned and left without hesitation, making a high-impact entrance that left a deep impression on the audience's minds, then decisively ending, leaving a lingering charm.

Wise. Precise. Assertive.

In control the whole time.

Even Brad and Jennifer found it difficult to control the situation. The conversation hadn't even fully unfolded before the protagonist left. What could they do?

Wait, protagonist?

So, in this brief encounter, who was the protagonist and who was the supporting role?

Involuntarily, Kate glanced at Anson's back, a hint of interest in her eyes, before turning her gaze back to the couple in front of her.

"Anson, a very charismatic actor, right?"

Jennifer flashed a bright smile, "Yes, of course."

In front of the television.

Blair let out a wail, "Ah!"

Her mother's voice came, "What's wrong now?"

Blair covered her cheeks, "Anson's gone. Why did he leave so quickly?" Her tone changed, "But, Anson, Anson is so handsome, ah ah ah!"

Mother: … …

Meanwhile, Anson continued to move forward, without any lingering or reluctance—

Knowing your limits is key.

Just knowing when to stop is enough.

However, the afterglow continued to spread.

The attention didn't stop. The reporters' eyes were still on Brad and Jennifer, but the camera lenses quietly stuck to Anson.

Click.

Click, click, click…

It couldn't stop.

Meanwhile, Anson walked straight ahead, without lingering or stopping, leaving gracefully.

"Anson!"

"Anson Wood!"

It wasn't until a series of shouts stopped Anson in his tracks that he saw Nicholas's familiar face. Anson seemed a little surprised.

He had thought that all the mainstream media and important media were all around Brad and Jennifer. If he remembered correctly, the person in front of him was from "The New York Times", but he was standing in the back half of the red carpet. Did this reporter have colleagues in the front half?

His thoughts paused in his mind.

Anson nodded to Nicholas, but didn't step forward, instead taking two more steps forward.

Nicholas: ? ? ?

Just as he was puzzled, Nicholas saw Anson stop not far from Jan Kaczmarek, keeping a distance, and speaking politely.

"Ms. Kaczmarek, I'm very honored to meet you here tonight. I just want to tell you that I really, really like your performance."

Jan Kaczmarek was stunned, completely frozen in place.

Originally, Jan was ready to leave. No interviews, no applause, no cheers, just like her career. The Emmy red carpet didn't seem like what she saw on TV. She should remain calm, hold her head high, and leave, heading to the photo area ahead, leaving her mark—

She had stayed in a long and ordinary nameless season for too long, so long that she had completely forgotten that she was also an actress. This was a job standing under the spotlight, not a nine-to-five job hidden in the dark, and even her family didn't know what she was doing.

It was not easy to finally step onto the red carpet, not easy to finally stand under the spotlight, not easy to finally stand in the same occasion as those top superstars.

She wanted to stay a little longer.

Even if there were no flashing lights, it didn't matter. She just wanted to stay here for a while.

Would this seem too humble?

Her steps moved slowly forward, but she couldn't take them after all, scanning the audience with attachment and expectation, trying to deeply imprint everything in front of her in her mind.

Because she didn't know if she would have the opportunity to step on the red carpet of the Shrine Auditorium next year.

Although cruel, this was the reality. An actor's job was like this. Even if "Malcolm in the Middle" won an Emmy nomination, it couldn't guarantee a 100% renewal. Their fate was always not in their own hands, constantly worrying about tomorrow, worrying about the future, worrying about themselves disappearing like bubbles.

And then.

"Ms. Kaczmarek…"

Jan saw the figure coming towards her, and the words behind her all turned into a jumble of noise, drowned out by the overwhelming flashing lights of the audience.

It took a full three seconds for Jan to finally come back to her senses, "You said, you like my performance? Me?"

Anson nodded slightly, "I hope my pronunciation is correct, otherwise it would be too bad."

Jan waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no, no, no, your pronunciation is very accurate, Kaczmarek, I am the Kaczmarek you are talking about."

"Oh, God…"

Jan didn't know why, she was clearly surrounded by joy and happiness, but her eyes were overflowing with tears, she covered her mouth in embarrassment.

"Sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me, God."

Anson was also caught off guard by the sudden accident, looking down at his clothes—

His pockets were empty.

In order to ensure the lines of his clothes, his look today was completely light, with nothing in his pockets.

Anson gestured, turned and strode away, tall and large, reaching the reporter in two or three steps, and asked Nicholas, whose face was full of astonishment and question marks, "Do you have any tissues or handkerchiefs?"

Nicholas still hadn't fully reacted, subconsciously searched his pocket, took out a tissue, but before handing it to Anson, he reacted, grabbed the tissue and stopped Anson, meeting Anson's confused eyes. He was worried that Anson would not play by the rules and leave directly again, so he had to seize the opportunity now.

"One question. So, how do you feel today?"

Anson's eyebrows raised slightly, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes, "Really a lot of people."

Nicholas was stunned.

Anson had already snatched the tissue, turned and left.

Nicholas stood in place, revealing a helpless smile. Just then, his pocket vibrated.

At this time, if it wasn't important, no one would usually contact him.

"This is Nicholas."

"Hey, big reporter, this is Eve Wilson. West Forty-second."

Third chapter.