Sterling City, CBD.
The most prosperous area of Sterling City, with towering buildings and bustling traffic. In this prime location, where every inch of land is precious, there stands an elegant, three-story townhouse. It stands out amidst the surrounding modern office buildings. High brick walls enclose the townhouse, shielding it from the nearby clamor. Its quiet location in such a central, prime area speaks volumes about the owner's status.
Inside the townhouse, a small bridge gracefully winds over a lily pond, at the center of which is a spacious gazebo. Five elders sit within the gazebo. Four men and one woman, one of whom is Professor Charles.
Currently, an elderly man in a blue linen jacket sitting next to Professor Charles asks him, "Charles, why did you rush us here to Edwin's place? What's the big secret?"
The man speaking is Autumn Bennett. Young people today might not be familiar with him, but the older generation knows his name well. He's a National Vocalist Laureate. That title alone commands respect. In their youth, Professor Charles and Autumn Bennett fought side-by-side, confronting the then-fierce invasion of Eastern music trends. However, they were also rivals in love, and Professor Charles ultimately prevailed, leaving Autumn Bennett always feeling slighted. For years, they've bickered whenever they met.
Professor Charles shot Autumn Bennett a sidelong glance. "I'm being secretive? Then how did Lily ever fall for me?"
Autumn Bennett retorted angrily, "You!"
"Alright, you two have been arguing for half your lives, take a break." Another elderly man spoke. He was plainly dressed but carried an aura of authority that suggested he had long held a position of power. This was Edwin Hayes, founder of Hayes Entertainment, one of the three giants of the American entertainment industry. He was now retired, and this townhouse was his property.
Professor Charles: "Hmph!"
Autumn Bennett: "Hmph!"
The two old men grunted at each other, then turned their heads away, silent.
Pfft! A woman in her fifties couldn't help but chuckle. "Robert, Autumn, why are you two acting like children?" The woman wore an elegant silk dress. Though advanced in years, her grace remained undiminished, possessing a timeless elegance. This was Fiona Green, a National Opera Master. She was younger than Professor Charles and the other two men, but her status was no less significant. In recent years, there had been a growing emphasis on traditional Western culture. Opera, with its five-hundred-year heritage, now had almost no successors, leaving Fiona Green as the last living Opera Master. She was practically a national treasure.
When she spoke, Professor Charles finally stopped his bickering, though still stubborn. "I was just thinking that we old friends hadn't seen each other in a long time. Since you're all in Sterling City these past couple of days, I thought we'd get together. You make it sound like I'm like certain people, always with ulterior motives!"
Autumn Bennett's eyes widened. "Who are you talking about?"
Professor Charles's eyes widened even more. "Whoever takes offense!"
As the two were about to argue again, an elder who had been quietly playing a lute advised, "Robert, we've finally gathered. If you truly have something to say, just say it. We've been friends for so many years; would we not help you?"
This elder also had a significant background. Michael King, a renowned songwriter, and like Professor Charles, a titan of the previous generation of the American music scene. Professor Charles and Michael King shared much common ground. With Michael King's words, Professor Charles fell silent for a moment, then finally, somewhat hesitantly, revealed the purpose of gathering them all: "I recently took on a protégé. He's... passable. His show airs tomorrow night. You can watch it if you're free."
"A protégé?!" Everyone looked at Professor Charles in astonishment. They were all old friends and knew Robert's temperament. Autumn Bennett was the first not to believe it. "Robert Charles, are you messing with us? You'd take on a protégé? Even if you did, who could stand your awful temper?"
Professor Charles scoffed. "Autumn, you're just jealous! You've never had a protégé in your life, and now I do, and you're unbalanced!"
Autumn Bennett bristled again. "Robert, who says I don't have a protégé?!" He then paused, suddenly chuckling. "Robert Charles, I get it. You just found someone and called them your protégé, then came here to provoke me. You deliberately came to annoy me today, didn't you? How childish of you?"
Professor Charles's face turned red with anger. "Autumn Bennett, listen to me! I genuinely took on this protégé. He's excellent in songwriting, composing, and singing. You wouldn't find a protégé like him even if you searched with a lantern!"
Autumn Bennett laughed heartily. "Keep boasting! If he's so great, why didn't you bring him for us to see?"
Professor Charles glared at him. "Didn't I just say? My protégé's show is tomorrow night. You can watch it on TV!"
Edwin Hayes understood. "Robert, you invited everyone here today just to get us to support your protégé?"
Michael King, however, showed some interest. "Someone Robert thinks highly of should be good. What show is it?"
"Only Michael knows what's what!" Professor Charles said to the others. "Tomorrow night at eight, on the Sterling City channel. The show is called American Voice."
Edwin Hayes frowned slightly. "That music variety show Celeste Monroe is on?"
Autumn Bennett burst into laughter again. "I thought it was some impressive national program! A variety show? Isn't that just worthless trash created by untalented influencers? What kind of protégé do you have, Robert Charles?"
Fiona Green lost even more interest upon hearing this and stopped talking.
Michael King said, "If Celeste is on it? Then it should be decent." Among the younger generation, Celeste Monroe was the only name they would bother to remember.
Since things had come to this, Professor Charles, for the sake of his protégé, shed all pretense. "My protégé will definitely give you a surprise tomorrow. Just watch the show!"
"Robert Charles, you're truly shameless. Who brags about themselves like that?" Autumn Bennett simply didn't believe him.
Professor Charles was furious. "Autumn, dare to make a bet with me? If the song my protégé sings tomorrow doesn't impress you, then I'll defer to you every time we speak! But if my protégé proves himself, then you have to call me 'Brother' from now on!"
Autumn Bennett immediately stood up and extended his hand to Professor Charles. "You said it, don't back out!"
Professor Charles also stood up and firmly clasped Autumn Bennett's hand. "Whoever backs out will sing off-key for the rest of their life!"
"Deal!" Autumn Bennett immediately agreed.
"That's intense! Interesting!" Edwin Hayes, enjoying the spectacle, added, "How about we all come here tomorrow night and watch it together? The three of us can be your witnesses?"
"Fine, lest someone loses and doesn't admit it!" Autumn Bennett agreed.
"Whoever doesn't admit it is a coward!" Professor Charles huffed and puffed.
Michael King was indifferent. "I'm not going back until the day after tomorrow, so I'm free tomorrow night."
Fiona Green had no interest in this kind of pop music variety show. "I still have my practice. I won't be coming tomorrow."
"Fiona, my protégé also knows opera," Professor Charles told Fiona Green.
"Your protégé knows opera?" Fiona Green was surprised. Autumn Bennett chuckled. "Robert, are you saying your protégé is going to sing opera on a variety show tomorrow night?" These pop music variety shows typically featured love songs, electronic music, or rock. How could someone sing opera? Even if they did, it would likely just be a few hummed notes to fool amateurs.
Professor Charles didn't get angry this time, remaining as steady as a mountain. "Won't you know if you watch it tomorrow night?"
Fiona Green's curiosity was finally piqued. "Alright then, I'll come and watch tomorrow night too."
Autumn Bennett laughed. "Yes, Fiona, come and bear witness for me, and listen to how Robert calls me 'Brother'!"