Chapter 0008: Tracking the Suspicion

Given Steven's significant position in the industry, it is natural that he has witnessed countless grand occasions, and it is not surprising that he is followed by fans. It is also common for auditioning actors to go to great lengths to secure a role. Therefore, he did not panic; instead, he forcefully threw the menu onto the table and began to scold loudly

Blair's lively and animated introduction brought a satisfied smile to Tom's face, yet Steven, sitting beside him, remained expressionless. "However, if you don't mind dining while enjoying the performance, the creamy truffle pasta would be a good choice. I heard this morning at work that the French black truffles we ordered arrived today." Steven looked up and saw Blair's polite and gentle smile, clearly indicating that these words were directed at him.

It depends on your preferences. Blake pretended not to see anything and continued, "If you want to focus on watching the performance, I would recommend some simple food, such as the submarine sandwich made by our chef Jack, which is the best in all of New York, paired with some French fries and Munich dark beer, this evening will be very pleasant"

"Pfft." Tom showed no regard for Steven, bursting into laughter and breaking the brief stalemate. He then patted Steven's shoulder firmly, though it was unclear whether this gesture was meant to be comforting or mocking. "No, no need for that," Tom waved his hand dismissively at Blair, rejecting his suggestion. "We just want to find a place to have dinner. Woody Allen recommended this bar, saying that there are different styles of performances every night"

Noticing Steven's gradually stiffening facial expression, Lan Li pointed towards the bar behind him and politely said, "Do you need me to notify the manager?"

However, at this moment, the back of the bar was in complete disarray. Lan Li placed the beer glasses he had just collected into the washing sink when he heard a series of urgent shouts, "Help..." Turning his head, he saw Neil's anxious expression, drenched in sweat. "Lan Li, help! Where have you been? We have been searching for you in every corner of the bar." Before Lan Li could respond, Neil directly dragged him outside, continuing to exclaim, "Help! We need you! I mean, right now, at this moment, immediately!" "Lan Li, help! Where have you been? We have been searching for you in every corner of the bar." Before Lan Li could respond, Neil directly dragged him outside, continuing to exclaim, "Help! We need you! I mean, right now, at this moment, immediately!"

"A serving of creamy truffle pasta... then..." Steven did not notice Tom's momentary pause. He lifted his head from the menu, began to place his order, and then he saw Blair standing in front of him. Words caught in his throat, and the continuation of his order vanished. "Why are you here?" Steven reflexively questioned, his expression darkening, his brows tightly knitted together. "You must understand that your behavior is of no benefit to the audition, and moreover, stalking has never been a behavior worth encouraging."

The renowned live performances at this bar truly live up to their reputation; the performers are not just ordinary resident singers, but genuine music enthusiasts. Their professionalism in performance rivals that of concerts attended by tens of thousands, and even the opening acts have elicited enthusiastic applause from the audience. It is no wonder that even a well-known singer like Jason is willing to come and perform here

Subsequently, Lannister took the red wine again, opened the bottle on site, and after Steven tasted it and nodded in confirmation, he filled the glasses for the two guests before turning to leave

As night deepens, the occupancy rate of Pioneer Village has quickly reached 90%, which is indeed quite rare for a Thursday night

Tom chuckled lightly and said, "Steven, what do you think?"

Lannery, however, did not continue to pay attention to Steven, but turned to Tom and skillfully began the introduction, "Tonight is the folk music performance, Jason Mraz will present a thirty-minute show, and additionally, a local independent folk singer from Harlan County will perform the opening act. The performance will also..." Lannery glanced at the clock on the stage, "Twenty-five minutes until it begins." The performance will also... Lannery glanced at the clock on the stage, "Twenty-five minutes until it begins."

Hearing the voice of the waiter greeting him, Tom raised his head and opened his mouth, but the words that were about to come out were stuck on the tip of his tongue. Clearly, he had not anticipated such an unexpected encounter. For a moment, Tom did not know what to say, and before he could speak, a broad smile spread across his face.

Lannery approached table 14, wearing a smile, and the familiar words instinctively slipped from his lips, "Good evening..." However, upon seeing Tom and Steven before him—familiar faces he had encountered merely three hours earlier at the theater—this coincidence was indeed too unexpected, causing Lannery's words to momentarily falter. His smile took on a hint of amusement and intrigue, with a flurry of questions swirling in his mind. Nevertheless, he completed his habitual greeting, "May I assist you in any way?"

Lan Li politely bowed slightly and said, "I will go through the reference recommendations from the professionals." This humorous remark made Tom laugh heartily, and even Steven's lips couldn't help but relax a little.

