He paused for a moment, then said, “I’ve heard that Director Yu will be coming to listen to the play today. If he’s satisfied with Xue Ling, tomorrow might just be a formality. So—this is your only chance to get the role.”
Chapter 60
Not long after Shen Huai and Chu Meibo sat down, Yu Chen and two friends also took their seats in a private room upstairs, arranged by Mr. Xue.
Yu Chen was about forty or fifty years old, tall, with slightly dark skin and surprisingly thick hair. He was holding a fan and was accompanied by his two friends, Yu Guangping and Shi Ren, who were also supporting actors in this performance.
All three were longtime opera fans. They came to audition with him this time, and also took the opportunity to enjoy a performance at Mr. Xue's theater.
Mr. Xue is almost seventy years old. His white hair is neatly combed, and he looks extremely refined.
After the tea server served tea to the four people, Mr. Xue said, "You have all graced us with your presence today. When Lingling comes on stage later, I would appreciate your guidance."
Yu Chen laughed and said, "This is like us showing off our limited skills before an expert."
Shi Ren also said, "I heard that your daughter has always been known as 'Little Yun Zhuoyi'. We are fortunate to be able to see Mr. Yun's charm on the stage again."
Mr. Xue waved his hand: "These are just some friends exaggerating; don't take them seriously."
Although he said this, he wore a proud smile, indicating that it was merely self-deprecation. Xue Ling was his and his wife's daughter, born late in life, and they had always doted on her; otherwise, given his personality, he wouldn't have resorted to such back channels.
The group chatted for a short while before the gong was raised on stage.
Mr. Xue built this theater specifically to promote traditional opera. Everything was modeled after the old stage, and the rules were also followed.
Most of the performers here are Mr. Xue's disciples, as well as students from the local Peking Opera Academy. They also stage several new plays, not just the old ones.
The group watched and commented on the film.
Mr. Xue looked worried: "In recent years, traditional opera has gradually declined, and there are not many children who come to learn opera. Many of them cannot endure hardship. However, the most important thing in opera is that 'one minute on stage requires ten years of practice off stage.' Once there is any slackness, it will be immediately noticed."
"Just like in that last part, the flavor just didn't come through..."
As Mr. Xue spoke, he immediately began to sing. Although he was old, he was still very skilled, and his singing was deep, resonant, and had a lingering aftertaste.
Since it was the end of a play, the drums and gongs on stage had stopped, and many opera fans were chatting in the audience.
Upon hearing Mr. Xue's lyrics, many people were immediately drawn to them. Although it was only a few lines, it still made everyone applaud.
Shen Huai and Chu Meibo also looked in that direction.
Chu Meibo raised an eyebrow: "This must be Mr. Xue?"
Shen Huai nodded and gestured in the direction: "Your target is there too."
Chu Meibo hummed in agreement and lowered her head thoughtfully.
Just then, the gong sounded, and Xue Ling entered the stage.
It has to be said that the scene she chose was quite cunning. It was "Beating the Drum and Cursing Cao Cao," the very scene that made Yun Zhuoyi famous. When she walked out and made her appearance, even Chu Meibo was momentarily dazed, thinking that Yun Zhuoyi had been resurrected.
The fans below cheered loudly in support.
Xue Ling was indeed quite talented. Her voice was originally somewhat similar to Yun Zhuoyi's, and she deliberately imitated Yun Zhuoyi's singing style, all while standing on such a retro stage.
It was as if one could truly see the young girl standing on the stage, a woman who, though a heroine, possessed an upright and awe-inspiring spirit that rivaled any man.
When Xue Ling finished singing, the cheers and applause from the audience were very enthusiastic. Mujiang City is originally a hometown of opera, and the people here have grown up immersed in opera since childhood. Many old opera fans have been immersed in it for decades, so it is not easy to win their applause.
Upstairs, Yu Chen also clapped slowly with a look of shock on his face: "It's unbelievable that she can sing like this at such a young age!"
Yu Guangping and Shi Ren nodded in agreement.
Mr. Xue said with a hint of pride, “Although Lingling has been pampered by my wife and me since she was a child, she has never slacked off in her training. I’m not bragging, but among all my disciples, the one who will truly inherit my mantle in the future is probably my daughter.”
Just as Yu Chen was about to chime in, he suddenly heard a clear female voice from below.
"This play is not performed correctly."
Mr. Xue's smile froze instantly, and Xue Ling, who was bowing on the stage, was also stunned.
Ignoring Shen Huai's gesture, Chu Meibo stood up abruptly.
Many opera fans were having a heated discussion when someone unexpectedly came to disrupt the event. It turned out to be a teenage girl, and someone immediately mocked, "Little girl, how old are you? Do you even understand opera? Don't be ridiculous!"
Chu Meibo wasn't angry and smiled, "Does being young necessarily mean you can't understand opera?"
“That’s not how it’s said, you…”
Xue Ling was very talented and had been learning opera since elementary school. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, she received nothing but praise. In particular, her performance of "Beating the Drum and Cursing Cao Cao" was the best she had ever done. No one had ever been so blunt as to say that she was not singing it correctly.
Her face flushed red, and she couldn't help but ask, "Then tell me, where exactly did I sing it wrong?"
Chu Meibo turned his head, raised his eyebrows and said, "This play, 'Beating the Drum and Cursing Cao Cao,' tells the story of how Kong Rong recommended Mi Heng to Cao Cao. After Cao Cao summoned Mi Heng, he treated him with disdain and even made him a drummer to humiliate him. So Mi Heng beat the drum at the banquet and cursed Cao Cao. This play has been passed down for many years and has been performed by various schools. Yun Zhuoyi, who is a disciple of the Yu school, is known for his vivid and expressive voice and pure and mellow charm. He is elegant but not lacking in vigor."
Seeing that she spoke eloquently and clearly understood the art of opera, the crowd gradually fell silent and listened to her continue.
“Your singing style and movements are indeed very similar to Yun Zhuoyi’s, which shows that you have worked hard to learn them. However, you have only learned the form but not the spirit, and you have not learned her essence at all.”
Xue Ling panicked: "You...you're talking nonsense!"
Chu Meibo laughed and said, "Take this play as an example. Mi Heng is arrogant and conceited, with the wildness and pride of a scholar. He is venting his anger and also showing his scholarly integrity of valuing fame over life and death. This song is full of madness and anger, and even resentment at his unappreciated talent. He is singing with the determination to die, so he is unrestrained, and his words are sharp and vicious, making the audience feel thoroughly satisfied after listening to it."
Chu Meibo paused, seemingly somewhat reluctant, and said, "Back then, after Yun Zhuoyi finished singing, even though it was the dead of winter, everyone in the theater was filled with excitement and cheered in unison. That's how she gained a foothold. But you, your singing is too rigid and too gentle, lacking the boldness and heroism of a scholar. If this can be called 'Little Yun Zhuoyi,' Yun Zhuoyi would probably be so angry that she would jump out of her grave."
Xue Ling was so angry that her face turned red, but she had no words to refute her.
Meanwhile, the fans were whispering among themselves, clearly not expecting that Chu Meibo could actually come up with a coherent explanation. More importantly, several veteran fans nodded frequently as she spoke, obviously agreeing with what she said.