As the reporters entered the business hall, they witnessed a scene that greatly surprised them. Michael Jackson, their interview subject, was quietly sitting on a chair, not buying a phone, but wearing a large over-ear headset and bobbing his head to the music, seemingly lost in its melody.
"Wasn't Michael Jackson here to buy a phone? Why is he listening to music?" The reporters were baffled by this sight and immediately asked the few remaining customers in the hall.
From their replies, they learned that by the time it was Michael Jackson's turn, all the Zhongmi 1 phones had already been sold out. However, a sales assistant had introduced Michael Jackson to another new phone, the one he was currently using.
"What? Michael Jackson is using a phone right now? Isn't he using a headset?" The reporters muttered amongst themselves. After a closer inspection, they realized that Michael Jackson was indeed using a phone, and it was this magical headset that had no wires!
"This music is incredible! The sound quality is fantastic, the best phone audio quality I've ever experienced. But what I'm more curious about is this song. I don't think I've ever heard it before. Where does it come from?" Michael Jackson couldn't help but ask after a song finished.
This question naturally reached the ears of the sharp-eared reporters, who promptly took out their notebooks, ready to jot down the conversation.
"Of course, this vivo phone uses a chip specifically developed by Sony for music. In terms of sound quality, it's even better than an iPod!" the sales assistant introduced, her voice clear enough for all the reporters to hear. "As for the music you just heard, it's the promotional song for our 00 Music Store's hottest new movie, 'Piaomiao Journey'!"
"'Piaomiao Journey'? That's an interesting name! Just listening to this song, I can tell it's going to be a pretty good movie!" Michael Jackson exclaimed.
"Actually, there's an interesting story behind this theme song," the sales assistant continued.
"Oh! What interesting story?" Michael Jackson asked with curiosity.
"Well, this song was actually a demo recorded on this vivo music phone," the sales assistant explained with a smile. "The theme song for this movie was composed by the renowned British film composer, John Williams!"
"At the time, Mr. Peter Jackson, the director of 'Piaomiao Journey,' personally traveled to the UK to discuss the movie's content and the music he envisioned with him."
"They communicated for 10 consecutive days, but Mr. Williams couldn't find any inspiration. Just as everyone was about to give up, Director Peter Jackson suggested they take a break for tea to clear their heads!"
"Unexpectedly, while having tea, Mr. Williams suddenly had an idea. But there were no recording devices available. So, Director Peter Jackson took out this phone and had Mr. Williams record this inspired melody using the vivo music phone, by overdubbing his vocals!"
"This is also the most outstanding feature of our vivo music phone. We use Sony's sound card, offering the top-tier experience for both recording and playback."
"Paired with our Heim Music headphones, specifically developed for mobile music, and with cooperation agreements signed with all major global product companies to feature electronic music on the oo Music Store, you can enjoy the world's best music experience!" the sales assistant continued.
"Oh, this phone can even record demos of movie music?" Michael Jackson's surprise deepened. This was indeed astonishing. Movie soundtracks required even higher and more professional sound quality than music albums for singers. Yet, it could be recorded using a phone, which was undeniably shocking.
Of course, this was somewhat of a boast. As the sales assistant herself mentioned, the composer only recorded a melody on the phone; the actual music production was done using various professional equipment. This was merely a gimmick.
However, even as a gimmick, when coupled with Michael Jackson's surprised expression, it became huge news.
Moreover, Michael Jackson suddenly said, "Coincidentally, I have an inspiration right now. I wonder if I can record it on this phone?"
"What did you say?!" the sales assistant was taken aback. This wasn't in the script. But she nodded vigorously.
"Oh my god, Michael Jackson is going to record a song live!" all the reporters exclaimed in unison. It had been two years since Michael Jackson had released any new work due to a past controversy. Now, he was going to create a piece live? How was this possible?
And it was spontaneously inspired – was it real or fake?
But since Michael Jackson said it himself, it shouldn't be fake.
In fact, Michael Jackson was already standing, holding the phone. He looked at the densely packed business hall and then said with a smile, "Could you clear some space for me? I need some room to stretch!"
"Whoosh!" All the reporters immediately and cooperatively moved towards the walls of the hall, clearing out over ten square meters of space for Michael Jackson.
In this actually still cramped space, with no professional equipment, only the phone in his hand and an over-ear headset with a microphone, Michael Jackson had nothing else.
But he still closed his eyes, as if immersed in his own musical world.
For a long time afterward, Michael Jackson showed no reaction, seemingly completely disconnected from the world, just with his eyes closed.
However, no one dared to disturb Michael Jackson. There wasn't even a whisper of extraneous noise. Even the onlookers outside, upon learning that Michael Jackson was composing a song, fell silent, not wanting to disturb their idol.
After an unknown period, perhaps a minute, perhaps an hour, or perhaps even a decade, Michael Jackson finally opened his mouth and began to hum softly.
"dalendalendalendalendalendaladalen..." [PS: This song is from the advertisement promotion song for the Bu Bu Gao music phone back then.]
After 1 minute and 30 seconds, Michael Jackson uttered the last syllable, then took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.
At this moment, all the reporters online were immersed in the beautiful music they had just heard.
It was truly just humming, with no lyrics, only a melody.
Let alone a music maestro like Michael Jackson, who seemed to transcend the ordinary, even a three-year-old child could probably hum it, as it was not difficult at all.
Yet, the music was so beautiful, like a poem flowing gently into one's ears, or like past love slowly surfacing in memories, stirring ripples of youth.
The people present were all reporters, their writing skills honed to an unimaginable degree, but at this moment, they found themselves unable to describe this simple humming. They were at a loss for words.
"Actually, this music isn't my original work. About a few days ago, I heard this melody from a friend. He only hummed the first two lines, and I completed the rest. So, I should have half the credit for this song!" Michael Jackson said with a smile, then asked the sales assistant, "Can I listen to this song now?"
"Of course, you've finished recording it. Just press play!" the sales assistant said. Michael Jackson nodded, pulled out his earphones, turned the phone's volume to maximum, and pressed the play button.
The next moment, a ring of colorful lights flashed around the border of the entire vivo music phone. As the heavenly humming played again, these colorful lights rhythmically flickered and changed.
"Is this a phone specifically developed for music?" Seeing this, countless reporters' mouths dropped open. They suddenly felt that compared to the Zhongmi 1, this vivo music phone might be more suitable for them.
"Alright, I really like this phone. How much does it cost to get it?" Michael Jackson asked with a smile.
"If you purchase a contract phone, we have three different contract versions: $39, $59, and $79. Regardless of which contract version you choose, there will be an upfront payment of $580 or $600!"
"We offer a bare-metal service, with the purchase price also being $600!"
"Of course, the ten billion subsidy is still valid. If you agree to the terms of the ten billion subsidy purchase agreement, you can get this vivo music phone for just $360!" the sales assistant said. "By purchasing this phone, you'll not only get a phone but also a professional over-ear headset. This headset has its own battery and connects to the phone via Bluetooth, allowing you to use it without being tethered by wires!"
"Okay, I'll take the $79 plan!" Michael Jackson said with a smile. "It seems I'll have to switch my telecommunications operator too!"