Rockefeller Center, 50th Street, Sixth Avenue, Midtown Manhattan, New York.
The Radio City Music Hall in New York, a theater capable of accommodating over 6,000 people, was packed to capacity.
The 2003 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony was held here, attended by American singers such as Madonna, Britney, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Linkin Park, and Justin Timberlake.
The red carpet, countless media reporters, and fans created an enthusiastic atmosphere even before the show started.
Britney entered the hall with Charles, heading to their seats on the third floor. Charles was wearing jeans with a T-shirt and a suit jacket.
Compared to the Academy Awards Ceremony, music awards were less formal and more casual.
"Music awards are different from film awards; it's going to get wild here soon. Many singers will perform on stage," Britney chatted casually with Charles.
"Do you also have a performance later?" Charles asked.
"Yes, I'll be performing a song and dance with Madonna and Christina for the opening act," Britney said, wearing a low-cut skirt that showed off her impressive cleavage.
"Which singers do you like?"
"Me? Right now, I prefer your songs and Avril Lavigne's. For country music, Shania Twain, and for male singers, Michael Jackson and Snoop Dogg!"
"I also like Michael," Britney Spears said with a smile.
Then why did you participate in that Michael award blunder last year?
"Are you just a performing guest tonight?"
"Yes, the opening performance!" Britney said, then hugged Charles.
"I'm going backstage to prepare. I'll come find you after my performance!"
After Britney left, Charles prepared to enjoy a two-hour concert, a medley of performances by big-name stars.
At 8 PM, the awards ceremony officially began. When Charles saw the host, it was the Black comedian Chris Rock. Isn't this the guy who would later be slapped by Will Smith at the Oscar?
Soon, Britney Spears, dressed in a wedding gown and holding a microphone, emerged from backstage. A little while later, Christina also came out in a wedding gown to sing a duet.
The atmosphere in the hall surged. When Madonna, in a black suit and top hat, appeared, the audience in the hall became even more excited.
The three major divas sang and danced, and MTV's Video Music Awards ceremony this year started with a show-stopping performance.
When Madonna and Britney shared a passionate kiss, screams echoed through the hall, and Charles also stood up and applauded.
This was the legendary kiss of the century between two divas at the MTV Music Awards!
While Charles was enjoying the performances of various singers on stage, Britney returned, wearing a baseball cap.
"The opening performance was excellent, and the duet with Madonna was fantastic," Charles praised.
"Thank you!" Britney simply sat next to Charles and enjoyed the show with him.
When the award for Best Male Artist was presented, the winner was Britney's ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, and Britney's emotions were visibly stirred.
Because the winning song was Justin's sensationalized story of Britney's infidelity and their breakup, even featuring an actress who resembled Britney in the music video.
After the breakup, and with Justin and the media's slander, Britney was indeed being heavily reported on by many media outlets.
Charles looked at Justin on stage, thinking the guy was unkind, then looked at Britney beside him.
She hadn't yet gone through the tumultuous marriage and divorce, and she was still at the peak of her popularity, but the breakup and the media's extensive coverage left her feeling depressed.
Her shift from an American sweetheart to a sexy style was not well-received by many. The governor's wife of Maryland even said in an interview that if she had a gun, she would shoot Britney, claiming she was a bad influence on young children.
"Let's leave!" Charles patted Britney's shoulder and suggested.
"Okay," Britney looked at Charles, then smiled and nodded. At this point, Britney desperately needed love, otherwise, why would she have gotten married so impulsively early next year?
After Charles and Britney left the Radio City Music Hall, they didn't go back to Britney's place but directly to the underground parking lot of the Rosewood Carlyle Hotel, where Charles was staying.
Then they took the elevator straight up to the suite where Charles was staying.
Sitting on the sofa, Britney took off her hat and jacket, then leaned back, lazily saying, "Did I make you miss the awards ceremony?"
Charles waved his hand, unconcerned, "I'm not that interested in music; my main interest is in film and television."
Britney truly had an angelic face and a devilish figure at this moment. It shouldn't turn out like it did in the future!
Charles brewed two cups of coffee, handed one to Britney, and then sat beside her.
"Thank you!" Britney Spears took the coffee and took a sip, feeling much more comfortable.
"You should know that I run a film company in Hollywood, right?"
"Yes, I know. And it's doing well. You're a new type of producer in Hollywood!" Britney didn't understand why Charles was asking this.
"Then do you know that my mother is now a senior executive at ETA, one of the Big Six (Major Film Studios) agencies in Hollywood?"
Britney shook her head.
Charles stared into Britney's eyes, "Do you believe me?"
"I do, why?" Britney looked into Charles eyes, which were very clear and deep.
"Since you broke up last year, your Agent has done nothing to help stabilize your image. Your public relations have been a mess, suddenly adopting an overly sexual style and taking on bad movies. All of this is eroding your popularity," Charles thought for a moment, then continued,
"Moreover, many media outlets are relentlessly pursuing you now, and your management team hasn't taken effective measures to deal with it!"
"You have to understand, the power of public opinion can sometimes be terrifying."
"Waaah, waaah, waaah," Britney couldn't hold back and hugged Charles, crying.
"They say I'm an indecent woman, that I'm a bad influence on children, and they even say they want to shoot me;"
"What can I do? I'm just here to be a star; I'm not going to help them educate children!"
"Every day there are so many reporters blocking me, at my doorstep, near my company, everywhere, constantly asking me disgusting questions!"
"Hmm, cry, just cry!"Charles held Britney and gently patted her back. Emotions needed to be released; otherwise, if suppressed for too long, it could lead to mental instability and problems.
"I just like to sing, and now I feel like everyone dislikes me," Britney seemed to be letting out all her pent-up emotions, crying and confiding,
"My parents only want my money; they don't care about my feelings or me!"
A remote small town, a dysfunctional family, parents constantly at odds, not to mention alcoholism and domestic violence—it seemed Britney's family problems were also very significant.