Chapter 13: The Concert

"Qian-zi, isn't this skirt too formal?" Zhou Huimin stood before the mirror, restlessly adjusting her 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 turned slightly red as she gently tapped his hand away: "Stop fooling around; Brother's car will be here soon."

After descending the stairs, the driver respectfully opened the car door: "Master Wu, Miss Zhou, Leslie sent me to pick you up."

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

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

Just as the car turned into the stadium area, the two were stunned by the scene before them—

A sea of people, glow sticks merging into a galaxy of stars, fans' screams nearly overturning the night sky.

"Oh my god..." Zhou Huimin pressed against the car window, her eyes wide, "This... this is even more exaggerated than what I've seen on TV!"

Xiang Qian was also dumbfounded: "This is what a true Heavenly King looks like..."

The driver smiled, accustomed to the sight: "Leslie is like this at every show; today's crowd is actually small."

A staff member led them through the bustling backstage, where runners and backup dancers were everywhere.

"Qian-zi! Ah Min!" Zhang Guorong poked his head out from the dressing room, "Come quickly!"

Dressed in a sparkling performance outfit, his makeup was exquisite yet not flamboyant: "How was it? Scared by the spectacle outside?"

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

Zhang Guorong laughed heartily, patting her shoulder: "I was even more nervous than you during my first stage appearance." He turned to Xiang Qian, "Later, you two go to the side stage to experience the true atmosphere of the Hong Kong Coliseum."

The music suddenly erupted, and the entire venue exploded with deafening screams.

"Zhang Guorong! Zhang Guorong!"

Zhou Huimin covered her ears: "Good heavens, this wall of sound..."

Xiang Qian was also shocked by the scale: "No wonder it's called the 'Red Arena'; this atmosphere could really blow the roof off."

A lazy female voice suddenly came from behind: "So you're Wu Xiangqian, the one who wrote 'Rascal,' 'You Make Me Happy, You Make Me Sad,' 'Silence Is Golden,' and 'A Love for Life'?"

The two turned to see Anita Mui leaning against the wall, dressed in a black leather jacket, radiating an overwhelming presence.

Xiang Qian immediately bowed: "Greetings, Sister Mui!"

Anita Mui waved her hand: "Don't be so stiff." She turned and smiled at Zhou Huimin, "So you're the little sister who sang 'A Love for Life'?"

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

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

Xiang Qian shook his head.

"He is paving the way for you," Anita Mui said meaningfully. "Showing your face backstage at the Hong Kong Coliseum is more useful than appearing on television ten times."

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

From the side stage, Zhang Guorong looked like a deity under the spotlights, every movement triggering a response like a mountain roar and tidal wave.

"See those lighting designs?" Anita Mui pointed at the stage. "Every position, every beam of light, is meticulously calculated."

Xiang Qian watched without blinking: "This is the production standard of a top-tier concert..."

Suddenly, the stage lights dimmed for an instant; when they brightened again, Zhang Guorong's singing rhythm shifted abruptly, pushing the live atmosphere to a new climax. Xiang Qian watched with boiling blood, a surge of creative impulse rising within him.

He quickly grabbed a nearby staff member, borrowed a pen and paper, and began scribbling, inspiration surging through his mind like a spring. Zhou Huimin and Anita Mui curiously leaned in, watching the musical notes and lyrics gradually take shape under his pen. "Qian-zi, do you have a new work again?" Anita Mui's eyes were full of appreciation. Xiang Qian nodded excitedly: "Watching Brother's performance just now suddenly gave me inspiration; I want to write a song worthy of the atmosphere of the Hong Kong Coliseum." Zhou Huimin looked at him with adoration: "Qian-zi, you can definitely do it."

Just then, Zhang Guorong finished a brilliant segment of his performance and walked off stage for a brief rest. Seeing Xiang Qian writing furiously, he walked over with a smile: "Qian-zi, so engrossed; have you got a new idea?" Xiang Qian stood up, speaking with a mix of excitement and slight nervousness: "Brother, watching your performance gave me inspiration for a new song." Zhang Guorong took the paper from his hand, glanced at it, and a flash of delight crossed his eyes: "Not bad, it has great feeling; I believe this song will be outstanding." Hearing this, Xiang Qian felt even more confident and focused more intently on refining his creation.