Chapter 1704: Beiping Old Dreams: The Beauty Performer Overpowers the Big Shot 19

Jin Chen had just finished singing and removed his makeup backstage when the troupe leader hurried over, saying, "Oh no, little ancestor, you're in trouble today!"

"What's up?"

Jin Chen was applying cold cream; hearing this, he lifted his eyelids to look behind the mirror.

"Oh, Wan Changhong has taken a liking to you; he wants you to go to his mansion and sing a piece of 'Drunken Concubine'."

Just as those words were finished, a foreign devil who could speak Huaxia language arrived, holding a gun, and asked Jin Chen and the troupe leader to step outside to talk.

Jin Chen calmly rose and walked out of the backstage dressing room; at a glance he saw the old eunuch sitting in the courtyard, though Na Weier was nowhere to be found.

He had a suspicion, glanced toward the back of the courtyard, and indeed another person came rushing over, his belt loose.

This person was the Fifth Lord of the Chu family stationed in the Beiping warlord household, and he was on good terms with Pei Yinnian.

"Yo, this must be Master Jin, truly talented at a young age—under twenty and already a performer in Beiping."

Wan Changhong's yin-yang, sandy, hoarse tone broke the courtyard's dead silence; the more he looked at Jin Chen, the more satisfied he became, standing there in his long robe, he was utterly exquisite—even the imperial consorts of the former palace were no match.

He twirled his orchid finger, hooking his grayish-white hair, his braid haphazardly tied, and smiled: "I also have a ready-made stage at my residence; I wonder if I could invite Master Jin to perform a play at my home as well."

Although Wan Changhong's words were framed as a discussion, the rows of armed men behind him left Jin Chen no chance to refuse.

The troupe leader was about to break out in a cold sweat.

"Well… Lord Hong, others might be fine, but Jin Chen belongs to Mr. Pei."

Jin Chen made no move, his gaze sweeping over Wan Changhong's eyes—thin, cold, aloof—as he leisurely played with the jade bracelet on his wrist.

"Mr. Pei, hum, that youngster of the Pei family is nothing but a greenhorn; in front of me, Grandpa, he's not even worth a glance."

Wan Changhong chuckled twice, then his smile abruptly vanished; with a ferocious, greedy tone he ordered: "Today he must go, whether he likes it or not."

"Ay, I'm late, I'm late. Chu Wuye strode over in a Western suit; everyone knew he and Pei Yinnian were close friends, and at this point he somewhat represented Pei Yinnian's stance."

"If you ask me, there's nothing wrong with Jin Chen going to sing a piece; if Lord Hong gives him some treasure, that could be a lifetime of wealth and honor."

Chu Wuye's words turned the troupe leader's face ashen; combined with the fact that Pei Yinnian hadn't come to watch the opera today, he couldn't help but entertain the worst suspicion.

"Mr. Pei… this means he's no longer planning to support Jin Chen!"

Everyone in the courtyard was watching Jin Chen.

Jin Chen's long, arched eyelids lifted slightly as he glanced at Chu Wuye, asking, "Is this Mr. Pei's intention?"

"Yes, you should be a smart person; you can understand the meaning behind the words."

Chu Wuye, brother‑like, patted Jin Chen's shoulder: "Yinnian doesn't want you to lose face for him."

"Alright, I'll go."

Jin Chen's tone was neither disappointed nor calm; he met the man's gaze and nodded, leaving with the smiling, beaming old eunuch Wan Changhong.

The troupe leader opened his mouth, wanted to speak but held back; as a lowly commoner engaged in disreputable trade, what could he say? He remained silent, seeing Jin Chen and Wan Changhong out the door.

"Wait! Wait!"

Having received the news, Pei Yiqing came running, but only managed to catch up to the rear of the departing carriage; he glared angrily at Chu Wuye.

"What are you doing! Aren't you afraid my brother will get angry?"

Chu Wuye flashed his signature smile: "Young master, don't meddle—exchanging a performer for a successful plan, your brother won't be angry."

"Pah, I don't believe it."

