416-420

*Chapter 416: A Stunning Entrance*

Her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

Blair Miller felt like she might throw up at any moment. She turned her head and noticed that Karen Fox was in a similar state. Her smiling face had gone completely stiff. Although her mouth was curved upward, her eyes betrayed the overwhelming anxiety and nervousness within.

Even now, as the two of them stood inside "The Tonight Show" studio, it was still hard to believe—

This was really happening.

Blair had never imagined that after following Anson because of the Emmy Awards, she would end up receiving an invitation to "The Tonight Show" taping, crossing the entire North American continent from New York to Los Angeles, and getting the chance to meet Anson up close.

Karen never expected it either. After she accidentally filmed a video on the streets of Manhattan and uploaded it to a forum because she liked it, it ended up becoming one of the most incredible and beautiful memories of her life. From the moment she boarded the plane, everything felt too dreamy to be real.

As the creators of the performance video and witnesses to the street performance that day, Blair and Karen had received an invitation from "The Tonight Show" to share their firsthand experience and reveal the stories behind the video that the band members might not know, giving the audience a complete behind-the-scenes look.

So here they were, sitting in the front row of the audience at "The Tonight Show" studio, with even a camera focused on them.

“Breathe, Blair, breathe!”

Blair silently reminded herself, but she couldn't quite distinguish whether her nervousness was because of Anson, the taping of the show, or something else. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of her chest at any moment.

Why were they so excited and exhilarated, even though they weren't the stars of the show?

He appeared.

Anson Wood.

The moment Blair saw Anson up close, it felt like the world had stopped—

There was no noise, no sound, no tension, no excitement. Her gaze was fixed on his figure, following his every move. Even the surrounding lights seemed to fade, as if a spotlight was solely focused on him. In that moment, the world consisted only of him and her.

Everything else became unimportant.

She couldn't feel the passage of time at all.

It wasn't until she heard the live crew counting down that Blair became acutely aware of her heartbeat, thumping louder and louder in her ears.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Happiness bloomed like a firework, brilliant and vibrant.

Blair had never known that things could be so simple and pure—that simply liking someone could bring such pure joy and happiness, even without the other person’s acknowledgment. Just quietly watching him was enough to light up her entire day. She thought her fondness for Anson was just superficial, based on his appearance, but little did she know, she had long since fallen for him, unable to pull herself out.

Then.

Slowly, gradually, the lights in the studio dimmed, until only one spotlight remained, shining on Miles. The entire world seemed to quiet down.

One person. One cello.

Elegant yet lonely, calm yet isolated.

Then, the strings began to play—a sound both ancient and gentle, melodic and melancholic. This classical instrument, unfamiliar to the general public, resonated with a deep, steady beauty that captured everyone's attention.

But that wasn’t enough, not nearly enough.

Eyes remained on the cello, but focus wavered. The audience assumed it was just another classical music performance, nothing particularly special. It was hard to imagine "The Tonight Show" would devote a segment to something like this—slightly disappointing.

Since when did "The Tonight Show" turn into "The Oprah Winfrey Show"?

Not that there was anything wrong with "The Oprah Winfrey Show," but the nature was different. "The Tonight Show" viewers typically enjoyed sarcasm, humor, and sharp conversations, not inspirational talk—and certainly not classical music.

It was understandable that their gaze stayed fixed out of politeness, but their attention drifted out of instinct.

Until—

Connor. Lily. Anson. They appeared one by one, surrounding the cello. Four people, one instrument, yet they perfectly showcased the layers and style of the melody. The entire studio was stunned.

What was this?

It wasn’t just the live audience—even Jay Leno was caught off guard.

Although Jay Leno had already seen the video on the forum and knew what to expect, which is why he agreed to invite an unknown band on the show:

After all, with the summer blockbuster season approaching, the line of movie casts waiting to appear on "The Tonight Show" was already long. Their regular tapings were fully booked. If not for the need to prevent the show from falling into a monotonous routine of promoting summer movies, which could lead to audience fatigue, they wouldn't have sought out new content to mix things up.

