[{"content_id":3631,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":1,"chapter_title":"Chapter 1","content":"

\n As the howling cold north wind passed, the sky over Jingcheng turned a gloomy mouse-gray. A light snow fell, covering the dust that permeated the streets. Although it rarely snowed in Jingcheng's winters, only a few could find joy in the snowflakes.\n

\n The whistle of the train, the clang of the streetcar, mixed with the calls and cries of various street vendors—the bracelet bells of medicine sellers, the small drums of junk collectors, the wooden clappers of oil sellers... long and short, they all drilled into the large and small alleys throughout Jingcheng.\n

\n Jingcheng had no spring or autumn; the bleak winter usually arrived abruptly, and people would hastily don their fur coats to ward off the cold.\n

\n Or, like Ji Shuangyu, wrap oneself in one's only half-empty cotton-padded robe. The reason it was called 'half-empty' was because there was still a bit of cotton wadding left inside, enough to fill half the space, so it wasn't completely miserable...\n

\n Ji Shuangyu tucked all of his hair into a felt cap without a single strand showing, revealing only a fair, elegant face as beautiful as the first snow under the eaves. His dark, thick eyelashes half-concealed his pupils, which by contrast appeared lighter in color, yet they were clear and spirited, like glazed porcelain reflecting the moon.\n

\n With his head down and hands tucked in his sleeves, he, like the seven or eight others, followed his neighbor Jiang Sanjin through the main gate of the Changle Theater.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin glanced at Ji Shuangyu's lowered face and asked, puzzled, \"You've been working on the streets through winter and summer, how did you get so much fairer and chubbier?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu's face was definitely not chubby; in fact, he had grown thin from not eating well these past few days. But Jiang Sanjin didn't know how to describe it; 'delicate' might have been more accurate.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had been wrapped in a scarf for the past few days, so it wasn't noticeable. It was only clear now that it was gone.\n

\n Unlike the sallow and gaunt look of the poor, who had a full meal one day and an empty stomach the next, he looked more like a pampered child raised on white rice and eggs at every meal. His upright posture and the open space between his brows were even more striking.\n

\n Although his facial features were about the same as before, one look and Jiang Sanjin felt that Ji Shuangyu was many times more stunning. But his vocabulary was limited, and he didn't know what to say, so he just squeezed out the words 'fairer and chubbier,' subconsciously applying his own highest aesthetic standards.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said without changing his expression, \"Uncle Jiang, it's from the cold. I left the scarf for my younger siblings at home.\"\n

\n Jiang Sanjin knew that his parents had died of illness and that he was raising several younger siblings alone, so he nodded with a sigh. It was precisely because he felt pity for Ji Shuangyu that Jiang Sanjin wanted to help out his neighbor and bring him to the theater to earn money.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin made his living in the opera world as an extra, or a 'walk-on'. After doing it for a long time, he knew the ropes and became a head extra. Some minor walk-on roles on stage didn't necessarily require insiders; outsiders could also be used to fill the numbers, as long as he, the head extra, clearly explained the stage movements.\n

\n He often helped out poor friends, especially those without steady jobs. It wasn't just this one theater; he led extras to run around various stages and theaters that put on operas.\n

\n As long as he was in charge, there was never any trouble on stage, so the various opera troupes were happy to work with him.\n

\n But how could Jiang Sanjin know that this Ji Shuangyu was no longer the 'Ji Shuangyu' of before!\n

\n This Ji Shuangyu was born in the 21st century and worked as a director. Hailing from a family of artists, he had been immersed in various film sets and theaters since childhood and was in his prime. Just before he transmigrated, his new film was a box office hit, and he was even at the celebration party.\n

\n He drank too much at the celebration party, and when he woke up again, he was nearly a hundred years in the past. Four bare walls, and four younger siblings crying out in hunger, all of them seemingly dependent on him for support. As an only child, Ji Shuangyu had never seen such a scene.\n

\n Why had he become so much fairer and more delicate? Because he had transmigrated with his body!\n

\n At first, Ji Shuangyu thought his soul had transmigrated, but feeling the flannel pajamas on his body and seeing his own head of bleached light-colored hair in the mirror, he was immediately certain that his body had come along. It was just that in this era, there was also someone named 'Ji Shuangyu' who even looked quite similar to him.\n

\n —He didn't know if the 'Ji Shuangyu' from here had swapped with him and gone a hundred years into the future.\n

\n When he first arrived, Ji Shuangyu faked a sore throat to get by for a few days, gradually coaxing information about the situation out of the children at home and getting to know most of the neighbors.\n

\n These past few days, he had kept his dyed hair tightly wrapped up, just waiting for the black hair to grow out. He suspected hair dye didn't exist yet. After all, he was in an unfamiliar place and was afraid of attracting strange attention.\n

\n According to Ji Shuangyu's speculation, he suspected this was a parallel universe because the course of history seemed slightly different. Perhaps the original Ji Shuangyu was his parallel world counterpart.\n

\n Every day when Ji Shuangyu woke up, he hoped to be back in his own apartment bed, but he would always get up in hunger and disappointment to drink cold water.\n

\n He was too poor. His family was just too, too, poor!\n

\n If the family he'd transmigrated into had even a jar of rice, his state of mind would be more peaceful, and he could appreciate the world of a hundred years ago. But with an empty stomach, who had the mind to think about such things? Ji Shuangyu had never experienced days like this, going ten days to half a month without even a speck of meat.\n

\n Even if he could go back one day, he had to ensure he didn't starve to death before then.\n

\n The original Ji Shuangyu seemed to have been a manual laborer on the streets, doing odd jobs and unable to save much. Since winter began, there hadn't been many work opportunities. Just as he was pondering what he could do, his kind neighbor Uncle Jiang said he could take him to be an extra.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was delighted at the time. An extra—that meant going to a film set, a place he was familiar with.\n

\n As long as he had a chance to get in, how could he not find an opportunity to earn more money with his skills? He was a director, he understood cinematography, and having grown up on film sets and in theaters, he knew a bit about all the related jobs.\n

\n Only later did he realize his misunderstanding—the term 'extra' had originally been borrowed from the opera industry.\n

\n The 'extra' Jiang Sanjin spoke of meant going to an opera theater, not a film set.\n

\n Well, at least he could earn some money. Although he was only paid for a small part each day, and it wasn't enough to feed his whole family, he was still so poor, so hungry...\n

\n How on earth could he afford to eat meat?\n

\n \"I really want to eat meat,\" Ji Shuangyu muttered softly.\n

\n \"What are you muttering about?\" asked a fellow extra next to him. When Ji Shuangyu looked up, the man was startled again. \"Why are your eyes so red?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"It's nothing. Just lamenting how poor I am.\"\n

\n The man: \"...\"\n

\n Uh, he was pretty poor.\n

\n They were all poor, but Ji Shuangyu's family, with its many children and no adults, was exceptionally so. He was so poor he was crying...\n

\n The man pondered, \"If you had learned opera and could sing, whether or not you could become a star, you'd at least earn more than you do now.\" After all, just based on his face, he would look good in costume.\n

\n After saying this, he was glared at by Jiang Sanjin, who overheard. \"You talk too much.\"\n

\n Jiang Sanjin knew that 'Ji Shuangyu's' parents were also from a scholarly family that had fallen on hard times, eventually dying of poverty and illness. As the eldest son who had enjoyed a few days of comfort, Ji Shuangyu had probably suffered enough having to stoop to a 'lower nine' profession to make a living.\n

\n But Ji Shuangyu just smiled. \"It's just a shame I'm tone-deaf.\"\n

\n The times were different. He didn't know what the previous Ji Shuangyu thought, but this one, who grew up in the modern era, didn't feel uncomfortable at all.\n

\n All people are equal; there should be no professional discrimination.\n

\n Besides, he himself was a film director, but some of his elders were also in the traditional opera industry. Ji Shuangyu was deeply influenced by this.\n

\n Speaking of which, these two industries had deep roots in Huaxia. When film was introduced to Huaxia, the creations of the Huaxia people were heavily influenced by traditional arts. The very first film shot by their countrymen was, in fact, an opera film.\n

\n It could only be said that he really couldn't sing opera; he just didn't have the talent for it.\n

\n In fact, Ji Shuangyu had heard similar things quite often. Many people had urged him to step in front of the camera, feeling he had an actor's photogenic face. But at the time, his ambitions lay elsewhere.\n

\n When he had just started directing his own films, there was even a foolish rich second-generation kid who, while wandering around the company, saw him standing with a group of actors and pointed at him, saying he wanted to make him the male lead...\n

\n ......\n

\n Meanwhile, in the Changle Theater, they were arguing backstage.\n

\n Before they went in, Jiang Sanjin had instructed them to keep a low profile today, lest they anger the people inside, especially the famous actor 'Ying Xiaonong,' who had recently joined the cast at Changle Theater. He had a terrible temper.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had been an extra at this theater a few times before and had heard some gossip from his colleagues, so he knew why they were arguing.\n

\n The theater owner's surname was Xu, and his name was Xu Xinyue. He wasn't old. This was his family's ancestral property; the land was his, the theater was his. He was his own boss. He had signed a long-term contract with the Hanxi Troupe, which performed both Peking and Kunqu opera—a 'double-act'—and the Hanxi Troupe was stationed here to perform.\n

\n The Changle Theater wasn't large; at most, it could seat three or four hundred people. But its location was excellent, in a bustling area, and business had always been good.\n

\n The previous owner, Xu Xinyue's father, was a famous miser in the industry. When the business was handed over to Xu Xinyue, he took this trait to a whole new level. Behind his back, everyone called him 'Little Rooster' or 'Chick.'\n

\n But in any business, if others advance and you don't, it's the same as falling behind.\n

\n Other theaters were innovating, trying all sorts of ways to attract customers, but Boss Xu was stingy. He was reluctant to renovate the theater or invite famous actors. Before he knew it, business had become as cold as the north wind outside.\n

\n Even a broker came to his door, wanting to negotiate on behalf of someone who had caught wind of the situation and wanted to buy his land.\n

\n To make matters worse, Xu Xinyue's old mother fell ill, and money was being spent like water. The miser was also a filial son. In this era, besides respecting one's elders, it was also important not to touch the ancestral property lightly, or else one would be considered even more unfilial—not just to one's parents, but to the eighteen generations of ancestors buried underground.\n

\n Seeing that his mother's illness would not be cured anytime soon, Boss Xu decided to use what little money he had left to make a last-ditch effort and save the theater's business.\n

\n After much persuasion, he pooled funds with the Hanxi Troupe and invited a long-retired Peking opera star, Ying Xiaonong, to stage a new feature play, the ghost and gods-themed Temple of the Spiritual Official.\n

\n He was called a famous actor, but the opera world turned over about every five years. Ying Xiaonong's box-office appeal was definitely not what it used to be. But who could blame him? Xu Xinyue couldn't afford and was unwilling to hire a currently popular actor.\n

\n In addition to that, Xu Xinyue also made a personal trip to Hushang to learn the most advanced and fashionable stage design techniques, purchase all sorts of props, and ship back many Western-style backdrops.\n

\n With the play thus prepared, the program board was hung outside, and ticket sales were indeed good.\n

\n Unfortunately, before it could run for more than a few hot performances, the excitement died down. It was looking like this venture would be a huge loss.\n

\n Backstage, they had been full of confidence. After all, places everywhere were now learning from the Hushang school of set design, which itself was learned from Western drama—painting realistic, oil-painting-like scenery, and adding mechanisms and pyrotechnics, making it very lively.\n

\n Currently on the Huaxia opera stage, scenery like that of Western drama was the most popular,\n

\n Unexpectedly, they still lost money.\n

\n Seeing this situation, it was natural to... shift the blame to each other!\n

\n The opera troupe, Xu Xinyue, and the has-been star—the three parties argued incessantly.\n

\n The opera troupe blamed Xu Xinyue for choosing the wrong backdrops and for the mechanisms not being clever enough, saying he'd been cheated by the set designers from Hushang. They also said Ying Xiaonong's voice was not what it used to be and his singing couldn't hold an audience.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong said it was the troupe's musicians who were making things difficult for him, setting the key too high. How could he keep an audience if he couldn't sing comfortably?\n

\n Xu Xinyue took the opportunity to accuse them of infighting in the face of a crisis, wasting the money he had spent on specially arranging the stage and hiring Ying Xiaonong...\n

\n Ying Xiaonong and the troupe leader snapped at him together: \"What do you know! Do you know anything about opera!!\"\n

\n —Ying Xiaonong was indeed a professionally trained star. Moreover, the painted-face role usually required an actor to be tall and imposing. He looked down at Xu Xinyue as he spoke. Such enunciation, such vocal skill—every word was powerful, clearly and resonantly hitting Xu Xinyue in the face.\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"...\"\n

\n He was furious! Did they even see him as the owner anymore? Did they really think he was going under!\n

\n Everyone was trapped in an atmosphere of blame-shifting from which they couldn't escape. Xu Xinyue even grabbed the outsider, Jiang Sanjin, and asked him to judge: \"You tell me, whose fault is it?\"\n

\n How could Jiang Sanjin dare to answer? He just tried to laugh it off, thinking to himself, 'If this goes on, it's over for the nearly hundred-year-old Changle Theater.'\n

\n \"I don't think any of the three parties are at fault,\" a soft voice sounded.\n

\n Everyone looked over, frowning slightly. Jiang Sanjin's expression changed drastically.\n

\n That's right, the one who had interjected was none other than the underfed and breathless Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n Xu Xinyue rolled his eyes: People who tried to smooth things over always opened their mouths with 'you're not wrong, he's not wrong, nobody's wrong.' But if nobody was wrong, how did the business fail? Was it the audience's fault?\n

\n Now another peacemaker had shown up. He looked him over. \"You... Are you new to the troupe?\"\n

\n If it hadn't been for the argument today, Xu Xinyue would never have come face to face with the extras.\n

\n Seeing Ji Shuangyu's outstanding appearance, he subconsciously assumed he was an actor. But he didn't look young enough to have just started learning opera, so he suspected he was a reckless youth who had just been hired by the Hanxi Troupe. No wonder he had the guts to speak up.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin said, sweating, \"Boss, this is someone I brought...\"\n

\n Someone Jiang Sanjin brought...\n

\n So he's an extra?\n

\n Xu Xinyue couldn't help but laugh. He said irritably, \"What do you know!\"\n

\n These were the words Ying Xiaonong and the troupe leader had snapped at him just now. It was Jingcheng slang, which could be roughly understood as 'You don't know shit.'\n

\n The troupe leader and Ying Xiaonong had snapped at him earlier, but he had at least grown up in the theater and managed it for several years, so he knew more than a temporary extra. He decided to pass the phrase on to Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong also sneered. He had been a star before. At his peak, when performing in the same show, he earned more than the 'laosheng' (old male role) and 'dan' (female role) actors, a unique case for a painted-face actor.\n

\n But his temper had also grown quite large. He was usually prickly and arrogant, like a crab, and had argued with many people during his days performing at the Changle Theater. Even Xu Xinyue had rarely gotten a pleasant look from him.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong was about to join in with a few taunts, but after studying Ji Shuangyu for a moment, he stroked his stage beard and said thoughtfully, \"Yi, he's quite good-looking. Let him speak.\"\n

\n Everyone: \"...\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue touched his face. Why did he feel like he had just been indirectly insulted?\n

\n Ji Shuangyu looked completely used to it. \"Thank you, Boss Ying.\"\n

\n Everyone: \"............\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: Even angrier now!!\n

\n Author has something to say:\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: What use do I have for this peerless beauty? ... Oh, it's quite useful.\n

","published_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3632,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":2,"chapter_title":"Chapter 2","content":"

\n Ying Xiaonong took a few sips of tea. He was tired from all the arguing just now. Although he claimed it was an attack of lookism, he was not without the thought of taking the opportunity to rest for a while, and what's more, to humiliate the little cheapskate.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had been used as a tool, but he didn't care.\n

\n He had witnessed the commotion at the Changle Theater several times and had long since figured things out. That was why he couldn't help but speak up—not for justice, not to show off, but simply because he was holding out for a chance to get some meat to eat...\n

\n In any other theater with good business, he really might not have had a chance to speak his mind.\n

\n Seeing the scene quiet down as everyone was left speechless, Ji Shuangyu quickly said, \"It's said that during the previous dynasty, night performances were not allowed. Later, they were, but you could only use candles, which were barely enough to light up people's faces.\n

\n \"That's why we call it 'listening to opera' instead of 'watching opera'—the main focus was on listening. It wasn't until much later, when electric lights were hung in the theaters, making it as bright as day, that lighting effects and stage mechanisms gradually appeared, even imitating the scenery of Western theater with painted backdrops.\"\n

\n This was something Ji Shuangyu had heard from his elders when they told old stories. For the experts present, it was also a well-understood history of the stage, but they didn't know why he was bringing it up.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin also watched Ji Shuangyu nervously. After all, he was the one who had brought him here, so he was responsible for him. But he didn't know what Ji Shuangyu was going to say, or whether he should stop him.\n

\n However, Jiang Sanjin saw that Ji Shuangyu's eyes were as bright as gleaming snow, a look very similar to his own when he was directing the extras on their stage positions.\n

\n Although he was just the head of the extras and never opened his mouth on stage, he knew the conventions of staging by heart. He was confident when managing people, and not even the troupe leader could find fault with him.\n

\n So, could it be that Ji Shuangyu actually had a plan?\n

\n Ji Shuangyu spoke with eloquence, \"Think about it, performing at night without light was something that happened only twenty years ago. Back then, even if you had stage mechanisms and tricks, the audience couldn't see them clearly, so what was the use? But can you say that stage mechanisms are useless and can't attract an audience? It's just that they weren't suitable!\"\n

\n At this moment, the stagecraft of traditional opera was being influenced by the new trends of the era and was just beginning to undergo competitive reform. The most popular thing in the country was gimmick-filled opera, which meant adding stage mechanisms and scenery to all kinds of opera.\n

\n It was nothing like the blandness modern people might imagine. It was more like a chaotic free-for-all, with planners crazily adding gimmicks.\n

\n People used knowledge of optics, electricity, and other fields to add mechanisms, lighting, and magic to the plays. Things like flying rigs, trapdoors, real pythons on stage, and even stripteases... whatever was stimulating, they did it.\n

\n They also learned from Western theatrical scenery styles, hiring painters to create realistic landscapes as backdrops, which were extremely popular.\n

\n The citizens, whose entertainment lives were not as rich as in later generations, watched with mesmerized fascination.\n

\n The trend started in Hushang, and major cities and opera genres rushed to stage their own versions, making it an essential element for a time.\n

\n But no matter how exquisite the scenery was, if you put it a few decades earlier, in an era of less advanced technology, it definitely wouldn't have had such a good effect. You couldn't see a thing.\n

\n \"So the word 'suitable' is very important. The play the boss has staged has many mechanisms, and although they aren't particularly stimulating, that's not the key to its failure. The coordination between the musicians and the lead actor isn't perfect, but their skills are profound, and they managed to smooth it over on stage, so the problem can't be said to lie with them.\n

\n \"In my opinion, the problem is actually that you were only thinking about having a lively play with lots of novelty, and you even invited Boss Ying, who has first-class martial skills, but you didn't think about widening the stage. To make an analogy, if Guan Gong, at his nine-foot height, were to wield his saber in a utility room, could he put on a brilliant performance?\"\n

\n It's not that it would look bad, but it would be completely unable to achieve its intended effect, and might even be greatly diminished. Just like performing a gimmick-filled opera on a dark night in the past.\n

\n This was a very simple principle, yet no one at the Changle Theater had been able to articulate it before.\n

\n In modern times, you could pull any random person over, and after watching enough, they could summarize a few points for you based on experience: it's best to watch blockbusters in a theater with an IMAX screen; intense action movies are most thrilling in 3D; be careful not to get dizzy in a 4D theater...\n

\n At this time, perhaps experienced people could sense it—for example, actors would gradually figure out how much force to use in large venues versus small ones—but this knowledge had not been summarized or promoted.\n

\n After all, at this point, opera stagecraft had not yet formed a theory; there was no set of practical rules.\n

\n This industry currently had a general lack of technical personnel. Opera troupes and theaters were mostly separate and mobile. Theater owners were all about making money and wouldn't normally ponder whether they should change the size of their stage, how big it should be, or what would make the audience most comfortable.\n

\n In Hushang, there were more of these talents, who experimented with different proscenium stages, arena stages, realistic stages, or fan-shaped, circular, and horseshoe-shaped stages...\n

\n At the Changle Theater, no one truly had this knowledge.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was more than familiar with work like stage direction. He could tell at a glance that it wasn't suitable, exactly where it wasn't suitable, and to what extent it needed to be changed.\n

\n When he said it out loud, an actor with as much stage experience as Ying Xiaonong felt a sense of sudden enlightenment as he connected it with his own experiences.\n

\n Xu Xinyue was still skeptical at first. \"Aren't all theater stages about this size, more or less? Our stage is considered large, and we've been performing like this for so many years.\"\n

\n What made it even harder for him to believe was, you're saying the new play failed simply because of the stage's size?\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said lightly, \"But your scenes are too grand. For example, the lighting design you learned from Hushang, wasn't it arranged on a much larger stage? It's not quite suitable to just copy it over.\"\n

\n The premises he had laid out earlier were all to emphasize this principle. Suitability was really important for the effect.\n

\n The Changle Theater could seat several hundred people, and the stage wasn't small, but compared to the scenes Xu Xinyue had designed, it was still somewhat out of proportion. He was, after all, an amateur. If it had been one of those experienced set designers from Hushang, they might have seen it.\n

\n Xu Xinyue was utterly astonished. He had gone to Hushang to study alone, and the stage where he learned the techniques was indeed modeled after the Western style—a large proscenium stage.\n

\n He didn't know anything about lighting, so when he came back, he just blindly copied the setup. The lighting was so different from the backstage makeup area that the first time the actors went on stage, their makeup looked ghastly white...\n

\n But he didn't know, and neither did anyone else. For all these days, from his peers to the audience, not a single person had pointed out that anything was wrong.\n

\n Yet this extra, just by looking at the stage here, knew that he must have copied it from a large stage. It was truly miraculous!\n

\n Previously, Xu Xinyue had been half-convinced and half-doubtful about the stage size, but now he was completely certain.\n

\n At this moment, someone from the Hanxi Troupe blurted out thoughtlessly, \"So it's still Boss Xu's fault.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"...\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue immediately cursed back, and the three parties once again descended into chaos, arguing even more fiercely. The focus of the argument was whether Ji Shuangyu was right, and from there, whose fault it was.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin was dumbfounded, both surprised that Ji Shuangyu actually had this ability to calmly point out the flaws, and troubled by the sight of them about to come to blows. \"This... Shuangyu, you should try to persuade them.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was hungry. Where would he get the strength to mediate a fight? Cupping his hands around his mouth, he deeply missed the small megaphone he used on set, and said weakly, \"Stop arguing, stop arguing, I beg you, don't fight over me anymore.\"\n

\n Jiang Sanjin: \"...\"\n

\n Everyone: \"...\"\n

\n ...Something about that sounded strange.\n

\n After all, with a disaster looming, the argument temporarily stopped.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin was still scratching his head, expressing that he had no idea Ji Shuangyu knew about these things. He had clearly never been involved in the opera world before, let alone been to Hushang. The most popular stage mechanisms in opera today all originated from Hushang, where most of the top-tier set design talent was concentrated.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu hadn't thought about how to make his story seamless before speaking up. Lies that are too detailed are easier to expose. He just said vaguely, \"You don't need to have worked backstage. You can figure it out with scientific knowledge.\"\n

\n Jiang Sanjin had a realization. Ji Shuangyu had been educated by his parents, and his family seemed to have a lot of books, some even with foreign writing. Although he had struggled to make a living after his parents passed away, it seemed he hadn't given up on his knowledge. Being cultured was truly impressive.\n

\n Even his speaking seemed to have gotten sharper. The speech he just gave was logical and clear, without a trace of stage fright. Many of the people under him would stammer when speaking to the boss.\n

\n \"Right, right, science! Tell me more about the science of that lighting, and what's not so stimulating about my mechanisms?\" Xu Xinyue asked anxiously.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu gave a shy smile, and a faint blush added a bit of charm to his face.\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"Hurry up and tell me!\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said bashfully, \"Boss, that will cost extra.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"...\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue fell into a long period of thought, his head bowed, his features drooping, silent for a long time.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"............\"\n

\n 'Seriously, boss? I can't even get money out of you for this?'\n

\n The leader of the opera troupe couldn't help but curse, \"This little chick, your stinginess will be the death of you!\"\n

\n Only he, who had cooperated with the Xu family for many years and had practically watched Xu Xinyue grow up, could curse him directly. What time was this to be so cheap! Still so cheap!\n

\n What's the harm in agreeing first? Just see what this young man is capable of!\n

\n At this juncture, there was no room for penny-pinching. Xu Xinyue said dejectedly, \"If you give me a good idea and solve my urgent problem, I'll pay you separately. Based on... based on the prices charged by Hushang set designers... I'll give you twenty... thirty percent.\"\n

\n In their minds, Ji Shuangyu had revealed some knowledge, but how could he compare to a set designer from Hushang? So giving him twenty or thirty percent seemed like an extremely appropriate price to Xu Xinyue.\n

\n If it weren't for his special circumstances, Xu Xinyue would never have spent money on changing the stage at all.\n

\n Although Ji Shuangyu didn't know how much that was, he observed the expressions of the others and guessed that it wasn't too bad a deal, so he agreed, \"Alright, then I shall give you the details in private!\"\n

\n ......\n

\n Ji Shuangyu and Xu Xinyue found a place to talk privately, agreeing that he would help redesign the scenes.\n

\n \"You said to expand the stage, but does that mean the scenery flats I bought can't be used?\" Xu Xinyue had paid to have the scenery custom-made in Hushang.\n

\n There was no matching talent here at the moment. Usually, one had to find a painter, and one who specialized in realistic Western-style painting at that.\n

\n The dimensions were all customized according to the original stage. If it were expanded, the scenery flats would no longer be big enough. Moreover, the price might be higher here, since the cost of canvas was relatively cheaper in Hushang, where there were many such factories.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said casually, \"Then don't use them.\"\n

\n This Western painting style was popular at the time, with a single play using as many as forty to fifty backdrops, or at least a dozen. But he found it a bit awkward and didn't want to continue using it anyway.\n

\n Xu Xinyue looked as if he had been struck by lightning. \"Don't use them? That's money!\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had seen stingy investors before; not all rich people were generous. \"Then sell them. Recoup some of your costs and we'll do a new set design. Let's try something with a Huaxia style.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue looked at Ji Shuangyu with contempt. \"Huaxia style? You mean hanging a monotonous, old-fashioned backdrop behind? That's how our stage used to be set up. Who would watch that? People nowadays come to see the Western-style scenery!\"\n

\n The \"old-fashioned backdrop\" was a door curtain that covered the back wall of the stage, also called a stage curtain. It used to be very plain, but later became more ornate with added embroidery.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"...That's not what I mean.\"\n

\n He found it both amusing and absurd. What a chaotic era this was.\n

\n The original opera stage was indeed very plain, which was why it was now developing so rapidly after being impacted by new influences, although it felt a bit like it was overcompensating... A grand traditional Huaxia opera had to rely on Western-style scenery to attract people?\n

\n If he could accept suitable stage mechanisms, this oil painting style scenery, mixed with a Peking Opera stage, was something he absolutely could not tolerate.\n

\n It was just that his job wasn't secure yet, so he held his tongue for the time being.\n

\n \"Besides, how can we have enough time to paint new scenery? This is urgent.\" Business was getting worse by the day and couldn't be delayed any longer. Xu Xinyue said worriedly, \"And these mechanisms, I always feel like there's something missing... But when I was in Hushang, there were some mechanisms you couldn't learn even if you had money! Do you know any other mechanisms?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu agreed in one breath. Although he didn't know what other mechanisms were popular at the time, given the current level of science and technology, they couldn't be too difficult to understand.\n

\n Besides, in front of an investor, the most important thing was to put on a confident face that said, 'I can definitely make you money!'\n

\n So Ji Shuangyu said loudly, \"I do!\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"What do you know?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"What do you want?\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"Tell me what you know, and I'll see what I want.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"Tell me what you want, and I'll see if I know it.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"...\"\n

\n ...What the hell is this conversation?\n

","published_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3633,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":3,"chapter_title":"Chapter 3","content":"

\n Xu Xinyue always felt that Ji Shuangyu spoke strangely. Did he know what he was talking about or not?\n

\n Before speaking with him alone, he had asked Jiang Sanjin about this person's background. There didn't seem to be any major issues; he had grown up in Jiang Sanjin's alley. So, he temporarily suppressed his suspicions and said tentatively, \"I want to know about the skeleton trick and the beheading trick.\"\n

\n The set designers in Hushang all had their own factions; getting in was easier said than done. At a time when old and new ideas were clashing, it was impossible for craftsmen to casually pass on their techniques.\n

\n They kept the details of their mechanisms very secret. After all, these were the means by which various troupes and theaters made money, unless you could poach their set designer with a high salary.\n

\n Xu Xinyue didn't have the money to poach anyone. Through an introduction, he had managed to learn some superficial techniques. As for such crucial mechanisms, how could he possibly know about them?\n

\n 'Skeleton trick? Beheading trick?' Ji Shuangyu fell silent after hearing this. \"Could you describe what these mechanisms look like and what effect they create?\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"...Do you actually know or not??\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"Please tell me first. As I said, if I understand the scientific principles behind it, I can figure it out.\"\n

\n How could he possibly know what existed at this time? He figured he'd have Xu Xinyue describe it and see if he could figure it out. After all, judging from the stage design of various theaters these past few days, the technology was not very advanced.\n

\n Xu Xinyue had never attended a Western-style school, so his concept of what was scientific or not was vague. But since they had come this far, he had no choice but to describe it: \"I saw a play, the one where Sun Wukong fights the White Bone Demon. The actor playing the White Bone Demon, when it was time for her to reveal her true form, really showed a skeleton body.\"\n

\n After listening, Ji Shuangyu said, \"Oh.\" 'A chaotic dance of demons indeed,' he thought. \"It's an X-ray.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"Eck-es-ray? What?\"\n

\n It was said that X-ray equipment was already available in the country at this time, but it was likely only in a few private hospitals, and the average person wasn't particularly familiar with it.\n

\n But when brought onto the stage, it became the skeleton trick.\n

\n \"It's a Western medical technique that allows you to see a person's bones. If you ask around at the major hospitals, you'll surely find it.\" 'Hushang has it, so it should be here too,' Ji Shuangyu pointed out.\n

\n As for the beheading trick, Xu Xinyue hadn't even described it yet, but he had already guessed what it was. It was probably a magic trick that made it look to the audience like the person's head was detached from their body.\n

\n \"Oh, oh!\" Xu Xinyue vaguely remembered seeing a text advertisement in the newspaper about some hospital introducing a \"bone-viewing technique,\" but he had never connected it with the skeleton on the stage. His blood boiled with excitement. This mechanism alone could attract a lot of attention!\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said earnestly, \"But it's best not to get too greedy, boss. Don't you think that because there are too many mechanisms on stage, Boss Ying is a bit timid in his movements, focusing only on coordinating with the mechanisms and not really letting loose?\"\n

\n \"Now that you mention it... yes, a little.\" Before, everyone was a bit like someone lost in the mountains, unable to see the whole picture. Looking back now, it seemed everything was just as Ji Shuangyu had said.\n

\n Xu Xinyue suddenly remembered something and said, \"Hey, you said before that no one was at fault, and that Ying Xiaonong was coordinating well!\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"Because I didn't dare to speak ill of him. He looks like he can fight, and he's so fierce.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"...\"\n

\n 'He was clearly only fierce with me, not you...'\n

\n Seeing that Xu Xinyue seemed to be listening, Ji Shuangyu lowered his voice and said wisely, \"Mechanisms may be eye-catching, but the play must be the foundation. Just like the size of the stage, 'appropriate' is best. If you just blindly pile up mechanisms, it's not adding flowers to a brocade, but putting the cart before the horse. Such art will not last long.\"\n

\n 'Don't you see that by the 21st century, the trend of lantern-and-color plays has long become history, or rather, it has been integrated into the stage itself? Opera still focuses on its essence, having eliminated the mechanisms that were only for attracting attention.'\n

\n 'As for those Western-style sets? They disappeared long ago!'\n

\n 'There is good stage design, of course, but it must never overshadow the main performance, blindly creating a spectacle by piling in all sorts of magic tricks.'\n

\n 'Even now, there are theaters that close down because they focus only on mechanisms and not the play. The audience has aesthetic standards, you know.'\n

\n Xu Xinyue shuddered. Pondering it carefully, he felt this young man made a lot of sense. A mere spectacle wouldn't last long!\n

\n Then, he said sincerely, \"What the hell do I care. I want money.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"..........\"\n

\n '...How should I put this? Sure enough, the financial backers are the same in any era.'\n

\n 'It feels so familiar. In modern times, he had excellent control over a film's art direction, yet he still had to satisfy the investors' love for \"big scenes,\" ultimately achieving a perfect balance with art and earning a good reputation.'\n

\n For Xu Xinyue, he was just a businessman; reviving his business was more important. He had chosen Temple of the Spiritual Official to add mechanisms to, turning it into a gimmick play, precisely because it was easier to add gimmicks to a supernatural play and make it more spectacular.\n

\n Xu Xinyue added, \"And it has to be cheap. I have no money.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"...\"\n

\n '...That's a bit shameless of you!'\n

\n 'Even if I told you the effect was created with an X-ray, you wouldn't be willing to rent the machine! You want to save money and have a spectacle, how can you have it both ways?'\n

\n 'But, the first rule when facing an investor is: don't tell the truth.'\n

\n So Ji Shuangyu opened his mouth and said, \"Rest assured, boss, I will absolutely use the most affordable price to make you the most spectacular theater in Jingcheng!\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue looked at him curiously. His family owned a theater, and he had met many people growing up, yet he felt he had never seen anyone like this.\n

\n This extra's choice of words often struck him as absurd, yet they were extremely persuasive. He wasn't like the swindlers on the street who made empty promises, and Xu Xinyue couldn't help but be captivated, wanting to place his hopes in him...\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: 'This is all experience accumulated from years of bullshitting investors!'\n

\n After chatting a bit more and gradually calming down from his initial excitement, Xu Xinyue began to have second thoughts again. He was someone whose emotions fluctuated. \"Listening to you, do you really think... it'll work?\"\n

\n The play had already lost its audience. By just expanding the stage and changing the lighting and props, could it really... become popular?\n

\n He was quite uneasy and wanted some reassuring confirmation from Ji Shuangyu. He felt that Ji Shuangyu's words just now were very bluffing, so perhaps if he said it would work, he would calm down.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"If I say it'll work, can you give me a red envelope?\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue thought for a moment: \"Forget it. I think everything is destined by fate.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"...\"\n

\n ......\n

\n Boss Rooster was truly stingy. He refused to pay right away, saying he needed to see the final effect and that the money had to be saved for expanding the stage and buying new sets.\n

\n Although Xu Xinyue was stingy, Ji Shuangyu had asked around and found that the Xu father and son had always had their principles. They didn't arbitrarily deduct money from the troupes, otherwise, no troupe would have cooperated with them for so long.\n

\n At any rate, Xu Xinyue advanced two packets of coppers to Ji Shuangyu, lest the man starve to death before the play's remake was a success.\n

\n Even for these two packets of coppers, Xu Xinyue had Ji Shuangyu sign a document, with Ying Xiaonong as a witness, stating that it was an advance payment and if he messed things up, all the coppers had to be returned, and so on.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu quickly pocketed the money and thanked him repeatedly. Seeing some pastries on Xu Xinyue's desk, he casually grabbed two of the cheapest-looking steamed buns.\n

