After eating the Lantern Festival, Shuiyun Tower was unpacked. For more than ten days during the new year, Shang Xirui didn't expect to buy a newspaper to read. On the day of opening the box, Manager Gu of Qingfeng Theater wanted to flatter Shang Xirui, and put everything related to Shang Xirui in the past half month. Rui bought all the newspapers of "The Legend of the Dragon" that were praised, and personally read it aloud backstage to Shang Xirui. Shang Xirui is not like other popular actors, who always have one or two helpers around him. Although he enjoyed the feeling of hugging from front to back, he didn't want anyone to follow him when he left the theater. An hour is enough to handle. He is still very picky about friends who are really close to life. Usually Shang Xirui comes to the theater to sing and supervise plays, and when he's done singing, it's like leaving get off work, he rushes home to eat supper and sleep, he will be irritable if anyone delays him for a moment. Manager Gu rarely had the opportunity to flatter him. Opening the box today, Shang Xirui, as the head of the class, has to lead the crowd to kowtow to the patriarch, personally unseal the cages where the outfits are stored, and count the newly purchased props, so he got up early in the morning to keep an eye on the venue, Manager Gu can be regarded as an arrest There are people.
Manager Gu finished reading a review article like a loudspeaker, and all the actors in Shuiyunlou nodded in praise and added some compliments. Holding a teapot in his hand, Shang Xirui leaned on the back of Yuan Lan's chair and listened with a smile on his face, not hiding his vanity at all, while listening, he would sip the spout of the teapot from time to time. The style of pie is becoming more and more like those rough guys who sing martial arts, but the ones who sing Dan are not so rough.
Judging from the newspapers, opera is really the most popular thing. From literary giants to chariot pullers, Shang Xirui has fanciers from all walks of life. When I sang Beijing opera, I often went to the theater garden in Tianqiao, and the hard-working people bought a ticket for a few cents to spend the night, and learned to hum along. Once Shang Xirui was riding in a rickshaw, and when going uphill, the coachman yelled Shang Xirui's martial arts drama for encouragement - Shang Xirui could hear his own Shang style, and smiled with his mouth pursed , When I got off the car, I specially rewarded him with an extra 50 cents. Because this piece of "The Story of the Qianlong" is Kunqu opera, it is difficult for the ordinary people to learn it, but it especially voted for the preferences of cultural figures, and it seemed relatively lively in the newspapers. Even cultural people who don't know how to sing at all can write clearly and logically. Not to mention hard work and singing, just listening to them analyze and analyze the plot of the characters feels that they have benefited a lot, and they have two or three friends. And the coolies would only shout hello to him at the top of their lungs. When he first debuted, Shang Xirui liked the hustle and bustle, but after singing for a long time his heart sank, he still prefers to listen to reactions worth pondering. So these years, Peking Opera has become so popular, he dare not let go of Kunqu Opera. After coming to Peiping, Shang Xirui won the troupe in Liyuan, and the financial situation of Shuiyun Tower became more relaxed, and he was finally able to create some plays that were not for selling tickets. The fulfillment in his heart was beyond the comprehension of other actors.
Manager Gu raised a thumbs up: "Hey! It's said that Beijing opera has overshadowed Kunqu opera, so I, Gu, dare to say no! Whether it's Beijing opera or Kunqu opera, it all depends on who sings it! Yes! Right? Boss Shang, let me tell you that in order to buy a ticket for the three episodes of "The Legend of the Qianlong" in the next year, people were killed! In today's market, if there is no Boss Shang for a show, it doesn't matter how much money people pay. I have time to watch it. If you have Boss Shang, you won’t be able to buy a ticket for tens of dollars!”
Shang Xirui looked pleased: "Don't set the fare too high, don't be too black-hearted."
Manager Gu nodded in agreement, and said, "Boss Shang knows who are the people who are here today? Masters in the military, political, and business circles, the son of Minister Jin, Deputy Chief He, just like you, a group of soldiers I came to search the theater, and said that I was afraid that someone planted a bomb, and now I am still standing guard there."
