Chapter 244: The Only Group Photo

Being packaged and sold to Hello Dick Group by Wu Zongxian was a blow to Jay Chou, evident in his entire demeanor today.

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries with Zhou Yi, he politely took his leave—he knew Zhou Yi was busy; in his old self, he would've retreated to a corner and slipped into social anxiety mode.

But now Jay Chou actively engaged in networking, chatting cheerfully with other artists who came to talk to him, even initiating conversations with strangers.

"He saw Wu Zongxian as a mentor, so he never complained about his contract terms or unfulfilled promises—after all, these two albums had already earned him more than enough money."

Because Zhou Yi had been abroad, Sun Yanzi quietly tugged his sleeve, tiptoeing to whisper in his ear as he leaned down: "Precisely because of that, after being sold to Hello Dick, he became much more outgoing and no longer shy in front of cameras."

As she spoke, her warm breath brushed his ear like a feather; Zhou Yi, thinking she had something profound to say, straightened up and instinctively scratched his ear: "That's a good thing—Hello Dick is a big company, far better at managing people than Wu Zongxian's Alpha."

"?"

Sun Yanzi, sensing Zhou Yi's words carried hidden meaning, hadn't yet opened her mouth to ask when another familiar voice reached her ears—

"How long has it been since we last met, and you've already stormed into the American music scene? Looks like my instincts were right back then—you're a hidden gem."

Elva Hsiao, who had already met her company's concert quota in 2001, teased openly: "Did you hook up with any pretty female stars in America?"

Zhou Yi looked disgusted: "Careful—I'll send you a lawyer's notice."

Zhang Shaohan, who came with Xiao Yaxuan, wanted to mimic their casual dynamic but hesitated before giving a proper greeting: "Brother Yi, congratulations."

"Same to you. Heard you just signed a new idol drama—'Meteor Garden' set a high bar." Zhou Yi smiled teasingly.

"Don't even mention it—I'm a new singer acting, and the director yelled at me nonstop on set." Zhang Shaohan sounded frustrated.

That idol drama 'MVP Lover' consumed all her time this second half of the year, leaving her no chance to even start planning her new album.

Plus, whether it was her imagination or not, she felt Fuma Records didn't seem keen on cultivating her.

Especially now they're still picking her second drama—she didn't understand why.

We don't even know if 'MVP Lover' will be a hit yet—why rush to pick her second one? Are they just squeezing her while the heat's still on?

Not every idol drama is 'Meteor Garden,' you know—she'd be better off focusing on the music market.

"Big deal—I got yelled at too when I guest-starred in 'Infernal Affairs.' Even with that tiny role, they still scolded me—these directors are brutal."

Xiao Yaxuan, who besides concerts also guest-starred in 'Infernal Affairs' this year, immediately joined in complaining.

Fortunately, she'd finished all her concerts last year, so this year was much lighter—besides preparing her new album's theme, she mostly just had award ceremonies left.

"Really? Is acting that terrifying? Is it that different from shooting MVs?" The curious Sun Yanzi immediately looped her arm around Xiao Yaxuan.

In 2001, though Sun Yanzi overtook Xiao Yaxuan in influence by year-end with her 'Kite' album, it didn't affect their friendship.

Though fans fought fiercely, the actual artists got along fine.

They weren't inseparable besties, but they were certainly good friends.

"It's quite different from shooting MVs…"

Since they hadn't seen each other in a while, the three women chatted away. Bold Xiao Yaxuan even discussed Zhou Yi's gossip right in front of him—especially anything involving Wang Fei—making Zhou Yi roll his eyes.

Just as he was about to scold this behavior damaging his reputation, another familiar voice came from behind—

"Zhou Yi, congratulations—you've made history."

Wang Lihong walked up beside Zhou Yi and introduced the person beside him: "This is Tao Zhe."

The future PPT best spokesperson, the one-of-a-kind abstract master of Chinese pop, the Great Carp's honor guardian, the voice-loss war god: Tao Zhe stood beside Wang Lihong—

"Tao Zhe, or call me David. Making the top ten on the Billboard charts is an incredible achievement. Congratulations, Zhou Yi."

