Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

"Huai'an, your lyrics and music are quite something!"

Inside the Rolling Stone office building in Hong Kong, Lo Tai-yu looked at the musical score in his hand and praised it highly.

"Compared to your Pearl of the Orient, it is still slightly inferior."

Faced with Zhuang Huai'an's modesty, Luo Dayou was somewhat displeased and retorted, "You can't say that. Each generation has its own thoughts. The Pearl of the Orient is the Hong Kong I saw in my time. This song, 'Bauhinia Blossoms,' expresses your thoughts. Music doesn't lie, and I think it's wonderful!"

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and nodded. "Since you've said that, what can I, the plagiarist, say?"

Luo Dayou's stubbornness is in line with the thinking of old-school artists. For them, one is one and two is two, and there is absolutely no forced harmony of 1.5.

You're right, Queen's Road East?

"By the way, bro, there are only three days left. Can you handle the arrangement and stuff?" Zhuang Huai'an asked.

"No problem," Luo Dayou nodded. "Your sheet music is very professional. Just transcribe it and record the accompaniment and harmony."

"That's good." Zhuang Huai'an turned to look at Liu Yifei, who was curiously examining the equipment in the recording studio.

"Without further ado, Huai'an, you and Miss Liu go in for a sound check. I'll listen first and see if we need to lower the key."

When they came in, Zhuang Huai'an introduced them to each other. Luo Dayou was not surprised that his younger brother had brought a girl with him. Scholars have always been known for their romantic affairs, and he was no exception back in the day.

"OK."

Zhuang Huai'an pulled Liu Yifei into the recording studio and carefully taught her how to warm up her voice, how to use the equipment, and how far away from the microphone she should be to avoid excessive breathiness.

Don't ask him how he knew; he just had it in his head.

"Wow, it's so complicated," Liu Yifei grinned, looking embarrassed. "I thought recording studios were like karaoke bars, where you could just pick up a microphone and sing."

"The venue is quite noisy, like a karaoke room, but the recording studio is more enclosed, so even your breathing can be recorded, which is naturally more troublesome."

After teaching the basics, Zhuang Huai'an put headphones on her, gestured to Luo Dayou outside the glass, and signaled Liu Yifei to sing along.

"Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~"

Following Zhuang Huai'an's gestures of raising and lowering his hand, Liu Yifei's voice rose higher and higher until she became somewhat breathless, at which point Luo Dayou outside the glass interrupted her.

"That's fine. Miss Liu has a good voice; singing this song won't be too difficult for her."

Luo Dayou, carrying a miniature microphone, directed, "Don't take off your headphones. Familiarize yourselves with the lyrics and melody by following the sheet music. We'll start the official sound check in ten minutes."

Zhuang Huai'an gave him an OK sign and led Liu Yifei to start the audition.

This girl is indeed very talented. In addition, the melody of "Bauhinia Blossoms" is not too complicated. After singing it a few times, she was able to grasp the emotions in the song very well.

After the thirteenth time, Luo Dayou interrupted the two, signaling for a break. He walked into the recording studio with two bottles of water and gave instructions:

"Miss Liu, you can make your voice a little more passionate and expressive later. Huai'an will be in charge of controlling it. Your Mandarin should be like fire, and your Cantonese should be like water, understand?"

"Okay, Teacher Luo." Liu Yifei's voice was slightly hoarse. Although the recording studio was air-conditioned, her forehead was already covered in a fine layer of sweat.

"Have some water first." Zhuang Huai'an unscrewed the bottle cap and handed it to him, teasingly saying, "You're just asking for trouble."

Liu Yifei took the water bottle, rolled her eyes at him, and said coquettishly, "I want to!"

Hmph! I don't want you singing with other women!

Zhuang Huai'an didn't know what the girl was thinking, but since she was enjoying herself, he would just keep her company. What else could he do?

