Today, Mu Xing only needs to work half a day. Her original plan was to have dinner with Miss Bai and then go to her family's pharmacy to inquire about Zhang Derong.
But now that Bai Yan was walking beside her, she suddenly didn't really want to leave.
However, having been through many battles, Bai Yan had long since developed the habit of observing people's expressions. Seeing Mu Xing's hesitant look, she asked, "Young Master Mu, do you have any other plans for later?"
Knowing Bai Yan was sensitive, Mu Xing knew that if he brushed her off, he might upset her again. So instead of making small talk, Mu Xing said directly, "I originally wanted to inquire about a partner, but with such a beauty by my side right now, I don't really want to go."
"Is that so?" Bai Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "If you want to inquire about someone, why don't you ask me, Young Master Mu? Maybe I know the answer too, which would save you some time."
Changsantangzi was a place for tea parties and late-night chats, where all sorts of people could gather. And Zhang Derong was a businessman, so he might actually be able to find out something.
Thinking about it, Mu Xing said, "I heard that this person is the owner of Desheng Pharmacy, named Zhang Derong. I wonder if you know him?"
Bai Yan frowned slightly and thought for a moment: "Hmm... there seem to be quite a few people with the same name. I need to think about it carefully."
Mu Xing simply looked at her with a smile, showing no sign of urgency.
Since they had just finished eating, Fu Guang lit a bouquet of incense he had brought from Mu Garden in the private room.
The rich, gentle scent of wood drifted like clouds, and the afternoon sunlight filtered through the carved windowsill, casting dappled patterns on the floor. Bai Yan, her chin resting on her hand, tilted her head to look at Mu Xing, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, yet her eyes held a tender, lingering affection.
The sunlight shone on her curly, thick hair, revealing strands of downy hair playfully trembling, not perfectly straight, yet vibrant as life itself.
Their gazes lingered in the air, locked and intertwined, neither looking away.
When Mu Xing suddenly reached out to Bai Yan, Bai Yan's heart skipped a beat. Before she could react, a scalding hot sensation landed on her lips.
Mu Xing narrowed her eyes slightly, her fingers gently brushing across Bai Yan's lips, then turning back, like a beast's nose tenderly sniffing a flower petal. She slowly and gently stroked Bai Yan's lips, tracing their shape.
Bai Yan slightly opened her mouth, her lips trembling, her heartbeat erratic.
"Your lipstick seems to have faded a bit, I've smoothed it out for you." Mu Xing said, withdrawing her hand, then squinted to confirm, "Yes, it's definitely smoothed out."
Realizing Mu Xing's intention belatedly, Bai Yan opened her mouth as if to say something, but then remained silent, the two blushes on her cheeks speaking for her.
She bit her lip and thought for a moment, then said, "I had just remembered who this Zhang Derong was, but you interrupted me and I forgot again."
Mu Xing laughed and said, "Then I'll wipe off your lipstick again, and you'll remember, right?"
With a snort, Bai Yan said, "I don't need to put on the lipstick. I'll think about it some more. But it's too quiet here, I can't think of anything."
Sensing Bai Yan's hidden thoughts, Mu Xing didn't expose her, but instead raised an eyebrow at her: "I wonder what would be helpful for Miss Bai to think about?"
With a sly smile, Bai Yan said, "I heard that the Linjiang Theater has a great show today, Feng Yilou's 'Farewell My Concubine.' The grand finale is even better, Xun Huisheng has come from Beijing to set up the stage and will be singing 'Yu Tang Chun.'"
Upon hearing this, Mu Xing also became interested: "Feng Yilou's acting is quite good. I heard that he is the younger brother of that Ms. Feng Yingtian from back then, and he has also inherited some of her skills. Besides, Xun Huisheng is also there to support him."
Bai Yan smiled and said, "Then I wonder if it would be possible for you to make a trip to Linjiang?"
