Chapter 176: Inviting the Big Green Robe

Yuan Quan and Ceng Li were not only fellow townspeople and childhood friends, but also studied together for over a decade.

Both were from E Province, and as children they learned dance together at the Youth Palace, meeting at an early age.

Later, the E Province Peking Opera Theater sought to cultivate backup talent and planned to recruit a group of students for training in Jingcheng.

The recruitment team specifically visited several elementary schools in their hometowns, and both Yuan Quan and Ceng Li passed the entrance exams.

That autumn, the two went together to the Huaxia Opera Academy Affiliated High School to study Peking Opera.

After graduating from the opera school, they both joined the E Province Peking Opera Theater.

At that time, Peking Opera was in decline; after working at the theater for a while, they wished to pursue further studies.

So they both applied to the Central Academy of Drama Performance Department and passed the professional exams.

When they returned home to prepare for the cultural subjects, they studied together again.

In the end, both their Gaokao scores exceeded the Central Academy of Drama's admission threshold, becoming members of the Central Academy of Drama Class of 96.

The Central Academy of Drama Class of 96 and the Beijing Film Academy Class of 96 were known as cradles of Best Actors and Best Actresses.

This cohort produced too many future-famous stars from both schools.

Ceng Li had come here to visit the set specifically to see her good friend Yuan Quan.

Yuan Quan was currently in the makeup room, and the two sat together chatting.

Cheng Chen had just entered the makeup room when he saw them.

"Good morning, Sister Yuan, this is…"

Cheng Chen feigned not knowing her, yet was still stunned by Ceng Li's appearance and aura.

Ceng Li's face was highly recognizable in the entertainment circle, with strong memory points.

Her bone structure was perfect and superior, her features coldly elegant and alluring, leaving anyone who saw her first struck by her beauty.

She gave an especially startling impression.

She possessed two contrasting traits: dazzling beauty and icy aloofness.

Yet these two utterly different beauties coexisted on Ceng Li without any sense of discord.

Especially her eyes were extremely photogenic, bright and captivating.

Her eyelids were sharp and slender, her eye tails slightly upturned, naturally curved with a smile.

"Good morning, Cheng Chen. Let me introduce you—this is my good friend Ceng Li, a real beauty!"

Only after spending time with Yuan Quan did one realize her previous coldness was merely for strangers.

Now that they were familiar, there was no distance, especially since Cheng Chen was very good at getting along with people on set, and everyone liked him.

"Sister Ceng, hello. I'm Cheng Chen. Welcome to the set of Little Fish and Flower to give us guidance—hahaha."

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

Ceng Li smiled faintly; when she smiled, she was utterly enchanting, stirring the soul.

"Guidance is too much to say—I'm just here to visit. I've listened to your songs too; they're very nice."

Ceng Li said slowly.

"Oh, then Sister Li, which of my songs do you like the most?"

Cheng Chen asked with interest.

If anyone else had asked this, the person might have been put on the spot.

But Ceng Li wouldn't—her Big Green Robe personality carried a rare sincerity.

This was something Cheng Chen later learned through interviews, talks, and works of the Big Green Robe.

Yes, in the entertainment circle's dye vat, sincerity was especially rare.

"Hmm… 'Wanjiang' is good, and your new album's 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival'…

Oh, and 'Chi Ling'—I like that one too."

Ceng Li paused, then smiled.

Hearing Ceng Li's answer, Cheng Chen smiled slightly, thinking the Big Green Robe had not disappointed him.

Just as Cheng Chen was about to speak, he was interrupted by a voice from outside:

"Sister Yuan… it's your turn to go on!"

The assistant called from the doorway.

"Oh, I'll go on now. You two chat—I don't have scenes this morning, right, Cheng Chen?"

"Nope, Sister Yuan, go ahead to the set. I'll keep Sister Ceng company."

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

"I knew I could count on you. Ceng Da Mei, I'm off now—don't sneak away.

I'll treat you to lunch, and Cheng Chen, you're lucky this time—you get to dine with two big beauties."

Yuan Quan chuckled to the two.

"Then I'll make sure to seize this opportunity."

»

After Yuan Quan left, Cheng Chen said with a smile:

"Sister Ceng, would you like to take a walk around the set?"

Ceng Li shook her head.

"Better not cause trouble—I'll just wait here for her to return.

If you're busy, go ahead with your own work—I don't need you to accompany me."

Saying this, Ceng Li took out a book from her bag and began reading.

If Yuan Quan was cold outside but warm inside, then Ceng Li seemed more approachable at first glance.

But in reality, he keeps people at arm's length.

It's hard to handle.

Cheng Chen nodded, suddenly remembering something, and pulled out paper and pen from his bag to write.