Yet, at that moment, curiosity still led Jay Leno to lean forward and crane his neck for a better look.

Seeing it live was even more magical than watching the video. Even witnessing it in person, it was still hard to believe how they had come up with such an idea.

Perhaps the only exceptions in the studio were Blair and Karen.

They weren’t trying to figure it out; they were just enjoying it.

Last time, they had witnessed the street performance live, but like today’s audience, they were so caught up in the excitement and thrill of the moment that they forgot to truly immerse themselves in the music.

Especially Karen.

She was responsible for filming, so she couldn’t jump, cheer, or scream. She had to use all her strength to restrain herself from joining the crowd in celebration.

Today was different.

Karen wanted to savor this moment, to fully immerse herself in the melody, feeling the notes with her heart, her body, and her soul.

She knew that what she was witnessing was only the beginning—

One layer. Then another.

From the serene and calm a cappella to the resonant clash of instruments, the richness and layers of the arrangement captivated the entire audience, taking them on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that steadily climbed to new heights. The performance's progressive intensity not only showcased Anson's mastery but also highlighted the band's versatility.

The passion, the adrenaline, the joy—they were released step by step, as if the audience could actually "see" the brilliance and grandeur of the notes unfolding before them.

Just when the live audience thought the arrangement was already rich enough, and the music had reached its peak, a subtle shift occurred, leading them into an entirely new realm.

It was like a breathtaking revelation, as if a hidden path suddenly appeared, opening up to a stunning new landscape that stirred their minds into a frenzy.

Incredibly, there was yet another layer.

As Anson introduced each band member, and each member was given the opportunity for a solo showcase, where one instrument took the lead while the others provided the backdrop, the depth of the music and the band's uniqueness were fully revealed. The audience could truly sense that this band was one of a kind:

The number of members wasn’t just for show.

Every instrument, every member had the chance to shine in different combinations and arrangements, and even in solos, they never felt isolated.

It was like a symphony orchestra.

Finally, Anson returned to the snare drum, picked up the drumsticks, and brought them down with a powerful strike—

A battle anthem, exhilarating and rousing.

Chapter 417: The Right Way to Experience

Karen was completely stunned.

Yes, she was the one who filmed that video; yes, she had watched that performance countless times on her TV; yes, it was because she loved it so much that she decided to upload it to the forum; yes, she was right there in person when the miracle of that afternoon was born.

Yet, in this moment, Karen was swept into a storm—

It’s different, completely different.

Watching through a screen can never truly capture the life force that the performance conveyed. Those strings, those notes, and those sounds came rushing towards her, filled with passion and energy. Her skin was burning, her heart was racing, her breath was quickening; only by fully engaging all her senses could she truly touch the soul of the music.

It was scorching and brilliant.

Now Karen realized what she had missed out on by focusing on filming the video.

She watched intently as each band member took their turn with solos and performances, and at the end, her eyes followed Anson as he moved to the snare drum.

Gasp.

Karen held her breath.

The next second.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

One after another, the steady and deep drumbeats poured down like a torrential rain, and Anson's powerful and clear voice pierced through the layers of melody, igniting the entire audience.

“Oh-oh-oh-oh. Oh-oh-oh-oh!”

Whoa.

In a sudden movement, Karen was on her feet. It was an instinct, a drive from deep within her soul, her blood boiling with excitement.

A moment later, Karen noticed that Blair had also immediately stood up. Even though it was Blair’s second time witnessing this performance up close, she couldn’t contain her passion and wild enthusiasm. The two exchanged glances, their smiles spreading widely across their faces.

As for everyone else?

They didn’t care.

Life is far too short, and if you live it always worrying about what others think, you’ll never break free and embrace who you are.

So, even though they were on "The Tonight Show," so what?

They were ready to fully enjoy this moment. Even if it meant being banned by the show forever, the happiness bursting like fireworks on the Fourth of July in their minds was all that mattered.

