Chapter 42: The Pig

The paparazzi in Hong Kong had long since sensed something unusual.

Not only had Wong Jim and Leslie Cheung suddenly appeared at EMI Records, but a large number of singers from the renowned Rolling Stone Records in Taiwan had also descended upon EMI’s recording studios. Even figures like Tsui Hark and Brigitte Lin, who clearly had little to do with the music industry, had suddenly shown up together.

Of course, the main reason for the commotion was that for the past two days, the entire Hong Kong entertainment, media, and record industries had been buzzing about the three staggering records set by the album "Cold to the End." It was frequently reported and discussed: it was the first diamond-certified album in the Chinese-speaking world; it had broken the ceiling of 700,000 units to reach 760,000, the highest sales figure in Hong Kong’s history; and it was poised to become the first album in Taiwan to reach the two-million-unit milestone.

And yet, Lin Jianlu had arrived in Hong Kong at this very moment and headed straight for EMI! Even Sarah Chen, the talk of Taiwan, and Gigi Leung, the talk of Hong Kong, had gone as well.

Initially, rumors circulated that Rolling Stone might be acquiring EMI, but the paparazzi dismissed this themselves within hours. Soon after, well-informed reporters got the accurate scoop: they were recording a song.

After another day of waiting, many non-EMI affiliated singers and stars began to emerge one after another. The paparazzi and journalists swarmed them immediately.

"Lu’s song is incredibly well-written, truly amazing! I’m honored he invited me to participate. It’s given me so much inspiration and energy. Thanks! Next time he invites me to play cards, I might not take his money, haha!"

"It’s just awesome! A great song!"

"I’m just here to help out. He’s my buddy!"

"Lu’s creative talent has always been top-tier. This song is top-tier."

"Yes, in memory of... uh, we are very grateful that Lu invited us... for Ka-kui!"

"Oh yes, I’ve asked him for a song, and he agreed. Just waiting, hahaha! But I don’t think I’ll have to wait long. He writes songs super fast; we saw him write a song in ten minutes and lyrics in three. Wow..."

"Great! A fantastic experience! An absolutely brilliant piece of work!"

Overnight, the entire city knew.

When Duan Zhongtan accepted an interview, he quickly clarified and confirmed the situation: it was not a new album, but an inspiring piece of classic rock. It would be included in the "Ten Million Celebration Edition" along with the "Cold to the End" music video, as a gift to the fans.

...

The outside world was noisy and chaotic, but Lin Jianlu didn't care.

After a good sleep, he finished his workout and ate. He planned to find Leslie Cheung for a game of cards, but the timing worked out perfectly—just as he finished tidying up, Gigi Leung called. "Lu, I have to record again today, but I can't seem to find the right feeling. The producer keeps scolding me. Can you come help me out?"

Hmm, something was off. Her tone was inexplicably coquettish.

Only after the adrenaline of the previous day had faded did Lin Jianlu realize that kissing everyone in front of so many people might not have been the best idea. Although he hadn't thought much of it at the time, the girls surely cared. He wasn't a fool, nor was he emotionally oblivious; how could he not sense the affection and signals they were sending?

And yet, he had kissed four of them on the spot yesterday. Ha, he was bold indeed! That wasn't great. Of course, none of them had objected.

But Gigi Leung’s call felt a bit strange. "Did you eat too much sugar? Chocolate?"

"Huh? No!"

"Then why are you speaking so coyly?"

"Pfft... I’m not! ...Just help me out, please!"

She was still acting spoiled. Lin Jianlu hesitated for a moment before sighing internally. Fine, no cards today. He’d go.

However... his Cantonese was actually quite poor; he wouldn't be much help. But it didn't matter. Just his presence was enough. Gigi Leung seemed exceptionally happy, and the recording session actually went very smoothly.

That evening, she tagged along to the big celebration dinner. In addition to the singers, musicians, and sound engineers who participated in the recording of "Gift," many of Lin Jianlu's friends from Hong Kong also showed up. It was quite lively.

