"Rachel, no… this, all of this…"
At the Fairmont Hotel, facing Jennifer Connelly, who played his childhood friend Rachel Dawes, Christian Bale seemed at a loss for words, stammering and hesitant.
"This isn't really me… deep down, I'm not so shallow…"
"Come on, Bruce."
On the other side, in a sports car, two stunning blonde women shouted toward him, "Hurry up, Bruce, let's go check out a few more restaurants!"
Rachel Dawes shook her head slightly and forced a faint smile: "Bruce, deep down, you're still that honest child. Who you are on the outside doesn't matter. What matters is what you do."
She turned and walked toward the distance.
"Cut," Gilbert called, emerging from behind the monitor. He first praised Christian Bale: "Well done, Bruce Wayne. Keep it up."
"My feeling was great, director, but it could still be better," Christian Bale replied modestly.
Gilbert waved and called Jennifer Connelly over: "Rachel, I want a Rachel Dawes full of justice.
But what you're giving me feels like a Harley Quinn fresh out of Arkham Asylum.
Find the feeling, think about the emotions you have when doing charity work."
Jennifer Connelly nodded seriously: "Yes, director. I'll really grasp the character's mindset."
"Take a five-minute break before we resume…" Gilbert clapped his hands.
After filming a scene smoothly, Jennifer Connelly approached Gilbert.
"Leanne, how do you want to celebrate your birthday today?" Gilbert asked.
"Let me think… how about you cook a meal for me?" Jennifer Connelly laughed, also acknowledging the birthday wishes from the narrator.
"Sure," Gilbert immediately agreed.
Jennifer Connelly paused: "I was joking."
"I'm not joking, I really can," Gilbert said seriously. "Really…"
Jennifer Connelly was touched but still replied: "No need, singing a birthday song and having a cake is enough."
"That won't do," Gilbert said, taking her hand. "Wait a moment, I'll have the hotel kitchen prepare some ingredients."
He then called Ivanka over, asking her to notify the hotel kitchen where the crew was staying to prepare the ingredients and free up a small kitchen for him.
Today was Jennifer Connelly's birthday. After filming several scenes and completing the planned schedule, Gilbert announced wrap.
Charles Rowen came over and suggested, "Since it's Leanne's birthday, we could reserve a bar for her celebration."
"No need," Gilbert said. "Leanne and I prefer to celebrate privately."
"Oh~" Charles Rowen said, "So you want a private celebration, got it."
He then gave a meaningful smile: "Don't worry, no one will disturb you tonight."
"Charles, it's a pleasure working with you," Gilbert smiled.
That evening, when they returned to the hotel, the kitchen had been arranged according to Ivanka's instructions, with a small kitchen freed up for Gilbert's use.
Although it was a simple birthday celebration, Jennifer Connelly wore a dress and light makeup with a strong sense of ceremony.
By the time she arrived at the kitchen, Gilbert was washing vegetables, trimming ingredients, and preparing meat. His movements were a bit awkward at first, but gradually became smoother.
When Jennifer Connelly arrived, Gilbert awkwardly smiled: "It's been a while since I cooked, a bit rusty."
"It's okay, can I help?" Jennifer Connelly asked.
"No, no, just sit. Today is your birthday," Gilbert insisted, seating her, then continued working.
Jennifer Connelly poured two glasses of wine.
Celebrating a birthday in the kitchen while cooking was a completely new experience for her, very novel.
Ivanka knocked and entered: "Boss, I placed the cake here."
"Okay," Gilbert said without looking up, focusing on the lamb chops in his hands.
The hotel chefs had handled most of the prep, but some steps still required Gilbert personally.
Seeing Ivanka about to leave, Jennifer Connelly invited: "Ivanka, why not stay and have dinner with us?"
Ivanka silently thought: hypocritical, clearly doesn't want me to stay.
Being considerate, she smiled: "No, I still have some work to handle."
She glanced at Gilbert cooking, then clicked away in her high heels.
"Does Ivanka like you?" Jennifer Connelly asked curiously.
"No, she probably just thinks I'm a good man," Gilbert boasted, earning Jennifer Connelly's eye-roll.
"What are you planning to cook for me?" Jennifer Connelly asked with anticipation.
"A mix of East and West. The first dish is braised lamb with radish, something I learned from a Chinese state banquet chef," Gilbert said, cooking and bragging at the same time.
"I heard this is a classic Chinese banquet dish, very flavorful, a must-try."
Gilbert cut the lamb and radish, blanched the lamb, then boiled it again with scallions, ginger, and the remaining radish.
