Huayu Chunqiu, starting from being adopted by a fairy mother

Chapter 368 What a beautiful jasmine flower
The press conference was a great success, and the most direct result is that the pre-sale box office for "Under the City Wall" has skyrocketed.

Today is Sunday. At noon, the daily box office revenue exceeded one million.

By the time Liu Jing finished work and removed her makeup in the afternoon, the box office had already exceeded ten million.

The most frustrated people must be the fans. With the biological mother confirming it, how can they refute the rumors? Are they supposed to tell everyone that Liu Yifei is the adopted one?
Some fans offered their blessings, saying that the fairy has found her soulmate, someone she grew up with, and that the ending seems beautiful.

Some fans were furious, Xianju was shut down, the mother betrayed them, and a large number of fans left.

Since its inception, the company has faced its biggest crisis.

Some fans, however, remain steadfast in their belief that the "scenery romance" is just a publicity stunt. "A celestial being is a celestial being; how could she possibly be in a relationship?"

Sisi seemed completely unaffected; she even updated her blog in the afternoon.

This is her second blog post since she started the platform; the first one was to celebrate its launch.

"I'm sorry to disappoint my friends, but I'm not a fairy, much less a celestial being. I'm just an ordinary girl with emotions, like love and hate. When I'm happy, I laugh without a care in the world; when I'm sad, I hide away and cry. When the time comes, I'll get married and have children. I'm twenty-one years old this year, and I'll have the life a normal girl should have. Please wish me well, that I find the right person for me, and that I will never let them down. If you don't wish me well, that's fine too. Life is my own; the ups and downs are part of life, the storms and sunshine are part of living."

A blog post went unnoticed by both fans and non-fans.

A celestial being descending to earth seems quite nice. She's no longer so distant; she's just the girl next door.

The tumultuous love affair with Liu Yifei came to an end with a blog post.

The crisis for the fans was thus resolved. Some left, some stayed, and some came. What people liked was not a label, but a living, breathing person.

Sister Li is satisfied. The film she's directing is about to wrap up, and another film has already started shooting. As for whether everyone believes it or not, I've already explained that anyone who brings this up again is just trying to mess with me.

Sisi became even quieter, one could even say serene.

After appearing on "Happy Camp," she became less fixated on her relationship being exposed. She felt that Jing Tian's words from two years ago were quite true: life is short, and there are so many societal prejudices; happiness is the most important thing. A title is just that—a title—and it only restricts oneself.

Today she lost one title, and the shackles of being a celestial being could finally be removed, making her feel very relaxed.

She doesn't seem to care much about losing fans, and she won't be appearing on screen for the next two or three years. She has two projects to complete: filming "Inception" and producing "Empresses in the Palace".

In the afternoon, some media outlets called Cheng Long, wanting to conduct an interview about the romance between the two.

Cheng Long laughed heartily, "They're not blood siblings, so it's normal for them to date. I've always thought they were a good match, and it seems I have good taste."

Fan Xiaopang quickly added, "I told you all a long time ago that Sister Min has done me a great favor. Liu Jing is Sister Min's family, and I treat him even better than my own brother. My brother is even jealous because of this."

After filming wrapped, Yang Mi received a call from Zeng Jia, asking her to post a blog entry explaining the situation. She wrote, "We've known each other since we were five or six years old, just little kids back then. He made me cry, and my dad was laughing on the side. That's how our 'grudge' started. We're like brothers, brothers who would kowtow to each other..."

Gao Yuanyuan remained silent. So what if it's a romantic relationship? What does it have to do with me?

She had known about Sisi's existence for a long time and had also noticed the illicit affair between the siblings. Therefore, from the very beginning, she never intended to become their wife. The wife has her duties; being a mistress is her comfort zone.

Wang Pangzi, Li Lianjie, Liu Dehua, Jiang Wen, Chen Jiashang, He Jiong, Xu Zheng, and many others sent their blessings. Coupled with Sister Li's arrangement of an online army to guide the narrative, the winds of change in the entertainment industry shifted dramatically.

