Chapter 51

In the new year, I wish everyone a happy Year of the Monkey, a harmonious family, and all the best. Also, during this festive season, I'm here with a bit of sadness, asking for a vote, hoping not to be sad. Right, I'll send out a red envelope later, remember to grab it, hahaha. The first hundred, quick hands get it, slow hands miss out.

The two got into the car, and Zhao Yazhi started the engine, speeding away from the airport.

"Azhi, Xiaocheng, thank you," Deng Lijun sighed with relief and giggled, "This is the first time I've been able to leave so easily despite being surrounded by fans and reporters."

Zhao Yazhi smiled, "No need to be so formal. But are you sure it's okay to just leave with us? What if the reporters say you're being arrogant?"

"Don't worry, there's a plan, but not today. The day after tomorrow, there will be a press conference at the Lee Garden Hotel. Now is my personal time, I need to relax."

Deng Lijun looked at Wu Cheng and smiled, "Xiaocheng, I haven't congratulated you yet. Your movie is very popular in Taiwan and Japan. I believe your company's next film will be very successful. Is the company on the right track now?"

Wu Cheng smiled bitterly, "I've been busy with the company setup, it's been a bit overwhelming. I'll take the opportunity to relax a bit while spending time with you, Sister Jun."

"Don't let him fool you, Sister Jun. He's the laziest in the company," Zhao Yazhi said, undermining Wu Cheng. "When he gives an order, everyone below him runs around. And many times, he just acts on impulse, coming up with ideas on the spot. The employees can't guess what he's thinking, and some are even afraid to work with him."

Wu Cheng was helpless, shrugging his shoulders, which made Deng Lijun giggle. After laughing, she said, "Xiaocheng, do you have any new songs? Sing them for me to hear."

"Of course, I have plenty of new songs. I'll play them for you later," Wu Cheng smiled. "By the way, do you want me to be your opening act for this concert?"

"Can you sing?" Deng Lijun giggled, and Zhao Yazhi also laughed.

"Even if I can't sing, I can play," Wu Cheng chuckled. "How about we perform together on stage again? This time, let's play a new song."

"New? Azhi, has he been writing new songs again?"

Zhao Yazhi smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes, and nodded, "He has written quite a few new songs, but most of them are rather sad. Sometimes, I can't help but shed tears while listening."

Hearing this, Deng Lijun reached out and held Wu Cheng's hand. She had learned a lot about Wu Cheng's past, knowing that the loss of his parents at his age must have been a significant blow. This pain was something others couldn't understand.

She didn't know how to console him, so she silently held his hand, giving him strength.

Wu Cheng smiled, "I'm fine, don't worry. By the way, is Sister Qingxia coming to support you? She seems quite tired when I called her recently."

Deng Lijun smiled, "She's even busier than me. Ms. Qionghua is setting up a film company and wants to sign Qingxia. Qingxia is hesitating, and it's all because you invited her before."

Wu Cheng smiled bitterly, "I've already told her that she can act in Qionghua dramas, but she can't do it forever. She can develop in Taiwan for the next two years, but eventually, she should focus on Hong Kong. The film industry in Taiwan is not doing well, not just because of the market, but also due to the government. In comparison, Hong Kong is much more free."

Looking at Wu Cheng, who seemed unaware, Deng Lijun secretly scolded him as a little fool. If Qingxia didn't have feelings for this young man, why would she hesitate so much?

Since the last time she returned, Deng Lijun noticed that Lin Qingxia often mentioned Wu Cheng. She realized that Lin Qingxia had feelings for this young man.

This was a source of conflict for Deng Lijun.

She looked at Zhao Yazhi with a complex expression, sighing inwardly. She never thought she would care so much about a young man. Otherwise, she wouldn't have called him as soon as she arrived in Hong Kong and asked him to pick her up.

All she wanted was to spend more time with him.

What she didn't expect was that there were more than just the two of them who cared about this young man.

She didn't know when it started, maybe it was the last time they all shared a bed, or the time he kissed her in the hotel, or the first time they met.

On the way back from the market, Zhao Yazhi got out of the car to buy some vegetables. At this point, Zhao Yazhi's popularity couldn't compare to Deng Lijun's. Even though Wu Cheng and Zhao Yazhi went to the market a few times, they only attracted some attention but were never surrounded.

In the evening, Wu Cheng and Deng Lijun played the piano in the living room, while Zhao Yazhi cooked in the kitchen.

