Chapter 72: The Mouth of a Man, a Liar

Writing songs wasn't a problem for Zhou Yi, as long as he first knew the general plot of *Rush Hour 2* and where in the film the producers intended to insert specific music.

Due to his age, Zhou Yi had never fully watched *Rush Hour 2*, the film that marked the peak of Jackie Chan's box-office career in his previous life.

After all, the movie was released globally in 2001, and at that time he was still in second grade.

Later, as he grew older, he mostly watched Hong Kong films starring Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow, and Andy Lau, along with TV dramas co-produced by mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

He only saw a few highlights of Jackie Chan's *Rush Hour* series as an adult, while watching Jackie Chan compilations or introductions on Bilibili, following the UP master's commentary—just enough to know the title was famous but never watched the full film.

After breakfast, Zhou Yi closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, frantically sifting through memories buried deep in his mind, and soon unearthed several brilliant compilations he had watched on Bilibili in his previous life—

A distinct Michael Jackson vibe immediately washed over him, especially the black character who partnered with Jackie Chan as co-lead.

"This black guy really did seem to be good friends with Michael Jackson…"

After recalling everything, Zhou Yi opened his eyes, thought for a moment, and decisively set his target song on Bruno Mars, the artist later dubbed the "Grammy's golden child."

From the fragments in his memory, Bruno Mars's musical style matched the film's tone well.

Now he just had to wait for Qian Jiang to secure the slot and confirm with the producers which scenes' music he needed to write, then directly copy it.

If the producers were smart, they might even ride the wave of Michael Jackson's overseas popularity.

After settling on his target, Zhou Yi changed clothes, stepped out of his hotel room, and headed for Warner's Xiangjiang branch.

As an international giant, Warner's Xiangjiang office, in the eyes of Zhou Yi and Sun Yanzi before they rose to fame, was less a branch and more like the core.

The reason? Simply because Guo Fucheng, the number-one star, and Zheng Xiuwen, the number-one goddess, were both permanently based in Xiangjiang.

"The company has already prepared the formal attire you'll wear tonight for the awards ceremony, and the makeup artist is ready. All you need to do tonight is adjust your mindset, because you won't win nearly as many awards here as you did on the mainland."

As his agent, Qian Jiang feared Zhou Yi, freshly crowned on the mainland, might feel a psychological drop, and reminded him as they walked.

Based on Zhou Yi's 2000 achievements, the only award he could reliably win in Xiangjiang was still Best New Artist.

Unless the Top Ten Chinese Golden Melodies completely lost their dignity and openly targeted him.

"Relax, I get it—"

"Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi! Was Fan Bingbin in your hotel room last night? We saw her pick you up, and you had dinner together!"

"Zhou Yi! Your other rumored girlfriend, Xiao Yaxuan, has also arrived in Xiangjiang today. How are you handling the relationship between Fan Bingbin and Xiao Yaxuan?!"

"Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi! Is Fan Bingbin the third party?!"

"Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi! Are you cheating? Or have you already broken up with Xiao Yaxuan?!"

The moment Zhou Yi stepped out of the hotel, the paparazzi lurking outside surged forward before he could react—

Caught completely off guard, Zhou Yi's eyelid twitched; his years of physical training triggered an instinctive reflex—he stepped back, avoiding the paparazzi who lunged toward him.

Experienced Warner staff and hotel security lined up in two rows, forcefully repelling every paparazzo attempting to breach the barrier.

Flashbulbs blinded Zhou Yi's eyes; he inwardly marveled at the professionalism of Xiangjiang's paparazzi, yet his face remained expressionless. Calmly, he took the sunglasses Qian Jiang offered, placed them on his nose, and showed no sign of disturbance.

"Please make way. Please make way. Everyone, kindly step aside. Do not obstruct passage."

The hotel security guards became emotionless echo machines, clearing a path for Zhou Yi's departure.

"Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi, are you guilty? Xiao Yaxuan's hotel is three streets away from yours—have you really fallen out?"

"Zhou Yi! Some say you're not just stepping on two boats—you're stepping on four or five. Is that true?!"

"…"

Amid the chaos, Zhou Yi, who should have kept walking, suddenly stopped.

Seeing trouble brewing, Qian Jiang reached out to grab him, but Zhou Yi waved him off, turned toward the paparazzi whose faces were flushed and veins bulging from shouting, and stepped forward—

The paparazzi, expecting another beating, instantly lit up with excitement, pushing forward and battering the human wall formed by hotel security, terrified they'd miss out on Zhou Yi's next punch.

