"Hello." Hearing that familiar and friendly voice calling her name, Laila almost felt tempted to throw her phone out. At this moment, she really wanted to hug her phone and give it a few enthusiastic kisses. It was so fortunate that they exchanged contact information yesterday!
"I sincerely apologize for not noticing the presence of reporters yesterday," Leslie Cheung expressed his apologies genuinely. He thought that since she came here without notice, she probably didn't want to attract too much trouble. However, after this news came out, he believed that many people would now be aware of her presence.
The main reason was that she had just swept the Oscars with her film this year, creating an impressive record of Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Picture. In this situation, many entertainment industry stars who wanted to establish a connection with her were popping up like mushrooms. Even those who didn't care about the entertainment industry would now be aware of her presence amid the intense coverage.
People in the Hollywood entertainment circle, especially those following closely, knew that Laila was preparing an adaptation of a literary work. With her talent and box office appeal, as long as she didn't make a foolish decision, there would likely be a heavyweight box office bomb when the movie premiered.
Even some A-list Hollywood stars were inquiring about suitable roles for her. This indicated how promising the prospects of this film were. Originally, it had nothing to do with the Asian film industry, and nobody would have thought that an individual could break into such a powerful film. But who made Laila come to Hong Kong? This left local actors and celebrities unable to resist.
They heard that this director liked to use newcomers and was relatively friendly to Asians.
Great! They were Asians! If they could establish a connection, could they possibly snag a role in the movie?
Leslie Cheung was unaware of this initially because his phone had broken yesterday. So, he had a lucky morning without disturbance, able to sleep in.
However, his manager, Chen Shufen, was different. She knew far more people than he did, knowing many more phone numbers. In their line of work, having connections made everything much easier. But at the same time, when the news of the four of them having dinner together yesterday evening broke, her phone immediately blew up.
Those who were somewhat acquainted asked her discreetly about Laila's purpose in coming to Hong Kong and whether they were discussing any collaborations. Those closer to her were more direct, asking, "What's our relationship? Quickly tell me, is your Leslie Cheung going to Hollywood to film a movie?"
Chen Shufen was dumbfounded by the incessant calls. What Hollywood? What movie? Yesterday, she and Leslie Cheung "chatted" until very late, trying to dispel his suicidal thoughts, and when she opened her eyes, the world became unrecognizable.
She really wanted to say, "No, really, no!" The problem was no one believed her. In the end, she simply stopped explaining, letting those people guess as they pleased. At the same time, she was secretly shedding tears. If Leslie was really noticed by that director and taken to Hollywood, she would have eagerly publicized it to the world. How could she stay so calm?
To avoid being disturbed by successive phone calls, she reluctantly had to shut down her phone and hide at Leslie Cheung's place. Unexpectedly, she thought everyone's phones must be ringing off the hook, preventing them from sleeping, but a certain someone was sleeping soundly. Now that she realized his phone fell from upstairs yesterday and was currently turned off, she wondered how others would find him even if they wanted to.
If only she had known, she would have broken her phone yesterday as well.
Unfortunately, these things could only be wishful thinking. She still had to do what needed to be done.
Leslie Cheung received external news from Chen Shufen, knowing that after their dinner was exposed by entertainment magazines and newspapers, he made this call to Laila.
"No need for apologies. How about you treat me to lunch? I haven't tasted authentic Hong Kong cuisine since I arrived." Seizing the opportunity, Laila found another chance to have a meal with her idol and joyfully hugged her phone, resting her head on Roy's lap.
"Well, that's not a problem. I'll go make a reservation shortly. However, with this, I'm afraid the story between us won't be about you discussing a role with me but about me confirming to go to Hollywood with you." Leslie Cheung was well aware of the imagination of the paparazzi. He didn't care much, but he didn't want Laila to be affected, making her impression of Hong Kong turn sour.
Upon hearing this, Chen Shufen, supporting her forehead, looked as if she was about to faint. How could he talk to Director Moran like that? If it continued like this, they might end up severing ties to the point where collaboration was impossible. Should she say he was pure and kind or straightforward? She wished he could have a bit more tact in this situation!
Laila, however, found it amusing. "If Mr. Leslie is willing, I would be happy to take you to Hollywood. Just a role, many in my new movie haven't had confirmed actors yet. If you're interested, feel free to pick."
Even Leslie Cheung's calm demeanor raised an eyebrow at this statement before he chuckled lightly. "I'll go make the reservation now and let you know afterward."
After getting a response, he hung up. Turning around, he saw Chen Shufen staring at him as if she had seen a ghost.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
"What did Director Moran say just now?" She stammered, almost unable to articulate her words. She was confident in her hearing, but those words just now sounded like a hallucination. A Hollywood director, nominated for the Oscars, casually giving away a role and allowing him to choose freely?
This treatment hadn't been seen in the East for decades... no, since the advent of film worldwide! But he got it! A once-inaccessible opportunity that others couldn't even dream of fell into his lap so casually!
This world is too surreal!
Just with this sentence, she dared to say that Leslie Cheung was the number one among Eastern actors!
Leslie Cheung looked at her and smiled. "You heard correctly."
Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, Chen Shufen, who had been infected by his steadiness, gradually calmed down from her excitement. She was not an impulsive person, but this news brought her too much shock. Now that she had regained her composure, she couldn't help but sigh softly.