Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

Chapter 402: Hong Kong Island Concert (3)

Amber’s tweet set off a seismic shock across the internet in the United States.

The melon was too big, and its structure was rather complex; many people didn’t know where to start slicing this melon. Experience new stories on

First off, the credibility of this melon was very high, and Amber wouldn’t self-sabotage just to spill the beans.

Next, it was revealed that Link and Taylor started dating in 2008 rather than the previously rumored 2009, proving they had broken up more than once.

Thirdly, after their previous breakup, it was Taylor who initiated the reconciliation and spent money to get rid of the rival, not Link pursuing Taylor.

And then came fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth.

Debates over whether Amber was a victim or benefactor, a gold digger or a fool, and whether Taylor’s money was well spent to buy back love; also, whether Taylor was innocent in this breakup saga, and what was the real reason for Link’s initial split with Taylor, and so on.

A big melon was chopped into countless pieces, with all sorts of shapes and flavors, catering to different spectators.

These melon pieces had plenty of seeds, fitting for simultaneous munching and complaining.

Some mentioned Taylor’s abrupt end to the world tour early in 2009, probably also related to Link, saying Taylor got what she deserved.

Others said Taylor should have realized that Link was a playboy after seeing him quickly take up with new girlfriend Amber following their breakup; knowing well that Link was ’trouble’ but still jumping into the ’fire,’ it was all self-inflicted when Link cheated on her later.

Many men envied Link for having a woman willing to spend a million US dollars just to be with him again; unfortunately, he didn’t cherish her until it was too late for regrets.

It was rumored that some Hollywood film companies plan to use this storyline to make a movie.

After the controversy, none of Link, Taylor, or Amber could escape without a tarnished reputation.

But there were definite benefits, especially for the latter two.

With this explosive news, Amber’s fame skyrocketed in the entertainment industry; virtually everyone in the United States knew of her as an actress, her popularity comparable to an A-list celebrity, and she also snagged a few roles playing a gold digger through this.

Taylor’s new album sold 1.572 million copies in its first week in the United States, slightly less than Link’s third album’s first-week sales of 1.74 million, but it was an astonishing figure nonetheless.

This success vaulted her album into the sixth spot in the history of US album first-week sales.

In the album, all 14 songs entered the top 100 on the Billboard charts with "Devil" climbing to number one.

"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "I Knew You Were Trouble," "Blank Space," "Better Than Revenge," and "Mine" were ranked second, third, fifth, seventh, and eighth respectively; all songs had the potential to hit the top of the charts.

"The Story of Us," "Last Kiss," "Ours," "Mean," and six other songs entered the top forty, generating widespread interest.

"Billboard" Magazine claimed that this year’s race for the top album in America would likely come down to Link and Taylor.

In December of the previous year at the American Music Awards, Taylor’s second album "Fearless" grabbed the top spot with 3.32 million in sales and several heavyweight awards. Link’s second album "Keep On Movin’" was third with 3.12 million in sales.

But by May of this year, "Keep On Movin’" had surged ahead to take the lead.

Both artists released their third albums this year with staggering first-week sales.

Currently, Link’s third album "The Woman I Love" has a commanding lead with 4.33 million sales in the United States; whether Taylor’s "Last Kiss" can catch up will depend on its performance in the market in the weeks to come.

Many of Taylor’s supportive fans took to the internet with the chant ’Support Taylor, defeat the jerk,’ calling her fans to unite and take on the jerk Link.

Link sighed to himself, realizing that Big Machine Records was no less adept at album marketing than Blink Music; with this kind of hype, his own album might not be able to hold its ground on the charts.

Even though he was aware of Taylor’s new album’s fierce sales, Link didn’t have much recourse; "The Woman I Love" was already released and its market potential in the United States nearly tapped out - further promotion and marketing were futile.

All he could do now was focus on touring, increasing his overseas influence, and selling more albums.

"Boss, Beyond is ready."

Backstage at Hung Hom Stadium on Hong Kong Island, Link was changing his clothes as his assistant, Anna, reminded him from the door.

"OK! Let’s go!"

Link slung his guitar over his shoulder, met up with the members of the guest-performing band Beyond in the hallway, and rode the lift together to the dazzlingly lit stage.

"Link! Link! Link!"

"Beyond! Beyond!"

The audience roared with excitement upon seeing him and Beyond appearing together at the center of the stage.

Link waved his hand and stepped to the middle of the stage, first playing guitar for Beyond’s current lead singer, Huang Guanzhong, who sang the band’s classic "Really Love You," pausing in the middle to shout, ’Welcome Link!’

Link stepped to the center, continuing with another classic "Glorious Years."

The sound of the bell signals the call to return home

As if there’s a trace of sighs in his life

His black skin gave his life meaning

In a life dedicated to the struggle of skin color

As years take possession into loss

Tired eyes filled with hope

...

This song was a work of Beyond’s late former lead singer, Huang Jiaju.

Inspired by the life of South African leader Nelson Mandela, it paid homage to him, celebrating his lifelong efforts to overcome racial discrimination and strive for a democratic and free society, a work with lofty aspirations.

It also had a high sing-along rate in Hong Kong and across Asia.

As Link sang this song in the center of the stage, in somewhat broken Cantonese, over ten thousand spectators erupted into thunderous applause.

Link was a global superstar, one of the highest-selling musicians in the world, also an Olympic champion, a world boxing champion, a swimming legend, a movie star, Hollywood’s famous playboy, and possessed a top-tier face that could charm people from both the East and the West.