''Are you sure it is okay to talk about this? I thought me writing a few notes and giving it to you would be better''
''No, I want to hear it''
''Okay, just don't jump on me if I get it all wrong. This is the first time I am doing this kind of work. I am tone deaf and the only person's music I really rock with is Nicki Minaj''
''I know that. You even have her song as your ringtone''
''Yes, so don't be hard on me if I get things wrong''
''Don't worry, there is room for improvement. We will take things slow and get there at the right time''
''Okay. Here is the thing, I really enjoyed the flow and how you were able to transition from hard jazz to soft jazz music. You also engaged the audience and they were all in tuned in listening and even dancing along. I read somewhere that a musical performer is considered a great performer if he or she can engage his or audience from start to finish and you have that in you. But I realized that you would often prefer to work alone, like the singing. You feel that no one else can do it the way you want it done and that is probably because you are a perfectionist so you are always tempted to take things from others and do it yourself. Only then would you be satisfied''
''That is true''
''That is not a good idea if you ask me. A performer would not be successful without his team. So I decided to do something if you give me the permission''
''Tell me''
''How about planning a team vacation or something that the whole team can take part in. I looked into your team and they are people who have a lot of part time jobs. This makes it hard for them to train their vocals and have time for the music. That's why sometimes they find it difficult to switch their flow and transition along with you. I feel that a team dinner would help bring them closer to you. You can have a personal connection with them''
''Also, I wanted to find out if you have the means then let's meet with them one on one and find out their strengths and weaknesses. If we can work with them on these and make them permanent with a salary that would help them, then they would be committed and we can start training''
''I see you've really done your homework well. All that you said is correct and I've been thinking about it. It's good to have a manager. I will leave the planning in your care. When you come out with a budget, let me see it. Even if the company will not take it on, I can do it personally''
''Alright''
''You are really good, Ana. My mom was right. You are the perfect person for this job'' Lin Shen said, smiling.
…..
Shiao's villa…
''Where are they now?'' Shiao asked as he sat on his dining table. He was holding a glass of wine.
''Central Park for the local musicians festival? Okay, keep your eyes on them and report on anything unusual to me'' Shiao hung up and let out a deep sigh.
…..
Central Park.
The Central Park was filled with musicians of all works of lives and various indigenous performers displaying their skills.
There were dancers also displaying their skills. There were groups of threes and fours everywhere they went. The festival attracted a lot of tourists and there variety of performances taking place at every turn they made.
As they walked around, a crowd of local drummers danced towards them with their drums. They were having fun as they moved around. When they got closer to Lin Shen and Ana, the crowd separated them by force and Ana found it difficult to see Lin Shen again.
She was sandwiched between the drummers and performers while Lin Shen was kicked out by the people rushing to watch the performance.
Ana looked around with a confused expression. She even looked a little scared as this was the first time she was at a place like that.
''Lin Shen'' Ana called out Lin Shen's name as she looked around, trying to find him. A part of her got scared with the way the people were moving around her.
''Lin Shen…'' Ana called again and felt someone take her hand and pulled her out of the crowd. It was sudden so she wasn't prepared and crashed into the person's body.
''Ana, are you alright?'' Lin Shen asked when Ana's arms around his body tightened.
Ana took a few deep breaths, finally calming down. She nodded her head and stepped back. When she looked at Lin Shen's shirt a look of horror took over immediately. It made Lin Shen to look down at his shirt.
''I should really stop wearing white shirts around you, Ana. Do you have a problem with my white shirts? This is the third shirt you've left your mark on''
Ana flushed and became embarrassed. She didn't have an excuse other than to blame herself for having a knack of wearing lipstick anytime she went out.
''I… I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to. It was a mistake'' Ana said and stretched her hands, trying to clean the lipstick away.
''It's okay. I'm thinking of going into NFT with the customized lipstick shirts created by you. You will have 40% of whatever we will get since the lipstick belongs to you''
''Stop talking about it, it's too embarrassing. I'm really sorry''
''It's alright. If it were to be a different woman I would have thought you were trying to make advances at me but because it's you, I don't even dare to consider it''
''I'm really sorry. It won't happen again'' Ana said, making a mental note to stop putting on lipstick if she had a meeting with Lin Shen in the future.
''It's alright, let's go'' Lin Shen said and held her hand, walking away. Ana looked at their hands and her cheeks turned slightly red.