Chapter 83

Los Santos, Beverly Hills. Xu Can's mansion.

Even on the last day of the year, the California sunshine was still dazzling.

Xu Can stood at the gate of his compound when he saw England's famous "heartthrobs," David Beckham and Victoria, passing by. They were walking their large golden retriever and seemed surprised to see him.

David, in his familiar British accent, greeted Xu Can with a smile.

"Morning, Xu! Are you waiting for someone?"

Xu Can chuckled. "Morning, David. No, just getting some fresh air."

"Got it. Have a great day—and Happy New Year!"

"You too, Happy New Year."

Since moving to Beverly Hills, Xu Can had rarely seen Beckham, who'd been busy playing for Real Madrid the past couple of years. He'd met Victoria a few times—usually when she was out for a jog. She always looked radiant, and Xu couldn't help but admire her, especially in her yoga outfits.

Now that Beckham had joined the Los Angeles Galaxy, Xu Can saw him more often. They'd even gone to each other's homes for barbecues, forming a solid neighborly bond.

Today, though, Beckham noticed something unusual: two cars parked outside Xu Can's garage. One was Emma Stone's Audi RS6, and the other, a large Hummer H2, clearly belonging to someone tall and muscular. Beckham, knowing a bit about Xu Can's personal life, raised an eyebrow.

It wasn't exactly a secret in the neighborhood that both Emma Stone and Taylor Swift frequently spent the night at Xu Can's place. But this was the first time they were both there at the same time. Beckham chuckled to himself, curious.

"I think I know why you're out here, Xu," Beckham said with a smirk. "Brave man, inviting both girls over, huh?"

Victoria quickly understood and added with a grin, "Well, I hope you can handle it, Xu."

With a mischievous smile, Beckham nodded, clearly admiring Xu Can's ability to juggle two high-profile women. Xu smiled back but didn't respond, choosing to let the conversation end there.

Inside the villa, Emma Stone and Taylor Swift sat on opposite ends of the couch, arms folded, pointedly ignoring each other. Both had called Xu Can, hoping to spend New Year's Eve with him, and neither had expected the other to be there. The tension was palpable.

When Xu Can walked back in, two pairs of sharp eyes turned toward him, their frustration evident.

"Xu," Taylor said coldly, breaking the silence, "what's going on here?"

She rarely called him by his English name, which signaled she was upset. Emma, though silent, was glaring at him intensely.

"Okay, okay, hear me out." Xu Can remained calm, unfazed by their reactions. "I didn't invite you here for personal reasons. I have a business proposition."

The two women were taken aback.

"A business proposition?" Emma asked, her brow furrowing.

"Yeah," Xu Can said, sitting down. "There's a movie I want both of you to be in. It's a small-budget project, something we can wrap up in a month. The schedule won't interfere with your other commitments."

"A movie?" Taylor repeated, confused. "But I don't have any acting experience!"

Emma crossed her arms, still skeptical. "Why cast her, then? Hollywood's full of actresses."

Swift quickly fired back, "And why can't I act? If Xu says I can do it, then I can!"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Oh please, who do you think you are?"

"I'm his girlfriend. That's who."

"No, I'm his girlfriend!"

Both turned to Xu Can for validation. "Xu, baby, please say something."

Xu Can sighed. "From now on, anyone who argues leaves the house." His voice was firm. "We're here to talk business, not to argue."

The two women fell silent. They knew Xu Can was serious when it came to his projects. Emma had seen him fire actors on the spot for being unprofessional, and she didn't want to push her luck.

Emma was the first to relent. "Fine. If you think she's good enough, I'll work with her."

Taylor, seeing an opportunity, smiled sweetly. "Sure, I can give it a shot."

Xu Can handed them the scripts. Emma began skimming the outline, her experience showing, while Taylor struggled to make sense of it.

"'Source Code'…a sci-fi movie? You sure this is a low-budget film?" Emma asked.

"Yes, we can keep the costs under $10 million," Xu Can explained. "Most of the scenes take place on a train, so the shoot will be quick. It won't affect your other plans."

Emma smiled. "Well, as long as I get to work with you, I'm in."

She shot Taylor a triumphant look, reminding her that she had already starred in several of Xu Can's movies. Taylor, realizing she had no acting experience, felt a pang of insecurity.

Sensing her hesitation, Xu Can reassured her. "Don't worry. I'll guide you through it. You'll be fine."

Taylor beamed. "Okay, I'll try!"

Emma couldn't help but smirk at Taylor's naivety. Acting wasn't easy, and she knew it. But for now, both women agreed to focus on the film.

Later that night, Taylor asked, "Wait, are we really just going to read the script on New Year's Eve?"

Xu Can realized they needed a change of scenery. "You're right. This doesn't feel festive enough." He quickly dialed his assistant. "Vanessa, book a suite for us in Vegas. Make sure there's a beach and spa…oh, and get the helicopter ready."

"Got it, boss," Vanessa replied. "Anything else?"

"No, that'll do. Thanks."

Xu Can turned to the women. "Pack your bags. We're heading to Vegas."

An hour and a half later, Emma and Taylor found themselves looking out over the bright lights of Las Vegas from Xu Can's private helicopter. This was their first time together in Vegas, and the experience felt surreal.

When they landed, they were whisked to a five-star resort. Xu Can had arranged for the beach and spa to be reserved for them, ensuring complete privacy.

The three of them were soon lounging in a luxurious hot spring, the stress of the day melting away.

"Alright," Xu Can said with a grin, "let's review the script while we relax."

Taylor and Emma sighed in unison, realizing that even in paradise, Xu Can was all business. But as they soaked in the hot springs, they couldn't help but laugh. After all, there were worse ways to spend New Year's Eve.

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