\n Before Xu Xinyue could stop him, he cried out in pain, \"My pastries!\"\n

\n There was no one else in the theater as tactless as Ji Shuangyu, taking Rooster Xu's pastries to eat.\n

\n This was truly like plucking a feather from an iron rooster's rear. Although Xu Xinyue was reluctant, angry, and anxious, he held back because he still needed Ji Shuangyu for the design, and merely put away the remaining pastries.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said brazenly, \"Thank you, boss.\"\n

\n He ran into Ying Xiaonong again on his way out.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong asked him how much money the boss had given him for the redesign.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu held up a palm. Fifty yuan.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong was shocked. \"That little?!\"\n

\n How could that be enough? Just painting the scenic flats would cost far more than that. Not to mention, he also had to buy embroidered silk and other materials. These weren't disposable items and would be reused in the future. But, you still had to buy them first, right?\n

\n Could it be that the situation was already so dire? Ying Xiaonong asked, \"Boss, have we lost all the money we earned from the previous few shows, with only this little left?\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"No, but this is all I'm willing to spend.\"\n

\n Ying Xiaonong: \"...\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue added defensively, \"Besides, he agreed to it!\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had a completely harmless look on his face.\n

\n 'Of course. No matter what Xu Xinyue requested, he would agree to it first. Anyway, if he ran out of money later, he could just go back to the investor for more. This was a director's basic skill!'\n

\n Besides, he had no intention of using Western-style scenic flats, so that major expense didn't need to be factored in at all.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong sighed. He didn't expect Ji Shuangyu would dare to take on this job. He praised Ji Shuangyu again, \"So young, and so good-looking.\"\n

\n After two seconds, he probably felt that wasn't right and hastily added, \"And capable too!\"\n

\n The others: \"...\"\n

\n \"Thank you, Boss Ying.\" 'In any case, it was still a compliment,' Ji Shuangyu thought as he bowed his head honestly in thanks.\n

\n Unexpectedly, Ying Xiaonong happened to take a step forward. Ji Shuangyu's felt hat caught on his stage beard, and before he could react, Ying Xiaonong flicked his head. Ji Shuangyu's hat fell off, and the cloth wrapped around his head came loose, letting his shoulder-length hair fall down.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong's expression changed instantly. Following his lead, the entire backstage area gradually fell silent, staring blankly at Ji Shuangyu's hair.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: '...Damn!'\n

\n Actually, chemical hair dyes had already been invented by this time.\n

\n The problem was, before Ji Shuangyu arrived, he had been celebrating a success. Egged on by the crew members who wanted to see if the director's handsome face could pull off the look, he had whimsically satisfied them by bleaching and dyeing his hair.\n

\n Moreover, it wasn't a common color like brown or yellow, which could at least be explained away as malnutrition. He had bleached it to a niche silver-gray, a shade that the chemical dyes of this era could not achieve.\n

\n His features were purely of Huaxia ethnicity, rather delicate and elegant; he was often mistaken for a girl as a child. And although his hair was silver, it wasn't like an albino's, with a flushed face and eyebrows and eyelashes that were so white as to look pathologically abnormal.\n

\n When he first transmigrated, the original \"Ji Shuangyu's\" younger siblings were startled. After bluffing his way past the children, he had kept his hair wrapped up, taking great care to hide it when changing into his extra's costume to avoid attracting attention and causing trouble.\n

\n Director Ji had good features, and he could indeed pull off this look.\n

\n But it was a rare sight in the mortal world. The white strands of hair fell beside his cheeks, his glass-like eyes shimmered, creating a perfect atmosphere. Beyond being handsome, it added a touch of unearthly strangeness, making him extremely captivating at first glance.\n

\n Ying Xiaonong, who had seen plenty of stage makeup, gasped.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin was the first to snap out of it. He asked, \"Your hair wasn't like this before. H-how did it turn white overnight? Shuangyu, what happened to you?\"\n

\n Legends told stories of beauties and famous generals whose hair turned white overnight. It was said that Wu Zixu's hair turned white overnight when he was crossing the Zhaoguan Pass. But in reality, who had ever seen a full head of black hair turn white in an instant?\n

\n 'And it's so evenly white, and quite good-looking...'\n

\n Most of the people here worked in the theater and were familiar with opera. For a moment, their minds were filled with romantic notions.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was also good-looking. Could it be that he had a lover separated from him by death, whom he could not be with, and had grieved until his hair turned white?\n

\n 'Oh, and I heard his parents passed away. Or maybe it's due to his filial piety?'\n

\n Ji Shuangyu could see everyone's wandering gazes and had no idea what they were imagining. He didn't want to seem too strange, so he quickly put his hat back on and said solemnly, \"I'm just so poor that my craving for meat turned my hair white!\"\n

","published_time":"2026-03-08T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-03-08T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3634,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":4,"chapter_title":"Chapter 4 Part 1","content":"

\n Craving meat can make your hair turn white? What kind of reason was that!!\n

\n Just as they were imagining a romantic, legendary story, Ji Shuangyu pulled them back to reality. It was not only a buzzkill, but they also refused to believe it.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin, however, hesitantly stated that he had never heard of Ji Shuangyu having a sweetheart—although he was good-looking, with four dependents at home, he was so poor that all the girls in the alley could only offer their silent blessings.\n

\n It had been several years since his parents passed away. Neither romance nor filial piety seemed to fit.\n

\n Could it be... he really was just craving it??\n

\n The look in Jiang Sanjin's eyes changed. Upon closer inspection, there was a hint of... respect?\n

\n How should one put it? Craving meat sounded quite undignified and pitiful, but to crave it to this extent... was strangely awe-inspiring!\n

\n Even Xu Xinyue couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up. No wonder Ji Shuangyu had volunteered so bravely; he must have been starving.\n

\n As soon as Ji Shuangyu saw that thumb, his eyes drifted toward Xu Xinyue's room. He thought of that box of pastries.\n

\n 'Since the boss pities me, then maybe...'\n

\n As if he knew what Ji Shuangyu was thinking, Xu Xinyue hastily poured the remaining tea from the thermos onto the ground, striking a pose as if he were frantically seeing a guest out. \"You poor child, you just got paid, hurry up and go buy some meat to eat!\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"...\"\n

\n How could he have the nerve to put on such a generous air? Boss, you gave me two packets of copper coins, not two packets of gold!\n

\n But Xu Xinyue was right, Ji Shuangyu had to hurry and buy food.\n

\n Outside, the north wind howled. A street vendor selling sweet potatoes would occasionally turn the ones on his rack. When a customer came, he would use a small broom to sweep the dust off the sweet potato's skin. Although it was a small business, it was a comforting sight.\n

\n Previously, a full day's work for Ji Shuangyu could only earn him that day's food money. Not only could he not save anything, but because there were five mouths to feed in his family, they ate things like sweet potatoes or \"baipi.\" Baipi were just plain wheat noodles, with only a drop of soy sauce and vinegar. There was no money for fried sauce or gravy!\n

\n It was fine for a meal or two, but eating it for a long time made you want to cry.\n

\n This time, he didn't even glance at the steaming sweet potatoes. He headed straight for a restaurant, borrowed a container, and bought a large bowl of mutton soup, plus two coarse grain steamed buns. Passing by a pastry shop, he spent another ten copper coins on a bag of Jiangmitiao.\n

\n Xu Xinyue had given him two packets of copper coins, all of which were \"worth-ten\" coins, meaning one copper coin was equivalent to ten wen. The two packets totaled three hundred coins, which could be exchanged for about two yuan.\n

\n The soup, steamed buns, and Jiangmitiao cost a total of thirty-five copper coins.\n

\n The coal briquettes would last a few more days, so the remaining money would all be used to buy grain. Although the price of rice was high recently, over six yuan per dan, buying only coarse grains would ensure they wouldn't starve in the short term.\n

\n 'I'll go again tomorrow, I can't carry anything if I'm not full...'\n

\n He walked slowly. The roads in Jingcheng were known to be \"good for seven years, bad for seven hundred years,\" so he had to be careful not to drop the bowl.\n

\n There were asphalt and concrete roads, but they were limited to commercial districts and residential areas for the wealthy. The road to Ji Shuangyu's home was not one of them; it was either a gravel road or a dirt path. The alleys were even dustier.\n

\n He lived in a large, shared courtyard compound in Small Drum Alley. The place was called \"Small Drum\" because it was next to an old goods market. In those days, junk collectors would always beat small drums to announce their presence, and so the place got its name.\n

\n Upon reaching Small Drum Alley, Ji Shuangyu didn't rush home. Instead, he went to Jiang Sanjin's house to give him the bag of Jiangmitiao. He had earned a sum of money today and hadn't forgotten that he owed this opportunity to Jiang Sanjin's help.\n

\n Normally, he had no money to spare. Even though he didn't have much now, he had to squeeze out even ten copper coins. What he bought was just the most common Jiangmitiao from the shop, but it was the thought that counted.\n

\n Jiang Sanjin was a warm-hearted person who usually took everyone to find work as extras without taking a cut. But who wouldn't like someone who knew how to show gratitude? Besides, he had two gluttonous children at home, who were overjoyed to receive the Jiangmitiao.\n

\n After exchanging a few pleasantries at Jiang Sanjin's house, Ji Shuangyu returned to his own home.\n

\n ......\n

\n \"I'm back.\" Ji Shuangyu opened the door. The pitch-black room was lit only by the faint red glow of the coal stove. There was no furniture, just the stove, a basin, a bucket, a few pieces of tableware, two quilts, and some old books.\n

\n Three children, all under ten, were sitting on the brick kang bed. They looked smaller than their actual ages. They were dressed in either thin cotton clothes or his flannel pajamas. As soon as they saw Ji Shuangyu, their eyes lit up.\n

\n \"Big Brother!\"\n

\n The children jumped off the kang bed to greet him. His second brother took everything from Ji Shuangyu's hands. He was young but had done a lot of work, and his hands were steady.\n

\n \"Hmm...\" Ji Shuangyu scanned the room, puzzled. \"Where's Third Sister? Is she still out picking coal cinders and not back yet?\"\n

\n It was freezing in winter, but their family couldn't afford many coal briquettes, so whenever the children had free time, they would rummage through other people's ash piles for unburnt cinders to supplement their supply.\n

\n \"Big Brother, I'm right here.\"\n

\n Third Sister's aggrieved voice came from behind him.\n

\n \"Damn!!\" Ji Shuangyu jumped in fright. Looking down, he saw Third Sister squatting right at his feet, gluing her shoes.\n

\n Of course, poor people couldn't just replace their broken shoes. They couldn't even afford a cobbler, so they would make their own glue from cowhide to patch them up and continue wearing them.\n

\n It was just this Third Sister...\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had been startled by her several times since he'd transmigrated. She was a bit dark-skinned, only nine years old, and very thin and small. She naturally had very little presence, often making Ji Shuangyu feel like she appeared and disappeared like a ghost.\n

\n And now, she had been right beside him, and he hadn't even seen her!\n

\n After all, the light in the room was terribly dim...\n

\n He missed electric lights.\n

\n Although electricity and lamps existed at this time, they were not something his family could afford. Some theaters even used having electric lights as a selling point in their advertisements.\n

\n \"Ahem, alright, let's eat. I bought mutton soup, we'll heat it up.\" Ji Shuangyu heated the soup directly on the coal stove. He wasn't one for chores, but with his younger siblings being just children, he had to bite the bullet and do it.\n

\n It had been like this for the past few days. The most terrifying time was when his fourth sister wet the bed, and he had to clean it up. In the dead of winter, tears almost streamed down his face.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu took off his hat and its cloth strips to make it easier to work. The stove fire flickered, its faint red light reflecting off his white strands of hair, and the flames seemed to dance in his eyes.\n

\n In truth, the four children felt that their big brother, who they spent every day with, was a little different now. Outsiders wouldn't know, but they could sense it.\n

\n However, perhaps this really was the Ji Shuangyu of a parallel universe. They only felt that their big brother seemed to have changed, but it never occurred to them that this was not their original big brother at all.\n

\n Besides, being hungry every day, they really didn't have the energy to think too much...\n

\n Fourth Sister stared at Ji Shuangyu for a while, then even mustered the courage to say, \"Brother, with your white hair, you've become even prettier.\"\n

\n Just as Second Brother was about to correct his sister, wondering how she could use such a word to describe their brother, he heard Ji Shuangyu quickly reply, \"Obviously.\"\n

\n Second Brother: \"...\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was quite aware of his own looks, and he came from the more open-minded modern era. Being called pretty was nothing.\n

\n By now, the mutton soup had heated up and was gradually releasing its original fragrance. The thick, white broth was filled with tender mutton, offal, and some stewed-to-softness white radish.\n

\n The shop that sold the mutton soup was a century-old establishment. The mutton was prepared without any gaminess, and a sprinkle of Sichuan peppercorn powder made it even more fragrant and delicious.\n

\n The children were drooling. As the oldest after Ji Shuangyu, Second Brother thought just a little bit more. Staring at the meat, he asked, \"Big Brother, how did you earn so much today?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu thought, 'He's still a kid, after all. He thinks a little more, but only a little. Otherwise, he'd be suspecting his big brother of secretly being a kept man...'\n

\n \"Took on another part-time job,\" Ji Shuangyu said calmly. Seeing that the mutton soup was warm, he gave everyone a share, then broke apart the white flour steamed bun he'd snagged from Xu Xinyue, and along with the coarse grain buns, divided them for everyone to soak and eat.\n

\n The steamed bun had frozen hard on the way home, but after soaking in the hot mutton soup, it became soft again. And it was only after breaking it apart that Ji Shuangyu discovered that the bun from Xu Xinyue wasn't a plain white bun; it had minced pork belly inside.\n

\n Normally, anything with a filling should be called a baozi, but this diced pork steamed bun was actually a kind of Jingcheng delicacy. The small amount of minced meat inside was what made it seem refined. Ji Shuangyu didn't know this and had thought he was being very considerate by just picking a steamed bun and leaving the other pastries.\n

\n —Of course, this in no way meant that Xu Xinyue wasn't stingy!\n

\n Ji Shuangyu first drank a mouthful of mutton soup to warm his stomach, then finished the mutton in two bites before starting on the soft little steamed bun and the white radish. The white radish was full of water and had absorbed the mutton soup during the stewing process, giving it a rich flavor.\n

\n With something warm in his stomach, his whole body warmed up. It was truly wonderful.\n

\n \"Big Brother, you can have this too,\" Second Brother said, wanting to give his half of the bun to Ji Shuangyu. \"You've worked hard. I've heard you talking in your sleep these past few nights.\"\n

\n \"You eat it.\" Ji Shuangyu refused. As an only child, he wasn't quite used to this picture of brotherly affection.\n

\n Second Brother: \"Big Brother has to work, Big Brother should eat.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"No, I prefer meat.\"\n

\n Second Brother: \"...\"\n

\n Each person only got a few pieces of meat, plus that tiny bit of minced pork. It had all been fished out and eaten long ago, leaving everyone wanting more.\n

\n Still, at least they had tasted meat again. As Ji Shuangyu savored the memory, he casually asked, \"I talk in my sleep?\"\n

\n He was so tired during the day that he slept like a log at night; how would he know if he did or not?\n

\n \"The day before yesterday, after you cleaned up Fourth Sister's wet bed, not long after you lay down, you muttered a few sentences, something like 'I don't want to be a male mommy'.\" Second Brother looked at Ji Shuangyu innocently. \"What does that mean, Big Brother?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"...\"\n

\n 'Wuwuwu it just means Big Brother is really suffering! Big Brother really doesn't know how to raise kids!'\n

\n \"I heard it too,\" Third Sister said suddenly.\n

\n Why use the word \"suddenly\" to describe it? Because although Third Sister had been squatting nearby the whole time, she was so dark she almost blended into the background, and her presence was so faint she nearly startled Ji Shuangyu again.\n

\n \"What did he say?\" Second Brother asked, wanting to see if he had heard it too.\n

","published_time":"2026-03-15T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-03-15T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3635,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":5,"chapter_title":"Chapter 4 Part 2","content":"

\n Third Sister thought for a moment and said, \"I think it was 'I don't want Calabash Babies*'. Big Brother, who is 'Calabash Baby'? Is that 'Male Mommy's' child?\"\n

\n *T/N: The Calabash Brothers was a popular animation from the 1980s, about seven magical brothers each born from a different calabash (goard) who would fight villains.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"............\"\n

\n ...That's you!! The invisible baby!!\n

\n Being scared by Third Sister a few times every day when he came home was exhausting.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu fudged it, \"It's nothing, just lines from a play. Hurry up and eat, Sixth.\"\n

\n 'Where did a sixth sibling come from??'\n

\n The children were still confused and wanted to correct him, but Ji Shuangyu had already pushed their heads down to make them eat.\n

\n ......\n

\n Although his savings were back to zero copper coins, for the next few days, Ji Shuangyu at least didn't have to run all over the city to various theaters for extra roles, worrying if he would go hungry that day. He focused on helping Xu Xinyue overhaul the stage and complete the design at the Changle Theater.\n

\n Because Ying Xiaonong was a sucker for a pretty face, Ji Shuangyu was able to get a few words in with him.\n

\n —Speaking of which, Ji Shuangyu hadn't been this eloquent before. It was after working as a director for a long time, communicating with investors, actors, and cinematographers to realize the concepts in his mind... it was truly a formative experience.\n

\n With such persuasion, the extremely short-tempered Ying Xiaonong finally bought some pastries to \"tie bing\" for the troupe's musicians.\n

\n What did \"tie bing\" mean? The musicians who played the fiddle and drums were paid less than the main actors on stage. But a performance was a collaboration, and if the musicians wanted to make the singer uncomfortable, they could easily give them a hard time.\n

\n When actors privately gave gifts to the musicians to smooth things over, it was called \"tie bing.\" For those particularly skilled musicians, especially those who could contribute to the vocal melody design, actors would often supplement their pay privately to curry favor.\n

\n Previously, Ying Xiaonong had been on bad terms with them, so his singing had not been very comfortable.\n

\n When Ying Xiaonong went to give the return gift and it was accepted, it was considered a truce between them.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was doing all this for the final effect. He wanted to see if the opera performance itself could be enhanced, but he couldn't get a word in, which made his hands itch.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu went to persuade Xu Xinyue: \"I say, Boss, why don't you just hire me as a director?\"\n

\n \"What's a director?\" Xu Xinyue asked, bewildered.\n

\n \"It's someone who oversees the entire performance, responsible for everything related to the play, from lighting and music to acting, and guides everyone in rehearsals. All to achieve the best possible effect on stage,\" Ji Shuangyu explained. \"Western film shoots have such a position. I also have some insights into the plot, and I feel that with some changes, the effect would be better.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue had seen movies but had never paid much attention to the director. His reaction was quite strong: \"When has the Pear Garden* ever had such a rule, rehearsing on the spot? Besides, you're an outsider trying to direct insiders?\"\n

\n *T/N: A more literary name for the opera world. The Pear Garden comes from the legendary imperial academy founded by Emperor Taizong during China's Tang Dynasty, becoming the origin of Chinese opera and its performers.\n

\n \"Zuan guo\" meant an actor learning a play they didn't know at the last minute. The prevailing belief was \"see you on stage.\" Rehearsing on the spot was something insiders considered deeply shameful; it was embarrassing to even talk about.\n

\n Xu Xinyue admitted that, judging from how he convinced Ying Xiaonong to \"tie bing,\" Ji Shuangyu might know a thing or two about the Pear Garden and some stagecraft. But a director? What was he thinking?\n

\n Opera actors had script run-throughs, dress rehearsals, and instructors who would fine-tune their acting. These were all methods to improve the performance, especially for martial scenes, which had to be rehearsed to perfection. But that was a completely different matter from adding a director.\n

\n The Chinese opera industry had never had directors since ancient times. Everyone studied on their own—musicians were musicians, actors trained by themselves, taught by masters through oral tradition, and figured out vocal improvements on their own.\n

\n The system of having a director was fundamentally a Western creation.\n

\n Even in modern times, whether the opera stage needed a director was a controversial topic, and many famous opera actors were still unwilling to be directed by one.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was aware of this situation. He just wanted to give it a try, since the Changle Theater was in a different predicament now. What if Xu Xinyue was desperate enough to try anything? Unexpectedly, Xu Xinyue held firm. He muttered, \"He's not so easy to persuade...\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"...\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu slipped away. It wasn't that he agreed with Xu Xinyue. He personally believed that the opera stage could have a director.\n

\n In the future, the earliest opera directors in Huaxia would all learn from the methods of stage plays.\n

\n However, an elder in his family had once told him an old story—decades later, there was a successful example in the opera world where a director adapted a traditional opera for wider promotion. At the time, it was said that \"one play revitalized an entire opera genre.\"\n

\n So, in the final analysis, opera wasn't afraid of a director's interference; it was only afraid of not having a good director who knew the craft, as the art form was incredibly profound.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu figured he didn't have enough influence at the moment, so he didn't argue right away.\n

\n ......\n

\n Because the lighting design involved some necessary modifications, and Ji Shuangyu's knowledge in this area wasn't fully aligned with the current level of technology—he only had a general concept—he needed to look up some professional books.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had originally planned to try his luck at a university or research institution, but a stagehand from the troupe who found out eagerly pointed him in the right direction: \"You can't just walk into a school if you don't know anyone. You might as well go to a library. Coincidentally, the Kunlun Bookstore opened a library not long ago. It's said to be open to all sectors of society, and anyone can go in to read.\"\n

\n Although stagehands were only responsible for changing props and other miscellaneous tasks, they were often quite arrogant. Actors sometimes needed the stagehands' cooperation for prop-based scenes or magic tricks to be successful.\n

\n Some famous actors even brought their own stagehands, who would be even more cocky, sometimes even more flamboyant than the star himself.\n

\n The reason the stagehand from the Hanxi Troupe was so enthusiastic toward Ji Shuangyu was, of course, because he was the new set designer. In theory, he was on the same side as the stagehands. Ji Shuangyu wouldn't be enough on his own; he would definitely need the stagehands' help to place props.\n

\n That way, wouldn't the stagehands learn a few new tricks...\n

\n How could their attitude be anything but good?\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was pleasantly surprised. Reading was difficult in this era, so he hadn't expected there to be a public library. \"I might need to read some imported books. Does this library have them?\"\n

\n \"It's Kunlun Bookstore, how could they not?\" the stagehand laughed. \"Besides being famous for their newspapers and periodicals, Kunlun Bookstore is best known for translating Western books. Speaking of which, the Zhou family has plenty of drama.\"\n

\n Kunlun Bookstore was an enterprise of the prominent Zhou family of Jingcheng. The Old Master Zhou had long resided in Hushang, managing foreign affairs and business, while his six branches of children each had their own ventures, with footprints all over the country.\n

\n The Zhou family was the first to set a new trend, claiming that men and women in the family should be equal, so the young ladies of the house also constituted their own branch.\n

\n Kunlun Bookstore was originally funded by the family and single-handedly managed by the Third Miss Zhou of the third branch. It had now become a pillar of the Huaxia publishing world, one of the three major publishing institutions.\n

\n Unfortunately, Third Miss Zhou passed away in her prime. The bookstore was temporarily transferred to the second branch before being reclaimed a few years ago by Third Miss Zhou's only son, Zhou Siyin.\n

\n Kunlun Bookstore excelled in publishing Western studies, social sciences, and emerging literature and arts. Its publications were quite famous, but this foundation had been laid by Third Miss Zhou; the second branch had made no progress for many years.\n

\n However, after the young Zhou Siyin took over, he came up with many methods to promote books. He also generously opened the Zhou family's book collection to the public, earning praise from all walks of life. He used this to make a name for himself at the Ministry of Education, thereby snatching the opportunity to compile and print textbooks—which had always been the domain of their rival, Huashan Bookstore—and greatly expanded his business.\n

\n \"Their general manager has a very eccentric and fiery temper. When he first took back the bookstore, he argued with an elder from the second branch and directly took out a front-page ad in the newspaper to scold that elder for three days...\"\n

\n So rebellious? Weren't the old days all about respecting one's elders? Ji Shuangyu asked, \"Was he punished for that?\"\n

\n The stagehand gave a dry laugh. \"No. Because the scolding was so sharp, the newspaper sold out and set a sales record. Old Master Zhou even sent praise back from Hushang.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"...\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"Wait, how do you know all this?\" It sounded like he had been listening from under their bed. It didn't seem very reliable. If that were the case, this family was too intense.\n

\n The stagehand: \"This was also posted in the newspaper by Zhou Siyin as 'good news'...\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"...\"\n

\n Alright, it truly was an era where anything goes.\n

","published_time":"2026-03-22T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-03-22T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3636,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":6,"chapter_title":"Chapter 5","content":"

\n The Kunlun Library was right next to the Kunlun Bookstore headquarters. Its style was Westernized. Looking at this building alone, without seeing the people coming and going, Ji Shuangyu could have thought he was still in the modern era.\n

\n As expected of a library with powerful backing, its collection was very rich, with a complete range of imported books and even overseas academic journals.\n

\n However, because these journals were relatively few, they couldn't be checked out casually. Barring special circumstances, one could only copy them by hand. One just had to go to the staff, pay a dozen copper coins for paper, and borrow a brush.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu bought some paper and borrowed a writing brush and ink.\n

\n Fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and pencils all existed at this time. Because of their convenience and speed, they were already on par with writing brushes. New-style schools still required using writing brushes for homework, but many students had already fallen in love with fountain pens and pencils.\n

\n Therefore, it wasn't that Ji Shuangyu was being cheap, but that the library's pencils had all been borrowed...\n

\n Fortunately, Ji Shuangyu had also learned calligraphy from his elders since childhood. He started with a soft brush and became accomplished with a hard-tipped pen. He often even did the calligraphy for his own films and posters, so he wasn't intimidated.\n

\n For him, the trouble was finding the journal he wanted.\n

\n For example, when Ji Shuangyu wanted to find an article about rheostats, he found that the librarian he asked looked completely baffled.\n

\n This librarian was a student working part-time. He looked at Ji Shuangyu and asked with a very good attitude if he had remembered the term incorrectly. Perhaps he should go back and ask again? Although his attitude was good, it couldn't hide his suspicion.\n

\n There was a saying in Jingcheng that you could tell a person's family background, and even their job, just from their hat. Ji Shuangyu's felt hat was the kind that only common coolies who pulled carts would wear.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu, dressed like this, coming to borrow a journal, made people suspect he didn't even qualify as a poor scholar... Could he even afford to go to school? Was he perhaps running an errand to borrow a book for someone else?\n

\n \"Ask who? I'm looking for a resistor.\" Ji Shuangyu's mind was full of finding the journal, so he didn't carefully consider the librarian's words. He had a flash of inspiration, \"Is the translation different!\"\n

\n Now Ji Shuangyu was inspired. He looked it up in a foreign language and found that it was indeed a translation issue. The type of resistor he was looking for was called a \"Light and Shadow Dimmer\" at this time.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu felt as if he had found a treasure and quickly found a place to copy it.\n

\n The librarian, meanwhile, watched his retreating back with somewhat mixed feelings. He thought the man's spoken language sounded like someone who had studied abroad, and his appearance didn't look like a coolie's either... How could he have fallen to dressing like this?\n

\n ......\n

\n Ji Shuangyu sat down and focused on copying. At some point, two middle-aged men in Western suits passed by and glanced at him for a few moments, exchanging words of approval with each other: \"Min... Sir, you see, this Kunlun Library being open to the public is truly a joy for the academic world, and good news for poor scholars.\"\n

\n The other man, who had a long beard, also nodded and said, \"Indeed. The management here is also clear, and everything is in good order. Zhou Baoduo has inherited his mother's style. Good, he has not betrayed my trust.\"\n

\n The two were also tired from walking, so they simply sat down nearby.\n

\n On a whim, they had come to the Kunlun Library in plain clothes. Seeing the orderly state of affairs, with both students borrowing books and common people reading newspapers, they were very pleased.\n

\n As for Ji Shuangyu, his wrist started to ache from all the copying. Only then did he notice two men sitting next to him, not reading, just sitting and looking at the scenery. His skin had long since been thickened, so he immediately struck up a conversation: \"Hello, uncle. Have you eaten?\"\n

\n The long-bearded man was stunned for a moment. \"I have.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"Not in a hurry to leave?\"\n

\n The long-bearded man: \"...Not in a hurry. What is it you need?\" At first, he suspected Ji Shuangyu recognized him, but seeing his subsequent attitude, it didn't seem so.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was happy. \"Then could I borrow your fountain pen? I'm in a hurry to get back, and copying with a brush is too slow. The pencils are all borrowed out.\" He had glimpsed the fountain pen tucked in the man's pocket.\n

\n His companion wanted to say something, but the long-bearded man raised a hand to stop him and generously took out his own fountain pen to lend to Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu unscrewed the cap and saw that it had a gold nib. Knowing it was very valuable at this time, he cupped his hands and said, \"I'm endlessly grateful. May you be well. I'll be careful with it.\"\n

\n He quickly resumed copying. Writing with a hard-tipped pen was indeed faster.\n

\n The two men then resumed their quiet conversation.\n

\n \"The convenience of writing with a hard-tipped pen surpasses that of a writing brush. No wonder the students of the world love them more and dislike using writing brushes for their assignments,\" one of them said.\n

\n The long-bearded man also nodded. That was right. Whether in the classroom or in daily life, the fountain pen greatly increased writing speed. Even he himself had a fountain pen, although he still held it in the same way he held a writing brush.\n

\n But after nodding, he couldn't help but sigh, \"These fountain pens and pencils, they are fast to write with, but they are merely tools. Brush calligraphy, however, can be called an art. My disciple visited the West for study and showed them the ink treasures of Huaxia calligraphers. The Western art world greatly admired them and even wanted to borrow from them for their own creations. This is a unique art of Huaxia! I only fear that in the future, everyone will use fountain pens, neglect their practice, and after a few generations, it will be difficult for great masters of Huaxia calligraphy to emerge.\"\n

\n This long-bearded man was clearly a calligraphy enthusiast. Seeing him become dejected, his companion quickly changed the subject, \"But it is precisely because of the appearance of these practical tools that calligraphers today are also exploring how to create more aesthetic value. In a way, this is also a kind of progress. They say that with good handwriting, one's future is also smoother. I was thinking of asking you for a piece of your calligraphy. I've long known you are a contemporary master, with a bold style and magnificent presence.\"\n

\n The long-bearded man laughed heartily, \"Yuangu, don't exaggerate so much. The foremost calligraphy masters today are still Tan You'an and Mo Huailin. Especially Tan You'an, who has even managed to combine the styles of steles and rubbings. I can only call myself an enthusiast. I spend most of my efforts on worldly affairs!\"\n

\n Just as they were talking, the poor student next to them seemed to have finished copying. He returned the fountain pen to them, thanked them repeatedly, packed up his things, and left in a hurry.\n

\n \"Which school is he from, to be so careless,\" the long-bearded man muttered in a natural, elderly tone. It turned out he saw that the other person had dropped a piece of paper, which had fluttered to the ground.\n

\n He bent down to pick it up. As his eyes swept across the paper, his gaze instantly froze for a moment.\n

\n \"What is it?\" his companion asked, seeing his expression was off. \"Did this student copy something extraordinary?\"\n

\n \"What he copied is not extraordinary, but this handwriting...\" the long-bearded man said in pleasant surprise, \"Interesting! Interesting!\"\n

\n Most of this poor student's characters were rather cursive, with a few places written a bit more neatly. The wondrous thing was that it seemed to have integrated traditional brush techniques, with a natural character. It even combined the styles of steles and rubbings!\n

\n When the people of Huaxia used fountain pens, it was for convenience. Moreover, the fountain pen was not originally created to write Huaxia characters; it was more suited for writing foreign languages. As he had said before, it was just a tool.\n

\n But this handwriting had form and discipline. It wasn't just writing; it could be called calligraphy!\n

\n Especially the standard script characters, which had the style of both steles and rubbings, without losing the unique austerity of a hard-tipped pen—the debate in the calligraphy world over the superiority of the study of steles (a school that reveres stone inscriptions) versus the study of rubbings (a school that reveres calligraphy on scrolls and silk) had been going on for a long time. In this era, the exploration of integrating steles and rubbings was just beginning. Only a very small number of calligraphers, such as Tan You'an, had achieved some success.\n

\n The long-bearded man couldn't help but say, \"This student's handwriting may not be comparable to contemporary masters, but it already has the flavor of complementarity between steles and rubbings, and it's written with a fountain pen, giving it a unique character. It's simply in a class of its own.\"\n

\n Only then did the long-bearded man realize that perhaps a fountain pen could be more than just a tool?\n

\n The more he looked, the more novel and unique he found it. His curiosity piqued, he couldn't help but look up and say, \"Where is that student? Quickly find him. This handwriting is too cursive. Tell him to write a piece seriously. I want to see how he wields the pen!\"\n

\n But Ji Shuangyu's figure was long gone. He was completely unaware of all this. The rapid development of hard-pen calligraphy was still many years away. But as a transmigrator, he had been accustomed to using a fountain pen to copy ancient steles and rubbings since he started practicing calligraphy, while also retaining the unique character of the hard-tipped pen.\n

\n The two of them searched for a while but couldn't find Ji Shuangyu. The companion was fine, but the long-bearded man was an enthusiast. Failing to achieve his goal was like an itch he couldn't scratch, his mind full of unresolved questions. He couldn't help but sigh.\n

\n The companion quickly said, \"The library's borrowing records might have something.\"\n

\n The two hurriedly went to look through the records, only to find that this person, let alone a school, had only left the surname \"Ji\". They were utterly dumbfounded. Why was it as if this person deliberately prevented them from finding him?\n

\n —Ji Shuangyu had suffered too much from information leaks in the modern era and received too many sales calls. He was used to not leaving his real information.\n

\n The long-bearded man let out a long sigh and said regretfully, \"I will be heading to Hushang in a few days. I'll have to trouble Yuangu to keep an eye out for me and see if you can find this student.\"\n

\n ......\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was completely unaware. His mind was on the Changle Theater, only thinking that the stage design he brought was ahead of its time.\n

\n Although he had lost a piece of paper that day, fortunately, it didn't have much of an impact. While the memory was still fresh, he rewrote the key points, so he didn't go back to the library to recopy it. Instead, he continued with his work.\n

\n Xu Xinyue was stingy, and everyone in the troupe needed to eat. One day without work was one day without food. So he worked every night, hastily completing the stage modifications.\n

\n When Ji Shuangyu got to the lighting modifications, he asked Xu Xinyue for money.\n

\n Xu Xinyue said, bewildered, \"Didn't I already give you fifty dollars?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: \"It's not enough.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"Fifty dollars isn't enough??\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was even more agitated than him: \"Is fifty dollars enough???\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"................\"\n

\n Damn damn damn! Of course, fifty dollars wasn't enough!\n

\n When Xu Xinyue proposed the amount and Ji Shuangyu immediately agreed, he himself found it incredible.\n

\n But, but, this... how could this happen...\n

\n Xu Xinyue's mind was in turmoil.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu crossed his arms and persuaded, \"Boss, if you don't add more money, and this stage is only half-done, then those fifty dollars will be a complete loss.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue: \"!!!\"\n

\n He looked at Ji Shuangyu in shock. \"You, you...\"\n

\n So this was your plan all along...!\n

\n Only then did he come to his senses. Ji Shuangyu had agreed so readily before because he never intended to stick to the amount.\n

\n But by now, a certain amount of sunk cost had already been incurred, so how could Xu Xinyue bear to give up? Moreover, the second sum of money Ji Shuangyu asked for wasn't an exorbitant demand; it was just within his tolerance range. He sat on the ground holding his head for a long while before painfully giving Ji Shuangyu the money...\n

\n As Ji Shuangyu was leaving, an eavesdropping stagehand winked and asked him, \"Master, is it enough this time?\"\n

