Chapter 1708: Beiping Old Dreams: The Beauty Performer Suppresses the Big Shot 23

On the fifth night, how shocking and thrilling it was—Beiping's populace themselves had no idea; they only knew that upon waking they'd heard the old eunuch's misdeeds had caused his death, and many in the crowd cheered, hurling rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables at the corpse as it was carried out, covering it.

Especially families of the poor whose children had been harmed by him, they hated him so much they wished to spit on Wan Canghong's corpse a few times to vent their anger.

Meanwhile, Chu Wu, who had sealed off Wan Canghong, saw his reputation among Beiping's populace growing ever better, even showing signs of surpassing his elder brother Chu San.

The sixth day of the arena tournament.

Perhaps to dispel the rumor that Jin Chen had lost Mr. Pei's favor, not only did Pei Yinnian personally bring Jin Chen to the theater that day, but even other Pei family members who could free themselves from work were present; the front rows were packed, and at a glance all those seated were relatives of the Pei family's branch who had come to watch the performance.

What does this show? Jin Chen wasn't discarded as they had expected; instead, he was openly brought by the family head to be shown to the branch.

The class leader had been losing sleep over worry half the night before, but now there's no need to sleep—just looking at those nobles' faces makes one beam.

This news also reached Xu Nanchun's ears at the Cai Fa Xiyuan.

At that moment he was preparing to go on stage, fixing his makeup backstage.

"Understood, you may go." Xu Nanchun glanced at the little messenger, then took a bracelet from the makeup box and gave it to him.

The role reflected in the mirror was beautiful, yet increasingly soulless.

Xu Nanchun stared at his own reflection in the mirror, his powdered lashes drooping, the damp lashes trembling like butterfly wings.

At this time, everyone in Beiping knew Xu Nanchun was favored, yet a jealousy welled up from deep within him.

He envied how Jin Chen was so highly regarded by Pei Yinnian.

At first he mocked Jin Chen for saying one must abandon dignity and tuck one's tail to behave like a person, as if he were slapping his own face.

How could he forget that people differ—Xiao Bofeng is heartless toward performers, while Pei Yinnian may not be so.

"So you're still here; I wondered why I didn't see you earlier."

Xiao Bofeng strode in, wearing a suit and leather shoes, with hair wax on, completely unlike his usual appearance when he came to see him.

Xu Nanchun instinctively raised his guard, but his gaze remained soft: "You didn't come today just to watch the show, did you?"

"I'm not just coming early to tell you something; I have to go out later to eat with business partners, so I won't be staying."

Xiao Bofeng didn't mind much, he pinched Xu Nanchun's chin and kissed him, teasing: "I've been holding back for days knowing you have a competition, yet you still want me to watch you constantly."

Xu Nanchun's face flushed red from the meaning of his words, his lipstick half‑eaten and he didn't bother to fix it; when Xiao Bofeng pulled him into an embrace, he grit his teeth, grabbed the corner of his shirt, lifted his head, and asked: "If you treat me this well, will you keep only me by your side in the future?"

The question he voiced trembled uncontrollably, as if he were laying bare the thoughts he'd kept bottled up, crushing them to tell Xiao Bofeng in hopes of getting an answer.

"What are you talking about," Xiao Bofeng said, his tone unchanged, still indulgent, kissing the corner of his eyes, "You know, I like nothing more than your obedience."

Xu Nanchun stared for a moment, then after a few seconds smiled and playfully kissed him back, saying, "Look what you're saying—I was just getting into the feel of the play ahead of time."

"Then I'm leaving; have the driver pick you up tonight."

Xiao Bofeng gripped his waist, glanced at his watch, then rose and left.

His retreating figure showed not a hint of reluctance.

Xu Nanchun stared blankly at the door, slowly leaning against the dressing table, humming a soft tune.

"I will always remember the master's kindness, I will often think of the secluded southern mountains, I will long for, the purple bamboo rustling, the moon like a hook, the stream light swaying, the house like a boat…… let us remember only the affinity, not the grudge." (Excerpt from Butterfly Dream)

The singer seemed to enter a trance, each note like weeping, tears also flowing.

At the same time, Weiyang Xiyuan.

Just before Jin Chen was about to go on stage, he heard that Pei Yiqing still intended to meet Xiao Bofeng today; although, according to Pei Yiqing's own wish, he wanted to lay everything out clearly.

But with the protagonist's halo looming, he thought it over, grabbed Pei Yiqing's collar and dragged him into the dressing room, giving him a stern talking‑to.

"Remembered?"

Pei Yiqing nodded, "Remembered."

"But sister‑in‑law, are you sure about what he'll say?"

Jin Chen's stern face: "Scoundrels all follow this routine; just follow Xiao Bofeng's words and you'll be fine."

"All right, I'm off now; sister‑in‑law, break a leg."

Both theaters opened simultaneously, again presenting a lovely melody and graceful steps.

The bustling streets of Beiping have heard countless stories.

Ping'an Fandian.

When Pei Yiqing arrived, the dishes were already set; Xiao Bofeng rose to greet him, wearing the same suit he had on when they first met in Hu Cheng.

"Xiao Qing, you've come."

"Really good; I thought you…… wouldn't want to see me again."

Pei Yiqing let out a soft hum at the words, sat opposite him, somewhat muttering: "If you don't come clear things up soon, the messengers will be driven to distraction."

"As long as you're here, that's fine; this time I want to explain properly," Xiao Bofeng said, nervously straightening his clothes, hands on the table, his voice deep: "I already know I was wrong."

"Since I met you, I've come to know what love is; all my past faults were entirely my own, and that's what hurt you."

Pei Yiqing hadn't even picked up his chopsticks, looking at Xiao Bofeng with astonishment and uncertainty.

Sister‑in‑law had said that a scoundrel's repentance involves steps; the first step: admit fault earnestly!

Xiao Bofeng didn't notice his gaze; seeing Pei Yiqing silent, he only thought it was taking effect.

He suddenly seized Pei Yiqing's hand, eyes deep with feeling: "It's just that I belong to the Xiao family, the grudges between the Xiao and Pei families run deep, and I am the sole heir."

"Many things are truly beyond my control; even if I love you, I still have my own difficulties."

Pei Yiqing: "……"

Second step: helpless!