Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 111 Offering Tea and Picking Characters: A Bountiful Harvest (Continuing with 10,000 words, seeking subscriptions)

Yan Xun was taken aback at first, then overjoyed.

Goddess scattered flowers!

This is Yu Fengxian's true secret skill, which she rarely shows to others!

This play is extremely demanding on the actors' energy and spirit. It was with this play that Yu Fengxian conquered the hidden talents of the Peking Opera world in Beijing and established her status as the number one female lead.

It is said that a wealthy businessman once spent a fortune just to see it.

Therefore, this can be considered Yu Fengxian's true trump card!

When the news spread, opera fans were thrilled, feeling that seeing these two opera giants perform against each other was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The next morning, the same name dominated the front page headlines of all the newspapers in Zhenhaiwei.

Farewell My Concubine.

"A single night of divine recognition, the fairy tale creates another miracle, the Farewell My Concubine is heartbreaking!"

"His skill surpasses that of all the famous opera singers in the capital; Chen Ye's performance decides the fate of the world!"

The exaggerated headline propelled Chen Ye's reputation to new heights.

The classroom was filled with jubilation.

Only Chen Ye remained calm and composed.

He didn't think it was anything special.

After all, Farewell My Concubine is a great script, and with his professional talent, it would be strange if he didn't win.

He even had the leisure to feed the koi in the yard, watching the fish fight for food while humming an unknown tune.

It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky, and the opera troupe had urged him several times, that Chen Ye finally got into a rickshaw and headed to Guang Le Lou.

But the car couldn't move any further before it even reached the entrance of Guang Le Lou.

There were just too many people.

The entire street was completely blocked, with a dense, dark mass of people stretching as far as the eye could see.

Chen Ye had no choice but to order the driver to stop.

Meanwhile, Deng Ming, who had been eagerly waiting by the roadside, rushed over to Chen Ye's car as if he had seen his own father, his face full of fawning smiles.

"My goodness, you've finally arrived! Everyone's been waiting for you!"

As he spoke, he bowed respectfully, intending to help Chen Ye out of the car.

Chen Ye was both amused and exasperated. Was he really that old? He waved his hand, indicating to Deng Ming that there was no need for such formalities, and then stepped off the rickshaw.

As soon as he got out of the car, the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers.

"It's Boss Chen!"

"Lingxian has arrived!"

Amidst a deafening roar, countless people held up their newspapers and waved them excitedly.

Since Chen Ye's show started first today, all the audience members, whether they bought tickets or not, gathered at Guang Le Lou.

The crowd was so large that it filled the entire street. People at the back couldn't see the stage, so they stood on tiptoe and craned their necks, determined not to leave even if they could only hear a sound.

Such a grand occasion is unprecedented.

However, the stage in front of Yu Fengxian across the street was deserted.

Yu Fengxian remained completely unmoved. He didn't even draw the curtains; he simply sat backstage, quietly listening to the gongs, drums, and cheers coming from the other side.

He didn't get up until Chen Ye finished his performance.

There were quite a few audience members, and many fans who had already seen Chen Ye's performances flocked over out of curiosity.

Then the performance of "The Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers" began, and Yu Fengxian's performance amazed the audience as soon as she appeared on stage.

He brought out the best in all the external skills of a female role, including her posture, flowing sleeves, and singing style.

On stage, he seemed to have truly transformed into a fairy scattering flowers from the heavens. Dozens of feet long ribbons danced in his hands like dragons, with flowers falling from the sky and light and shadow blurring.

Every movement was so beautiful and exquisite, truly a masterpiece.

This is the pinnacle of traditional Chinese opera, the limit of human skill.

However, the reaction from the audience was not very enthusiastic.

Many viewers even wore a look of bewilderment and melancholy, because they were still immersed in the immense sorrow and shock of "Farewell My Concubine," unable to extricate themselves.

With such exquisite beauty before us, even the breathtaking spectacle of a celestial maiden scattering flowers before us lacks the soul-stirring emotion that truly resonates with us.

Yan Xun and the shills he hired clapped and cheered desperately from below the stage, their voices almost hoarse, but they still couldn't hide the desolation of the entire venue.

Backstage, the members of the Tongqing Class all fell silent.

They had thought this would be a relaxing and enjoyable trip south, where they would follow Boss Yu around, show off their power, collect their reward money, and then return to the capital in style.

Who could have imagined it would turn out like this?

Finally, the performance ended, and Yu Fengxian returned backstage without saying a word.

The atmosphere backstage was extremely oppressive. No one dared to approach him at this moment and provoke him. Even his most personal baggage holder hid at a distance.

Yu Fengxian sat alone in the chair, her headdress removed, her eyes calm, lost in thought.

Just then, Yan Xun came over and said, "Boss Yu, we can't just let this go! This Chen Ye is really strange, why don't we... try some other methods?"

Yu Fengxian suddenly raised her head, her eyes like knives.

"Shameless!"

"I, Yu Fengxian, lost, and that's that. I lost because of the play, and I accept it! But that doesn't mean I have to resort to those shady and despicable things!"

