hollywood billionaire

Chapter 191 Dexter's Dilemma
"I have some exciting new programs coming out recently, and they are in the production stage. I can't tell you yet, or I will kill you to silence it."

When Xu Yiru heard Han Yi comparing himself to Dexter... Such a surprising negative speech, and suddenly turned his attention back to the big screen, the timeline in the movie has moved forward several years.

On July 1996, 7, the two who hadn't seen each other for three years were enjoying a dinner that was hell for Emma.

"Please do it."

Emma looked at the eloquent Dexter, her forced smile was extremely dry.

Sitting in this fashionable restaurant, every topic she brought up had little interest in Dexter.Ian and her increasingly difficult relationship, the new home whose walls have not been painted, and the appreciation potential of purchasing real estate.Known as "the most annoying man in TV", Dexter, who has made his name in this way, has obviously drifted away from Emma's life trajectory.

He stared blankly at Emma and talked freely with empty eyes, wandering away from things, or directly averting his eyes, wandering aimlessly in the restaurant, completely ignoring the other party's concern.

Dexter, whose life is rotten and addicted to drugs, didn't even have half a second of patience for his former best friend.

"Let's not talk about this...you drink first, okay? I'll come as soon as I go."

Before the first appetizer was on the table, the addiction kicked in, and Dexter, who was scratching his head, slipped to the bathroom and used the white powder to recharge himself steadily.Rejuvenated, he was so excited that he even flirted with other women on the way back to the dinner table.

"Wow, look at these dishes, they are so beautiful."

Sitting opposite Emma again, under the effect of the stimulant, in Dexter's eyes, the plain salad in front of him also glowed with a seductive luster.

"Are you OK?"

Glancing at the sullen Emma, ​​Dexter asked casually.

"Perhaps you can invite her to join us."

Emma pointed at the woman's back, and the anger was undisguised in her widened eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't say that, I'm here to see you."

Dexter's consolation is not distracting, but maintaining the superficial politeness and warmth among friends is all that Emma needs, who no longer wants more.

But even such a humble request, Dexter failed to meet.

With the next sentence, he broke the atmosphere that Emma was suppressing and carefully maintaining.

"Okay... Is your teaching life going well?"

Dexter raised his eyebrows, raised his fork, and the irresistible sense of superiority and condescending pity overflowed directly.

"If you're not interested, don't ask."

Emma threw the cutlery on the plate and pursed her lips.

"I'm interested, I just thought you'd write that novel."

"I can write, but I have to earn a living first. More importantly, I love teaching and I'm good at teaching."

"I'm sure you're a good teacher." Dexter raised his glass, speaking flippantly, "but you know, as the saying goes..."

"What slang?"

"You know, the 'capable man'..."

"Sorry, I'm not familiar with it, please finish."

"Okay, 'Those who can, do things. Those who don't'..." Dexter shrugged his right shoulder, a playful smile twitched at the left corner of his mouth, "'Teach.'"

"Those who teach also have a saying: 'go fuck yourself'."

Ridiculousness and jokes have risen to the level of personal insult and life negation, no matter how good-tempered she is, it is impossible for Emma to continue to sit still.She threw the napkin and left the table angrily.

"Emma, ​​don't do this. No matter what I did...I'm sorry." Dexter gritted his teeth, got up and caught up with Emma, ​​"You obviously drank a little too much."

"No, you drank too much, you drank too much!" Emma on the steps suddenly turned around and pointed at Dexter, "The two of us haven't seen each other for three years, but you 10 You slipped to the bathroom every minute, or you were sucking powder, or you had dysentery! In short, these things you do are boring!"

"Always showing off your own accomplishments...that's okay, that's okay, but Dexter, you're just a TV host, okay? You didn't invent penicillin. What do you need to do? Just stand there and say to the audience: 'Let's have some cheers and applause'!"