For Tao Zhe, this was his first face-to-face meeting with Zhou Yi, and deep inside, he felt a flood of emotions.

When Zhou Yi debuted, Tao Zhe was already established in the Chinese pop scene—but now Zhou Yi had achieved something Tao Zhe could never accomplish, making him feel strangely old, like a former wave crushed on the shore by the new tide.

After all, though he debuted later, at 1969, he was undeniably an elder compared to the true youngsters like Zhou Yi, Jay Chou, Sun Yanzi, and Xiao Yaxuan.

"Thank you, David."

Zhou Yi, seeing Tao Zhe's face and immediately recalling his future absurd antics, forced himself to keep a straight face and replied seriously.

Wang Lihong chimed in beside him—it was clear their relationship was genuinely close.

No wonder later people always said that among the four—Zhou, Wang, Tao, Lin—Wang and Tao got along better, while Zhou and Lin were closer.

Too bad Lin Junjie hadn't debuted yet—if he had, tonight would've gathered all four of Zhou, Wang, Tao, Lin to congratulate me—

Huh?

As he pondered, sharp-eyed Zhou Yi noticed a face eerily familiar—the one he'd seen during the Spring Festival Gala rehearsal:

Lin Junjie?

Why is he here?

"Ayi, come on, let me introduce you—this is Lin Zong from Hai Die Music."

Li Sisong, who had once emerged from Hai Die in Singapore, walked over with two others—

"Hello, Zhou Yi, Lin Qiuli."

Lin Qiuli, currently at Hai Die, extended his hand and introduced the slightly nervous young man beside him: "This is my student, Lin Junjie."

"Hello, Brother Yi, call me JJ—I love your album 'Jiangnan.'"

Hearing his teacher mention him, Lin Junjie immediately forgot he was actually a few months older than Zhou Yi, addressing him as "Brother" and enthusiastically gushing about how much he loved Zhou Yi's 'Jiangnan' album.

"I remember you—you wrote 'Remember' for Yanzi. It's excellent."

Zhou Yi's approachability surprised Lin Qiuli, who had planned to speak up for his student.

He had assumed Zhou Yi was not easy to get along with—after all, the Zhou Yi who appeared on American TV shows had been utterly arrogant.

Even in China, controversies around Zhou Yi never stopped, but they were all buried under his dazzling achievements.

Lin Junjie, now validated by Zhou Yi, was clearly thrilled, and ended by rushing over to Sun Yanzi to sincerely thank her.

Because 'Remember' cracked the top ten on radio charts in Taiwan and mainland China, holding for two and three weeks respectively, Lin Junjie's name shot to fame overnight, entering the Chinese music producer circle.

At least now people would start inviting him to write songs.

After all, according to Sun Yanzi, this song was chosen for her by Zhou Yi from Warner's massive pool of demo submissions.

To be recognized by Zhou Yi—that's the real gold standard!

In the venue, Wang Xiaoyu, who had been wandering around with a camera, finally felt the sweet satisfaction of being a proper media journalist, her shutter clicking nonstop—

Thanks to her backing by Zhou Yi, after successfully completing the mission of gathering evidence against Zang Tianshuo, she had fulfilled her childhood dream; with investment from Chen Hao, general manager of Guiyi Investment, she founded her own news company—Zhiyu Zhiyue Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. —and served as its president.

From then on, with a financial backer, she was officially a true entrepreneur—that's why she was present at tonight's banquet.

After everyone at the celebration had been accounted for, just before Zhou Yi stepped onto the stage, Wang Xiaoyu instinctively pressed the shutter, capturing a crisp photo—

At the center of the photo stood Zhou Yi, dressed in a wine-red suit with a black shirt, radiant and confident; his looks utterly dominated the surrounding male singers.

To Zhou Yi's left stood Wang Lihong, whose height and looks were only slightly inferior to his; to his right stood Jay Chou, engaged in conversation with him.

Tao Zhe stood beside Wang Lihong, while Justin Lo, who had just passed by, paused beside Jay Chou.

Behind these five, one could see Mayday, the newly popular Taiwanese band, following the Rock Records veteran to attend this celebration.

