Chapter 137 Invitation
It is not difficult for any mature artist to prepare for an extreme performance. Shen Xingzhi, Chen Xi and Guan He quickly decided on their own programs. Shen Xingzhi and Chen Xi each performed a song, and Guan He performed a crosstalk that he was good at. They and Ren Limeng will also sing the theme song of "Mountains and Seas" together to open the show.
In addition to the well-prepared Huangmei Opera performances of the four major troupes, all Huangmei Opera actors will sing the theme song of Meishi Huangmei Week together at the end of the entire performance. In addition, Li Chuyue and Han Tai from Meixiang Theater will perform their signature Huangmei Opera. There are a total of ten programs, which are rich and colorful, and the temporary hosting becomes very important.
Everyone had the same boxed lunch for dinner, and they used the last bit of time to quickly rehearse on the big stage to make final preparations for the performance that would start at 7:30 tonight.
Behind the stage, Ren Limeng used her expertise as a host to quickly arrange the performances of each program together with everyone else. She wanted to intersperse the guest performances between the Huangmei Opera performances, integrate the basic emotional tone of each program to connect and mobilize the audience's emotions, and make the connection between programs more coherent.
"I have an idea. Wouldn't it be more appropriate if all the troupe performances were put together at the beginning and our guests' performances were put at the end?"
Chen Xingzhi had been accompanying Ren Limeng, who was coordinating all the parties, until this moment, he finally spoke, "I just heard Captain Liu mention that many of the residents of the ancient city who come to watch the opera are older and may go to bed early, so they can go home after listening to the Huangmei Opera."
"Xingzhi, your suggestion is very thoughtful, but there are many young people in the ancient city, and you rarely have the opportunity to come here. I believe no one wants to miss your performance. Besides, leaving in the middle of the performance will also affect your program recording, right? You have come here with great difficulty, so you must prioritize the program recording."
Xu Kai advised gently with some indifference, his tone hinting at anxiety. By inserting the "Shan Hai" guest program into the Huangmei Opera performance, Huangmei Opera could also take advantage of the popularity of the stars. If all the Huangmei Operas were performed first, then it would be counted as two performances, and their first half would definitely not be included in the broadcast footage.
It is not easy for Meixiang Theatre to be able to collaborate with "Mountains and Seas", and they cannot miss any opportunity.
Ren Limeng was slightly startled. She didn't expect that Shen Xingzhi, who had been silent all this time, would suddenly speak. The two program processes each had their own considerations and focuses, and there was no problem with them. Suddenly, the ancient city residential area that she had passed by in the past two days emerged in her mind. The ancient city label of Fan County made everyone subconsciously ignore it. This is actually just a small county town with many left-behind elderly people.
Although tourists are welcome to watch the evening performances, it is more important to thank the residents of Fanxian Ancient City for their hospitality over the past two days, just like Fanxian Ancient City has hosted them with a banquet that is only held during festivals. From this point of view, they should indeed pay more attention to the actual situation of the residents.
"I agree with Brother Xingzhi's idea. It was my negligence..."
Ren Limeng made a prompt decision. She turned to look at Xu Kai and was about to continue explaining and persuading Xu Kai, but Shen Xingzhi next to her raised the corner of his lips and spoke first.
"Mr. Xu, don't worry. You have to trust the ability of our Director Dong and the production team. We didn't get enough Huangmei Opera during the afternoon competition, so this arrangement tonight is perfect for us to enjoy an authentic Huangmei Opera performance. Director Dong, you have to cooperate. Huangmei Opera is so popular online right now, the production team must not let it go to waste."
Shen Xingzhi's steady voice was still cold, but it carried the power to calm people's hearts. Xu Kai and Dong Zhu looked at each other, understood the hidden meaning of Shen Xingzhi's words, and smiled secretly at each other, and at the same time, they couldn't help but look at Shen Xingzhi and nodded.
"Brother Xingzhi, would you like to...host with me tonight?"
Ren Limeng had never thought that she would suddenly ask this question, but at this moment, looking at Shen Xingzhi's familiar calm eyes, some emotions intertwined with reason finally made her unable to hold back.
In an instant, Ren Limeng came up with many reasons to explain this invitation.
For example, if she had to choose, compared to Guan He who was eager to try to have an ambiguous relationship, Chen Xingzhi was the male protagonist who was more suitable for hyping up the CP. She just wanted to take advantage of Chen Xingzhi's popularity. The idea of a talented man and a beautiful woman hosting a show would be a hot topic.
Perhaps, she was just attracted by Shen Xingzhi's status as a big star and the fact that he could "hold the fort" on stage. With Shen Xingzhi hosting, her camera time would definitely double. Shen Xingzhi hadn't hosted a show in over a decade. If he agreed to her request, this wave of popularity would definitely be higher than when her discussion value peaked in the afternoon. More passersby might remember her as a host because of Shen Xingzhi's performance.
Besides, a male and female co-host is more suitable. She believes that Shen Xingzhi's ability to improvise will not be a hindrance. When preparing for extreme events like this, two people together are always safer than one person...
All the plausible reasons are just excuses that make the matter more obvious.
Ren Limeng raised the corners of her lips, and looked at Shen Xingzhi with clear eyes. Under her easygoing and generous smile, no one noticed that her heart was pounding in her heart.