"Ms. Liu's tenacity is a bit like my friend Sylvia Chang," Luo Dayou said with a smile. "Back in the day, when she was practicing the song 'The Price of Love,' it really drove Lao Li and me crazy."

This piqued Zhuang Huai'an's interest. Zhang Aijia was a remarkable woman who had been rumored to have affairs with both Luo Dayou and Li Zongsheng. There were even rumors that Luo and Li had a major falling out over her.

"Brother..."

"Stop!"

Before Zhuang Huai'an could speak, Luo Dayou quickly stopped him, "I can see the gossip in your eyes. Don't ask, I won't tell you even if you do!"

Alright, alright, you want to interrupt the spellcasting?

Zhuang Huai'an couldn't say what was on the tip of his tongue, and looked at Luo Dayou with a hint of resentment, but the other man turned his head away to avoid his gaze.

The sight of the two of them made Liu Yifei, who was standing to the side, chuckle.

Time flies when you practice singing, and it's time to go on stage again.

Previously, after seeing the lyrics written by Zhuang Huai'an, Sir Shaw praised them highly and immediately invited the two to perform on stage as the final guests.

No one else had any objections to this. Putting aside the fact that the song was well-written, the fact that Zhuang Huai'an, an internationally renowned director, was willing to go on stage and sing, even if it was "Two Tigers," would still generate buzz!

It's about patriotism! It's about love for Hong Kong! It's about the great unity of our compatriots!

ZZ is right, comrades!

The venue for the gala on the evening of July 1st was the Hung Hom Coliseum.

Almost everyone in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, regardless of their name, was present. Many mainland stars also came, such as Sun Nan, who still hasn't found a suitable hairstyle, and Han Hong, who asked his friends in Beijing to help him with his appearance. Regardless of their character, these two are indeed prominent figures among mainland singers at the moment.

Liu Huan and Yingzi are indeed a step above them.

There have been various debates about Yingzi's character, but no one has ever said that her singing skills were lacking. Just look at the list of nominees for Best Female Singer at the 01 Golden Melody Awards. Yingzi's ability to win the Best Female Singer award among so many divas is beyond doubt.

As for why the Hong Kong entertainment industry was making such a big show, Zhuang Huai'an understood. Besides showing loyalty, it was more about using this opportunity to go north. Hong Kong cinema was dead, and if they didn't hurry to rely on the mainland, they would all have to beg for food.

"Wow, these next two guests are amazing."

Why?

"He is a superstar among superstars, a king among kings."

"You dare? I wonder who you are?"

On stage, the two hosts, Shen Dianxia and Chen Baixiang, sang in harmony.

Because his daughter starred in Zhuang Huai'an's movie, Shen Dianxia returned the favor by spending four or five minutes praising Zhuang Huai'an's achievements since his debut. He also did not overlook Liu Yifei, who was on the same stage, and said that she was the number one young actress of the new generation in mainland China.

Are you nervous?

Below the stage, Zhuang Huai'an watched Liu Yifei, who was constantly breathing in and out, and found it somewhat amusing.

"A little bit." Liu Yifei's hand holding the microphone was trembling slightly. If she had known that there were more than 20,000 people in the audience at the Hong Kong Coliseum, she would never have thought of going on stage.

Seeing this, Zhuang Huai'an subtly surveyed his surroundings. After noticing everyone was busy, he stepped forward, took Liu Yifei's hand, and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Just follow me."

Feeling the warmth in her palm and the hot breath on her ear, Liu Yifei's face flushed instantly. Suppressing her shyness, she looked directly at Zhuang Huai'an and said firmly, "Yes!"

"Next, let's warmly welcome the renowned director Zhuang Huai'an and actress Liu Yifei, who will bring us Director Zhuang's original song, 'The Bauhinia Blossoms'!"

Upon hearing Shen Dianxia's announcement, the two exchanged a glance. Zhuang Huai'an clenched his fist and smiled, "Let's go."

"Um!"

Amidst applause, Zhuang Huai'an unabashedly led Liu Yifei onto the stage.