Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

On a joyful night that followed, Kristen Stewart joined the film crew for a gathering, kicking off their promotional plans.

At this time, with Martin's help—having written her a slew of excellent country-style songs—Taylor had already earned the glowing reputation of "Queen of Country Music."

"How's it feel to voice the squirrel?"

The girl was an avid fan of Ice Age, her home brimming with every character puppet from the series, including rare, limited-edition ones that she could only have gotten through Martin's connections. To prepare for voicing the squirrel, Taylor Swift had started mimicking its quirky, humorous tone six months in advance. And, truth be told, the girl had a real knack for it. In the recording booth, she perfectly captured the squirrel's playful, sly, and childlike charm from the first two films, nailing it down to the tiniest inflection.

"Isn't I supposed to be your idol?" Martin teased.

"Then let me sing you a song, my idol."

The girl slid off Martin's lap, grabbed the guitar from the table, and began to strum and sing softly.

The gentle, soothing melody turned the chilly night into something tender and warm.

Martin squinted, tapping his foot lightly to the rhythm, lost in the wonderful feeling the music brought. He'd heard all of Taylor Swift's songs, including those she wrote herself and the ones he'd penned for her. Of all her original tracks, Martin thought this one carried an especially artistic flair.

When the song ended, Taylor set the guitar down, her face lit up with anticipation, practically begging for praise with her expression.

"New song?" Martin asked.

"Yup! What do you think?"

"It's absolutely fantastic. Classic country style. If you paired the guitar with some piano and violin, the effect would be even better. I love the rhythm—it's not overpowering, more like the gentle ripples dancing on a calm river, giving off a lively, vibrant vibe…"

"The lyrics draw from Romeo and Juliet, but they're different. They lack that tragic weight, trading it for a dreamy, radiant feel. I think young people will connect with it more easily. They'll relate to the love story in the song, understand it, and be drawn to its intense, romantic pull…"

Martin chuckled. "Before I knew it, I've been in this game for twelve years. Haha. In those twelve years, I've done so much, met so many people—it feels like a lifetime. Mentally, I must be an old man by now."

In truth, if you calculated his mental age, Martin was probably older than anyone on the planet—practically an ancestor to them all.

He didn't answer her directly. Instead, he picked up the guitar and began to play, his voice weaving through the melody. I want to call you, but I'm not sure if, years from now, you'd still want to see me. They say time heals all wounds, but that doesn't seem to apply to me.

His magnetic voice flowed smoothly under the glow of the twilight lamps.

Taylor Swift's face was streaked with tears.