King of Hollywood

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Got It

In the United States or, to be more precise, in North America, the most popular sport is none other than American football, commonly known as football. Although this sport isn’t particularly popular worldwide, it’s extremely popular in North America, where almost everyone has their favorite team. Spending weekends at the stadium or watching games at home is a routine for every family. Moreover, a good quarterback of a high school football team never has to worry about not finding a girlfriend.

The annual Super Bowl, the championship game for football, is an event even more bustling than Independence Day. If a singer is invited to perform at the Super Bowl, not only is it a showcase of fame, but it also significantly boosts their popularity and fan base. Michael Jackson has performed more than once at the Super Bowl.

Therefore, the NFL is the most prominent organization in the American sports scene. Its status is akin to Hollywood’s MPAA, and even presidential candidates go out of their way to curry favor with the NFL’s owners during elections.

Ranked second is baseball. Although it’s not as widely followed as football, the sport-loving elite don’t mind taking their children to the ballpark. They prefer watching from high up in the stands through binoculars, a scene far more appealing than the rough muscle clashes of football.

Third and fourth are basketball and ice hockey. These two sports are basically on an equal footing, but basketball is known for occasionally producing peculiar individuals who, once in the zone, can take on five opponents alone. Like football, basketball fulfills the American ideal of individual heroism, hence it’s slightly ahead. For instance, with Michael Jordan making strides towards a triple championship, basketball is subtly starting to surpass baseball as North America’s second most popular sport.

Ice hockey also inherits the muscular collisions of football. Players dressed in thick, armor-like protective gear battle fiercely in the tight rink, easily capturing the attention of onlookers. The sport not only tests players’ strength but also their skills in getting the puck into the opponent’s net. That’s why ice hockey is very popular. Perhaps because it aims to balance both aspects but falls short in each when compared to sports that focus on one aspect, it has become the least popular of the four.

Regardless, these four sports are the most beloved in North America. So it’s a very fitting choice for friends or couples to go watch a game together at the arena over the weekend.

“That’s a foul! That’s a foul!” Along with the mocking shouts of the audience, Julia also cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled loudly. Even though her hat brim was pulled down low, Adrian could entirely imagine her excited expression.

Just one minute earlier, a Detroit Red Wings player had committed a subtle foul. Using his knee, he knocked the closely checking Los Angeles Kings player away, then shot the puck into the goal. The referee missed the call because his view was blocked, leading to boos from the surrounding audience.

Adrian hadn’t opted for the privacy of a box seat; rather, he and Julia, who was in disguise, settled in amongst the most ordinary spectators. Although Julia started out looking quite indifferent, she grew more excited as the game’s tempo intensified and didn’t refrain from vigorously shaking Adrian’s arm with her cheers.

Hence, when confronted with the biased refereeing and the intense atmosphere, she couldn’t help but shout loudly, not caring in the least about being recognized.

“That’s right! It’s a foul! A foul!” Adrian joined in, waving his arms while shouting.

Truth be told, he wasn’t particularly fond of venting his emotions in such a manner. In his eyes, it was a sign of lacking self-control. After merging memories from two lifetimes, he preferred to remain calm and rational at all times, an observer who could coolly appraise every situation. Only by maintaining such composure could he better analyze the essence of events on the basis of his foreknowledge and thus achieve his goals!

However, that didn’t mean he was incapable of joining the audience to display passionate behavior. After all, he was on a date, and if the person you’re with gets excited and you just sit there stoically, don’t you plan on pursuing the relationship further?

“Damn it! If not for that referee’s mistake, how could the Kings have lost this game?” Julia grumbled as they walked out of the ice rink, still dwelling on the outcome of the game.

Although Adrian wanted to say that even without the error, the Kings had more than a 70% chance of losing, since the Red Wings had already far outshot the Kings, he thought it better to keep such remarks to himself as the still indignant Julia was clearly rooting for the Kings.

“Yeah, it was that wrong call that really brought down the Kings’ morale, allowing the Red Wings to score several times afterward,” he simply said in the end.

“I think the Kings should file a complaint with the officials’ committee! Otherwise, who knows when another unjust situation might occur,” Julia’s tone was still quite passionate, mirroring that of the Kings fans around her.

