Model to Holywood

September 23, Northwest suburb of downtown Los Angeles, Universal Studios.

Universal Studios is the largest film set in Hollywood, with hundreds of movies and TV shows filmed there every year.

The studio is filled with buildings of various architectural styles.

There's the Hollywood Bowl, the Amphitheater, the Greek Theatre, the Chinese Theatre, Victorian-era British streets, futuristic cities like those in sci-fi novels, and magical castles straight out of fairy tales. 

Each street has its own distinct style.

Walking through these familiar structures feels like traveling through movies—from *E.T.* to *Terminator* to *Fast & Furious.*

Luca entered through the west gate of the studio, walked for half an hour, and stopped in front of a messy film set. He took off his hat and fanned himself.

This is the set for *The Last Ride,* and he's here to meet Li An.

He's about to start his audition.

The first project is *Brokeback Mountain,* a film set in Wyoming about a love story between two cowboys.

The lead actor had been switched four times already.

Now, it's confirmed that Mark Wahlberg, an A-list star, will take the lead role.

However, rumors have surfaced that Mark has taken on a major production, *Four Brothers.*

So the lead role might change again.

The second male lead hasn't been confirmed yet, and they're still evaluating candidates.

Because casting has been difficult and there are many uncertainties, the production team hasn't held a formal audition but is relying on recommendations.

The key decision-makers are producer James, director Li An, and screenwriter Annie.

If you can get a recommendation from any one of them, you have a chance.

Luca had been thinking it over for a few days and finally decided on Li An.

On that plane ride, Li An asked him one question: "What do you think about male relationships?"

Luca had pondered this carefully and thought that maybe Li An wanted to invite him to play the first or second male lead.

With his handsome looks, sharp features, strong physique, and brooding eyes, Luca thought he'd be perfect for a cowboy role.

But that day, he hadn't thought it through and impulsively turned Li An down.

Looking back, Luca figured Li An must have been pretty disappointed. After all, they had been casting for so long without finding the right actor. Finally, they came across someone, but he wasn't interested.

*Sigh,* too impulsive.

If only he had agreed then, he wouldn't need to come begging now.

Yesterday, Luca called Li An, hoping to meet up and discuss the role in *Brokeback Mountain.*

But Li An's tone was a bit cold. It's unclear whether he's already set his sights on someone else or if he's secretly amused by the situation.

"Yah yah~" 

"Hey, watch it, cowboy!"

An actor rode past on horseback and whistled at him.

Luca mimed shooting a gun with his fingers—bang—then took a few steps forward and spotted Li An loitering around the set.

This year, after finishing *The Incredible Hulk,* Li An had also worked on this film, which didn't seem to have much impact and would likely flop.

"Luca, you're here!"

"Mr. Li, sorry to disturb you."

Luca took off his hat in greeting.

Li An approached and glanced at his outfit.

A black shirt, blue jeans, brown cowboy hat—the shirt tucked into his jeans made him look rustic yet cool.

A perfect fit for an American Western love story.

Li An scratched his face and thought, *The fox finally shows its tail.*

Last time, on the plane, he had acted indifferent. Then in San Francisco, he had left Li An, a big-time director, to eat fried chicken at McDonald's. Unbelievable.

Now, hearing about the casting, here he was again.

*Heh, if only you'd known this earlier.*

With Li An staring at him, Luca immediately became serious.

It's said that Li An places great importance on his first impression of an actor. If he feels it, you're in; if not, goodbye—even using his son as leverage wouldn't work.

Luca wondered how this time would turn out.

"Let's go sit over there," Li An pointed to a pavilion on the side.

"Okay!"

The weather was hot, and Luca had walked a long way. His vest was soaked with sweat, so he was eager to find a place to rest.

He sent a message to Tony and followed Li An.

"Luca, are you interested in *Brokeback Mountain*?"

Once seated in the pavilion, Li An finally spoke.

"Yes."

The audition had begun, and Luca answered seriously, "When I read the novel, it felt like just an ordinary love story between two men—nothing too extraordinary.

But after reading the script recently, I found it deeply moving.

The screenwriter specifically emphasized the meaning of 'Brokeback Mountain,' depicting an ideal world that exists within reality.

Especially the line, 'If I knew how to quit you, it would be easier,' which touched me deeply."

"Moved?"

Li An gave him a curious look. "But aren't you uncomfortable with male relationships?"

Luca shrugged, "Yes, I have some homophobia, but I don't reject a good story.

The relationship between Ennis and Jack isn't just about two men. On a broader scale, it symbolizes love that isn't accepted by society.

Some loves are illegal, some go against moral customs.

But love is a very personal thing. It existed long before morality was formed.

Using morality to define the legitimacy of emotions is too narrow—like modern people criticizing their ancestors' marriages as shameful.

I believe that as long as two people are in love, their relationship is pure."

Li An was silent for a moment. "What do you think Brokeback Mountain represents?"

Luca thought for a moment and said, "I've read many Chinese books, and one story called *Peach Blossom Spring* reminds me of Brokeback Mountain.

The village in the story is much like Brokeback Mountain—a beautiful, ideal world that seems real but is impossible to find again.

In *Peach Blossom Spring,* the fisherman, like Jack in *Brokeback Mountain,* leaves easily, only to realize later that the mountain was their lost paradise."

Li An rubbed his chin, a bit surprised. This foreigner knew *Peach Blossom Spring* and even understood it well. His strategy of playing to his tastes was working.

"Actually, everyone has their own Brokeback Mountain," Luca said with a slight smile. He had one too.

"Is that so?" 

Li An glanced at him. His appearance and demeanor fit the role of the second male lead, and his understanding of the script was solid, but…

"Luca, your stinky tofu has arrived!"

Tony walked in with a box.

"Thanks, Tony!" 

"This stuff smells so bad, I don't get why anyone likes it," Tony said, fanning his nose and opening the box.

Inside were beers, fried chicken, pizza, a fruit platter, and two servings of fragrant stinky tofu.

"Mr. Li, I know you're busy, so why don't we chat while we eat?"

It was mealtime for the crew anyway.

Li An scratched his face, thinking, *This guy really knows how to work people. I only ate stinky tofu once in Toronto for fun, not because I love it.*

Who likes this smelly stuff?

Li An raised an eyebrow, opened a box of stinky tofu, and took a sniff. His eyes lit up. 

"Is this from Peace Hotel?"

Tony paused, then shook his head. "I'm not sure; the sign outside was black."

"Ha, that's the one!"

Li An ate a piece and chewed for a bit. It was delicious!

"Luca, you like this too?"

"Yes, Mr. Li. When I first joined the *Mean Girls* cast, they played a prank on me by giving me stinky tofu. I tried it and ended up really liking it."

Luca opened two cans of beer and clinked one with Li An.

Li An took a sip of the cold beer and thought, *This guy knows how to win people over, especially Chinese folks, by trying to make connections over food.*

Too bad I've been in America for too long—I'm immune to that. All this effort will be for nothing.

(End of the chapter.)