In America, the Best Actor award starts with stereotypes.

In the morning, at a cabin in the Hollywood Hills.

Of course, while it's called a small house, it's actually a villa.

Standing in the living room, Chen Zhuo looked around and secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.

This house isn't very big, but it'll cost at least $600,000.

Thinking about the basement where he was still living, Chen Zhuo gave a wry smile. This was the economic power of a former top Hollywood actress.

Well, in a way, I guess I'm now living off a woman.

"George, what do you think of my outfit?"

Alicia called downstairs with a smile on her lips.

She was leaning against the stair railing, her plain white, form-fitting halter-neck dress clinging tightly to her graceful figure. The skirt was so short it was almost revealing, exposing a large section of her shapely, fair legs.

Seeing Chen Zhuo looking over, she smoothed her long golden hair, and lightly tapped the steps with the toes of her high heels, causing her skirt to sway slightly, seemingly unintentionally, yet also as if deliberately provocative.

But looking into her eyes, they were so clear that she seemed to know nothing at all, like a succubus from hell wearing the skin of an angel.

"Oh, my lady, you look absolutely stunning, but this dress isn't really suitable for going out."

Chen Zhuo looked up and glanced at it, then immediately shook his head and rubbed his forehead.

"Why? If it's so pretty, why isn't it suitable to wear out?"

Alicia walked downstairs with a sly smile and circled around Chen Zhuo.

"Don't you think it's impressive and satisfies a man's vanity for me to walk down the street with you dressed like this?"

Suddenly, she covered her mouth, her face showing surprise.

"George, are you actually a cake boy? Oh my god, sorry, I never noticed. Should I get you a lipstick?"

Chen Zhuo's lips twitched slightly. As Alicia became more cheerful, she enjoyed playing pranks more and more.

It seems I have to teach her a lesson to make her understand what's what.

"I'm more worried about my safety than about saving face."

As Chen Zhuo spoke, he grabbed Alicia's wrist and slowly lowered it towards his pants, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "As for whether I'm the Cake Boy or not, if you really want to find out, why don't you try it yourself?"

"Then I'll really give it a try."

Alicia raised her chin, as if to press it down.

?

Are you kidding me? You think I'd avoid your attacks?

Chen Zhuo suddenly straightened his back. He was always the one who restrained himself. Did they really think he had no temper?

"Wow, I didn't realize you were so talented."

Alicia took a measurement before smiling and letting go of her hand.

Chen Zhuo, on the other hand, looked astonished, his face slightly flushed.

He's not some saint, he just believes that you have to take responsibility for what you do, but because he's currently focused on creating stereotypes and boosting online buzzwords, he hasn't thought about that aspect.

Moreover, in his view, the two were indeed just friends, and Alicia could not possibly go that far.

But he forgot that he had a series of favorability-related attributes.

This led to a situation where, although he felt that the two were still just ordinary friends, in Alicia's heart Chen Zhuo had already crossed the line of ordinary friends and reached the point of being ambiguous friends, or even boyfriends.

Therefore, Alicia felt no psychological pressure during the measurement.

Chen Zhuo awkwardly took a step back and sat down on the sofa.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore."

Alicia giggled triumphantly. "Wait for me for an hour. I'll get ready and be right there."

"Huh? Another hour?"

Chen Zhuo's face was bitter; he had been waiting for two hours.

Alicia took a step forward, straddled Chen Zhuo, and brazenly poked his cheek.

"My dear George, you should know that not everyone is so lucky to be as naturally beautiful and gifted as you."

After saying that, she made a face at Chen Zhuo, got up and went upstairs.

……

Two hours later.

North of Los Angeles, Malibu Bay.

This is a wild beach that has not yet been commercially developed.

The beach was deserted, with only huge rocks standing there, battling the waves and echoing incessantly.

Chen Zhuo parked the Jeep he had borrowed from his second uncle's auto repair shop on the shore and turned off the engine.

"Wait a moment."

He pushed open the door and jumped out of the car.

The sea breeze, carrying salty and damp air, swept over me, bringing a refreshing coolness.

"Achoo! It's so cold here."

Alicia didn't listen to Chen Zhuo and followed him down in an instant.

Chen Zhuo shook his head helplessly. "Hey, didn't I tell you to wait a minute?"

He took off his gray trench coat, walked over to Alicia, and draped it over her shoulders.

"How about it? Seeing this deserted sea, don't you feel like shouting?"

Chen Zhuo pointed to the sea ahead, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Ah—"

Alicia blinked and then shouted it out.

The two voices echoed incessantly in the bay, like willful children determined to contend with the sound of the waves.

Alicia is a girl who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and played at the beach countless times when she was a child.

The sea there is very similar to this one—quiet and cold, yet much more reassuring than the sunny, bustling commercial beaches.

When they were tired of shouting, the two leaned side by side against the still-warm car hood, panting heavily without any regard for their image.

"You know what, George?"

Alicia tilted her head slightly, her voice louder than ever before.

"I feel better than ever before. Even when I signed a multi-million dollar contract, I didn't feel this good."

Chen Zhuo pursed his lips, put on a bitter expression, and responded just as loudly.

"Do you know how hurtful it is to say something like that to a minor actor who only earns 80,000 yuan a month?"

"Hahaha... Sorry, I forgot."

Alicia grabbed Chen Zhuo's shoulders and laughed so hard she bent over.

Only after she had laughed herself tired did she regain her usual quiet and speak softly.

"George, I was almost ready to give up before I met you."

"I thought no one in the world liked me anymore. Even when my agent tried to help me find resources and contact production teams, I refused."

"I hide myself in the shadows like a ghost, wandering aimlessly."

"But that's when I met you, a weirdo who was sharing a quick way to solve a Rubik's Cube by the river."

"At first, I just thought you were pretty good-looking, but it wasn't until you ran out like a cheetah and got my wallet back that I suddenly had a different feeling about you."

"Unfortunately, I was so bad back then that I didn't even have the courage to ask for their contact information."

"Since that day, I've often wandered along the riverbank. I say wandered, but really I just wanted to see you again."

"Hey, George, can't you give me any response? The most popular campus idol said she's actively seeking to bump into you!"