Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“No sweat. Come on, the driver’s waiting.”
Though metropolitan New York City was big, it still couldn’t entrap the brilliance of nature’s work. Yet, the spring flowers and the green grass painting the city had never lowered the anticipation of the Manhattan residence towards springtime.
Sitting at the back seat of the car, Jiang Sheng rested his head against the window, eyes on the passing scenery outside. People had pots of tulips placed on their doorsteps, their colors harmonizing with the soft green of the ginkgo trees along the Manhattan boulevard in the cool.
Spring was officially in town. With the trees getting their buds and the flowers blooming mad, the blossoming tulips dominated Manhattan Island like curvy ribbon strips twirling down Park Avenue to the end of the horizon. It was as if they would only merge at the point where the pale blue sky met the glistening blue sea.
When they arrived on set, Jiang Sheng kept himself collected this time.—he listened and stayed quiet. Everything went smoothly.
“Great job, Jiang Sheng. Honestly, he’s an experienced actor with dozens of nominations and awards. It’s just that he feels threatened by young blood because—you know—you’re taking over his job.”
“I know.” Wasn’t this common for an actor? He ought to listen and obey the words of his seniors, no matter how much irony, deprecation, or insults they contained.
“You can go home now. The driver will give you a ride.”
“I was thinking of taking a walk.”
“Sure.” Linda sighed after seeing him leave. She hadn’t been managing him for long. She was impressed—he had no background but still outshined every performer, obtained an academy award, and became one of the youngest Oscar winners.
The second she met him, she realized his potential and capabilities. But it wasn’t enough in showbiz—he lacked family background and connections. Sure, he couldn’t change his family history, but he took no initiative in managing his social network.
“A young man like him, headstrong and arrogant, won’t do him any good in Hollywood.”
The senior actor’s voice interrupted Linda’s thoughts and pulled her back to reality. By the time she’d thought of a reply, he’d already walked far. “You’re right, sir. But he’s changing.”
“Good.”
The best spring landscape in NYC was located in Central Park, being the only embedded enormous lush, green pearl within central NYC. Jiang Sheng hopped into a cab, covered his face with a mask, and walked into Central Park to get some fresh air.
When the spring breeze swept through every crook and cranny, it awakened the park from its winter slumber. Adjusting to the new change of its environment, it sneezed ever slightly in response, creating ripples in water and rustles in leaves.
The trees and their thick branches had blocked out parts of the bright sun. Jiang Sheng looked up to find the fluffy clouds floating by the blue terrain, hearing the wind’s gentle swishing. If only the staring and gasping were gone, he thought.
A crowd had begun to form around him, whispering how he looked like a model and complimenting his attractiveness.
He increased his pace, headed towards somewhere quieter. Under a dapple of the sunlight, he removed his mask and shoved it into his pocket. He pulled out the device, which had been ringing non-stop since he left the set.
“Hello?”
“Come home, child. Showbiz isn’t the place for you.”
“Are you spying on me again?”
“You brat! I wired you billions each month, yet you’ve never used them. How could I not get worked up? And you call it spying!”
“I’ve got money. I don’t need yours.” Jiang Sheng hung up.
He shifted his gaze away to recollect himself. And at that instant, he saw Ning Xue.
She was dressed in a white blouse and a beige, long skirt, seeming gentle and serene. It had lessened her usual aloofness as she immersed herself in the other world existing in her painting—she was focused, her concentration wholly on capturing the scenery of Central Park.
Jiang Sheng never knew his heart could thump so loud, and he couldn’t find a name for the emotion he was experiencing. The only thing he knew was that the moment he laid eyes on the girl, he’d never look away again.