The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan looked tense on stage. They hadn't expected that the national ranking qualifiers would be hosted by big names like Zeng Ziwei and Zhen Yuling, who were well-known throughout the nine ports.

Before coming to Kowloon, Li Zichun had naturally done in-depth research. Even if he had never met the celebrities here, he would definitely remember their faces. Therefore, he was very careful in dealing with them.

Perhaps the series of incidents in the mainland were caused by his excessive use of the thirteen-person incantation, which led to a loss of control. This time, he should learn his lesson and behave better.

Li Zichun's witty response to Zeng Ziwei amused the audience with his unexpected teasing. He continued, "Wearing a veil is just to prevent people from focusing on my face, so they can quietly listen to my voice and these songs that represent the hard work of many people. I prefer people to focus on my work rather than me as a person. As for whether it's a real person or a pre-recorded song, I'll just sing a few lines, so please open your eyes wide and listen carefully."

Li Zichun picked up the microphone and slowly began to sing: "My heart, once broken / Let you gently approach me today / So much comfort and so many questions / Secretly reborn / My emotions are hard to control, but I am actually a woman who is extremely easily hurt / Don't, don't, don't come and go so suddenly / Please cherish my heart..."

Although Li Zichun only sang a few simple lines, without the interference of accompaniment, his voice sounded even more pure and ethereal, as steady as a CD. The lingering sound echoed in the venue, abruptly ending at the climax, leaving the audience breathless. He then smiled and playfully said, "If you want to hear more, remember to buy and download our company's works online to support us. Although we are newly established, please pay more attention to us."

Zhen Yuling was the first to snap out of her daze from his singing, and said with a smile, "Wow, that's great! I'm a fan of yours now. I've downloaded and listened to the other two songs from your company. Especially with handsome guys like Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan in the background, aren't you tempted?"

Li Zichun feigned surprise and said, "Really? Thank you so much for your presence. As for handsome guys like Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan? Um, I don't think they're handsome at all. Aren't they just average-looking?"

His slightly mischievous tone and remarks caused the audience to burst into laughter. It should be noted that Li Ke is known as the handsome young man, while Zhao Qianfan's innate aristocratic temperament makes it impossible to look away.

The camera panned to the two people in the audience. They looked at each other, smiled contemptuously, as if to say: See? I told you you weren't good-looking.

The trio's perfect teamwork ignited the entire venue, and if it weren't for the limited time, the audience would have loved to keep watching.

Zeng Ziwei said with a smile, "Now for the last question, which is also the question everyone is most concerned about: Do you have a boyfriend? If not, would you like to consider me?"

Li Zichun smiled and looked at him, saying, "No, thank you for your kindness, Teacher Zeng, but I don't plan to date or get married. All future reports about my love life will be false, and I won't participate in any entertainment variety shows. So please don't believe any publicity that I haven't confirmed. If you like me, please focus more on my music, not my private life like relationships. I want to let my work speak for itself, not on rumors and romances."

After speaking, she slowly stepped off the stage amidst applause. Her song, "Easily Hurt Woman," swept through Kowloon like a tornado, influencing countless households on the mainland. Her candid and endearing remarks were hailed as a wake-up call.

Although music talent shows are in full swing across the country, very few songs have actually spread and had a significant impact like the previous new song concerts.

When Li Zichun had free time, he would discuss potential rivals with Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan, and make plans for the future.

Li Zichun still has four rounds of competition left, while Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan have two more rounds to compete. The three of them discussed whether they should take advantage of this time to release an album.

Although Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan really wanted to, they were afraid it would be too tiring for her, so they decided to give up.

Li Zichun immediately saw their worries and said with a smile, "Cantonese is, after all, a dialect. In the end, only the melody has an advantage when facing the national audience. Other regional folk music has its own unique status and cannot be easily replaced. After we enter the national competition, the possibility of singing in Cantonese will be greatly reduced, except for specific themes. In the end, we will mainly sing in Mandarin, and only then will we have a chance to win the championship."

Zhao Qianfan nodded and said, "That's true. Dialects have their own unique charm, but they also have their own limitations."

Li Ke sighed and said, "There's nothing we can do about it. If we want to break into the international market in the future, we'll probably have to start preparing English songs too."