Knowing that Bai Yan was indirectly expressing her desire to spend more time with him, Mu Xing was naturally willing and immediately decided to postpone Zhang Derong's matter for a while.
They hit it off immediately, and the two went downstairs. After seeing off Bai Yan's maid, they got into the car.
Uncle Song, being an experienced man, immediately understood Bai Yan's identity upon seeing her maid. When he saw Mu Xing taking Bai Yan to the opera, he felt somewhat uneasy.
He couldn't help but think, "Our young lady is so smart and pretty, how could she get involved with a prostitute? I'm afraid she's been deceived... Should I tell the master?"
Although Fu Guang, who was sitting in the passenger seat, didn't understand these things, she felt very awkward seeing her young mistress taking another young lady to the theater.
It's normal for women to be close. But Miss and Miss Li are such good friends, yet I've never seen them hugging or cuddling in all these years. Let alone going to the opera together; Miss used to complain to her grandmother about how much she hated opera… Strange, so very strange!
For a moment, the two people sitting in the front row felt both flustered and confused, their expressions varied, and the atmosphere became strange.
However, immersed in their pleasant mood, neither Mu Xing nor Bai Yan noticed anything amiss.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Although Western sound films have been introduced to China in recent years and cinemas are now almost everywhere in the country, in Wenjiang, the area in front of the theater is still the most bustling place on weekends.
Because Xun Huisheng was performing today, the ticket price, which was originally one yuan, doubled. Many people came with high hopes, but left disappointed because they were short of money. However, this was a good thing for Mu Xing. When she and Bai Yan arrived at the theater, one performance had already ended, but because of the increased ticket prices, there were still some empty seats.
They bought two private box tickets, and the waiter led them directly to the second-floor private box viewing area.
Worried that Uncle Song and Fu Guang might be uncomfortable there, Mu Xing told them to go and have some fun on their own and not to wait on them in the private room. After the waiters served fruit platters and drinks, they all left, leaving only Mu Xing and Bai Yan in the private room.
The previous lively fight scene had come to an end, and after another round of drumming to warm up the atmosphere, all the equipment was ready, just waiting for the stars to take the stage.
"What a coincidence! I heard that this male actor specializing in Peking Opera is a true disciple of the Feng family. I haven't listened to Peking Opera for several years, so I don't know how well he sings." Mu Xing said as he handed Bai Yan a bottle of soda.
Bai Yan took the soda and said, "I've heard it a few times, and it's not bad. But I haven't heard any other performances by the Feng family, so I have no one to compare it to."
"That's such a pity," Mu Xing said. "Feng Yingtian's acting is amazing. Back then, she became famous the moment she opened her mouth in Haitan. Although she studied old male roles, she was also very good at singing female roles."
As they were talking, eight maids followed Feng Yilou, who was dressed as Yu Ji, onto the stage.
"Since I followed the King on his campaigns, enduring wind, frost, and toil..."
As soon as "Yu Ji" opened her mouth, Mu Xing couldn't help but frown. She shook her head and said, "It's not right, it's not right."
Bai Yan said, "I think it's alright. Is he really not as good as Feng Yingtian?"
“Not even close,” Mu Xing said. “Ms. Feng sings old male roles without any feminine air, and sings female roles with a melodious and gentle voice. She is far superior to Feng Yilou.”
She spoke with great emotion, and Bai Yan couldn't help but turn to look at her: "Judging from Young Master Mu's tone, it seems that you are very familiar with Feng Yingtian? But I heard that Madam Feng passed away in the year of Renxu, when you were only twelve or thirteen years old, yet you already loved listening to opera?"
At this point, Mu Xing's eyebrows relaxed and a smile appeared on his face: "My aunt took me to see it. She can be considered a semi-amateur. Besides painting, she spends most of her time at the theater."