\n Because the stagehand had learned a few tricks, he was now very enthusiastic towards Ji Shuangyu and insisted on calling him Master.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu chuckled, \"Another day, I'll show you another trick: emptying the client's pockets.\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu repeatedly tormented Xu Xinyue. While he was heartbroken, Ji Shuangyu even instigated him to sell the backdrop panels, saying it was a way to recoup his costs. Don't assume the backdrops of this era were very rigorous. In some plays, the lyrics might sing of spring while the background was autumn.\n

\n So the backdrop for their play could also be sold to others.\n

\n Theaters were also divided into different classes. Even if theaters of the same level wouldn't take it, it could still be sold to a lower-tier theater.\n

\n Xu Xinyue was tormented to the point of vulnerability. He had originally clamored that audiences liked Western-style scenery. Now, feeling he had been deceived this much, with success or failure hanging on this one attempt, and desperately wanting to recoup his costs, he was actually convinced to sell the backdrops.\n

\n ......\n

\n At this time, some well-informed opera fans already knew that the Changle Theater was going to stage a new version of Temple of the Spiritual Official. There was much private discussion, but most were not optimistic.\n

\n —It would have been better if Xu Xinyue had gone to Hushang to learn from others, but these days, not only had he not gone to Hushang, he had even sold off the scenery he originally bought. He also hadn't been diligently visiting experts within the city. What kind of revision could he possibly produce?\n

\n How could Xu Xinyue know about those discussions? He was completely focused on the new play and even had to write the playbill himself.\n

\n The playbill was a promotional poster. The word \"poster\" had existed for a long time.\n

\n Currently, there were hall posters posted inside the theater, door posters at the theater's entrance, and street posters at the city gates and on the streets, etc. If the promotional effort was particularly large, one could also pay for advertisements in newspapers and magazines.\n

\n Following the key points given by the troupe, Xu Xinyue personally wrote the plot summary, which also included an advertising slogan: On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, Changle Theater presents the newly staged ghost and god play Temple of the Spiritual Official. New colors and new arrangements, with astonishing scenes. The Great Spiritual Official of the Capital of Heaven subjugates demons with thunder and fire...\n

\n Ji Shuangyu glanced at it. \"Boss, that's too conservative!\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue humbly said, \"What do you mean?\"\n

\n Ji Shuangyu grabbed the brush—Xu Xinyue was using a writing brush—and directly crossed out \"astonishing scenes\", writing things like \"earth-shattering\" and \"once in a century\" instead.\n

\n Xu Xinyue looked at Ji Shuangyu in astonishment. Oh, the nerve of this man... how could he boast so much? How was he so good at it?\n

\n \"No wonder he could cheat money out of me...\" Xu Xinyue said dejectedly.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu pretended not to hear.\n

\n However, the boss was quite satisfied with this playbill. He immediately took the poster slip and instructed someone to go and post it.\n

\n He even wanted to watch them post the one at the theater entrance. He stood at the door with his hands in his sleeves, staring intently, very much invested.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu also watched along. He planned to go to the box office later to check on ticket sales. This was related to whether he could still eat meat. No one could say they were 100% confident; he just didn't show it in front of the investor.\n

\n Just then, the owner of the silk shop on the same street came over. He exchanged a few pleasantries with Xu Xinyue, then looked at his poster slip. Seeing \"earth-shattering,\" he sighed slightly, thinking Xu Xinyue was bragging.\n

\n Subjugating demons with thunder and fire? He was probably just going to burn some red phosphorus to create fireworks. How old-fashioned.\n

\n \"Brother Yugou, your mother's health is what's important. If you find it hard to continue, just come to me. You can always make a comeback and rebuild in the future,\" the silk shop owner said earnestly.\n

\n Yugou was Xu Xinyue's courtesy name, and the silk shop owner wasn't saying this to lend him money. As mentioned before, someone wanted to buy Xu Xinyue's piece of land and had asked the silk shop owner to act as a middleman.\n

\n The ones who wanted to buy the land were also peers in the Pear Garden. Several people wanted to pool their money to buy the Changle Theater, renovate it, rename it, and reopen it, imitating the popular stage model from Hushang to create a Western-style stage.\n

\n Of course, they would still perform national opera and do Pear Garden business. It was just that a Western wind was blowing on the opera stages now. Some theaters that performed opera had even directly changed their names to XX Stage or XX Theater.\n

\n And unlike the stingy Xu Xinyue, they planned to hire highly skilled set designers from Hushang.\n

\n The Changle Theater was in a great location. If not for this opportunity, it would be very difficult to acquire the land here.\n

\n It was precisely because they were peers that they felt their judgment was accurate and their information was reliable, which was why they were certain the Changle Theater was doomed to close.\n

\n Xu Xinyue felt it was very unlucky, but he couldn't say anything harsh. He just said with a dark face and a stiff neck, \"Our new play is about to start. Perhaps we'll turn a profit soon.\"\n

\n The silk shop owner chuckled twice, full of pity for a grasshopper in late autumn.\n

\n Ji Shuangyu, hiding behind Xu Xinyue from the cold wind, poked out half his face and said optimistically, \"Our new play is going to be a sensation this time. You're welcome to buy a ticket to support us.\"\n

\n The silk shop owner saw that he was good-looking and didn't find him annoying. He said with a smile, \"Oh? Then I shall wait to hear that sensation.\"\n

\n Xu Xinyue's eyes were about to pop out of his head. After the silk shop owner left, he paced around frantically for a few turns, raised his hands, and roared, \"I want money!!!!!\"\n

\n The ticket seller dozing out of boredom in the box office was startled awake. What's going on, what's going on, who's gone crazy from being poor?\n

\n He came out to look. Oh, oh, it's our boss. Then it's fine.\n

\n Author's note:\n

\n It's like this, Zhou Baoduo is Zhou Siyin. Baoduo is his courtesy name, and Lingdang'er is his nickname, hahahahahaha\n

","published_time":"2026-03-29T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-03-29T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3710,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":7,"chapter_title":"Chapter 6","content":"

\n The third day of the twelfth lunar month. The first day the remade "Temple of the Spiritual Official" was staged.\n

\n\n

\n Opera fans filed into the Changle Theater. Tickets were about two jiao, with three classes of seating: scattered seats, orchestra seats, and official seats. The scattered seats were the cheapest; official seats naturally cost more. In addition, there were sales of tea, snacks, and other items, all of which contributed to the theater's income.\n

\n\n

\n Not all the tickets for the four-hundred-seat venue were sold, but because the place was small and the advertising was exaggerated, it had drawn in some customers. The theater looked about seventy to eighty percent full, so it didn't seem too shabby.\n

\n\n

\n Fans who didn't go to the theater were also discussing it. After all, it was an old theater and an old actor. Besides discussing the play itself, they were also talking about the future fate of both.\n

\n\n

\n Some were already sighing about it in advance.\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu arrived rather early. He was an old fan of Ying Xiaonong and an editor for "Jinsheng Theater Magazine." As a drama critic who often wrote reviews, he was also what was known as an actor's champion, as most who wrote reviews did so to promote actors.\n

\n\n

\n Back when Ying Xiaonong's box office appeal was at its peak, he would perform at several venues in one day. Zhang Dinghu would watch him at one theater and then follow him to the next for the following performance.\n

\n\n

\n But later, after Ying Xiaonong signed a contract to perform exclusively at one theater, Zhang Dinghu watched him and always felt something was off. And in the last two years, Ying Xiaonong himself had gradually appeared on stage less and less.\n

\n\n

\n But at least he had "loved" him before. When Ying Xiaonong came to save the Changle Theater this time, Zhang Dinghu had previously bought tickets and brought his whole family to show support. Now that they were launching version 2.0, Zhang Dinghu, having nothing else to do, also invited a friend and bought tickets to enter.\n

\n\n

\n The gentleman accompanying him had some complaints. He had wanted to go to the Jinsheng Theater today to see the new adaptation of "Touring the Ten Halls." He had heard it had as many as fifty backdrops, including hell scenes drawn with Western oil painting techniques, which were very realistic and could frighten children to tears.\n

\n\n

\n "If you ask me, even with changes, it won't run for more than a few shows. Their boss went to Hushang to learn, but he was unwilling to spend money, so he only learned superficial tricks. That's why the play failed!" Such was his friend's logic. If he were in the middle of the argument, he would have sided with the troupe and Ying Xiaonong.\n

\n\n

\n Another point was that he knew Zhang Dinghu was an old fan of Ying Xiaonong. Although he felt Ying Xiaonong's performance was average, he would never say it in front of Zhang Dinghu and could only pin the blame on Xu Xinyue.\n

\n\n

\n In reality, many fans like him thought to themselves that if the atmosphere wasn't lively, it must be because the actor's ticket-selling ability wasn't good enough...\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu said nothing. In his heart, he wasn't optimistic either; he was just treating it as supporting Ying Xiaonong.\n

\n\n

\n The two entered the theater and let out a soft "Eh" of surprise. They saw that the stage had been expanded significantly. The stage opening was at least four to five zhang wide, and the apron was huge, extending towards the audience. To achieve this, some seats had even been removed.\n

\n\n

\n New rows of lights, quite numerous, had been installed at the stage opening, front stage, proscenium valance, and other places.\n

\n\n

\n "Whoa, Xu Xinyue must have bet his entire fortune on this."\n

\n\n

\n The two sat down and waited peacefully for the play to begin.\n

\n\n

\n During this time, vendors came by selling tea and snacks. Zhang Dinghu disliked the theater's tea and always brought his own.\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu casually glanced around and saw the playbill posted inside the hall. It was identical to the posters outside. His eyes unintentionally fell on the content, but he was captivated by the calligraphy and praised, "Fine calligraphy. My dear friend, look quickly."\n

\n\n

\n His friend glanced over and also nodded, saying, "Interesting. It has a natural, elegant charm, and upon closer look, even a touch of a painter's sensibility!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu nodded frequently. "Indeed! I was just wondering how to describe it. This calligrapher must also be able to paint."\n

\n\n

\n —This was all written by Ji Shuangyu. If he had heard this, he would have laughed out loud. As a director, he certainly had to draw storyboards.\n

\n\n

\n The "Temple of the Spiritual Official" that Ying Xiaonong was to perform today was originally a Dagu ballad. A playwright had adapted it into Bangzi opera, and Ying Xiaonong had in turn adapted it into a Peking opera. Xu Xinyue had added various mechanisms and scenery, turning it into a play with special effects.\n

\n\n

\n The protagonist of "Temple of the Spiritual Official" was Spiritual Official Wang, played by Ying Xiaonong in a painted-face role. This deity was a guardian god in Daoism, the head of the five hundred spiritual officials, who oversaw good and evil in the human world and could command thunder and fire to exorcise evil and cure diseases.\n

\n\n

\n The story was about Spiritual Official Wang vanquishing demons. A practitioner in the human world was audacious enough to deceive the heavens. He stayed in the Lingguan Temple and deliberately revealed various signs to make Spiritual Official Wang believe he was the reincarnation of his master, Daoist Sa, undergoing a trial. His Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils turned out to be mere decorations.\n

\n\n

\n Spiritual Official Wang appeared and interacted with this practitioner, using his magic to help him. But because Spiritual Official Wang was rather simple-minded, he sometimes messed things up, creating comedic moments.\n

\n\n

\n However, by helping the swindler, he indirectly caused innocent people to suffer. Fortunately, in the end, Spiritual Official Wang finally saw through the deception, fought a great battle with him, and personally went to the underworld to have the victims' souls returned. He punished the wicked and promoted the good, leading to a grand finale where good is rewarded with good and evil with evil.\n

\n\n

\n It was just such a lighthearted and lively play, and compared to those with fairies doing stripteases, it could be called an upright and proper production.\n

\n\n

\n The theater was originally very noisy. As the front curtain opened, the previously bright strip lights suddenly began to dim, and the crowd quieted down.\n

\n\n

\n Lights had always switched on and off in an instant. The lighting at the Changle Theater, however, actually faded out gradually. It wasn't abrupt at all and created a great atmosphere, making people unable to help but focus their eyes on the stage.\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu said to himself that ghost and deity plays were always boisterous. They were lively, yes, but after seeing so many, he always felt they lacked a certain elegant artistry.\n

\n\n

\n This small change, however, made him find it rather interesting, and he wondered how the lights were controlled.\n

\n\n

\n When the front curtain was fully drawn, everyone was stunned by the scene on stage!\n

\n\n

\n There were none of the familiar, packed-to-the-brim Western-style scenery flats.\n

\n\n

\n A plain "white wall" was adorned with the shadows of a few bamboo branches. In the middle was a moon gate, through which the corner of an eave could be glimpsed. Several creatively draped gauze curtains were painted with window lattices, which, along with the light and shadows, divided the space in a more three-dimensional way.\n

\n\n

\n Well-arranged and primarily using gauze curtains, a few sparse set pieces formed a corner of a Chinese-style temple, recognizable at a glance.\n

\n\n

\n This is... this is...\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu heard his friend beside him exclaim in a low voice: "This is the Huaxia style!"\n

\n\n

\n He shuddered as if struck by enlightenment. That's right, this set was filled with a rich Huaxia color.\n

\n\n

\n The set was sparse, but it was embellished just right, containing substance within emptiness and possessing a pure charm that reminded one of traditional Huaxia painting and calligraphy.\n

\n\n

\n Such a clean scene would make Zhang Dinghu think of elegant Western mythological plays, but looking at the stage, it was all the Xieyi beauty of Huaxia. This, even more than the earlier lighting, excited Zhang Dinghu.\n

\n\n

\n He also appreciated magnificent sets, but it wasn't until he saw "Temple of the Spiritual Official" today that he suddenly felt that "all the sets I've seen before were incongruous creations."\n

\n\n

\n Although it was the first time the audience had seen such a set, no one voiced any objection, only looks of admiration.\n

\n\n

\n Next was the orchestra. The musicians, having received a generous gift from Ying Xiaonong, played with great effort. The lead drummer struck the tanggu drum rapidly, his wrist strength immense, the beats rolling like thunder, setting the stage for Spiritual Official Wang's entrance.\n

\n\n

\n When Ying Xiaonong came on stage in his costume of golden armor and a red robe, he stood with a majestic presence. The lights changed, and the surroundings were cast in a faint, golden, dim light, with only the Spiritual Official shining brightly, making it seem as if he were the only one in heaven and earth.\n

\n\n

\n Spiritual Official Wang's eyes shot out brilliant rays, as if they were truly Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils. A genuine clap of thunder sounded from the wings, accompanied by several flashes of lightning that lit up the stage. Then, the Spiritual Official opened his mouth and recited a line in a rhymed monologue: "Drunkenly I command the thunder and mists of the celestial court, my timeless, fiery spirit draped in a red robe!"\n

\n\n

\n This was the introductory verse often recited upon a character's entrance. As the saying goes, "singing is hard, but delivering the intro is harder," which describes how reciting the verse depends heavily on the actor's skill.\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong's delivery was full of twists and turns, rich in flavor, and brimming with spirit. With just two lines of verse, he presented a living, awe-inspiring, great Spiritual Official of the Heavens, arriving on wind and thunder!\n

\n\n

\n With such an opening, the audience went wild, and shouts of "Bravo!" rang out continuously.\n

\n\n

\n Brilliant!\n

\n\n

\n —It was unknown how the Changle Theater had managed to create a golden light. It was also creatively done; the surrounding areas were dark, with only a single beam of light on Ying Xiaonong, naturally drawing everyone's eyes. The thunder was the finishing touch, befitting his status as a deity of the Thunder Ministry.\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu naturally also shouted his approval. In his opinion, the success of the opening was not only due to Ying Xiaonong's voice being in top form and the excellent coordination with the orchestra, but the lighting had also played a huge role in building up the atmosphere.\n

\n\n

\n If Ying Xiaonong had possessed such splendor before, how could he have fallen out of fashion? Seeing his appearance today, which had all the presence of his peak popularity, Zhang Dinghu, this old fan, couldn't help but feel moved.\n

\n\n

\n The previous version of "Lingguan Temple" had a much livelier opening, with many extras forming formations and a full-color painted backdrop of a heavenly palace scene.\n

\n\n

\n But it was nowhere near as successful as today's entrance, with Ying Xiaonong alone and a simple backdrop. It had a sense of returning to original simplicity—simple scenery, rich flavor!\n

\n\n

\n The other audience members didn't think as deeply as Zhang Dinghu. Their thoughts were much simpler and more direct: for some reason, the moment this Spiritual Official came on stage, he was especially majestic and glorious, making them want to cheer from the bottom of their hearts, their excitement hard to suppress for a long time.\n

\n\n

\n The stage looked beautiful too. It was a stunning kind of beauty, but one that didn't make you focus on the set itself. Instead, it guided your focus onto the actors, enhancing their presence.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n At this moment, in the wings, a hanged ghost was squatting and adjusting the lights.\n

\n\n

\n This hanged ghost had his face painted white, and his long tongue was held in his hand, not yet stuck to his face.\n

\n\n

\n It was none other than the multi-tasking Ji Shuangyu...\n

\n\n

\n Due to technical reasons, each row of stage lights had to be adjusted separately. Besides him, a stagehand from the troupe was also helping, following the procedures he had instructed.\n

\n\n

\n Stage lighting was definitely a powerful tool for shaping characters and creating an environmental atmosphere. The spotlight on Spiritual Official Wang, for instance, was very successful. Although it had never appeared on stage before, everyone accepted it well.\n

\n\n

\n To create the lighting effects, he had also asked someone to modify the lighting equipment. For effects that couldn't be achieved with existing equipment or funds, like the shimmering golden light, he placed colored paper in front of the spotlights and used fabric for reflection.\n

\n\n

\n Later, when lights of other colors were needed, they would switch to blue paper or green paper, which was very much in line with Xu Xinyue's frugal spirit.\n

\n\n

\n As for the thunder, someone was on the side shaking a piece of plywood to create the sound. The lightning was simulated by shining a high-wattage lamp onto a reflective object.\n

\n\n

\n These were all quite basic stage designs, considered novel at this time, but not too outrageous. When used properly, they could produce an effect a hundred times more powerful!\n

\n\n

\n Furthermore, Ji Shuangyu himself, wanting to earn more for more work, would also have to go on stage to play a hanged ghost during the final scene where Spiritual Official Wang enters the underworld, earning some extra money as an extra...\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: 'To think that back then, so many people tried to persuade me to appear on stage, and I refused. Now, for the sake of a meal, I have to go on stage to play a hanged ghost. I'm so poor, waaah...'\n

\n\n

\n The actors sitting on trunks backstage waiting for their turn heard the sobbing coming from somewhere, and their scalps tingled. Today's performance was a ghost and deity play; could it be that they had attracted something unclean! What bad luck, what bad luck! They quickly got up and offered another stick of incense to the patriarch.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Back in the audience, Zhang Dinghu and the other spectators became more and more engrossed.\n

\n\n

\n The scenery also changed with the scenes, cleverly utilizing those few gauze curtains to make changes silently.\n

\n\n

\n Still, no Western-style scenery was used. The wide stage was adorned with simple set pieces.\n

\n\n

\n If one wanted spectacle, there was that too. For example, the lighting atmosphere and the sounds of wind and thunder. When Spiritual Official Wang performed magic, there was responsive thunder and fire. Paired with Ying Xiaonong's martial arts skills, it was as if the Spiritual Official himself had descended. The light patterns were diverse, changing with the scenes and atmosphere.\n

\n\n

\n Even his friend, who had been so eager to see the realistic hell-scape set, leaned forward, wishing he could get a closer look.\n

\n\n

\n —Of course, the mechanism was controlled by Ji Shuangyu on the side, with the hanged ghost's tongue hanging out. He would flip the switch at the right time, blowing the fuse that connected the backstage to the front stage. Or it was the use of realgar, red phosphorus, potassium chlorate, and other ingredients to create explosive and smoky effects, the commotion of which was very intimidating.\n

\n\n

\n The moment they saw the spectacle, the audience cheered wildly. Spiritual Official Wang was perfectly portrayed in form and spirit, and with another clap of thunder, everyone became deeply immersed in the play. The noise was so loud it threatened to lift the roof off the theater.\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu's friend stared without blinking, having completely forgotten about the "Touring the Ten Halls" he had originally wanted to see.\n

\n\n

\n What made Zhang Dinghu chuckle to himself even more was that this gentleman had weak kidneys and always had to find an opportunity to relieve himself during a play, at least once, and sometimes as many as three or four times.\n

\n\n

\n Today's continuous performance of "Temple of the Spiritual Official" was long, and Zhang Dinghu noticed his friend clutching his lower abdomen several times, yet he didn't move an inch, unwilling to miss a single exciting moment.\n

\n\n

\n Even Ying Xiaonong himself felt more and more invigorated as he sang. How long had it been since he had sung so comfortably! How long had it been since the audience had been so engaged, cheering so wildly!\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong felt as if a breath that had been stifled in his heart, along with all the frustration he had endured these past days, was all released. It was truly exhilarating!\n

\n\n

\n He had also wondered if his singing skills had truly declined, or if it was just that the Pear Garden circle turned over quickly and his time was up. Today was the best proof that he was still as sharp as ever.\n

\n\n

\n Looking at the whole theater, it was only about sixty or seventy percent full at the beginning. But throughout the performance, people were continuously drawn in by the incredibly realistic sound of thunder and the earth-shaking cheers from inside. By the second half, not only was every seat filled, but extra seats had been added as well.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue, watching from the wings, was overjoyed. The cheers filled the theater, and the atmosphere was as heated as that for any famous actor.\n

\n\n

\n He rubbed his hands and said, "Does this mean we can perform for a few more days?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu flicked the fake tongue in his hand. Usually, hanged ghosts had tongues painted on their faces. He and the stagehand had tinkered and made a new, more realistic prop.\n

\n\n

\n He asked, "Boss, in the best-case scenario, how many days can we perform?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue hesitated for a moment, then fantasized, "Do you think this play could run for seven consecutive days? Nowadays in Jingcheng, the most popular plays only run for about half a month."\n

\n\n

\n In Hushang, a new play could run for many days upon release, but that wasn't the case in Jingcheng, where they usually ran for only three or four days. A famous actor's play might run consecutively for seven days at most. A half-month run was already something learned from Hushang.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue was counting on this hit to restore the theater's reputation and then stage more plays in a virtuous cycle. He didn't dare to dream too big, hoping for one play to have a very long run.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu clicked his tongue in pity. It was a shame for a play that took so much effort to stage to run for only a few days at a time.\n

\n\n

\n "Boss, the tickets are sold out again," someone from the box office came to report.\n

\n\n

\n The theater was already packed to the brim, with people crammed into every gap. No more tickets could be sold; not another penny could be squeezed out.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue only regretted that his ancestors hadn't bought a larger plot of land and had built such a small theater. He glared at the box office clerk: "Go open the main gate for me! We can still sell a few more standing-room tickets for those watching from the entrance! Anyone without a ticket is not allowed to crowd around!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n ...This little cheapskate is really something else!\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Not until he had finished watching the entire performance of "Temple of the Spiritual Official" did Zhang Dinghu finally sort out his thoughts and understand where that feeling of "the moment I saw 'Lingguan', all my past impressions felt wrong" came from, and why this play had received non-stop cheers from beginning to end.\n

\n\n

\n Considering today's Huaxia national opera, it borrowed from Western theater, using realistically painted scenery as backdrops, and mechanisms were all the rage.\n

\n\n

\n The set for this play, using just a piece of gauze, a beam of light, a single tile, could create a magnificent scene, a character, a grand hall, full of artistic conception.\n

\n\n

\n The person who designed this set was like a master landscape architect, deeply versed in the essence of Huaxia gardens, which conceal the profound and reveal the shallow.\n

\n\n

\n Against such a simple and beautiful backdrop, the mechanisms at the climax of the play were even more stunning, realistically portraying the mythological characters without a trace of artificiality, making the plot more tense and moving.\n

\n\n

\n The previous mechanical sets would have made Ying Xiaonong tense, forcing him to cooperate with them carefully.\n

\n\n

\n The current mechanical sets transformed Ying Xiaonong into a living Spiritual Official Wang, restoring the spirit of his peak and making this play complete and perfect.\n

\n\n

\n While others were still fumbling to figure out what kind of mechanisms were more spectacular and could better rival Western theatrical scenery, this production of "Temple of the Spiritual Official" had already given Zhang Dinghu a completely different kind of enjoyment: a classical aesthetic taste unique to Huaxia.\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu thought that while the clean elegance of Western mythological plays was admirable, in comparison, it was not as suitable as this.\n

\n\n

\n —Although Western scenery flats were vivid, realistic, wonderful, and moving, this combination of the virtual and the real was more in tune with the style of Huaxia opera. Just as on stage, when a character performs the "treading a horse" motion, the audience knows they are riding a horse; a push and pull of the hands signifies a door opening and closing.\n

\n\n

\n The so-called "With three to five steps, one travels the world; with seven or eight people, a million-strong army is represented," a vast universe within a small space, the passage of time with a turn of the body. The Huaxia audience, having been immersed in this since childhood, could understand it without explanation.\n

\n\n

\n Because of this, today's audience accepted all the stage designs well and became very immersed in the play.\n

\n\n

\n As long as they were Huaxia people, they could naturally appreciate this kind of Xieyi-style scenery.\n

\n\n

\n They had always listened for the meaning beyond the strings, looked for the scenery beyond the painting, and savored the sentiment beyond the poem—a beauty that is absolutely alike, yet absolutely unlike!\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu was truly curious as to how the Changle Theater, the Hanxi Troupe, and Ying Xiaonong had quietly created such a technically mature work of art. Without a doubt, Ying Xiaonong would once again become the most popular and highest-grossing painted-face role actor.\n

\n\n

\n He returned home, immediately spread out paper and ink, and began writing an article for the new issue of "Jinsheng Theater Magazine." He drafted a review full of the highest praise, with the headline:\n

\n\n

\n Review of Changle Theater's "Temple of the Spiritual Official"—Adding Splendor to the Spiritual Official, Pioneering Xieyi Scenery in Traditional Opera; Embodying Huaxia's Elegance, Arranging a Heavenly Palace Garden on a Humble Stage.\n

\n\n

\n Author has something to say:\n

\n\n

\n Lingdang'er will appear tomorrow. His nickname is Lingdang'er because Baoduo refers to the large bells under the eaves of Buddhist halls and pagodas, not small bells. He's not small anywhere, he's big! A big bell!\n

","published_time":"2026-04-11T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-03-14T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-04-11T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3794,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":8,"chapter_title":"Chapter 7","content":"

\n Temple of the Spiritual Official burst onto the scene with soaring reviews. In this era, a popular opera was just like a hit TV series in later generations.\n

\n\n

\n In just one night, discussions about Ying Xiaonong's appearance filled the streets and alleys. He was hailed as the "Living Spiritual Official," and people enthusiastically discussed the scene of the Spiritual Official descending with thunder and fire.\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong's name, along with the title "Living Spiritual Official," once again resounded through Jingcheng.\n

\n\n

\n Although Xu Xinyue's stinginess meant the painted scenery and mechanisms weren't that complex, and the style wasn't realistic, the people of Huaxia undoubtedly accepted it well.\n

\n\n

\n Besides, the mechanisms were used with a good sense of pacing, with proper setup and buildup. In their eyes, it seemed even more thrilling than the version that was just chaotic throughout!\n

\n\n

\n It was simple, yes, but it immediately drew the audience into the play.\n

\n\n

\n Those who were less articulate could only repeatedly exclaim, "Truly a Living Spiritual Official! So interesting, so thrilling!"\n

\n\n

\n As for the articulate ones, that would be the men of letters.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue gleefully bought all the newspapers and periodicals that praised them and laid them out one by one.\n

\n\n

\n Critics like Zhang Dinghu used to write reviews mostly to praise the actors, focusing on the performers themselves—their voice, singing style, physique, and looks—and sometimes touching upon the plot. Mentions of stage design, let alone the overall choreography of the opera, were few and far between.\n

\n\n

\n But this time, unprecedentedly, almost every review, after praising Ying Xiaonong, dedicated several large paragraphs to describing the stage design of Temple of the Spiritual Official.\n

\n\n

\n The critics were all literati, men who appreciated the traditional aesthetics of Huaxia. This stage design was like poetry and calligraphy, like a Xieyi-style painting. Who doesn't love a bit of elegance?\n

\n\n

\n Luantan Spring and Autumn: [This kind of set design truly draws from the old and embraces the new. With Western-style scenery running rampant, do people still remember that in our Huaxia opera, imitation of form is inferior, while capturing the spirit is superior! The mechanisms are also novel, and more commendably, they fit the plot, not just for the sake of having mechanisms. Marvelous.]\n

\n\n

\n Actor's Song: [I don't know much about mechanisms and set design, but this Temple of the Spiritual Official, unlike the chaotic first version, shows a coherent artistic charm, with substance within simplicity, revealing the grand through the small. Since the Hanxi Troupe performs both Peking and Kunqu opera, if they were to adapt this into a Kunqu performance in the future, it would surely be even more elegant.]\n

\n\n

\n Theater World: [I heard the owner of the Changle Theater is quite stingy. I can't help but wonder if that's why the set design is so minimalist. However, it did force out the art of conquering complexity with simplicity.]\n

\n\n

\n Myriad Aspects of Peking Opera: [A certain colleague worried that this might go against the current trend and be too different from the new-style plays. I, however, feel this is exactly how it should be, promoting the classical beauty of our Huaxia! I see the stage as a canvas where song, dance, poetry, and painting merge, brimming with spiritual energy.]\n

\n\n

\n There were some doubts, of course. After all, traditional opera itself was being criticized by some for not being progressive enough, but this was nothing to worry about.\n

\n\n

\n More people, however, felt that the success of this set design was exhilarating. Who said classical aesthetics were less appealing than the Western style of painting? This time, it truly was a great relief.\n

\n\n

\n The general public who hadn't seen the play also became intensely curious.\n

\n\n

\n Currently, the Shanghai style was dominant in stage mechanisms. Theaters everywhere imitated it, using Western-style painted scenery. Was this play truly as some theater magazines claimed—honoring tradition while innovating, vastly different from the foreign style, and presenting an effect like the founding of a new school?\n

\n\n

\n Opera actors were the stars of this era, and various theater magazines had many opera fan readers.\n

\n\n

\n Zhang Dinghu's high praise for Temple of the Spiritual Official, especially his description of the stage art, piqued the curiosity of many young women who were originally not interested in painted-face roles, and they flocked to see it.\n

\n\n

\n By this time, theater owners and actors already understood the concept that for a play to be a box office hit, it had to appeal to the female audience to become a massive success. When girls went to the opera, they liked to go with a few friends or bring their families.\n

\n\n

\n The box office at the Changle Theater went from deserted to explosive in an instant. Three days' worth of tickets were completely sold out.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue brought in many benches overnight. Originally, there were only three types of seating, but he frantically added more, creating five or six types. He even sold the seats behind the pillars...\n

\n\n

\n The owner of that silk shop even came to offer his congratulations.\n

\n\n

\n Although it was just the beginning, no one was a fool. It was clear that, barring any accidents, the Changle Theater wouldn't be closing down anytime soon. His attitude did a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn, and he became incredibly warm with Xu Xinyue.\n

\n\n

\n "We're all neighbors here; this uncle watched you grow up. To see the business your father left you flourishing again, this uncle is also happy! I was concerned about your mother's illness before, but now everything's fine."\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue also (pretended to) say warmly, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I'll also have to trouble you to refuse Boss Liang's kind offer for me. I don't think I'll be selling this place anymore."\n

\n\n

\n "Of course, of course. I was just thinking, in a couple of days, I'll tell Boss Liang and the others to look for another place." The silk shop owner asked curiously, "If you don't mind my asking, where did you hire your new set designer from?"\n

\n\n

\n Anyone with half a brain could figure it out: the key to the Changle Theater's turnaround had to be the set designer who revised the production for them!\n

\n\n

\n Although Ying Xiaonong's skills were excellent, without this person's design to support him, he could never have achieved such an effect. The failure of the previous, identical version of Temple of the Spiritual Official was the best proof.\n

\n\n

\n It's just... when did such a person appear in Jingcheng?\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue wasn't seen running around looking for someone. Could he have secretly hired someone from Hushang?\n

\n\n

\n But with how fast news traveled these days and how sharp businessmen's instincts were, if such a novel and mature style had appeared in Hushang, there's no reason Jingcheng wouldn't have heard a whisper of it.\n

\n\n

\n How strange. It was as if he had just sprouted from the ground.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue wasn't an idiot. He had only been making money for a few days! How could he possibly tell them!\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n "One dollar, two dollars, three dollars..." Xu Xinyue was counting the money. The tickets for the provisionally scheduled three-day run were all sold out, and he was being urged to extend it. Ji Shuangyu's task was considered to have fulfilled the contract ahead of schedule, so it was time to get paid.\n

\n\n

\n The best set designers in Hushang could earn several hundred yuan a month.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue had promised to give Ji Shuangyu thirty percent. He meticulously calculated on his abacus for a long time, considering factors like the theater's income, Ji Shuangyu's workload, and the average income of a set designer. In the end, he decided to give Ji Shuangyu twenty-two dollars, three jiao, and twenty copper coins.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu just stared at Xu Xinyue's slow-moving manner, which seemed to say, 'No matter what, it's always good to let the money stay in my hands a little longer,' and stopped feeling anxious.\n

\n\n

\n Seeing the booming box office, he had actually breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. With this confidence, he was no longer in a hurry. He even leisurely tempted Xu Xinyue, "Boss, I actually think there are a few more areas in our play that could be improved. If we fix them, we might be able to perform for a few more days."\n

\n\n

\n "Oh?" Xu Xinyue was indeed interested. "What other set designs need to be changed?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said with a smile, "Not the set design. I'm talking about the performance and the plot."\n

\n\n

\n Performance, plot? Xu Xinyue's mind turned, and he glanced sideways at Ji Shuangyu. "You're still thinking about being a... director?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had watched the full play for a few more days and was already itching to try his hand. He tentatively asked, "What do you think?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue hesitated. On one hand, there was the money, the box office; on the other, there were the unwritten rules of the opera world...\n

\n\n

\n "Let me think about it." Even the notorious miser was hesitating, which showed that he too was afraid of being criticized.\n

\n\n

\n But it was obvious he was tempted.\n

\n\n

\n In a good mood, Ji Shuangyu pressed down on Xu Xinyue's hand. "Boss, take your time counting. Just give it to me after the show. I'm going to put on my makeup."\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue said blankly, "You're still going to play the hanging ghost?"\n

\n\n

\n He had thought that after getting this pay, Ji Shuangyu would stop being an extra. After all, being an extra only paid a few copper coins, and playing a hanging ghost, in particular, was very unlucky. He didn't expect him to stay true to his original aspiration!\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said, "What's wrong with earning an extra share of your money? The way you hand out money is quite funny."\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue: "........."\n

\n\n

\n He was joking. The main reason was actually that he didn't know Xu Xinyue would be paying him today. He had already agreed with Jiang Sanjin to play the hanging ghost for all the scheduled performances.\n

\n\n

\n If he were to quit now, Uncle Jiang would have to find a new extra at the last minute. Ji Shuangyu didn't want to cause trouble for others, especially someone who had helped him.\n

\n\n

\n There were many taboos in acting at this time, especially in plays about ghosts and gods.\n

\n\n

\n The rule was that once an actor put on the makeup and costume, they were equivalent to that ghost or god. So, playing a hanging ghost was considered underworld business; you couldn't see sunlight or perform outdoors.\n

\n\n

\n Once the long tongue of the hanging ghost was painted on, you could not speak casually. Until the performance was over, actors playing ferocious roles like the "Ghost King" or "hanging ghost" couldn't just leave. You had to go to a graveyard or a river to remove your makeup, which symbolized your return to the world of the living.\n

