The bright moon hung in the night sky, casting its luminous glow everywhere. Michael Davenport and Carmen Kass left the restaurant and walked along the brightly lit Wilshire Boulevard towards the nearby Four Seasons Hotel.
The street was bustling with traffic and people; Beverly Hills was exceptionally lively, and the nightlife was just beginning.
Carmen Kass held onto Michael's arm as they walked along with the crowd.
Michael pointed to a place across the street and said, "That's the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."
Carmen Kass looked at it for a moment and remarked, "Such a small place." She laughed, "I always thought the film academy would be a huge place."
"The Academy is a relatively loose organization with nearly 6,000 members," Michael explained simply. "This is the headquarters of the management organization—a kind of board of directors. The members are scattered across the U.S. and worldwide."
"Are you a member?" Carmen Kass asked curiously.
Michael turned back and continued walking towards the Four Seasons Hotel, explaining as he walked, "Not yet. I've only been in Hollywood for two years, not long enough. But I will apply to the Academy early next year, and if all goes well, I'll be one of the 6,000 members."
Carmen Kass thought about her pursuit of the Model of the Year title and asked, "Is being a member helpful for your career?"
Michael looked at her and said, "It's also an honour. It gives you the right to vote for the Oscars. For example, as a member of the Producers Guild, if I become a member of the Academy, I'll have voting rights for several major Oscar awards."
He thought for a moment and added, "The most important thing is getting into the Academy's circle, expanding your network, and finding opportunities, such as promoting films for Oscar contention."
"Yes," Carmen Kass agreed. "Opportunities and networks are very important. It's the same in the modelling industry."
Their conversation always revolved around their careers.
She said softly, "Many models have similar basic conditions regarding runway skills, looks, and body shape. What they lack are opportunities. Signing a contract with one of the six major blue-blood brands can quickly make them supermodels."
Michael added, "There are similarities between the entertainment and modelling industries." He thought of Carmen Kass's business investments and said, "Sometimes stepping out of your circle and looking from a higher perspective isn't a bad idea."
"That requires the corresponding ability," Carmen Kass said as she felt the night wind chill through her dress, subconsciously tightening her grip on Michael's arm. Michael removed his jacket and draped it over Carmen's shoulders, saying, "Don't rush; take it step by step. I once experienced a terrible failure; my company almost went bankrupt." He shared his story: "I had just graduated, full of confidence, thinking I could succeed with just my talent. But I found out not only was my ability lacking, my talent wasn't as much as I thought."
Carmen Kass laughed and encouraged, "You're doing very well now."
"And so are you," Michael reiterated the old topic. "Carmen, I'm waiting for you to become Estonia's richest person."
Carmen Kass smiled mischievously, "Then I wish you to become the richest person in America soon."
Michael rubbed his chin, "That's too difficult."
"How about we make a bet?" Carmen Kass's eyes sparkled with playful excitement.
Michael looked at her curiously. From the beginning, Carmen Kass had always struck him as a steady and career-focused woman. Maybe it was these similarities that made him feel a particular affection for her. He didn't like chaotic women.
This was clearly a friendly joke, and Michael asked, "What's the bet?"
Carmen Kass stopped and looked at him, saying, "Let's see who becomes the richest in our respective countries first. How about that?"
Michael helplessly shrugged, "That's not fair."
Who were the wealthy and famous in Estonia? Besides Carmen Kass, he didn't know any. But in America? Not to mention Gates, Ellison, Buffett, and even Hollywood insiders like David Geffen and George Lucas were hard to surpass.
"I'm a woman, and you're a man," Carmen Kass tilted her head. "There has to be some difference, right?"
Michael smiled and agreed, "Okay." Then he asked, "What's the bet?"
Carmen Kass thought for a moment and said, "I proposed the bet, so you decide the stakes."
Without thinking much, Michael said casually, "One Benjamin Franklin."
Carmen Kass understood and shook her head, "The stakes are too small."
Michael thought for a moment and said, "The loser will treat the winner to a world tour."
"That's more like it."
They soon arrived at the entrance of the Four Seasons Hotel. Carmen Kass took off the jacket and handed it back to Michael. Michael pointed to the hotel, "Carmen, let me walk you upstairs."
