Chapter 343: World Tour Continues

"Boss, Miss Liu just called."

At noon, during a break after rehearsal, Anna handed over the phone.

Link wiped the sweat from his neck and called Chris Liu, who was on the other side of the world. He asked if she was asleep.

Chris said she wasn't, having just finished a late-night snack and was enjoying the cool air in the yard. She asked when his concert in China would start.

Link said he would be in China next week.

This tour would first go to Southeast Asia for about 18 shows before reaching China. He asked Chris Liu how her practice was going with the new song he sent her.

To cater to the Chinese audience, he prepared four Mandarin and Cantonese songs, including classic old songs and original Chinese songs, collaborating with Beyond, Emil Chau, Faye Wong, and Chris Liu.

Except for Beyond and Chris Liu, other guest performers and opening acts were arranged by Universal Music. Link had the right to choose and selected a few singers with good reputations and strong abilities from the list and artist information Universal Music sent.

Chris Liu said she had been practicing the song for months and was doing well. She said her vocal teacher said so, not her boasting.

Link asked if she could sing it.

"Sing now? I'm not prepared and don't have the accompaniment."

Chris Liu said nervously.

"No need to prepare, just sing a few lines acapella. Your voice is beautiful, and I believe you'll sing it well."

Link encouraged her.

"Okay! Give me a minute."

The other end of the phone was silent for over ten seconds, and then Chris Liu asked whether to sing in English or Chinese.

Link asked her to sing in Chinese first.

"Oh!"

Then a sweet singing voice came from the phone.

When you are old, your hair white

Sleepiness heavy

When you are old, unable to walk

Dozing by the fire, recalling youth

How many loved your moments of glad grace

And loved your beauty with love false or true

"Link, how was it?"

Chris Liu asked after singing two lines.

"Amazing, Chris. With your talent, you could totally be a singer."

"Haha, don't flatter me. I'm not that good."

"It's really good, Chris. You're so beautiful and sing so well. The only thing you lack is confidence. If you were more confident and less nervous, you would sing even better."

"Really? I believe you. This song is so well-written, both the melody and lyrics are amazing. Did you write it?"

"I participated, but it wasn't entirely written by me."

The lyrics of this song were adapted from the poem "When You Are Old" by Irish poet William Butler Yeats, later composed and sung by Zhao Zhao, becoming a famous Chinese song.

After finding this poem, Link wrote a melody and gave it to Universal Music, who then passed it to their music producers in China to translate it into smooth Chinese lyrics.

"You're so talented. My mom said this song is very nice and it's a pity to give it to me. Every time I sing, she criticizes me. It's so annoying."

Chris Liu said.

"How could your mom say that? You're already very good, much better than your peers. She should praise you often, not negate you. Do you want to give the phone to your mom so I can talk to her?"

"Ah? Forget it. She's just like that. When she has nothing to do, she likes to nag me. She doesn't mean any harm. We don't hold it against her. Are you really coming to China in August?"

"Really! It won't be postponed again this time."

The original plan was to have a concert in China in June, but an unexpected incident forced it to be postponed for two months.

"Chris, I'll see you in just over ten days. I'm very excited. How about you?"

"Me too! When you come, I can treat you to lots and lots of delicious food. This time, I'll treat you, and you pay. Who told you to lie to me about having no money last time?"

Chris said in a sweet and lively voice.

"No problem!"

Link was about to say more when he heard a gasp from Chris Liu's side, "Mom, when did you come?" and "Link, I'll talk to you later."

A few minutes later, Chris Liu sent a message.

"Oh no, my mom overheard our conversation, and she's very angry now."

"Is it serious? Should I explain to your mom?"

"No need. We're often like this. Sometimes she's angry and doesn't talk to me, and sometimes I'm angry and don't talk to her. It won't be too serious."

"Interesting. The way you and your mom get along is like sisters."

"Yes, but she said you're a playboy and thinks I shouldn't contact you privately. She's worried I'll be deceived by you."