Ceng Li glanced at Cheng Chen, who was scribbling furiously, smiled faintly, then returned to reading the book she carried with her.

After about half an hour, Cheng Chen suddenly walked up to Ceng Li with the manuscript and said:

"Sister Li, this is a new song I wrote—could you take a look?"

"A new song? I don't really understand that."

Seeing the sheet of lyrics and sheet music in Cheng Chen's hand, Ceng Li was startled, her beautiful eyes widening as she stared at him.

"Why don't you just take a look first?"

Cheng Chen smiled.

"Alright, but I really don't know much about music…"

As she spoke, she took the manuscript from Cheng Chen's hand, but before she finished speaking, she was drawn in by its content.

After a long while, she looked up at Cheng Chen and said:

"You wrote this?"

After graduating from the opera school and then attending the Central Academy of Drama, she had spent many years immersed in opera, so she naturally had a keen sensitivity to it.

At the same time, because of her deep foundation in opera, she occasionally crossed over into music.

But as she said, she truly didn't understand music—but she could still read simple sheet music.

"Yes, I wrote this song some time ago, and it's already been submitted for review by the company as a draft.

Just as we were about to produce and release it, a small problem came up…"

Cheng Chen didn't elaborate on what the problem was, but changed the subject:

"Sister Li, can you sing this part of the lyrics?"

"Huh? Me? I… I'm not very good at it."

Ceng Li was still lost in the lyrics and melody, and upon suddenly hearing Cheng Chen's request, replied uncertainly.

"Just try—it'll let me hear a professional's opinion. Please."

Honestly, Cheng Chen's handsome face adds quite a few points to his favor, and right now he's looking at Zeng Li with an expectant expression.

Ceng Li, slightly embarrassed by his gaze, glanced at the empty dressing room and said:

"Then I'll try?"

"Great!"

Ceng Li took the manuscript, curled her fingers slightly, and began to sing:

"With orchid-finger, I pluck the dust of the world as if it were water.

On a three-foot red stage, all things become song and flute.

Long separation brings no sorrow, yet deep red fades to ash.

May someone remember someone—the finest years…"

Merely this passage, rich in melodic flavor, was enough to prove Ceng Li's skill.

Her voice was sweet and lingering, and her posture and gaze while singing carried countless charms.

Cheng Chen's opera singing, compared to hers, showed a clear gap.

But the greater difference lay in the shift between male and female roles, and in years of professional opera training.

This was Cheng Chen's greatest drawback.

In terms of opera singing, he could now perform it at about eight or nine tenths of her level.

But compared to a professional like Ceng Li, the gap still existed.

"Sister Li, what do you think of this song?"

Cheng Chen asked with a smile.

Ceng Li's expression was deeply moved; after a moment's thought at his question, she said:

"Compared to your previous opera-style works, this song doesn't carry heavy meaning.

Or rather, its message is entirely different—'Ten Thousand Borders' expresses patriotic sentiment.

'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' conveys meaning through painting and calligraphy, using a classical yet fashionable performance style.

Hmm… you led people to 'joyfully read' this world-famous painting with a lighter tone."

Hearing Ceng Li say this, Cheng Chen's eyes lit up.

For a Grand Actress to say this, she must have deeply understood his work.

"This song, how to put it—the meaning is simple and easy to understand.

At least, its popularity will surely be very high… Did I say something wrong?"

Seeing Cheng Chen staring at her, Ceng Li grew shy and asked hesitantly.

"No, no—you're absolutely right, and you understand it deeply. I never expected Sister Li to have studied my songs so thoroughly. I'm honored."

Cheng Chen said with a cheerful smile.

"Because your songs are rare on the market—the kind that blend opera singing with pop music.

Though there have been others before, none have been as popular as yours.

Since I'm trained in opera, I pay special attention to these."

Ceng Li smiled.

Seeing that the Grand Actress was interested, Cheng Chen continued:

"This song is called 'The Puppet String Opera.' There's a story behind it—would you like to hear it?"

Cheng Chen adopted the posture of a storyteller and said.

"There's a story too? What is it? Tell me."

Ceng Li immediately became interested, closed the book in her hand, and regarded Cheng Chen with keen curiosity.

Cheng Chen pondered for a moment, then said:

"When I was young, I could see ghosts. Once, on a snowy night, I met an old man carrying a puppet in a wilderness temple.

His hair was white and his clothes tattered, yet the wooden puppet he held was exquisitely crafted, resembling a delicate girl, with painted tears glistening at her lashes, deeply pitiable.

At the time, clouds darkened and snow raged wildly; the two sat shoulder to shoulder by the fire.

The old man recounted: 'In my youth, I loved watching string puppet shows, obsessed with the art of bell-puppetry.

As I grew older, my resolve only hardened, and I made it my livelihood, using puppets to embody people and find my own joy.

