Chapter 82
The original City God Temple had been abandoned, but now it has been renovated. The sound of gongs and drums has attracted a lot of attention. Some people came to inquire about it when it was being renovated before, and now when they hear the noise, they can't wait to bring their families to grab a spot.
Xiaoyuan stood behind the curtain backstage and looked forward. She was frightened by the crowd and shouted to the back, "Are there too many people?"
Zhou Li was also going to go on stage today and was putting on makeup. Upon hearing this, she called out to Dapeng, "Find a few brothers to go out and maintain order. Don't let a stampede happen."
Dapeng responded hurriedly. He was dressed in a simple costume, running around, attracting many children to watch.
Today is their troupe's first performance in Guanshi County. In order to make a name for themselves, Zhou Li deliberately did not set up a tea table, but only placed some stools in front of the stage. The main focus of these three days is to have fun with the people, and they don't charge much, just to get people to support them. After these three days, they will set up a tent outside the stage.
There were flowers on both sides, all sent by Tang Jing, and tied next to the stage.
There were many spectators waiting anxiously, so Zhou Li arranged for a few martial artists to do some boxing and kicking on the stage to attract attention and prevent the people below from making a fuss.
After everyone else is ready, she arranges them to go on stage first. Her complicated costume is still being worked on backstage, and she is usually the last to perform.
Zhang Man followed Tang Jing and stood in the crowd, looking amazed.
She usually only listened to operas in restaurants, where everyone was very reserved. She had never seen such a lively scene. Originally, she asked her younger brother Zhang Zixin to bring her here, but her brother was a rough man and said that these were decadent music and that listening to them too much would lead to loss of ambition. This made Zhang Man very angry.
In the end, Tang Jing came and took her with him.
Zhang Man, fearing she would be left behind, grabbed Tang Jing's sleeve and asked curiously, "When will Mr. Zhou go on stage?"
Tang Jing said calmly: "She's still behind."
Zhang Man nodded, her attention drawn to the stage.
Tang Jing glanced around and was relieved when he found that there was no disturbance. Disturbances are more likely to occur in crowded places, but there were obviously people maintaining order at the scene. Tang Jing nodded to the people he brought with him and asked them to blend in with the crowd and help maintain order.
Zhang Man was so fascinated by what she saw that her hand gradually left Tang Jing's sleeve. When she came to her senses, someone else had already taken over. Zhang Man panicked. Although she was old, she was still like a frightened little girl when she suddenly couldn't see anyone.
Zhang Man was completely blocked in front of her. She whispered, "Sister," but no one responded. She tried to squeeze to the side, but the person who had just squeezed in wouldn't let her. Gradually, she was squeezed out of the crowd, and tears were about to fall. Suddenly, she saw a man in a black costume walking hurriedly. She looked closely and realized she had seen him before. She hurriedly shouted, "Hey, that guy in black!"
She remembered Zhou Li calling him by his name, Dadada, Dapeng?
Zhang Man called out, "Brother Dapeng!"
Dapeng stopped and looked around with a look of suspicion. Zhang Man waved quickly. Seeing Zhang Man dressed very elegantly, Dapeng remembered that she came with Brother Xu's friend. She was obviously a lady from a noble family, so he was impressed.
He strode over and asked in a muffled voice, "Why are you here?"
"My sister and I are lost..." Zhang Man said with an embarrassed smile: "Can you take me to find Mr. Zhou? My sister will definitely go find her."
"Is your sister Tang Jing?" Dapeng asked.
Zhang Man nodded.
Dapeng was in a dilemma. Normally, outsiders were not allowed to enter the backstage, but there were so many people here and it was not a good idea to leave a little girl like Zhang Man here.
Dapeng met the hope in Zhang Man's eyes and nodded with difficulty.
Since he is the class owner's friend, it should be okay.
Generally, outsiders are not allowed to enter because the backstage is chaotic and they are afraid that things might be lost. The troupe owner's kingfisher phoenix crown alone is priceless, but the troupe owner's friends are probably not that kind of people.
When Zhang Man saw Dapeng, she was like a tired bird returning to its nest, and followed Dapeng to the backstage.
Tang Jing also found that Zhang Man was missing and went to look for her. She was about to catch up with her, but suddenly slowed down because she saw Zhang Man follow Dapeng into the backstage. After thinking about it, Tang Jing stood there without moving.
Zhang Man went backstage and her brain froze for a moment because a person in a white undershirt just passed by and yelled, "Where's my coat?"
"Where's my tiara?"
"Could you help me put it on and tie it?"
Dapeng pointed with his hand, and only Zhou Li was sitting obediently in front of the mirror, still drawing her eyebrows.
"The boss is there, so I won't send you off."
He yelled, "Who's going to go on stage later? Where are they? Quickly clean them up!"
Everyone moved faster and things looked even more chaotic.
Zhang Man walked away from the crowd. The backstage wasn't big, but it was packed with things. Yet, there was order in the chaos. She walked up behind Zhou Li and whispered, "Mr. Zhou..."
Zhou Li turned around. She was almost done with her costume, except for her crown and outer garment. She asked curiously, "Zhang Man?"
Zhang Man smiled shyly and said embarrassedly: "Mr. Zhou, my sister and I are lost. Can I stay here with you for a while? I will find a quiet place to stay and will not cause any trouble to you!"
She looked at the situation here and knew why Dapeng hesitated just now. She was just causing trouble by standing there and was obviously blocking the road.
After being surprised, Zhou Li smiled at Zhang Man.
