novellhall Chapter 392 Emma is moving in?
Chapter 392 Emma is moving in?
Chapter 391 Emma is moving in?
"It's not that I don't care about the Oscars."
Chen Xun leaned back on the sofa, his eyes narrowing slightly: "There's no point in arguing with them now. The Oscar judges' bias against Asians can't be broken with just a statement. If the haters want to smear me, even if I bring out ten trophies, they'll find new things to criticize me for."
"Instead of wasting time arguing with them now, we should focus all our energy on 'Joker'."
Chen Xun spoke with confidence: "The more fiercely they curse now, the more they will be slapped in the face when 'Joker' is released. I want them to see that I can not only win the Best Actor award, but also convince them and leave them speechless."
He had already thought it through.
Rather than suppressing this public opinion storm now, it's better to let it linger a little longer.
The more outrageous the rumors are now, the more thoroughly they will be proven wrong when "Joker" has its world premiere and he wins the Oscar for Best Actor.
The bullets that are now being fired at him will eventually return the way they came and strike the very people who fired them.
Seeing the confidence in Chen Xun's eyes, Robert's heart finally settled down.
He then realized that Chen Xun was not sitting idly by waiting for his death, but had already set up a trap and was holding back a big move.
He gave a wry smile and shook his head: "Fine, I'll tell the PR team to stop all statements right away. Let them talk. I want to see how swollen their faces will be on the day of the Joker premiere."
"That's right!"
Chen Xun smiled and said, "Let the bullets fly for a while!"
After Robert left, the house became quiet.
Christine came out from the inner room with two cups of freshly brewed hot tea. She handed one to Chen Xun, sat down next to him, and reached out to rub his temples. "I thought you really didn't care at all, but it turns out you've been holding back all along."
Chen Xun is so cute with his mischievous side~
She listened to Chen Xun and Robert's conversation the whole time, feeling both heartache and pride.
On the night the Oscar results were announced, Chen Xun said he had no regrets, but at three in the morning, she still saw him sitting alone on the sofa on the terrace, flipping through the storyboard for "Joker".
It's not that he didn't care; he just poured all his pent-up energy into "Joker."
"Arguing with them is beneath me."
Chen Xun took the hot tea, pulled her into his arms, and rubbed her head against the top of her head: "Instead of arguing with them about whether my acting is good or not, it's more direct to just slap my work in their faces."
"I knew you knew what was going on."
Christine leaned against him with a smile, scrolled through Twitter, and couldn't help but scoff at the increasingly outrageous negative stories circulating online: "The more these people jump around now, the more embarrassed they'll be at the Joker premiere. I can't wait to see how your Joker will shock them to death."
What do those clowns know? My man is the best!
Chen Xun smiled knowingly upon hearing Christine's thoughts.
Just then!
Chen Xun's phone rang.
It was Todd Phillips calling.
As soon as the call connected, Todd's excited voice came through the phone: "Chen! Great news!"
"The Venice Film Festival has officially announced that 'Joker' has been selected for the main competition, becoming the first comic book adaptation to be nominated. We are one of the opening films!"
Even though Chen Xun had anticipated this, he couldn't help but feel a glint in his eyes.
The Venice Film Festival, one of the three major European film festivals, has always been known for its artistic style, and no comic book adaptation has ever been nominated for the main competition.
The previous version of "Joker" was the first comic book adaptation to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
And in this lifetime, they still made history.
"Great, Todd."
Chen Xun's tone was tinged with amusement: "Thank you for your hard work, running around submitting applications and registrations all this time."
"What's so hard about it? We made this movie together, and its selection for the main competition is entirely due to your performance."
Todd's voice was full of excitement on the other end of the phone: "Chen, I watched the finished film again in the screening room yesterday. I guarantee that the Golden Lion will definitely be ours, and the Oscar for Best Actor will definitely be yours. Those people who say your acting is not good will shut their mouths when they see the finished film in Venice."
"I believe it!"
After hanging up Todd's call, Chen Xun looked down at Christine in his arms: "I heard you, our battlefield is set in Venice."
"Then I definitely want to go with you."
Christine looked up, her eyes sparkling: "I want to sit in the front row at the premiere and watch the whole audience stand up and applaud your performance."
[Anyone who dares to bully my man will pay!]
The Oscar buzz shows no signs of abating.
Emma Stone's career had already taken off thanks to the success of "La La Land," propelling her to the pinnacle of Hollywood's A-list actresses.
An Oscar for Best Actress, coupled with the lead role in a phenomenal blockbuster film, led to a meteoric rise in her career opportunities.
Hollywood offered her countless high-paying roles, including superhero movies and romantic comedy sequels, but she declined them all.
The awards ceremony took place less than a week ago.
The producers of "The Favourite" personally flew to Los Angeles and offered her a top-tier lead actress contract, inviting her to travel to London, England to film a period drama set in a closed location for more than half a year.
Overnight fame brings glory, but also endless troubles.
Emma never had a peaceful day again, living downstairs in her apartment building in downtown Los Angeles.
