721-725

Chapter 721: Duties at Hand

With a small act of defiance, Annie raised her doll-like face slightly, her lips curving into a playful grin as she looked at Anson. The mischievous smile, however, gradually faded under Anson’s calm gaze, and a hint of nervousness flickered in her eyes.

Annie hadn’t expected Anson to respond without words, his dignified and composed manner throwing her off balance.

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Just as Annie’s gaze wavered and she was about to look away, Anson finally spoke.

“Oh, thanks for the compliment. You paid such close attention, not missing a single detail.”

But somehow, she missed Anson himself. Was this a case of “hiding in plain sight”?

A blush crept onto Annie’s cheeks.

In the end, she couldn’t control herself and averted her eyes.

Uh-oh!

Annie immediately realized she had lost the upper hand. Summoning her courage, she lifted her gaze back to Anson and asked, “Are you always this straightforward?”

Anson’s smile paused briefly, then he adopted a serious tone and replied, “That’s what I aim for. Though I know in Hollywood, being upfront isn’t easy—everything here is wrapped in a thin veil. But… I’m trying, at least with my friends.”

Annie was momentarily stunned.

One sincere remark was met with another, hitting her straight in the chest.

Then…

Anson’s smile widened again. “So, what brings you to San Francisco?”

Annie snapped out of her thoughts and, trying to hide her fluster, raised her voice a little. “Oh, the director wanted to talk to me about a possible sequel.”

The director?

“Garry Marshall?” Anson immediately made the connection.

Annie realized she hadn’t been clear and quickly nodded in confirmation. She spoke so smoothly, likely because it was Anson in front of her, that it felt like being transported back to the hectic days of working on The Princess Diaries.

“The movie performed better than expected, and Disney thinks a sequel would be a good idea. The director agrees, but there are still a few things to work out.”

Like the schedule.

Anson was a bit surprised—it was official business.

He pursed his lips and joked, “I haven’t heard anything about it until now, so I guess I’m going to disappear in the sequel.”

Annie’s initial reaction was a little panicked, but she quickly caught the glint in Anson’s eyes and realized it was probably another prank.

Annie scrunched up her nose and made a funny face. “I bet they just couldn’t get you. Between Spider-Man and Catch Me If You Can, everyone’s talking about how Anson Wood is the next member of the twenty-million-dollar club.”

Anson raised his hands in surrender. “Stop it! Any more praise and my face will swell up. It'll ruin my image.”

Annie couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

After composing herself, Annie turned serious. “The director probably wanted to talk to me first, since the project hasn’t officially started yet. My agent says there’s not even a script—everything’s just talk at this point. But I’m sure Disney really, really wants the sequel to happen, and the biggest reason is you. They’re dying to have you on board. Honestly, who in Hollywood doesn’t want you involved?”

Anson: “What about you?”

Annie: “...What?”

Anson: “Do you want me to?”

Annie’s cheeks flushed as she cleared her throat. “Of course, I’d love for you to join. Filming was really fun, wasn’t it? But it’s up to you.”

“I don’t have a problem with it,” Anson agreed without hesitation.

Annie was taken aback. “You’re sure?”

From a film perspective, the key to greenlighting The Princess Diaries 2 lay with Anne Hathaway, as she was the leading star. If she were replaced, the sequel would lose its core identity.

From a market standpoint, however, the most important elements for The Princess Diaries 2 were Anson and Julie Andrews. Their chemistry was crucial to the film’s success, and Anson’s involvement would be essential to ensuring the sequel’s continued success.

Especially Anson.

Even though his role in The Princess Diaries had been limited, he still managed to win over countless fans. But now, things were different—Anson had become a top-tier Hollywood superstar, with two huge blockbusters released in the same year. No one could rival his success.

Thus, securing Anson’s involvement was critical.

But there were also complications. First, his role would still be a supporting one, even if his screen time increased in the sequel. Would Anson be willing to play second to Anne Hathaway’s character, Mia?

