In 1997, after a hearty summer rain, the air was filled with the scent of earth. Eighteen-year-old Zeng Yi stepped on the train to Shenzhen with simple luggage on his back.
For this teenager from the countryside of Hunan, this will be the first turning point in his life. In the silent train car, Zeng Yi stared at the scene of the rapid retreat outside the window, and his heart was mixed.
He decided to come to this strange big city to pursue his musical dreams.
However, the reality is not as rosy as imagined. After coming to Shenzhen, Zeng Yi looked for a long time to get a job in an inconspicuous dance hall. This cabaret, called "Golden Age", has a cloudy atmosphere and shabby decoration.
During the day, it's deserted, and only at night when the neon lights come on, it's a little noisy.
Zeng Yi started his career as a singer here, and he was placed in an inconspicuous corner of the stage. The dazzling lights in the center of the stage illuminated the thinly dressed dancers, and Zeng Yi could only curl up in a dark corner.
At first, he only had a few opportunities to sing a quick part between the dances, and then hurried out. The audience didn't take him seriously, but paid more attention to those beautiful dancers.
However, Zeng Yi was not discouraged. He continued to work hard to hone his singing skills and gradually made his mark in the cabaret. One night, the lead singer suddenly fell ill, and Zeng Yi got the opportunity to appear on the main stage.
He took a deep breath and began his first solo. The loud and melodious singing resounded in every corner of the dance hall, and the audience was shocked and the applause was thunderous.
From that moment on, Zeng Yi's status in the dance hall took a qualitative leap. He became a major attraction in the cabaret and began to be appreciated by the boss and the audience. Although the conditions were difficult, Zeng Yi saw the dawn of hope.
This made him even more determined to continue chasing his musical dreams and laid the foundation for the future.
On the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, a horse is galloping. Han Hong on horseback had red cheeks and long hair flying, communicating with the horse and enjoying the fun of galloping.
However, this kind of free life did not last long. At the age of 17, Han Hong left her hometown and came to Shenzhen, a foreign land, to work hard.
The world suddenly opened up in front of her, and there were infinite opportunities and countless unknown obstacles in the vast city. After finding a song and dance hall called "Golden Age", Han Hong began to make a living here.
She thought she would soon get a chance to perform in a cabaret, but reality disappointed her. The boss here doesn't value her talent, and she only gets the opportunity to perform in some innocuous occasions.
Until one night, Han Hong heard a loud and melodious male voice on the stage, full of pride and strength, but also full of tenderness. She looked up in surprise and found that it was Zeng Yi singing, and her singing voice was full of love and dedication to music.
At this moment, Han Hong seemed to be ignited with a fire in her heart. She plucked up the courage to introduce herself and expressed her willingness to cooperate. She hopes to work hard with Zeng Yi to realize her dream.
Zeng Yi readily accepted Han Hong's suggestion, and the two began a long-term cooperation. During the day, they sweat profusely in the hot Xi room; In the evenings, they get together to study their creations.
In music, the two hearts slowly become one.
They ignited their dreams in this humble cabaret and began their own legend. Since then, the name of the Phoenix legend has been resounding in people's hearts.
In 1998, Zeng Yi and Han Hong officially formed a music group. At first, the two experienced many failures and setbacks. They struggled to make a living in small and nameless bars, where the stage was small and damp with a small audience.
In the dead of night, they warm each other and snuggle up in the humble dressing room behind the stage.
Two years later, after unremitting efforts, they finally ushered in their first opportunity - to participate in a provincial singing competition. They stayed up all night preparing and wrote and directed an original single.
On the day of the competition, they were well-dressed, dignified and focused. The stage lights are dim, and they are holding their breath to interpret their original works, unaffected by the outside environment, and immersed in the music.
Their performance won a warm applause from the audience, and they stood out among many contestants and won the grand prize. This was an important turning point in their musical careers, and it also brought more attention to this promising combination.
In 2003, Phoenix Legend officially debuted and released its first single "On the Moon". The brisk rhythm, Han Hong's clear treble and Zeng Yi's loud rap are perfectly combined, and this single quickly became popular on the Internet, with more than 100 million hits.
Since then, the Phoenix legend has entered the public eye, and their name has become a resounding brand.
The sweet success after a difficult start is the best reward for the efforts of the two. In the twists and turns, they did not give up, and finally their dreams came true. At the same time, it also inspires countless hearts to persevere on the road of chasing dreams.
The success of the Phoenix saga did not bask them in joy. Doubts from all sides followed.
Some viewers criticized their music style as old-fashioned and not trendy enough. Some people also questioned whether it was fair that Zeng Yi was only responsible for a small amount of rap but shared the proceeds equally with Han Hong. These blunt doubts shook the self-confidence of the two.
At first, they wanted to directly refute these doubts and prove their strength. But after much deliberation, the two decided to remain calm and rational. Because what really matters is the love and persistence of the two of them in music.
During this time, the two often got together to talk about life at night. Han Hong is grateful to Zeng Yi for his inspiration and support over the years. Zeng Yi also sincerely wished Han Hong to go further and shine in the future.
They choose to face the doubts with composure, rather than the attacker. Because true energy comes from within, not from the outside. This rational attitude not only helped them tide over the difficulties, but also allowed the public to see the maturity of the two.
When exhaustion and anxiety come, the two always encourage each other: "The storm will pass, as long as we don't lose our dreams and courage." With this precious friendship, they rekindled their fighting spirit and continued to move forward.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the Phoenix Legend has been established for more than ten years. From obscurity to household names, they have traveled an extraordinary musical path.
In the past ten years, they have continued to develop new genres, and have successively launched many popular classics such as "On the Moon" and "Free Flight". These works are a fusion of pop elements and Chinese style, with beautiful melodies and positive energy.
They are no longer confined to a small stage, but stand on a wider stage, receiving applause from audiences across the country. They participated in various large-scale programs, showing their strength and conveying a positive spirit.
They are highly regarded by many professional judges.
Today, the Phoenix Legend has grown into an important force in the music scene, and they represent the progress and innovation of Chinese music. This is not only due to the two people's persistent pursuit of music, but also to the sincere friendship between them.
It is this precious affection that sustains them through all kinds of hardships and flies high again.
The story of the Phoenix Legend is like a magnificent epic, full of struggle, growth, and emotion. It inspires countless people with dreams to believe that perseverance can reach the pinnacle of life.
This spirit shines eternally, like a phoenix reborn in Nirvana.