From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“... ... That's Anson, right?”

“Anson? That Anson? Jesus Christ, how is that possible?”

“Why would he show up here?”

“Ah, he's so charming, ah ah ah!”

“He's even more charming up close, God, I can't breathe.”

“So, who is that woman? Is Anson dating?”

“Wait, Anson likes older women, does that mean I don't have a chance? Ah, a thousand arrows pierce my heart.”

“I can't believe Anson is actually dating a woman like that! What's wrong with me? Why won't he date me?”

“Anson actually likes modern art too, you can't usually tell.”

Rustling, chirping.

A complete uproar, impossible to stop.

Inside the gallery, three staff members huddled together, whispering and shivering.

Outside the gallery, a crowd was quietly gathering, slowly occupying the line of sight—

Not just at the entrance, a small group of people gradually arrived across the street. You could still count them, less than ten people, but looking at their cheering and yelling into their phones, you could guess that they were calling friends, and things were quietly getting out of control.

However, Nora and Anson, who were touring the gallery, didn't notice.

“... ... Ahem, excuse me, sorry to interrupt, would you like any drinks? We have coffee, soda, and milk.”

Carol Bright was pushed forward by her colleagues to serve Anson. She felt her voice trembling, her palms sweating, and her knees shaking. That one sentence exhausted all her strength.

Nora turned to look at Anson, “Did you eat anything on the plane? If not, don't drink coffee on an empty stomach. How about soda?”

Carol's eyes widened—

So intimate?

Anson nodded lightly, “Then soda. Sorry, could you heat up some milk and give me a glass?”

Nora, “Are you going to hold two drinks?”

Anson, “The hot milk is for you. You need to replenish fluids more than I do.”

Carol: ? ? ? What kind of dog food is this?

Reflexively, Carol nodded and turned to go to the tea room.

Nora saw this and couldn't help but laugh, “Carol, wait, you don't have to take his orders.”

Nora took a deep breath, “Hot milk, why not?”

Carol nodded obediently, hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help but ask, “So, you know each other?”

Anson nodded lightly, “I'm not sure if she remembers, but we have met a few times, over the past six months.”

Carol's eyeballs were about to fall out.

Nora looked helpless and slapped the back of Anson's head.

Anson, “Ouch.”

Nora looked at Carol, “Yes, Carol, we know each other. I am his mother.”

Carol: …

Jaw dislocated, dumbfounded, petrified, like a robot with a burnt-out CPU, screws, springs, and gears all popping out.

After holding back for a long time, Carol finally blurted out a sentence.

“Nora-Wood… Anson-Wood… Oh, oh! Jesus Christ!”

Nora spread her hands, “Yes, it's the same Wood.”

Carol, “Damn it!” A swear word slipped out, and she immediately covered her mouth—

Standing at attention, she turned around and fled, completely unaware that she was moving her arms and legs on the same side.

Nora shook her head repeatedly, “What on earth are they thinking?”

Anson, “They wanted to confirm who my date is.”

Nora blinked, and her flu-slowed brain finally understood, “Wait, you? Her? What's going on here?”

Anson looked calm, “Well, you are my date today. Hey, honestly, how long has it been since Dad took you out for a date night?”

Nora looked at Anson, who was still in the mood to joke, and couldn't help but shake her head helplessly, “I can't believe what's going on in their heads.”

“Welcome to Hollywood.” Anson was very calm, already used to it.

At this time, Nora finally noticed the crowd gradually gathering outside the gallery—

A dozen or twenty people, standing across the street, craning their necks to look into the gallery. There was even a figure resembling a paparazzi, carrying a camera cannon, the long barrel aimed at the gallery, just waiting to capture the shot.

“Mom, sorry.” Anson's voice pulled Nora's thoughts back.

“I know you don't like media attention, but it seems you've been exposed.”

Nora chuckled, unable to stop herself from laughing, “Don't worry, I'm not surprised at all. When you were preparing to go to Hollywood, your father predicted it. He was even looking forward to it, 'Anson Wood's father,' he wouldn't mind walking around with that title.”

“How about you, are you okay? God, they should never have peace.”

Her first reaction was worry.

She didn't expect that Anson's life was now completely surrounded by the spotlight. Compared to the Palme d'Or and the North American weekend box office champion, this scene was more direct and more shocking.

Until now, Nora truly realized what a superstar was all about.

But before the worried emotions could fully spread, Nora caught the mischievous glint in Anson's eyes. She knew her youngest son's appearance all too well, “What on earth are you thinking?”

Anson looked at Nora with an innocent expression, “Mom, I'm the victim, okay?”

Nora didn't believe it.

Anson raised his hands in surrender, “I don't want to disrupt my daily life because of outside attention. When I start dodging, they'll get their way; so, I think, since they're curious, let them pay attention, they'll get bored one day.”

Nora was waiting, there should be more to come.

Sure enough.

“When they're paying attention, I think, why not take advantage of them?”

Nora, “What do you mean?”

Anson didn't answer. Lucas had just told him that Nora had encountered some difficulties with a recent work project, and the promotion of the exhibition was not as good as expected. He thought that maybe he could give a little help—

Not the media.

Those flashing lights outside weren't brought by Anson; but since they were there, Anson thought, why not go with the flow and borrow the momentum?

Nora carefully looked at Anson, wanting to reprimand him, worried that Anson would get burned, after all, these media are not good people; but looking at Anson's eager and excited appearance, the words were swallowed back down.

Anyway, no matter what happens, they can help Anson cover the bottom line.

Besides, can a good kid like Anson really make a big mess?

Anson brought the topic back, “Don't you think there's a problem with the exhibition's display?”

Nora's attention immediately came back, raising her voice, “What do you mean?”