456-460

*Chapter 456: The Sole Focus*

Jay Leno wasn’t fond of movie premieres—it was purely a promotional event.

If he wanted to watch a movie, a premiere was obviously too noisy; it was better to find another time to go to the theater and contribute to the box office. As for promoting a film, "The Tonight Show" was already enough. Besides, agreeing to attend one premiere might lead to attending others.

After all, social obligations are an art of balancing favors.

Of course, living in this circle, Jay Leno inevitably had to attend premieres occasionally, very occasionally.

However, this time was a bit different.

Jay Leno had promised Anson he would attend to support "Spider-Man." He didn’t want to go back on his word. Though he didn’t believe his presence at the premiere would bring any significant promotional effect, he was curious about Anson’s performance. What surprises could Anson, as an actor, bring?

So, he showed up.

At the Chinese Theatre, everything was as expected—no different from the usual scene. Hollywood summer movie premieres were all the same, with increasingly loud and grand ceremonies following the same pattern. Switch out the guests and the backdrop, and they could immediately hold the next premiere.

To Jay Leno, the premiere of “Star Wars: Episode II” in a couple of weeks would probably be the same, no difference at all.

Standing on the red carpet, fastening his suit button, Jay Leno was about to take a step forward and greet Tom Cruise when suddenly—

Hmm?

A slight breeze brought a subtle change, delicate and light. It didn’t steal Tom Cruise’s spotlight but felt like a refreshing breeze from the San Fernando Valley, carrying the freshness of spring and the brilliance of summer, gently wrapping around Hollywood Boulevard. Instinctively, he turned to look.

And then, Jay Leno saw Anson.

It was almost unbelievable, even Jay Leno himself couldn’t believe it, but it happened. Amidst the bustling crowd, he locked onto Anson's position instantly; everything seemed so simple and clear.

Anson was walking along the street, unhurried, calm, making eye contact with faces, smiling at every pair of eyes, nodding, and greeting.

Occasionally, he stopped to chat; occasionally, he raised his right hand to high-five the crowd.

Occasionally, he took photos with fans; occasionally, he returned to the center of the road, posing for the camera flashes.

The road in front of him was still asphalt, no red carpet laid out, with cars neatly parked. But to Anson, it was all part of the stage.

On closer look, the faces were different, but the joy, excitement, and happiness they radiated were all the same, colliding with one another.

As a result, the air began to stir.

Maybe not everyone liked Anson; perhaps not everyone even knew Anson, but here’s the curious part: no one could resist Anson.

Jay Leno imagined a scenario where an audience member, with a face full of disdain, resisted, saying, “Who are you?” What would Anson’s expression be then?

At this thought, Jay Leno’s smile couldn’t help but widen. Anson was still Anson, able to play with even the most formulaic of premieres. The red carpet extended, transforming the world into a stage, with actors and audiences interacting on equal footing, instantly changing the entire atmosphere.

Wait, "Spider-Man," Peter Parker, and this scene?

Jay Leno, known for his quick wit, immediately made the connection, his eyes lighting up, but then he hesitated slightly—

The atmosphere was indeed there, but what about the premiere’s buzz?

Just then.

“Anson, ah!”

A scream exploded in the air, rolling forward like a wave, turning ripples into a storm, and the whole world spun.

Jay Leno immediately noticed the shifting camera flashes. Once the first reporter noticed the commotion, the second and third quickly followed—

It was happening!

The heat gradually rose, swelling in the air.

Among the crowd, this scream surged like a tidal wave, gripping Blair by the ankles and dragging her quickly to the ground. Excitement and a rush of emotions boiled within her, breaking free from any restraint.

“Ah!”

Finally, Blair screamed too.

She turned to see Karen, equally bewildered, thrilled, and excited. The two exchanged a look and then screamed together, smiles spreading across their faces, blossoming wildly.

Anson also noticed, not only Blair but also the departing Eve, and a smile crept onto his face.

Ah, ah, ah.

Blair’s eyes met Anson’s, filled with tension, excitement, and frenzy.

This small group of friends, though few in number, were all Anson’s supporters, unconditionally cheering him on. They had been planning today’s premiere support activities, hoping to add some color to the event despite their limited strength.

Now, they were noticed!

Before she realized it, Blair’s screams had already escalated, instantly igniting the entire scene.

Boom!

