Chapter 723: Farewell My Concubine

The two of them wove through the crowd on their own, strolling along like a young couple, chatting and laughing, completely unbothered by the stares and cameras around them.

"Let me tell you, Xiao Wang used to be totally wild and unruly, cursing out everyone. Now that you've hit him with that blow, he's calmed right down." Liu Tianxian chirped beside him.

"Who cares. From now on he won't dare talk about us again." Fang Hong said.

The future Xiao Wang would only suffer blow after blow. If that guy was impressive, it was because Wanda was impressive; if Wanda wasn't impressive, he wasn't impressive either.

Liu Tianxian turned her head to look at the surroundings — the shops lined up neatly on both sides of the street, each with its own distinctive signboard.

Being able to come out shopping gave her a sense of satisfaction. She pointed at the middle of the street, where a hutong girl was pushing a glowing gourd cart: "Look, how pretty!"

"Want to buy one for you to eat?" Fang Hong said.

"Sure! Seems like you've never bought me anything to eat before, so this time let Mr. Fang treat me." Liu Tianxian patted his shoulder, smiling prettily.

Fang Hong pinched her nose and laughed: "The honor is mine."

"Hehehe." Liu Tianxian tucked her neck in, hugging his arm, looking utterly intimate.

The two walked up to the glowing gourd cart. The owner saw them and got so excited he could barely contain himself, his voice trembling: "May I ask what you'd like?"

"Two skewers of ice gourd." Fang Hong took out his phone and scanned the vendor's QR code.

Now both Alipay and WeChat support QR-code payments, already common even among street vendors — Beijing was developed enough for that.

Liu Tianxian took the two skewers of ice gourd the vendor handed over, opened her cherry-like little mouth and bit one off: "Mm, so sweet."

She held one to Fang Hong's lips: "You have one too."

Fang Hong bit one off — sweet and sour with a hawthorn flavor, quite tasty.

"Isn't it sweet?" Liu Tianxian said.

"It is sweet!" Fang Hong nodded.

Liu Tianxian gave a charming smile, bit into the ice gourd and sighed: "It's been so long since I last went out shopping."

"Then I'll come out and keep you company more often from now on." Fang Hong turned to look at her.

"For real? You're so busy, when would you have the time?" Liu Tianxian looked at him too.

"From now on I'll have less on my plate, not so busy anymore. Everything that needed doing is done." Fang Hong said.

"You said it!" Liu Tianxian pointed a finger at him.

"Pinky swear." Fang Hong held out his little finger.

Liu Tianxian hooked her little finger around his: "Pinky swear, a hundred years, no going back."

The two were like childish kids, wandering the street and interacting intimately, while a crowd always gathered around them, holding up phones to take pictures.

They didn't press close, just kept a certain distance.

Ordinary passersby still had decent manners — as long as no one tipped them off in advance, no fanatical fans would come to stake out the spot.

Normally Liu Tianxian did go out shopping too.

Various photos of the two interacting had long since appeared online, and those fans had long since started drooling over their screens.

"Ahhhh! Principal, give our Xixi back!"

"Look how loving they are — why do people keep saying they're divorced?"

"What do I do, I want Xixi to feed me a gourd too."

"Seeing them so happy puts my mind at ease."

"Just don't end up like those other celebrities getting divorced. Xixi has to stay happy forever."

The couple's outing even made the trending searches, though not as hot as the General Manager's divorce incident.

That incident truly shook the entire internet, even causing a social negative — an outbreak of misogynistic sentiment, sparking social anxiety.

Of course, with universal paparazzi and the ever-growing internet, such things would happen often.

"I stand, in the fierce wind, hating that I cannot sweep away the endless heartache. I gaze at the heavens, clouds swirling in all directions, sword in hand, I ask the world — who is the hero."

In the KTV private room, lights blazed from every direction.

Fang Hong held the microphone, drew a breath and bellowed at the top of his lungs; on the big LED screen in front was the MV of Farewell My Concubine.

Liu Tianxian sat on the sofa, laughing "hahaha" and clapping.

After strolling for a while, they kept being gawked at like monkeys, so she suggested going to KTV to sing — it had been ages since she last sang.