\n\n

\n Otherwise, you'd be covered in bad luck. Not only would you suffer misfortune yourself, but others who ran into you would also be disgusted, because encountering a "hanging ghost" signified disaster.\n

\n\n

\n This was also why Ji Shuangyu had chosen to play the hanging ghost back then; the pay was a little more than for other extras... For such inauspicious roles, the troupe had to pay extra 'bonus money'.\n

\n\n

\n If not for someone as poor as him, no one would be willing to play a hanging ghost.\n

\n\n

\n Since Ji Shuangyu was the only hanging ghost in the entire play, after the performance, amidst everyone's avoidance, Xu Xinyue placed his pay on the ground and told Ji Shuangyu to pick it up himself.\n

\n\n

\n And it had to be said, the new tongue prop Ji Shuangyu had made looked much more real than a painted one. It was stuck under his lip, which made it look exceptionally unlucky...\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong also watched him from a distance. "After this run is over, let's go out to eat!"\n

\n\n

\n Many actors would go for a big meal after a show. Since coming here, Ji Shuangyu had long heard of several famous restaurants in Jingcheng but never had the money to experience them. Now that he finally had a little money, they wouldn't welcome a hanging ghost.\n

\n\n

\n "Then I'm off to remove my makeup," Ji Shuangyu waved regretfully.\n

\n\n

\n Normally, going to the river to remove makeup was closer, but it was the dead of winter and the river was frozen. Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ji Shuangyu had no choice but to head in the direction of the graveyard...\n

\n\n

\n The moment he was out of everyone's sight, Ji Shuangyu took a turn.\n

\n\n

\n He wasn't going to the graveyard!!\n

\n\n

\n What a joke. The graveyard was in the suburbs. In this freezing cold weather, he had just gotten paid and wasn't going to buy a cotton-padded coat, so why would he go to a graveyard to remove his makeup!\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was an atheist. Even after transmigrating, he only thought of possibilities like parallel universes. He would respect the industry's rules on the surface, but when no one was watching, there was no need to make things difficult for himself.\n

\n\n

\n For the previous performance, Ji Shuangyu had also secretly found a place to remove his makeup.\n

\n\n

\n He very skillfully put on his hat and crept along a small path to avoid being seen.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Small Drum Alley.\n

\n\n

\n A crescent moon hung in the vast sky. There were no street lamps, only a few will-o'-the-wisp-like lanterns hanging far down the street, making it impossible to see any figures. A moment later, even these specks of light vanished into the distance.\n

\n\n

\n A four-door sedan was parked at the mouth of the alley. The driver quickly got out and opened the rear door. "Boss... ah, General Manager." He glanced at the person, his expression tense, clearly very afraid of him.\n

\n\n

\n In the back seat was a young man with short hair, who said casually, "It's fine if you're used to calling me Boss."\n

\n\n

\n The man's features were deep-set and handsome. He wore a slate-blue, subtly patterned Huaxia-style long robe underneath, but over it was a deep black, Western-style greatcoat, tailored to fit, making him look even more tall and distinguished. He didn't comb his hair with pomade or gel like many men of the time; his hair fell casually across his forehead, revealing a bit of his personality.\n

\n\n

\n The man was gentle and handsome, and his tone was casual and kind, yet the driver shrank back.\n

\n\n

\n The man said to the person in the passenger seat, "I'm going to grab someone. Have Driver Hu take you to the bookstore first. Notify the editorial office to be ready to print at a moment's notice." He gave a cold laugh and flexed his wrist. "Today, I'll watch over him personally. Even if he doesn't sleep, he's going to squeeze out two thousand characters for me."\n

\n\n

\n The man in the passenger seat nodded quickly. After rummaging around and finding no flashlight, he said, "Yes, sir. Please take a paper lantern. It seems to be dark inside."\n

\n\n

\n "I wouldn't dare!" the driver, on his first day, said nervously. "My aunt lives nearby. Small Drum Alley is very eerie. It's not customary to carry lanterns at night here. Many people who collect old things live here. Old objects can easily be attached to the souls of their deceased former owners, and there are many stories about hauntings. And look, there's a big pagoda tree in the alley. Ghosts are drawn to pagoda trees. It's an old tree, over a hundred years old, very yin. It'll blow out people's lanterns!"\n

\n\n

\n The man in the passenger seat chuckled. "Driver Hu, you're such a big man, I didn't realize you were afraid of such things."\n

\n\n

\n The driver blushed, remembering that his new boss was the head of a bookstore that compiled many books on science and technology. Especially since the boss had attended a Western-style school, his way of thinking was probably very different from theirs.\n

\n\n

\n The subordinate in the passenger seat asked, "General Manager, should we accompany you first?"\n

\n\n

\n As expected, the boss sneered, picked up the paper lantern, and got out of the car with a flourish. With a long stride, he walked into the alley alone, leaving behind only one sentence: "Who do you take me for?"\n

\n\n

\n Driver Hu was a little regretful. He would have to be more careful in the future not to say such unwelcome things. This new boss's temper was notoriously bad.\n

\n\n

\n This young and dapper gentleman was Zhou Siyin, the general manager of Kunlun Bookstore, one of the three largest publishing houses in Huaxia today.\n

\n\n

\n Despite the rumors that portrayed Zhou Siyin as a fearless and reckless troublemaker who acted eccentrically and seemed audacious, he was in fact swift and decisive without lacking meticulousness. Driver Hu had seen this clearly over the past few days. At the bookstore, everyone respected him; his word was law.\n

\n\n

\n Kunlun Bookstore had been reorganized by Zhou Siyin and was now divided into three departments: editorial, printing, and business. He had driven to Small Drum Alley so late today precisely because the editorial department had a difficult problem, and he had to handle it personally.\n

\n\n

\n One of Huaxia's current bestselling authors, "Shu Wangyan," was a monster of procrastination. To avoid manuscript chasers, he had even published his own obituary three times, faking his death...\n

\n\n

\n This time, Mr. Wangyan had again claimed to be critically ill and had gone into hiding. The people from the editorial office couldn't find him and were on the verge of tears. They went to Zhou Siyin, who used his family connections to find Shu Wangyan's whereabouts at the police station. And so he was here to catch... no, to invite him.\n

\n\n

\n For Zhou Siyin to come personally showed great sincerity.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin walked into the long, dark alley carrying the paper lantern. This damned place seemed to swallow all light and sound. Only the 'tap, tap' of his leather shoes echoed in the narrow space.\n

\n\n

\n No wonder Driver Hu had felt the need to give a warning.\n

\n\n

\n But seeing the scene, Zhou Siyin just sneered.\n

\n\n

\n Driver Hu, overthinking it.\n

\n\n

\n How could he possibly be afraid of this damned place?\n

\n\n

\n ...He was carrying a safety talisman consecrated at the Goddess Temple on Miaogan Mountain!\n

\n\n

\n If Driver Hu could see Zhou Siyin's face right now, he would discover that although his boss's expression was calm, his fingers were tightly clutching the safety talisman in his pocket, and his entire body was as taut as a drawn heavy bow.\n

\n\n

\n Rustle, rustle.\n

\n\n

\n Was that a sound up ahead?\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin nearly jumped as if someone had stepped on his tail. 'Damn, damn, damn this hellhole!! I should have made the driver come with me!!'\n

\n\n

\n After forcing himself to calm down, he focused his gaze and saw a person standing at the corner with their back to him. They had a head of white hair, and most of their body was hidden in the darkness. The moonlight could only dimly illuminate one side of their figure.\n

\n\n

\n A false alarm. Was it an old man...\n

\n\n

\n Why wasn't he making any sound? What was he doing just standing there?\n

\n\n

\n But at least it was a living person. Zhou Siyin touched his safety talisman again and squeezed a sentence out of his tight throat: "Old sir, do you need any help?"\n

\n\n

\n "Hmm?!" The person in the corner shot up and turned around, revealing a deathly pale face. His pupils were light-colored, like a vast, misty haze. He had a head of white hair, but his skin was full and youthful, lending his stunning features a ghastly, eerie aura, a complexion not of this world.\n

\n\n

\n The moonlight shifted, revealing a long, red tongue lolling out of his mouth, which seemed to still be dripping with blood...\n

\n\n

\n Just then, the paper lantern in Zhou Siyin's hand flickered a few times and went out, as if someone had blown it out.\n

\n\n

\n That face, half-ethereal and half-eerie, flickered with the flame before being plunged into darkness, yet it remained seared into his pupils, impossible to erase.\n

\n\n

\n A ghost. A beautiful, man-eating ghost.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin held on for three seconds...\n

\n\n

\n He didn't make it.\n

\n\n

\n He fell stiffly to the ground and fainted.\n

","published_time":"2026-04-18T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-03-21T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-04-18T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3851,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":9,"chapter_title":"Chapter 8","content":"

\n Ji Shuangyu used to find a corner to remove his makeup. Today, his luck wasn't great; he kept running into people on the road, so it wasn't convenient for him to do it. Otherwise, if someone saw him wandering the streets after playing a hanged ghost, they would definitely curse him for being unlucky.\n

\n\n

\n By the time he reached Small Drum Alley, he was almost home. Only then did Ji Shuangyu quickly get to work, taking off his hat and the cloth strips wrapped around his head, making it easier to clean off the makeup that reached his hairline later.\n

\n\n

\n It was quiet here, with hardly anyone around, just a bit dark.\n

\n\n

\n Sigh, a poor area. The municipal government hadn't installed streetlights here. Moreover, there might be a structural issue with Small Drum Alley; there was always a ghostly wind blowing through, and your footsteps echoed as you walked.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was fine with it, but the children at home didn't dare to go out at night.\n

\n\n

\n Right now, Ji Shuangyu was focused on removing his makeup. He had just started when he suddenly heard a voice from behind him.\n

\n\n

\n In this pitch-black night, a sudden shout made Ji Shuangyu jump.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu shuddered violently. He couldn't even process the other person's words in his mind at first. He spun around quickly to look.\n

\n\n

\n The lantern was out. By the light of a cold crescent moon, Ji Shuangyu could only vaguely see a tall figure from his angle, and a pair of eyes staring straight at him.\n

\n\n

\n After only two seconds of eye contact, just as Ji Shuangyu was about to speak, he saw the person fall backward stiffly, hitting the ground with a loud "thud."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was a half-step too late in getting the words out of his throat: "...You scared me to death."\n

\n\n

\n After saying it, he felt a bit speechless himself: ".........."\n

\n\n

\n This was simply incredible. Ji Shuangyu touched his face. It wasn't some particularly terrifying special effects makeup. When most people saw it, they would just curse him for being unlucky.\n

\n\n

\n Or was it because I suddenly turned around, and he was caught off guard?\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu started to feel guilty: 'Oh dear, this is why the troupe's rules are no good! If they had let me remove my makeup backstage, how could I have scared anyone!'\n

\n\n

\n Reform. If there's a chance, there must be reform.\n

\n\n

\n "Brother, are you okay? You absolutely cannot have anything happen to you! If something happens to you, I can only go with you!!" Ji Shuangyu cried out sorrowfully, with exceptionally genuine emotion, "I have no money, boohoohoo."\n

\n\n

\n Muttering to himself, he went forward and felt for the man's pulse on his neck and wrist. Thank goodness, he wasn't dead!\n

\n\n

\n He couldn't just leave the man outside in this cold winter. But the other person was a bit taller and bigger than Ji Shuangyu, so he had to half-drag, half-pull him back home.\n

\n\n

\n "Big Brother, who is this?"\n

\n\n

\n His younger brother and sisters gathered around, one poking his overcoat, another touching his hair.\n

\n\n

\n "A passerby. I accidentally scared him and he fainted, so I had no choice but to bring him back." Ji Shuangyu felt his limbs; they were still ice-cold.\n

\n\n

\n "Should we call a doctor?" his second brother sniffled.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Aren't you trying to kill your brother??\n

\n\n

\n The money Ji Shuangyu had just earned hadn't even warmed his pocket. He was thinking of getting everyone some winter clothes and buying some meat. If he called a doctor, he would probably spend it all.\n

\n\n

\n "...I'll see how he is when he wakes up. If he's not okay, we'll call a doctor!" Ji Shuangyu was also afraid he might have injured the man. He wasn't that heartless, or he would have just left him there. Since he was the one who scared him, he should take some responsibility.\n

\n\n

\n "Big Brother, you look so scary like this."\n

\n\n

\n A soft voice suddenly emerged from beside him.\n

\n\n

\n "Who! Who!" Ji Shuangyu yelped, only to realize it was his third sister standing there. He said, still flustered, "You're the scary one!"\n

\n\n

\n Third Sister: "..."\n

\n\n

\n But having been reminded, Ji Shuangyu quickly removed the hanged ghost makeup. The day had been truly exhausting. After taking off his makeup, Ji Shuangyu pushed the victim he had picked up onto the kang, and they all squeezed together to sleep.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin slowly regained consciousness, finding himself lying on a nearly cold kang in a dark and dilapidated room. Beside the kang were three children and a young man. This young man was as if sculpted from snow and jade, but he wore a hat even indoors and looked somewhat familiar. The faint light from the window drifted across his smooth face, as if covering it with a light veil, or as if he had walked out of a dream.\n

\n\n

\n "Are you okay? I'm sorry, I scared you last night," the young man said shyly.\n

\n\n

\n The shock from last night slowly returned. So it was a misunderstanding? Zhou Siyin was still in a daze and subconsciously retorted, "How was I scared!"\n

\n\n

\n If you weren't scared, why did you faint? The young man glanced at him, "Ah haha, if you weren't scared, that's even better. I was so afraid I'd have to pay medical fees."\n

\n\n

\n He slowly took off his hat, revealing a full head of white hair.\n

\n\n

\n In the dim space, combined with that face, an unreal, demonic aura emerged again, making Zhou Siyin's breath catch and his heart tighten once more.\n

\n\n

\n "It's a misunderstanding, haha. I work in a theater troupe. That was makeup yesterday. The white hair is purely from glutt—uh, malnutrition, premature canities. If you feel unwell after you go back, you can find me at the Changle Theater. My name is Ji Shuangyu. Um, these are my four younger siblings..." Ji Shuangyu introduced himself.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin's just-awakened brain started to turn. Premature canities was the common term for having white hair at a young age. Although it wasn't common to be so completely white, there were exceptions.\n

\n\n

\n He wasn't one of those people from the theater world with heads full of drama, nor did he know Ji Shuangyu before this, so he didn't know that Ji Shuangyu's hair had turned white overnight.\n

\n\n

\n —But, he carefully observed the color of Ji Shuangyu's hair and still felt something was off. The color didn't resemble any kind of white hair he had seen before, and he remained skeptical of Ji Shuangyu's glib explanation.\n

\n\n

\n He then stared at Ji Shuangyu's face, as pure and beautiful as the first snow, a countenance that was completely out of place here. He found it very strange; so poor, yet with the air of someone who had been pampered. It was too incongruous!\n

\n\n

\n Also, he said he was in a theater troupe. Could he be a famous actor, which was how he maintained such looks? Then why was he living in a place like this?\n

\n\n

\n Besides, what kind of play would have a hanged ghost as the main character??\n

\n\n

\n ...Wait, Zhou Siyin suddenly thought of something and was horrified.\n

\n\n

\n Four? There are clearly only three children here!\n

\n\n

\n A cold sweat instantly broke out. Could it be that he was truly in a nightmare?\n

\n\n

\n Just then, a trembling, childish voice sounded beside him, "Brother, do you want some water..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "!!!"\n

\n\n

\n When did someone get here!\n

\n\n

\n Hair standing on end! Heart-stopping terror! Soul-scattering fright! The ghost is a ghost, and the ghost's sister is also a ghost!\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin's head lolled to one side, and he fainted again.\n

\n\n

\n Third Sister: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: ".................."\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n ...It seems some money just can't be saved.\n

\n\n

\n My sister is so dark and so good at being invisible, what can I do!\n

\n\n

\n In the end, Ji Shuangyu painfully went to fetch a doctor. He wasn't familiar with any, but Xu Xinyue's mother was ill and had been seeing a doctor. With Xu Xinyue's recommendation, Ji Shuangyu went to a Huaxia medical hall.\n

\n\n

\n The apprentice receiving guests said politely, "A family has already requested a visit, so he cannot leave right now. I will write down our hall's name for you. You can go back and wait for a bit."\n

\n\n

\n Because the alleys didn't have house numbers at this time, for jobs like house calls, it was inconvenient to ask for directions. You couldn't just go up and ask, "Hey, is there a patient in your house?" That would bring people bad luck.\n

\n\n

\n Therefore, this method was used. The doctor would give a slip of paper for the patient to paste on their door, so he could find the way later.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was very anxious, but medical practices weren't very advanced yet. Without an acquaintance's recommendation, he couldn't just randomly find a doctor, as who knew how skilled they'd be. He had no choice but to take the red paper slip and go back first.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin's constitution was quite good. Just as Ji Shuangyu finished pasting the slip, he woke up again.\n

\n\n

\n This time, Ji Shuangyu learned his lesson. He opened the door, letting the cold wind and sunlight in. His first words were: "Don't be afraid, we're all human! We're not afraid of sunlight!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n This time he saw clearly. They all had shadows in the sunlight, although he was still quite beautiful.\n

\n\n

\n "Are you alright?" Ji Shuangyu met Zhou Siyin's gaze for a few seconds and saw him staring at his hair. He quickly put his felt hat back on. "Are you a little scared of this? I'll cover it. I've also called for a doctor. He'll check on you later. You've fainted twice from fright."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said sternly, "I am not afraid. Do not call a doctor!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "I'm worried you might have after-effects, fainting twice from fright..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "What fainting twice from fright! That never happened!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin took a breath and took out a fountain pen from his bosom. "But I am a bit dizzy. Get me some paper, and I'll write a prescription for you to buy me medicine."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: ".........."\n

\n\n

\n This... he's still dizzy from the scare...\n

\n\n

\n How pitiful.\n

\n\n

\n Not only was Zhou Siyin dizzy, but his hands were also a bit weak. Under the multiple blows, he felt extremely mortified and annoyed, but he couldn't vent his anger. Damn it, this person had personally witnessed him fainting twice. Forget yelling at him, he himself felt like he had lost face.\n

\n\n

\n Seeing his state, Ji Shuangyu volunteered, "Let me write for you. You can dictate."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin was indeed struggling to hold on. He handed the pen to Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu picked up the pen and wrote the two words "Prescription" on the paper, testing the feel of the nib. His family had no paper for writing besides toilet paper; he had to find a small blank sheet from one of his parents' old books. It wrote quite well, though.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin noticed his posture for holding the pen. The man held the pen correctly, and his strokes were fluid and practiced. He really didn't seem like someone from a home so poor they had to search for a scrap of paper.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin recited a few medicinal ingredients, and Ji Shuangyu wrote them down as he spoke. Then he showed it to him, "Did I write it correctly?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin took the slip of paper, and as he scanned it, he couldn't help but let out a soft "Yi."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "What's wrong, did I write it incorrectly?"\n

\n\n

\n "No." Zhou Siyin looked at him. "You also know how to write with a brush pen?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said nonchalantly, "Yeah, I know a little."\n

\n\n

\n His casual reply made Zhou Siyin doubt himself, as if it were a very trivial matter.\n

\n\n

\n Indeed, many people knew calligraphy. Zhou Siyin's own mother, for instance, was skilled at capturing the artistic spirit of Yan Zhenqing while having her own style, and her calligraphy was highly acclaimed when she was alive.\n

\n\n

\n How acclaimed? The price of her works increased a hundredfold after she passed away...\n

\n\n

\n In any case, with his deep family learning, Zhou Siyin's keen eye could see the unique quality in Ji Shuangyu's fountain pen calligraphy. It was precisely because he could see the brushstroke spirit of traditional calligraphy in it that he had asked.\n

\n\n

\n To think he was a skilled calligrapher, with both talent and looks. How did he end up in this tenement courtyard? This person was truly... completely out of place here.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin still had some lingering shadows from last night when looking at Ji Shuangyu, but seeing the calligraphy, he felt a bit of admiration for his talent.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu remained completely unaware. He just assumed that all literary people of this era could use both brush pens and fountain pens, so casually writing something was no big deal. It was just like how he used sculptural lighting on the opera stage—it was just exceptionally natural and came to him easily!\n

\n\n

\n "So, is it okay? I'll go buy the medicine then?" Ji Shuangyu asked.\n

\n\n

\n "...Alright." Zhou Siyin responded, then called out to him again, handing him two yuan. He said with a grave expression, "Keep the change after buying the medicine. Just remember, if you see anyone looking for me outside, don't say anything. Today, you have not seen me, and I have not seen you!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n He wanted to say something but held his tongue.\n

\n\n

\n Forget it. He had scared the man into fainting twice and was even getting money for free. This was a huge bargain.\n

\n\n

\n "Second Brother, come with me to carry things—we'll buy cotton-padded clothes on the way, and I'll get you all some candy!" The moment Ji Shuangyu said this, it wasn't just his second brother; all the children shrieked and dashed out with him.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin watched Ji Shuangyu's departing figure. His mind flashed back to the face from last night, half-lit and half-shadowed before the light was extinguished, appearing both human and ghostly. Then he thought of the naturally unrestrained calligraphy on the slip of paper. They say the writing reflects the person. His brushwork was unique, his strokes awe-inspiring...\n

\n\n

\n "The elegance of a scholar and the beauty that could topple cities, all in one person." Zhou Siyin unconsciously murmured in a low voice, lost in thought.\n

\n\n

\n In the empty, impoverished room, a small voice floated up, full of childish confusion, "...Um, does that mean you're complimenting my brother for being handsome?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "!!!!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin turned his head with a blank expression. It turned out there was still one child left in the room.\n

\n\n

\n ".................."\n

\n\n

\n ...Just let him faint.\n

","published_time":"2026-04-25T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-03-28T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-04-25T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3908,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":10,"chapter_title":"Chapter 9","content":"

\n Ji Shuangyu first went to cancel the doctor's appointment, then to the pharmacy to get the medicine. Fortunately, he had nothing much to do in the morning; theaters usually started their shows after ten a.m. These days, because they were staging the serial play Temple of the Spiritual Official, the Changle Theater always started in the afternoon.\n

\n\n

\n After buying the medicine, Ji Shuangyu went to a shop on the same street and bought a ready-made cotton-padded outfit and new shoes for each child. Because his fifth brother was too young, he held him in his arms the whole time. It was only when they reached the clothing store that he belatedly realized something and looked down, searching around. "Huh, third sister didn't come??"\n

\n\n

\n His third sister had been just one step behind when they left, but he had completely failed to notice and walked off.\n

\n\n

\n After all, his third sister was usually as elusive as a ghost, and she was thin, small, and dark. Without looking down, he had just assumed she was there...\n

\n\n

\n Fortunately, third sister and second brother were about the same size, so having second brother try on the clothes would work. At the price point they were buying at, there wasn't much choice in patterns anyway.\n

\n\n

\n Perhaps the original Ji Shuangyu had lived a few good days as a child, but these younger siblings of his had truly never worn new clothes.\n

\n\n

\n They either wore adult clothes altered to be smaller or bought second-hand clothes from the flea market.\n

\n\n

\n Second brother started to stutter when he realized his older brother intended to buy a set for each of them.\n

\n\n

\n He felt his brother was being too extravagant. The new year was still almost a month away... no, even if it were the new year, they shouldn't be buying new clothes. The family was in such dire straits. "Brother, we... we can just buy some cotton wool!"\n

\n\n

\n They could just stuff their old clothes. A jin of new cotton wool cost thirty or forty cents, much cheaper than buying new cotton-padded clothes.\n

\n\n

\n "Money is a bastard, if you spend it, you can earn it back. Earning that damn Xu Xinyue's money..." Ji Shuangyu firmly wrapped second brother up and buttoned his new coat.\n

\n\n

\n Clothing, food, housing, and transportation—clothing came even before food. It was essential to dress warmly. With the time it would take him to stuff cotton, wouldn't it be better to earn more money? More importantly, he, who came from a parallel universe, had absolutely no skill in tailoring clothes. Doing it himself would expose him.\n

\n\n

\n Second brother sniffled. He had never been this warm during a Jingcheng winter. His purplish-red face broke into a sincere smile at Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n "This is my business card," Zhou Siyin said after a moment of thought.\n

\n\n

\n By the time Ji Shuangyu returned and decocted the medicine, it was almost noon. After drinking a bowl of the medicine, Zhou Siyin felt much better. It was hard to say whether it was because his diagnosis was accurate—a fright—or if it was mostly psychological.\n

\n\n

\n Before leaving, he left Ji Shuangyu a business card. Although he had... taken a tumble here, so to speak, Ji Shuangyu's penmanship had made him want to form an acquaintance. "You can come find me if you need anything, but you can't tell anyone—"\n

\n\n

\n "I know, I can't tell anyone you fainted from being scared by me!" Ji Shuangyu said.\n

\n\n

\n "Who fainted from being scared by you??" Zhou Siyin snatched his business card back and headed for the door, muttering curses. On the way, he carefully skirted around third sister. "I'm leaving!!"\n

\n\n

\n 'Quite a temper!'\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu watched his aggressive back and chuckled speechlessly.\n

\n\n

\n Just as Zhou Siyin reached the door, several voices came from outside the courtyard. "Which room does Shu Wangyan live in, anyway? What did the general manager say last night?"\n

\n\n

\n With extreme speed, Zhou Siyin dodged back and stood pressed against the side of the door.\n

\n\n

\n The few people outside walked past leisurely, glancing inside and meeting Ji Shuangyu's eyes. Huh, not Mr. Shu Wangyan, but he was quite handsome. They slowed their pace to take a few more looks.\n

\n\n

\n Separated by a wall, Zhou Siyin stood holding his breath, also meeting Ji Shuangyu's eyes.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Two minutes later, Zhou Siyin said with a dark face, "I'm leaving!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "Oh, leaving again?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n After Zhou Siyin left, Ji Shuangyu clapped his hands and steamed a few buns for the children's dinner.\n

\n\n

\n The neighbors saw this and were quite envious. He must have earned some money to be eating white flour steamed buns. Living in the same courtyard, it was basically impossible for families to hide their situations from each other. But everyone knew how miserable and poor his family was, so their envy was mixed with happiness for them, all with good intentions.\n

\n\n

\n As Ji Shuangyu was tidying up, second brother ran over, stroking his new clothes, and said excitedly, "Brother, this fabric is so nice. When summer comes, let's take the outer layer off and make you a summer shirt. If we piece them together, it'll be enough for a whole set, and we all have the same color."\n

\n\n

\n Originally, their winter and summer clothes were made by taking apart and reassembling the same garments. When someone's clothes needed washing, there were no replacements, so they had to temporarily wear a family member's. The average clothing ownership was 1.2 items per person. Ji Shuangyu's set of flannel pajamas had instantly and greatly increased their per capita ownership rate.\n

\n\n

\n Hearing this, Ji Shuangyu's heart ached a little. No wonder second brother and the others had all chosen the same blue color when picking out their clothes. In his entire life, he had never personally witnessed such misery. Besides, in his world, due to different times and policies, he had no siblings.\n

\n\n

\n Taking care of the children these past few days had been truly difficult.\n

\n\n

\n He worked during the day, and when he came back at night, he wished he didn't have to see them—he was raising them out of compassion, but deep down, he still wished he would wake up and be transported back, thinking it would be great if this were all a dream.\n

\n\n

\n Now, seeing them so excited yet anxious over a single piece of clothing, smiling like that, made Ji Shuangyu's "dream" much clearer.\n

\n\n

\n Things he had intentionally or unintentionally ignored before now came to the surface. Second brother wasn't just "second brother"; he had his own name, Ji Leizong. The invisible third sister was called Ji Feifei. The fourth sister, Lulu, and the fifth brother, Baozi, were too young when their parents died, so they had only been given nicknames.\n

\n\n

\n "It's alright, Lei-zi, when summer comes, you'll have new clothes too," Ji Shuangyu said, patting Ji Leizong's head.\n

\n\n

\n He would still ask the great god of physics to continue blessing him with a return trip, but before that, he was willing to save up more money for these children.\n

\n\n

\n For now, Ji Shuangyu was heading out to work.\n

\n\n

\n As he reached the gate, Ji Shuangyu noticed a piece of paper stuck in the door latch. He plucked it out and saw it was a finely and simply printed business card. In the center was a single line of text: Kunlun Bookstore, Zhou Siyin.\n

\n\n

\n Huh, he had heard that name before and had even gone to the Kunlun Library to look up materials.\n

\n\n

\n So that man was Zhou Siyin of Kunlun Bookstore?\n

\n\n

\n Recalling the rumors about this Mr. Zhou's personality and what he had seen today... there were some discrepancies in the details. Ji Shuangyu chuckled and casually put the card away.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n .\n

\n\n

\n "Off to work, off to earn Xu Xinyue's money." Ji Shuangyu walked into the theater's backstage area and ran right into Xu Xinyue himself.\n

\n\n

\n "Come here! Quick!" Xu Xinyue grabbed Ji Shuangyu, fuming. "The set! How can we make it more Xieyi Style? Keep revising it for me!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was bewildered. "What's going on, CEO Xu?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue said angrily, "Today I went to the Pear Garden Charity Association to discuss the year-end charity performance, to decide which theater to hold it in and which actors to invite, and what do you think happened..."\n

\n\n

\n The Pear Garden Charity Association was the industry guild of the time. At the end of the year, they would usually organize some charity performances to aid poor colleagues. These were called joint-table performances.\n

\n\n

\n Thinking back on the meeting, Xu Xinyue was still fuming.\n

\n\n

\n A few sour grapes, seeing his theater's box office booming these last few days—the three-day tickets had sold out, and they had added today's tickets, looking like they could extend the run for several more days, bringing the theater back from the brink of death, and even earning praise from several famous critics and patrons—were green with envy.\n

\n\n

\n They made some snide remarks, the gist of which was that this so-called Xieyi Style was inferior to the Western realistic painting style, and the audience was just temporarily swayed by the newspapers (which were probably paid reviews and advertisements).\n

\n\n

\n Moreover, they said it was a regression, a return to the old, decadent school, and that Xu Xinyue shouldn't be fooled by some unknown set designer and should quickly return to the proper path.\n

\n\n

\n This kind of talk had existed since Temple of the Spiritual Official first premiered, but the opposition was getting louder now because its box office was soaring, its influence was growing, and some troupes were even thinking of imitating it.\n

\n\n

\n With more attention came more scrutiny. They were now criticizing Xu Xinyue to his face.\n

\n\n

\n "Is that so," Ji Shuangyu said after listening, not particularly agitated.\n

\n\n

\n It was actually easy to understand. Some people might genuinely be mindless followers of Western sets; there were plenty of such people everywhere.\n

\n\n

\n But others probably knew better but couldn't stand to see Temple of the Spiritual Official become a hit, as that would devalue their own Western-style sets. They hadn't recouped their investment yet, so naturally, they had to praise the Western style and promote their own.\n

\n\n

\n Neither of these was anything new.\n

\n\n

\n If Ying Xiaonong weren't a painted-face role actor, but a famous female impersonator who often stirred up drama, the patrons would probably be at each other's throats by now, just like modern-day fans praising their own idols' works while belittling their rivals'.\n

\n\n

\n "I think ours is great! Haven't you seen how the newspapers are praising us? Who says progress must mean using a Western painting style? Are foreigners his daddy?" Xu Xinyue hadn't thought that deeply about it, nor did he have a high level of artistic appreciation. He had even been a little doubtful whether this set design would be popular before.\n

\n\n

\n Now that he was angry, it was about fighting for his pride, and he started insisting that the Xieyi Style was great.\n

\n\n

\n "I'm going to extend the run of this play for several more days, and we're going to keep revising it. You, go and make this play even more Xieyi Style!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: 'Please calm down. The people think it looks good, so who are they to judge? But this, making it more Xieyi Style...' How the hell was he supposed to make it more Xieyi Style? Xu Xinyue wasn't even giving him any money. What he had achieved so far was already on a tight budget.\n

\n\n

\n However, this was an opportunity.\n

\n\n

\n An idea sparked in Ji Shuangyu's mind, and he put on the expression he reserved for seducing investors. "Hey, actually, the boss's goal is just to extend the run for a few more days, right? How about this: as long as you give me the authority to direct, we can move in that direction."\n

\n\n

\n In the future, whenever Xu Xinyue saw this expression, he would feel a reflexive pang of pain in his wallet.\n

\n\n

\n But at this moment, Xu Xinyue was still relatively naive. He thought, 'That's right. Those people are partly just worshipping foreign things, but mostly they're just jealous. So it doesn't matter how we change it, as long as the box office is a hit!'\n

\n\n

\n "Fine, you can direct!" Xu Xinyue said decisively.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu rejoiced inwardly. He could finally give orders with official sanction. He had actually been secretly sorting out the plot in his mind for a while now.\n

\n\n

\n Holy cow, according to the current timeline, the Huaxia opera world had truly never had a "director." He was about to become the very first director in the history of opera!\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n When Xu Xinyue announced the news internally, the entire Hanxi Troupe fell silent.\n

\n\n

\n The troupe leader's mouth twitched. "Have you lost your mind? A director? You can't just copy everything." He held back his anger, refraining from saying anything harsher.\n

\n\n

\n Yes, Ji Shuangyu's set design had brought them back from the dead, but directing and rehearsing, were they the same thing?\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue had already rejected Ji Shuangyu twice before, for the very reason that there had never been a director in the opera world. If they really rehearsed, they would be criticized. The prevailing custom was to "meet on stage"; "drilling the pot" was considered very shameful.\n

\n\n

\n Learning a play at the last minute, or "drilling the pot," was usually for understudies filling in or for actors who had to take on a role they didn't know. If it happened often, it meant you weren't a capable actor, didn't know many plays, and your skills were subpar.\n

\n\n

\n Take Ying Xiaonong, for example. He was the one who had revived this play. To make him go back and rehearse it, could he keep his dignity?\n

\n\n

\n At this point, Xu Xinyue felt a little regretful. He was a fickle person. A moment ago he was full of fighting spirit, but now, after what the troupe leader said, he hesitated. He usually didn't manage this kind of technical matter anyway. "Uh, well..."\n

\n\n

\n Seeing things were about to go south, Ji Shuangyu immediately said, "I see that our troupe doesn't have any actors with close ties to literary men, especially those who can write plays. I myself can write and direct. I've already thought about how to change the plot!"\n

\n\n

\n There were no professional playwrights at this time; rather, there were literary patrons who would write tailor-made scripts for the actors they supported.\n

\n\n

\n But the Hanxi Troupe hadn't been particularly popular before, and Ying Xiaonong was past his prime. Moreover, patrons at the time preferred to support female-role actors and female performers. The troupe truly lacked the ability to adapt and create, and the scripts they performed were ones passed down through the ages.\n

\n\n

\n When Ji Shuangyu said this, they looked at each other and began to hesitate.\n

\n\n

\n However, while the plot could be changed, as for this rehearsing...\n

\n\n

\n Did writing and directing have to be bundled together?\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong quite admired Ji Shuangyu; one could even say he had made his comeback thanks to Ji Shuangyu's efforts. He was also the biggest star in the theater at the moment, so everyone else looked to him, waiting for him to speak first.\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong's face was serious as he looked at Ji Shuangyu. "A person can't be like this. Everyone has their own duties. If you're good-looking, you should just do your own thing."\n

\n\n

\n Everyone: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "Thanks...?"\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong stated diplomatically, "Actually, I support you in organizing the plot. Many troupes and famous actors revise plays; otherwise, they can't keep up with the times. But as for directing, you can go direct the others. Don't worry about me, I'll definitely do what you ask on stage. You can rest assured about my performance."\n

\n\n

\n —What a joke. If word got out that he was being directed, where would he put his face? It would be one thing if it were a famous master or a renowned actor from the same profession, but this was a young, inexperienced kid, a complete outsider.\n

