Watching Ollie and Ronan listening intently, their ears perked up with interest, and Maxim, who was zoning out and couldn't help but snicker, Wyatt took in the whole scene of the band. He couldn't help but jokingly tease, "How come it seems like you guys aren't even in the band?"
Ollie tried to answer, but facing strangers, he really needed some time to adjust. His brain couldn't keep up with the pace, so he could only remain silent, turning his head to look at Ronan, hoping he would provide an answer.
Ronan was already used to this. "Even listening to this experience again as an outsider, I can still feel the incredible magic. It's hard to believe that something like this actually happened to us. We've waited seven years to stand on that stage."
"Welcome to the entertainment industry," Wyatt said, completely unfazed.
Overnight success stories were countless in the entertainment industry, so there was nothing surprising about it. What was truly astonishing was the speed of turnover and the fickle nature of the audience. Shooting stars filled the sky, but only a few managed to last. A promising newcomer could become a has-been before the next day even dawned.
"Seven years, wow, that's a really long time to wait," Wyatt then exclaimed. Independent bands that could persist in their dreams for seven long years were not uncommon in the industry, but they weren't abundant either. It wasn't an easy feat.
Ronan and Ollie exchanged a look, and then Ronan smiled at Wyatt, spreading his hands. "Welcome to the entertainment industry."
Countless unknown singers and actors in the eighteenth tier were as numerous as stars in the vast sea of the entertainment industry. Among a thousand or even ten thousand singers and actors, only one true superstar might emerge. The seemingly glamorous entertainment industry was mostly filled with struggling ordinary people. For them, it was just another job, not much different from an office worker's life.
The same words were true coming from Wyatt's mouth, and they were also true coming from Ronan's.
Wyatt was slightly taken aback, then he quickly understood. The smile in his eyes slowly spread, and after savoring the moment again, he still found it clever and witty, unable to help but chuckle. His gaze on Ronan deepened, and his interest grew a little more.
An idea flashed in his mind, and Wyatt keenly seized it. "Ronan, judging from Cliff's description, you were the one who ultimately sealed the deal. So, what do you think it was about that night that moved Bruno and ultimately won the band this valuable performance opportunity?"
Ronan was a little sensitive.
He knew what Bruno had experienced in Los Angeles, and Wyatt, as a reporter, must have known as well. Was Wyatt trying to dig up gossip about Bruno?
Of course, maybe Ronan was just overthinking it, but he was indeed a bit sensitive right now. The thought spun in his mind for a moment, and he answered without hesitation, but his answer was still somewhat cautious. "I really want to say it was 'music,' that our music moved Mr. Bruno."
However...
Ronan still showed humility—or perhaps a lack of complete information. "But I know Bruno is a very, very talented singer and songwriter. I don't want to sound too arrogant, so I need to revise my answer. I think it was 'sincerity'."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Ronan could see the speechless expression on Wyatt's face, clearly showing his dissatisfaction with the answer.
Ronan didn't mind at all, laughing cheerfully and waving his hands repeatedly. "Not the literal meaning, but the sincerity revealed in our music awakened Bruno's past memories. We all experienced long dark periods, and music was the only driving force that kept us going. I think Bruno must have captured that sincerity in our music, so he was willing to give us a chance."
Wyatt pondered for a moment. "So, after going in circles, what you're saying is that your music is exceptionally good, right?"
"Huh?"
Ronan was taken aback, then he followed Wyatt's train of thought and reanalyzed it. After realizing, he clapped his hands and burst into laughter: it seemed like maybe perhaps probably or should be really like that.
Did this mean he was slowly starting to become more confident? And it was even starting from a subconscious level?
Looking at Ronan, who was laughing heartily, Wyatt's mood also brightened. He had to admit that this was a relaxed and pleasant interview.
"Regardless of the reason, I think Bruno saw something special in you, and your performance proved Bruno right. On the first night of performing at the Verizon Center, the band made a minor mistake at the beginning of the set, but the band turned the tide with unparalleled performance and delivered a stunning show, which became one of the most unforgettable memories for countless audience members that night."
Chuckle chuckle.
Wyatt was asking a question when he heard a low laugh coming from the side. Following the sound, he immediately saw Maxim secretly laughing.
One. Two. Three. Four.
Four people, eight eyes, all focused on Maxim. Maxim's entire expression relaxed, completely lost in his own world. He had even taken out his phone, seemingly immersed in a Twitter discussion frenzy, completely in another dimension.
"Maxim..." Ollie called out softly and cautiously, trying to remind Maxim, but it was clearly too late.
Maxim was a beat late in looking up, realizing he was the center of attention. His first reaction was to straighten his chest and adjust his hair, displaying a perfect, dashing demeanor. He met Wyatt's gaze and asked with his eyes, as if the other person was the one who had lost composure.
Wyatt didn't mind, just nodded slightly, his meaningful expression unreadable. "So, does the Twitter frenzy feel a bit more real now?"
Exposed for zoning out, Maxim still didn't panic, cheekily nodding. "A little bit. But they can't even say my name, so it still doesn't feel clear enough. I mean, M-A-X-I-M, it's not that difficult of a name, is it?"
"So, after Browse for so long, that's the only takeaway?" Ronan instantly and sharply caught the key point, mercilessly mocking. "Did they remember the rest of our names?"
"...Not exactly." Maxim's words stumbled a bit. "But they should at least remember my name, shouldn't they? I don't have a face that's easily forgotten. Even if they don't know, they should be curious." Maxim gestured to his face, his expression full of self-righteousness.
Ollie turned his head, Ronan's gaze drifted away, and Cliff lowered his head to pick at his fingernails. No one was willing to respond.