Even the Beijing Film Academy has stated that Liu Jing is an outstanding student at our school and is applying for graduate studies. "Under the City Wall" is also an excellent film, and the school is arranging for all faculty and students to study and research it.

The boycott has become a mere formality, and more and more viewers are going to the cinema.

Aside from some fans of the original novel, Liu Jing's reputation has reversed, and the reputation of "Under the City Wall" has also improved.

As Liu Jing was listening to his assistant's report, Zhao Shiyao walked over, clapping his hands. "Impressive! Impressive! The publicity plan for 'Under the City Wall' is simply textbook-worthy..."

“Old Zhao, there are a lot of textbooks for your students,” Liu Jing interrupted.

He has given up on explaining; everyone acknowledges the fact of the romantic relationship and admits that it was a publicity stunt for the new movie.

"Liu Jing, is the 'The Message' crew short of people? I'll go to the publicity department." Old Zhao was in high spirits; this time, I'm going to participate in writing textbooks.

"Old Zhao, come here, let's talk about the promotion of 'Chinese Paladin 3' first." Li Guoli shouted, completely oblivious. You call this promotion? You'll only make things worse.

Old Zhao was called away by Old Li, and the assistant's curiosity was piqued. "Boss, how are you going to promote 'The Message'? Everyone in the industry is curious, and the audience is looking forward to it. Three movies, three different approaches, everyone wants to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve."

"I don't know." Liu Jing was in great pain; he never expected to be praised to this extent.

He didn't want to talk about publicity, and after looking around, asked, "Where's Yang Mi?"

Normally, if Yang Mi comes out early after removing her makeup, she'll wait here. He just finished filming and went to check on things with his assistant, so he was the last to remove his makeup today.

"I went to the movies."

Where is Shishi?

"I went to the movies."

"Why didn't you come with me? Were you waiting for me?" Liu Jing asked with relief.

"They weren't planning on taking me, so why should I join in?" the assistant said dejectedly.

"Did you have a falling out?" Liu Jing asked curiously. Women's emotions can flare up very quickly; a single word or action can offend them.

"Don't ask anymore, I'll treat you to a movie." The assistant sighed. Everything has its gains and losses; even the moon has its phases.

"I don't need your ticket money," Liu Jing said dismissively.

"Boss, don't talk big. If you're so capable, wait until the dividends from 'Painted Skin' arrive in your account, and then you can warm it up in your own account."

"Xiao Bai, you're getting more and more outrageous."
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"Jade branches and trees are locked in the mist and haze, the elegance of Emperor Chen is truly praiseworthy... A song in the rear courtyard lingers... Little did we know that war would break out at the ends of the earth... Ten thousand soldiers laid down their arms, and palace maids wept at the bottom of the Rouge Well."

It was late autumn, and the night was fading.

As dusk settles over the banks of the Qinhuai River.

Zhouji Teahouse is warm and inviting.

The candlelight flickered, and the tea room was full of guests.

Zhou Huaiping, dressed in a gray long gown, held a sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument), with candlelight flowing across the sandalwood body of the instrument.

With his soft, melodious Wu dialect entwined around the beams and pillars, he sang "The Song of the Rear Courtyard" on stage.

The singing was melodious and lingering. The tea drinkers, from all walks of life, enjoyed this rare moment of leisure, and every now and then someone would put copper coins and silver coins into the copper plate that Xiaoting was holding.

Xiaoting is Zhou Huaiping's daughter. Her rosy cheeks radiate joy, and her little braid tied with a red ribbon sways gently as she walks.

Amidst the chirping sounds, two large characters appeared on the screen: "Autumn Cicada".

Outside the teahouse was a bustling street, with people coming and going, and all sorts of sounds filling the air: hawking, shouting, laughter, and the sound of strings...

Amidst this everyday atmosphere, text appears on the screen from time to time: Director Liu Jing, Duan Yihong as Zhou Huaiping, Liu Ye as Zhou Huai'an, Gao Yuanyuan as Su Rou, Guan Xiaotong as Xiao Ting...

