After waiting for about two or three hours, when Harrison was on his way home from work, Bella finally called him.
"Mr. Clark, Leah thinks your song is not bad. If the rest of the content can maintain this level, she is willing to buy the full copyright of the song for 200,000."
"Ah, I see. Thank you, Bella."
"Well, that's their offer. It's not a high price, but it's not bad for a new music producer. Whether to sell it or not is up to you. Just let me know tomorrow."
Harrison nodded through the phone, "Alright."
"If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."
After hanging up, Harrison didn't feel the joy and excitement he had anticipated.
It was a good thing, but he didn't know what was wrong.
200,000! That's almost two or three years of his salary. With his savings, he could even afford a down payment on a small apartment in the suburbs of Oxfordshire.
But strangely, he felt empty inside, not satisfied or fulfilled.
Upon self-reflection, Harrison didn't think he was a bad person.
If he didn't know Carrie, if their relationship hadn't changed, if he hadn't heard her sobbing yesterday, then he probably could have sold the song without any hesitation.
But there were no ifs.
He couldn't deceive himself.
People always have the illusion that if they see evil people living well, they assume they can also turn into evil people and live better lives, as they simply choose not to do so.
But at this point, Harrison realized that being a bad person isn't as easy as imagined.
Deceiving oneself seems simple, but in reality, it's the hardest thing in the world, and it requires talent.
In the evening, Harrison and Carrie sat together at a kebab restaurant near the entrance of Weston Community.
This meal was Harrison's treat, a celebration for the successful sale of the song.
However, there was no festive atmosphere at the table, just a heavy silence.
When a man and a woman eat together, if one of them is not good at interacting with the opposite sex, it can easily get awkward, let alone if both of them share this trait.
There was a silver lining, though: the two of them were quite used to this kind of situation.
They felt comfortable despite looking strange to others.
They were just eating, there was no need for small talk.
Carrie finally broke the silence.
She raised her teacup, forcing a smile at the corner of her lips, "Congratulations on your successful song sale. Leah may not be a top-tier singer, but she's talented and has many fans. Once this is successful, you can seriously consider changing careers. With your talent, you'll make it in this industry."
Harrison really wanted to tell her not to force a smile.
She's a singer, not an actor, and it's too fake.
Harrison: "I'll thank you in advance for your kind words. What are your plans for the future?"
Carrie pondered for a few seconds, "In a few days, I'll go back home to visit. I'm not sure if I'll come back to Oxfordshire. When the time comes, I'll have to trouble you to help me cancel my lease. It's part of your job, after all."
"Really?"
"Mm."
Harrison clearly remembered that for several years before Carrie became famous, she had always lived in Oxfordshire.
If she were to leave now, her life would take a significant turn, and whether she could become the person she was in history would be uncertain.
No, I need to think of a way to help her. I can't let her fail here and leave.
"By the way, I have to be honest with you. I actually heard you practicing your song yesterday when I got home from work."
"What! What else did you hear?"
Harrison forced a poker face, "No, just the song."
"And then?"
"You sing really well."
"Thank you for the compliment." Carrie didn't act too humble since she clearly understood her own level.
Compared to famous singers, what she lacked was not ability, but a proper opportunity.
"Also, I noticed that you added a new melody on top of the sample I sang. Why didn't you record it?"
Carrie was momentarily taken aback.
She wanted to expose Harrison.
Yesterday, she had only added the new melody during the last practice session when she lost control of her emotions.
How could he have only heard the song? She must have heard her crying too!
Damn it.
A smart person would play dumb and act as if nothing happened, but Carrie wasn't good at it. She felt embarrassed and annoyed, visibly displeased.
She said sullenly, "This is your song, I shouldn't just add something to it."
"But I think the melody you added is quite good, so I plan to use the rhythm you sang for the subsequent parts."
Carrie Thomas firmly refused, "How can that be! It will destroy the harmony of your entire song. Everyone has different creative styles, if you use mine, it will naturally become uncoordinated."
Harrison Clark wanted to laugh, thinking to himself, what a fuss, you think too much, and you're really modest.
It was all originally yours!
"No, the part you added is exactly the feeling I wanted. I've decided. I think it will make this song better, even if you don't agree."
Harrison Clark said firmly.
The original rhythm was like this, if not this, how could he change it.
Not letting him use it, is basically not letting him play.
"You..."
Carrie Thomas was somewhat angry.
She originally wanted to say, that was my inspiration, how can you just take it.
But she thought again, her inspiration was built on the foundation Harrison Clark laid, so in a sense, it indeed belongs to Harrison Clark's intellectual property.
"Here's my plan for the 200,000. Since I used your melody, you don't need to pay for the demo recording, but I have to give you some extra money... 50,000."
When saying this, Harrison Clark felt a little bit painful.
But he felt slightly better thinking that she could earn 50,000, which might be enough to keep her in Oxfordshire.
Unexpectedly, Carrie Thomas suddenly became furious.
She yelled uncontrollably, "No! I don't want your money!"
Her voice was so loud that everyone in the restaurant couldn't help but turn their heads to look over.
Wild gossip flames ignited in the diners' hearts.
People's glances at the two were very meaningful.
Tsk-tsk, this guy doesn't look very rich.
This girl doesn't want his money, probably because it's too little.
Harrison Clark and Carrie Thomas noticed the strange gazes from other people, Harrison Clark was a bit embarrassed, but Carrie Thomas didn't care at all.
Harrison Clark continued to insist, "That's not it, this is what you deserve. There's no need for you to refuse."
"Enough! I told you I don't want your sympathy or charity."
Having said that, Carrie Thomas tossed down her chopsticks and left.
By the time Harrison Clark settled the bill and ran out, she had already disappeared.
What a strangely stubborn person, no wonder she ended up single for life in the other timeline, she deserved it.
When he got back home, he knocked on Carrie Thomas's door again.
There came an angry shout from inside.
"You helped me before, and I helped you by singing the demo. Now we're even, and you don't owe me anything, nor do I owe you anything. What I want to do is my business, and doesn't concern you. Don't bother me again, or I'll really complain about you."
Harrison Clark thought giving Carrie Thomas the money was an equal exchange, as the song "Boring" was originally hers.
But Carrie Thomas didn't know that.
She thought she only added a little melody, and Harrison Clark wanted to give her 50,000.
Clearly, he was being charitable, he looked down on her.
He was no different than those men who wanted to keep her.
It's better to draw the line sooner rather than later for a potential conflict in the future.
She went back to her unyielding and obstinate ways, and Harrison Clark didn't know what to say, so he simply left.
Back in his room, Harrison Clark picked up his guitar out of boredom and gently played the intro of "Deep in the Night".
Just like the name of the song, it was indeed the beginning of a radiant night, Harrison Clark put down his guitar and looked out the window.
He was seriously and solemnly considering a question.
Bella Ross said Leah Clark's side would answer tomorrow, so he had to make his final decision tonight.
Sell, or not sell?
Selling the song was his original intention, for which he had worked hard for more than two weeks.
He experienced many setbacks, but thought it couldn't be done, yet, somehow, things turned around.
Now, all he needed was to nod, and it would be done.
But when it came to crunch time, he hesitated again.