Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 100: Official Debut, Theater Manager

"Officer Qi, the ringleader Jingxuan has been executed. The rest is up to you," Chen Ye said slowly.

Qi Shihao was taken aback upon hearing this. He wasn't stupid, and naturally understood what Chen Ye meant.

This was a tremendous achievement, yet he voluntarily gave it to me.

This made him re-examine the boy in front of him.

His eyes were calm, his face was handsome, and most importantly, the aura he exuded from within made it impossible for anyone to regard him as a mere apprentice in a theatrical troupe.

Qi Shihao was the same.

Through his old friend Lu Dahu's words and his own observations, he knew that this young man was no ordinary person and was destined to soar to great heights in the future. In addition, the other party had taken the initiative to give him the credit, so he couldn't help but feel closer to him, and the smile on his face became even more gentle.

"Don't worry, Brother Chen, I will definitely handle this case thoroughly and give all the people of Zhenhaiwei an explanation!"

Chen Ye nodded, then excused himself by saying he was tired and turned to leave the Tianhou Temple.

Chen Ye really didn't want to draw attention to himself, because no one could guarantee that Jing Xuan didn't have any accomplices or remnants. If she did, wouldn't it be very dangerous for him to be exposed to the public eye again?
It would be a huge loss to risk one's life for a mere reputation, so it would be better to do Qi Shihao a favor.

The next day, news that the government had sealed off the Tianhou Palace and discovered the heinous crimes committed by the sorcerers there spread like wildfire throughout Zhenhaiwei.

The whole city was in an uproar.

Families whose female members frequently visited the Tianhou Temple were particularly gripped by panic.

Many men only then belatedly realized that their wives and daughters had become dazed and acted strangely, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

Fortunately, Jingxuan is dead, and the brainwashed women are slowly regaining their senses after the mental control is lifted.

The successful resolution of this case made Qi Shihao's name resound throughout Zhenhaiwei.

Awards from his superiors, envy from his colleagues, praise from the people... all sorts of honors came one after another, and there were even rumors that his position as chief constable, which he had held for many years, might be promoted.

That evening, at the Qi residence.

Qi Shihao, who rarely drank a few glasses of wine, was in a great mood and couldn't help but praise Chen Ye.

"You have no idea, that kid is truly amazing. He has such courage and skill at such a young age, and the key is that he doesn't want any credit after the deed is done. I've rarely seen such a character in my half-life!"

Qi Nana, who was also at the table, listened to her father's praise with surprise in her beautiful eyes.

She realized that the seemingly miraculous young man her father had been talking about was none other than the opera troupe apprentice that her best friend Lu Jinghong had been longing for!

Although she was taken away by her father early from the Lu family and didn't get to see the final, thrilling performance, she did witness the shocking scene of Chen Ye acting with a ghost on stage.

Now, upon learning from her father that he had single-handedly destroyed the Tianhou Palace, this den of iniquity, Qi Nana's surprise only intensified, and she even felt a surge of curiosity.

What kind of person is Chen Ye?

……

Chen Ye was unconcerned about the turmoil in the outside world.

At this moment, he was in the opera troupe's practice room, intently studying his professional skills.

Name: Chen Ye

【Occupation: Bewitching Diva Lv3 (Singing, recitation, acting, and martial arts skills, displaying elegance and charm, entering the realm of Tao through drama, communicating with ghosts and gods)】

[Talent: Netherworld Connection]

[Skills: Microscopic Insight lv3, Stage Presence lv1]

The Tianhou Temple is indeed a super experience pack.

The grand spectacle not only saw Jingxuan off, but also propelled his own professional level from lv1 to lv3.

As his level increased, Chen Ye felt that his understanding of acting had been elevated.

Now, every move he makes, every smile he gives, seems to have become one with the character, without the slightest hesitation.

This is probably what it means to have both physical and spiritual qualities, and to be one with the actor in the role.

In the following days, Chen Ye's practice progressed by leaps and bounds, which made Guan Sihai even more gratified.

It's time to take the stage.

However, there are nuances to making it onto the stage. If you do it well, you can become an overnight sensation; if you do it poorly, you may suffer a crushing defeat.

Therefore, Guan Sihai was very cautious and directly abandoned those small theaters, teahouses and opera houses, turning his attention to Guang Le Lou, the largest theater in Zhenhaiwei.

However, climbing the platform at Guang Le Lou is not so easy.

