[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-7":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},2223670,4066,"Chapter 7","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-7",7,"\u003Cp>(Shaw Brothers Studio, President's Office)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ling held a folder, standing respectfully before Shaw Yifu's desk: \"Uncle Six, this amateur selection indeed yielded a few promising talents, especially that young man named Wu Xiangqian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaw Yifu set down his teacup, raising an eyebrow: \"Oh? The one who sang 'Let Me Be Happy, Let Me Worry' and 'Silence Is Gold'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Li Ling nodded, admiration in her eyes. \"Not only is his singing superb, but his compositional ability is astonishing. During yesterday's second round of auditions, even Leslie praised him endlessly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaw Yifu pondered for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk: \"Keep a close watch on him. The contract terms can be generous; do not let other companies poach him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ling smiled: \"Understood, Uncle Six.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin, arm linked with Xiang Qian's, strolled along the bustling streets. She wore a pale yellow dress today that made her skin appear as fair as snow, her smile bright and radiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian-zai, where shall we eat?\" she asked, tilting her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian affectionately pinched the tip of her nose: \"What do you want to eat? My treat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's eyes lit up: \"I heard a new Western restaurant opened in Lan Kwai Fong. Shall we try it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I'll follow your lead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under soft lighting, the two sat facing each other. Zhou Huimin cut a small piece of steak and held it to Xiang Qian's mouth: \"Taste?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled, opened his mouth to accept it, then nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm: \"Mmm! Delicious! But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it's not as sweet as my Ah Min.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's face instantly flushed; she playfully swatted him: \"Smooth talker!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian laughed heartily, taking her hand: \"I speak the truth. When I'm with you, everything tastes sweet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening, the bar was dimly lit with soothing music playing. Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin sat in a corner booth, two cocktails before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin took a sip of her drink, then suddenly looked at Xiang Qian with sparkling eyes: \"Qian-zai, I have a request...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm? What request?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could you...\" she lowered her head shyly, \"improvise a song for me? Right here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian paused, then smiled: \"Now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin nodded, expectation in her eyes: \"I want to hear a song you write for me, something unique.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian gazed at her hopeful expression, thought for a moment, then drained his glass, stood up, and said: \"Alright, stay seated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked to the small stage in the center of the bar, whispered a few words to the singer currently performing. The singer smiled, nodded, and handed over his guitar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian took the guitar, tested the tuning, and spoke into the microphone: \"Hello everyone, sorry to interrupt. I'd like to sing an improvised song for my girlfriend. I hope you don't mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrons in the bar began cheering; some whistled, others clapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Handsome guy, go for it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin sat below, cupping her face with both hands, her eyes filled with sweetness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong and Mei Yanfang were sitting by the railing on the second floor; hearing the commotion, they looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\" Mei Yanfang raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong looked over and smiled: \"Wu Xiangqian, a very talented young man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Yanfang rested her chin on her hand, intrigued: \"Improvisation? Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian took a deep breath, his fingers gently plucking the strings as a melodious intro slowly rose. Gazing tenderly at Zhou Huimin, he began to sing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From past to present, once gone, it never returns; red fallen leaves, buried deep within the dust...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was clear and deeply emotional, the lyrics flowing like poetry. The noise in the bar gradually subsided, everyone captivated by his singing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin stared at him in a daze, her eyes gradually moistening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the bitter sea, love and hate arise; in this world, fate is hard to escape. Though kin, we cannot draw near; perhaps I should believe it is destiny...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second floor, Mei Yanfang's eyes widened slightly: \"These lyrics...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong sighed softly: \"Unparalleled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian's fingers gently muted the strings, his voice fading. He looked at Zhou Huimin and said softly: \"This song is called 'Love of a Lifetime,' dedicated to my Ah Min.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bar erupted in enthusiastic applause and whistles. Zhou Huimin could no longer hold back; she rushed onto the stage and threw herself into Xiang Qian's arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian-zai...\" her voice choked with emotion, \"I love this song so much, I love you so much...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian held her tightly, whispering in her ear: \"So do I. The love of a lifetime is only you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Yanfang turned to Zhang Guorong with a smile: \"Leslie, this young man is extraordinary. You must introduce him to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong nodded with a smile: \"Certainly. I was just thinking of collaborating with him myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hand in hand, Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin strolled along streets glittering with neon lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian-zai,\" Zhou Huimin suddenly stopped walking, \"will you keep writing songs for me forever?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian turned, cupped her face, and said seriously: \"Not just songs. I also want to write a lifetime of stories for you—our stories.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears shimmered in Zhou Huimin's eyes; she stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed his lips: \"It's a promise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled and pulled her into an embrace; in the night, their figures stood closely intertwined.\u003C\u002Fp>",896,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","4c60ac97647037fe2e2cdfaecb7ce9b4bcb8c955f18b8f3c42514210c330ae32","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-8","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-6",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-rise-of-the-cultural-empire-cover.jpg"]