This reminded Landon.
It seemed he would have to ask Tracy about the copyright registration.
However, this matter obviously couldn't be handled by Catherine or Zoe.
"You're right, Catherine." Landon nodded.
"As for the copyright, I will contact my agent, Tracy. She is more professional in this regard."
Landon returned to the villa with the sheet music for "Like I Love You."
When he parked the car and pushed open the door, the sounds of video game effects and girls' laughter drifted from the living room again.
Britney Spears was actually here again.
She had changed into a pink loungewear hoodie set today, her blonde hair tied casually into a ponytail. She was sitting on the carpet side-by-side with Rachel, staring intently at the TV screen, her fingers operating the controller rapidly.
Hearing the door open, she didn't even turn her head, just waved casually toward the door and greeted him in a crisp voice:
"Hey, good evening! Landon!"
"Good evening, Britney." Landon responded, feeling as though this scene was becoming a strange new daily routine.
By the time he went upstairs to quickly wash up and change his clothes before coming back down, the two girls had finished their game and were sitting around the dining table with Tracy.
Dinner was still simple takeout paired with salad, but the atmosphere was relaxed.
Landon sat down, looked at the beaming Britney opposite him, and couldn't help but mutter to himself:
Could this world-famous pop princess really be this free every day, visiting and playing games like a normal girl next door?
Seemingly noticing Landon's slightly puzzled gaze, Britney, after eating a slice of pizza, took the initiative to talk about herself:
"You guys don't know, I'm actually extremely busy and have absolutely no time to rest! These few days are a rare break I managed to squeeze out."
She counted on her fingers, "I just finished my tour stop in Antwerp, Belgium.
I have to attend the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards here this Saturday, and then next Monday, I have to fly immediately to Oberhausen, Germany, to continue the next leg of my tour."
She took a sip of juice and continued:
"That's not even all. My second album has only finished the recording part, but the subsequent mixing, mastering, album cover design, and three music videos still need to be shot... My agent wishes she could split me in two every day."
As she spoke, she made an exaggerated splitting gesture, then smiled at Rachel,
"So, being able to meet Rachel and just be like this right now, without any schedule, just playing simple games and chatting, feels like a vacation to me."
Only then did Landon realize that the "Princess of Pop" before him, who shone brilliantly on stage and was pursued by countless people, was in private just a young girl whose schedule was packed, who felt fatigue, and who longed for normal friendship.
Also, judging by what she said, she was even a bit younger than Rachel?
Landon did some mental math; Britney was born in 1981, so she wasn't even 18 years old yet?
Next, Britney also mentioned that she currently lived with her mother, and had bodyguards and assistants at home to take care of her daily life. She did not mention her father, and Landon and the others were tactful enough not to ask.
Pleasant dinner times always pass quickly.
When it was time to leave, Britney clearly showed reluctance.
She put on her coat, hugged Rachel for quite a while, and then said goodbye to Tracy and Landon.
After getting into the car, she even leaned out of the window and waved vigorously at Rachel, who was standing at the door, with a look of attachment on her face.
It seemed she really enjoyed staying in this stress-free environment.
After seeing Britney off, Landon took a deep breath and turned back to the living room.
He took the sheet music manuscript for "Like I Love You" out of his bag and walked over to Tracy.
"Tracy, I need your help with something." He handed the manuscript over.
Tracy took the pages, her eyes sweeping over the neat musical notation and English lyrics, and a look of obvious surprise appeared on her face.
She looked up at Landon: "This is...?"
"A song. I've had some thoughts on music recently and tried to compose something." Landon explained, "The lyrics and music are basically finished; please help me go register the copyright tomorrow."
Tracy raised an eyebrow and carefully examined the sheet music and lyrics.
She wasn't an expert in music, but she had basic appreciation skills. The lyrics looked quite decent; the structure was complete, and the wording fit the conventions of pop songs.
Her first reaction was that this kid Landon might just be having a whim, and it wasn't too strange for him to try crossing over to play with music.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to have this talent." Tracy took the opportunity to kiss Landon, full of delight and encouragement, "No problem, leave the copyright registration to me. I know a lawyer who specializes in this area. I'll contact him tomorrow and get the process completed as soon as possible."
She carefully put the sheet music away and added, "Once the copyright is properly registered, I can find a few reliable music producers to look at this song and listen to their professional opinions. Of course, this is just to check its potential, don't get your hopes up too high."
Landon nodded; this was exactly what he needed. He didn't plan to reveal more for the time being; he would start with the legalization of this song and proceed step by step.
The next morning, before the sky was fully bright, Landon set out on his morning run again.
He checked the Canon digital camera, then hung it around his neck, covered it slightly with his jacket, and went out for his morning run again.
He ran along the familiar route toward that secluded bend. Before he even reached the spot from the day before, he heard the sound of a car engine approaching from afar, the sound of tires rolling over the road surface exceptionally clear in the early morning.
Landon's heart leaped with joy: Luck was on his side!
He immediately lightened his steps and silently hid behind a leafy oak tree, his body pressed against the rough trunk.
He carefully raised the camera, turned off all prompts that might make sounds, also turned off the automatic flash, and aimed the lens at the direction from which the sound came—the intersection connecting the main road and the depths of the community.
The familiar dark sedan drove over slowly and stopped at the same spot again.
The passenger door opened, and Justin Timberlake climbed out. Then, the driver's side door opened immediately after.
Nicole Appleton stepped out of the car, wearing a leather jacket and jeans, her long hair draped over her shoulders.
She walked around the front of the car and came to stand in front of Justin.
The two of them had no reservations, hugging each other tightly, followed by a passionate kiss.
Justin's hands naturally wrapped around Nicole's waist, and Nicole tilted her head back, responding.
Landon held his breath, adjusted the angle, and pressed the shutter repeatedly. Click, click, click... The faint mechanical sounds were perfectly masked by the early morning breeze.
He changed positions, striving to capture clear shots of their profiles, the detail of Nicole's hand resting on Justin's back, as well as Nicole's sedan and license plate.
He even backed up a few steps, zoomed in, and got a close-up of the two kissing.
At this moment, Landon felt as if he had been briefly possessed by a certain teacher.