The wave swept through the venue with unstoppable force.

And it was still heating up.

The reporters, ever alert, quickly noticed what was happening, immediately spotting Anson in the crowd, their minds full of questions, like seeing a random person on an F1 track, completely baffled by what was happening. Yet somehow, the scene didn’t feel out of place.

As a result, no one paid attention to the race anymore; all eyes were on the intruder.

Click, click, click, click.

The sound of camera shutters and silver flashes quickly consumed the Chinese Theatre.

On stage, Tom Cruise was startled by the sudden burst of energy, instinctively turning to look, but found no clues within his line of sight, only more questions.

Not just Tom, even Jay Leno, who had witnessed the whole thing, was momentarily taken aback by the overwhelming wave of energy, his heartbeat thrown off rhythm.

After a pause, Jay Leno chuckled—

The buzz was there too.

Indeed, the “Spider-Man” premiere became a hot topic, without a doubt. Even before the reviews were out, reporters couldn’t wait to craft passionate stories, showering the premiere with praise for its surprises.

People had initially worried that gossip would overshadow the premiere’s focus. No one expected that even the gossip about Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt appearing together couldn’t steal the spotlight—it became just background noise.

Everyone was talking about Anson.

Whether it was Anson’s unconventional entrance or the top stars reacting to Anson’s presence, every topic revolved around him, pushing the buzz from "The Tonight Show" to new heights.

This was something no one had anticipated, and it was hard to tell whether people were particularly interested in Anson because of “Spider-Man,” or they became interested in “Spider-Man” because of Anson. But does it matter?

No, not at all.

What truly mattered was that all eyes were on Anson, with the buzz far exceeding expectations.

So, how was "Spider-Man"?

Chapter 457: The Ordinary Boy

"Who am I? Are you sure you really want to know?"

The movie began, and even before the opening credits finished, the narration cut in.

Gloria was slightly taken aback. That voice... Anson?

At the same time, outside the Royal Theatre, Blair and Karen sat on the curb, looking a bit tired but still buzzing with excitement and thrill.

It was clear they lacked the experience to get into the premiere, but they weren’t ready to leave. They needed to calm down a bit from the excitement, and they were also curious about the reactions after the screening.

Like them, many other fans had gathered, chatting animatedly and sharing their thoughts about the premiere. The recent events seemed like a dream—too wonderful to be real.

Happiness swelled in Blair's chest, but she couldn't help glancing back at the theater’s tall spire, her gaze full of curiosity and longing. She began to imagine.

“The movie should have started by now, right?”

Without seeing him, they first heard his voice—

Gloria had to admit, Sam Raimi, being a horror movie director, really knew how to create suspense right from the start. The gloomy atmosphere of the opening sequence seamlessly transitioned into a spider web, blending animation with reality, as the movie slowly began.

"Don't listen to my story if you're faint-hearted. If someone told you this is a comedy... and that I’m just a normal guy without any worries, they’re lying."

"But I promise, like any great story, this one’s about a girl."

The camera cut to a shot inside a bus, showing a bright and radiant girl’s face on the big screen. Young and fresh, with a hint of thoughtfulness behind her smile, she gazed into the distance as the wind gently blew her hair.

"That’s her."

"The girl next door, Mary Jane Watson."

"The girl I’ve had a crush on since I was a kid."

Then, a strong arm wrapped around the girl’s shoulders. Her smile faltered slightly, and she quickly concealed the thoughts brewing in her eyes, flashing a big smile at the handsome, short-haired man beside her.

“I wish I could say the guy sitting next to her was me.”

The camera shifted to another seat, showing a round-faced boy scarfing down donuts, with jam oozing between his fingers.

"Hey, even if it was him, I’d be okay with that."

The round-faced boy heard a tapping on the bus window—

Tap, tap.

He looked out the window and started laughing.

Haha.

Running alongside the moving bus was a long, slender hand knocking on the glass, and a voice shouting desperately.

“Hey, stop the bus!”

The bus interior filled with laughter. The camera zoomed in on the rearview mirror, where you could see a nerdy guy with black-framed glasses sprinting behind the bus, his coat flapping in the wind.

But it was anything but graceful.

"That’s me."

This scene created a subtle contrast, with a touch of self-deprecation that naturally elicited some chuckles from the audience in the Royal Theatre.

