From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Anson knew his own limitations.

Not from a professional background, lacking formal training, everything relied on his interest, hobbies, and the advantage of foresight.

Therefore, theoretical discussions were fine, but practical operations were another matter entirely. Performance relied on his own exploration, while music production needed Miles and Dustin.

He didn't consider himself omniscient or capable of controlling the overall situation.

When Miles and Dustin had disagreements, Anson had some ideas, some concepts, some inspiration, but how to put them into practice specifically required some trial and error, some fine-tuning, some exploration.

Of course, this was also a kind of fun.

However, after Anson saw Ryan Tedder, he had some thoughts.

Ryan Tedder, a producer and lead singer from the era of the band OneRepublic.

OneRepublic was among the first bands to incorporate classical instruments like cello into the pop/rock genre, not only daring and adventurous but also bringing a brand-new perspective to pop music, opening up a whole new world.

At the same time, outside the band, Ryan remained active as a producer, creating hit singles for countless top singers; interestingly, Ryan's productions had topped the Billboard charts more than once, but OneRepublic never reached the top spot, always stuck at number two, which became a popular topic among fans.

Ryan, who was twenty-three years old this year, should still be in a period of obscurity. His music wasn't suitable for the current mainstream market, just like Miles and the others before him. Very few record companies were willing to take the risk, so he was still lying low, silently waiting for an opportunity to appear.

Nevertheless, Ryan had already demonstrated his talent on the production level.

All eyes fell on Anson, and the moment Anson smiled and gave an affirmative answer—

Oh yeah!

One by one, they stood up, high-fiving each other, celebrating the breakthrough in their work.

Including Dustin.

Previous disputes, collisions, anxieties, confusions, frustrations, etc., were no longer important. Only the satisfaction and joy of sprinting towards the same goal and crossing the finish line hand in hand were valuable at this moment.

Perhaps, Ryan was the only exception?

After a brief moment of joy, Ryan became a little restrained. After all, everyone in front of him was a stranger. He didn't seem suitable for participating in such a party; then he felt a little lost, thinking of his dark and hopeless situation ahead, his dream slowly sliding into an endless abyss, a bitter taste rising on his tongue.

"Ryan?"

A call made Ryan look up. He quickly put on a smile to hide his true emotions, trying to widen his eyes to appear cheerful.

Then, Ryan saw Anson's eyes.

"Excellent work."

Anson said, while raising his coffee tray, gesturing towards Ryan.

"I guess the coffee might be a little cold, not sure if it's good, but... would you like to try it?"

Ryan noticed Anson's eye cue and looked at the coffee. Without hesitation, Ryan grabbed a cup from the corner.

Ah ha, this should be a latte!

Ryan was overjoyed, raised his coffee cup, and gestured to Anson, as if toasting, and subconsciously brought it to his lips, taking a sip.

Pfft.

Almost, just a little bit, the coffee in Ryan's mouth was about to spray out, but at the last moment he controlled himself, just holding it in his mouth, looking at Anson with a shocked expression.

Anson looked innocent, "What's wrong? Is the coffee cold?"

Ryan: ...

Although unwilling, after hesitating, Ryan still swallowed it, staring blankly at Anson, "This is Americano."

Anson nodded, "Yes."

Ryan: ...

Looking at Anson, who was so upright and so matter-of-fact, Ryan didn't know how to respond for a moment. He thought Anson's eyes were just a hint to him, but—

A mouthful of bitterness spread, and Ryan's facial features began to gather in the middle.

Anson seemed to finally understand at this moment, "Oh, I don't know which cup is the latte."

Ryan was on the verge of tears.

Conner, who had been silently watching this scene from the side, couldn't help but burst out laughing, bumping Ryan's shoulder, "Don't be fooled by Anson's innocent face, in private, he likes to play pranks the most."

Ryan looked at the coffee in his hand and then at Anson, who spread his hands with a look of indifference, and raised his head to drink the coffee in his hand as if toasting—

How refreshing.

However, the ideal is full, and the reality is bony.

He choked halfway through, and the coffee spilled from his mouth like poison, and the grinning expression mobilized all his facial features, and he couldn't help but start jumping, using his whole body to express his bitterness.

"Haha, hahaha!"

Collective laughter.

With great difficulty, Ryan controlled himself, watching Anson walk over, holding a box of tissues and a pack of wet wipes, so that Ryan could clean up; and then brought over a cup of coffee, gesturing with a smile.

"Rinse your mouth."

Ryan didn't suspect anything else, took the coffee, and as a result—

This.

Ryan, with a mouthful of coffee, had tears in his eyes, it was actually Americano again.

Hahaha!

Thunderous laughter.

Anson looked at Ryan, whose eyes were tearful, wiped away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, "Ryan, I'm sorry, I thought you wouldn't be fooled again the second time."

Lily was about to laugh out her abdominal muscles, "Don't take anything from Anson."

Ryan looked at his hands, one hand with wet wipes and the other with Americano coffee, and looked up at Anson in fear, "There's no trick in the wet wipes, right?"

Anson expressed regret, "Time is tight, I didn't have time to do anything, but this is a good idea, I can try it next time."

Ryan shuddered, not knowing which unlucky person would be tricked next time.

Finally, Anson put down the coffee, "Sorry, I saw that you were still a little nervous, so I made a joke."

"In fact, Ryan, I think you are very talented, you should form your own band."

Ryan wiped his mouth and palms with a tissue, "I am indeed trying, but things are not easy."

According to historical trajectory, OneRepublic's opportunity would have to wait until 2007. Like Linkin Park, OneRepublic also experienced a long period of anonymity, struggling and wandering, and was on the verge of disbanding more than once.

In the previous life, just reading the words, it was difficult to imagine how they persisted; now, Anson saw those waiting and struggling, those hesitations and confusions, in Miles and them.

"Persist in pursuing dreams" is just a light and fluttering sentence, and there is no difficulty in saying it; but only when you have really experienced it in life will you know the difficulty and suffering of walking alone.

So, Anson thought, "Maybe you can try Warner Records."