ch 26 - 30

*Chapter 26: Superman Interview*

"Good afternoon! Welcome to the CBS interview show. I'm just your host, Charlie Rose. Last episode, I mentioned wanting to find the Superman who saved a life on the street outside the Lincoln Center, and now, I’ve finally found him."

At noon, inside the CBS interview studio, host Charlie Rose delivered his opening remarks to the camera.

After the last episode aired, it sparked a lot of attention from the public.

Everyone found the rescue story captivating, with its twists and turns, emotional highs and lows, moments of humor, and a heartwarming conclusion. The mystery of "Who is the Superman?" left everyone curious.

It was as thrilling as a Hollywood action movie.

Everyone loved it.

CBS decided to re-air the episode three more times during their evening programming.

Preliminary statistics showed that at least 40 million people in North America watched the episode, not including replays on other networks.

In the following days, the name of Superman Luca made frequent headlines.

Major newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post mentioned the incident in discussions about urban expansion and traffic issues.

Smaller papers like The New York Post and News Forum ran constant reports on the event, speculating about Superman's identity, his speed, the speeding bus, the woman who grabbed his ear, and so on. News was everywhere.

This incident became a hot topic.

Superman's name went viral.

CBS decided to do an interview with Superman, allowing everyone to get to know him better.

There were two guests for today’s interview.

One was a woman dressed in a white Chanel suit. Her skin was fair, and her expression slightly cold, but her rose-colored lips brought her face to life. She sat on a white sofa, her long legs crossed, exuding an air of confidence and grace.

She was none other than supermodel Kate Kelly, now famously known as "the woman who grabbed Superman's ear."

Beside her was a handsome man in a wheelchair. He wore a black suit, his hair styled perfectly, and his chiseled features gave him a striking, dashing appearance.

The black-and-white pairing made them look even more stylish together.

"Today, our show welcomes two incredible guests. The first is Mr. Luca Kelly, the Superman who saved a lucky baby from death."

Applause.

Luca waved to the audience, smiling warmly.

"And, of course, the woman who grabbed Superman's ear, supermodel Kate Kelly!"

More applause, mixed with laughter.

Kate waved modestly, her smile graceful, once again embodying the Ice Queen persona.

"Mom, Luca and Kate are on! Come and watch!" Eve shouted excitedly toward the kitchen.

"I'm coming!"

Ms. Nina emerged, holding a plate of sliced fruit, just as the show began introducing Luca's background.

"Luca was once a member of Brazil's national soccer team. At 17, he was selected for the U-20 team and represented Brazil in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. He scored a crucial goal that helped Brazil win the championship."

As the narrator explained, footage of the match played on the screen.

In the video, Luca, dressed in a yellow jersey, expertly passed the ball, dribbling through Spain’s defense like a flash of lightning. With incredible speed, he broke through three defenders and charged toward the goal.

"Wow, Luca has dribbled past one, and another, and he's going for goal! Three defenders still stand in his way! Will he pass? No, Luca is going for it! He's going to shoot—"

The commentator’s voice grew more intense, making viewers feel as if they were watching the Brazil vs. Spain final all over again.

Eve, Nina, and millions of viewers across North America sat on the edge of their seats, fists clenched, forgetting that this was just an interview show and not a live match.

Luca made a feint, dodging one of the defenders.

Bam!

From over ten yards out, Luca launched a powerful shot.

Clang!

Unfortunately, the ball struck the crossbar.

"NOOOO!"

Disappointed cries echoed from television viewers everywhere.

Just as everyone was about to give up hope, Luca's teammate recovered the ball and quickly passed it back to him. In the scramble, the ball was too high, and it looked like the opposing team was going to intercept it.

But Luca leaped into the air and, with an impossible move—a bicycle kick—

Bam!

He struck the ball again toward the goal.

Eve, Nina, and countless others watched with wide eyes as the opposing goalkeeper dived, the ball racing toward the goal, dropping just two feet away.

Bounce.

The ball gently bounced on the grass, like a playful child, skipping across the white line and into the net.

Goooooooaaaaallll! Luca scores! What a magical goal!

"Whoooooo!"

Luca sprinted across the field, waving his jersey like a bolt of lightning, until his teammates tackled him in celebration.

Goooooooaaaal! Luca forever! Eve leaped off the couch, fists pumping in the air.

At that moment, not only the little girl but millions of viewers across North America were cheering, their hearts pounding with excitement. Even though Americans preferred football over soccer, such an incredible match and goal had them all fired up.

"Mom, isn’t Luca so cool?" Eve asked, delighted.

"Yes, Luca is amazing. What a fantastic goal!" Nina said with a gentle smile.

