The Best Director

Chapter 37: Choices

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Driving to Hollywood Boulevard, Wang Yang found a parking spot, parked his car, and quickly headed towards the place where he and Jessica had agreed to meet, in front of a clothing store. The bustling street was crowded with people coming and going. Wang Yang ran for a bit and from a distance saw Jessica standing there with a light blue handbag. He slowed down, took out his cell phone, and texted, “I see you, look to your right.”

On the other end, Jessica turned her head and immediately spotted Wang Yang. She waved with a smile and said, “I see you too.” She hung up the phone and walked toward Wang Yang.

“Hi, Jessica.” As they approached each other, Wang Yang greeted her and glanced at the vertical sign of the clothing store in front, asking, “Did you buy anything?”

Jessica shook her head and said with a smile, “No, I just tried on a few skirts, but I didn’t really like them. I think jeans suit me better.” Wang Yang shrugged, showing he had no objections, and Jessica asked, “Yang, why were you looking for me? Did something happen?”

Yes, something very happy… Wang Yang smiled to himself, perhaps because he had just recalled many childhood memories. Looking at Jessica, he felt a surge of childlike excitement and put on a serious face as he said, “Well, maybe…” He glanced around at the busy surroundings and said, “Follow me.” He then turned down the road and headed for a small shaded area.

Jessica followed behind him, and seeing his stern face, she suddenly felt a twinge of worry. Could it be bad news? She frowned and forced a smile, “Yang, what’s going on?”

“Jessica, this is actually about the leading lady role in ‘High School Musical,”‘ Wang Yang kept a grave expression on his face and added, “You should be mentally prepared.” Jessica’s smile became more strained as she whispered, “OK.” Wang Yang took a deep breath, looked at her, and said, “Jessica…” He drew out the words, then suddenly burst into a happy laugh and exclaimed,

“You got the lead role!”

Jessica was stunned, her eyes wide as she asked excitedly, “Really? You mean I got the lead role?” Wang Yang nodded with a smile, “Yes, of course!”

“Oh my God! Oh my God!” Jessica exclaimed. Her breathing quickened, her face a picture of disbelief, and suddenly, she flung herself at Wang Yang, her handbag falling to the ground as she blushed with excitement, “Yang, we’ll be making a movie together! This is amazing!”

“Whoa, whoa!” Wang Yang, caught off guard, held onto her, grateful for his agility that kept them from falling. He then spun Jessica around, laughing and shouting, “Oh my God, you’re heavy!” Passersby couldn’t help but glance at them. After a few spins, Wang Yang set her back on the ground.

Jessica looked at him with a smile, her heart pounding. She straightened her disheveled hair from all the spinning and suddenly clenched her fist and punched Wang Yang on the shoulder while laughing and scolding, “Please, Yang, you do love to scare people! I was nearly scared to death just now. I thought I was eliminated.”

“Haha, scaring people is my specialty!” laughed Wang Yang, looking pleased with his prank.

Jessica rolled her eyes but couldn’t help curling the corners of her mouth into a smile, sighing with joy, “Oh my God, I’m going to play the leading role? That’s fantastic!” She had longed for this day since she was a child, dreaming of playing the leading lady in Wang Yang’s movies, and after joining the acting school, she thought it would happen soon; however, when she stopped receiving letters from Yang, she started to despair. Then she reunited with Yang, and now she had landed the lead role in ‘High School Musical !

Thinking over the years, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Oh my God, am I dreaming?”

“No, this is real.” Wang Yang laughed, bent down to pick up the blue handbag from the ground, and handed it to Jessica, saying earnestly, “Jessica, thank you for your reaction, you’ve made me very happy.” He then laughed again, At least someone cares a lot about the leading role, right?

Jessica took the handbag, her dark eyes glaring playfully at Wang Yang as she said, “Yang, I hate you! I’m sure I won’t be able to sleep tonight because of the excitement, and I’ll have dark circles tomorrow.

“Like a panda?” Wang Yang chuckled, then reminiscing, said, “On the day I was recognized by Lionsgate, I stayed up all night in the hotel in Santa Monica, too. Later, I sat on the balcony and watched the moon for a long time until my heart calmed down.” He looked up at the sky, as if returning to that night, the soft sea breeze, the peaceful moon, and whispered, “So beautiful.”

Jessica’s eyes suddenly brightened as she suggested, “Yang, let’s go to Santa Monica!” Wang Yang paused and said, “Now?” Jessica nodded eagerly, Yes, now! I want to make today even more special. We can still make it to the beach in time for the sunset!” Seeing her so excited, Wang Yang didn’t want to dampen her spirits, so he smiled and said, “OK, let’s go, I miss Santa Monica too.”

