Despite occasional snowflakes drifting through the sky, Fifth Avenue remained bustling with pedestrians and vehicles, signaling the start of Christmas Day after the passing of Christmas Eve.
"So, where should we go next?" Brian tapped his plate with his fork, a smile on his face as he turned to Angela, who was enthusiastically devouring her food at the small table.
"I think we should take a leisurely stroll along the street," the little girl mumbled, her mouth still filled with delectable bites of black chocolate cake, paying little attention to the whipped cream smudged across her face.
Go shopping? While it was true that women often enjoyed shopping, what could someone as young as Chris possibly find entertaining in such activities? Brian shrugged to himself, reached for a tissue, and gently wiped the remnants of whipped cream from Angela's face.
Angela had a hidden agenda behind suggesting a shopping trip. As expected, when she woke up at her grandfather's house that morning, she received a limited-edition Barbie doll set as a gift.
Looking around, she noticed that her parents, uncles, and aunts had received various action figures and toys. While disappointment had become a familiar feeling for her over the years, she couldn't help but feel a slight numbness towards it now. However, her godfather, who had come to visit her grandfather, surprised her with a small gift.
He presented her with a green bamboo flute, exuding a classical Chinese charm. Though it wasn't exactly what she had yearned for, it brought a genuine sense of joy to Angela. Seizing the opportunity, she asked if she could spend the day playing with her godfather.
Later on, Angela's parents agreed to her request, as going out to play on Christmas had become a yearly tradition for the little girl, with different companions each time.
Brian drove with Angela, aimlessly wandering through the bustling streets of New York City before eventually veering away from the congested areas and heading to Central Park for some ice skating.
The little girl thoroughly enjoyed herself until she began to notice someone humming the tune of《Big Big World》as they passed by. Initially, she didn't pay much attention to it, but the repetitive humming started to feel peculiar.
When she tuned in, she realized that many young people of diverse backgrounds were humming the song, engaging in animated discussions about the singer's identity and appearance. If it had been people she knew, Angela would have brushed it off, but coming from strangers, it made her contemplate some deeper questions.
There was no doubt about the charm of these songs, but was it really important who the singer was?
It must be acknowledged that in certain aspects, Angela was rather "naive and clueless." As a former otaku in her past life, she failed to grasp that the more mysterious something appeared, the more it piqued others' curiosity. It was undoubtedly a shortcoming.
After relishing a delightful dessert at the Serendipity cake shop, the little girl eagerly pulled her godfather towards a record store in Times Square.
They opted for a relatively large-looking store nearby, and upon entering, Angela glanced around but noticed no relevant posters adorning the walls. Pausing for a moment, she began her search amidst the shelves.
However, her memory failed her when it came to the pre-filled EP that Disney had sent her, as she had barely glanced at it before stashing it away in a drawer. Trying to recall the cover proved to be an almost impossible task.
Undeterred, the determined little girl pressed on. If these three songs were so popular, there had to be a place where she could listen to them. She navigated through several rows of shelves until she reached the listening area, where several young people were donning headphones and engrossed in their musical experience.
After careful scrutiny, Angela's eyes landed on her own EP within the record case at one of the listening stations. It was unmistakable—the cover of the record case was surprisingly simple, a small piece of paper affixed to the back with a few lines and a couple of geometric shapes forming the letters "AM," all in black and white.
The sight elicited a mix of laughter and exasperation from the little girl—how could she even begin to describe Disney's choice of design?
Furthermore, as Avril had mentioned in her letter, there was no mention of the singer inside the EP, implying that the entire EP consisted of just one disc, apart from the cover attached to the back.
With a mixture of curiosity and excitement, Angela easily located her EP on the shelves. Positioned prominently not far from the entrance, it practically beckoned her to reach out and take one.
As she held it in her hands, she couldn't help but observe the simplicity of the design—it lacked the flashy appeal typically associated with music releases. However, its prominent placement indicated that it must have been selling exceptionally well. The fact that Disney's sales data had been accurate confirmed this.
A million copies sold in the last week of November, second only to Michael Jackson? The thought alone made Angela's head spin. Could she really be that incredible?
Suddenly, Angela felt a gentle tap on her left shoulder, causing her to jolt out of her reverie. She swiftly turned around, but to her surprise, there was no one there. Perplexed, she furrowed her brow and quickly shifted her gaze to the right, where a small face with wide eyes and a surprised expression greeted her.
