Chapter 42: Music Awards Ceremony

"Click! Click!"

Camera flashes poured down like a torrential rain as reporters on both sides of the red carpet frantically pressed their shutters.

"Ah Min! Look over here!"

"Ah Min! Strike a pose!"

Zhou Huimin, dressed in a silver sequined mermaid gown, resembled a mermaid emerging from the water under the flashes; holding Xiang Qian's arm, she wore a sweet smile on her face.

Xiang Qian wore a sharply tailored black suit, with a dark red lapel pin at his collar, revealing a sharp edge beneath his low-key demeanor.

"Qian Zai!" a reporter shouted, "With Parasite nominated at Cannes, won't you steal the spotlight from the musicians tonight?"

Xiang Qian chuckled lightly, "Tonight's protagonists are the musicians; I am merely here as an audience member."

Zhou Huimin secretly pinched his arm and whispered, "Liar, you're clearly nervous to death."

Xiang Qian raised an eyebrow, "What do I have to be nervous about?"

"Afraid you won't win an award, of course," Zhou Huimin said, blinking her eyes.

"Welcome to the 15th Xiangjiang Music Awards!"

Host Ceng Zhiwei's voice echoed through the venue as thunderous applause erupted from the entire hall.

"The first award, Best Composer..."

The large screen began playing the nomination clip as the melody of Xiang Qian's Huo Yuanjia started to play.

"The winner is... Xiang Qian for Huo Yuanjia!"

The entire hall boiled over with excitement.

Xiang Qian froze for a moment before Zhou Huimin excitedly pushed him, "Go quickly!"

On stage, holding the trophy, Xiang Qian looked unusually flustered, "Thank you to the judges..."

The camera immediately cut to Zhou Huimin in the audience, covering her mouth as she laughed.

"Next is the award for Best Lyricist..."

"The winner is... Xiang Qian for A Lifetime of Love!"

"Best Arranger..."

"The winner is... Xiang Qian for Rogue!"

Having gone up on stage three times in a row, Xiang Qian felt somewhat embarrassed.

Cheng Long shouted from below, "Qian Zai! Do you need me to help you hold the trophies?"

The entire hall burst into laughter.

"Best Female Singer..."

"The winner is... Zhou Huimin for Love Like a Tide!"

Zhou Huimin's eyes instantly turned red as Xiang Qian gently pushed her, "Go on."

On stage, holding the trophy, Zhou Huimin's voice trembled slightly, "I thank everyone who has supported me, and especially I must thank..." Her gaze fell upon Xiang Qian, "...the person who always says my singing isn't good enough."

The entire hall burst into laughter.

The camera focused on Xiang Qian, who shook his head helplessly, yet a smile played on his lips.

"Song of the Year..."

"The winner is... A Lifetime of Love! Zhou Huimin and Xiang Qian!"

Both ascended the stage together; Zhou Huimin excitedly hugged the trophy while Xiang Qian gallantly let her speak first.

"This song is very special to both of us..." Zhou Huimin said softly.

Xiang Qian took the microphone, "Just as the lyrics say, 'Though we are close, we cannot draw near.'"

A wave of heckling immediately rose from the audience below.

At the victory banquet, five trophies sparkled on the table.

Cheng Long raised his champagne, "To tonight's biggest winners!"

Lin Qingxia smiled, "Sweeping five major awards between the two of you must be a first for the Xiangjiang music scene, right?"

Zhou Huimin's small face flushed red, "It's all because Qian Zai wrote such good songs..."

Xiang Qian poured her a glass of warm water, "Your throat is important; speak less."

Late at night, the two stood on the hotel rooftop.

"Qian Zai..." Zhou Huimin gazed at the trophies, "Thank you for writing these songs."

Xiang Qian looked out at the distant neon lights, "I will write even more in the future."

The night breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of the sea.

On this night, the starlight was exceptionally brilliant.