Gloria knew she shouldn’t laugh—the nerd in the movie was clearly a target of bullying and exclusion, someone she could empathize with. She didn’t want to join the bullies. Yet, despite herself, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly—

Because the nerd was Anson.

It was easy for Gloria to recognize him instantly, without any difficulty.

"Please, ask the driver to stop."

"Stop the bus!"

"Hey, stop the bus!"

Though the nerd's voice made it inside the bus, no one cared. The students were all laughing, and even the bus driver had a mischievous smile.

Finally, Mary Jane couldn’t hold back any longer. “Stop the bus!” She rushed to the front, yelling at the driver who was enjoying the scene. “He’s been chasing us since Woodhaven Boulevard.”

A student in the back chimed in, “Get a taxi, Parker!”

But the bus driver couldn’t pretend to ignore it any longer and finally stopped.

Oh.

A collective sigh of disappointment rose from the onlookers inside the bus.

The nerd finally got on, panting as he looked at the driver. “Thanks. Sorry I’m late.”

Before he could finish, a wad of crumpled paper hit him square in the forehead.

Haha.

The bus erupted in laughter.

Strangely enough, there was no laughter in the theater this time. Despite the scene being filled with typical teenage pranks, the audience stayed silent.

On screen, the nerd was unmistakably Anson—

Plaid shirt. Hoodie. Black-framed glasses.

A gray, unremarkable outfit that made him blend into the background. His short hair was messy, and his forehead was damp with sweat, making him look even more disheveled.

It was clear he was an outsider in school.

But.

From the moment this ordinary boy appeared, his on-screen persona seamlessly matched the real-life Anson, as seen on the red carpet. Quiet, unassuming, yet radiating a gentle warmth, like sunlight on a cold winter day.

He could be the neighbor next door, the guy sitting next to you in biology class, the one who’d help you fix your bike chain on the way home, or the kid who won the science fair but never stood in the spotlight.

He could be anyone.

Ordinary. Simple. Just quietly living his life, yet always shining in his own way.

Effortlessly, without realizing it, Gloria felt a deep connection to this ordinary boy—

And it wasn’t because of his looks.

Gloria would never deny that she first liked Anson because of his appearance. Even now, she was still mesmerized by his looks, which made everything seem more beautiful.

Before "Spider-Man" premiered, Gloria's biggest concern was that Anson’s handsome face didn’t exactly scream "ordinary." Would he be like "The Princess Diaries" and have to make himself ugly?

Otherwise, how could anyone relate? It wouldn’t be convincing, right?

But now, that wasn’t the case at all.

This ordinary boy wasn’t suave, wasn’t handsome, wasn’t glamorous. His good looks were hidden, and he looked even more ordinary than Michael from "The Princess Diaries."

And yet, Gloria still found herself rooting for this ordinary boy.

Now, she finally understood why Anson had chosen such a look for the premiere. From the red carpet to the theater to the big screen, step by step, he brought his real-life image into the movie, breaking the fourth wall and creating a deep connection.

He represented every ordinary high school student.

Including Gloria, and everyone else in the theater at that moment—

The nerd, rejected, teased, and bullied, was tripped by another student as he gazed at Mary Jane.

Thud.

The nerd fell flat, his glasses flying off as his cheek hit the ground. The laughter on the big screen grew louder, but in the theater, there was only silence.

Without realizing it, they were already fully immersed.

Chapter 458: The Dream Encounter

Peter Parker, a simple and honest high school student, a nerd, loves physics and biology. He even reads the latest scientific papers and writes reports about them. At school, he has almost no friends.

Maybe Harry is an exception.

Harry comes from a wealthy family. His father, Norman, owns a biotechnology company, but Harry doesn't like flaunting his wealth at school. That’s how he became friends with Peter. He craves his father’s understanding, but clearly, his father doesn’t care much.

In contrast, Norman praises Peter a lot.

Apart from studying and research, Peter's only other hobby is photography. When the school organizes a trip to visit the Columbia University Science Department, he doesn't forget to bring his camera to take photos for the school paper.

Of course, there’s also Mary Jane. His lens is always focused on Mary Jane.

Robert Ebert couldn’t help but admire the efficiency and richness of the storytelling. Sam Raimi truly showcases exceptional direction and narrative skill.

