Chapter 91: Night Falls Over New York

As rehearsals and promotions continued, time slipped by little by little. The long-awaited Saturday night of Magic in New York was finally upon Li Lekang!

Eastward from Manhattan, the grand Metropolis Stadium in Queens was already teeming with people. Private cars arrived from every direction, tourists gathered from all over, influencers and TV media bustled about filming, and, as always, police complained about working overtime.

Few could stir up such a commotion outside of professional football season. Even concerts by superstar singers rarely reached this level. For a magician who had been in the public eye for less than a year to create such a spectacle—this was nothing short of miraculous!

To the audience, Li Lekang was indeed a marvel—not only for his performance, but for the speed at which he became famous. As an entertainer in a relatively niche field, he had seized more than enough of the limelight! He was like a new star bursting onto the scene, breaking old conventions and embodying popularity with absolute talent.

More than eighty thousand spectators had come specifically to witness tonight’s event. Although most had no idea what the program would entail, their enthusiasm was as fervent as a festival. Outside the stadium, television stations and reporters captured the extraordinary scene.

Victoria, the beautiful NBC reporter and an old friend, stood at the stadium entrance and spoke passionately: “Behind me is the iconic gate of Citi Field, with crowds lining up to enter. People are everywhere. According to the police ahead, even the subway exits are jam-packed. It’s unbelievable—this feels just like the Super Bowl…”

Of course, the scale still paled in comparison to the Super Bowl, the annual extravaganza that more than half of America wouldn’t miss for anything. Yet the footage showed waves of people, long lines at the ticket gates, and even with all channels open, the pressure was immense.

For a magician’s allure to reach such heights was truly rare! Even the entrance alone was a record-breaking feat for Li Lekang.

But would tonight become a legendary night? No one could say for certain.

Many in attendance were his devoted fans, drawn by their idol’s aura. Their passion rivaled that of any sporting event or holiday!

After reporting on the scene outside, Victoria joined the crowd entering the stadium. Although the show wouldn’t be broadcast live in its entirety, NBC’s professional team was recording everything, with select segments chosen for live broadcast at the magician’s request.

TV networks, ever shrewd, made the most of every opportunity for pre-show coverage. “Tonight’s security check is as strict as ever—guests may not bring backpacks, drinks, or professional cameras. Security ensures every step is safe,” Victoria reported. “On the first floor, you can see display cases featuring props used by the magician in previous shows. Here’s the VIP entrance, with a sign-in poster wall. I’ve heard quite a few celebrities have arrived.”

The camera captured the bustling crowd; Victoria held her ear as she spoke, while quirky Americans passed by behind her, some wearing Li Lekang’s co-branded fan T-shirts.

Judy’s business acumen had touched every detail—the co-branded T-shirts were everywhere, worn proudly by loyal fans.

Victoria and her cameraman moved through the crowd, finally reaching the stands. The throng was so vast that only an ultra-wide lens could capture the spectacle.

Citi Field, the largest and most luxurious stadium in America, cost $1.6 billion to build and can accommodate up to 82,500 people. It boasts four enormous 1210-inch high-definition screens and over two thousand TVs, ensuring there’s no blind spot for any spectator!

Victoria noticed the retractable roof supports had been raised. But tonight, the weather was clear—no rain, just a bright moon and scattered stars.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, it was the sixteenth night; the sky was clear, and the moon shone like a jade plate, with the occasional twinkle of stars.

Surrounded by the audience, the stadium’s center featured a black stage, with dozens of cameras and professional teams already in position. The four giant screens were lit, their glow warming the crowd, displaying live shots that sparked bursts of cheers.

Witnessing the grandeur, Victoria couldn’t help but marvel—this was an enormous investment! Even superstar concerts didn’t surpass this.

Yet, amidst the awe, the reporter who loved magic felt a twinge of worry. The spectacle was undeniable, but if the performance failed to match it, disaster or ridicule could follow.

Some shared this concern—detractors, those eager to expose secrets, rivals hoping Li Lekang’s grand show would fail.

Daniel Cooper, wearing a baseball cap, sat silently in the front row, observing everything. Once, his dream as a magician was to perform on such a grand stage—even a tenth of this would have satisfied him for life.

Li Lekang had achieved a stage ten times larger within a year, a feat that inspired both envy and admiration.

“But magic isn’t always better with a bigger venue. Some tricks lose their impact from too great a distance. Let’s see how you address that,” he thought.

Other magicians present, including senior members of the Magic Association, pondered the same issue.

Close-up magic was impossible here; only grand stage illusions would work. Even traditional stage magic seemed ill-suited for a venue like this.

Of all Li Lekang’s previous performances, only his lottery prediction act matched the standards of such a super stage. The rest, honestly, suited venues of a few thousand, maybe tens of thousands, but here—with over eighty thousand—would feel small and insignificant!

How much confidence did Li Lekang possess to dare stage his show here?

All hopes and questions centered on him.

At this moment, however, Li Lekang was nowhere to be found in the backstage lounge.

The countdown to the magic show had begun.

The lights in the stands dimmed, and all attention focused on the stage.

On stage stood only a box, about the size of a portable restroom.

Suddenly, all screens—including the giant ones—flashed to life.

The audience saw a scene atop a skyscraper’s helipad, the roar of a helicopter’s blades filling the stadium. Li Lekang appeared, greeting the camera.

“Hello, Citi Field! How are you tonight?”

“Whoo!” The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

“Only three minutes left before the show—oh no, I’m going to be late! Sorry! New York’s nightlife is intoxicating—I love this city!”

Laughter swept the audience. It was unmistakably the quirky magician!

Li Lekang grinned, then climbed into the helicopter: “I have a magic show to get to. Alright, captain, push the throttle all the way—let’s make tonight wild!”

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