Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 188: Heartfelt

??Give me one good reason

Why I should never make a change

And, baby, if you hold me

Then all of this will go away??

She understood.

This was a cry from the depths of her heart: for her dreams, she could give up the castle in Budapest, the treasure chest, even the golden piano and the Spanish wine; for her dreams, she could give up handmade treasures, vast lands, even family and friends...

For her dreams, she could give up the right to live. Rather than living ten years like a walking corpse, she preferred to live one day to the fullest. She could abandon the futile battle against disease. Instead of staying in place, crippled by fear, she would rather break free and fight. She could even give up all efforts and struggles, just to live authentically, staying true to herself every day, even if it was just for one day.

??Give me one good reason

Why I should never make a change

And, baby, if you hold me

Then all of this will go away??

She understood, tears streaming down uncontrollably, breaking through like a dam. Yet she didn't want to stop them, letting the tears flow freely. But a smile tugged at her lips, and she started to laugh, freely and joyfully.

What a foolish thing it is to stop eating for fear of choking. No one refuses to drink water for fear of choking to death. Yet in real life, people often avoid trying for fear of failure, staying stagnant, denying the results even before starting, leading a mediocre life—after all, I won't live past twenty, my illness is incurable, I can never become a singer, my dreams are impossible...

I can never be a professional athlete, being a mathematician doesn't pay, marrying anyone is just settling, any job is just for a meal, no matter how hard I try, my boss won't recognize me, this society is just like this, society will never change for one person...

People always firmly believe they won't stop eating for fear of choking, but when facing choices, they constantly make such decisions. Afraid of failure, fearing change, avoiding pain, they stay in place, even unwilling to try, comforting themselves, "This is actually the best."

If that's the case, a cold would be humanity's greatest killer, with no cure ever found; if that's the case, the end of life is death, everyone is the same, so why start?

For the first time, Heather realized how foolish she was. Trapped in her little world of self-pity, as if the whole world owed her, betrayed her, abandoned her—how silly! How absurd! How ridiculous!

What was the reason that made her give up change? What was the reason that made her give up effort? What was the reason that made her give up her dreams? What was the reason that made her give up life? What was the reason that made her escape from the world?

Laughter spilled out, tears flowing madly, the heat burning her hand, but the warmth felt so real. She raised her hand, looking at her hand, still able to feel every slight change, and laughed freely.

But then she laughed so hard she started to cough violently. Her lungs hurt, but the pain felt so real, clearly telling her: she still had feelings, she still had a chance.

The enchanting voice in her ear continued to sing freely, like a troubadour with a guitar, wandering the streets, singing about life. The days, like a flowing feast, were always different, with joy and sorrow, happiness and pain, hope and disappointment. Life's colors were as brilliant as a rainbow.

Listen, it was the most beautiful song in the world.

??My house in Budapest

My, my hidden treasure chest

Golden grand piano

My beautiful castillo

You, ooh, you, ooh

I'd leave it all??

??Oh, for you, ooh, you, ooh

I'd leave it all??

The music ended, and Heather raised her hands, wiping the tears off her cheeks, but the smile bloomed without reservation.

She looked up, through the blurry tears, at the man in front of her. His brows were always so relaxed, with a hint of gentleness and a hidden sharpness that no one could see. His eyes were always so deep, with a hint of brightness and stories that no one could read. The tranquil yet turbulent, fleeting yet eternal brilliance left time lingering in the smile at the corner of his mouth.

Her heart beat like never before, each thump so real, she could almost hear it pounding against her chest, making her want to listen carefully.

"I told you, you could be a great singer," Heather said, her voice a bit hoarse.

She didn't want to admit it, but behind Renly's seemingly carefree and nonchalant demeanor was a force that touched the soul. Whether it was the melody, the lyrics, or the performance, that powerful force was almost irresistible, easily drawing people in.

Renly chuckled, "I think you're the one who should embrace the dream of being a singer."

Heather laughed softly. Renly's response was not surprising. She nodded lightly, "Yes, I should." Honestly and sincerely, she admitted her deepest dream, "I want to be a singer." Such simple words, yet powerful and resonant.

Renly's smile widened, nodding at Heather without speaking, but the affirmation and recognition in his eyes were unmistakably clear.

"What's the name of that song?" Heather asked curiously.

Renly pursed his lips and gave an unconventional answer, "'Budapest'."

"Budapest," Heather repeated, "Is it the capital of Hungary?"

Renly shrugged, "I have a castle there."

This made Heather laugh, giggling, "And a golden piano." Renly nodded earnestly in confirmation, making Heather laugh even more. She couldn't remember the last time she was this happy, "I really like this song."

"Lucky," Renly feigned relief, with a touch of humor, "Did you hear anything?"

"It's my story, isn't it?" Heather playfully blinked without answering.

Renly spread his hands, showing his innocence, "Yes, it's your freedom."

On the surface, "Budapest" seemed like a simple love song sung by a man to a woman, willing to give up everything for love. But Heather heard another layer of meaning in the lyrics: the madness and purity of dreams, the frenzy and beauty of freedom, the wildness and indulgence of life.

Finding oneself, being oneself, staying true to oneself. For all this, she would go all out. This was the most beautiful and romantic thing Heather could imagine.

Heather gradually restrained her smile, trying to read some clues from Renly's eyes—why did he write this song? Why such lyrics? Why choose to sing it now? More importantly, why could he empathize with her situation?

Did Renly also have a Budapest deep in his heart, with a hidden golden piano?

"I read the papers. I heard you did well in Toronto," Heather lowered her gaze, changing the subject, "So, when will the movie be released in New York? If there's a chance, I'd like to go to the cinema."

This was a pleasant surprise. Since Renly had met Heather, she had never left Mount Sinai Hospital, cutting herself off from the outside world. Now, Heather was proactively suggesting she wanted to go to the cinema? This was good news.

"I'm not sure yet," Renly pushed down his thoughts, answering calmly, "But we've found a distributor. They'll schedule it next. Probably November? Or December? I'll let you know once we have news. But are you sure? You want to watch 'Buried'?"

Heather thought Renly was asking, "Are you sure you want to go to the cinema?" but the question turned out differently, catching her off guard. She widened her eyes, then saw Renly's smug smile, making her roll her eyes, "What? Do you think I look like a coward? Or do you think my health can't handle a thriller?"

Renly laughed more brightly, waving his hand, "No, I just think 'Buried' might be an R-rated film."

Once again, Heather was taken by surprise, opening her mouth in astonishment. An R-rated film, meaning restricted, suggested for viewers above seventeen. In other words, Heather wasn't old enough to watch it.

Heather was so surprised she blurted out, "What, you appear fully nude in it?"

"Pfft." Now it was Renly's turn to be surprised, his flustered look making Heather laugh heartily, finally venting her frustration.

When Kelly Barton entered the recreation room, she saw Heather laughing freely, looking full of life—a sight Kelly had never seen before. Her face was full of questions as she walked in hesitantly, "Uh... I don't want to interrupt, but Heather, it's time for your rehabilitation."

"Really? No problem." Heather agreed straightforwardly, surprising Kelly again—Heather had always resisted rehab, even if she eventually went, it was with a sullen face. What was happening today?

Kelly looked at Renly questioningly. Renly shrugged, spreading his hands to show he was as puzzled, but the smile on his lips couldn't be suppressed.

This was a good sign.

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