Chapter 15: I'll Let the Whole World See You!

  Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles is about a mile long, between Fairfax and Brea Avenues, and is mostly high-end art galleries and furniture stores, as well as weird and abstract clothing stores that are filled with the cultural colors of young people. Stores usually start business at noon, ranging from second-hand shoe stores to hundreds of dollars worth of tight pants, antique boutiques, personalized accessories, comic bookstores, and popular music records from every era. The theaters here are also a testing ground for future stars, where they can practice or hold impromptu performances, with Sunday nights mainly reserved for drama students' performances, live hot rock band performances, piano bars, and restaurants.

  Zhou Shaoming and Kristina strolled in the rain under a shared umbrella, their hands resting on top of a black garment that concealed the shiny handcuffs securing them together.

  The crowd who didn't know the truth all thought that it was just a young couple, full of tender affection, hand in hand, talking about love on the street, and no one noticed anything unusual when they passed by.

  One side of the street is lined with uniquely styled buildings, about seven or eight stories high. The other side is filled with cafes and bars that young people love. Many couples sit under large umbrellas, drinking beer and coffee, whispering to each other and nuzzling their faces together.

  After a good Chinese meal, Zhou Shaoming took Kristen for a walk here. From the initial extreme tension, it gradually turned into relaxation. The obedient Kristen knew Zhou Shaoming's concerns and did not ask to go to crowded places. Instead, she followed behind Zhou Shaoming, tightly closing her mouth, letting him take her wherever he wanted.

  Looking at the couples laughing and chatting beside them, Zhou Shaoming also became interested, gently looking at Kirsten and asking: "Want to have a drink?"

  "Of course it's okay, I wouldn't oppose if someone treated me." Christina smiled.

  I found a place to sit down, at this time sitting under the big umbrella, listening to the sound of fine raindrops, and having such a beautiful girl like Christina accompany me, is indeed one of life's greatest pleasures.

  "Hey, buddy, bring me two beers!" Zhou Shaoming called out to the waiter.

  Before long, two freshly baked amber-colored beers were brought up, and the two of them looked at each other with a smile, lightly clinking their glasses together.

  Half a cup of beer down, several fireworks suddenly flew out in the sky, quickly rushing into the night sky, bursting loudly, bright flames flashing, forming a heart-shaped pattern, hanging high in the sky.

  "Couples nearby were whispering sweet nothings to each other and kissing tenderly."

  What's wrong, kissing contest? Zhou Shaoming was momentarily bewildered.

  "Today is Valentine's Day," Kristina said languidly, looking a bit shy.

  Seeing the roses and chocolates piled up on the table next to him, Zhou Shaoming finally realized that today was February 14th, Western Valentine's Day!

  "Ah, I'm really sorry, today is Valentine's Day and yet I've got you tied up with me, your boyfriend must be blaming me." Zhou Shaoming awkwardly rubbed his head.

  "Don't be silly, I don't have a boyfriend, never have." Kristina smiled and took a sip of her drink.

  "Really? You're so charming and beautiful, don't you have a boyfriend?" Zhou Shaoming found it somewhat unbelievable. Weren't American girls supposed to be very open about sex, losing their virginity at 14 or 15? How could she possibly not have a boyfriend?

  "I was on the T-stage at 15, I became a model. The competition in this industry is very high, you know? I didn't have time to find a boyfriend, I'd rather strive for myself! My dream is the same as yours, dreaming of one day walking onto the Oscars red carpet, dressed to impress, and letting the whole world see me! See me, Christina!" Christina's eyes sparkled with an unusual light as she spoke excitedly.

  Every actor, who doesn't want to be crowned as an Oscar emperor? As long as you've embarked on this path, then this is the only ideal!

  "But reality is always cruel, the longer you mix in this industry, the more you know how difficult this road is." Christina took another sip of beer, changed her posture and continued: "Success is not just about being beautiful, it requires luck, but also strength."

  Zhou Shaoming didn't say a word, he just quietly listened, acting as the best listener.

  "I'm not Leonardo, nor Kate Winslet, can't ride a big ship and break through the wind and waves. I always thought I was a girl blessed by God, would become a superstar! But four years have passed, and I found out that I am just an ordinary girl, so ordinary that when walking on the street, no one asks me for my autograph." Christina smiled self-deprecatingly, fiddling with her empty beer cup.

  "It's up to us, Christina." Zhou Shaoming wasn't very good with words, he just quietly gazed at the girl who was somewhat moved and couldn't help herself, softly comforting her.

  "Am I in good shape? Do I look pretty?" Kristina straightened her waist and asked Zhou Shaoming seriously.

  "Of course you're beautiful! And your figure is top-notch. In my heart, your beauty can't be described!" Zhou Shaoming repeatedly praised.

  "But in this Hollywood, there are more girls with better figures and prettier faces than the stars in the sky. I don't know what I can do to stand out from others. Is the dream of becoming a star really achievable?"

  "Don't be so pessimistic, you're only 19 years old, you still have a lot of youth to achieve your dreams."

  "But why did Kate Winslet succeed at 17? I was 19 and still didn't know where to realize my dreams?"

  Zhou Shaoming sighed and thought to himself, "With only 55 points of acting skills, you can't achieve your dream of becoming a star. Although Hollywood is full of undercurrents, as long as you persist, true talent will still shine through."

  It's just that you're not powerful enough! Zhou Shaoming downed his beer in one gulp, hiding the fact that he knew what was to come.

  "Hollywood doesn't believe in tears!" Christina smiled calmly: "I understood this principle a long time ago, I just have some jealousy and envy that all girls would have. Of course, I also know that even if I had the same opportunities, I might not be able to reach the heights of others, my own acting skills I am aware of myself. Just like, just like yesterday's audition test you gave me, I didn't do well at all."

  "Never mind, it was just a joke between you and me. It wasn't even a real question, I made it up to tease you."

  Zhou Shaoming was extremely embarrassed and repeatedly waved his hand.

  "No, I thought about it carefully later and repeatedly rehearsed in front of the mirror in the bathroom. I think I just can't act well! If an Oscar-winning actress were to act, she would definitely be better than me." Christina's speech became slower and her voice lower, until she couldn't bear her own self-reproach and burst into tears on the dinner table.

  This made Zhou Shaoming even more flustered, and the couples around him who were being affectionate turned their heads to look over, their eyes filled with puzzled curiosity.

  Today is Valentine's Day, how can you make your girlfriend cry?

  Zhou Shaoming was busy trying to comfort Kristina, but didn't know where to start.

  The rain stopped, and the bright moonlight shone again on the earth, gently sprinkling on Christina's body, as if putting a transparent gauze on her, making her look so touching.

  "Christina, I, if, I mean, if I really become a great director in the future, I will definitely make you an Oscar-winning actress and let the whole world see you. Really, believe me!"

  Zhou Shaoming slowly said, these days of getting along, made him also slowly like this beautiful and intelligent girl, he really did not want to let such a persistent dream but unknown where the dream is located girl heartbroken tears.