283-285

Chapter 283: The Album's Secret 

Sophie opened the album and unfolded the inner page. A glowing, bluish depiction of the vast universe stretched from left to right. There wasn’t anything particularly special—just a pure, majestic cosmic scene, like something straight out of National Geographic. It conveyed the awe-inspiring mystery of the universe. 

At the center of the spread, a line of handwritten text ran across like Morse code. The font was small—clearly designed that way so it wouldn’t steal the spotlight from the background—but it also made it easy to overlook. If it hadn’t been for the “hint” on the cover, it would’ve been all too easy to miss again. Now, however, with careful focus, the line was legible without even needing a magnifying glass: 

1. My Demons 

2. Kill Me Slowly Head 

3. Stressed Out 

4. In My Blood 

1. Straight to My Head 

1. No Good in Goodbye 

1. Looking for the Light 

1. Time 

1. On the Top of the World 

Ten songs, listed in two rows of five. 

This was the complete tracklist of One Day King's debut album. Sophie didn't flip further but instead stayed frozen on the first page, staring intently at the song titles, gradually slipping into a daze. 

To most artists, a song list is just that—a list. But after everything that happened last night and this morning, Sophie couldn’t help overthinking it. 

Could One Day King really be that simple? 

As she read the titles, she found they could be woven together like a short story: 

"My demons are slowly killing me. Get out of my head. I'm falling apart—but I can't stop, because this was in my blood from the start. It's rushing straight to my head, breaking my reason. I'm no good at goodbyes, so I impulsively let go and chase the light, waiting for time to lift me to the top of the world." 

The sentence wasn’t exactly smooth on a literal level, but once you infused it with the emotional depth of the music, with the melody and meaning layered into each song, it became something far more profound. Especially when seen through the lens of One Day King's rocky journey—it came alive, like it had been given a soul. 

And then there was the album title: “Seven”—representing seven years of ups and downs. The band had faced challenges, setbacks, and even the brink of giving up, of escaping, of death. But in the end, they had pulled through. 

They had made it to the top of the world. 

Only, One Day King's “top of the world” wasn’t some grand commercial milestone. It was just releasing their first official album. It was embarking on their first formal tour with the band Shine. And that, to them, was enough. They were fulfilled. They were enjoying it. They were overjoyed and content, basking in the simple happiness of it all. 

So it turns out—happiness really is that simple. The top of the world really is that simple. When you're chasing your dream, everything somehow becomes simpler. 

Sophie couldn’t help but think of that nearly empty Twitter account with barely any followers. Even with so little support, even with such faint applause, One Day King still managed to find their light amidst hardship. They smiled brightly and shone through the darkness. 

Oh God… 

“Sophie?” 

Kane noticed Sophie spacing out and thought maybe she was feeling unwell after pulling an all-nighter. He called her name gently—and just in time to see a warm tear fall onto the album page. 

Plop. 

And then she started crying harder. Lifting her head, she pouted and looked at Kane, tearfully saying, “I got the album all wet…” 

Kane panicked. “What? What’s wrong? What happened?” He immediately thought back to Sophie breaking down the night before, terrified she was unraveling again—only this time, there was no Ronan to step in, and Kane had no idea what to do. 

Sophie wiped her tears with the back of her hand but couldn’t find the words to explain. So much had built up inside her—just a few sentences weren’t enough. In the end, all she could say was: 

“I really, really love them. I love them so, so much.” 

Kane was speechless. 

Stunned, he looked around and realized that Josh and the others were all staring at him, silently accusing him with their eyes: Why are you making Sophie cry? 

Kane was at a complete loss. He looked at Sophie, then at Josh, and finally just gently pulled Sophie into a hug. He softly patted her back in comfort, awkwardly keeping as much physical distance as possible—like he was measuring each inch of space with a ruler. His stiff, overly cautious movements made him look like a socially-inept robot. 

Josh and the others were baffled at first—then burst into silent laughter. They were shaking with amusement, making no noise at all, like characters in a silent black-and-white film. To any passersby, it probably looked like a bunch of lunatics having a meltdown in public. 

One Day King's album clearly held many secrets and clever details. For instance, whose handwriting was used for the tracklist? Was the background art just decoration—or did it hold clues that connected to the cover and back cover? 

