21: Chapter 21 First Meeting with Sean

New York, Times Square.

The biting cold of New York was unfriendly to someone like him who lived in the South and California. His mask had become damp from his breath, so Chen Mo simply took it off.

The sweat he had worked up in the music hall moments ago turned ice-cold under the blast of the freezing wind.

"You are Chen Mo, the one who just completed an epic performance there!" James was on the phone with him, his tone full of frustration, "You should be drinking champagne, eating caviar, and chatting about art with those socialites, not standing outside in the square!"

"Caviar is fishy; I don't like it," Chen Mo said indifferently. "Besides, Mrs. Cooper said that kind of stuff is just a scam."

James covered his face in despair, feeling like a nanny looking after a stubborn child.

"That's because she's never had the good stuff. Are you really not coming? The socialites here are all asking about you! You really don't want to?!"

As the two were talking on the phone, a sudden commotion broke out in the crowd ahead.

Chen Mo followed their gaze and said, "I'm going to go check out the commotion."

Beside the Golden Arches, a family of three was standing.

The father was wearing a dark blue baseball cap, the mother was wrapped in a thick scarf, and in the middle was a tall, thin boy who looked about the same age as Chen Mo, but a bit more youthful.

Shawn, more than four years younger than him, was a true genius.

The boy was holding two cups of hot chocolate, carefully handing them to his parents.

Chen Mo's gaze met the boy's, and for just that second, both of them froze.

"Shawn?" Chen Mo stopped and called out, somewhat uncertainly.

The boy jolted, nearly spilling the hot chocolate.

Screams and cheers erupted from the crowd, surrounding them at the entrance of the Golden Arches.

Shawn's eyes widened, his lips parted slightly, revealing a look of "Holy crap, it really is you."

"Chen Mo?" Shawn's voice trembled, carrying the distinct, slightly naive Canadian lilt, "Oh my god! You really are Chen Mo!"

"It's me." Chen Mo smiled. He remembered that Shawn had just started to become popular at this time. He walked over, "I'm Chen Mo. Are you here in New York for Christmas too?"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Shawn was so excited he was incoherent. He shoved the hot chocolate into his dad's hands and rushed over to hug Chen Mo, but then felt it might be offensive, so he awkwardly waved his hands in the air, which finally turned into a fist bump.

"I'm Shawn! I love your songs so much! I had 'Stressed Out' on loop for a whole month! And 'Stay'! I've watched that MV at least a hundred times! When I was in Toronto, I played your songs all the time!"

His parents watched with happy smiles, looking proud of their son.

"Thanks." Chen Mo scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. This was the first time someone his age, who was also making music, had praised him so enthusiastically to his face. "You sing really well, too."

Shawn's eyes lit up instantly.

"You've heard it? Really? I thought nobody knew who I was! I just signed with Island, and they had me come to New York to record a few demos, and then my parents said let's come spend the holiday here. I didn't expect to run into you here!"

"Fate," Chen Mo shrugged. "I also just finished performing at Radio City Music Hall and was looking for a place to hide and get some quiet."

"Finished performing?" Shawn gasped, "Radio City Music Hall? That's my dream! I'm still playing in small clubs! You're already doing solo shows there! That's so cool!"

Shawn's father walked over, extended his hand, and said, "Hello, Chen. I'm Kane, Shawn's dad. This kid plays guitar at home all day long, it's noisy as hell."

"Dad!" Shawn blushed.

Chen Mo shook hands with Kane and said, "Hello, sir. Shawn is very talented. He will definitely perform at Radio City Music Hall in the future. His voice is very recognizable."

Shawn looked at Chen Mo, the admiration in his eyes almost overflowing.

"Chen," Shawn rubbed his hands together, feeling a bit shy, "Can I... can I ask you a question? Like, how do you do it? I mean, from the anxiety in 'Stressed Out,' to the power in 'Believer,' and then to the... the brokenness in 'Stay.'"

"How do you switch emotions? Every time I write a song, it all turns out the same."

Chen Mo thought for a moment, looking into Shawn's sincere eyes.

"Actually, it's simple," Chen Mo said. "Don't try to please the audience. Just think about who this song is for. Is it for the old man fixing cars in a garage, or for the girl crying in the middle of the night? As long as you are clear about who you are writing for, the emotion will be right."

Shawn was stunned, his mouth moving as if he were chewing on the words.

"Who it's for..." he muttered to himself, "I used to always think about writing for the radio."

"The radio doesn't need you," Chen Mo patted his shoulder. "Your parents need you, your friends need you. Write for them."

Shawn paused, then suddenly grabbed Chen Mo's arm, saying, "I get it! I really get it! Chen, you are just... you're a genius! I'm going back to rewrite my new song!"

Shawn's mother, standing nearby, smiled from ear to ear and said to Chen Mo, "Chen, thank you. Shawn has been under a lot of pressure lately and always feels like he's not good enough. Hearing you say that, he seems much more relaxed."

"Ma'am, he is great," Chen Mo said earnestly. "Really great. In another two years, I might have to buy a ticket to go to his concert."

"Hey!" Shawn nudged Chen Mo, grinning, "Then I'll save the best seat for you! For free!"

"Then I'll have to work hard to earn money to buy a ticket," Chen Mo laughed.

"Oh right," Shawn took out his phone, "Let's add each other on Instagram? Let's stay in touch! Maybe one day we can collaborate! I'll play guitar, you play piano! That would be so cool!"

"Sure," Chen Mo took out his phone and scanned his QR code.

On Instagram, two accounts that would future-rule the pop music scene officially followed each other.

The bustling crowd around them didn't rush over to disturb them, just took photos of them, and then took a selfie.

Chen Mo said to Shawn, "I have to go. You guys should head back early too, it's too cold."

"Okay! Merry Christmas!" Shawn waved.

Back in the hotel room.

Chen Mo lay on the bed, too tired to move.

His phone vibrated; it was an Instagram DM from Shawn.

"Chen! I listened to you, went back, and finished rewriting the song very quickly! It's amazing! Thank you! My parents said they'd like to treat us to steak tomorrow! Are you coming?"

Chen Mo looked at the screen, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly, and replied with a "Sure."

Outside the window, in Times Square, the huge crystal ball was slowly descending, preparing to welcome the New Year.

He closed his eyes, and it was as if the tune Shawn had hummed in the cold wind just moments ago was ringing in his ears again.

Good night, New York.

Good night, world.