Chapter 52

Thank you to all the brothers who have given rewards. It's the New Year, so I'm asking for a vote as a lucky charm. I'll send out a red envelope in a bit, so everyone remember to grab it. The faster you are, the more you get; the slower you are, the less you get.

The little girl thought the matter was too simple, which made him laugh and cry at the same time. As for the surprise, it was also because of these two little girls, especially the one named Yanfang.

In Hong Kong, a little girl named Yanfang who sang to support her family, could only be the versatile queen of the future, apart from her, Wu Cheng couldn't think of anyone else.

He secretly compared her appearance. Although it was very different from the queen of the future, if he carefully compared, he could still find some similarities.

After careful identification, Wu Cheng confirmed that the little girl was the future versatile queen.

After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward and squeezed through the crowd, putting the two tickets in the hand of the little girl named Yanfang, and whispered, "These two tickets are for you."

Seeing the young man smile at them and then turn to leave, the two girls were stunned and couldn't help but look at his back in surprise. The older sister, with a somewhat wary expression, called out, "Who are you? Why—"

But before she could finish, she was pulled by her younger sister, who whispered in her ear, pointing at Wu Cheng's back, "Sis, it's him, it's him. Let's go in quickly."

"Who?" The older sister was still confused.

"Wu Cheng, the rumored boyfriend of Miss Deng."

"How could it be him?"

"It can't be wrong. Although he's wearing a mask, his eyes, that half-smiling, half-not-smiling look, appeared in the movie 'Five Lucky Stars,' especially in the part where he played with Miss Deng."

"You remember all that?"

Mei Yanfang's face turned a bit red, as if her little thoughts had been discovered. She defended herself, "I just paid more attention because I wanted him to write songs for us."

She would never admit that to see that scene and listen to that song, she spent more pocket money and went to the cinema a few more times.

The sisters whispered to each other as they walked into the cinema, completely unaware that the change in their destiny began with this simple, not-quite-a-meeting encounter.

When the concert was about to start, Lin Qingxia hurriedly arrived at the scene.

Wu Cheng took her straight to the backstage.

Deng Lijun, who was preparing backstage, saw Wu Cheng and Lin Qingxia appear and couldn't help but show a surprised look, "Ah Xia, weren't you busy? Why did you come?"

"I wanted to give you a surprise." Lin Qingxia giggled and hugged her, saying, "How's the preparation? Ah Cheng said he would help perform later, what's going on?"

"Let's talk about it later. There's no time. I have to go on stage now."

After Deng Lijun went on stage, Lin Qingxia wanted to go to the front, but Wu Cheng didn't want to go out, so he made an excuse, "You go out first. I have to go on stage later, and it's troublesome to go in and out."

Wu Cheng wouldn't admit that in the front row, not only were Zhao Yachi's family, but also Zhong Zuhong's family and Lan Jieying's family. These people sitting together made him a bit awkward, as he didn't know which side to sit on. This was still manageable, as Hong Jinbao and Wu Mingliang's families were also there, and he could make an excuse to sit with them. But if he appeared with Lin Qingxia, it would be hard to explain.

What Wu Cheng didn't know was that when he wasn't seen, many people had already asked about him.

Next to Zhao Yachi, Zhao Xiaomei asked, "Fourth Sister, where's Fourth Brother-in-law?"

Zhao Yachi was embarrassed and scolded, "Don't talk nonsense, what Fourth Brother-in-law?"

Zhao Xiaomei pouted and shrugged, looking disdainful, "Not now, but he will be. Although Fourth Brother-in-law is a bit young, he's very capable." She paused and then asked, wide-eyed, "Fourth Sister, is it really like the newspapers say, that he's dating Miss Deng?"

Zhao Yachi gave her a blank look and said, "Speak properly, don't be silly. It's not like you think. Xiao Cheng will go on stage to help perform, so he's not sitting down here. He's backstage."

Zhong Mother asked Zhong Zuhong, "Ah Hong, where's Chengzi? Why can't I see him?"

Zhong Zuhong rolled her eyes and pouted, "How should I know where that little rascal is? I'm not a worm in his stomach. Why should I care so much?"

"Hey, you, how can you talk like that?" Zhong Mother was a bit unhappy when she heard her daughter's words and asked, "Are you having a spat with Chengzi? Don't believe what the newspapers say. I don't think Chengzi would like such an older woman."

Hearing her mother's nagging, Zhong Zuhong rolled her eyes helplessly, but at this moment, Deng Lijun appeared on stage, shifting everyone's attention.