Interestingly, there were no photos of the band members in their iconic astronaut outfits anywhere in the album insert. Instead, the entire design seemed to follow a completely different visual theme. Even more intriguing, the four band members' styles didn’t match each other either—they each had their own distinct look. 

This was especially odd considering that bands usually strive for a unified image. A consistent visual style is more pleasing, after all. If not for the hints on the cover and back cover, people might've just dismissed it as a stylistic mishap. But now, it felt intentional. 

And that’s what made it even more wonderful. 

In an age when physical albums are disappearing and digital streams dominate, One Day King’s meticulous attention to album design is truly admirable. It echoes the band’s unwavering spirit and conviction. 

In today’s fast-paced, disposable internet culture, how many people are still willing to slow down and savor the little things in life? 

There was once a time when every moment—every day, hour, or second—could become a cherished memory. But now, even months and years seem to pass in the blink of an eye, and our memories fade just as quickly. How many people are still willing to refine their music, polish their albums, and most importantly, stay true to themselves like One Day King? 

So… how many more secrets are still hidden in this album? 

Sophie, Kane, and the others had merely opened a small window into its world. The full scope of the album’s universe hadn’t even begun to unfold. But one thing was clear: they hadn’t just found a band. 

They’d found kindred spirits—partners to walk alongside in life. 

Josh. The band members. Each of them saw a part of themselves in one another. 

In a world where long-held beliefs are slowly being forgotten and left behind— 

That’s what truly matters. 

Note 1: Full tracklist details can be found in the related extras. 

Chapter 284 Tiptoeing 

Maxim tiptoed lightly into the room, his steps soft and careful. As soon as he entered, he saw Ronnan sitting on the balcony, bathed in a soft, golden sunlight. 

Gracefully, he crossed past Oli, who was still sound asleep, and quickly approached the balcony. He gently tapped on the window. Feeling Ronnan’s gaze, Maxim immediately broke into an ingratiating smile. “Hehe, Ronnan… our creative genius, the face of our team, dear Ronnan Cooper—are you hungry? Do you need me to prepare breakfast for you? Shall we enjoy it together, or would you prefer to dine by yourself?” 

The flattering smile on Maxim’s face seemed almost to reveal a tail swaying behind him, which instantly sent shivers down Ronnan’s spine. Glancing at Maxim with mixed amusement and exasperation, Ronnan replied, “Alright, what do you need help with? I’m busy working on something at the moment.” 

Maxim’s eyes briefly followed the movement of Ronnan’s hand, and he immediately realized that Ronnan was creating something—or perhaps jotting down some inspiration. 

“Oh.” Maxim quickly caught on, his eyes lighting up—not with flattery this time, but with excitement at the prospect of a professional challenge. “Working on a new song? We should discuss it later.” 

One Day King’s first official album featured ten tracks, all of which had Ronnan’s creative input. Oli contributed lyrics to four tracks, and Maxim was involved in composing two of them. Most importantly, every track underwent Ronnan’s finishing touches and revisions. As a producer, he earned a spot on par with Curtis Deane in the album’s producer list. 

Maxim openly admitted feeling a bit envious; the stirring sensation inspired him even more. He was eager to regain his old creative spark and reposition himself within the evolving style of the band, hoping that their next album would mark a further step forward. 

Clearly, Maxim was no longer content with the “lone, cool guy” persona he once had. He had been working exceptionally hard and with a refreshed attitude recently. 

However, it was apparent that Maxim’s visit wasn’t simply to “discuss the creative process.” Shifting gears and getting straight to the point, he said, “Ronnan, could you check on our music video post-production progress? When do you think it will be completed?” 

Ronnan’s brow slightly arched, his eyes filled with a questioning look. 

Maxim hastily clarified, “Don’t get me wrong—I’m not trying to rush Alice. I know she’s been extremely busy lately, even more than the rest of us. I’m simply wondering where we stand with the progress of the music video. That’s all.” 

Regarding the promotional plans and strategies for the album “Seven,” One Day King and Atlantic Records had exchanged views and ultimately reached a consensus. 

This album has a distinct, edgy style that clearly isn’t tailored for mainstream commercial appeal. It preserves the unique personality and spirit of One Day King as an independent band. Atlantic Records believed that this distinctive trait was the key to the band establishing itself in the market—and it shouldn’t be compromised. 