Paparazzi staking out the building 24/7, entertainment reporters blocking the stairwells, and stalker fans taking photos secretly surrounded the entire building.
She goes out to buy a cup of coffee, and the next day she's making headlines across the internet.
Even just opening the curtains by the window at home can be captured clearly by a telephoto lens.
His private life was thoroughly exposed, with even his personal clothes in his closet and the books on his bookshelf being extensively analyzed by the media.
Emma, whose personality leans towards quiet and artistic, couldn't stand this kind of oppressive surveillance and immediately decided to move.
But right now, he has to fly to the UK to join the film crew and stay on set for six months, so he has no time to choose a new house or deal with moving matters.
After much thought, the first person she thought of was Chen Xun.
Late at night, a private phone call came into Chen Xun's villa.
On the other end of the phone, Emma's voice sounded a little embarrassed: "Chen Xun, I'm sorry to bother you—I have something I'd like to ask you."
Chen Xun was in his study at the time, working on the details of the soundtrack for "Joker": "What is it that you need to ask me for such a polite favor?"
He was half-joking.
"There are paparazzi everywhere in front of my house, I really can't live here anymore, I'm planning to move, but I'm going to England to film 'The Favourite' soon, I won't be back for six months, and I have nowhere to put my personal belongings————"
Emma bit her lip, her tone becoming increasingly embarrassed: "Could I temporarily store my things at your villa until I finish filming and come back to move them out?"
Chen Xun agreed almost without hesitation: "No problem, just put it over."
He understands all too well the predicament of being swept up by public opinion and unable to even hide one's private life, and he is also grateful for the friendship they formed while working together on "La La Land".
This is just a small favor, nothing at all.
After hanging up the phone, Chen Xun was still pondering to himself.
At most, it's just a few suitcases, some personal clothing and jewelry, which can be easily placed in any guest room.
The next morning, three large moving trucks pulled up in front of his villa in Beverly Hills.
The moment the car door opened, Chen Xun was dumbfounded.
Large and small solid wood storage boxes, vintage suitcases, and custom-made dustproof wardrobes were piled up like a small mountain.
Old-fashioned wooden ornaments and metal instruments were carefully wrapped in shock-absorbing foam and carried down the stairs, box after box.
Even the floor-standing record player and the heavy solid wood bookshelf were carefully lifted down by the workers.
This is not luggage storage.
This is clearly an attempt to move the entire house over, untouched.
Chen Xun stood in the courtyard, watching the endless stream of items being carried down, his lips twitching. He turned to look at Emma, who had rushed over beside him.
Today, she ditched all her red carpet finery, wearing a simple off-white knit sweater and jeans, her long hair casually tied into a low ponytail, and her face free of makeup, looking clean and gentle.
Noticing Chen Xun's surprised gaze, her ears turned red, and she pursed her lips shyly with a soft laugh, "Um—do I have a lot of stuff?"
"Is that a bit too much?"
Chen Xun was both amused and exasperated, pointing to the three carts full of supplies: "Wow, I thought you only had a few boxes of personal belongings. Are you planning to settle down here?"
No, that's not it!
Emma quickly waved her hand, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes held a charming embarrassment: "These are all my treasures that I've saved up for many years, I can't bear to throw them away."
"I've loved vintage items since I was a child. When I'm not filming, I travel all over Europe and America to flea markets and antique shops, collecting them bit by bit. Each piece holds a memory."
She lifted a dust cover and began to show Chen Xun the clothes, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy: "Look at these clothes in the wardrobe, they're all vintage pieces from the 1960s to the 1980s, my favorite is Yves Saint..."
The Laurent vintage suit and the DVF printed dress are both discontinued pieces; they're no longer available on the market, and I can't bear to throw them away.
She then pointed to several wooden crates: "These contain old-fashioned mechanical typewriters, some from World War II, and others used by film crews during the Golden Age of Hollywood."
"Over there are vintage dial telephones, film cameras, and dozens of record players, with three large boxes of records, all classic jazz and old movie soundtracks."
Finally, she looked at the rows of bookshelves stacked against the wall: "These are all out-of-print old books, classic literature, old scripts, and retro illustration collections. Many of them are unique copies, and I've treasured them for a long time."
Sunlight fell on Emma's profile as she earnestly introduced her items, revealing a fondness for vintage and artistic pieces that perfectly matched her romantic personality.
Looking at her bright eyes, Chen Xun originally wanted to complain, "You have so much stuff that it's almost filled my house," but he swallowed it back and sighed helplessly, "Since it's your treasure, then make good use of it. I'll have the workers clear out the two empty guest rooms on the east side, the entire underground garage, and the storage room next to the media room for you to put your things."
"Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"
Emma looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise and a touch of guilt: "I've taken up so much of your space, and I've troubled you to help manage it—"
"I've already agreed, how can I go back on my word?"
Chen Xun shrugged helplessly.
Emma Stone's favorability +1, current favorability: 96
A line of text suddenly appeared before Chen Xun's eyes.