This was the umpteenth time Mu Xing had mentioned her aunt today. Thinking of the exquisite bowls and chopsticks she had just seen, Bai Yan couldn't help but say, "I never imagined that Madam Fu Xue had such interests. She can carve, paint, do handicrafts, and even listen to and sing opera. With such an aunt, Young Master Mu must have had a very happy childhood."
“Yes,” Mu Xing said with some emotion. “My aunt was my grandmother’s only daughter, and she was almost twenty years younger than my uncle, so the family doted on her. Back then, foot binding was still fashionable, but my aunt was afraid of the pain, so she gave up on it. Later, my father went abroad to study, and she went with him. When she came back, she had become a ‘progressive young woman,’ resolutely refusing to marry or have children, and on her own initiative, she built an art gallery…”
Bai Yan listened attentively and said, "If Madam Fu Xue is so favored, then Young Master Mu, you must be even more favored."
Mu Xing nodded and smiled, "Yes, for a long time after I was born, she felt that I was stealing Grandma's attention and called me a clown monkey. But I was very oblivious back then. I didn't like my two older brothers and kept pestering her. At first, my aunt found me annoying, but later she had no choice but to play with me."
"She already knew Feng Yingtian back then, and they often performed together on stage, singing 'Farewell My Concubine.' When Feng Yingtian was performing formally, he only sang old male roles, and he would only sing female roles when he was performing with my aunt. They usually sang on the stage after the Feng troupe's performance had ended. They would sing their songs on stage, and I would lie down below and listen. Although I couldn't understand them, I vaguely knew that it was a very, very beautiful story..."
Mu Xing spoke softly, her voice filled with a deep and lingering affection. Bai Yan listened attentively, unable to help but imagine: tiny Mu Xing, who had just lost a tooth, lying on the seats like a little monkey. The theater lights flickered in the evening, two stunningly beautiful women were performing a timeless love story on stage, while the little monkey watched and listened from below, bewildered…
Those stories, filled with both joy and sorrow, have gradually faded with time, disappearing into the whispers of the world. Only the love they embody remains, enduring and everlasting.
After chatting for a while, Mu Xing suddenly came to his senses and said apologetically, "I've said a lot of useless things, which has prevented you from concentrating on the opera."
Bai Yan quickly shook her head: "It's okay, I really enjoy listening to it."
How could one not be delighted to be able to weave your past into these memories, to understand you, and to get closer to you?
She then asked, "And then what happened?"
"Later..." Mu Xing lowered his eyes, "Later I went to middle school, and it was a boarding school, so I didn't have as much time to play with my aunt as before. That winter, I heard that Ms. Feng passed away suddenly from an illness, and my aunt also happened to fall seriously ill and developed a chronic illness. From then on, we never listened to operas again."
"Later, my aunt went to the United States for medical treatment, and my second brother and I went with her, studying and accompanying her at the same time. My aunt passed away just two years later."
Although he could casually mention her name and talk about those experiences on ordinary days, at this moment, looking into Bai Yan's earnest and distressed eyes, Mu Xing suddenly couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat.
Even though three years have passed, the image of my aunt lying on her sickbed at the end is still etched in my mind. It turns out that the immense grief hadn't dissipated; it had merely lurked in a corner of my heart. It was waiting for an opportunity, ready to seize my soul in some unexpected moment.
The private room fell silent for a moment, with only the mournful and soaring singing from the stage: "...The Han army has seized the land, the songs of Chu are heard on all sides, the king's spirit is broken, what reason is there for this lowly concubine to live—"
Without hesitation, Bai Yan reached out and hugged Mu Xing.
Words are too inadequate, making even comfort seem frivolous. It's better to offer a hearty and sincere hug to suppress the floating sorrow.
Buried in her long, flowing, white hair, Mu Xing blinked, holding back her tears. A little embarrassed, she said, "Actually, I'm not that sad..."
Bai Yan didn't let go; instead, she hugged you tighter: "I know, I just wanted to hug you."
With just one sentence, the tears that had been held back began to surge again.
