From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"Then, like me, open your eyes, share your thoughts, dream of the future, pour out your heart; you are free."

"Gaze into your heart, and you will find yourself soaring through the blue sky."

Step by step, gently tiptoeing, the heart sprouts wings and flies into the wind. Anson's unrestrained singing echoes from the microphone, completely letting loose.

Like a child running, jumping, and playing in the rain during a summer sun shower.

"So, don't, please don't, please don't, hmm hmm hmm, doo ba doo ba doo doo doo, please don't..."

"No need to beat around the bush, spring nights are short, it's destiny, oh, oh oh oh, it's fate, fate, fate, I am yours, doo doo doo ba doo ba..."

"Hmm hmm... roar roar roar..."

Casual, unrestrained, free, light, and lively.

Anson was completely immersed in it, freeing himself, dancing back and forth between high and low notes, so much so that the audience's hearts also rode along on a roller coaster.

"Oh, I am yours."

"Oh! I am yours... I I I am yours..."

Gradually, the melody faded, and the starlight dimmed.

However, the throbbing and romance that almost overflowed from their chests melted people's hearts. Just as everything was about to fade into nothingness, Anson suddenly strummed the strings again.

Crackle crackle.

Snap.

Anson pressed down on the strings again, the noise disappeared, and the bustling world returned to silence. There was no sound, only the sound of the heart hitting the chest, gently tugging at the pulse.

Thump. Thump.

Subconsciously, Kristen turned to look at Jack, even if she herself didn't know the reason, or rather, there was no reason. Following the guidance of her heart, she naturally looked over, and then she saw a sky full of stars.

Jack also didn't know where the courage came from, and didn't avoid her gaze.

He was staring at the back of Kristen's head, his heart constantly pounding in his chest, his fingertips starting to sweat, but he couldn't help but silently chant:

Turn around. Turn around. Turn around.

Then, Kristen turned her head.

Jack was startled. Being caught in the act of sneaking a peek, his first reaction was to avoid her gaze; but miraculously, this time he didn't.

The first line of Anson's lyrics involuntarily appeared in his mind.

"I admit you've already captured me, and you know it very well."

He knew he was trying his best to appear calm and avoid revealing his feelings; but obviously, he couldn't hide it. It was already no secret in other people's eyes. So, despite being shy, bashful, and restrained, he still controlled himself and tried his best to avoid turning his head.

Bravely, he met Kristen's gaze.

For a brief moment, Kristen was stunned, silently and directly looking into Jack's eyes, surrounded by a gentle but surging wave, and then two blushes flew onto her cheeks.

A start.

Kristen averted her gaze.

A throbbing that seemed to come from nowhere firmly grasped her heart. It was too sudden, too unfamiliar, and too intense, causing her to panic.

Clap clap!

Applause came from her ears.

Kristen was like a frightened bird, thinking she had been discovered, but she couldn't say who had discovered her or what had been discovered. She suddenly sat up straight and looked around, only to realize her embarrassment—

Clap clap clap, clap clap clap!

Applause, like thunder, surged towards Anson.

Without words or calls to action, applause erupted spontaneously, and in a short while, it filled the entire cafe space, and the rolling heat wave released incredible energy, rising steadily.

It became more and more intense.

Kristen's cheeks flushed slightly, and she secretly glanced back at Jack, only to find Jack holding back a smile. She felt a little embarrassed but also a little amused, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise slightly. The two people smiled at each other.

The smile could no longer be controlled.

Retracting her gaze, Kristen also applauded for Anson, joining the crowd.

Applause, whistles, cheers, and bravos merged into one.

Anson didn't hide his surprise—

This performance was just a serenade, a light and simple tune. There was nothing complicated about it, purely to create an atmosphere. He didn't expect to win so much attention and such a warm response. This was completely unexpected.

However, Anson was not restrained. He bowed generously.

In a noisy burst of applause, Anson left the stage and returned the guitar. The cafe manager repeatedly expressed his gratitude and waived Anson and his friends' bill for the evening.

Obviously, he hadn't anticipated such a scene either.

When Anson had asked to perform a song just now, he thought it was just another man trying to show off his talent to confess to the object of his affection, and the result might be an embarrassing public failure. His agreement was not a cheerful acceptance, but a helpless compromise to get it over with quickly.

Originally, Hannah didn't understand why, but following Anson's gaze, she could see the guests around whistling and applauding. She immediately understood and called the ignorant Jack and Annie to leave.

Perhaps, the only one who really wanted to leave here was Kristen—

Her cheeks were burning, and she needed to breathe some fresh air.

Amid the attention of the entire room, the group finally left the indoor heat, which was almost boiling, and the cool air of the New York spring instantly surrounded them. The obvious temperature difference caused goosebumps to break out crazily.

Anson generously took off his windbreaker, keeping a denim jacket, and lent the windbreaker to Annie, constantly giving Jack knowing glances.

That blockhead Jack didn't understand.

On the contrary, Kristen understood, and her eyes were full of smiles as she secretly looked at Anson.

Anson noticed it, looked back, and he believed that Kristen had also seen through his intentions. He simply didn't hide it, spreading his hands with a look of frankness.

Retracting his gaze, Anson looked at Annie, "Sorry for interrupting your gathering tonight."

The windbreaker had no temperature, but it still retained the dry and cool pine needle scent from Anson's body. Annie's thoughts were a little dazed. Hearing the voice, she hurriedly looked up, "No, no, no, we had a very pleasant evening."

After a pause, Annie still said, "Your performance was very wonderful, not only was the singing beautiful, but the whole performance was also very complete."

"If it's out of ten?" Anson raised his eyebrows.

Annie was stunned, then reacted, "Nine points."

Anson exclaimed in surprise, "Leaving one point for fear of me becoming proud?"

What Annie didn't say was that she knew that another person's performance was a perfect ten, but hearing Anson's answer at this time, her smile bloomed, waking up from the brief infatuation. The night wind was blowing away the thoughts in her mind.

She was thinking that she should return the windbreaker to Anson, but that would be awkward and unnecessary. Anyway, they were friends, so it was better to express her gratitude generously.

"Even if you don't give you that one point, you are already proud enough, aren't you?" The playfulness between Annie's eyebrows returned.