As the Pingtan sang, "Even courtesans harbor the sorrow of a fallen nation, ashamed to sing 'The Flowers of the Rear Courtyard' across the river," the noise gradually subsided, the Pingtan music became clearer, and the camera returned to the teahouse.

"The Qinhuai River is cold, the rouge has faded, and only the cold tide sends off the crows at dusk."

The lingering sound echoed for a long time.

Clang, clang, clang...

A customer tossed a coin into the dish, making a crisp sound. Xiaoting smiled sweetly and said thank you.

"Mr. Zhou's 'The Song of the Rear Courtyard' truly brings Du Mu's 'Qinhuai River' to life!" The tea drinker tossed in his money, not forgetting to offer a compliment.

"If you ask me, Brother Huaiping's 'Rainy Wind' style is even more soothing than the famous performers on the radio." A tea drinker next to him took a sip of tea, smacked his lips, and savored the taste, unsure whether he was savoring the aroma of the tea or the beauty of the storytelling.

"Haha, Huaiping is much better than those actors." Some tea drinkers laughed.

At the counter, Xiaoting stood on tiptoe to reach the ledger, her voice still a little childish, "Uncle Wang, please give me three silver coins."

Zhou Huaiping smiled, picked up a pen, wrote a line, and recorded it in the account.

"Dad, how do you write the character '笼' in '烟笼寒水月笼沙'?" Xiaoting tilted her head, waiting for her father's answer.

Zhou Huaiping unfolded a piece of paper, smiling at his daughter, "The character 'bamboo' with a dragon underneath looks like the mist swirling around the painted boats on the Qinhuai River, doesn't it?"

"No, it looks like a dragon laughing..." Xiaoting shook her head.

Zhou Huaiping smiled and ruffled his daughter's hair. "Whatever Xiaoting says it looks like, then it looks like that."

"Dad, can I go to Gulou Hospital to see Mom tomorrow?" Xiaoting asked, looking out the door.

"If Xiaoting is good, Daddy will take you tomorrow."

"I'll go make tea." Xiaoting ran off with a smile. Zhou Huaiping sighed softly, picked up his sanxian, and gently plucked the strings to adjust them.

"A pot of Biluochun tea—be careful, it's hot!" the waiter shouted, moving nimbly through the teahouse.

"A cold wave sends off the crows at dusk." A tea drinker wearing glasses pushed up his glasses and sighed, "Mr. Zhou, aren't you afraid...aren't you afraid it will bring bad luck when you sing about Emperor Chen Houzhu?"

“What do you mean by auspicious or inauspicious? We’re just here to listen to music,” a guest shouted.

"Sigh! The newspaper says the Broadway Building collapsed in Zhabei. This world... sigh..."

Dang clang...

Zhou Huaiping plucked the strings, his voice trembling slightly before settling back to its steady tone. "Young brother," he said, "'The Song of the Rear Courtyard' is not a lament for a fallen nation, but a warning to the world. Even courtesans know sorrow; how can those across the river be blind?"

He chuckled softly, then changed the tune and sang loudly, "The jade tree is broken, the golden lotus is shattered, the autumn crows of Moling cry mournfully..."

On this day, Xiaoting was looking at the account book. At such a young age, she could already understand the account book.

Zhou Huaiping wiped the tables and chairs, each wipe meticulously.

Boom... The sound of cannon fire was deafening, smoke filled the air, and the entire city trembled.

"Dad, what's going on outside?" Xiaoting asked, puzzled.

"It's just a little earth-shattering, it's nothing to worry about," Zhou Huaiping reassured the child.

boom……

The wooden door to the back room of the teahouse was suddenly pushed open, and a dashing military officer burst in.

Xiaoting was startled, but when she saw who it was, she was overjoyed. "Uncle, you're back!"

"Xiaoting."

The officer was Zhou Huai'an, Zhou Huaiping's younger brother.

"Uncle, there's still rice in the pot..."

"Xiaoting, I'm not hungry." Zhou Huai'an ripped off his military cap and slammed it on the table. "Brother! Zhonghua Gate can't be defended! Come with me before dawn!"