Much like Maroon 5’s debut album “Songs About Jane”—where they only truly transformed by their fourth studio album in 2012 and broke into mainstream pop with the single “Payphone”—Atlantic Records wasn’t aiming to alter One Day King’s individuality. The release of “Seven” was, in fact, a move strongly encouraged and supported by the company. 

Accordingly, the album’s promotional strategy needed to be adjusted. They shouldn’t spend too much money and effort on chart-topping promotions because the album’s singles are so uniquely individualized that even heavy investments wouldn’t necessarily yield the desired results. 

Instead, they should focus on a North American tour, building connections and bonds through a series of live concerts. By impressing audiences with the band’s genuine stage performance, they could attract fans who truly belonged to One Day King, thereby laying a solid foundation for their fanbase and gradually paving the way for their second album. 

That’s also why Atlantic Records originally wasn’t keen on producing a music video. Music video view counts and exposure levels are key metrics for chart performance, and producing one would require significant time and effort for shooting as well as promoting for chart success. 

Moreover, the reason One Day King agreed to Atlantic Records’ proposal wasn’t complicated. The company would recoup the initial costs of producing the music video later through other means from One Day King—for instance, a heavy promotion on variety shows for chart success or hosting numerous signings to boost album sales, which would in turn cut into the band’s tour schedule. 

Given these trade-offs, both parties reached an agreement. 

However, when creating the album cover and inner pages, Ronnan introduced an expansive concept of a grand worldview that corresponded with the “Chasing the Light” single cover and extended the band’s narrative in the musical universe. This idea received unanimous praise from both the band and the record company. 

But then a problem arose—relying solely on the inner album pages, the clues to this worldview were too sparse. Listeners might not understand them and could end up confused, which might backfire. In this situation, a music video that could encapsulate more information seemed all the more necessary. 

This time, Alice proposed a solution: she could edit a music video using documentary footage of the band that had been recorded over the past few months. 

It was not only time-saving but also efficient. 

Of course, Atlantic Records would pay Alice an extra fee. Work is work, and everything needs to be accounted for. This project also marked Alice’s debut as a director and her first formal income. 

The entire narrative and conceptual outline had been born from the band members’ brainstorming sessions. Ronnan would throw out an idea, and then everyone’s inspiration would spark in response, gradually shaping the world of One Day King. 

Recently, besides her routine work, Alice had been busy with the production of the music video. 

So why did Maxim suddenly bring this up? 

A trace of suspicion flashed in Ronnan’s eyes. Maxim quickly explained, “I’m just curious—I don’t want to add any extra pressure on Alice.” 

The dual dynamics of the Cooper siblings were definitely not to be trifled with. If Alice were disturbed, Ronnan would probably be the first to explode; but if Ronnan were disturbed, problems between two men were usually easier to resolve. So Maxim preferred to ask Ronnan rather than risk disturbing Alice directly. 

“Hmm?” Ronnan intoned, still somewhat unconvinced—was that really all there was to it? 

Chapter 285: The All-Around King 

Bathed in Ronan’s gaze, Maxim felt a little guilty. Still, he clenched his jaw and refused to say a word. After all, Ronan barely checked social media and was practically oblivious to anything happening on Twitter. Maxim absolutely could not admit that he had gotten too excited in front of fans and made promises he couldn’t keep. Now, stuck between a rock and a hard place, he had no choice but to sneak in and try to win Ronan over. 

“No, no, that’s really all,” Maxim waved his hands frantically, putting on his most serious face. “I’m just worried about our progress. I mean, Ollie never takes care of anything, and Cliff doesn’t get our worldview at all—he has no idea what’s even going on! If I don’t check in, and you don’t have time either, what happens then? We can’t let Alice shoulder the whole thing alone, can we?” 

Ronan looked him up and down slowly, amusement twinkling in his eyes, somewhere between a smirk and a smile. That look alone made Maxim break into a cold sweat. He swallowed hard and tried to cover his unease by lifting his chin a little, standing taller, trying to look confident and totally not suspicious. 

Unfortunately, it was that very posture—forced and theatrical—that gave him away in Ronan’s eyes. Still, Ronan didn’t call him out. 

“Thanks for your hard work,” Ronan said simply. 