Wu Cheng played a song called "Fairy Tale," which earned high praise from Deng Lijun. "It's a pity the lyrics are for a man to sing. Otherwise, I would have loved to sing it. Xiaocheng, do you have any songs for women?"

Wu Cheng smiled and played "Walking the Road of Life."

By your side, the road is long but not tiring,

Accompanying you, one segment after another.

Climbing over one peak, another appears,

Pushing the goal further, keeping the ideal always ahead.

After the song, Deng Lijun said, "Xiaocheng, I want to sing this song, but you can't give it to me for free this time. Let me finish."

Seeing Wu Cheng about to speak, Deng Lijun stopped him, "I know you're good to me, but have you thought about how, although these songs bring me fame and benefits, most of the benefits go to the company? I know you want to start a record company, so you won't sell the copyrights, but I just need the right to use them, not the full copyright."

Wu Cheng thought about it and realized she had a point. Although he wrote songs for Deng Lijun for free, the benefits from these songs mostly went to the Polydor company, and she only got a small portion.

If that's the case, why not charge?

"Okay, how much do you think this song is worth?"

Seeing Wu Cheng no longer hesitating, Deng Lijun smiled, "Good songs are priceless, but they can only offer you up to 50,000, since you won't sell all the copyrights."

"50,000 is not bad," Wu Cheng smiled. "Many people can't even get their songs accepted."

Indeed, 50,000 for a song was a lot for a regular composer. Many newcomers would be happy to get 5,000 for a song, and even some famous composers would get 30,000 to 50,000 for a song, but that was for all the copyrights.

For Wu Cheng to give Deng Lijun the right to use a song for 50,000 was almost unprecedented. Besides being good friends, it was also because of Wu Cheng's status as a film company owner.

"Let's do a four-hand duet again."

"Sure."

Soon, their laughter and the sound of the piano filled the living room.

In the kitchen, Zhao Yazhi listened to the laughter and piano, feeling a bit jealous. Fortunately, Deng Lijun soon came in to keep her company.

Otherwise, tonight's dinner might have been all sour.

"Azhi, I really envy you."

Zhao Yazhi was taken aback and laughed, "What's there to envy?"

"I envy you for being able to spend time with Xiaocheng every day, and for being able to do what you want, unlike me, who has no freedom and is always performing."

Zhao Yazhi paused her knife and smiled, "Just two more years, and your contract will be up next year. Then you can sign with Xiaocheng's record company."

Deng Lijun peeled the vegetables listlessly, "I wish time would pass faster."

"Doing something you enjoy makes time fly," Zhao Yazhi smiled. "Come help me cook. Xiaocheng loves sweet and sour ribs."

Indeed, happy times are always short. After a few days with Wu Cheng and the others, Deng Lijun returned to her glamorous life as a superstar, holding press conferences and concerts.

Hong Kong became even more bustling with Deng Lijun's arrival. For a few days, all the front pages of the newspapers reported on her concert in Hong Kong.

As a result, Wu Cheng, who took Deng Lijun away from the airport, once again appeared in the public eye as a rumor. Speculations about their age difference romance became more frequent.

Both parties remained silent, focusing on preparing for the concert.

Although many still looked down on singers and actors, Deng Lijun's popularity in Hong Kong exploded, and the concert tickets sold out quickly. If Wu Cheng hadn't reserved dozens of tickets in advance, he wouldn't have been able to invite his friends.

On the evening of the 27th at 8 PM, the Lee Stage was packed. Outside the theater, many fans who couldn't get tickets still lingered.

In a corner of the entrance, two young girls stood among the crowd, unnoticed. The younger one, looking at the bustling scene, said enviously, "I wish we could have so many people listen to us sing. Sister, do you think we'll have a day like this?"

The older sister, a bit embarrassed, said, "Yanfang, I'm sorry, I couldn't get the tickets."

The younger sister shook her head and smiled, "Sister, it's okay. Look, so many people are like us." She paused and added, "Actually, I wanted to see if I could meet Mr. Wu Cheng."

The older sister looked at her sister curiously, and the younger sister giggled, "Sister, think about it. Mr. Wu Cheng wrote a few songs for Miss Deng Lijun, and they became hits. If he could write a couple of songs for us, we wouldn't have to worry anymore."

The older sister laughed, "How could he just write songs for anyone? The newspapers said they are dating, that's why he wrote songs for Miss Deng."

"We can borrow money from Brother Xing. We already owe him a lot, so a little more won't matter. We can pay him back when we make money."

Wu Cheng, who was waiting at the entrance for Lin Qingxia, heard these words that made him both amused and surprised.

...

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