Hollywood: Star Kid

The shouts in the square grew louder and louder, reaching into the lounge. Ryan heard them clearly, feeling his heart pounding vigorously, his blood beginning to boil. His usual prideful calm was gradually replaced by excitement. This was a completely different feeling from the Oscars or a film premiere.

Yes, this is the feeling I want—the feeling of standing in the center of tens of thousands, basking in the spotlight!

"Ryan, it's about time." John Burns and Pai Kingsley walked in together.

Ryan nodded and looked toward the band. "Guys, are you ready?"

"Yes!" came the response, with four fists raised in unison.

"Then let's do it. Today, this stage belongs to us!" Ryan was the first to stride out.

There was no host on the stage, no reporter interviews, no camera lenses—only music. Music that could resonate with everyone!

"It's Ryan! Ryan is coming out!"

Amid the fans' cheers, camera flashes from the reporters below lit up the entire scene, even outshining the neon advertisements around Times Square.

The boy on stage wore dark jeans, matching canvas shoes, and a light-colored long-sleeve shirt. His light brown short hair stood up just like his strong-willed personality. Though his five-foot-five frame still retained the innocence of youth, it exuded a unique charisma.

The boy raised his left hand above his head, and in just a single breath, the thunderous cheers across the square fell completely silent—replaced by stillness. So quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

The teenagers, young men, and women in the crowd all held their breath. They wanted to hear every word from the stage.

But the boy on stage didn't speak. With the hand he had raised, he snapped his fingers toward the band. The instrumental intro began to play.

The melody was completely unfamiliar, yet incredibly moving. They immediately realized—it was a new song from the album!

"I won't make the same mistakes again, I won't let my heart be filled with pain again~"

His voice, filled with emotion like a lament, was also brimming with strength. Just one line, and the audience's eyes lit up. After all, this was Ryan Jenkins' first public live performance—no one had known how good he was live.

He didn't let them down!

"Because of you, I've learned to stay in a safe place and not get hurt.

Because of you, I've tried to trust others and live in peace with those around me.

Because of you, I feel my heart has found a home!"

The emotional burst in the chorus came suddenly, yet felt completely natural. Ryan's voice was full of power, and the rich vocal tones soared to the skies. From it, they heard a heart-wrenching cry, felt the boy's inner vulnerability beneath his strong appearance.

Who was the person he depended on? Some people's minds flashed with the image of a cool and elegant face.

This was a deeply touching song. The transmission and call of emotion easily moved their hearts.

When the music ended, the thunderous applause almost seemed to lift the sky. Before the clapping had even died down, cries of "Ryan!" rang out again, immediately drowning out the applause.

Turning off the mic, Ryan let out a soft breath. He realized he was the kind of performer who thrived on excitement—the bigger the scene, the better he performed. This was his best rendition of Because of You yet, even slightly better than the version on the album.

"Friends of New York! Friends of New York!" As the shouting calmed a little, Ryan turned the mic back on. His voice brought the crowd to silence once more. "Ohhh… how are you all doing?"

"Wow~" Another wave of cheers erupted from below.

"Hi everyone, I'm Ryan Jenkins—the guy who sang He over half a year ago! Welcome to the launch of my debut album!"

Amid friendly laughter, Ryan continued, "That last song was called Because of You. I wrote it for the person I love most. I hope you all liked it!"

"Earlier, while I was sitting in the lounge, I heard your screams piercing through thick concrete walls. And then, I told myself—'Wow, your fans are incredible. Their high notes are even stronger than yours, God!'"

"I'm standing on this stage, in the best spot with the best view. I can see every one of you. You're all amazing!" Ryan walked to one side of the stage and pointed below. "On the left, holding up that Savior poster—man, I looked terrible back then. And over here—God, you're holding up Harry Potter! I bet my record company isn't too happy about that!"

Popularity and fandom had to be cultivated. Ryan's natural charisma radiated effortlessly as he cracked a few harmless jokes, which drew louder and louder cheers from the crowd.

Ryan snapped his fingers again. The bassist began playing an upbeat rhythm.

"I know you've all been preparing for today, just like I have." He pointed to a giant, eye-catching cartoon version of himself. "Like the friends who made that poster—no way you could've drawn that without spending a few days on it. No doubt about it. You all know I can sketch. So I can feel your passion for me!"

