novellhall Chapter 41 Christine's Self-Strategy
Chapter 41 Christine's Self-Strategy
"Chen, what about you?"
The reporter turned to Chen Xun:
"Dating a high-profile celebrity like Kristen Stewart, did you feel any pressure? Especially when you yourself started to achieve success?"
Chen Xun took the microphone, his expression calm.
His upgraded aura made him appear calm and reliable.
"There's definitely pressure, but it's also a great source of motivation!"
"Christine is an actress with extremely high standards for acting. We often discuss scripts and exchange acting tips at home, and she has given me a lot of valuable advice."
He skillfully steered the conversation toward a professional field.
A murmur of unclear meaning arose from below the stage.
[Kristen Stewart's favorability: +2, current favorability: 58]
Chen Xun saw Christine's favorability increase once again!
What's wrong with this woman?
Chen Xun could only conclude that his answer satisfied her.
Another reporter posed a more direct question:
"Could you share some glimpses of your daily dates? Fans are really curious about what it's like for two actors to be dating?"
This question is a bit overstepping its bounds.
Christine's smile froze slightly.
Chen Xun smiled and spoke before Christine could, his tone tinged with self-deprecation and candor:
"To be honest, our dates might be a bit boring. Most of the time we either read scripts together, watch movies and analyze other people's performances, or at most we eat something nice at home or go to the gym together."
He shrugged:
"When two theater fanatics get together, the conversation inevitably revolves around acting; I guess that's just an occupational hazard."
This answer was both genuine and down-to-earth, instantly defusing the awkwardness and creating a positive image of like-minded people.
Good-natured laughter came from the audience.
[Kristen Stewart's favorability: +3, current favorability: 61]
[James Wan's favorability: +5, current favorability: 60]
Chen Xun turned to look at the director and found that James Wan's eyes were full of admiration as he looked at him, seemingly surprised that he was so at ease and fluent in front of the media.
Chen Xun was secretly pleased; this was a brilliant move to gain favor.
The final stop of the roadshow was in San Francisco.
The two declined the hotel arranged by the production company and decided to drive back to Los Angeles overnight.
Chen Xun got into the driver's seat, and Christine naturally opened the passenger door, got in, and fastened her seatbelt.
We've been going in and out together for the past few days; this pattern has become a habit.
The interstate highway was sparsely populated at night, with only streetlights flashing past, casting dim and bright shadows inside the cars.
Christine leaned back in her chair, looking at the blurry night view outside the window, not using her phone, seemingly just spacing out.
Chen Xun focused on driving. The car was quiet, with only the steady hum of the engine and the slight sound of the air conditioning system.
He habitually glanced at the top of Christine's head out of the corner of his eye:
【Favourability: 63】
It rose another point.
Chen Xun didn't react in any particular way and continued driving.
He now has several scripts and roles sent by Rob in his email. Although there is no male lead, he is not a minor supporting role like before.
They are mostly the third or fourth male lead.
He was quite interested in several of the audition scripts and needed to study them carefully.
However, Christine interpreted Chen Xun's focus and calmness in a different way.
Christine quietly turned her head to look at Chen Xun's profile, which appeared exceptionally clear in the dim light.
Chen Xun drove very steadily.
He rested his hands lightly on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, with no extra expression. He was neither as eager to show off his driving skills as some men, nor did he engage in awkward small talk.
Christine has been observing Chen Xun for the past few days.
In front of the media, Chen Xun is calm and composed, always able to skillfully defuse sharp questions and steer the focus back to the film itself.
Privately, he is humble and polite, and maintains basic respect for the crew members. He is completely devoid of the impetuousness and arrogance often seen in some people who suddenly become famous.
Especially under the same roof, he was very mindful of boundaries, strictly adhering to the verbal agreement, and never crossed any lines that would displease her.
This is practically a rare breed among the men in the industry that Christine has met.
Hollywood is full of men who are either overactive with hormones or have ulterior motives.
Chen Xun seemed to genuinely treat this as a job, and he did it with exceptional professionalism, perhaps even to an excessive degree.
Little did Christine know that Chen Xun had been busy collecting attribute orbs to level up recently, and had no time to pay attention to her.
Are you tired?
Christine suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence: "We've been driving for a long time, would you like me to drive for a bit?"
She knew her question was somewhat unnecessary; although driving from San Francisco back to Los Angeles wasn't far, it was nothing for Chen Xun's stamina.
She just suddenly wanted to talk to him.
Perhaps after years in the entertainment industry, one might suddenly find themselves with no one to talk to.
Thinking about it that way, it's not so bad to have Chen Xun by my side.
Christine suddenly felt a flush rising on her face.
Given her carefree personality, this situation rarely occurs.
"It's okay. If you're tired, take a nap. I'll wake you up when we get there."
Chen Xun answered, his gaze still fixed ahead.
It's happening again!
Polite and considerate, but with a clear sense of boundaries.
Christine hummed in agreement, then looked out the window again without saying anything more.
But my inner thoughts became more active.
Is he actually somewhat interested in me, but has been holding back because of the agreement or perhaps due to the reserved nature of people from the East?
If he really had no feelings for himself, how could he act so naturally in front of the media?
How could he possibly be the first to come to her rescue when she was being harassed?
How could someone possibly rush to save someone without thinking if something happens on set?
A series of pieces of evidence, which she believed to be true, strung together in Christine's mind, and the more she thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
For a man to maintain such gentlemanly manners and professionalism while living under the same roof as her suggests not only exceptional personal cultivation but also the possibility that he is carefully protecting something more precious.
For example, genuine feelings?
Is it just that, given the current awkward start of the agreement, it's not appropriate to reveal this directly?
[Kristen Stewart's favorability: +2, current favorability 65]
Chen Xun had no idea that the woman in the passenger seat was going through a very complicated process of self-conquest.
He noticed that [63] had changed to [65], and he was slightly puzzled, but he didn't investigate further.
A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea!
"What are your plans after you return to Los Angeles?"
Christine then started another topic.
Chen Xun replied, "There are a few auditions to watch, and there's also a short film project by USC students. I promised to go and film a few extra scenes."
"You even film student projects?"
Christine was somewhat surprised.
"I promised before, and collaborating with students can sometimes lead to unexpected and wonderful results!"
Be down-to-earth and not impetuous!
Even after becoming famous, he didn't forget the people who helped him!
Christine silently gave Chen Xun a mental checkmark.
Silence fell over the carriage once again.
This time, the atmosphere seemed subtly different.
Christine no longer felt that Chen Xun's silence was a sign of distance; instead, she felt that sitting quietly next to him and watching the night pass by was quite nice.
The car drove off the highway and onto a relatively quiet road leading to Beverly Hills.
The surroundings became quiet, the streetlights were spaced further apart, and the light was dim.
Christine seemed a little tired and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes to rest.
Chen Xun maintained a steady pace, mentally calculating the details of the script he would be reading tomorrow.
Just then!
Chen Xun's eyes narrowed slightly.
Looking in his rearview mirror, he noticed an older Chevrolet sedan without license plates that had been following them at a distance ever since they exited the highway.