In Hong Kong's traditional media industry, TVB and ATV were undoubtedly bitter rivals.
Their feud stretched back decades. The tangled history between these two broadcasting giants could easily fill a television drama hundreds of episodes long, and their competition had been a constant throughout the city's broadcast history.
It was perfectly normal for representatives from both TVB and ATV to attend the Bell Tower Music Salon.
After all, whether it was Liu Hanyang, Music Director of ATV's Variety Channel, or Li Mingyuan, producer of TVB's Music Channel, both were well-established figures in the local music scene.
Neither man was a fool. Both had reached their current positions through years of experience in the industry.
The topic sparked by Lu Chen, Madam Jin's proposal, Liu Gangsheng's backing, and the sudden evolution of the idea into a major joint effort among Hong Kong's musicians gave Liu Hanyang and Li Mingyuan an unmistakable scent of opportunity.
When it came to variety shows and talent competitions, TVB and ATV were host choices second to none. Every year, the Miss Hong Kong and Miss Asia pageants attracted massive audiences, drawing ratings that rarely dipped below twenty percent.
Yet it was also an undeniable fact that viewership for both pageants had been declining year after year. Last year's Miss Hong Kong preliminary round had dropped dangerously close to that twenty percent threshold, forcing TVB to pour considerable resources into the program just to keep ratings from falling further.
The situation with Miss Asia wasn't much better.
The reason was simple: traditional media had been struggling under the weight of the internet boom. After decades of Miss Hong Kong and Miss Asia competitions, the networks were running out of fresh concepts, and audiences were experiencing viewer fatigue.
Under these circumstances, finding new ideas and driving change had become top priorities for producers at both networks.
'Hong Kong's New Voice' was an exceptional opportunity.
It had a strong concept, funding, and the endorsement of a Heavenly King superstar like Liu Gangsheng.
It would be difficult to make it fail even if they tried.
It was like a golden hen that had just wandered out of the wilderness, who wouldn't want to bring it home?
Liu Hanyang and Li Mingyuan immediately turned into two fighting roosters, glaring at each other and refusing to yield an inch.
If either man let his network lose the chance to produce a talent competition with such immense potential, he would have a hard time answering to his superiors.
The tension between them grew stronger by the second.
Liu Gangsheng, however, was experienced enough to defuse the situation with a smile.
"There's no need to argue just yet. 'Hong Kong's New Voice' is still only an initial concept. Why don't both of you prepare a complete proposal first and present it to everyone? Then we'll choose whichever pitch is better. How does that sound?"
As expected of the Heavenly King, Liu Gangsheng resolved the dispute with just a few words while establishing a clear standard for the project, making it far more practical.
Whichever network produced the better proposal would get the show, with the project's backers voting on the outcome.
It was fair and reasonable.
Liu Hanyang and Li Mingyuan had no objections, while the guests enthusiastically applauded the idea.
Before anyone knew who had started it, another round of thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.
Everyone felt as though they had just witnessed the birth of a major event in Hong Kong's pop music scene, one that might very well shape its future.
Lu Chen, Chen Fei'er, Liu Gangsheng, and Madam Jin were surrounded by the crowd, basking in the applause.
The people encircling them included famous singers, industry veterans, and senior media executives. Even someone like Ye Xuan couldn't squeeze into the inner circle.
As for Jiang Wei, who had earlier declared that he would defeat Lu Chen, he could only hide in a corner with a few friends.
Compared to Liu Gangsheng, they were like faint stars beside a full moon.
Liu Gangsheng's high regard for Lu Chen made Jiang Wei's earlier provocation look utterly ridiculous.
At that moment, the host of the music salon, Guo Huai'an, finally stepped forward with a smile.
"Everyone, our master chefs have prepared today's special dishes. Discussing business is important, but so is eating!"
One of the traditions of the Bell Tower Music Salon was a dinner reception, usually served as a Western-style buffet. The chefs were famous Hong Kong masters who brought out their finest creations for the occasion.
The atmosphere immediately relaxed. Everyone chatted and laughed as they helped themselves to the food.
Liu Gangsheng said to Lu Chen, "Let me get something to eat first, then we can sit down and talk. How does that sound?"
Lu Chen smiled. "I'd be delighted."
Liu Gangsheng appeared to be only in his forties. He possessed a memorable face, handsome and resolute, carrying the maturity and confidence that came from decades of experience.
In reality, the Hong Kong Heavenly King was already fifty-four years old.
Looking at him, Lu Chen saw shades of Tan Hong. The two men were similar in many ways.
Both had reached the pinnacle of their respective fields and won so many awards that honors had largely lost their novelty. The difference was that Tan Hong had retired from the spotlight early, while Liu Gangsheng remained active across music, film, and television.
Fame and fortune no longer drove the Heavenly King.
He sincerely wanted to do something meaningful for Hong Kong's pop music scene, hoping to revive Cantonese pop at a time when its standing had become increasingly precarious.
That was the primary reason Liu Gangsheng admired Lu Chen.
He saw in Lu Chen the future hope of Chinese-language pop music.
For Lu Chen, sitting face-to-face and conversing with an idol he had admired since childhood felt surreal, like a childhood dream coming true and exceeding his wildest expectations.
"I really hope you'll spend more time in Hong Kong," the Heavenly King said, his tone earnest. "Write more great Cantonese songs. And even if you can't stay here long-term, please keep writing them."
"Songs as good as 'Favorite in Life'."
Lu Chen nodded solemnly. "I'll definitely do my best."
Liu Gangsheng smiled and handed Lu Chen his personal business card. "If you ever need anything, give me a call."
He rarely gave out his personal contact details, reserving them only for those he considered genuine friends.
Madam Jin smiled. "Let me take a photo of you two. It'll be a great keepsake."
Liu Gangsheng, who had been about to leave, readily agreed. He posed for a photo with Lu Chen, then took several more with Chen Fei'er, including group shots of the three of them.
Chen Fei'er later uploaded several of the pictures to her blog from her phone.
They immediately sparked intense discussion among her and Lu Chen's fans.
"That's the Heavenly King!"
"The legends of two generations in one frame! This is so cool!"
"Ahhh! Does this mean Liu Gangsheng might make a cameo in the new movie? I really hope so!"
"My Lu Chen is so talented. Of course the Heavenly King appreciates him!"
"Can't wait to see Lu Chen, Fei'er, and the Heavenly King collaborate!"
"Count me in!"
Regardless of the online excitement generated by the photos, attending the Bell Tower Music Salon proved to be a crucial milestone for Lu Chen in establishing his footing within Hong Kong's entertainment industry.
Two days later, after wrapping up her scenes for 'A Chinese Ghost Story', Chen Fei'er left Hong Kong.
With her departure, filming for Lu Chen's directorial debut entered its final push.
On December 29, 'A Chinese Ghost Story' officially wrapped production.
(End of Chapter)
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