Chapter 15: The Pressure of Originality

The night was deep, and the streetlamps cast ambiguous light and shadows over the two of them.

"Tomorrow's competition..." Before Zhou Huimin could finish, Xiang Qian suddenly cupped her face and kissed her deeply.

"Mm..." Zhou Huimin was startled at first, then slowly closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Their lips and tongues entwined, and they only parted when Zhou Huimin ran out of breath.

"You rascal..." She blushed and lightly punched Xiang Qian's chest. "What if someone sees us?"

Xiang Qian licked his lips, still savouring the taste. "Let them see. What's wrong with me kissing my own girlfriend?"

The moment he stepped inside, Xiang Qian was startled by the spectacle in the living room—

Three editors from Sing Tao Daily were sitting around his father, drinking tea.

"Mr. Wu is back!" Editor-in-chief Lin Guodong immediately rose. "The latest chapter of Ghost Blowing Lantern..."

Xiang Qian shook his head helplessly. "Uncle Lin, are you people rushing me for manuscripts in the middle of the night?"

His father laughed and smoothed things over. "Qian-zai, Editor-in-chief Lin and the others have been waiting a long time."

Xiang Qian fetched a stack of manuscripts from his bedroom. "This is the amount for the next three days."

Lin Guodong took them as if he had found a treasure. "Mr. Song Bai, readers call every day to urge for more chapters!"

The assistant added in a low voice: "The advertising department says the ad rates for the pages with Ghost Blowing Lantern have gone up thirty percent..."

The next day, in the dressing room, Zhou Huimin paced back and forth nervously. "Sister Mei is actually a judge!"

Xiang Qian helped her adjust her collar. "What's there to fear? You've been coached by Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui."

"Contestant number twelve, Zhou Huimin, prepare to take the stage!" a staff member called from outside the door.

Zhou Huimin shed her usual pure-and-innocent image, appearing in a sequined mini-dress and bursting with energy as she sang an upbeat number.

"ThanksthanksthanksthanksMonica～"

Anita Mui nodded along to the rhythm from the judges' panel, her eyes full of admiration.

Final score: 392 points!

When Xiang Qian's turn came, he chose Sam Hui's classic "Iron Tower Soaring into the Clouds."

Though his singing was deep and moving, judge James Wong stated bluntly: "Xiang Qian, where are your original works?"

In the end he only got 388 points.

The host announced: "The contestants advancing to the top six are—Li Keqin! Wang Jie! Zhou Huimin! Wu Xiang Qian! Lü Fang! Chen Huixian!"

Backstage, Xiang Qian looked at the other four formidable opponents, his brows tightly knit.

Li Keqin's rich, resonant voice, Wang Jie's melancholic air, Lü Fang's high notes, Chen Huixian's sweet vocal timbre...

"Looks like I have to play my trump card." Xiang Qian muttered to himself.

Back home, Xiang Qian shut himself in his room, a blank score spread out before him.

"Those classic songs from my past life... which one suits the present?"

Suddenly his eyes lit up, and his fountain pen flew across the paper:

"Crossing the Ocean to See You..."

"Qian-zai, I can't sleep..." Zhou Huimin's voice was soft and sweet on the other end of the line.

Xiang Qian said gently: "Thinking about the competition?"

"Mm... Sister Mei told me privately today that the judges are looking forward to original works."

Xiang Qian curved his lips into a smile. "What a coincidence, I'm writing a new song right now."

After hanging up, Xiang Qian's inspiration flowed like a spring. He not only finished "Crossing the Ocean to See You" but also wrote "Love Like the Tide" in one go.

"With these two songs, I refuse to believe I can't get into the top three!"

Early the next morning, Xiang Qian headed straight for Shaw Brothers recording studio.

Sun Li looked at the score in astonishment. "Two songs in one night? Are you crazy?"

"Get me the best band." Xiang Qian's gaze was firm. "Also, I'm going to teach A-Man how to sing 'Love Like the Tide.'"

When Zhou Huimin saw the new song, her eyes instantly reddened. "This... is this written for me?"

Xiang Qian wrapped his arms around her from behind, held her hand, and played the piano. "Do you like it?"

"I love it..." Zhou Huimin's voice choked. "I love it so much..."

Midway through rehearsal, Anita Mui suddenly paid a visit.

"I heard you two are preparing a big move?" She smiled as she looked over the score, then her expression suddenly turned serious. "Xiang Qian, this song..."

Xiang Qian's heart tightened. "Is there a problem?"

"The problem is—" Anita Mui suddenly burst out laughing, "it's brilliant! I want to hear it first!"

James Wong stated bluntly in a pre-competition interview: "I'm looking forward to Xiang Qian's original work. His previous pieces have proven his talent."

Sam Hui also said: "Covers are certainly good, but this stage needs fresh blood."

In the evening, Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin watched the stars on the rooftop.

"Nervous?" Xiang Qian asked.

Zhou Huimin leaned on his shoulder. "With you here, I'm not afraid."

Xiang Qian gently kissed her forehead. "After the finals, let's make everyone remember our names."