"I was just kidding with you!" Dexter yelled after Emma as he chased her out of the restaurant, "I've been through a lot of pain lately, so I might be a little loose. But if you're always fighting me over it if……"

"Is there? I didn't intend to be against you. And I know that your mother's death made you very painful. I know all of this."

Turning around again, and facing Dexter at the traffic light, Emma was crying.

"But I also have something I want to confide in you. I want to tell you that I'm stuck in the same apartment with a man I don't love... If I can no longer confide in you, if you don't listen to me, then What is the meaning of your existence? What is the meaning of our relationship?"

"What do you mean, what is meaning?"

"I think we've outgrown each other... No, I'm not your match. You think I'm boring and not cool at all..."

"I don't think you're boring..."

"I think this relationship should be over. We should face reality and say goodbye to each other."

Hearing Emma return to a calm tone, Dexter's seemingly indifferent smile was a little more panicked.

"It feels like you're dumping me."

"Yeah, maybe I'm just dumping you...you're not who you used to be."

"Don't do this, Emma...Look, can't I apologize?! Please!"

The first pleading of that night made Emma, ​​who had already walked across the street, turn back, gave Dexter a last hug, and said the most shocking classic lines in the movie "One Day".

"I love you, Dexter, very much...but I don't like you anymore."

"Yiyi, so you mean..."

The most intense emotional confrontation between the two in the whole film lasted less than 5 minutes.During the whole process, Han Yi and Xu Yiru outside the screen did not say a word.They hug each other tightly, their faces reflect the figures of Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, and as the plot progresses, subtle reactions and changes continue to occur.

It was not until the subtitles of "July 15th, 1997" appeared on the screen that Xiao Ru pointed to the screen, her voice so low that it was almost inaudible.

"Are you afraid that you will... become him?"

"Uh, of course it's not exactly the same as him." Han Yi grinned in embarrassment. He had never watched this movie before, and thought Dexter was just a lover who indulged in love. Will turn into an emotionally indifferent poisonous bug in the middle of the film.

"I definitely won't touch coke, and I won't deny anyone's life value at will like him. Haha, well, I'm not as handsome as him, and I'm not as popular with girls. Besides, I'm not sure if it is, at least I don't think my character is as annoying as his."

"You're completely different from him, okay?" Xu Yiru responded without hesitation, "A guy like Dexter, no matter how handsome he is, I just want to slap him."

"You still hit people?"

"It's okay to play in your heart." Answered casually, Xiaoru rolled her eyes, picked up the remote control and pressed mute, and then stared at Han Yi wholeheartedly, "I ask you, since you have changed from personality to habits to... ...you're so different from Dexter in every way, why would you be afraid to be... my Dexter?"

"Because I have the same predicament as him."

"Dilemma?"

"Yes, Xiaoru, the dilemma."

After saying this, Han Yi stared at the screen that was no longer making any sound, and fell into a long silence.

"So...you gonna tell me about it or not?"

Xu Yiru waited patiently for Han Yi's further explanation. It was not until the time in the film had advanced to 1999, and Han Yi remained silent, that she patted the other man's chest lightly, expressing understanding, relief and encouragement, and at the same time A smile full of hope, apprehension and hesitation.

"Oh yeah, I'm just... finding my inner strength so that I can say it out loud."

As proved by countless previous conversations, for Han Yi and Xu Yiru, who are quite restrained in expressing emotions, it is indeed easier to talk about their feelings in English as a second language than in their native language.

"Okay, look, maybe I wasn't particularly precise...but here it is."

Han Yi took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"In my opinion, Dexter has never regarded Emma as an individual worthy of his cherishment. In other words, Dexter does not want to make any sacrifices and contributions to Emma at all—— He's been in Emma's room for a year, but just because Emma wants to dress up for him and play romantic music on the vinyl record player, he's ready to put on his clothes and sneak out."