She had always known Luca played soccer, but she had never seen his matches before. She hadn’t realized he was capable of such brilliance at such a high level. Calling him a genius wasn’t an exaggeration.

"But why doesn’t Luca play soccer anymore?" Eve asked curiously.

Before Nina could explain, the TV narrator’s voice continued, “Shortly after the match, Real Madrid offered Luca a contract worth 5 million euros a year. Unfortunately, just before he was set to leave, Luca was involved in a car accident and suffered a spinal fracture.”

The screen cut to the scene of a terrible crash.

Through the thick smoke, a bloodied figure was pulled from the wreckage—it was Luca.

"What happened?" Eve gasped, her eyes filling with tears.

"After his injury, Luca was bedridden for over a year. He grew six centimeters taller and gained over 60 pounds."

A picture flashed of a heavyset Luca in a wheelchair, looking disheveled and lost. He bore no resemblance to the lightning-fast, fearless player who once ruled the field with his bicycle kicks.

Sobbing.

The turn of events was so sudden and devastating that Eve, Lima, and countless other women watching couldn’t help but burst into tears.

"Eve, don’t cry. Luca has recovered now," Nina said, wiping her own eyes as she hugged her daughter.

Watching Luca on TV, she couldn’t help feeling a little guilty. She should have been kinder to him, more understanding.

The scene shifted back to the studio. Kate was now in tears, and Luca was gently comforting her, still smiling warmly.

Charlie asked softly, “Luca, we’ve heard about your tragic ordeal. After your injury, not only did you lose the chance to join a top club, but you were also forced to leave the sport you loved. What was the most painful part of it all?”

Luca thought for a moment and quietly said, “The hardest part was not being able to run freely anymore.”

"Luca!" Kate clung to his arm, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Luca, we’re glad to see you bounce back. Can you tell us what helped you recover?”

The host asked.

"It was Kate. After my injury, I became very depressed, but Kate took care of me and encouraged me. When others called me a waste, when they said I was worthless, Kate never gave up on me. Thank you, Kate.”

Luca’s eyes glistened with emotion.

“No, Luca...” Kate sobbed, and the show had to take a brief break.

"Mom, poor Luca!" Eve cried, burying herself in Nina’s arms.

Nina sighed softly, feeling a bit awkward—after all, she had called Luca useless once too.

"Eve, don’t cry anymore. How about we go visit Luca after the show?"

"Okay," Eve said, wiping her eyes.

Click.

The door opened.

Ed came home, carrying his briefcase.

"Ed, what happened to your face?" Nina asked, noticing a mark on her husband's cheek.

Ed rubbed his jaw and laughed. "I invited Andrew to watch the Superman interview with me. He didn’t want to, so I pulled him in, and he punched me."

"You two!" Nina said, half-amused, half-annoyed. “You’re grown men, still getting into fights?”

"Haha, it was worth it. You should’ve seen Andrew’s face! He mocked me about not becoming a supermodel agent, but now, look—I’m the agent for Superman! Haha!"

"Dad, you look like a villain when you laugh like that," Eve giggled.

"Muahaha!"

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 27: Leon's Lament*

On TV, Kate gradually regained her composure, and the interview continued.

"Luca, I've heard that your back injury hasn’t fully healed. Why did you still decide to rescue someone while you were hurt?" the host, Charlie, asked.

Luca shook his head. "The situation was urgent, and I forgot I was injured. I just felt like I could reach that spot, like I was going for a steal on the field. I thought I could do it, so I did."

"Luca, you're a brave man," the host praised.

"More people call me an idiot, right, Kate?" Luca chuckled softly.

"You are an idiot. Hurt and yet you acted like your life didn’t matter," Kate said, raising her eyebrows.

"Kate, is that why you were pulling Superman's ear?" the host joked.

"Yes, I didn’t want to. But Luca can be impulsive. His back injury hadn't healed, and he risked more injury by doing something so dangerous. I was scared out of my mind. When he got back, I couldn't help but yell at him. I didn’t expect anyone to catch it on camera. Now I’m seen as the villain who bullies Superman."

The audience laughed again.

The host smiled. "Kate, from the footage, it seems like you’re quite good at pulling Luca’s ear."

"No!" Kate said seriously, her face stern. "This was my first time pulling Luca's ear. Right, Luca?"

"Huh?" Luca pretended to be confused. "Should I say yes or no?"

"What do you think?" Kate raised her eyebrows again, a dangerous gleam flashing in her blue eyes.

"Uh, alright, of course, it was the first time. Kate's a gentle girl; she never likes to use force," Luca said, sounding slightly afraid.

