One stroke

"Can't sleep?" Joseph half leaned on the sofa, carefully examining Hugo.

Hugo seemed somewhat unusual tonight, without his usual positive, optimistic, warm and gentle demeanor. His figure leaning against the edge of the dining table appeared somewhat thin, with faint loneliness vaguely visible in the moonlight. His distinct facial lines seemed to have softened a bit, obscured by the light and shadow, making it difficult to discern his expression. Only his thick eyebrows completely covered his amber-colored eyes, and his slightly furrowed brow revealed an indelible desolation.

Joseph's voice sounded somewhat empty in the quiet night, making Hugo feel a bit uncomfortable. He pulled the corners of his mouth, "It feels a bit strange chatting with you in a new place." Hugo lowered his head and looked at the glass of water in his hand, his long fingers wrapped around the cup, refracted in the water, looking somewhat distorted. Moonlight spilled down, making the water shimmer with fantastic ripples. "It just feels a bit unreal."

"What?" Joseph didn't quite understand.

"Everything." Hugo said softly.

Hugo was referring to life after time travel, but Joseph thought Hugo was talking about all the recent changes, especially the surprisingly excellent effect of tonight's "A Few Good Men" audition. Even Joseph himself did not anticipate it. "That's because you worked hard enough."

Joseph's words made Hugo silently chuckle, and a shallow curve appeared at the corners of his mouth. Joseph continued, "When opportunities arise, you have to put in corresponding efforts and pay a price to seize them; otherwise, everything is just empty talk. Tonight, you performed really well. Not just Rob, even I am very surprised." This was the first time Joseph had sincerely praised Hugo since taking over his manager's job.

"Didn't you see Brad and Martin's expressions?" Joseph ruthlessly scratched his opponent's sore spot.

Hugo's mouth curved up a bit more, "Are you talking about Brad's expression when I said something to leave him speechless during the meal, or Martin's expression when we left and he looked like he wanted to eat us?"

"I meant Brad's righteous expression at the beginning," Joseph successfully made Hugo laugh.

Hugo held the glass of water and walked over to the old piano, sitting down in front of the black and white keys, staring at them for a long time without speaking. Joseph asked, "Do you plan to try playing?"

"Piano?" Hugo turned his head and glanced at Joseph, then turned back and said, "No, I'm a terrible piano player." The guitar was undoubtedly Hugo's best instrument, and his talent in music was probably limited to that. He had tried learning to play the piano for a long time, and although he could play it, his level was that of a novice at best.

Joseph wasn't surprised either. The fact that Hugo could create music was surprising enough, and not being able to play the piano was expected.

Then the room fell silent, and even the sound of the moonlight flowing like a stream could be heard. It was quiet and had a strange sense of beauty.

Hugo began to hum the song he had just composed again, mumbling the lyrics between his lips and teeth. In his mind, he continued to reorganize every note, trying to express all his emotions with these basic musical notes. Looking at Hugo, who was bathed in moonlight and surrounded by exquisite musical notes, Joseph suddenly felt that this was the most genuine Hugo.

Not that Hugo was unreal at other times, but when he was immersed in music, he was so vivid. His inner emotions seeped into every musical note, ringing out like the flowing water wrapped in moonlight. Compared with Hugo, who immersed himself in studying acting to breakthrough, the radiance emanating from Hugo was dim but firm.

Joseph found it incredible. He couldn't believe that there was such a strong chemical reaction between Hugo and music, which he had never noticed before.

"Hey, are you singing about Sally?" Joseph interrupted Hugo's creation and asked curiously. This made Hugo turn around, looking at Joseph inexplicably. But Joseph hadn't realized it yet and continued to ask, "Who is Sally? Do you know a girl named Sally?" Joseph was wondering if Hugo had met a new girl.

Hugo paused for a moment and then shook his head, saying, "No, I'm not singing about Sally." But Charlize's name popped into Hugo's mind because Charlize's nickname was Charlie, though the pronunciation was slightly different. It was an inexplicable association.

Hugo shook his head and threw the idea out of his mind. However, he soon realized that the lyrics seemed to fit the melody he had just come up with in a wonderful way, and he could try it out.

[...

Therefore, Sally can wait

She knows it's too late as we're walking on by

Her soul flies away

Don't be stuck, that's what you always say

---------------

Take me to the place where you go

Where nobody knows if it's night or day...

...]

