*Chapter 328: Love Returns to Paris in the Night Rain*

Paris was under a spell of rain, the streets glistening with moisture. In the distance, the main cathedral of Notre Dame loomed, ethereal and indistinct through the veil of rain.

Director Allen remarked that Notre Dame was best viewed in the rain.

With vision blurred, gazing upon Notre Dame now was much like how people would have seen it two hundred, five hundred, even eight hundred years ago, fostering an illusion of time travel.

Link disagreed, arguing that modern people, accustomed to skyscrapers, would find Notre Dame stunning but not particularly shocking or awe-inspiring.

People centuries ago, unfamiliar with such grandeur and reverent towards the divine, would likely have knelt or even prostrated themselves before Notre Dame, rather than standing and gazing at it so casually.

He asked Director Allen if he wanted to try it, suggesting he might recapture that sense of awe.

Director Allen glared at him, about to berate him for his lack of artistic understanding, but then realized there might be some twisted logic to his words.

"Everyone move! Hurry up and film, don't block the way here," Director Allen yelled, waving his arms.

After the rain started, the crew seized the opportunity to capture Paris in the rain, including iconic landmarks like Notre Dame, the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, and the Eiffel Tower.

There were too many locations to film, and using artificial rain would be too costly. Taking advantage of the natural rain was the most budget-friendly option and yielded the best visual effects.

Link was also asked to stroll along the Seine River, hands in his pockets, getting lightly drenched by the rain, while observing the ancient buildings on both sides. Director Allen even wanted him to convey a sense of walking through the river of history.

After walking in the rain for over half an hour, his clothes nearly soaked through, they finally had enough footage for the film.

But even after filming these scenes, there was no rest. Urged on by Director Allen, Link changed into dry clothes and headed to Place John XXIII for the final shoot.

This scene depicted the protagonist, Gil, first being dumped by his lover, Adriana, in the dream world. Returning to reality, he discovers his fiancée's infidelity and breaks up with her.

After two consecutive breakups, the protagonist is left alone, wandering the streets of Paris with a melancholic expression as light rain begins to fall.

At this moment, a French girl approaches from behind. She works at an old record store, and the protagonist had encountered her twice on the street, making her a somewhat familiar face.

The actress playing the French girl, Gabrielle, was Léa Seydoux, a French star who had a supporting role in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds." At 25 years old, she was also a rather alluring French lady.

However, her grandfather was Jérôme Seydoux, the chairman of Pathé, and an old friend of Director Allen.

To prevent Léa from being seduced by Link, Director Allen specifically assigned an assistant to keep an eye on them during filming, limiting their private interactions.

"Scene 12, Take 3, first time, Action!"

"Hi, what are you doing here?" Link turned around and asked the girl who was slowly approaching him on the rainy street.

"My boss got a new Cole Porter record," Léa Seydoux said, smiling slightly at him.

"Did it remind you of me?" Link asked. The protagonist, Gil, had mentioned Cole Porter's records in the record store.

Léa Seydoux shrugged, making an affirmative gesture.

Link smiled softly, "I like being remembered by you this way. Are you going home now?"

"Yes!" Léa Seydoux adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag and smiled.

"Can I walk with you, or buy you a cup of coffee? Look, it's raining harder," Link said, looking at the sky.

"It's okay, I don't mind the rain," Léa Seydoux smiled slightly.

"Really?"

"Yes, actually, Paris is most beautiful in the rain."

"That's what I often say, I agree wholeheartedly. Yes, it's even more beautiful now," Link said, reaching out to catch the raindrops, a look of joy on his face at being understood.

In the director's area, Director Allen sat behind the monitor, arms crossed, watching the screen. He saw the two walking side by side on the wet street, chatting as they went, their figures gradually disappearing under the dim streetlights.

Beautiful and romantic.

He couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Director Allen, do you want another take?" Franck Alella asked.

"No need, it's a pass!" Director Allen said.

Franck Alella looked at him in surprise, the first time he had seen him give Link a pass so readily.

Director Allen glared at him, "It's raining so hard, Link is a man, he doesn't mind, but Léa is a girl, she can't stand it. Call her back quickly, don't let her catch a cold."

"Okay!" Franck took a megaphone and shouted, 'Cut! That's a wrap!'

"Franck, keep an eye on Link, don't let him harass Léa."

Director Allen gave a final reminder.

"Got it, Director Allen!" Franck replied with a smile.

After finishing the shoot, Link returned to the Ritz Hotel where the crew was staying, his clothes still damp.

Marion hadn't gone home either, staying in his room. Seeing him return, she poured him a cup of hot chocolate.

Link drank the hot chocolate, his body warming up. He took off his clothes and walked into the bathroom, Marion followed, wrapped in a towel.

The two made love in the bathroom.

This time, there was no interference from Director Allen, and no need to worry about paparazzi sneaking photos.

Listening to the sound of the heavy rain outside the window, they enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Back in the bedroom, the two leaned against the headboard and chatted.

"I recently received a script, the protagonist is a boxer, it's also suitable for you, do you want to take a look?" Marion leaned against the headboard and handed him a book.

Link saw the title was "Rust and Bone" and immediately thought of the movie "Rust and Bone," one of Marion Cotillard's representative works.

The film was adapted from the short story collection "Rust and Bone" by renowned Canadian writer Craig Davidson.

It tells the love story between Ali, a homeless boxer, and Stephanie, an orca trainer who loses her legs in an accident.

The two meet at a low point in their lives. Ali helps Stephanie regain her confidence, and Stephanie helps Ali find hope. They redeem each other, spark love, and embark on a new life together.

Since the male lead in this film was also an underground boxer, Link had seen it twice and found it to be quite good.

"It's a great story, are you still looking for the male lead?" Link asked after finishing the fifty-thousand-word novel.

"The director of this film is Mr. Jacques Audiard. The film is still in preparation, and he hopes that I can play the female lead. He gave me the script in advance. If you're interested, I'll recommend you to him," Marion Cotillard said.

Link nodded. He had met director Jacques Audiard once. At the Oscars in March this year, Audiard was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film for "A Prophet," and he was a talented director.

"I'm very interested. Also, I have a production company. If this film lacks investment, I can participate," Link said, putting his arm around Marion's shoulder.

"You're deciding to invest just by reading the novel, aren't you worried about losing money?" Marion asked intimately, tracing his chin with her finger.

Link knew that this film did well at the box office, so naturally he wasn't worried about losing money. He kissed Marion's hair and said, "I'm a boxer, I make money quickly, and I always need to find ways to spend it. Even if I lose money on a film, it's not a pity."

"Yes, you didn't say, I almost forgot you're the famous money-printing machine, Mr. Link."

"I'm not just a money-printing machine, I'm other machines too, Ms. Cotillard. Would you like to experience the other functions of this robot?"

"I'd love to."

Marion smiled, biting her red lips.

Link chuckled softly and pulled the blanket over them.

Under the blanket, there were waves of movement, while outside the window, the wind and rain grew stronger and fiercer.

In the next room, Director Allen sat under the balcony awning, gazing at the rain-soaked Parisian streets, a glass of Bordeaux red wine in hand, hoping to enjoy a rare moment of leisure.

Suddenly, he heard strange noises coming from next door.

At first, he thought it was the sound of rain hitting the awning, as the downpour was relentless.

But upon listening closely, he realized it wasn't.

His face darkened as he shouted towards the open window next door, "Keep it down! Have some shame!"

Unfortunately, it was useless. The sounds of wind and rain from next door only grew louder, completely ignoring the old man.

(End of Chapter)