Second, his pay. Given Anson’s newfound fame, his salary couldn’t be low, but a project like The Princess Diaries 2 wouldn’t have a massive budget. Balancing the finances would be tricky.

Producers might even consider dropping Anson. His star power could overshadow the lead, requiring script changes that might shift the film’s focus. Replacing Anson could give the creative team more flexibility.

But then again, no producer would easily decide to give up on Anson, especially given his red-hot status. And with him on board, Disney might even increase the budget.

Annie had her own thoughts when she heard about the sequel. She knew how important Anson’s involvement was and didn’t want to miss the chance to address it.

Now, hearing Anson’s enthusiastic and positive response, Annie couldn’t hide her surprise and delight.

She then caught the sincerity in his eyes.

It wasn’t just polite small talk.

A smile spread across her face as her eyes brightened. She stared intently at Anson, seeking confirmation.

Anson smiled back. “Of course. Why not?”

Annie shrugged lightly, motioning with her eyes to the busy crowd around them and the way they were sneaking around, hiding behind a fish tank. The message was clear.

“Hah.”

Anson laughed.

“Making movies can be about acting, making money, or getting famous. There are all kinds of reasons. And yes, it can also just be for fun.”

He gestured at the surroundings. “This… this is why I can afford to be a little selfish. I can make any movie I want now… right?” he said, drawing out the words with a hint of doubt.

Annie almost laughed but held back, her smile unmistakable in her eyes.

Anson chuckled as well. “We had a great time working on the first film. If we get the chance to do the sequel, I can’t think of a reason to say no.”

Perhaps the massive success of Spider-Man and Catch Me If You Can had launched Anson to the top of Hollywood in just a few months. But—

Anson was still Anson, the same guy who loved cracking jokes, pulling pranks, and talking shop about acting on set.

Things had changed, but they hadn’t.

Or maybe Anson hadn’t changed at all. It was everyone else’s perception of him that had shifted. That was the only difference.

*Chapter 722: Unlocking Possibilities*

Annie stared at Anson, feeling like he wasn’t the familiar Anson she knew. There was a brief moment of confusion before he returned to his usual self.

With a perfect smile, he said, "Aren't you worried that the sequel could be a disaster and ruin the momentum of your previous success?"

It was a light joke, but without the anxiety or cautiousness from before.

Anson was completely calm. “As an actor, who hasn’t been in a few bad movies?”

Huh.

Annie gasped, her mouth tightened, and she stared at Anson with wide eyes, showing her strong disapproval, even a sense of blame, like she was heartbroken.

“The movie hasn’t even been greenlit, and you’ve already decided it’ll be bad? Is that attitude really okay?”

Anson: ???

Wasn't the concern coming from you in the first place?

But Anson didn’t panic. With a regretful expression, he said, "I’m a pessimist. I always imagine the worst, so no matter what happens, I’m mentally prepared. You should learn that too.”

He said it with a completely serious face, even though it was nonsense.

Annie tried to hold back, but she couldn’t help it and burst into laughter. She quickly covered her mouth to muffle the sound and gave him a thumbs-up.

To be fair, everything Anson said was true—

In his past life, in the timeline Anson was familiar with, The Princess Diaries 2 wasn’t a failure, but it did fall short of expectations.

Robert Schwartzman, who played Michael in The Princess Diaries, declined to appear in the sequel because he pursued his dream of becoming a musician. His indie band went on tour, and he left the acting world behind.

In fact, Robert wasn’t just talking. He never returned to acting and preferred music more.

Because of the absence of the male lead, the script for The Princess Diaries 2 had to be completely rewritten. The result was a vastly different story—a love triangle between the princess and two princes.

Cliché? Not really a problem, since The Princess Diaries was a cliché story, too. But the sequel failed to capture the convincing character growth that made the first film special.

In the end, the reviews were less than stellar—actually, they were terrible.