Just as the music went "hey-ha-ho," the private room door was pushed open and Zhang Jingying's little head appeared at the doorway.

"Liangying, come quick." Liu Tianxian waved — she was the one who had called her over; just the two of them singing was too boring.

Zhang Jingying saw her friend, confirmed it was the right room, and darted right in, plopping down beside Liu Tianxian and leaning close to her ear: "Xixi, you two really know how to enjoy yourselves — just the two of you running off to sing."

Mainly it was too noisy, the Principal was wailing like a ghost!

"We were just in the mood, so I suggested coming to sing." Liu Tianxian handed her a drink.

The two clinked glasses with a "ding," not standing on ceremony.

"Can you drink?" Zhang Jingying asked.

"I think so, it's already over three months." Liu Tianxian said.

"Don't you need to breastfeed?" Zhang Jingying asked again.

"No need, let the baby drink formula — it's easier that way." Liu Tianxian said.

"You two are way too casual about raising a kid — going out to play on your own, dumping the baby on grandma to look after, not even breastfeeding." Zhang Jingying said enviously.

"Children have their own blessings. He'll have his own life later, we have ours. As long as we raise them up, that's enough." Liu Tianxian said it very casually.

"Respect, respect!" Zhang Jingying cupped her fist in salute.

Never seen parents this easygoing — other people treat their kids like treasures, terrified of a bump or a bruise, while these two only play with the baby when they happen to think of it.

When they don't think of it, they just do their own thing.

The two of them only had a three-minute fever — when the baby was born they were especially moved, especially grateful for a new life coming into the world; after giving birth it just felt like, well, that's that.

"In this world of a thousand charms, I alone love you, that one kind. In the place of heartbreak, on the road of parting who is not the same — how many years of devotion, hastily laid to rest…" Fang Hong seemed deeply immersed, gripping the microphone, looking every bit the part of a heartbroken man.

He stretched out his arm as if trying to grab Liu Tianxian.

Liu Tianxian was happy to play along with his performance, took his hand, stood up, twirled a beautiful circle, then half-lay in his arm, looking half-dead.

Fang Hong stood tall above her, gazing at her with deep affection.

"In my heart, you weigh the most; we share sorrow and joy, life and death together. You carve with tenderness into my bones, and I return it with a passion that soars to the heavens."

"These two really are..." Zhang Jingying murmured, the public display of affection is coming.

Just then the private room door was pushed open again, and Tang Yan and Luo Jin walked in. Hearing the music swelling and seeing everyone there, Tang Yan said, "What a lively gathering!"

"Yes, those two are performing Farewell My Concubine." Zhang Jingying tilted her head slightly to indicate.

Tang Yan saw the open space—Liu Tianxian was already lying on the floor, Fang Hong was kneeling on one leg holding her, just like in the MV.

Even so, the Principal kept singing loudly: "In my heart, you weigh the most, my tears soar to the heavens; in the next life I'll still be a champion, and when I return the setting sun is at its thickest."

"Hahaha," Tang Yan clapped and laughed loudly, flashing a mouthful of gums.

She casually pulled Luo Jin over, telling him to sit beside her. Luo Jin was still rather reserved.

He wasn't really close with anyone—of course he was relatively familiar with Liu Tianxian; the two were classmates.

When the song ended, Fang Hong finally returned to his usual self and said, "My throat is hoarse from singing."

"Here, let me soothe your throat." Liu Tianxian stood up and moved closer.

The two puckered up and kissed, then puckered up and kissed again...

"Hey, I'm leaving, leaving, boring." Zhang Jingying covered her eyes with her hand, pretending to get up and leave.

"Look at you being so petty—can't stand seeing others kiss?" Liu Tianxian teased with a smile.

"Can't stand it, can't stand it. I'm afraid if I eat too much public display of affection, I won't be able to eat actual food." Zhang Jingying said.

"Hahaha," Tang Yan laughed with her head thrown back, again flashing her gums.

Luo Jin just smiled, a bit more reserved.

Liu Tianxian shot her a killing look, stepped forward and smacked Zhang Jingying twice. The two women tussled together, giggling nonstop.

