Laila's ice-blue eyes appeared especially clear in the sunlight, particularly when she wore a serious expression. They exuded an aura of purity and flawlessness. It was hard for anyone not to be captivated by those eyes. Even the person talking to her couldn't escape their allure. As he gazed into her eyes, he found that many words seemed to be stuck in his throat.
If Roy knew what was going on in this person's mind, he'd probably be rolling on the ground in laughter. Pure and flawless? More like an emotionless coldness, if anything.
Laila maintained her steady gaze and asked earnestly, "Do you think I have talent? Then why do you believe my talent lies in making horror films?"
"Of course, because you've created several classic horror films!" blurted out the young man across from her. He immediately regretted his words, realizing his tone might have been too brash. He should have presented his viewpoint more gently and delicately.
Laila glanced at the others behind him. "Is that what you all think too?"
"Absolutely!" "Yes, that's right!" The people behind him nodded in agreement.
Laila's gaze flickered, and a misty layer formed in her clear ice-blue eyes. "Why then do you also believe I wouldn't do well with other types of films?"
"Because…"
Because she hadn't yet made a film that demonstrated her ability to excel in other genres.
However, the fans gathered here couldn't bring themselves to say these words. Weren't they here precisely to prevent her from attempting different genres? The lone action film had yet to be released, and no one knew what it would turn out to be like, apart from critics predicting an abundance of flaws.
Laila looked at them, pressing on, "Because of what?"
The fans exchanged glances, feeling at a loss for words. It was the first young man who had spoken earlier who finally broke the silence, looking somewhat uneasy. "Perhaps we were a bit hasty in our judgment, making an unfair evaluation before seeing your action film. But please believe us, we just don't want to see you disappointed."
They didn't want to see her heartbroken over a failure. They believed she should only dwell in success and bask in everyone's praises.
"I know you're all looking out for me, and I appreciate that," Laila smiled, and her eyes brimmed with "sincerity." "How about we make a deal?"
"A deal?" Both the fans and the journalists leaned in, listening intently. Especially the journalists, who felt they were on the verge of witnessing a significant news event.
"Yes. Rush Hour is set to be released globally in September. If this movie fails to meet everyone's expectations, then I'll focus all my energy on making horror films in the future," Laila paused, surveying the expressions of everyone around her before continuing, "However, if its box office performance surpasses that of my horror films, then whenever I attempt different genres, I hope you'll continue to support me. Deal?"
Upon hearing her proposal, the fans were somewhat stunned.
"Are you suggesting that a martial arts action film would outperform your horror films in terms of box office?" Not only were the fans incredulous, but even the audience watching the live broadcast and those present were skeptical.
Laila's horror films had become progressively more compelling, and many critics and fans regarded her as a genius director born for horror. What was Rush Hour? It was a film that had already been written off as a flop and an overpriced toy by everyone, laden with elements that indicated a commercial failure, according to film critics' predictions.
From Laila's tone, it seemed like she believed that her upcoming film would fare better than her horror movies.
Come on! Even her worst horror film had raked in three hundred million globally, while an Eastern martial arts film would achieve the same.
"Perhaps we should give her a chance?" Finally, a fan spoke anxiously. Faced with Laila's "sincere" demeanor, they found it hard to firmly reject her.
"But is an action film the right choice?" Some still held reservations. Could their prodigy director endure the blow of failure?
Remember, even though she had made several high-grossing films, she was still a girl not even twenty years old. Such a girl, with a fragile body, could she recover her spirits after a movie failure?
The fans gathered to discuss, with some hoping she'd give it a try, while others insisted they couldn't bear the thought of her facing any potential failure. As these two viewpoints clashed, no conclusion was reached after a considerable time.
Due to the ongoing live broadcast on television, additional fans who had seen the news and were in the vicinity began to make their way over. Within half an hour of Laila's arrival at the company, the number of people outside the gates had increased from over two hundred to five hundred, making it nearly impossible to pass through.
This was still with the presence of the wall obstructing some people. If the wall were to be removed, the area adjacent to the small square outside could easily accommodate another thousand people. This was precisely why Laila had thought of tearing down the wall.
As Laila waited patiently for the fans to come to a decision, some people from within the company also rushed out.
Roy was in the company, undergoing training with the teachers. Initially, when he heard that fans were protesting outside, he hadn't taken it seriously. He knew Laila well enough to understand that persuading her was an almost impossible task. If they wanted her to change her mind, they'd have a better chance of expecting to see monsters running through the streets.
However, soon enough, someone came in to report that Laila had arrived at the company and was negotiating with the fans outside. That changed everything. Laila had slender arms and legs. What if she got jostled around? No matter how skilled the bodyguards were, they couldn't ensure her absolute safety amid a mob of hundreds.
So, he took several people who were training with him and headed for the main entrance, intending to lend Laila a hand. While other things might be uncertain, at least taking a few punches for her was manageable.
Yet, when he reached the gate, he found the situation was completely different from what he had anticipated. The chaos and jostling he had imagined were nowhere to be seen. There was no pushing or shoving, no altercations, and even the journalists who usually swarmed in, wielding blinding camera flashes, were quietly "observing" from behind.
"What's going on?" Roy was baffled. What happened to the protest they had heard about?
Finally, the growing fan crowd arrived at a decision.
"We're willing to make this deal with you." The first person who had spoken earlier, apparently regarded as their leader, stepped forward to negotiate with Laila.
"If Rush Hour outperforms your previous films at the box office, we won't prevent you from attempting any genre of film in the future, and we'll support you forever!"
Laila smiled, and her ice-blue eyes curved into a lovely arc with her smile. "Alright. I can also promise that if Rush Hour doesn't do as well as my previous films, I will exclusively make horror films for all of you in the future."
As she spoke, she extended her hand.
The person facing her hesitated for a moment as he looked at her fair hand, then with excitement, shook her hand.
This was Laila's hand! He was probably one of the first fans to shake hands with her, right? He looked around at the numerous envious, jealous, and resentful eyes fixed on him, feeling that this day was indeed worth the trip. He had come at just the right time!