Using the past as a reference, The Princess Diaries earned $108 million at the North American box office. The Princess Diaries 2 saw a slight drop, finishing with $95 million.

From a numbers perspective, the drop wasn’t disastrous, still within acceptable limits. However, the sequel’s budget had skyrocketed from $26 million to $40 million, making the box office decline much more glaring.

Moreover, with the rising marketing and distribution costs, even with international revenue, The Princess Diaries 2 only barely broke even.

Sadly, that was where the series ended.

However, the two films later performed well in DVD sales. As movies of this genre became increasingly rare, about 20 years later, Disney decided to revive the franchise with The Princess Diaries 3, a pleasant little surprise.

Based on past experiences, The Princess Diaries 2 didn’t live up to expectations.

But Anson had a different thought. If "Michael" had stayed in the story, how would the writers have developed the sequel?

Now, with Anson’s current position, he could foresee that the writers wouldn’t miss the opportunity. Even if they wanted to, the producers wouldn’t allow it. So how would the romance between Michael and Mia unfold in the sequel?

Everything was unknown.

Since the Butterfly Effect, Anson had started to anticipate an unknown parallel world, where familiar events were taking on new possibilities. Who knows, maybe The Princess Diaries 2 could bring unexpected surprises?

So.

Everything Anson said was true. He was looking forward to receiving a call from Garry Marshall.

The playful banter lightened the mood entirely. Seeing Annie’s fully blossomed smile, Anson’s heartbeat quickened slightly. He instinctively shifted his gaze to hide his reaction before Annie could notice and quickly changed the subject.

“I thought you’d understand pessimism better.”

Annie’s attention was caught, and she looked puzzled.

Anson gestured toward the book in Annie’s hand and tilted his head slightly, adding, “Or rather, existentialism and the nihilism that comes with it.”

That’s when Annie finally understood—

The Fall by Albert Camus.

The book she was holding. It was thin and small, easy to carry—perfect for reading at airports or on the subway.

Annie gave an awkward smile. “If I told you I just grabbed it off my brother’s bookshelf, stuffed it into my bag without knowing what it was, and fell asleep after reading two pages on the plane, would you believe me?”

Ha!

Anson raised both hands in surrender. “Then I apologize for my mistake.”

He thought he was being clever by bringing it up, but he had unintentionally exposed her.

Annie’s smile fully bloomed. “Do you know Camus?” She held up the book. “I read his The Stranger last year. I really liked it.”

Anson raised an eyebrow slightly. “Really?”

Annie looked confused.

Anson said, “I found it pretty boring.”

Annie clutched her chest, pretending to be shot in the heart, a deeply wounded expression on her face—

All the modesty was just for show. In truth, Annie was majoring in English at Vassar College. She hadn’t made acting her full-time career yet, determined to finish her college education and get her degree.

Camus?

He was part of her academic reading.

Anson smiled as well. “I think existentialism is a trap. It keeps repeating the same thing—modern loneliness—and ultimately points to nothingness, without a way out.”

“In a way, Camus’s writing traps us. But I don’t want to be trapped.”

Annie was slightly taken aback. “What do you mean?”

Anson explained, “Maybe existentialism ultimately leads to nothing, and maybe all lives head toward the same inevitable end. But that doesn’t mean life is meaningless. The joys and happiness, the sadness and failures, they all have meaning.”

“Or at least, I hope they do. To avoid being pulled into the black hole of nothingness.”

Time seemed to stop at that moment.

Maybe because of Spider-Man and Catch Me If You Can, everyone had noticed Anson. But at the same time, what they saw was Peter Parker or young Frank Abagnale, with the glamorous surface hiding the real Anson Wood.

Then.

Annie noticed. She saw the fleeting unease in Anson’s expression. Just as Anson was about to change the subject, she beat him to it.

“I thought life would be easier in your world.”

Anson: “My world?”

