Chapter 156: Honey-Glazed!

In the afternoon, Jiang Lun left Tianhe Stadium and hurried to his next destination—the Provincial People's Stadium—to attend the rehearsal for Zhejiang Satellite TV's New Year's Eve countdown concert.

The theme of Zhejiang Satellite TV's event this year was "Speed Running New Year's Eve Concert." In reality, the format was quite similar to Mango TV, consisting entirely of pop music and dance performances without any spoken-word or comedy acts.

Unlike Mango TV, which heavily relied on the appeal of current idols, Zhejiang Satellite TV excelled in playing the card of nostalgia.

The stars they invited were either former idols who constituted the memories of a generation, or legendary performers who had debuted many years ago and since retired.

Take the four members of the ON group for instance: Yu Ming, Yan Xu, Xiao Tian, and Hao Wu. They were the first generation of idol groups in the Chinese-language entertainment circle. Back in the day, the four of them were tall, handsome, and possessed legions of fans. The moment they debuted, they swept across the whole of Asia with a single idol drama and a single song, becoming the representative idols of the Chinese entertainment industry within a mere year.

However, a full decade ago, the four members of ON disbanded and went their separate ways. In recent years, Yu Ming and Yan Xu would occasionally take on a television drama role. Hao Wu went to South Korea and married a South Korean female celebrity, though they were now divorced and he currently taught dancing in South Korea. Xiao Tian could be considered successful; he went to the United States and was reborn as a business elite and tech guru, holding several currently trending apps in his hands.

Logically speaking, it was impossible for these four to reunite, especially Xiao Tian. With his business at such a scale, he could easily afford to invest in an entire gala, so why would he need to take the stage himself?

This was the sheer prowess of Zhejiang Satellite TV, managing to invite even a figure like him. Furthermore, it was rumored that there was an even more hidden superstar heavy-hitter whose nostalgic influence was no less than that of the ON group. As to who it was, rumor had it that even the internal staff of Zhejiang Satellite TV did not know, and apparently only the director's group was clued in.

The hosts for Zhejiang Satellite TV's countdown concert were precisely the four regular hosts of "Speed Running": Li Donghe, You Chao, Deng Fei, and Sun Wu.

As soon as he arrived at the venue, Jiang Lun was pulled aside into the backstage area by Li Donghe.

"Lun. We have an important mission to hand over to you this time. Promise me you won't get too excited first!"

As he spoke, Li Donghe's hands were trembling, clearly unable to calm his own emotions.

"What kind of mission is it?" Jiang Lun asked, puzzled.

Li Donghe pointed outside to a black sedan. "The director of this gala is right inside that car. You'll know once you go up!"

"Heh. Are you guys from Zhejiang TV planning to kidnap me?"

Jiang Lun smiled and tossed out that casual remark.

"As if!" Li Donghe chuckled. "It's a good thing. Of course, it might also have a bit of a challenge to it. The station has already said that today's appearance fee will be tripled for you!"

Jiang Lun thought he had misheard and immediately pressed, "What did you say? Tripled?"

"Three times!" Li Donghe wore a mysterious expression. "Well? Better mentally prepare yourself. This secret mission today is guaranteed to shock you!"

"Why is it so high?"

Instead, Jiang Lun calmed down. Every abnormal occurrence portended a demon. He narrowed his eyes immediately. Could it be that they had arranged some terrifying stunt?

Such elements were common in variety shows, where people would do jaw-dropping things for the sake of ratings.

If it were a comedic act, it would be fine, but if it involved popular idols, the price tag would inevitably double.

"I told you, you'll know once you get in the car!"

Li Donghe stopped dawdling, pushed Jiang Lun toward the door, then pulled open the car door and shoved him inside.

However, Li Donghe wanted to follow him in as well. Just as he made a move, a head poked out from the front passenger seat and said to him, "Donghe. Go hurry them up. Tighten up the rehearsal schedule. We must finish rehearsing by five o'clock today!"

"Uh..." Li Donghe instantly understood the other person's meaning—they simply didn't want him getting in. So he nodded with a look of disappointment and said, "Alright, Director, I understand!"

Jiang Lun sat in the back row, looking at the director in the front. Once the car door closed, he asked, "Director, what special mission is there?"

"Hello, Jiang Lun!" The director smiled and explained, "For our countdown concert this time, we have invited a mysterious heavyweight. Their greatest wish is to collaborate with you once, and my idea is that the two of you can sing a song together."

"Is that so?" Jiang Lun didn't have any objections, so he asked, "Who is this mysterious heavyweight?"

"I'll take you to meet them. You'll know once you see them!"

The director still refused to spill the beans and simply instructed the driver to get moving.

Jiang Lun felt quite stifled. The level of confidentiality was kept so strict—just who on earth could this be?

Could they be even more popular than ON?

Someone that other stations couldn't even invite?

Jiang Lun took out his phone and searched online for related news. There were all sorts of speculations from netizens, with opinions varying wildly.

Some said it was a certain female singer from within the state system who used to sing many classic children's songs back in the day, leaving a deep impression on the childhoods of the post-70s, post-80s, and post-90s generations.

Others said it was a Hong Kong or Taiwan singer, such as Lu Zongjian, who had long since retired from the scene, or a musical master of a similar tier.

Still others said it was the Heavenly King Zhang Yu. Ever since his farewell concert five years ago, Zhang Yu had never taken the stage to sing again. By now, he had earned enough money and was quietly enjoying his later years with his wife and children.

In reality, Zhang Yu wasn't old either, barely turning fifty this year, just a year or two older than Wu Zhaoyang. But why had he chosen to retire so early?

That was something nobody could have anticipated.

