The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

Affected by the "Moon Emperor's Fall" incident, the Chinese entertainment industry has seen a decline in musical fervor, the absence of new song concerts featuring ten masterpieces, and the lack of professional lyricists who dare to capture the essence of music with a single title. The listening habits that the public had painstakingly cultivated suddenly experienced a brief lull.

Many singers took this opportunity to release songs, attempting to replace Li Zichun's position in the public's mind. However, the more songs they released, the more people understood the gap between people. At this time, the sudden arrival of Hong Kong music caught everyone off guard.

The preliminary rounds of the singing competitions and the national ranking battles in various regions are all broadcast live. Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan are already kings with their own fan base. Even if they are suppressed, it is not easy for anyone to replace them.

The two's outstanding performance in the preliminary round of the singing competition quickly attracted everyone's attention, but no one noticed the arrogant emperor Li Zichun from beginning to end. Instead, it was the musician named "Senluo" who wrote the lyrics and music for them who caught everyone's attention. Is he the person with the same name as the most popular writer of our time?

Everyone looked on with suspicion, but there was no denying that the man named "Li Zichun" had truly vanished, and no one could continue his legend. Only then did everyone realize that some talented people are inherently irreplaceable.

While "The Evening Breeze Blows in My Heart," which climbed the charts at an extremely fast pace, only reached number ten on the Great Zhou National Music Chart, it broke the record that regional dialects were not allowed to enter the domestic music scene. It also made mainland musicians turn their attention to the southern provinces for the first time, and they never expected that such a beautiful song could come from a regional dialect.

The nine tones and six registers of the "Nine Linked Rings" islands have also officially attracted everyone's attention. Even though most people have to read the subtitles to understand what they are singing, they can't resist the emotions in the song and the catchy melody. In addition, the stunning good looks of Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke, as well as the mysterious girl with the veil, all make people's imaginations run wild.

Li Zichun, the instigator of all this, is currently lying on the ground being ravaged by Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke.

To maintain her youthful image, Li Zichun wore a corset and a bustier. She has been eating a bit more these past few days and has gained a little weight, so she can barely fit into her old clothes anymore.

Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke were pressing hard on his stomach, shouting, "Inhale, inhale, take a deep breath, just a little bit more..."

It took the three of them a lot of effort to get Li Zichun into the smallest size M skirt. It was exhausting. Being a woman is hard, being a beautiful woman is even harder.

Li Zichun said in a frustrated mood, "Damn it, this is going to kill me."

Zhao Qianfan pouted and said, "I told you not to eat barbecue, hot pot, and ice cream afterward last night. Your stomach can't digest it anymore."

While irritably adjusting the position of her skirt, pulling it left and right, Li Zichun said with dissatisfaction, "It's all your fault. I ate so much and haven't digested it all night. We need to come back early after singing, otherwise I suspect we won't be able to hold it in."

Li Ke looked him up and down and said, "I think this is great. There's no need to be thin to look good. Girls are beautiful with a little bit of meat on their bones too."

Li Zichun rolled his eyes and said, "Give me a break. If you woke up every day to find a fat man who was over 250 centimeters tall and could crush you with a turn of his head, would you dare to share a bed with him for the rest of your life?"

Before he could retort, Li Zichun picked up the cosmetics from the windowsill and, while applying her makeup, casually said, "Women, only when you've been thin and beautiful will men remember your goodness. It's not that you have to be thin, but you have to leave a lasting impression, not make people feel disgusted from the start. Only if you've been beautiful and pretty, even if you're old and your looks have faded, people will still say that you were stunningly beautiful. Just thinking about that afternoon with dappled shadows, her casual glance back, is enough to soften the rest of our lives, enough for us to remember for a lifetime."

Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke exchanged a glance, both of them seemingly thoughtful, feeling that his words made some sense, yet something seemed off.

Li Ke said unwillingly, "If she had already lost her figure and aged when we first met, wouldn't no one have wanted her?"

Li Zichun rolled her eyes at him, calmly continuing to apply her makeup, and said, "Foolish. You yourself just said that a woman's beauty isn't just about her appearance, so why be so fixated on looks? She was already old when she met you, and you won't stay young forever! Mutual understanding and appreciation are what truly matter..."

