From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

With a single word and a single glance, Edgar exuded an aura of icy resistance.

Immediately, the three of them cleared a path, silently watching Edgar leave with a cold expression. Even the California sunlight seemed to consciously avoid Edgar's shoulders, causing their hearts to contract sharply.

It wasn't until Edgar left that the three of them could finally breathe again.

Lily looked at Connor, Connor looked at Miles, but Miles also had a confused expression. The three of them carefully tiptoed into the room, cautiously looking around, afraid of accidentally disturbing a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Judging from Edgar's expression just now, perhaps Edgar and Anson had just had an unpleasant conversation. Now Anson might also be in a bad mood. They began to wonder if they should hide under the car.

"The way you guys are acting, you'd be too clumsy to be burglars."

A teasing voice came from the front of the hall, causing Lily and the others to jump back in fright like startled birds. They looked as if the floor was scalding hot, and even Miles, who was usually calm and elegant, was no exception.

"Haha."

Then, they saw Anson laughing heartily.

False alarm.

Judging from Anson's expression, he should be fine. It seemed that it was just their own wild thoughts. Lily pressed her wildly beating heart, regained her composure, and relaxed her tense nerves. "Anson, your manager is so scary."

Anson looked puzzled. "Captain? Are you sure?"

In his memory, from the first time they met, Edgar had always maintained a smiling image, never losing control even when faced with provocation and complaints. Anson really didn't seem to have seen Edgar's serious and fierce appearance.

Of course, Anson also knew that this didn't mean that Edgar's usual behavior was like this. After all, agents who worked in Hollywood shouldn't be true "good people" in the true sense—

Good people either get eliminated or change careers.

Lily nodded repeatedly. "Yes, we even forgot to say hello to him."

Anson chuckled. "It's okay, he doesn't eat children."

Lily: … … Her forehead was covered with black lines. This gentleman, such a comment is not helpful at all, okay?

However, Anson didn't continue chatting. He invited the three of them to sit down and got straight to the point without delay.

"Sorry, after 'The Tonight Show', work has been non-stop, and it wasn't until today that I had some free time. I think we should talk about serious matters."

Anson lived in Los Angeles, so he naturally didn't need to worry, but Lily and the other two needed to bear enormous pressure. The expenses of rent and daily life were almost crushing them. Although Anson took the initiative to offer help, because the band had been stagnating because of him, Lily and the others refused.

Connor's original words were, "We'll need your help with many, many things in the future. At least for now, let us be self-reliant."

Lily agreed, "We've been working in New York for so many years anyway. If we change cities, we'll still be able to persevere."

Anson could understand their persistence, so he didn't insist further.

After dragging on until now, things finally took an important turn.

"One thing is Warner Records…"

Anson revealed his thoughts and discussed them openly and frankly, without hiding anything.

Anson had always been serious. Although the band's street videos became popular because of him, and he was responsible for all the songwriting, he always believed that Connor, Lily, and Miles were indispensable. If he collaborated with other people, the same songs might be completely different.

A band should be a whole, advancing and retreating together.

Connor couldn't help but swallow. "Are you saying that we only sign one album contract, for eight hundred thousand dollars, but correspondingly get 20% of the royalties? Do you think there's a high probability that Warner Records will agree to this?"

"99.9%?" Anson shrugged lightly. "It's a worthwhile deal for them, they have no reason to refuse. The only dispute is that they want to sign a contract for two albums in one go."

Lily thought she could stay calm, but in fact her brain was buzzing. "What was Warner Records' original proposal, again?"

"Uh, I'm a little unsure. One million per album, and the royalties… 11%? And sign for five albums? Or was it three? In short, lower royalties, higher signing fee, and a longer contract."

The air stirred slightly.

Miles was also feeling parched—

Usually, they would make grand pronouncements, saying they would never bow down for a few bucks, that one or two million were like dirt, and that money couldn't buy dreams. But now that they actually saw a big shot like Warner Records waving a check in front of them, they instantly lost their ability to think.

With a slight hesitation, his heart beat like a drum.

Not just Miles, Lily and Connor were the same. Going from having nothing to having too many choices, they were a little overwhelmed for a while.

Anson wasn't surprised by this.

Hearing about it is one thing, experiencing it firsthand is another.

They just needed some time.

Anson didn't rush them to sort out their thoughts, and continued to speak.

"The other thing is the album theme."

"Actually, we don't have to work with Warner Records. There are other record companies, or we can sign with an independent record company to ensure our musical style. There's no need to rush to make a decision."

"But I think we need to finalize a theme for the album. No matter which company we sign with, we'll have something to say when discussing and negotiating, to see if they can accept our creative ideas, or if they're saying one thing and doing another, changing our musical style beyond recognition after signing the contract."

Looking at Connor's almost dislocated jaw, Anson gave a helpless smile.

"Unfortunately, I'm not kidding this time."

"Many bands have suffered this loss. Because they are newcomers without the right to create independently, they say good things before signing the contract, but completely change their tune after signing. The record company uses its own producers to create a set of music, like dressing up a rag doll, evolving it into the market-selling look they want."

"After all, it's not the seventies anymore. Bands are weakening, and idol singers and pop music are popular."

"So, if we can sort out our thoughts and determine the album theme and musical style before we sign with a record company, I think it's a good thing."

"Everyone, any inspiration?"

However, when Anson looked up, he saw three faces in shock and unable to extricate themselves. He couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Dear book friends, happy New Year's Eve!