From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Silence reigned in the abandoned warehouse.

The sounds of air currents and the occasional roar of engines passing by outside collided, only serving to further solidify and stiffen the atmosphere within the studio.

It was frighteningly quiet.

No one had foreseen the beginning of today's shoot, nor its progress, and now, no one could foresee the turning point either.

What to do?

Gretel's first reaction was to object—

Absurd!

How could this be!

A photographer interfering with a stylist's work, what kind of international joke was this?

But.

Gretel had worked with Bruce long enough; Bruce not only collaborated with "GQ," but his figure could be seen in almost all the top magazines in the industry; moreover, Bruce's reputation in the industry had always been outstanding, professional and decisive, able to smoothly complete his work in any difficult situation.

This was indeed the first time ever.

Which meant that if Bruce didn't genuinely believe it, he would absolutely not interfere with other people's professional work, he wouldn't even open his mouth.

Moreover.

Gretel was all too aware of how tricky, difficult, and troublesome today's shoot was; she had seen Bruce's struggles and hesitations.

Now, after careful consideration, Bruce had uttered these words, throwing out a difficult problem that could lead to a point of no return.

So, how should she decide?

In fact, similar situations were not uncommon.

On set, if something felt off, or if details needed adjusting, stylists changing outfits, or even altering the entire shooting theme, even the craziest things had happened before; when the stylist wasn't on set, the editor held the decision-making power and the final say.

Which meant that Bruce was only suggesting, the decision was in Gretel's hands.

Gretel wanted to curse, in a very brutal, very rude, very dirty way, but Gretel successfully controlled herself, she was weighing the pros and cons—

Anson, was it worth it?

If it were ten minutes earlier, before Anson arrived on set, Gretel would have said without hesitation, business is business, she wouldn't allow any deviations.

Besides, it was just Anson, they didn't even fuss so much when shooting Hugh Jackman's cover, why bother making a fuss for Anson?

However, what about now?

Gretel realized her hesitation and couldn't help but turn her head to look at Anson.

Anson wasn't aware of the ins and outs, so naturally, he didn't know the current situation, but he could vaguely guess that things were probably happening because of him.

Anson spread his hands, revealing a regretful smile, "Sorry, I don't have any balloons anymore."

Was this… a clown's line?

Not the Joker from "Batman," but the clown at a child's birthday party.

He took a deep breath and regretfully stated his position.

"Gretel, I know it's difficult for you, if it's not possible, then forget it."

"I understand. If a stylist stood behind me and told me how to shoot, how to compose, how to light, I would be the first to flip the table."

"I don't want to make things difficult for you."

"Anyway, the work shot now is barely usable. It's not that bad."

It would just be completely overshadowed by the brilliance of Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt.

But what did that have to do with him?

Such things happened in Hollywood every day, one Anson left, and another "Anson" would appear.

Moreover, he had done his best, he had tried and fought for it, he had completed his work.

Bruce had a clear conscience.

Gretel took a deep breath, withdrew her gaze, and looked at Bruce again, "So, what do you plan to do?"

Bruce blinked, "Gretel?"

Gretel raised her right index finger to stop him, preemptively saying before Bruce could get even more excited, "No, I didn't agree, I'm just opening up the possibility, let me hear your thoughts first. You think the styling is no good, so, how should we modify it? I'll listen to see just how outrageous it is."

Bruce came back to his senses, unable to control his excitement—

But on the surface, he remained expressionless.

After calming down slightly, Bruce began to consider Gretel's question, but… his brain was blank, "This isn't my specialty…"

Gretel directly rolled her eyes, "Bruce!"

Bruce quickly waved his hands to explain, "I just have an idea."

"I think Anson is being constrained by this suit and this studio, the styling needs to change, otherwise we'll be stuck here forever."

"My idea is that we can leave here and shoot outside, without going anywhere else, just in Melrose, let Anson bring his skateboard."

A suit with a skateboard?

Gretel: …

Bruce also noticed Gretel's expression and quickly added an explanation, "You also saw, when Anson appeared today, his vitality and charm, this is a side that even 'Friends' hasn't shown."

"If we can combine Anson's own temperament with the charm of the suit, believe me, it will become a classic, although I don't know what kind of sparks it will create, but I have a very good premonition."

Now, Gretel finally understood Bruce's meaning, "This is the inspiration you've been searching for?"

Bruce didn't give an affirmative answer.

"I don't know. Gretel, I can't lie to you, honestly, I don't know and I'm not sure, but my intuition tells me that we should try and see."

Sure enough, Bruce was an honest man, telling the truth while talking nonsense.

Gretel only felt her temples throbbing violently, with waves of stabbing pain, "Oh, Jesus Christ."

Bruce didn't say anything more, but quietly waited for Gretel's decision, anyway, he had done what he should do, without guilt or regret, no matter what the result, he could face it calmly, not failing his profession, nor failing "GQ's" remuneration.

Then, at this moment—

"Hansel?"

A voice came.

Gretel looked over with a helpless expression, "That's not funny."

Not Gretel, but Hansel, Gretel's brother in the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel."

From childhood to adulthood, more than one classmate had made similar jokes in front of Gretel, "Gretel, Gretel, where's Hansel? How come you're alone?"

Gretel had really had enough.

But she didn't expect to see an innocent face raising its hands in surrender, "I know, this joke is very clumsy and very bad, but I think you guys need to relax a little."

It was Anson.

"Please, why so serious?"

Looking at that smiling face, the corners of Gretel's mouth turned up helplessly, and the anger that hadn't had time to surge up subsided silently.

She said, "Hey, mister, the problem is with you right now, you're the one who shouldn't be relaxing the most."

Anson shrugged lightly, "Great, in my perfect life, I've finally found the second thing I'm not good at."

Bruce: …

Gretel: …

Both of them were slightly stunned, and then Gretel subconsciously asked, "What's the first thing?"

Although Gretel kept telling herself that she shouldn't ask, she couldn't resist in the end.

Anson said with a serious face, "Telling jokes."

Third update.