[Chapter 499: The Stir Among the Starlets]
For the next three days, Linton stayed comfortably on set at Universal Studios, filming the music video for You'll Be In My Heart alongside Xu Qing.
The original song was a heartfelt ballad centered on the bond between mother and child, with a warm, soothing melody paired with sincere emotion conveying the eternal power of family love. Linton had slightly rewritten the lyrics to focus on romantic love, but still infused with genuine emotional depth that easily connected with listeners.
Though Xu Qing wasn't a professional dancer, she had been trained rigorously since childhood, inspired by her mother's influence. Her dance skills were impressive, framed by a unique elegance and subtlety that contrasted with the flashier, more extroverted style of most performers. Paired with Linton's masculine charisma, they created a striking and harmonious visual aesthetic.
...
Because the shoot was scheduled for only three intense days, the crew hadn't placed much emphasis on secrecy. Somehow, word got out that Linton was filming a new music video. The first day passed quietly, but by that evening the media had run rampant with coverage, focusing heavily on the mysterious female lead, Xu Qing.
The frustrating part was that no paparazzi could uncover much about Xu Qing's background except that she had come from China just ten days prior -- the rest was a complete mystery. Why had someone so unknown landed the lead role in Linton's highly anticipated video? No one knew.
But gossip never let facts stand in its way. Speculation ran wild that the two must be involved romantically, with many claiming Xu Qing as Linton's twenty-first girlfriend.
Some clues fueled the rumor mill further. Photos showed Xu Qing wearing the same quartz necklace that other known women of Linton also wore -- an unmistakable sign. That necklace was practically impossible for anyone else to get now in America.
With so many Hollywood starlets unable to secure such exclusive access, no one believed Linton would just hand it over to some unknown Asian newcomer for no reason. The public's skepticism was palpable -- they wanted to know who Xu Qing really was and what was going on between her and Linton.
...
Over the following days, the paparazzi worked overtime, chasing every whisper, expanding stories to fit the audience's craving for scandal. In fact, it wasn't long before Xu Qing became a household name across America, however unintentionally.
That evening, during an intimate moment between Linton and Xu Qing, he distinctly felt her popularity soar compared to the previous day.
...
Among everyone, Daniel was the happiest -- such buzz meant they could save on promotion costs, and when You'll Be In My Heart went on sale, its sales would undoubtedly skyrocket.
However, this growing attention sparked unease among Hollywood's female stars, especially those who had shared brief affairs with Linton. They were seething silently.
---
"Why wasn't I chosen for the video? I wouldn't have done it for free, but at least we had a connection! Now this random mysterious Asian girl suddenly appears as the lead? Linton, what's that about? Am I not good enough?"
Starting the next morning, things took an unexpected turn.
Linton received a call from the only true A-list Hollywood starlet: the outspoken beauty Julia Roberts, who said she wanted to visit him on set. Linton didn't really want her there -- after all, the shoot was only three days. What could she possibly need to see?
With his current surge of publicity, having Julia Roberts visit only invited more tabloid frenzy. If anything remotely intimate happened between them and got caught on camera, the headlines would explode.
He knew Julia wasn't just coming as a friendly gesture; she was definitely upset at not being asked to test his new beauty pills. In Hollywood, Julia was the most famous actress around, after all.
Since the Oscars, she had called repeatedly to meet him, but he had always refused, citing his busy schedule. Now that she was insisting on coming to visit, it seemed hard to say no without seeming rude.
...
Around 10 a.m., Julia arrived at Universal Studios with her agent and assistants, making a grand entrance.
During a break, Julia nonchalantly approached Linton with a coffee cup, ignoring Xu Qing's burning gaze beside them. She set the coffee down, then threw her arms around Linton in a big embrace, planting a passionate kiss on his lips.
With brazen confidence, she slipped a room card into his hand and whispered, "Darling, I booked a room for us tonight at the Four Seasons."