That was the most famous theater in the entire Zhenhaiwei, and all the actors who performed there were well-known stars from all over the country.

Qingchun Class was just an inconspicuous small class, and Chen Ye was an even lesser-known apprentice.

Guan Sihai pulled some strings and pleaded with Deng Ming, the manager of Guanglelou, before he was finally able to meet him.

Manager Deng, who was wearing a pair of peephole glasses and was quite chubby, smiled indifferently after listening to Guan Sihai's story, his eyes full of disapproval.

"Master Guan, you're a senior figure in the opera world. Isn't it a bit of an exaggeration to praise your apprentice like this?"

Guan Sihai was rebuffed, but he wasn't angry. He just smiled and said, "Manager Deng, seeing is believing. Why don't you condescend to come with me and see for yourself?"

Deng Ming was pestered by him and, seeing his confident demeanor, became curious and reluctantly agreed.

As soon as the two entered the courtyard of Qingchun Troupe, a clear and melodious singing voice floated out.

"For you are as beautiful as a flower, and as fleeting as water..."

It is a famous passage from "The Peony Pavilion".

As the manager of the grand theater, Deng Ming naturally understood opera, so with just this one sentence, his previously somewhat dismissive face instantly changed color.

This voice is clear, bright, and flawless. What's even more remarkable is the deep, lingering charm it possesses—it's simply...it's as if no ordinary person could sing like that!
He subconsciously slowed his pace, quietly approached the window, and peered inside through the crack.

Deng Ming was stunned at first glance.

Inside the room, a tall, handsome young man dressed in casual clothes was practicing his physique in front of a mirror.

Even though she was without makeup, a single glance, a raised hand, or a turn of her head perfectly conveyed the character's inner thoughts, captivating the viewer.

Before he knew it, Deng Ming had become somewhat mesmerized by what he was watching.

Seeing his expression, Guan Sihai chuckled inwardly and coughed lightly, saying, "Master Deng, what do you think...?"

"Great! Absolutely fantastic!" Deng Ming exclaimed excitedly, as if waking from a dream, his chubby face beaming with excitement.

"Then what do you think about going on stage...?" Guan Sihai pressed on while the iron was hot.

"He must go on stage! Anyone who dares to stop him is a coward!" Deng Ming slapped his thigh, appearing even more excited than Guan Sihai. "Master Guan, don't worry, leave this to me."

He knew all too well that with this young man's potential, given the opportunity, he would surely soar to great heights and become famous throughout the world!

As the place where he first took the stage, Guang Le Lou will surely become a legendary story in the world of Peking Opera!
Therefore, this deal is a sure thing!
Guan Sihai led the excited Deng Ming into the house.

As they got closer and saw Chen Ye's handsome and unparalleled face, Deng Ming was even more alarmed.

With her looks, figure, and demeanor, God is too biased towards her.

When Deng Ming learned that Chen Ye was an orphan whom Guan Sihai had found in the snow, his eyes turned red with envy. Why wasn't he so lucky to have found such a promising talent?

"Mr. Chen... Mr. Chen," Deng Ming rubbed his hands, even changing his form of address, "Have you decided what song you'll be performing on stage?"

Chen Ye thought for a moment and said, "I'm fine with anything, but if possible, I'd like to sing a young male role."

Upon hearing this, Deng Ming shook his head vigorously without even thinking.

"No, absolutely not!" he refused decisively. "Why sing a young male role? Even if you sing young male roles to the best of your ability, you'll never become a true star. Besides, with your looks, figure, and voice, you're definitely suited to playing a mature female role! Don't you agree, Master Guan?"

Guan Sihai nodded in deep agreement.

Chen Ye's conditions were indeed excellent, and he discovered that when Chen Ye sang Qingyi, there was not a hint of incongruity; on the contrary, he possessed a unique charm that easily captivated the listener.

Next, Deng Ming and Guan Sihai took turns lecturing Chen Ye for a long time, until Chen Ye had no choice but to agree to sing the role of a female character.

Deng Ming really went to great lengths to make Chen Ye an overnight sensation.

He discussed things with Guan Sihai for a long time that day, and left excitedly very late. The next morning, Deng Ming led an old master carrying photographic equipment to the opera troupe.

Photography technology existed in this era, but it was still immature, and the equipment was extremely bulky and expensive. However, Deng Ming did not hesitate to spend money to hire a famous teacher in order to prepare for the subsequent publicity.

