The night in London flowed outside the car window like a winding river, carrying the chilly and desolate scenes of early autumn through the quaint architecture, historic streets, and misty drizzle. A sense of depth and elegance pervaded, and the sediment of years bestowed upon the city a unique flavor.
The hustle and bustle of Notting Hill had also quieted down at this hour. There weren't many figures on the streets, as if the countryside had escaped from the urban tumult.
Phillip accurately parked the car by the roadside, turned off the engine, and the tranquil warm air flowed gently within the cabin. He observed Renly and Matthew in the rearview mirror. After a moment of silence, he ultimately didn't say anything, getting out of the car, walking around to the curb, and opening the car door.
First Matthew, then Renly.
Phillip closed the car door and opened the rear trunk, taking Renly's luggage out and walking over behind him. The two stood at the doorway, waiting for Matthew to retrieve the keys from his briefcase. The silence persisted, an undisturbed quiet carrying a trace of restraint, making the air even colder in the rain-dappled night.
Matthew opened the sky-blue main door on the ground floor. Phillip carried the luggage inside and placed it near the doorway before departing. However, when he reached the doorway, his steps involuntarily paused. He turned back to look at Renly once more.
Renly hadn't moved, nor had he taken off his overcoat. His face bore a faint smile, as if he had anticipated Phillip's turn. This brought a touch of warmth to Phillip's otherwise stoic and reserved demeanor. "Young Master Renly, are you alright?"
It wasn't just an ordinary greeting. Renly knew that Phillip was inquiring about much more – how he had been over the past year and a half; whether his pursuit of dreams had gone smoothly; if he had adapted to returning to London; whether he was doing fine wandering away from the confines of his family.
"I'm fine, Phillip." Renly nodded with a smile, the warmth in his heart tinging his smile with a gentle hue.
Phillip silently observed Renly for a moment, but ultimately didn't say anything. He only revealed a shallow smile, bowed politely to Renly, and then nodded to Matthew before turning and leaving without any hesitation. Within moments, the sound of an engine started up again from beyond the doorway, gradually fading into the distance.
Eighteen months later, he had returned home once more. Welcoming him was not just the chilly atmosphere, but also an indifferent detachment and cautiousness. What they cared about was not his dreams, his achievements, his struggles, or his efforts; it was whether he was proper, whether he upheld the nobility's continuity, whether he tarnished the family's reputation. They clearly drew a boundary, isolating both sides in separate worlds, much like segregating two spaces to contain a contagion.
There was no explosive confrontation, no furious roar, no intense collision. Everything was suppressed beneath those exquisite and dignified masks, frigid and piercing. Even arguments were so tranquil.
The only one who truly cared about him was Phillip.
Ironically, as household stewards, their first lesson was emotional restraint – ignoring gossip, refraining from revealing their innermost thoughts, and not becoming overly emotionally invested. They were required to maintain a certain level of objectivity.
Turning around, Renly caught sight of the worried expression on Matthew's face. A trace of bitterness mingled with the cold detachment, adding a hint of warmth to his demeanor. He hesitated before inquiring, "Are you alright?"
The same question, yet carrying different implications. Renly couldn't help but smile and turned around. Matthew stepped forward, helping him remove his overcoat and hanging it on the nearby rack. "I'm fine, better than ever." This wasn't the first time he had faced the family's indifference. "I came here specifically to work. I need to focus on my work, and that's my plan. Is it quiet enough here? If not, I can stay at a hotel."
"You can go there now if you want. Do you need me to call a taxi for you?" Matthew quipped calmly.
If Renly stayed at a hotel, that would truly stir things up. In less than two hours, the entire upper echelon would likely be abuzz with discussions. Some people who enjoyed gossip and drama might even go to the hotel just to surround Renly.
Renly cast a glance at Matthew and casually retorted, "Or are you planning to live at Knightsbridge, leaving the keys here for me?"
He seemed to be trying to occupy the master's nest and drive him out. Matthew shook his head wordlessly, "Rest assured, even if George shows up downstairs, I won't let them in."
