Chapter 313: A Blessed Man

After dinner, Ethan went to the kitchen first to help Jessica wash the dishes.

"Why didn't you let Jones come over?" Ethan asked while washing. Jones was their housekeeper, responsible for the household chores.

Jessica shrugged. "Do you think she's suited to witness this kind of situation?"

Ethan knew she was referring to the other actresses in the house. He couldn't help but chuckle as he placed the washed dishes into the cabinet. "You're always so considerate, Jessica. Elena takes after you in this regard."

"The opposite of 'considerate' is 'indulgent,'" Jessica curled her lips.

Seeing this, Ethan hugged her from behind, his hands caressing her soft waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Hey, what are you doing, Ethan? There are people here!" Jessica was caught off guard. She glanced at the living room, where the two brothers were playing with Elena alongside Taylor Swift. Biting her lip, she twisted her waist, trying to escape Ethan's grasp.

Ethan didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his hold, his hands radiating a heat that seeped through Jessica's clothes, making her body feel weak.

"Damn it, Ethan, you're too much." When Jessica spoke, her breath was slightly uneven.

Ethan chuckled, kissed her cheek, and then released her.

Jessica, having had her excitement suddenly cut short, felt a bit disappointed. However, she was also annoyed by Ethan's teasing, so she stomped on his foot.

"That hurts, babe." Ethan hissed in pain but bent over, laughing. "But I like it."

"Pervert." Jessica rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

"That's right, a total pervert." Ethan had a shameless look as he hugged Jessica again. The two of them flirted in the kitchen for a while before Ethan walked into the living room.

"Dad, can you play this?" Little angel Elena held up a ukulele, looking curious.

"I can't, but your sister Taylor is amazing at it. You should ask her to teach you." Ethan walked over to Taylor Swift and placed his hands on her shoulders.

Reggias and Louis, sitting nearby, couldn't help but smirk. They were old enough to understand many things about Ethan.

To them, their director brother was practically Hollywood's behind-the-scenes winner. The fact that so many women could get along peacefully was simply unbelievable.

Especially since each of his girlfriends was famous—there was no way not to be jealous.

But Elena didn't understand. She was still young and had no such thoughts. She simply held the ukulele and went over to Taylor, speaking sweetly, "Sister, can you teach me how to play?"

"Of course," Taylor agreed without hesitation. She picked up the ukulele and asked, "What do you want to hear, little angel?"

"I want to hear..." Elena bit her finger, "A song Dad wrote."

Taylor glanced at Ethan before starting to play I Forgot That You Existed.

This was a song Ethan remembered well. In his original timeline, Taylor had written it in 2019. But in this life, he had written it for her a while ago as the title track of her next album.

Ethan sat with them on the couch, listening to the entire song. Though the ukulele couldn't match the guitar's sound, it had its own unique charm, making the tune sound simple yet elegant.

When the song ended, Elena clapped enthusiastically. "Can I learn this song?"

"Of course, no problem." Taylor, who only showed her softer side to Elena, couldn't refuse when faced with the little girl's pleading eyes. She immediately began teaching her the basic chords and hand positions.

Meanwhile, Ethan noticed Avril passing by outside the yard, seemingly answering a phone call.

He slowly got up and walked out, heading toward Avril.

"No matter how many parties there are, they have nothing to do with me. I already said, I'm not interested. I just want to rest, do you understand?"

Avril hung up the phone and, turning around, saw Ethan.

"You scared me!" Avril shivered slightly, then complained, "Do you walk without making a sound?"

"I just didn't want to interrupt your call."

"It was nothing—just an invitation to a party. If it were the old me, maybe I'd be interested. But now, I really don't care for it."

Avril shook her head and put down her phone.

"You've changed a lot compared to before," Ethan admitted. Lyme disease had indeed changed Avril.

"Are you saying I don't swear as much anymore? Or that I don't like crowds as much?" Avril laughed. "After getting sick, I finally understood what life is about. Just focus on the people you care about and enjoy the moment."

"You're right," Ethan agreed.

