Chapter 13: Concert

"Qianzi, isn't this dress a bit too formal?" Zhou Huimin stood before the mirror, fidgeting nervously with the hem.

Xiang Qian wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder: "My Ah-Min looks good in anything."

Zhou Huimin's ears flushed pink; she gently swatted his hand away: "Stop it, the car Brother sent is almost here."

After going downstairs, the driver respectfully pulled open the car door: "Mr. Wu, Miss Zhou, Leslie asked me to pick you up."

Xiang Qian helped Zhou Huimin into the car and whispered in her ear: "See, how much Brother values us."

Zhou Huimin nervously clutched the corner of her skirt: "I've never been to the Coliseum..."

The car had just turned into the stadium area when the two were stunned by the sight before them—

A sea of people, glow sticks converging into a galaxy of light, the fans' shrieking nearly tearing the night sky apart.

"Oh my god..." Zhou Huimin pressed against the car window, her eyes wide and round, "This... this is even more over the top than on TV!"

Xiang Qian was also dumbfounded: "Now this is a true Heavenly King..."

The driver smiled, unfazed: "It's like this for every one of Leslie's shows; today counts as a small crowd."

A staff member led them through the busy backstage, full of crew members and backup dancers running back and forth.

"Qianzi! Ah-Min!" Leslie Cheung poked his head out from the dressing room, "Come quick!"

He was in a sparkling stage outfit, makeup exquisite yet not at all gaudy: "Well, scared by the spectacle outside?"

Zhou Huimin nodded honestly: "My legs are shaking..."

Leslie Cheung laughed heartily and patted her shoulder: "I was even more nervous than you the first time I went on stage." He turned to Xiang Qian, "Later you two go to the side stage and get a feel for the real Coliseum atmosphere."

The music blared suddenly, and the entire venue erupted in deafening shrieks.

"Leslie Cheung! Leslie Cheung!"

Zhou Huimin covered her ears: "Oh my god, this wall of sound..."

Xiang Qian was also startled by the spectacle: "No wonder they call it the 'Coliseum'—this atmosphere really could blow the roof off."

A languid female voice suddenly came from behind: "So you're the Wu Xiang Qian who wrote 'The Rogue,' 'Joy and Sorrow,' 'Silence Is Gold,' and 'A Love of a Lifetime'?"

The two turned around to see Anita Mui leaning against the wall, clad head to toe in black leather, her presence commanding.

Xiang Qian hurriedly bowed: "Hello, Sister Mei!"

Anita Mui waved her hand: "Don't be so stiff." She turned with a smile to look at Zhou Huimin, "So you're the little sister who sang 'A Love of a Lifetime'?"

Zhou Huimin was so nervous her tongue tied itself in knots: "Y-yes, Sister Mei."

Anita Mui laughed and pulled Zhou Huimin down to sit: "Leslie told me about you two." She suddenly lowered her voice, "Do you know why he specifically asked you to come?"

Xiang Qian shook his head.

"He's paving the way for you," Anita Mui said meaningfully, "Showing your face backstage at the Coliseum is worth more than ten TV appearances."

Zhou Huimin suddenly understood: "So Brother is..."

Looking out from the side stage, Leslie Cheung beneath the spotlight was like a god; every move of his triggered a tidal wave of response.

"See those lighting designs?" Anita Mui pointed at the stage, "Every position, every beam of light—it's all been meticulously calculated."

Xiang Qian stared unblinkingly: "This is the production standard of a top-tier concert..."

Suddenly, the stage lights dimmed for an instant; when they came back on, Leslie Cheung's singing rhythm abruptly shifted, and the atmosphere was pushed to a new climax. Xiang Qian watched, his blood boiling, a surge of creative impulse welling up inside him.

He hurried to grab a nearby staff member, got a pen and paper, and began writing and sketching on the paper, inspiration gushing through his mind like a spring. Zhou Huimin and Anita Mui leaned over curiously, watching the notes and lyrics take shape beneath his pen. "Qianzi, is this another new work?" Anita Mui's eyes were full of admiration. Xiang Qian nodded excitedly: "Watching Brother's performance just now, inspiration suddenly struck—I want to write a song worthy of the Coliseum's atmosphere." Zhou Huimin's eyes shone with worship: "Qianzi, you can definitely do it."

Just then, Leslie Cheung finished a brilliant segment of singing and stepped off the stage to rest briefly. Seeing Xiang Qian writing furiously, he walked over with a smile: "Qianzi, so focused—got a new idea?" Xiang Qian stood up, speaking with a mix of excitement and nervousness: "Brother, after watching your performance, I got the inspiration for a new song." Leslie Cheung took the paper from his hand, glanced at it a few times, and a flash of pleasant surprise crossed his eyes: "Not bad, it has feeling. I believe this song will be excellent." Hearing this, Xiang Qian felt even more grounded, and focused more intently on perfecting his creation.