[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-8":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},2223671,4066,"Chapter 8: The Competition Venue","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-8",8,"\u003Cp>(Backstage at Shaw Brothers Television, early Monday morning)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains into the dressing room, where Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin sat side by side on a long bench with eyes closed, resting their spirits. People came and went around them; staff members bustled about, while other contestants prepared nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian-zai, I'm so nervous...\" Zhou Huimin whispered, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian opened his eyes, turned his head to look at her, and gently took her hand. \"Don't be afraid. Just pretend there's only me in the audience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin took a deep breath and nodded. \"Mm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a staff member approached. \"Miss Zhou Huimin, you're next. Please get ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin jumped to her feet. Xiang Qian stood up as well and gave her a light hug. \"Good luck, my Ah-Min.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in a long white gown, Zhou Huimin walked slowly onto the stage. Under the spotlight, she looked as beautiful as an elf bathed in moonlight. Seated below were three judges: Zhang Guorong, Huang Zhan, and Xu Guanjie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, esteemed judges. I am Zhou Huimin,\" she said with a slight bow, her voice soft. \"Today, I will sing 'A Love for a Lifetime.' This song...\" She paused, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. \"...was custom-written for me by Xiang Qian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A murmur rippled through the audience, followed by waves of discussion from the seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong's lips curved slightly upward, his eyes holding a knowing smile. Of course he knew the origin of this song—he remembered that day at the bar when Xiang Qian had improvised this very piece, \"A Love for a Lifetime,\" for his young girlfriend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhan adjusted his glasses and asked curiously, \"Custom-written? Does that mean you two are...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's face flushed even deeper, but she summoned her courage to reply, \"We are very good friends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience immediately erupted in good-natured catcalls; some whistled, others clapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Guanjie smiled. \"Ah, youth is wonderful! Alright, begin your performance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and a melodious tune slowly began to play. Her voice was clear and ethereal, like spring water flowing through a mountain ravine, as she poured out the emotions of \"A Love for a Lifetime\":\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From the past until now, once gone, it never returns...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience gradually fell silent, all captivated by her singing. Zhang Guorong closed his eyes slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as if immersed in the music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the sea of bitterness, love and hate rise; in this world, one cannot escape fate...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she reached the climax, Zhou Huimin's gaze instinctively drifted toward the backstage entrance—Xiang Qian was standing there, giving her a thumbs-up. Her heart instantly settled, and her voice became even more moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the final note faded, the venue fell silent for a few seconds before exploding into thunderous applause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong was the first to pick up the microphone. \"Ah-Min, both the melody and lyrics of this song are extremely beautiful, and your interpretation has given it a soul. Full marks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhan also nodded in admiration. \"The compositional level of this song is exceptionally high, and your voice and emotional expression fit it perfectly. I also give full marks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Guanjie laughed teasingly, \"Young people, the power of love is truly great! This song reminds me of my own youth. Full marks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's eyes reddened slightly as she bowed deeply. \"Thank you, esteemed judges!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Zhou Huimin stepped off the stage, Xiang Qian rushed to meet her, lifting her up and spinning her around. \"My Ah-Min was amazing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin wrapped her arms around his neck, beaming. \"It's all because your song was written so well!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a low voice came from nearby. \"This song is indeed quite good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two turned to see Wang Jie leaning against the wall, watching them with a calm gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian set Zhou Huimin down and smiled as he extended his hand. \"Hello, I am Wu Xiangqian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jie shook his hand. \"Wang Jie.\" His tone was indifferent, yet a hint of appreciation lingered in his eyes. \"Your composition has a lot of flavor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled modestly. \"Thank you. I also really like your songs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jie raised an eyebrow. \"Oh? You've heard me sing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian suddenly realized he had slipped up—Wang Jie wasn't famous yet! He quickly covered, \"I meant that your voice sounds like that of someone born to sing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jie chuckled lightly, said nothing more, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Zhou Huimin and Xiang Qian sat down, a sunny, handsome young man approached. \"Hi, I'm Li Keqin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian's eyes lit up—the future \"Flawless\" God of Songs! He greeted him warmly, \"Hello, I am Wu Xiangqian, and this is Zhou Huimin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Keqin smiled as he sat down. \"Ah-Min's performance just now was spectacular; that song was truly wonderful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin smiled sweetly. \"Thank you. Qian-zai wrote it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Keqin looked at Xiang Qian, admiration in his eyes. \"Impressive. You can both sing and compose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian waved his hand. \"Just lucky, that's all. By the way, what song are you preparing to sing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Keqin scratched his head. \"I chose Senior Xu Guanjie's 'Voice of a Wanderer.' I hope I don't mess it up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian patted his shoulder. \"Don't worry. You'll definitely do great.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three judges were discussing the previous performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Guanjie sighed with emotion. \"Young people these days are truly remarkable. The lyrics to 'A Love for a Lifetime' were written with great depth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Guorong smiled. \"Indeed. Especially considering he composed it on the spot, it makes it even more exceptional.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zhan flipped through the list. \"Next is... Wang Jie? He has chosen an original song titled 'One Game, One Dream'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Guanjie raised an eyebrow. \"Oh? There are quite a few original songs today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glint of anticipation flashed in Zhang Guorong's eyes. \"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A staff member approached. \"Mr. Wu Xiangqian, you are contestant number 20. Please get ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian stood up. Zhou Huimin grabbed his hand. \"Good luck!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian leaned down and lightly kissed her forehead. \"Wait for me to return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin nodded, her face flushed. \"Mm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1044,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","5435c7684750e9d762d5c4761e468db3ab35e16dc74b6610a643d7cb0a36bec3","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-9","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-7",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-rise-of-the-cultural-empire-cover.jpg"]