Shang Xirui said: "I seem to have seen it when I came."
Manager Gu glanced around, put his hands together his mouth, and whispered to Shang Xirui: "It is said that it is someone from the north!"
Shang Xirui didn't understand: "Who is coming from the north? The emperor is back?"
It was the beginning of 1936. Although the country was besieged on all sides, cities like Peking and Nanjing were still singing and dancing. An actor like Shang Xirui is even more indifferent to the political situation, he doesn't know anything about the bandits being caught outside so hard. Manager Gu saw that he was ignorant, so it was inconvenient to explain to him, so he smiled and planned to fool him. Shang Xirui was still there asking: "Who the hell is here? It's mysterious. Is it the emperor?"
"It's me!"
Shang Xirui felt happy when he heard this voice, and when he turned around, he saw Cheng Fengtai pushing the door in with a newspaper in hand. The actors in Shuiyun Building and Manager Gu were very polite when they saw him, and greeted him with a smile.
Cheng Fengtai put his hat on the coffee table, took off his coat, as if he had returned home: "Every time I come here, I see you guys so lively and happy, what good things are there?"
Yuan Lan said with a smile: "There is an old saying in Pingyang, which is 'If you want to be happy, go to the opera troupe'. The opera troupe has always been the most lively and happiest place. If the opera singers can't enjoy themselves, how can we find it for you opera troupes?" Where's Lezi?"
Cheng Fengtai also laughed and said: "That's not right. If "Zhuge Liang Hangs Filial Piety" is going to be performed next, how can you still be so happy?"
Yuan Lan patted Shang Xirui on the back: "Hey, so isn't our class leader watching all the scenes? Who dares to be so happy before singing and crying scenes? He's going to scold people! It's terrible! Can't see Come out? Don't talk about us, even if the lighting is not good and the stage is not cleaned, Manager Gu can't escape!"
Manager Gu echoed with a wry smile, and continued: "It should be, it should be."
Cheng Fengtai raised his eyes and looked at Shang Xirui: "Well, I really can't tell. The first few times I saw your class leader, your class leader weakly sang Concubine Yang in Huixian Tower, even after removing makeup, he was gentle and quiet Yes, I have been deceived by him for a long time! Who knew that he is actually such a strong and strong person!"
Shang Xirui snorted. All the actors around laughed. With Cheng Fengtai focusing on beauty, Manager Gu is about to leave. Cheng Fengtai called him to stop, and told him about the box. Asking Manager Gu for a box at this juncture is simply more difficult than asking for his life. Manager Gu lamented, saying that he can discuss his old life, but it is absolutely impossible to ask for a private room, and said with a shy smile, "Second Master Cheng is also a businessman, and a businessman only talks about his reputation. How can he accept the reserved private room?" Do you have to come back? Don’t embarrass me. Otherwise, I’ll ask the second master to take the front seat, and I’m sure you can see even the folds of Boss Shang’s clothes! You can’t see that clearly in the box.”
Cheng Fengtai said disdainfully: "Don't fool me! It's my first time watching a play? Then I sit backstage and watch Boss Shang? It's clearer! I can still see Boss Shang's butt!"
Everyone burst into laughter, Manager Gu just nodded flatteringly: "You can do this if you want!"
Cheng Fengtai stared at him, Manager Gu woke up and said, "Then let me give you an idea. Commander Cao is also here today, Er Ye and Commander squeeze together?"
Cheng Fengtai sighed and said: "After all, this is the only way. I even made an appointment with Master Fan!"
"That doesn't matter! Make an extra table, the spacious ones are all relatives, aren't they? Prepare the best Dahongpao according to your taste! You can't be wronged!"
Although the Qingfeng Grand Theater is a Western-style building built by Westerners, it is the number one drama stage in Beiping. However, when doing business in China, it is inevitable that you will also be infected with the atmosphere of Chinese theaters. There is a black lacquered square table in each box on the second floor, which also sells tea, fruit and pastries, accompanied by waiters. Even the manager of the theater had the old-fashioned style of the theater proprietor, flattering the actors and the powerful.