They raised their hands high, jumping with abandon, letting their bodies feel the beat, the rhythm, the music—

This was true immersion.

Music truly does have a soul.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

That was the sound of souls burning and lives flourishing.

Fortunately, Blair and Karen were not alone.

The entire audience erupted.

No one was an exception, literally no one.

The passion burning in their veins made their bodies restless, they had to cheer, they had to jump—there was no other way to release that energy.

So, when two figures stood up to show the proper way to immerse in the music, everyone else followed, unable to resist, standing up reflexively.

One by one, ten by twenty...

Before they knew it, the entire room was engulfed in a wave of energy.

Jared Reno could clearly feel the blood boiling and burning within him. As he looked around, he noticed that all the audience members and staff in the studio had already stood up. More staff members were pouring in, crowding the studio to its fullest capacity.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Unconsciously, the entire room was clapping, jumping, and getting lost in the moment. The drumbeats seemed to hit right at the heart, unleashing a surge of energy that rushed to a peak, leaving the mind blank with nothing but passion burning.

At that moment, the studio transformed into a concert venue.

Then—

It abruptly stopped.

The band ended the performance with a crisp and decisive note, concluding at the peak, in a state of fullness, halting abruptly to freeze the moment into eternity.

Hearts exploded.

The entire studio erupted with applause, whistles, and cheers all converging into one.

Jared Reno stood up, shaking his head repeatedly, a smile spreading across his face as he looked in disbelief at the four people before him.

Ah, ah, ah!

Karen was screaming, completely losing herself. She couldn't believe that she had been there experiencing it all in person, yet only now did she feel like she had truly appreciated the live performance. Only then did she realize what she had "missed" before.

Fortunately, everything was made right today, experiencing the performance again in its purest, fullest form.

This was the correct way to "Wake Me Up."

Cheers, jumps, applause—every cell in Karen's body was screaming.

Ah...

The lingering cheers surrounded the small stage completely, growing more intense, reaching new heights, circling 360 degrees, refusing to stop. For a moment, it felt like the entire world was shaking.

Turning his head, Anson could see Miles' bright and excited face quietly watching the crowd in front of him, with fervent excitement in his eyes. He could also see Lily standing there, seemingly in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief.

And then there was Connor.

Poor Connor hung his head low in embarrassment, trying to hide his panic.

Anson, concerned, patted Connor on the shoulder. Connor clumsily rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, mumbling defensively, "I’m not crying. I’m not crying."

But the wetness on the back of his hand betrayed the truth.

Anson, too, felt a wave of emotion because he knew the pain of having to give up on a dream. He also knew the bitterness and longing of standing in the mud, looking up at the stars.

Maybe, for him, this was a beautiful surprise; but for them, it was the light at the end of the tunnel after complete despair.

Roar!

Roar, roar, roar!

The applause in the studio continued without end, sweeping through like a tidal wave.

Without a doubt, this was a sensational moment. The entire "Tonight Show" crew had turned out in full force, completely unprepared for the fact that the scene on the streets of Manhattan would be reenacted in the studio.

And then, Anson saw Hayden.

In the crowd, Hayden stood alongside Ewan McGregor. Thanks to their height advantage, they stood out, easily catching Anson’s eye.

Even though Hayden didn’t take part in the interview, it seemed he had come to visit the set today, and now he was joining in on the excitement with Ewan.

But Hayden was stunned.

Neither of them had expected to meet again under such circumstances. The surprise was so great that neither of them had time to react.

In the midst of the noise and heat, the loud clamor pounded their eardrums, but in the moment their eyes met, there was a sense of calm, a brief pause button pressed on the scene.

Jared Reno's voice came through, “Welcome, welcome! Welcome to ‘The Tonight Show,’ ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a round of applause to Anson Wood, Lily Watkins, Miles Anderson, and Connor Jenkins.”

This was the signal for the show to continue.

So—

Anson flashed Hayden a smile, his eyes clearly saying, "Long time no see."

