Chapter 43: TVB Gala

In the TVB dressing room, Zhou Huimin was adjusting her hairstyle in front of the mirror when Lin Qingxia pushed the door open and entered.

"Ah Min, I heard you're duetting with Qian-zi tonight?" Lin Qingxia leaned against the vanity, asking with a smile.

The hairpin in Zhou Huimin's hand paused: "How does Sister Qingxia know? Isn't the program list confidential?"

"The whole of TVB is buzzing with it." Lin Qingxia picked up a comb to tidy the ends of her hair, "Even Sixth Uncle is asking, saying he never expected Qian-zi to choose such a passionate song."

Zhou Huimin pressed her lips together in a smile: "He said this song suits tonight's atmosphere best."

Suddenly, an argument erupted from the neighboring dressing room.

"On what grounds was my act moved to the second half?" a shrill female voice rang out.

"This is Miss Fang's arrangement..." a staff member explained in a low voice.

Lin Qingxia raised an eyebrow: "Judging by the voice, is that the 'Gatekeeper of the Jade Maidens' throwing a tantrum?"

Zhou Huimin shook her head helplessly: "Ever since 'A Life of Love' won an award, she has been..."

Before she could finish, Xiang Qian pushed the door open: "Are you ready?"

TVB Studio One was resplendent with gold and jade.

Shaw Yifu and Fang Yihua sat in the front row, while the Xiang brothers, Xiang Huaqiang and Xiang Sheng, made a rare appearance in the guest seats.

"Sixth Uncle," Fang Yihua whispered, "I hear the Xiang family has been acquiring record companies recently?"

Shaw Yifu lightly stroked his cane: "It is good for young people to have ambition, as long as they keep to the rules."

On stage, Wang Mingquan and Zheng Yuling were hosting.

"The next act is something special!" Wang Mingquan smiled mysteriously, "A talented scholar is about to perform an original classic golden melody!"

Zheng Yuling added: "And he will ignite this winter together with our 'Queen of Golden Melodies'!"

The camera swept across the audience, where Cheng Long led the heckling: "Qian-zi! Give us one!"

Just as Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin were preparing to go on stage, the sound engineer suddenly rushed over: "Mr. Xiang, there's a problem with the backing track!"

"What problem?" Xiang Qian frowned.

"It's been swapped! What's playing now is..."

Zhou Huimin's face changed: "It's the accompaniment for the slow version!"

Xiang Qian sneered and told the sound engineer: "Never mind it, proceed as planned."

The stage lights flared brightly, and an impassioned intro blared out.

Xiang Qian appeared on stage in a red leather jacket, exchanging a smile with Zhou Huimin, who wore a silver sequined mini-skirt.

"You are like a fire in the winter!" Xiang Qian's voice was unexpectedly high-pitched and powerful.

Zhou Huimin took up the verse: "A blazing flame that warms the core of my heart!"

Their synchronized dance steps ignited the entire venue, and the audience below couldn't help but clap along to the rhythm.

At the climax of the song, Xiang Qian suddenly spun around, wrapped one arm around Zhou Huimin's waist, and executed a beautiful lift.

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience; even the usually stern Shaw Yifu began tapping out the beat. After the gala ended, at the victory banquet.

Cheng Long squeezed through the crowd, raising a glass of champagne: "Qian-zi! I never expected you to be such a great dancer!"

Before Xiang Qian could answer, a heavily made-up female star suddenly bumped into them, spilling red wine onto Zhou Huimin's skirt.

"Oh my, so sorry~" the star apologized exaggeratedly, yet her eyes were full of provocation.

Xiang Qian's gaze turned cold; just as he was about to speak, Fang Yihua had already walked over: "Miss Zhang, your contract expires tomorrow."

The female star's face instantly turned deathly pale.

In the dead of night, Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin stood on the TVB rooftop.

"I didn't expect you to become even more formidable," Zhou Huimin said softly.

Gazing at the night view of Victoria Harbour, Xiang Qian replied: "Because you are that fire."

Zhou Huimin suddenly rose onto her tiptoes and whispered in his ear: "Then you must be careful not to get burned."

The night breeze blew, and the whistle of a ferry drifted from the distance.

On this night, the lights of Xiangjiang shone with exceptional brilliance.