Chapter 15: The Pressure of Originality

The night was deep, and the streetlights cast an ambiguous glow upon the two of them.

"Tomorrow's competition..." Zhou Huimin had not finished speaking when Xiang Qian suddenly cupped her face and kissed her deeply.

"Mmph..." Zhou Huimin was startled at first, but then slowly closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Their lips and tongues entwined, separating only when Zhou Huimin was gasping for breath.

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

Xiang Qian licked his lips, still wanting more: "Let them see. What's wrong with me kissing my own girlfriend?"

As soon as he entered the door, Xiang Qian was startled by the scene in the living room—

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

"Master Wu has returned!" Editor-in-Chief Lin Guodong immediately stood up. "The latest chapter of Ghost Blows Out the Light..."

Xiang Qian shook his head helplessly: "Uncle Lin, are you here to demand manuscripts in the middle of the night?"

His father smiled to smooth things over: "Qianzai, Editor Lin and the others have been waiting for a long time."

Xiang Qian retrieved a stack of manuscripts from his bedroom: "This is enough for the next three days."

Lin Guodong accepted it as if it were a priceless treasure: "Mr. Songbai, readers are calling every day demanding updates!"

An assistant added in a low voice: "The advertising department says that ad rates for pages featuring Ghost Blows Out the Light have risen by 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 adjust her collar: "What is there to fear? You were personally guided by Zhang Guorong and Anita Mui."

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

Breaking away from her usual innocent image, Zhou Huimin appeared in a sequined mini-skirt, singing an upbeat song with vibrant energy.

"Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, Monica~"

At the judges' table, Anita Mui nodded along to the rhythm, her eyes full of appreciation.

Final score: 392 points!

When it was Xiang Qian's turn, he chose Xu Guanjie's classic "Tower of Clouds."

Although his performance was deeply moving, judge Huang Zhan stated bluntly: "Xiang Qian, where is your original work?"

In the end, he received only 388 points.

The host announced: "The contestants advancing to the top six are—Li Keqin! Wang Jie! Zhou Huimin! Wu Xiangqian! Lui Fong! Priscilla Chan!"

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

Li Keqin's rich voice, Wang Jie's melancholic aura, Lui Fong's high notes, Priscilla Chan's sweet timbre...

"It seems I can only use my ultimate move," Xiang Qian murmured to himself.

Upon returning home, Xiang Qian locked himself in his room, a blank sheet of music staff paper spread before him.

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

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

"Coming Across the Ocean to See You..."

"Qianzai, I can't sleep..." On the other end of the phone, Zhou Huimin's voice was soft.

Xiang Qian spoke gently: "Worrying about the competition?"

"Mm... Sister Mei told me privately today that the judges are expecting original works even more."

Xiang Qian curled the corner of his mouth: "What a coincidence; I am writing a new song right now."

After hanging up, Xiang Qian's inspiration flowed like a spring; he not only completed "Coming Across the Ocean to See You" but also wrote "Love is Like a Tide" in one continuous burst.

"With these two songs, I don't believe we can't make the top three!"

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

Sun Li looked at the sheet music in astonishment: "Two songs in one night? Are you crazy?"

"Find me the best band," Xiang Qian said with determined eyes. "Also, I need to teach Ah Min how to sing 'Love is Like a Tide'."

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

Xiang Qian embraced her from behind, holding her hands as he played the piano: "Do you like it?"

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

Midway through rehearsal, Anita Mui suddenly visited.

"I heard you two are preparing a big move?" She smiled as she examined the sheet music, 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 into laughter, "It's too amazing! I want to hear it first!"

In a pre-competition interview, Huang Zhan stated bluntly: "I look forward to Xiang Qian's original work; his previous compositions have proven his talent."

Xu Guanjie also remarked: "Covers are fine, but this stage needs fresh blood."

That night, Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin watched the stars from the rooftop.

"Nervous?" Xiang Qian asked.

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

Xiang Qian lightly kissed her forehead: "After the finals, we will make everyone remember our names."