Then, without waiting for a response, Anson set down his instrument and headed toward the main stage.

Hayden was stunned.

He tried to say hello, but was quickly swallowed by the overwhelming cheers, forcing him to swallow his words, standing there, a bit lost.

In the crowd, his eyes and expression were hard to make out.

*Chapter 418: A Little Display of Skill*

"Welcome!"

It was clear that Jared Reno hadn't noticed Hayden, nor did he realize that Hayden and Anson knew each other. He continued with the show as usual, naturally easing into the program.

Jared Reno didn't step forward, but he stood behind his dark brown wooden desk, extending his right hand to greet each of the four guests in turn. He then raised his voice once more, "Thank you for the performance just now. Let’s give the band another round of applause."

The entire audience erupted like thunder, a roar as powerful as a tidal wave.

Blair finally found her "comfort zone," where she could shout out a name without restraint and completely lose herself in the moment.

"Anson! Ahhhh!"

"Anson!"

Her heart-wrenching scream blended seamlessly into the rumbling applause, allowing her to shout out her wildest, boldest thoughts without fear of embarrassment or shyness.

With a quick glance, Blair saw Karen’s helpless expression. But when their eyes met, they both burst into carefree laughter.

Then, Blair screamed even more wildly, seizing the opportunity to pour out all her thoughts.

Miles had once performed at Carnegie Hall, where the applause was calm, polite, and enthusiastic; but the cheers before him now were frenzied, bold, and explosive. The rush of energy lifted his heart as if it were walking on clouds, with no sense of reality.

It was overwhelming, surging.

Finally, Jared Reno managed to regain control of the situation. The applause and screams slightly subsided—

"Anson, marry me!"

A scream suddenly erupted like thunder out of nowhere.

Whoosh.

All eyes turned to Blair.

Blair froze, taking a moment to realize what had happened, her body stiffening. "Oh, Jesus Christ, why are you doing this to me? Is this what they call joy turning into sorrow?"

Whoosh.

All eyes then turned to Anson.

Just as Anson was about to sit down, he turned back and looked at Blair. "How much are your assets?"

One second, two seconds—

Laughter exploded.

A tidal wave of laughter.

This joke had a bit of history.

In 1996, during the Wimbledon tennis championships, the world's number one female singles player and one of the greatest players of all time, Stefanie Graf, was preparing to serve in a match. The entire audience had already fallen silent, ensuring no distractions for the players.

At that moment, in the stillness, a man shouted, "Steffi, will you marry me?"

It was like a thunderclap, causing the entire audience to burst into laughter.

Graf was surprised as well. She paused her serve and shouted back, "How much are your assets?"

Wimbledon’s Centre Court erupted into unbelievable applause, laughter, and whistles, marking one of the most iconic moments in the history of competitive sports.

And now?

Anson had cleverly borrowed Graf’s classic line in response, showcasing a quick wit that left everyone in awe.

The surge of excitement from the earlier performance had yet to fully subside, and Anson's answer stirred the crowd once more.

Karen glanced at Blair, whose cheeks were now bright red, and joined in with a whistle, "Roar, roar, roar."

The person at the center of it all was now deeply regretting her actions.

Blair wished she could dig a hole and bury herself. She had only been shouting thoughtlessly, not expecting the noise in the room to suddenly quiet down, exposing her. She realized something was off and was about to stop, but the words had already rushed out ahead of her. She truly wished she could swallow her tongue.

But…

The room was filled with whistles and cheers, buzzing with excitement.

Blair took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and mustered the courage to look at Anson. The moment she did, she noticed the slight curve of a smile on his lips.

In an instant, her cheeks turned so red they could almost fry an egg.

At that moment, Blair’s only consolation was that Anson didn’t know who she was. Thank God!

Meanwhile, Jared Reno watched the whole scene unfold, a trace of surprise and delight flashing in his eyes.

This was a talk show, a program meant to be lighthearted and humorous.