"Hahaha!" The host and the viewers couldn’t help but laugh at the siblings' interaction.

"Such a fake b****!" In her Tribeca apartment, Bundchen angrily turned off the TV.

"Hey, Gigi, that’s not fair," Leonardo said, displeased.

"Sweetheart, that b**** stole my endorsement. Can’t you help me get it back?" Bundchen sat on the couch, wrapping her arms around Leo's neck as she pouted.

"Gigi, that endorsement was originally Kate’s. Because of Luca’s situation, it affected how LV’s brand team viewed her. Now that Luca’s a hero, Kate’s fame has skyrocketed, so LV chose to work with her again. They’re not going to switch again this time," Leonardo explained, rubbing his temples.

"Sweetheart, you must have a way. I know you're friends with Mr. Patrick Whedon," Bundchen said, stroking Leo's chest and pleading softly.

"It’s no use. Patrick and I are just casual friends. We don’t talk business," Leonardo refused gently.

"Alright." Bundchen sighed lightly and left the living room.

Leonardo shook his head and turned the TV back on, continuing to watch the interview.

"Let's take another look at the thrilling footage."

In the studio, the host replayed the moment Luca dashed in front of the bus, leaping in slow motion. The footage was a bit blurry.

In the final second before the bus was about to hit the stroller, Luca, like an eagle, soared through the air and grabbed the baby, holding the child in his arms as he flew past the bus. He rolled on the ground once before coming to a stop.

The entire event lasted less than a second. If he had been just a bit slower, both he and the baby would’ve been hit by the bus.

"Wow, Luca, you were really brave! Just a second slower, and it would’ve been a tragedy," the host said in awe.

"Yes, I brushed past death once again," Luca shrugged.

"Some people say only Superman could be that fast," the host commented.

Luca smiled slightly. "I wish I were Superman, but I’m not. The reason I had enough time to react was mainly because I’m quick. If you look closely, you’ll see it’s like I was grabbing the ball during a steal. But this time, it was a handball, and I committed a foul."

"Haha, you used a foul tactic to save the lucky baby. The referee won’t blow the whistle for that."

"Thank you, ref. Thanks for not blowing the whistle while I was holding the baby," Luca laughed.

"Hahaha!"

Everyone chuckled softly.

"Luca, we saw that when you fell, you shielded the baby with your body," the host pointed out.

"Yes, I grabbed the ball, so it was mine. I had to protect it," Luca said, striking a defensive pose.

The host smiled. "Did this move cause your injury?"

Luca thought for a moment. "I think so. When I hit the ground with the baby, I heard a cracking sound, like it came from my spine."

"Oh, Luca, why didn’t you tell me?" Kate raised her eyebrows in frustration.

Luca spread his hands. "I just heard a sound and didn’t feel any pain. I thought I wasn’t hurt."

"So that’s why you hurried off to your fashion show?"

"Yes, it was my debut. It meant a lot, and I didn’t want to miss it."

"First times are certainly important," the host chuckled. "When exactly did your injury start acting up during the show?"

"During the first show, right when I turned at the front of the runway," Luca said.

"Alright, let's take a look at Superman Luca’s fashion show," the host announced, and the screen switched to footage from the show, focusing on Luca.

In the first shot, Luca, wearing a sleek new suit, confidently walked down the runway. As he reached the front and turned, the footage slowed, showing Luca frown slightly for a moment before returning to his normal expression.

"Luca!" Kate squeezed his hand.

"Kate, it's all in the past," Luca smiled nonchalantly.

In the second and third shots, the audience could see Luca’s energy shift. His demeanor became more intense, and it was clear he was fighting through pain. At the time, everyone thought he was just portraying a certain attitude that matched the clothes, which helped him stand out in the show.

"Wow, what a stunning show!" The host, Charlie, led the applause.

"Luca, your walk and presence were impressive. When did you start practicing?"

"Last year," Luca lied, not wanting to admit he’d only practiced for a month. That would’ve been unprofessional.

"Last year, when I came to New York. I’d just left my wheelchair. Kate told me, 'Since you can’t run, why not practice walking?' So, I started practicing with her."

"Kate, you’re a great teacher," the host complimented.

Kate shook her head slightly. "Luca is very smart. He picks things up quickly."

"But didn’t you just call him an idiot?" the host laughed.

"Sometimes he really is dumb," Kate shrugged, her expression saying she was just being honest.

"So, is that why you twisted his ear?"

"Charlie, can we move past that?" Kate covered her forehead, sounding exasperated.

"Hahaha!"

Everyone burst into laughter again.

"Oh, Kate..." Leon softly murmured her name as he watched the TV.

