Chapter 0001 Ultimatum

Hello, this is Renly Hall. " Upon answering the phone, Renly quickly said.

"Lan Li, what on earth are you doing! You should know that refusing to answer my calls is a very impolite act." A dignified yet stern voice came from the other end of the phone.

Lann Li can effortlessly conjure the image of the other person in his mind, wearing a white lace shirt paired with brown straight-leg suit trousers, and a pristine sky-blue suit jacket. In front of him lies today's "The Times," accompanied by a cup of fragrant red tea and some desserts.

"A dream that will never be realized!" George said coldly, showing no concern for the fact that the person on the other end of the phone was his own son, relentlessly criticizing him. "You are not a genius, never have been! A true genius should understand how to measure his own talents, should know how to position himself correctly, and should be able to distinguish between the choice to give up and the choice to persist. You are not that. You have seen what a true genius is like; throughout your life, you have been surrounded by many geniuses. A true genius should understand how to measure his own talents, should know how to position himself correctly, and should be able to distinguish between the choice to give up and the choice to persist. You are not that. You have seen what a true genius is like; throughout your life, you have been surrounded by many geniuses. Therefore, you should understand that pointless persistence is foolishness, not only wasting your time and energy but also hindering everyone around you. You are not foolish; you should at least understand the importance of giving up."

I want to become an actor, a true actor. In the face of his father's oppression, Lan Li showed no signs of retreat, his eyes sparkling with brilliance. I will strive tirelessly towards this goal; even if the end is a bottomless abyss, I will never regret it.

After finishing his monologue, George did not wait for Lan Li's response and directly hung up the phone. The busy signal of "beep beep beep" struck Lan Li's eardrum like a drumbeat, resounding thunderously.

However, after the surprise, Lan Li began to question. Throughout his life, his father and mother had never supported his dream of becoming an actor, and had even strongly opposed it. Why has their attitude changed today? He has been in New York for three months, and even if he were to change, he has already missed the opportunity. Is there something special about today?

I have already made the arrangements. You will join the cast of 'Hamlet' and play the role of Laertes. Whether you are in the first or second lineup will depend on your abilities. George's cold, hard voice carried no warmth as he issued orders decisively. This play will be performed in London's West End for three months, and after that, you will return to Cambridge University to complete your studies. We will take care of your future job arrangements.

"What? Are you crazy?" George's voice not only did not erupt, but instead grew increasingly subdued, the anger hidden within began to bubble up, "We have already allowed your absurd demands, giving you three months to achieve that foolish goal, and you are still not satisfied?"

This is his father in this life, George Hall, a fallen nobleman from Britain, the current holder of a hereditary baron title, employed at Barclays Bank, responsible for managing the trust funds of affluent families

However, he does not want to, nor can he.

No! With this brief yet powerful response, Lan Li once again firmly expressed his stance

Lann Li let out a gentle sigh, gazing out at the bustling scene of the city, somewhat lost in thought. The ultimatum had arrived; today, he finally faced his first audition opportunity in New York after three months, yet he also encountered the final ultimatum from his family

No, he refuses! God has given him a second chance, and this time, he will not miss it

"Are you serious?" Lann Li's brows furrowed slightly, "What about your prejudice against the profession of acting? Aren't you worried that once I become a real actor, there will be no turning back?"

"Are you telling me that you just got out of bed?" Elizabeth's voice rose slightly, carrying an air of authority without anger. "You should not allow yourself to live so recklessly; you know this." Lannister pressed his lips together, a hint of disapproval flickering in his eyes, yet he had no intention of retorting. They had already argued enough; there was no need to keep repeating themselves. "You should not allow yourself to live so recklessly; you know this." Lannister pressed his lips together, a hint of disapproval flickering in his eyes, yet he had no intention of retorting. They had already argued enough; there was no need to keep repeating themselves.

On the other end of the phone was none other than Lannister's mother in this life, Elizabeth Hall, who lived in London, across the Atlantic. She owned an art gallery located on Piccadilly Street, not far from Somerset House

"Are you really prepared to consider acting as a lifelong profession?" Elizabeth's tone was somewhat harsh; even without a deliberate rise in pitch, the underlying chill was unmistakable. "Are you ready to spend your entire life in the public eye, humbly begging for job opportunities, exposing your private life under the spotlight, entertaining others with yourself, and becoming a topic of gossip for the world? As an actor, you will always be merely someone else's plaything! You will always be just a joke!" Blueley Hall, you should know that your surname is far more noble than this!

