The Greatest Showman #1179 - Calm and Peaceful

Thick white clouds loomed overhead, and the towering skyscrapers seemed truncated, all at the same height. The endless rows of city skylines grew monotonous and dull. The light drizzle spread in large swathes, dulling the colors around and blending them into a mass of gray. Manhattan felt like it had been transported into a chaotic space, with only a faint, desolate shimmer remaining.

However, such weather was normal for Renly. Compared to the dreary weather of London, New York had not yet reached rock bottom. At least there had been no blizzard warnings, and the hurricane hadn't made landfall yet—just rain and cold.

Renly skillfully made his way to Pioneer Village, where he saw four young people who appeared to be tourists. They were taking turns standing in front of the display window, snapping pictures. Renly paused, politely waiting for them to finish their activity without interrupting.

The drizzle, however, was uncooperative. The dim light, the mist, and the cars rushing by created a perfect storm for ruining their photos. After a few attempts, the four finally wrapped up, but they were left with only the group photo to take—an endeavor that stumped them.

Looking around, their gazes fell on Renly.

Renly smiled and offered, "Excuse me, would you like me to take a photo for you?"

"Yes, yes!" The four young people, all with Asian features, responded eagerly. "I... uh... pictures... here... yes... thank you."

Westerners often struggle to distinguish between the faces of various Asian countries and regions, just as Easterners can't always recognize the subtleties of European or American features. But from Renly's experience, he guessed they were from China.

He politely asked, "China?"

The four of them lit up, nodding enthusiastically. Renly switched to Chinese and asked, "Would you like a picture here?"

"Oh, oh, oh!" They exclaimed in unison, clearly delighted. The girl standing at the front nodded repeatedly and, now switching to fluent Chinese, explained, "Yes, this is where Renly Hall's album cover was shot. We've come to take pictures here. Please, could you take a photo for us?"

Since the release of the album Don Quixote, which won three Grammys, details about the album had become a focal point for music enthusiasts. The legend of Pioneer Village was no longer a secret, making it another notable New York landmark.

Renly hadn't expected to meet Asian fans, especially since he believed Eleven Studios hadn't released the album in Asia yet. Even the European release had been delayed multiple times until August. Perhaps the album had been released digitally in Asia?

"Of course," Renly replied with a smile, taking their phone.

The girl, unable to contain her excitement, asked, "Renly Hall, you know him, right? The Master? Renly!"

Before Renly could respond, one of the other friends pulled her back, warning, "Don't be like that! They won't know what you mean. It'll just confuse him."

"Why not? Last year's movie did incredibly well in the U.S. Box office broke records! Maybe they've heard of it?" The girl insisted but quickly realized she might be disturbing passersby. She turned and offered a quick, apologetic smile. "Sorry for the trouble, please take the picture for us."

Renly took the phone and stepped back a few paces, capturing the shot. "I hope you enjoy your trip," he said, handing the phone back and nodding as he opened the door to Pioneer Village.

Inside, Renly removed his trench coat and hung it on the door hanger. He also took off his baseball cap. In preparation for Drunken Country Ballad, Renly had let his beard grow for five days, transforming his facial features. His chin was hidden beneath the facial hair, subtly altering his appearance and overall vibe.

For Gravity, he had maintained a strict grooming schedule, trimming his hair every week to keep a consistent look. However, as the film progressed and the plot developed, his hair had grown out slightly, giving it a natural curl now.

In short, he looked different. Based on the reaction outside, it seemed to be working.

The four young people, satisfied with their photos, turned and left. In the chilly, rainy New York weather, it took real determination to take pictures outside. Now, they could retreat to a warm indoor space to rest.

Pioneer Village? It was a jazz bar—rumored to be pricey—and not open during the afternoon. Besides, the group preferred coffee to beer.

After a short walk, they found a Starbucks and hurried inside, seeking warmth. As they settled in, their conversation turned back to the encounter.

"Did you hear how well he spoke Chinese? It was so fluent, not awkward at all. I didn't expect that," one of them remarked.

"Yeah, I feel like I've seen him somewhere before…"

"Wait, you think he looks like him, right? Like… a younger version of Master?"

"Master?"

The four paused, reconsidered, and then all laughed in unison. "Impossible. No way."

"Probably just the rain messing with our heads. I miss Master so much that I'm imagining things. Anyway, I'm so excited for tonight's screening of Transcendence. I was reading reviews last night, and people are saying the performance is so good, he might even get an Oscar nomination!"

By now, Pioneer Village was still not officially open, but the bar area was buzzing with activity. About thirty to forty people scattered throughout the space, chatting and laughing. A comfortable warmth filled the air, offering a stark contrast to the storm outside.

The liveliest spot was near the stage, where a well-groomed man sat. He wore a shirt and suit with a bow tie, his neatly trimmed beard adding a touch of sophistication to his clean appearance. Despite being surrounded by people, he exuded a calming warmth, attracting those nearby with his easy presence.

He was Justin Timberlake.

Mentioning the King of Pop naturally brings Michael Jackson to mind, but Justin, alongside the likes of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Bruno Mars, stands as a modern-day pop legend. His influence stretches far beyond music—into fashion, branding, and culture.

Though Justin's acting skills may not be his defining trait, his thoughtful approach to selecting roles has led to success. Films like Bad Teacher and Friends with Benefits might not have been blockbusters, but supporting roles in The Social Network and Inside Llewyn Davis earned him critical acclaim.

Now, in Drunken Country Ballad, Justin's participation marks a true artistic collaboration with the Coen brothers. The laid-back atmosphere of the film mirrors Justin's own relaxed, yet charismatic presence.

As he told a funny story, laughter spread throughout the crowd, drawing even more attention.