After hanging up on Patrick Quinn, Frank Castle blocked all contact information for Amelia Quinn, Patrick Quinn, and Sarah Monroe, then confidently went to shower.
Coming out of the shower, he saw that Celeste Monroe had replied to his message. Frank couldn't help but smile; it seemed Celeste Monroe always reviewed his homework after he had finished his nightly routine. They had a surprising synchronicity.
Frank picked up his phone and tapped on the three voice messages from Celeste Monroe. As expected, they were her critiques of his three assignments. Aunt Celeste's voice was still clear and cool, like a peony blooming on an ice mountain, captivating yet only allowing one to look up in admiration. However, Frank detected a hint of weariness in Celeste Monroe's voice.
Just now, Patrick Quinn called to question me. Could it be that Sarah Monroe was also scolding Aunt Celeste at the same time? Given Patrick Quinn and Sarah Monroe's character, they would likely blame Celeste Monroe for her lack of family affection. Is that why Aunt Celeste is a bit tired right now?
Thinking this, Frank first respectfully sent a voice message accepting his teacher's criticism, then asked: "Aunt Celeste, you seem a bit tired. Are you okay?"
Thousands of miles away in Kyoto, Celeste Monroe saw the concerned words. Her habitually cold, pretty face softened, but her reply was still as calm: "I'm fine. Are you confident about the recording the day after tomorrow?"
The day after tomorrow was the recording for The Voice of America Season 2. Starting from Season 2, the show required contestants to keep their performance songs confidential and not disclose them to the outside world before recording. Even less to their mentors. Therefore, Celeste Monroe had never asked Frank about the song he would perform, nor had Frank proactively sent it to Celeste Monroe for critique. Even now that Celeste Monroe was concerned about Frank's preparations, she absolutely did not mention the song's content.
Frank replied: "I'm ready, Aunt Celeste. I definitely won't embarrass you."
Celeste Monroe sent an "Mmm" to acknowledge him. Then, perhaps feeling it was incomplete, she added: "Your efforts are for yourself."
"Yes, Aunt Celeste." Frank immediately showed he understood and, after thinking for a moment, still asked: "Aunt Celeste, I've never understood, why are you helping me?" After all, Amelia Quinn was Celeste Monroe's niece, and his own reputation was so bad now. As the number one Diva Queen in China, Celeste Monroe really didn't need to get involved in this mess.
Half a minute later, Celeste Monroe replied: "The Chinese music scene is too stagnant. It needs truly talented new blood."
Frank was shaken; this statement was exactly the same as what Professor Yuan had said. Compared to Professor Yuan and Celeste Monroe, he had been immersed in his petty conflict with his ex-wife all this time. Their vision and perspective were clearly on a different level. No wonder Professor Yuan could become a revered figure, and Aunt Celeste could become the number one Diva Queen. I really should learn from these seniors!
"Aunt Celeste, I was narrow-minded. I will definitely work hard and not let down your expectations!" Frank now truly regarded Celeste Monroe as his elder and mentor, filled with admiration.
Celeste Monroe was silent for a while, then suddenly said: "Cecilia Rhodes comes from a wealthy Hong Kong family. You can be friends with her, but don't get too close."
Frank was startled, immediately understanding that Aunt Celeste had misunderstood his relationship with Cecilia Rhodes. "Aunt Celeste, Ceci and I just share similar views on music. She's very simple, and I don't have that kind of intention towards her."
"Mmm." Celeste Monroe hummed, ending the conversation.
In the Kyoto villa, Celeste Monroe put down her phone, lay on the bed in her pajamas, and gazed at the ceiling light, slightly frowning.
"Ceci?"
Just then, her phone vibrated again. It was a message from Frank Castle:
"Aunt Celeste, goodnight."
Celeste Monroe looked at "Goodnight" on her phone screen. A moment later, she turned off the light and closed her eyes.
Tonight, she didn't suffer from insomnia.
The next day.
Frank Castle continued to practice singing at Evergreen Recording Studio. Tomorrow was the recording for The Voice of America Season 2, and he needed to intensify his practice to strive for perfection. Today's practice went very smoothly. Throughout the entire day, Aaron Yuan only scolded Frank four times, which was a historic low.
At 5 PM, Frank bid farewell to Aaron Yuan and his granddaughter, preparing to return to his hotel. Just as he walked out of the recording studio, a gentle, sweet call sounded from behind him:
"Brother Frank."
Frank turned around to see Lily Yuan jogging up behind him, holding out a white insulated thermos. "This is snow pear and white fungus soup I made. It's good for your throat." A gentle breeze rustled, and the young girl's dark hair fluttered. A slight blush spread across her fair face, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Frank.
Frank was slightly stunned. Lily Yuan timidly said: "Brother Frank, don't you like it?"
Frank quickly took it: "Of course I like it, thank you, Lily. You've worked really hard these past few days." Lily Yuan shook her head repeatedly, her hair gently swaying, her voice soft: "Brother Frank, you have to do your best!"
"Okay!" Frank called towards the recording studio: "Teacher, I'll definitely come back with a first place!"
Aaron Yuan's voice echoed from behind the recording studio door: "Hurry up and go. Who wants you back?"
Frank smiled, waved to Lily Yuan, and turned to leave.
After Frank had gone far, Aaron Yuan finally came out. He looked at the receding figure, then at his granddaughter, who was gazing after him with longing eyes. He reminded her:
"Lily, Frank Castle is six years older than you and divorced. He's only suitable to be your brother."
Lily Yuan was silent for a moment, then turned back with a sweet smile: "Grandpa, I just see Brother Frank as a brother!" With that, she walked back into the recording studio and picked up a broom to clean.
Aaron Yuan said: "Lily, didn't you just sweep the floor?"
"Huh?" Lily Yuan paused, raising a hand to smooth her hair. "No, I didn't clean it thoroughly just now. I'll sweep it again."
Watching his granddaughter's slightly flustered movements, Aaron Yuan sighed.
That evening, in an ordinary recording studio.
"That's it, perfect!"
"Alex, you sang great!"
"Thank you, Liam! Thank you, Amelia!" Alex Stone was overjoyed. Amelia Quinn and Liam Reed had been helping him practice his song these past few days. Amelia Quinn had added a Kunqu opera aria to this poignant classical-style song, making Return Date more impassioned and perfectly fitting the "Classical Meaning" theme. After several days of practice, Alex Stone had also perfectly grasped the song's essence. Plus, with Liam Reed and Amelia Quinn both being mentors, Alex Stone was very confident he could beat Chloe tomorrow and take first place!
Liam Reed said to Amelia Quinn: "Amelia, regarding Frank Castle, should we try to pressure Director Scott?" Frank Castle had shone brightly in the first episode, and Liam Reed was worried the production team might protect him in the second episode to continue leveraging his popularity.
Amelia Quinn shook her head: "No need. Frank Castle isn't good at classical style. He has no chance this episode." Liam Reed thought so too. Even if the production team wanted to protect Frank, if he sang too poorly, it would be hard to directly rig the results. After all, Frank's reputation was so bad now. Director Scott was just using him for hype. Once they'd had enough of the negative publicity, they'd discard him like trash.
Liam Reed looked at Amelia Quinn, her profile like a painting, her figure graceful, possessing both purity and sexiness. Such an exceptional woman, enjoyed by Frank Castle for so many years for free.
Soon, she would be his.