Chapter 527: Kindred Spirits

Cecilia Vaughn saw that the phone number displayed was Director Chapman’s, and immediately felt a bit of a headache.

No wonder, since the shooting of "There are branches on the mountain" hasn’t been going smoothly recently. Due to Fiona Vaughn’s trap, the media has been all over the gossip, relentlessly pursuing her, the screenwriter behind the scenes.

Arthur Chapman was also tired of repeatedly explaining, so he wanted Cecilia Vaughn to simply expose her true identity. He said it would kill three birds with one stone, not only slapping the doubters in the face but also increasing the buzz for both the movie and comic of "There are branches on the mountain," and even benefiting Cecilia Vaughn and the Radiant Group significantly.

After all, fame sometimes equates to potential profit.

However, the pseudonym Seven Leaves was the only way for Cecilia Vaughn to slightly escape the troubles of the real world, so she had no intention of agreeing.

Such notoriety-driven exposure is better left alone.

...

"Answer it. You’ll have to face Director Chapman more often in the future. It’s not like just a phone call will turn you into a mouse facing a cat, right?"

Adrian Law couldn’t help but chuckle at Cecilia Vaughn’s troubled expression. He stood up and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Cecilia Vaughn understood Adrian Law’s meaning. After all, the entertainment industry more or less relies on publicity to maintain interest. Arthur Chapman was already one of the most serious people who wasn’t keen on such tactics, but with things blowing up like this, it wasn’t the director’s fault.

Cecilia Vaughn made a funny face at Adrian Law.

"Hey, it’s my identity being exposed, not yours, so of course you’re not afraid."

So easy to talk when it’s not about you!

As if hearing Cecilia Vaughn’s inner complaint, the man nonchalantly raised his eyebrows.

"At the very least, I’m not afraid of any of my identities being exposed."

"..."

This was Adrian Law’s confidence, and also his arrogance.

Even if he were expelled from the Law Family one day, the name Adrian Law was still his sole pride.

Cecilia Vaughn helplessly rubbed her forehead. She wanted to retort to Adrian Law, but ultimately realized he was indeed different from her. At least, in some ways, Adrian Law was more resilient and didn’t need an unknown pseudonym for mental comfort.

This was the difference between them, but Cecilia Vaughn didn’t mind. After all, girls naturally tend to be more delicate and sensitive.

"Alright, then I’ll answer it."

After all, Director Chapman’s suggestions were just that. She could always listen from one ear and let it out the other, just brushing it off completely.

As the phone rang once more, Cecilia Vaughn finally pressed the answer button.

A slightly excited male voice quickly came through the line!

"Miss Vaughn! I have fantastic news for you: your ’Life’ has been chosen as the theme song! I didn’t have much hope at first, but everyone was very satisfied upon hearing it!"

"Especially the talented Desmond Fletcher from the Chinese music industry. He really likes the tune you composed. I hear you haven’t finished the lyrics yet, and he wants to collaborate with you on them!"

Cecilia Vaughn was stunned, unable to believe what she was hearing!

She initially thought Director Chapman was calling to add more troubles, but unexpectedly, it was about the theme song "Life" she had submitted just last week.

At the time, she didn’t expect much, as she was self-taught and, despite knowing some instruments and having a bit of inspiration, didn’t want to appear arrogant before industry professionals!

Especially Teacher Fletcher, what a significant figure!

He dabbled in everything from traditional Chinese styles to electronic trends, and was top-notch in all.

Such a prominent figure praised her composition and even expressed interest in collaborating on the lyrics. Cecilia Vaughn swallowed and barely kept her composure.

...

"Director Chapman, you’re not joking with me, right? Teacher Fletcher really likes my ’Life’?"

"More than just like! He praised it as grand and magnificent, with a bleak atmosphere like the clashing of armies, while the latter part brings hope like new branches sprouting from dead wood. Ah, his series of rhetorical praises, I’ve forgotten how to repeat them."

"Moreover, Teacher Fletcher assumed the composer was a male. He didn’t expect it to be the work of a young woman. He even praised you as a heroine not yielding to men. Of course, Teacher Fletcher has no intention of undermining women; it’s just that the style is so grand, whereas generally, compositions by women are more delicate and subtle, each gender with their strengths."

...

Listening to this, Cecilia Vaughn felt stirred to the core, and her eyes almost welled up.

No one knew that "There are branches on the mountain" was created during her most desperate times, including the initial idea for "Life" taking shape while she was in prison.

Back then, she naturally didn’t have good instruments to use in prison, only tapping on ceramic bowls with chopsticks to feel the highs and lows of the scales, the subtle changes of melody.

This rise and fall became the initial form of "Life."

Many female prisoners laughed at her as a lunatic, but Cecilia Vaughn paid them no mind. By her second year in prison, she was no longer weak and bullied but fiercely resilient. They might have laughed, but no one dared to actually lay a hand on her anymore.

...

"Teacher Fletcher is particularly curious about what kind of experiences allowed you to create such a piece, where the contrasting ismes ultimately merge seamlessly. He said he couldn’t believe it was composed by a girl in her twenties; even a middle-aged person in their forties who has experienced the vicissitudes of life might not achieve the atmosphere and sentiment of this piece."

"Nonetheless, I adhered to your request, Miss Vaughn, and did not reveal your identity publicly. If you wish, you can meet Teacher Fletcher in person; if not, online communication is also an option."

What could lead someone to premature maturity, seemingly weathered by all sorts of adversity?

There’s likely nothing more direct than being wrongfully imprisoned.

Director Chapman respects Cecilia Vaughn’s privacy. Although Teacher Fletcher wishes to meet, if it happened, Cecilia Vaughn’s past would spread widely on the internet, known to too many people...

Cecilia Vaughn hesitated for a while, then ultimately chose the latter.

"Then... let’s collaborate online. Thank Teacher Fletcher for his appreciation on my behalf, Director Chapman."

"Alright..."

Arthur Chapman didn’t force Cecilia Vaughn and quickly hung up the phone.

...

Having declined, Cecilia Vaughn actually felt a sense of loss.

In truth, she had admired Teacher Fletcher for a long time, truly wanting to see him in person.

Noticing his wife’s emotional state, Adrian Law gently held her shoulders.

"Cecilia, you two will meet eventually."

"Why?"

Cecilia Vaughn asked, surprised.

"This Friday, at the Sino-American University Students Exchange Conference, Desmond Fletcher will also attend as a special guest..."