Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 88: Persistence

This wasn't Heather's first time listening to Renly sing. In the hospital, Renly had accompanied the children with his guitar and piano many times before, but this was the first time Heather heard Renly sing seriously. It was a song she had never heard before, with a faintly melancholic melody, a poetic and heartfelt expression.

All the emotions were subtle, entwining like water grass in the melody, gently swaying with the ebb and flow of the sea, calming even the lights under the night sky. Yet, the emotions hidden behind the notes were so real and so intense, hitting her chest with a dull ache.

Suddenly, Heather thought of herself. It seemed like her dreams hadn't had a chance to set sail yet; they were strangled in the cradle. Her weak body had become an inescapable shackle, imprisoning her footsteps. Though she never said it out loud, deep down, she blamed the heavens and the world, resenting the mundane existence.

But if even she gave up, who would fulfill her dreams?

"I didn't know you were such a great singer?" Heather's voice broke the courtyard's silence, her slightly nasal tone betraying her recent distress.

Renly turned around, and upon seeing Heather, a smile crept up on his lips. "It's just a hobby," he casually replied, brushing it off. "It's getting dark outside, and it's too windy. Let's go inside."

"Don't worry about me, I'm not fragile," Heather rolled her eyes, retorted boldly. Then, she began to stride towards the bench.

Each step was arduous; you could even see her legs trembling as if walking on a knife's edge, struggling. What might seem like a simple walk to most was now one of her most challenging tasks. Eating, drinking, even breathing were similarly difficult.

Though Heather's steps were incredibly difficult, Renly didn't rush to help her. He knew Heather wasn't in such dire straits yet; she could still walk, albeit slowly. He also knew Heather needed respect and trust, not pity and sympathy. She had received enough care from her parents and nurses; what she needed was someone to treat her independently, equally, and normally, making her feel like more than just a weak patient.

At least, that's what Renly thought when he was lying in bed in the previous life. Even though he knew such thoughts were naive, he still persisted. That's also why he always craved friendship.

Despite the short distance of six or seven steps, Heather took nearly two minutes to reach the bench, then carefully sat down. She couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, relaxing her entire body.

Silence lingered, but Renly didn't rush to speak. He waited for Heather to catch her breath, and when she did, Heather broke the silence, "What was the name of the song you just sang? I've never heard it on the radio before."

"I just made it up on the spot," Renly admitted frankly. Truth be told, his improvisation just now was too casual; the lyrics lacked a narrative style but exuded a poetic feeling instead.

The same song could be understood differently in different situations and felt differently by different listeners. Of course, performing in different settings would also interpret different meanings. Tonight was about Hollywood.

"'Monster,'" Renly said nonchalantly, "the song is called 'Monster.'" He didn't dwell on it too long, saying, "What do you think?"

Heather didn't speak but pondered deeply. "Monster," the name seemed mismatched with the content of the song, which was sad and lonely. The loneliness and desolation seemed to be disrupted by the song title, but upon careful thought, Heather fell silent.

A beast surviving in the jungle by its instincts, enduring the natural selection of the wilderness, solitary on the path of survival, scarred but resilient in the cruel nature. Primitive yet robust, naked yet fierce, lonely yet unrestrained.

She heard Renly's voice but was lost in thought and absentmindedly asked, "Huh?"

Renly chuckled and shook his head, "Nothing, forget it."

Heather scrutinized Renly's appearance earnestly, his eyes hidden behind thick lashes like the mysterious and profound night sky, vast darkness yet with curious patterns and halos, containing the mysteries and profundities of the universe, the fleeting essence of youth but ephemeral.

"I never knew your performance was so excellent," Heather exclaimed, "I mean, I know you're a brilliant actor, and 'The Pacific' is indeed a fantastic work. Your performance is... unforgettable, to say the least."

Renly never mentioned his profession; hardly anyone in the hospital knew he was an actor. If someone hadn't accidentally seen "The Pacific," everyone would still be in the dark. In fact, Renly was not only an actor but also a stunning one.

