[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-15":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life in Hong Kong, 1984",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2223678,4066,"Chapter 15: The Pressure of Originality","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-15",15,"\u003Cp>The night was deep, and the streetlights cast an ambiguous glow upon the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow's competition...\" Zhou Huimin had not finished speaking when Xiang Qian suddenly cupped her face and kissed her deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmph...\" Zhou Huimin was startled at first, but then slowly closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their lips and tongues entwined, separating only when Zhou Huimin was gasping for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You rascal...\" She blushed and lightly punched Xiang Qian's chest. \"What if someone sees us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian licked his lips, still wanting more: \"Let them see. What's wrong with me kissing my own girlfriend?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he entered the door, Xiang Qian was startled by the scene in the living room—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three editors from the Sing Tao Daily were gathered around his father, drinking tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Wu has returned!\" Editor-in-Chief Lin Guodong immediately stood up. \"The latest chapter of Ghost Blows Out the Light...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian shook his head helplessly: \"Uncle Lin, are you here to demand manuscripts in the middle of the night?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father smiled to smooth things over: \"Qianzai, Editor Lin and the others have been waiting for a long time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian retrieved a stack of manuscripts from his bedroom: \"This is enough for the next three days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Guodong accepted it as if it were a priceless treasure: \"Mr. Songbai, readers are calling every day demanding updates!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, in the dressing room, Zhou Huimin paced back and forth nervously: \"Sister Mei is actually a judge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian helped adjust her collar: \"What is there to fear? You were personally guided by Zhang Guorong and Anita Mui.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Contestant number twelve, Zhou Huimin, prepare to take the stage!\" a staff member shouted from outside the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking away from her usual innocent image, Zhou Huimin appeared in a sequined mini-skirt, singing an upbeat song with vibrant energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, Monica~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the judges' table, Anita Mui nodded along to the rhythm, her eyes full of appreciation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Final score: 392 points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it was Xiang Qian's turn, he chose Xu Guanjie's classic \"Tower of Clouds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although his performance was deeply moving, judge Huang Zhan stated bluntly: \"Xiang Qian, where is your original work?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he received only 388 points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The host announced: \"The contestants advancing to the top six are—Li Keqin! Wang Jie! Zhou Huimin! Wu Xiangqian! Lui Fong! Priscilla Chan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Backstage, Xiang Qian looked at the other four formidable opponents, his brows knitted tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Keqin's rich voice, Wang Jie's melancholic aura, Lui Fong's high notes, Priscilla Chan's sweet timbre...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems I can only use my ultimate move,\" Xiang Qian murmured to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon returning home, Xiang Qian locked himself in his room, a blank sheet of music staff paper spread before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those classics from my past life... which one suits the present?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and his pen flew across the paper:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Coming Across the Ocean to See You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qianzai, I can't sleep...\" On the other end of the phone, Zhou Huimin's voice was soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian spoke gently: \"Worrying about the competition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm... Sister Mei told me privately today that the judges are expecting original works even more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian curled the corner of his mouth: \"What a coincidence; I am writing a new song right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With these two songs, I don't believe we can't make the top three!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early the next morning, Xiang Qian headed straight for the Shaw Brothers recording studio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li looked at the sheet music in astonishment: \"Two songs in one night? Are you crazy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhou Huimin saw the new song, her eyes instantly turned red: \"This... is this written for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian embraced her from behind, holding her hands as he played the piano: \"Do you like it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I love it...\" Zhou Huimin's voice choked with emotion. \"I love it so much...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Midway through rehearsal, Anita Mui suddenly visited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian's heart tightened: \"Is there a problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The problem is—\" Anita Mui suddenly burst into laughter, \"It's too amazing! I want to hear it first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Guanjie also remarked: \"Covers are fine, but this stage needs fresh blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin watched the stars from the rooftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nervous?\" Xiang Qian asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin leaned against his shoulder: \"With you here, I'm not afraid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian lightly kissed her forehead: \"After the finals, we will make everyone remember our names.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",872,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","925184fadfd638715298a327475e02bc350cbf8f83f788cbea82fa52ad22e254","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-16","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-14",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-in-hong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]