"You..." Yan Xun's face turned pale and then red as he was scolded, and he said angrily, "I'm doing this for your own good!"

"My affairs are none of your business!" Yu Fengxian said coldly. "Get out!"

Yan Xun was so angry that he trembled all over, and finally stormed off.

Then Yu Fengxian waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave.

In the empty backstage area, he sat alone for a long time, until late at night...

Day three.

There's no need to compete anymore.

The audience at Yu Fengxian's stage was deserted; apart from the members of the Tongqing Troupe, there wasn't a single other spectator.

Meanwhile, the Guangle Tower across the street was still packed with people, and there wasn't even a place to stand.

Yan Xun disappeared without a trace, and Yu Fengxian didn't bother to find out.

He simply faced the empty stands and meticulously finished his performance.

Then he took off his gorgeous costume, removed the jewels from his head, put on a simple blue cloth gown, and stepped off the stage.

After crossing the street, Yu Fengxian arrived at the bustling Guang Le Lou and squeezed inside.

The theater was packed with people, and Yu Fengxian stood quietly at the back of the crowd, watching.

He has spent his entire life on stage, enjoying immense popularity, but never before has he experienced a play as a pure audience member as he does today.

He wanted to see for himself exactly where he had gone wrong.

Soon, Yu Fengxian was completely absorbed in the story. He seemed to see mountains of corpses and seas of blood, hear the songs of Chu from all sides, feel the endless sorrow of a hero's end, and witness the resolute and tragic beauty of Yu Ji's sacrifice for love.

When Chen Ye finally committed suicide by sword dance and fell into the arms of the Overlord.

This renowned Peking Opera actress, who had dedicated her life to singing and maintaining her pride, couldn't help but cover her face, her shoulders trembling slightly as tears silently streamed down her face.

The song ended with thunderous applause.

Yu Fengxian did not clap. He simply stood up and, under the astonished gazes of everyone, slowly walked step by step toward the stage.

"It's Yu Fengxian!"

The crowd automatically parted to make way for him, and everyone's gaze became complicated.

The members of Qingchun Class became tense upon seeing Yu Fengxian, thinking he was about to provoke them in public.

Guan Sihai, Tie Dan, and the others immediately stood in front of Chen Ye.

Chen Ye, however, remained calm and patted Tie Dan on the shoulder. "It's alright, everyone move aside."

At the same time, Yu Fengxian walked to the front of the stage and bowed deeply to Chen Ye.

"I lost."

His voice was hoarse, but incredibly sincere.

The entire audience erupted in uproar, and the crowd became even more agitated.

Because no one expected that Yu Fengxian would actually admit defeat. At the same time, Yu Fengxian slowly raised her head to look at Chen Ye and slowly said, "But I have a question I would like to ask."

"Please say."

"May I ask, Mr. Chen, what exactly is hidden in your plays? Why is it that despite my life's work, I still can't match your skill?"

Chen Ye did not answer directly, but smiled faintly and pointed to the pillars on both sides of the stage.

"Mr. Yu, please look at that couplet."

Following his finger, everyone saw a huge couplet on each side of the stage.

The first line is: "The joys and sorrows, the partings and reunions, are not the same as those of the past in this era?"

The second line reads: "Observing praise and criticism, one often finds characters from the play among those present."

Yu Fengxian looked at the couplet, muttering to herself, seemingly lost in thought.

Chen Ye's voice rang out again, clear and melodious.

"Boss Yu, your skills have reached their peak, but your stage is too small."

"You only see princes, nobles, celebrities, and amateur enthusiasts, but you can't see the joys and sorrows of the millions of ordinary people in the audience."

"You've been trapped by the title of the top female performer in Beijing, so no matter how big your performance is, it can't be bigger than that small space."

Yu Fengxian's body jolted violently, as if struck by lightning.

A tiny space...

Yes, his plays are for princes, for the powerful and wealthy, and for those amateur enthusiasts who can spend lavishly.

He pursued perfect technique and flawless performance, but forgot about it.

Ultimately, opera is about human relationships and worldly wisdom.

He got it.

I understand completely now.

Yu Fengxian suddenly turned around and said to Deng Ming, who was already stunned, "Manager Deng, may I have some tea?"

Soon, a cup of hot tea was served.

In front of all the reporters and opera fans, Yu Fengxian raised her teacup high and said loudly:
“I, Yu Fengxian, am inferior to others in skill and I admit it wholeheartedly. From this day forward, there will be no more famous actresses in the capital named Yu Fengxian. There will only be a little actor named Wu Xuan.”

Wu Xuan is Yu Fengxian's real name, but she hasn't used it for a long time.

After saying that, he handed the tea to Chen Ye.

This scene greatly surprised many people, because no one expected that Yu Fengxian would fulfill her bet in public without the slightest hesitation.

Chen Ye took the tea, took a small sip, and then set it aside.

Then Wu Xuan asked the last question, which was also the question he had asked when he first went south.

"Mr. Chen's skills and character are both top-notch, but there is one thing I really don't understand."

"Why did you call me a street singer from some back alley to humiliate me?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye frowned immediately.

