**Chapter 420: Naive and Innocent**

In fact, from Anson's perspective, mistakes are part of the charm of live performances. A perfect performance exists only in the studio, while live performances are about feeling the heat, the excitement, the adrenaline-pumping moments. Occasional mistakes and improvisations are what make them unique.

A mistake is just a mistake; there's no need to dwell on it.

The key point is that Lily only made one mistake, which didn't affect the overall performance. There was no need to bring it up.

However, Lily decided to speak up about it.

Her attitude, though, was slightly different—brave, resolute, and confident.

Looking at it from another angle, Lily's courage to face her mistake and acknowledge her fault is a good thing.

Taking a deep breath, Lily smiled and calmly faced her shortcoming. Even if it meant exposing her weaknesses and fears, she didn't mind.

"This was the moment I feared most before going on stage, but at that instant, I saw Anson's eyes. He was smiling. Yes, he wasn't panicked or blaming me, but encouraged me with his smile, which helped me regain my focus and get back on track."

"Anson said to just enjoy it because only when the performers truly enjoy the show can the audience feel the happiness."

All eyes turned to Anson.

In an unexpected twist, Lily's words ended up focusing on Anson—not just Anson, but even Connor and Miles didn't see it coming.

The entire audience's gaze gathered on Anson.

The air became slightly quiet, but the anticipation, curiosity, and inquiry were burning quietly.

Then, Anson smiled and said, "This is where you should applaud."

Ha ha.

Seeing that little arrogant expression, not only the audience but even Jay Leno laughed and applauded Anson.

After the applause and whistles quieted down a bit, Anson looked at Lily and said, "You guys really shouldn't spoil me, or the band won't have formed yet, and I'll already be ready to go solo. That's bad for business."

Bursting with laughter!

The whole audience erupted in laughter!

The praise was all directed at Anson, from Jay Leno to Miles to Lily. The interview had just started, and Anson was already in the spotlight.

Just when everyone thought things were going to follow the usual pattern—where all the praise would be centered on Anson, with the other band members as mere foils, making Anson's response seem insincere, whether humble or arrogant—Anson surprised everyone again.

Countless band members who went solo must have felt the sting of betrayal at this moment.

Karen looked at Blair with wide eyes, full of disbelief.

But Blair, full of pride, nodded slightly: "See, I told you so."

With just an exchange of glances, emotions fluttered like the wings of a butterfly, but there was no further communication for fear of missing more exciting moments. They quickly turned their heads back to the front, their eyes, like the rest of the audience in the studio, blazing and focused on Anson.

Jay Leno looked at Anson with full appreciation, "So, you don't think this is your credit?"

Anson met Jay Leno's gaze, "I thought I looked like a spoiled baby."

A self-deprecating question, responding in another way.

As the entire audience roared with laughter, Anson continued.

"Of course, I am a part of it, a very important part, but as narcissistic as I am, I must admit that the cello is the soul. The entire performance wouldn't be the same if any element was missing, but it was the cello that made me stop on the street and get inspired."

"So, why don't we put Miles on the chopping block?"

The laughter just wouldn't stop.

Especially seeing Miles' wide-eyed, panicked expression, the studio became even more lively.

At this moment, Anson looked ahead again.

The crowd in the studio had gradually dispersed, and Hayden and Ivan had disappeared.

Just now, it was purely the excitement of the performance that attracted everyone. Now that the interview segment had begun, the attraction had dropped off a cliff.

Yet Anson still wondered what Hayden thought and whether they would meet backstage after the show recording ended.

Jay Leno didn't notice Anson's searching gaze; his attention followed Anson's words toward Miles.

"In fact, Anson is right."

"Maybe I haven't listened to enough music, but this should be the first time I've heard a cello in a pop? rock? folk? Anyway—this is the first time I've heard a cello in a pop band."

"Undoubtedly, it's an innovation and a breakthrough, refreshing to the ears."

"The video of your street performance in Manhattan went viral online. Didn't any record companies reach out to you?"

"That doesn't make sense."

Anson was just as curious.

Originally, Anson thought they might have signed with a record company, but things didn't go well, leading to disillusionment and eventually leaving. That's why he didn't bring it up when they met again, not wanting to reopen old wounds. But hearing Jay Leno's tone now, it seemed they never signed with a record company.

The three of them hesitated, exchanging glances and pondering for a moment.

Finally, it was Connor who spoke, an unexpected choice.

This was the first time Connor spoke since the recording started. He thought he would be nervous—and he was—but this was a serious question that needed to be addressed, so his nervousness took a back seat as he slightly organized his thoughts.

"Yes, there were offers; but I turned them down."

Huh.

A gasp swept through the studio, where no one could quite comprehend what had just been revealed.

Blair was especially stunned. She finally understood why there had been no follow-up news on "Wake Me Up" or any updates about the band. 

At first, she and Karen thought they might have missed some announcement, even going as far as to inquire on Yahoo forums. But now, the truth was clear.

Rejected?

Why would they reject such an offer?

Jay Leno and Anson were equally baffled.

Wasn't a record deal the breakthrough they had all been waiting for?

Connor, still unaccustomed to being the center of attention, shifted awkwardly in his seat. "Sorry, it's just that all of you are staring at me, and it's making me a bit nervous."

Anson snapped his fingers. "Easy."

With that, Anson turned his head to look elsewhere, and Lily and Miles followed suit, mimicking him.

Witnessing this, Jay Leno instinctively looked up at the ceiling, realizing what was happening a beat later, and couldn't help but laugh.

Laughter is contagious.

Even though the topic was somewhat heavy, Anson's small gesture lightened the mood a bit. Blair and Karen playfully looked up at the ceiling as well.

Gradually, the entire studio shifted their gaze, and this absurdity dawned on Connor, who couldn't hold back and let out a chuckle.

Connor's tension eased slightly.

"Some of those offers were solely directed at Anson," he explained. "Obviously, we couldn't make decisions on his behalf since we didn't even know him at the time."

Anson quipped, "Connor, I thought we had our story straight."

—"They're friends," at least pretending to be friends.

Ha ha.

But clearly, they hadn't coordinated their story well, and the truth slipped out early.