Chapter 605

At 3 p. ., the three arrived punctually at the concert venue entrance.

Outside the main gate, a long red carpet was laid out, with staff and security personnel forming three human barriers to ensure order and safety.

Around the red carpet, reporters of every skin tone and nationality were packed tightly.

After all, Wu Yili was an internationally recognized piano master. Moreover, the creator and performer of the pure music album *Eternity* was making her first public appearance abroad—this was a massive hook, drawing intense media attention.

Singapore Television arrived, Al Jazeera sent representatives, Hong Kong Television had delegates, and media from neighboring Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries also showed up, lining up early; their primary mission was to capture a photo of Li Heng and write a compelling news story centered on it—then they'd consider their job done.

"Here he comes! Here he comes! Mr. Li is here!"

At some point, a rumor suddenly spread through the crowd. The previously relaxed and resting reporters instantly perked up, like they'd been injected with adrenaline, raising their long and short lenses toward the luxury car delivering Li Heng.

Under the gaze of thousands, the car door opened, and Li Heng stepped out first, wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

But the moment his right foot touched the ground, a blinding flash of camera lights blinded him.

"OMG! He's so young!"

"So handsome! Mr. Li could easily be Asia's most handsome man!"

"Is this the man who topped the Billboard album chart for three consecutive months? Such elegance! Mom, I'm marrying a Chinese man!"

"Quick, Sun! Take a photo of me with Mr. Li from afar—this is the greatest musician our yellow race has ever produced!"

"Who are the two women beside him? How can they be this beautiful? Do all Chinese people look this refined and stunning?"

"The woman in black looks so noble, so graceful."

"The woman in brown is even more beautiful—I'm a woman, and even I'm captivated."

"…"

The moment the three appeared, they sparked instant uproar along the red carpet.

Not only did the reporters go wild—the music fans waiting nearby also erupted in cheers!

Praise echoed endlessly.

The commotion outside grew so loud that many inside the venue rushed to the entrance to peek.

More scattered voices poured in from within.

"Wow! Is that Mr. Lee Kuan Yew? Why is he here too?"

"You're out of touch! Lee Kuan Yew has publicly expressed his love for the pure music album *Eternity* many times—he's a supporter of Mr. Li. He's even played *The Rain's Mark* during intermissions to soothe his emotions."

"Who's that man with a white cloth on his head?"

"You mean him? Oh, he's a Saudi crown prince—rumored to be the first in line for succession."

"Wow! The Brunei prince on the left is also handsome, but still not quite up to Mr. Li's standard."

"He lacks artistic grace."

"Exactly right!"

"…"

From the spectators around them, the three picked up many gossip tidbits.

Seeing how popular Li Heng was, Yu Shuheng beamed with joy, as if she'd just earned a hundred million.

Yu Shuheng whispered softly in his ear: "Little man, are you ready to become famous worldwide?"

Li Heng smirked slightly: "Famous worldwide? Haven't we been for a while already?"

Yu Shuheng smiled faintly: "Different. Before, people only knew your name, never your face. After today, your photo will appear on every major international newspaper and magazine."

Li Heng blinked, correcting her: "Not me—*us*."

Then he straightened his posture, preening: "Besides, this feeling of floating on air overseas is truly delightful. Especially with two gorgeous women beside me—let them envy themselves to death."

Yu Shuheng smiled silently.

Zhou Shihe glanced at his profile, puckered her delicate lips slightly, then quickly returned to her calm, serene expression.

At that moment, a white female journalist, amid a wave of "oohs" from the crowd, dashed past the security tape with her assistant, sprinting straight to Li Heng's side. The nearby security guards were startled, thinking it was an assassination attempt—they immediately swarmed over, pinning the journalist and her assistant to the red carpet without a word.

The journalist shouted: "I'm a reporter! You can't treat me like this!"

Seeing the guards ignored her, she yelled at Li Heng: "Mr. Li, I'm from BBC, my name is Elena. Is this lady beside you your girlfriend? I've watched your Spring Festival Gala recordings…"

The "lady" she referred to was Yu Shuheng, who had stepped out beside him.

BBC reporter? Fuck off, Li Heng thought to himself, completely ignoring the commotion, then stepped forward to walk the red carpet.

"Mr. Li! I love you! I love these two ladies too! Can you hold their hands for me?" A Chinese female student, dressed like a college girl, held up a sign reading "Li Heng, I love you"—half Chinese, half English—and shouted it loudly toward him.

Her voice was so loud, Li Heng instinctively glanced her way.

Overcome by the idol's attention, the girl shrieked in excitement, clasped her hands together to form a heart, and cried: "Please! I love all three of you!"

Li Heng flashed a sunny smile, then, before the eyes of everyone, firmly took Zhou Shihe's left hand in his left and Yu Shuheng's right hand in his right, walking confidently toward the VIP entrance, letting the crowd photograph them freely.

The instant her right hand was taken, Zhou Shihe subtly furrowed her brow, then lifted her gaze to his profile—but ultimately made no struggle.

Seeing this, Yu Shuheng's eyes flickered with complex emotion, then she feigned ignorance, smiling as she continued walking the red carpet.

When they reached the midpoint of the red carpet, the three paused to sign their names on a wall, then gave ten seconds for photographers from both sides to capture images before moving on.

As they reached the entrance, Li Heng politely released both women, then muttered as if making small talk:

"Phew, never seen so many foreigners before—I was so nervous!"

He claimed to be nervous, yet showed not a trace of it.

Instead, Yu Shuheng and Zhou Shihe exchanged a silent glance.

Their eyes met, and both women fell still.

They said nothing—yet seemed to have said everything. After a few seconds, each turned away, looking elsewhere.

Li walked straight toward Li Heng, smiling and extending his hand: "Hello! Teacher Li, welcome to Singapore."

He called Li Heng "Teacher Li" openly, despite the crowd—clear evidence of his deep respect and admiration for Li Heng's talent.

"Mr. Li, hello!" Li Heng extended his hand and shook his.

Seeing this, the media rushed to snap photos; the venue flashed with lights, the shutter clicks never ceasing.

Li said: "Teacher Li, you're incredible! I love your music."

Especially *Memories of the Forbidden City*, *The Fairyland of Dongting Lake*, and *The Rain's Mark*—I can't put them down. I listen to one every night before sleeping."

"I've been thinking—we both share the surname Li. Eight hundred years ago, we might have been family."