Ren Limeng wanted to hide her most innocent purpose at the moment. She just couldn't help but invite Chen Xingzhi to co-host.
In this afternoon's play, Ren Limeng's greatest gain was not the audience's continuous applause, but the thrilling sense of relief she felt while standing on the Huangmei Opera stage.
At that time, facing the dazzling sunshine, Ren Limeng suddenly felt that she had submitted a belated answer to her opera career that came to an abrupt end at the age of 18, and finally faced herself who could only solve problems by escaping.
Where is Shen Xingzhi?
Their ways of giving up were different, but the effort they gave up was the same, decades of dedication and persistence. Since she had roughly guessed the reason why he had to give up hosting, could she... give him a push and help him face his past?
At least, they should move forward, Ren Limeng hopes, and Chen Xingzhi should not be trapped in the past.
No matter how difficult it is, it is the past. Even if they can't let it go, they have to keep it in mind and move on.
Only by facing the wounds bravely can the wounds heal again in the sunshine.
Even though Chen Xingzhi's attitude towards hosting was a little similar to her attitude towards Huangmei Opera, Ren Limeng sincerely wanted to help Chen Xingzhi, both for the sake of her former senior Xingzhi and for her original intention of learning hosting.
curious coincidence.
In front of him were Ren Limeng's bright eyes. Even though she was standing in the shadow of the stage, they were so bright that Shen Xingzhi could not ignore them at all. They were a light that warmed people's hearts more than the light of the sun.
Shen Xingzhi had almost no time to think, his heart gave the answer faster than his brain. He subconsciously nodded slightly, not wanting to let such bright eyes and white teeth be dimmed by him.
It seemed like many years ago, before their first co-hosting performance in college, those same sparkling eyes hid a cautious and deliberate nonchalance, "Senior Xingzhi, will you be my partner next week?"
Ren Limeng was not as reserved as she was then, but her clear eyes seemed to have taken away the traces of time, causing Shen Xingzhi to slow down his breathing subconsciously. Even though she mentioned something he had resisted for many years, Shen Xingzhi could not refuse.
"Then it's settled. Thank you, Senior. I feel at ease knowing you're here with me!"
Noticing the silent hesitation in Shen Xingzhi's eyes, Ren Limeng's originally faint smile spread to the corners of her eyes, and the dimples on her cheeks spread out layers of ripples. Her scorching eyes firmly finalized the matter and also took away all of Shen Xingzhi's hesitation.
Chen Xingzhi looked at Ren Limeng steadily, lowered his eyes and said softly, "Okay."
Ren Limeng has returned to the Huangmei Opera stage, and perhaps he should try to pick up the microphone he once held.
Those past events full of regrets and pains must be endured with a smile, otherwise, how can he face the person in front of him? Only by bravely moving on, perhaps, they will have a future.
"Dear fellow countrymen, young and old! Our city is bustling with activity today! Hello everyone, I am Ren Limeng, tonight's host, and I'm honored to be here!"
The performance evening began, the lights gradually brightened, and on one side of the stage, Ren Limeng walked out gracefully in a lake blue Chinese cheongsam. Her steps swayed gently, her bright eyes looked around with a perfect smile on her lips, and she spoke in the dialect that the people of Meishi are most familiar with.
"Hello, fellow villagers, elders, brothers and sisters, I am tonight's host, Shen Xingzhi."
On the other side of the stage, Shen Xingzhi, dressed in a navy blue gown, walked slowly with steady and vigorous steps. His lips curled up slightly, with a confident and friendly smile, he walked steadily and powerfully to the center of the stage and stood shoulder to shoulder with Ren Limeng.
The two of them bowed slightly together and greeted the audience with elegant and calm movements. Each of them expressed their gratitude to all the partners who should be thanked in perfect coordination.
"Opera is the accent of my hometown, and Huangmei is my homesickness. As a native of Meishi, following our program to visit the ancient city of Fanxian again makes me feel like I'm back home. Brother Xingzhi, is there anything you'd like to share with us about your experience today?"
Ren Limeng's down-to-earth hosting style immediately attracted the attention of the entire audience. After the opening, she spoke Mandarin again, but the intimacy and vitality in her words infected the audience all the time.
At this moment, the audience was packed with people. The long tables of the Hundred Family Banquet, which were unique to Fan County, filled the entire central square. With the smiling interaction between Ren Limeng and Shen Xing, the atmosphere of joy filled every corner of the square.
"That's a lot, Li Meng. I used to only hear you talk about the beautiful mountains, waters, and delicious food in Mei City. This week, with the program 'Mountains and Seas', I finally had the honor of experiencing it. It made me linger, just like the yellow plum wine on everyone's table, the rich aroma is unforgettable!"
As the host, Shen Xingzhi was less taciturn than usual. He curled his lips slightly, and his smiling eyes were like melted moonlight, bright and aloof, with a touch of gentleness.
"Brother Xingzhi, you should have a few more drinks tonight. The Huangmei wine in Fan County is brewed by our fellow villagers. What do you think of it?"
The deliberately high-spirited question ignited the atmosphere of the entire audience. Ren Limeng continued with a smile, "In Huangmei Opera, wine is an 'old acquaintance'. As the old saying goes, 'When you meet a good friend, a thousand cups are not enough.' How could such a lively event be without 'The Wine Family'? Please join us in enjoying the performance of our old friend, the Fanhua Troupe!"
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