novellhall Chapter 387 The Blessing of Having Multiple Women?
Chapter 387 The Blessing of Having Multiple Women?
Chapter 386 The Blessing of Having Multiple Women?
The mainland China premiere of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" concluded in Shanghai. Chen Xun, along with Christine, finished their five-stop promotional tour in China and boarded a flight back to Los Angeles.
The two-week domestic roadshow completely ignited the enthusiasm of mainland audiences for watching the film.
On the day the roadshow ended, the pre-sale box office of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" in mainland China exceeded 3 million RMB.
It set a new record for the fastest imported superhero film to break 3 million yuan in pre-sales in mainland China!
The previous record holder was Chen Xun's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2".
The number of people who want to watch it on Douban has exceeded 50, and the combined number of people who want to watch it on Taopiaopiao and Maoyan platforms has exceeded one million.
It broke the record for the most anticipated Marvel solo superhero film in mainland China.
The global market has been booming, and with the conclusion of the roadshow, global pre-sale box office has officially exceeded $3.8 million, not only breaking the pre-sale record for a solo MCU superhero film, but also directly entering the top three of the all-time superhero film pre-sale chart.
North American opening weekend box office forecasts have been revised upward from the initial $1.8 million to $2.2 million.
All industry institutions believe that this film will create a box office miracle during the summer season.
Just as Christine got out of the airport and onto the car back to Beverly Hills, her phone rang. It was a video call from Dakota.
Christine answered the phone, and Dakota's gentle smiling face immediately appeared on the screen, along with Ellie clinging to the camera, the little girl waving and calling out in a clear voice, "Sister Christine! Brother Chen Xun! You're finally back in Los Angeles!"
"Just landed, and are walking back now."
Christine greeted Ellie with a smile, then looked at Dakota: "Why did you suddenly call? Did you miss me?"
"Of course I miss you. It's been almost a month since you left."
Dakota laughed and said, "I've made a reservation at a coffee shop in Beverly Hills. Are you free tomorrow afternoon? Let's get together. I brought some cookies that Ellie baked. You guys have been touring the country for so long, you must be exhausted."
Before Christine could even speak, her thoughts had already reached Chen Xun's ears:
[Speak of the devil! I was just thinking of coming back to chat with her, and she showed up at my doorstep!]
[It'll be good to see what she's really thinking, so I don't have to guess every day. Anyway, Chen Xun is here too, so I can watch their interaction and find out what this girl is really thinking.]
Oh, and bring Chen Xun along too; it'll be a good opportunity to test her reaction.
After thinking it over in her mind, Christine said to Dakota on the phone, "I'm free. Chen Xun just came back with me. Do you mind if we have an extra pair of chopsticks?"
Dakota, on the other end of the phone, brightened instantly upon hearing that Chen Xun was also there, a barely perceptible blush rising to her cheeks. She quickly nodded, "Of course not! More people means more fun! Ellie keeps talking about Brother Chen Xun, wanting to learn new magic tricks!"
Ellie, standing next to her, immediately nodded in agreement and shouted to the camera, "Brother Chen Xun! You have to come! I saved some chocolate chip cookies for you!"
"Okay, see you tomorrow afternoon."
Chen Xun leaned closer to the camera, smiling as he agreed, and met Dakota's undisguised joy, understanding the situation perfectly.
After hanging up the phone, Christine turned to Chen Xun, deliberately putting on a stern face: "Did you hear that? Ellie is urging you to teach her magic tricks. Don't just give that young lady a perfunctory answer when you go tomorrow."
[Hmph, he agreed so readily, but he's probably secretly thrilled. That girl Dakota blushed when she heard he was coming, but she pretended nothing was wrong.]
【Alright, I'll see tomorrow if those two are up to something. Anyway, even if they are, it's not a big deal. It's better to have someone keep an eye on him than for him to be chasing after other women.】
Listening to her thoughts, Chen Xun was both angry and amused. He reached out and pinched her cheek: "When have I ever been perfunctory with Ellie?"
"But you, why are you suddenly so enthusiastic, dragging me to see Dakota?"