Even Rosamund Kwan came, and to everyone's surprise, she spent a long time chatting with Lin Jianlu—drawing plenty of sideways glances!

Gigi Leung’s expression tightened. Although she thought Rosamund Kwan was getting on in years—in her thirties—she had to admit that in terms of peerless beauty and the ability to outshine everyone in Hong Kong, she had no choice but to concede. If one were to turn the clock back ten years, she and Brigitte Lin were the absolute pinnacle of beauty in the Chinese entertainment world. Now, Brigitte Lin was beginning to show her age, having passed forty, but Rosamund Kwan remained at her peak.

Still the most beautiful in the Fragrant Harbor!

...

Remy Martin flowed cup after cup.

He navigated the room, drinking with everyone. By the end, no one knew how much Lin Jianlu had consumed. If the cocktail party Rolling Stone had hosted in Taiwan was a celebration for them where he had only attended as a mascot, then today, in his own view, was the moment he had finally completed all the work for "Cold to the End." He could take a vacation; it was worth celebrating.

He’d drank more than twenty people under the table.

By the end, Lin Jianlu felt surprisingly okay. He felt a bit tipsy, but not completely drunk. However, after seeing everyone off, getting into the car, and stumbling back to the hotel, the moment he stepped out, the dizziness hit him harder.

He knew he was about to be completely hammered.

He rushed to his room. He didn't brush his teeth or shower; he kicked off his shoes and fell into bed. He slept without dreams until six o'clock, when his biological clock naturally woke him. He lay in bed, clearing his head. Aside from a slight hangover headache, he felt fine, and he even clearly remembered how he’d made it back to his room the night before.

Yet, because he remembered everything, he suddenly jolted awake, realizing there was someone breathing softly right beside him.

The room was pitch black. He propped himself up and leaned in to look.

It was Sarah Chen, sporting the half-short hairstyle she had been trying to grow out recently. He remembered her helping him back to his room, but the problem was, he couldn't remember anything after he had collapsed onto the bed.

Fortunately, they were both fully dressed.

A moment later, he tiptoed out of bed, went into the spacious bathroom to undress, and brushed his teeth before showering. The cold water shocked him, and he quickly became fully alert.

However, when he came out after changing into clean clothes, he found the bed empty.

He called her, but she hung up immediately. Lin Jianlu, refusing to give up, called again. Hung up. He called a third time, and finally, she answered.

Before he could ask anything, she started with, "I know what you want to ask, but don't. Please, please! Don't ask me about this!"

The more she said that, the more Lin Jianlu felt there was something to it. "What’s with the 'please, please'? You slept in my bed all night, big sister. Do you want to settle the bed fee? Just leaving like that?"

She let out a "pfft" of laughter. "I’m really begging you, can you please not mention it again?"

Alright, now Lin Jianlu was even more certain she had done something last night. Her mind was too simple, and they were too familiar with each other.

"Did you secretly put a lovesickness curse on me?"

"Pfft... No..."

"You wouldn't be... hey, don't tell me you're that perverted?"

"You're the pervert! ...Hahaha..."

After pressing her for a while, she finally cracked. Laughing uncontrollably, she said in between gasps, "I read in those novels that men have wild urges after drinking, so I... I just lay beside you watching you. But I waited for over an hour, and you were sleeping like a pig. I was so tired, I eventually fell asleep without realizing it... Hahaha..."

"..."

***

Twenty days have passed since I started publishing this book. Looking back, it’s already 120,000 to 130,000 words. So, one must keep working. Constantly worrying that the opening isn't good enough is meaningless. Just publish it, write, write, write. Whether it's good or bad, let the readers judge.

There will be flaws and shortcomings, but there are surely some highlights. Self-doubt is truly unnecessary.

To those who have followed this far, thank you!

There are less than ten days left in the New Book Ranking, so I’m asking for a few more monthly votes!