The two of them went to a nearby parking spot to fetch their car, and then headed to the small town of Santa Monica on the west side.

By the time they arrived at Santa Monica Beach, it was already nearing dusk, and there were not many tourists left on the beach. Wang Yang and Jessica stepped onto the soft sand, walking to a quiet spot, and sat down on the sand, enjoying the breeze from the sea, watching the sun gradually set over the ocean. They exchanged smiles, filled with a sense of peace and comfort.

“It’s so beautiful!” Jessica said, entranced by the charming sunset. She suddenly raised her right hand and made the sign of the cross, gratefully saying, “Thank God, thank you for bestowing all this beauty upon us.”

Her sincere gesture made Wang Yang’s heart skip a beat-so adorable. He followed suit and said, “Thank God.”

Their eyes met, and they shared another smile. Jessica looked at him, then at the sea and the setting sun, and at the seagulls flying in the sky, and she remembered many things from her childhood. She said softly with a smile, “Yang, do you remember? When we were kids, you said you would become a director, and I would become an actress, and then I could be the leading lady in your movies.”

“Yeah, I remember, me as a director, you as an actress,” Wang Yang smiled at her and held out his fist, saying, “Hey, Jessica, come on!” Jessica’s eyes sparkled, revealing her braceless teeth, and she put out her fist to meet his. They both said with a laugh, “It’s a deal!”

After bumping fists, they looked at each other and fell silent, their hearts pounding tumultuously. Seeing Wang Yang staring intently at her, Jessica felt a flush of long-absent shyness and panic. She averted her eyes and asked softly, “What’s up?”

“Oh! Nothing,” Wang Yang shook his head, looked at the sun that was half swallowed by the sea line, and laughed, “I just thinkyour eyes are like crystals, haha.”

Jessica secretly breathed a sigh of relief but also felt disappointed. God, what was that just now?! Hearing Wang Yang’s praise, she chuckled, remembering his childhood words, “Look at your eyes, like crystals, the kind that only a beauty has!” She had always remembered those words, the first time she had been complimented like that by a peer, from which she drew confidence and a lot more. Gazing at Wang Yang, she said with self-deprecating humor, “Yang, it made me think of my braces.”

“Actually, those braces were pretty cool,” Wang Yang shrugged and, looking at her sweet smile, suddenly asked, “Hey, Jessica, how’s Jack doing lately?” Jessica responded in a puzzled tone, “Jack? Which Jack?” Wang Yang laughed, “Oh, Jack Frank?”

Jessica frowned in confusion, tilted her head, and said, “Jack Frank? He should be attending classes at UCLA every day, I’m not very sure.” She laughed, not understanding, and said, “Yang, why are you asking this?” Could he think that she had something to do with Jack Frank?

“Nothing,” Wang Yang said, shaking his head with a smile, “It’s just Joshua- Oh, nothing, I just suddenly thought of him, it’s just a joke.”

Jessica looked at him oddly, was it Joshua or a joke? Josh…Joshua! Could it be that Joshua had been talking nonsense? She was about to say something but then heard Wang Yang call her, her eyes heated up, and she suddenly realized something, her heart filled with both anticipation and anxiety.

“Jessica!” An impulse surged through Wang Yang’s heart as he looked at her. The words were on the tip of his tongue, about to come out. Suddenly, a face flashed before his eyes, so vivid that it made his heart clench and his hands tightly grasp the soft sand beneath them; he swallowed back the words. This wasn’t the right moment, not now! Seizing the momentum, he grabbed a handful of sand and threw it at Jessica, laughing heartily as he jumped up and ran towards the edge of the beach.

Jessica stood stunned, her heart sinking, a wave of disappointment washing over her. Had she over thought it? She watched Wang Yang run farther away, shook her head, stood up, and chased after him, laughing and shouting, “Yang, stop right there! You jerk…”

After watching the sunset at the beach, they had dinner at a seaside restaurant and then drove back to Los Angeles.

By the time Jessica got home, it was already past nine in the evening. Swinging her handbag and humming a tune, she opened the door and saw Danny run over, excitedly circling around her. Jessica crouched down with a smile, stroking Danny’s neck, and said, “Hi, Danny, good evening.” Danny’s tongue was long, and his cute appearance seemed like he was laughing. She patted Danny affectionately, laughing, “Danny, are you happy for me? Huh?”

“Is that you, Jessica? Are you back?” With the sound of footsteps, Kathy’s voice came along.

Jessica stood up and walked into the house, excitedly shouting, “Mom, it’s me, I’m back. I have some great news…” As she entered the house, she saw that everyone was gathered in the living room—her father and mother, Joshua, and Ms. Miranda. She smiled and greeted them with, “Hi, everyone.

