บท 330: Versatile

After the laughter subsided, Ellen returned to her seat. Yet, she was incredibly vigilant. She raised her head and glared at Renly, a lingering fear in her expression. Renly couldn't help but grin. He didn't speak; instead, he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. Only then did Ellen sit back down, but her gaze remained intensely fixed on Renly. This caused Renly to glance sideways, mimicking an expression of terror.

Ellen was immediately taken aback and swiftly moved to the other side, as if there were monsters where Renly's gaze fell. But she quickly realized she was being teased by Renly again and could only laugh helplessly. She chided, "Hey! You rascal!" Renly, however, spread his hands in an innocent gesture, implying he hadn't done anything.

Observing the audience in stitches over the scene, Ellen felt absurd herself and burst into laughter once more. "There's been a viral video on YouTube lately. I don't know if you've seen it..."

Ellen resumed hosting the show, but Renly interrupted, "Hold on, I thought we were discussing my movie."

"No, you missed your chance," Ellen shook her head bluntly, giving him no quarter. "I've decided to move on to the next topic; the movie's in the past." Ignoring Renly's bewildered expression, she continued, "I saw a video on YouTube..."

The audience saw Renly's helpless expression, laughter erupting in waves, making the atmosphere lively.

Ellen wore a big smile, resolutely pushing forward with this topic. "This video is about you. You performed a short act on the streets of a Rio de Janeiro favela. Do you know about it?"

Renly's smile didn't fade; he turned to Ellen, "No, I don't. I mean, the street performance itself is true, but I didn't know someone had filmed and uploaded it to YouTube." Renly narrowed his eyes slightly, "I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but it seems like everyone is recording everywhere and uploading it online. Sometimes, I even suspect that my manager goes around deliberately arranging such things."

In fact, this was also one of the most enduring and hotly debated topics online. It experienced another wave of popularity after the Golden Globe Awards.

"That's your imagination," Ellen stated unequivocally, prompting the audience to laugh even harder. "YouTube has thousands of videos uploaded every day. You're not as special as you think." After Ellen's statement, she couldn't help but chuckle herself. On the other hand, Renly, the target of the jest, wore an unflappable expression. He spread his hands innocently, accepting the reality. A collective "aww" of sympathy emerged from the women in the audience, quickly followed by more laughter.

"But, this video is quite exceptional. Let's take a look." Ellen turned her head, and the large screen began playing the video.

In the video, Renly wore a simple white T-shirt paired with light blue distressed jeans. He stood on the street, leaning against a wall, a guitar slung over his shoulder. Bathed in golden sunlight, the dilapidated and vibrant chaos of Rio de Janeiro's streets merged into a flowing feast. It surged within the peppermint blue air—lazy, fresh, beautiful, and free.

Fingers lightly strumming, he hummed softly. Bright and translucent musical notes resonated like clear springs tinkling.

[

Hot sand on toes, cold sand in sleeping bags

I've come to know that memories

Were the best things you ever had

The summer shone, beat down on bony backs

So far from home, where the ocean stood

Down dust and pine cone tracks

]

The musical notes enveloped in the radiant sunlight flowed like the murmurs of nature—whispers of gentle wind rustling through pine trees, the sound of waves crashing against fragments of rocks, the descent of pebbles slipping through fingers, the soaring of seagulls flapping their wings, and the tranquility of mist flowing among the mountains...

Involuntarily, a tranquil and grandiose painting emerged in the mind, unfurling amidst the resonant guitar strings, prompting one to involuntarily close their eyes. The cool, moist green oxygen churned and reverberated in the chest.

Silently, just like that, the corners of the mouth curved upwards.

[

We slept like dogs down by the fire side

Awoke to the fog where all around us

The boom of summertime

]

In the streets of Rio de Janeiro, there was a unique summer restlessness, yet the light melody flowed like a stream, carrying a trace of coolness—the blossoming summer like a bud, enticing one to linger within.

The alleyways of the favela bore a raw, primal roughness, untouched by any refinement, akin to wild beasts rampaging. However, the moving lyrics interpreted this simple, sincere primitiveness. It was as if one stood amidst the ocean's currents, bathed in sunlight, touching the pulse of nature.

The lively melody suddenly slowed down; Renly's fingers rested on the strings as he began to sing, "We stood, steady as the stars in the woods, so happy-hearted, and the warmth rang true inside these bones. And as the old pine fell we sang..."

