"Hey, back already?"
Kristen's tone carried a hint of teasing. "Look who's here. Your little fan, been pestering Dakota for days!"
Dakota smiled helplessly and spread her hands to Cassius.
"Sorry, Cassius, Elle is a die-hard fan of 2 Broke Girls, especially obsessed with your Han Lee!"
"Heard I know you, insisted on coming with me. I really couldn't say no to her!"
Elle finally recovered from her daze, stuttering:
"Mr... Mr. Cassius! I'm Elle! I super super like 2 Broke Girls! Han Lee is just too cool!"
"Your coin trick, and those Feng Shui fortune-telling things, so mysterious! I recommended it to all my classmates!"
She rattled off a long string of words like reciting a book.
Her gaze was almost glued to Cassius, looking him up and down with unconcealed adoration.
Cassius was caught a bit off guard by this sudden enthusiasm but maintained a polite smile.
"Thank you for liking it, Elle. That's just what the role required!"
"No! Not just the role!"
Elle retorted excitedly:
"You acted especially well! That serious yet slightly funny, and mysterious feeling! I've even been learning tarot cards recently because of Han Lee!"
Dakota watched her sister act like this and couldn't help facepalming.
She cast Cassius a "please bear with it" look.
In just that glance, a flash of undetectable surprise crossed Dakota's eyes.
Although she had seen him before, Cassius today was particularly different.
Couldn't say exactly where, just felt his whole person was more composed.
Simply standing there, he naturally became the focus of attention.
This Eastern man really changed appearance every day!
No wonder her best friend Kristen was always talking about Cassius!
[Elle Fanning Favorability +20, Current Favorability 65]
[Dakota Fanning Favorability +15, Current Favorability 60]
...
Cassius saw the favorability numbers above their heads jumping rapidly!
At the same time, one purple and one blue attribute orb dropped from the sisters in front of him:
[Youthful Adoration Infectiousness +8]
[Keen Observation +3]
While absorbing the attribute orbs, Cassius greeted everyone:
"Want something to drink?"
"No need to trouble yourself!"
Elle answered immediately.
Then, as if gathering enough courage, she pulled out a brand new notebook and a pen from her small bag, handing them to Cassius with both hands, eyes full of hope:
"Mr. Cassius, can you give me an autograph? Just write 'To Elle, keep your passion!' is that okay?"
Cassius looked at her nervous and expectant appearance, nodded, took the notebook and pen, and fluently signed his name and the requested message.
Elle held the autograph book like a precious treasure, so excited she almost cried, thanking him repeatedly:
"Thank you! Thank you so much! I will support you forever!"
Kristen watched this scene from the sofa, a smile constantly on her lips. Her gaze shifted between Cassius and the excited Elle with amusement, but without any displeasure.
She knew Cassius's charm and was happy to see her boyfriend being appreciated.
Dakota was much calmer. After Elle calmed down a bit, she spoke to Cassius:
"Heard you're in contact with a new project recently? Seems to be going smoothly?"
She noticed the confidence and sharpness between Cassius's brows that hadn't completely dissipated.
Cassius nodded without revealing specific details.
"Still in the preliminary stage, some possibilities."
They chatted for a while longer.
Mainly Elle excitedly asking about interesting things during the filming of 2 Broke Girls. Cassius picked some funny parts to answer, eliciting gasps and laughter from Elle.
Dakota occasionally interjected a few sentences, but her gaze lingered more on Cassius, seemingly re-evaluating her best friend's boyfriend.
Kristen maintained her spectator stance throughout, occasionally exchanging a tacit look with Cassius.
The Fanning sisters didn't stay too long.
When leaving, Elle gave another string of thanks and encouragements, looking back every three steps, looking at Cassius like looking at a god descended to earth.
Obviously reluctant to leave!
But she was dragged away by her sister!
After sending them off and closing the door, Kristen walked over smiling and poked Cassius's chest.
"Not bad, Mr. Cass, boundless charm. Even underage girls are mesmerized by you."
Cassius grabbed her hand, somewhat helpless. "That's the character filter."
After sending away the Fanning sisters, Cassius was still a bit puzzled.
Elle Fanning.
He knew the name.
Child star, somewhat famous in Hollywood!
Reasonably should have seen a lot of the world, why such a big reaction to the character Han Lee?
Just like an ordinary fangirl!
"Elle seemed particularly excited. I thought being in this circle, she would be used to actors!"
Kristen and Dakota were extremely close, so naturally she knew Elle very well. She rubbed her brow and explained:
"Cass, you don't know Elle well! She indeed grew up on sets, but precisely because of that, her life is actually very monotonous!"
"Most of the time she's either working, on the way to work, or studying. The circle she contacts is actually very fixed!"
"2 Broke Girls, a sitcom full of grassroots flavor and nonsensical humor, is a completely novel world for her!"
Kristen recalled Dakota complaining to her and found it funny.
"Especially the character Han Lee, that neurotic, Feng Shui metaphysics spouting, yet always rendered speechless by Max kind of vibe. She finds it funny and mysterious!"
"You don't know, she's spinning coins at home all the time now, and bought a pile of books on Eastern mysticism. In her words, this is more interesting than magic!"
"She practically treats you as a wizard who can do magic in reality!"
Cassius was amused and exasperated.
So his charlatan persona precisely hit a young girl's curiosity.
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
Kristen looked at the door curiously. "Who is it?"
Cassius went to open the door and found Dakota and Elle, who had returned.
Elle's eyes were still red, but filled with an irrefutable light. She hugged her autograph book tightly, like hugging a holy relic.
"Brother Cassius! Sister Kristen!"
Elle's voice carried a hint of trembling, but her tone was decisive:
"I'm not going back tonight! I want to stay here!"
Cassius: "???"
Kristen also looked stunned.
Dakota stood behind, looking lifeless, making an "I can't help it either" gesture to Cassius and Kristen, lowering her voice:
"She started fussing as soon as we got in the car, saying something about absorbing spiritual energy by being closer to her idol, feeling the atmosphere of mysterious Eastern power..."
"My parents aren't home tonight, I can't control her at all. Sorry to trouble you guys!"
Elle nodded vigorously, looking at Cassius eagerly, and added:
"I can sleep on the sofa! Or the floor! I promise to be very quiet and won't disturb you!"
As if she would cry immediately if Cassius didn't agree.