RSDH CH54

Director Liang was treating everyone today and had also called two actors from the crew, hoping they could learn from Cheng Duzhou.

Present was Qin Yaolian, the fourth male lead in the movie, playing a Republic of China era opera actor. He started as a Peking Opera performer. After entering the entertainment industry, he gained a wave of fans with his Guofeng (National/Traditional Chinese Style) image, taking the traffic star route. However, neither his acting nor variety show appearances broke out of his circle; he was still maintaining heat by establishing a Guofeng persona.

The opportunity to participate in Director Liang’s big production this time was precisely thanks to his brief past experience as a Peking Opera performer.

While waiting for the couple to arrive, Qin Yaolian chatted with Yang Wan on his phone.

They met through variety shows, and news of Yang Wan being forced to resign had spread throughout the circle.

Hearing that Qin Yaolian was at a dinner with that couple tonight, Yang Wan dragged him into a frenzy of roasting.

Yang Wan: [Running into that couple is my bad luck for eight lifetimes. Brother, a kind word of advice: be careful what you say at the dinner later. If you offend Duan Xingye, you’ll be done for too. But ultimately, the truly scary one isn’t Duan Xingye, it’s Cheng Duzhou who protects him brainlessly. One word from Cheng Duzhou can make you unable to survive in the crew.]

A trace of displeasure appeared on Qin Yaolian’s face. He always felt his identity as a Peking Opera actor was a halo. The hardship he experienced while learning the art wasn’t something current “little fresh meat” (young idols) could compare to. The solid foundation honed while learning opera, singing and dancing abilities crushing everyone in the entertainment industry, made him always feel superior in this circle. Being tepid so far was only because he lacked background and capital support.

Unlike that waste Yang Wan who could only act in cookie-cutter idol dramas, he was irreplaceable. Yang Wan saying he would be done for was simply absurd; having hooked up with this movie source, his resources were just about to take off.

Qin Yaolian sneered and typed a reply.

Qin Yaolian: [I’ve always been one to speak my mind, not afraid of offending people at all. If Duan Xingye can’t stand me, can he also ask Cheng Duzhou to fire me? Pity this circle can’t find a second actor who knows Peking Opera.]

Yang Wan: [Don’t disbelieve. Duan Xingye is a fox spirit (vixen/seductress). Relying on his husband loving him to death, he acts willfully and recklessly. If you go hard against him, you won’t have good fruit to eat.]

Too fresh.

Qin Yaolian had watched Duan Xingye’s program, only feeling that person put on airs severely. Didn’t look like an entertainment industry Daji (famous vixen), more like a log with only good looks.

Qin Yaolian couldn’t be bothered to argue with Yang Wan anymore, putting the phone aside.

Right at this moment, the door opened.

The people in the private room looked up.

Cheng Duzhou arrived. What surprised everyone was that he was carrying a person horizontally in his arms.

They saw that person’s face covered in peach color, leaning against Cheng Duzhou’s chest, upturned eyes glancing weakly this way.

Qin Yaolian’s heart shook.

What a fox spirit spoiled by favor.

Staying in a man’s arms, doesn’t even have to walk himself.

Director Liang stood up first, confused: “What happened?”

“Sprained ankle.” Cheng Duzhou nodded slightly to Director Liang. “Sorry for keeping everyone waiting. I’ll check on him first.”

After spraining his ankle at the door, Duan Xingye was forcefully picked up by Cheng Duzhou. But it wasn’t like he couldn’t walk; at most, he would limp. At this moment, he could hardly lift his head in front of a group of strangers, uncomfortably hiding his face in Cheng Duzhou’s jacket.

Qin Yaolian’s eyes became unfathomable.

This vixen really knows how to play, easily grasping a man’s weakness.

Cheng Duzhou acted as if no one else was present, carrying Duan Xingye to the other side of the private room and placing him on the sofa.

When sitting down, he deliberately used his back to block the view from the dining table on the other side.

Director Liang saw Cheng Duzhou didn’t want people to go over and watch, so he sat down again, caring: “Our crew has a doctor; want him to come over?”

“No need.”

Cheng Duzhou picked up Duan Xingye’s sprained ankle. Without taking off his shoe, he placed it directly on his lap, touching and kneading Duan Xingye’s ankle inch by inch, watching his expression and reaction: “Does it hurt?”

Duan Xingye’s face felt waves of heat. Supporting himself behind with his hands, shrinking his shoulders a bit: “Doesn’t hurt… put it down.”