\n\n

\n Everyone knew that Ji Shuangyu's prior relationship with their profession was as a freelance extra, playing a spirit, someone who didn't even open his mouth.\n

\n\n

\n With his gentle refusal, the other actors didn't dare to reject Ji Shuangyu directly either. After all, his position as set designer was still very secure. They could only say aggrievedly, "Please let us go, we really don't need you to teach us!"\n

\n\n

\n It was as if they were being bullied, a truly ridiculous situation.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said loudly, "I will insist on it!!"\n

\n\n

\n Everyone: "..."\n

\n\n

\n How could there be such a stubborn person?? They had "a forced melon is not sweet" practically written on their faces.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu turned to one of the actresses playing a supporting female role. "Just now, I heard you practicing your voice, singing a line: ‘The sweet osmanthus hears the cicada, the overturned brew deepens my feelings, this body cannot bear the autumn air.’ Do you know what this sentence means?"\n

\n\n

\n The actress looked completely blank. "...I don't know."\n

\n\n

\n She was illiterate, so how could she know what it meant?\n

\n\n

\n At this time, only in the major opera schools did promising actors have the chance to take cultural classes to better understand the lyrics and practice calligraphy.\n

\n\n

\n But she wasn't from a famous opera school, and even actors who had taken cultural classes didn't necessarily master that many classical allusions. Only the top-tier famous actors possessed a high level of cultural literacy, or rather, conversely, possessing cultural literacy gave one a better chance of eventually becoming a first-rate actor.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu seemed to grow taller inch by inch as he declared proudly, "Because the character is wrong. It should be 'overturned meat paste,' not 'overturned brew.' 'Hai' means meat paste; 'fu hai' means to throw away the meat paste. That's the literal meaning. In fact, it expresses a grief so profound that one stops eating. Therefore, this entire line is extremely sorrowful. When singing it, shouldn't you use a more mournful tone, with a more winding melody? It would be best to cry out a few lines, and end the phrases with a sustained note."\n

\n\n

\n By the end, he was looking down on the crowd, his gaze possessing an extraordinary aura.\n

\n\n

\n Everyone looked up at him, feeling as if they couldn't look directly at his brilliance, and raised their hands to shield their eyes.\n

\n\n

\n "Ah!" It was Ying Xiaonong who cried out involuntarily.\n

\n\n

\n A moment later, Ying Xiaonong realized his gaffe, coughed, and rubbed his eyes. "I didn't expect you to actually understand opera."\n

\n\n

\n "Naturally. Otherwise, how would I dare say I could direct?" Ji Shuangyu jumped down from the stool. Only then could everyone look at him properly again. Good heavens, that lamp above him was blinding...\n

\n\n

\n What a guy, arranging his own lighting effects while giving a speech.\n

\n\n

\n Opera scripts were often passed down orally by illiterate artists, which led to the mistaken transmission of the character "hai." Similar situations existed in many plays. Although it was a bit embarrassing, this wasn't what surprised Ying Xiaonong.\n

\n\n

\n In just a few sentences, Ji Shuangyu had clearly explained something that actors with insufficient comprehension or education might never figure out in their entire lives. If that actress performed as Ji Shuangyu suggested, she would definitely receive a standing ovation.\n

\n\n

\n If she could do it, it would be called a "qiaotou" in the professional jargon, a skill usually only possessed by famous actors. It referred to their unique interpretations in a performance, which could be just a small detail but would achieve an excellent effect, elevating the entire performance.\n

\n\n

\n Moreover, these words also revealed that Ji Shuangyu had an understanding of singing styles and was by no means an amateur!\n

\n\n

\n —Although Ji Shuangyu was not an opera master, he had elders in the Pear Garden in his family. He had been exposed to it, understood it, and was influenced by it. What's more, the opera he knew was the refined essence from decades in the future.\n

\n\n

\n Many incorrect lines had been corrected, and the most suitable performance methods had been discovered. Some techniques that were kept secret at this time would be widely disseminated in the future.\n

\n\n

\n Coupled with his basic qualities as a director, if he couldn't even handle this, would he have the thick skin to offer to direct a play?\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu looked at Ying Xiaonong. "Boss Ying, now what do you think? Can we rehearse?"\n

\n\n

\n 'A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier. My martial skills are top-notch, but my dramatic acting is a step behind. This gap isn't easy to close. Either the actor is exceptionally talented, or they must have a master who teaches without holding back, right?'\n

\n\n

\n In this era, everyone held back a little, which was why some actors even "stole" techniques, secretly learning from the main actor without their knowledge.\n

\n\n

\n At this moment, Ying Xiaonong keenly sensed that Ji Shuangyu, this young man, although not a famous actor and with skills of unknown origin, was willing to teach everything he knew... So this rehearsal was all benefit and only one harm to him. It was a great opportunity for him to take a huge step forward.\n

\n\n

\n That one and only harm was just a bit of gossip. Ying Xiaonong said hurriedly, "Let them gossip!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "Huh?"\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong: "Ahem, I said, we'll rehearse..."\n

","published_time":"2026-05-02T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-04-04T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-05-02T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":3966,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":11,"chapter_title":"Chapter 10","content":"

\n On the same day, at the other end of Small Drum Alley.\n

\n\n

\n Nearly ten people stood in the small courtyard, most of them editors or printers from Kunlun Bookstore. In their midst, they surrounded a young man—none other than the bestselling author Shu Wangyan, who had fled here to escape his manuscript deadline.\n

\n\n

\n "Hand over the manuscript! Hand over the manuscript!" a few people chanted, raising their fists.\n

\n\n

\n "Mr. Wangyan, please just give us the manuscript," some tried to persuade him patiently.\n

\n\n

\n "That's right, our general manager came over last night. It was all agreed that there would be at least two thousand characters today."\n

\n\n

\n "He never came!" Shu Wangyan stomped his foot. "Besides, he's the one who told you there'd be two thousand characters, not me! How can you use that to rush and pressure me? This is outrageous!"\n

\n\n

\n "Hand over the manuscript! Hand over the manuscript!"\n

\n\n

\n The one leading them was Shu Wangyan's editor-in-charge. He said grimly, "And is it reasonable for you to fake your death? The tabloids outside are all calling you the nine-lived cat demon, betting on when you'll manage to 'die' nine times."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n "Hand over the manuscript! Hand over the manuscript!"\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n "Can you stop shouting! It's so annoying!" Shu Wangyan covered his ears. "In any case, Zhou Siyin never came to my door. How am I supposed to produce two thousand characters?"\n

\n\n

\n However.\n

\n\n

\n No one dared to believe Shu Wangyan's words anymore.\n

\n\n

\n Besides, the employees of Kunlun Bookstore were all in agreement that when Zhou Siyin said something, he would definitely do it. Shu Wangyan was pretending to be crazy, while their President Zhou was truly crazy (??).\n

\n\n

\n Therefore...\n

\n\n

\n "Hand over the manuscript! Hand over the manuscript!"\n

\n\n

\n "Hand over the manuscript! Hand over the manuscript!"\n

\n\n

\n Amid the clamor, Shu Wangyan squatted on the ground and started to cry.\n

\n\n

\n He even began to ramble nonsensically, "Aren't you forcing me into a corner! Did Zhou Siyin teach you this? Trying to give me a taste of my own medicine, making me suffer the consequences of lying..."\n

\n\n

\n No matter how much Shu Wangyan argued, this group of people refused to back down, demanding he hand over those nonexistent two thousand characters.\n

\n\n

\n Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open.\n

\n\n

\n A tall young man with an overcoat draped over his arm strode in. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his face was pale with a hint of fatigue, as if he hadn't rested well. He pinched the bridge of his nose and said irritably, "What's going on? I could hear wailing and howling from a distance."\n

\n\n

\n "Ah, Master!" Driver Hu was the first to see him, a little excited. He had come over this morning to pick up his master but had only found the indignant editors and a baffled-looking Shu Wangyan.\n

\n\n

\n The moment Shu Wangyan saw Zhou Siyin, he cried out in misery, "Brother Baoduo! You've really done me in! Hurry and make it clear, I didn't write any two thousand characters last night. I slept soundly until dawn! But they're all surrounding me and accusing me!"\n

\n\n

\n Baoduo was Zhou Siyin's courtesy name. He paused for a moment, then said humiliatingly, "Only two thousand characters, and you didn't write them even while sleeping so soundly? Are you even human?"\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin led the charge, and everyone else began to complain in unison, convinced that Shu Wangyan had been slacking off again last night. Zhou Siyin, in particular, seemed to be on a short fuse for some reason, and his words grew increasingly sharp.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan looked utterly hopeless. He was certain this was Zhou Siyin's conspiracy to make him suffer his retribution.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan clutched his head and said, "But it's been difficult for me too, which is why I rented this courtyard, hoping to find some inspiration in the quiet." The story he was writing recently was a mystery-suspense with horror elements, and he wanted to gather some material in Small Drum Alley.\n

\n\n

\n Actually, when Zhou Siyin found out he was living in a place like this, he had guessed that Shu Wangyan might have had a bit of a conscience this time and wasn't just faking his death. But it was precisely because Shu Wangyan was living here that he himself had suffered terribly, and his expression soured even more.\n

\n\n

\n Seeing Zhou Siyin's expression darken, Shu Wangyan suspected he was about to erupt into a tirade. "Two thousand characters, right? Can't I just start writing them now?!"\n

\n\n

\n Only then did Zhou Siyin's expression soften a little. At least some things had been accomplished today.\n

\n\n

\n But his anger hadn't fully dissipated. He glanced at Shu Wangyan's handwriting. Because he was in a rush, Shu Wangyan was writing with a fountain pen. Zhou Siyin recalled Ji Shuangyu's calligraphy and sneered from the side, "Chicken scratch."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "???"\n

\n\n

\n I'm already writing the manuscript, why are you still scolding me??\n

\n\n

\n The editors who had been worried that Shu Wangyan would fake his death again were immensely relieved. If not for the big boss, they really couldn't handle this Mr. Wangyan.\n

\n\n

\n Fortunately, having lived in Small Drum Alley these past few days and chatted with the junk peddlers, he had indeed gained some inspiration. Shu Wangyan wrote furiously and finally managed to produce three thousand characters—exceeding the target by a thousand!\n

\n\n

\n The editor proofread it on the spot. The printing department had prepared the paper last night and was just waiting for the manuscript.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin idly sized up the courtyard. With Shu Wangyan's manuscript fees, there were few houses in Jingcheng he couldn't afford to rent, let alone a small siheyuan like this one.\n

\n\n

\n He asked, "Planning to keep living here?"\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "Yeah."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "Don't."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan gave him a strange look, then said, "Why not? I won't move."\n

\n\n

\n He watched Zhou Siyin's face, quickly jumped back a bit, and said arrogantly, "I've handed in the manuscript, you can't scold me anymore!" At this moment, he was the big shot of Kunlun Bookstore, and even Zhou Siyin had to be polite to him!\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Seeing his 'dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water' attitude, and considering he had actually managed to write the manuscript here, Zhou Siyin could only soften his tone. "In that case, the bookstore will allocate funds for you to live in this courtyard. Additionally, we'll have an editor visit you regularly."\n

\n\n

\n They were very willing to spend money to maintain their relationship with the bookstore's star author, and not just in manuscript fees. Otherwise, they couldn't have had a long-term collaboration, which included hounding him for his manuscript. They couldn't do without each other...\n

\n\n

\n "Aiya." Shu Wangyan's face scrunched up, and he finally sighed. "Alright then, Brother Baoduo, in a couple of days, come with me to find some fun. Someone gave me two theater tickets here. I was originally planning to ask Brother Xiao Shan to go."\n

\n\n

\n Xiao Shan was his editor-in-charge.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin asked, "He's not going?"\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan said sheepishly, "He's not going, and he even glared at me."\n

\n\n

\n Xiao Shan, who was in the middle of proofreading, looked up and shot Shu Wangyan another fierce glare. 'Of course not! Do I look like I have the time?!'\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin snorted, "You're just looking to get scolded again."\n

\n\n

\n —This Shu Wangyan was not at all enthusiastic about old-style drama. He was a novelist, and every time he went to see an opera, he would satirize it heavily for its crudely manufactured plot and poor logic.\n

\n\n

\n Opera was certainly a traditional Huaxia art form, integrating poetry, painting, song, and dance, but art also varied in quality. For example, Kunqu opera was extremely elegant, while the scripts for Peking opera were much simpler.\n

\n\n

\n In addition, many of the new plays currently being staged catered to the masses and sought to attract attention by being overly dramatic and sensational, and the final products were often hard to describe.\n

\n\n

\n In Shu Wangyan's opinion, whether the plots were adapted from ancient stories or were original creations, there were truly few masterpieces.\n

\n\n

\n It had long been said that many people in the opera world lacked culture, perhaps not even understanding the meaning of the lyrics they sang. Although there were literati who wrote scripts for popular actors, not all of them were great talents. Many scripts were draggy, focusing only on showing off literary knowledge.\n

\n\n

\n From Shu Wangyan's perspective, the most detestable thing was that some operas still contained outdated and foul feudalistic ideas, which were in dire need of major reform.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan often went to watch a play with the intention of relaxing, only to come back and write a scathing critique. It helped him meet his column's word count, and he enjoyed it too.\n

\n\n

\n Naturally, the people he criticized weren't happy, so fans of the actors often got into shouting matches with Shu Wangyan.\n

\n\n

\n This time was no exception. Shu Wangyan laughed heartily and said, "Exactly. I didn't want to go out, but I've been pestered by your editors all morning and absolutely must find a place to vent. These tickets weren't easy to come by, either. I hear it's a popular play recently, Changle Theater's new hit play, Temple of the Spiritual Official."\n

\n\n

\n He rubbed his hands together. "Watch me go find their plot holes and gift them a column!"\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Three days later.\n

\n\n

\n By this day, Temple of the Spiritual Official had already been running for seven consecutive days. For Jingcheng at this time, that was quite remarkable. After all, it wasn't like Hushang, where a new play could run for many days.\n

\n\n

\n And every performance had sold out. The box office was incredibly hot. Because Changle Theater didn't have a huge number of seats, demand far exceeded supply, and it seemed poised to continue its run.\n

\n\n

\n People on every street and alley were hotly debating whether this run could break the record for consecutive performances.\n

\n\n

\n In a teahouse near the theater, people were discussing Temple of the Spiritual Official, holding copies of Jinsheng Theater Magazine and quoting Zhang Dinghu's review, marveling that the play's style was vastly different from the Hushang school and had truly broken new ground.\n

\n\n

\n Many people agreed, expressing their admiration.\n

\n\n

\n Only one person held his head high and said, "What new ground? The set design of this play completely fails to conform to standards and lacks realism. It has reverted all the innovations of previous old-style dramas. You probably don't know, but Changle Theater was on the verge of bankruptcy before this. The talent their owner found adopted this style just to barely stay afloat. So, this isn't about blazing a new trail, it's about not having the money for good sets! They were only willing to install a few paltry mechanisms!"\n

\n\n

\n Just as Xu Xinyue had heard at the Pear Garden Charity Association, there were similar arguments in the outside world. Egged on by certain individuals, the debate grew increasingly fierce, with widespread criticism of the changes in Temple of the Spiritual Official, but—it was all based on the standards of Western drama.\n

\n\n

\n If judged by Western standards, then the opera stage was indeed full of errors and completely lacked realism. But were Western dramatic standards really applicable to the national drama stage?\n

\n\n

\n Others began to argue back forcefully, "I find its beauty is in no way inferior to the sets of new-style plays. Each has its own merits. What's so bad about it?"\n

\n\n

\n New-style plays were modern dramas that emulated Western theater, while old-style plays were the national drama, the opera. With these labels of "new" and "old," people seemed momentarily at a loss for a powerful rebuttal, especially those who considered themselves enlightened.\n

\n\n

\n Another person also held his head high and said, "This play's artistic conception is elegant and purely embodies the beauty of our Huaxia. Why must it imitate the foreign style of the Hushang school? Judging it by Western standards is completely nonsensical."\n

\n\n

\n The other person, however, acted as if he were the only sober one in a crowd of drunks, sneering, "Backward is backward! I have already co-authored an article with a friend criticizing the eight great fallacies of this Temple of the Spiritual Official, detailing all its outdated aspects!"\n

\n\n

\n Outside the door, Shu Wangyan, who was passing by, happened to hear the last sentence. Thinking this person was also here to criticize decadent culture, he chuckled, "Hey, someone actually thinks like me. Good, I want to see which of us can land a more accurate blow."\n

\n\n

\n The person with him was none other than Zhou Siyin, but Zhou Siyin looked distracted and wasn't listening to his rambling at all.\n

\n\n

\n He was recalling the day Ji Shuangyu had introduced himself and told him to find him if there were any after-effects. That person worked at Changle Theater...\n

\n\n

\n "Brother Baoduo, you're being so rude! You're not even listening to me!" Shu Wangyan said in disappointment.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin still looked lost in thought and said unconsciously, "I told you to hand in your manuscript on time, and you didn't listen to me either."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "...Don't bring up such depressing things!"\n

\n\n

\n Only then did Zhou Siyin realize what he had just said, but he didn't care. The guy was a procrastinator; he deserved to be scolded.\n

\n\n

\n The two arrived at the entrance of Changle Theater. Just as they were about to enter, they heard someone greet them, "Mr. Zhou, is that you?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin's back was to the person. 'I knew I'd run into him!' he thought. He couldn't say he was happy, definitely not, but he couldn't say he was unwilling to see him either. He had made a huge fool of himself at this person's hands, yet the man was both talented and handsome. His feelings were truly complex.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan, oblivious, turned to look and saw a young man standing outside the box office. He wore a stage costume over a brand-new, dark green cotton robe. Even with the padded robe under the costume, one could tell his figure was slender and upright, and his features were refined and very eye-catching.\n

\n\n

\n Whoa.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan slowly slanted a glance at Zhou Siyin. He didn't recall Zhou Baoduo having a hobby of patronizing actors.\n

\n\n

\n "Are you still hale and hearty?" Ji Shuangyu asked tactfully. Zhou Siyin had a friend with him, so it wasn't convenient to ask directly.\n

\n\n

\n But Shu Wangyan found this baffling. 'Hale and hearty'? How old was Zhou Siyin?\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin nodded and said calmly, "...Thank you, I am in good health. I am here to watch the play today."\n

\n\n

\n 'As long as he's not here to demand medical expenses,' Ji Shuangyu relaxed instantly. A smile rippled in his distinctively black and white eyes. "Then thank you for your patronage, and for bringing a friend."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan couldn't help but interject, "Brother Baoduo, aren't you going to make an introduction? I must be ignorant, I don't recognize which famous actor is before us?"\n

\n\n

\n It seemed to have become some kind of rule; whenever people saw Ji Shuangyu, they assumed he must be an actor.\n

\n\n

\n But, in reality...\n

\n\n

\n "Not at all, not at all, I'm no famous actor," Ji Shuangyu said with a wave of his hand. "My surname is Ji, Ji Shuangyu. On stage, I just play walk-on roles."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "You're being far too modest!"\n

\n\n

\n He simply didn't believe a face like that could belong to a walk-on role and genuinely thought it was just a humble remark.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said sincerely, "It's true. Today, I'm just playing the hanging ghost. The only famous actor is Boss Ying Xiaonong. If you don't believe me, you can ask Mr. Zhou."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan was stunned. He looked at Zhou Siyin, who was also nodding. "This... this..."\n

\n\n

\n ...This was truly unexpected!\n

\n\n

\n "Director Ji, why are you wandering around again? You've already put on your costume, go sit backstage, my good sir!" One of the theater's stagehands ran out and called to Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n "I know, I know!" Ji Shuangyu replied. As the days went by, all the stagehands of the Hanxi Troupe had become exceedingly friendly with him.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin keenly noticed that although Ji Shuangyu claimed to be a walk-on, this stagehand's attitude towards him was very respectful. Stagehands were often proud; since when did they treat a walk-on actor with such deference?\n

\n\n

\n If Zhou Siyin hadn't personally been frightened by the hanging ghost, he too would have been puzzled by Ji Shuangyu's identity. How could a mere walk-on hold such a high status?\n

\n\n

\n "Is 'Daoyan*' Brother Ji's courtesy name? I wonder what it means?" Shu Wangyan asked.\n

\n\n

\n *T/N: Daoyan is the pronunciation for 'Director'\n

\n\n

\n Usually, when choosing a courtesy name, the given name and the courtesy name are related. What was the allusion connecting Shuangyu and "Daoyan"?\n

\n\n

\n The term 'director' already existed at this time, having been translated and adopted some years prior. Although the position was rare, films were popular throughout Huaxia, so most people had heard of it.\n

\n\n

\n It was just that when Shu Wangyan first heard the word, he didn't connect Ji Shuangyu with being a director at all, assuming it was his courtesy name.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan's preconception was that the opera world had never established the position of director, which led to the misunderstanding.\n

\n\n

\n "It's not a courtesy name, it's a job title." Ji Shuangyu said, "It means 'director'."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin, Shu Wangyan: "..."\n

","published_time":"2026-05-09T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-04-11T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-05-09T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4024,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":12,"chapter_title":"Chapter 11","content":"

\n Shu Wangyan took a moment to react before realizing that Ji Shuangyu had spoken a foreign phrase...\n

\n\n

\n That was truly unexpected, leaving both him and Zhou Siyin at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. Even explaining it as 'director', your explanation was a bit sudden!\n

\n\n

\n After a long pause, Shu Wangyan said, "My apologies, my apologies. To think you're a... director. Have you also studied abroad?" If so, he had truly misjudged him!\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said calmly, "No, I'm self-taught." Not only had he not, even if he had, he could only say no now. The Ji Shuangyu of this time and space had not only not studied abroad, he had never even been to school.\n

\n\n

\n In this era, even a waiter working at a Western restaurant could learn a foreign language. One didn't need to have studied; being hardworking was enough. Learning it meant you could earn more money from foreigners. Zhou Siyin knew an illiterate shopkeeper who had made his way up just like that.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan couldn't help but say, "But your pronunciation is very good."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu sighed. "Perhaps this is what it means to be smart..."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin remained silent. Even if Ji Shuangyu's explanation made sense—talent followed no logic—he still felt something was strange. It was like the feeling Ji Shuangyu had given him ever since they met. His hair, his aura, his speech, his abilities—everything seemed more complex than it appeared on the surface. He clearly worked in a theater troupe, yet he audaciously ran around dressed as a hanging ghost...\n

\n\n

\n What a strange person!\n

\n\n

\n And Shu Wangyan had become genuinely curious.\n

\n\n

\n Even the full-time film directors active in the country at the moment were of limited skill. After all, the industry's development was still in its infancy; to this day, no domestic film's box office had surpassed that of an imported one.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu's courage to apply this system to the opera stage was astonishing enough. The box office was currently booming, and Shu Wangyan wondered just how much of a hand he had in it.\n

\n\n

\n Regardless of Ji Shuangyu's family background or how he learned a foreign language, it had no real bearing on his skill as a director. While studying abroad, Shu Wangyan had read a report about an overseas director, the gist of which was that directors could not be taught.\n

\n\n

\n A work represented the director's aesthetic sense. Even in some countries where the producer was central, the director's role was still indispensable.\n

\n\n

\n When ordinary people watched a film, they paid more attention to the actors. A literary man like Shu Wangyan, however, would focus on the writer and director.\n

\n\n

\n The impression Ji Shuangyu had left on Shu Wangyan so far was novel and mysterious.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan had originally come with the intention of finding fault and hadn't known much about this play beforehand. Now, his mindset had undergone a subtle shift.\n

\n\n

\n He looked at Ji Shuangyu and said, "I've heard it said that a drama should have a director's style, and a director also has the temperament of the film. In that case, I very much look forward to seeing what kind of style Mr. Ji has, and if it is also so... amusing."\n

\n\n

\n "You flatter me, you flatter me." Ji Shuangyu's words were modest, but his expression was flamboyant and proud. Shu Wangyan had to suppress a laugh, thinking to himself that this was truly a fascinating person.\n

\n\n

\n "I also have a scene in the underworld in this play. They were just rushing me. I need to go wait backstage and get on stage to play the hanging ghost," Ji Shuangyu said, wanting to take his leave.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin stopped him. "Wait."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu looked at his grave expression. "?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said sternly, "You're about to go on stage, and you dare say the word 'ghost'?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Theater troupes had many taboos, and certain words were not to be spoken, especially before going on stage. For example, ghost, umbrella, pagoda, and so on had to be replaced with other words. Just before, Xu Xinyue had used substitutes like 'soul' and 'hanger' for 'hanging ghost'.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu knew about this taboo but had let it slip just now without thinking. It couldn't be helped; this industry had perhaps the most cumbersome set of taboo rules in all of society, and it was hard for him to be mindful of them at all times.\n

\n\n

\n He laughed dryly. "It should be fine."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin frowned. "Which deity does your troupe worship? You should go back and offer a stick of incense." He had been so frightened by Ji Shuangyu earlier that he... fell. It was truly harmful to people!\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu found it a bit amusing and said, "Backstage, we worship the founding master and Guan Gong. Some actors also privately worship great immortals like the Five Great Immortals, Wutong Shen, and so on."\n

\n\n

\n In the northern Huaxia region, many people worshiped animal spirits. The Five Great Immortals corresponded to the fox, weasel, hedgehog, snake, and rat. In a place like a theater troupe, many staff members worshiped animal immortals.\n

\n\n

\n As for Wutong Shen, it was also a folk belief. Because "wu" for "five" sounded like "wu" for "martial," martial arts actors would offer sacrifices to it.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu thought, 'Didn't they say that modern society advocates science and combats superstition?' Even supernatural plays were criticized by some literary figures. Many people were far more scientific than the investor bosses he had met in the modern entertainment industry; those people had countless rituals before starting a shoot.\n

\n\n

\n This Zhou Siyin looked so brazen and modern, had attended a foreign-style school, and knew a foreign language. The Kunlun Bookstore itself excelled at introducing Western learning, and even his family's Old Master Zhou seemed very open-minded. How could he himself be so superstitious?\n

\n\n

\n No wonder he had fainted so dramatically after being scared by Ji Shuangyu before. It turned out he firmly believed in ghosts and gods...\n

\n\n

\n What a strange person!\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu looked at Shu Wangyan, hoping for some support. "Sir, you've studied abroad, you shouldn't believe in this, right?"\n

\n\n

\n 'My god, how could a fox possibly become an immortal!'\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan pondered, "You don't want to offer incense to Guan Gong? Then do you know about God..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: ".........."\n

\n\n

\n Fine, so I'm the one in the minority.\n

\n\n

\n As expected of an era where all sorts of strange things coexisted; it had all kinds of people. And it was true, the West was quite particular about faith.\n

\n\n

\n "Alright, I'm going to offer incense. The underworld scene later is a bit thrilling and scary. You two be careful." Ji Shuangyu glanced quickly at Zhou Siyin, then slipped away after speaking.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n "Haha, good, scare me to death." Shu Wangyan chuckled foolishly for a moment, only then noticing Zhou Siyin's dark expression. "Brother Baoduo, what's wrong?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said irritably, "Go upstairs! Finish watching and hurry back to write your article!"\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan's ticket was for the official seats, which were the best seats on the second floor, equivalent to a modern private box.\n

\n\n

\n The two sat down with different feelings to wait for the show to start. Besides them, the audience was mostly made up of avid opera fans. At this moment, some fans in the theater were chatting.\n

\n\n

\n "I've come to every performance. You probably don't know, but lately, Boss Ying's performance is slightly different almost every time!"\n

\n\n

\n "I thought I was the only one who noticed. Also, why don't we see those annoying stagehands walking around on stage anymore?"\n

\n\n

\n "If you ask me, that aria that Yunqing modified is also stunning. The line 'This body cannot bear the autumn air' is a long, sorrowful tune, sung with such tears and emotion, it drew buckets of tears from me. I've never seen anyone sing like that before. It must be a new technique he's perfected. That line alone is worth the price! An excellent supporting actor!"\n

\n\n

\n Actors were not machines. Some would even improvise, picking up cues from the audience, but by and large, the performance was consistent.\n

\n\n

\n At that time, some famous actors would sprinkle white ash powder on the ground and then perform their footwork on it. After one round, they would do a second. The footprints left both times would have the same number of steps and even be of similar size.\n

\n\n

\n What this fan was talking about, however, were the changes in Ying Xiaonong's singing, performance style, and even the plot.\n

\n\n

\n These changes were the result of Ji Shuangyu directing on the spot. Whatever the actors could digest each day would be presented to the audience on stage. As the lead, Ying Xiaonong's changes were more noticeable.\n

\n\n

\n Audience members who came to every show and understood opera could notice these differences. Once they did, they really wanted to watch it a few more times.\n

\n\n

\n Just then, the curtain on stage was drawn, and the performance began.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan leaned against the railing, watching intently. The plot had just begun, but he already found it interesting.\n

\n\n

\n First was the use of lighting, which so cleverly shaped the plot and characters.\n

\n\n

\n Second was a detail the fans below had also mentioned: there was no one other than the actors walking around on stage.\n

\n\n

\n The stage in those days was not so clear. Stagehands would walk back and forth moving tables and arranging props, and attendants would openly go on stage to give actors water. The audience had to consciously ignore them. But one can imagine how much this ruined the atmosphere and broke the immersion.\n

\n\n

\n But in today's performance of Temple of the Spiritual Official, none of this happened. Even when there were changes, they were concealed by various curtains, prop movements, and so on, hidden from the audience's view.\n

\n\n

\n This was an old habit, and when someone reformed it, the audience cheered loudly.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan clapped and smiled. "How did this director convince these stagehands and famous actors? Good, clearing out this messy crowd really makes it much more refreshing."\n

\n\n

\n —Ji Shuangyu had personally controlled the mechanisms with the stagehands, teaching them all the tricks, which made them want to call him master. These were skills that could put food on the table. With that kind of camaraderie, Ji Shuangyu merely asked them not to walk around openly on stage. How could they not agree?\n

\n\n

\n As the story unfolded, Shu Wangyan was left speechless. He couldn't find any fault!\n

\n\n

\n A master filmmaker once said that boredom in film is murder.\n

\n\n

\n In fact, this is true for all art forms. When modern people watch old movies, they often find them very slow-paced. Even in the future reforms of opera, superfluous plot points would be cut.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had also made bold cuts to the plot, leaving only the essence. A couple of classic scenes were enough to shape the characters.\n

\n\n

\n The running time was reduced, but the whole story felt more fluid and became more impressive. It was also thanks to these actors that they could remember the new script on the fly; after all, it was their livelihood.\n

\n\n

\n Therefore, not only could Shu Wangyan not find any fault, he felt that the plot structure was smooth and exquisite, a kind of satisfying experience he had never seen before. Even some Western short films didn't have such good pacing.\n

\n\n

\n The introduction, development, turn, and conclusion and the distribution of major and minor climaxes were all handled properly. Although it was a supernatural play, it had none of the stale, feudalistic atmosphere!\n

\n\n

\n The dragging parts of the plot were cut, the loopholes were patched, and even the ideology was updated with the times.\n

\n\n

\n For example, there was a previous scene where, after a victim died, his wife would give a monologue and then choose to commit suicide to follow him, which used to be a tear-jerking moment on stage.\n

\n\n

\n But in the new plot, the wife did not commit suicide. Instead, she vowed to seek justice and challenge the gods. In the end, she indeed helped Spiritual Official Wang with her practical actions. In an instant, a tear-jerking moment became a moment of passion.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan couldn't help but comment, "Nowadays, some enlightened individuals heavily criticize supernatural plays for fooling the people and advocate for them to be banned. But while this play speaks of gods and ghosts, it portrays resistance and self-strengthening. On the contrary, it can invisibly educate the illiterate audience."\n

\n\n

\n It completely lacked the musty air he detested most. At some key points, the form was even more novel!\n

\n\n

\n For instance, there were several worshipers in the Lingguan Temple. The light first shone on the area below the stage, and after a worshiper finished their part, they would fall silent and still. The light would then shift to the shrine, where the Spiritual Official would perform, and then it would switch to another person.\n

\n\n

\n "This technique is good, brisk and novel, and easy to understand!" Shu Wangyan praised. This greatly sped up the pace on stage.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin also sighed in praise, "Montage."\n

\n\n

\n "Montage..." Only then did it dawn on Shu Wangyan. "Ah... so it's transplanting film techniques onto the stage. It really does have that feel!"\n

\n\n

\n He couldn't help but slap his thigh. So that's how it was, it was actually like this! It could even be done like this!\n

\n\n

\n He hadn't thought of it at first!\n

\n\n

\n Multiple scenes in one act. Although it was a live performance, it did indeed use lighting changes to present a montage technique on stage.\n

\n\n

\n Montage is a classic film theory, but not every director can use it well. At least in the Huaxia film industry, they had only recently moved away from the monotonous technique of shooting everything with a single long shot.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan also loved watching films and would sometimes read foreign theoretical articles to see if he could borrow anything for his own novels to enhance their visual sense. When Zhou Siyin mentioned it, he immediately understood and found it even more brilliant. Everyone wanted to borrow from film, but look at how this was handled.\n

\n\n

\n As for the rest of the audience, they just found it novel and understandable, but they didn't know it was borrowed from Western cinema.\n

\n\n

\n As for the set design, there was even less to say. It was one of the key reasons for the play's initial success.\n

\n\n

\n The stage used the sets marvelously, and also cleverly employed various curtains and drapes: front curtain, backdrop, gauze curtain, butterfly curtain... especially the layered, folded curtains.\n

\n\n

\n Here, many sets seemed to be more than just inanimate objects; they represented the passage of time, the intersection of heaven and man. Invisibly, the transformation of time and space was conveyed to the audience.\n

\n\n

\n The techniques throughout the play were very innovative but not jarring. The aesthetic of the set design was full of classical elegance, seamlessly blending with the opera into a perfect, harmonious whole, making Shu Wangyan exclaim in admiration again and again!\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n As the play neared its end, Zhou Siyin said he was going to buy some tea.\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan was still immersed in the drama and waved his hand dismissively, not even questioning why they didn't just have the tea shop deliver.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin walked into the courtyard. The residents of Jingcheng loved to plant flowers. Whether it was princes and nobles or common city dwellers, their courtyards always had flowers for all four seasons. Here, there was a faint scent of wintersweet, refreshing the heart and soul.\n

\n\n

\n Looking up through the branches, the night was too deep. A half-moon, frosted, was hidden in the clouds, making the sky unclear. But one could hear the clear sound of pigeon whistles passing overhead, intertwining with the melodious flute music coming from the large and small theaters all along the street, sounding remarkably similar.\n

\n\n

\n It had started to snow lightly at some point. Zhou Siyin tilted his face up, and the snowflakes landed on his sharply defined features, melting in an instant. He let out a breath, which seemed to carry a faint melancholy—\n

\n\n

\n Damn it! Damn it!\n

\n\n

\n The lighting in that underworld scene was really eerie. He had been holding it in for a while and had to come out for some fresh air.\n

\n\n

\n Just then, something brushed against Zhou Siyin's back. He turned around casually and saw a tongue stuck right in front of his face.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "!!"\n

\n\n

\n A chill ran down his spine! His hair stood on end!\n

\n\n

\n Looking closely, he saw it was a prop tongue. It was Ji Shuangyu and his prop tongue.\n

\n\n

\n The man was playing with the tongue, flicking it against his back again and again.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: ".................."\n

\n\n

\n At this moment, the audience was focused on the finale, and there was no one else in the courtyard.\n

\n\n

\n When Ji Shuangyu saw Zhou Siyin hiding here, he came over to say hello, asking doubtfully, "Mr. Zhou, are you scared?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin smiled naturally. "Not scared."\n

\n\n

\n He slowly reached out, and his two fingers precisely pinched the long, fake tongue that was still bouncing.\n