"Wow, you're quick to react!" exclaimed the little girl. She appeared to be around six or seven years old, with bouncy golden curls framing her cute, round face. Her features were remarkably beautiful, resembling that of a doll, momentarily leaving Angela at a loss for words.
However, the girl seemed undeterred and confidently asked, puffing out her chest, "Are you Annie or Hallie?" She leaned in closer, her eyes shining with excitement. "Your eyes are stunning, even more captivating than in the movies!"
"Um, hold on a moment," Angela raised her hands, gathering her thoughts. "Who exactly are you?"
"I'm Scarlett Johansson!" The little girl introduced herself with a beaming smile, extending her hand for a friendly shake.
Angela, still taken aback by the unexpected encounter, hesitantly shook her hand. Then the girl inquired once again, her curiosity evident. "You haven't told me if you're Annie or Hallie."
"Well..." Angela scratched her cheek, contemplating her response. She didn't want to disappoint the little girl, but it would be difficult to explain the situation.
"Actually, I'm neither Annie nor Hallie. I portray both characters in the movie," Angela explained, extending her hand for a handshake. "My name is Angela Mason, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"I am thrilled to meet you," exclaimed Scarlett, her face radiating with enthusiasm. "You know, it's the first time I've ever had the chance to meet a movie actor up close like this. Have you acted in movies before? How does it feel? I've always dreamt of acting in movies myself, but unfortunately, my dad doesn't agree. He keeps saying I need to grow up a bit more, ever since I was 4 years old. It's frustrating because even now, he still doesn't allow it."
A flurry of questions bombarded Angela, making her head spin. Angela raised her hands and said, "Okay, okay, can you pause for a moment?"
Scarlett, being obedient, immediately halted, her light green eyes with a subtle touch of blue fixed on Angela.
Angela cleared her throat and spoke, "Let me explain, Scarlett. Making a movie is far more intricate than simply watching it in a theater. It's a highly complex process, and if you ever embark on an acting career, you'll realize that there are certain aspects that can't be put into words."
Observing Scarlett's lingering confusion, Angela rolled her eyes and continued, "Anyway, if your heart is truly set on acting in movies, you should discuss it with your parents and consider finding an agent. You can start by exploring opportunities in commercials."
'Just like Lindsay did. Who knows, you might end up in the spotlight someday.' She couldn't help but laugh and feel a tinge of irony as an unexpected thought crossed her mind.
Scarlett's understanding appeared incomplete, but her attention swiftly shifted when she noticed the EP in Angela's hand. Brimming with excitement, she changed the subject, asking, "Do you happen to enjoy Miss AM's songs too?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, they're pretty good," Angela replied, momentarily pausing before glancing at the EP in her hand and shrugging.
"What do you mean by 'pretty good'! Miss AM's voice is absolutely amazing," Scarlett protested, clearly dissatisfied with Angela's response. "The three songs each have distinct singing styles, creating unique vibes. And each style is executed flawlessly, without causing any confusion. How can you simply describe it as 'pretty good'?"
Angela chuckled helplessly and tried to explain herself, saying, "I apologize if I offended you or Miss AM. It's just that I don't listen to songs very often..." Suddenly, a thought sparked in her mind, and she added, "I've only recently discovered her. If it's possible, could you introduce me to Miss AM?"
"I must admit, I'm quite surprised myself. I thought as a movie actor, you would be well-informed about these things," Scarlett expressed, her gaze fixed on Angela, incredulous. "You see, Miss AM's EP was actually released back in early November, so by now, it's considered common knowledge. How did you only just find out?"
Angela grew frustrated and responded, "Look, all I want is to learn more about this Miss AM." She glanced at Scarlett, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the girl's extensive commentary.
Scarlett shrugged her shoulders and clarified, "I mean, no one knows."
Perplexed, Angela raised an eyebrow and questioned, "What do you mean, 'no one knows'?"
"I mean, literally no one knows. The Hollywood Records company released the album without any promotion. It was like a secret drop, and hardly anyone was aware of it. But towards the end of the month, through word of mouth, it suddenly gained incredible popularity. Even now, her three songs are consistently hovering in the top five of the Billboard charts. It's truly astonishing," Scarlett exclaimed, her excitement evident.
