From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Nora was taken aback for a moment, leaning slightly closer to Charles, "Who is Darth Vader?"

Charles leaned down a little, "A movie character."

After saying that, Charles noticed Anson's gaze and asked uncertainly, "I'm right, aren't I?"

Anson nodded gently with a smile, "Yes."

Then.

Anson looked at Lucas, "You probably don't know who Darth Vader is either, right?"

Lucas looked calm, "Do I need to know?"

"Haha, no, no need," Anson waved his hand repeatedly.

He used to think that "Star Wars" had a profound impact on North American culture, permeating all aspects of life, and even if you hadn't seen it, you should have at least heard of it; but now it seems that this is also a kind of prejudice. There are indeed groups like Nora and Lucas who know nothing about movies.

On the contrary, Charles, who is knowledgeable and has a wide range of interests, can bring it up easily.

Anson looked at Lucas, "So, you just told Mom and Dad to come to Los Angeles together?"

Lucas sighed almost imperceptibly, "No, I just told Mom and Dad that you haven't been doing well lately. We all know what the Vanity Fair is like, and we also know that you can't completely avoid those things, but at least, we can be your support."

Then, Lucas turned to look at the Woods, saying each word distinctly.

"We agreed that I would come over this week first to test the waters."

"In two weeks, Mom will come over and take you to see an exhibition."

"Two weeks after that, Dad will come over to see you."

"We spaced out the time so as not to arouse your suspicion. And what happened?"

"Father!"

"Mother!"

Nora looked righteous, "I was worried about Anson and came to see him, what's wrong with that? How would I know that you'd all squeeze in to come today? And you're one to talk! I almost let it slip when I saw Charles just now!"

"Cough cough." Charles coughed lightly, lowering his head slightly awkwardly, "Sorry, I was being reckless."

Then, he changed the subject, "Lucas, what about you? Didn't you say you were coming over the weekend?"

Lucas didn't back down, "Oh, God, it's nothing for me to come here from San Francisco, and Anson wouldn't suspect anything, it's just you two..."

So—

It really was a coincidence?

"Lucas, honestly, did you subscribe to TMZ's news updates?"

Lucas looked calm, without a second's hesitation, "Of course."

Anson couldn't believe it, "Lucas! I'm not a minor anymore, you don't need to keep an eye on me all the time, I won't cause trouble in Hollywood."

Speaking of which, Anson felt a little guilty—

He seemed to have forgotten about the whole thing of how he transmigrated.

Lucas didn't budge, "I'm just paying attention to my little brother's news. You don't know how scary the Vanity Fair is. They're a bunch of lunatics who will do anything for fame and fortune."

Seems like... he couldn't refute that.

Unexpectedly, Nora also seconded, "Anson, I think Lucas is right. We don't read the entertainment news, but I don't want to see your news on the front page of the 'Times'."

"Mom!" Anson protested.

Charles joined the fray, "Anson, you can't blame Lucas for this..."

"Dad!"

Anson looked up at the sky speechlessly.

Taking a deep breath, "TMZ is a paparazzi website, you can't believe all the news on it. It's all gossip, and a lot of the news is fabricated."

"When I was filming in Portland, everyone thought I was recording in Sound City. Those fake news were what I released to cover things up."

Charles' eyes lit up, "So, you also cooperate with the paparazzi?"

Anson didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Dad, that's not the point; the point is that TMZ's gossip has no credibility. If you're worried, you can just ask me directly."

Lucas shook his head repeatedly, "You don't understand, our focus is on knowing the news that hurts you, so that we can protect you."

I don't need your protection.

If it were the nineteen-year-old him from his previous life, he would have answered like that.

At that time, he was too young and too naive, eager to grow up, to prove to his parents that he was already capable of standing on his own, no longer a child, and all that care and protection seemed like a burden.

It wasn't until many years later, when he truly grew up and faced the cruelty of the real world, that he realized that those burdens were actually his armor, invulnerable to swords and spears.

At this moment, looking at Lucas again, Anson took a deep breath, revealed a smile, and said patiently.

"Lucas, you can't read all the news, and you can't fight everyone who doesn't like me..."

Lucas, "Why don't they like you?"

Anson, "What?"

Lucas, "I mean, why don't they like you?"

Anson laughed directly, "Lucas, liking someone doesn't need a reason, and likewise, hating someone doesn't need a reason either. If you hate someone, even if they don't do anything, you just want them to disappear quickly."

Lucas thought about it seriously, "Okay, I can't refute that."

Only then could Anson continue. "So, you can't stop all this."

Lucas, "Then what should we do? Just watch like this and do nothing?"

Anson, "No, you can stand by my side like you are today, and tell me with your actions that the people who hate me don't matter at all, because they have nothing to do with your little brother's life; the people who like me and support me are the coordinates that define life."

"I need some reminders. Believe me, in Vanity Fair, I will need these reminders."

Lucas looked at Anson quietly.

Anson didn't say anything more, just met Lucas' gaze calmly.

In the end, Lucas gave in, "Okay." But in less than half a second, he asked again, "What's going on with Hayden and Brad?"

Actually, Anson still doesn't have an answer about what happened with Hayden. They never met, and gradually became strangers.

Anson thought for a while, "They were jealous of my success, but I saw through them, so they moved out."

For the time being, let's take this as the correct answer.

Lucas, "Really?"

Anson spread his hands, "Otherwise, are you going to examine my emotional wounds?"

Lucas: ... "Okay."

Not only Lucas, but Anson could clearly feel that Charles and Nora also breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, Charles remembered, "Anson, what I said just now was serious. Aren't you considering moving? Maybe you should buy a property, after all, you're an actor now, right?"

Anson looked speechless, "Dad, what's with the rising intonation at the end of your question?"

Charles smiled without saying a word.

Lucas added insult to injury, "I don't like this house. I told you last time, it's too easy for the paparazzi to monitor; and you should have your own private space."

Nora nodded repeatedly, "Now that you've gained a foothold in Los Angeles, it's good to buy a property. It doesn't need to be too big, three bedrooms will do."

Anson almost choked on his saliva—

Three bedrooms, isn't that too big?

Just as Anson was about to retort, there was another knock on the door.

This time, all four of them were stunned.

Anson counted, one, two, three, four, the entire Wood family was here. Anson looked at Lucas, "Where else did you blab about my business?"

Who is it at the door?