enjoyebooks Chapter 33 Interview with Cecilia
Chapter 33 Interview with Cecilia
The backstage area of the studio was bustling with noise, filled with children and their parents waiting for rehearsals. Everyone's gaze kept drifting towards the interview team not far away, their hearts filled with curiosity and murmurs.
Everyone was secretly wondering what made these two children so special. Not only did they get priority in rehearsals and advance recording, but they also had a dedicated reporter come to interview them. They must have some extraordinary connections. Inquisitive gazes fell on the two small figures, a mixture of envy and doubt quietly spreading backstage.
Reporter Wu Li, with a gentle smile, bent down to approach the two children and said in a soft and friendly tone, "My two little friends, shall we start by introducing ourselves?"
Seven-year-old Xie Anran spoke first, her tone poised and proper, displaying a standard and steady serious demeanor. She said in a respectful manner, "My name is Xie Anran, I am seven years old, and I usually like music."
Sisi's eyes lit up as she listened, realizing she'd figured out the routine. She immediately raised her head and imitated her, introducing herself in a straightforward and adorable tone: "My name is Anfeng, and my nickname is Sisi! I'm also seven years old, and I love drinking AD calcium milk the most!"
Xie Anran silently turned her head and glanced at her, sighing helplessly in her heart: This little one is too honest.
Wu Li couldn't help but laugh at Qianqian's straightforwardness and teased her softly, "Haha, then can I call you Qianqian from now on?"
"Of course!" Sisi nodded generously in agreement, her graceful demeanor making her exceptionally endearing.
"So good." Wu Li's eyes were full of genuine smiles. She secretly admired how soft, cute, and adorable the little girl was. Then, she said seriously, "Now, I'll ask you a few questions."
"Yes, sister, feel free to say it," Qianqian replied cleverly. This was a little trick Xie Anran had taught her beforehand: address any kind-looking elder as "sister," and even if they corrected her, just call them "auntie." Although Qianqian didn't understand the intricacies, she was certain that Anran wouldn't trick her, so she figured she could just follow her advice.
"I heard that all the songs you submitted for this competition were your own original compositions. Is that true?" The reporter asked with curiosity, getting to the heart of the interview.
"It's true! Anran wrote both the lyrics and the music all by herself!" Qianqian immediately grabbed Xie Anran's arm tightly, her tone as proud as if she were presenting a precious treasure, every word filled with admiration. "I watched Anran write it with my own eyes, Anran is super, super amazing!"
"An Ran is truly amazing. To be able to create original songs at such a young age is something many adults can't do," the reporter praised sincerely, secretly marveling at her as a genuine little genius. No wonder she received such strong support from Crystal Records.
Sisi was overjoyed and was about to continue the conversation, showing off how much Anran had taught her. Xie Anran, quick as a flash, gently tugged at Sisi's sleeve and interrupted, "Sister, let's move on to the next question."
Sisi paused for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening and obediently shut her mouth, saying nothing more. Wu Li watched this with a hint of amusement in her eyes, secretly thinking that Xie Anran, despite her young age, was surprisingly calm and insightful, quite interesting.
Wu Li tactfully changed the subject: "After listening to your singing, I felt much better; it was very therapeutic. Do the two children have anything they'd like to say to everyone?"
"We are honored to bring you joy." Xie Anran maintained her proper demeanor, speaking in a serious and formulaic manner, steady and without making any mistakes.
Sisi's style was completely different. With a smug look on her face, she said bluntly and proudly, "Haha, listening to our songs makes me feel better too. You have such good taste, sister!"
Xie Anran was speechless for a moment, then rubbed her forehead inwardly and thought to herself: This girl is so straightforward when facing reporters, can't she be a little more subtle?
Wu Li was amused by Xixi's straightforwardness and smiled broadly: "Thank you for the compliment, Xixi. So, do you have any plans or arrangements for the upcoming competition?"
"Next, we will be performing brand new original songs, striving to bring more joy to everyone." Xie Anran maintained her usual steady and predictable style of speaking, leaving no room for error.
Sisi clenched her little fists, her face full of fighting spirit, and said energetically, "I'm going to sing all of Anran's new songs and make everyone like me!"
The reporter paused for two seconds, then couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Good, good, good! Little Xixi is so energetic and full of life!"
Xie Anran was utterly speechless, secretly marveling that Qianqian was truly the most straightforward and vibrant child out there. The reporter then asked several more questions about the album's preparation and production, but Qianqian couldn't understand them and couldn't get a word in edgewise, standing quietly to the side the entire time. Xie Anran, on the other hand, methodically and systematically explained the album's musical style, production highlights, and subsequent promotional plans, bringing the brief interview to a successful close.
"Goodbye, Anran and Xixi. I look forward to interviewing you two little darlings again next time." Wu Li waved goodbye with a smile, her tone full of affection.
"Goodbye, sister!" Sisi waved goodbye reluctantly. This interview had given her a great deal of glory, greatly satisfying her vanity. She was filled with the exhilarating feeling of being in the spotlight, so naturally she was extremely reluctant to leave.
Xie Anran's eyes twitched slightly. She silently waved to see the reporter off, then turned and gently pinched Qianqian's cheek, saying helplessly, "Please, next time you're interviewed, can you be a little more subtle? Don't blurt everything out."
"Why should I be reserved? That's exactly what I think! Don't pinch my cheek, or I'll fight back!" Sisi immediately retorted, tilting her head back and threatening back as if she were about to retaliate.
Xie Anran loosened her grip, shaking her head with a wry smile: "Fine, fine, whatever you want. You'll have your share of embarrassing moments later."
"I'm not afraid at all!" Sisi raised her little face, turned her head away with a haughty expression, and didn't care at all.
"You two, you started playing around as soon as the reporter left. Behave yourselves." Liu Xiaoli looked at the two children playing and helplessly stepped forward to stop them.
Sisi reacted quickly, immediately grabbing Xie Anran's arm and smilingly explaining, "Mom, you're mistaken. Anran and I are on good terms; we didn't fight at all."
Liu Xiaoli looked at Xie Anran's hesitant expression, as if she wanted to say something but dared not speak out of politeness. Her lips twitched slightly. She knew exactly what was going on but didn't expose her.
"Alright, you two stay put and don't wander off." Liu Xiaoli gave a simple instruction before turning to find staff member Xiao Cai to discuss the follow-up arrangements.
The next recording of the show is scheduled for seven days later. In this short week, Xie Anran and Qianqian have not relaxed for a moment. The two have to squeeze in time to shoot the music video, and also insist on vocal and stage training to hone their skills and make full preparations for the next stage performance.
After the adults left, only the two children remained backstage. Qianqian then sidled up to Xie Anran and whispered the question that had been on her mind the most: "Anran, do you think we'll be liked by lots and lots of people in the future?"
Xie Anran was puzzled by this and turned to ask, "Why do you insist that everyone likes you?"
"I'll be happy if I'm popular!" Sisi answered confidently and without hesitation.
Xie Anran stared at Qianqian's tender little face for several seconds, a strange sense of déjà vu rising in her heart. She felt as if she had seen this face and this appearance somewhere in her past life, but no matter how hard she tried to recall, she couldn't remember the specific source. So she casually replied, "Okay, there should be a lot of people who like us."
"Hehe, Anran is definitely more popular than me!" Sisi said with sparkling eyes and a sincere expression. "After all, even I like you very, very much."
Xie Anran replied dryly, her tone a mix of helplessness and amusement: "Then I'm actually quite happy."