Christine's eyes flickered, but she retorted stubbornly, "What do you mean I'm dragging you along? It's Dakota who doesn't mind you going. I can't just leave you alone at home, can I? Besides, you owe Ellie a magic trick, shouldn't you pay it back?"
Why is he asking again? Has he really figured something out? No, I absolutely can't admit it, or this guy will get all cocky.
Seeing her feigned composure, Chen Xun didn't expose her, but simply smiled and nodded: "Okay, whatever you say. I'll go with you to meet your friends tomorrow, and I'll teach Ellie some magic tricks while I'm at it, is that alright?"
Christine gave a satisfied hum, leaned back in her chair, and was already planning how to subtly probe Dakota's intentions tomorrow.
Chen Xun leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, listening to her little scheme, his smile growing wider and wider.
He wanted to see how his tough-talking but soft-hearted actress girlfriend would "recruit others" and how she would keep an eye on him.
The next afternoon, at a popular cafe in Beverly Hills.
Located halfway up a hill, this shop offers stunning views of the Los Angeles skyline through its floor-to-ceiling windows. The quiet and private environment makes it a popular spot for Hollywood stars to meet up in private.
When Chen Xun and Christine arrived, Dakota and Ellie were already sitting by the window waiting for them.
As soon as Ellie saw Chen Xun, she jumped off the chair, rushed to him, and looked up at him, shouting, "Brother Chen Xun! You're finally back!"
Dakota also stood up, smiling at the two of them. When her gaze fell on Chen Xun, a hint of barely perceptible joy flashed in her gentle eyes: "You must be tired from your journey. Please have a seat."
Today she wore a beige knitted dress, her long hair loosely tied back, giving her a more gentle and homey feel than her usual cool demeanor, which contrasted sharply with Kristen's cool and androgynous style.
Chen Xun ruffled Ellie's hair, picked the little girl up and placed her on a chair, smiling as he handed her the panda plush toy he had brought back from China: "I haven't forgotten the gift I promised you."
Ellie hugged the panda plush toy, her eyes shining like stars, and immediately exclaimed happily, "Thank you, Brother Chen Xun! I love it so much!"
Christine sat opposite Dakota, and seeing the barely concealed smile in her eyes, her thoughts instantly reached Chen Xun's ears:
[Look, look, her eyes are practically glued to him. She still says they're just friends. Only a blockhead like Chen Xun can't see through the girl's feelings.]
[But that's alright, she has a gentle personality and can keep Chen Xun in check, which is better than that Jennifer from Kentucky who just messages him all day long.]
Chen Xun almost choked on the water he had just drunk while listening to her thoughts.
He really didn't expect that Chris Jiang not only didn't mind, but even ranked Dakota and Jennifer in his mind.
Dakota pushed the cookie jar on the table toward Chen Xun and said softly, "These are cookies that Ellie baked all afternoon yesterday. She specially saved them for you. They're chocolate flavored, and you said you liked them."
Chen Xun was stunned for a moment. He couldn't remember when he had casually mentioned liking chocolate chip cookies, but Dakota actually remembered it now.
"Thank you, that's very thoughtful."
He picked up a cookie, took a bite, and praised with a smile, "Ellie's cooking skills are getting better and better; it tastes even better than the desserts sold in outside shops."
Ellie immediately smiled so hard her eyes narrowed into slits, and Dakota looked at him with a gentle smile in her eyes as well.
Christine sat opposite, watching this scene, her fingers lightly tapping the table, her inner monologue drifting over:
Wow, she even knows exactly what flavor of cookies he likes. This girl really cares.
Anyway, I can't keep an eye on him by myself, and Dakota knows him inside and out. It's better than him seeing some shady people outside. I'll find an opportunity to have a good talk with her later. She can't hide her feelings anyway; she'll find out as soon as I press her.
Chen Xun looked up at Christine, just in time to meet her thoughtful gaze. He deliberately raised an eyebrow and mouthed to her, "Stop planning."
Christine glared at him instantly, her cheeks flushing slightly, and kicked him under the table, mouthing, "Mind your own business!"
Dakota couldn't help but laugh as he watched the little exchange between the two.
