Chapter 414: Hearts Like the Blazing Sun with Ten Thousand Rays of Light

At this moment, even Sun Nan, who had always harbored a hint of resentment deep in his heart, had to admit that Han Hong made a very valid point.

In the hearts of the others, the choice to agree was made simultaneously.

Qu Ying, who most desired to break into the international market, gazed at the high-spirited figure on stage, feeling an indescribable... bitterness?

Or perhaps... envy and jealousy.

As a model, if she had a choice, the place she would most want to appear right now was not this Sino-Korean Song Festival venue, but the Victoria's Secret runway, to compete on the same track as those world-class supermodels.

The Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen's 2000 lingerie endorsement contract with Victoria's Secret, valued at 15 million USD, was the envy of countless people in the modeling world, and Qu Ying was no exception.

If she could, she too wanted to secure such an endorsement contract, even if the money and brand were not as good as Gisele Bündchen's.

But she could not.

Although she had bought extensive coverage in domestic media, the reaction in foreign markets would not lie—

She had never truly broken into the international market and could not earn much in US dollars, so she could only scurry back home once she grew older.

Fortunately, the domestic market greatly favored those who returned after being "gilded" abroad; after her return, she remained highly sought-after, leveraging the title of "China's Number One Supermodel" to thrive, making guest appearances and acting in various films and TV dramas, far more comfortable than her time abroad.

In 1997, she even starred in Zhang Yimou's film "Keep Cool," marking a successful career transition.

She herself believed this to be true.

Originally, she could have continued deceiving herself like this; as long as no one popped her fantasy bubble, she would remain the high-spirited supermodel "bringing glory to the country" described by the media and spoken of by the public, the "Mou Girl" An Hong who wisely retreated from the torrent.

But Zhou Yi's appearance constantly reminded her of what true high spirits actually looked like—

"Youth possesses its own wildness, bodies straight as Shanhe ridges,

"Daring to measure the sun and moon again, today only we are the young men~

"Daring to ask heaven and earth to test our sharp edge, cutting through thorns and brambles, who can block us?

"The world laughs at me, yet I strengthen myself, living up to our youth~"

Pure white light enveloped the man's head; the majestic lyrics and melody resonated in the hearts of everyone present. With his left arm extended, Zhou Yi strolled across the stage, his spine straight as an arrow, his handsome and elegant face, under the illumination of the light, even revealing a touch of sanctity—

Painted on Lingyan, ascending to Ganquan, since ancient times, glory has belonged to the young.

At this moment, many within the Chinese team gained a deeper understanding of this line of poetry by Lu You.

Were not the things Zhou Yi had done in the past, especially those accomplished in Europe and America, precisely "daring to measure the sun and moon again"?

While still young, he cut through thorns and brambles in Europe and America, unmatched by anyone. Even when faced with immense criticism, ridicule, and even attacks, he remained true to himself, neither losing his way nor suffering defeat.

Before him, no singer in the pop music field had ever achieved such a feat; not even Teresa Teng could do it.

Although arts like opera, classical music, and bel canto are elegant, when it comes to mass influence on a global scale, one must truly look to the pop music field, which sits at the low end of the contempt chain.

"This song must be performed at the Spring Festival Gala! This song must be performed at the Spring Festival Gala!"

Inside the Chinese director's group for the Sino-Korean Song Festival, several assistant directors watched the old director, who was so excited he was nearly arguing with the person on the other end of the phone; although they secretly chuckled, they also understood completely.

There were not many Chinese people at the Sino-Korean Song Festival venue who could understand Chinese, at most adding a few Koreans who knew the language.

Even when broadcast domestically, the viewership would likely only spread among the younger generation.

But the Spring Festival Gala was different.

The grandeur of this song destined it to be a piece suitable for all Chinese people at home and abroad—

"Youth possesses its own wildness, hearts like the blazing sun with ten thousand rays of light,

"A thousand difficulties and ten thousand barriers, I will break through them, today only we are the young men!"

On stage, singing the final high-pitched section, Zhou Yi enunciated the words "blazing sun" with exceptional emphasis; his clear, piercing high notes perfectly matched the sharpness belonging to his age. After stopping his pacing, he pointed his left hand vaguely toward the front of the stage—

"The sky is high, the seas are vast, ten thousand li long, the spirit of Huaxia's youth soars,

"Striving hard to become pillars of the nation~

"Living up to our youth!!!"