It really didn’t hurt when left alone, but with the pressure of Cheng Duzhou’s big hand, the sprained area inevitably felt sore and swollen.

Cheng Duzhou had been injured many times on set and was skilled in dealing with such bone and muscle injuries. Ignoring Duan Xingye, he continued to rub his ankle through the sock.

Old Xu’s camera followed behind the whole time.

Bullet comments emitted happy whimpers: Too spoiling~

Everyone arrived. Director Liang told the waiter to serve dishes.

Qin Yaolian examined the pair on the sofa. Seeing Cheng Duzhou naturally holding Duan Xingye’s foot under the camera lens, not minding the shoe dirtying his pants, it seemed Yang Wan wasn’t exaggerating at all when saying how much Cheng Duzhou doted on Duan Xingye.

Director Liang noticed the gazes of the two actors beside him, joking with a smile: “Stop looking. Look more and you’ll have enough dog food to eat.”

The other person was the lead actor of this movie. He and Qin Yaolian withdrew their gazes, cooperating with a smile.

Gradually, Duan Xingye felt a silky warmth throughout his ankle. The sprained spot didn’t hurt anymore. Moving his leg, he urged in a low voice: “Enough.”

Cheng Duzhou then released his ankle. Before putting Duan Xingye’s foot from his lap to the ground, he tied the shoelace that had come loose earlier, tying a neat butterfly knot.

Duan Xingye pursed his full rose-colored lips.

Before, he only knew Cheng Duzhou was considerate. But after coming out of the church, realizing this consideration might not be for show, he felt as if holding a little rabbit in his heart. Catching those details hidden behind the consideration was particularly touching.

When the couple returned to the dining table, appetizers were served one after another.

Cheng Duzhou was wiping water stains off his hands.

Director Liang introduced: “These are two actors from our crew. One is the lead, Qi Zheng, worked with Duzhou before, you know each other. The other is Xiao Qin, used to study Peking Opera. Just so happens there’s a role in the script that needs it, matching his major perfectly.”

Then, Director Liang looked at the two actors under him: “No need to introduce these two, right? Believe everyone has seen and heard their works quite a lot.”

Qi Zheng followed up: “To listen to Teacher Duan’s songs, I’ve been subscribing to the annual membership.”

Duan Xingye’s face was indifferent: “Subscribed worthily.”

Director Liang laughed heartily.

Bullet comments:

“Hahaha! Just like Teacher Duan’s confidence!”

“I also subscribed for Teacher Duan’s songs!”

“Certified fanboy on site.”

Qin Yaolian glanced at Qi Zheng, curling his lip secretly.

He was aloof, hating sycophants at dinner parties the most, and even less understanding what was so praiseworthy about Duan Xingye.

Director Liang took the opportunity to talk about the current movie: “Like Li Lin, it’s a Republic of China theme, but an art film, telling the story of an opera troupe. Want to make a movie promoting traditional Chinese culture, so specially invited Teacher Cao Junbo for guidance. Pity he went back today; otherwise could invite him to dinner together.”

Hearing this, Cheng Duzhou glanced at Duan Xingye.

Growing up together, he naturally knew the relationship between Cao Junbo and Duan Xingye.

Duan Xingye understood; so Teacher Cao was the consultant for Director Liang’s crew.

Had to say it was a coincidence.

“As long as they are actors in the troupe, they have to accept Teacher Cao’s training, so they’ve been miserable this week.” Director Liang took the opportunity of the romance variety show camera being aside, intending to show off the crew’s heritage and dedication to keep the audience looking forward to it. “Among them, Xiao Qin performed the best. Professional is professional, extraordinary. Come, Xiao Qin, while the dishes aren’t all served, sing a segment for everyone.”

Qin Yaolian used to study Dan roles (female roles played by males). His appearance was somewhat delicate and pretty, the whole person possessing an ancient charm. He also knew his advantage, smiling faintly: “The art of Peking Opera is profound and difficult to understand. Just afraid everyone won’t understand, and have to applaud in the end, spoiling the fun for no reason.”

Qin Yaolian spoke frankly. At first hearing, nothing wrong, even feeling this person was sincere. But upon careful tasting, there was vague arrogance behind it. The subtext was anyway, you won’t understand even if I sing, unwilling to play lute to a cow.

Doing all this, might as well just open the mouth and sing a segment generously.

Director Liang’s face only changed slightly. Just as he was about to urge a sentence to gloss it over.

