Chapter 118: Unexpected Encounter with a Peach Blossom Forest

The bright moon hung in the night sky, casting its light all around. Ronan and Carmen-Kaice left the restaurant and walked along the well-lit Wilshire Boulevard towards the nearby Four Seasons Hotel.

The street was bustling with cars and people, and Beverly Hills was exceptionally vibrant; the nightlife was just getting started.

Carmen-Kaice linked her arm with Ronan's as they walked along with the crowd.

Ronan pointed across the street to a place and said, "That's the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."

Carmen-Kaice glanced at it for a moment and said, "Such a small place." She chuckled and added, "I always thought film schools were much larger."

"The Academy is a relatively loose organization, with close to 6,000 members in total," Ronan explained briefly. "This is the headquarters of the Academy's administrative body... um, an organization like a board of directors manages the Academy, not many people. Academy members are actually scattered across the United States and around the world."

Carmen-Kaice curiously asked, "Are you a member?"

Ronan turned back and continued walking towards the Four Seasons Hotel. "Not yet. I've only been in Hollywood for two years, so I don't have enough experience. But next year, I'll apply to the Academy, and if everything goes smoothly, I'll be one of the 6,000 members in a year."

Carmen-Kaice thought of the annual model competition she was competing in and asked, "Is this membership helpful to your career?"

Ronan turned to look at her and said, "It's also an honor. You get the privilege to vote for the Oscars, for example, I'm a member of the Producers Guild, and once I become an Academy member, I'll have voting rights for several major Oscars."

He paused for a moment and added, "But most importantly, it's about getting into the circle of the Academy, expanding your network. There are many opportunities hidden within, such as operating films to compete for Oscar awards."

"True," Carmen-Kaice agreed. "Opportunities and networks are very important, just like in the modeling industry."

Their conversation revolved around their careers.

She whispered, "Many models have similar basic conditions like walking style, appearance, and figure. What they lack is just opportunities. Signing endorsement contracts with the six major luxury brands will soon make them top models."

Ronan continued, "In fact, the entertainment industry and the modeling industry have similarities." He recalled Carmen-Kaice's commercial investments and said, "Sometimes, stepping out of your circle and looking from a higher place can be a good thing."

"But that requires corresponding abilities," Carmen-Kaice, feeling the night breeze in her dress, subconsciously tightened her grip on Ronan's arm. "When I left the modeling circle to invest in other industries, I found that my abilities were far too inadequate."

Ronan took off his coat and draped it over Carmen-Kaice's shoulders, saying, "Don't rush, take it step by step. I've experienced a painful failure once; the company almost went bankrupt." He talked about Anderson's experience. "At that time, I had just graduated and was full of confidence, feeling that success could be achieved with my talent alone. But not only was my ability insufficient, but in reality, my talent was not as much as I had imagined."

Carmen-Kaice smiled encouragingly, "But aren't you doing well now?"

"You're not doing badly either," Ronan reiterated, "Carmen, I'm waiting for you to become the richest person in Estonia."

Carmen-Kaice's hearty smile had a hint of mischief this time, "Then I wish you to become the richest person in America soon."

Ronan rubbed his chin, "That's too difficult."

"How about we make a bet?" Carmen-Kaice's face lit up playfully.

Ronan looked at her curiously. From the first time they met until now, Carmen-Kaice gave him the impression of being very stable and having a strong career drive. Perhaps it was these similarities that made him have an inexplicable fondness for Carmen-Kaice.

To put it plainly, he didn't like women who were chaotic.

This was clearly a joke between friends. Ronan asked, "What's the bet?"

Carmen-Kaice stopped walking, looked at Ronan, and said, "I'll decide on the terms of the bet, and you handle the stakes."

Ronan didn't think much and casually said, "A hundred bucks."

Carmen-Kaice understood the meaning behind his words and shook her head, "The stakes are too small."

Ronan thought for a moment and said, "The loser treats the winner to a round-the-world trip."

"That sounds good."

They soon arrived at the entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel. Carmen-Kaice took off her coat and handed it back to Ronan. Ronan pointed to the hotel and said, "Carmen, let me escort you upstairs."

Carmen-Kaice hesitated for a moment and then nodded gently, "Sure."

Ronan accompanied Carmen-Kaice into the hotel, took the elevator to Carmen-Kaice's floor, and Carmen-Kaice invited him into her room.

"Make yourself comfortable," Carmen-Kaice glanced at the time and said to Ronan, "I have some work to do."

Ronan sat on the sofa and said, "Take your time."

