Returning to the county opera troupe in 77

The exams were held for two consecutive days, the 5th and the 6th, and the entire troupe completely stopped all rehearsals to focus on ensuring the success of the admissions exams.

On the morning of November 7th, when Liu Dezhu arrived at the gate of the compound with two large red lists, the area outside the gate was already crowded with people waiting for the results to be posted.

A huge, bustling crowd of people, including test-takers, parents, and onlookers from nearby, stretched their necks to push their way in, while those who couldn't squeeze in stood on tiptoe to peer inside.

"Excuse me, excuse me!"

Holding up the red paper, Liu Dezhu pushed his way forward through the crowd. He Jianshe and Xu Erdao, like two bodyguards, cleared a path for him on either side, shouting and pushing aside those around them: "What are you pushing for? Where are you going to see the results if the list isn't posted?"

The crowd parted to make way for the three of them, and when the red paper was slapped onto the plastered wall, the crowd erupted into chaos.

"Xu Ming! Xu Ming! My kid got in! Hahaha!" someone shouted excitedly.

"Zhou Meiying! That's my daughter! My daughter passed the exam and will be receiving a government-subsidized food ration now!"

Exclamations of surprise rang out one after another, and those behind were stamping their feet in impatience: "Who else? Who else is on the list?"

After posting the list, Liu Dezhu lowered his head and squeezed through the crowd with great difficulty. Before he could even catch his breath, someone slapped him on the shoulder.

"Deok-joo, what are you guys doing?"

Liu Dezhu turned around and saw a man with gray hair but an unusually upright posture looking up at the crowd with a puzzled expression.

"Blackie?"

Upon seeing the familiar yet weathered face of the person who arrived, Liu Dezhu felt a momentary dizziness before exclaiming with delight, "Oh, you're back? You've been gone for ten years!"

He Jianshe and Xu Erdao also squeezed out of the crowd at this moment, and when they saw the person next to Liu Dezhu, they couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

He Jianshe looked utterly astonished: "Brother Hei?!"

Xu Erdao opened his mouth as if he had seen a ghost: "Feng Zhengxiao? You old ghost, you're still alive?"

The man named Feng Zhengxiao was about fifty years old, with a tall and strong build. Just standing there, he gave people a sense of righteousness.

Others may not recognize Feng Zhengxiao, but Liu Dezhu and the other veterans of the troupe all grew up watching his performances.

Back then, Hei Ye was known as the number one painted-face actor in northern Shaanxi. His voice was so loud it could pierce through three layers of curtains, and he was as steady as a mountain during typhoons. However, during a special period, he had to leave Dongping County and go to a distant place.

Feng Zhengxiao glanced at Xu Erdao: "You coward, you idiot, how dare you talk to your uncle like that?"

Xu Erdao chuckled sheepishly, "I was just a little caught up in my thoughts and blurted it out."

Feng Zhengxiao snorted and ignored him, seemingly not liking this mediocre guy much either.

"Dezhu, how is your master now? Can he still play the drum?"

Liu Dezhu shook his head and sighed, "After those old folks of yours passed away one after another, my master's health deteriorated, and he passed away a few years later..."

Feng Zhengxiao was taken aback at first, then sighed, "Even he's gone, alas..."

Seeing the atmosphere suddenly become heavy, Liu Dezhu quickly changed the subject: "Hey, you don't know, I've taken on an apprentice now. That kid is incredibly talented; he picks up any drumbeat or rhythm instantly. When it comes to drumming, he's even more gifted than I was back then. Shall I take you to see that kid?"

Feng Zhengxiao nodded: "Then let's go take a look."

As they spoke, Liu Dezhu and He Jianshe led the way, guiding Feng Zhengxiao into the courtyard. Passing the gatehouse, Hu Xiaolian was peering out the window. Upon seeing that square, dark face, his eyes widened suddenly, and he stammered:

"Hey! Old...Old Black?"