"I'm not a playboy. The media is slandering me, just like how they slandered MJ for child molestation, portrayed Madonna as a slut, and labeled Britney Spears and Lady Gaga as neurotic. In the eyes of the media, no popular singer is normal, so their news can sell."

"Yes, those paparazzi are the worst."

After a few more messages, Chris Liu said her mom was urging her to sleep, and they ended their private chat.

Link continued rehearsing.

Cause all of me

Loves all of you

Love your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

After the rehearsal ended at around 4 pm, Link invited Daddario to dinner. The horror movie "The Hole," which she starred in, was released last week. Due to the many blockbusters in the summer season, its box office performance was average.

Daddario was recently looking for new scripts, but her eyes were too expressive, and her appearance was too beautiful, making her unsuitable for supporting roles for other actresses. The scripts she received were mostly thrillers and erotic films.

"Haven't found a suitable role yet?"

In a Spanish restaurant on Fifth Avenue in the Upper East Side, Link ate Iberian ham and asked Daddario across the table.

Daddario wore a white spaghetti strap dress, her thick black wavy hair draped over her shoulders. With big eyes and a straight nose, her appearance was even more delicate and beautiful than a Barbie doll. Combined with her figure, even in the film industry full of beauties, she was considered a top beauty.

But it was strange that she hadn't become popular.

"No, still looking at scripts."

Daddario stroked the hair by her ears, holding a spoon in her hand. While eating, she would carefully brush her hair aside and slowly feed the food from the spoon and fork into her mouth, her movements both cute and elegant.

"Alexandra, I have a role in my MV that's very suitable for you. Do you want to make a cameo?"

"No, you're so popular. There must be many girls who want to act in your MV. You don't lack actors, right?"

Daddario smiled.

Link chuckled. In the past, the women who played roles in his MVs became popular, including Doutzen Kroes, Emma Stone, and black model Jourdan Dunn. Every time he shot an MV, it would attract the attention of actresses, and this time was no exception.

"But you're the most suitable."

"Still, no. I feel it's good like this now. If there's a suitable role, I'll act in it. If not, I'll keep looking. I haven't thought about becoming a big star."

Daddario insisted.

Link nodded and looked at her beautiful eyes, "Alexandra, we're friends. I'm willing to do something for you. Is there anything you want me to do?"

Daddario thought for a moment and smiled, "I like running with you, playing tennis with you, chatting with you, and listening to you sing. If I have time, I hope to see you more. Is that okay?"

"Of course!"

Link reached out and gently wiped her smooth and delicate cheek with his fingers, "Alexandra, you're so beautiful. If I had a palace made of gold, I would definitely let you live in it and not let anyone see you, except for me."

"That's imprisonment. My dad wouldn't let you off."

Daddario blinked and smiled.

"Yes, I almost forgot you have a super awesome dad."

Link smiled and told Daddario about his schedule for the next period. He would start his world tour next week and wouldn't be able to accompany her for about two months. He apologized to her, but after the tour, they would have more time together.

Daddario looked at him quietly, holding his hand across the table, her face full of affection.

Link stopped and looked into her beautiful eyes. In the moment their eyes met, they both stood up and left the restaurant hand in hand.

The waiter in the restaurant thought someone was trying to dine and dash and was about to shout when he saw two bills on the table, enough to cover the meal and tip.

As soon as Link and Daddario got into the car, they couldn't wait to kiss each other.

Daddario's thin silk dress was almost torn apart by his rough hands.

The Ferrari's driver's seat gradually became cramped.

Worried about being photographed by paparazzi, they only made out in the car for over ten minutes. At Daddario's suggestion, he drove to her newly rented apartment in Brisbane.

Unfortunately, they ran into Daddario's lawyer mom there.

They entered the house kissing, kicking the door shut with their feet, and were about to engage in some intimate activities when they turned around and saw a lady in a suit sitting on the sofa.

"Mom?"

Daddario nervously called out, adjusting her skirt.

Link looked at Daddario and then at the stern-looking lady, thinking that today's date was probably ruined.

---

The next day, Link boarded the plane with unresolved frustration, starting a new round of his world tour.

(End of Chapter)