Chapter 150 Sudden Arrival
Today, returning to the familiar yet unfamiliar campus environment, looking at her once closest teacher, Ren Limeng suddenly couldn't suppress all her emotions. Qi Yunxi's gentle smile and every word of guidance and recognition were like tear gas, making Ren Limeng's eyes finally red.
Taking the tissues from Yan Fangshu and Qi Yunxi, Ren Limeng covered her face and relaxed for a while. When her fair face was revealed again, her smile had returned, and she was so calm as if she had never lost her composure.
"Teacher Qi, Fangfang told me that you're currently working part-time at the museum nearby. Would you be willing to join us for the recording later?"
As a guest of the program "Shan Hai", Ren Limeng has certain choices and freedom in many arrangements. The decision to appear on the show with Yan Fangshu in the afternoon was actually an opportunity deliberately created by Ren Limeng to fulfill Yan Fangshu's dream of appearing on TV. Ren Limeng didn't know what Qi Yunxi was thinking now, so she asked with a faint smile.
"Of course, Li Meng, it's our honor to have you and Fang Shu visit us, and I have to give you a good reception! After visiting the museum, do you have time? I want you to show the younger students at the drama school yesterday's performance of 'The Female Imperial Concubine,' specifically the climax excerpt and the final role-playing interaction. You don't know, but many students were practicing today imitating your interactive movements from yesterday, and even we teachers couldn't do it."
"No problem, I was just cheating yesterday. It was just a little trick. I was competing with the masters of our three major troupes yesterday, and I really wasn't sure, so I came up with some tricks. Last night, my mom even complained about my showiness!"
Looking at the relief and gentleness that could not be hidden in Qi Yunxi's smiling eyes, Ren Limeng knew that the grievance she couldn't help just now actually came from her mother Wu Murong. She thought her mother would approve of her play yesterday, but she didn't expect that what she had been pursuing was only the same indifference as before. Ren Limeng didn't ask for much, but hoped that her mother could also approve of her like her teacher, even if just one word would be enough.
She didn't expect Teacher Qi to be so gentle, which made her feel even more ashamed after changing her career.
Ren Limeng was very grateful that Qi Yunxi didn't ask too many questions, but she felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart.
But the loss of composure was only momentary. Holding the slightly damp tissue in her hand, Ren Limeng had regained her composure. She even smiled and talked about the saddest thing that happened last night, as if she had let everything go.
"Teacher Wu must be worried that you'd get too proud, and he must be very happy too. Your performance yesterday must have caught the attention of the entire Mei City opera community. Li Meng, it's a loss for Huangmei Opera that you didn't become an opera actor, but you've allowed more outsiders to see Huangmei Opera, which is even more valuable than becoming a professional actor. Teacher Wu has a sharp tongue but a kind heart, so it's impossible not to be proud of you."
"Yes, Mengmeng, didn't I ask you to sign a lot of autographs for me today? Many of them are from actors from the three major theater troupes. Everyone really recognizes your performance!"
Yan Fangshu nodded vigorously at the side. Even though Ren Limeng seemed calm and composed at the moment, those who knew her well could feel the pain in her eyes. Ren Limeng had always pursued perfection in her acting since she was a child. As bystanders, they witnessed all the brilliance that she had ignored, and it was hard not to be impressed and distressed.
"Are you the guest who performed in the live broadcast of 'Shan Hai' yesterday?"
At 3:30 PM, at the Huangmei Opera Museum, Ren Limeng and her group had just begun filming. Qi Yunxi was standing in front of an emerald pearl crown, explaining the story behind the exhibit. Suddenly, a passerby, also viewing the exhibition, quietly approached and whispered, "Good luck with the performance! I didn't expect to be so lucky on my trip! Can I get an autograph?"
"Sure, thank you for your support, and welcome to Mei City!"
The museum was almost empty on weekdays and the program crew did not clear the venue, but Ren Limeng never thought that she would actually meet an audience member who knew her. She maintained a smile on her face and spoke softly, her eyes subconsciously sweeping towards Qi Yunxi. She couldn't help but suspect that this was a person arranged by the museum.
Seeing the doubt in Ren Limeng's eyes, Qi Yunxi shook her head gently and looked at Ren Limeng who was signing gently in front of her, with a smile in her eyes.
After the little episode, Qi Yunxi continued to explain the stories behind the various collections to Ren Limeng and Yan Fangshu. Even though she already knew a lot of relevant knowledge, Ren Limeng still listened very carefully, frequently asking questions from the perspective of a host, allowing Qi Yunxi to add more vivid and specific details, showing the history of Meishi Huangmei Opera in front of the camera.
Whether as a member of Meishi or a Huangmei Opera enthusiast, Ren Limeng hopes to better present this traditional culture to the audience and contribute her own strength to this time-tested profession.
"This golden-threaded dragon robe costume is one of our museum's three most valuable treasures. It was personally crafted by the former Huangmei Opera master Shen Ruhai. The golden thread on the robe is like a pen, and every stitch holds a hidden meaning. The dragon's whiskers are embroidered with peacock feather silk mixed with gold thread, and they seem to sway with the flow of light and shadow..."
Ren Limeng looked intently at the golden python robe hanging on the pure white background wall. The entire costume was shining under the special light, making people unable to take their eyes off it. At this moment, Qi Yunxi's fluent explanation suddenly paused.