\n\n

\n Internally: 'I'm crazy!! I'm going crazy!!!'\n

\n\n

\n "Oh, not scared?" Ji Shuangyu tilted his head back and pulled the tongue out. His tone was casual, but his expression didn't look like he believed it in the slightest.\n

\n\n

\n Without the tongue, his image was as if sculpted from smoke and clouds, more radiant than the frosty moon.\n

\n\n

\n Unfortunately, he had deliberately taken off his hat at this moment, revealing a head of white hair. Light snow swirled and fell into his hair, indistinguishable from it, making his image even more otherworldly...\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu smiled. "Mr. Zhou, did you think... this play was good?"\n

\n\n

\n He clearly wasn't standing too close, yet in an instant, the scent of wintersweet faded, and the cold air of the fine snow in his hair drew near.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: ".........."\n

\n\n

\n Seeing Ji Shuangyu's appearance again, Zhou Siyin's pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart gave two heavy thumps. He suddenly remembered what Shu Wangyan had said: a drama represents the director's style, and a director also possesses the temperament of the film.\n

\n\n

\n Regardless of anything else, this whole production of Temple of the Spiritual Official was indeed just like Ji Shuangyu—unexpected, and thrilling...\n

\n\n

\n And beautiful.\n

","published_time":"2026-05-16T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-04-18T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-05-16T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4095,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":13,"chapter_title":"Chapter 12","content":"

\n When Zhou Siyin returned, Shu Wangyan merely asked why he was so late before being chased back to write his manuscript.\n

\n\n

\n Once seated in the car, Zhou Siyin felt a lingering numbness in his fingers, his mind not yet fully functional. He hadn't told Ji Shuangyu his answer, only repeating, rather incongruously, "I am not afraid."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu looked slightly puzzled before being called away by the troupe members.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin stood there for a while, thinking he might have indeed been scared witless. He needed to take his medicine when he got back.\n

\n\n

\n The next day.\n

\n\n

\n Many theater fans in Jingcheng sat at home, picking up the latest issue of the newspaper, and couldn't help but rub their eyes.\n

\n\n

\n It was common knowledge that the most talked-about traditional opera in Jingcheng recently was Temple of the Spiritual Official. Its reputation was excellent, though some controversy had gradually arisen due to its sets.\n

\n\n

\n But what popular play didn't have controversy? Even renowned dan actors were inevitably attacked and nitpicked by the fans of their rivals.\n

\n\n

\n Today, however, marked the first large-scale wave of negative reviews.\n

\n\n

\n Several articles pointed out from various angles: on a small scale, the boss was stingy and miserly, unwilling to spend on sets and mechanisms. On a larger scale, Temple of the Spiritual Official was a regression, a mistake, completely devoid of innovation!\n

\n\n

\n There was even an anonymous tip from an insider, revealing that the set designer for this play was a freelance extra from the Changle Theater.\n

\n\n

\n This amateur extra, named Ji Shuangyu, was originally an orphan who did manual labor on the streets. His parents' family had fallen from grace, and he had never attended school or been formally trained in opera.\n

\n\n

\n For such a person to design sets and mechanisms was one thing, but for him to interfere with the performance on stage, making actors like Ying Xiaonong have to scramble on stage...\n

\n\n

\n If it were just this, the theater fans wouldn't have been so dumbfounded.\n

\n\n

\n The main reason was that, in another newspaper, Kunlun Bookstore's number one bestselling author, Shu Wangyan, had published an essay heaping praise on Temple of the Spiritual Official, calling it "the most innovative and beautiful play I've seen in recent years, a true breath of fresh air," "it speaks of ghosts and gods without worshipping them, possessing an anti-feudal spirit," and "it adopts Western film theories and techniques, perfectly integrating them into the opera stage."\n

\n\n

\n This was Shu Wangyan!\n

\n\n

\n Everyone knew Shu Wangyan loved to mock the fallacies in theater. This was the first time he had ever praised a play so highly, and his column had even exceeded the word limit...\n

\n\n

\n It was as if everything was backward. Theater fans were harshly criticizing Temple of the Spiritual Official, calling it regressive and erroneous, while Shu Wangyan was lauding it, saying the play was highly innovative, the plot refreshing, and its ideas superior to common ghost and god plays.\n

\n\n

\n What kind of world was this? How could it not make people reading the newspaper suspect they had gotten out of bed on the wrong side today?\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan had a vast number of readers. While cursing him for having time to watch plays but not to write more updates, they also went to learn about this play.\n

\n\n

\n According to past patterns, the aggressive negative reviews targeting the Changle Theater should have been able to build some momentum and affect its reputation, perhaps even its box office.\n

\n\n

\n But who could have guessed that Shu Wangyan had also gone to see the play, and that he would stand with Temple of the Spiritual Official!\n

\n\n

\n These theater critics couldn't compare to Shu Wangyan's influence with words, and they certainly couldn't compare to his character—to think that Shu Wangyan, who always criticized the plots of traditional operas, would come out to support this one. Who do you think the audience would believe?\n

\n\n

\n One side used the standards of Western drama to deem Temple of the Spiritual Official erroneous; the other side lavished it with praise, saying Temple of the Spiritual Official employed superb and novel film techniques.\n

\n\n

\n Moreover, Shu Wangyan's arguments were well-founded. This "Montage" thing, although many hadn't heard of it, the more knowledgeable people could always find information on it. The theory had only been invented a short time ago, and practically no domestic film had mastered it.\n

\n\n

\n This wasn't just a difference of opinion; this was a resounding slap in the face.\n

\n\n

\n Who were they calling archaic? Who did they say didn't understand innovation?\n

\n\n

\n Their set designer may not have gone to school or had formal training, but wasn't he far more cultured and innovative than all of you who spout Western drama theory?\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue was grinning so hard his mouth was about to split. "Montage, Montage, right? I don't know what it is, but it's really a wonderful thing!"\n

\n\n

\n He quickly took advantage of this favorable wind and had someone write a notice on large red paper to post outside:\n

\n\n

\n In light of the audience's enthusiasm and constant demand for tickets, the theater has decided to extend the run of Temple of the Spiritual Official for another five days. Everyone can now go to the box office to book their tickets!\n

\n\n

\n By this count, Temple of the Spiritual Official had now been running continuously in Jingcheng for fifteen days, tying the previous record holder, Lu Ya Defeats Gongming, which had starred two famous actors!\n

\n\n

\n —If you counted the days the old version was on, it had long since surpassed it.\n

\n\n

\n Although the Changle Theater had fewer seats, and that famous actor had performed in a grand theater, making the two not directly comparable, it was still a great honor to boast about.\n

\n\n

\n Thanks to Shu Wangyan's support stirring up public opinion, a long queue actually formed outside the box office overnight, waiting for sales to start on time the next day. It became a spectacle on the street, drawing the curious gazes of passersby.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was surprised when he saw it. It was still freezing cold. "Boss, did you hire shills?"\n

\n\n

\n "Nonsense, I did not!" Xu Xinyue retorted emotionally. How could he insult him and Temple of the Spiritual Official like that? He declared loudly, "I didn't know you could even hire shills to line up and build hype. I've learned something new!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n How should he put it? He actually felt a little like praising Xu Xinyue for even considering spending! money! to hire shills.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n The tickets for these five days were quickly sold out again. The dispute in the newspapers had conversely become its biggest advertisement.\n

\n\n

\n And because those theater reviews had brought Ji Shuangyu into the limelight, his name seemed to have become famous for a time.\n

\n\n

\n Not everyone necessarily understood progress versus regression or artistic ideology, but the theater fans all knew about "scrambling on stage," and they knew that there had never been a director on the opera stage before.\n

\n\n

\n This was a stark departure from the traditional actor-centric system.\n

\n\n

\n When actors from other troupes heard about it, controversies arose. There were quite a few conservative forces in the theater world. The dispute over set design style was secondary; the influence of this director position was far too great!\n

\n\n

\n "...Uh, if I had to accept being directed by a freelance extra and set designer, I couldn't stand it. How a play is sung has always been figured out by the actors themselves."\n

\n\n

\n "Exactly, after our decades of hard work, we're supposed to listen to a set designer?"\n

\n\n

\n "It's only because Xu Xinyue was at his wit's end that he would use a 'director'. He really lucked out with this play."\n

\n\n

\n "Speaking of which, I wonder how Ying Xiaonong was actually guided. My master said he went to see it, and Boss Ying has never been so at ease on stage before. The moment he opened his mouth, the audience erupted. The plot alone couldn't achieve that, could it?"\n

\n\n

\n "And that Western theory Mr. Shu Wangyan mentioned, that must have been the director's design too."\n

\n\n

\n "Is that so..."\n

\n\n

\n Could it be that Ying Xiaonong's improvement was really due to the director's guidance?\n

\n\n

\n Opinions were divided within the Pear Garden community. Even with the conservatives waving their banners, they couldn't reach a consensus for a time: what exactly was a director, and was it a good thing or a bad thing?\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n .\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was at the center of public opinion.\n

\n\n

\n However, without a phone or a computer, and being too reluctant to spend money on newspapers, plus having very few friends in the theater world, all that talk was meaningless to him.\n

\n\n

\n Even if he knew, he would probably just roll his eyes and think, 'I won't argue with you old fossils; the box office will do the talking.'\n

\n\n

\n As a modern person, Ji Shuangyu knew that these current opinions wouldn't be passed down. In later generations, when people brought it up, they would at most say that in that era, a certain play achieved the highest box office.\n

\n\n

\n Right now, Ji Shuangyu himself was in Small Drum Alley, playing mom...\n

\n\n

\n "Drink up. Meat, eggs, and milk, none can be missing!" Ji Shuangyu had bought a lot of eggs and milk, learned how to cook them well, and fed them to the four children. He peeled an egg for himself as well to supplement his protein. 'Ji Feifei, eat more. Even if you don't get fairer, you'll grow taller.'\n

\n\n

\n The courtyard gate was open. The structure of their large, jumbled courtyard was crude, with no spirit screen, so passersby could immediately make eye contact with those inside.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was eating an egg and happened to go out to throw away some trash when he saw Shu Wangyan and Zhou Siyin passing by. Shu Wangyan was dejected, and Zhou Siyin also had his head down, looking burdened with worries. Neither seemed to be in high spirits.\n

\n\n

\n "Hey! Mr. Zhou!" Ji Shuangyu raised his hand and gave a muffled greeting.\n

\n\n

\n He had joked around with Zhou Siyin a bit at the Changle Theater earlier, and the man seemed to have been scared stiff. But he hadn't fainted, so that was progress.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin stiffened at the sound of his voice, and his steps grew heavier.\n

\n\n

\n He was here to drag Shu Wangyan to see a doctor. The fellow had been well for only a few days before he started wailing again that he was deathly ill and that they should hurry up and prepare his obituary and hiatus notice...\n

\n\n

\n This time, Zhou Siyin was determined to shut his mouth.\n

\n\n

\n "Eh, Mr. Ji, you live here too?" Shu Wangyan said in pleasant surprise. "So we're neighbors who've never met. I live just over there!"\n

\n\n

\n "Oh, oh, is that so?" Ji Shuangyu glanced at Zhou Siyin. No wonder Zhou Siyin had come to Small Drum Alley before.\n

\n\n

\n "Since you live here too, then before, you and..." Shu Wangyan seemed to have thought of something and was about to speak when Zhou Siyin interrupted him, "Aren't you on your deathbed?"\n

\n\n

\n Why was he getting excited again?\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan quickly switched to a feeble tone, clutching his chest and whispering, "How did you two meet, anyway? I always feel that Brother Baoduo's attitude towards you is exceptionally good. He's so harsh with us..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: 'Hehe, that's because I have leverage on him, of course!'\n

\n\n

\n "That's a secret. Just assume we met when I was borrowing a book from the library," Ji Shuangyu said with a smile. "Why don't you two come in for a drink? I haven't had a chance to thank you yet. I didn't realize you were a famous author who even spoke up for us in the newspapers. Your righteous words saved us, or else we would have flopped."\n

\n\n

\n He had only learned that Zhou Siyin's friend was a bestselling author after a colleague who had seen Shu Wangyan's small portrait in the paper mentioned it. It made sense; Zhou Siyin himself was a publisher.\n

\n\n

\n "I was just telling the truth," Shu Wangyan said, holding his head high. He had never deigned to write things for personal connections or for money.\n

\n\n

\n "Still, thank you very much. I must read your books some other day." Ji Shuangyu warmly invited them in and poured two glasses of hot milk. Little brother Lei-zi also dutifully added more fuel to the fire before running out to play, leaving space for his brother and the guests to chat.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin looked around. The place had changed a bit since his last visit. Sunlight shone through the new translucent window paper, illuminating the newly applied light green wallpaper. Though they were small changes, the whole room looked much warmer and brighter.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said, "I hear Mr. Wangyan writes suspense, and it's a bit scary—Mr. Zhou, can an ordinary person fall asleep after reading it?" He turned the conversation to Zhou Siyin.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n 'Why not ask the author himself, instead of the bookstore boss?' Utterly oblivious, Shu Wangyan said, "It's a little scary! Especially the latest chapter. I even got the inspiration from Small Drum Alley, haha. Right, Brother Baoduo? Tell us your thoughts after reading it?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said coldly, "I don't know. Haven't read it."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan: "??"\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan said in disbelief, "Impossible, how could you have not read it!"\n

\n\n

\n It was one thing for Ji Shuangyu not to have read it; his books were bestsellers, but perhaps the man just didn't like reading novels. But Zhou Siyin was different. He was the owner of Kunlun Bookstore and had even rushed him for his manuscript several times!\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan had always assumed Zhou Siyin read his work; Zhou Siyin had even relayed the editor's comments about the plot to him.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin indeed hadn't read it, and the reason was that he didn't quite dare to... be interested. But this reason was not for outsiders.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin thought for a moment and said, "...I only read completed novels."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan took two steps back and spat out a mouthful of blood.\n

\n\n

\n Heavens, what a hurtful thing to say!!\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan retreated to a corner to nurse his wounds.\n

\n\n

\n Seeing Ji Shuangyu also drinking a cup of hot milk, a milk mustache forming on his lip, Zhou Siyin couldn't help but ask, "Where are your ancestors from?"\n

\n\n

\n The dairy companies of this era were initially established to meet the demands of foreigners, introducing equipment for pasteurization and cold chains, and selling condensed milk, fresh milk, and milk powder, even exporting them overseas.\n

\n\n

\n Later, influenced by advertisements, Huaxia people also began to buy dairy products, but the main advertising targets were children and women. And some people still believed that milk was not suitable for children. Ji Shuangyu, however, seemed to drink it without any reservations.\n

\n\n

\n He suddenly remembered Ji Shuangyu had used the word "flopped" just now and asked with curiosity, "Are you from the Guangdong region?"\n

\n\n

\n That area was also heavily influenced by foreigners.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "How could that be? My whole family are old Jingcheng natives through and through!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n "Just kidding, hahaha." After his little joke, Ji Shuangyu chuckled. "I'm a Jingcheng native. It's just... I saw in your bookstore's newspaper that milk is good for you, and I have kids at home."\n

\n\n

\n Speaking of the newspaper, something stirred in Zhou Siyin's mind, and he began to stare at Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n His steps had been heavy on the way here because he had a difficult problem, but now, seeing Ji Shuangyu, an idea suddenly occurred to him...\n

\n\n

\n As for Ji Shuangyu, who was being stared at, he didn't react. He was used to it.\n

\n\n

\n "Would you accept a commission?" Zhou Siyin asked.\n

\n\n

\n "A commission? I can't write novels," Ji Shuangyu said. He believed that screenwriting and directing shouldn't be separate and he could write scripts himself, having even modified Temple of the Spiritual Official this time. But writing a novel was still somewhat different. Since Shu Wangyan was standing nearby, he assumed Zhou Siyin wanted to commission him to write a story.\n

\n\n

\n "I don't mean a novel. I'm referring to... your calligraphy," Zhou Siyin said slowly. "I would like to invite you to write the masthead for a new periodical from our bookstore. The remuneration is fifty yuan. I've seen your calligraphy; it has a very unique style."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu froze in the middle of drinking his milk.\n

\n\n

\n He had worked so hard on a whole play, and Xu Xinyue had only given him about twenty yuan!!\n

\n\n

\n At that moment, Shu Wangyan suddenly walked back with a look of terror on his face. "I told you the legends of Small Drum Alley are true! Did you hear that? A faint voice calling 'Brother'..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Feifei: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu picked up Ji Feifei and said slowly, "Mr. Wangyan, this is my little sister. She was calling me."\n

\n\n

\n "Ah! Where did she come from!" Shu Wangyan jumped, then realized that while the person was a bit dark and skinny, she was indeed a living child. He wiped his face in embarrassment.\n

\n\n

\n No, he had to shift this embarrassment onto someone else.\n

\n\n

\n "I'm now very suspicious about how you two really met. I originally thought Brother Baoduo was deliberately messing with me, but it's such a coincidence that Mr. Ji lives here too. Tell me, did something happen on the night Brother Baoduo came looking for me? Don't tell me Brother Baoduo encountered one of Small Drum Alley's legends and didn't dare tell me?"\n

\n\n

\n As expected of a novelist, Shu Wangyan's casual words were eighty to ninety percent correct. Except he probably wouldn't have guessed, even if it were spelled out for him, that Zhou Siyin's courage could be so at odds with his appearance.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin's heart tightened.\n

\n\n

\n Just then, Ji Shuangyu wiped his mouth and declared loudly, "I won't have you speaking of Mr. Zhou like that! He is the bravest man in the world!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan scratched his head, "Oh? Oh?"\n

\n\n

\n Fifty yuan, fifty yuan. Food and clothing were now secure, but his living situation was still very simple. With fifty yuan, he could buy some more furniture and would no longer be considered destitute.\n

\n\n

\n 'I will never tease Boss Zhou again. What's the difference between a boss like this and a Bodhisattva?' Not only would he not tease him, Ji Shuangyu even took full responsibility: "It was me! I'm afraid of the dark and ghosts, and I fell down. Mr. Zhou selflessly helped me!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Shu Wangyan nodded, "Oh, oh!"\n

","published_time":"2026-05-23T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-04-25T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-05-23T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4153,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":14,"chapter_title":"Chapter 13 Part 1","content":"

\n You couldn't blame Shu Wangyan for being dense. Even though he was a novelist, and even though he knew Zhou Siyin often burned incense... he couldn't have guessed Zhou Siyin's true nature. He just felt that the way Ji Shuangyu and Zhou Siyin spoke was strange.\n

\n\n

\n What was going on? Could it be that these two hit it off right away?\n

\n\n

\n Before leaving Small Drum Alley, Zhou Siyin gave Ji Shuangyu a sum for wasted ink and an advance on his writing fee. When a calligrapher creates a work, it's not something they can just dash off. They need to deliberate. Besides, Ji Shuangyu didn't even have his own fountain pen; he had to go buy one.\n

\n\n

\n This kind of wasted ink fee had always been an extra expense, not included in the fifty dollars.\n

\n\n

\n “Where can I buy a good fountain pen? Can you recommend a place?” Having accepted the money, Ji Shuangyu was working hard. “Boss, why don't you take me to buy one? I’m sure they’ll give a discount if they see your face, right?”\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was right, of course. Zhou Siyin was in cultural publishing. When merchants in this line of business saw him, whether they knew him or not, they would certainly offer a discount as a gesture.\n

\n\n

\n This was also for the sake of the calligraphy.\n

\n\n

\n So, while the theater world was madly discussing Director Ji, debating whether he was cultured enough or qualified, he was already off to the commercial district to buy a fountain pen—\n

\n\n

\n The next day.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu and Zhou Siyin sat side by side in the back. He was wearing his best new clothes and hat, though they were still the cheapest cotton jacket and felt hat.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu asked Zhou Siyin, "How did you come up with the idea of asking me to write the masthead?"\n

\n\n

\n Thinking about it afterward, he found it rather strange. At the time, he only thought fifty dollars was a high price. Later, he flipped through some newspapers and checked the standard rates for calligraphers, which gave him a more concrete understanding of the market price.\n

\n\n

\n For works by contemporary calligraphers that could be sold on consignment in shops, a plaque could sell for thirty to forty dollars, while a couplet would be priced by size—a six-foot one might go for over ten dollars. That was already quite good.\n

\n\n

\n Fifty dollars to commission a masthead from a nobody was definitely an exaggeration. And he later found out that the new periodical Zhou Siyin was starting was called Calligraphy Education. As the name implied, its professional nature was clear.\n

\n\n

\n 'Could this Mr. Zhou be a masochist? After being teased by him several times, he still sent money his way? Or was he trying to buy his silence?'\n

\n\n

\n 'He doesn't seem like the type to compromise so easily...'\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said in a calm tone, "I think your calligraphy is quite good and very innovative. I've never seen such fountain pen writing before, so I asked you to write it."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu finally came to his senses. 'Oh, right, I'm writing with a fountain pen! Hard-pen calligraphy probably hasn't developed much yet at this time, right?'\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu was instantly relieved and looked at Zhou Siyin with an admiring gaze.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin actually felt a bit unnatural, a rare feeling in his life, perhaps because Ji Shuangyu had been so... ordinary towards him before. He calmly looked at Ji Shuangyu, placed his hand on the back of the seat, slightly raised his chin, and adopted a composed posture.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said with great emotion, "Mr. Zhou, your judgment is simply too good!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n 'Who is he actually complimenting??'\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu laughed heartily. "Don't worry, you're definitely not losing out. Although you're paying me a hefty fifty-dollar fee, as my films' box office earnings get higher and I become famous, this fifty dollars will become more and more valuable!"\n

\n\n

\n 'While it's true I saw the value in it... this person really isn't modest at all.' Zhou Siyin glanced at him.\n

\n\n

\n Fifty dollars was enough for a family's expenses for an entire month, and a relatively comfortable one at that. That's why high-level intellectuals, like professors, with monthly salaries of two to three hundred, or even three to four hundred, were considered very well-off at this time.\n

\n\n

\n With this money, he could finally buy some furniture. His family was so poor they basically only had beds and a pot... Any decent furniture had been pawned off when his parents were sick.\n

\n\n

\n The car stopped outside a foreign goods store, and when Ji Shuangyu got out, he felt a bit dazed.\n

\n\n

\n The commercial district they arrived at was next to the legation quarter. There were many foreign goods from various countries, and most of the storefronts were Western in style. Some had clerks standing at the entrance handing out flyers, others had large characters advertising clearance sales, and some even had a group of clerks shouting slogans and dancing at the door...\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: ??? 'What a familiar feeling.'\n

\n\n

\n The foreign goods store had large glass doors and glass display cases, which made ordinary citizens hesitant to even pull the door open, stopping them in their tracks outside.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu, however, calmly pulled the door open himself. He nodded at the approaching clerk and asked directly, "Do you have Leishen fountain pens? Show me the one with the broadest nib."\n

\n\n

\n "Yes, sir. Please wait a moment," the clerk said politely. Although Ji Shuangyu himself was wearing a felt hat, Zhou Siyin next to him was dressed in a well-tailored suit, and his face had appeared in newspapers.\n

\n\n

\n Moreover, this gentleman's attitude was incredibly relaxed. He leaned his elbow on the glass counter, idly looking over the goods in the store. Even so, his posture wasn't off-putting.\n

\n\n

\n Seeing this, the clerk thought he might be a super-rich man with some eccentricities, deliberately dressing this way.\n

\n\n

\n At this thought, the clerk's movements became even quicker.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin was also secretly observing Ji Shuangyu. According to some newspaper reports, Ji Shuangyu's parents had come from a family that had fallen on hard times. His family's circumstances had been good until he was three, after which they moved to Small Drum Alley.\n

\n\n

\n But judging from Ji Shuangyu's words, actions, and even his hands, which only had thin calluses from writing, he had his doubts.\n

\n\n

\n 'Perhaps Ji Shuangyu was raised by his parents to have a temperament that remains unfazed by favor or disgrace, but how could a person who had done manual labor on the streets have such delicate fingers and skin, and such white, neat teeth?'\n

\n\n

\n 'Or is what the newspapers wrote inaccurate? Does he have other experiences? ...I'll make another note.'\n

\n\n

\n By now, the clerk had brought out the fountain pens. Not just the Leishen pen Ji Shuangyu had asked for, but many other brands as well. "Sir, you can take a look at our newly imported Levi fountain pen. This is this year's new model, 12K gold..."\n

\n\n

\n Both the Levi and Leishen brands existed even in modern times. The former was imported, while the latter was a local brand from Hushang. Right now, the price difference between the two was quite large; an imported fountain pen could be traded for a house, though housing prices weren't that exaggerated yet.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu himself had always used Leishen for his calligraphy practice. His family was well-off and he never lacked for anything, but they weren't extravagant. The elders in his family were rather frugal and had always used Leishen, and its quality was indeed quite sturdy.\n

\n\n

\n "No, I just like using Leishen," Ji Shuangyu interrupted him. "Besides, this Levi is too expensive right now, I can't afford it!"\n

\n\n

\n The clerk was taken aback and said, feeling a little wronged, "Sir, the price of Levi pens just dropped because of tariffs." In fact, it wasn't because of tariffs, but due to competition from Huaxia's domestically produced fountain pens. But the price was already at an all-time low, so how could he still say it was expensive?\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu comforted him, "It's fine, it'll get even lower."\n

\n\n

\n The clerk: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu unscrewed a Leishen pen and looked at it. "This is a medium nib, right? Do you have anything broader?"\n

\n\n

\n M was just medium-broad. Seeing that he was quite familiar with fountain pens, the clerk suppressed his speechlessness. Failing to sell a Levi, selling a Leishen wasn't bad either. He quickly went to check and confirmed for Ji Shuangyu that it was the broadest one.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu bought a Leishen pen and then shamelessly had Zhou Siyin advance him more of his fee to buy some furniture, bumming a ride back to Small Drum Alley in Zhou Siyin's car—if he didn't take this chance to use Zhou Siyin's car, he would have had to spend money to hire someone to move the furniture. He couldn't bear that, so of course, he got it all done at once.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n A few days later, when Zhou Siyin returned to Ji Shuangyu's home in Small Drum Alley, he saw that the place had been completely transformed.\n

\n\n

\n A small pane of glass was set into the window. Nowadays, families of average means who wanted light or to show off would set a pane just like that in the middle, just big enough for someone to look out. The rest of the window was still covered with translucent paper, which didn't let in as much light as glass but provided warmth.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had done just that. Sunlight now streamed into the room, dispelling the gloom. On the kang bed-stove was a small table with a few flowers, but on closer inspection, they weren't fresh flowers but dried flowers and grasses. They weren't in a proper vase either, but in an old pen holder, which surprisingly lent a certain quaint charm. Next to it was a coarse porcelain dish with some pastries, showing that he had no intention of compromising when it came to food.\n

\n\n

\n The floor had been leveled and was covered with a dark, hand-knotted floral rug. Locals weren't used to laying carpets on the floor; they only used kang blankets or table runners. Floor carpets were only used for weddings and funerals. The habit of using floor carpets was a bit Western.\n

\n\n

\n The handmade rug wasn't as even as a machine-woven one, but it was thick and plush. Ji Shuangyu's younger brother and sister were sitting and playing on it, looking relaxed in a way that only came from having full stomachs. A new ceramic stove was burning brightly nearby, warming the room as soon as one entered, which also indicated that the master of the house no longer lacked coal.\n

\n\n

\n That day, Ji Shuangyu had bought a few pieces of high-legged furniture, like a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Zhou Siyin had thought it might be too little and too simple in style, but seeing it now, it was clear he had a comprehensive plan for what he sourced. The pieces fit together very well.\n

\n\n

\n With the new furniture and various daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt, Ji Shuangyu had spent nearly all of the advance, pinching every penny. The resulting effect, however, was worth many times more. Combined with the wallpaper he had put up earlier, the entire room was completely different from how it first appeared.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin quickly understood. Thinking of Ji Shuangyu's ability to create complex effects with simple stage sets, it was no wonder he could arrange the room so comfortably and elegantly with so few items.\n

\n\n

\n The lighting was much better. Even his third sister, Ji Feifei, wasn't as scary as before...\n

\n\n

\n "Mr. Zhou, please have a seat." Ji Shuangyu had also made a few straw-woven cushions and placed them on the kang. He had already spread out a sheet of paper; he had been contemplating this for a while and had practiced writing it several times.\n

\n\n

\n Now, in front of Zhou Siyin, Ji Shuangyu picked up his pen again and, concentrating, wrote the two large characters for "Calligraphy Education".\n

\n\n

\n When he finished, Zhou Siyin immediately praised him from the heart: "Excellent! The character composition is naturally varied, with an authentic, ancient style." Although he had never seen Ji Shuangyu's brushwork, he could tell from these characters alone that Ji Shuangyu was skilled with a brush.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu chuckled and took out a seal he had carved. Ever since he was a novice, he had liked using seals; it made his writing seem more impressive. Now that he had to write, he had gone and carved one.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said that the first issue would feature an enlarged version of the masthead on a separate page, presented as a work of calligraphy.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu dipped the seal in ink paste, and two red characters were stamped onto the paper: Gourd Elder.\n

\n\n

\n "Gourd Elder? What kind of name is that?" Zhou Siyin found it strange. 'Could it be because of Ji Shuangyu's unusually white hair that he calls himself an old man? Does he grow gourds in the yard? It's hard to tell in winter.'\n

\n\n

\n "Yes, that's my new pen name." Ji Shuangyu didn't explain, only glanced at his four younger siblings. 'Sigh, I'm the one raising the gourd babies.'\n

\n\n

\n However, Zhou Siyin's attention quickly shifted back to Ji Shuangyu's writing, and to the Leishen fountain pen placed beside it. "Why do I get the feeling that your pen is very good to use..."\n

\n\n

\n He had never used a Leishen fountain pen, but watching Ji Shuangyu write just now, he couldn't help but feel that his pen was exceptionally good.\n

","published_time":"2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","paid":false,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-05-02T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4211,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":15,"chapter_title":"Chapter 13 Part 2","content":"

\n Ji Shuangyu: "That's one of the three great illusions of life: someone else's tools are better. No, it's just that my hand is better."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "...You were very respectful to me just two days ago." 'He praised me as the bravest person. So, respect can just disappear, can it?'\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "That's why I'm reminding you now, it's time to renew your subscription."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..." ?? 'So soon!'\n

\n\n

\n 'No, no, impossible.'\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin picked up Ji Shuangyu's pen, wrote a few strokes on a nearby piece of paper, and then murmured, "It's not an illusion. I really do think this one is better to use..."\n

\n\n

\n "Haha, I can't fool you. It's because I've ground this one myself," Ji Shuangyu said. He had a habit of grinding his own pen nibs.\n

\n\n

\n The fountain pen was originally an import, invented to be better suited for writing Western scripts. But in later times, some fountain pen brands began developing models specifically for writing Chinese characters, grinding the nib into a shape that made it more suitable.\n

\n\n

\n This included some calligraphy pens, which had bent nibs that could easily produce brush-like strokes with variations in thickness.\n

\n\n

\n A craftsman must first sharpen his tools to do his work well. Although a skilled calligrapher could write well with any tool, showcasing the beauty of structure and stroke momentum, Ji Shuangyu always had the habit of grinding his own fountain pen nibs to suit his preferences when creating a formal piece.\n

\n\n

\n It was like how some calligraphers loved using worn-out brushes—a personal preference.\n

\n\n

\n Leishen fountain pens were also modeled after Western ones, which meant they were originally better suited for writing Western scripts.\n

\n\n

\n But after being ground, this pen was better suited for Ji Shuangyu's writing, and also better for writing Chinese characters. Although its price wasn't as high as an imported pen's, when it came to writing Chinese characters, it was superior!\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin held the Leishen fountain pen, unable to put it down. With a businessman's intuition, he even immediately began to consider the possibility of mass-producing it.\n

\n\n

\n "Can you give it back to me now?" Ji Shuangyu saw the look in his eyes, as if he wouldn't let go. Under the current conditions, grinding it had not been easy.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "Can you grind one for me too? ...I'll renew my subscription."\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n The Zhou family's old residence.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said to the butler, "Prepare a Leishen fountain pen for me, with the broadest nib."\n

\n\n

\n The butler hesitated for a moment. "Leishen brand?"\n

\n\n

\n 'Isn't that the fountain pen brand established in Hushang two years ago? Huaxia merchants have a keen sense of business; seeing that the fountain pen market was taking off, they opened a local factory to seize the market. However, it hasn't been established for long, and its brand isn't as solid as the foreign ones.'\n

\n\n

\n The butler found it very strange that the young master would specifically ask for a Leishen fountain pen.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin nodded. "Yes, the Leishen brand."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had already agreed to grind a fountain pen for him too, so he had to have one ready.\n

\n\n

\n Just as he said this, Zhou Siyin's second maternal uncle also returned to the old residence.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin's second maternal uncle was named Zhou Ruojuan. When he saw Zhou Siyin, he couldn't help but smile, looking especially pleased.\n

\n\n

\n They all had their own residences outside the old family home but would return out of propriety. Bumping into Zhou Siyin today truly delighted him. "Baoduo is back? How is it going? Have you found a calligrapher to write the masthead? I hear Department Head Zou is returning to Jingcheng before the new year."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin glanced at him but said nothing.\n

\n\n

\n This was the uncle from the second branch whom he had once berated in the newspaper for three consecutive days. Recently, he had been traveling frequently to Hushang, supposedly to get involved in the film business and invest in movies, hoping to regain some face from Zhou Siyin.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu didn't know that before him, Zhou Siyin had originally commissioned the great Jiangnan calligrapher Mr. Tan You'an for the Calligraphy Education masthead. For other publications it wouldn't matter, but for a calligraphy journal that invited all the famous masters, only Mr. Tan could command the respect needed for the masthead.\n

\n\n

\n Mr. Tan You'an hadn't accepted commissions for a long time, but he had agreed because Zhou Siyin's late mother had been an acquaintance. Unexpectedly, he backed out at the last minute, claiming illness, which had troubled Zhou Siyin for several days. Finding a replacement was a tricky matter that could easily offend people; there were many skilled calligraphers, so who to choose and who to pass over?\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin had always suspected that someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. It wasn't that he was overly suspicious, but Shu Wangyan had already given the people at Kunlun a complex with his tricks of feigning illness and death...\n

\n\n

\n Before, it was just a suspicion, but now, seeing Zhou Ruojuan's eager expression, he was eighty to ninety percent sure it was this old scoundrel. Even if it wasn't, cursing him as an old scoundrel would certainly not be unjust!\n

\n\n

\n Seeing that he was being ignored, Zhou Ruojuan put on a one-man show, saying earnestly, "Department Head Zou exclusively admires Mr. You'an's style. If you knew you couldn't secure him, you shouldn't have announced the good news so early. Department Head Zou thinks highly of you and allowed the bookstore to compile and print textbooks, but you're still too young, too impatient. Wouldn't it be better to print the textbooks first, secure the calligraphy, and then announce the new periodical? Why were you in such a rush to show off?"\n

\n\n

\n Calligraphy Education was started at the initiative of the calligraphy society to promote Huaxia calligraphy and education. Department Head Zou of the Ministry of Education was a proponent of calligraphy studies and paid special attention to it, requiring every school to subscribe.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "Are you telling me how to do my job?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan's face flushed with anger. "I'm your elder. What's wrong with showing some concern?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "If you want to know what's wrong, go buy last year's issues one hundred twenty-seven, one hundred twenty-eight, and one hundred twenty-nine of the Capital Daily. It's written in great detail."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Those were the three issues of the newspaper in which Zhou Siyin had consecutively berated him.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said slowly, "And there's no need for concern. The commission has already been arranged."\n

\n\n

\n He was holding Ji Shuangyu's original manuscript in his hand.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan grew wary. This young brat was very decisive, just like his third sister. He stared at the manuscript in Zhou Siyin's hand.\n

