Chapter 63

On December 22nd, a Monday, it was the last school day before Harvard-Westlake's winter break, which would run from the 23rd to January 5th of the following year, a two-week period that included Christmas and New Year's Day.

After being away from campus for several days, Ye Wei returned today with over a hundred DVDs, not as a pirate disc vendor, but all the DVDs were copies of "Dance of the Angels," containing the 13-minute main film plus some selected behind-the-scenes footage.

Every member of the Dream Alliance and the faculty members who had contributed, including the old principal, would receive one!

After the morning school assembly, the first-floor storage room of the Academic Center was bustling with activity. Members who had received text messages and came to collect their copies during X time almost filled the room, each one extremely excited. Lev was about to turn on the TV.

"Let's screen Brother Wei's groundbreaking work right now!"

"Cool!" "Awesome!" Everyone couldn't wait to watch it.

"Wait, not today," Ye Wei stopped them, smiling at their surprised faces. "You know, Lamor-Willis agreed to help, and Bruce Willis will see this short film! It should be before Christmas, but the exact time hasn't been set yet. Once it's confirmed, we'll watch it together, like a movie premiere. Isn't that great?"

"Of course, you can watch it first if you want. I understand your eagerness. You can watch it again later, ha-ha, it's fine to watch a classic multiple times."

The young people found it both interesting and anxious. Lev exclaimed loudly, "Heaven, Brother Wei, how could you come up with such a cool idea? But I'm afraid I'll die of anticipation before the synchronized viewing!"

Not just him, many were so anxious they were scratching their heads. Heaven!

Lily smiled, feeling she could understand him. It was a sacred ritual. She nodded, "Okay, I'll watch it synchronized, and I'll invite my family to watch it together."

"I will too, it's a great idea," Trisst also supported.

With the two beauties speaking, the boys dared not object, though the DVDs in their hands were more tempting than a disc containing Angelina Jolie's sex tape...

So anxious! VIY is really torturing us!

"Will it be on Christmas Eve?" Bud asked, "We watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' every Christmas Eve, I'm so sick of it."

His words resonated with everyone. Many families watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' every year. This year, let's watch 'Dance of the Angels'!

Ye Wei replied, "Not sure yet, I'll text everyone as soon as it's confirmed." He smiled, "Remember, don't leak it!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, but a few secretly planned to watch it as soon as they got home, and then watch it again later, hehe!

...

Around 2 PM that afternoon, Ye Wei and Lily were strolling by the school's soccer field, chatting.

"Last week, the second soccer team lost 0-3 to Agoura High without you. I watched for a bit, they played terribly. Coach Carioni was so angry he kicked the water bottles several times."

"I know, losing to Agoura, those guys really let us down, sigh! Last year we beat them 5-1, now they can boast about their revenge."

"Then you should lead the team to win back next year."

"I'm not sure. Once I start filming, it's really busy. You know, I've been neglecting my family lately, going out early and coming back late. My mom said Dodo said 'Brother is gone!' Oh, that little sweetie, she can't go a day without her brother."

Suddenly, Ye Wei's phone vibrated. He quickly took it out and his eyes lit up, "It's Lamor!"

"Hi, Lamor, any good news?" He asked with a smile, his heart racing. Lily, standing beside him, also looked very excited.

"The old man agreed to watch it, but it has to be on Christmas Eve. He's in Las Vegas now and can't watch it. When can you give me the DVD?"

"Great, Iha!" Ye Wei cheered, Lily sighed in relief and smiled. He continued, "After school, where?"

"By the school gate. There's one more thing, it's up to you. On Christmas Eve, our family will be at the Caesar's Palace in Vegas. Around 8:00 PM, we'll leave our suite to play, and that's when we'll watch the short film, 10 minutes, right? I told the old man you'd be there to watch it with us and then leave. His reaction wasn't intense, didn't say yes or no, so you can come and see how it goes, okay?"

"Of course, I'll go, I'll go!" Ye Wei was overjoyed, "This is a rare opportunity, Lamor, thank you!"

"Sure, be prepared, like last time, you did well then."

"Sure, I will."

After the call, Ye Wei immediately shared the good news with Lily, "This is great, if Willis likes the short film, I can explain and persuade him, it's great."

"Lamor really surprises us," Lily was also very happy, but then frowned, "But on Christmas Eve, you won't be with your family, right?"

Ye Wei was taken aback, it seemed so, his feelings were mixed, but he smiled, "It's fine, Christmas isn't a major holiday for us, we have Chinese New Year. So it's fine, I'll go to Vegas on the 24th and come back on Christmas, we can still celebrate together."

Lily looked encouraging, "Wei, you'll definitely succeed! Go and win it!"

"Yes, sir, this is the biggest stage of my life so far!"

...

With the "release time" confirmed, Ye Wei immediately sent a group text: "Christmas Eve at 8:00 PM, we'll watch 'Dance of the Angels' synchronized with Willis!"

Everyone who received the text was thrilled. Willis, Hollywood superstar! Willis, Hollywood superstar!

After school, Ye Wei smoothly handed over 20 DVDs to Lamor. There were two reasons for giving so many: one was to prevent damage or loss, and the other was to hope she would distribute them, giving one to any big shots she met, saying a few good words, "This is a short film by a very talented young man, he's looking for opportunities."

Often, opportunities are created this way. If not for the tight schedule, he would have given her 200.

Additionally, he had already given copies to the Anna family and Ms. June, who all thought it was excellent. They were waiting for "It's All Because of Daisy" to be watched, which Ms. June said could happen around Christmas.

