Of course, Chen Xiaoxi was not a disgraced artist.
If Gangzi agreed to act as her recommender, there was a high chance she would make it onto the Spring Festival Gala stage.
The premise, however, was simple—
She needed a song powerful enough to move the chief director.
With Zhang Yichen around, that was the one thing Gangzi did not doubt.
Gangzi fell into brief contemplation, his fingers lightly brushing the rim of the teacup before him.
His gaze shifted between Zhang Yichen and Chen Xiaoxi, weighing his decision carefully.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yichen sat quietly, a faint smile on his lips. He neither urged nor pressured, as if everything would naturally fall into place.
"Brother Lin," Gangzi finally spoke, his voice low and steady, "forgive me for asking—but don't you want to perform at the Spring Festival Gala yourself?"
"Don't worry, Brother Gangzi. I'll be there—accompanying Sister Xiaoxi," Zhang Yichen replied calmly.
As he spoke, he turned toward Ah Hua.
"As for whether we make it onto the stage… that depends on whether Brother Hua is willing to act as our recommender."
"My recommendation?" Ah Hua had been watching the exchange with mild amusement, but now that the spotlight turned to him, he didn't hesitate.
"Of course."
His agreement came swiftly.
The reason was simple—he believed in Zhang Yichen.
Moreover, with the bold moves Zhang Yichen had been making recently, it was obvious he intended to carve out a place for himself in the music industry.
Helping him was a risk worth taking.
With Ah Hua's agreement secured, Gangzi turned his attention to Chen Xiaoxi, his gaze carrying a trace of scrutiny.
Chen Xiaoxi lowered her head slightly, her hands folded neatly on her knees. Her fingertips were faintly pale—clear signs of tension.
But soon, she lifted her gaze and met his eyes directly.
"Brother Gangzi," she said softly, yet firmly, "I know my past may give people reason to hesitate."
"But now, I've adjusted my mindset. And I have the confidence to deliver a performance worthy of the audience."
Her voice was as clear as water—pure, unwavering, and sincere.
Gangzi studied her in silence, as if searching her eyes for something.
And there, he found it—
A quiet, unyielding resolve.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Miss Chen, I've always known your strength. But the Spring Festival Gala isn't just about ability—it requires coordination, discipline, and reliability in every aspect."
"Please rest assured," Zhang Yichen interjected sincerely, "we will fully cooperate and never cause you any trouble."
The implication was obvious.
Gangzi's concern wasn't her talent—it was her past contract disputes, and the possibility of her depression affecting her performance.
But with Zhang Yichen's assurance, his worries eased.
"Alright," he said at last. "Now I'm curious—what song have you prepared for Miss Chen?"
Zhang Yichen smiled faintly.
Reaching into his bag, he took out a sheet of music and placed it gently on the table.
"This is a new piece that blends modern pop with traditional opera elements. It's called Rise."
"A fusion of pop and opera?" Gangzi picked up the score, flipping through it carefully. His expression gradually turned peculiar.
The lyrics were excellent.
The composition was equally refined.
For years, countless composers had attempted to integrate opera elements into modern music—
Yet none had truly succeeded.
There always seemed to be a gap, an invisible divide that refused to be bridged.
But this song…
It was built upon the pentatonic scale—the very foundation of traditional Chinese music.
And suddenly—
Everything made sense.
Without comment, Gangzi passed the score to Ah Hua.
For now, he chose to withhold judgment.
Ah Hua scanned the notes, his expression growing increasingly serious.
His fingers tapped lightly against the table, as though he were already hearing the melody in his mind.
"This song…" he said slowly, lifting his head, his eyes shining with astonishment, "is truly refreshing."
He set the score down and looked deeply at Zhang Yichen.
"But whether it's truly great—we'll need to hear it."
"Exactly." Zhang Yichen nodded, then turned toward Chen Xiaoxi.
"Sister Xiaoxi, sing a few lines. Let Brother Hua and Brother Gangzi give you their thoughts."
"Alright."
She nodded and stood up, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.
"Please guide me."
In the next moment, she closed her eyes, recalling every detail Zhang Yichen had taught her.
When she opened them again—
Her gaze was steady.
"The red sun rises in the East,
Its great path bathed in radiant light.
How fortunate I am to be born in your embrace,
To carry this lineage in my blood.
Through hardship we stand together,
Sharing both fortune and fate,
Our spine unyielding—
My nation, vast and boundless, built upon benevolence—
A faith unbroken for a thousand years."
Her voice drifted through the room like a gentle breeze, carrying a classical elegance that filled every corner.
Ah Hua's expression shifted—from casual indifference to focused admiration.
Gangzi's brows slowly relaxed, a flicker of approval and surprise flashing in his eyes.
As the song progressed, Chen Xiaoxi grew more immersed.
Her arms moved subtly with the melody, as though she had become one with the music itself.
"The red sun rises in the East,
Its great path bathed in radiant light…
My nation, vast and boundless, built upon benevolence—
A faith unbroken for a thousand years."
Her voice was smooth and resonant, her use of falsetto precise and controlled.
And the operatic passages—
They were nothing short of stunning.
When the final note faded, silence filled the room.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then, Ah Hua was the first to break free from the lingering resonance.
"Brother Zhang… you're incredible."
His voice carried genuine awe.
"This is a groundbreaking piece. This kind of innovation—it opens an entirely new path for Blue Star music."
"Indeed," Gangzi added, snapping back to reality. "This kind of fusion could become a defining highlight of the industry."
Zhang Yichen smiled faintly, his tone calm yet confident.
"You're too kind. I simply believe that traditional culture holds countless treasures. If we reinterpret it through a modern lens, perhaps more people will come to appreciate its beauty."
Ah Hua nodded, his eyes full of approval.
"You're right. We've always tried to promote traditional culture, but we lacked a true breakthrough point. This song—Rise—fills that gap perfectly."
He turned to Gangzi, his tone firm.
"I think this song is perfect for the Spring Festival Gala. It showcases cultural depth while carrying strong emotional impact. If we recommend it, it will definitely cause a sensation."
Gangzi fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath.
"Alright. For the sake of promoting traditional culture—I'll fully support you."
"Thank you, Brother Gangzi. Thank you, Brother Hua."
Relief washed over Chen Xiaoxi as she bowed deeply.
"I will give it everything I have. I won't let you down."
Gangzi waved a hand dismissively.
"No need to be so formal. You've shown both sincerity and capability—now it all comes down to execution."
Truth be told—
If this song hadn't already been claimed, he would have wanted to sing it himself.
He had trained in opera.
Promoting it had always been his dream.
He had tried, time and time again—
Only to fail.
But today…
For the first time—
He saw hope.