Chapter 154: Couple Watching Lanterns

"Qianfang Troupe?"

After confirming that Yan Fangshu would go to the theater together in the evening, and after reminding herself in her heart, Ren Limeng finally realized that there was other information revealed in Chen Xingzhi's words. She only knew that everyone would go to the Meixiang Theater together in the evening, but she didn't expect that the performance they were going to see was... the Qianfang Theater?

How many performances does Qianfang have tonight? Especially the one that starts at 8 o'clock?

Ren Limeng tilted her head slightly, her eyes silently sending frantic interrogative signals to Yan Fangshu. Yan Fangshu's eyes flickered slightly, her mouth opened, her brows knitted slightly, and she finally said slowly, "Did you watch Teacher Wu's 'Couple Watching Lanterns' tonight?"

"Couple Watching Lanterns"? The Huangmei Opera that the two actors incorporated into the show?

Is this to let them experience "Couple Watching Lanterns" performed by professional Huangmei Opera actors?

Chen Xingzhi's idea is very good. Watching "Couple Watching Lanterns" at Meixiang Theater will not only better promote Huangmei Opera, but also be beneficial to the second public performance.

But the show tonight was performed by... her mother?

Did Shen Xingzhi do it on purpose? Or was it arranged by the production team?

There seemed to be mist in Ren Limeng's eyes, and her emotions could not be seen clearly. She pursed her lips and listened to Shen Xingzhi's faint answer, "Yeah."

Yan Fangshu silently pulled Ren Limeng, hoping that Ren Limeng, who knew about this in advance, could make plans early.

The performance of "Couple Watching Lanterns" was held in the largest Anxiang Hall of Meixiang Theater. Chen Xingyi and his team were arranged to sit in the first row. When they arrived, the hall was already full of people, and the program crew had quietly arranged cameras and staff around.

Ren Limeng and Guan He sat on both sides of Chen Xi and Shen Xingzhi, Han Tai sat next to Guan He. Li Chuyue wanted to sit next to Ren Limeng, but Ren Limeng and Yan Fangshu were chatting when they entered, and they sat together holding hands. She could only sit in the aisle next to Yan Fangshu.

"Fangfang, you came to the show too? Li Meng is so nice to you, I'm almost jealous!"

Li Chuyue smiled and tilted her head. Her words made Yan Fangshu a little puzzled. Her eyes fell silently between the two people beside her. She thought they had been strangers for a long time. Why was Li Chuyue suddenly jealous?

Is it... because of the recording footage?

Yan Fangshu looked at Li Chuyue deeply, and a strange look flashed across her eyes.

"Brother Xingzhi invited Fangfang and Chuyue. We haven't seen each other for so many years. This time we are back and can spend time together day and night. Fangfang said this afternoon that she was jealous and she envied us so much."

Ren Limeng calmly pointed out the "unfamiliar" and lost contact relationship between the two. Her smiling eyes keenly noticed the temptation that flashed across Li Chuyue's eyes. Her joking tone made Li Chuyue have no choice but to smile along.

Yan Fangshu was sandwiched between Ren Limeng and Li Chuyue, silently listening to their interaction. Every intimate word revealed politeness and distance. Especially since she was too familiar with the two of them, it was hard for her not to recall the laughter and joy between the three of them. She pursed her lips and thought of many things.

Even when the play "Couple Watching Lanterns" began, Yan Fangshu still felt uncomfortable in her heart, as there were many things she could no longer change.

"...flowers bloom and fade, why do flowers turn yellow..."

Ren Limeng watched the performance on the stage intently. She had listened to "Couple Watching the Lanterns" countless times in the training room this week, but at this moment, this version of the performance was still the best.

The mother Wu Murong's vivid performance completely brought everyone present into the atmosphere of the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month. She and the male actor had a tacit understanding, making everyone feel as if they were there, seeing the crowds of people on the streets and the different lanterns.

The whole performance was natural and smooth, and the singing was rich and charming, which vividly displayed the love between the young couple and the little joys in life.

Different from her trick yesterday, this play did not have thrilling actions or deliberately arranged interactions. The actors were just immersed in the plot of Huangmei Opera. Their movements and singing were enough to arouse the emotions of everyone present. It was so light-hearted and humorous that everyone could not help laughing.

"Master is worthy of being a master!"

As the song ended, Guan He couldn't help but sigh. He turned sideways, looking at Ren Limeng with a smile across from Shen Xingzhi and Chen Xi. "Limeng, I heard that the leading actress on stage is your mother. Auntie is so amazing! No wonder she was able to raise such an outstanding daughter like you!"

"Li Meng, your performance of 'The Female Imperial Consort' yesterday was so brilliant. It turns out you have family training. If I can pick up even a little bit of your acting skills, I'll have no problem performing this weekend. I thought I had learned enough from Teacher Li this afternoon, but after watching tonight, I still have a lot to work on. Teacher Li, can we invite Li Meng's mother to come and give us some guidance?"

Chen Xi continued Guan He's words with emotion. As the heroine of the opera part of "Couple Watching Lanterns" on the second public stage, she had been practicing Huangmei Opera hard this week. She thought that with her singing foundation, her progress was already very fast. But after watching Wu Murong's "Couple Watching Lanterns" tonight, Chen Xi couldn't help but compare it and felt her heart sink.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as if she thought of something.

While asking Li Chuyue as if going through the motions, Chen Xi looked at Ren Limeng with a confident look, and then turned to Shen Xingzhi. He felt that his idea was good and there should be no problem with this matter.