As Carmen-Kaice worked on her laptop, she would occasionally say a few words to Ronan. "I'm dealing with some business matters in Estonia. Models are always busy, and I can only find time to handle it."

"You seem different," Ronan said directly. "Compared to the models I know."

While flipping through emails, Carmen-Kaice said, "The models you know? Chaotic lives, drinking, drugs..." She sighed lightly. "This situation is indeed common in the modeling industry, but most of the top models are very hardworking and have strong self-discipline."

Ronan knew she misunderstood and said, "Sorry, that's not what I meant." He explained earnestly, "What I meant is that most models don't have long-term plans and don't care about the future. Most supermodels don't have their own real careers; they just marry someone with good conditions at the right stage of their career."

"You know a lot," Carmen-Kaice turned her head to glance over at him.

Ronan smiled at her and said, "You're a model, so I try to understand this industry more."

After finishing her work on the laptop, Carmen-Kaice closed it and put it away, asking Ronan, "Do you have investments in other industries?"

"I just got out of bankruptcy this year," Ronan said very honestly. "I don't have any spare capacity at the moment. But I do have plans in this regard, just not the ability to implement them at the moment."

Carmen-Kaice asked, "Care for something to drink?"

"Water will do," Ronan said.

Carmen-Kaice placed two glasses of water on the coffee table and sat on the sofa next to Ronan, asking, "What do you think about the prospects of the real estate industry?"

Ronan thought for a moment and replied, "Investment is big, risks are high, and profits are also high." He was concerned about misleading Carmen-Kaice and added, "I'm talking about the situation in North America. I haven't been to Estonia, so I don't have the authority to speak about it."

Carmen-Kaice then asked, "And what about the Hollywood film industry? Is the return on investment high?"

"This industry is very complex, especially for outsiders," Ronan said seriously. "There are no insiders who can be absolutely trusted. Don't invest in Hollywood movies; there are many pitfalls."

Carmen-Kaice said, "I trust you."

But Ronan replied, "I don't trust myself."

Carmen-Kaice paused for a moment, then understood Ronan's meaning, "You're also someone who sets traps."

Ronan made a hushing gesture with his finger and then joked, "I'm a good person."

As soon as he said that, Carmen-Kaice burst into laughter, and Ronan joined in.

The topic of movie investment was then casually shifted aside by Ronan. Perhaps influenced by past experiences, he didn't want to get entangled with Carmen-Kaice in significant financial matters.

In modern society, conflicts of interest can easily tear apart many close relationships.

Strictly speaking, Ronan and Carmen-Kaice had only met less than five times, but they had found common interests that deeply engaged them. They went from discussing real estate in Estonia to the fashion industry, and then to Hollywood movies and Wall Street.

It had to be admitted that Carmen-Kaice had quite a good understanding of business.

As the evening approached ten o'clock, Ronan glanced at the clock on the wall. Carmen-Kaice asked, "Ronan, you didn't drive. How are you getting back?"

Understanding the implication behind her question, Ronan said, "The hotel has car rental services. I'll go downstairs and call one." He stood up. "Get some rest, and we'll see each other again tomorrow."

Carmen-Kaice walked him to the door of her room. "See you tomorrow."

As Ronan left the room, he looked back at Carmen-Kaice, who was leaning against the doorframe.

"Carmen," Ronan gazed into her eyes.

Carmen-Kaice didn't avoid his gaze. Ronan leaned down to kiss her, and Carmen tilted her head up slightly to meet his lips. The four lips met, and they embraced each other.

It was like encountering a peach blossom forest, with the bank spanning hundreds of steps. There were no miscellaneous trees, and the grass was lush and beautiful, with colorful petals falling like rain. If one wanted to explore the forest thoroughly, it would eventually lead to a mountain with a small opening. Initially narrow, only allowing one person through, after several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up...

Ronan embraced Carmen-Kaice into the room, kicked the door shut with his foot, and the door closed with a bang.

Carmen-Kaice shed her reserved demeanor and showed nothing but passion. Seizing the moment between breaths, she whispered softly, "Not here, go to my bedroom."

Ronan carried her and walked, facing Carmen-Kaice's passion that could melt everything, he could only offer back with a thousand miles of gentleness.

Suddenly, Ronan had a strange feeling:

Encountering a peach blossom forest, with the bank spanning hundreds of steps, there were no miscellaneous trees, and the grass was lush and beautiful, with colorful petals falling like rain. If one wanted to explore the forest thoroughly, it would eventually lead to a mountain with a small opening. Initially narrow, only allowing one person through, after several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up...