From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“Me!”

From the crowd, an arm shot up, waving eagerly and ecstatically, the excitement palpable even in that single syllable.

Immediately, others around them looked regretful, lamenting their missed opportunity.

The crowd parted to create a narrow passage, and a figure squeezed through the dense throng, right hand still waving.

“I have it! I have it!”

Following the sound, a wide smile spread across Anson's face.

“Hey, Gloria.”

The person approaching was indeed an acquaintance, Gloria Prester.

Panting, Gloria finally reached the front, frantically rummaging through her backpack.

Anson chuckled, “No rush, we’re not pressed for time. But, what brings you here?”

Gloria pulled out a carbon pen, holding it up, “How could I miss the Grammys? And congratulations on the nomination, by the way.”

Anson, “Thank you!”

Beside them, Miles and the others stared at Anson and Gloria, their faces a mixture of confusion.

Anson smiled, “An old friend.”

Connor muttered beside him, “How is it you have friends everywhere?”

Miles quietly added, “Don’t forget, we’re his friends too.”

Clearly, Miles was referring to how they met, implying that without Anson's initiative, their story wouldn't exist.

The surrounding crowd immediately understood, erupting in laughter.

Anson took the carbon pen from Gloria, quickly signing Archie's vinyl record, followed by Lily, Connor, and Miles adding their signatures.

The next moment, a flurry of albums appeared.

They were all copies of “Midsummer Midnight.” Anson’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked around.

“Did we accidentally step into Midsummer Midnight?”

A double entendre.

Archie could feel the warmth radiating from Gloria.

Feeling a little bolder, he mustered his courage and shook Gloria's hand.

“Archie.”

After the Grammy Awards ceremony, Anson and Archie's interaction spread widely among music enthusiasts through word of mouth.

Indeed, music is a window to the soul.

From the album “Midsummer Midnight,” one could see Anson's true nature; he was clearly not just a pretty face.

Of course, the vinyl record signed by all the band members on August 31st was even more coveted, a unique and limited edition item.

Rumor had it that someone in the black market had offered a high price of $100,000, hoping Archie would part with it; later, the price climbed to an unbelievable $150,000.

Unfortunately, Archie remained unmoved, refusing to put a price on that memory and the album.

Outside the Staples Center, the commotion continued unabated.

Archie had made a new friend and was finally starting to enjoy the grandeur of the awards ceremony; while the August 31st band, now inside the venue, had vanished without a trace.

Tonight at the Grammys, the August 31st band, and Anson in particular, were the center of attention.

Especially after the Oscars controversy, everyone was curious: what was Anson up to?

Many were eager to get close to Anson and the band, even though their exposure was already high, they remained shrouded in mystery in North America.

Anson, in particular, had been active as an actor, yet he had stirred up such a storm in the music world; while the band members, led by Miles, had spent most of the year in Europe, without attending events or making public appearances, making them incredibly mysterious.

The curiosity of the North American music scene continued to ferment.

Tonight was the opportunity, a chance to get close to the August 31st band members; they had finally emerged from their mysterious cave!

But what happened?

Where were they?

Even though news had spread from the red carpet that the August 31st band had entered the venue, everyone was searching, yet no one could see the band members.

Especially Anson.

Anson Wood, an absolute focus wherever he went, was nowhere to be seen at the Grammy Awards ceremony tonight.

What was going on?

A wave of questions surged through the Staples Center.

So, where was the August 31st band?

“Hey, guys, remember our first meeting?”

After leaving the red carpet and entering the Staples Center, Anson called out to the band members.

The three looked at each other.

Miles, ever the honest one, said, “Of course. We were on the streets of Manhattan, you showed up, asking if we were interested in jamming together. We all thought you were crazy. But in the end, we did it, ‘Awaken Me’ was born.”

“Haha.” Anson laughed outright, “I was wondering, are you guys interested in trying that again?”

Lily: … …

Connor: … …

Miles, “You mean, tonight, at the Grammys?”

Anson spread his hands, a confident smile on his face, “I just had an inspiration, just like when we first met on the streets of Manhattan.”

This time, even Miles was silent—

The Grammys, broadcast live worldwide.

Not just North America, but the whole world could see it, everything live, no delay.

Precisely because of this, the award ceremony organizers were extremely strict, with three rounds of rehearsals just to adapt to the venue and the performances, ensuring that no errors occurred.

Some large-scale performances, like Beyoncé's, involved over fifty dancers, not only on the main stage but also on the sub-stages and side stages, etc.

From lighting to equipment to movement routes, everything needed to be confirmed.

Beyoncé had been rehearsing since the end of November last year, and first stepped onto the incomplete stage at the Staples Center in December to confirm space and position.

For the past month, the August 31st band had also been rehearsing—

Everything stemmed from an inspiration of Anson's; they would also stage a special performance at the Grammys this year.

The importance of rehearsal was unprecedented.

But now?

Anson was actually planning to adjust the stage on the fly, just like a street performance in Manhattan?

What a crazy idea!

The Grammy organizers and CBS television must want to strangle Anson; if there were any deviations, Anson might be completely blacklisted by the Grammys.

But miraculously, Miles was actually a little expectant.

Back then, they met on the streets of Manhattan, starting a magical journey; along the way, they reached the Grammy stage, and now they were returning to their original intentions, putting a period on the band's journey in the way they first met.

Maybe everything was predestined.

Taking a deep breath, Miles looked at Anson, “Last time we spent almost two hours practicing, how much time do we need tonight?”