**Chapter 184: New Script**

After leaving the Staples Center, the artificial rain had stopped, and the crowd of mourners had put away their umbrellas, revealing their sorrowful faces.

Link admired MJ's ability to draw so many people to the memorial service, reflecting on how a black singer could become a global icon and captivate millions worldwide with his music. Such an achievement was beyond what many high-profile politicians could achieve.

Outside the Staples Center, there were hundreds of police cars and thousands of officers maintaining security at key traffic points. Four helicopters hovered overhead, while many media reporters and paparazzi crowded the streets on either side.

"Mr. Link Beck, can we interview you?"

"Mr. Beck, can you share your thoughts on MJ?"

"Mr. Beck, will you continue to compete with Jay-Z and Kanye for the rap charts?"

A swarm of reporters and paparazzi called out to him, holding cameras and microphones.

Link waved his hand, indicating he wasn't available for interviews. It was a memorial service, and giving interviews here might seem like he was capitalizing on the situation, which wasn't necessary for him.

Once inside the car, the air conditioning was a welcome relief.

Ms. Mandy handed him a bottle of water and said, "Link, Jay-Z and his crew are very powerful in the music industry. Our label, Link Music, only has a few people. Shouldn't we just avoid clashing with them and wait until they're older? You're only 21, and there's plenty of time. No need to rush."

Link smiled at her suggestion. "It's a bit difficult. Among them, only Jay-Z is over forty. The rest are all in their twenties. By the time they're older, I'll be ready to retire too. So, if I want to beat them, it's best to do it while they're still strong. The rewards will be greater."

"Plus, it's not that I want to fight with them. It's that they're too petty and don't want to see me succeed in the rap field or let anyone from Link Music shine. I have to fight back."

"But they have more people and have been around longer."

Ms. Mandy voiced her concerns.

"It's okay. I'm confident."

Link clenched his fist and smiled.

Recently, many media outlets have covered the competition between Link Music and the East Coast rap crew. Compared to the Grammy Awards conflict in March, the media coverage now is much more restrained. They focus only on the music industry competition, avoiding any discussion of racial discrimination.

Thanks to this, Link can continue competing with Kanye and others without worrying about being accused of racial discrimination. This media coverage has helped Link Music gain prominence as one of this year's standout new labels and a significant figure in the industry, attracting attention and potential new talent.

For Link Music's new artists, this attention means they can save on promotion costs when they release their albums.

Additionally, rock music is gradually declining, while pop, country, and hip-hop rap are becoming the mainstream and most profitable genres. With many pop singers and fierce competition, and since Taylor is his girlfriend, he doesn't need to compete in the country genre. Therefore, rap is the remaining field where he must establish himself.

Because the East Coast rap crew is so exclusionary, it's hard to integrate. As a non-black rapper who was initially met with hostility due to a boxing incident, Link has no choice but to compete with them.

Despite the ongoing competition, support from West Coast rap helps, which is beneficial.

"Are the preparations for the album release going well?" Link asked.

"Very smoothly. We've delivered 20,000 vinyl records, 50,000 deluxe editions, and 500,000 standard editions to distributors. They're just waiting to be officially released next Monday. For international markets, Universal Music and Atlantic Records are also prepared, planning to release on the same day."

Ms. Mandy replied.

Link nodded. By July, the release of the second album, *Keep On Movin'*, is also on the agenda. The first album, *The Fighter*, has been a huge success, selling 5.27 million copies globally. This impressive sales record has heightened expectations for the second album.

Pre-sales for the new album have already reached 45,000 copies in three days, topping the charts and showing strong anticipation from fans.

"Also, the arrangements for the album's tour and signing events are underway. In July, there will be 22 shows, nearly one every day. You'll start getting busy next week."

Ms. Mandy shook a thick stack of documents and smiled.

"Twenty-two shows? What about the Berlin Swimming Championships? Did you arrange for that?" Link reminded her.

The swimming championships in Berlin spanned seven days with over thirty events, and Link had signed up for eight.

"It's arranged. Some events will be held twice a day."

Ms. Mandy smiled.

"Alright then!"

Link shrugged. The coming period would be busy, but he knew that with hard work comes progress, and relaxation wasn't an option.

Returning to Santa Monica Beach, Link said goodbye to Ms. Mandy and the others, and went back to his rented villa.

The villa was still rented. He had been looking at properties in Beverly Hills but hadn't found the right one yet.

"How was the crowd at Staples?" Taylor called from the second-floor terrace, where she was sitting on a wicker chair, wearing a white tank top and blue shorts.

"There were tens of thousands of people. You should have come with me earlier."

Link took off his clothes and put them in the basket, feeling much cooler in just his shorts with the breeze.

