*Ooh la la~*
At around 6 PM the next day, a TGV-R train from Paris slowly pulled into Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station.
"Director Bertolucci, thank you for your appreciation, but I have other roles on hand and no time to play Matthew. Okay, I'll seriously consider it."
On the platform, Luca wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, bid farewell to the eager-looking director, and pulled his suitcase off the train.
He had boarded the train from Paris around 3 PM, not expecting to run into Director Bertolucci, who was in the area for a location scout.
Bertolucci is an Italian director who won the Academy Award for Best Director, with famous works like *The Last Emperor* and *Last Tango in Paris*.
Now in his sixties, the old man was preparing to start filming a new movie, *The Dreamers*.
The male lead in this movie, Matthew, is an American student studying in Paris—tall and handsome. During his studies, he meets a pair of French twin siblings, and the three of them experience a chaotic yet dreamy love story.
The story is pretty good, and the lead actress, Eva Green, is also quite impressive. But the male lead's scenes are too revealing, with many explicit moments where he is fully exposed.
Initially, Luca was ready to take on the role, given the director's personal invitation, but he had one request: could he at least wear some underwear? The director firmly refused, urging Luca to sacrifice for the art of cinema and even suggesting an audition in the restroom.
Luca gave a small laugh. He understood that the old man was not interested in his acting skills but rather his art-like physique and impressive build.
Since the director wouldn't budge, he had to refuse.
He hadn't even cleared up the situation with Britney yet, and if he took on such a role, he wouldn't know how to explain it to Lima.
He pulled his suitcase and left the train station.
Saint-Jean Station is on the Garonne River bend, and from the exit, you can see the shimmering river in the distance. Surrounding the riverbanks are endless vineyards, with a faint glimpse of stone castle wineries on the hilltops, creating a picturesque countryside scene.
However, the train station square nearby is a fashion hub, with numerous luxury stores like Dior, Tiffany, and LV, as well as many artistic cafes and exhibition galleries.
On the square steps, many music enthusiasts sit around, strumming guitars, playing violins, and even bagpipes, creating a melodious atmosphere. They all look like artists.
Luca walked through them with his suitcase, feeling a bit mundane, unlike someone who had once sacrificed for literature.
*Clap clap clap~*
A pretty female violinist finished playing Canon in D major, earning applause and the clinking of coins being tossed.
This piece was a soundtrack in *Step Up*, and Luca had heard it many times. The girl played it quite well.
He clapped his hands and tossed a coin into the box.
"Bonjour, can you tell me how to get to the Grand Hotel?"
As the crowd dispersed, he stepped forward to ask.
"I don't know. Wait!"
The girl was tuning her violin and waved him away, uninterested in this kind of approach. But hearing his accent, she curiously glanced up, her light green eyes lighting up instantly.
In front of her stood a man with long, strong legs and a tall, six-foot-plus frame that towered over the average Frenchman.
He wore a white Nike T-shirt and blue jeans, with muscular arms and a well-developed chest. Under the brim of a long baseball cap, his chiseled face, sensual lips, and deep, shadowed eyes were more captivating than the stars in the night sky.
As handsome as a work of art on display in a gallery!
Helena couldn't help but blink, feeling pleasantly surprised.
She adjusted her sea-green dress and smiled, "Hello, welcome to Bordeaux. Are you American?"
"No, I'm Brazilian, but I now live in New York."
"New York?"
Helena's eyes sparkled. New York might not have Bordeaux's pastoral scenery, but it has Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera House—a holy land for artists worldwide.
"Are you a Hollywood star?"
Helena seemed to realize she might be getting ahead of herself, gesturing as she said, "You look familiar."
Luca smiled slightly, "No, I'm a model."
"Wow~"
Helena thought, no wonder he has such a good figure and is so handsome.
"Hi, I'm Helena. You're going to the Grand Hotel, right? I can show you the way!"
"Thanks, but I don't think that'll be necessary. I'll take him there."
As Luca was about to say thank you, a dissatisfied voice came from behind him. Before he could turn around, someone grabbed his arm, pulling him back a few steps.
He knew who it was from the voice alone and asked in surprise, "Lima, what are you doing here?"
"Hmph, are you disappointed? If I hadn't come, you could have gone on a date with that woman, right?"
Lima, with her wavy brown hair down, wore a sleeveless black lace dress and had her arms crossed, looking quite stern.
"Lima, don't get me wrong; I was just asking for directions."
Luca explained with a smile.
Lima snorted softly, "Why ask a girl for directions when there are so many people on the square? And a pretty girl at that?"
Luca was at a loss for words. He had just passed by and thought of asking for directions, but would Lima believe him if he said so?
"Darling, I was wrong. I'll be more careful next time. Look what I got you."
Luca let go of her shoulders and pulled out a square white box from his suitcase.
"What's this?"
Lima frowned.
"The latest game console from Nintendo, the Nintendo DS, a trial version with twenty-eight built-in games."
Luca happily offered it up with both hands.
"Hah~ Do you think I care?"
Lima gave the box a dismissive glance, "Does it really have twenty-eight games?"
".Yes, it does!"
"Hmph, I'll forgive you this time."
Lima took the box and got into the car.
Luca was stunned. Forgiven, just like that?
That was too easy. He hadn't even taken out the ten-thousand-word letter of remorse or the ten-thousand-word guarantee, not to mention half of the washboard.
"Dummy, get in the car!"
Lima shouted from the car.
"Coming!"
Luca laughed and waved at the violin-playing girl before quickly getting into the car.
"Goodbye!"
Helena watched the car drive away and sighed in disappointment. She thought she might have a romantic encounter today, but someone came along and stole it.
*Squeak squeak squeak~*
The violin music started again, but this time the tune was a bit melancholic.
(End of this chapter)