Broadway, Sixth Avenue" Blue shouted, and only then did he raise the car door, causing the taxi to immediately restart its engine

Mother, you should know that there is a time difference between us; it is currently 10:30 AM here. Lan Li slowed his speech, speaking steadily and unhurriedly, with an elegance that carried a gentlemanly demeanor, yet his words contained a hint of concealed sarcasm as he made his retort

Lannister glanced at the clock on the wall of the hall and let out a painful wail. Although there were no time restrictions for today's audition, which was open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, allowing arrivals at any time throughout the day, if he had not worked until 4:00 AM last night and his alarm had failed to wake him, he should have been waiting in line with the others by now. Who knew whether the queue for auditions today would fill the entire theater.

Rushing downstairs, I raised my hand, and a yellow taxi quickly pulled over to the curb. The only benefit of waking up late is that I can avoid the rush hour. Otherwise, in this vast city of New York, there are countless taxis, yet at a critical moment, not a single one can be hailed.

Elizabeth seemed to realize this as well. She took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and spoke again, "I know about your dream of becoming an actor. After careful consideration, your father and I believe that we should give you an opportunity to showcase yourself, at least to prove your talent. So, purchase a ticket to return to London today. In March next year, 'Hamlet' will be staged again in the West End, and we have secured a chance for you to perform."

He understood his father's authority, and George was a man of his word. Although he had completely relied on his own hands to persevere over the past three months without taking a single cent from home, he knew that today's ultimatum was different; it likely meant their abandonment, completely casting him adrift. Even if it did not mean being expelled from the house, it was unlikely to be far from it.

Faced with his father's relentless barrage, Lan Li did not respond; he simply listened quietly, like a statue, silent and motionless. From the other end of the phone came the ultimatum from across the Atlantic, "Do you hear me? You lack the talent for performance; you should give up! If you do not understand the need to give up, then the next step will be for us to give up on you. Therefore, return to London and participate in the performance of 'Hamlet.' This is my concession and also your last chance. " If you do not understand the need to give up, then the next step will be for us to give up on you. Therefore, return to London and participate in the performance of 'Hamlet.' This is my concession and also your last chance.

It is too late, it is too late

What? 'Hamlet'? The eyes of Lan Li suddenly brightened. As one of Shakespeare's most famous four tragedies, this play certainly has a resounding reputation. If one could become a member of the fixed cast, it would undoubtedly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

The phone in the backpack continued to tirelessly think, as if the melody resembling a river of moonlight persistently called for Lan Li's favor. Raising his chin, he tidied his messy hair in the rearview mirror. The golden-brown, slightly curled short hair stubbornly stretched out freely, while his long fingers wove through the strands, making an effort to comb them in the same direction. After fastening all the buttons of his shirt, ensuring that his attire was without flaw, he finally let out a sigh of relief. Raising his chin, he tidied his messy hair in the rearview mirror. The golden-brown, slightly curled short hair stubbornly stretched out freely, while his long fingers wove through the strands, making an effort to comb them in the same direction. After fastening all the buttons of his shirt, ensuring that his attire was without flaw, he finally let out a sigh of relief

They have arranged everything meticulously, giving him three months to realize his dreams, after which he is expected to obediently return to the development trajectory they desire. This is what they call compromise, anticipating that he will joyfully accept it and then gratefully worship them.

This is my dream, Lan Li said slowly, as if he were a lighthouse in the midst of a storm, on the verge of being extinguished yet unyielding.

Perhaps, as George said, the ability to let go is a trait of the wise. However, does giving up on dreams and freedom equate to relinquishing life itself? In the previous life, he chose to follow the rules and adhere to convention; in this life, must he continue to repeat the same mistakes?

"Call me." A commanding voice came from beside me, approaching from a distance, and then that strong and steady voice conveyed, "You should know, this is your last chance"

At that moment, the phone suddenly rang, the melody of Bach's unaccompanied cello suites rich and melodious, flowing slowly in the golden sunlight. However, for Lan Li, it only added to his growing anxiety. He glanced at the phone, then tossed it directly into his backpack, casually picked up the keys from the television table by the door, grabbed the skateboard at the entrance, and quickly left the room, leaving only the sound of a "bang" as the wooden door buzzed and groaned in protest.

In a seemingly casual manner, one can belittle a person to the point of utter humiliation, even without using a single vulgar word, enough to make someone tremble with anger. However, for Lannister, he has long since become accustomed to all of this

Ha. In a fit of rage, he laughed bitterly, the low laughter rolling in George's throat. "Should I say you are naive or foolish? You should know that there are not a million people in the world who want to be actors, but at least eight hundred thousand. Yet how many of them can truly reach the pinnacle and achieve greatness? Five hundred? Or eight hundred? Everyone believes they are special, everyone thinks they are a genius, everyone considers themselves unique, but I tell you, they are not. How many can truly reach the pinnacle and achieve greatness? Five hundred? Or eight hundred? Everyone believes they are special, everyone thinks they are a genius, everyone considers themselves unique, but I tell you, they are not. They are not, and neither are you. There are not that many geniuses in the world, nor that many miracles; you are merely a fool lost in daydreams, with a chance of success equal to zero!

I see now