"There were too many people. I don't like those sad scenes. Seeing so many people crying makes me uncomfortable."

Taylor shook her legs.

"Taylor, as a creator, you should experience these things to get inspiration and material. For instance, when I saw MJ's portrait, a melody suddenly popped into my head. On the way back, I turned it into a song, and it's really good."

"Really?"

Taylor held the railing of the terrace, surprised.

"Of course! I never lie to you."

Link smiled proudly and jumped into the pool, splashing blue water everywhere.

"Wait! Come up and sing it for me. I want to hear how it sounds."

Taylor picked up the guitar leaning against the chair and shouted.

"'It's been a long day without you my friend, And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again.'"

Link floated on his back, kicking the water, and sang a few lines loudly. "How's that, dear?"

Taylor tried singing a few lines and asked, amazed, "Is this the song you just wrote?"

"Yes, it is!"

Link laughed.

Taylor pouted and looked at him enviously. "If you knew that kind of scene would inspire creativity, why didn't you take me along? If you had, I might have written a great song too."

"I asked you, but you chose not to go."

Link laughed heartily.

"Hmph! You're so bossy. If you had dragged me along, I definitely wouldn't have resisted. Why didn't you? I'm going now. I want to write a better song than yours."

Taylor ran inside to change.

"Taylor, don't go. You don't know MJ, so you won't find inspiration. Stay here."

Link called out.

Taylor came out from the terrace, changing into her dress, and said, "What if I do? You should come with me too."

Link shook his head, realizing he shouldn't have boasted earlier. It's torture to dress up and go out in this heat.

Fortunately, before they could leave, Mrs. Andrea arrived to talk to them.

"Are you two heading out?"

Mrs. Andrea asked.

Link didn't speak, just poured a glass of lemonade for Mrs. Andrea to cool down.

Taylor said, "We're planning to go to MJ's memorial."

Mrs. Andrea looked at Link. "I remember you went this morning, Taylor. Didn't you?"

Link tilted his head toward Taylor, signaling her to explain. Taylor shrugged and smiled, "I decided to go after all. Link got inspiration at MJ's memorial and wrote an amazing song. I thought I might find inspiration too, so I wanted to check it out."

Mrs. Andrea was surprised. If Taylor, who's so picky, thought it was a good song, it must be excellent. It was great that Link could write a song just from a visit to the memorial.

"It's too hot to go out. If you want to go, go alone. Don't drag Link along. You're an adult now; don't be so willful."

Mrs. Andrea said.

Taylor looked surprised at her mother's sudden change of attitude. She had been strongly opposed to her dating Link before, thinking he was uneducated and crude. Now, Mrs. Andrea was even worrying about Link getting too hot while accompanying Taylor.

"What's this about?" Taylor asked.

Mrs. Andrea smiled and said, "I have something for both of you."

She handed them a script. "Take a look."

Taylor grabbed it and flipped through. The cover read "Valentine's Day."

Link immediately thought of a lousy movie.

The film featured Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner, and Taylor, as well as Taylor Lautner from *Twilight*. It was a multi-star movie with various love stories interwoven, like a holiday film.

"Mom, this script is great. I'm doing it."

Taylor closed the script after reading a few lines.

"Don't decide so quickly. Read the whole script first," Link advised.

Taylor shook her head. "No need. Anne said it's modeled after *Love Actually*, which I've seen and loved. Plus, Julia Roberts has agreed to star. This movie will be great."

"Link is right. Read the whole script first."

Mrs. Andrea took back the script and handed it to Link. Taylor pouted.

Link skimmed through it and found it average, with a disjointed plot and too many characters crammed into a 90-minute movie. His and Taylor's roles were minimal and seemed like mere supporting parts.

"Anne, if the script is not improved and our roles don't stand out, it might not be beneficial for us. If they genuinely want us, they should make the story better and more interesting."

Mrs. Andrea nodded. "You're right. I'll discuss it with the film company and see what they say."

"Will the film company agree?"

Taylor blinked, worried about missing out on this opportunity to work with such big stars.

"Don't worry. We're popular stars. The film company will take us seriously. If they don't revise the script, I'll find you a better role. I promise you'll get a chance to fully enjoy acting."

Link smiled.

Taylor, being a bit of a drama queen, had often taken on roles that didn't suit her well. Her first film, *Valentine's Day*, had her playing a high school girl with a silly teddy bear, with minimal screen time and a weak role. Later, in David O. Russell's *Amsterdam*, she played a rich girl who was quickly killed off.

Link felt it was his responsibility to help her make better choices.

"That's what you said. I'll remember it. Let's go find inspiration now."

Taylor dragged him off.

Link could only laugh wryly and follow her for another round.

(End of Chapter)

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