Applause!

Thunderous applause!

The moment the song concluded, initially only the Chinese people in the venue stood to applaud, but soon after, Zhou Yi's Korean fans joined in—

Many of them might not understand Chinese, but they were willing to applaud for Zhou Yi, a figure substantial enough to become material for their dreams at night, and willing to applaud for Zhou Yi's performance state.

Members of the Chinese director's group excitedly captured footage of these Koreans standing up involuntarily; the next second, that highly watched Samsung Princess also rose from her VIP seat, becoming the only person in the Korean VIP section to stand and applaud—

Standing out as distinctly as a crane among chickens.

Having finished singing two songs, Zhou Yi did not leave the stage; with arms open, bathing in applause and light, he made eye contact with the Young Lady who had stood to applaud in the VIP section; both parties exchanged a smile, and the camera clearly captured this moment.

"Young Lady, doing this does not create a good impression."

"If you only care about so-called reputation, then you can go back to my father right now."

Completely disregarding the faint gazes of the people around her, Li Yinxin, calm and composed, slowly sat down, and with a casual remark, prepared to dismiss the driver.

"That is not what I meant, Young Lady."

"Then go back and tell my father..."

Speaking, Li Yinxin paused slightly; without even turning her head to look at the driver in the seat behind her, her tone was firmer than ever before: "I have found my own goal, a goal completely different from my eldest sister's."

The young lady, speaking without any attempt to avoid eavesdroppers, simply sat in her seat and watched the final joint performance by Chinese and Korean stars singing "Auld Lang Syne," and even attended the celebratory banquet.

When she appeared before Zhou Yi holding a glass of champagne, the latter was joking and laughing with Han Hong and others.

"Congratulations, a perfect performance."

Having changed into a deep blue evening gown, Li Yinxin highlighted her greatest physical asset; her jet-black hair ends were coiled into a bun, and her pure silver earrings added an unapproachable nobility under the lights.

"Thank you."

Zhou Yi, who always accepted compliments without hesitation, clinked glasses with her: "Nice outfit."

"Getting a word of praise from your mouth is no easy task."

Neither affirming nor denying, Li Yinxin smiled and took a sip of the champagne in her glass: "I want to start a business; are you interested in coming over to be a spokesperson?"

"No interest."

Zhou Yi didn't even think, rejecting it outright: "You should just be a rich girl like you always have."

It's not the fear of rich second-generation kids eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and smoking; it's the fear of them getting it into their heads to start a business.

Admittedly, Samsung provides a safety net, but even Samsung internally must evaluate financial reports; it's impossible for such a huge conglomerate to play house with this little princess.

"I can give you a substantial endorsement fee."

"I have no interest in money."

"..."

Damn it!

Choked by a single sentence, Li Yinxin immediately put on an awkward yet polite smile: "When are you returning to China? Let me treat you to a meal, consider it my thanks."

"The day after tomorrow. I have nothing to do staying in Korea anyway."

Speaking, Zhou Yi asked with some curiosity: "Did I help you with something? Thank me?"

"Of course."

Li Yinxin nodded very affirmatively, smiling gently: "You made me understand the concept of freedom."

Zhou Yi was amused: "Freedom?"

"Yes."

The woman raised her glass to clink against the man's, lifting her chin slightly to gaze into his deep eyes: "Freedom."

"Is that so? How do I not know that?"

"You don't need to know; your very existence is already that."

Li Yinxin raised her hand to brush back the hair slightly scattered across her forehead, her tone exceptionally certain.

Whether it's the freedom of a heartbroken person not listening to slow songs, or the carefree spirit of a youth who is naturally wild.

In her eyes, Zhou Yi, who "scorns everything," had already shown her another possibility—a possibility she had never dared to imagine before.

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow: "So, you're going to start a business?"

"Isn't that what you sang?"

Li Yinxin swirled her wine glass contentedly: "A youth is naturally wild, heart like a blazing sun with ten thousand feet of light. Facing a thousand hardships and ten thousand obstacles, I will break through; today, I alone am the young hero?"

(End of this chapter)