She had long realized that Chen Xun had more than just Christine by his side.
But she didn't care. Being able to see him occasionally and see that he was doing well was enough for her.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, falling on the three of them. Outside, the lights of Los Angeles twinkled, and on the table sat sweet-smelling cookies and warm coffee.
Sitting between the two girls, Chen Xun listened to Christine's little scheme, looked at Dakota's gentle smile, and saw Ellie chattering away while hugging a panda plushie. A strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart.
Ellie, clutching her panda plush toy, finished two chocolate chip cookies, crumbs still clinging to her lips, and tugged at Chen Xun's sleeve, her big eyes blinking brightly. "Brother Chen Xun, you promised to teach me the new magic trick, can you teach me now? I want to perform it for my classmates at school!"
Chen Xun glanced down at the little girl's expectant face, then looked up at Christine opposite him, catching a fleeting glimpse of calculation in her eyes. Simultaneously, he imagined her thoughts:
【Great! Ellie is such a great wingman! This will send him away so I can talk to Dakota alone and find out what's going on with her. If she really is interested in Chen Xun too, things will be much easier.】
Anyway, I'm not the only one around him. Instead of being wary of this one and that one, I might as well bring one of my own people on board. Dakota is easygoing and knows me well. She's much more reliable than that Jennifer from Kentucky.
Chen Xun chuckled inwardly, but pretended to be completely unaware. He ruffled Ellie's hair and nodded with a smile, "Okay, then let's go to the empty table over there and teach, so we won't disturb your sister Christine and sister Dakota's conversation, okay?"
"good!"
Ellie cheered immediately, grabbed his hand and ran to an empty table in the corner of the cafe, not forgetting to turn back and make a face at her two older sisters.
Watching the two walk away, Christine picked up her coffee, took a sip, put down the cup, looked up at Dakota across the table, and went straight to the point, asking a probing question: "Honestly, his roadshow tour in China this time almost exhausted me."
"You didn't see it. He's constantly on the go, attending red carpet events, meet-and-greets, and premieres. He flies to a different city every day, and he doesn't even have anyone to take good care of him."
Dakota's fingers tightened slightly around the coffee cup, the coolness of the cup not suppressing the heat rising on her cheeks.
She looked up at Christine, trying to keep her tone natural: "He's always like this. Whether it's filming or a promotional tour, once he gets into it, he forgets about himself."
Dakota was taken aback when he said that.
That sounds like something a close friend would say; it's too easy for them to give themselves away.
Sure enough, Christine's eyes lit up instantly, and the thoughts in her mind reached Chen Xun's ears like the sound of a gong:
[I knew it! She definitely has feelings for him! She even remembers Chen Xun's little habits while filming perfectly. No one would believe she doesn't have something going on!]
[It's settled, this girl is definitely not going anywhere. Now let's see how I make things clear.]
Christine remained outwardly calm, only letting out a feigned sigh, and continued Dakota's words, "That's right. He seems to know everything, but he's actually quite rough around the edges in his personal life."
"I can't take care of him all by myself, especially since he's constantly on the go, filming 'Joker' in New York one minute and doing promotional work in Los Angeles the next. I can't keep up with him all the time."
She paused, her gaze falling on Dakota's face, her tone tentative: "Speaking of which, you've settled in Los Angeles, which is close to him. Since he's usually here, it would be helpful for you to keep an eye on him. I know you're meticulous and much more reliable than someone as clumsy as me."
Dakota's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and met Christine's gaze, momentarily unable to tell whether Christine was sincere or deliberately testing her.
She and Chen Xun kept their affair a secret and never told anyone outside the family, especially Christine.
All of Hollywood knew about her relationship with Chen Xun, and Dakota was always afraid that she would be angry if she found out and that it would cause a rift between her and Chen Xun.
But at this moment, Christine's tone was not hostile at all; instead, it carried a sense of natural familiarity.
Dakota felt flustered and confused, yet also couldn't suppress her anticipation. Her fingers unconsciously stirred the milk foam in her coffee as she whispered, "Of course—he's always been very good to me and Ellie, so it's only right that we take care of him."
She said yes! I knew it!
