Chapter 55: A Special Love for a Special You
“Welcome, everyone, to my concert!” Zhou Lun held the microphone. “Tonight, not only will I perform new songs, but I’ve also invited a very special guest to sing with me!”
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, their excited shouts echoing through the venue.
“King Zhou, we support you!”
“King forever, may you never fall, may you live forever!”
“King forever, may you never fall, may you live forever!”
Zhou Lun looked out at the passionate crowd, a sense of comfort blooming in his chest. “I have three new songs to share with you tonight. All three were written and composed by the same person. At this point, I think you all know who it is!”
“Jiang Yun! Jiang Yun! Jiang Yun!” The crowd called out his name as one.
“That’s right, the brilliant Jiang Yun!”
A wave of applause swept through the stadium.
Hidden in a corner, Jiang Yun watched the scene, feeling quietly gratified.
Everyone online knew about his close friendship with Zhou Lun, so their fanbases often overlapped, blending together in harmony.
It created a phenomenon—when Zhou Lun was mentioned, Jiang Yun’s name would inevitably come up, and vice versa.
“Now please enjoy—‘Huo Yuanjia!’”
A fierce rhythm exploded from the speakers.
With the microphone in hand, Zhou Lun sang, “Ha! How many rounds does fate allow? The ring awaits!”
“This song’s style is so unique, and it suits King Zhou perfectly!”
“What does winning a duel for life and death bring?
A cold laugh—whose world is it?
What if you are first?
Let us lay down arms, we value virtue above all.
My fists and feet are skilled,
But alas, it’s only empty fame.”
...
Zhou Lun’s voice shifted, gentle and clear, “In a small town, the years flow past, courage remains pure—”
A tide of screams and cheers burst from the audience, especially the girls.
“Memories washed clean, I remember you, living proudly on!”
“Huo huo,
Huo huo huo,
Huo huo huo.”
The crowd joined in the chorus, voices rising in unison.
“Huo huo,
Huo huo huo,
Huo huo huo.”
As the song ended, the music changed, taking on a new style.
A wave of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
“What is this music?”
“It’s a little like ‘Blue and White Porcelain!’”
Zhou Lun’s voice echoed through the stadium, “Here’s ‘Withered Chrysanthemums’ for everyone!”
...
Withered chrysanthemums, the ground is wounded,
Your smile has faded away,
The falling flowers break my heart,
My troubles flow quietly on.
The north wind rages, the night is not yet done,
Your shadow cannot be cut away...
...
When Zhou Lun finished singing, he announced, “Now, let’s welcome our mysterious guest!”
A spotlight fell on the entrance, and Jiang Yun’s figure appeared, stepping forward.
“Oh my god, it’s Jiang Yun!”
“I knew it! Those two are inseparable!”
“Jiang Yun, do you have a new song for us?” asked Zhou Lun, holding out the microphone.
“Brother Zhou, this is your concert. If I sing a new song, wouldn’t I be stealing your spotlight?”
“It’s fine, just one new song!” Zhou Lun insisted.
“All right, then!”
After a brief exchange, Jiang Yun handed a USB drive to the staff. “I’d like to dedicate ‘A Special Love for a Special You’ to everyone tonight!”
Zhang Tie, a popular streamer who often attended concerts and variety show tapings, was broadcasting live. His content focused on concerts and behind-the-scenes happenings.
At this moment, Zhang Tie spoke to his viewers, “Folks, Jiang Yun is about to sing a new song! Get those gifts ready!”
“Wow! It’s been a while, but Jiang Yun is gracing us with a new song!”
“Can’t wait!”
“Can’t wait +1!”
“Can’t wait +10086!”
The music began, and Jiang Yun sang with deep feeling, “There was no promise, yet you held me tighter.”
“Without you,
My world is filled with endless rain.
I spent a lifetime
Trying to forget you,
But the memories, memories, memories,
Leap from my heart to embrace you.”
The beat picked up, the energy soared, and the chorus arrived:
“A special love for a special you,
My loneliness never escapes your eyes,
A special love for a special you,
You make me lose faith in myself, more and more…”
...
When the song ended, Jiang Yun raised the microphone. “Thank you to all the fans. Now I’ll return the stage to Mr. Zhou Lun!”
Zhou Lun walked up and took the microphone. “How was Jiang Yun’s singing?”
“Beautiful!” the crowd roared in unison.
“If you liked it, too bad, because the concert ends here!” Zhou Lun joked.
“What? That was too fast!”
Sighs and disappointed faces filled the hall.
“One last song for everyone! ‘The Lanting Preface!’ I want to say, all three new songs tonight—lyrics and music—were by Jiang Yun!”
“Bravo!”
“A round of applause for Mr. Jiang Yun!”
Cheers erupted.
By the time Zhou Lun’s concert ended, it was already nine in the evening.
Li Lulu drove, carrying Jiang Yun, Zhou Lun, and Zhou Lun’s assistant, Zhu Yinling, to Red Romance Western Restaurant.
The four of them booked a private room for dinner.
“Brother Zhou, why don’t you make these three songs into an album?” Jiang Yun asked.
“I will. Performing them at the concert is just to promote them in advance,” Zhou Lun replied.
Jiang Yun nodded.
After dinner, as they prepared to leave—
“Sir, your membership card balance is insufficient.”
“Sorry about that!” Jiang Yun took out his bank card, ready to top up his membership. “Where’s the young lady who helped me last time?”
Jiang Yun specifically asked for Xiao Li, knowing that employees earned commissions for new memberships.
“Which young lady do you mean?” the server inquired.
“The one who helped me last time, about 165 centimeters tall, wearing black cloth shoes, with a ponytail—very plain-looking,” Jiang Yun described.
“You must mean Xiao Li?”
“Probably!”
“Sir, I can check the account information for you using your membership card.”
“Go ahead,” Jiang Yun said.
Shortly, the waitress returned. “It was indeed Xiao Li who processed your card.”
“Is she working today?” Jiang Yun wanted her to handle the renewal, as her modest demeanor had left a deep impression on him.
“Sorry, sir, Xiao Li no longer works here,” the waitress replied.
“She doesn’t?” Jiang Yun frowned.
“No, sir.” The waitress then asked, “Would you still like to top up your card?”
Forget it, Jiang Yun thought. He handed his bank card to the server. “Recharge it for thirty thousand.”
“Certainly, sir!” The server could hardly hide her excitement.
“What’s going on, Jiang Yun?” Zhou Lun entered. “Why is it taking so long to pay? We’ve been waiting outside for ages.”
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about a server who impressed me, but she doesn’t work here anymore,” Jiang Yun replied.
“Oh, I see,” Zhou Lun said, not giving it much thought. Nor did Jiang Yun.
Jiang Yun took his card and walked out with Zhou Lun.
Li Lulu drove the Cadillac, carrying the three men away.
At that moment, a girl named Xiao Li was facing the hardest choice of her life.
Xiao Li scrolled through her contacts, making call after call.
“All right, sorry to bother you.”
After dialing every number in her phonebook, not a single person could help her.
Xiao Li felt utterly powerless...