Performance harvest

Although the pedestrians didn't shout Hugo's name, they at least recognized him. They knew him as the handsome high school student from "Scent of a Woman", just like the suicidal teenager from "Dead Poets Society". He had replaced the title of worst actor at the Golden Raspberry Awards and become Hugo's latest alias, signifying notable progress.

The crowd approached Hugo one by one, shaking his hand and embracing him. It was lively for quite a while before gradually dispersing. Hugo hadn't expected the situation to evolve like this in the end. Facing Charlize's slightly teasing expression, Hugo could only smile helplessly. He still wasn't quite accustomed to the fact that he had become a somewhat famous actor.

"I never expected you to sing so wonderfully," Charlize's face carried a playful smile. She had known Hugo for over half a year, but she never knew he was such a fantastic singer. She initially thought Hugo's mention of performing live was just a joke. She never expected it to bring such a huge surprise, even bringing tears to her eyes. "Did you compose that song just now?"

Hugo's lips curved into a warm smile. "Yes. Music is my hobby, a hidden talent, you could say?" He intentionally emphasized the word "talent", seeking Charlize's approval, which successfully earned him an eye roll from her.

"It's not difficult for you to seek my praise. You can just ask directly," Charlize punctured Hugo's little trick mercilessly, making Hugo laugh lightly.

"Hey, buddy." A rough but polite voice sounded from the side. Hugo and Charlie turned to look together and saw a handsome guy who stood at six feet three inches (1.9 meters). His long, slender legs stood out under the evening sun. Even Hugo, with his six-foot height, had to slightly raise his gaze to see the face clearly. The symmetrical figure carried a guitar on his back. The simple combination of torn jeans and a black t-shirt gave him a carefree and stylish look. His golden hair and blue-green eyes radiated a romantic charm.

"I'm Neil Anderson, a street performer." Neil introduced himself proactively, pointing to a spot two hundred yards behind him, indicating his performance area. "I heard your singing just now, and I have to express my admiration. It was truly fantastic."

Neil spoke straightforwardly with an open expression, showing the excitement in his heart. The smile on his lips was filled with emotion. Although he was a stranger, Hugo could easily sense the sincerity from Neil's innermost feelings. "Oh, thank you so much. I was worried that nobody would appreciate my performance. Your affirmation means a lot to me."

Hugo wasn't just being polite; he was stating the truth. His words naturally carried sincerity, making Neil laugh. "Oh, by the way, I'm Hugo Lancaster. I'm just a street performer filling in today."

"Yes, I heard that just now. They said you're an actor," Neil shook the right hand that Hugo reached out with and didn't immediately let go. He held Hugo's hand and continued, "I think you're an incredibly talented singer. You should spend more time on music composition. Countless people would go crazy for you." After speaking, he exerted some force with his hand to emphasize his affirmation before finally letting go.

"Perhaps this is the best news I've heard today." Hugo's smile blossomed brightly. "Seeing your sincere expression, I would assume you're a music agent from some agency. Of course, if that's the case, it would be even better."

"Oh, no, I'm just a music enthusiast," Neil laughed at Hugo's playful remark. He looked at the guitar in Hugo's hands and complimented, "Your guitar skills are really impressive. Did you compose that song yourself? I must say, blending jazz with pop? That's a crazy and excellent idea." As fellow guitar players, they naturally had a lot in common to talk about.

"And rhythm blues," Hugo added, causing Neil to have a sudden realization. "Actually, it was just my first attempt today. Normally, I prefer rock music."

"Guns N' Roses or Nirvana?" That was Neil's first thought, as these two bands were the best representatives of American rock since 1988.

However, Hugo shook his head and mentioned a series of band names, "Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses." With Hugo's words, a radiant light gradually appeared on Neil's face.

The bands Hugo mentioned were all prominent representatives of British rock that rose rapidly after the 1980s. After the glorious era of rock bands like Queen and The Beatles, British rock experienced a slight decline in the 1980s, while American rock led by Guns N' Roses and Nirvana became the mainstream worldwide. However, no one could ignore the immense power of British rock.