"Why? Is it because he has been hurt, afraid of commitment, afraid of intimacy? No, he just doesn't want to waste time playing this kind of erotic game with Emma. He doesn't think Emma is valuable, can't Instead, in Dexter's heart, with his looks, there are as many girls as Emma."

"Even after the two became good friends, Dexter's attitude towards Emma is still whatever he wants. If you want to tease, you can flirt, if you want to be a good person, you can comfort me, and if you feel uncomfortable, you can just sneer... ...You saw his performance at the dinner table, even if it is an ordinary friend, you shouldn't say such things, show such an attitude, and make the other party feel that you are a loser who has lost the meaning of life, right?"

"The reason why Dexter did this is because everything was too easy for him. Emma... was willing to fall in love with him without any reservations and indulged him without any promises." His 20 years. She told him with actions, feel free to indulge yourself outside, no matter what heinous mistakes you make, as long as you are willing to return to my arms, everything will be fine."

"There's only one Emma in the movie, but think about it, Dexter, how likely is it that there's only one Emma around?"

Han Yi, who was still explaining his thoughts in English at first, quietly switched to Chinese.

"Xiaoru, what I want to say is... For a person like Dexter, the whole world is his buffet. The dishes are different, but equally delicious."

"Is it the same for you?" Xiao Ru asked softly, "This world is also your buffet."

"Oh, even more so."

Han Yi sneered, not against Xiao Ru, but against the situation he never thought he would face one day.

"The capital Dexter is most proud of is his appearance. And the weapons I have are much stronger than him."

"money."

"Yes, money."

Han Yi nodded, pondered for a moment, and then continued in a deep voice.

"You should remember, after the charity gala, on the way down the mountain, I told you: 'Most people, even if their partner cheated, if this partner can throw a million dollars in her face, she will try. To understand '..."

"Remember, I still remember you saying... $1.85 million can buy two or three so-called confidantes, and more than a dozen pleasing lovers, so that the rest of their lives will revolve around you."

Xu Yiru recounted it verbatim, and she could see how deeply Han Yi's words left a deep impression on her heart.

"But you also told me that you are afraid of falling asleep every day now. Because you are afraid that one day you will wake up, suddenly grow old, and find that you are going to die. At that time, you can't think of all the excitement and happiness in this life , I will only think over and over again, what have you used so much money to do in this life."

"Yes, it's completely correct, and I still stick to my point of view." Han Yi rubbed his temples, with a bitter smile on his lips, "But I forgot one thing at the time, that is, this sentence can also be reversed." Come and understand. What if one day I lay in a hospital bed, recalled my whole life, and suddenly realized that I still prefer another way of life?"

"But you can't have both." Xiao Ru's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, "No matter what choice you make, you can only accept the loss of another life."

"That's right." Han Yi looked at Xu Yiru tenderly, and replied word by word, "But... I don't have to make a choice."

"No choice?"

"For ordinary people, every day, every hour, every minute and even every second of life, they are making countless choices. Whether to eat omelets or sandwiches for breakfast, take the bus to work or take a taxi, movies Watch a romance or a thriller. Most of the choices don’t matter because they’re mechanical, repetitive, and you can do it again if you regret it. The omelet you get today isn’t fresh, and you’ll be fine with a sandwich tomorrow.”

"But there are always some choices that will have an irreversible and important impact on their lives. For example, which city should you live in? Los Angeles or New York? Two or three words that seem light can determine your future 30 years of life trajectory. For another example, if I choose to live in Los Angeles, what kind of house should I buy? Main house, apartment, single-family house, or simply rent a house for the rest of my life? No matter which one I choose, it will quickly empty you At the same time, all your hard-earned savings can be doubled in an instant, or directly returned to zero."

"We have been making choices, but we have always hated choices. Because choices mean uncertainty and incompleteness. As you said, no matter what choice you make, you must accept the loss of another life .In other words, no choice is 100% perfect, and will make people not regret it at all.”