Li Zichun said nonchalantly, "Don't worry about the songs. I can find inspiration just by walking around outside. But the problem now is that once you're famous, where can we celebrities just wander around?"

After saying that, he inexplicably thought of why celebrities in his past life would buy an entire island so easily.

Li Zichun let out a long sigh, stretched, and said, "Let's go out and have some fun before we become internationally famous. Maybe I'll have finished writing all the songs for the whole album when I come back."

Although Li Zichun said it casually, the two people next to him thought he had really run out of inspiration, so they fanned him and massaged him. Li Ke couldn't help but ask curiously, "You, the genius who can output endlessly, have really run out of inspiration?"

Zhao Qianfan had long known about Li Zichun's temperament, so he stood aside, smiling but saying nothing, and watched quietly.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Li Zichun became furious. Just as he was about to explode, he magically produced a celebrity's three-piece suit from behind his back: sunglasses, a mask, and a helmet.

Li Zichun asked with delight, "How did you know I was going out today?"

Zhao Qianfan said with a smile, "Hehe, because we're on the same wavelength."

Li Zichun smiled as he took the equipment, only to find that it fit him perfectly. "Sigh, as expected of someone who's been with me for so long, they really have a good eye."

Zhao Qianfan smiled as he looked at him. These things were specially prepared for him long ago, just in case. In addition to other things, he also prepared various travel necessities. During this time, he also took the opportunity to get the phone numbers of a large number of small shop owners in the surrounding area, so that he could meet any needs in time.

Li Ke had been wondering what he wanted all this for, but now she realized it was for this purpose. Tsk tsk, this guy's foresight in flattering others is truly remarkable.

The three of them, fully equipped, strolled through the streets of Kowloon Harbour, taking photos here and there like tourists.

Li Zichun felt that he hadn't had this much leisure in a long time. It seemed that since entering the entertainment industry, he had never lived a proper life. He was either on his way to record songs or learning various musical instruments, operas, and dances. He hadn't enjoyed life like this in a long time.

The three of them strolled along, laughing and chatting, comparing their photos, and taking pictures at various spots. Many years later, when Li Ke looked at these photos, she realized that some people, even if they only met, were enough to soften the years, and if they were fortunate enough to travel together, they would become each other's most precious memories.

It's impossible to see everything in just one or two days, not even one percent of Kowloon, but it was enough for Li Zichun to understand the city's overall operation.

In his view, if this place is the birthplace, there is no need to go abroad to earn extra money. The diverse friends coming and going are enough to take your songs all over the world.

After a few days of playing around, it was Li Zichun's turn to perform again.

When the three arrived at the performance venue, the venue had been completely upgraded. It seems that with the increasing attention the show receives and the list of companies that have been listed, the regional finals will only be more grand.

Li Zichun was the third to perform. This time, he wore a fresh and elegant princess dress, but he also wore gemstone earrings. The jeweler had practically begged and pleaded with them to be delivered to their company's door. Although they weren't very expensive, they were finely crafted and very stylish. Li Zichun quickly checked on his phone and was surprised to find that this simple little set cost over 100,000 yuan. He looked at him meaningfully. Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan couldn't refuse and also thought the piece was indeed beautiful. In the end, after asking for his opinion, they nodded in agreement on his behalf.

You can get this earring set in just the time it takes to sing a song—why not take advantage of it? Although this company is newly established and small in scale, the craftsmanship and design of their products are truly excellent. Even someone as used to high-end luxury goods in his previous life was amazed by several of their pieces.

Companies with the resources should help if they can, even if they can't use the money after their status is restored, they can still donate it.

Li Zichun politely declined the idea of ​​being their spokesperson, only agreeing to wear it for promotional purposes, for which they were naturally very grateful. Given the current popularity of "Li Yuehe's" songs, this small item was more than enough for them. Even just wearing it briefly for the next song would have a huge impact on product promotion.

Of course, other brands also approached him, but Li Zichun has always valued quality over quantity. If a brand doesn't meet his standards, no amount of money will help.

Li Zichun's appearance was striking and beautiful, like a woman who had stepped out of a painting. He himself felt that he was becoming more and more like a woman.

