Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

Not long after, the host came on stage with a microphone, which was still wrapped in tape. His voice came through an old-fashioned speaker, with a slight static: "Welcome everyone to the first Penang Chinese Singing Contest! I'm your host, Ah Hong. Penang has a large Chinese population, and many people love to sing. Today, let's see who will come out on top. First up, please welcome contestant number 1!"

The competition officially began, and the contestants took turns going on stage. Some were so nervous that they forgot their lines, while others sang off-key, causing the audience to burst into laughter.

Some were decent but lacked any distinctive features, and the judges just nodded perfunctorily.

Liu Xiang knew exactly what was going on. With Liang Jingru's abilities, advancing to the first round was definitely not a problem. Sure enough, when it was number 18's turn, Liang Jingru took a deep breath, lifted her skirt and walked onto the stage. Wearing a light blue floral dress, with pure and innocent eyes, she instantly attracted everyone's attention on the simple stage.

The host asked with a smile, "Little girl, what song will you sing?"

"When Dreams Awaken." Fish Leong's voice was sweet, with a hint of nervousness, but very steady.

The staff helped her put on a backing track, a cassette tape that was popular in the 1990s. The familiar melody played from the old-fashioned stereo. Liang Jingru closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, all her tension had vanished. Her clear and soft voice sang out slowly: "You said you loved someone you shouldn't have loved, your heart is full of scars..."

Her voice possessed an innate empathy, perfectly conveying the regret and clarity within the song. Without flashy techniques, it was exceptionally moving, instantly silencing the audience. Even the camera crew forgot to move their lenses, and the judges sat up straight, their eyes filled with surprise. After the song ended, there was a two-second silence, followed by enthusiastic applause, with even the judges nodding in approval.

The host asked the judges with a smile, "Teachers, is contestant number 18 likely to advance?"

All three judges nodded in agreement. One of them, a teacher with gray hair, smiled kindly and said, "Young lady, your voice is excellent. You advance!"

Fish Leong smiled instantly, her eyes crinkling and her dimples deepening. As she stepped off the stage, her eyes immediately turned to Liu Xiang, her gaze filled with excitement. Liu Xiang quickly went to greet her, handing her a water glass: "That was fantastic! I knew you could do it!"

"Thank you, Brother Liu Xiang!" Fish Leong took the water glass, her cheeks flushed but her heart was filled with sweetness.

Sister Azhu also came over, excitedly patting her shoulder: "I knew Jingru was the best! We have to celebrate tonight!"

The three of them were having a good time, and none of them noticed that the old-fashioned video camera in the corner had inadvertently captured Liu Xiang clearly when it was filming Liang Jingru.

The footage shot by this camera will be broadcast for a few minutes in the evening news on Penang's local television station. Although it is only a local station, its coverage is quite extensive.

At 8 p.m. sharp, Penang's local television station broadcast the news, and in the last few minutes, it aired a segment of a singing competition. First, it showed Fish Leong singing on stage, and then the camera panned to Liu Xiang clapping in the audience. Although it was only for a second, it clearly captured his profile and tall figure.

The henchman, who was glued to the TV, immediately dialed Black Shark's number, his voice trembling with excitement: "Brother Shark! I found him! Liu Xiang is in Penang! At the singing competition at the Lido Hotel, the cameras caught him!"

Black Shark was smoking in the bar when he heard this. He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, his eyes turning sinister: "Lido Hotel, Penang!"

"That's right! I remember his figure and profile clearly, I'm sure it's him!"

"Good!" Black Shark sneered, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Pass the word: everyone assemble near the Lido Hotel in Penang. Let's see where he can run this time!"

Meanwhile, Liu Xiang and her two companions were celebrating in the courtyard of the guesthouse, where Grandma Chen had prepared a sumptuous dinner.

When Liang Jingru received the promotion notice, she couldn't stop smiling. She kept clinking glasses with Liu Xiang and Sister Azhu, her cheeks flushed, and she looked even more charming than during the day.

