Returning to the county opera troupe in 77

Chapter 114 Do you practice splits like this too?

The rehearsal of "Visiting Guishan" went very smoothly. Xue Rong and Mo Qingyan lived up to their reputation as famous actresses who were once popular in northern Shaanxi. Their singing, movements, and control of the rhythm of the whole performance all showed a seasoned and skillful touch.

Sitting in the audience, Zhu Zhengguo, Fang Zhengsheng, and Han Zhengkui were completely captivated by the people on the stage, sitting upright with their eyes glued to them.

Mo Qingyan took half a circle with light, quick steps, flicked her water sleeves, and began to sing, "Hu Fenglian, in the cabin, her heart is restless—"

As soon as she spoke, her clear and melodious voice, like a flowing spring, instantly spread to every corner of the theater.

Xue Rong, who was acting alongside her, calmly added, "My child, don't be anxious—"

The moment the word "son" was uttered, it drew everyone in the audience into the play.

The drum rhythm was perfectly synchronized. Liu Dezhu watched the actors' steps on stage, controlling the intensity and speed of the drumsticks perfectly, leading the entire band to move forward steadily in sync with the singing.

Zhu Zhengke tapped his fingers lightly on his thigh, his smile growing wider. He couldn't help but turn to Fang Zhengsheng and whisper, "Too steady! So steady that no one can find a single fault. If today's rehearsal goes well on the first try, I'll go contact Secretary Li of the Red Star Commune right away. They've been waiting for our reply."

Hongxing Commune was a lucky place for the county opera troupe. The first play, "Stealing the Armor," made its name in Hongxing Commune. After the performance, the audience applauded thunderously. The villagers spread the word, and the very next day, a grand scene with thousands of people watching took place.

Now that the county troupe has become a pilot unit for the revival of traditional operas, when it comes to promoting its first full-length opera outside the county, Zhu Zhengkuo's first thought is still that place.

They are familiar with the local area, have good relationships with people, and are recognized by the audience. As long as the play is convincing, and with the enthusiastic fellow villagers spreading the word, they can't help but become popular.

Ever since Xue Rong and Mo Qingyan moved into the theater, Fang Zhengsheng, who was always unkempt, has become much cleaner. Even Feng Zhengxiao's previous complaint about his "mous" breath has been addressed by brushing his teeth.

Before, when he opened his mouth, half the people in the room would have to walk around him. Now, when he gets close to speak, his breath, while not exactly refreshing, is at least not as intoxicating as it used to be.

Fang Zhengsheng chuckled: "Don't worry, the rehearsal will be absolutely no problem. Let's get in touch with the Red Star Commune beforehand and ask them to promote it for us. Let's announce it over the loudspeaker a few times, put up some red paper at the entrance of each village, and have Secretary Li mention it at the commune members' meeting. I guarantee the performance will be a huge success."

Han Zhengkui chuckled and chimed in, "Last time we went to the Red Star Commune, we attracted a thousand onlookers. This time, with some pre-event publicity, shouldn't we make an even bigger splash? But we'd better ask the Red Star Commune to maintain order beforehand; we don't want any chaos with so many people."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Zhu Zheng nodded in agreement: "I'll call Secretary Li in a bit. We can't take order and security lightly."

Just as the group was getting into a lively conversation, a heart-wrenching scream suddenly came from the backyard of the theater.

"Hiss~ Oh dear!"

The sound penetrated the wooden doors of the theater and came in clearly.

Fang Zhengsheng and Han Zhengkui exchanged glances. Fang Zhengsheng hesitated and said, "I guess it's just wild cats fighting? There are often wild cats running around near the back wall. Maybe they're fighting over food."

Zhu Zheng nodded, then turned his head back and muttered, "These days, many educated youth have returned, and stray cats and dogs are being chased all over the streets. Even our theater troupe is being disturbed."

Meanwhile, in the backyard, Lin Gouwa was in so much pain that his mind went blank, and his two little slits were wide open.