Annie: “Handsome, charming, tall, and you’re a man. Things are always easier for men. Your movie’s a success, girls scream for you, producers and studios throw opportunities at you. You get to choose your projects freely, even becoming a producer, controlling your career and your films.”

Rustle, rustle.

The noise and bustle seemed to disappear. All that was left was the soft sound of time flowing, brushing gently against their ears, as their souls became exposed.

*Chapter 723: Hands Covering Face*

Their eyes met.

Anson didn’t look away, nor did Annie. They stared at each other, letting their gazes linger as their thoughts silently swirled.

Then...

Anson broke the silence first, gently lifting his chin, “So, this is how you see me in your eyes. Are you confessing your feelings to me now?”

A small joke.

But this time, Annie didn’t smile. “Now I understand—that was just an illusion. You have your own troubles in your world, just like me.”

“I don’t want others to judge me by my appearance or prejudices, so the first step is for me not to judge others based on theirs.”

“The law of conservation in the universe, right? Everything is fair.”

Her words dropped into the air like pebbles falling into a clear spring.

Splash.

Ripples spread in Anson’s heart.

He smiled again. “Wow, this is new. Thank you for defending us ‘vases.’ We have souls too.”

Ha, hahaha.

Annie couldn’t help herself; a smile crept back onto her face, fully blossoming.

However...

Her smile faltered, and Annie’s expression turned embarrassed.

This time, it was Anson’s turn to be confused. “What’s wrong, Annie?”

Annie’s eyes shifted away. “I, uh, need to... touch up my makeup.”

Makeup?

Anson blinked, slow to realize what she meant.

Touching up makeup—a polite way women signal they need to go to the restroom.

Anson: ... “Of course.”

Annie noticed Anson’s look and wished she could disappear into the ground.

Why? Why do such embarrassing things keep happening to her? And this wasn’t the first time—like that time on the plane when she drooled in her sleep. That was a memory she’d rather erase forever. But today? There’s a second wave.

Oh, for crying out loud!

But she couldn’t dwell on it now. Mortified, Annie turned and hurried away.

After taking just two steps, she stopped again. “You, you don’t have to wait for me. You can go. We’ll meet another time. No, actually, let’s not.”

Rambling nonsense, Annie had no idea what she was saying.

Oh god, this is so...

She covered her face with both hands and ran away, hoping she could disappear at the speed of light.

“So embarrassing, so humiliating. Ahhh...”

In the end...

Anson stood there, dumbfounded, utterly lost in thought as the wind swirled around him. What just happened? What was that? What did it all mean? A whirlwind of confusion was left behind, leaving him standing there alone.

But watching Annie flee, he couldn’t help but smile, the corners of his mouth tugging up. He quickly realized he needed to stay low-key and avoid drawing attention, so he lowered his head to hide his grin.

It seemed like a long exchange, but the brief conversation between them lasted less than five minutes. Meanwhile, “the girl with the flaxen hair” continued playing in the background as shoppers gradually exited the mall.

Suddenly, Anson remembered something and looked around.

Where’s Jack?

He wondered if Jack and his buddies had figured out a way to sneak into the midnight show. But scanning the crowd, there was no sign of the middle schoolers. They were likely hiding in some secret corner, waiting for the right moment to make their move.

Smart kids—they knew this couldn’t be rushed. Patience would help them find the perfect opportunity.

Standing alone next to the aquarium, Anson felt a bit conspicuous. He could sense some eyes glancing his way, and if he stayed any longer, he might draw too much attention. Just as he was about to start looking for Lucas, he saw Lucas heading his way.

“The situation’s better now,” Lucas said. “Let’s not wait for the full clearance. It’s safer to blend in with the crowd and avoid any commotion.”

Lucas had made up his mind.

Tomorrow, the Woods would be coming to San Francisco to vacation with Anson. The last thing they needed was paparazzi discovering his whereabouts.

Lucas was a little concerned about Anson. He’d noticed Anson had been tense and on edge since arriving in San Francisco.