Li Chuyue silently looked at Ren Limeng who was smiling but not saying anything, secretly mocking Chen Xi's wishful thinking. Meixiang Theater did fully support the recording of "Mountains and Seas", but no matter how closely the three major theater troupes cooperated with Meixiang Theater, they were still independent. Hosting "Mountains and Seas" was a big event for Meixiang Theater, but it was just the icing on the cake for the three major theater troupes.

What's more, even a national first-class actor like Wu Murong could not be invited to perform by Meixiang Theater unless she was willing.

If Wu Murong's performance tonight was not at the Meixiang Theater, the Qianfang Theater would probably not allow the show to be recorded temporarily.

Li Chuyue looked embarrassed, frowning slightly, and hesitated to say, "Sister Chen Xi, I can help ask, but..."

Chen Xi noticed that Li Chuyue's eyes were fixed on Ren Limeng, and smiled thoughtfully, "Limeng, this isn't your mother. Why don't you ask your aunt directly? We all really liked your aunt's performance today. Can she give us some guidance?"

Meeting Chen Xi's concerned and enthusiastic eyes, Ren Limeng smiled gently, "Sister Chen Xi, thank you for your love, but you don't have time, right? My mother has plans in advance tomorrow, so we will be back to Jiangcheng the day after tomorrow, Saturday."

"Then let Auntie go to Jiangcheng with you! She can accompany you there."

Chen Xi said this with a smile, seemingly unaware of the rejection in Ren Limeng's words, nor did he care about the thoughts of Ren Limeng and her mother.

"How old is Li Meng? She still brings her mother to the performance? Chen Xi, aren't we all here to revolve around us?"

In the somewhat silent atmosphere, Shen Xingzhi suddenly coldly pointed out Chen Xi's selfishness, directly rejecting Chen Xi's idea, and making the atmosphere around him even more stagnant.

Yan Fangshu looked at Chen Xingzhi who suddenly interrupted, her eyes brightened. Chen Xingzhi's words seemed to directly mock the two people, but everyone could hear that Chen Xingzhi's words were more of a disapproval of Chen Xi's suggestion, and what she noticed more was that - Chen Xingzhi secretly protected Ren Limeng.

It was as if he was back in Fan County, behind the East Market stage where the Qianfang Troupe was performing, Shen Xingzhi was also so calm and aggressive.

Yan Fangshu's thoughts unconsciously recalled yesterday morning -

She and other actors were preparing backstage when Director Li brought Shen Xingzhi to the crowd and introduced that Shen Xingzhi would be recording with the troupe today.

After greeting everyone warmly, Yan Fangshu did not stay there any longer. She turned back to the costume area to confirm the costumes for the afternoon performance.

Although it is rare to meet a celebrity, she longed to appear on an S+-level variety show, but since the prerequisite for everything, including the fact that the guest was Chen Xingzhi, Yan Fangshu suddenly lost interest.

In addition to being a top star, Chen Xingzhi is also Ren Limeng's cold-hearted ex-husband. Yan Fangshu looked at Chen Xingzhi surrounded by the crowd, and couldn't help but think of Ren Limeng who had called her and couldn't stop crying. It was her greatest accomplishment that she could continue to work normally.

"Yan Fangshu?"

Soon, a strange male voice called out, causing Yan Fangshu to subconsciously look towards the source of the sound at the door, "Shen Xingzhi...Teacher?"

Yan Fangshu was slightly stunned, and her eyes fell on the surroundings of Chen Xingzhi, but she did not see the ubiquitous cameras. Only the shadowy staff members walking hurriedly not far away from the door asked her to confirm that there would still be a recording activity today.

"How do you know my name, teacher? What can I do for you?"

Yan Fangshu frowned in confusion, and the unwelcome look in her eyes was evident in her impolite tone.

"Just do whatever Li Meng tells me to do. Weren't you waiting for Li Meng to get off work at Meixiang on Monday? I remember you. You are Li Meng's best friend. It's halftime now, and I want to know something from you."

When talking about Ren Limeng, Yan Fangshu did not soften her tone because of Chen Xingzhi's gentle attitude. On the contrary, her eyes became colder. Yan Fangshu lowered the corner of her mouth and glanced around, confirming again that Chen Xingzhi was not recording at the moment.

She slowly took a step closer and said in a solemn and cold voice, "Teacher Shen, we don't seem to know each other. If it's related to Mengmeng, all I can tell you is to stay away from her."

Yan Fangshu raised her head. Even though she was facing Shen Xingzhi, who was treated politely by the entire theater and troupe, her voice was still very impolite. She looked straight at Shen Xingzhi, her tone filled with alienation and determination.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that."

Chen Xingzhi was silent for a moment, his cold voice tinged with some softness, but it still only earned him a glaring eye roll from Yan Fangshu. She sneered and prepared to walk past Chen Xingzhi and leave without saying a word.

"I heard that you are Li Meng's best friend. Li Meng is my teammate now. You are so rude to Li Meng's captain. Aren't you afraid of causing trouble for Li Meng?"

Chen Xingzhi folded his arms across his chest, leaning against the door. There was a hint of threat in his quiet voice. Looking at Chen Xingzhi blocking the door, Yan Fangshu frowned and stopped.

"Teacher Shen..., you and I both know why I have such an attitude. If you can't distinguish between public and private affairs and are petty, then I can't help it. Mengmeng also happens to see through you."