This Chunyu Alley is arguably the most vibrant area for nightlife in Shanghai.
Compared to the bustling entertainment district and brothels of Mingfang Lane, Chunyu Lane was much cleaner.
This long alley is most famous for its taverns, teahouses, storytellers, acrobats, and opera singers.
Along both sides of the street, there are many miscellaneous stalls, and the shouts and noises make the whole Chunyu Lane even more vibrant.
After walking around, Bai Qianmo discovered many business opportunities.
She went out this time to make some plans for her future.
She used to think about going back all the time, but she couldn't go back for several years or even more than ten years. If she had to stay in this place for the rest of her life, she had to prepare something for herself.
"Mr. Qin Fengming has arrived. Today's performance is about 'The Heroes of Liangshan'."
"Mr. Qin Fengming is truly a master storyteller. The stories he tells are so vivid that it's as if he himself is the protagonist."
"Yes, I've been looking forward to this performance of 'Heroes of Liangshan' for a long time."
Several middle-aged men, carrying large tobacco pipes, sat in front of a breakfast stall, chatting idly while smoking their pipes.
Bai Qianmo happened to overhear their conversation and slowed down to listen carefully for a few moments.
As the group was about to leave, she stepped forward and gave them a polite smile.
"Who is this Mr. Qin Fengming that you gentlemen are referring to?"
"Young man, are you from out of town?"
"Judging from their accent, they're not locals. Are they from Beiping?"
Bai Qianmo smiled and nodded, which was her answer.
Because her accent was standard Mandarin, which was the official language of Beiping at that time.
"Young man, Mr. Fengming is one of the three main characters in our Shanghai."
"Oh? Who are the three main characters?"
A thin man chuckled, and his dull eyes lit up when he mentioned the three famous actors.
"Fengming of Lanling Teahouse, Xiaomengxian of Jingmutang in Tang Street, and Hua Mudan of the brothel, these three are the three wonders of Shanghai. Mr. Fengming is a master storyteller, Xiaomengxian is a master opera singer, and Hua Mudan is a master of beauty and figure."
Bai Qianmo was immediately intrigued by these three.
Since we're near the Lanling Tea House today, let's go and meet the legendary storyteller, Qin Fengming.
Arriving at Lanling Tea House
The first floor was already full of people, and some even brought their own seats and squeezed into the aisle.
Several servants carrying tea were busily moving around the lobby.
In the center of the lobby on the first floor, there is a square platform that is three meters long and wide and more than one meter high. On the platform, there is a long mahogany table with several books and eye-catching folding fans.
The second floor has private rooms, from which you can have a panoramic view of the first floor.
Bai Qianmo walked in, and a sharp-eyed waiter noticed her expensive attire and immediately came to greet her.
"Please come in, young master. Would you like a private room on the second floor, or would you like to squeeze in with everyone else on the first floor?"
Bai Qianmo looked around; the lobby was packed with people and incredibly noisy.
"A private room on the second floor, pick me a spot with a perfect angle, money is no object."
The waiter's eyes crinkled into two crescent moons as he smiled: "Please come in. There just happens to be a room that suits you on the second floor. Please take a look."
Bai Qianmo followed the waiter to a private room on the east side of the second floor. Sitting here, she was directly facing the storyteller's stage, which was indeed an excellent location.
"This one will do."
"Alright, please wait a moment, I'll bring you some tea and snacks right away."
Bai Qianmo nodded and sat down in front of the viewing platform.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out downstairs.
A large group of men in military uniforms barged in. They lined up in two rows and pushed through the crowd to make way for the second floor.
Bai Qianmo looked curiously at the group of people. At the door, two men who looked like leaders walked in side by side.
Both were dressed in military uniforms, one of them wearing a military cap, making it impossible to see the other's face from this angle.
However, judging from his appearance, he was tall, lean and upright, and the blue military uniform he wore accentuated the charm of the uniform to the extreme.
His hands were covered with leather gloves, with no skin exposed.
But Bai Qianmo still concluded that the other party was a young man.
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