Just five words—but they hit Maxim like a lightning bolt. He instantly stiffened, his eyes darting upward as if to check whether he’d been found out. It took everything he had to stop himself from grinning. For some reason, the corners of his mouth kept twitching upward. One wrong move and he might burst out laughing and ruin the whole act. 

“But honestly, I don’t really know. Alice hasn’t mentioned anything about the music video to me,” Ronan added. He didn’t usually get involved in those things and definitely wouldn’t be the one pressuring Alice. Maxim knew that too—he hadn’t come here for real answers. He just wanted to use Ronan’s name to pressure Alice. 

“I’ll ask her about it later,” Ronan said directly, not pretending otherwise. 

Maxim nodded eagerly. “Great, great! Then I won’t bother you anymore. Hope the creative process goes well!” 

With that, he turned and walked out without the slightest hesitation, like he couldn’t wait to escape. His steps were so light, he might as well have floated. 

Once outside, Maxim didn’t pause. He turned a corner and headed straight for Alice’s room. His plan was simple—he’d just say Ronan was curious about the music video’s progress, and he was sent to check in. Problem solved. 

Thinking that, Maxim couldn’t help but feel like a genius. 

Knock knock. 

He knocked gently, sounding as sweet as a wolf disguised as Grandma in a fairy tale. “Alice? Are you up yet?” 

As the manager of One Day Kings, Alice was the true “All-Around King.” Not only had she quickly mastered scheduling and logistics, but she also used her talents to promote the band. Now she was even stepping into the role of music video director! At this point, Alice was the band’s MVP—deserving of all the love and care. Remembering that, Maxim’s tone got even softer and more considerate. 

Back in Ronan’s room, he ignored Maxim completely and returned his focus to his writing. 

Last night’s concert had moved him deeply. 

From the encore’s triumphant return to the fans crowding the back exit afterward—it was all overwhelming. He could feel the intensity of their passion crashing toward him, hot and pure. Standing center stage in that moment felt like standing in the heart of the world. 

He realized someone out there was truly listening—hearing their voices and understanding their hearts. And he realized they weren’t alone. Countless ordinary people were walking their own lonely roads toward their dreams, each struggling in their own way. But none of them were really alone. 

Last night, after returning to the hotel, Ronan had a strange and vivid dream. 

There was no plot or story—just a wave of floating consciousness. He drifted alone across an endless ocean, arms stretched wide, with no direction and no goal. It was just him, adrift, isolated. 

The cold, biting loneliness was everywhere—inescapable. But still, he refused to call for help. He clung to a resolve he couldn’t explain. 

Then, slowly, the ocean began to warm. In the distance, he started to see islands—tiny ones at first, scattered and solitary. But then more appeared. Clusters formed, and the sea filled with life—shoals of sardines swimming beneath him. The world grew busier, louder. 

And before he knew it, his body wasn’t cold anymore. He’d forgotten all about the chill, basking instead in warm sunlight. 

Then… he woke up. 

And when he did, inspiration came pouring in like a flood. 

He, and they—they were the One Day Kings. They were the Shining Band. They were also the fans who broke down last night, feeling every word of every song. And they were every person out there holding fast to their own beliefs. 

It wasn’t just about music. It wasn’t just about dreams. It was about something deeper—a belief that came from the soul. He and they weren’t alone. 

Like the vast ocean in his dream, they had all believed they were drifting alone, staring at the horizon, trudging toward the edge of the world. They searched and searched, but never found their kind. Their persistence became pain, their struggle turned into doubt. 

When they lived outside the norms of society—when their lives didn’t fit into the expected mold—had they been cast out? Were they now lost in a forgotten land, invisible and unimportant? 

So what should they do? Surrender their identities? Give up and conform? Or keep walking alone? 

Neither was the answer. 

Because they weren’t really alone. Deep inside, their belief—like a light of hope—would one day lead them to each other. Just like they’d found One Day Kings through music, they only had to keep going, like the song Chasing the Light said. Keep fighting, keep believing, keep reaching. 

Out there in that wide ocean… they were not just islands. 

That kind of happiness was bittersweet—tinged with pain and sorrow—but still sweet, still beautiful. 

Actually, that spark of inspiration had flashed in Ronan’s mind during the concert, standing in front of the fans. But he’d been too exhausted to write it down afterward. He hadn’t expected that after one night of sleep, the floodgates would open. 

So he picked up his pen—and began to write it all down. 

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