On the screen, Kate wore a white suit, looking elegant and poised. Her charm was undeniable, sometimes cold, sometimes gentle, sometimes sophisticated, and sometimes seductive. She seemed to glow on stage, drawing everyone’s attention.

Leon couldn’t help but think back to when he dated Kate. She was fiercely independent and strong-willed, never interrupting his work or making unreasonable demands.

Compared to Bundchen and his previous girlfriends, Kate was something special.

Suddenly, Leon realized he might never have truly understood her, nor had he ever really had her. Losing a woman like her felt like a terrible mistake.

He stared at the TV for a moment longer, then picked up the phone.

"Hey, Kate, do you have time? I’d like to grab a coffee with you," he said, flashing his most charming smile and voice.

But on the other end, a man’s voice answered, "Sorry, Leon. Kate says she doesn’t have time."

Beep, beep, beep.

"Damn it, Luca! It’s you again!"

*Chapter 28: Two Pieces of Good News*

At noon, Kate walked into the hospital room, holding a stack of payment receipts.

"Leon just called," Luca said.

"What did he want?"

"He wanted to ask you out for coffee, but I turned him down for you," Luca admitted, handing over his phone.

Kate smiled gently and said nothing, pushing his wheelchair out of the room. "Luca, it's time to say goodbye to this hospital room."

"No, no, better to say 'never again!'"

"Haha, then let's say never again!"

After spending more than half a month in the hospital, Luca's injuries had healed remarkably well. His fractured vertebrae were mending much faster than the doctors had predicted, nearly twice as quickly.

The attending doctor, Joel, reluctantly announced that Luca could be discharged for home recovery. As long as he didn't hurt himself, with his freakish recovery speed, he might be walking within a month.

Kate was delighted to hear the news and even invited Joel to the discharge party that afternoon.

Joel smiled and readily agreed, saying he would definitely be there later.

"Joel's not bad, right?" Luca asked casually as they drove away from the hospital, watching it disappear through the window.

"Yeah, he's good," Kate replied, gently turning the steering wheel.

"You aren't planning on dating him, are you?"

"Luca!" Kate shot him a sharp glance.

"Alright, alright, just asking. I won't ask again," Luca said, raising his hands in a mix of embarrassment and resignation. His previous self had been incredibly protective of his sister, getting irritated when Kate got close to other guys, and depressed when she found a boyfriend. He even disliked her wearing revealing clothes—classic late-stage "sister-complex."

But now, for some reason, it felt even worse than late-stage.

Kate seemed to be aware of his "condition," making the situation even more awkward.

"Uh, Kate, are we having the party at home tonight?"

"Yeah," Kate replied softly.

"Kate," Luca hesitated, feeling conflicted. "I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I—well, it’s nothing. I shouldn’t interfere with your love life. That’s my problem. I think... I might need a therapist."

Kate subtly smiled but didn’t say anything, just placing her hand gently on his.

Luca felt a slight tremor in his body, and whatever he was going to say vanished. Maybe nothing more needed to be said. The car fell into a peaceful silence as they drove back to the apartment on 76th Street, Third Avenue, maintaining an atmosphere that was both harmonious and conflicted.

"Bang!"

"Surprise!"

As Luca rolled into the living room in his wheelchair, two loud pops echoed overhead. Colorful confetti rained down, covering him from head to toe. Apple-scented champagne sprinkled down like a spring drizzle, filling the air with a refreshing fragrance.

Lima and Eve stood on either side, with Eve holding the confetti poppers and Lima holding a bottle of champagne, both smiling brightly.

Ed and Nina stood nearby, clapping with smiles on their faces.

Kate stood behind him, surely smiling as well.

For a moment, Luca felt a wave of gratitude towards God for bringing him to this world. It wasn't so lonely here after all.

"Luca, welcome home!" Lima bent down and gave him a gentle hug.

"Thank you, Lima!"

"Brother Luca, welcome home! Can I come over to hear more stories in the future?" Eve asked, pulling on his hand, smiling.

"Of course, Eve. You’re welcome anytime."

Luca had finally been discharged from the hospital, and Kate had prepared a party at home, inviting some Brazilian supermodels who had visited him during his stay: Alessandra Ambrosio, Isabeli Fontana, Fernanda Tavares, Michelle Alves, and Raquel Zimmermann, along with a few coworkers and Dr. Joel. In total, there were more than twenty people.

"Luca, do you face this many beautiful women every day?" Joel joked, pointing to the group of models.

"Jealous?" Luca grinned.

Joel shrugged, "It’s pretty great, but I should tell you, this environment isn’t conducive to your recovery."

"I know, Joel. I promise to follow your advice—no drinking, smoking, and I’ll maintain a good sleep schedule, no strenuous activity."