Yet I wandered all my life, without a home or companion, accompanied only by this one wooden puppet.'

As he spoke, he wept; I comforted him gently and begged him to perform the bell-puppet music.

He performed the string-puppet play upon a three-foot red silk cloth, singing in a soft, mournful melody.

The puppet's glances and expressions were alive with spirit; though painted with sorrowful features, her grace was utterly exquisite…"

That's right—Cheng Chen was about to tell the classical Chinese version of "The String Puppet Play," a story that later circulated online.

After the song was released, someone wrote this classical Chinese version based on its lyrics.

Cheng Chen chose not to tell it in plain modern speech because he saw that Ceng Li was holding exactly the book "Shi Shuo Xin Yu."

Big Blue-Robe was also an artistic girl; telling this story in plain speech would risk being trite.

What's the best way to capture a girl's attention? Cater to her tastes!

"The old man suddenly understood, covered his face, and wailed: 'Warm… yet so lonely…'"

As Cheng Chen's words ended, Ceng Li's expression grew somber.

"I never knew this song had such a heavy story behind it."

Ceng Li sighed.

"Big Blue-Robe, I'd like to invite you to sing the chorus in operatic style—what do you think?"

Cheng Chen did not let Ceng Li linger too long in the mood of the tale; he shifted the subject.

"Me? I can do it?"

Ceng Li looked at Cheng Chen in disbelief.

"Of course you can. You're already familiar with the song's backstory and feel its emotion.

More importantly, you're trained in opera—you understand this operatic vocal style far better than most.

Not only will you sing this song, but I also want you to appear in the MV dressed in traditional opera attire."

Looking at Ceng Li's exquisite face, Cheng Chen spoke slowly.

"This… can I really do it?"

Though she didn't directly agree, Cheng Chen saw the eagerness in her eyes.

Cheng Chen affirmed at once:

"Of course you can. If you can't, then no one else in the entertainment industry can."

"Well… maybe I'll give it a try?"

"I wholeheartedly agree. With Big Blue-Robe joining, this song will surely be more popular than any of my previous ones."

"That's an exaggeration, Cheng Chen."

Ceng Li laughed, covering her mouth.

"Not an exaggeration at all. With you on board, it's like adding wings to a tiger."

"Big Blue-Robe, let's exchange contact info—I'll need to notify you when we start producing the song."

Seeing Big Blue-Robe delighted, Cheng Chen pressed the advantage.

"Alright, my phone number is…"

Now that he knew Big Blue-Robe's interests, the rest of the conversation became easy.

Cheng Chen flipped idly through the copy of "Shi Shuo Xin Yu" she carried with her.

Thanks to his photographic memory, he picked out several little stories from the book and discussed them with her.

Having been shaped by the internet's postmodern information explosion, Cheng Chen's perspective and understanding of things often took unexpected turns.

Big Blue-Robe listened, her beautiful eyes shimmering, occasionally glowing with unusual brilliance.

Of course, he also deliberately twisted some stories, making Big Blue-Robe laugh until she bent over with mirth.

"Oh? What are you two chatting about so happily? I've only been gone a moment, and you're already so lively."

Unnoticed, Yuan Quan entered the dressing room in full opera costume, smiling at the two.

"Big Yuan, you're off stage."

Cheng Chen smiled.

"Mm-hmm. If I hadn't come over, I was afraid you'd steal away our Zeng Da Mei.

You've got good taste—our Zeng Da Mei is a beauty born once every two hundred years at the Central Academy of Drama.

I'll tell you a secret—she's still single. If you're going to make a move, better hurry."

Yuan Quan sat beside Ceng Li and teased.

"Oh! Yuan Zi, you're going to die!"

Ceng Li blushed deeply, pinching Yuan Quan's arm with a coquettish tone.

Cheng Chen watched the two playfully bickering with a smile.

He fully agreed with the claim that Ceng Li was a beauty born once every two hundred years at the Central Academy of Drama.

After all, seeing is believing, and Ceng Li's appearance and demeanor deserve such praise.

Unlike later generations, where beauties are claimed to appear once every five thousand years—what's the result?

Just flip through this person's photos from ten years ago to see how much hype is in that "five thousand years."

"Ceng Da Mei's gone—let me treat you to lunch, Cheng Chen, come too."

Yuan Quan changed out of his costume in the dressing room and walked up to the two, extending the invitation.

"That's not really appropriate… you two haven't seen each other in ages; I won't be the third wheel."

Cheng Chen replied with restraint.

"Pfft, now you're getting shy? Come on, consider it your payment for keeping Ceng Da Mei company."

Yuan Quan said cheerfully.

"Hmm… alright, I'll go get the car."

Cheng Chen immediately nodded.

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