Feng Zhengxiao stopped in his tracks, only then realizing that the gatekeeper was an old acquaintance. He was pleasantly surprised: "Old Hu? You're not a graphic designer anymore? What are you doing here at the gatehouse?"

Hu Xiaolian laughed, took off his glasses, waved them in front of Feng Zhengxiao, and said self-deprecatingly, "My eyesight is failing me. I can't do those delicate tasks like embroidery and drawing anymore. I'll be lucky if I can be a watchdog for the troupe and retire comfortably."

Feng Zhengxiao laughed and said, "Alright, with you, old dog, guarding the door, the troupe is guaranteed not to lose any bones."

Hu Xiaolian laughed along, craned his neck to get closer, and whispered, "Are you leaving again this time?"

Feng Zhengxiao simply smiled and said, "Let's see."

Liu Dezhu chimed in, "Master Hu, tonight I'll call Fatty Qin and get a couple of pig's trotters for us to have a couple of drinks at my place. I'll take Master Hei out for a stroll in the yard first."

"Okay, let's get together again tonight."

Feng Zhengxiao strode into the courtyard with his hands behind his back, followed closely by Liu Dezhu and He Jianshe. Xu Erdao's eyes darted around, and as soon as he entered the courtyard, he turned and hurried toward Jia Dafang's regimental commander's office.

Hu Xiaolian squinted at Xu Erdao's hurriedly walking figure and muttered under his breath, "That bastard is quite loyal."

From a distance, Liu Dezhu waved to Chen Xiangdong, who was helping to peel potatoes outside the kitchen: "Dongwa, come here, let me introduce you to a senior."

When Chen Xiangdong looked up and saw the dark-faced old man surrounded by Liu Dezhu and He Jianshe, he was taken aback. He quickly threw the potatoes into the basin and hurried over to greet him.

Then Liu Dezhu pointed to Feng Zhengxiao: "This is one of the pillars of our troupe in the past, Blackie Feng Zhengxiao, who was once a very popular painted-face actor in Northwest China."

Chen Xiangdong's heart skipped a beat: It really was him! The old play is still banned, why did he come back early?

In their previous lives, Feng Zhengxiao, Han Zhengkui, and Fang Zhengsheng, who watched the theater, were all active for a period of time after the ban on old plays was lifted, but that was several years later.

At that time, traditional operas were gradually unbanned, and several veteran artists who had been silent for many years suddenly became highly sought-after by major troupes.

But we're only at this stage! The old shows are still being suppressed, so why is he back already?

Chen Xiangdong smiled and called out "Brother Hei" to Feng Zhengxiao. Feng Zhengxiao sized him up and asked, "You're Liu Dezhu's apprentice?"

Chen Xiangdong nodded quickly: "Yes, Master Liu is my master."

"How long have you been learning drums?" Feng Zhengxiao asked again.

"Not long, less than a month ago," Chen Xiangdong answered honestly.

Feng Zhengxiao nodded and didn't say anything. Liu Dezhu walked to Chen Xiangdong's side and whispered in his ear, "Tell Fatty Qin to wait until the kitchen fire is off tonight, then bring a couple of dishes to my dorm for a drink. Just tell him 'Hei Ye is back,' he knows what Hei Ye likes to eat."

After saying that, Liu Dezhu smiled and led Feng Zhengxiao toward Han Wenxue's dormitory in front of the compound.

Chen Xiangdong stood there, watching Feng Zhengxiao's figure gradually walk away, his heart churning.

Few young actors today recognize veteran artists like Feng Zhengxiao, but if you really count them, these old masters are considered the patriarchs of Qinqiang opera today.

That solid, genuine kung fu is something that modern actors with fancy moves can't compare to.

Since his rebirth, he has increasingly felt that the trajectory of history has deviated significantly from his previous life, just like Feng Zhengxiao's premature return.

However, with the training class about to start, if the troupe can retain these veteran artists, it would be an absolute blessing for the new trainees.