As Li Zichun spoke, she inexplicably recalled an old song. Her expression immediately relaxed, as if recalling something pleasant, and she softly hummed a song released by Karen Mok in 2015:

When you are old, your hair is white, and you are drowsy

When you get old and can't walk anymore

Dozing by the fireplace, reminiscing about youth

How many loved your moments of youth and joy

Admiring your beauty, whether feigned or genuine.

Only one person still loves your devout soul.

I love the wrinkles on your aging face.

When you get old, your eyebrows droop.

The lights were dim and flickering.

The wind blows your message

This is the song in my heart.

How many loved your moments of youth and joy

Admiring your beauty, whether feigned or genuine.

Only one person still loves your devout soul.

I love the wrinkles on your aging face.

When you are old, your eyebrows droop, and the lamplight is dim and flickering.

When I'm old, I truly hope this song is for you.

"When You Are Old" is a song adapted by Zhao Zhao from the poem of the same name by Irish poet William Butler Yeats. The song's creation stemmed from Zhao Zhao's feelings for his mother. Having previously worked as a musician in Beijing, he rarely sang for his mother. While reading Yeats's poem "When You Are Old," he was suddenly reminded of his mother's image under the dim light of her window, and this inspired him to write the song. It gained widespread recognition on February 18, 2015, after being performed by Karen Mok at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

Li Zichun's humming was clear and melodious, like a recollection or a story. Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan, who were standing nearby, lit up and fawned over him. He said without even turning his head, "Whoever receives an invitation to perform at the National Spring Festival Gala first, this song will be yours to sing."

Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke exchanged a glance, then snorted at each other, their confident expressions suggesting, "This song will be mine sooner or later."

After Li Zichun finished her makeup, her increasingly sophisticated technique made the overall look more lively and colorful. Combined with her fresh and playful temperament, she was the epitome of a charming little enchantress.

Zhao Qianfan gave an elegant gentlemanly bow and said, "Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of escorting you?"

Li Ke retorted, not to be outdone, "My esteemed Queen, your carriages are ready. Shall we depart now?"

Looking at the two men's eager expressions, Li Zichun yawned, picked up the veil on the table, and said, "Alright, you two who are about to defend your title as King of Singers, it's time to get going."

Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke followed closely behind Li Zichun, like two handsome bodyguards, protecting him all the way.

The second regional ranking battle was held in the same place. Since it was an internal battle between regions, the venue was very random, and it tested one's ability to adapt to the situation.

These were all child's play for the seasoned Li Zichun. He had nothing to fear when it came to singing live. Moreover, Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke believed that if it were just a simple a cappella performance, there were probably no more than ten people in the entire Kowloon port who could beat him. After all, they were still reminiscing about "When You Are Old" from an hour ago.

Their company only has three people. Li Zichun is in charge of the national music company ranking battle, while the other two are responsible for competing for this year's King of Singers trophy. The reason for sending both of them is just for double insurance. After all, Zhao Qianfan's connection with him is too deep. Although Li Ke also spoke up for him in the "Moon Emperor's Fall" incident, they only collaborated on two songs from beginning to end. So even if he was implicated, it wouldn't matter much. If it weren't for Wanwanqingdiao's own foolishness, and to make him understand the fickleness of human relationships so that he could be used for a long time, plus the fact that his contract was about to expire, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to take him under his wing.

Everything is simply a matter of cause and effect, and each person takes what they need.

Li Zichun's name was near the top of the list. He walked confidently and calmly onto the stage, the small sachets and tassels on either side of his veil swaying gently. His last Cantonese song performance was just a trial run, but since he made it to this round, it seems he has great potential.

The residents of Kowloon Harbour hadn't heard such catchy and pleasant music in a long time, especially in the local dialect, so they were even more eager to support it. Therefore, everyone greatly appreciated him and remembered the name of the company with only three people: the Three Musketeers of the Wind and Dust.

The name "Three Heroes of the Wind and Dust" comes from the Tang Dynasty legend "The Tale of the Bearded Stranger," referring to three heroes from the late Sui and early Tang dynasties: the Bearded Stranger, Li Jing, and Hong Fu Nu. Since there are two men and one woman, and Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke both have rather athletic builds, he had no choice but to reluctantly impersonate Hong Fu Nu, one of history's most successful female investors.

The company consists of two men and one woman, and their first release was a masterpiece that quickly became a hit, making it hard to miss. After listening to their three previous songs, everyone is even more eager for their next work.