Carmen Kass hesitated for a moment, then nodded lightly, "Sure."
Michael accompanied Carmen to her hotel floor and invited her into her room.
"Make yourself comfortable," Carmen said, checking the time. "I have some work to do."
Michael sat on the sofa, saying, "Take your time."
Carmen smiled at him and took out her laptop. As she worked, she occasionally told Michael, "Just handling some business from Estonia. Models are always busy, so I must find time to manage this."
"You give me a different feeling," Michael said directly. "You're not like the models I had in mind."
As she checked her emails, Carmen said, "The models you think of? Living chaotic lives, drinking, doing drugs..." She sighed, "That's indeed common in the modelling world. But those who reach the top are usually very hardworking and have strong self-discipline."
Michael realized she misunderstood and clarified, "Sorry, that's not what I meant." He seriously explained, "I meant that most models don't have long-term plans. They don't care about the future. Most top models marry someone with good conditions when the time is right."
"You know a lot," Carmen glanced back at him.
Michael smiled at her, "You're a model, so I learned more about this industry."
After finishing her work, Carmen closed her laptop and asked, "Michael, do you have investments in other industries?"
"I only got out of bankruptcy this year," Michael admitted honestly. "I don't have the capacity yet, but I have plans. I just haven't had the chance to implement them."
Carmen asked, "Want something to drink?"
"Water is fine," Michael replied.
Carmen brought two glasses of water and placed them on the coffee table. Sitting on the sofa next to Michael, she asked, "What do you think about the real estate industry?"
Michael thought for a moment and replied, "High investment, high risk, high profit." Worried about misleading Carmen, he added, "That's the situation in North America. I've never been to Estonia, so I can't say."
Carmen asked another question, "How about the Hollywood film industry? Is the return on investment high?"
"This industry is very complex, especially for outsiders," Michael said seriously. "Without absolutely trustworthy insiders, don't invest in Hollywood films. There are many pitfalls."
Carmen said, "I trust you."
Michael responded, "I don't trust myself."
Carmen was taken aback, then understood what he meant, "You're one of those digging the pitfalls."
Michael put his finger to his lips in a shushing gesture, then joked, "I'm a good person."
As soon as he finished, Carmen laughed, and Michael laughed along.
The topic of film investment was quickly brushed aside. Maybe influenced by his past life, Michael didn't want to have significant financial entanglements with Carmen Kass. In modern society, financial entanglements easily ruin close relationships.
Strictly speaking, Michael and Carmen Kass had only met less than five times. However, they had found common topics of great interest to both, ranging from Estonian real estate to the fashion industry, from Hollywood films to Wall Street.
It had to be said that Carmen Kass had good business acumen.
As it neared ten o'clock at night, Carmen glanced at the wall clock and asked, "Michael, you didn't drive. How will you get back?"
Michael understood the implication and said, "The hotel has rental cars. I'll call one downstairs." He stood up, "Get some rest. See you tomorrow."
Carmen walked him to the door, "See you tomorrow."
Michael stepped out and turned back to look at Carmen, who leaned against the door frame.
"Carmen," Michael looked into her eyes.
Carmen didn't avoid his gaze. Michael leaned in to kiss her, and Carmen raised her head slightly to meet his lips. They embraced each other.
Like the meeting of a hoe and noon sun, like the encounter of clear waters and a river map, the result was inevitable—one would become the Yellow River, and the other the sea.
Michael carried Carmen into the room, closing the door behind them with a kick. Carmen shed her composed demeanour, revealing her passionate side. Amidst their gasps, she whispered, "Not here, in my bedroom."
Michael picked her up and carried her there, feeling like he was offering the best of the Jiangling River in return for her warmth.
Michael felt a sudden sense of wonder:
He suddenly encountered a peach blossom grove, stretching hundreds of steps along both banks with no other trees. The fragrant grass was beautiful, and the fallen petals were scattered everywhere. He wanted to explore the grove, find the water's source, then discover a mountain with a small entrance. Entering, it was initially narrow, only passable by one person, but after dozens of steps, it opened up...