From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Miles - Anderson was feeling somewhat dejected.

From a young age, he studied classical music, specializing in the cello, and achieved some success in the classical music field, winning championships in some competitions and even performing on the stage of Carnegie Hall. Although not among the very top, he had a promising future and a visible path in the world of classical music.

But Miles always believed that classical music shouldn't be elitist and isolated, confined to a small group of people, appreciating itself in seclusion. Young people should also discover the beauty of classical music, and classical instruments should integrate into the times, becoming widely accepted and familiar to the general public.

The times are constantly progressing. They shouldn't abandon tradition, but they also shouldn't cling to tradition and refuse to move forward.

Whether it's classical music or pop music, they are both music, both melodies. Neither is superior to the other, nor is one more artistic than the other.

Miles found a group of like-minded partners, embracing musical dreams, believing they could use their own strength to change the world and change culture, hoping to integrate various classical instruments such as the cello, violin, and harp into pop music, leading a brand new musical direction.

Unfortunately.

Now it seems he was too hasty. For two whole years, they were running at a loss, their music remained unheard, and the expensive pressure of New York was making it hard for the band members to breathe.

He didn't blame the band members for their breakdown, because he lived at home. Although his parents didn't understand or support him, at least he didn't have to face the pressure of rent and living expenses; but the band members were not so fortunate. To survive in this freezing society, they needed more support.

Miles couldn't help but think that maybe it was all his fault; maybe, without him, the band would have been able to find their opportunity and realize their dreams in the past two years; maybe, from the beginning, he shouldn't have proposed such a concept; maybe, it was just his wishful thinking.

He felt both guilty and disappointed.

Miles' heart slowly sank, wanting to apologize, but not knowing how to start, as any words seemed like a cunning excuse.

"Excuse me, could we enjoy one more piece?"

But Lily didn't notice, nor did she have the heart to notice, turning to look ahead, barely managing a smile, "Today's performance is over."

Somewhat unexpectedly, standing in front of them was a young man who didn't seem like the type to stop specifically for street performances. After all, in this concrete jungle, everyone seemed busy, extraordinarily busy, so busy that they didn't have time to stop, let alone appreciate street performances.

The man gave a smile, "Just one song. It'll only be one song. It won't take up too much of your time."

Next to him, Connor - Jenks, who was preparing to dismantle the drum kit, stopped his movements. His freckles gave him an honest and simple look, and he said in a gentle tone, "Lily, it's just one song."

"Have you forgotten our original intention, to play music for everyone who needs it? Now someone who needs it has appeared."

Lily was stunned, her shoulders drooping. She glanced at Miles, who was silent but couldn't hide the expectation in his eyes, feeling somewhat annoyed and helpless, "Even if I'm willing, we don't have a guitar or a lead singer, so what should we perform, instrumental music?"

All eyes turned to the lonely, forgotten, and abandoned guitar.

The atmosphere was somewhat bitter.

Unexpectedly, a voice came from the side, "If you don't mind, I can join in."

With a rustling sound, all three of them looked at the man standing in front.

The smile on the man's lips was so light and bright, "Wood. Anson - Wood."

The three of them looked at each other, momentarily forgetting to speak. Exhausted and anxious, their brains were clearly moving slower, and no one knew how to react.

Anson didn't rush forward, still standing in place, "I just listened in for a bit. You guys seem to be trying to integrate the cello into the melody, but you haven't found a suitable way, right? I have an idea, would you be willing to try it out?"

Connor revealed a look of surprise, glancing at Miles. He could immediately sense Miles' eagerness, but he couldn't speak because of guilt —

Miles really couldn't ask them to try again.

Connor couldn't help but shout, "Lily!"

Lily hesitated, not wanting to play the bad guy, but now her mind was complicated and full of irritability. In the end, she couldn't help but say, "We've tried it."

"Not just once or twice."

Lily was also somewhat frustrated.

"It's not that we don't cooperate well, nor that we don't have talent. In fact, we've made countless attempts and gone through countless practices, but..."

"I think we're too ahead of our time, ahead of the era. The public still can't accept it."

"Heh."

"Linkin Park just barely showed the market that rap can also be part of rock. We're already impatiently hoping to integrate classical music into rock. Who are we kidding? It's too ahead of its time. No one in the current market can accept it."

"Do you know how long Linkin Park struggled in obscurity?"

— Anson knew.

Seven years, from the time Chester - Bennington embarked on the band's path to this year when Linkin Park began to emerge, a full seven years.

In fact, Linkin Park still hasn't "made it" yet. They are still suffering setbacks and running into walls everywhere. Because they were repeatedly rejected and denied by record companies, they defiantly released the single "One - Step - Closer" online, but unexpectedly sparked heated discussions online.

The Yahoo fan discussion forum received thousands of comments in just one week, which made Warner Bros. Records see the potential, and only then did they sign them.

Currently, Linkin Park is still preparing their debut studio album, which has not yet been released.

In other words, there is still a long road ahead for the general public to accept the changes in music.

But similarly, Anson also knew that change had already arrived. From Linkin Park to Nora - Jones, the world's musical landscape was quietly changing.

Perhaps, if they slightly changed their focus, not using the cello as the main focus, the general public wouldn't be bound by stereotypes just because they noticed the cello at first glance, and they could subtly feel the charm brought by the so-called classical instrument of the cello, things might be slightly different.

Of course, Anson didn't have the answer either. He couldn't be sure if his idea would work in 2000 —

At least, it was worth a try.

The unrestrained and lawless Anson from his previous life before the age of twenty-five seemed to be awakening bit by bit.

Anson shrugged lightly, "Since you've already tried ninety-nine times, what's wrong with one more time? Anyway, it's just spending another thirty minutes."

"Before you choose to give up, give yourself one more chance in thirty minutes. I think dreams are worth such an opportunity."

A smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

A ray of sunlight tore through the heavy clouds and passed over the concrete jungle, illuminating an inconspicuous corner of the city, and life seemed to have hope again.

Lily looked at the man in front of her, and couldn't help but be stunned, nodding almost subconsciously, "Okay."

Fourth update.