"Oh, no, if he does show up, you'd better let him in. Otherwise, this scandal is bound to cause a stir for at least two months. By then, you'll have to withstand quite a bombardment." Renly's jesting words prompted a chuckle from Matthew. "By the way, do you remember Andrew Hamilton? I ran into him in France not long ago. We exchanged business cards again. It feels like the last time I saw him in the social circle was in the previous century."
"Andrew? Of course, he's now London's unparalleled Casanova. Many young noblewomen have fallen for him. At this year's Christmas parties, there should be quite a few families vying for a connection with him."
"Hey, what's the logic behind this? He's wandering, I'm wandering too. Why did he become the great lover, while I became Don Quixote?"
"Maybe because he's more handsome and charming than you?"
"Well, I can't deny that fact."
...
After living in New York for so long, Renly believed he had gradually adapted to life in a foreign land. After all, strictly speaking, he wasn't a Londoner either. His soul was Chinese, having lived there for a full thirty-two years. By comparison, every day in this lifetime was spent in a foreign land.
Yet, upon returning to London, Renly realized that this perpetually overcast, chilly, and somber city was still an integral part of his life. Its influence far exceeded his imagination. Every cell in his body was reawakened, as if he had never left.
Without much effort, Renly adjusted to the utterly dreadful weather of London, which boded well for the upcoming performance.
However, for Drake, luck wasn't on his side. On his first day in London, he was struck by the onslaught of gloomy, chilly air and caught a severe cold. His voice became hoarse to the point where he could barely speak. The constant sound of nose-blowing on set each day resembled a discordant symphony.
Fortunately, despite the congestion and swollen throat, Drake's directorial prowess didn't suffer a severe setback. His mind remained sufficiently alert, and the filming of the crew proceeded as planned. Meanwhile, Renly and Felicity, both native Brits, continued their fervent performances. The entire crew entered a state of high efficiency.
For some reason, perhaps due to observing Renly and Jennifer's filming in Los Angeles, Felicity had diluted the vague romantic spark between them. Perhaps it was because Renly's return to London seemed unaffected on the surface, but deep down, he felt the impact from his family...
The result, however, was that the connection between the two seemed severed. The pulsating hormones had vanished without a trace, and the blossoming sparks were gradually dissipating. It was as if two people who had walked side by side, with matched steps, gestures, and pace, suddenly experienced slight variations in frequency, rhythm, and amplitude. This disrupted the synchronous harmony, and although they continued side by side, the visual effect became chaotic.
For "Like Crazy", this was a good thing.
Anna remained in London, starting her new life, yet she couldn't suppress the agony of longing. She broke down completely over the phone. Thus, Jacob cast aside everything in Los Angeles and leapt across the Atlantic to reunite with Anna in London. However, Jacob found himself an outsider. Their shared rhythm was no longer in sync.
This indescribable feeling that gradually distanced itself between their brows and eyes, this painfully watching love grow further apart while still loving each other, this struggling desperately yet feeling helpless... It was the most challenging part of the "Like Crazy" script. For Felicity and Renly, it was the most challenging part to act out. With no dialogue, they relied solely on their performances.
But unexpectedly, the two effortlessly conveyed these feelings. Particularly the sense of oppressive confusion—both were striving, both were putting in effort, yet unsure why or how, and this perplexity and uncertainty were portrayed perfectly in their every move. Even the moments of exchanged glances filled the script's gaps in an exceedingly rich manner. Each scene was a challenge, yet every scene was splendid, truly turning acting into an enjoyment!
Drake, tormented by his cold, couldn't be more excited. Despite his swollen, nearly voiceless throat, he couldn't help but celebrate with exuberant gestures, expressing his utmost admiration for the two actors.
In just five short days, "Like Crazy" completed eighty percent of its filming. Yet the crew couldn't afford to relax. They still had a pivotal scene left to shoot, a scene of paramount importance. Drake was concerned about his poor condition and his ability to handle it. He chose to film the following scenes first, hoping his cold would improve slightly before he tackled the crucial shot.
However, even if they pushed it further back, at most, it would delay by a day or two. They didn't have much time or budget to spare. Moreover, they had to return to Los Angeles to wrap up the final shoots.
Ultimately, the time for the pivotal scene's filming had arrived.