NOVEL WEB Chapter 270: Would You Like a Lollipop?
"Is that guy Link? Why is he here?"
The Irish actor Colin Farrell asked, looking at Link walking away and addressing Ryan Reynolds beside him.
"'Fighter' is the movie he did with Mr. Christian Bale, haven't you seen it?"
"Isn't he a singer? How come he's acting in movies now? More and more singers are crossing over into films these days."
"He's not just a singer, he's also the world boxing champion. Last year, he earned more than 60 million US dollars from a single match, and it only took him five minutes, incredible."
The actor Zac Efron, who rose to fame with movies like 'High School Musical' and '17 Again', exclaimed in admiration.
"'Fortune Magazine' said he made over a hundred million in boxing and another hundred million in the music industry last year, raking in two hundred million in a year. And he's only 21 this year, fuck, if I were a billionaire at 21, I wouldn't do anything, just party in nightclubs every day," Ryan Reynolds said enviously.
"But Link doesn't just release albums and box, he's also landing movie roles like crazy. 'Hollywood Reporter' calls him the hardest-working person in the entertainment industry. He's putting in so much effort, compared to him, I feel a bit lazy," said Zac Efron with a shrug.
Apart from those three, many other actors were discussing Link, the 'uninvited guest' in the movie circle; some envied him, some were jealous, and others disliked him.
Especially when they saw him standing among a group of female actors, eagerly surrounded by several of them, like a heartthrob, everyone found him quite annoying, almost wishing they could replace him.
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"Link, you're nominated for Best Original Song, right? I'm going to present that award with Amanda later. If it's you, I'll give you a hint, how about that?"
Miley Cyrus winked, revealing a charming smile.
"Impossible. The Oscars inviting me as an award presenter already indicates that it's very unlikely for me to win, so don't get your hopes up."
"Is that so?"
Miley looked towards her companion, Amanda Seyfried.
Amanda, a movie actress who gained fame with 'Mean Girls' and 'Mamma Mia!', had a better understanding of these matters.
Blinking her distinctive blue-grey eyes, she looked intently at Link with a warm smile and said, "Maybe, this is also my first time being an award presenter, and I haven't received an Oscar nomination yet. Link getting an Oscar nomination at twenty-one is amazing."
"Yes, Link, you're amazing, and I'm a die-hard fan of yours now," Miley Cyrus said with a laugh.
Link smiled faintly, reciprocating the fan sentiment, though in fact, his achievements in the entertainment industry weren't yet comparable to Miley's.
This year, Miley, just eighteen, had released three albums that all bagged the number one spot in first-week sales, with total sales in the millions across America. The TV show she starred in, 'Hannah Montana', won the championship for ratings, and the 'Hannah Montana: The Movie' topped the box-office for the week. Her North American tours and 'Concert Documentary' have made hundreds of millions in the box office.
"Hey, Link, it's great to see you here, I'm a fan of your songs."
The Spanish actress Penelope Cruz came over to say hello, mentioning that she liked the Spanish song 'Despacito'. Last year, she participated in Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Barcelona' and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She was also the presenter for Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars.
Link chatted with her for a bit, discussing her new movie, and mentioned he would be doing a concert in Barcelona, Spain, in August or September. Penelope said she would definitely attend.
After seeing off Penelope, Link talked with some other female actors like Cameron Diaz and Rachel McAdams, who came over to greet him.
By six o'clock in the afternoon, the Oscars ceremony began, and the presenters started to get ready, with the ones appearing earlier going to pick up the envelopes containing the winners' names or practicing their lines in the resting room.
Link glanced at Christine, still expressionless, sitting on the couch. She was dressed in a black gown, with her blonde hair flowing down and her pale skin set against her indifferent face, none of the men dared to approach her.
"Hey, superstar, remember me?"
Link said with a pocketed hand and a smile.
Since 'Twilight 2' premiered last year, her fame had been on the rise, along with increased work. Plus, with Link being busy with tours and promoting his album, they had only met twice.
Christine flicked the hem of her skirt on her knees, swinging her legs and spoke with a blank expression, "Superstar, what's it like to be surrounded by a bunch of women who want to sleep with you?"
"It's just making friends, not as exaggerated as you say."
Link gave her a speechless glance and sat down next to her.
"I saw you just now, very excited, constantly laughing, your face turning red, your voice loud. That's the difference between boys and girls, I guess. If I were surrounded by a bunch of men who wanted to sleep with me, I'd be scared. Why do you think there's such a difference between men and women?"
Christine said with a serious expression.
"We haven't talked in a long time, are you sure you want to talk about something so boring?"
Link said helplessly.
"We're discussing the differences in physical structure between men and women that lead to innate inequality. How can that be boring?"
Christine said, puzzled.
Link smiled slightly and lowered his voice, "The premise of your scenario is flawed. Who told you that a man would be excited to be surrounded by a bunch of women who want him, and a woman would be nervous to be surrounded by a bunch of men?"
"Isn't that the case?"
"Of course not. If you were surrounded by a bunch of super handsome guys, would you be nervous or excited?"
Link asked, staring at her face.
"A bunch of men like you?"
"That could work too!"
Christine thought for a moment with her head tilted and said, "A little nervous, but also somewhat excited."
Link didn't know what kind of messy things she was thinking about and said, "Yes, if I were surrounded by a group of four to five hundred-pound, muscular middle-aged women, I'd be nervous too. So, whether you're nervous or excited being surrounded by the opposite sex depends on looks, not gender."
"Alright, you make some sense."
Christine reached behind her and pulled out two lollipops, handing one to him.
Link looked at her in surprise; she was wearing a black lace dress that revealed her delicate shoulders and collarbone. The lace clung tightly to her body from her chest to her knees, and one could see her waist and leg skin through the see-through parts; there was no sign of pockets anywhere.
Link sniffed the lollipop and could still smell the scent of Dior perfume, fresh and pleasant, the same as Christine's.
"What are you smelling? I just put them in my underwear when I came in, not my butt."
Christine said with a cool face, the lollipop in her mouth.
"I know. I'm just wondering if I should eat the candy now, since I'm about to go on stage soon?"
"Which number are you going on?"
"Sixth!"
"I'm third and not even worrying, so what's your hurry?"
Christine said nonchalantly.
"Christine, it's our turn to go on stage."
Christine's colleague, Taylor Lautner, who also played the werewolf in "Twilight," came over to call her.
"Now?"
"Yes, we're going on in one minute."
"Okay then!"
Christine took the lollipop out of her mouth and handed it to Link to hold for her, planning to eat it after she got off stage, and warned him not to sneak a bite.
Backstage at the Oscars ceremony, Link was sitting on a couch in the bustling hall, a lollipop in each hand, when director Quentin walked by, glanced at him, and asked what he was doing; it was a pretty unique look.