"So, the defect of choice has become the driving force for human beings to be aggressive in society. We climb up desperately, sacrifice everything in exchange for power and money, in order to make the choices we need to make in the future less and less. …If we have enough capital, we don’t have to choose between Los Angeles and New York at all, and we fly around with private jets and live in each city for half a year.”

"If we have enough capital, we can buy a main house, an apartment, and a villa. Why do we have to choose? Even if we buy them all, it will not have the slightest negative impact on our lives."

"When you have enough confidence, you can choose 'no choice'. And when you choose 'no choice', you will find that this is a complete, fulfilling life without regrets."

"Fortunately, you have enough confidence now." Xu Yiru completed the subtext for Han Yi, "Enough money and power...at the age when you need them most."

"Yes, I used to restrain myself with the simplest morals and values, but the more resources I can... the more I feel, it seems that these concepts just make——I'm really sorry to say that — but it seems that these concepts are just to help people who don't have enough resources to make choices more easily."

"Waste shameful? OK, then I'll just eat a sandwich and stop craving that piece of fried chicken that I might only eat half of. Saving money is the best way to make money, okay, I couldn't afford it in the first place A second Manhattan apartment, and it makes me feel better. Be faithful to your partner? Yes, because having a lover is too expensive.”

"You mean, once you have enough resources, loyalty to your partner is no longer a binding concept?" Xu Yiru, who couldn't help but combine Han Yi's words with his own experience, had a look on his face. Somewhat sad.

"I know this sentence sounds uncomfortable to you, I'm sorry, Xiaoru... But, let's look at the examples around us." Han Yi sighed softly, "I don't want to use genes, animals, and reproductive desires to do it. Excuse, but it's a real and common phenomenon. Just for example, Bill, no, Jeff..."

Speaking of this, Han Yi's words stopped abruptly, because he suddenly discovered that Bill Gates in 2016 was still a model of a rich man with few flaws in his private life and perfect marriage status.

So is Jeff Bezos.

"Sorry, I made a mistake, it's Tiger Woods... and Jay-Z who was just caught. Even if his wife is Beyoncé, she is perfect in every way. An ideal partner that fits his social status and wealth level, he can't hold back his restless heart."

"Is this kind of thing so wonderful? It's not, especially for men. After...satisfaction, it's more empty and self-doubt. But why do these millionaires and billionaires still go on and on, without turning back , Even if you have to divide half of the property in a divorce, you have to be unfaithful to your partner? After all, in my opinion, they just enjoy the pleasure of not making a choice."

"Of course there is a price for not making a choice, and sometimes it is even heavy, but for these people, no matter how heavy the price is, they can afford it."

Is Jeff Bezos' $1600 billion divorce case really for the momentary pleasure?
To put it a little harder, can there really be feelings in the world, can they be sincere and strong enough to make a person give up $800 billion in assets?
In Han Yi's view, all of this is just the realization of Jeff Bezos' normal or distorted self-worth.

Want it all, and can afford to pay for it all.

"So, Yi Yi, in the final analysis, if I understand correctly..."

Xiaoru carefully chewed Han Yi's eloquent and eloquent speech, and cautiously gave a conclusion.

"Now you have developed an understanding of their behavior... and even agree with it."

"What you said...is absolutely correct."

It is difficult to admit, but for Han Yi, it is even more difficult for him to hide from Xu Yiru.

"I don't know when this shift started, but looking back... when I found out that buying a McLaren P1, I could immediately buy a more expensive vintage Ferrari without even knowing the account 4000 million for the house we're in now, and a few months later for a Manhattan penthouse with a higher price tag...Did I tell you, Ru? In Central Over there at One57 in the park, I just bought a house."

"No." Xu Yiru silently shook her head.

"Here's what I was going to say... If it hadn't just happened to be on the topic today, I wouldn't have thought to tell you about it, because it's not a huge achievement for me. Oh, yeah , I also bought a suite in Lisbon just to get the tax incentives there! When will I live in it? I don’t know, maybe I will never live in it even for a day... But it’s not a choice Charm. I can do whatever I want, no matter the gain or loss, no matter the consequences.”