With just a few strokes, the character of Peter Parker and his relationships are fully revealed—

Peter’s friendship with Harry, his initial meeting with Norman, his situation at school, his crush on Mary Jane, and more, all unfold like a painting.

No unnecessary explanations are needed. The details of the shots and the composition of the scenes reveal the complex relationships, silently drawing the audience into the story.

More importantly, the image of Peter Parker leaps off the screen.

Getting bullied on the school bus is just the beginning.

When Mary Jane turns around, smiles, and waves hello, Peter waves back foolishly, only to realize she was actually greeting the two girls walking behind him. She didn’t even notice him.

It’s at this moment he remembers that Mary Jane doesn’t even know who he is.

At the Science Department, he eagerly shares his knowledge of spiders with Harry. Harry teases him, calling it "boring." But then Harry uses that knowledge to flirt with Mary Jane, catching her attention.

Peter is stunned but not angry—

After all, Harry had just asked him if he wanted to talk to Mary Jane, and Peter had declined.

A few scenes, a few moments, and Peter’s character comes to life. He’s not just a flat figure; he has depth. He’s kind but not naive, smart but not arrogant, gentle but not weak. Even though his face is hidden behind thick glasses, with no visible spark, he feels especially vivid and bright.

Ordinary, but not ordinary.

That sense of identification begins to form.

Not just superhero movies—almost all Hollywood savior films tend to feature handsome men and beautiful women. There’s nothing wrong with that; everyone likes eye candy on the big screen. But in these films, the protagonists are often perfect, living in a world that seems entirely separate from reality. The actors are also cloaked in an aura of mystery—

Undeniably, people enjoy this.

But after half a century, audiences have slowly grown tired of flawless characters and distant, untouchable heroes. They want to see more relatable, ordinary characters on screen. They want to see their own stories told.

That’s why, three years ago, a film like American Beauty, which explores the disillusionment of middle-class life, caught the public’s attention. The times are changing.

And here, it’s the same—

Effortlessly, the audience at the Chinese Theatre can relate to the characters. Peter is just like their classmate, their neighbor, or even themselves.

A sense of familiarity rises.

Ten minutes in, the movie has only been running for ten minutes, and the audience has already connected with Peter Parker. Before the story has fully unfolded, they’re already rooting for him. This level of narrative craftsmanship is truly impressive.

Robert Ebert, the professional film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times and the only film critic in history to win a Pulitzer Prize—

By the way, he didn’t like The Princess Diaries, giving it a 38 out of 100.

But he’s not biased. He doesn't hold a grudge against directors or actors. A bad film doesn’t mean he’ll dismiss their future work entirely.

When Sony Columbia invited Robert to the Spider-Man premiere, he agreed without hesitation.

After all, the entire industry was watching this summer blockbuster, and all eyes were on Spider-Man. Robert was paying close attention, too.

He was curious—could Spider-Man carry the weight of these expectations?

At least from the opening, Robert was satisfied. Don’t underestimate these first ten minutes; they can often set the tone for the audience's impression of a movie. A smooth, efficient, and rich narrative isn’t easy to pull off.

The director deserves credit.

And the actor’s interpretation of the character, their on-screen charisma, is equally crucial.

What pleasantly surprised Robert was Anson.

Originally, Robert was more interested in seeing how Kirsten Dunst and James Franco would perform in a blockbuster, since they had already started making names for themselves. But unexpectedly, Anson’s portrayal of the nerdy Peter Parker grabbed his attention.

That was a positive sign.

Because of this, when that scene happened—

Peter takes a photo of Mary Jane, completely absorbed, not noticing the spider descending from above. It lands on his finger, bites him, and then his genetic structure begins to change.

The theater: rustling; rustling.

It wasn’t loud, but you could feel a wave of excitement.

Clearly, the audience was fully immersed in Peter’s character, even in their own roles. They couldn’t contain their excitement and anticipation as they entered the world on the screen—

Even if they hadn’t read the comics, the audience attending the premiere had at least seen the trailer. They all knew what was coming. The spider bite marked a turning point, the moment when Peter’s life would be transformed.

So, one by one, they got excited, their hearts pounding, as the room filled with the shared sense of their rising adrenaline.

Is this what makes a great story?

An ordinary high school student dreaming of gaining superpowers overnight?

Sure enough, everyone has a dream of a lucky encounter.