But now, looking at Anson again, Lucas saw that he had relaxed. Even with people coming and going, Anson seemed at ease.

It looked like coming to the movies tonight had been a good choice.

Anson nodded, ready to head with Lucas to the underground parking lot. But just as he took a step, he remembered something—

How was Annie getting home?

From the way she had entered earlier, it seemed like she had come alone. And when she headed to the restroom, she didn’t look too well.

So, was Annie driving herself? Or planning to call a taxi?

This was San Francisco. Like Anson, she was a visitor here, not as familiar with the city as New York or Los Angeles.

Thinking of this, Anson signaled to Lucas, “I need to go to the restroom.”

Lucas gave him a questioning look.

Anson explained, “I ran into a friend here. She wasn’t feeling well and went to the restroom. I’m just going to check if she’s driving herself or if we can give her a ride.”

Lucas nodded in understanding. “I’ll wait here. Be quick.”

Anson gave an “OK” sign and quickly walked toward the restroom.

Wait—

Stopping in front of the ladies’ restroom, Anson hesitated. He decided against going inside, instead politely calling out from the entrance.

“Hey, ladies' room! Excuse me, is anyone in there? I’m looking for a friend, sorry to bother you. Can you help me? I’m looking for Miss A...”

“Oh, A.H., that is.”

Anson’s polite voice echoed inside, and soon, there was a response.

“Anson, Anson!”

It was Annie.

Anson called back but stayed at the entrance, not stepping inside. “Annie?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you... while you’re, uh, touching up. I just wanted to check if you’re driving yourself home. If not, I can wait for you.”

Annie, now even more embarrassed, mumbled through her hands, “Anson, you don’t have to worry... I know how to get home... I-I’ll figure it out. You should go, really. You should leave.”

Anson stood there, sensing something was off. “Annie, are you okay?”

There was no response from Annie.

Realizing she had been in the restroom for a little while and recalling her earlier expression, Anson asked again, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Annie’s muffled voice came through her fingers. “I’m... I’m stuck.”

“What?” Anson stopped, raising his voice to confirm. “Is there anyone else in there? Can someone help my friend?”

Annie, frustrated and upset, responded, “No, Anson. It’s just me. I’ve been calling for help for a while.”

Oh no.

Anson finally stepped inside. “Annie, what do you mean? Do you need tissue paper?”

Annie, flustered and emotional, replied with a trembling voice, “It’s just... there’s blood on my skirt. Not what you think, I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”

“Oh,” Anson immediately understood.

Annie, closing her eyes tightly in despair, said, “Could you... give me some tissue, please? Thank you.”

Buzz.

Anson’s mind went blank for a moment, but his experience helped him regain his calm quickly. “Of course, no problem.”

*Chapter 724: Witch Carrie*

"Of course, no problem."

Anson entered the bathroom, looked around, found the toilet paper dispenser, and pulled out some toilet paper.

The bathroom was empty and quiet, with only the rustling sound of tissues being pulled out.

Annie took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and spoke up, "Sorry, Anson, could I... have ten sheets?"

As soon as she said it, Annie closed her eyes, but she still had to finish, "Also, could you wet a few sheets?"

Anson was puzzled, "What?"

Annie stammered, "Could you wet a few? Because I, uh, I need to wipe..."

Anson replied, "Of course."

Annie lowered her gaze, sitting silently, feeling both ashamed and embarrassed, frustrated and depressed. Why does this keep happening?

She blamed herself.

Then.

Anson appeared, reaching over the top of the stall to hand her the paper, "Annie, can you reach it?"

Annie stretched out her right hand, but it was a bit too far. She had to stand up slightly but still couldn't reach it, eventually plopping back down.

A sense of defeat washed over her.

"Damn it." Annie muttered under her breath, unable to hold back tears that trickled down her cheeks.

Annie stubbornly wiped away the tears from her face.

Anson couldn't see her, "What's wrong?"