"Haha, good to hear!"

Luca chuckled and clinked glasses with Joel.

"Hey, Luca, is this your doctor?" Supermodel Isabeli approached, curious.

"Yes, Isabeli, this is Dr. Joel Ernest. He graduated from the Orthopedic Institute in Munich, Germany, and is now the youngest orthopedic surgeon in New York."

"Wow, impressive!" Isabeli extended her hand with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Joel. I’m Isabeli."

"Nice to meet you, Isabeli," Joel replied.

"Joel, my shoulder blade has been aching. Could I consult you about it?" Isabeli asked.

"Of course!"

Seeing them hit it off, Luca wisely excused himself.

"Luca, there you are! I’ve got two pieces of good news for you," Ed said, his dark face flushed from a few too many drinks, looking like a red-hot iron.

"Ed, take a seat," Luca said, pouring him a cup of coffee.

"Luca, your screenplay Goal! has been picked up by Walt Disney Pictures," Ed said, swirling his coffee cup with a grin.

"Hmm, that is good news," Luca replied, a little surprised—it had only been a month.

But he quickly figured out why. Sports films had been doing well at the box office this year, so there was money to be made. Plus, his rising fame probably helped too.

"Ed, how much did they buy the script for?" Luca asked eagerly.

He had been in New York for two months now and had only earned two or three thousand dollars, while Kate had probably spent at least a hundred thousand on his tuition, medical bills, and living expenses. That didn’t feel very manly.

Seeing Luca’s eager expression, Ed flashed his white teeth in a grin. "There are two offers. One is for the script alone—they’re willing to pay $100,000 outright."

"$100,000?" Luca nodded, understanding that’s typical for a new writer.

"And the second offer?"

"The second offer is a collaboration. If you agree to be both the lead actor and the screenwriter, they’re willing to pay $500,000."

"$500,000?" Luca was tempted. A newbie actor getting a lead role with a $400,000 salary was a great opportunity.

"Ed, are they planning to shoot this year?"

"I believe so."

"Then unfortunately, I can’t take on an action role this year," Luca said. His health came first—he wasn’t going to risk it again.

Ed nodded. "So, how about the first offer?"

"That works. What's the second piece of good news?"

Ed smiled. "Mr. Frank thinks you’re doing well. Armani is considering offering you a contract to endorse their denim line—two years for $500,000."

"$500,000? Not bad at all."

In the fashion world, male models earned significantly less than female models. In 2002, the highest-earning male model, Noah Mills, only made $1.2 million, less than a tenth of the female model champion Karolina Kurkova.

Armani’s offer of $500,000 over two years was probably due to Luca’s "Superman" fame.

"Ed, thanks for bringing me two great pieces of news."

"Luca, I should be thanking you—you made my month profitable."

"Hahaha!"

Luca laughed and brought up something else. "Ed, do you know anyone in book publishing?"

"Oh, are you planning to officially publish Twilight?"

"Yes, what do you think?"

"Emmm, maybe it’s worth a try," Ed said, recalling how he had barely gotten through the first chapter of the book—it wasn’t his thing. But Nina, Kate, and Lima had all loved it, and Eve was obsessed, always asking for more. There might be a market among women.

"Luca, if you publish it now, you can leverage your Superman fame for promotion."

"No, Ed, I want Kate to be the author."

"What? Are you sure?"

"Yes. Don’t you think a beautiful supermodel writer would be more marketable?"

First, it was a female-oriented book, so Kate’s name would help with marketing.

Second, if the book became a hit, Kate could become a supermodel-author, boosting her appearance fees and making it easier for her to transition careers in the future.

Third, if he ever adapted more female novels, he planned to let Kate take the credit, building her into a famous writer.

Ed thought for a moment. "A supermodel writer—that does sound good. I’ll discuss it with Nina when I get back."

"Sounds good!"

*Chapter 29: Persuasion*

Around 8 p.m., on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

Dim streetlights illuminated the wide road as a silver Honda sedan slowly passed beneath them.

The passenger-side window was half-open. A middle-aged African-American man leaned his head against it, eyes half-closed as he gazed at the streetscape, a contented, slightly tipsy smile on his dark, reddish face.

"Ed, are you okay?"

Nina turned her head and asked softly.

"I'm fine!"

Ed rubbed his cheek and closed the half-open window. It was January in New York, and the weather was still cold. He couldn't risk Eve catching a chill.

"Nina, have you finished reading Luca’s vampire novel?"

"Halfway through."

"What do you think of it?"

"Emm~ It's not bad, pretty interesting."