Looking at the increasingly radiant woman before them, Zeng Ziwei and Zhen Yuling couldn't bring themselves to make things difficult for her. A woman who had severed all ties with love exuded a gentle and serene aura, and who didn't compete or fight but simply sang quietly—who wouldn't like her?

It's been a long time since the entertainment industry has seen such a pure person. You see, when the three formed "The Three Musketeers of the Wind and Dust," Li Zichun set a rule of no hype and no variety shows. Except for specific competitions, he didn't need to appear in public. Zhao Qianfan also went along with Li Zichun's antics, so now it's Li Ke who's taking on all the variety show appearances and other gigs offered by the company.

However, the public can understand that if a person only lives by their work, then appearing in public seems to have no real meaning and will only distract them from doing their main job.

Li Zichun, microphone in hand, a smile playing on his lips, softly began to sing another classic. This time, he chose to sing Priscilla Chan's "Where in Life Do We Not Meet Again": "Drifting with the waves and the wind, following the waves of life..."

In that instant when we overlapped, we were each on our own.

Fate drifts away with the wind; though fate ends in this life, I will still watch over you.

As we gazed at each other in that instant, tears welled up in our hearts.

Even if it's a farewell, I still give my true feelings

Silently endure fate

Perhaps I can see you again on a certain day of a certain month.

Gathering together to reminisce about the past

Unfortunately, the day we met again exists forever.

The night sky there is even more distant.

Who's on the Gold Coast?

Who is on the other side of the flames of war?

When you and I look back at that moment

Inquire about each other's situation

"Where in Life Do We Not Meet?" is another timeless classic by Priscilla Chan. Li Zichun's choice of this song at this time reflects the changes in his mindset after his recent trip. Focusing on the cutthroat world of entertainment is unwise, and holding grudges is unnecessary. This song evokes a sense of "letting bygones be bygones," which is exactly what he wants to do now: let go of the past and start afresh.

"Drifting with the waves and the wind, with the waves of life / In that instant when we overlapped, we were each in a different place."

Fate drifts away with the wind / Even when fate ends, we'll still watch over each other / In that fleeting moment of gazing at each other / Tears fall from our hearts /

Even in farewell, I offer my true feelings and silently endure whatever comes my way.

Perhaps on some day of some month, we can meet again and relive the past.

Unfortunately, the day we met again exists forever; the night sky elsewhere is even more distant.

Who is on the Gold Coast? Who is on the other side of the flames of war?

As we look back on that moment, we comfort each other and inquire about our circumstances...

If he used to harbor the ambition to return to the mainland and wreak havoc, now he feels there's no need for that at all. If this place doesn't want him, there are plenty of other places that will; why be so persistent?

Li Zichun became more and more immersed in his singing, reaching the highest emotional intensity, making people nostalgic for the era of Yuehuang, when ten masterpieces were released every year.

Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke were also moved by the song, their expressions captivated. Li Zichun, intrigued, tested them that very night. Based on their understanding of the song, he ultimately chose Li Ke to sing the Mandarin version, "The Truest Dream," sung by Wakin Chau.

The gentle breeze tonight stirs my heart.

So many long-forgotten memories have returned to my heart.

The past drifts away with the wind, piercing my heart.

You are that unforgettable dream, deeply hidden in my memory.

It always takes countless twists and turns to truly understand the depth of feeling.

You always have to travel across mountains and rivers to know where you're going.

Why wait until so many years to realize your truest dream?

Do you still remember me, or have you already forgotten me?

The gentle breeze tonight has scattered my dreams...

What Li Zichun didn't know was that his unintentional act of releasing two songs simultaneously tonight set a precedent for this era: a song with two lyrics. Many years later, when people recall this period, they no longer dwell on which song was better, but instead cherish the memory of this golden age unique to Cantonese music.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Where in Life Do We Not Meet?" is a Cantonese song sung by Priscilla Chan, with lyrics by Jian Ning and music and arrangement by Lo Ta-yu. It was included in Priscilla Chan's Cantonese album "Autumn Colors" released by Universal Music on October 21, 1988.

"The Truest Dream" is a song performed by Emil Chau, with lyrics by Chen Guizhu, music by Lo Ta-yu, and arrangement by Hung Ai-lun and Lo Ta-yu. It was included in Emil Chau's album of the same name, "The Truest Dream," released by Rock Records on November 10, 1989.