Mark Alba was sitting on the sofa, frowning and speaking seriously, “How late to come back, and even turned off your phone? You made everyone really worried about you!”

“Oh no!” Jessica exclaimed in surprise. Earlier she had been on a “date” with Yang and didn’t want to be disturbed by any annoying calls, so she turned off her phone and later forgot to turn it back on. She took out her phone from her purse, switched it back on, and with an apologetic face, said, “Sorry, I turned it off and forgot to turn it back on.” Then, she stuck out her tongue, wrapped her arm around Kathy’s, and laughed, “But I did tell mom I’d be back late.”

Then, Kathy tapped her daughter’s hand and chuckled, “Jessica, Ms. Miranda has been waiting for your return for a long time.” Jessica looked at Miranda sitting on the sofa, puzzled, “What’s the matter?”

“Jessica, I have some very good news!” Miranda stood up, excitedly saying, “Mr. Fred has made a decision, you will be the lead actress in ‘Idle Hands !

The lead actress in ‘Idle Hands’? Jessica was stunned. She stared with wide eyes first at her mother and then at Joshua, exclaiming, “Oh my god, really?” Kathy’s face lit up with a smile as she nodded her head, Mark Alba smiled faintly, and Joshua clapped his hands vigorously, whistling a few times and laughing, “Jessica, it’s true, you’re going to strike it big!”

Miranda walked over, happily hugged Jessica, and sighed, “You’ve got a very rare opportunity. Jessica, this could be a turning point in your acting career, you’re going to succeed.” She paused, then smiled, “We’re going to talk about the contract tomorrow.”

But when Jessica came to her senses, she thought of scheduling conflicts and shook her head, “No, 1 can’t do ‘Idle Hands’ anymore.” She looked at everyone excitedly and said, “Do you know? Yang decided to let me be the lead actress in ‘High School Musical’!”

“Wow, really?!” Upon hearing this news, Joshua shot up from the sofa in disbelief, “Jessica, you got the lead in ‘High School Musical’?” Jessica shrugged her shoulders with pride, “I think so.” Joshua kept exclaiming “Oh my god,” saying, “You were chosen for ‘Idle Hands’ and ‘High School Musical’ too, what kind of incredible luck is this?”

Mark Alba and Kathy were both happy and a bit worried; a hint of resignation flashed across Miranda’s face. She gently touched Jessica’s shoulder and softly said, “Jessica, don’t rush into deciding which movie to choose, let’s analyze it, shall we?” They sat down on the sofa, and she looked at Jessica and analyzed, “Let’s start with ‘Idle Hands,’ it has a thirty million dollar investment, do you understand what that production cost means? It signifies Columbia’s commitment. The movie hasn’t even started shooting, but its release date is pretty much set. Mr. Fred told me it’s going to be released next May, and they’re planning to have it in over fifteen hundred theaters in the first week. Jessica frowned, “I…” Miranda interrupted her, grasping her hand, “Jessica, listen to me first. The director of ‘Idle Hands’, Rodman Fred, is not a newcomer. He’s already proven his talent, which is why he got the investment from Columbia. ‘Idle Hands’ is a project he’s been preparing for years, he’s very confident. If you become the lead actress, you’ll become a new star in the movie industry!”

“Is that certain?” murmured Joshua from the side.

Seeing Jessica’s frown grow deeper, Miranda smiled inwardly and continued her persuasion, “Alright, let’s talk about ‘High School Musical’, it has a five million dollar investment, and to my knowledge, no film companies are interested in collaborating with Flame Film. It doesn’t have a release date, no distribution plans. But that’s secondary, the most important thing is, this is Yang’s first film movie. Jessica, his ‘Paranormal Activity’ was a miracle, but that was a DV movie, and who’s to say there wasn’t an element of luck? But film is a whole different world, you know this. Yang has no experience in filmmaking, he’s just an 18-year-old, he’s oversimplifying things. A campus musical is not that easy to make.”

Miranda sighed, shaking her head, “I have to say, there’s a great possibility that ‘High School Musical’ could fail. If you participate in that movie, I m not saying it would end your acting career, but you would lose the opportunity of ‘Idle Hands’!” She spoke with a tension and concern in her voice, “Jessica, you need to understand, this is an incredible, incredible opportunity, not the kind that comes along every day. If you don’t seize this chance, your life could take a different turn. As the lead in ‘Idle Hands’, with its success, you could become a star, you’d get more roles, you could star in blockbusters; with ‘High School Musical’, your future is very uncertain, and the biggest possibility is being the lead in a flop, with no new roles, continuing with minor roles at auditions, waiting for the next opportunity.”