A show relying solely on the host’s efforts often fell flat, so Jared Reno needed the guests to respond and interact, creating sparks.

Anson’s response was not only clever but also witty.

First, Jared Reno was impressed by the band’s performance; now, he was pleasantly surprised by Anson.

It seemed like the rest of the recording might hold some unexpected surprises.

In the midst of the commotion, Jared Reno joined in with a playful comment, "Make sure to earn a bit more."

It was clear he was addressing Blair.

The audience burst into laughter.

Blair, now in a state of resigned despair, gave up resisting and went with the flow. Instinctively, she raised her hand and mimed counting money with her fingers.

Only a small portion of the audience caught this gesture, but those who did found it absolutely hilarious, causing another round of giggles and snickers, further enlivening the atmosphere.

Finally, Jared Reno made an inviting gesture, directing the four young musicians to take their seats on the four high stools to his right.

The seating had been arranged before the recording, with Anson closest to Jared Reno, followed by Lily, Miles, and Connor, sitting in a row.

After a brief pause, Jared Reno wore a puzzled expression.

"Wait, let me get this straight—you still haven’t released an album?"

This question?

Anson immediately understood what Jared Reno was getting at and chuckled, "That’s right, we haven’t."

As expected, Jared Reno raised both hands in mock disappointment, "Can someone tell me what’s wrong with record companies today? We need this kind of music."

The studio echoed with a mix of laughter and cheers, and the atmosphere heated up instantly.

Just as it seemed Jared Reno had taken control of the conversation, Anson unexpectedly added, "But that’s also the reason we’re here, so I’m not complaining."

Jared Reno, surprised by Anson’s follow-up, asked, "Oh, why’s that?"

Anson spread his hands, "An indie rock band with an album? I don’t think ‘The Tonight Show’ would be interested. The reason we’re here is precisely because we haven’t released an album yet. The sequence may be a bit mixed up, but I really have no complaints."

One second, two seconds…

Laughter exploded.

To be honest, Blair was still a bit shy and embarrassed, her heart racing like a drum. Even a few seconds weren’t enough to calm her down.

But she soon realized there was no need to calm down—her thoughts were immediately swept back into the conversation. Anson seemed to have this charm, effortlessly capturing attention—at least Blair's.

Blair couldn’t help but think of the Emmy Awards ceremony. It was Anson’s first major award show, yet he had stolen the spotlight.

And now, the same thing was happening.

Blair had no time to dwell on her earlier embarrassment, as she was already laughing along with the studio audience, thoroughly amused by Anson’s response.

Karen’s eyes were wide with disbelief as she silently mouthed to Blair, "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God."

No words were needed for Blair to understand. Karen had initially thought Anson was just a musician—a handsome musician, but one of those quirky geniuses with a unique, hard-to-understand personality. However, after just one introduction, her preconceived notions had been completely shattered.

Surprise, pure surprise!

Chapter 419: No Chemistry

The entire studio erupted in laughter, applause, and cheers, creating an electric atmosphere.

Jared Reno was momentarily taken aback.

Even seasoned guests who frequently appeared on talk shows sometimes struggled to create this kind of spontaneous, engaging back-and-forth. Just earlier, Natalie and Evan's conversation had been somewhat stiff, especially with Natalie still adjusting to the talk show vibe.

But now?

This was something else.

Jared Reno’s gaze naturally fell on Anson. "So, are you the leader of the band?"

"No. I'm just an intruder," Anson responded calmly, gesturing to the other three band members beside him as if to distance himself from them. "We’re complete strangers."

He paused for a moment before adding, "In fact, it’s because of ‘The Tonight Show’ that we’re meeting for the second time."

Jared Reno was left speechless.

The studio audience, seeing the stunned expression on Jared Reno's face, finally caught up and burst into laughter at the absurdity of the situation.

Jared Reno turned to the audience.

"I know you all must have a lot of questions. Frankly, so do I. So, let me piece together the story."