“Come on, let’s calm down. You don’t want to see headlines like, ‘Julia Roberts throws a tantrum on the street because of a bad mood,’ in tomorrow’s newspaper, do you?” Adrian laughed as he looped her arm. “Let’s go somewhere else and have fun, throw away all that unpleasantness!”

They then went to a nightclub to relax. Throughout the evening, Julia occasionally griped about the referee, and Adrian naturally played along, offering consolation and teasing, making her smile a lot more.

“You know, Ed, every time I go out with you, I feel so relaxed. It’s really… strange,” Julia said, stretching out her arms and wobbling along the rim of a planter while speaking. Although her oversized coat concealed her figure, the relaxed posture was quite attractive from behind.

“Be careful, Julia!” As she teetered on the edge of slipping, Adrian quickly stepped forward to catch her.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just… a bit excited,” Julia said with a giggly smile, clutching his arm and staring at him for a long moment before suddenly turning her head away, her laughter subsiding. “I think I should go home now.”

“Alright, I’ll take you,” Adrian didn’t say anything else.

They soon arrived at the parking lot, and only after they got into the car and buckled their seatbelts did Julia speak again, “I have a little independent villa in Santa Monica, take me there. When you came to pick me up today, I think I saw some reporters nearby.”

“Happy to oblige,” Adrian nodded, started the car and drove towards Santa Monica.

On the way, they still didn’t speak, with Adrian concentrating on driving and Julia gazing out at the street scene without turning her head. Since it was quite late, the traffic in Los Angeles was not bad, and it took about 20 minutes for Adrian to drop Julia off at the villa in Santa Monica.

“So, that’s that…” Julia stood at the gate of the villa for several minutes, playing with the keys, before she raised her head to say something, but was interrupted by Adrian, “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

His gaze was bright and carried a hint of aggression that made her suddenly feel flustered.

“Um… alright,” Julia almost subconsciously uttered those words.

They entered the living room, turned on the wall lamp, and the somewhat dim living room seemed rather atmospheric. The furnishings were simple yet harmonious, with glass doors facing the small garden, exuding a sense of tranquility.

“When I’m feeling down, I come here, sit quietly on the sofa looking at the outside view, or do some yoga on the floor for a few dozen minutes to calm myself down,” Julia said as she took off her coat.

“A decent hobby, but I prefer working out in the gym. Sweating it out not only takes away worries but also keeps the physique in check,” Adrian casually took her coat and hung it on the coat rack.

Julia glanced at him, then sat down on the sofa. Initially, there were a few minutes of silence, but the atmosphere gradually warmed up after Julia brought out a bottle of champagne and laughter slowly increased.

“I don’t agree, that’s a cop-out, you’re starting to dodge the question again, Ed…” Julia couldn’t remember how many times she had laughed, but this time she suddenly noticed that they had gotten considerably closer. At the beginning, she was on the long sofa while Adrian was on the armchair, but now Adrian was within arm’s reach.

“So, where did I dodge the question, Julia?” Adrian watched her with a smile, his eyes twinkling with an indescribable light.

“Um… sorry, I have to excuse myself.” Julia set her flute glass on the coffee table and hurriedly went into the bathroom.

“Damn it, what are you thinking?” Julia leaned on the washstand, staring at herself in the mirror, “You actually brought out champagne.”

Earlier in the club, Adrian hadn’t wanted any alcoholic beverages because he said he had to drive. And now here was Julia bringing out champagne which, though miserly in alcohol content, was undeniably suggestive.

“What does it matter? It’s not like I haven’t seen men before, and this is Hollywood, after all. Just consider this time…” Julia shrugged her shoulders and didn’t finish the sentence, walking back into the living room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Julia sat down on the sofa again, smiling charmingly at Adrian, seeming even more enchanting than before, completely at ease.

“It’s fine, often, the waiting is worthwhile.” Adrian gave a slight smile and without waiting for her to speak, cradled her face and kissed her signature lips.

However, just as Adrian was preparing to take it further, she suddenly grabbed his shoulders, “Ed… you have a girlfriend…”

Adrian was stunned for a moment, then smiled, Julia seemed to be resisting, but her legs wrapped around his waist were clearly signaling: I don’t want to wait any longer.

To be continued. For further reading, please visit www.qidian.com. More chapters are available, support the author, support genuine reading!