Pei Yiqing turned and ran, intending to go to the Colorful Development Theatre to tell Pei Yinnian about this.

Anyone taken away by that pervert Wan Changhong has no hope of survival!

——

At the entrance of the Colorful Development Theatre.

The crowd of theatergoers dispersed, and the atmosphere inside grew visibly solemn.

Xu Nanchun waited outside the private booth, hearing hurried footsteps, and looked up in puzzlement.

"Young Master Pei."

Xu Nanchun's complexion shifted; he still rose and called out the name, his scallion‑like slender fingers clenched tightly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Where's my brother? Pei Yiqing gasped, 'Don't block me—I need to go in.'"

"No."

Xu Nanchun blocked the doorway, his expression turning grave: "Mr. Pei is discussing business; you can't enter."

"I know he's discussing business—could the other side possibly make things difficult for me? Move aside!"

Pei Yiqing, furious, choked out: "Jin Chen has been taken away by Wan Changhong! If my brother doesn't go, that pervert eunuch will torture him to death!"

"What…"

Xu Nanchun clenched his hands together, instinctively furrowing his brows—who hasn't heard of Wan Changhong's notorious name and deeds?

Back when the Weiyang Xiyuan had not yet risen to fame, that once‑glorious grand theater saw three top performers die consecutively at Wan Changhong's hands; it was said that when the constables discovered them, their entire skin and flesh had been scalded away.

He fell silent, his body stiffening as he stood in the doorway.

"What does it have to do with me. Xu Nanchun said only that, yet he moved his body aside."

"I'm tired… just pretend I'm not here."

Xu Nanchun lightly rubbed his forehead and walked toward another room.

Pei Yiqing glanced back at Xu Nanchun's retreating figure and said, "Thank you!"

He hurriedly pushed the door open and strode inside.

"Brother!"

The already solemn room fell utterly silent, not even a sparrow's chirp.

Xiao Bo Feng and Pei Yinnian sat respectively on the two sides; the seat of honor was clearly occupied by Chu San ye, who was on good terms with the Xiao family, and though it appeared to be the last seat, the medicine factory owner was actually surrounded by the three parties.

"Little Qing, what are you doing here?"

Xiao Bofeng broke the silence first, asking with concern.

Pei Yiqing, however, had no time to talk to him, even forgetting his embarrassment, and walked up to Pei Yinnian, speaking softly: "Brother, Jin Chen has been taken away by Wancang Hong! He still has to perform opera tonight! Hurry up and go rescue him."

In an instant, Pei Yinnian almost held his breath to hear Pei Yiqing's words, and in his eyes it was as if a mountain flood had roared past, startling huge waves.

But when he lifted his gaze, he saw Xiao Bofeng and Chu San sitting on either side, twirling their prayer beads and calming down again, as if nothing had happened.

"You go first; I will speak after finishing business."

Pei Yinnian's tone was calm and unruffled, leading others to think that although they couldn't hear clearly what Pei Yiqing said, it was probably nothing important.

"Brother!" Pei Yiqing exclaimed, eyes wide, "You——"

"Go down."

Pei Yinnian interrupted, giving him a look that allowed no doubt, his expression icy cold.

"All right, I understand." Pei Yiqing realized something, and, as if his condition hadn't been met, he let out a hum, stared at Xiao Bofeng, then rushed out the door.

Xiao Bofeng wondered, "What did he say to you?"

Pei Yinnian lowered his eyes lazily, his expression calm: "I want management rights of the Jade Firm."

"Hahaha, now I see," Chu San relaxed his guard and sneered: "Looks like your younger brother is also scheming; you'd better keep him in check."

"Then, Boss Pei, it's your turn to speak."

Chu San raised his hand to signal Pei Yinnian.

The owner of the medical factory had listened for a long time, yet still agreed to none of the conditions.

Chu San and Xiao Bofeng were waiting for news, and so was Pei Yinnian.

The medical factory concerns the people of Beiping; if the British Embassy were to intervene, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Pei Yinnian took a deep breath, suppressing the restless thoughts that had long plagued his heart, and had his assistant behind him add another condition.