He summarized the whole tale in a few concise sentences:

"This man, uh, Anson Wood, happened to see these three band members performing on the street. He found it intriguing and decided to join them, playing the song you just heard. Someone recorded the moment, uploaded it online, it went viral, and now they're here."

A story like that—legendary.

The crowd went wild, with Blair and Karen being the first to cheer loudly.

Jared Reno looked back at the four of them. "Is that how it went?"

Miles sheepishly raised his hand.

Jared Reno chuckled, "This isn’t a seventh-grade classroom; you don’t need to raise your hand to speak."

Amid the laughter, Miles, still a bit reserved, spoke up one word at a time, "The song, ‘Wake Me Up,’ was entirely composed by Anson, both the lyrics and music."

After speaking, Miles glanced nervously around, but his tone was firm. "That’s just the truth. I just wanted to emphasize that."

Jared Reno, stroking his signature large chin—a result of a condition known as mandibular prognathism—seemed lost in thought. His chin, though treatable with surgery, had become his trademark after he opted not to undergo the procedure due to the long recovery period, which would have required him to remain silent.

"So, you’re saying Anson didn’t know you guys at all, showed up, composed a completely new song on the spot, you rehearsed it, performed it live, and it caused a sensation?"

"Wow."

"That’s already unbelievable, but…"

"Shut up."

"Shut up!"

Jared Reno pounded the desk, shaking his head in disbelief. His exaggerated reaction left the audience in a mix of shock and amazement, leading to another round of applause, and even some whistles could be heard.

The atmosphere, which had momentarily calmed, was once again buzzing with excitement.

Blair and Karen were no exception.

They thought they had witnessed the entire process firsthand, believing they knew all the details. But as it turned out, they had only seen the tip of the iceberg. Behind the performance lay an even more incredible story.

So, this wasn’t just a pleasant surprise; it was a miracle?

Involuntarily, their hearts began to race with excitement again.

Anson, imitating Miles’ earlier move, raised his right hand like a well-behaved student.

The gesture immediately caught Jared Reno’s attention, causing him to pause for a moment. But he quickly realized that Anson was doing it on purpose, so he rolled his eyes, spread his hands, and, with a look of resignation, said, "Alright."

He gestured with his hand, signaling Anson that he could speak.

Anson, with a serious expression, asked, "You didn't really mean for us to shut up, did you?"

After all, how could the talk show continue if they all went silent?

The whole studio erupted in laughter once again.

Jared Reno's earlier command to "shut up" had been more of an expression of emotion, but Anson had turned it into a playful challenge, shifting the focus from the backstage stories to light-hearted banter, perfectly fitting the talk show’s tone. The audience couldn't help but laugh, their amusement genuine.

Jared Reno gave Anson another look—he wasn't angry at all. In fact, he appreciated Anson's quick wit. This was what a talk show was all about. If everything depended solely on the host, the show would quickly lose its spark, which was one of the reasons Jared didn't care for the relentless summer blockbuster movie promotions with their often dull celebrity guests.

Honestly, those big stars were often boring.

It seemed that God was fair, giving those stars good looks but taking away their sense of humor; just like how He gave Jared unparalleled humor but also a… big chin.

Jared Reno’s lips curled into a slight smile. "If I was serious, would you really be willing to keep quiet?"

Was this a challenge?

Anson smiled, spreading his hands, his eyes bright with amusement.

But he said nothing.

The atmosphere froze just slightly.

Miles, sensing the tension, cautiously whispered, "Anson, Jared’s asking you a question."

Laughter exploded throughout the studio.

Miles, confused, had no idea why the audience was laughing and stared wide-eyed at the crowd. Connor patted Miles' knee to reassure him, though Connor himself couldn't help but smile.

Jared Reno shook his head, both amused and resigned. "God, we've really stumbled upon a set of gems, haven't we?" He then turned toward the director, "I told you we should interview independent bands more often. See? I’m making a fool of myself here. It's really tough for me."