Hugo strung the lyrics together and the overall feeling suddenly became smoother, but he still felt unsatisfied in some places. The artistic conception of the entire lyrics did not achieve the expected effect.

Hugo fell silent again and began to think about the original intention of creating this song, because he couldn't forget the past and because he was confused about the future. The elegance and determination in the melody conveyed Hugo's decision deep in his heart. But what about the lyrics? The lyrics also expressed Hugo's determination to work hard for the future, but why did it always feel like the strength was not enough and it all lacked a little chemical reaction?

Joseph did not speak again. He could hear Hugo's humming intermittently. The beautiful music notes illuminated this cold night like the light of fireflies, slowly lighting up with Hugo's warm voice, allowing the coldness on the skin touched by moonlight to gradually dissipate, and feeling a warm breeze coming.

This was really a magical thing. The charm of music was fully demonstrated at this moment.

But a series of messy sounds interrupted this moment, "What are you guys doing?" Hugo and Joseph both turned their heads together, and saw Alex wearing Winnie the Pooh shorts standing at the bedroom door, rubbing his sleepy eyes and looking puzzled.

Hugo and Joseph looked at each other. Although both of them lowered their voices, they still woke up Alex. Fortunately, Alex was an easygoing person. Otherwise, it would not be a good start to affect others on the first day of co-living.

"No, just can't sleep." Hugo knew that the cause of the matter was himself, so he took the initiative to come out and apologize, "Sorry for waking you up."

Alex waved his hand, looking completely indifferent, "Are you worried about tonight's audition?" Alex's personality was casual. He just laid down on the sofa with a pillow and guessed, "Didn't you say the audition process went smoothly? Then don't worry, the past is already set, it's better to let go and let nature take its course. Don't look back in anger, because it won't help at all. You will only hurt yourself. I'm sure Rob is sleeping well tonight, and if he can't sleep well, it's Brad's fault."

Alex mumbled there, and Hugo was originally smiling and listening, but suddenly he caught a little inspiration and couldn't help interrupting Alex, "What did you just say?"

Hugo's eager voice made Alex look up and look at him with bewildered eyes, "I said Rob must be sleeping well..."

"No, the previous sentence."

Alex was hesitant. He had only spoken casually and didn't know what he had actually said. "Um... Don't regret the past?"

"Yes! Don't look back in anger!" Hugo clapped his hands suddenly and began to hum to find the rhythm. He wanted to capture this feeling, so he needed to revise all the lyrics he had just written.

[...

And so, Sally can wait

She knows it's too late as we're walking on by

Her soul slides away

But don't look back in anger, I heard you say

...]

With this, the entire theme of the lyrics was complete! Hugo's brain immediately connected everything together, and all the lyrics flowed out.

[...

Take me to the place where you go

Where nobody knows if it's night or day

Please don't put your life in the hands

Of a rock 'n' roll band

Who'll throw it all away

---------------

I'm gonna start a revolution from my bed

'Cause you said the brains I had went to my head

Step outside, 'cause summertime's in bloom

Stand up beside the fireplace

Take that look from off your face

'Cause you ain't ever gonna burn my heart out

---------------

So, Sally can wait

She knows it's too late as she's walking on by

My soul slides away

But don't look back in anger, don't look back in anger

I heard you say

At least not today

...]

So Sally can wait. She knows that even if you realize it too late and you've been abandoned by everyone, her youth is gradually fading away. But I remember you said, don't regret the past. At least not today."

"Don't look back in anger" - this was a true reflection of Hugo's inner feelings. People cannot always stay in the past, nor should they regret what they have done. Occasional memories can inspire people to move forward, but being immersed in memories will only make oneself collapse. People should learn to look forward because we will eventually find a better place.

The past is already history, and no one can change history. The future is unknown, and everything can be changed. The present is the basis for the future and will soon become the past. Only by grasping the present can we prevent the "past" from becoming a regret and make the "future" a vision we long for.

"Don't look back in anger, at least not today." Hugo whispered to himself, and all his emotions were released. He felt relieved.

But Joseph and Alex, who were watching Hugo create, were obviously not accustomed to it. Alex, full of doubts, asked cautiously, "Hugo, communicating with spirits? Does he do witchcraft?" Watching Hugo's sudden movement like a flash of inspiration, Alex had a reason to be skeptical.

Joseph couldn't help it and directly sprayed Alex's face with water.