Nina had never been particularly interested in Twilight. She’d heard Eve mention it often and saw Kate reading it, which piqued her curiosity. After reading a few chapters, she found it surprisingly good.

The novel had beautiful people, werewolf tales, school life, suspense, comedic adventures, and a tragic, moving love story. These elements blended perfectly, making even someone like her, who usually didn’t read romance, eager to finish it.

"Nina, Luca wants to get it published. Do you think there's a chance?"

"Published?"

Nina thought for a moment. "In the last few years, vampire movies have done really well at the box office, proving that audiences are interested in the genre. It’s worth a shot."

Ed nodded. He had been thinking the same. Last year’s Queen of the Damned grossed over a hundred million, and several vampire movies were slated for release this year, all with big budgets.

"Nina, Luca mentioned earlier that he wants to publish it under Kate’s name. What do you think of that?"

"Oh?"

The mention of Kate immediately grabbed Nina’s attention. "He wants Kate to be the author?"

"Yes, Luca said since Kate’s a supermodel, using her name would make the novel easier to market."

Nina slowed the car, seriously considering the feasibility of this idea.

Publishing under Kate's name would indeed make it easier to promote. Kate was not only famous in the U.S., but also in Europe and South America. While Luca was currently known as "Superman," that fame was media-driven and likely temporary.

Moreover, it was a female-centered novel, told from a woman’s perspective, with delicate inner monologues and elegant, refined language. It had a beautifully romantic tone.

When Nina first read the novel, she could hardly believe it was written by Luca, such a masculine guy.

Publishing under Kate’s name would be low-risk. If it failed, it wouldn’t matter much, but if it succeeded, the benefits would be enormous.

A supermodel-turned-author could be a sparkling label, signifying intellectual beauty. Kate could even use this opportunity to become a top-tier supermodel.

Nina felt a surge of excitement at the thought, but she quickly calmed down. No matter whose name was on it, the key was whether the novel was good enough to be published and sell well.

"Eve, did you bring Luca’s novel back with you today?"

Nina wanted to give it a serious read and see how good it really was.

"Eve?"

She glanced back at the empty rear seat. Her face changed, and she slammed on the brakes.

"Ed, where’s Eve?"

"She’s sleeping in the back seat, isn’t she?"

"No!"

"What?!"

"Ha ha, Kate, what kind of parents are they? They’re almost home and just now realizing Eve’s missing!"

Luca chuckled as he looked at the little girl sound asleep on the bed.

Kate shook her head, speaking into the phone, "Nina, Eve fell asleep here. She can stay the night. Okay, see you tomorrow."

She hung up the phone, smiling. "Eve followed them downstairs earlier but sneaked back without Nina noticing. Gave her quite the scare."

"She’s a mischievous little girl."

Luca gently pinched the girl's nose.

"Mmm~ Stop!"

Eve swatted her tiny hand at him in her sleep, turning her face to the side and kicking off the blanket.

"Luca, move over, don’t wake her."

Kate pushed his wheelchair aside and gently picked up the little girl, carrying her into the next room.

After a while, Kate came back out. "Luca, you said you needed to talk to me?"

"Yes, Kate. I plan to publish Twilight under your name. What do you think?"

"Oh, why?"

Kate asked curiously.

"First, you’re a supermodel with a big following, so using your name would create buzz. Second, I’m planning to become a major celebrity. Ed’s crafted an image for me as a tough, iron-willed man. If I publish a women’s novel, it would seriously damage my reputation."

"You? A tough guy?"

Kate covered her mouth, laughing.

Luca looked at her with displeasure. "Kate, I’m Superman. Isn’t Superman a tough guy?"

"Ha ha, alright, I guess you’re half of one."

"So, are you in?"

"Emmm~ Let me think about it."

Kate folded her arms, her eyes blinking mischievously at him.

Not wanting her to see through him, Luca wheeled himself over to the desk, sorting through his manuscript as he spoke. "Kate, you should consider this carefully. This novel is just my trial work, and honestly, it’s not that great. Even if it gets published, it probably won’t sell well. If it performs poorly, it could damage your public image. There’s a lot of risk involved."

"I’ll do it!"

"Kate, you should think about this for a few days, maybe talk to Nina."

"No need, I can make this decision."

With a toss of her hair, Kate left the room.

Luca shrugged, feeling a bit guilty for using underhanded tactics on Kate. Sigh, his integrity was questionable.

"Luca, do you need help getting into bed?"

Kate suddenly reopened the door.

"Uh, I think I’ve got it."

Luca put down his manuscript and wheeled himself to the bed. He leaned on the edge and used the least painful method to climb onto it. After more than a month of recovery, his spinal injury no longer hurt, but Kate still thought he was fragile, so he had to be cautious.

