From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Everyone understands the principle that you shouldn't easily judge others by their appearance, because appearances are often deceiving; but the reality is that humans are visual creatures, and the first impression that the eyes see becomes the basis for judgment.

This is how others see Anson, and it's the same way they see Rachel.

A fraction of a second later, Anson realized that Rachel was a smart person. It wasn't that she didn't understand Anson's teasing, but rather that she followed Anson's words and began to imagine, which instead plunged Anson into a brief moment of panic.

"Sorry."

Anson spread his hands and shrugged lightly, using this gesture to show that he was not aggressive, which made Marcia and Nicholas both look at him:

Apologize? Why?

Just because Anson said "anything" just now? There was no hint or joke, just a lighthearted joke, why did he need to apologize?

In fact, not only Marcia and the others, but Rachel herself was also a little surprised.

Now, Rachel was panicked instead, apologies and explanations were already on her lips, but Anson continued to speak, leaving no room for interruption.

"Long time no see, obviously, I'm not sure how to start the conversation."

Rachel:?

Long time no see? She was very sure and certain that this was their first meeting.

"I'm still the same, the school is like that, and Mom is still like that, God, I myself find this kind of life boring."

"What about you?"

Rachel:…

Taken aback, Rachel realized that she couldn't keep up with the rhythm, she had been completely drawn into Anson's rhythm; but Anson's words flowed like a warm current, and the scene of friends reuniting after a long absence slowly unfolded.

Moreover, Rachel noticed the details: Mom.

He mentioned Mom.

This meant that they might be neighbors, and their parents knew each other.

Rachel had no way to think and no time to think, she could only react subconsciously.

"Boring is a good thing, boring means no accidents, no incidents, no disasters, everything is going well, of course, unless you are looking forward to storms."

After speaking, she revealed a smile.

Sure enough, she was a sweet girl, and her bright and sweet smile made the atmosphere lighter.

Rachel tucked the drooping strands of hair behind her ears, "I, I'm working hard, trying to create some waves, but obviously, things are more difficult than I imagined."

She was talking about her acting career.

In the blink of an eye, a year, two years, she was still one of the thousands of failures in Los Angeles who dreamed of being an actress but were repeatedly told that Hollywood was not so easy, going around in different auditions every day but not knowing what she was doing.

Lost, only for a short moment, and then she concealed herself with a smile.

Rachel told herself that this was the path she had chosen, no one forced her, so she should face the current situation calmly, with less complaining and more persistence.

However, those losses and bitterness were real.

Rachel looked at Anson with bright eyes, quietly hiding those shadows.

A voice came from the front, "You should believe in yourself."

Rachel was stunned, "Huh?"

Anson repeated it again, "You should believe in yourself."

Rachel was stunned.

Anson continued, "You know, when you stick to the things you like, you shine, just like all the light in the world is gathered on you, even if you don't do well, you still enjoy it."

Without warning, Rachel's eyes turned red, she flusteredly turned her head away, quickly rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, and mumbled vaguely, "Ha, I've been wearing contact lenses for too long, sorry."

Hastily concealing herself, Rachel looked at Anson again, she had returned to her original state, showing a big smile, even more brilliant and sweeter, but slightly exaggerated, using this method to conceal her embarrassment and awkwardness.

Performance and reality, illusion and truth, quietly blended together.

Marcia was completely focused—

Anson was facing away from her, she couldn't see Anson's expression, but she could feel the power that Anson conveyed from the ups and downs of his voice and the warmth of his words, and then Rachel, like a mirror, projected the emotions that Anson released.

This was the Rachel that she hadn't noticed.

Broken but tenacious.

Then.

Anson said, "This is also the reason why I secretly loved you back then. I like you like that."

Time stood still at this moment.

An ordinary confession, but heavily fell on Marcia's heart—

Her heart was pounding non-stop, and her ears were ringing.

Rachel quietly looked at Anson, this was clearly their first meeting, but at this moment, in that brief moment when time lost its meaning, they seemed to enter another time and space, and her heartbeat was out of rhythm.

Those eyes were clear and bright, without dodging, shyness, or restraint, flowing like a stream with bamboo leaves gently swirling, reflecting sunlight, white clouds, and the shade of trees, with only the sound of wind and birds chirping.

Then, her heartbeat reverberated above her eardrums.

He was not flustered, but upright.

Instead, she panicked.

The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, but she lowered her eyes shyly to avoid his gaze, concealing her panic, and then couldn't help but raise her eyes to look back, the curve of her mouth fully blooming, carefully searching for the light in those azure blue eyes.

"But."

"Why didn't you confess back then?"

Rachel said.

After speaking, Rachel herself couldn't help but chuckle lightly.

This time, it was Anson's turn to be stunned, how should he answer?

Anson nodded lightly, repeating to himself, "Yes, why didn't I confess back then."

A faint sense of melancholy and sigh flowed in the air.

Rachel had completely calmed down, maintaining a smile as she stared at Anson, "Maybe, you didn't really like me that much."

"Or, you just liked an imaginary me."

"You know, to depict a beautiful image in your mind, carrying all your imagination, but not daring to approach, you think it's because you don't have the courage, but in fact, you know deep down that perfection doesn't exist, everything is just an illusion, once you get close, the illusion will be shattered."

"Like the Little Mermaid, turning into bubbles."

The quiet air was quietly surging, clearly everything was so calm and so indifferent, but the turbulent emotions between the lines were so intense and so flamboyant.

Rachel, still with a smile on her face, unable to find the slightest sadness or pain, but that mixture of strength and fragility gradually surfaced.

Marcia and Nicholas alike, completely focused on Rachel, but the wonderful thing was that, clearly looking at Rachel, they seemed to be able to see Anson—

A vivid picture.

Anson did not deny it, but said softly.

"Maybe, because I am a disaster, so I placed all my expectations for hope and beauty on you, and believed that you were happiness itself, but I didn't think I was qualified to get close or touch you."

"I was doubting whether I was qualified."

The calm reply, but contained unbelievable despair and pain, without concealment or discount, fiercely crashing into Rachel's chest.

She was also stunned, opened her mouth, trying to say something, but found that language was so pale and so powerless.

In the end, she could only show a smile again, "Then are you qualified now?"