[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-6":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hong Kong 1984: Rise of the Cultural Empire",{"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},2223669,4066,"Chapter 6: Sealing the Affection","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-6",6,"\u003Cp>Xiang Qian sat at his desk, fingers lightly tapping the surface as he hummed the melody of \"Silence Is Golden.\" His mother pushed open the door, carrying a steaming bowl of sweet soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian-zi, still practicing singing so late?\" His mother set the soup on the desk. \"Is it for tomorrow's second round?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Mom,\" Qian-zi took the bowl and scooped a spoonful. \"This song is special; I want to sing it well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father stood in the doorway and asked curiously, \"What song is so important?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"'Silence Is Golden,'\" Qian-zi smiled mysteriously. \"A song... no one has heard yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother and father exchanged a glance; though puzzled, they encouraged him, \"Then practice well, but don't stay up too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The studio was more formal than during the preliminary round, filled with Shaw Brothers executives and judges. Backstage, Xiang Qian made his final preparations, his palms slightly sweaty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nervous?\" A gentle voice came from behind. Xiang Qian turned to see Zhou Huimin smiling at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A little,\" Xiang Qian admitted honestly. \"So many big shots in the audience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin gently took his hand. \"Don't be afraid. You were so impressive in the preliminaries; you'll definitely do fine this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hand was soft, making Xiang Qian's heart race instantly. \"Thanks... Did you pass the second round?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I passed,\" Zhou Huimin said, her face flushing slightly. \"Good luck to you too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Contestant number 29, Wu Xiangqian!\" A staff member's voice announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian walked to the center of the stage with his guitar as the spotlight fell upon him. He took a deep breath and looked toward the judges' panel—besides the familiar Li Ling and Ni Kuang, several unfamiliar faces were present today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, esteemed judges. I am Wu Xiangqian, and today I present an original song titled 'Silence Is Golden.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the first chord rang out, the entire studio fell silent. Xiang Qian's clear voice, paired with the beautiful melody, made everyone hold their breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The night wind blows cold; alone, I look back on past events and dust...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the chorus began, a man wearing sunglasses in the judges' row suddenly sat up straight. Xiang Qian noticed this detail, and his heart skipped a beat—could that possibly be...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Having learned from lessons, guided by the scriptures...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the final note faded, the studio remained utterly silent. Suddenly, the man in sunglasses was the first to stand and applaud. \"Excellent! Truly excellent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other judges then woke as if from a dream and rose to applaud one after another. Li Ling clapped excitedly. \"That melody, those lyrics! Qian-zi, did you really write this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Xiang Qian answered without changing expression. \"It's something I composed recently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come participate in the competition next Monday,\" Li Ling said to Xiang Qian, struggling to suppress her excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the man in sunglasses removed them, revealing a handsome face—it was Zhang Guorong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiang Qian, is it?\" Zhang Guorong stepped forward, admiration shining in his eyes. \"This song... is very special. I like it very much.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian was so excited he could barely speak. \"Brother! I'm your fan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong smiled and patted his shoulder. \"How about having tea together sometime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course!\" Xiang Qian nodded eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian-zi! You're amazing!\" Zhou Huimin caught up from behind, her cheeks flushed. \"Even Brother praised you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian was still immersed in the joy of meeting his idol. \"I didn't expect to meet Brother Rong either... I mean—\" Zhou Huimin suddenly stopped, lowering her head to fiddle with her hem. \"Um... Qian-zi...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\" Qian-zi turned to look at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I have something I want to tell you...\" Zhou Huimin's voice grew quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian's heart raced. \"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin took a deep breath, summoned her courage, and lifted her head. \"I... I like you! Ever since I first saw you, I...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian froze, then a brilliant smile bloomed on his face. \"Ah Min, I like you too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\" Zhou Huimin's eyes lit up, then she shyly lowered her head again. \"I thought... you only cared about music...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian gently held her hand. \"Music is important, but you... are more important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's face turned as red as a ripe apple. She whispered, \"Then... does this mean we are now...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boyfriend and girlfriend?\" Xiang Qian suggested with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin nodded, a sweet curve lifting the corners of her mouth. \"Mm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked hand in hand under the setting sun, their shadows stretched long and long.\u003C\u002Fp>",748,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","8c7a778196156dd19f481fb2a4dbcfb863469639d77bd2545bcc4a2554ef89ba","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-7","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-5",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-rise-of-the-cultural-empire-cover.jpg"]