\n\n

\n 'Tsk, don't tell me he actually found a good replacement. Tan You'an is known for his regular script, but there are other masters of semi-cursive and cursive scripts. Or perhaps he directly invited a literary celebrity? Could it be...' He couldn't help but crane his neck to look.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin hid the manuscript behind his back.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan walked behind him to see.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin turned halfway, and he followed.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n "Ahem." Zhou Ruojuan noticed Zhou Siyin looking at him as if he were an idiot and felt a bit embarrassed to keep circling. He straightened up.\n

\n\n

\n He had only caught a fleeting glimpse, but he could vaguely see that the strokes had clear variations in thickness. He thought it was brush calligraphy and focused on making out the signature—Gourd Elder. He ran it through his mind; there were no famous regular script masters or socialites whose art names matched this information. Reassured, his smile returned.\n

\n\n

\n "Hahaha, Baoduo, let your second uncle give you a piece of advice: don't act rashly out of desperation. I heard you originally prepared five thousand silver dollars for the commission. I wonder how much this piece cost?" Zhou Ruojuan asked.\n

\n\n

\n —The top-tier market had always been different. Mr. Tan You'an had long since refused all calligraphy commissions. If he had to write, he would follow an extremely high pay scale. Top calligraphers who had too many commission requests and no longer wanted to produce in volume would set their fees very high.\n

\n\n

\n It was like some skilled calligraphers who originally didn't sell their work but had to set a fee schedule because too many people came asking for it. The purpose was more or less the same: to avoid some hassle.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "Fifty."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan laughed out loud. At that price, one could commission a decent piece, but it was inconceivable that it could be from a master famous enough to replace Tan You'an. He praised him sarcastically, "Well, that's a bargain!"\n

\n\n

\n Author has something to say:\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: Boss, renew subscription, praise me, got it?\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin (taking out money): Still so formal? Don't call me Boss, call me Hubby.\n

","published_time":"2026-05-09T00:00:00.000Z","paid":true,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-05-09T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-06-06T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4269,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":16,"chapter_title":"Chapter 14","content":"

\n "Temple of the Spiritual Official" caused a stir in society. After a bloody battle of opinions, it temporarily concluded its run. In total, it was staged for sixteen days, just barely breaking the highest record. Even so, some fans were eagerly awaiting its return.\n

\n\n

\n As the New Year approached, Xu Xinyue decided to quit while he was ahead. He stopped selling tickets and resolved to keep this play as his ace in the hole.\n

\n\n

\n With "Temple of the Spiritual Official" having opened up the market and the stage having been expanded, it was very suitable for an actor of Ying Xiaonong's skill. The business at Changle Theater continued to thrive.\n

\n\n

\n Riding on this wave of success, and also with the intention of winning over Ji Shuangyu, Xu Xinyue immediately hired him, wanting to rehearse another play to be staged during the Lantern Festival.\n

\n\n

\n It was now close to the end of the year, so if they were to rehearse a play, it would naturally be a festive one.\n

\n\n

\n During the New Year festival period, all the major troupes would stage auspicious plays, such as "Money Tree" and "Minor New Year."\n

\n\n

\n This was also why Xu Xinyue stopped selling tickets for "Temple of the Spiritual Official" even though it was still a box office hit. Besides maintaining the audience's sense of novelty, it was also because some of the violent scenes were unsuitable for performance around the New Year.\n

\n\n

\n "There used to be a saying in the theater world, 'No good plays in the first month,' because auspicious plays were just for a bit of fun. But the competition has gotten fiercer these past two years. Troupes don't even let the New Year slide. Last year during the Lantern Festival, the Changqing Troupe even released immortal mist on stage and had fairies scatter flowers," Xu Xinyue sighed. The Changle Theater's business had declined amidst such competition.\n

\n\n

\n For this little penny-pincher, being forced to improve meant being forced to spend money. But having suffered a loss once, he knew he had to strike while the iron was hot and solidify the Changle Theater's reputation.\n

\n\n

\n "So this time, we must rehearse a brilliant festive play! We'll make the scenery extremely elegant and beautiful!" Xu Xinyue said ambitiously. "I've already discussed it with the troupe master. We can stage 'The Record of Sympathetic Joy'."\n

\n\n

\n This was a rather lively traditional opera, and also a play about immortals. The female lead was one of the Three Immortal Aunts from "The Investiture of the Gods," Lady Yunxiao. The supporting characters were various deities from the Three Realms. The plot was joyous, with a large cast featuring both civil and martial roles.\n

\n\n

\n "No problem for me. I'll revise the script and we can start rehearsing. We should be able to get it done before the New Year. Are we including Boss Ying?" Ji Shuangyu was also quite happy. It was a chance to make money.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue said repeatedly, "Of course, we have to."\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong was now the pillar of the Changle Theater. In all of Jingcheng, his box-office appeal was at its peak.\n

\n\n

\n The Hanxi Troupe was a troupe that could perform both Peking and Kunqu opera. Ying Xiaonong himself was versatile in both, but he originally had some shortcomings in civil plays. After being directed by Ji Shuangyu, he received great praise and could now be considered a versatile actor adept in civil, martial, Kunqu, and Luantan styles.\n

\n\n

\n "This time, besides Boss Ying, our main goal is to pick a dan role to promote," Xu Xinyue said. A good dan actor was always the biggest box-office draw. If they successfully promoted one, she could become even more famous than Ying Xiaonong. This wasn't to look down on Ying Xiaonong; it was just how the market was.\n

\n\n

\n "Understood." Ji Shuangyu mentally reviewed the actors of the Hanxi Troupe. 'Who to choose...'\n

\n\n

\n This news definitely couldn't be kept secret within the troupe. Upon hearing that a new play was being rehearsed, everyone wanted to play an important role. Although many in the theater world outside had their criticisms, the people of the Hanxi Troupe knew the truth in their hearts.\n

\n\n

\n 'Believe it or not, if you gave Ji Shuangyu to those people, would they not accept his direction just the same?'\n

\n\n

\n "Temple of the Spiritual Official" had already proven that with Ji Shuangyu as the director, the box office would be high, and everyone's share of the profits would be guaranteed!\n

\n\n

\n Forget all that nonsense about rules and old customs. For actors who got paid per performance, especially the ordinary ones, getting a role was what really mattered.\n

\n\n

\n The actors of the Hanxi Troupe eagerly tried to curry favor with Ji Shuangyu. This was nothing new to him. Just like with modern film and television actors, he would simply choose based on his own standards.\n

\n\n

\n Unfortunately, there was a disagreement. In the end, both Xu Xinyue and Ying Xiaonong favored a dan actress named Chen Chunxue, while Ji Shuangyu favored an actress named Jin Que.\n

\n\n

\n The Hanxi Troupe wasn't very famous before, but wherever there's a community, there's a ranking. Chen Chunxue ranked higher than Jin Que.\n

\n\n

\n "You have such high aesthetic standards. Can't you see that Chen Chunxue is better looking than Jin Que?" Xu Xinyue said to Ji Shuangyu. He had also dragged Ying Xiaonong over, hoping he would speak on his behalf.\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong forcefully shook off Xu Xinyue, then said affectionately to Ji Shuangyu, "That's right, Chen Chunxue is more suitable."\n

\n\n

\n The painted-face actor was tall and sturdy; Xu Xinyue nearly fell to the ground. "......"\n

\n\n

\n 'What the hell! Whose side are you on?!'\n

\n\n

\n If he hadn't heard him speak, Xu Xinyue would have thought he was going to use force to make him agree with Ji Shuangyu's choice.\n

\n\n

\n —Ying Xiaonong also preferred Chen Chunxue's appearance, feeling she had the face of a female lead, but he was always the friendliest towards Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu retorted, "If being good-looking is all that matters, why don't you just let me go on stage?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue was ecstatic, "You can? Can you sing?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "......"\n

\n\n

\n 'Xu Xinyue was actually serious...'\n

\n\n

\n But that was the state of the market. The reason dan roles were the most famous and female actresses were all the rage was because they looked good in costume and the audience adored them. There was nothing new under the sun; even in later generations, some actors only had their faces to rely on.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue was precisely the type to choose actors based on looks. As long as their singing wasn't too far off, it was fine. He knew the audience wouldn't accept it if it was too bad. He had even prepared a sum of money to purchase a gorgeous new costume for the female lead.\n

\n\n

\n If Ji Shuangyu could sing, Xu Xinyue wouldn't hesitate for a second. He'd immediately have a costume custom-made for him and double the wardrobe budget!\n

\n\n

\n Unfortunately, Ji Shuangyu was tone-deaf...\n

\n\n

\n "What I mean is, this play requires delicate acting skills, and I think Jin Que is more suitable. The 'shortcomings' in her appearance are not a problem in my opinion. Her basic features are actually very good. We can solve it with makeup and lighting," Ji Shuangyu said.\n

\n\n

\n He had seen so many actors. Sometimes he didn't just look at acting skills; depending on the role's needs, he also had to consider if the person's face was suitable for the screen, if it had story. Everyone said Jin Que's looks were average, but he didn't think so!\n

\n\n

\n The stage makeup of this era had not yet been standardized like in later times. Some actors didn't actually know what kind of makeup suited their faces.\n

\n\n

\n "I can understand makeup, but how can lighting solve it?" Xu Xinyue looked completely baffled. He admitted that Ji Shuangyu was very skilled with lighting, but lighting... could it fix an actor's appearance?\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n 'Forget it, investors never understand...'\n

\n\n

\n Although Xu Xinyue had watched "Temple of the Spiritual Official," he didn't seem to realize that the lighting had also contributed greatly to the characterization of the Spiritual Official.\n

\n\n

\n After all, the lighting of this era was truly crude. In some theaters, the lighting backstage and on stage was different, causing makeup applied backstage to look ghastly pale and unsuitable on stage, let alone custom lighting for a character. In the future, even ordinary people would know to use fill lights for their selfies.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said with certainty, "Of course, it can. Boss, you have to trust me. Just leave it to me, alright?"\n

\n\n

\n 'There it was again, that tone! It's so persuasive!'\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue was conflicted. It was already an elegant opera, and with Ji Shuangyu's adapted scenery, he could imagine the final product would be great for promoting an actor. Should he really choose the relatively plain-looking Jin Que...\n

\n\n

\n After a long pause, Xu Xinyue sighed, "Alright, we'll do as you say!"\n

\n\n

\n Even if only for the success of "Temple of the Spiritual Official," he had to give Ji Shuangyu this consideration.\n

\n\n

\n When everyone in the Hanxi Troupe heard the casting result, they were all stunned.\n

\n\n

\n They had some speculations amongst themselves, but they never would have guessed Director Ji would choose Jin Que. Even Jin Que herself hadn't expected it. She panicked and shouted in front of everyone, "You all know, my family is dirt poor, I don't have the money to bribe Director Ji!"\n

\n\n

\n Everyone: "..."\n

\n\n

\n ...That was true. It probably had nothing to do with Jin Que herself. They just didn't know why Director Ji insisted on choosing her.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n On his end, Ji Shuangyu remained as steady as a mountain, making his own preparations, reviewing the script, and starting on revisions and designs.\n

\n\n

\n After he had purchased everything he needed, Xu Xinyue suddenly rushed to find him. "This is bad, this is bad! Damn it, damn it! They're opening a new theater across the street!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said nonchalantly, "There are seven or eight theaters on our street. Is it strange for a new one to open?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue said resentfully, "It's not strange for one to open, but they're going to put on a rival show against us! Really... Have they no professional ethics!"\n

\n\n

\n Rival shows were also quite common in later times. It referred to two troupes of actors performing simultaneously on adjacent stages, in a competitive manner.\n

\n\n

\n According to the unwritten rules of the time, famous troupes usually had a tacit understanding and wouldn't deliberately clash unless there was some feud. For example, since the Hanxi Troupe became famous for performing "Temple of the Spiritual Official," other famous troupes wouldn't easily stage it, especially not at the same time.\n

\n\n

\n There was no need for a head-on collision; it was about leaving room for each other.\n

\n\n

\n The Changle Theater was going to rehearse "The Record of Sympathetic Joy." It hadn't been officially announced, but word had already gotten out.\n

\n\n

\n But the theater across the street had recklessly put out advertisements. For their grand opening, they would stage a Peking opera version of the same play, and they had invited a famous set designer from Hushang to help out, promising clever mechanisms and brilliance at every turn, asking everyone to look forward to it.\n

\n\n

\n "What do you think they mean by this? Heavens, a set designer from Hushang! I heard about him when I went to Hushang. He's a second-generation set designer from the realism school, very impressive." Xu Xinyue didn't have many connections and was fretting anxiously, scratching his ears and cheeks. He neither knew why the other party was targeting him nor could he help but feel intimidated by the Hushang set designer.\n

\n\n

\n The Changle Theater had made a name for itself in Jingcheng, but the Hushang school of set design was so famous!\n

\n\n

\n "Don't panic." An idea struck Ji Shuangyu, and he went to ask Jiang Sanjin to make some inquiries.\n

\n\n

\n Jiang Sanjin was a leader of the extras, but he cooperated with various troupes and liked to build good relationships, so he was much better informed.\n

\n\n

\n As soon as he was asked, it turned out he knew. He said sheepishly, "Well... it's probably because they're holding a grudge. Didn't someone ask the owner of the silk shop to act as a middleman to buy your land before..."\n

\n\n

\n "Ah!" Xu Xinyue exclaimed, understanding now.\n

\n\n

\n At that time, a colleague with the surname Liang had wanted to buy it. He had probably made all the preparations, but unexpectedly, Xu Xinyue pulled through. Somehow, that person still managed to buy land on this street, and it seemed he now held a grudge against him.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue cursed the other party for being as narrow-minded as the eye of a needle. Then, he was overcome with grief and worry, and couldn't help but lean on Jiang Sanjin's shoulder and sob.\n

\n\n

\n Jiang Sanjin: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Goosebumps rose on his skin. "Master Xu, please calm down."\n

\n\n

\n "How can I calm down?" Xu Xinyue's mood swung wildly. He looked at Ji Shuangyu. "What do you think we should do?? Should we change the play?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu thought it over and understood. He said, "It's useless, Boss. Do you really think they're just holding a grudge over that incident? Even if we successfully change the play, we'll still be their target. They see that 'Temple of the Spiritual Official' is hot right now, so staging a rival show and crushing us directly would be the best advertisement for them. Besides, our style and the Hushang school's have indeed clashed. As long as we continue to develop, a battle is inevitable."\n

\n\n

\n The Xieyi Style of set design had suddenly emerged. The theater across the street was opening a new venue and had even invited a Hushang school set designer. Could they really avoid a confrontation?\n

\n\n

\n "Ah." Xu Xinyue understood (again), his mind in a turmoil. "How can we fight this..."\n

\n\n

\n "In any case, I've never run away from a scheduling conflict," Ji Shuangyu said coldly, his expression icy and stern. "Everything is ready. We'll face whatever comes our way!"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue saw his sharp gaze and wanted to say something but hesitated.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "What is it?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue went crazy, grabbing Ji Shuangyu's sleeve. "Wuwu, are you really not considering going on stage? You're definitely better looking than their actors."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "...Go away! Go away!"\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue had poor mental fortitude and couldn't remain as calm as Ji Shuangyu, especially after hearing the rumors these past few days.\n

\n\n

\n —"Temple of the Spiritual Official" had already caused controversy. Although it had a large number of fans and even the support of popular writers like Shu Wangyan, its foundation was still shallow.\n

\n\n

\n Jingcheng wasn't a place where Western-style scenery was most prevalent to begin with. The skills the various theaters had picked up were not the most exquisite.\n

\n\n

\n Now, one wave had yet to settle before another rose. An expert from Hushang had arrived, and many people were speculating. Faced with such a formidable opponent, wouldn't the Changle Theater's Xieyi Style stage design have to lie low for a while?\n

\n\n

\n To put it more bluntly: Could it withstand this test?\n

\n\n

\n It was a one-time explosive success, but to make this style succeed a second time under the shadow of the Hushang school—who would dare say they were confident?\n

\n\n

\n Yet, Xu Xinyue knew in his heart that they still had to face them in a rival show, a complete head-on confrontation. How could he not panic?\n

\n\n

\n Forget outsiders; even he himself had no confidence!\n

\n\n

\n Not two days later, while Ji Shuangyu was explaining the play to Jin Que, Xu Xinyue came again. He had two people with him, one carrying a camera. He announced cheerfully, "Shuangyu—look who's here—"\n

\n\n

\n He formally introduced them to Ji Shuangyu, "The editor and photographer from 'Movie and Drama World.' They'd like to interview you and take a photo."\n

\n\n

\n The other man also smiled and extended his hand. "I've heard so much about you, Director Ji. My name is Chen Manzhi. You are currently the most prominent figure in Jingcheng's theater world. The fans are eager to learn about your work, so I hope you'll give us this opportunity—I truly didn't expect you to be so young."\n

\n\n

\n "Movie and Drama World" was one of the best-selling theater publications in Jingcheng, affiliated with Kunlun Bookstore. But Kunlun Bookstore had many publications, so Chen Manzhi didn't know that Ji Shuangyu had also collaborated with his company.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi was indeed surprised to see Ji Shuangyu in person, because he had once heard someone swear that Ji Shuangyu was an old man with graying hair. But seeing him now, what old man? He was in the prime of his life, and a handsome man at that.\n

\n\n

\n "Hello, Editor Chen." Ji Shuangyu was silent for a moment, then said bluntly to Xu Xinyue, "Are you trying to use my face for promotion?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue: "..."\n

\n\n

\n 'Ah, he saw right through me.'\n

\n\n

\n 'And he exposed me so bluntly.'\n

\n\n

\n That's right. The interview was secondary. When he heard they wanted to take a photo of Ji Shuangyu, he thought it was a great advertising opportunity. He had too little confidence. Since the opponent was coming on strong and a fight was unavoidable, he could only try to add some weight to his own side.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue was a little ashamed. "Well..."\n

\n\n

\n "Fine, but you have to pay me. Count it as a promotional expense," Ji Shuangyu interrupted him directly.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue: "......"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "Also, since you're here, Editor Chen, could you mention our new play in the report, and also take a small photo of my female lead to publish?"\n

\n\n

\n He began negotiating with the editor with great familiarity.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue managed to hold back after hearing the first half of the sentence, but after the second half, he blurted out, "Is that necessary?"\n

\n\n

\n 'Well...'\n

\n\n

\n 'For this business of selling a face, isn't Ji Shuangyu enough? No offense, but Jin Que? Why bother...'\n

\n\n

\n Even Jin Que herself stood up awkwardly. She had never had her picture taken in her life, let alone been in a newspaper. "That's right, Director, there's no need."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu glanced at Jin Que, and her voice gradually faded away.\n

\n\n

\n Because she had unexpectedly become the female lead, she was even more timid than the other actors when facing the director. These past few days, whatever Ji Shuangyu said, she would nod and accept, doing whatever she was told. The girl couldn't be more obedient.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi looked curiously at this first director of the theater world. Honestly, his looks were more like those of an actor. As for Miss Jin Que, her features were regular, but she seemed a bit plain, and her face was a little wide.\n

\n\n

\n But he himself had a favorable impression of "Temple of the Spiritual Official," which was why he had come. Faced with Ji Shuangyu's negotiation, he accepted good-naturedly. "Haha, that's no problem. Our publication introduces new plays to the fans. We can arrange the layout to fit the photos in."\n

\n\n

\n "Good. Then I'll have to trouble you two to wait a moment. Jin Que needs to put on her makeup. Also, Boss, please go get the lights I prepared," Ji Shuangyu said. When an opera actor appeared in a publication, they naturally had to be in costume.\n

\n\n

\n "No problem, no problem. We can take your photo and interview you first in a moment." Chen Manzhi glanced at Ji Shuangyu's simple attire and motioned for the photographer to find a good angle. "By the way, can you take off your hat?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu pondered.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi asked curiously, "Is there a problem?"\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue's heart suddenly ached faintly, like some ominous premonition.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu shook his head. Before, he was in an unfamiliar place, but now he had a firm footing, so it wasn't a big problem. He reached up, took off his felt hat, and said slowly, "It's just that the promotional effect will be even better with the hat off—Boss, that'll cost extra."\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue: "......"\n

","published_time":"2026-05-16T00:00:00.000Z","paid":true,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-05-16T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-06-13T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4327,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":17,"chapter_title":"Chapter 15","content":"

\n Ji Shuangyu's face was already highly effective for publicity, and that unique white hair of his would surely add more to talk about.\n

\n\n

\n Just like now, Chen Manzhi and the photographer were staring at Ji Shuangyu's hair. As people seeing Ji Shuangyu's full appearance for the first time, they were simply stunned.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi couldn't help but say, "Pardon my forwardness, but do you have albinism?"\n

\n\n

\n "No, it's just premature canities. It's just a more thorough case than most people's because I was too poor before and suffered from malnutrition." Ji Shuangyu had given this reason to Zhou Siyin as well, and compared to his earliest insistence that it was due to 'gluttony'... he was even polishing his words for the media's sake!\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi was finally relieved, thinking that even so, it was still quite an astonishing sight. After all, most people with white hair did not possess such youthful beauty. He murmured, "No wonder. I was wondering why the rumors said you were an old gentleman."\n

\n\n

\n "An old gentleman?" Ji Shuangyu had only just found out. So when Chen Manzhi said he didn't expect him to be so young, he wasn't being polite or praising his youthful achievements, but there were rumors circulating outside.\n

\n\n

\n Some people at the Changle Theater had seen Ji Shuangyu's white hair, and who knows how the story spread and got distorted.\n

\n\n

\n "Alright, this even gives me a chance to clear up a rumor." Ji Shuangyu thought it wasn't a loss. How did he become an old man? He was just an ordinary, pitiful person raising gourd babies.\n

\n\n

\n The photographer then took out a few photos. They were of various socialites or famous opera actors, striking different poses, some being lifestyle shots and others more official. "Mr. Ji, you can choose a pose and strike it."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu asked, puzzled, "Do I have to do a specific pose? Why?"\n

\n\n

\n The photographer looked at him awkwardly, momentarily at a loss for words.\n

\n\n

\n Taking photos, cutting one's hair, and not binding one's feet were the three great civilized practices of this era. However, most people were very unnatural when having their pictures taken, not knowing how to pose. The longer the photoshoot, the stiffer ordinary people became.\n

\n\n

\n Photographers were used to it and prepared some examples for them to copy.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi said with a smile, "That's not necessary, Mr. Ji. Please feel free."\n

\n\n

\n The photographer originally thought Ji Shuangyu was just bold, but unexpectedly, he even started choosing the location himself, bossily directing the photographer where to place the camera.\n

\n\n

\n After Xu Xinyue brought the lamps, he started arranging the lighting.\n

\n\n

\n This photographer was also a young man. Under the pressure of Ji Shuangyu's aura, he weakly did as he was told. He swore that Ji Shuangyu was the most relaxed person he had ever seen being photographed, and he had taken pictures of many opera actors.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi gave Ji Shuangyu a deep look and started chatting with him.\n

\n\n

\n The interview was divided into two parts. The first half was about Ji Shuangyu's ideas for adapting and designing Temple of the Spiritual Official, as well as his thoughts on this Xieyi Style of stage art. The second half was about him personally, whether he had any prior work experience, and so on.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu just made things up, claiming he had been interested in opera and directing since childhood, deeply influenced by a senior in the opera world from his alley.\n

\n\n

\n "A senior in the opera world? May I ask which master it was?" Chen Manzhi's fountain pen moved swiftly as he asked.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "Oh, Senior Jiang Sanjin. He's a leader of the extras."\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi: "..."\n

\n\n

\n The corner of his mouth twitched, but he didn't say anything.\n

\n\n

\n After the interview was mostly done, Chen Manzhi stretched. "Thank you for your cooperation. Where is that Miss Jin Que?"\n

\n\n

\n Right, quite some time had passed. How was she not done with her makeup yet? Ji Shuangyu called out, "Jin Que, are you not ready yet?"\n

\n\n

\n "I-I'm ready." Outside the door, Jin Que said nervously, "I don't really dare to come out..."\n

\n\n

\n She might be at ease on stage, but facing a reporter, she was terrified. She had just applied the makeup and styled herself according to the improvements Ji Shuangyu had suggested over the past few days. No one else had seen it yet, and she felt extremely shy.\n

\n\n

\n "Come on out." Ji Shuangyu walked to the door and gently guided Jin Que out. Speaking of which, his physical age was similar to Jin Que's, even two years older, but Jin Que acted like a junior in front of him.\n

\n\n

\n The others only saw a woman in an opera costume walking out slowly with her head bowed. As a Dan role actress who had trained in a traditional opera school since childhood, her posture was naturally impeccable. As she shyly raised her head, she revealed a pair of exquisite and spirited phoenix eyes, shimmering brilliantly. Her cheeks were tinged with a rosy blush, and her lips were full, red, and tender. Her originally slightly round face had become a perfect oval shape after the facial adhesives were applied. Her facial features, which were once somewhat plain, had somehow been transformed by the makeup into something pure, beautiful, and otherworldly. Truly, the autumn frost could not reflect her purity, and the sunset glow could not rival her beauty.\n

\n\n

\n Compared to the makeup of the current era, Jin Que's look could be called exquisite. It stunned all three of them, almost more dramatically than when they first saw Ji Shuangyu, because the transformation was just too great!\n

\n\n

\n Only now did Xu Xinyue understand why Ji Shuangyu had insisted on choosing Jin Que. Because her singing skills couldn't be improved in a short time, but Jin Que's looks could really be enhanced through her stage appearance.\n

\n\n

\n After putting on her makeup, although Jin Que's facial features hadn't changed, she looked like a completely different person. If you said she was the real Lady Yunxiao descended to the mortal world, people would probably believe it.\n

\n\n

\n —Opera makeup had also been continuously improving over several decades. The earliest opera makeup was much cruder than what modern people see. But what Ji Shuangyu had always been exposed to was the optimally refined opera makeup, and later generations had summarized many techniques on how to apply facial adhesives for different face shapes.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu told Jin Que how to apply the adhesives to better contour her face, as well as some techniques to emphasize her eyes and brows and outline her lips. He had never done it himself, but having sufficient theoretical knowledge was enough. Jin Que knew how to do her own makeup. After a little practice, Jin Que, whose bone structure was very suitable for makeup, looked like a stunningly beautiful Huadan actress after getting ready.\n

\n\n

\n Appearing before people who had just seen her without makeup maximized the effect even more.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi praised lavishly, "Miss Jin Que's stage appearance is truly that of a celestial beauty. When you go on stage in the future, you're bound to set a trend in Jingcheng."\n

\n\n

\n At this time, the opera stage was also very capable of starting trends, which ladies would eagerly imitate. Chen Manzhi felt that this makeup style, although for opera, with its method of enhancing the eyes' charm and its naturally blended application, would probably be loved by many ladies.\n

\n\n

\n Seeing everyone's amazed expressions, Jin Que didn't know how to describe her feelings. She had been very unconfident, wondering what kind of dumb luck she had to be chosen.\n

\n\n

\n Now, the theater owner, the reporter... everyone's praise, especially Chen Manzhi's certainty that she would become famous, gave Jin Que mixed feelings. Her eyes glistening, she looked at Ji Shuangyu, feeling even more grateful to him.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu encouraged, "I told you, you have to believe..."\n

\n\n

\n Jin Que was about to tearfully say she would believe in herself from now on and become confident.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "...believe in my taste."\n

\n\n

\n Jin Que: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Jin Que: "Yes, yes, yes."\n

\n\n

\n Now it was time to take photos of Jin Que. Ji Shuangyu even specially set up the lighting for her. In photography, lighting can play a significant role in enhancement. The most common examples are using diffused light from the front to assist with illumination for faces with many wrinkles, or lighting from below for horror films, and so on.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had worked as a photographer for a while himself, so his skills were very adept. He used butterfly lighting, a classic lighting method that, calculating the time, should have already been in use in the West.\n

\n\n

\n This lighting method could make the subject's facial features more three-dimensional and their cheeks appear slimmer. It got its name from the butterfly-shaped shadow it creates under the nose, and because it was often used to shoot movie stills of female stars, it was also called "beauty light."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu used various variations of this lighting method based on the actual needs, using a hard light source to better enhance Jin Que's features, which were more defined after makeup, and then adding appropriate fill light.\n

\n\n

\n "..." This whole operation made the photographer from Movie and Drama World a bit dizzy. He wasn't formally trained either, having learned from his family to make a living with photography. He usually just took photos for plays and already considered himself a technical talent.\n

\n\n

\n Now, next to Ji Shuangyu... he didn't even know who the real photographer was! He had become a mere tool, and even Xu Xinyue was being directed to move the reflector.\n

\n\n

\n Jin Que was an opera actress, so of course, she didn't need to look at any poses to imitate. She struck a pose herself and was very resilient. Throughout the photoshoot, her smile was natural and elegant, not stiff at all.\n

\n\n

\n After Jin Que finished, at Xu Xinyue's suggestion, the two of them took a photo together.\n

\n\n

\n Jin Que shyly went to the photographer and asked if she could have a copy of the group photo if it wasn't used. The photographer generously said he could have it developed and give it to her, while pondering in his heart that giving a photo was nothing; he must find an opportunity in the future to ask Mr. Ji for advice on lighting and art.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n After Chen Manzhi and the photographer returned, they were working on the layout with the art editor at their office. Design was a technical job back then. There was image cutting, but it was literally cutting with an art knife. Art fonts were also handwritten... everything was done by hand. But this time, while hand-cutting the image, looking at such beauty made the work seem less tiring.\n

\n\n

\n A colleague saw the photo of Jin Que in her costume on Chen Manzhi's layout and exclaimed, "Who is this? When did Jingcheng get such a beautiful Dan role actress!"\n

\n\n

\n "She's from the Hanxi Troupe, named Jin Que," Chen Manzhi reminded him. "The one staging Temple of the Spiritual Official."\n

\n\n

\n He and the photographer also thought it was incredible! Jin Que's beauty had already skyrocketed after her makeup. Under the lighting arranged by Ji Shuangyu, she was even more captivating. Her features became more three-dimensional, the photo had great tension, and it carried a sense of lofty detachment. It was simply the magic of light and shadow!\n

\n\n

\n The colleague was mesmerized. "She's so beautiful. How come I never knew the Hanxi Troupe had such an actress before? When will her play be on? I have to buy a ticket to see it." And this photo, he must also collect a copy.\n

\n\n

\n "Let me admire it carefully." He reached for the layout and saw another photo folded on the bottom half. "And, who is this?"\n

\n\n

\n Jin Que's stage appearance was indeed beautiful and captivating, but the person in the other photo was eye-catching in a completely different way, with a beauty not of this world.\n

\n\n

\n Through the photo, one could see clear and spirited eyes. It was clearly a youthful face, yet it was topped with a striking head of white hair. A single photo seemed to tell a whole story.\n

\n\n

\n "That's the director of Temple of the Spiritual Official," Chen Manzhi said softly.\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi later went to the printing department to communicate some things and happened to see their newly purchased two-color offset press arriving. Even the general manager was there. Chen Manzhi, a junior editor, quickly stood at attention and greeted him.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin glanced at Chen Manzhi and reached out his hand. "What's this, let me see."\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi quickly handed it over. "This is the layout for the new issue of Movie and Drama World. It's not finalized yet. I think the photos should be enlarged, but there isn't enough space..."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin naturally recognized Ji Shuangyu's photo; he had asked for it precisely because it looked like him. The Ji Shuangyu in the photo was still quite different from the real person. And when printed, it lost that... ferocity of the man himself.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin snorted, "Enlarge what."\n

\n\n

\n At his snort, Chen Manzhi fell silent as a cicada in winter, shrinking his neck and saying, "Then I'll-I'll-I'll delete..." The general manager's attitude was strange. Could it be that he dislikes the Changle Theater?\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said disdainfully, "Do you know how to sell magazines? Put it on the cover."\n

\n\n

\n Chen Manzhi: ".........."\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n The theater that opened opposite the Changle Theater was called the "Oriole Song Stage." In recent days, their advertising had been very loud. The partners had even paid to put an ad in the newspaper, introducing their new-style Peking opera theater and the featured plays.\n

\n\n

\n The Oriole Song Stage claimed that their new play had a full hundred backdrops, and each future play would have different ones, with new scenery to see every time, featuring grand mechanisms, each one brilliant!\n

\n\n

\n Hushang's set designers had three main schools, and the most formidable was the Min school. The set designer hired by the Oriole Song Stage was known in the community as "Jiang Sihai," and he was quite famous within the Min school, specializing in mechanical backdrops.\n

\n\n

\n His monthly income says it all. In Hushang, Jiang Sihai once earned three hundred yuan in a single month, which was remarkably high. To bring him to Jingcheng, the Oriole Song Stage not only offered him a high salary but also had to rent a small Western-style house for him to live in.\n

\n\n

\n With such momentum, and with the push from interested parties, the public once again began to hype up Western-style scenery, claiming with certainty that the Changle Theater had no chance of winning and that Temple of the Spiritual Official was just a fluke.\n

\n\n

\n Usually, things that became popular in Hushang would then spread to other cities. With this famous set designer coming over, going to the Oriole Song Stage would make you one of the first in Huaxia to experience the new trend.\n

\n\n

\n Passersby originally thought that the Changle Theater had already lost the publicity battle and was no match for the Oriole Song Stage. It was obvious that a little miser like Xu Xinyue would never be willing to spend money on newspaper ads like the Oriole Song Stage.\n

\n\n

\n —As a result, when the new issue of Movie and Drama World was released, the cover was a photo of Ji Shuangyu and Jin Que. Inside, there were also two solo photos. It sold like crazy.\n

\n\n

\n Countless opera fans exclaimed, why did the Changle Theater have such a hidden gem, Jin Que? They seemed to have seen her plays before but had no impression at all!\n

\n\n

\n And this Ji Shuangyu, his name had become familiar along with Temple of the Spiritual Official. Just hearing the name before, some people had asserted that he was an old man who wanted to promote Huaxia aesthetics. Unexpectedly, his hair was white but his face was not old, giving him a legendary quality.\n

\n\n

\n Although he claimed in the report that his white hair was due to malnutrition, which was a little disappointing, it didn't stop everyone from letting their imaginations run wild. We'll spin our tales, he can have his malnutrition.\n

\n\n

\n The hearts of those who were just watching for fun couldn't help but lean towards him. Alas, what wrong can a beautiful person do? What's wrong with wanting to be an opera director?\n

\n\n

\n Not counting the opera special editions of the famous newspapers, Movie and Drama World could be called the number one publication in the opera world. It was also distributed by Kunlun Bookstore, with very wide circulation. This advertisement was much more impactful than the small, hard-won classified ad the Oriole Song Stage had placed...\n

\n\n

\n In the past, their covers were reserved for famous figures in the opera world and had witnessed many major events in the community. This time, they broke convention to feature Ji Shuangyu and Jin Que on the cover. This not only affirmed the status of Temple of the Spiritual Official but also seemed to make the play The Record of Sympathetic Joy and its lead actress famous before it even premiered.\n

\n\n

\n Coupled with the huge amount of information revealed in this interview, the public had plenty of gossip to enjoy.\n

\n\n

\n It turned out that the Changle Theater and the Oriole Song Stage were going head-to-head during the New Year!\n

\n\n

\n The Changle Theater actually dared to face the enemy head-on?!\n

\n\n

\n Would they choose the stylish set designer from Hushang, or the classical Xieyi stage and the pretty Huadan? Many audience members were already filled with anticipation and found themselves in a difficult position.\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n When Movie and Drama World was released, Jin Que also received her copy of the issue, along with a complete set of developed photos. Not just one, but all of them. The photographer even had someone pass a message, saying that all the photos were beautiful, and although they couldn't all be published, he had developed all of them and sent them to Jin Que.\n

\n\n

\n When she saw the actual items, she almost didn't recognize herself. She couldn't help but stare at them for a long time. Finally, she cut out the newspaper clippings and preciously pasted them into a notebook. The photos were also wrapped up and placed under her pillow.\n