Linton knew he had to refuse. Agreeing could only cause trouble. Xu Qing would definitely make a scene, and the rest of his women would object.
"Julia, I'm sorry. I've been swamped lately. Let's catch up after I finish this project."
Julia smirked, "You're scared, aren't you? Twenty-some girlfriends but afraid I'm going to devour you?"
She was not above unloading biting jabs when she dropped her guard.
"No, that's not it. I just really don't have time right now. Maybe another day," Linton replied, feeling a headache coming on but firm.
"Fine. How about your trailer? We can chat privately," Julia pressed, sensing his resolve.
"No, let's find a quiet lounge instead. Don't worry, no one will bother us," Linton said firmly, refusing the temptation.
Julia shifted gears, her eyes glinting. "Tell me -- why didn't you ask me to try the elixir? Am I really worse than the others?"
"Julia, you're extraordinary and beautiful -- no one can compare," Linton assured her. "My elixir was developed in '94, and testing it requires complete transparency. It's something only a girlfriend can do."
"Ah, so it was because I was married then?" she guessed.
"Exactly. No need to hide that from you."
"But I got divorced last year."
Linton looked at her without speaking; the meaning was clear -- a divorced woman wasn't in the running.
"So, no more talk about testing. Can we still be friends?"
"Of course," Linton said.
"Then why have you been avoiding me? I tried to set up multiple meetings, but you always make excuses."
"Really busy these days. Once I'm free, we'll meet for real."
"Okay. But can you give me some of the beauty and vitality pills?"
"The beauty pills are fine. I can give you a bottle now. Vitality pills, maybe not."
He motioned to Li Xiaoran for his bag, and with a casual air, pulled out a small gift box containing a bottle of the beauty pills, handing it to Julia.
"It's not officially on sale yet. Don't tell anyone -- use it discreetly. And a heads-up -- the first time you take it..."
"I know. I have to prepare a bath, right? Thank you, darling. Muah..."
Julia was so touched by the gift that she threw herself into Linton's arms, pressing a fervent kiss on his lips.
After a long moment, Linton gently pushed her away. "Alright, I've got work to do. We'll meet again soon."
Julia left, excited but slightly unsatisfied.
Linton went back to filming, though Xu Qing gave him a few fierce twists at his waist. Thanks to his power, it barely phased him.
In fact, he had deliberately relaxed that muscle group so Xu Qing's strength could make such gestures; otherwise, she wouldn't have managed.
...
That evening's headlines promised a frenzy. Just two public kisses with Julia gave the paparazzi plenty of fodder for fantasies.
If the photographers missed it, surely her agent or assistants captured the moment.
Though Julia was Hollywood's top superstar, no one would complain about added attention. After all, everyone was single.
Before nightfall, soon after Julia's visit, Yahoo already published the story of Julia Roberts dropping by to see Linton, illustrated with photos of their warm embrace. The tone of the coverage was playful, speculating about their relationship.
Everyone wondered if Julia might become Linton's twenty-second girlfriend.
No one called her his girlfriend, of course -- she wasn't wearing that distinctive quartz necklace everyone else associated with Linton.
...
The response quickly snowballed. By midday, as Linton and Xu Qing laughter on their way to the trailer after morning scenes, Li Xiaoran handed him his phone.
"Boss, over a dozen calls just came in. They all want to visit you on set. Shall I call them back?"
"Who?"
"Sharon Stone, Halle Berry, Jodie Foster, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore..."
"Stop. What did they say?"
"They want to see you on set."
"Tell them I'm too busy and can't see anyone. Don't let them come."
What was going on? These actresses had lost all their usual restraint, flooding the set in waves. How was the music video even going to get finished?
Clearly, it wasn't just about the video. The buzz from Linton's beauty and vitality pills was making these women restless. They were treating Linton like the ultimate prize.
At this rate, Linton was practically the star everyone wanted to capture.
*****
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