"This step removes the lamb's gamey taste while preserving its natural flavor," Gilbert explained while cooking, placing the double-boiled lamb and broth into a clay pot.
"Simmer for an hour, remove the scallions, ginger, and radish, then add the prepared radish."
Jennifer Connelly looked curious: "Where did this clay pot come from? I've never seen one this big."
"Ivanka got it from Chinatown, they have plenty," Gilbert replied casually.
"While the lamb simmers, let's work on other dishes. Today's dinner is simple, maybe four or five dishes."
"Mm-hmm," Jennifer Connelly nodded eagerly like a little chick pecking.
She rested her chin on her hands, smiling happily, watching Gilbert prepare dinner for her.
The next dish was Lucky Lantern Shrimp. The hotel chefs had prepped the lobster meat, no need for Gilbert to do additional prep.
He rinsed the lobster with salt, added some vinegar, also sourced from Chinatown.
Thanks to Gilbert's influence, Chinese culture had gained some popularity in the past two years, and local cuisine had spread as well. Americans might not fully adapt, but soy sauce and seasonings were easy to find.
Chinese people soon realized that products like Laoganma, soy sauce, and various vinegars sold very well overseas. Many import-export companies quickly exported them to Europe and America.
Now, these ingredients are easy to find in any major North American supermarket.
Jennifer Connelly couldn't sit still. She wandered around Gilbert, touching and inspecting everything, curious about it all.
"Don't mess around…"
"No, I just want to help a little."
Jennifer Connelly watched Gilbert, who seemed like performing magic, quickly finish preparing the Lucky Lantern Shrimp, plating it beautifully.
She couldn't resist taking out her camera and said, "I'm posting this on social media so everyone can see. Darling, you're amazing."
"Of course," Gilbert said proudly. "If I hadn't become a director, I might have been a chef.
Of course, being a chef isn't bad, but directing gives me a wider horizon!"
Jennifer Connelly pondered his words: "Sounds like something a shrewd politician would say."
"Hahaha, indeed…"
While chatting, they continued cooking. Jennifer Connelly couldn't sit still and wanted to help, though it eventually turned into discussion.
Even so, Gilbert completed several dishes, including a steamed fish. Knowing Jennifer Connelly couldn't handle overly spicy or strong-flavored food, he made everything mild and light.
Finally, he prepared a dish from French cuisine called the Goddess Steak, also known as Diana Steak, said to be a must for a romantic date.
Once all the dishes were ready, accompanied by snacks, the braised lamb with radish was done. The clear broth served from the clay pot was delicious at first sip.
Gilbert wiped his hands and said to the patiently waiting Jennifer Connelly, "It's ready. Let's eat!"
"Great," they said, not going out, instead placing candles on the small kitchen counter and enjoying a special candlelit dinner.
Jennifer Connelly sampled this dish and that dish. At this moment, even if Gilbert's cooking wasn't perfect, she found everything delicious.
"Cheers…"
They clinked glasses, the red wine swirling, and beauty enhancing the aroma.
Jennifer Connelly's smile was radiant, and under the faint candlelight, she looked stunningly beautiful.
They chatted about everything and soon ate a lot.
"So full… damn, I'm on a diet," Jennifer Connelly patted her stomach.
"Then don't diet. Dieting only makes you gain more," Gilbert laughed.
"Why are you cursing me? If I gain weight, it's your responsibility."
"Yes, yes, my responsibility," Gilbert said, bringing the cake and placing small candles on it. "Make a wish quickly, I'll sing the birthday song for you."
"Mm," Jennifer Connelly put on a birthday hat, clasped her hands to her chest, closed her eyes, and made a wish.
Gilbert tapped a rhythm and sang a birthday song for Jennifer Connelly.
After the song, Jennifer Connelly blew out the candles. Gilbert immediately applauded, celebrating her birthday.
"What did you wish for?" Gilbert asked.
"Mm, I wish for my family's health and that the children grow up smoothly," Jennifer Connelly said.
"And?"
"I hope our careers progress steadily, achieving our dreams."
"That's good too. Anything else?"
"Of course," Jennifer Connelly whispered something in Gilbert's ear, making his eyes light up.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go back to the room!" Gilbert scooped her up in a princess carry, holding Jennifer Connelly in his arms. She shyly buried her head against him.
As for the remaining food, the hotel kitchen would naturally handle it.
At this moment, the two had more important things to do and no time to deal with it.
"My high heels…"
"I've got them," Gilbert said, holding Connelly and rushing back to the room.
Only a table of unfinished dishes and a single unburned red candle remained, flickering gracefully.
....
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