Zhou Huaiping stroked the counter, the mottled marks bearing witness to the passage of time. "This teahouse has been passed down for three generations of my family. Now that I'm gone, the rare copies of 'The Drunken Immortal's Ballad' and 'The Lament of the White Snake' will be truly lost."

Zhou Huai'an said in a deep voice, his face serious, exuding both ruthlessness and competence, "Brother, the supply wagon is at the alley entrance. Take Sister-in-law Xiaoting with you, immediately!"

"Uncle, where are we going?" Xiaoting asked quickly, her face full of curiosity.

Zhou Huaiping picked up the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument), "Huai'an, listen to this cedar wood resonator..."

He gently fiddled with it, making a lively sound. "In the twentieth year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign, my grandfather personally carved it out using wood from sunken ships in the Qinhuai River. Once it leaves this earth, the sound will die."

Zhou Huai'an took a deep breath, his clenched fists trembling, and shouted at his elder brother, "Is the legacy of our ancestors more important than life itself? The cannons on Zijin Mountain have all fallen silent. Tomorrow... tomorrow... tomorrow they will massacre the city."

Zhou Huaiping suddenly pressed down on the strings, "I'm leaving. Who will pass on the gongche notation? The Japanese can bomb the city walls, but they can't bomb this..."

boom……

After a deafening roar, the piercing air raid siren ripped through the night sky, and the window frames trembled.

The entire city was silent, save for the echoing sirens that reverberated through the city, throughout the cinema, and in everyone's hearts.

Xiaoting clutched the account book and cried out, "Dad, the lights are out!"

"The light's out, the light's out," Zhou Huaiping murmured, distraught. Suddenly, he jolted awake and pulled a few things out of the cabinet. "Quick! Bury them..."

Zhou Huaiping staggered out the door, "Huai'an, ancestral tablets..."

There is a maple tree in the courtyard, its red leaves dyed like fire with frost.

He grabbed a shovel and started frantically digging in the soil under the maple tree.

Zhou Huai'an glanced at the crimson sky, his eyes red, and went into the house, emerging with the ancestral tablets in his hands.

He handed the memorial tablet to Xiaoting, saying, "Brother, I'll take it."

Zhou Huaiping ignored her and yelled at Xiaoting, "Xiaoting, hold the ancestral tablet steady!"

Xiaoting knelt on the ground and cried, "Father, the earth is turning over, is it going to swallow up our teahouse?"

Zhou Huaiping dug the pit and put the box wrapped in oilcloth and the memorial tablet inside. "It won't swallow! Xiaoting, there's our Zhou family genealogy in the box, as well as a gongche notation that has been passed down for seven generations. Do you remember?"

Xiaoting sobbed and nodded repeatedly, "Dad, is 'Jasmine Flower' that Mom taught me also in the sheet music?"

Zhou Huaiping paused in covering the soil with his hand. "Here! The last page of the gongche notation, Jasmine, never to wither."

A maple leaf fell onto the box and was covered with soil.

"What a beautiful jasmine flower! The fragrance of all the flowers in the garden can't compare to its scent. Mother said she'd take me to pick it when it blooms." Xiaoting sang a few lines, her voice trembling with tears.

"The flowers will bloom, the flowers will bloom..." Zhou Huaiping's hands trembled violently. He suddenly hugged Xiaoting tightly. "When you miss your parents in the future, sing this song. Sing it once, and we'll respond..."

boom……

The loud explosion was very close. Zhou Huai'an's face was grave, his hand pressing down on the gun at his waist. "Brothers, hide well, the Japanese are probably coming."

“Huai’an…” Zhou Huaiping’s face was pale, his lips trembling as he uttered, “Take care.”

Zhou Huai'an suddenly knelt down and kowtowed three times towards the place where the memorial tablet was buried, saying, "Brother, take care."

Both brothers knew that this parting might be forever.

The younger brother knew that this journey was fraught with uncertainty, and the older brother knew that the younger brother was prepared to die.

The older brother knew that no egg could remain intact when the nest was overturned, and the younger brother knew how difficult it was for the older brother to survive in chaotic times.