This left Steven somewhat embarrassed. He is a big shot in the industry, yet he is petty and calculating, even falling short of a novice actor who has just entered the field

This truly made Steven regard Lannister with newfound respect

Lan Li felt indifferent; his life in this world had been shaped by an elite education from a young age, and red wine was merely a fundamental aspect of that experience. Selecting red wine was not a difficult task for him. Nevertheless, Lan Li accepted the compliments, smiling as he lowered his chin, "I hope you enjoy it"

Lannister did not get angry but instead smiled, placing the menu back into the apron in front of him. "Mr. Spielberg, I believe you have misunderstood; this is my workplace. If you have any complaints about my service, please direct them to my immediate supervisor." His tone was neither servile nor overbearing, yet it carried a hint of sarcasm, especially given the dynamic of one party standing and the other sitting, which further emphasized Lannister's height advantage.

In addition, today's chef's special is red wine braised lamb chops. Jack told me that he is feeling very good today. The lively introduction by Lan Li not only brought a smile but also whetted the appetite.

Raising the glass of red wine in his hand, Steven couldn't help but take another sip. He had to admit that after a busy day at work, a little bit of alcohol indeed made one feel much more relaxed

Steven carefully examined the label of the red wine, raising an eyebrow in surprise. To his astonishment, Blue's choice was striking—Barolo, a red wine from Italy, often regarded as the greatest wine of Italy. Due to its strong tannins, Barolo requires food of equal substance, particularly pairing well with robust meats and pasta. The interplay between the alcohol and the food creates a perfect harmony, truly a match made in heaven. Often hailed as Italy's greatest wine, Barolo's strong tannins necessitate pairing with equally substantial food, especially robust meats and pasta, where the alcohol and food will complement each other beautifully, a veritable match made in heaven.

At this moment, Steven gradually returned to his usual demeanor, after all, he was experienced enough. "Please give me a serving of creamy truffle pasta." His words carried a hint of politeness and respect, which could be seen as an indirect expression of apology to Lan Li.

Sitting beside him, Steven wore a somewhat unpleasant expression. Having navigated Hollywood for over twenty years, Steven is now an authoritative figure who commands respect. He is accustomed to being in a position of power and giving orders. Upon seeing Lan Li, his first reaction naturally led him to think of the audition this afternoon—an audition that had sparked a dispute between him and Tom. However, he did not expect to find himself in such an embarrassing mix-up.

"Then I will have the red wine braised lamb chops," Tom immediately decided, handing the menu on the table to Blair. "Also, please select a bottle of red wine to pair with it, thank you." Noticing that Blair paused for a moment, Tom added, "We trust your choice, after all, your introduction just now determined our dinner menu."

Before long, Lan Li brought the red wine over and first handed the bottle to Steven

Steven rolled his eyes and said, "I still maintain my original viewpoint. Who knows if this bottle of red wine was chosen by the bartender?" Tom understood that Steven's statement was merely a defense, not only regarding the red wine but also concerning the professionalism and composure displayed by Blue礼 throughout the entire process. That kind of demeanor is irreplaceable. However, Tom wisely chose not to press further, simply shrugging it off and moving on.

Steven lowered his head to browse the menu, while Tom was laughing and saying, "The food here isn't the most famous; didn't Woody make that clear when he recommended it?" Their intimate and casual demeanor showed no trace of the intense argument that had occurred between the two during the audition process.

"Wow, that sounds great," Tom exclaimed, completely disregarding Steven. "So, do you have any recommendations for dinner? I know that in Greenwich Village's bars and restaurants, there are always countless delicacies to be found, but for us outsiders, we are utterly clueless."

Tracking

The atmosphere in the bar became increasingly heated, with the audience immersed in the performance as if entranced. As time progressed, anticipation for Jason's appearance grew among the people, and the night gradually transformed into a vibrant spectacle.

Generally speaking, selecting red wine in a fine dining restaurant is a test of one's quality and cultivation, especially valued in high society. The choice varies depending on the occasion, the cuisine, the company, and the atmosphere. The bottle of red wine chosen by Lan Li is moderately priced, appropriately serves its purpose, and is impeccable.

Tom leaned in closer, examining carefully, and a glimmer of appreciation shone in his eyes as he lifted his head to look at Lan Li, "An excellent choice"

Turning his head, Steven saw Tom's triumphant smile. "What about now? How do you feel now?" The implication of his words was: how about having Lannister play Eugene?

Gazing at the departing figure of Lan Li, Steven appeared contemplative. The character of Eugene, being from a middle-class background, and one could even say an elite class, possesses an elegance that is deeply ingrained in his essence, making it a crucial component of the character. In contrast, Joseph lacks this quality.

Tom's wit and humor seemed to be constantly teasing Steven, and through the corner of his eye, Blake could even see Steven's face, which looked as if it had been scorched like the bottom of a pot. Steven shot a fierce glare at Tom, but Tom completely ignored it, which was indeed quite amusing