"Many music critics consider her a phenomenon. Not only does she write and compose her own songs, but she flawlessly showcases various singing styles. However, the identity of Miss AM remains a mystery. The Hollywood Records company responsible for the EP has kept tight-lipped about her true persona. There's no introduction or background information included in the EP, leading many to believe that Miss AM might not even exist. Some speculate that the three songs on the EP were performed by three different artists. While most people acknowledge Miss AM's undeniable talent and captivating voice, they assume she may be unattractive or intentionally avoiding public appearances. Rumor has it that this intriguing information was leaked by an anonymous insider from the Hollywood Records company."
As Angela listened to Scarlett with a smile on her face, a peculiar sensation filled her heart. She had only recorded the EP to rectify a mistake, so how had it generated such an immense sensation? However, when she heard the final speculation, an unexpected surge of anger welled up within her. Wasn't she considered attractive in her present form?
It became evident that the young girl had never truly grasped the concept of commercial hype, even during Angela's otaku days. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been foolish enough to request Disney to keep the singer and the EP under wraps, concealing her identity.
"How did you come across all this information?" Angela inquired once again, genuinely curious.
Scarlett tilted her eyes and shook her hand, indicating that Angela's question was rather foolish. "Oh, dear, there are articles about it in music magazines," she explained.
Angela found it both surprising and irritating. She forced herself to maintain a smile and continue the conversation with the young girl. However, just as she was about to respond, a voice emerged from behind, interrupting their interaction. "Although I hate to interrupt, Angela, we need to go," Brian interjected, appearing with a smile on his face, holding two classical records.
"I apologize, but I have to leave. It was a pleasure chatting with you," Angela swiftly bid farewell to Scarlett, feeling the need to abruptly conclude their conversation.
"I should be heading out as well. My parents must be getting worried," Scarlett remarked, waving her hand as she departed from the record store.
"It's remarkable how my goddaughter manages to make friends so effortlessly wherever she goes," Brian playfully teased, taking the records to the counter to complete the purchase.
Angela shrugged, neither confirming nor denying the observation. Her gaze drifted back to the spot where Scarlett had exited, and at that moment, a sudden realization struck her.
The name had felt familiar for a reason. Scarlett... Scarlett Johansson...
Despite occasional snowflakes drifting through the sky, Fifth Avenue remained bustling with pedestrians and vehicles, signaling the start of Christmas Day after the passing of Christmas Eve.
"So, where should we go next?" Brian tapped his plate with his fork, a smile on his face as he turned to Angela, who was enthusiastically devouring her food at the small table.
"I think we should take a leisurely stroll along the street," the little girl mumbled, her mouth still filled with delectable bites of black chocolate cake, paying little attention to the whipped cream smudged across her face.
Go shopping? While it was true that women often enjoyed shopping, what could someone as young as Chris possibly find entertaining in such activities? Brian shrugged to himself, reached for a tissue, and gently wiped the remnants of whipped cream from Angela's face.
Angela had a hidden agenda behind suggesting a shopping trip. As expected, when she woke up at her grandfather's house that morning, she received a limited-edition Barbie doll set as a gift.
Looking around, she noticed that her parents, uncles, and aunts had received various action figures and toys. While disappointment had become a familiar feeling for her over the years, she couldn't help but feel a slight numbness towards it now. However, her godfather, who had come to visit her grandfather, surprised her with a small gift.
He presented her with a green bamboo flute, exuding a classical Chinese charm. Though it wasn't exactly what she had yearned for, it brought a genuine sense of joy to Angela. Seizing the opportunity, she asked if she could spend the day playing with her godfather.
Later on, Angela's parents agreed to her request, as going out to play on Christmas had become a yearly tradition for the little girl, with different companions each time.
Brian drove with Angela, aimlessly wandering through the bustling streets of New York City before eventually veering away from the congested areas and heading to Central Park for some ice skating.
The little girl thoroughly enjoyed herself until she began to notice someone humming the tune of《Big Big World》as they passed by. Initially, she didn't pay much attention to it, but the repetitive humming started to feel peculiar.
When she tuned in, she realized that many young people of diverse backgrounds were humming the song, engaging in animated discussions about the singer's identity and appearance. If it had been people she knew, Angela would have brushed it off, but coming from strangers, it made her contemplate some deeper questions.
There was no doubt about the charm of these songs, but was it really important who the singer was?
