Chapter 658 It Must Be a Big Hit

"Sigh, I almost don’t want to go back." In the car on the way to the airport, Director Kong gazed reluctantly at the passing scenery. When it came to natural landscapes and comfortable living, Yunzhong City was far superior to Xiangjiang. "After I retire, I’m definitely coming to Yunzhong City to spend my golden years."

"Aren’t you still a long way from retirement, Director Kong?" Shen Yibin complimented him. And it was true, Director Kong was in excellent shape. He always kept up well during his morning and evening exercises with Shen Yibin. That young starlet, on the other hand, would often start whining about being tired before she’d even run very far.

"Haha, if that’s the case, it’s all thanks to you." Director Kong happily patted his suitcase. It was stuffed with the herbs and Monkey Wine Shen Yibin had given him. Enjoying them daily these past few days had made him feel a good ten years younger. ’Once I’m back in Xiangjiang, I can go after even more girls.’

Once they arrived at the airport and Shen Yibin had escorted him to the security checkpoint, Director Kong grasped his hand. "The timing is really unfortunate," he said. "They’re rushing me back in Xiangjiang, or I would have definitely stayed for Sun Qian’s album release party. I promise, when *Panda Hero 2* is released, she will still be the one singing the theme song."

He had originally come to Yunzhong City to do Shen Yibin a favor, but now he was the one who owed even more. He could only use this as a way to compensate. He saw a younger version of himself in Shen Yibin and always felt there was some unspoken, ambiguous relationship between him and Sun Qian. Therefore, giving Sun Qian an opportunity was the same as giving one to Shen Yibin.

He had to say this now. Otherwise, once Sun Qian’s new album became a massive hit—which Director Kong considered a near certainty—her position in the Chinese-speaking music world would be cemented. By then, inviting her to sing the theme song for *Panda Hero 2* would no longer be considered a leg up. Director Kong felt he owed Shen Yibin far too much and was forced to resort to such a minor stratagem.

"Then I’ll thank you on Sun Qian’s behalf!" Shen Yibin didn’t quite grasp the underlying meaning at that moment, but he thanked him profusely.

After seeing Director Kong off, Shen Yibin went to Sun Qian’s studio to help with the final preparations before the album release party. He had already noticed at the airport that many fans had traveled from afar to attend.

The release party was held as scheduled two days later. A long line formed outside the Yunzhong City Gymnasium. Fans who had flocked from all over the country excitedly discussed Sun Qian and her new album. Among them were people who had heard Sun Qian sing at major music festivals, loyal fans of *Panda Hero*, and new fans who had fallen for the singer after watching the music video. Of course, a good number of them were there for Cheeky, with many holding up his portrait.

Before long, the fans had packed the venue to the rafters. Outside, many who hadn’t managed to get tickets still lingered, unwilling to leave. Seeing this, Shen Yibin mused, ’If Sun Qian holds her own concert someday, she’ll probably have the right to try for major venues like the Mercedes-Benz Center and the Beijing Worker’s Stadium.’

There weren’t many singers in the Chinese-speaking Community who could fill such large venues nowadays. All of them, without exception, were veteran artists who had been famous for ten or twenty years. Among the newcomers, a careful count would probably reveal only Sun Qian.

The party started right on time. Sun Qian, dressed to the nines, took the stage and began to sing the song that had already swept through the entire Chinese-speaking Community. "Morning dew on bamboo leaves, startles a panda from its dreams. It emerges from its den, gazing at the mountain across the way. What might lie on the other side...?"

She had only sung a few lines when Hah’Er appeared on stage. The little guy climbed out of a prop disguised as a rock and poked his head out, just like in the music video, staring curiously at the audience.

"Hah’Er! Hah’Er! Sun Qian! Sun Qian!" The sight was a wonderful surprise for the fans, who began to chant both of their names.

Not to be outdone, Cheeky flew onto the stage with a custom-made miniature microphone on his head. He landed in a spot opposite Sun Qian and began to sing a duet with her.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH~" At this, the fans went into an absolute frenzy. Cheeky hadn’t made a public appearance in a long time, not since that talent competition. He had only accompanied Sun Qian and Phoenix a few times to sing the theme song for *Panda Hero*. Now, this heavyweight contender’s return to the stage instantly pushed the atmosphere in the gymnasium to a fever pitch.

"Looks like this release party is a roaring success!" Shen Yibin said to Xia Shixuan, Bai Yanni, and the others in the VIP box, applauding. To support Sun Qian today, he had closed the pet shop for the day and invited all his employees and old friends like Bai Yanni and Qiao Wenqi.

"During the celebration banquet later, I’m definitely getting Sun to sign a few autographs for me. They might be worth a fortune someday!" Ever since borrowing money from Shen Yibin for the down payment on her house, Li Shiqing was showing signs of turning into a little miser.

"Sakai, can you see clearly now? This angle should be good enough, right?" Bai Yanni, meanwhile, was busy adjusting her phone, live-streaming the event for Sakai Kaori. On the other side, Qiao Wenqi was doing the exact same thing, busily streaming for Sylvie.

"Bin, Sun Qian doesn’t have any endorsement deals yet, does she? How about having her consider endorsing my company’s orange juice?" Xu Ye’s family owned a company that produced orange juice, taking advantage of Yunzhong City’s abundant orange resources. Unfortunately, the beverage industry was incredibly competitive, so they had only managed to struggle along within the province, unable to break into the national market. Seeing how popular Sun Qian was now, he felt this was an opportunity he absolutely had to seize.

"You should talk to her about that yourself! As far as I know, she doesn’t have a single endorsement deal yet." Shen Yibin was very supportive of the suggestion. Sun Qian had exhausted her savings preparing for the new album, so it was the perfect time for her to increase her income.

This was no loss for Xu Ye, either. Negotiating now would certainly get him a much better price than if he waited a month. The collaboration was a win-win situation.

The release party was a resounding success. Simultaneously, official sales launched on the website. Delivery trucks parked right at the factory, shipping out new albums to all corners of the country. In a very short time, album sales surpassed one million copies, and the number of digital purchases and downloads reached an astonishing figure.

Sun Qian’s explosive rise to fame seemed unstoppable. Barring any accidents, her ascent to the throne of a pop queen was likely just a matter of the next year or two.

Once the new album release party was over, Turtle Immortal’s two-month deadline was also up. It seemed Shen Yibin was ready to level up!