Landon drove his Ford SUV onto Royal Oak Drive, slowly pulling up in front of a traditional estate-style residence in the Encino neighborhood.
A female Agent, about the same age as Tracy and dressed in a sharp suit, was already waiting at the door. Holding a folder, she waved from a distance when she saw Tracy's car.
Tracy got out of the car, and the two greeted each other with a natural cheek kiss.
"Tracy! It's been so long!" The Agent let go of her, her eyes full of admiration. "My goodness, have you been getting treatments lately? You look radiant."
Tracy subconsciously touched her cheek—her skin was firm, with a healthy glow, and her ears warmed slightly.
She replied vaguely, "Maybe it's because I've been sleeping better lately."
Lucy didn't press further and turned to Landon and Rachel, flashing a professional yet friendly smile. "Hello, I'm Lucy, Tracy's friend and your house-hunting guide for today." She spoke at a steady pace with a gentle voice, naturally inspiring trust.
Landon shook hands with her, and Rachel also greeted her with a smile, "Nice to meet you."
This residence in Encino was indeed magnificent. In a classic estate style, the pure white exterior walls were contrasted by a dark roof, the front lawn was meticulously manicured, and tall oaks lined both sides of the driveway.
Lucy introduced the property as she led them inside:
"This house has five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and even a small tennis court in the backyard."
"The neighborhood is very quiet, mostly home to established families, and offers excellent privacy—by the way, Mel Gibson also lives in this community."
The interior space was open, with a high-ceilinged living room and floor-to-ceiling windows covering an entire wall, making the space bright and airy.
Dark solid wood furniture complemented beige fabrics, creating a steady and dignified style.
Rachel took a turn around the living room and whispered to Landon, "It's so big... I feel like there's an echo when I talk."
Landon felt the same.
Although the house was nice, it was too solemn, as if prepared for a successful middle-aged star with a large family; it didn't fit his current state of mind.
Lucy keenly noticed their hesitation and said at the right time, "That's okay, we have two other options. The next stop is Hollywood Hills, which has a completely different style."
The villa in Hollywood Hills was situated halfway up the mountain; the driveway was steep, and it took several turns to arrive.
The building featured a modern open design, using a lot of glass and steel with clean, sharp lines.
The most attractive feature was the balcony with an unbeatable mountain view—standing there, one could see most of Los Angeles. The city's silhouette was clear during the day, and at night, the lights would surely look like a galaxy of stars.
The interior was stylishly decorated with a color palette of black, white, and gray. The furniture was full of design flair, and the walls were adorned with several abstract paintings.
With three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, the space was utilized cleverly and efficiently.
Rachel leaned on the balcony railing, excitedly pointing into the distance. "You can see the Hollywood Sign from here! It feels so close!"
Landon also walked over; the wind blew by, carrying the scent of mountain vegetation.
The wide-open view made one feel refreshed.
But this house also had its issues.
The neighbors were very close; while the balcony was relatively private, the side windows offered a clear view of the neighbor's terrace.
Moreover, this neighborhood had a vibrant nightlife, so it might not be very quiet at night.
"The monthly rent is sixty-two hundred," Lucy added. "The value for money is actually quite good. Many young musicians and artists love living here; the atmosphere is free and lively."
Landon nodded without saying much.
He liked the view and the modern feel, but still felt it wasn't right: it was too trendy and lacked privacy.
The last stop was Sherman Oaks.
The neighborhood streets were wide and quiet, with neat and beautiful landscaping.
Before them was a newly built Spanish-style villa, with pale yellow walls and a red terracotta tile roof, and olive trees swaying gently in front of the door.
Lucy pushed open the door, and a bright atmosphere greeted them.
The living room ceiling wasn't as high as the one in Encino, but the lighting was excellent, with a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows facing the backyard.
The decor used warm beige and terracotta tones as a base. The wooden floors and arched doorways blended Mediterranean charm without feeling too much like a vacation home.
The four bedrooms each had their own closets, and the master bedroom connected to a small balcony.
In the open kitchen, matte white cabinets were paired with copper faucets, simple and comfortable.
But what moved Landon the most was the backyard.
Pushing open the glass door, there was first a tiled outdoor area with outdoor sofas and a dining table.
Landon thought he could practice Baguazhang here in the morning.
Further out was a deep blue swimming pool, shimmering in the sunlight.
Landon was already imagining the scene of the three of them swimming in the pool.
Next to the pool was a small lawn, with lemon trees and lavender planted in the corners.
The entire backyard was enclosed by high wooden fences covered in vines, private and peaceful.
Rachel had already run to the edge of the pool and squatted down, reaching out to gently flick the water. "It's heated!"
Tracy also walked onto the lawn and looked back at Landon with a slight smile. "You can sunbathe here."
Landon stood quietly, gazing at the space.
The area wasn't spacious, but it was enough;
The decor wasn't luxurious, but it was comfortable everywhere.
A pool, a lawn, and complete privacy—it was like a small oasis. Once the door was closed, it would be temporarily isolated from the chaotic world outside.
"The monthly rent is eighty-five hundred," Lucy's voice chimed in at the right moment.
"It includes gardening and pool maintenance. The neighborhood security is very good, it's not far from the studios and downtown, and transportation is convenient."
Landon looked at Tracy and Rachel. Tracy nodded slightly, while Rachel's eyes asked, "Is this it?"
Without much hesitation, he said to Lucy, "Let's go with this one."
The signing process went smoothly.
Lucy had all the documents prepared. After Tracy, in her capacity as an Agent, confirmed the terms were correct, Landon signed his name.
Although the deposit plus the first month's rent was a significant expense, with the advertising income from Delmont, the portion of the salary already received from 24 hours, and the payment for the Marie Claire shoot, it was enough to cover it.
Landon's Delmont advertising fees included a $3,500 filming fee and an endorsement fee for one season.
As a newcomer, Landon's initial endorsement fee, after Tracy's negotiations, reached the cap of $20,000. If the first season's ads were well-received, he could earn $50,000 to $150,000 for the following three seasons. Therefore, he had actually received $23,500 so far. Rachel received $3,500 for the shoot and a $10,000 endorsement fee for the first season.
The one-time $50,000 filming allowance from Marie Claire had already arrived.
The salary for the role of Charles in A Beautiful Mind was $120,000, and the first signing fee of 15%, which is $18,000, had been collected.
The salary for 24 hours was even more substantial: $50,000 per episode. The role of Tony spanned 22 episodes, for a total salary of $1.1 million. The first signing fee of 15%, which is $165,000, had arrived, and the second installment was about to be paid.
Of course, all income still had to be deducted for the 10% WMA agency fee, 5% manager fee, 5% legal fees, and other miscellaneous expenses; annual tax filing was also a major expenditure.
Stepping out of the real estate Agent's office, it was still early. The three returned to the car, and for a moment, no one spoke.
Finally, Rachel broke the silence, her voice full of excitement. "So, are we moving soon?"
"Yeah," Landon started the car. "We don't have much stuff, so packing should be quick."
Sitting in the passenger seat and watching the street scenery flow by, Tracy said softly, "This is good. That apartment... was indeed too small."
She didn't look at Landon when she said this, but he could hear the sense of relief.
It wasn't just the spatial confinement; perhaps there was also a certain psychological tightness.