"Mr. Chen, would you please change your clothes and put on some makeup so we can take some photos?"

Chen Ye did as instructed.

When he walked out of the room dressed in a blue theatrical costume and with exquisite makeup, everyone in the courtyard fell silent.

Even the experienced photographer was so astonished that he couldn't close his mouth for a long time, clicking the shutter incessantly, afraid of missing any moment.

Deng Ming then carefully selected the photo with the best spirit from dozens of photos and immediately began production.

Just two days later.

A huge poster was posted on the outer wall of Guang Le Lou.

On the poster, a beautifully dressed female lead in traditional opera costume has captivating eyes and is breathtakingly beautiful.

All passersby, regardless of age or gender, were attracted by it, stopping to watch and discussing it.

"My goodness, whose famous performer is this? I've never seen him before!"

"This look is absolutely stunning; you won't find another like her in Zhenhaiwei!"

"Look, there are more words below!"

Below the stunning promotional photo was a line of eye-catching text:

Five days from now, Chen Ye, a rising star in Peking Opera, will take the stage to perform. Stay tuned!

Chen Ye?

Who is this?
For a time, the entire Zhenhaiwei, especially the old opera fans, were all in awe.

They were eager to know who this newcomer named Chen Ye was, and even more eager to see with their own eyes what kind of brilliance this Qingyi actress on the poster would have on the stage.

Before Chen Ye even took the stage, his fame had already spread throughout Zhenhaiwei.

Lu family.

Holding a newspaper with Chen Ye's makeup photo on it, Lu Jinghong paced back and forth excitedly in her boudoir, her face flushed with excitement.

"Nana, look! It's Chen Ye! He's really going to perform on stage!"

Qi Nana took the newspaper and looked at the stunningly beautiful female impersonator in the picture, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise.

She simply couldn't reconcile the stunning beauty on the poster with the handsome young man playing with a ghost in the Lu family's backyard.

"He...he looks like this when he's dressed up as a photographer."

"It's more than just that!" Lu Jinghong said with a proud expression. "Let me tell you, you didn't see it that day. When he stood on the stage, that's what you call a real star!"

"So in five days, I will definitely go to Guang Le Lou to support him. Are you coming?"

Qi Nana couldn't hide her curiosity, so she nodded.

Not only them, but also Lu Dahu and Qi Shihao immediately expressed their intention to attend the event in person after hearing the news.

Meanwhile, Qingchun's class was also in an uproar.

The fellow apprentices discussed it animatedly, their faces filled with envy.

They admired each other, but no one felt jealous.

Everyone knows that Chen Ye is destined to become a star, so there's no point in being jealous.

Rather than offending them, it's better to make a good connection now.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye amidst great anticipation.

On this day, the area outside Guang Le Lou was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder.

Tickets were sold out three days in advance, but countless theatergoers still flocked to the scene, blocking the entire street.

Seeing this, some scalpers immediately increased the price of their tickets several times over, but they were still snapped up.

"Let's let one let, let one let!"

Lu, the wealthy man, led his entourage, guided by a waiter, through a special passage into a private room on the second floor.

"Jinghong, Nana, please sit here." Lu Dahu made the arrangements with a cheerful smile. He was being generous today, booking the entire private room so that everyone could have a comfortable viewing experience.

Qi Shihao sat by the window, looking at the bustling crowd below, and couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Chen's entourage is probably even bigger than those of those established stars."

The atmosphere in the private room was lively, but the main hall of the opera house was somewhat different.

Many other opera troupe leaders also came upon hearing the news, most of them with the intention of watching the spectacle unfold.

Even if an unknown apprentice gains the favor of Deng Ming of Guang Le Lou, what kind of trouble can he possibly cause?

After all, the Peking Opera profession relies on genuine skills, not opportunism.

"I think Guan Sihai from Qingchun Class is senile, how dare he praise such a young upstart like this."

"Just wait and see, we'll make him lose all face today."

Amidst these discussions, the appointed time arrived.

Bang-!
A gong rang out, clear and melodious, echoing throughout the entire theater.

The once bustling Guangle Tower fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the empty stage.

Immediately afterwards, a clear and melodious female voice, like the chirping of orioles and swallows, drifted from backstage.

"The vibrant colors of spring have faded, leaving only broken wells and crumbling walls..."

(End of this chapter)