The car did not head toward any hotel or guesthouse. Instead, it drove around the old city district, then turned into an alley on an extremely inconspicuous street amidst the bustling downtown, unexpectedly winding up in a scenic area.

This was clearly the shores of the West Lake, yet it looked completely different from the West Lake people usually envisioned.

Who knew which part of the West Lake this was? Anyway, after the car drove around for so long, Jiang Lun was thoroughly dizzy.

The vehicle drove into a cluster of standalone lakeside villas.

Finally, it stopped in front of a villa.

"Mr. Jiang, please get out of the car!"

The director was extremely polite. After inviting Jiang Lun out of the car, he climbed back inside himself. "Go ahead and knock on the door!"

"Oh!"

In a daze, Jiang Lun walked up to the villa. Before he even pressed the doorbell, the outer courtyard gate swung open on its own.

He glanced back at the director, only to see the director waving his hand once more, signaling him to go inside.

Jiang Lun figured he had nothing to lose—they weren't going to eat him, after all. He gritted his teeth and walked in.

The front door of the villa was unlocked. After sliding the door open and stepping inside, he saw quite a few people gathered in the living room at a glance.

Looking closer, the "mysterious heavyweight" they were surrounding turned out to be Liu Xiayu.

The elf couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. "Phew... Sister Liu, so the mysterious heavyweight is you?"

Liu Xiayu was currently holding an evening gown against her torso to measure it. Turning around to look at Jiang Lun, she said, "It's not me. It's someone else. I'm just here to bridge the gap."

Someone else?

Jiang Lun asked in confusion, "Who?"

"Take a look at who that is."

Liu Xiayu gestured toward the balcony. Jiang Lun turned his head to look, and couldn't help starting in shock.

Goodness gracious, how, how did *she* come out?

"Teacher Wang..."

The person sitting gracefully there was none other than Wang Qianwen!

From the late 1980s to the mid-2000s, a span of nearly twenty years, that was the period when Wang Qianwen was at the absolute peak of her popularity.

In 2005, nearing forty years of age, she married, had a child, and retired from the entertainment industry, leaving behind the legend of a grand era.

She was from the mainland and debuted in Hong Kong at the age of sixteen. Song after song of hers became household hits, and classic movie after classic movie created a glorious record. Her records repeatedly topped Asian sales charts.

Having had virtually no news about her for nearly a decade, nobody expected her to appear here.

Furthermore, looking at her, she had hardly changed at all compared to her image in films from over a decade ago.

Doing the math, she was already close to fifty this year, yet she was still maintained in such a youthful and radiant state that Jiang Lun could hardly believe his eyes.

When she retired, it coincided with the surge of the internet age. Many post-00s didn't even know of her former influence, and some even called her the most overrated singer.

Most netizens guessed what her appearance must be like now, assuming she must have been weathered by life into a dull, worn-out housewife.

Yet, looking closely, Jiang Lun couldn't even find crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. She didn't look like the mother of three children in the slightest.

"Haven't you looked enough?"

Liu Xiayu walked over and nudged Jiang Lun. "Well? Stunned by your childhood goddess?"

"What childhood idol!"

Jiang Lun blurted out, "Sister Qianwen is still very young!"

"Oh my, that flattery is so thick I'm blushing for you!"

Liu Xiayu genuinely blushed. "How come I never noticed this smooth-talking side of yours before!"

"Tee-hee-hee..."

Wang Qianwen covered her mouth and smiled. "You really know how to talk. Jiang Lun, I never took you for that kind of singer."

"Hehe!" Jiang Lun chuckled sheepishly. "I'm telling the truth, Sister. How do you maintain your skin? It hasn't changed at all over the years!"

"Didn't you just say I'm still very young? Then what is there to change?"

Wang Qianwen laughed, her cheeks flushed slightly. She looked like a sweet young girl in the prime of her youth, appearing somewhat shy.

They always said a mature woman still retained her charm; Wang Qianwen was right in that sweet spot. Every movement, every smile, was similarly brimming with bashfulness, completely different from a young girl.

Take Liu Xiayu standing beside her for comparison.

No matter how old Liu Xiayu was, judging from her brow, her hips, and the sway of her hips when she walked, she was definitely still a virgin. Her subtle expressions, including the reaction she had just now upon hearing Jiang Lun's words—blushing as well—presented a completely different feel.

If Liu Xiayu was a crisp, red apple, then Wang Qianwen was a juicy peach, with the nectar practically about to overflow.

"Alright, alright, stop joking around!"

Liu Xiayu interjected. "We have serious business to attend to!"

Then, she turned back to Wang Qianwen. "Sister Wang, you tell him!"

"Alright, I'll tell him then!"

Wang Qianwen's face was full of smiles. "Jiang Lun, I won't beat around the bush. Originally, I wasn't planning on coming out for Zhejiang Satellite TV's New Year's countdown invitation, but when Xiayu said you would be here too, I agreed!"

"Ah ha?"

Jiang Lun cheered up. "Because of me? Won't I feel so embarrassed?"

"I want to collaborate with you on a piece and sing a song. Do you have any usable works on hand right now?" Wang Qianwen blinked her large eyes, looking at Jiang Lun with anticipation.

"Right now..." Jiang Lun scratched his head. For a moment, he really couldn't think of any song suitable to duet with Wang Qianwen. Surely he couldn't have her step up and sing "Double-Blade Staff" with him!

Liu Xiayu also chimed in, "Don't hesitate! Aren't your skills at writing songs on the spot legendary? Why don't you show Sister Wang your talent?"

"Stop teasing me, Sister Liu!"

Jiang Lun smiled and waved his hand, but his mind suddenly took a turn. *Wait, there actually is one. Hang on, let me make a call!* (To be continued.)