Maple leaves fell like blood rain, landing on the ground, on people, on Xiaoting's head, and on the newly turned earth.

Zhou Huaiping slowly collapsed, pressing his forehead against the tree, "Ancestors, protect the cultural heritage of Nanjing, bless the whole family... bless Xiaoting with safety."

--------

Liu Jing exhaled a breath of stale air, suddenly felt something was amiss, turned his head and looked around, and was speechless.

The assistant was tugging at his sleeve, wiping away his tears and snot.

"What are you looking at? It's all your fault." The assistant grumbled and pinched her boss's arm. "What happened to Xiaoting in the end?"

"You've already seen it." Liu Jing said speechlessly.

"I want you to tell me, who told you to direct the movie?" The assistant was no longer willing to reason with her. "You've been making me cry these past few days, you have to pay me."

On the screen, red leaves fluttered up, the camera zoomed out, and gradually formed two large characters: "Winter Snow".

Before the writing had faded, the sound of gunfire rang out, and blood splattered on the window.

This is a tailor shop, and the usually colorful fabrics look very dull here.

The only bright spot on the entire screen was this splash of blood, while outside came the roars of a chaotic battle.

Zhou Huai'an was nowhere to be seen, but his voice came from afar, "Third Company! Hold the fork in the road..."

The camera pans out to the scene of fighting and looting, resembling a living hell.

Street fighting broke out, and corpses littered the ground, including Zhou Huai'an.

He knelt on the ground, staring at the teahouse not far away, unable to close his eyes in peace.

The audience in the theater gasped in surprise, and Bai Bing buried her head in Liu Jing's shoulder, unable to bear watching the scene on the screen.

Bang, bang, bang—that's the sound of a body pounding on the door.

Click!

The tailor shop door was kicked open, and several Japanese soldiers rushed in. A child was trembling under the table when he accidentally bumped into it, and the soldiers discovered him.

"You little Chinese brat! You're going to consecrate your sword!" This is in Japanese, with Chinese subtitles below.

The Japanese soldiers dragged the child out, and their comrades used bayonets to lift him up, the child's screams echoing throughout the room.

The teahouse was right next door, which Zhou Huaiping could see clearly from the second floor.

He was terrified, covered Xiaoting's eyes, went downstairs, and dragged her to the kitchen.

"Don't look!"

Xiaoting clutched her father's clothes, trembling like a leaf, "Mother said, Mother said she'd be back at noon to cook red bean porridge..."

Zhou Huaiping moved a few blue bricks next to the rice jar, lifted the cellar cover, threw in a water bag and some dry rations, and whispered, "Xiaoting, listen. The Japanese soldiers' footsteps are like iron weights pounding the ground. Don't come out under any circumstances. Only open the door when you hear someone wearing cloth shoes coming, understand?"

Xiaoting's eyes were blurry with tears, but she kept nodding.

Zhou Huaiping shoved his daughter into the cellar, and before closing the lid, he growled, "If you can't hold on any longer, sing Jasmine Flower, and breathe like your mother taught you!"

boom……

Once the cover was closed, it was pitch black except for a single crack.

Zhou Huaiping jumped into the tailor's yard, looked at the little girl lying in a pool of blood, and angrily slammed his fist against the wall, "You bastard..."

The tailor was still sewing clothes for him yesterday. The little girl and Xiaoting played well together and even said that she wanted to learn Suzhou storytelling from him in the future.

He picked up the shovel again, dug a hole, and buried the little girl.

He glanced at the teahouse; his wife was still outside. He was going to find Su Rou.

Zhou Huaiping took a shortcut, hiding and dodging along the way. The camera followed Zhou Huaiping's gaze, showing scene after scene of carnage.

Corpses hung from tree branches, prisoners were nailed to tree trunks, and disembowelment and decapitation were everywhere.

A woman screamed in agony in one house, while a man roared in another.

Young women suffer extreme evil, and the elderly are tormented.

Zhou Huaiping gritted his teeth and bit his lip until it bled. This was no longer the peaceful and quiet city of Jinling; it was hell on earth.

(End of this chapter)