Chapter 5: First Trial Stuns the Audience

Xiang Qian hummed a tune all the way home, an unmistakable smile on his face. As soon as he pushed open the door, his mother noticed his unusually cheerful demeanor; setting down her vegetable basket, she asked, "Qian-zi, what has you so happy?"

"Mom! I passed the Shaw Brothers preliminary registration!" Xiang Qian rushed to his mother's side in three long strides. "Tomorrow is the official preliminary performance."

His father, who had been reading the newspaper, looked up at these words. "So quickly? It seems my son truly has the look of a star!"

His mother wiped her hands, smiled, and patted Xiang Qian on the shoulder. "I always said my son is the best! What program are you preparing for tomorrow?"

"I've prepared an original song." Xiang Qian blinked mysteriously. "I guarantee it will leave the judges utterly stunned."

His father put down the newspaper and asked curiously, "Original? Since when do you know how to write songs?"

"Well..." Xiang Qian scratched the back of his head. "Inspiration struck me recently. Dad, Mom, I'll go back to my room to practice a bit more."

Under the desk lamp, Xiang Qian held his guitar and gently plucked the strings. The melody of "Let Me Be Joyful, Let Me Be Sorrowful" flowed slowly through the room. He hummed softly, the scene of Zhou Huajian singing this song in a later era floating in his mind.

"It should be fine..." Xiang Qian set down his guitar and glanced at the alarm clock. "It's already one in the morning; I need to rest quickly so I can appear in top condition tomorrow."

Xiang Qian arrived at the venue two hours early. The preliminary trials were held in a small studio at the Shaw Brothers Film City, where a long queue had already formed at the entrance. He noticed a familiar figure standing nearby—Zhou Huimin was looking down at her sheet music.

"Huimin!" Xiang Qian walked over proactively to greet her.

Zhou Huimin looked up, and upon seeing it was Xiang Qian, a sweet smile immediately bloomed on her face. "Qian-zi! You're here this early too?"

"Yes, I wanted to familiarize myself with the venue beforehand." Xiang Qian pointed to the sheet music in her hand. "What song have you prepared?"

"'The Moon Represents My Heart'..." Zhou Huimin said, somewhat shyly.

Just as Xiang Qian was about to speak, a staff member began calling numbers: "Numbers 18 to 25, prepare to enter!"

"I'm number 20." Zhou Huimin nervously clenched her sheet music.

"Don't be nervous; you'll do great," Xiang Qian encouraged softly. "I'll wait for you outside."

Half an hour later, Zhou Huimin ran out with a flushed face. "I... I passed! The judges said my voice is very pure!"

"That's wonderful!" Xiang Qian was genuinely happy for her. "I told you that you could do it."

"Numbers 26 to 30, prepare!" The staff member's voice rang out again.

Xiang Qian took a deep breath. "It's my turn."

The studio was not large, but it was professionally arranged. Three judges sat behind a long table at the front: on the left was the famous writer Ni Kuang, in the center was Li Ling, the director of the Shaw Brothers Artist Department, and on the right was the music producer Huang Zhan.

"Number 29, Wu Xiangqian." Li Ling flipped through the registration form. "The materials state you will perform an original song?"

Xiang Qian walked to the center of the stage with his guitar and bowed slightly. "Yes, an original composition of my own called 'Let Me Be Joyful, Let Me Be Sorrowful'."

Ni Kuang pushed up his glasses and said with great interest, "Young people these days are quite courageous. Begin."

As the first chord rang out, the entire studio instantly fell silent. Xiang Qian's clear voice, paired with the beautiful melody, caused all three judges to involuntarily sit up straighter.

"Love reaches its end, spilled water cannot be gathered; love lingers, hate lingers..."

When the chorus began, Zhou Huimin, waiting in the backstage area, covered her mouth in surprise. She had never heard such a moving melody, nor had she expected Xiang Qian's singing skills to be so outstanding.

As the final note faded, the studio became so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Suddenly, Ni Kuang was the first to stand up and applaud. "Excellent! Truly excellent!"

Huang Zhan excitedly slapped the table. "This melody, these lyrics! Young man, are you certain this is your original work?"

"Absolutely certain." Xiang Qian answered without changing expression, though in his heart he was silently apologizing to Zhou Huajian.

Li Ling's eyes sparkled brightly. "Perfect pitch, a unique vocal tone, and astonishing creative ability... Wu Xiangqian, you have passed the preliminary trial! Come tomorrow at nine in the morning for the re-examination!"

"Qian-zi! You're amazing!" Zhou Huimin jogged to catch up with Xiang Qian, her cheeks flushed. "That song was truly beautiful; it almost made me cry!"

Xiang Qian scratched his head sheepishly. "It's not that exaggerated..."

"It is!" Zhou Huimin's eyes sparkled. "You're handsome, you can compose, and you sing so well... I've never met anyone as talented as you!"

Being praised so highly by the goddess in his heart, Xiang Qian's ears turned red. "Actually... if you like, I can write a song for you too during the competition."

"Really?" Zhou Huimin jumped up in delight, then immediately lowered her head shyly. "But... wouldn't that be too much trouble for you..."

"No trouble at all." Xiang Qian looked at her seriously. "I would be very happy to write a song for you."

Zhou Huimin's face turned even redder; she lowered her head and toyed with the hem of her clothes. "Then... it's a deal. Good luck at the re-examination tomorrow!"

"Mm, see you tomorrow." Xiang Qian watched her leave, his mind already beginning to conceive what song to write for Zhou Huimin. "Greatest Love"? "Foolish Heart Exchanged for Deep Affection"? Or perhaps...