\n\n

\n When Jin Que went to the theater again, everyone looked at her differently.\n

\n\n

\n So we were the ones who failed to recognize a diamond in the rough. Jin Que, she really is a great beauty!\n

\n\n

\n The leading lady, famous before the show even aired, truly proved that Ji Shuangyu was right to choose her. This time, facing the onlookers, Jin Que was not so nervous. She walked into the theater without looking sideways, because she felt she now represented Ji Shuangyu's aesthetic taste and could no longer be timid and embarrass the director.\n

\n\n

\n "Jin Que, come, come, come—" When the troupe leader saw Jin Que, he was grinning from ear to ear, wanting to shake her hand. As long as you're famous, you're my family.\n

\n\n

\n Whoosh—a gust of wind blew past, and the troupe leader was sent flying by something huge.\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong helped Jin Que over a threshold and said lovingly, "Our Jin Que is truly a once-in-a-generation actress!"\n

\n\n

\n Everyone: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Author has something to say:\n

\n\n

\n Audience: I heard he's an old man.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: No, I have premature canities, commonly known as being caused by gluttony...\n

\n\n

\n Audience: Ooooooh, his hair turned white overnight for a love that died, what a tragic story, such a devoted person, I'm crying 555555555\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: ...\n

","published_time":"2026-05-23T00:00:00.000Z","paid":true,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-05-23T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-06-20T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4385,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":18,"chapter_title":"Chapter 16","content":"

\n Ying Xiaonong's attitude changed, and he became much more active in rehearsals. Before, he had always had an air of "I'm clocking in," "I'm clocking out." He was serious and responsible at work, but he was nowhere near as full of passion as he was now.\n

\n\n

\n With newfound confidence, Jin Que's entire demeanor became more uplifted. She often practiced on her own, determined to win a full house of applause when the play opened and make her appearance on the cover of Movie and Drama World truly deserved.\n

\n\n

\n The theater industry was different from others. When others rested and relaxed for the New Year, they went to the theater to relax. Others watched the plays, while the actors were the ones being watched, so they, of all people, could not slack off.\n

\n\n

\n It was already the end of the year. Ji Shuangyu rehearsed until the twenty-sixth of the last lunar month, and the theater closed its stage on the twenty-seventh. Starting from that day, they could have a staggered break for a few days before reopening on the first day of the New Year.\n

\n\n

\n On the last day of work, Xu Xinyue was still leaning against the door, staring at the Oriole Song Stage across the way, which had finished its renovations. After the New Year, they would move in the tables, chairs, and various equipment, and then they could officially open for business.\n

\n\n

\n Almost all of Jingcheng was watching this place.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu looked at Xu Xinyue's shifty back, shaking his head and sighing. It seemed Boss Rooster was in for an uneasy New Year.\n

\n\n

\n He was uneasy, but Ji Shuangyu was fine. He had already done everything he was supposed to do. After working so hard, couldn't he have a peaceful New Year?\n

\n\n

\n After his holiday started, he had to go around chatting with neighbors to ask what needed to be prepared for an old Jingcheng New Year. He discovered that the New Year was simply too expensive! Paper window decorations, New Year goods, New Year gifts, Lantern Festival supplies...\n

\n\n

\n When Ji Shuangyu returned, his younger siblings gathered around to look at the pile of New Year goods.\n

\n\n

\n This was truly the warmest and most worry-free New Year they had ever had. In the past, at the end of every year, a gloomy cloud would hang over their home. Forget about thinking what to buy; it was more like thinking about how to repay debts, as debt collectors would also come knocking.\n

\n\n

\n But this year, the stove in the house was burning warmly. Meat, eggs, and milk were all available, along with millet rice, oat flour buns, and rice cakes. Sometimes there was even rice and white flour. Today, their big brother had bought even more New Year goods that they could only drool over in the past.\n

\n\n

\n As they looked, little Lei-zi noticed something was wrong. "Big Brother, why are there no New Year paintings, and also none of that... that stuff for welcoming the gods? Oh, and no deity statues either!" At the Zi hour on the first day of the New Year, it was customary to set off firecrackers, burn incense, and use red paper lanterns to welcome the God of Wealth.\n

\n\n

\n "Is that so? They must have sold out!" Ji Shuangyu said, feigning ignorance.\n

\n\n

\n He hadn't missed them; he had deliberately not bought them.\n

\n\n

\n As soon as he found out what needed to be purchased, he had decisively cut down on those superstitious items. The paper money and offerings for worshiping the Kitchen God and welcoming deities cost three or four yuan, which was completely useless.\n

\n\n

\n Buying some paper window decorations to stick on for atmosphere was good enough!\n

\n\n

\n With the money he saved, Ji Shuangyu went to a bookstore and bought a few elementary school textbooks of the era, which he now took out.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Leizong momentarily forgot about the deity statues. "...Big Brother, are these textbooks?"\n

\n\n

\n Besides the original Ji Shuangyu, Ji Leizong and Ji Feifei, the two slightly older children, had also received a basic education. They had learned some things from their parents and were literate.\n

\n\n

\n "Yes. You and your sister can read at home, and if there's anything you don't understand, wait for me to get off work and ask me. After the New Year, when the weather gets a bit better, I'll find a school for you," Ji Shuangyu said. How could it be right for children not to go to school? Besides, he didn't have time to teach them.\n

\n\n

\n In the past, they didn't have the means. The children stayed at home picking up coal cinders and doing chores. Now that he had a bit more confidence, although he hadn't saved much money yet, Ji Shuangyu was already planning to send them to school.\n

\n\n

\n School! How much money would that cost!\n

\n\n

\n "No need, Brother. We have so much to eat at home now. Soon I'll be tall enough to go work at the theater and earn money," Ji Leizong said anxiously. Tuition, book fees, paper and ink fees... how could their family afford it? From what his big brother was saying, he intended to send all of them to school.\n

\n\n

\n "Don't worry, Big Brother will earn more money very soon. Let me tell you, even if you're interested in opera and want to work in a theater, you have to go to school first. The knowledge involved is profound," Ji Shuangyu said. He felt that at the rate he was earning money, sending them to school next year wouldn't be a problem.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Leizong wore a shocked expression. Going to school, and even going to school for the sake of working in a theater? Each of these concepts was more surprising than the last.\n

\n\n

\n Immediately after, Ji Leizong said worriedly, "But Big Brother can't even afford deity statues..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "It's not that I can't afford them! I'll be honest with you, I just don't want to buy them. There are no ghosts or gods in this world!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Leizong looked at him in horror. "Big Brother, isn't that a bad thing to say?" Although some enlightened individuals advocated against worship, it had always been the custom to make offerings to the deities during the New Year.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu said miserably, "What's so bad about it? I'm already being both a father and a mother to you, what could be so bad?"\n

\n\n

\n Hearing this, Ji Lulu grabbed onto Ji Shuangyu and burst into tears with a wail. "But Mama! I want New Year paintings!"\n

\n\n

\n "??" Ji Shuangyu also cried, "Why not call me Papa!!!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Leizong: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "No, no, call me Big Brother!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Feifei also sobbed, "If there are no deity statues, what if a poverty ghost sneaks into our house at night, Big Brother! I'm so scared!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "................"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "Nonsense, I'm the poverty ghost myself! Look at this whole alley, is there anyone poorer than me?" After earning some money, he had bought furniture for the house, and he had barely managed to catch up to the normal living standard of their neighbors. He didn't have much in savings yet.\n

\n\n

\n The little gourds: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu thought to himself, 'Besides, if a ghost really did come in, it'd have a hard time seeing Ji Feifei anyway...'\n

\n\n

\n Ji Lulu was still young and couldn't quite grasp the whole situation. Unimpressed, she continued to cry and whimper, "Are there no pictures to stick on the walls? Are there no pictures?"\n

\n\n

\n "Of course there are. The window decorations can be stuck on," Ji Shuangyu said, looking nervously at Ji Lulu. 'Please don't get too excited, you'll wet yourself.'\n

\n\n

\n He really didn't want to be washing a child's urine-soaked clothes during the New Year.\n

\n\n

\n "Alright, alright, you want a picture, right? I'll draw one for you." Ji Shuangyu found a pen and paper. It was cold outside, and he didn't really want to go out to copy the door-god paintings on the neighbors' doors. Besides, that would look very creepy. So he simply drew a picture of Spiritual Official Wang based on his memory of Ying Xiaonong's performance.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Lulu wasn't picky. In any case, all old immortal men looked more or less the same. She took the drawing and said, "I also want a kiss from Big Brother."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu wiped the snot from her face and kissed her on the hair. 'Wuwuwuwu, you guys are very cute, but this is truly the most miserable New Year I've ever had, being both a father and a mother.'\n

\n\n

\n ......\n

\n\n

\n ...\n

\n\n

\n In stark contrast to Ji Shuangyu's vigorous efforts to stamp out superstition, Zhou Siyin, at that time, was piously visiting a round of temples in Jingcheng. The shrine in his own apartment was also solemnly set with a table of pastry offerings.\n

\n\n

\n During the New Year, Old Master Zhou returned to the old residence for three days. Zhou Ruojuan beamingly reported the good news, announcing that the film company he was preparing would soon be open for business.\n

\n\n

\n "You, it's good that you can finally settle down and do something," Old Master Zhou glanced at him. When he had praised Zhou Siyin before, wasn't he also prodding Zhou Ruojuan? Telling him not to always resort to shady tricks just because he couldn't beat others in business.\n

\n\n

\n Old Master Zhou then called over Zhou Siyin. "Your father is buried in his scholarly work and doesn't care for any worldly matters, but I have to ask you, when do you plan to start a family? Who is the person you have in mind?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "I'd like to know too. I even asked the Goddess when I was burning incense yesterday."\n

\n\n

\n Old Master Zhou: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Old Master Zhou: "You're truly superstitious. Get lost."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin slipped away with his hands in his pockets.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan shot him a triumphant look. 'Haha, little brat, you'll get what's coming to you.'\n

\n\n

\n A few days later was the charity performance jointly held by several schools in Jingcheng to raise funds for the educational and living expenses of students in need.\n

\n\n

\n On that day, Department Head Zou, who had returned from Hushang, would attend as the head of the education sector to show his support and make a donation. The Zhou family was a sponsor of one of the private schools and a prominent family in Jingcheng, so the Zhou family members in the city were also invited.\n

\n\n

\n At that time, even if Department Head Zou had forgotten, he would remind him about the matter of the masthead for Calligraphy Education. He had already received an old work by Tan You'an and could very well reap the fisherman's reward, hehehehehe.\n

\n\n

\n The charity performance was scheduled from the thirteenth to the fifteenth of the first lunar month, for a total of three days. The venue was a tea garden that usually hosted performances like acrobatics and crosstalk, and it had been rented for the charity event.\n

\n\n

\n On the thirteenth, Zhou Ruojuan had his hair neatly combed early in the morning, put on a sharp suit, and walked to the tea garden with a spring in his step.\n

\n\n

\n He discovered that the attendance rate here was not very high...\n

\n\n

\n This was quite normal. The programs put together by these students and teachers were all things like piano pieces, symphonies, and civilized new dramas.\n

\n\n

\n During the first lunar month, wouldn't it be better to go to any theater to watch an auspicious play? Let alone piano pieces and symphonies, even the Western drama studied in Huaxia, now known as civilized new drama, was far less popular than when it was first introduced, especially when performed by students, which was the most unpopular of all.\n

\n\n

\n Many people in the audience were there to show support due to their connections with the schools.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan wasn't concerned with attendance rates or the program. He chatted with the several school principals and dignitaries present.\n

\n\n

\n Just as they were talking, Zou Muyun arrived.\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun had a long beard and was wearing a traditional cotton robe today, making his body look round and plump. As soon as he arrived, he became the center of attention. Since the festival wasn't over yet, he received a basketful of auspicious words and responded with a cheerful smile, "A prosperous New Year! A prosperous New Year!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan noticed that his nephew had also arrived but was standing in the outer circle. No matter how he looked at it, it seemed like he didn't dare to go and greet Department Head Zou, afraid the man would remember him. 'Hehehe, what a fool.'\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan chuckled inwardly and pushed through the crowd. "Department Head Zou, wishing you great fortune. It's been a while. I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival to give you my New Year's greetings."\n

\n\n

\n "A prosperous New Year. Yunzhi, you jest. Are you complaining that I'm late?" Zou Muyun said with a smile. "I rushed over as fast as I could. Please don't be offended, everyone."\n

\n\n

\n Jingcheng was only so big, and many people knew each other. Zou Muyun and Zhou Ruojuan were not close, otherwise the textbook order wouldn't have gone to Zhou Siyin. But just by their conversation, anyone who didn't know better would think they were old friends.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan beamed with a sincere smile. "Actually, my heart is burning with eagerness. Department Head Zou is a renowned master of calligraphy, and I've heard that you admire Master You'an's work. I just obtained a piece and was hoping you could help me appraise its authenticity."\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun's eyes lit up. "An old work by Master You'an? He hasn't been active for a long time. It's a pleasure to be able to view an old work. I must take a good look..."\n

\n\n

\n He suddenly remembered something and looked at Zhou Siyin. "I recall that Baoduo also has dealings with Master You'an, and even managed to get him to write the masthead for Calligraphy Education. I've been thinking about it all this time. Could it be that Baoduo also obtained this piece for you, his uncle?"\n

\n\n

\n Although the two had a nasty falling out in the past, he figured they were still uncle and nephew, after all.\n

\n\n

\n Only then did Zhou Siyin slowly walk up to them.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan tried hard to suppress his smile. Hehe, hehehehehe.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "My New Year's greetings to you. Calligraphy Education is ready and will be published after the New Year. I was just about to ask for your review. However, for the masthead, I thought it over for a long time and decided to discard Master You'an's work. I felt it wasn't suitable enough."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: "...?"\n

\n\n

\n Not just Zhou Ruojuan, everyone from Zou Muyun to the others was completely dumbfounded.\n

\n\n

\n Tan You'an's calligraphy, not suitable enough??\n

\n\n

\n It took Zhou Ruojuan a moment to realize what was happening. Zhou Siyin had clearly been forced to switch calligraphers, yet he was phrasing it as if it were his own proactive choice. He was trying to bluff his way through! The little brat was really cunning!\n

\n\n

\n He quickly said, "I seem to have also heard that Baoduo chose the work of an unknown old mister. I'm also very curious as to why."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said, "I didn't tell you. You were the one who insisted on seeing it."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: "..."\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun seemed to understand something. He glanced at the uncle-nephew pair, finding them amusing. He guessed that Zhou Siyin most likely failed to secure Tan You'an's calligraphy, and Zhou Ruojuan was here to rub it in.\n

\n\n

\n Although he found them amusing and admired Zhou Siyin, disappointment was inevitable. After all, Zhou Siyin had told him long ago that he would get Tan You'an, and he had been looking forward to seeing it. Moreover, this was the second piece of disappointing news he had received recently.\n

\n\n

\n These past few days, his mind had been occupied with the popularity of fountain pens in society and among students, and with the young man he had met in the library.\n

\n\n

\n Before leaving Jingcheng, he and his subordinate Yuangu had gone to the Kunlun Library for a discreet inspection. He met a young man who borrowed his fountain pen and was extremely delighted by the handwriting the young man left behind. He specifically asked his subordinate to find him. As soon as he returned to Jingcheng, he eagerly asked his subordinate for the result. His subordinate told him that after searching for a long time in various schools, he really couldn't find such a person.\n

\n\n

\n This was even more disappointing than not getting Tan You'an's calligraphy. After all, Tan You'an was a living person right there. But that young man with the excellent penmanship was nameless, and there was no one who could replace him.\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun collected himself and asked faintly, "Oh? Then let me see whose work you got to replace Tan You'an."\n

\n\n

\n Although his tone was flat, everyone knew that Zou Muyun was feeling a bit let down. Calligraphy Education was, after all, a matter he valued and strongly supported.\n

\n\n

\n "I have it with me." Zhou Siyin did not, as everyone expected, take the easy way out and temporarily avoid the topic. Instead, he took out a sample copy, handed it to Zou Muyun, and said, "What I commissioned was a piece of fountain pen calligraphy."\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun: "Hmm?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan was also stunned, and then he let out a sneer. "Fountain pen calligraphy? Baoduo, have you gone mad! The study of calligraphy has been a required subject for our Huaxia scholars for a thousand years..."\n

\n\n

\n This was Calligraphy Education! And you're having someone write the masthead with a fountain pen? What was a fountain pen? A mere tool. How could it be considered art!\n

\n\n

\n "It's best for those who don't understand calligraphy to speak less. My mother said you always had someone write for you during your calligraphy practice as a child." Zhou Siyin's single sentence shut Zhou Ruojuan up, making him roll his eyes in anger.\n

\n\n

\n "Everyone, Calligraphy Education is a calligraphy journal. Besides serving as a platform for calligraphers to exchange ideas, a major goal of its founding is to educate students. Nowadays, students increasingly favor using fountain pens, pencils, and other hard-tipped pens because of their convenience. They are gradually beginning to rival the brush, and the debate in society between soft and hard pens is raging.\n

\n\n

\n "In fact, our Huaxia also has a lineage of hard-tipped pens. It is recorded in ancient texts, 'In ancient times, ink was a brush, using a bamboo stick dipped in lacquer to write on bamboo slips.' 'Ancient slips were carved with knives instead of brushes.' Pottery script and oracle bone script were also carved. Aren't these the earliest traces of Huaxia hard-pen writing?\n

\n\n

\n "Therefore, after seeing this calligrapher, I believed that he might be more suitable for Calligraphy Education than Master You'an. Why must we argue over brushes and fountain pens? This calligraphy adopts Western learning for our use, carries on our ancient lineage, and possesses the spirit of steles and copybooks. It can make all those who wish to be lazy with a fountain pen understand—it matters not whether the pen is soft or hard, what's important is how to write with the spirit of our Huaxia!"\n

\n\n

\n For a moment, everyone was dumbstruck. His words almost made them unscrew their fountain pens and start practicing calligraphy on the spot.\n

\n\n

\n They were impressed. No wonder he was so good at selling books, what a way to elevate the subject! But, was it really as amazing as he claimed? The people present who weren't experts in calligraphy only recognized famous names. Where on earth did this calligrapher "Gourd Elder" come from?\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: "As expected of you, you're so good at boasting—"\n

\n\n

\n At that moment, Zou Muyun was already holding the sample copy, dramatically wiping non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes. "To wear out iron shoes in a fruitless search, only to find it by chance without any effort! I recognize it, this is the handwriting, that's right. I had people search all over Jingcheng for this calligrapher and almost thought he had left the city. I never expected Baoduo to find him. What a blessing that you have such a good eye!"\n

\n\n

\n The implication being: 'I also have such a good eye.'\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan slammed on the brakes, almost biting his tongue.\n

\n\n

\n He suddenly remembered Zhou Siyin telling him the calligraphy was commissioned for fifty yuan, and a manic rage flared up in him: 'Liar!! The little brat did it on purpose to mess with me! Who the hell is this Gourd Elder!!'\n

","published_time":"2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","paid":true,"show_flag":true,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-06-27T00:00:00.000Z"},{"content_id":4566,"novel_id":64,"chapter_no":19,"chapter_title":"Chapter 17","content":"

\n Never mind the others present, Zhou Siyin himself was surprised. Zou Muyun had sent his subordinates to look for Ji Shuangyu without any fanfare, so no one present knew.\n

\n\n

\n He had originally been pondering who else besides Tan You'an would be suitable to write the inscription, and had even considered using his mother's posthumous works to form the characters. Later, upon meeting Ji Shuangyu, he decided to take a gamble.\n

\n\n

\n Unexpectedly, not only was his gamble correct, but Zou Muyun had even seen Ji Shuangyu's writing long ago and had been looking for him all this time!\n

\n\n

\n Could it be that he had seen the playbills inscribed by Ji Shuangyu? But Ji Shuangyu wrote those playbills with a brush, and although Zou Muyun watched plays, he very much disliked the currently popular mechanical stage-setting plays. He belonged to the old school and was unlikely to go to the Changle Theater.\n

\n\n

\n 'This is truly fate. It seems this matter was destined to be.' Zhou Siyin thought to himself, 'I don't know which deity answered my prayers from all the temples I visited during the New Year. I'll have to go back and fulfill my vows to each one.'\n

\n\n

\n By this time, the others had also reacted. Aside from the sullen Zhou Ruojuan, everyone else, whether they understood or not, hurried to offer praises: "This could be considered a fascinating anecdote in the world of calligraphy. Zhou Baoduo was absolutely right. The students at our school should really learn from this Gourd Elder."\n

\n\n

\n "Young Master Zhou should really invite this calligrapher for a meeting, so we can all witness this wonderful fate between you three."\n

\n\n

\n "It is truly destined by the heavens, a match made in heaven. A fine story, a fine story!"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: “...”\n

\n\n

\n These people were getting more and more exaggerated, even using 'a match made in heaven'.\n

\n\n

\n Some people were also wondering inwardly if they were just ignorant, or if this 'Gourd Elder' was a hidden master who had always remained anonymous.\n

\n\n

\n To be able to combine the essence of stone inscriptions and copybooks and integrate it into penmanship, everyone had already pictured a middle-aged or elderly man with graying hair, much like Tan You'an.\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun was actually also very eager to communicate with Ji Shuangyu and see him write in person. He looked at Zhou Siyin expectantly, "Is he in Jingcheng?"\n

\n\n

\n "He is, but I don't know if he's free these next few days. I'll send someone to ask," Zhou Siyin said.\n

\n\n

\n The principal of Jingming Private School quickly said, "If he's free, why not invite the Gourd Elder to join us for the grand occasion tomorrow and watch our charity performance? I would also like to ask him for a piece of penmanship to hang in the school."\n

\n\n

\n Their school was funded by the Zhou family, so they were very enthusiastically supportive.\n

\n\n

\n The other principals all chimed in in agreement. This way, they could also get Zou Muyun to come tomorrow.\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun was in a very good mood and nodded with a smile.\n

\n\n

\n When you're navigating society, as long as you aren't embarrassed, the other person will be. Anyway, apart from a brat like Zhou Siyin, people wouldn't casually embarrass someone to their face. Back then, even after being scolded by Zhou Siyin for days, Zhou Ruojuan was still getting by just fine in Jingcheng.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan had been standing by shamelessly. Hearing this, he suddenly thought of a way to annoy Zhou Siyin. He deliberately stared at Zhou Siyin, and when Zhou Siyin looked over, he revealed a cold smile.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: '?'\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "Second Uncle, why are you grinning foolishly?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: “...”\n

\n\n

\n "Who...!" Seeing everyone looking at him, Zhou Ruojuan suppressed his anger and said hypocritically, "Ai! Although I don't understand calligraphy, I too would like to witness the elegance of this calligrapher. Unfortunately, our charity performance doesn't have a large audience, and tomorrow there will likely be even fewer people.\n

\n\n

\n "In my opinion, the residents of Jingcheng still prefer Huaxia music. Why don't we invite an opera troupe to sing a few arias of Peking opera and play some string instruments, interspersed with the original program? That would certainly liven things up."\n

\n\n

\n Although Zhou Ruojuan's business skills were average, as a scion of the Zhou family, he wasn't a complete idiot. This was a very fitting idea.\n

\n\n

\n A principal present nodded repeatedly, "You do have a point." They still had to perform tomorrow and the day after. They were afraid the venue would become increasingly deserted, which would be too unsightly. They did need supporting acts.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan deliberately glanced at Zhou Siyin and said, "The most popular troupe recently is the Hanxi Troupe. And I heard that Baoduo just promoted them, making an exception to let them on the cover of Movie and Drama World. If Baoduo were to invite them, it would be a sure thing."\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun not only disliked vulgar, melodramatic plays with mechanical stage settings, but he also detested the trend of promoting actors. Hehehe.\n

\n\n

\n He deliberately brought up Zhou Siyin's connection with the Hanxi Troupe. Outsiders might not know, but how could he not know that Zhou Siyin himself had suggested the cover?\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: “............”\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: "Hm? Baoduo, what do you think?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "...I don't know if they're free these next few days. I'll send someone to ask."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: '?'\n

\n\n

\n The sentence sounded a bit familiar to Zhou Ruojuan. He thought Zhou Siyin was at a loss for words and gloated inwardly, "That would be great. It would also be a contribution to charity."\n

\n\n

\n When Zou Muyun heard about Zhou Siyin promoting an actor, on one hand, he considered that Zhou Siyin was still young and might have a temporary fondness for amusement. On the other hand, he also knew that Zhou Ruojuan had likely pointed it out deliberately. Being used as a tool time and again like this, how could he be happy? So he said lightly, "We should also thank Yunzhi for his contribution to charity. I heard you pledged two thousand yuan today."\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan froze for a moment. He was about to say that he had clearly donated eight hundred, mainly just to annoy Zhou Siyin. But under the circumstances, how could he say that? He could only brace himself and accept it. "Hehe, hehehe, education is a major affair. I'm just doing my small part..."\n

\n\n

\n His finances were tight recently due to investments. He felt a pang of pain in his heart and could only comfort himself, 'It's fine, it's fine. My film company will definitely make a huge profit!'\n

\n\n

\n "Mr. Ji, our boss would like to invite you to a charity fundraising event. I was wondering if you have time..." Driver Hu said, standing before Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n The new play was set to premiere on the fifteenth of the first lunar month, and Ji Shuangyu was in the middle of intense rehearsals. He waved his hand, "I'm not going. I'm busy here. How can I be distracted from work?"\n

\n\n

\n Driver Hu quickly said, "No, no, the boss said there's an opportunity to sell your calligraphy. He's inviting you to make some money."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu stood up. "I have always been enthusiastic about charity. This is my bounden duty." Besides, rehearsals were almost done. He would go make some money and come right back!\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue was also there, and he said sourly, "And here I thought it was some difficult dilemma."\n

\n\n

\n Driver Hu: "Boss Xu, I also wanted to discuss with you borrowing some people from the Hanxi Troupe to assist with the performance. We will compensate you with three times their performance fee."\n

\n\n

\n Because the Hanxi Troupe had a contract with the theater, if borrowing people affected his Changle Theater, they naturally had to be compensated.\n

\n\n

\n Xu Xinyue said solemnly, "Public welfare is of utmost importance—how many do you need?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "...Boss, you make your choices pretty quickly, don't you."\n

\n\n

\n The troupe leader picked a few musicians, as well as the star performer, Ying Xiaonong, to go and assist with the performance. Ying Xiaonong wouldn't have to sing a full opera; a few arias would suffice. After all, it was a gala-like performance, and there was no time for a complete play.\n

\n\n

\n The next day, playbills for the charity performance were posted. Ying Xiaonong's box-office appeal was currently at its peak, and sure enough, the audience swarmed in.\n

\n\n

\n This made Ying Xiaonong sigh with emotion. His theater had been deserted for years. He never expected that by performing one play before the year's end, he would reach a height he had never achieved before.\n

\n\n

\n With this in mind, Ying Xiaonong became even more amiable toward Ji Shuangyu, even letting him enter the door first.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu declined politely once before entering side-by-side with Ying Xiaonong. At a glance, he saw Zhou Siyin on the second floor, seemingly shimmering with the holy light of money. He waved and couldn't help but walk over.\n

\n\n

\n Ying Xiaonong and the others had to go backstage to prepare. Later, he would go on stage to sing a painted-face role aria a cappella, and then sing a female-role aria in a cross-dressing performance to entertain the masses.\n

\n\n

\n There were also opera fans in the audience who immediately recognized him. It was Boss Ying, and also that director who was on the cover of Movie and Drama World.\n

\n\n

\n Sharp-eyed observers saw Ji Shuangyu greet Zhou Siyin and thought to themselves that Zhou Ruojuan hadn't been wrong after all. Zhou Siyin did know people from the Hanxi Troupe, and the two of them greeted each other quite openly.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin, not at all like others imagined, didn't try to keep his distance from the people of Hanxi Troupe and even went forward to meet him.\n

\n\n

\n Looking at that Ji Shuangyu, his steps were also hurried, as if he were rushing to a reunion.\n

\n\n

\n "Happy New Year, and I wish you great fortune, Mr. Zhou." Ji Shuangyu thought Zhou Siyin was a really nice person for bringing him here to make money.\n

\n\n

\n "Happy New Year." Zhou Siyin nodded and asked, "Do you know a Mr. Zou Muyun?"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu had never even heard of him. "Who?"\n

\n\n

\n 'Just as I expected.' Yesterday, Zou Muyun hadn't elaborated on their connection, but he guessed that neither of them knew the other's identity. He quietly explained the matter to Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu thought back but really couldn't recall when he might have written something with a pen for some high official that would make him remember it. This person even said he'd searched all over Jingcheng for him, but he was right here at the Changle Theater, and had even shown his face in a magazine, yet no one had contacted him.\n

\n\n

\n But, whatever. The most important thing was that there was money to be made today...\n

\n\n

\n "So this is Mr. Ji? I've seen you on the cover of Movie and Drama World. My humble self is Zhou Ruojuan." Zhou Ruojuan walked over, acting overly familiar.\n

\n\n

\n At first, he had actually been thinking more of Jin Que, since Jin Que was a female actress and it would be easier to pin blame on her, but upon seeing Ji Shuangyu, he immediately thought he was a good target too. This one would work!\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu assumed he was just someone coming over to strike up a conversation and praise him. He was used to it. "That's me, thank you."\n

\n\n

\n 'He actually thanked me, how naively cute.' Zhou Ruojuan chuckled and said sarcastically to them, "Although I am Baoduo's uncle, I have truly never seen Baoduo associate with anyone from the theater world. Seeing you in person today, I finally understand why!"\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu retorted without missing a beat, "Goodness, which uncle? The one who got scolded?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: “...”\n

\n\n

\n Damn it, this person is also good at being sarcastic.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: "That's not important. I'm saying you're quite good-looking, no wonder..."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu cut him off, "I already know that. Tell me something I don't know." For example, whether you, this uncle, are that uncle.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin: "It's him."\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu: "Ohhh—"\n

\n\n

\n This matter had already died down for a while, but with him bringing it up, the gazes of the onlookers became odd again.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: “...”\n

\n\n

\n ...He must have been put up to this by Zhou Siyin, deliberately provoking him.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan's face darkened. He decided to stop with the sarcasm and resorted to direct humiliation. "How dare you get carried away, you brat. You're only acting this way today because my nephew is here. A so-called director? You're nothing but an actor, a member of the lowest class. How long can your spring last!"\n

\n\n

\n The status of actors had only recently improved. Although they were very popular among the masses, denigrating voices had not completely disappeared, as actors were once regarded as no better than wandering prostitutes and other lowly professions. This was especially true when the other party was just using it as an insult.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Siyin said coldly, "A person's worth is not determined by their profession or social class, but by their character and morals. If one wears the robes of an official but acts in a depraved manner, they are no better than an animal."\n

\n\n

\n "Well said." Ji Shuangyu glanced at Zhou Siyin with admiration, thinking that this was more like the Young Master Zhou of the rumors. No wonder even Shu Wangyan couldn't believe he was timid.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu also said calmly, "I have no intention of denying it. I am indeed from the Pear Garden. I'm tone-deaf, otherwise I could even sing on stage. We're all living in a new society; only you are dead in the old era."\n

\n\n

\n Most of those present were from the education sector. Many had already frowned, feeling that Zhou Ruojuan's words were a bit too much. Actors had indeed been looked down upon in the past, especially female actresses. Some scholars who cared about their reputation didn't even dare to associate with actors openly for fear of speculation.\n

\n\n

\n However, a few years ago when disaster struck the country, it was the female actresses of the theater world who took the lead in organizing charity performances for disaster relief, gradually changing the public's impression. Even some celebrities and dignitaries would associate with famous actors.\n

\n\n

\n Those present who were opera fans themselves felt it was even more inappropriate. Zhou Baoduo was right. Why was this Zhou Ruojuan lashing out randomly just to save face?\n

\n\n

\n "Don't you pretend to be so moral either. Who knows what your relationship is, speaking up for him like this and even promoting that troupe, getting them on the cover of Movie and Drama World." Zhou Ruojuan didn't care what Zhou Siyin's relationship with him was; he was determined to drag him down, so they could both be gawked at together.\n

\n\n

\n At this, the gazes of some onlookers indeed shifted from condemnation to darting back and forth between Zhou Siyin and Ji Shuangyu, their gossipy hearts stirred.\n

\n\n

\n Eh? Hmm...\n

\n\n

\n Just then, there was a faint stir at the top of the second-floor staircase. The teahouse owner was welcoming someone up.\n

\n\n

\n Immediately, guests over there began to greet him, "Department Head Zou."\n

\n\n

\n The area fell quiet for a moment.\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun strode up the stairs, looking to be in a very good mood. "Was there some news being discussed here just now? I heard the commotion from downstairs."\n

\n\n

\n Everyone tacitly looked at Zhou Ruojuan.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: “...”\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan's face flushed red. "My apologies. I was just getting to know Baoduo and this beloved theater personality of his." 'Come, come, let's all suffer together. No matter how well that Gourd Elder writes today, you won't be any happier than me.'\n

\n\n

\n Zou Muyun had already walked closer in a few steps. Unobscured by the crowd, his gaze landed on Ji Shuangyu.\n

\n\n

\n That face was too easy to recognize.\n

\n\n

\n Moreover, when he was on the first floor, Yuangu had already told him that the young man had arrived, and also about Ji Shuangyu's profession, which the entire audience now knew. Yuangu was also very ashamed; he had been busy with affairs before the year's end and hadn't expected to overlook this cover figure, having sent people to search all the schools.\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu also recognized Zou Muyun. Wasn't this the bearded uncle who had lent his pen at the Kunlun Library? He remembered the draft paper he had left behind and understood instantly.\n

\n\n

\n The regret in Zou Muyun's heart was finally resolved. After hastily comforting his subordinate, he had rushed upstairs. Now, disregarding everything else, he quickly greeted Ji Shuangyu, clapping his hands and laughing, "Hold on, let me first catch up with Mr. Gourd—I've really been looking for you for a long time! Do you still remember me?\n

\n\n

\n "It's truly a coincidence. Yuangu just told me, and only then did I learn why I had people searching all the major schools but couldn't find you. Fortunately, our fate is truly profound. Mr. Zhou Yunzhi also recommended you to come here. Even if Baoduo hadn't invited you, I imagine we would have met today!"\n

\n\n

\n As he spoke, his smile grew more and more sincere, making one suspect he was doing it on purpose.\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: '???'\n

\n\n

\n Listening to this, Zhou Ruojuan's face turned from red to green. He looked at Ji Shuangyu in disbelief.\n

\n\n

\n He had been utterly convinced that Zhou Siyin had invited two types of people: one from the theater, and the other a calligrapher, that Gourd Elder who had popped up from nowhere. Otherwise, how could he have spoken so maliciously and unscrupulously to Ji Shuangyu?\n

\n\n

\n 'He's called the Gourd Elder and his calligraphy is so accomplished, wouldn't he have to be at least forty-five?' he had thought.\n

\n\n

\n And it turns out, you're the damn Gourd Elder??\n

\n\n

\n He looked from him back to Zhou Siyin. 'An animal? Who's the real animal here??'\n

\n\n

\n Ji Shuangyu also turned his head and looked at Zhou Ruojuan curiously, "You recommended me?"\n

\n\n

\n Zhou Ruojuan: “............”\n

\n\n

\n ...Mother-gourding hell\n

","published_time":"2026-06-06T00:00:00.000Z","paid":true,"show_flag":false,"show_scheduled_time":"2026-06-06T00:00:00.000Z","unpaid_scheduled_time":"2026-07-04T00:00:00.000Z"}]

Back to the Republican Era as a Director

Back to the Republican Era as a Director

Chapter 17 - Chapter 15

SilentQuill