From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

The smile remained at the corner of his lips.

Anson maintained a relaxed tone, "Of course, we can sit down and discuss in depth whether it's appropriate for the spotlight to fall entirely on one member; but there's an undeniable fact here."

"Indeed, without me, that performance might not have happened; but equally, without you all, I wouldn't have stopped there in the first place."

"Have I ever told you that the reason I stepped forward was the cello? Not just any band, any street performance, but you guys."

Just as Anson said, they could sit down and discuss the relationship between the individual and the band. Countless bands in history have fallen apart for the same reason. In the arena of fame and fortune, desire becomes an elusive and unpredictable force, yet it's the cause of countless events.

However, there was no need—

After all, everything hadn't even started yet. They didn't even know if they could be considered a band. All that lay before them was an opportunity.

The key was whether they were prepared to seize this opportunity.

Anson could see that Lily and Miles were very enthusiastic, but Connor wasn't.

Connor seemed a little quiet.

Anson offered a smile, "So, the decision is yours."

Lily eagerly prepared to speak, but noticed Miles's gaze. Following Miles's line of sight to Anson, she then noticed Anson's gaze resting on Connor.

Lily was taken aback, "Connor?"

Connor, immersed in his own thoughts, unexpectedly lowered his head, his right foot tapping anxiously, "I, uh… I'm not sure."

"Connor!" Lily called out.

Connor gently shook his head, "I know, I understand, I want to go, I want to agree, that's why I'm here."

"But."

A moment of silence.

"I'm scared."

"I'm afraid of rekindling hope and then being disappointed again. That, that's too painful."

"Sometimes, I even think, wouldn't it be better if there was no hope from the beginning?"

"I, uh, I want to be on stage, I want to continue performing, I love the moment when I can communicate with the audience through music, not because the spotlight is on me, but because at that moment I can feel a connection, a connection that I'm not alone in the universe."

"I had already given up, I had already convinced myself to return to peace, I no longer dream, but now…"

Connor vigorously wiped his face, and when he looked up, he could see a slight redness in his eyes. The kind of emotion, caught between hope and fear, that words simply couldn't express.

Connor looked at Anson and softly asked, "What if we're disappointed again?"

Anson understood, he understood it all too well. He himself had experienced it in his previous life, disappointment after disappointment, to the point that even hope became hateful.

However, no one can predict the future, including Anson—

In the parallel world he was familiar with, he had never heard the names Miles Anderson, Lily Watkins, or Connor Jenks.

So, the 'Tonight Show' might be an opportunity, a turning point, a chance to soar; but it could also be a false hope, a brief moment under the spotlight, winning some applause and cheers, only to be forgotten and abandoned after turning around, everything returning to peace.

Life is cruel, it doesn't show mercy because of who you are.

Anson exhaled a long breath.

"Connor, I'm not your answer. Neither is Lily, nor is Miles. Everyone's life has its own confusion. We always hope to find answers from others, but when the day ends, the only one who can answer our questions is ourselves."

Anson didn't want to give a long speech, nor did he want to offer any clichés.

In his slightly red eyes, you could still see a glimmer of tears, a contradictory pull of fear and expectation, timidity and excitement.

His head drooped down again, until the stale air in his chest was slowly exhaled, and the jumbled thoughts in his mind were difficult to sort out for a moment; then, he noticed a notebook under the coffee table, with a line of words scribbled on it.

"I don't want to be your hero, I don't want to be a big shot, I just want to be an ordinary person, and try to live this life well."

A direct hit.

Those words landed on his chest like that, burning quickly, almost scalding his heart.

Connor suddenly raised his head, "Anson, I'm sorry, I was looking around without permission. But… this, are these lyrics?"

Connor pulled the notebook from under the coffee table and placed it in front of Anson, his eyes full of curiosity and anticipation.

Anson glanced at it, "These are some random notes."

The inspiration came from that boy in New York.

The boy's words echoed in Anson's mind again and again, and finally, Anson recorded them, with his own understanding and interpretation.

Indeed, many people yearn to be superheroes, yearn to make great achievements, yearn to be remembered in history; but at the same time, some people also yearn for an ordinary life.

In his previous life, Anson had experienced too many ups and downs; this time, he just wanted to enjoy life, even if becoming an actor didn't mean a magnificent life. Performing in some works, playing some roles, enjoying the fun of each filming, and having no regrets, that would be enough.

People often don't like the ordinary, but in fact, being ordinary is not easy, and being ordinary is more precious than imagined.

For actors and singers, many people have such a misunderstanding that the profession of standing under the spotlight is often narcissistic, often worshiping fame and fortune and pursuing attention; but in fact, artists are also ordinary people, performance is just a job, they also have their own joys, sorrows, and joys.

Moreover, although not many, there are indeed some artists who simply like to perform, whether it's acting or music, it has nothing to do with those applause and those lights. It's a way of self-expression, and it's also a way of seeking communication and waiting for resonance, not everything is about fame and fortune.

Of course, fame and fortune are important, very, very important, but not everything is closely related to them.

Perhaps, the New York boy is like this, and so is Connor.

Anson looked at Connor, he could see a kind of purity in Connor's eyes, a pure love, "If you're willing, it can also become lyrics."

Connor's eyes lit up, "So, we can create a song. And then perform on the 'Tonight Show'?"

Lily immediately grasped the point, "Connor, does this mean you agree?"

Connor shrugged lightly.

Miles's attention was immediately drawn to that lyric. His brow furrowed slightly, as if he was thinking about how to arrange the music.

The atmosphere instantly became lighter, like spring blooming.

Even Anson couldn't help but rub his hands together. This was also a brand new experience, "So, are we ready to start creating a brand new song?"

"Wait, wait, if we're a band, what should the band be called?"

"No, no, no, no name. We should share the story of our street encounter on the show, so we don't have a name."

"But, we're about to go on the 'Tonight Show', shouldn't we have a name?"

They were discussing and chattering, the light of hope slowly shining down.