It must be acknowledged that in certain aspects, Angela was rather "naive and clueless." As a former otaku in her past life, she failed to grasp that the more mysterious something appeared, the more it piqued others' curiosity. It was undoubtedly a shortcoming.
After relishing a delightful dessert at the Serendipity cake shop, the little girl eagerly pulled her godfather towards a record store in Times Square.
They opted for a relatively large-looking store nearby, and upon entering, Angela glanced around but noticed no relevant posters adorning the walls. Pausing for a moment, she began her search amidst the shelves.
However, her memory failed her when it came to the pre-filled EP that Disney had sent her, as she had barely glanced at it before stashing it away in a drawer. Trying to recall the cover proved to be an almost impossible task.
Undeterred, the determined little girl pressed on. If these three songs were so popular, there had to be a place where she could listen to them. She navigated through several rows of shelves until she reached the listening area, where several young people were donning headphones and engrossed in their musical experience.
After careful scrutiny, Angela's eyes landed on her own EP within the record case at one of the listening stations. It was unmistakable—the cover of the record case was surprisingly simple, a small piece of paper affixed to the back with a few lines and a couple of geometric shapes forming the letters "AM," all in black and white.
The sight elicited a mix of laughter and exasperation from the little girl—how could she even begin to describe Disney's choice of design?
Furthermore, as Avril had mentioned in her letter, there was no mention of the singer inside the EP, implying that the entire EP consisted of just one disc, apart from the cover attached to the back.
With a mixture of curiosity and excitement, Angela easily located her EP on the shelves. Positioned prominently not far from the entrance, it practically beckoned her to reach out and take one.
As she held it in her hands, she couldn't help but observe the simplicity of the design—it lacked the flashy appeal typically associated with music releases. However, its prominent placement indicated that it must have been selling exceptionally well. The fact that Disney's sales data had been accurate confirmed this.
A million copies sold in the last week of November, second only to Michael Jackson? The thought alone made Angela's head spin. Could she really be that incredible?
Suddenly, Angela felt a gentle tap on her left shoulder, causing her to jolt out of her reverie. She swiftly turned around, but to her surprise, there was no one there. Perplexed, she furrowed her brow and quickly shifted her gaze to the right, where a small face with wide eyes and a surprised expression greeted her.
"Wow, you're quick to react!" exclaimed the little girl. She appeared to be around six or seven years old, with bouncy golden curls framing her cute, round face. Her features were remarkably beautiful, resembling that of a doll, momentarily leaving Angela at a loss for words.
However, the girl seemed undeterred and confidently asked, puffing out her chest, "Are you Annie or Hallie?" She leaned in closer, her eyes shining with excitement. "Your eyes are stunning, even more captivating than in the movies!"
"Um, hold on a moment," Angela raised her hands, gathering her thoughts. "Who exactly are you?"
"I'm Scarlett Johansson!" The little girl introduced herself with a beaming smile, extending her hand for a friendly shake.
Angela, still taken aback by the unexpected encounter, hesitantly shook her hand. Then the girl inquired once again, her curiosity evident. "You haven't told me if you're Annie or Hallie."
"Well..." Angela scratched her cheek, contemplating her response. She didn't want to disappoint the little girl, but it would be difficult to explain the situation.
"Actually, I'm neither Annie nor Hallie. I portray both characters in the movie," Angela explained, extending her hand for a handshake. "My name is Angela Mason, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"I am thrilled to meet you," exclaimed Scarlett, her face radiating with enthusiasm. "You know, it's the first time I've ever had the chance to meet a movie actor up close like this. Have you acted in movies before? How does it feel? I've always dreamt of acting in movies myself, but unfortunately, my dad doesn't agree. He keeps saying I need to grow up a bit more, ever since I was 4 years old. It's frustrating because even now, he still doesn't allow it."
A flurry of questions bombarded Angela, making her head spin. Angela raised her hands and said, "Okay, okay, can you pause for a moment?"
Scarlett, being obedient, immediately halted, her light green eyes with a subtle touch of blue fixed on Angela.
Angela cleared her throat and spoke, "Let me explain, Scarlett. Making a movie is far more intricate than simply watching it in a theater. It's a highly complex process, and if you ever embark on an acting career, you'll realize that there are certain aspects that can't be put into words."