"Now you should understand, Xiaoru, why I was worried that I would become... your Dexter, the reason is here."

"With the expansion of my career, my wealth is also increasing rapidly, and this trend will not stop for a long time in the foreseeable future. I have become more and more used to this kind of life without making choices, this kind of doing whatever I want I am particularly fascinated by the absolute freedom to give and take what I want, and I can feel that its sphere of influence has been expanding. Consumption, career, and..."

"There are still feelings."

"There are still feelings."

Han Yi used repetition to express his affirmation.

"Wealth that no one can possibly squander in this lifetime has given me...infinite choices and the power to check every choice. I know that in the normal, conventional sense of society, I say These are completely contrary to morality and common sense, but... at least for now, Xiaoru, at least for now, I can't convince myself to get rid of its influence."

"This is the dilemma I want to tell you. I am still the same me. But at the same time, I... am no longer the me you are familiar with."

"learn."

Xu Yiru left Han Yi's embrace, sat cross-legged, raised her eyes, looked at him very seriously, and suddenly burst into a sweet smile.

"But why are you telling me this?"

"Don't you think...if you like me too, it would be better to hide it from me? When I don't know anything, stay with me, and then...do what you want to do. Wait When I'm deep enough and I can't get out, tell me these things. In that case, maybe I can only passively accept it at that time, pinching my nose and admitting it."

"Because you are not only someone I like, but also someone I care about."

Saying this made Han Yi feel hypocritical.He pinched the peak of his nose uncomfortably, and his voice became lower and lower.

"If we just met by chance, and I just want to pursue you because you are good-looking, then that's fine. I definitely won't tell you about this. But we... have another identity. At least for me, You are my best friend in this life, and I don't want you to be hurt because of my aggressiveness and recklessness."

"The method you said is certainly feasible, but if I do that, I will have one more lover and one less lover."

"This is the reason why I didn't choose to go further with you after March 2015, 3. It's also...and now, the reason why I choose to confess everything to you."

Han Yi lied.

On March 2015, 3, the reason why Han Yi was not with Xiaoru was actually for the exact opposite reason, because he didn’t want to be the dark person who pulled his partner off the climbing road and stayed with him halfway up the mountain A person sheltering from the rain in a cave.

But in this situation after rebirth, the original reason obviously no longer applies.

The new statement not only allows Xiaoru to understand the choice he made at this moment, but also further consolidates the background story about the source of huge amounts of funds that Han Yi has been carefully drawing.

Han Yi only started to use the money left by his family this year, but before that, he was not ignorant of the existence of this money.

This is the impression he wants to leave on Xiaoru.

"Just tell me everything."

Hearing Han Yi's last heart-to-heart monologue, Xu Yiru changed from cross-legged to kneeling, put his hands on his knees, and stared at Han Yi with a smile for three to five seconds.

Immediately, she restrained all the expressions on her face.

"Han Yi, do you think I'm an idiot?"

The sudden call of his full name and the extremely harsh tone made Han Yi feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

"Do you think... I didn't notice what you said before?"

With palms propped on the sofa, kneeling turned into crawling again, and Xiaoru approached Han Yi again step by step.

"Do you think...you are the only one in this world who can understand these truths?"

"Before I told you that I like you, I was mentally prepared to face the worst..."

"That is, you don't tell me anything, but accept my confession happily...then continue to talk to Zhao Youzhen, or others, in a way that is not clear."

Watching Han Yi who was stunned by several hairpin turns, Xu Yiru's flowery smile bloomed again.

"so……"

"Thank you for making me firm in my choice."

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Ru put her hand on Han Yi's neck, and covered his lips that were not covered with any makeup, but looked delicate and charming due to the mixture of various emotions.

(End of this chapter)