From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Amidst the laughter, the heavy and serious atmosphere relaxed, and Connor also smiled.

"A portion of the invitations were to find us, but we have a request: we need to find Anson. I told the record company that Anson created that music, that the soul of that performance was Anson. Obviously, they don't care; they just want to seize the trending topic."

"They think that by finding a new lead singer and repackaging it, we can continue to perform this song and still succeed."

"I don't agree."

Anson was undeniably surprised.

If the band and the record company's creative philosophies didn't align, leading to a failure to sign a contract, it would have been expected. After all, Miles and the others were a very, very special band from the start, possessing their own edges and colors, and they hoped to continue to adhere to them.

But he didn't expect it to be for this reason.

Briefly, Anson put the talk show aside and looked at Connor, a hint of seriousness in his eyes, "Actually, you should seriously consider it."

Connor shook his head, "We've tried it, before that, after that, but we know what chemical reaction we're missing."

After all the twists and turns, they finally understood that a band is not simply a performance form where a few people gather together, but a brand-new performance form produced after a group of like-minded partners gather together and their talents collide. If any link is wrong, the result may be completely different.

Perhaps Anson is not an indispensable link, but without Anson, the feeling is ultimately different.

Of course, they could sign with the record company, no problem; however, the ending would not change much. They would just be one member of countless independent bands that seem a little special but ultimately lack soul.

Anson is the fundamental reason why they received attention.

Connor wouldn't deny that the three of them had had arguments and disagreements. They weren't as great and noble as they portrayed. They also had their own desires and ambitions, but in the end, they still chose to refuse.

The atmosphere was slightly heavy.

At this moment, "The Tonight Show" seemed to be no longer a simple talk show, but a glimpse into some genuine emotions, a little bit of truth beneath the glamorous facade of Vanity Fair.

Applause, whistles, cheers.

The audience in the studio paid tribute to Connor, Lily, and Miles in this way—

Even bystanders knew that "rejection" was not easy.

Karen raised her hands high, signaling with applause. She knew that Connor and the others' decision was foolish and naive in Hollywood's eyes. Those record companies would not be moved by their persistence. On the contrary, they would laugh at Connor and the others' insistence as unnecessary self-importance.

After all, this is Vanity Fair.

But real life is one thing, and "everyone else does it, why can't I do it" cannot be a reason for something to be "correct." Even if millions of people choose to go with the flow, it will not make compromise, betrayal, or blind obedience noble. Those bottom lines and conscience still need someone to uphold.

Indeed, they were eliminated. Connor and the others did not receive rewards for their nobility, and their musical dreams were buried just like that, but at least they did not betray themselves.

It was precisely because of this that they were able to spark with Anson, perform "Wake Me Up," and perfectly reproduce it fifteen months later.

At this moment, the applause belonged to Connor, Lily, and Miles.

Uncontrollably, Karen's eyes welled up with tears as she applauded and cheered, expressing her respect with all her strength.

The whole place thundered.

Connor breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Miles and Lily. The three exchanged a look:

Over the years that had passed, they had argued, complained, regretted, felt sorry, and been sad, but as time passed, now looking back on that time, they knew they had made the right decision, despite the pain and struggle, they had held on to their bottom line.

The atmosphere in the studio was a little subtle, and it looked like "The Tonight Show" was about to evolve into "The Oprah Winfrey Show"—

The next scene should be hugging and crying, and then Oprah starts handing out gifts to the whole audience. You get a gift, you get a gift, everyone gets a gift.

Obviously, this was what Jay Leno didn't want to see.

So.

Jay Leno spread his hands, with a look of regret on his face, "It's a pity, we missed a good show."

"Originally, this could have evolved into the annual drama of 'Plagiarism Scandal - Copyright Lawsuit - Friends Falling Out.' That's the Vanity Fair we're familiar with. Obviously, Connor, you're not suitable for Vanity Fair."

The emotion instantly turned into laughter.

It must be said that Jay Leno is outstanding. He reversed the situation in one fell swoop, teasing Connor's words, and the atmosphere of the whole audience became lively again.

Connor was a little uncomfortable and didn't understand the meaning of Jay Leno's words for a while.

Anson turned to look at Jay Leno, "No, this series of dog blood will not happen, because I have no way to prove that I created that song."

"No manuscript, no audio."

"If we go to court, it will be my word against their word. Hey, Jay, there are three of them and just me, the result is already obvious."

It could... be interpreted like that?

Anson turned to look at Connor.

"Guys, maybe you missed the chance to become the next Bob Dylan."

One second.

Haha, hahaha.

There was applause and whistling again, and many audience members even stood up directly, shaking their heads and applauding to show their high respect to Anson.

Even Jay Leno couldn't help but want to clap his thighs and applaud Anson.

Amazing, really amazing—

There has always been a saying in the music industry that Bob Dylan "plagiarized/stole" the original works of other folk singers in the early stages of his career, thereby becoming famous in one fell swoop. Although Bob has not admitted it, he has not denied it either, but the real folk bigwigs all know that this is an open secret.

Of course, later Bob Dylan still relied on his talent to create a world of his own and became an existence that cannot be ignored in the history of folk music.

Cruel, bloody, indifferent, profit-driven, unscrupulous.

This is the truth of Vanity Fair, and everyone involved in it is no exception.

Who would have thought that Anson would casually use such an allusion to tease Connor and the others' simplicity and innocence, not complaining or attacking, the regret revealed inadvertently could instead express Anson's position, but this way of expression was full of entertainment effect—

The atmosphere of the show was instantly pushed to its peak.

Even Connor and the other three were stunned.

Obviously, they didn't expect to appear on "The Tonight Show," let alone become the protagonists of the applause and laughter storm of the whole audience.

The three of them exchanged a look, and then they couldn't help but smile crept up the corners of their mouths, their tension relaxed slightly, and they actually began to enjoy the recording of the show.