Cheng Fengtai took out a cigarette, Manager Gu took out a lighter and lit it. Cheng Fengtai said: "Forget it this time. I'll still reserve an old seat for this year's box—for three years in a row! Don't let it expire when the time comes without making a sound. Erye Fan's is also reserved for him."
Manager Gu hastily agreed to leave. Shang Xirui said with a smile: "Second master already knows that I can sing here for three years?"
Cheng Fengtai smiled at him: "Anyway, no matter where Boss Shang is singing, I'll chase after him and watch it, and he won't move for three years."
Several actresses immediately booed them both. Cheng Fengtai opened the newspaper to read the news, but ignored them. Shang Xirui, on the other hand, was as happy as eating sweets, a little bit shy, and asked casually: "What kind of newspaper are you talking about? Did you say anything about me?"
Cheng Fengtai smiled and said: "Are you ashamed or not? Why should you be accused of being a newspaper?" Shang Xirui was right after thinking about it, disappointed, went to wash his face, eat some snacks and get ready to put on makeup. But Cheng Fengtai lost his voice and said: "Hey! Don't tell me! There really are!"
Shang Xirui was immediately attracted to him: "What did you say?"
Cheng Fengtai quickly skimmed through the content, cleared his throat, turned the newspaper nonchalantly and said: "What can I say? It's all nonsense. When Boss Shang sang the song, he insisted that Boss Shang didn't Dick. Boss Shang sang about it, saying that Boss Shang has two dicks."
Nineteen The other two opera singers were putting on makeup, they shook their hands when they smiled, their faces were blurred, they couldn't help laughing while complaining about Cheng Fengtai's bad mouth.
Shang Xirui stood in front of him, wiped his face with a hot towel, and said: "How to say it, read it to me."
"That's what it says, there's nothing to read."
"Yes! There must be!"
"Boss Shang put some oil on his face after wiping his face, it's chapped."
This alone can't divert Shang Xirui's attention, Shang Xirui threw the towel on Xiaolai's body, and made love to Cheng Fengtai: "I won't put oil on, tell me quickly! I want to listen!"
"What are you listening to? Didn't I tell you? Praise you have two dicks!"
"How do you boast? Tell me word by word! Hurry up!"
"Then I'll read it to you after you finish playing."
"I don't want it! I want it now! Oh, you're going to piss me off! Hurry up!"
"What's the point of reading after the play? The newspaper won't be cold again."
Shang Xirui scratched his head and couldn't wait for a moment, his mood soared from amicable to furious, and shouted: "If you are told to read, you will read! You want to sing against me! Are you illiterate!"
Cheng Fengtai was stunned for a moment, he couldn't help but look up at Shang Xirui.
In many cases, especially here with Cheng Fengtai, Shang Xirui is a stubborn donkey who has no self-cultivation or sense of proportion. When I was in a hurry, I brought out my private attitude, which surprised everyone. Firstly, he didn't expect Shang Xirui to be so bad-tempered towards Cheng Fengtai, and secondly, he didn't expect Cheng Fengtai to be so patient and kind towards Shang Xirui. The two of them have become so close, completely beyond the boundaries of friends who eat and play with each other. In the past two years when Fan Lian and Fan Erye were in Pingyang, Hunshuiyunlou was more active than Cheng Fengtai, and he praised Shang Xirui very much. Shang Xirui treated him politely from beginning to end, occasionally making a joke, it was never like this anyway. He was able to get to the position where he is today, and he is the kind of person who doesn't know how to advance or retreat.
The senior sisters were all taken aback. Cheng Fengtai always threatened that he was playing an opera, but they still didn't believe it. Now it looks like it might be true. Even if it wasn't that kind of flesh-and-blood relationship, it was a very profound one—they thought of Jiang Mengping together, and then exchanged a look with deep meaning.
Yuan Lan first smiled and said: "Brother Rui's burning butt problem still can't be changed, if you tease me, you'll be anxious—Second Master is teasing you!" At the same time, she winked at Cheng Fengtai, telling him to give in and just take a step back.