After saying all this, Miranda gently embraced Jessica, speaking tenderly like a mother, “Jessica, you need to be mature, and look at your future rationally.

After listening to Miranda’s analysis, Jessica felt very conflicted, a bit swayed; ‘Idle Hands’ seemed to be better for her future, but she had always been looking forward to acting in Yang’s movie… She had promised Yang, how could she suddenly act in another movie! She shook her head slightly, her voice trembling a bit, “I can’t…”

Noticing that she was beginning to hesitate, Miranda breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, thought for a moment, then persuaded further, “I know you and Yang are close, but I believe he won’t blame you. As a good friend, he’d be happy for you. You have a better opportunity, you can easily achieve success; and his ‘High School Musical’ doesn’t hinge on just you, there must be others auditioning, right? Jessica, if you succeed and Yang does as well, we’ll all be happy together; if he fails, you don’t have to bear any responsibility, and as a friend, you can comfort him, can’t you?”

Seeing Jessica’s intentions, Miranda suggested, “If you want to act in his movie, you could take a small supporting role, the kind that only takes a day to shoot.” She smiled, “And your main focus would be ‘Idle Hands’, okay?” “No… I don’t know…” Jessica bit her lip, her mind in chaotic turmoil, as she looked helplessly at her parents across from her.

Mark Alba said indifferently, “Jessica, this is your own life, you make your own choices.” Kathy gave her daughter an encouraging smile and said, “Jessica, you know, Mom will always support you.”

“Oh, if it were me, I’d choose ‘Idle Hands’!” Joshua snorted, his tone odd and mocking, “Wow, Columbia Pictures, a thirty-million-dollar investment, more than fifteen hundred premiere theaters—it’s too attractive! After doing it, you can become a superstar! Is there any need to consider that crappy ‘High School Musical’? What do you think, Jessica?”

Jessica could hear the sarcasm in his voice and asked blankly, “Joshua, what are you trying to say…?”

Joshua suddenly stood up from the couch, spread his hands out, and said irritably, “Please, Jessica, I don’t knowwhy you’re considering this. Is ‘High School Musical’ guaranteed to be a flop? Is it sure to fail?” He shrugged and added, “Now it’s you who doesn’t trust him.”

“I…” Hearing these words, Jessica’s face turned pale immediately, and she broke out in a cold sweat. Joshua was right-why was she hesitating? Did she not trust Wang Yang? Did she think ‘High School Musical’ would fail? She suddenly remembered Eliza Dushku’s choice; why could a stranger trust Wang Yang so much, yet she couldn’t?

She remembered the promise they made as children, the phrase “It’s a deal, and the joy on Santa Monica Beach that afternoon. She had just been happily looking forward to filming ‘High School Musical’ with Wang Yang, and now she was filled with doubts?

“Jessica, trust me! You will see, but I need your support!” The familiar voice echoed as if right in her ear. Jessica suddenly felt ashamed; she slightly hated herself. She felt like she was being both stupid and loathsome. If she chose Idle Hands,’ even if Wang Yang forgave her, she would never forgive herself. She believed in Wang Yang; he would succeed,’ High School Musical’ would be a success, and they would share the joy of that success together. Even if it failed, she and Wang Yang would share the responsibilities together, face the failure, and it would be no big deal!

Jessica took a deep breath and declared, “I will star in ‘High School Musical’!”

Joshua instantly cheered, “Oh, support! Jessica, I absolutely support your determination!” Mark Alba and Kathy both smiled encouragingly at their daughter without saying anything else.

“Oh, my God! Jessica, listen to me…” Miranda’s face changed color, wanting to say something. Jessica stopped her, saying preemptively, “No, Miranda, don’t say anything else. No matter what, I won’t change this decision.” Miranda, a bit annoyed, touched her forehead and said, “Why? Just because you and Wang Yang are good friends?”

Thinking back to the sunset on the beach, when Wang Yang almost said something, maybe it was more than just good friends… Jessica smiled sweetly and said, “Wang Yang chose me, I chose him, it’s a deal.”

Miranda still wanted to change Jessica’s mind, speaking somewhat frantically, “Jessica, you have to be responsible for yourself; you can’t ruin your future! Please don’t be so willful. If you choose ‘High School Musical,’ you will regret it later.”

“I won’t regret it; my choice will definitely be the right one! Wang Yang will make a great movie, it will be better than ‘Idle Hands’! I believe in him!” Jessica’s tone was filled with confidence and resolve. She stood up and said to Miranda, “I’m a bit tired, good night.” After saying that, she headed upstairs.

Oh, my God! Miranda closed her eyes in resignation.

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