The down-and-out keyboardist took his last breath on the hospital bed, having tasted life's bitterness from playing in dance halls at sixteen to scraping by in Sanlitun at thirty-two.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself back in 2002, in Northeast China—his youthful body now housing a heart weathered by decades, along with melodies from the future that should not yet exist.
No cheat codes, no shortcuts—just a lifetime's worth of musical genius and hard-earned wisdom.
This time, he would turn every regret into legend:
His debut single "Blue Lotus" soared straight to the top of every chart;
His band "Black Fox" ignited a new wave of Chinese rock;
His self-written, self-directed film "Farewell My Concubine" swept awards worldwide;
Tracks like "Bressanone" and "500 Miles" conquered the Western market;
He founded a charity, lifting countless underprivileged students out of hardship;
In the 2008 financial crisis, he outmaneuvered Wall Street, amassing billions.
And love? He penned "Across the Oceans for You"—the love anthem of the century. Eight soulmates graced his life, each weaving their own harmony into his symphony—some gentle and wise, others fiery and passionate.
From the dingy music shops of a small Northeastern town to the red carpet of the Grammys;
From a struggling bar pianist to the producer who shaped generations of superstars.
"This time, the world will remember my name."
—Lucas Bryant
