Mr. Xue smiled with satisfaction.
Yu Chen was also deeply moved. He was not the kind of director who only pursued fame and fortune; he still had some sentiments in his heart. The reason he was willing to take on such a variety show was because he hoped to see that the traditional culture and history of the Chinese nation could be accepted by today's young people again, so that they could understand history, know the rise and fall, and understand honor and disgrace.
However, not wanting the atmosphere to become so tense, he and his teacher cracked a joke to lighten the mood.
Afterwards, he told Chu Meibo the filming time and asked his assistant to contact Shen Huai at that time. Then everyone parted ways.
Although Xue Ling had accepted reality, she was full of resentment, but she was simply outmatched and had no choice but to admit defeat.
As Chu Meibo left, she gave her a hateful look: "If you dare to act badly, I will definitely not let you off the hook."
Chu Meibo: "..."
She said that she had a grudge against everyone and everything related to Yun Zhuoyi.
Chapter 61
Before leaving, Shen Huai chatted with Director Yu and the others. Shen Huai usually seemed aloof, but if he really wanted to make friends with someone, he could be exceptionally meticulous and considerate, saying things that touched people's hearts.
They hadn't been chatting for long when Director Yu and the others were already laughing and joking with him, becoming close friends despite their age difference.
Shen Huai saw them off to their car before returning to the theater.
Chu Meibo stood alone under the eaves, staring blankly at the stage.
It was getting late, and the sky was gradually darkening. The once bustling stage had become deserted, with a few waiters cleaning the tables and floors, as if only desolation remained after the hustle and bustle had faded away.
The lamps under the eaves are antique-style lanterns, swaying in the autumn wind.
The dim light fell on Chu Meibo's face, casting a shadow that was half-lit and half-shadowed.
She was just like when Shen Huai first met her, like an old photograph from the Republican era, history passing by her, leaving only this silhouette.
Shen Huai frowned slightly and called her name.
Chu Meibo turned around, as if she had returned to the world of the living.
Shen Huai asked her, "What's wrong?"
A look of surprise crossed Chu Meibo's face, then she shook her head: "It's nothing, I was just thinking about some things from the past."
Shen Huai remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Chu Meibo's gaze returned to the stage, and she said in a low voice, "When I met Yun Zhuoyi, she was only sixteen years old. We were learning our craft together under our master. She looked down on an outsider like me and always made fun of me. I also have a bad temper, and I couldn't stand it, so I made a bet with her."
"Which will remain popular, movies or Peking Opera?"
At this point, Chu Meibo suddenly stopped.
Yun Zhuoyi didn't see the ending, but she did see it; she won, but she didn't feel happy.
Looking at the stage, she recalled the spirited woman who once stood on it. With her chin held high, she said, "Even if you learn the singing style and the movements, so what? You're just imitating the form but losing the spirit. Someone like you can't even get on stage."
Now, Chu Meibo understands what Yun Zhuoyi meant, but she will never see this adversary who is both friend and foe again.
Shen Huai fell silent.
He then understood why Chu Meibo had reacted so strongly when Xue Ling performed earlier, and why she had reprimanded Xue Ling to her face without any restraint.
Xue Ling tried to imitate Yun Zhuoyi, but failed to capture his spirit at all. A hundred years ago, she wouldn't have even made it onto the stage. Yet now, not only could she perform on stage, but no one in the audience could even discern the problem. Just how far had Peking Opera declined? Though she was criticizing Xue Ling, wasn't she also offering a word of advice? And wasn't she also grieving for her old friend?
Shen Huai said softly, "All things in the world change and alternate, which is a very normal thing. Don't be too sad."
Chu Meibo sighed: "I'm not sad, I just feel a little panicked. Do you think that one day, movies and TV series will gradually decline like Peking Opera, and something new will replace them?"
Shen Huai had never seen Chu Meibo so dejected. He thought for a moment before saying, "Don't be too pessimistic. Even if movies decline, your performances will live on forever. That is the most precious treasure."
Chu Meibo was stunned. Shen Huai's words seemed to have awakened her. She smiled and shook her head: "You're right. I was worrying unnecessarily. Compared to these things that haven't happened yet, how I adapt to the current performance style is more important."
-
After returning from Mujiang, Chu Meibo went back to the film crew to continue filming.
Shen Huai also returned to Zhongjing.
The deadline for nominations for the Golden Melody Awards is fast approaching, and Yeh Tsang's album sales have far surpassed those of everyone else. In fact, the combined sales of the next nine songs in the current top ten of the sales charts are not as high as Yeh Tsang's.
Especially now, physical album sales are still increasing, platinum status has been achieved, and even double platinum is no longer an unattainable dream.
When Ye Cang made his bold statement, everyone thought he was just talking nonsense and no one believed he could actually do it.
But now, seeing the ever-increasing sales volume, no one doubts that he can do it.
Many music bloggers have recently been jumping on this bandwagon, analyzing Ye Cang's album in detail from the inside out, and all of them have unanimously added a hashtag at the end.
#Did Fang Jiqing go streaking today?#
Fang Jiqing was furious. Although it was his own fault for being so sharp-tongued, the fact that the whole country knew about it was all Ye Cang's fault.
He is currently helping Lu Zhenzhen prepare for her new album, and even Lu Zhenzhen occasionally teases him about whether he is exercising properly so that he won't be an eyesore when he runs around naked.
Whenever Fang Jiqing stopped and thought about this matter, she would angrily curse Ye Cang.
"Achoo!" Ye Cang suddenly sneezed.
Shen Huai turned his head: "What's wrong? Did you catch a cold?"
Ye Cang shook his head and rubbed his nose with his hand: "It's nothing, my nose just feels a little uncomfortable."