Duan Xingye said coolly: “It’s a fact that the opera circle is niche. Since your crew wants to promote culture, why care if the audience understands? No matter what art, if presented well, the audience will appreciate it.”

Duan Xingye’s words targeted the matter, not the person. He didn’t know Qin Yaolian, but Qin Yaolian’s attitude of putting Peking Opera on a high shelf made him look down on him.

How many old artists were working hard to promote this traditional art to this day. Qin Yaolian closed the door instead, with an attitude of don’t ask me to sing if you don’t understand, really treating himself as a Jue (Role/Star).

Hearing this, Qin Yaolian stiffened his neck.

He was a self-conscious person, only taking Duan Xingye’s words as targeting himself. Duan Xingye’s words were saying if the audience didn’t understand, blame him for singing badly.

Someone doing pop music had the nerve to dictate to him.

Qin Yaolian suppressed his anger and smiled: “Teacher is right. Then I’ll sing a segment. You evaluate whether it’s presented well. After all, you are the only singer here; you should understand best, right?”

Duan Xingye stared at the opposite side, dark pupils turning cold.

He could hear the provocation. Just now it was about the matter, not the person, but if this person wasn’t honest, don’t blame him for targeting.

At this time, Qin Yaolian gathered his breath, opening his mouth to sing a prolonged tune.

The livestream had long been infiltrated by a large number of Qin Yaolian’s fans, popping up at this moment.

“Duan Xingye is hard to describe. Boss Qin wasn’t wrong, insisting on him singing. If he wants to listen, can’t he search online at home? Respect people much?”

“Presented well, audience will appreciate? Really standing and talking without back pain (easy to talk). Confirmed Duan Xingye doesn’t understand Peking Opera; otherwise wouldn’t say such things.”

“Daring to criticize Boss Qin, really think this is Singer-Songwriter.”

“Qin Yaolian is a rare treasure actor in the circle, always dedicated to promoting Guofeng. Hope everyone supports more!”

“Boss Qin sang too well! Someone who doesn’t understand shut up quickly.”

For a time, the [Lü Ye Shu Huai] livestream was stirred up into a foul atmosphere. Duan Xingye’s fans and CP fans were angered bad, but Qin Yaolian’s fans couldn’t be driven away.

Qin Yaolian sang a Dan role, voice raised sharp, offering a classic segment of You Sanjie (Third Sister You).

Director Liang and Qi Zheng applauded giving face: “Good!!”

Cheng Duzhou symbolically clapped twice, expression somewhat lacking interest.

Only Duan Xingye sat still.

“Teacher Duan, give an evaluation.” Qin Yaolian’s smile added a trace of smugness, looking arrogantly at the opposite side. “But I have to remind you, Peking Opera and the opera accent (Xi Qiang) in your pop music are completely different things. This is a skill accumulated through shouting voice, hanging voice, practicing voice, and breath training day after day for ten years. It’s definitely not what everyone thinks—bringing ancient style in the tune, singing with a pinched throat is Peking Opera.”

As soon as Qin Yaolian said this, the livestream wasn’t calm. This was art engaging in naked contempt for pop singing.

“I knew the Beijing circle excludes new things, but didn’t expect a star to say it on the table.”

“Boss Qin is right. Peking Opera doesn’t equal opera accent. Most annoyed with opera accent singers gaining traffic under the name of promoting culture.”

“Unconvinced? Ask first if understand Peking Opera? Can your idol sing with such depth? If not, close mic and accept mockery.”

“Duan Xingye doesn’t use opera accent in any songs he created. What are you mocking here?”

At the dinner table, Director Liang looked at Qin Yaolian somewhat blamingly, feeling he was targeting Duan Xingye a bit. He didn’t want the guest unhappy. “Xiao Duan, him ah, personality is just like this. Ignore him, let’s eat.”

Duan Xingye said, “Why don’t I sing a segment too, as pre-dinner entertainment.”

Director Liang was stunned, then clapped: “Okay! Honored to hear you sing live.”

Qin Yaolian only felt bored. If he couldn’t win argument, he would use his profession to regain ground.

Duan Xingye straightened his back, picked up a chopstick to tap lightly on the table. Once the high-pitched voice opened, whether on site or in the livestream, everyone felt a stimulation hit directly on the skull.

Bullet comments called out “Good lord,” exploding directly.

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Author’s Note:

Teacher Duan: Nothing I can’t do.