Seeing her happy expression, Liu Xiang was also delighted. Last night's erotic dream and embarrassment were long forgotten. Sister Zhu, her cheeks flushed from a couple of drinks, leaned over and teased Liu Xiang, "Look how amazing Jingru is! If she becomes a big singer, don't forget all our Penang friends!"

Liu Xiang smiled and nodded: "I don't think so. We'll still have to benefit from her influence."

Fish Leong waved her hand sheepishly, "I'm not that good, I just advanced to the first round."

"That's amazing!" Grandma Chen said with a smile. "There are so many singers in Penang, but you advanced so easily. You're sure to have a bright future."

As night deepened, the evening breeze in Penang carried a chill, and Liang Jingru was slightly tipsy.

She leaned back in her chair, looking at Liu Xiang's profile, her eyes filled with undisguised emotions.

Sister Azhu was also a little drunk, glancing at Liu Xiang from time to time with a flirtatious look in her eyes.

Liu Xiang drank two glasses of coconut wine, feeling warm inside. She felt that this moment of peace was especially precious, but she was completely unaware that danger was quietly approaching Penang through that one second of the TV screen.

Fish Leong was so drunk she couldn't hold it in any longer and went back to her room to rest. Before leaving, she said goodnight to Liu Xiang, her eyes already brimming with tears.

Sister Ah-Chu also got up to help Grandma Chen clear the dishes. Liu Xiang leaned against the rattan chair in the yard, looking at the stars in the sky, thinking that after Liang Jingru's competition ended, she should leave Penang. It would be a little difficult to see her again!

After tidying up the dishes, Granny Chen went back to her room, leaving only Liu Xiang and Sister Azhu in the courtyard. The evening breeze carried the scent of coconut, and Sister Azhu, unsteady on her feet, inexplicably leaned against Liu Xiang's wicker chair, her soft body pressed against his chest, her breath, tinged with the smell of alcohol, brushing against his neck: "Mr. Liu, are the stars in Penang brighter than elsewhere?"

Liu Xiang's heart tightened, and he quickly reached out to support her waist. His fingertips touched her warm skin, and the dream from last night flashed through his mind. He quickly composed himself, picked her up, and carried her to her room. Sister Azhu rested her head on his shoulder, her eyelashes fluttering slightly. She didn't make a fuss anymore. Liu Xiang gently placed her on the bed, tucked her in, and fled as if escaping, closing the door behind him.

He caught a glimpse of light coming through the crack in Liang Jingru's door on the second floor out of the corner of his eye. Sure enough, the girl wasn't asleep and was watching him.

He knew perfectly well that if he were mistaken for a lecherous man taking advantage of someone who was drunk, he would be unable to defend himself. After calming himself down, Liu Xiang started walking upstairs. Just as he reached the door, it creaked open, and Liang Jingru stood inside, her cheeks still flushed with wine. Her eyes were timid as she glanced at Sister Zhu's door downstairs before quickly looking away.

Before she could speak, Liu Xiang immediately stepped forward, gently touched her cheek, and lightly kissed her earlobe, her voice soft: "Don't overthink it. Sister Azhu drank too much and couldn't stand properly. I just took her back to her room."

Fish Leong's ears instantly turned bright red, and her fingers gripped the door frame tighter. Liu Xiang ruffled her hair and said, "It's chilly at night, go back to bed and get some rest. Tomorrow I'll take you to eat Penang's most famous laksa."

The young girl pursed her lips and nodded, her little doubts dissipating, leaving only shyness and excitement. She softly hummed in agreement, and watched Liu Xiang turn and go back to the next room before quietly closing the door and leaning against the backrest, her heart pounding like a drum.

After returning to her room, Liu Xiang leaned against the door and let out a long sigh, lamenting that the nights in Penang were more exhausting than a fight.