[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","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},2223681,4066,"Chapter 18: An Unexpected Surprise","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin stood beside the piano, her fingertips lightly tapping the keys, while Zhang Guorong stood at her side; the two were rehearsing \"Silence Is Gold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Min, the transition in this phrase could be a bit softer,\" Zhang Guorong instructed gently. \"Yes, just like that; keep the emotion restrained.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin nodded and sang it again: \"In the unseen, it was long ago destined whether you are rich or poor...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong smiled with satisfaction: \"Very good; sing it exactly like this tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Keqin and Xu Guanjie were adjusting the microphones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Sam, should we lower the key for 'Walk the Path of Life' tomorrow?\" Li Keqin asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Guanjie waved his hand: \"No need; the original key is fine. Your vocal range is perfectly capable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He patted Li Keqin on the shoulder: \"Rest assured; with me here, tomorrow is secured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian paced back and forth anxiously, phone pressed to his ear: \"Sister Mei, is there really no way to find some time?... Alright, I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanging up the phone, he sighed. Anita Mui had a sudden scheduling conflict and could not serve as his guest singer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is troublesome...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was worrying, a hearty laugh echoed from the end of the corridor. Xiang Qian looked up and immediately widened his eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long was striding over with several staff members, seemingly having just finished a film promotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian took a deep breath, jogged over, and blocked Cheng Long's path, first bowing deeply: \"Hello, Big Brother Cheng Long!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by this sudden gesture, Cheng Long soon recognized Xiang Qian: \"Eh? Aren't you that... Wu Xiangqian?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, it's me!\" Xiang Qian nodded hurriedly. \"Big Brother Cheng Long, I have an impertinent request...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long sized him up with interest: \"Let's hear it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian got straight to the point: \"I would like to invite you to be my guest singer for the finals!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me?\" Cheng Long pointed at himself and burst into laughter. \"Little brother, you've got the wrong person. Who doesn't know I sing off-key?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Xiang Qian looked utterly serious: \"Big Brother Cheng Long, although singing is not your forte, your stage charisma is unmatched! What the audience loves is your genuine nature!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long stroked his chin: \"You kid really know how to talk...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However...\" Cheng Long suddenly grinned cunningly, \"I have a condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian nodded immediately: \"Name it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Write me a song,\" Cheng Long said, blinking. \"The kind that becomes an instant hit on every street and alley!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian's eyes lit up: \"No problem! How about 'A Man Must Strengthen Himself'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long paused in surprise: \"Did you just make that up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled mysteriously: \"I tailored it for you long ago; I just didn't expect to meet you today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intrigued, Cheng Long said: \"Sing a bit so I can hear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian cleared his throat and began to hum: \"Proud qi, proud laughter amidst ten thousand waves; hot blood, hotter than the red sun...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After only two lines, Cheng Long slapped the table in acclaim: \"Excellent! I'll take this song!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threw an arm around Xiang Qian's shoulders: \"Let's go; straight to the rehearsal room now. We'll finalize tomorrow's song too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the sheet music, Cheng Long frowned: \"'Huo Yuanjia'? I've never sung this song before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian handed him a bottle of mineral water: \"It's very simple. I'll sing the verses, and you handle the chorus and the martial arts performance section.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Martial arts performance?\" Cheng Long's eyes lit up. \"That's my specialty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled: \"Exactly! You fight while singing; it will absolutely stun the entire audience!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long enthusiastically gave it a try: \"Huo Huo Huo...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect!\" Xiang Qian gave a thumbs-up. \"Just like that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At two in the morning, the rehearsal room was still brightly lit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A staff member yawned: \"Brother Long, should we take a break...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take a break for what!\" Cheng Long exclaimed, full of energy. \"One more time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to Xiang Qian, he said: \"Little brother, your big brother here either doesn't do something, or does it to the very best!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moved, Xiang Qian nodded: \"With those words from you, we are sure to blow the roof off tomorrow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early the next morning, Zhou Huimin met Xiang Qian in the dressing room and asked in surprise: \"Why are your eyes so red?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian gulped down some coffee: \"I rehearsed all night with Big Brother Cheng Long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Cheng Long pushed the door open, looking spirited: \"Morning, little brother. Who is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My girlfriend,\" Xiang Qian said, smiling at Zhou Huimin. \"Big Brother, how is the preparation going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing an expression that said 'I understand,' Cheng Long looked at Xiang Qian, then patted his shoulder: \"Rest assured; today, your big brother will definitely not embarrass you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blushing, Zhou Huimin asked curiously: \"What song are you two going to sing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long blinked mysteriously: \"Top secret! We'll give you a surprise later!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Cheng Long, Li Keqin was so surprised his jaw dropped: \"Brother Long? How are you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Guanjie was also quite taken aback: \"Ah Long, are you crossing over into singing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long laughed heartily: \"I'm here to support the young folks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong walked over and said to Xiang Qian with profound meaning: \"You kid always manage to surprise people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",885,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","7b50e6c996920b21caece2ad4e5ab726e1810241cbcbe5b22abd0b4b62de65dc","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-19","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-17",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]