Annie replied, "I... I can't reach it. I just got more blood... on my skirt." As soon as she said it, she was amused by the absurdity of the situation in front of her, "God, I must look like a fool right now."

"Like Carrie?" Anson joked.

Pfft.

Annie burst into laughter, tears and all, nodding repeatedly, "Yeah, like Carrie."

Anson reached down further with his arm, "I can go a little lower."

Annie looked up; she didn't have the energy to stand up again, "Why don't you just drop it?"

Anson took a deep breath, "I could, but I think it might fall on the floor, which... wouldn't be very sanitary, you know, since it's the bathroom."

Annie suggested, "Then, maybe from underneath..."

Anson slid the toilet paper through the gap beneath the stall, but Annie unexpectedly opened the stall door, causing Anson to instinctively turn away and sit against the stall door with his back to her, his right hand still inside, maintaining a respectful distance.

Annie saw this and almost forgot her own mess. Her mind was just focused on solving the problem and getting out of this situation. Or maybe her brain wasn't functioning properly, completely losing the ability to think. But now, seeing Anson's respectful posture, hot tears welled up in her eyes again. A "thank you" stuck in her throat as she hurriedly took the tissue and closed the stall door.

Anson was slightly stunned.

Although he couldn't see anything, the metallic scent of blood was unmistakable.

"Annie, are you okay?"

"Mhm."

"Do you want me to go outside and see if any of the other girls have pads?"

"No, Anson, no. You can't go out. You're Anson Wood. If anyone finds out about this 'Carrie' situation, things will get out of control."

Anson opened his mouth, trying to argue that now wasn't the time to worry about these things, but then he realized that if things went south, Annie might end up in a worse spot.

Anson felt a headache coming on, "Then, this... my jacket, I have a jacket. You could use it."

Annie forced a smile, "I don't think your jacket is big enough to cover my butt."

Anson tilted his head, "I think it could. I'm pretty tall."

Pfft.

Annie chuckled, "Anson, the problem is, I don't want people to see me wearing your jacket. You know how the news will spin that."

Just like that, Anson understood—

Trouble.

It felt like having his hands and feet tied. This wouldn't work; that wouldn't work. Every little rumor could be placed under a microscope.

Those eyes, those glances, those whispers formed an invisible cage that trapped them.

Anson felt irritated and frustrated, but he took a deep breath, calmed down, and his brain began to work quickly.

"Alright, Annie, I have an idea. We'll need to take a bit of a risk. You know why the New York Yankees always win?"

Things were really bad right now, not the best time for jokes, but Annie's weak smile still curved slightly.

"Because nobody can look away from the pinstripes?"

"Bingo. Wait for me."

With that, Anson turned and ran out.

Once outside, Anson composed himself, avoiding any frantic movements. What was needed now was confidence and calm.

Lucas was not far away, looking over, his eyes questioning.

Anson sized Lucas up and down, "Luca, I need a bit of help."

Lucas didn't answer right away. Instead, he squinted at Anson, "I know that look. It usually means trouble."

Anson almost lost his composure, but his lips still curved up a bit, "Luca, I'm serious. It's a tricky situation."

Lucas was not easily fooled, "You can handle it yourself."

Anson took a deep breath, "Luca, I need you to go to the theater, to the merchandise booth, and help out a bit. You know I can't go there."

The movie theater had set up an event with posters, postcards, keychains, and other officially licensed merchandise at the entrance of the theater. You could exchange your movie ticket for one item or buy them yourself.

The key point was that this was a crowded area, and you'd have to interact face-to-face with the booth attendant, so Anson couldn't go himself—

Like a lamb to the slaughter.

Lucas rolled his eyes, "Spill it."

After patiently listening to Anson's plan, Lucas stared at him with a deadpan expression. His gaze alone seemed to devour Anson.

Anson persisted, "Luca, the more we sneak around, the more suspicious it becomes. Putting it in the spotlight is the safest way."

Lucas retorted, "But this is way too blatant."

Anson explained, "That's how we divert attention."