"Who's that guy?"

After taking the photo, Wang Xiaoyu, finding Justin Lo's face unfamiliar, specifically asked a Taiwanese media colleague on-site, who replied he was a songwriter—not a debut singer.

"…"

Damn!

What's a damn songwriter doing here, ruining my composition!

Wang Xiaoyu, who loved the photo, could only sigh inwardly at her bad luck, planning to crop out Justin Lo's figure before publishing it.

Twenty minutes after the celebration officially began, as Zhou Yi raised an ice pick and shattered the fragile ice sculpture marked "100," the lights suddenly dimmed—

——?!

Huh?

Even Zhou Yi on stage was momentarily stunned.

What's going on?

Power outage?

Is Warner reliable at all?

The next second, a melodious piano melody filled every corner of the banquet hall—the "Happy Birthday" song.

"…"

A performance Zhou Yi knew nothing about, a surprise Zhou Yi never expected.

Sun Yanzi, dressed in a cream-and-gold-trimmed evening gown, had somehow seated herself beside the piano on the left stage, the spotlight falling upon her—

As her fingers played the universally familiar "Happy Birthday" melody, Sun Yanzi leaned forward slightly, glancing at Zhou Yi's bewildered expression, then leaned close to the microphone mounted on the piano—

The next instant, the piano stopped; she grinned mischievously and spoke: "Happy birthday, Zhou Yi.

"May you have this day every year, and this moment every year.

"May your fortune flow like the Eastern Sea, your longevity rival Nanshan!"

"…"

What the hell kind of blessing is that?!

Regaining his composure, amid whistles and cheers from below, Zhou Yi helplessly placed one hand on his hip, pressing his slightly dry lips together—

His gaze swept across Qian Jiang and Zhou Jianhui below, still laughing; they had even clapped for him deliberately, their faces beaming with satisfaction at the surprise's success.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you~"

Sun Yanzi's uniquely brilliant diamond-grade voice sang the warm lyrics of "Happy Birthday"; as her song echoed, a section in the center of the stage suddenly rose—

The cake, long prepared, ascended slowly, accompanied by Sun Yanzi's heavenly singing.

Candles flickered in the piano's melody; shadows met across the light.

When the final rest of the beautiful piano melody faded, Sun Yanzi, unable to suppress her toothy grin, rose, picked up the commemorative "1 Million Platinum Single" cake-cutting knife and fork from the piano, lifted the hem of her gown like a thief caught in the act, and dashed to Zhou Yi's side, placing the utensils on the ice table shimmering under the lights—

Since she hadn't taken a microphone, she instinctively reached for the one in Zhou Yi's hand, "snatching" it away and teasing: "How's that? Moved? Got anything you want to say?"

"…"

Zhou Yi wanted to say something, but couldn't hold back a laugh; he pressed his lips together: "I—"

"Don't talk! Kiss him!"

Below, Jay Chou, enjoying the spectacle, cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and bellowed: "Aaaah!"

Instantly, he drew the attention of female stars below: Xiao Yaxuan, Fan Bingbing, Zhang Shaohan, Twins, Zhang Ziyi, Zhang Baizhi.

Among them, Xiao Yaxuan and Fan Bingbin stared at him the longest.

"Kiss your head!"

Before Zhou Yi could speak, Sun Yanzi snatched the microphone back from him, pointing at Jay Chou's direction and scolding with a laugh: "You think my 'Thirteenth Sister' nickname was given for nothing? Watch your safety on the way home."

Jay Chou, his curls bobbing, immediately lowered his head, silent, his hand covering his mouth but unable to hide the laughter in his eyes.

The laughter below grew even louder.

Warner's deluxe edition of the "Kite" CD included behind-the-scenes footage of the twins filming the MV for "The Summer Blown by the Wind"; Zhou Yi's remark about Sun Yanzi—"Others are Hong Xing's Thirteenth Sister; you think you're Thirteenth Sister?"—had become the standard nickname among her fans.

Sun Yanzi had never responded to the nickname "Thirteenth Sister," coined by Zhou Yi—until today.

Brilliant!

(End of Chapter)