“I never said such a thing. I admire every actor who earns a living through their own abilities. How could I utter such malicious words?”

The two looked at each other, one open and honest, the other astonished.

In the blink of an eye, Wu Xuan instantly understood the whole story.

He suddenly remembered Yan Xun's ugly face when he first found him, full of embellishment and instigation!

A surge of overwhelming rage rushed straight to the top of his head!
What a brilliant Yan Xun!
He was actually used as a pawn by such a despicable person!
However, Wu Xuan did not lose his composure in public. Instead, he took a deep breath and calmed down.

After all, he was a renowned performer, and he naturally possessed his own pride and dignity.

He then turned to Chen Ye again, his face full of shame, and bowed deeply to the ground once more.

"Mr. Chen, I was foolish and misled by a villain, which almost led to a serious mistake. I hope you will forgive me."

This apology was more sincere and solemn than his previous statement, "I lost."

The audience was stunned by the dramatic scene unfolding on stage.

Then Wu Xuan straightened up and looked intently at Chen Ye.

"Boss Chen, I have a word of advice for you: Zhenhaiwei is too shallow a pond to raise a true dragon. If you trust me, Wu Xuan, then come back to Pingjing with me. Although I have been stripped of my official title, I still have some influence in the Peking Opera circles of Pingjing. I will do everything in my power to pave the way for you and help you become a true star on the most prestigious stage in the world!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked!

Because this is no longer a simple endorsement, but a recommendation that stakes on one's entire reputation!

Deng Ming, the manager of Guang Le Lou, felt his heart leap into his throat and his face turn pale.

The troupe leader, Guan Sihai, and the members of the Qingchun Troupe were so nervous that their palms were sweating, fearing that Chen Ye would be swayed by this enormous temptation and nod in agreement.

The audience below the stage let out a series of reluctant gasps, and the atmosphere in the entire theater instantly became tense.

All eyes were on Chen Ye.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Chen Ye simply smiled slightly and shook his head.

"I appreciate Mr. Wu's kindness."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire theater.

"But my plays are sung for the people of Zhenhaiwei."

Chen Ye's gaze swept over the faces below the stage, some excited, some expectant, and some worried, and his smile became even more sincere.

"This small space is my domain."

Wu Xuan was initially taken aback, but that surprise quickly turned into understanding, and finally a genuine smile of admiration appeared on his face.

He got it completely.

The young man's pursuit has long surpassed fame and fortune itself.

I didn't lose unjustly.

"What a wonderful little place! My kingdom!" Wu Xuan clapped his hands and laughed, his laughter filled with relief and admiration. "Boss Chen, I, Wu Xuan, am now completely convinced!"

"When you come to Pingjing in the future, I will definitely welcome you with open arms, and then we can have a good exchange of opera skills!"

After speaking, Wu Xuan gave Chen Ye a deep look, then turned around and strode off the stage.

Just before stepping off the stage, he paused, turned his head, and spoke with an undeniable resolve.

"Boss Chen, Yan Xun is a narrow-minded and vindictive man. He is an absolute villain. You should be careful."

"If he dares to return to Pingjing, I, Wu Xuan, will make sure he suffers the consequences!"

Although Wu Xuan had relinquished his title, he was still a court musician favored by Prince Yu. Having cultivated his influence in the capital for many years, his network of connections was far beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

Although Yan Xun came from a wealthy family in Pingjing, he was only a son born out of wedlock and was not well-liked in the family.

If Wu Xuan really wants to cause trouble for him in Pingjing, then Yan Xun's life will probably be in for a rough time.

Chen Ye understood the warning in his words and nodded slightly.

As Wu Xuan resolutely left, thunderous applause erupted once again inside Guang Le Lou.

This applause is for the victor Chen Ye, and also for Wu Xuan, who lost with dignity and kept his promise.

The dust has settled.

When Chen Ye returned backstage, the members of the Qingchun Class immediately surrounded him like stars around the moon, their faces beaming with the joy of surviving a disaster and the excitement of sharing in the glory.

Chen Ye smiled and said a few words to everyone, then returned to the lounge alone to remove his makeup.

As he wiped the paint off his face, Chen Ye took stock of his gains.

As the final scene came to a close, his career panel underwent a dramatic transformation.

【Occupation: Mirage Court Musician lv3】

[Skills: Insightful Observation Lv7, Stage Presence Lv5, Loyal Judgment Lv1]

The Mirage Court Musician has leveled up from lv2 to lv3, and the skills "Subtle Insight" and "Powdered Appearance" have both leveled up three times, making it a very rewarding achievement.

But it's not over yet.

Yan Xun repeatedly provoked and caused trouble, but Chen Ye's character was never one to be easily manipulated.

Since we've formed an enmity, we must nip it in the bud.

Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Chen Ye's eyes.

　Thank you all for your support. It's now a high-quality product. I've really worked hard to achieve this result.

　　Updating 10,000 words a day is already a lot for a clumsy writer like me, so there might be some rough edges in the writing. I'll try my best to pay attention, and I hope you'll all be understanding.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)