Shang Xirui couldn't wait, said: "I'm so mad! I'll read it myself!" Pulling the newspaper out of Cheng Fengtai's hand, turning back a page, he saw the headline - "The Story of the Qianlong" To ban the show, Boss Shang must watch ".
Shang Xirui's face changed drastically, he sat next to Cheng Fengtai and watched silently, frowning. This is still today's newspaper, probably the news that Manager Gu may not even know about it. Qianlongji was staged years ago to today, and it has been dissatisfied for a month, but because the reputation has spread too fast, I don't know which side has been poked in the basket, which makes people intolerable.
Yu Qing and Du Qi also came in through the back door at this time. Yu Qing unwrapped a pink silk scarf wrapped around her head, and said with a smile, "I'm late! I forgot how to get to the back door. Fortunately, I met Seventh Young Master."
It was rare for Du Qi to smile so kindly: "I'm here to wish everyone a happy old age."
Their greetings didn't receive much response, and they found that all the actors were studying Shang Xirui's expression, and Shang Xirui was staring at a newspaper, the expression was really worth studying. He finished reading the newspaper with difficulty, raised his head, brows were still furrowed, and his eyes were straight.
Cheng Fengtai rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and said slowly: "I told you to read the play, you have to watch it now. Sister Yuan Lan just said that the people who rapped and sang must be happy before the people who listen will be happy. You are muttering something now Face, how do you open the box when you go on stage later?"
Cheng Fengtai is the one who can put things aside, Shang Xirui is not. I was stimulated, so I had to find a few more companions to fight against the enemy. Yu Qing poked his head in and asked with a smile: "What's wrong, Boss Shang? Why are you so absorbed in reading?" Shang Xirui waved the newspaper in front of Yu Qing's eyes: "Come on! Boss Yu has a look!"
Yu Qing is a scholar, so he is naturally very self-cultivated. He took a glance at the newspaper, his expression unchanged, handed it to Du Qi with a smile and said, "The revolution that has been going on for a long time overthrew the monarchy, even today, it is still taboo for the venerable."
Du Qi is also a scholar, but his self-cultivation is not as good as Shang Xirui's. After reading it, he crumpled up the newspaper and threw it on the wall, cursing: "Fuck him! Find fault?"
All the actors were curious about the news. Yu Qing was afraid of affecting everyone's mood on stage, so she refused to reveal the content, turned her head and said softly to Shang Xirui and Du Qi: "Let's discuss it after the show tonight."
Du Qi put his hands in his trouser pockets, and said angrily and impatiently: "I wrote the book, and I will discuss what is said in it. You just sing!"
Yu Qing comforted him: "This kind of gossip may not be true. Boss Shang has met so many celebrities in the cultural and official circles. If there is any news, shouldn't he come and say hello to him first?"
Du Qi and Shang Xirui thought it made sense. Du Qi was not angry. Shang Xirui rolled his eyes, sent Xiao Lai to ask Manager Gu carefully about the important people present today, then sat down next to Cheng Fengtai, leaning his head on his shoulder in a daze. He didn't give Cheng Fengtai face in public just now, Cheng Fengtai doesn't bother to talk to him now, he unfolds another newspaper and reads, he feels Shang Xirui's head slipping from his shoulders all the way, scaring him to throw away the newspaper and help Shang Xirui to recover There are thousands of gold in the head.
"Boss Shang, what's wrong with you? Dozing off with your eyes open?"
Shang Xirui lazily straightened his head, tilted his neck and said weakly: "Tired."
"Are you tired before going on stage?"
"Singing is not tiring. Thinking about countermeasures is tiring."
"Oh? What countermeasures can you think of? Whoever bans your play, you stab him to death with a sword?"
Shang Xirui gave him a disgusted look, and sat up straight from him: "Shallow! You're too shallow!"
It's too late not to dress up. Shang Xirui stood up and changed clothes and put on makeup quickly, Cheng Fengtai read the newspaper one by one, drank tea and smoked, chatted with actresses. He always didn't leave until the moment before Shang Xirui came on stage.