He was split on the ground in a "I" shape, his legs pressed down by Chen Xiangdong. His hip bones felt as if they had been pried open with a crowbar. The intense pain shot from his thighs to his head, making him see stars.

Chen Xiangdong chuckled mischievously as he squatted down beside Lin Gouwa, tilting his head to glance at his crotch. He nodded and said, "Not bad, Gouwa. You managed to do the splits with your crotch touching the ground on your first try. You've got some talent."

Lin Gouwa turned to look at Chen Xiangdong, his bald head covered in sweat, tears welling in his eyes from the pain, his voice trembling slightly: "Brother—you, you also practice the splits like this?"

"yes."

Chen Xiangdong looked completely matter-of-fact and casually splashed a bucket of dirty water on Feng Zhengxiao: "That's how Master Feng taught me. Otherwise, it wouldn't be called a crash course! Look at those students, they stretch their legs for ten days or half a month and still can't do a split. You just went all the way in one go."

As he spoke, his smile was about to burst out, so he quickly turned his head to cover it up, giving Lin Gouwa a thumbs-up: "Even you're not as talented as me!"

Lin Gouwa's lips twitched; he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. His legs were still spread wide on the ground, and even the slightest movement caused excruciating pain. He could only manage a trembling "Ah?" from his throat.

Chen Xiangdong stood up, smiling frankly: "What, you don't believe me? Go ask Master Feng later and see if that's how he taught me. Gouwa, this is called 'no pain, no gain.' Just keep doing the splits every day for three to five days, and you'll have passed the first hurdle."

Finally, he added, "This is also what Teacher Feng said."

After saying that, he turned and left, his steps light and quick, without the slightest bit of mental burden.

Lin Gouwa stared at Chen Xiangdong's retreating figure, speechless for a long time. After a while, he slowly pulled his thin legs back, hissing in pain as he slumped against the wall.

He muttered to himself, "Oh my god, it hurts so much! — Master Feng, did you train like this back in the day?"

His tone was half-believing, half-doubting, yet still carried a hint of awe for the fact that "even famous actors have to go through so much to get where they are."

While the theater was bustling with activity, the atmosphere in the rehearsal hall of the courtyard was somewhat oppressive.

Pan Lanxiang had just emerged from the shadow of almost being cheated and sexually exploited by a fake Hong Kong businessman, and the wound in her heart had not yet fully healed when she stumbled upon the troupe's full support for the revival of old plays.

Looking at the deserted rehearsal hall, she couldn't help but lean closer to He Jianshe and whisper, "Brother Jianshe, do you think we modern opera actors have been left behind?"

He Jianshe looked up at her upon hearing this, his tone tinged with uncertainty: "I think it's probably not possible. It's one thing for old plays to be made back, but it's not like modern plays are banned."

Pan Lanxiang didn't reply immediately, only lowered her head, her large eyes flickering, before finally speaking after a long while: "What if the old play really becomes popular? Then, who will remember us?"

Lu Meiyin heard this from the window, and her slender willow-leaf eyebrows couldn't help but furrow slightly. In the past, she and Pan Lanxiang had been fighting openly and secretly for several years because of the competition for the leading role on stage. They had competed a lot on and off stage, and when they met face to face, they were too lazy to even lift their eyelids.

But now, every single one of them, when the old plays come back, they've all been pushed to the edge of the stage, seemingly becoming forgotten, washed-up actors overnight.

Lu Meiyin felt a pang of sadness. Looking at Pan Lanxiang, who was sitting there with her head down, seemingly at a loss, she suddenly felt that all the struggles and fights she had before had suddenly become meaningless.

She put down her script, walked over, and sat down on the bench next to Pan Lanxiang. Her voice was a few decibels lower than usual: "What are you panicking about? Even if the old plays are wildly popular, half the audience still prefers modern dramas. I refuse to believe that we'll ever lose our chance to take the lead on stage again!"

Pan Lanxiang looked up at her, seemingly surprised. The wariness in her eyes slowly eased, and she lowered her eyelids and sighed, "I hope so—"

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