This reminds me of Christine's inner thoughts after unlocking 100 points of affection.
He began to feel some anticipation.
I wonder if Emma will rise to 100 points.
Actually, he and Emma had feelings for each other.
From working together day and night on "La La Land" to sharing the stage at the Oscars, the goodwill that transcends the screen has already quietly taken root and sprouted.
Emma looked at Chen Xun, who was so close to her, and subconsciously lowered her head, whispering, "Thank you. You always help me when I'm in trouble."
"Friends should naturally look out for each other."
Chen Xun feigned nonchalance, but softened his tone: "Besides, back when we were filming 'La La Land,' you stayed up countless nights with me practicing dance and rehearsing lines. What's a little help saving some things for you now?"
Chen Xun reached out and took the lightweight old-fashioned typewriter handed to him by the worker, gently placing it on the shelf: "Don't worry, I will take good care of all your treasures."
When are you going to England?
"It'll probably take another week!"
"You're not leaving for England until next week, you can't keep hiding in your hotel every day while being stalked by paparazzi, can you?"
He pointed to the spacious second floor of the villa: "I have a lot of empty rooms here. The sunny secondary bedroom and the suite with a view are all unoccupied. Why don't you just move in and stay for a few days? Security is tight deep in Beverly Hills, and paparazzi rarely manage to sneak in. It's relatively quiet."
"Wouldn't this be too much of a bother for you?"
Emma looked up abruptly, her face slightly flushed, as if her thoughts had been guessed.
Chen Xun chuckled: "Most of your stuff is already piled up in my garage. It's just a side thing for you to move in. It's better than you hiding every day and getting photographed even when you go out to buy a cup of coffee."
These words struck a chord with Emma.
Since winning the Oscar for Best Actress, she has been completely consumed by fame and fortune. Her Los Angeles apartment is no longer habitable, and she is constantly under the spotlight, with no privacy whatsoever.
The next week will be spent preparing for joining the production team and organizing the itinerary. If I have to hide in the hotel every day, it will be both depressing and troublesome.
In contrast, Chen Xun's detached villa, with its high walls, large courtyard, 24-hour private security, and maximum privacy, is indeed the safest place to go right now.
After hesitating for a moment, Emma finally nodded gently, her expression softening: "Then—I'll shamelessly stay for a few days, thank you~"
"Don't mention it."
Chen Xun immediately asked Emma to choose a room.
She chose the most elegant, sunny secondary bedroom on the second floor. The room had a retro bay window, a wooden wardrobe, and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. It had excellent natural light, which perfectly suited her preference for artistic and retro styles.
The workers also moved several of her favorite art books and her portable vinyl record player to the bedroom and living room for her daily entertainment.
After settling in, the afternoon sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire villa in its warmth and light, silencing all the noise and strife of the outside world.
The outside world is still buzzing about the Oscars and relentlessly smearing and mocking Chen Xun.
Only tranquility and gentleness remain in this mansion.
Emma looked at the room full of her treasured old objects, her heart warmed. She turned to Chen Xun, who was leaning against the study doorframe, and softly suggested, "Since we're free this afternoon, I'll make two cups of hand-drip coffee, and we can listen to some old vinyl records, okay?"
"These are all my treasured old jazz records, and also rare film reels of the soundtrack from 'La La Land'."
"I couldn't have gotten it."
Chen Xun readily agreed.
In recent days, he has been immersed in the post-production of "Joker", the preparations for Venice, and dealing with the undercurrents of public opinion, his nerves constantly on edge.
From the box office frenzy to the tense public opinion storm, and then to the heavy and depressing portrayal of the Joker, he has not been able to sit down and enjoy such leisurely time for a long time.
In the kitchen, Emma tied on a simple apron and skillfully ground coffee beans and brewed hand-drip coffee. The rich aroma of roasted coffee mixed with the scent of milk slowly spread throughout the living room.
She pulled a vintage portable record player out of a storage box.
Carefully insert a faded old jazz record, gently drop the needle, and a soothing and gentle melody slowly flows out, both languid and healing.
The two nestled on the fabric sofa in the living room, with two steaming cups of coffee between them and several yellowed old books spread out beside them.
Emma flipped through an old collection of Hollywood scripts from the Golden Age, occasionally glancing up and humming along to the vinyl records.
Chen Xun casually picked up a retro illustration book, his fingertips gliding across the pages. For once, he let down all his sharpness and guard, and his whole being relaxed.
"I used to think that winning awards, becoming famous, and getting good resources were the happiest things."
Emma sighed softly, "Only when you reach the top do you realize that the most precious thing is actually these quiet, undisturbed days."
Chen Xun took a sip of coffee, his gaze falling on the spinning vinyl record, and slowly said, "Fame and fortune are fleeting, and excitement belongs to others. Being able to slow down occasionally, listen to music, and read a book is true peace and stability."
Just then!
A line of text appeared before Chen Xun's eyes again: [Emma Stone's favorability +1, current favorability: 97]