But in the next second, Avril pulled Ethan into the car.

"So, right now, I really want to do it. What about you?"

"Are you serious?" Ethan glanced at the house in the distance, where everyone was.

"Of course. Everything else can wait!"

Avril straddled him, pulled her clothes off over her head, and leaned down.

"Mm…" Ethan lay back on the car seat, staring at the dazzling sight before him, unable to resist reaching out with both hands.

Twenty-five minutes later, the car stopped shaking. Ethan and Avril leaned against the seats, exchanging smiles.

"You're still as good as when you were younger," Avril complimented.

Ethan played with her fair, bare foot, feeling its soft and smooth texture as he replied, "And you're still as energetic as ever."

"That's good." Avril flicked her hair and bit her lip at Ethan. "Otherwise, I'd think I lost my charm."

"Of course not you only get more irresistible"

"You really know how to talk, darling"

Not long after, Ethan returned to the living room from the car.

At this moment, Elena had already learned a few simple chords and was trying to play and sing under Taylor's guidance.

Although her voice was still immature, one had to admit that Elena was quite talented in music. In just half an hour, she was already able to play a decent piece.

"Amazing, my angel." After she finished playing, Ethan kissed her cheek. Taylor gave him a resentful look, then stood up and walked to the bathroom.

"What's wrong?" Ethan stood at the door and spoke to her.

"You made Elena keep me occupied on purpose, didn't you?" Taylor said as she applied lipstick in front of the mirror.

"No." Ethan raised his eyebrows. "You could have just ignored Elena."

"Yeah, right. You know I like her." Taylor unwillingly admitted this, then thought for a moment and said, "But I don't want kids. Raising kids is way too boring, and I still have a thousand concerts to perform."

"You're like a spirit of music." Ethan sighed. "By the way, the technology I had the company develop has made a breakthrough."

"What technology?"

"High-resolution concert recording and stage coordination. I plan to film your concert performances and turn them into a movie. That way, even those who can't attend your concerts can still experience them on IMAX screens."

"Ah!" Taylor couldn't help but scream upon hearing this. She looked at Ethan in disbelief. "Really?"

"Of course!" Ethan closed the bathroom door, placed his hands on her shoulders, and said, "This is an exclusive gift for you."

"Oh my God! This is amazing!" Taylor had always been dedicated to performing all over America and wanted to take her concerts to the next level. She hadn't expected Ethan to make it happen before she even thought of it.

Without a second thought, she kissed Ethan several times. Feeling unsatisfied, she directly pressed her lips against his, engaging in an intense exchange before finally letting go.

"Whoa!" They both gasped for air.

Ethan teased, "We almost became the first couple to die of suffocation from kissing."

"Wouldn't that be romantic?"

"But dying in a bathroom isn't romantic at all."

"You're right." Taylor laughed and then leaned on Ethan's shoulder, threatening, "Now tell me all the details, or I'll break up with you again and expose all your sins to my fans so they can tear you apart."

"Oh, please don't. I'm terrified." Ethan raised his hands in surrender, then shared the specific implementation details with Taylor.

"Perfect! Let's do it..." Taylor was thrilled as she listened. Then, she looked up at Ethan and asked, "So, is my first time yours?"

"Of course. No one can take your big-screen debut away from me."

They gazed into each other's eyes deeply, then continued kissing.

After that, Taylor left the bathroom first, leaving Ethan alone by the sink.

After washing his face, Ethan scanned the first floor but didn't see the person he was looking for, so he went upstairs.

Scarlett was standing on the balcony with a wine glass, gazing at the moon. When she heard footsteps, she turned around. Her red evening gown accentuated her voluptuous figure, and from how tightly it hugged her body, it was clear she wasn't wearing a bra.

"Good evening." Ethan walked to the railing and stood beside her.

"Good evening, Mr. Director. So, how does it feel to win an award again?" Scarlett held up her wine glass like a microphone to Ethan's mouth.

"It feels great. Like I've accomplished something truly amazing."

