America 1987

Chapter 30 Understanding Quentin

Actually, there are many idioms in the Eastern Continent that foreigners can understand, as long as they don't rigidly translate Chinese idioms word for word into English.

Once you learn to break down the context and choose the closest expression, foreigners will be able to understand the meaning.

Translating English into somewhat awkward Chinese and then subconsciously assuming that all foreigners speak in such a pedantic manner is called "translationese" or "stereotype," and it's unacceptable.

It's clearly the translators' lack of skill and the poor quality of the translation that misled most domestic readers, making them genuinely believe that foreigners speak in such an awkward way. As a result, when characters in foreign novels speak fluently and smoothly, readers actually feel that the author's writing style is not authentic enough, which is completely contrary to the truth!

So when David transmigrated here and heard that the way the people around him spoke wasn't much different from how they spoke in his previous life, he wasn't too surprised. He didn't deliberately try to imitate that awkward translator's accent; he spoke the same way he always had.

David wasn't wrong; Ghost was, in a way, one of Michael Ovitz's projects.

Moreover, judging from the results of the current test screenings, it is likely to be an important project, making him the perfect person to handle the Oscars' public relations.

It's definitely an advantage to transmigrate into the body of a second-generation character. Otherwise, all the tedious work before the movie's release would have kept him incredibly busy, so much so that he can now spare some time to handle another very important matter.

"Is the contract matter settled?"

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't be here, David."

Catherine picked up her cocktail, took a small sip, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

Los Angeles has a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. At the end of September, she was wearing autumn clothes in London, but here she had to switch to short sleeves, as if it were still summer.

The ice cubes in the glass, perfectly matching the outside temperature, clinked together with a crisp, pleasant sound, much like her mood at that moment: "I hope this job change is the right choice."

"Of course, I'm confident I can prove that to you," David Ovitz said with a smile, also holding a cocktail in his hand.

Catherine flew back to London to deal with her contract issues there.

Because her contract in West London hadn't expired yet, switching to CAA would be a bit complicated, which caused some delay.

However, it is quite common for British stage actors to move to Hollywood and switch agencies; the basic procedures are usually followed.

If I remember correctly, in the original timeline, Catherine only officially entered Hollywood in 1995.

At that time, Michael Ovitz had just left CAA for Disney, and there was a brief period of chaos in the upper management, so she did not sign with CAA and instead joined WMA, CAA's biggest competitor.

The current developments give David a secret sense of smug satisfaction, as if he is quietly changing history without anyone knowing.

“And Cathy,” David winked, mimicking her accent, “I must admit your London accent is excellent, but I remember you didn’t go to London until you were 15, didn’t you?”

"You just speak the local language wherever you go. It's a job requirement, and it doesn't have much to do with age."

Catherine frowned slightly and asked, "David, you're not suggesting I learn American-accented English again, are you?"

"Hmm?" Although somewhat surprised by the other's keen insight, David still casually teased, "Didn't you just say that yourself? How did it become my suggestion?"

"Since you want my advice, then I will give my advice."

If you have free time, you can learn more American English. While a London accent is also good, speaking it too much can limit you to specific roles, which isn't good for your future development.

David wasn't exaggerating. While a British accent has a unique charm and a "noble" label in Hollywood, speaking it too often can indeed limit one to roles in aristocratic or historical films.

Although he can arrange movies for the other party, he cannot control how accepting of accents are to North American audiences; American accents are still more popular.

Catherine was obviously aware of this, so she stopped discussing it and changed the subject.

"What day is it?"

“Yes,” Catherine leaned back slightly, her long, shapely legs stretching out from under the table, rubbing against his trouser leg as she smiled, “Otherwise, why did you invite me here for drinks now of all times after I came to Los Angeles? Wasn’t it to surprise me?”

"Oh...hehehe, you're right, I did buy the gift, but..."

"But what?"

"However, it might not be appropriate to take it out here."

Today is September 25th, Catherine's birthday. Westerners usually celebrate birthdays according to the Gregorian calendar.

David did indeed choose this time to celebrate her birthday, but...

"Is this it?" Catherine nudged a khaki leather bag on her left with her elbow.

"Yes, this is it," David said, crossing one leg to block the view of others. "But you'd better not just take it out so openly; it's a bit embarrassing for strangers to see it."

Catherine didn't say anything. She glanced back at the other guests, then slowly opened the bag with one hand. David's words had piqued her curiosity.

"I'll just keep quiet so no one can see." Catherine turned slightly to the side, resting her right elbow on the table and swirling an empty wine glass in her hand, as if she were having a pleasant conversation with her partner across from her. This way, it would be difficult for outsiders to see what she was doing with her left hand.

Catherine didn't think David would play the prank of putting a frog inside, so she confidently reached her left hand in to explore.

When she got a general outline, Catherine looked at the other person with some curiosity, before she could even ask a question.

David lowered his arm and grabbed her outstretched leg, pulling off her shiny patent leather pointed high heels. He then grasped her smooth foot, encased in flesh-colored stockings, and kneaded the strong joints within.

"Hey! Wait a minute, what are you doing?" Catherine quickly pulled the tablecloth draped over her thighs down further, completely covering her legs under the table.

"You've already touched it." David Ovitz moved forward slightly, his abdomen pressed completely against the edge of the table.

"Ugh," Catherine said, rubbing her forehead with her right hand, somewhat speechless, "Even if you were going to give me a pair of high heels, you didn't have to take them off for me right here, did you?"

"There's no time like the present,"

David leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "From an outsider's perspective, this scene looks like two young lovers whispering to each other, and it doesn't seem out of place at all."

"I was planning to give you this gift when I got back, but you're already asking to see it now."

Our spot is conveniently located in a corner, quite secluded, so you can change here. It's your own fault for being so impatient and asking, Cathy. Consider this punishment for your lack of patience.

He gently played with her toes, stroking her pink toenails through her stockings, while her raised leg blocked the view from outside.

"Okay, okay," Catherine leaned back, knowing she couldn't resist but might as well enjoy it. Under the cover of the tablecloth, her feet were completely given to the other person, soft and relaxed. "I'll let you touch them for a while. After all this talk, isn't it just a foot fetish? How come I never knew you had this fetish before?"

Anyway, since he had already admitted that she was his girlfriend when he introduced her to people at the premiere, there was nothing wrong with him touching her foot.

She wondered why he hadn't touched her since he had already admitted it. She was very confident in her beauty and even suspected his sexual orientation, wondering if he had only asked her to be a shield or something.