"Ha ha~ Luca, the way you get into bed is so funny, like a little puppy."

Luca’s arms gave out, nearly causing him to fall. He lay on the bed, glaring at her, "Kate, you can leave now."

Kate covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Need help with your clothes?"

"No, I’ve got it."

"Ha ha, are you shy? Don’t forget, I’ve been the one changing your clothes this whole time."

Kate chuckled.

Luca twitched his lips. She was right.

Though the hospital had caregivers, Kate always took over when she visited, personally helping him wash up, eat, change clothes, and even clean his bedpan.

Thinking about it, Luca felt a bit touched. "Kate, you’re probably tired today. Get some rest. I can take care of myself."

"Alright then, good night!"

Kate waved and closed the door.

After she left, Luca climbed back out of bed. He pushed his wheelchair, moving slowly, hoping to recover soon.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 30: A Special Gift*

Half a month later, in the apartment gym, Luca was doing rehab exercises on the training machine.

After more than a month of recovery, he had gained ten pounds. Although he was tall and it wasn’t very noticeable, his body was now more prone to gaining weight. Exercise was essential—he didn’t want to end up playing water gun fights with Leonardo in the future.

Since his lumbar spine was still healing, he couldn’t push himself too hard each day and was limited to simple exercises.

After an hour of working out, his shirt was soaked in sweat, and his muscles had swollen slightly. He slowly stood up, using the leg press machine for support.

After several days of secret practice, he had regained enough mobility to walk without feeling pain in his waist. If Joel saw this, he’d surely be amazed at Luca’s recovery.

“Luca, why are you standing up?”

A voice suddenly called out from the door.

Startled, Luca said irritably, “Kate, you scared me!”

Kate laughed heartily, walking into the gym in knee-high boots, tight jeans, and a loose pink knit sweater. She had a wild, stylish, and fiery look with a touch of girlish charm.

“Okay, I’m sorry, but Joel said your lumbar spine hasn’t fully healed yet and that you should rest for at least another month,” Kate said, placing her hand on his shoulder.

Luca shook his head and smiled, “They say doctors are always right, but you don’t have to follow everything they say.”

“Hmm~ sounds logical. Who said that?”

“A great writer from the East!”

Luca chuckled, grabbed his cane, and walked out of the gym, noticing a stack of letters on the table. “What’s this?”

“Reply letters from various publishing agencies,” Kate shrugged. “They all say the same thing: ‘We regret to inform you that your work does not meet our submission requirements. We look forward to your future submissions.’”

“Rejected again?”

Luca sighed. After their last discussion, Nina had taken the manuscript for Twilight to negotiate with several major publishing houses, including Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette Book Group—some of the largest in the U.S.

Nina had hoped Twilight would do well to enhance Kate’s reputation as a supermodel-turned-author.

But reality was harsh.

In the U.S., the literary and fashion worlds are clearly divided. People in the literary world tend to look down on models from the fashion world, let alone a novel written by one.

When Nina met with the editor at Random House, they laughed like a pig when they heard the novel was written by supermodel Kate.

The HarperCollins editor barely looked at two pages before criticizing numerous mistakes, claiming the work wasn’t up to standard.

Hachette was willing to publish it but with very harsh terms—offering only 5% royalties and requiring Kate to participate heavily in promotion.

Nina immediately rejected the offer, knowing they were just trying to profit from Kate’s fame, not the novel itself.

Other publishing houses had similar reactions, either rejecting it directly or indirectly.

The most common reason for rejection was that there were already too many vampire novels on the market, and this one wasn’t outstanding enough to make much profit, so they declined to collaborate.

With no other options, Nina and Kate lowered their standards and submitted the manuscript to over a dozen small to mid-sized publishers.

A week passed, and rejection letters came rolling in.

Seeing these letters, Luca was also a bit discouraged. He had heard that even the original author faced repeated rejections when submitting the manuscript. He never expected that when Kate tried, she would receive the same treatment.

He began to wonder if his memory was faulty—did he copy too different a version from the original, or had he made too many changes and messed it up?

Noticing his disappointment, Kate comforted him by draping her arm over his shoulder, “Luca, don’t lose heart. It’s not that your novel isn’t good; those people just lack vision. One day, they’ll regret it.”

“Well, I hope that day comes soon!”

Luca smiled lightly, not overly concerned. The failure to publish just meant he couldn’t claim the spot first and would miss out on a big payday. Hmm, when the original book eventually comes out, should he sue the author for plagiarism?

Ring, ring...

The phone rang.

“Hello, Emily?”