His self-deprecating humor lightly teased both Anson and Miles, adding to the already joyous atmosphere in the studio.

Then, Jared Reno turned his attention back to the four of them.

"So, you’re not worried about making mistakes?"

"Oh, and you can speak up; you don’t need to raise your hands. God, this isn’t kindergarten."

"What I mean is," Jared Reno had to pause as the laughter from the studio audience subsided, "Anson created this song on the spot, right? I don't know much about music, but I can tell it wasn't easy. So, you just created, rehearsed, and performed it all on the fly?"

"Is that even possible?"

Anson was about to answer, but to his surprise, Lily spoke up first—proving once again that they weren’t exactly in sync, lacking any real chemistry.

But Anson was quick on his feet. As Lily started to talk, Anson, who had just opened his mouth, closed it slowly and quietly, maintaining a slightly opened mouth posture, as if in slow motion, trying not to draw attention away from her. It was as if he was trying to minimize his presence as much as possible.

A small portion of the audience noticed Anson’s genuine, unpolished reaction and couldn’t help but smile.

Lily didn’t notice this at all; it was clear she had something on her mind and was determined to express it. "Of course, we were worried about making mistakes."

"In fact, during the performance, when I first plucked the cello string, my thumb pressed the wrong string, and one note was off."

"That was a very obvious mistake, and I doubt anyone could have missed it."

So that’s what it was.

Lily… was still dwelling on it.

In reality, that was the only mistake in the entire performance. Everything else had gone perfectly, and the audience had stayed engaged, not letting that small error disrupt their immersion. In Anson's view, there was no need for Lily to dwell on it; however, it was clear she couldn't get past it and felt the need to admit it openly.

*Chapter 420: Naive and Innocent*

In fact, from Anson's perspective, mistakes are part of the charm of live performances. A perfect performance exists only in the studio, while live performances are about feeling the heat, the excitement, the adrenaline-pumping moments. Occasional mistakes and improvisations are what make them unique.

A mistake is just a mistake; there’s no need to dwell on it.

The key point is that Lily only made one mistake, which didn’t affect the overall performance. There was no need to bring it up.

However, Lily decided to speak up about it.

Her attitude, though, was slightly different—brave, resolute, and confident.

Looking at it from another angle, Lily's courage to face her mistake and acknowledge her fault is a good thing.

Taking a deep breath, Lily smiled and calmly faced her shortcoming. Even if it meant exposing her weaknesses and fears, she didn’t mind.

“This was the moment I feared most before going on stage, but at that instant, I saw Anson's eyes. He was smiling. Yes, he wasn’t panicked or blaming me, but encouraged me with his smile, which helped me regain my focus and get back on track.”

“Anson said to just enjoy it because only when the performers truly enjoy the show can the audience feel the happiness.”

All eyes turned to Anson.

In an unexpected twist, Lily’s words ended up focusing on Anson—not just Anson, but even Connor and Miles didn’t see it coming.

The entire audience’s gaze gathered on Anson.

The air became slightly quiet, but the anticipation, curiosity, and inquiry were burning quietly.

Then, Anson smiled and said, “This is where you should applaud.”

Ha ha.

Seeing that little arrogant expression, not only the audience but even Jay Leno laughed and applauded Anson.

After the applause and whistles quieted down a bit, Anson looked at Lily and said, “You guys really shouldn’t spoil me, or the band won’t have formed yet, and I’ll already be ready to go solo. That’s bad for business.”

Bursting with laughter!

The whole audience erupted in laughter!

The praise was all directed at Anson, from Jay Leno to Miles to Lily. The interview had just started, and Anson was already in the spotlight.

Just when everyone thought things were going to follow the usual pattern—where all the praise would be centered on Anson, with the other band members as mere foils, making Anson’s response seem insincere, whether humble or arrogant—Anson surprised everyone again.

Countless band members who went solo must have felt the sting of betrayal at this moment.

Karen looked at Blair with wide eyes, full of disbelief.

But Blair, full of pride, nodded slightly: “See, I told you so.”

