Chapter 40: Meeting Keanu Reeves—Is This the Real World?

Chapter 40: Meeting Keanu Reeves—Is This the Real World?

Qin Feng arrived at Warner Bros. for work. Here, the studio had prepared a private office for him as a director. Although it wasn't large, it was fully equipped: a big screen, a whiteboard on the wall, a task list on the desk, and a laptop. He was delighted. He had finally become an independent director for a major production—how could he not be happy?

He grabbed a rag to wipe the desk clean and tidied up the items on it. No sooner had he sat down than someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Loria, the assistant director, walked in. "Director Qin, there is something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead." There was a chair in the office, and Qin Feng gestured for her to sit.

"Of the four actors, three have already agreed, but Keanu Reeves has turned down our invitation."

"What? Keanu said no?!"

Qin Feng was stunned. The role was the lead! He had been so happy, only to find out that Keanu Reeves didn't even want to take the part. How could this be? He was "The One"—how could *The Matrix* exist without Keanu Reeves?

"Did he say why?"

"He said he has been feeling a bit exhausted lately and wants to clear his head."

"Huh? What kind of reason is that?" Qin Feng stood up. He realized he had raised his voice. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's fine."

*Knock, knock, knock...*

Someone else knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Asaph opened the door and walked in. "Oh, you're both here. Loria, I was just about to ask you, how is the casting going?"

"Keanu Reeves has declined the role."

"Oh, that’s a real shame." Asaph looked at Qin Feng, who was pacing, and advised, "Qin Feng, since he doesn't want to do it, let's keep looking. I have two other candidates: Brad Pitt and Val Kilmer."

"Manager Asaph," Qin Feng stopped pacing, his eyes shifting. "I believe that in terms of both temperament and physique, Keanu Reeves is truly the best choice to play Neo."

"I don't want to give up. Let me go talk to him myself."

"Rest assured, as long as he isn't fully booked, I will convince him!"

Asaph and Loria looked at each other and nodded.

***

The sun was shining bright.

San Diego. The West Coast Cancer Research Center.

Two figures emerged from the building. One was a staff member in a lab coat. The other was a man over forty, lean and gaunt—it was Keanu Reeves.

The staff member said, "Thank you so much, Mr. Reeves. Thank you for your continued support of our project. Your donations allow us to help so many more patients."

Keanu Reeves looked up at the sun and said softly, "It's nothing. It’s the least I can do. If you need anything, call me anytime."

"Thank you again. I wish you all the best. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye."

They shook hands. The staff member headed back inside.

Keanu Reeves walked down the steps, moving silently toward his motorcycle parked in the shade of a tree. He had short, unstyled hair, a razor-sharp face, and thick stubble, his eyes appearing exceptionally deep. He wore a dark-toned trench coat with dust caked on the hem. He didn't look like a Hollywood star; he looked more like a lone ranger.

Just as he was about to start his bike, someone called out from behind him.

"Mr. Keanu Reeves."

He paused and turned around. Qin Feng walked out from behind him.

"Who are you?"

"Mr. Reeves, my name is Qin Feng. I am a film director." He handed over a business card; he hadn't had time to print new ones, so he was still using his old Universal Pictures card.

Keanu Reeves glanced at the card and then at Qin Feng. "Do you need something? I'm not taking any roles lately."

*Not taking roles?* Qin Feng thought to himself. *That won't do, my savior.*

"Ahem... Mr. Reeves, I'd like to talk to you."

"I came all the way from Los Angeles to invite you. My entire crew is eagerly waiting for you. I hope you can give me some of your time." Qin Feng's tone was sincere.

"I'm sorry, director." Keanu Reeves waved his hand and turned away. "Maybe after some time has passed, I'll be in a better place. We can talk then."

Qin Feng felt a surge of anxiety. He looked back at the cancer research center and suddenly remembered something. He called out:

"Mr. Keanu! Please allow me to call you that! Regarding your sister—she will definitely get better!"

In Qin Feng's memory banks, there was information about Keanu Reeves. He had lived a life of hardship, with many close friends and family members passing away. His only remaining close relative was his sister, who had been suffering from leukemia for years.

Keanu Reeves' shoulders trembled slightly. After a long silence, his deep voice returned. "Who are you? How do you know that?"

Watching his back, Qin Feng felt a sudden, inexplicable sadness. Who would have thought that a popular Hollywood star would live his life like a wandering nomad and a philanthropist?

"Mr. Keanu, please give me a chance."

"And give your heart a chance, too."

***

On a park bench.

The area was sparsely populated; the chirping of birds could be heard from the trees. A trash can stood two meters away. The two handsome men, Keanu Reeves and Qin Feng, sat on the bench.

Qin Feng glanced at his surroundings. There was dog waste in the grass nearby. He hadn't expected to discuss such an important matter in a place like this.

"Go ahead," Keanu Reeves said, looking at him.

"Ahem... My name is Qin Feng. I'm actually a director at Warner Bros. Someone from our side contacted you yesterday. You remember, right?"

"Yes, I remember."

"I have a film—a sci-fi action movie. I want you to be the lead. I hope you will consider it carefully, Mr. Keanu."

Keanu Reeves rubbed his temples. "I'm not in the right state of mind lately. I need to clear my head."

"Clear your head?" Qin Feng was startled. "Are you religious?"

He nodded. "I believe in Buddhism. Only Buddhism allows me to feel peace, maintain my inner self, and seek my own value. Besides, I once played Prince Siddhartha in *Little Buddha*."

Qin Feng looked thoughtful. "No wonder..."

"No, Mr. Keanu, listen to me. This movie is very important to both of us. Could you please agree to join the cast first? You can put your Buddhist practices on hold for a while and deal with that after we finish filming."

Keanu Reeves smiled faintly. "You have a very interesting way of speaking."

"The interesting part is yet to come." Qin Feng looked into his eyes. "Mr. Keanu, let me ask you a question."

"Ask away."

"Do you think the world we live in is the real world? Or could there be a higher dimension observing us?"

Keanu Reeves pondered for a long while. "I believe this is the real world."

"I also believe there might be a higher-dimensional world."

"But I'm not sure if it can observe us."

Qin Feng nodded and continued to ask:

"If I told you that this is just a virtual world, and that only I can lead you back to the real world..."

"If that place truly exists... would you be willing to go?"