His magnetic voice danced upon the strings, like butterfly wings, like the mist of dawn. Everything was so beautiful, so magnificent it made one want to scream. Inadvertently, a faint warmth flowed forth—gentle, calm, soothing, serene—relaxing every fiber of being.

Renly raised his head, and the song abruptly halted. A shallow smile emerged, like the first ray of dawn breaking through the constraints of night, like the first glimpse of spring tearing apart winter's shackles. Drifting amidst the lush, verdant pine forest, he parted his lips, softly murmuring, "Just to bless the morning."

The video ended there, freezing on Renly's smile that illuminated the entire world. The golden sunlight seemed to have transformed into an accompaniment.

Beautiful, happy, warm.

These were the only emotions everyone felt now. The video was short, barely lasting less than eighty seconds, yet the surge of emotions it elicited was overwhelming. It was like standing on the pinnacle of a mountain, gazing upon the surging sea of clouds below, the dense forest partially obscured by mist. Golden sunlight poured down, sketching the contours of the world. Majestic and yet as gentle as jade; fresh and natural, yet deeply touching.

It was hard to imagine, truly hard to imagine. The power of music had been pushed to its utmost, to the point where people entered another realm, a realm akin to a fairyland.

"Beautiful." This was Ellen's sole thought. She led the applause, and the entire audience followed suit, the applause growing louder, finally merging into a unified crescendo. Whistles accompanied the applause, generously bestowing praises. "Beautiful, everything is truly beautiful." Ellen repeated the same words over and over.

For the first time, she realized how pale her words were. The seemingly ordinary lyrics connected, unexpectedly transforming into such a wonderful poem, fermenting, misting, and extending within the melody.

With a smile, Renly spread his hands, accepting the live audience's praise. This calm demeanor spurred even more enthusiasm. The cheering continued for almost a minute before Ellen halted it. "I can't accurately put my feelings into words. Similarly, on YouTube, over thirty thousand people share the same sentiment as me. This video has garnered thirteen million views and thirty thousand likes."

Applause echoed once again.

"Renly, isn't this your first time performing on the streets?" Ellen finally steered the conversation. "After the Emmy Awards, you also sang another song on the streets, right?"

"Yes," Renly nodded, admitting, "It was on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. I was filming "Fast 5" at the time..."

"Oh!" The live screams once again interrupted Renly. He raised his head and nodded towards the audience in acknowledgment before continuing, "It was at a small market in the favela, a barter system. In the video just now, did you notice the long-haired handsome guy nearby? It's him. He's an excellent bracelet weaver. I found many interesting things at his stall. In the end, he gifted me a bracelet in exchange, and I wrote this song for him."

That bracelet was eventually given to Hazel.

"You composed this on the spot?" Ellen said in surprise, and the live audience couldn't wait to cheer again.

Renly chuckled softly, continuing to explain, "Yes, this song is relatively simple, with uncomplicated chords, just a folk tune. But I personally like the lyrics very much. It describes a morning awakening in a pine forest. Yet, in just one awakening, the peak of summer has already arrived."

The live audience's cheering and applause surged like waves, rendering Renly's words disjointed. It took him some effort to complete his explanation.

"Wow, it's truly wonderful. Honestly, I feel it's like a poem," Ellen exclaimed, and her sentiment received everyone's agreement. "So, does this song have a name?"

"Old Pine"

"Just called "Old Pine"?"

"Yes."

"Indeed, there couldn't be a more fitting title." Ellen nodded. "If you ever record this song, remember to let me know. I'll download it immediately." The audience cheered again. "But this isn't the first time you've displayed your musical talent. I'm not just talking about street performances. You released two singles last year, right?"

"Are you sure we should start this topic?" Renly, however, wasn't inclined to delve deep into conversation. Why would Andy allow this topic to be included? Wasn't today about promoting "Buried"? Mixing the topics like this might not be appropriate, right? "I think Katy wouldn't want to hear an outsider like me discussing her profession."

Katy Perry, this was Renly's shield.

But before Ellen could reply, Katy's voice came from backstage. "I don't mind." This instantly left Renly stunned, and the audience began to scream. Renly followed Ellen's gaze and turned his head. He could see Katy poking her head out from the position of the band behind him. She spoke earnestly, "I mean it, I don't mind. I'm curious too, what's this all about?"

"Ah, ah, ah!" The atmosphere in the studio reached a genuine climax at that moment, even verging on becoming uncontrollable.