Heather wasn't a professional, she didn't know how to judge acting skills, but she could feel the powerful performance touching the strings of her heart, triggering intense reflections that couldn't be stopped, truly immersing her in the world of Eugene Sledge.

After speaking, Heather shook her head, not quite satisfied with her words, but unable to think of anything better, she shrugged and waved her hand dismissively, "That's the only motivation for my second viewing of the series. But, I didn't know your music is so... moving."

Yes, moving, touching the strings of the heart, soft and warm, the loneliness reaching its extreme, warming enough to bring tears.

Renly smiled broadly, "Thank you for the compliment. Though I suspect you might be trying to flatter me, but... thank you."

"Flatter?" Heather widened her eyes, a look of disdain on her face, "I have no need to flatter you. If your music was awful, I'd be the first to criticize, believe me, I'd be the first to throw stones." Heather's exaggerated words made Renly's eyes narrow into slits, overflowing with thick amusement. "I just think, maybe, perhaps, you're an excellent actor, but an even more excellent singer. You should share your talent with other listeners, like with that song just now."

"Got me," Renly clutched his chest, a look of sadness on his face, "I thought you were complimenting my performance."

"Of course, of course, what I meant was, the space for performance in 'The Pacific' is limited after all. Your performance was excellent, but the role itself restricted more things..." Heather hurriedly explained, but then noticed the mischievous smile on Renly's lips. She realized Renly was teasing her on purpose, so she couldn't help but turn her head, puffing her cheeks in refusal to continue the conversation with Renly.

"Heh," Renly's laughter gently overflowed, "I know what you mean. It's just that acting is my profession, while music is just a hobby to cultivate sentiments. I enjoy the process of acting more than music. Of course, it's also possible that I'm just a talentless hack wasting my life, but..." Renly shrugged, spreading his hands, "without persisting, who knows?"

Heather was amused by Renly's playful words. She was about to speak but then remembered she was sulking with Renly. She turned her head once, then turned it again, then couldn't help but turn back, but ultimately gave up, looking at Renly with a nonchalant gaze, "I didn't mean that. You're indeed a very talented actor, but I just think your music... can touch every listener."

"If I said you're not the first to say that, would it make me sound arrogant? Would it affect my image?" Renly said seriously, supporting his chin.

"Haha," Heather couldn't help but laugh, finding herself helpless upon careful thought. She became even more amused, and even Renly laughed along. After finally stopping, Heather sighed softly, "You know, you're going to make quite a few enemies like this."

Having enviable talent yet squandering it.

Genius was always like this, admirable, appreciable, yet also detestable. Just like Wolfgang Mozart, gifted but reckless, from astonishing to envying to jealousy, ultimately turning into resentment, gradually pushing Mozart into a corner.

Renly spread his hands, "Is this praise or criticism?"

"It's both," Heather said seriously like a little adult, but her facade lasted only three seconds before breaking into a smile. "I'm sure you'll become an excellent... no, a great actor, just like how you can become an unknown great singer. So, it's an honor to know you."

Great.

Renly couldn't help but feel touched deep down. Though "The Pacific" proved his talent, Elizabeth and George's words always echoed in his ears. Since childhood, they hadn't believed in Renly's so-called dreams, not only because acting was a lowly profession for aristocratic families, but also because they always thought Renly lacked talent.

Genius, in fact, was a derogatory term, because only after entering a certain class would one realize that there were too many geniuses in the world, countless in number, but very few truly successful and renowned geniuses. In reality, geniuses often had a troubled fate, dying young, and in the end, it was the worldly clever people who laughed last.

With the surname "Hall," Renly had seen too many geniuses since childhood, true geniuses. So, he never thought of himself as a genius, even doubted his acting talent. But, that never shook his dreams, step by step, leading him to where he was now.

Looking at Heather in front of him, Renly chuckled silently. He had already made his choice, hadn't he? So why hesitate? Wasn't the hesitation, struggle, and confusion from the previous life enough? What would the future hold? Only by moving forward could he find out, right?

"Heather, I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"