"Oh? You've made several films that grossed over a billion dollars. Isn't that more impressive than an Oscar?"

"No, this is different." Ethan smiled. "Before, I was standing on the shoulders of many people. But this time, I succeeded through my own efforts. Well, with a little behind-the-scenes maneuvering."

"Hahaha! You really dare to say that, Ethan."

"I only speak the truth." Ethan took the glass and handed it back to Scarlett. "What about you? How does it feel to win your first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress?"

"Me? I feel great. Even though it's just Best Supporting Actress, I'm already imagining winning Best Actress."

"Oh? Then I'd better keep working hard."

"That's right. I'm counting on you, Mr. Director." Scarlett leaned closer to Ethan, her back pressing against his chest. Then, she guided his hand into her dress.

One hand wasn't enough to hold it all. The full, overflowing sensation was intoxicating—like Sakuragi Hanamichi gripping his beloved basketball.

"I'll be relying on you from now on, Mr. Director."

"Then this isn't enough." Ethan gave her a meaningful look.

Scarlett wrapped her arms around his head and whispered into his ear, her lips shimmering with gloss. "Then I'll give you a surprise tonight."

Ethan wasn't sure what kind of surprise Scarlett had in store, but he was already looking forward to it.

After chatting with Scarlett, Ethan headed to the gym.

Anne Hathaway was there.

She was wearing a yoga outfit, lifting her leg behind her head while facing the mirror.

"That figure… absolutely stunning."

Ethan sat beside her, staring at her closed eyes in the mirror. "Your lifestyle has become way too healthy."

Anne Hathaway didn't reply. Instead, she lowered her leg after a minute and then said, "Yeah. Keeping a healthy body is so important. I don't want to make the same mistake again."

Ethan paused, sensing something in her words. "The same mistake? Are you... expecting again?"

Anne Hathaway, sweating, smiled. "Yes."

"Oh!" Ethan hugged her, ecstatic. "This is great news!"

"Yes, great news." Anne Hathaway gently touched her stomach, full of happiness. "This time, I won't let things go wrong."

"Neither will I." Ethan held Anne Hathaway's hand, noticing that the sadness she once carried had finally begun to crack. It had been a long time since he'd seen her so radiant.

"Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?"

"Don't say that. What if they end up being non-binary?"

"That's ridiculous."

"Ridiculous? If you think so, then I suggest sending them to study in China when they grow up."

"Why? Isn't America good enough?"

"Of course… not. American universities are either filled with drugs or gender identity debates. I don't want our child to be burdened by that too early."

"But that's their freedom."

"Hey, freedom is relative. I'd rather they develop a mature mindset before considering their identity issues."

"Alright, alright. You worry too much."

"Of course I do. I don't want them turning into Karl Marx's 'cultural heritage' son… or daughter."

"I have no idea what you mean, but isn't it too early to discuss education?"

"You're right. Let's think of a name first."

"What name?"

"Ethan?"

"Ethan again? Big Ethan, Little Ethan?"

"Like Alexandre Dumas and his son."

"That sounds weird, to be honest."

"Alright, never mind. We'll think of another one."

They sat on the floor of the gym, chatting for over half an hour until Ethan's mother, Camila, came to get them.

When everyone learned that Anne was pregnant, they all congratulated her.

Well, at least on the surface.

But at least no woman picked up a candlestick and struck Anne's stomach.

That night, Ethan slept in his own room.

He was expecting Scarlett's surprise, but when it still hadn't come by midnight, he drifted off.

At some unknown hour, the door quietly opened, waking Ethan.

He lifted his head slightly and saw several blurry figures standing at the doorway. He couldn't make out how many there were, only that they slowly approached his bed and slipped under the covers.

After a night of passion, those figures left, and new ones appeared at the door.

And then, everyone huddled together, enjoying a sweet dream.

When Ethan woke up the next morning, he found himself alone in bed. He thought he had just dreamed it all.

But when he lifted the covers, he found several pairs of women's underwear.

"Black, red, white, green, pink... Damn, my waist hurts."