'Like I Love You' had already given Tracy enough of a surprise, but now the appearance of the second song, 'Yeah!', completely changed her expectations of Landon.
This kind of high-yield output with guaranteed quality was by no means something that could be explained by an accidental spark of inspiration.
Tracy needed to re-plan Landon Williams' career positioning.
It was no longer appropriate to position him simply as an actor with an outstanding appearance and acting potential.
Landon could also be a potential musician with excellent creative abilities.
However, whether his singing ability could match these works still needed to be tested; there would be results tomorrow.
"Actually, I found a teacher and have been cramming music theory and vocal basics these past few days," Landon explained at the right moment. "This teacher has been a big help."
At this time, Landon still deliberately omitted the details of Katie's age and background.
Tracy raised an eyebrow, slightly displeased by his private actions behind her back.
Landon noticed the subtle change in her expression and immediately took a step forward, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and lowering his head to give her a light kiss on the lips, his tone carrying a pleasing intimacy:
"Silly, I just wanted to give you a surprise."
This intimate gesture and explanation caused Tracy's furrowed brow to smooth out instantly, while a surge of excitement was ignited by Landon's talent.
"Copyright! Both songs must be registered immediately; I'll have the lawyer handle it urgently." Her speaking speed noticeably quickened as she entered efficient agent mode.
"Then, we also need to record demos as soon as possible. This is key to showing strength to record companies and producers. But Landon, you're flying to Princeton on Sunday..." Tracy's brow furrowed again. "The time is too tight."
"So I want to start tomorrow." Landon's tone didn't have the slightest hesitation.
"Focus on recording the demo for 'Like I Love You' first. The arrangement for 'Yeah!' is more complex and can be put off. We only have tomorrow and the day after; can we find a suitable team and recording studio?"
"Don't worry," Tracy's answer was firm, carrying confidence in her own resources.
"I won't say WMA is the best in other fields, but in music affairs, our resources and execution are definitely among the top tier. I'll handle the studio and core musicians; I'll contact the most reliable and efficient team. However,"
She changed the subject, looking at Landon.
"Your own condition is the key to success or failure. We need to polish your singing to the point where it can support the charm of the work in a very short time.
What is the level of that vocal teacher you found? Can they get involved for emergency coaching? We don't have the luxury of time for repeated trial and error when we go into the studio tomorrow."
Landon knew that this question could no longer be avoided. He hesitated slightly and spoke with some difficulty:
"Honey, concerning the vocal teacher, could you help find another one? The one I found these past two days might not be suitable for participating in formal recording preparations."
Tracy looked at him, puzzled.
Landon had no choice but to bite the bullet and tell the truth:
"The teacher I found is Zoe's best friend, her name is Catherine. She really teaches well, her sense of music and ears are very sharp, but..." Landon paused, "She's only 15 years old."
"What?!" Tracy's eyes instantly widened, and almost as a reflex, she raised her hand and slapped Landon on the arm, her gaze a mix of shock and a familiar suspicion—she thought Landon's old habits had flared up again.
Landon quickly pulled her close, his warm embrace carrying a soothing force as he explained in a sincere tone:
"It's not what you think! Really! I was just in a hurry to find a teacher, and Zoe strongly recommended her. After trying it out, I found she really has talent and a good method, so I decided on her. It's purely a teaching relationship, nothing else. Don't overthink it."
Encircled in his arms, Tracy looked up at the honesty on his face, and her tense body and expression slowly relaxed, letting him off for the moment.
But in her heart, she had already decided she needed to find a time to 'interrogate' Zoe.
At this moment, the backyard erupted again with particularly loud splashing sounds and the girls' uninhibited laughter, among which Britney's highly recognizable cheerful laugh was especially prominent.
Landon's gaze couldn't help but turn toward the open glass door, where the afterglow of the sunset danced on the water.
"In the pool... is that Britney?" he asked, though the answer was obvious.
"Who else could it be but this little princess?" Tracy shook her head, helpless but amused.
"She's been soaked in there with Rachel since after four; they're practically like Siamese twins. I never imagined they could get this close so quickly." She glanced at Landon, whose thoughts seemed to be drifting, and then looked back at the backyard.
"This girl... seems to particularly rely on the sense of relaxation Rachel brings; she's completely let down her guard here."
Landon walked to the door and leaned against the frame to look out.
The golden sunset dyed the pool into a patch of warm-toned light.
Britney was wearing a candy-colored bikini, fully revealing her youthful, full, and healthy figure.
She was splashing and playing with Rachel, who wore a relatively conservative one-piece swimsuit, trying to push each other into the water, laughing so hard they doubled over, showing no image of a superstar at all.
At that moment, the global idol halo surrounding her seemed to be completely washed away by the pool water, leaving only a vibrant young girl immersed in simple happiness.
Looking at that bright, dazzling smile without a hint of shadow, Landon's mind uncontrollably flickered with contrasting images:
The secret kisses frozen in the camera this morning, and in another space-time, that tragic image of someone being stared at for a long time, finally rebelling at the edge of collapse by shaving her head as a sign of defiance, only to fall under even stricter control.
At this moment, he especially strongly hoped that the bright and brilliant smile in the pool could continue just like this.
He didn't want this girl to shave her head to protest being 'eyeballed so much'.
This girl would see shaving her head as a ritualistic rebellion to reclaim bodily sovereignty, but it was actually an extreme act of resistance under long-term mental breakdown and systemic oppression, which ultimately led to her guardianship being controlled by her father's team for a long time.
When Britney and Rachel finished playing, they walked openly through the living room to get towels, dripping wet and wearing only their swimsuits.
Britney even naturally waved a hand at Landon while drying her hair with a towel, her smile still bright: "Good evening, Landon!"
Landon was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Well, this is Hollywood, so no problem there!
He nodded politely in response.
During dinner, when the topic accidentally turned to Landon having written two songs and going to record demos tomorrow, Britney appeared very surprised and immediately showed intense interest.
"Really? You wrote them yourself? That's so cool!" Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What style? Pop? R&B?"