Observing Scarlett's lingering confusion, Angela rolled her eyes and continued, "Anyway, if your heart is truly set on acting in movies, you should discuss it with your parents and consider finding an agent. You can start by exploring opportunities in commercials."
'Just like Lindsay did. Who knows, you might end up in the spotlight someday.' She couldn't help but laugh and feel a tinge of irony as an unexpected thought crossed her mind.
Scarlett's understanding appeared incomplete, but her attention swiftly shifted when she noticed the EP in Angela's hand. Brimming with excitement, she changed the subject, asking, "Do you happen to enjoy Miss AM's songs too?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, they're pretty good," Angela replied, momentarily pausing before glancing at the EP in her hand and shrugging.
"What do you mean by 'pretty good'! Miss AM's voice is absolutely amazing," Scarlett protested, clearly dissatisfied with Angela's response. "The three songs each have distinct singing styles, creating unique vibes. And each style is executed flawlessly, without causing any confusion. How can you simply describe it as 'pretty good'?"
Angela chuckled helplessly and tried to explain herself, saying, "I apologize if I offended you or Miss AM. It's just that I don't listen to songs very often..." Suddenly, a thought sparked in her mind, and she added, "I've only recently discovered her. If it's possible, could you introduce me to Miss AM?"
"I must admit, I'm quite surprised myself. I thought as a movie actor, you would be well-informed about these things," Scarlett expressed, her gaze fixed on Angela, incredulous. "You see, Miss AM's EP was actually released back in early November, so by now, it's considered common knowledge. How did you only just find out?"
Angela grew frustrated and responded, "Look, all I want is to learn more about this Miss AM." She glanced at Scarlett, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the girl's extensive commentary.
Scarlett shrugged her shoulders and clarified, "I mean, no one knows."
Perplexed, Angela raised an eyebrow and questioned, "What do you mean, 'no one knows'?"
"I mean, literally no one knows. The Hollywood Records company released the album without any promotion. It was like a secret drop, and hardly anyone was aware of it. But towards the end of the month, through word of mouth, it suddenly gained incredible popularity. Even now, her three songs are consistently hovering in the top five of the Billboard charts. It's truly astonishing," Scarlett exclaimed, her excitement evident.
"Many music critics consider her a phenomenon. Not only does she write and compose her own songs, but she flawlessly showcases various singing styles. However, the identity of Miss AM remains a mystery. The Hollywood Records company responsible for the EP has kept tight-lipped about her true persona. There's no introduction or background information included in the EP, leading many to believe that Miss AM might not even exist. Some speculate that the three songs on the EP were performed by three different artists. While most people acknowledge Miss AM's undeniable talent and captivating voice, they assume she may be unattractive or intentionally avoiding public appearances. Rumor has it that this intriguing information was leaked by an anonymous insider from the Hollywood Records company."
As Angela listened to Scarlett with a smile on her face, a peculiar sensation filled her heart. She had only recorded the EP to rectify a mistake, so how had it generated such an immense sensation? However, when she heard the final speculation, an unexpected surge of anger welled up within her. Wasn't she considered attractive in her present form?
It became evident that the young girl had never truly grasped the concept of commercial hype, even during Angela's otaku days. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been foolish enough to request Disney to keep the singer and the EP under wraps, concealing her identity.
"How did you come across all this information?" Angela inquired once again, genuinely curious.
Scarlett tilted her eyes and shook her hand, indicating that Angela's question was rather foolish. "Oh, dear, there are articles about it in music magazines," she explained.
Angela found it both surprising and irritating. She forced herself to maintain a smile and continue the conversation with the young girl. However, just as she was about to respond, a voice emerged from behind, interrupting their interaction. "Although I hate to interrupt, Angela, we need to go," Brian interjected, appearing with a smile on his face, holding two classical records.
"I apologize, but I have to leave. It was a pleasure chatting with you," Angela swiftly bid farewell to Scarlett, feeling the need to abruptly conclude their conversation.
"I should be heading out as well. My parents must be getting worried," Scarlett remarked, waving her hand as she departed from the record store.
"It's remarkable how my goddaughter manages to make friends so effortlessly wherever she goes," Brian playfully teased, taking the records to the counter to complete the purchase.
Angela shrugged, neither confirming nor denying the observation. Her gaze drifted back to the spot where Scarlett had exited, and at that moment, a sudden realization struck her.
The name had felt familiar for a reason. Scarlett... Scarlett Johansson...