He also sent copies to Lawyer Salton, Michael Arndt, and others, taking care of everyone.

That day after school, the winter break officially began.

Not many of the wealthy students at Harvard-Westlake would stay in Los Angeles for the holidays; their families had already made vacation plans. So that night, the DVDs of "Dance of the Angels" appeared in dozens of planes, flying with their owners to various places across the United States, and even to Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Lily also took a specially made DVD with Ye Wei's autograph and a special thank you, flying to New York with her mother, Tawman.

Meanwhile, in the darkened Brentwood, the Ye family's house was still brightly lit.

Ye Haogen and Gu Qiao had already learned about Ye Wei's Vegas trip and naturally supported it. In the past, they would have flown the whole family to Vegas for Christmas, enjoying a few days there. But not this year, even driving there, they couldn't afford the expenses, so Vegas wasn't a good choice.

So Ye Wei booked a flight for 4:00 PM on the 24th. He had initially thought of taking a Greyhound bus, but his parents scolded him when he mentioned it. How much cheaper could it be? A hundred dollars? That's not how to save money!

He thought about it and realized that taking a 7-8 hour bus ride would make him look disheveled for meeting important people, so he chose the plane.

Back in his room, Ye Wei started packing early. The most important items were the various documents and materials for "Dance of the Angels." Who knew if there would be a chance for Willis to see them? Better to bring them just in case.

"Brother, brother!" Suddenly, Dodo rushed in, Totot following closely behind, "What big meal will we have on Christmas Eve?" Her little face was full of anticipation.

"You eat, I have to go to Las Vegas on Christmas Eve," Ye Wei flipped through a stack of storyboards and put them in his black suitcase, "There's an opportunity for me there."

Dodo didn't understand, pouting unhappily, following him around, "Can I go with you?"

"No, it's work-related," Ye Wei smiled, patting her head, "Not for fun."

"But Christmas Eve is for not working, sitting together with the family, eating, chatting, and watching TV, right?" Dodo's eyes misted over, why did her brother have to work that day?

"Yes, you're right, but this time it's special..." Ye Wei suddenly slapped his forehead, silly, why explain this to a child? He laughed, "Okay, you caught me, I'm actually going on a date with a girl, I can't bring you."

"Is it Lily?" Dodo's expression changed, looking quite panicked.

"Yes, it's her."

"Is she going to take you away?" Dodo suddenly sobbed, Totot's tail drooping, his ears turning to the side.

Ye Wei couldn't help but laugh, putting down his documents, he picked her up, pinching her chubby cheeks, "Little sweetie, no one can take me away, I'll always be your brother, always protecting you! I'll be back on Christmas, with gifts!"

"What gifts?" Dodo blinked her big eyes.

"I haven't bought them yet!" Ye Wei looked at her, feeling guilty, and decided, "Tomorrow, I'll spend the whole day with you and Totot! We'll go to the Getty Center!"

"Okay!" Dodo nodded, smiling, but still a bit unhappy, Christmas Eve should be spent with the family...

...

The 23rd passed happily, and the calendar flipped to December 24th, the day before Christmas.

Just after noon, Ye Wei prepared to head to Los Angeles International Airport.

Although he would likely return home the next day, Gu Qiao had carefully packed a suitcase of clothes and daily necessities for him, and had already reminded him countless times. As he was about to leave, she said again, "Las Vegas is colder than Los Angeles, especially at night. Remember to dress warmly, don't catch a cold."

"Okay, okay!" Ye Wei waved his hand, seemingly impatient, but feeling warm inside. After saying goodbye to his mother, Dodo, and Totot, he got into his father's Volkswagen SUV, waving to his family through the window, "Merry Christmas!"

"Safe travels!" Gu Qiao said, Dodo shouted, "Brother, come back soon!" Totot wagged his tail excitedly, making a low sound.

With a reluctant farewell, the SUV started moving.

On the way, Ye Haogen was somewhat silent, and Ye Wei, lost in thought, didn't speak much either.

It wasn't until nearly an hour later, when they could see the vast, open airport, that Ye Haogen suddenly said, "Son, I'm so proud! I thought of many things to encourage you, but I was afraid of putting pressure on you. Not saying them, I was even more afraid you'd feel pressured. Just remember, you're already amazing, we're all very proud, so don't worry about success or failure."

"Old man, I'm fine," Ye Wei smiled from the back seat, "I really am, I feel full of energy!"

"Wei, you really make us proud..." Ye Haogen said softly.

As the car slowly pulled up to the bustling terminal, the two got out, taking out the two suitcases. Ye Wei was about to head into the crowded building.

"Son!" Ye Haogen called him, taking out a stack of dollars from his pocket and handing them to his son, "Here's a thousand dollars, take it. When you come back, I don't want to see it again, got it? There's so much to do in Las Vegas, spend it!"

"Wow..." Ye Wei exclaimed, looking at the money, then at his father, pretending to be shocked, "Are you encouraging me to hire a prostitute?"

"Brat!" Ye Haogen playfully hit his head, "I mean gambling!"

"Dad, I'm not interested in gambling. Instead of waiting for luck to come to you, it's better to go after luck yourself," Ye Wei laughed, but took the thousand dollars because he knew his father would be upset if he refused. However, he didn't plan to spend it recklessly, "Don't worry, I'll hire a pretty tour guide."

"Ha-ha, brat, you choose!"

Ye Wei hugged his father, then dragged the two suitcases toward the busy terminal, his gaze determined.

Las Vegas, opportunity, here I come!