"Thank you all for taking the time to come to my concert tonight. Before this concert, I was very worried, but seeing you all, I feel reassured." Deng Lijun smiled and said, "We all have people we care about in our hearts, and you are the ones I care about. The next song is for all my fans, and it's also a gift from my good friend and little brother Chengzi to his dear sister Zhi. I hope you will like it."

The music started, and Deng Lijun's ethereal and warm voice, like a gentle rain, seeped into everyone's heart, making them unconsciously get lost in it.

After "I Only Care About You" ended, followed by "Sweet Honey," the audience not only recognized Wu Cheng's talent in composing and writing lyrics but also realized his significant status in Deng Lijun's heart. If she didn't value him, she wouldn't have promoted him so hard.

One song after another, without a break, was a great test of a singer's stamina. By the intermission, Wu Cheng was ready to take over to let her rest a bit more.

If this were in the future, there would have been many guest performers to help. But at this time, everyone's thoughts were more pure, and they wouldn't use such a lazy way to get more rest. Actually, the fans wouldn't mind.

"Has anyone seen the movie 'Five Lucky Stars'?"

On stage, after finishing a song, Deng Lijun asked the audience.

Many people answered, making Deng Lijun smile and say, "Do you want to see the boy who cooperated with me in the movie come up and perform for you?"

Hearing some people say no and some say yes, Wu Cheng went up on stage uninvited, holding a microphone and said, "I know some of you don't want me to come up, but I'm going to disappoint those who don't want me to. Have you ever tried singing eight or ten songs in a row? I think most people would be out of breath after just two or three."

Wu Cheng walked familiarly to Deng Lijun's side, winked at her, and said, "Can't you see that your idol is already very tired? Shouldn't we give her some time to rest? Don't worry, I won't let you down."

"This is the Chengzi I mentioned earlier," Deng Lijun introduced him to the audience. "Many of you may not be unfamiliar with him, as he not only writes great songs but also writes excellent novels. He is currently the highest-paid author in Hong Kong, and the novel 'Hui Ming' in the 'Urban Entertainment' newspaper is written by him. Besides writing novels, he also writes screenplays. The movie 'Five Lucky Stars' is written, produced, and directed by him. You tell me, is he impressive?"

Wu Cheng awkwardly coughed and said, "I think you don't want to keep listening to your idol praise me. So, let's give our idol some time to rest, and I'll perform a song called 'Homeland's Original Scenery.' This song can be played on the piano, but I think it would sound even better on a clay flute. Unfortunately, you can only hear the piano version today. Let's go back to the charming scenery of our hometowns in our memories."

Wu Cheng walked to the piano, asked the pianist to leave, and sat down. After relaxing his fingers and nodding to the accompanists, he started to play softly.

When the melancholic melody filled the hall, many people were taken back to their memories, thinking of their hometowns.

Especially the older generation of immigrants who came to Hong Kong from the south, they thought not only of the scenery of their hometowns but also of the deep emotions in their memories.

When Wu Mingquan heard this song, his eyes moistened.

The same was true for those sitting below, like Shao Daheng.

This song seemed to have a magical power that made people involuntarily reminisce about the past, bringing back the lost beauty and making them shed tears involuntarily.

Huang Zhan said to Gu Jiahui, who was sitting next to him, "This is no longer just a song; it's a classic memory. He's not playing a tune but a life. It's hard to imagine that this was written by a teenager. Once this song is out, this young man's status in the music world will be unshakable."

Gu Jiahui agreed, "Indeed, the young are to be feared."

After the song ended, the venue was silent, and low sobs could be heard.

Wu Cheng didn't say anything, waiting quietly for the audience to come back to their senses.

After a long time, the applause slowly started and then became thunderous.

The applause lasted for one or two minutes before Deng Lijun came out from backstage, wiping her tears, and said, "Every time I hear this song, I can't help but cry. Chengzi said that playing this song with a clay flute or a clay ocarina would sound even better. I haven't tried it, but the piano version is already so charming. I believe his judgment is excellent. Thank you, Chengzi, for bringing us such a beautiful song and making us reminisce about the lost beauty. Next, let's have a more lively song."

Wu Cheng coughed and said, "Many of you know that I came from the other side of the sea. I often think of things from my hometown. This song was written in such a situation, so it carries some sadness. The next song is a lively one. I believe many of you have had the experience of falling in love. During the process, there are always some sweet secrets that can't be told, only to be savored quietly. This song, 'The Secret I Can't Tell,' is dedicated to those who are in love or have been in love."

Deng Lijun smiled and said, "Compared to singing, my piano skills are much worse. I hope you won't mind."

The two sat down at the piano, each placing one hand on the keys. They smiled at each other and started to play. As the notes danced, the other two hands joined in, playing in a cross pattern. Instantly, a lively yet slightly shy and hesitant feeling emerged.

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