"What drama are you filming lately?" Fang Hong took a sip of wine—low alcohol content—and asked Luo Jin.

"Working with 【her】, filming 'Going Home.'" Luo Jin answered honestly.

"You two have worked together on several dramas already." Fang Hong said.

"Yes, before that we also co-starred in 'The Princess Weiyoung' and 'Diamond Lover,' but the response wasn't great." Luo Jin had always been lukewarm—neither hot nor cold.

"You won't even introduce a few movies for my Jin Jin." Tang Yan leaned forward.

"There are plenty of movies, but in my opinion, his current state is actually pretty good. He doesn't lack roles to film, and he's not so red-hot that he becomes the center of attention. Being too popular isn't always a good thing." Fang Hong said.

"Mm!" Tang Yan and Luo Jin both nodded.

They understood the logic too—being too popular easily blocks others' paths, and the criticism piles up.

Many people will get jealous and want to come after you.

Just like all the malicious comments about Tang Yan online, and people spreading her nude photos from when she was in Hong Kong—what can you do? Just have to take it.

As long as there's money to be made and you won't starve, that's enough.

"If there are suitable roles, I'll keep an eye out for him." Fang Hong added.

"Okay, thank you, Principal." Tang Yan expressed her gratitude.

Luo Jin also bent slightly at the waist to show thanks. He said he didn't want to be famous, but having resources still made him excited.

In this circle, the one with the most resources was none other than the Principal.

"Let's have a drink." Liu Tianxian and Zhang Jingying had finished horsing around, and she raised her glass in a gesture.

"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses.

Just then, the private room door was pushed open once more. Shuchang walked in carrying her bag and said, "Oh, you've already started drinking? And you didn't even wait for me!"

"Perfect timing, perfect timing, we just started too. Come, join us." Liu Tianxian beckoned repeatedly, gesturing her over.

Shuchang was also in high spirits, sat down next to them, and raised her glass to drink together.

"Let me tell you, good thing you came late. If you'd come earlier, you'd definitely have eaten a mouthful of public display of affection." Zhang Jingying nudged her with her shoulder.

"Is there something I don't know about?" Shuchang asked.

"Just now they were singing, then performing, then kissing—ugh, so sickeningly sweet." Zhang Jingying said.

"Oh really? That's too bad I missed it." Shuchang actually sounded quite intrigued.

"Want us to kiss again for you to see?" Liu Tianxian teased.

"You two forget it, let Tang Yan and Luo Jin do it." Zhang Jingying pushed her away, telling her to back off.

Once Liu Tianxian started playing around, she was very open, without a shred of reserve, just like a boy.

This immediately made Tang Yan and Luo Jin embarrassed.

"Go on, go on, kiss one—let's see how deep your feelings are." Liu Tianxian egged them on.

"If I'd known you all were this crazy, I wouldn't have come." Tang Yan said.

"If you didn't come, what then—you two planning to 'do' it at home until love grows?" Liu Tianxian put extra emphasis on the word "do," dropping the innuendo completely out of nowhere.

"Hahaha," everyone burst out laughing.

Zhang Jingying and Shuchang kept smacking Liu Tianxian a few times—she really had no fairy-like image left.

Liu Tianxian meanwhile sank into the sofa, laughing until she rocked back and forth.

Tang Yan and Luo Jin both turned beet red, but they were adults, already in the passionate stage of their relationship, and had already slept together, so they could handle jokes like this.

"Don't take it to heart, I was just joking." Liu Tianxian soothed the young couple.

"It's fine. My man here doesn't have the Principal's ability to seize every opportunity." Tang Yan said.

"Hahaha"

Everyone present was laughing themselves silly.

Luo Jin was like a shy little man, blushing a deep red and looking rather embarrassed.

It really is true that a few women make a whole show — women, just like men, when together also let loose with endless dirty jokes, though this is limited to those with especially close relationships.

Once these people went out, they still maintained their good image in public.

Then came Luo Jin's singing — he sang "Light Years Away," the lights dazzling and flickering, while the women swayed their bodies to the music.