Ren Limeng noticed Qi Yunxi's abnormality. She raised her head and looked at Qi Yunxi. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a tall shadow suddenly appear in front of her. Ren Limeng subconsciously looked to the side and behind her, and her pupils suddenly shrank.
Shen Xingzhi?
Why is Shen Xingzhi here?
Ren Limeng's relaxed body tensed up instantly, her calm eyes rippled slightly, and she regained her composure in a very short time. She leaned slightly to the side, with a faint smile on the corner of her mouth.
"Brother Xingzhi, why are you here? Didn't you have a training session with the captain this afternoon? Teacher Qi, let me introduce you. This is our captain, Shen Xingzhi. This is my former drama school mentor, Teacher Qi Yunxi. And this is the tour guide friend Yan Fangshu that Chuyue found for me."
Ren Limeng introduced softly, her feet moving slightly inadvertently, creating a slight distance between her and Shen Xingzhi.
"I'm done with training, come and take a look."
Chen Xingzhi glanced at Ren Limeng lightly, explaining concisely, and politely and briefly greeted Qi Yunxi who was explaining in front of him, and nodded slightly to Yan Fangshu who was on Ren Limeng's right, then took another half step forward and stood on Ren Limeng's left.
Ren Limeng was a little uneasy. This was not the first time she and Shen Xingzhi had met since last night, but it was the first time they had been so close today. In the morning, when a group of people were training, she could still stay away from him quietly, but now, she had nowhere to escape.
Ren Limeng took a deep breath and tried to put aside all her thoughts. She had to deal with serious matters at hand and she couldn't let down her guard at this moment.
"Hello, Teacher Qi, I am Shen Xingzhi, Ren Limeng's senior."
Chen Xingzhi calmly corrected Ren Limeng's introduction, but Qi Yunxi didn't pay attention. Her attention was all focused on Chen Xingzhi who had suddenly arrived.
She naturally knew the big star Shen Xingzhi and understood the extraordinary significance of Shen Xingzhi's appearance to the museum. This reception between teachers and students suddenly became formal. Qi Yunxi naturally took over the conversation with a smile on her face and a solemn tone.
"Hello, hello! I didn't expect that Professor Shen would come to our museum. It's such an honor! It really brings honor to our humble home. On behalf of the museum, I warmly welcome you."
"Just do what you ask me to do. You're welcome."
Shen Xingzhi curled his lips slightly, his cold face trying to release kindness, as if hoping that the official atmosphere could suddenly become casual again.
"Teacher Qi, please continue the introduction. Although this is probably your first time meeting a celebrity, don't be nervous. Brother Xingzhi may look cold, but he's actually a very nice person."
Ren Limeng smiled and pointed out Qi Yunxi's suddenly stiff expression, then calmly eased the atmosphere and pulled the camera back to the collection of the Golden Silk Python Robe Museum.
"Well, Li Meng, you give me the nice guy card every day, you really understand me."
Chen Xingzhi sighed with a half-smile, looking at Ren Limeng meaningfully. Ren Limeng couldn't help but think of last night when Chen Xingzhi confessed his love. Although she didn't directly give him the nice guy card, her words and deeds showed that she didn't accept him directly, and the effect was almost the same as giving him the nice guy card...if you ignore the kiss that got out of control at the end.
Ren Limeng's smile remained unchanged. "Of course, Senior, you have always been a good person in my heart."
Is Shen Xingzhi trying to provoke her?
Ren Limeng would not give Shen Xingzhi this opportunity. The curve of her mouth was just right, and she met Shen Xingzhi's deep eyes neither humble nor arrogant.
"Teacher Qi, you just introduced this golden silk python robe. Was it made by the Huangmei Opera actors themselves?"
Shen Xingzhi suddenly retracted his gaze and looked at the exquisitely crafted costumes in front of him.
Qi Yunxi was slightly startled when she heard Shen Xingzhi's sudden question, but immediately came back to her senses and nodded with a smile, "Yes, it was made by Huangmei Opera master Shen Ruhai himself. Master Shen is not only an excellent Huangmei Opera actor, but also a costume maker. This dragon robe uses intangible cultural heritage techniques, such as pattern binding, brushing, color matching, and embroidery..."
"It's amazing! I didn't know Huangmei Opera actors have so many skills."
Shen Xingzhi said softly, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Qi Yunxi smiled and nodded, "Of course, many Huangmei Opera actors in the past had multiple roles. They not only acted on stage, but also had many jobs behind the scenes..."
"Oh? Teacher Qi, do these masters have time to talk about love?"
Shen Xingzhi asked with great interest, his eyes fixed on the exhibits in front of him, as if the question was just the curiosity of a visitor. However, Ren Limeng couldn't help but "identify with the person". She turned to look at Shen Xingzhi with a slightly stiff smile, secretly hoping that she was overthinking it.
"Of course, outside of acting, everyone has their own lives, no different from ordinary people. And as an actor, your own emotional experience is also very important to your performance."
As Qi Yunxi spoke, her gentle eyes unconsciously looked at Ren Limeng. She couldn't help but repeatedly praise Ren Limeng for her wonderful performance yesterday, but she didn't tell Ren Limeng more about her feelings.
In addition to the excitement, Qi Yunxi also saw Ren Limeng's transformation. Ren Limeng's every move and every frown on the stage had more details and spirit. Qi Yunxi could feel that it was not only the setting of the character itself, but also the emotions that Ren Limeng herself had experienced and integrated as a performer.
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