"Just stay here, it's a mess outside."
She originally wanted to call Dapeng, but she saw that Dapeng was busy. Instead, Gousheng and Xiaoyuan were helping out everywhere. She waved to Xiaoyuan and Zhou Li called out, "Xiaoyuan, come here. There's a sister here. Take her with you."
Xiao Yuan ran over like a firecracker, glanced at Zhang Man, and immediately smiled like a flower. She took Zhang Man's hand affectionately and said, "Sister, please help me! The boss will be on stage soon, let's not bother her!"
Zhang Man looked at Zhou Li helplessly, and Zhou Li smiled at her.
Although Xiaoyuan is young, she has traveled to many places with Zhou Li over the years. The little girl is very smart and knows Zhou Li's habits. Every time before Zhou Li goes on stage, she will empty her mind and it is best if no one disturbs her so that she can give the best performance.
Xiao Yuan pulled Zhang Man away, chirping, "Sister, let's go help. The brothers and sisters are going to go on stage soon, but they are so busy. We have so much to do."
"Can I do it?" Zhang Man hesitated.
She had only ever seen their glamorous side on the stage, and had no idea how chaotic things were backstage.
"Of course I can do it! These are all very simple things! If I can do it at such a young age, my sister must be able to do it even better!"
Madoka snickered, "Everyone will be happy if someone is willing to help!"
Zhang Man nodded shyly, "Then I'll try."
She had never done these things before. Others had always served her and asked her to help others. For Zhang Man, this was particularly new.
In front of the mirror, Zhou Li looked at herself and gradually put herself into the emotions. Although she was in a noisy environment, her hands were beating rhythm on her legs, and the lines of the play were running through her mind. There was a little person performing in her heart. To make sure her performance was perfect, Zhou Li lowered her eyes and closed them, letting her mind be quiet for a while.
Someone nearby called out, "Boss, it's almost your turn."
Zhou Li opened his eyes, smiled at her, put on his costume, opened the box and took off the crown. Then the two of them put on the phoenix crown.
It was time to leave the stage. Zhou Li walked towards the exit. Zhang Man looked over and was amazed by her appearance. Xiao Yuan pulled her hand. Zhang Man was puzzled. Xiao Yuan waved at her. Zhang Man leaned over to whisper in her ear. Xiao Yuan tiptoed to her ear and said, "Let's go out quickly and find a good seat. The class leader is about to perform!"
Zhang Man hesitated: "Then here..."
Her clothes and costumes were tangled in a ball in front of her, and the trunk lid was wide open, not to mention the tools she had just used on stage piled against the wall. Zhang Man wanted to tidy them up, but Xiaoyuan grabbed her hand and said, "Brother Dapeng and the others will clean up later. Let's go and see! The class leader is about to go on stage!"
Zhang Man was also itching to go, so Xiao Yuan pulled her over.
They stood behind the instruments, and although it was a bit noisy, it was the best viewing spot and they didn't have to squeeze with the audience below.
As soon as Zhang Man stood firm, she heard cheers.
Zhou Li won three rounds of applause just by appearing on the stage. It was really God's gift to her. When Zhou Li opened his mouth, Zhang Man realized what kind of scenery she had missed before. She was listening with fascination when she suddenly felt that there was someone behind her. Zhang Man looked back and was shocked. Tang Jing appeared and stood behind her without her knowing.
Tang Jing glanced down at her and continued to watch the performance on the stage. Zhang Man opened her mouth, but felt it was inappropriate. She turned around to watch Zhou Li's performance, but her heart was full of suspicion. Why did she feel that her sister was different?
Zhang Man couldn't help but look at Tang Jing again, and then she suddenly realized.
There was actually a smile on her sister's face. You know, Tang Jing is usually serious, and Zhang Man rarely sees Tang Jing smile.
Zhang Man looked at the people performing on the stage again and kowtowed silently.
Sure enough, true love needs no words.
On stage, Zhou Li's singing voice was clear, like a solitary moon in the sky, but what she sang was words of joy for the world. Those who didn't understand her only felt the excitement, while those who understood her silently appreciated her and cheered continuously. Even Zhang Man couldn't help but applaud.
Zhou Li bowed, but the audience was still unsatisfied. Dapeng came up and said in a loud voice:
"Our troupe owner said that since we're new here, we'll be performing for free for three days, today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, to warm up the crowd. From now on, our troupe will be stationed here. Those who have money can pay to support us, and those who are interested can also spend a few cents. Please don't worry, there's still tomorrow."
Everyone applauded again, and it seemed that the performance had indeed stopped, and the people gradually dispersed.
Xiaoyuan had already slipped away. Zhang Man excitedly said to Tang Jing, "Mr. Zhou's singing was so good! I really didn't realize what I was missing!"
Tang Jing nodded to her and said, "I've listened to the opera. I'll find someone to take you back."
"Eh?!" Zhang Man's eyes widened. Tang Jing waved her hand, and her people appeared out of nowhere to take Zhang Man home. She, on the other hand, walked leisurely into the backstage to find Zhou Li.
The backstage was in a state of disarray, and Zhou Li was changing clothes in the back.
Everyone performed before her. After the performance, the group relaxed and gathered backstage to chat and laugh. No one noticed that a lecher had sneaked into the changing area.
Zhou Li had just taken off her outer coat and was untying the laces of her costume when a pair of hands reached out from beside her. "Let me help you."
Zhou Li looked up and saw that it was Tang Jing.
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