Lucas countered, "If anyone's going to try, you guys try. I'm out."

"We can wear hats."

"No way."

"Luca..."

"Shut up."

Lucas stopped responding to Anson, turned, and strode towards the merchandise booth. He grumbled under his breath—

Why does the theater even sell merchandise? As a result, even after the movie ended, a large crowd of viewers was still gathered around the booth.

However, whether fortunate or not, the item Anson had targeted was so unpopular that nobody wanted to buy it. Not a single one.

Lucas checked out in less than three minutes. But think about it, even fans didn't want this merchandise. How bad must it have been?

The answer: a T-shirt.

A white T-shirt. There was a spray-paint artist on-site who could create designs on the T-shirt based on the fan's request, depicting different images and poses of Anson from "Catch Me If You Can." Fans could even have their own image painted or be depicted alongside Anson.

These T-shirts were oversized, with the largest being XXXL. Even when Lucas wore one, it looked extremely baggy.

To Anson, the key was the spray-painted design. The more outrageous and flashy it was, the better it could divert attention.

It wasn’t just Lucas; when Annie saw the T-shirt, she was also at a loss for words.

She looked up at Anson, her eyes full of confusion, "Are you sure?"

---

*Chapter 725: The Yankee Rule*

Annie lifted her head to look at Anson, her eyes filled with confusion. Looking at Anson's calm expression, she couldn't help but feel he was up to something mischievous.

Before Anson could answer, Annie gave a bitter but amused smile, "I guess I don't have a choice, do I?"

Anson pressed his lips together, hiding his smile. "This is the simplest way. Trust me, we are the New York Yankees."

Annie closed the door to the fitting room and changed into the T-shirt inside.

Anson called out, "By the way, if possible, I’d like to take you back to the hotel. If you need to go to a convenience store, supermarket, or hospital, that’s fine too."

Click.

The fitting room door opened, and Annie reappeared. The XXXL T-shirt looked like a white dress, even covering her knees. It was loose and casual, inadvertently highlighting a side of Annie's lazy and sensual beauty that she had never shown before, immediately capturing attention.

Anson thought of Catwoman in "The Dark Knight Rises."

The difference was that the Annie before him wasn’t as deadly or dark.

"Don’t worry, I’m fine. I... uh, I don’t need to go to the hospital." Annie let out a long breath. After the ups and downs, she finally regained some composure.

Looking up, Annie met Anson’s clear eyes. "I’m okay."

Anson was slightly stunned. "Alright, you do look fine. Really, you look very good..."

Annie tilted her head, indicating the T-shirt.

Anson almost lost his composure, his lips curling upward.

Annie rolled her eyes, looking up at the ceiling. "This is a prank. I knew it."

Anson’s smile finally broke through. He gazed quietly at Annie. "Do you need a hug?"

Annie's heart skipped a beat but she shook her head. "No, I’m fine. Don’t worry. Right now, I’m more concerned about my image."

Anson didn’t hold back and his smile fully bloomed. "Wait a moment. Watch me perform some magic."

Annie was puzzled.

This time, it was Annie’s turn to stand at the bathroom door and wait. After a while, Anson and Lucas appeared.

Lucas had a look of utter resignation on his face, but they were both wearing the exact same T-shirt.

The difference was that Annie's shirt had a "pilot version of Little Frank," Lucas's was a "doctor version of Little Frank," and Anson’s shirt showed a picture of a smiling, unknown girl alongside Little Frank.

Finally, the names on the T-shirts read Brenda, Frank, and Mia.

Straightforward, bold, rough, with a sense of street style.

Pfft.

Annie couldn’t hold it in and almost burst out laughing, but when she glanced at Lucas’s face, dark as a pot’s bottom, she managed to control her laughter.

It was Anson who had already gotten into character. "Luca, show some spirit. You’re all ants. I am Thanos, here to conquer the universe."

