Chapter 255: Prague Square

Xia Qila, Latin America's top diva.

As of 2001, she had sold over ten million albums in Latin America, making her the best-selling Spanish-language female singer in Latin American history.

Although she stands only 157 cm tall, her exceptional body proportions and presence often make her appear two meters and eighty centimeters tall during performances.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I initially thought I'd mistaken someone—you look even taller and more handsome in person than in the MV."

As an already accomplished Latin diva, when she entered the American music scene last year, she crossed paths with Zhou Yi, that formidable newcomer, on the B charts—Xia Qila couldn't forget his face even if she tried.

Especially after her single "Whenever, Wherever" was overtaken by Zhou Yi's "The Lazysong."

"If we don't mention that MV, I think we could still become friends and have a good chat."

After a brief, polite handshake, Zhou Yi shrugged with feigned helplessness: "If I could do it over, I wouldn't have been so careless with the MV for this song—at least I'd have made it more polished."

Xia Qila was clearly surprised by Zhou Yi's chattiness: "Actually, I quite like your current MV—it's simple, but interesting."

Leaving aside Zhou Yi's arrogance displayed on American TV shows and radio last year, the personalities of Chinese singers she'd heard of clearly didn't match his.

"Thank you."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly, then introduced the woman beside him: "This is Elva, my friend, also a Chinese singer."

"In fact, I should be considered his senior—I debuted in China when he was still in school."

Xiao Yaxuan, teasing him in response, didn't show any intimidation despite facing the Latin diva: "Hello, Xia Qila. Nice to meet you."

Who isn't a diva? Though her current title as a Mandopop diva still sounds a bit hollow.

But she had full confidence in her fourth album, "4U," especially with Zhou Yi's backing—once released, her diva status would be absolutely secure.

Yet due to her repeated rebelliousness, the album had been delayed again and again, and even now, the songs weren't fully finished.

With years of experience in the entertainment industry, Xia Qila instantly recognized that the relationship between the two was close—their glances and physical contact during banter couldn't be faked.

Yet one called him a friend, the other called herself his senior?

"Hello, Elva."

Though she wasn't particularly interested in Xiao Yaxuan, Xia Qila still chatted amiably with her for a few moments, then exchanged contact information with both of them—

"I heard you're a big football fan? I envy how your national team made it to this year's World Cup—being able to cheer for your country on the World Cup stage, unlike us Colombians, whose team members can only watch on TV at home."

With the World Cup atmosphere already heating up, the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup became the conversation's entry point—but as Xia Qila sincerely expressed her envy, Zhou Yi felt a strange sensation in his chest—

He never imagined that China's national team could ever bring him any face.

"What, getting restless? They're gone—stop staring."

After the friendly first meeting, as they watched Xia Qila depart, Xiao Yaxuan glanced sideways at the man beside her, who showed no restraint, and reminded him:

"I've never been envied by a foreigner because of China's national team—doesn't that feel weird?"

"What's weird about it? Didn't you say they were almost qualified? That's progress."

Xiao Yaxuan laughed, brushing aside her wind-tousled bangs: "You'll have to get used to China qualifying for the World Cup—so many countries didn't make it. China's team is strong, okay?"

"..."

Zhou Yi opened his mouth to say something, but the words died on his tongue.

Meanwhile, Xia Qila, having exchanged contact information and departed, summoned her assistant and instructed her: "Find out how long Spiker will be staying here, then try to schedule a private dinner with his agent."

The assistant nodded: "Understood."

For Xia Qila, who desperately wanted to establish herself in the American music scene, Zhou Yi—also a newcomer who arrived in America the same year—was clearly an excellent potential partner.

This wasn't about musical collaboration, but about mutual support, huddling together for warmth.

She had no roots in America; Zhou Yi had no roots in America—this was the perfect opportunity for huddling together for warmth.

Forget Warner behind Zhou Yi or Sony behind her—those artists already had their own circles; newcomers rarely got truly accepted.

