As Xie Yun and Zheng Wanqing stepped into the theater, the waiter squeezed out from the crowd and said, "Young Marshal, you are finally here!" The copper key chain hanging on his waist jingled when he bent down. "I have reserved a seat by the window for you!" After saying this, he led the way swiftly, and did not forget to wipe the stair railing with his sleeve.
The red painted stairs groaned under the feet of pedestrians. A few men in black silk shorts passed by them, and the strong smell of tobacco mixed with sweat hit her face. Zheng Wanqing subconsciously covered her nose with a handkerchief, but she saw Xie Yun frowning slightly in her peripheral vision. A look of vigilance flashed by, and then he returned to his usual composure in the blink of an eye.
The waiter led them to the attic, where the view was excellent and the entire stage was in full view. The sandalwood tables and chairs were radiant with a warm luster, the red sandstone tea sets on the table looked particularly elegant, and the carved window lattices were exquisitely crafted, exuding a simple and mellow charm.
Zheng Wanqing stood by the window, her slender fingers gently stroking the window frame. Downstairs, the theater was crowded with people from all walks of life. The couplets on both sides of the stage, "True face in fake laughter and tears, ancient clothes and hats in music and singing", swayed gently in the breeze. She saw a teacher in a gray cloth gown imitating the singing style for the student in a Western dress next to him, and several men in short coats in the back row slapped their thighs to cheer.
The sound of Pingtan drifted from the teahouse in the distance, and Xie Yun's slender fingers tapped the beat on the table. Zheng Wanqing was surprised to find that he was tapping the interlude of "Daiyu Burying Flowers". Noticing her gaze, Xie Yun paused, picked up the teacup and took a sip, whispering in the mist of tea: "When I was a child...my dear loved these the most."
Zheng Wanqing pursed her lips and smiled softly. Who could have thought that this powerful and cold-faced young commander would also be interested in this folk tune.
"The signature dish of Songhelou." Xie Yun suddenly handed over a piece of tempting osmanthus cake.
Zheng Wanqing took it and took a bite. The sweet fragrance of osmanthus immediately bloomed between her lips and teeth. The cake was soft and melted in her mouth. It really lived up to its reputation. She raised her head and her eyes met with Xie Yun. She mustered up the courage to pass the remaining osmanthus cake in her hand to his mouth and said softly, "Thank you so much for today."
Xie Yun was obviously startled. The slanting sunset shone through the window lattice, casting a thin shadow under his eyelashes. The moment he leaned over and took the cake in his mouth, the warm tip of his tongue accidentally brushed across her fingertips, and Zheng Wanqing retracted her hand as if she had been electrocuted.
"Is it sweet?" Her voice was softer than a mosquito's.
Xie Yun's gaze fell on her rosy earlobe: "Very sweet." His voice was a few centimeters lower than usual.
Zheng Wanqing recalled Xie Yun's strange behavior when she went upstairs just now. "Just now..." She hesitated and said, "When you saw those people, your expression was a little strange."
"Those are from the Green Gang." Xie Yun answered calmly.
"The Green Gang?" Zheng Wanqing raised her eyebrows in surprise, "That group..." She stopped talking in time, swallowed the word "bandits", and said: "They actually have such leisure and elegance?"
Xie Yun raised a faint arc at the corner of his lips, and gently touched her brow with his slender fingers. "Just watch the show." He said in a low voice, the warmth of his fingertips disappearing as soon as he touched her, "Some things are not worth your trouble."
Before he finished speaking, a burst of rapid gong and drum sounds suddenly sounded. The red curtain slowly opened, and the stage was suddenly full of light and color. The classic play "The Peony Pavilion" was being performed today. The female role of Du Liniang moved lightly with lotus steps, her figure was graceful, and her sleeves drew graceful arcs in the air, just like a fleeting glimpse of a beautiful swan, extremely beautiful, which attracted a burst of amazement from the audience.
Zheng Wanqing held her breath unconsciously. When Du Liniang sang the words "What can we do about the beautiful scenery and good times?", the sad voice quietly penetrated into Zheng Wanqing's heart. The female role perfectly interpreted Du Liniang's deep feelings about time and beautiful scenery, and her helplessness about fate.
Zheng Wanqing was deeply moved by her acting skills, and her eyes gradually turned red. When Liu Mengmei appeared gracefully, the audience cheered one after another, and Zheng Wanqing couldn't help but be infected by the warm atmosphere and clapped along with everyone.
Xie Yun poured three cups of tea from the cup in his hand. The green tea soup had already gone cold, and the floating tender buds sank to the bottom of the cup. But he was unaware of it, and just stared at the person next to him. In his eyes, her frowning and smiling face for the joys and sorrows of the people in the play was far more attractive than the wonderful play on the stage, and he couldn't take his eyes off her.
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