"Since you want to spend this unforgettable day with me, then… are you ready?" Ryan pointed to the crowd.

"Yes!"

Ryan made a hand gesture, and a staff member quickly brought him an electric guitar. He gave the band an OK signal, indicating a rock version.

This wasn't the time for ballads.

"It's My Life!" Ryan strummed the strings. "Go!"

Completely different from the last song, this was a high-tempo rock track. Though the song had little to do with the CS context, there were both rock and ballad versions. Ryan had re-arranged it, keeping some rock elements but steering the style more toward pop.

"This is my life,

This is not a song for the broken-hearted.

God won't protect those who pray without faith.

I don't want to be just one among the crowd.

You will hear my voice when I shout out loud—

This is my life!"

The fast-paced song was full of power. Ryan's vocals danced on the edge of distortion. His hoarse shouts were unrestrained and cathartic, yet also infectious. Many in the audience began swaying to the beat.

Some with a great sense of rhythm even started dancing disco to the rhythm.

"Wooow~" Ryan let out a playful shout, cutting through the fading applause. He waved at the crowd and said, "Alright! Just like every story I write—there's always a protagonist. Today, that protagonist is you. Of course, also me and my band. So… for the last song, The Show!"

"Ryan! A new song! We want to hear a new song!" Fans below shouted loudly.

This Johnson & Johnson ad theme song had already spread across every street and alley with the commercial. They'd heard it countless times.

"That won't do—I'd be breaching my contract, you know?" Ryan exaggeratedly widened his eyes. After another surge of cheers, he sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright, since you are today's protagonists, the story should go your way. Here's the new song Lemon Tree. Hope you're not disappointed."

A light and breezy instrumental began, followed by Ryan's slightly mischievous singing voice.

"I'm sitting here in a boring room,

It's just another rainy Sunday afternoon.

I've got nothing to do, I'm wasting my time…

I don't know what's wrong, I don't understand.

Yesterday you showed me blue skies,

But all I see is just a yellow lemon tree.

I'm turning my head, up and down,

Turning, turning, turning around,

And all that I can see is just another lemon tree!"

The cheerful rhythm, bouncy notes, and playful singing relaxed everyone's tense nerves. Even the fatigue in their minds seemed to melt away.

Three songs, three distinct styles, three completely different vocal techniques. An outstanding live performance and a relaxed, natural stage presence—all of it showcased Ryan's powerful personal charm. Though still young, many of the girl fans already had stars in their eyes when they looked at him.

"Ryan, I love you!" These kinds of shouts echoed throughout.

"Thank you, everyone. Thank you!" Ryan bowed slightly and waved as he walked off the stage.

"Encore! Encore!"

The crowd still chanted in unison, though with less volume now. After all, this was the release event for a new album. Everyone knew what came next. Despite the thousands in line outside the record store, there was still hope of getting in, wasn't there?

"Wow! Ryan is so cool." Laryl's eyes sparkled with stars.

"Ryan sang so well—writing, composing, and performing himself. Incredible. I want to become a singer-songwriter too!" Christine, being semi-professional, naturally had a different perspective.

"Is he really that good?" the other girl muttered, pouting.

"Don't you talk about Ryan like that." Christine glared at her, then looked around at the people dispersing around the stage. "Didn't you say you could get us into the record store? Then let's go!"

As she spoke, she grabbed the girl's arm, afraid she might run away.

"Relax. I keep my word. I won't run." The girl rolled her eyes and led the two self-proclaimed superfans in a loop around the area, eventually arriving at the record store's side door.

"What are you here for?" a staff member blocked their way.

"I'm Ryan's friend. We agreed to meet yesterday."

The staff member didn't budge. He'd seen too many people pretending to be stars' friends. The girl sighed and added, "Could you contact Ryan's agent, Ms. Kingsley, or his bodyguard George, please?"

The staffer's eyes widened. She actually knew the names of Ryan's agent and bodyguard—didn't seem like she was lying. He quickly spoke into his walkie-talkie.

Soon, the sound of high heels echoed closer. Pai Kingsley walked to the door, looked at the girl, and said, "Nat, you finally made it. Ryan thought you weren't coming."