Then—

A spectacular scene unfolded in the mall’s main hall, like a slow-motion, background-music-equipped entrance of the protagonists in "Ocean's Eleven."

With confidence and a fierce demeanor.

They strode across the scene like a hurricane.

Amidst a sea of shocked and bewildered gazes, no one dared to look directly at their faces. Eyes unsure where to go were drawn to the dazzling T-shirts, which, although they seemed like knock-off streetwear, suddenly appeared like a top luxury brand, making everyone wish they had one.

Footsteps paused.

Eyes gathered.

But miraculously, it was as if their brains had pressed the pause button, unable to think.

Not until they entered the elevator and the closing doors completely blocked the view did people seem to return to reality, remembering that humans need to breathe.

Gasping for fresh air, they exchanged glances.

Finally, someone spoke.

"Was that... Anson just now?"

A voice popped up, and immediately, a flurry of voices followed.

"No way."

"Of course not."

"Anson is way more handsome, right?"

"Why would Anson wear that T-shirt?"

"Anson is still in New York, isn’t he?"

"Anson has way more style than that guy."

Countless denials extinguished the thought, forcefully squashing any suspicions that the girl was Anne Hathaway, swallowing them back down until no one dared voice it.

Turning to look away.

"But doesn’t anyone think that T-shirt... actually looks kind of cool?"

"Right, right, I thought so too."

"As expected, Anson’s looks are justice. The T-shirt’s quality instantly seems different."

The night was spreading.

No one expected the biggest winner tonight to be that graffiti artist.

They had thought they’d be packing up after the midnight show, but unexpectedly, they were so busy they didn't even have time to drink water—a real surprise.

...

Lucas drove steadily, moving silently through the night. No one in the car spoke, and the quiet air slowly spread.

In fact, the hotel where Annie was staying was less than a ten-minute drive from the cinema. It didn’t take long for Lucas to arrive at the hotel—

He drove straight to the parking lot, not stopping at the entrance.

Annie thanked Lucas again and declined Anson’s offer to accompany her. She opened the car door and headed toward the elevator in the underground parking lot.

Anson looked at Lucas.

Lucas nodded slightly. "I’ll wait here."

Anson opened the car door and followed her.

Annie tried to hide her embarrassment, but Anson spoke first. "Just to your room door." Because Annie's face and lips were bloodless, pale as a sheet. Her knees trembled slightly, and her shoulders quivered.

She didn’t look okay, a complete mess.

This time, Annie didn’t refuse.

All the way to the hotel room door, she opened it and went straight to the mini fridge. On the side table, she grabbed a bottle of mineral water and gulped it down.

But her steps faltered a bit, staggering back slightly.

Turning around, Annie found Anson right in front of her.

She was startled. They were only a hand's width apart. She could even feel Anson’s breath.

Anson stepped back a little. "Sorry for being so close. You looked like you were about to faint."

Annie was slightly taken aback. "Are you this kind to all girls?"

Anson raised an eyebrow slightly. "Correction, I’m this ‘kind’ to everyone. Though I prefer to use the term ‘gentlemanly,’ because my mom told me that people always see their next step in your behavior."

Anson’s eyes lowered to hide the unintentional panic that flashed across his face—

A memory from his past life.

Now, memories of the past and present were mixed, indistinguishable.

Annie noticed but didn’t have the energy to investigate. "I need to sit down."

Leaning against the table, sitting in a mermaid-like posture, Annie felt tired, deeply tired. "I need a bath."

Anson sat cross-legged in front of her. Annie's face really didn’t look good. "I think we should just sit here."

Annie pursed her lips. "I need to take off this rock T-shirt as soon as possible."

Anson tilted his head, once again looking her over, and with utmost seriousness, said, "I like your T-shirt. You look beautiful in it."

His deep voice, like a cello, resonated in the night, its soothing melody gently plucking at heartstrings, stirring a quiet ripple deep within. The world fell silent. Only Anson’s eyes remained focused on her.

Annie was stunned.

---