In any case, Liu Tianxian had a blast tonight; when she got home she reeked of alcohol and got scolded by her mom.

But Liu Tianxian couldn't hear any of it — she fell onto the bed and was asleep in an instant.

The next day, after a gap of several months, Xiao Wang updated his Weibo again. The post read: "Having seen the Principal's contributions to the entertainment industry, and the films of Ms. Liu Tianxian, I feel the Principal is an entrepreneur worthy of respect; Liu Tianxian is also an actress worthy of respect.

My previous remarks on Weibo were indeed somewhat improper, and for that I offer my apology. I hope you didn't take it to heart. I wish the Principal and Liu Tianxian lasting happiness together."

Once this Weibo post went up, it was rapidly reposted and spread by countless Wangyi.

Liu Tianxian's fans in particular were especially thrilled — this was Xiao Wang's first-ever apology to someone in the entertainment industry.

He had cursed many people before; previously he had only apologized to Lei Bus, and Liu Tianxian was the second.

"See, you still badmouthed my Xixi — now you know you were wrong!"

"Just a clown, ignore him, Xixi."

"Why'd he apologize? Wasn't he being all cocky before?"

"Probably the Principal stepped in. The fact that Wanda's theater chains can now show Jade Rabbit's films proves they've reached some kind of agreement."

"Very good, very good — the Principal loves his wife."

"Xiao Wang, don't back down — stand your ground!"

The Wangyi comments were all over the place — some speculated about behind-the-scenes deals, some cheered for Liu Tianxian, and others told Xiao Wang to keep being awesome.

In any case, the Wangyi loved the drama without knowing how serious it was, while Xiao Wang, out of sight and out of mind, went off to vent his frustrations on some internet celebrities.

Yet the entire film and entertainment industry was collectively calm as still waters — from now on, no force would be able to stand against the Principal.

He took over Bona, crushed Huayi, beat Wanda into submission; now the only ones left to compete with are Alibaba and Tencent.

With the rise of Douyin both domestically and overseas, a three-way standoff is taking shape.

Once again it was time for the annual Basha Charity Bazaar Night — this edition could be called the most popular, the most controversial, and the most talked-about Charity Basha ever.

A constellation of stars competed for the headlines, undercurrents surging one after another; before even entering the venue, the red carpet alone had already become a battlefield.

"Teddy Jie Mei Tuan: Qin Lan fixes Li Xiaoran's hem for her, Yang Mi with a cold face!"

"Sisterly bond shattered — Yang Mi and Liu Shishi lock eyes from five meters apart for one second, then turn away."

"The Two Ices reunite in a century-level frame, burying the hatchet — Fan takes the initiative to wrap her arm around Li's shoulder and whispers in her ear for 20 seconds; Li looks slightly stiff but smiles throughout."

"Li Xiaoran's hem stepped on, nearly a wardrobe malfunction!"

"Huo Jianhua and Lin Xinru's first post-wedding appearance — walk the red carpet separately, rehearsing the divorce procedure!"

All sorts of topics occupied trending searches and headlines one after another — sisterly bonds shattered, wardrobe malfunctions, century-level reunions... the melon-eating Wangyi couldn't keep up.

And it was all stirred up by the female stars; the male stars never had such drama.

Of course, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian were the grand finale; if those two hadn't come, it should have been Guoji Zhang closing the show.

But Guoji Zhang, hearing that the Principal was coming, could only step aside.

"Ziyi, hurry up and go — the Principal is here." Su Mang, seeing Guoji Zhang still posing for the cameras and fiddling with the two ounces of flesh on her chest, urged her to leave quickly.

This also gave birth to the trending topic "Su Mang Chasing People Away," which climbed onto the hot search.

Guoji Zhang was also quite frustrated — she had originally wanted to stay longer to grab some headlines and buzz, but under the circumstances could only leave and give up her spot.

On the dazzlingly lit stage, Su Mang led the Principal and Liu Tianxian all the way to the center of the stage.

The two didn't strike any deliberate poses, just stood casually for the photos, while reporters in front of them with their long and short lenses frantically pressed their shutters.

(End of chapter)