Starting from the entrance, clothing scattered like shed disguises.
Urgency no longer required words, transforming into burning kisses and exploring fingertips.
Initially, Jennifer's eyes widened in surprise, and she subconsciously covered her mouth as a low, unbelievable exclamation escaped her lips: "Oh, God..."
This night, what Jennifer Connelly experienced was not just physical ultimate pleasure, but a long-lost feeling of being intensely needed and satisfied.
When everything finally settled, she slumped exhaustedly into Landon's sweat-drenched embrace, not wanting to move even a finger, her consciousness floating on a cloud of contentment.
In her hazy fatigue, she thought dazedly that as a woman, being treated so passionately and feeling the most primal rhythm of life was truly wonderful.
The morning light filtered through the gaps in the hotel room curtains, softly spilling onto Jennifer Connelly's face.
Jennifer sat up full of energy. Hearing the sound of Landon exercising in the living room, a surge of happiness actually welled up within her.
She threw on a coat and walked out of the bedroom. She watched Landon perform a set of martial arts she didn't recognize for a while; without disturbing him, she went straight into the bathroom to start freshening up.
When her gaze fell upon the mirror, she froze.
In the mirror, her black hair was a bit messy, but her skin glowed with a plump luster under the morning light.
What surprised her most was that the tiny laugh lines she usually had to carefully fade with concealer were now barely visible.
Her cheeks had a healthy flush, her eyes were clear, and the skin on her entire face was incredibly firm.
Was this really her?
Jennifer Connelly, a world-recognized beauty and an actress about to enter her thirties.
She knew better than anyone how harsh this industry was regarding age, and she had started racing against time earlier than most.
Expensive skincare products, strict body lotion maintenance routines, disciplined exercise habits... all these efforts were just to slow down the irresistible erosion of time as much as possible.
However, the results were always unsatisfactory. The anxiety brought by those irreversible structural changes in the skin could only be truly felt when facing the mirror alone late at night.
But now, her reflection in the mirror looked as if it had been gently wiped by some magical power, returning to its state from several years ago.
Could it be... that ultimate happiness and satisfaction really bring about this near-reverse-aging effect?
This thought made her heart skip a beat, and a massive wave of surprise and disbelief instantly flooded her.
She spun around abruptly, her gaze eagerly casting toward the living room.
That young man, Landon Williams, was facing away from her, wearing an athletic tank top and shorts, performing that morning exercise routine she didn't understand.
The sunlight outlined the smooth and powerful lines of his shoulders and back, sweat reflecting slightly on his skin.
Jennifer rushed over almost barefoot, her heart filled to the brim with the discovery of "returning to youth."
She ran in front of Landon and, without hesitation, jumped up. Her long legs skillfully wrapped around his waist, and she hung onto him like a koala.
Landon staggered from this sudden "attack," nearly losing his breath, and his steady breathing rhythm was completely thrown into chaos.
"Hey! Jennifer!" He instinctively stabilized his stance, his hands firmly supporting her plump buttocks.
Jennifer didn't care about any of that; she cupped Landon's sweat-drenched face with both hands and showered him with a flurry of kisses—forehead, cheeks, nose... Finally, she found his lips and kissed him deeply, with a near-ecstatic gratitude and a reignited passion.
The two shared a long, deep, and intense kiss until they were both somewhat breathless.
If it weren't for her remaining sanity reminding her that there was an important filming task today, Jennifer felt she might not be able to resist taking this "lovely man" who brought her such a wonderful change right then and there.
She reluctantly slid down from Landon, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, filled with unabashed infatuation and wonder.
Landon was somewhat bewildered by her series of actions, but seeing her refreshed radiance and firm, translucent skin, he understood immediately.
He recalled Catherine Zeta-Jones not long ago; she seemed to have had a similar change.
As for Tracy and Rachel, they were already young, so the changes weren't as significant.
It seemed that the "nourishing" effect brought by his body was particularly evident for mature women who were starting to face the pressure of age.
Since his morning exercise was interrupted, Landon didn't dwell on it.
He simply put his arm around Jennifer's waist, easily picked her up, and walked toward the bathroom.
"Time is short, let's freshen up together, Ms. Connelly," he said with a smile.
The bathroom was filled with steam as the two quickly freshened up, occasionally exchanging a sweet kiss or look, but they didn't do anything more time-consuming.
A natural intimacy and the comfort of sharing a private space permeated between them.
When they walked out of the room together, preparing to head to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, they happened to run into Russell Crowe, who was also heading out.
The three met in the hallway, and the atmosphere momentarily froze in a subtle way.
Russell Crowe's gaze quickly swept over the two who had clearly just spent the night together, lingering for a second on Jennifer's radiant face, which bore the soft, charming traces of passion, before showing an understanding expression.
Landon was quite composed as he smiled and took the initiative to greet him: "Good morning, Russell."
Russell Crowe stepped forward, patted Landon's shoulder with a mischievous smile, gave him a subtle wink, and whispered, "Moving fast, kid."
Like Christopher Plummer, he had long seen the undercurrents flowing between the two, but he hadn't expected the relationship to progress so rapidly.
In Hollywood, age gaps were never a real barrier, not to mention that although Landon was young, he was steady in his conduct and his acting skills had been recognized. After yesterday's scene, those in the crew who originally had a wait-and-see attitude toward him were basically won over.
However, thinking about this kid "stealing" his "wife" from the movie, Russell still playfully punched Landon's chest, "You made off with my Alicia from the movie, how are we going to settle this?"
Landon laughed and rubbed his chest: "That only proves Charles's charm is too great, even Nash's wife can't resist?"
Russell was amused by him and shook his head: "Alright, I forgive you. Let's go, time to eat."
The three walked side-by-side toward the elevator in a relaxed atmosphere.
Jennifer naturally leaned on Landon's arm, her face carrying a unique sweetness and glow from being nourished by love.
When they reached the hotel entrance and took a car to the set, they encountered two young actresses who also played Princeton students in the crew as they were about to enter.
They saw the three and immediately greeted them politely.
"Good morning, Ms. Connelly! Mr. Crowe! Mr. Williams!"
One of the girls' gaze fell on Jennifer's face, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Ms. Connelly, you look... oh my god, so beautiful today!"
The other more lively girl noticed the intimate way Jennifer was holding Landon's arm.
Her eyes darted around, then she suddenly looked at Landon with a cunning smile and asked in a slightly teasing tone: "Is it really that smooth?"