The entire theater’s attention was now fully absorbed in the world created on the big screen, including Robert, who was completely focused on Peter Parker’s fate.

Meanwhile, Norman’s biotech company was developing a serum to enhance physical strength. They hoped to secure military funding.

Despite its impressive exterior, the company was facing numerous challenges, and the serum test couldn’t afford to fail. Norman desperately needed that military contract.

In a last-ditch effort, Norman couldn’t wait for military approval to proceed with human trials. He decided to test the serum on himself.

Meanwhile, Peter returned to his Uncle Ben and Aunt May’s house. His uncle was troubled by his unemployment, but Peter had no time to worry about it. He groggily returned to his room, feeling the effects of the spider bite, and drifted off into a deep sleep, as if going through a growth spurt.

Norman’s experiment seemed to succeed—or maybe it failed. But when he opened his eyes, he strangled the scientist overseeing the test. At the same time, Peter woke up—

As if Norman’s experiment had been nothing more than a nightmare.

Sam Raimi was still Sam Raimi, sneaking in his love for horror movies. The entire theater broke into a cold sweat after that nightmare.

*Chapter 459: So-called Youth*

The sun rose as usual.

Peter woke up, but something felt subtly different about the world—

He could pick up on small, scattered noises, his vision had returned to normal, and even his previously skinny, frail body had become lean and strong.

As Peter admired his newly toned muscles in the mirror, Gloria was glued to the screen, drooling over Anson’s muscular physique.

Gloria: I can do it!

Peter turned around and spotted Mary Jane across the alley, living just a street away. The newfound confidence surged in Peter as he watched Mary Jane walk to the bus stop. He hesitated, wondering if he should introduce himself.

In the end, he couldn’t muster the courage and watched as Mary Jane got into her friend's convertible. He chased after the school bus again.

This time, without Mary Jane’s help, the bus sped off, leaving him behind while other students laughed and jeered at him from the windows.

Peter had almost caught the bus, but when he slapped its side in frustration, he accidentally tore down the homecoming banner that was hanging on the bus. Shocked, he stared at his hand, baffled by what had just happened. In that brief moment, the bus left him behind.

And this was just the beginning of a series of strange events—

At lunch, in the school cafeteria, Peter noticed Mary Jane slipping on spilled orange juice. With lightning-fast reflexes, he caught her and managed to grab all the flying food with his tray. It happened so fast it seemed unreal.

After helping Mary Jane, he noticed that a fork had mysteriously stuck to his palm. As he tried to remove it, he discovered a sticky substance seeping from his palm. When he tugged at the fork, a web shot from his wrist, attaching itself to a tray across the table. Peter was freaked out.

When he pulled the web back, the tray followed, and in his panic, the tray and food slammed into the back of a large guy: Flash, Mary Jane’s date, and a football team giant.

All Peter wanted to do was get out of there and clear his head.

But Flash wasn’t about to let it go. He assumed a fighting stance and rushed at Peter.

At that moment, Peter realized that Flash’s movements appeared incredibly slow, like they were in slow motion. Dodging was easy.

Not only did Peter dodge, but with his newfound strength, one punch sent Flash flying.

Something was definitely wrong. Peter knew it, and he rushed out of school in a panic, finally finding a moment to be alone and test his abilities.

Jumping, climbing, webs—

Only then did Peter’s youthful awkwardness and excitement show through as he lost himself in the joy of testing his powers, completely forgetting about the time.

Peter forgot about his promise to help Uncle Ben paint the kitchen. By the time he got home, both Uncle Ben and Aunt May had gone to bed, leaving only the sounds of an argument from Mary Jane’s house next door.

Perhaps the only thing Peter could do was at least take out the trash. As he did, he ran into Mary Jane storming out of her house. Their eyes met, but the argument behind her left Mary Jane feeling embarrassed, her most vulnerable side exposed.

However, Peter didn’t laugh or judge her. He simply looked at her kindly and calmly, making her feel safe.

They started talking.

They talked about family, about dreams.

Both of them longed to leave, to go to Manhattan. Peter dreamed of becoming a photographer, and Mary Jane wanted to be an actress.

Mary Jane thought Peter would mock her—she’d never told anyone about her daydream. But Peter offered her nothing but warm encouragement.

For a moment, Mary Jane was stunned, tilting her head as she studied Peter closely. “You’re taller than you look.”

Because he had a soul that stood tall.