Not to mention, because of her fiancé, her record label had suspended her new album's release plan at the end of last year, and it remained banned to this day.

"Her fiancé? Who's that?"

Walking along a quiet street, Xiao Yaxuan, munching on a local snack, offered Zhou Yi one, curious.

"The son of Argentina's president."

—?!

Holy shit!

Xiao Yaxuan's eyes widened in shock: "If she'd been born in ancient times, wouldn't she literally be the Crown Princess?"

"Not quite—you're overestimating the influence."

Zhou Yi took a bite, found it unpalatable, and handed the skewer back to Xiao Yaxuan, who glanced at the bitten meat, rolled her eyes, and ate the whole thing herself.

"Her fiancé's father caused Argentina's collapse in December last year, triggering riots, which directly led to the cancellation of their planned wedding date."

"Sony, fearing her new album would flop amid the chaos, canceled its release after consulting her, and Tower Records in the U. S. announced it would stop selling Xia Qila's albums."

"That's why she came as a guest performer despite having no nominations—she wants to stay relevant. She probably approached me because she saw I also need visibility, so she's trying to get close, see if we can huddle together for warmth."

As they strolled to the edge of a beautiful square, Zhou Yi stopped, raised his camera, and snapped photos around him—Xiao Yaxuan, still eating, didn't notice until her greasy, messy face was captured in the frame; their laughter startled a flock of pigeons along the square's edge.

"So she's been ruined by her fiancé—did they break off the engagement?"

"No. According to Warner's research on competitors, she's currently in a breakup phase—she might reconcile with him any day."

Zhou Yi directly blamed Warner for his detailed knowledge.

Breakups and reconciliations were nothing unusual for Western stars—precisely because of this cycle, Xia Qila didn't fully cancel the decade-long engagement until 2011.

"Ugh, terrifying—getting engaged can drag you down like this."

Xiao Yaxuan, squatting on the square's ground, feeding pigeons with snacks she'd bought, shook her head repeatedly: "Good thing I don't want to get married."

Having grown up in a single-parent household, she'd always had psychological trauma around marriage—especially since her father, after she became famous, brazenly told interviewers that without his abandonment, she wouldn't have developed the stubbornness that made her famous.

His words nearly drove her to rage—if her mother and teacher Yao Qian hadn't held her back, she would've publicly exploded on live media.

"You say that like you think I might drag you down?"

Zhou Yi pressed his right palm onto Xiao Yaxuan's head and began rubbing it vigorously, messing up her hair: "You think I'm breaking the law on purpose?"

"Then go over to the wishing pool over there and make a vow first." Xiao Yaxuan, grinning, pointed a finger toward the fountain wishing pool in the square.

"If you want to make a wish, go make one; I'm too lazy to go." Zhou Yi, squatting down and taking over Xiao Yaxuan's pigeon-feeding duties, complained disdainfully.

"Fine, I'll go."

In a pleasant mood, Xiao Yaxuan brushed off her bottom, stood up, hummed a holy little tune, and strolled to the wishing pool—her appearance, eyes closed in devout prayer, merged with the constant tolling of the bells in the square.

Zhou Yi, sitting on the bench, instinctively turned his head to look; the wind, just right, lifted the hem of her skirt and her long hair, disturbing his vision.

【I wish that my family, my teachers, and Zhou Yi will be healthy forever, and our careers will go smoothly.】

"What did you wish for?"

"I wished that you would flop from now on, and then be kept by me."

Xiao Yaxuan returned, raising an eyebrow triumphantly, "domineering" to the extreme: "Stop singing; big sister will keep you."

"That depends on your performance."

Zhou Yi, leaning on the bench with arms spread and legs crossed, glanced her up and down a few times and teased, "Transfer three million to me first to show your strength."

Xiao Yaxuan flew a card over directly: "My supplementary card; no need for change; use the rest to buy supplements."

PS: Tonight's year-end summary drew not a single hair!

Rigged!

I don't accept it! Rigged!

PS2: Ten thousand words tomorrow!

(End of this chapter)