With just an exchange of glances, emotions fluttered like the wings of a butterfly, but there was no further communication for fear of missing more exciting moments. They quickly turned their heads back to the front, their eyes, like the rest of the audience in the studio, blazing and focused on Anson.

Jay Leno looked at Anson with full appreciation, “So, you don’t think this is your credit?”

Anson met Jay Leno’s gaze, “I thought I looked like a spoiled baby.”

A self-deprecating question, responding in another way.

As the entire audience roared with laughter, Anson continued.

“Of course, I am a part of it, a very important part, but as narcissistic as I am, I must admit that the cello is the soul. The entire performance wouldn’t be the same if any element was missing, but it was the cello that made me stop on the street and get inspired.”

“So, why don’t we put Miles on the chopping block?”

The laughter just wouldn’t stop.

Especially seeing Miles' wide-eyed, panicked expression, the studio became even more lively.

At this moment, Anson looked ahead again.

The crowd in the studio had gradually dispersed, and Hayden and Ivan had disappeared.

Just now, it was purely the excitement of the performance that attracted everyone. Now that the interview segment had begun, the attraction had dropped off a cliff.

Yet Anson still wondered what Hayden thought and whether they would meet backstage after the show recording ended.

Jay Leno didn’t notice Anson’s searching gaze; his attention followed Anson’s words toward Miles.

“In fact, Anson is right.”

“Maybe I haven’t listened to enough music, but this should be the first time I’ve heard a cello in a pop? rock? folk? Anyway—this is the first time I’ve heard a cello in a pop band.”

“Undoubtedly, it’s an innovation and a breakthrough, refreshing to the ears.”

“The video of your street performance in Manhattan went viral online. Didn’t any record companies reach out to you?”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

Anson was just as curious.

Originally, Anson thought they might have signed with a record company, but things didn’t go well, leading to disillusionment and eventually leaving. That’s why he didn’t bring it up when they met again, not wanting to reopen old wounds. But hearing Jay Leno’s tone now, it seemed they never signed with a record company.

The three of them hesitated, exchanging glances and pondering for a moment.

Finally, it was Connor who spoke, an unexpected choice.

This was the first time Connor spoke since the recording started. He thought he would be nervous—and he was—but this was a serious question that needed to be addressed, so his nervousness took a back seat as he slightly organized his thoughts.

“Yes, there were offers; but I turned them down.”

Huh.

A gasp swept through the studio, where no one could quite comprehend what had just been revealed.

Blair was especially stunned. She finally understood why there had been no follow-up news on "Wake Me Up" or any updates about the band.

At first, she and Karen thought they might have missed some announcement, even going as far as to inquire on Yahoo forums. But now, the truth was clear.

Rejected?

Why would they reject such an offer?

Jay Leno and Anson were equally baffled.

Wasn’t a record deal the breakthrough they had all been waiting for?

Connor, still unaccustomed to being the center of attention, shifted awkwardly in his seat. “Sorry, it’s just that all of you are staring at me, and it’s making me a bit nervous.”

Anson snapped his fingers. “Easy.”

With that, Anson turned his head to look elsewhere, and Lily and Miles followed suit, mimicking him.

Witnessing this, Jay Leno instinctively looked up at the ceiling, realizing what was happening a beat later, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Laughter is contagious.

Even though the topic was somewhat heavy, Anson’s small gesture lightened the mood a bit. Blair and Karen playfully looked up at the ceiling as well.

Gradually, the entire studio shifted their gaze, and this absurdity dawned on Connor, who couldn’t hold back and let out a chuckle.

Connor’s tension eased slightly.

“Some of those offers were solely directed at Anson,” he explained. “Obviously, we couldn’t make decisions on his behalf since we didn’t even know him at the time.”

Anson quipped, “Connor, I thought we had our story straight.”

—“They’re friends,” at least pretending to be friends.

Ha ha.

But clearly, they hadn’t coordinated their story well, and the truth slipped out early.