Rubbing the curls of her hair against her nose, Mu Xing murmured, "Miss Bai, why are you so kind? What if..."
What if I never want to leave you again...?
It wasn't until the next scene began in a lively and exciting manner that the two people in the box finally sat down.
Mu Xing turned her face away, blushing slightly as she rubbed her eyes. Bai Yan, who was standing to the side, found it amusing and deliberately moved away to look at the stage, letting Mu Xing tidy up herself.
However, a quick glance revealed a man and a woman sitting in a private room diagonally opposite. The woman was a renowned scholar from Yuhua Academy, named Feilan; and the man was none other than Zhang Derong, the very person she was there to visit.
It turned out that Zhang Derong was a regular at Feilan. Before, when Bai Yan was still with Young Master Cui, Zhang Derong often took Young Master Cui out for drinks and entertainment. Bai Yan sat with him and overheard a lot of gossip. Feilan would also complain about Zhang Derong in the brothel, and Bai Yan naturally remembered some of it.
One of them was that Zhang Derong would go to the theater to listen to plays every week without fail.
Bai Yan suggested going to the theater, partly because she wanted to spend more time with Mu Xing, and partly because she wanted to see if she could really run into Zhang Derong.
Bai Yan was relieved to see that Zhang Derong was indeed behind her.
It can be of some help to Young Master Mu, and it will also make him remember some of the good things I've done.
A moment later, Mu Xing had composed himself and sat closer to Bai Yan. Just then, the stage was in intermission, and Bai Yan said to Mu Xing, "Young Master Mu, do you still remember why we came here?"
Mu Xing laughed and said, "What, Miss Bai, you've finally remembered that Mr. Zhang?"
Bai Yan, intending to tease her, frowned and said, "Hmm... we have some leads, but it's not very certain yet."
Mu Xing cooperated, saying, "Then what should we do?"
Without hesitation, Bai Yan took Mu Xing's left hand and pointed to the ring on his index finger, saying, "I think this ring is very nice. How about we exchange it, Young Master Mu?"
Mu Xing had bought this ring in the United States and worn it for many years. Although it wasn't anything particularly valuable, she was taken aback when Bai Yan asked for it.
Bai Yan raised an eyebrow: "What, does Young Master Mu think it's not worth it?"
With a smile, Mu Xing took off the ring and said, "How could that be? I just didn't expect you to want this."
She intended to hand the ring directly to Bai Yan, but Bai Yan reacted even faster. As soon as she took it off, Bai Yan extended her left hand and smiled sweetly: "Young Master Mu, please put it on for me."
Mu Xing froze instantly.
There was definitely a problem...
If she puts Miss Bai's finger on any finger other than her ring finger, the meaning is self-evident; but if she puts it on her ring finger... then things become serious.
Bai Yan moved her fingers and looked at Mu Xing with a smile, about to speak. Before she could speak, Mu Xing turned Bai Yan's hand over and placed the ring in her palm.
Mu Xing said, "This ring has been my personal possession for many years. Since Miss Bai wants it, I will give it to you. However, I'm afraid it might not be the right size. Perhaps Miss Bai should keep it safe and buy a new one another day."
To show her sincerity, she looked directly at Bai Yan, and unsurprisingly saw the disappointment flickering in Bai Yan's eyes. A sharp pang shot through her heart, and she looked away, feeling a pang of unease.
With a slight smile and a lowered head, Bai Yan withdrew her hand: "That would be good."
Mu Xing smiled somewhat awkwardly, but Bai Yan said as if nothing had happened, "I've almost remembered. This Mr. Zhang Derong is about thirty-five or thirty-six years old. He came to Wenjiang two years ago. I heard he was doing business in Zhejiang before, and came to Wenjiang to expand his business. Because it was doing well, he simply settled down in Wenjiang. However, people of our status can't possibly know anything about his business, so we can only talk about the person himself."
Trying to ignore the turmoil in his heart, Mu Xing asked, "What kind of person is he?"