Li Zichun walked slowly forward, calmly ascending the stage. Because the regional selections were relatively casual, with fewer restrictions, the national competition would be the real battleground, testing the accumulated experience and foundation built over the past year. After some consideration, she decided to sing Faye Wong's classic hit that swept Hong Kong and quickly established her status—it was time to build up her popularity.

She began to sing "Easily Hurt Woman" slowly, accompanied by the music:

As people grew drunk, the night deepened.

How close we are at this moment

Thoughts seemed to be shaking

The contradictions are also deeper.

A heart that was once broken allows you to gently approach it today.

So much comfort and so many questions, a secret rebirth.

I couldn't help myself, but I'm actually an extremely easily hurt woman.

No, no, no, don't come and go so suddenly.

Please cherish my heart.

If you understand me, I'd rather continue to be passionately in love with this easily hurt woman.

Don't wait, kiss me passionately now!

Even in the long night, your presence makes me truly drunk; it has finally allowed me to find trust.

Regardless of all the doubts, happiness is my lover.

I was afraid of this life

You are always willing to get close

I then realized that we were destined to be together.

Rebuild my confidence

A heart that has been broken

Let you gently approach today

How much comfort and how many questions

Secret regeneration

I couldn't help myself, but I actually belong to...

Extremely vulnerable woman

No, no, no, don't come and go so suddenly.

Please cherish my heart.

If you understand, I'll continue to be willing to be in love.

This easily hurt woman

A passionate kiss that lasts a lifetime

Even in the long night, with you by my side, I am truly drunk.

I finally found trust

Regardless of everything, it's all a question.

Happiness is a lover...

Lee Tsz-Chun's singing voice is dreamlike and ethereal. His unique soulful singing style has truly left a deep impression on everyone in Kowloon. It is ethereal, beautiful, tender, and captivating, making it a song that you can listen to again and again without getting tired of it.

"I can't help myself, but I'm actually an extremely easily hurt woman. / Don't, don't, don't rush things. / Please cherish my heart. / If you understand me, I'm willing to continue loving this easily hurt woman. / Don't wait, please kiss me passionately at this moment."

Even in the long night, with you by my side, I am truly drunk / I have finally found trust / Regardless of all the doubts / Happiness is my lover.

As Li Zichun finished singing and the last note faded, thunderous applause erupted from the audience. He stood on the stage, contentedly basking in the applause, his expression indifferent, as if it were all a matter of course.

After the thunderous applause subsided, just as she was about to leave the stage, the hosts Zeng Ziwei and Zhen Yuling stepped forward and said, "Ms. Li Yuehe, please wait a moment. We have received quite a few questions about you. Do you have time to answer a few?"

Li Zichun glanced at the two of them with a charming look, as if he was about to stir up trouble. He calmly said in a clear female voice, "The competition time is limited, so I'll just ask three simple questions. Otherwise, people will think I got this much screen time because I got in through connections."

The audience burst into laughter. Everyone else was eager for more screen time, but she was like a breath of fresh air, taking things as they came.

Zeng Ziwei quickly glanced at the cue cards and said with a smile, "In that case, let's choose the three questions that have the most curious people. The first question is, why do singers always wear veils? The second question is, is this a real voice or a pre-recorded one? Could you sing a few lines for us live?"

Li Zichun patted his hand and chuckled, "That's quite a long question."

PS: Data is from the internet.

"When You Are Old" is a single from Karen Mok's EP released in 2015. The original singer is Zhao Zhao, with lyrics by Ye Zhi and Zhao Zhao, music composed by Zhao Zhao, and arrangement by Peng Fei. The version used here by Li Zichun is Karen Mok's female vocal version.

"Easily Hurt Woman" is a song sung by Faye Wong and also an insert song in the TV series "The Greed of Man". The lyrics were written by Poon Yuen-leung, the music composed by Miyuki Nakajima, and the arrangement by Tony Lo. It was included in Faye Wong's 1992 album "Coming Home". In 1992, the song won the Top Ten Gold Songs Award at the 15th Hong Kong Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards Ceremony, the Gold Song Award at the TVB Jade Solid Gold Awards, one of the Top Ten Gold Songs at the RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards, the Supreme Song Award at the RTHK Ultimate Song Chart Awards, the National Professional Recommendation Award at the RTHK Ultimate Song Chart Awards, and the My Favorite Female Singer Award at the RTHK Ultimate Song Chart Awards.