Luca smiled. Emily was the mother of the baby he had saved. Her Chinese name was Han Li. She was 28, a former student at New York University, and had stayed in New York after marrying an American.

During the filming of Superhuman, Emily and her husband had brought their child to thank Luca in person and even offered to cover his hospital bills.

Luca had refused, not needing the money.

Since then, Ms. Han had called a few times to check on his recovery.

“Yes, this afternoon? Sure, you’re welcome!”

After hanging up, Luca told Kate, “Emily and her husband are coming to visit.”

“Alright! I’ll go to the store to buy some fruit.”

“Hey, Emily, Felix, and little Jessica!”

That afternoon, the apartment welcomed three guests: Emily, her husband Felix Mason, and their ten-month-old baby Jessica.

Emily’s husband, Felix, was a man in his thirties of German-American descent, with brown curly hair and fair skin. He looked ordinary but well-mannered in a high-end suit, with a baby strapped to his chest, blinking its big eyes, adding a playful touch.

Emily stood beside him.

She was petite, slightly chubby, with a round face that gave her a blessed look.

“Oh, Luca, you can stand already? You’re recovering so fast!”

Emily was surprised to see him standing at the door.

Luca smiled and gestured for the couple to come inside. “The doctor says I have great recovery abilities. Maybe in a few days, I’ll be able to run.”

“God bless, that’s wonderful!”

Emily exclaimed.

“Emily, looks like the gift you brought won’t be necessary,” Luca teased.

“No worries, it’s the thought that counts.”

As Luca walked ahead, he overheard Emily and Felix quietly conversing in Chinese behind him.

A gift?

What kind of gift?

“Please, make yourselves comfortable, Felix, Emily!”

Once they were in the living room, Kate served two cups of coffee and some fresh fruit.

Emily hesitated for a moment before opening a box and pulling out a glass jar.

When Luca saw the jar, his eyes widened. It was a jar of medicinal liquor, with ginseng, angelica root, fo-ti, and a six-inch bone soaked inside.

The sight of it was oddly comforting, making him feel like he had been transported back to his homeland.

“Emily, what is this?”

Kate eyed the bone with some concern, thinking it resembled a medical specimen.

“This is called tiger bone wine. It’s made with Chinese medicinal herbs and tiger bones. In our country, people drink it to heal bone injuries. It’s very effective,” Emily explained with a smile.

“Tiger bone wine? Is that really a tiger bone?”

Kate leaned in curiously, staring at the jar.

“Yes, it’s a Bengal tiger bone,” Emily confirmed, looking at Luca. “Would you like to try it?”

“Why not?”

Luca chuckled. “I’ve heard a lot about Chinese medicine. It’s said to be quite miraculous.”

“Luca, are you sure you want to try this?”

Felix laughed.

“I’ll give it a go,”

Luca said confidently. He deftly opened the jar, and a strong, pleasant aroma of alcohol wafted out, resembling a fine Chinese liquor.

“Luca!”

Kate shook her head in disapproval. Drinking something soaked with bones seemed reckless.

“It’s fine, Kate. I drank something similar in Brazil while recovering from an injury.”

Luca poured a small glass, tasted it, and downed it in one gulp. The rich medicinal fragrance and the warmth of the alcohol spread through his body.

“Great wine!”

He couldn’t help but praise.

“Luca, you’re brave!”

Felix marveled. He hadn’t dared try it himself, worried it might cause stomach issues. This guy truly lived up to his reputation as a superhero willing to risk his life.

Kate blinked, clearly thinking someone was being a fool.

“Emily, I really like this gift. Thank you!”

Luca grinned.

“Thank you, Luca, for liking it,”

Emily sighed with relief and exchanged a glance with her husband, her eyes twinkling.

Felix smiled too and pulled out a simple booklet from his briefcase. The cover bore the title Twilight.

“Hey, Felix, why do you have that manuscript?”

Kate asked in surprise.

Felix smiled. “Allow me to reintroduce myself. I’m the general manager of Greenwood Publishing. You submitted this manuscript to our company, didn’t you?”

“Greenwood?”

Kate had forgotten. Nina had handled the submission. If he said so, it must be true.

“Felix, are you here to personally return the manuscript?”

Luca joked.

“No, we’re here to seek cooperation! Our company is very interested in publishing Twilight.”

“Really?”

Kate was pleasantly surprised.

“Yes, Kate!”

Emily beamed. “I’m an editor at Greenwood Publishing, and your submission landed on my desk. I thought it was excellent. When I checked the author’s details, I found that the name and address matched yours. What a wonderful coincidence!”

Could it really be just a coincidence?

Luca stroked his chin and looked at the baby on Felix’s chest with a subtle smile.