Unexpectedly, Peter smiled seriously and said, “I slouch.”

Mary Jane’s lips curved slightly, her eyes glistening as if stars were sparkling within them. “Don’t slouch anymore.”

Oh.

The girls in the theater let out a collective sigh, sweet as cotton candy melting. Who would’ve thought such a conversation could be so romantic?

Unfortunately, the warm atmosphere didn’t last—

Flash arrived, showing off his brand-new convertible, a birthday gift.

Peter watched Mary Jane leave with him and went back to his room, where he found himself browsing through classified ads for used cars. Even the cheapest ones were close to three thousand dollars.

To be exact, $2,598.

Below the car ads was an ad recruiting wrestlers—anyone who could last three minutes would earn three thousand dollars.

Who would’ve thought the first thing Peter tried to use his superpowers for was to win $3,000 to buy a convertible?

Like any legendary superhero, Peter designed himself a red spider-suit and mask. He locked himself in his room, practicing his skills day and night.

When Peter finally felt ready, he told Uncle Ben he was going to the library, intending to join the wrestling competition. But he didn’t realize his strange behavior had already caught Uncle Ben and Aunt May’s attention.

Uncle Ben offered to drive Peter to the library, seizing the moment to talk. Peter’s mind, however, was on the wrestling match, and his impatience showed. This worried Uncle Ben, who realized Peter was going through a turbulent adolescence.

Uncle Ben had been there himself, worried that Peter might go astray. The fight at school was a warning sign.

“That guy you fought—Flash Thompson—maybe he deserved it. But don’t think just because you can beat him means you have the right to hit him.”

Peter stubbornly looked away.

Teenagers are always like this—stubborn, rebellious.

Uncle Ben sighed. “Peter, remember, with great power comes great responsibility.”

That phrase hit Peter hard. Afraid that Uncle Ben had figured out his plans, he became irritated, anger clouding his mind.

“Things are different now. I’ll figure it out myself. Stop lecturing me!”

“I wasn’t trying to lecture you, Peter. I know I’m not your father.”

“Then stop pretending to be.”

With that, the words were out.

The air suddenly went quiet.

Peter realized he had said the wrong thing, but it was too late.

Uncle Ben averted his gaze. “Okay,” he said, ending the conversation.

Peter tried to apologize, to explain, but Uncle Ben was done talking. “I’ll pick you up at ten tonight.”

Peter couldn’t believe it. He was both angry and regretful—at Uncle Ben, but more at himself. In a huff, he slammed the car door, hoping Uncle Ben would linger a moment longer, but Uncle Ben drove off. Peter left too, their conversation unresolved.

But there was something more important ahead—

Three thousand dollars.

*Chapter 460: Shattered Growth*

A playful look appeared in Robert Ebert's eyes:

So, from the very first scene, the movie had already set its tone.

Does anyone remember? The narrator mentioned at the beginning that this is a story about a girl. The plot that follows sticks closely to the theme of a middle schooler, centering around the troubles of adolescence.

So, when a middle schooler gains superpowers, their first reaction isn’t to save the world or fight crime. Instead, it’s to buy a used car, hoping to catch the attention of their crush.

Ah, the awkwardness of youth.

This approach immediately sets "Spider-Man" apart from other superhero movies currently in theaters, even diverging from the narrative styles of classic heroes like "Superman" or "Batman."

Before its release, people treated "Spider-Man" as just another superhero movie. But clearly, that’s a misconception. More accurately, it’s a coming-of-age, high school drama.

Robert thought to himself, Interesting.

And then—

Peter appeared.

The host scoffed at the nickname "The Human Spider," deeming it too ridiculous, so he came up with a new one on the spot: "The Amazing… Spider-Man."

Robert chuckled. Even such small details carried a sort of dark humor, as if genuinely mocking the naive enthusiasm of an awkward teen.

Regardless, Spider-Man made his debut, easily defeating his powerful opponent with his astonishing abilities. But after the match, Peter didn’t receive the promised $3,000 prize. The promoter claimed he’d won too quickly—the ad said he had to last three minutes, but Peter knocked out his opponent in two. As a result, Peter was only offered $100.

It was blatant discrimination against Peter’s youth.

Angry and frustrated, Peter left. Unexpectedly, someone robbed the underground wrestling venue. Standing by the elevator, Peter didn’t stop the robber. Instead, he stepped aside, letting the thief get away.