Neil initially thought Hugo was a "true-blue" American and would have a deeper emotional connection to American rock. But unexpectedly, Hugo shared similar tastes and had an irreplaceable love for British rock. This was truly a great surprise.

"I can see why I resonate with your music so much," Neil expressed his joy with a simple statement, making Hugo burst into laughter. "Although I really want to continue exchanging views on guitars and music with you, I'm sorry, I already have plans with friends tonight, so I have to leave temporarily." Regret and frustration were evident in Neil's beautiful eyes.

Hugo also sighed lightly. Even though they had only exchanged a few words, the sense of instant familiarity left Hugo feeling regretful. It wasn't easy to meet a friend with a shared passion for music. Hugo's first reaction was to take out his phone and record the contact information, but then he realized that it was 19 years, an era without the rise of the internet and with bulky phones like bricks. It was really unfortunate.

"There will always be opportunities," Hugo quickly reassured himself, smiling brightly. "If we truly share the same music preferences." Birds of a feather flock together, although this phrase is often used negatively, it is sometimes true. As long as there are shared interests, there will always be a chance to meet again in the world of music.

"I'll be waiting," Neil chuckled and waved to Charlize and Hugo, then quickly walked away. From beginning to end, Neil had only addressed Charlize twice, his attention completely focused on Hugo or, more specifically, the guitar in Hugo's hands.

Hugo looked at Charlize and teasingly smiled, "I don't think this outfit helped at all today." The implicit meaning was that Charlize's beggar disguise obscured her appearance, so no one would notice her. "Or perhaps, your outfit today was a success." Because that was exactly what Charlize intended to achieve.

Charlize completely ignored Hugo, showing no interest in his words, leaving Hugo feeling embarrassed and awkwardly scratching his nose. "How was my performance just now?" That was what Charlize cared about.

Hugo stopped joking around and put the guitar back into its case, making the sound of rustling banknotes. "I think your gaze still needs improvement. Your emotional transitions were a bit too deliberate."

In fact, the performance they just did was improvised by Hugo on the spot, full of loopholes. But to prevent the audience from noticing these loopholes, they had to rely on the performances of two people to keep their attention focused. When someone started to lose interest, they would realize that it was a scam or a play.

So Hugo and Charlize sat down and began discussing the strengths and weaknesses of their performance. "What about me? Was I a bit too exaggerated just now?" Hugo wasn't sure how well he had captured the emotions. Although the audience's reaction indicated that Hugo and Charlize were successful, performances always required continuous study and reflection to make progress. Complacency and pride wouldn't be helpful.

As a result, a magical scene unfolded at the street corner, with a handsome young man and a shabby beggar engaging in a deep discussion, truly becoming a street spectacle.

After the discussion, Hugo suggested, "Next, let's switch roles. You play the vulnerable one, and I'll play the aggressive villain. Experience a different perspective." Charlize remained silent, looking at Hugo intently. "When I kicked you while passing by, you can ask me to call an ambulance, but instead of agreeing, I insult you. After attracting the attention of pedestrians, you seek help from the police to suppress me, and I defiantly confront everyone."

"What about the guitar?" Charlize asked.

Hugo paused for a moment and said, "Under the pressure of the police, I have to compromise and offer to perform a song to see how much money we can raise. All the money will go to you." This twist seemed a bit abrupt, and the loopholes were apparent, but overall, it was feasible.

However, Charlize pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, I prefer a strong reversal. Initially, I'm vulnerable, and you're strong. But once the crowd gathers, I become assertive and use their support to extort you. You become the vulnerable one." This was what they called a plot twist.

"And then, at the last moment, you're exposed as not being injured at all," Hugo added with just one sentence, instantly brightening Charlize's eyes. This kind of melodramatic plot with frequent loopholes and reversals might not withstand scrutiny, but it was a severe test of improvisational skills and a great opportunity to hone their acting abilities. It was indeed a good idea.