"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, what's so hard to say? Hey? Tell me? Come on, say something auspicious!"
"She's even learning what other people avoid. How novel!"
Zhi Gao saw Huai Yu, and oh? He was dressed up, and it was still Guan Ping. He then seized the opportunity to mock him:
"Is the role you're playing, or is it Guan Ping? That Guan Gan who can't even fart after three punches?"
Yes, but times have changed, and times create heroes. This play, "Green Stone Mountain," was originally a must-perform martial arts drama in theaters during the New Year, performed by the top martial arts actor. The story goes that at the foot of Green Stone Mountain lived a nine-tailed fox spirit who transformed into a beautiful woman to bewitch and kill. A young master of a family was ensnared by her and nearly died of illness. The old servant asked Old Taoist Wang to exorcise the demon, but was instead injured. Old Taoist Wang had no choice but to seek help from his master, Lü Dongbin. Lü wrote a petition to summon the demon-subduing god Guan Yu, whose fate was sealed in the exorcism. Guan Yu, wielding his sword and armor, displayed great prowess.
In the Three Kingdoms drama, Guan Ping is a supporting character; but in the Investiture of the Gods drama, he is the most popular persimmon in August.
Upon hearing this, Zhigao realized it was another charlatan play and was overjoyed, ready to leave. Huaiyu called out to him, "Watching a play? Why can't you sit still, you little monkey?"
"I was just watching a show. I went to call Dandan over, and she was waiting for me there." He suddenly jumped up.
Huaiyu looked down from the entrance and saw Dandan dressed in various shades of red, waiting.
Finally, Tang Huaiyu made his grand entrance. Amidst thunderous applause, he had finally seen the day he would take the lead. Guan Ping, the little Guan Ping of Huarong Road, was like a phoenix rising from the ashes—he had become an immortal and a god before finally stepping into the limelight.
It turns out that many prominent people came to see the premiere of the first performance of the first year of junior high school. After watching the play, they went backstage to see the actors. They greeted the actors, exchanged pleasantries, offered their congratulations, and did everything they could to keep up with the commotion.
Huaiyu moved among the distinguished guests, his smile never faltering. When Master Li called him, he hurried over to be "shown" again, putting on a stiff armband and gesturing slightly. He was getting his bearings now. He wasn't just a street performer anymore. —But when could they leave? Who dared show the slightest impatience? They wouldn't leave until the gentlemen had seen and talked their fill.
Dandan stumbled slightly, unsure whether to come up. Zhigao seized the opportunity to hand her a packet of candy. Upon closer inspection, it was a packet of candied melon and Guandong snacks wrapped in a pink paper, with the words "May you achieve victory at the start" written on it.
Huaiyu Chaodan:
"Am I the Kitchen God? Just someone to keep my mouth shut?"
"Hmph, Master Miao gave me these after the Kitchen God Festival. I left the sugar melons outside; they're crisp now that they're cold. Do you want them? If not, give them back!"
"What do you mean by 'cold and crisp'?" Huaiyu stammered. Because they were backstage, it was stuffy and crowded, and the heat made the candy made from frozen millet and malt harden into a dull lump. Dandan, upon hearing this, pretended to snatch it back, but Huaiyu simply put the candy packet away, not even knowing where he hid it in his robes and armor.
Someone else came to offer Huaiyu kind words, but Huaiyu humbly declined:
"It's all thanks to everyone's high regard! Thank you!" The atmosphere was lively.
Dandan said to Zhigao, "Brother Qiegao, we're leaving now. Let him be arrogant and ignore everyone!"
Zhigao leaned forward, pulled Huaiyu aside, and first instructed Dandan, "Okay, you wait for me downstairs." Then he said to Huaiyu, "Huaiyu, we're going to be 'petty first, then gentleman'."
"What?"
“I’m making this clear from the start, it’s not just empty talk—” Zhigao said.
Huaiyu, growing impatient, pressed on, "Tell me."
"I want Dandan. Please don't interfere! Let me have her!"
"—" Huaiyu and Zhigao looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Hey, this is the first time in the first month of the lunar calendar, don't make a big deal out of it, or you'll go back on your word."
"Who's getting involved? That's nonsense."
“It’s good that you say no.” Zhi Gao blinked his fat eyes: “I’m a man of my word. Let me tell you, Mr. Wang said that the person I’m going to marry isn’t the one I’m looking for, and I just don’t believe it.”
“Don’t believe me? You believe me the most,” Huaiyu said.
"I panicked, afraid things were going to get really bad."
"Don't panic—"
Zhigao held Huaiyu's hand tightly. Huaiyu's hand was also stained with color, and now it smeared onto his hand, leaving a strange white stain. It was messy and disordered, a complete mess. Zhigao felt a mix of ruthlessness and unease.
"Normally I talk too much and become paralyzed, but this time I'm not being a fool or lacking in tact. You'll have any girl you want in the future, unlike me. Dandan is leaving!"
Huaiyu smiled calmly:
"Does Dandan know?"
"I just don't know." Zhigao glanced at her from a distance. "How can we let a woman know about our secret code? Let's not say a word about it!"
Zhigao's face was sincere, or perhaps it was laced with malice; Huaiyu was stunned. Oh no, he spoke first.
"Huaiyu!" Before he could respond, Zhigao said again:
“Huaiyu, let’s go. — You don’t have time to say ‘no’.”
He withdrew:
"I'm really afraid you'll say no. I'm going to play the villain. I'll pay you back what I owe you!"
They vanished in a flash, each going their own way. Everyone was gone, leaving Huaiyu alone on the desolate ground, feeling utterly lost and dejected.
—No, everyone was there, their voices surrounding him from all directions, their names still echoing in his ears. Li Shengtian was talking to the troupe leader, who was boasting:
"...The three docks that are the hardest to sing about are Tianjin, Hankou, and Shanghai."
“The brothers with formal training are fine, it’s just that Huaiyu is…” Li Shengtian said.
Without asking any questions, Huaiyu rallied her spirits and said, "I'll go!"
The "Da Bei Photo Studio" located on Qianmen Street is celebrating its 10th anniversary today, and business is booming. The owner knows that customers love taking photos in theatrical costumes, so he specializes in buying old theatrical costumes, including roles for young male characters, old male characters, painted-face characters, dignified female characters, and clowns.
Other photos can also be taken, such as wedding attire including a phoenix coronet, embroidered robe, and long gown, which can be rented.
In one of the six dressing rooms, Tang Huaiyu was fully dressed and ready to go.