Christine almost cheered inwardly, but maintained her cool and composed demeanor. She even leaned forward and made her point more clearly: "Actually, I won't beat around the bush with you anymore, Dakota. We've known each other for so many years, you know what kind of person I am. Chen Xun's fame is growing, and he's never short of women around him. I can't keep an eye on him by myself."
"Instead of letting those shady characters get involved, it's better for us to keep an eye on him ourselves, don't you think?"
That couldn't be clearer.
Dakota looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with shock. She never expected Christine to say such a thing.
She originally thought that her relationship with Chen Xun was destined to remain hidden in the shadows and could never see the light of day.
But now, Christine has actually offered her a way out, even inviting her to stand next to Chen Xun.
She suddenly felt excited.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but fearing she might misunderstand, she could only blush and ask softly, "Christine, what—what do you mean by that?"
"What do you mean?"
Christine laughed: "What I mean is, when Chen Xun is in Los Angeles, you should spend more time with him. Premieres, events, and private moments are all fine. I'm not petty or jealous. As long as he cares about me, everything else is negotiable."
[Perfect! We've said all that; if she still doesn't understand, she's truly stupid. Anyway, as long as she agrees, we'll both keep an eye on Chen Xun and see if he dares to flirt around again.]
At an empty table not far away, Chen Xun was teaching Ellie how to flip coins with her fingers while listening to Christine's inner thoughts clearly, and he almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He was originally thinking about how to balance the relationship between Christine and Dakota, but he didn't expect that Christine had paved the way for him first, and was even more thoughtful than he had thought.
He only needs to pretend he knows nothing and go with the flow to enjoy the blessings of having multiple wives.
This mind-reading function is just too useful!
"Brother Chen Xun? Why are you smiling?"
Ellie looked up at him with a blank expression, her little face upturned. "Did I learn it wrong?"
No, you're doing very well.
Chen Xun snapped out of his daze, ruffled the little girl's hair, and placed the coin in her hand: "Practice it again, your movements were very standard just now."
He looked up at the window and met Dakota's gaze. The girl's cheeks were flushed, her eyes filled with a mix of panic and barely concealed joy. When she saw him looking at her, she immediately lowered her head and continued stirring her coffee, like a startled fawn.
Chen Xun understood; it seemed that Christine's test had succeeded.
After practicing with Ellie for another ten minutes, the little girl finally learned a simple coin trick. Excitedly, she ran back to the table with the coin in her hand and performed it for her two older sisters, chattering and showing off nonstop.
Chen Xun followed her back, pulled out a chair and sat down next to Christine. He had just picked up his water glass and taken a sip when he heard Christine casually ask, "By the way, what are your plans for the Spider-Man event in Los Angeles next week?"
Chen Xun put down his water glass, pretending to be very obedient: "I'm just following your instructions, otherwise I'd really be having a headache."
Christine immediately chimed in, pointing to Dakota beside her, and said with a smile, "What's there to worry about? Dakota's got nothing to do anyway, why not just have her come with you? Ellie also wants to see the premiere, so the three of us can go together, it'll be so much fun."
The table fell silent instantly upon hearing this.
Ellie held up the coin, her eyes lighting up instantly: "Really? I can go to the premiere too? That's great! I want to see Spider-Man!"
Dakota's heart skipped a beat. She looked up at Chen Xun, then at Christine, and quickly waved her hand, pretending to decline: "No, no, this is the world premiere. There are so many media outlets and reporters. It's not appropriate for me to go. They'll write all sorts of things about me."
"What's inappropriate about it?"
Christine waved her hand dismissively, "You're Chen Xun's good friend, what's wrong with going to the premiere with him? Who would dare write anything nonsense about it? Besides, I'm here, what's there to be afraid of?"
She paused, then added, effectively cutting off Dakota's escape route: "It's settled then. The premiere is next week, and the three of us will walk the red carpet together. I've already picked out my dress, and I'll also order one from the same collection for you. When we stand together, we'll definitely outshine everyone."
Dakota looked at Christine's unyielding expression, then secretly glanced at Chen Xun, her eyes filled with anticipation.