"Zhou Yi, you—"

"At 9 a. m. today, I'll try on clothes at Warner, then tour Xiangjiang's bustling attractions, and attend a company event—with Fan Bingbin as my guide;

"I'll have lunch with Fan Bingbin, between 12:10 and 1 p. m., then head to Tsim Sha Tsui.

"After that, I'll meet Xiao Yaxuan because she still owes me a trophy I'm holding for her—and a reimbursement for running errands. Around 4 p. m., I'll go with her to the Xiangjiang Sports Arena for the pre-awards ceremony networking event."

Here, Zhou Yi paused deliberately, lifted his sunglasses slightly with his right hand, and smirked: "If you can intercept me within my schedule, I'll answer every question—no evasions. Whether you land the exclusive scoop depends entirely on your own skills.

"So, can you please move aside so I can get to the company?

"Otherwise, if we just stand here wasting time, I'll get angry—and that won't be good for anyone."

"…???"

The Xiangjiang paparazzi, never having seen such a tactic, were collectively stunned.

What did that mean? Which celebrity voluntarily reveals their full schedule?

And with such meticulous detail—every time, every location—

So cooperative?

Shouldn't they be screaming and fighting? They'd even prepared to file workplace injury reports.

Zhou Yi's behavior completely threw off the paparazzi, who'd braced themselves for battle; seeing his sincerity, they instinctively parted to let him pass.

Zhou Yi smiled satisfiedly, grabbed the equally bewildered Qian Jiang, and bolted away. Before stepping into the chauffeured car, he turned back and waved cheerfully at the paparazzi, his face beaming: "See you later?"

"…"

"What are you doing, Ah Yi? Our schedule today doesn't include any of that!"

After getting in the car and closing the door, Qian Jiang sighed: "Your personal image matters. You shouldn't play these kinds of tricks."

"I'm not playing tricks—I'm just stating my schedule. But against the company, I'm just a small fish. I can't refuse the new itinerary they've assigned me."

Zhou Yi, legs crossed, grinned wider: "Right, Uncle Qian?"

"…"

Thus, when Zhou Yi's incredibly detailed schedule spread across the entire Xiangjiang paparazzi circle before 9 a. m., some skeptical reporters, tempted by their bosses and salaries, grabbed equipment and rushed to the locations.

After all, this mainland kid shouldn't be so skilled at lying, right?

And he'd blurted out the schedule suddenly, with such vivid, precise details—times, places, people—all accounted for—hardly like a fabrication.

Then, they came up empty.

Not only Zhou Yi, they didn't even see a shadow of Fan Bingbin; the group carried their long and short guns and made a wasted trip.

"These paparazzi are too stupid; how could anyone believe this? Anyone would know this is impossible."

At nine in the morning, inside a hotel room, Xiao Yaxuan, who had learned of this from Zhou Yi's mouth, was so happy she couldn't close her mouth.

"This is how paparazzi are; even if there's only a one-in-a-thousand chance, they'd rather believe it's true. After all, I'm just a nineteen-year-old child."

Warner·Honest Child·Zhou Yi, facing Xiao Yaxuan who was trying on a gown, shrugged with feigned helplessness.

Hearing this, Xiao Yaxuan immediately became curious: "Aren't you afraid of offending this group of paparazzi in Xiangjiang?"

"If they have the ability, let them come to the mainland to secretly photograph me; I'll let them see what a real lawyer's letter warning is. As for Xiangjiang, it doesn't matter."

"Then what about that Fan Bingbin?"

"She probably wishes deep down to spread rumors with me; if not for a bit of backbone that refuses to kneel, she would have thrown herself at me last night."

"Oh?" Xiao Yaxuan narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone suddenly drawing out into a long note, her expression full of amusement.

"No."

"..."

???

Xiao Yaxuan, who hadn't reacted in time, rolled her eyes after seeing that wicked smile on the man's face: "Sometimes I really wonder what's inside your head; even such normal words can be twisted by you."

"No choice; maybe this is just a special talent."

The real·Zhou Yi, who came to deliver the trophy, shrugged: "Where shall we eat at noon?"

"To—"

Just as Xiao Yaxuan was about to answer, the mobile phone in Zhou Yi's pocket suddenly rang—

Zhou Yi frowned, then immediately took the Nokia out of his pocket and glanced at the caller ID: Jackie Chan.

(End of this chapter)