Chapter 18: A Joyful Funeral? Then Let's Play

At this moment, Su Meng's manager, Qin Jie, was already caught in an utterly tangled dilemma.

From a rational standpoint, Su Meng's skill was honestly a bit unfit for the stage.

Especially opening the gig by taking a funeral job — damn, that really cheapens his reputation.

But after glancing at the netizens' comments on the trending searches, she was wavering again.

What's wrong with this batch of netizens?

Our Su Meng takes a funeral job, and you lot are the ones laughing yourselves silly?

It wasn't just her — the show's backstage crew was also torn.

This is a variety show!

Have you ever seen a variety show livestream a funeral?

Isn't that just asking for trouble?

And yet, right now, this scene was happening on their own show!

The crucial part was that, seeing the explosive popularity in the livestream room, the directing team was nearly numb.

What in the world has gotten into netizens these days?

Isn't laughing your head off at a variety show good enough? They have to watch someone run a funeral and cry along?

After thinking it over, she hurriedly got in touch with Su Meng's cameraman.

By now, Su Meng's cameraman was already a mess of snot and tears.

The others could mute their sound, but he couldn't.

As a dutiful cameraman, he still had to follow and film Su Meng.

……

"Su… Master Su, how about you switch to some other tune?"

The cameraman, having received the director's instruction, tugged at Su Meng's hem and whispered.

Switch tunes?

The host family's eldest son perked up at those words.

Right! Why didn't I think of that?

In the countryside, running a funeral is all about face.

If the suona troupe you hire has lots of people and great skill, that's absolutely a matter of face.

Today he hired two suona troupes — the grandeur was more than enough.

As for skill… does that even need saying?

You've got a master craftsman of this caliber right here and you won't use him — you'd send some ordinary suona player in instead?

Isn't that a waste?

The eldest son's eyes rolled, and an idea suddenly struck him.

He handed over a cigarette and said with an ingratiating smile.

"Master Su, here's the thing — my grandpa passed at 102, so this counts as a joyful funeral."

"So for our tunes, could you not make them so sad? How about something a little more cheerful?"

Su Meng's eyes lit up at those words.

"Right! Why didn't I think of that!"

"Besides funeral tunes, I've written plenty for happy occasions too."

"Things like 'Wedding Procession Tune,' 'Carrying the Bridal Sedan'…"

"No!" Wang Laowu's face went green.

Though he hadn't heard these tunes, he knew perfectly well what those titles meant.

"Master Su, Master Su!"

"Look, this is a funeral after all — playing stuff like 'Wedding Procession Tune' or 'Carrying the Bridal Sedan' isn't appropriate, is it?"

Not appropriate?

Su Meng froze for a beat, then suddenly saw the light.

"Right, right, right — look at my brain, only thinking about cheerful tunes, completely forgot the occasion."

"Let me think… cheerful tunes suited for a funeral…"

"Got it! 'Little Herdboy,' 'A Flower,' 'Zhu Bajie Carries His Bride'… these are absolutely perfect!"

Wang Laowu's face was a picture of utter bewilderment.

What tunes are these? How come I still haven't heard of a single one?

But seeing how earnestly Su Meng spoke, he finally set his mind at ease.

After all, this was a master suona player!

……

In the livestream room, countless netizens were dumbfounded.