When the promoter confronted him, Peter smugly replied, "Not my problem."

But Peter had no idea that while he was fixated on revenge, the world outside was turning upside down.

In a carjacking incident, a driver was shot in the heart.

That driver was Uncle Ben.

Seeing his uncle lying there, barely alive, Peter froze. His mind was racing, overwhelmed with thoughts, unable to react. He just stood there, wide-eyed, staring at the frail form of Uncle Ben.

Uncle Ben struggled to grab Peter’s hand, trying to say something, but he was too weak to speak. He managed to whisper just one word:

"Peter…"

Peter was stunned. He opened his mouth, a flood of words on the tip of his tongue, but his brain completely locked up. He watched helplessly as Uncle Ben closed his eyes.

Those bright blue eyes shed a single tear. Peter showed no expression, made no movement. His shoulders slumped as the tear fell, and it seemed he had forgotten how to breathe. His entire world crumbled around him.

Though there was no sound, you could almost see his heart shatter in that deep blue gaze, filled with broken dreams.

He tried to breathe but found himself suffocating. Tears streamed down his face like broken pearls, and a sense of confusion and helplessness dragged him into the abyss.

He heard police communications over the radio, tracking the thief, and that seized Peter’s heart. His scattered focus gathered, and a flash of anger flickered in his bright, clear eyes.

Without hesitation, Peter bolted off at full speed.

This was the first time Peter fully used his superpowers. The camera followed him as he swung through the steel jungle of New York, the fluid movements and pounding music gripping the audience. One by one, people clenched their hands, their hearts rising and falling with Peter’s every move, as if their fate was tied to his.

Peter found the thief and easily subdued him.

Enraged, Peter was ready to kill. But then, he saw the thief’s face clearly—

It was the guy he let go at the underground wrestling match.

Cause and effect flashed through his mind. It’s him. He’s the reason for all of this. If I hadn’t let him go out of selfishness, none of this would have happened.

It’s me. I’m the one to blame.

At that moment, the entire theater was stunned into silence. Not a sound could be heard, as if even heartbeats and breaths had stopped.

Gloria was completely still. The image on the big screen magnified every detail tenfold, twentyfold. She could see the bright blue eyes so clearly, reading the struggle and inner turmoil reflected in them.

Shock. Confusion. Regret. Sorrow. Pain.

Little by little, the tension pulled, slowly tearing Peter’s soul apart.

Gloria felt like she could see those wounds, bleeding in front of her, the pain so intense yet utterly silent. An enormous, soul-crushing force erupted deep inside but couldn’t be released, swallowed back into the void, crashing through his entire being.

In the end, it all condensed into a fragile drop of despair, hanging on his eyelashes.

Cutting off his breath.

If this is the cost of growing up, it’s far too brutal and savage. It wasn’t a slow process of maturing overnight, but a forced transformation in just a single moment.

Time stood still.

Robert fell silent too, forgetting his critiques, forgetting his analysis, fully absorbed in those eyes. He felt himself being drawn back into Peter Parker’s world. Quietly, it felt like he had returned to being eighteen again, reliving the pangs of youth, that era that once seemed like it would last forever.

The power of film washed over him like a tidal wave. The entire Royal Theater was utterly silent, yet you could hear the sound of hearts breaking.

And slowly, that heartbreak spread.

Blair subconsciously turned toward the doors of the Royal Theater—

But there was nothing.

Still, she had a feeling. She could sense a fragile, sensitive emotion permeating the air, causing her heartbeat to skip.

Suddenly, she felt a twinge of sadness.

"Blair?" Karen noticed.

Blair waved her hand, "No..." She paused, looking at the staff dismantling the premiere decorations. Nothing was out of the ordinary. She quickly refocused. "No, no, just my imagination."

Even so, her gaze drifted back to the theater doors, lost in thought once more.

Movies have this unique magic—

In just 90 to 120 minutes, they open a window, allowing the audience to glimpse a world suspended between reality and fantasy. It offers a brief escape, an adventure, a journey, and when it’s over, it feels like nothing happened, yet it’s as though your life has been extended by those 120 minutes.

Ordinary, yet extraordinary.

And now, it was happening again.

Even if only for a brief moment, Gloria had experienced the world’s vast changes alongside Peter.