Chapter 99 - 91: People Are Different
The voice gave Chen Ye a bit of a headache.
The visitor was none other than Senior Sister Da Xiong, Bai Xiaoyu.
While Chen Ye certainly appreciated the view of those two towering peaks, getting seriously involved with her was something he had to think twice about.
It wasn’t that Chen Ye was a block of wood, completely clueless about romance. But getting mixed up with his own senior sister required careful consideration.
Never mind how he would explain things to his master, Guan Sihai; just having to see her every day in the troupe would be awkward enough.
Besides, if he wanted to find a woman, it would be incredibly easy with his current looks.
With that thought, Chen Ye rolled over and, feigning exhaustion, said, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister, but I’m just too tired today. I’ve already turned in. You should get some rest, too."
Outside, Bai Xiaoyu stood holding a bowl of steaming lotus seed soup, the smile on her face frozen stiff.
She never dreamed that Chen Ye would refuse her, let alone refuse to even open the door.
Unwilling to give up, she assumed Chen Ye was just being shy and waited a moment longer. When there was still no sound from inside, as if he had truly fallen asleep, she stomped her foot in frustration and spun around to leave.
Just as she rounded the corner, a figure darted out from the shadows—it was the young Martial Artist, Wei Junnan.
He eyed the soup bowl in Bai Xiaoyu’s hands and sidled up to her with a sleazy grin. "Senior Sister, our little junior brother doesn’t know how to appreciate a good thing, but I certainly do. Why not give that midnight snack to me? I’m starving."
Bai Xiaoyu was already fuming, and his behavior only made her angrier.
"Get lost! If you want to eat, make it yourself!"
With that, she swayed her full hips and walked away without a backward glance.
Wei Junnan watched her graceful retreating figure, the smile slowly fading from his face. He spat viciously on the ground.
"Fuck! Just a whore acting like some kind of saint!"
After this little episode, Bai Xiaoyu was much colder toward Chen Ye the next day, sometimes not even bothering to look him in the eye.
Chen Ye merely smiled, paying it no mind. In fact, he was glad for the peace and quiet.
As night fell, the Lu Family Opera House once again came alive with the clamor of gongs and drums as the show began.
Mr. Lu’s honored guest today was a heavyweight from the Sea Guardian Guard Office, Master Qi Shihao.
And in a private box on the second floor, Lu Jinghong was joined by a quiet and elegant young woman.
She was none other than Master Qi’s daughter, Qi Nana.
The two were childhood friends and had been inseparable ever since.
Watching Lu Jinghong stare at the stage with rapt attention, Qi Nana couldn’t help but tease, "Well, this is strange. Don’t you usually hate listening to all this warbling? What’s with the change of heart?"
A faint blush crept up Lu Jinghong’s cheeks, but her eyes remained fixed on the stage below. She casually made an excuse, "My father invited them. I have to at least show him some respect, don’t I?"
Even she didn’t sound convinced by her own words.
There was no way Qi Nana would believe that. She had known Lu Jinghong for years; she was perfectly clear on her friend’s temperament.
’Since when does this girl care about showing anyone respect?’
Thinking about her friend’s uncharacteristic interest in the opera, a thought struck Qi Nana. ’Could it be... something to do with this Opera Troupe?’
Puzzled, she followed Lu Jinghong’s gaze down to the floor below. Her eyes scanned past the lively performers on stage—the sheng, dan, jing, mo, and chou—and finally settled on a young man standing quietly to one side.
The moment she got a clear look at Chen Ye’s face, it all clicked for Qi Nana.
’So that’s what this is all about,’ she thought. ’The little fool has a crush.’
But her realization was immediately followed by a pang of worry.
She knew Lu Jinghong all too well. Her friend had a Western education, progressive ideas, and a personality that made her dare to love and hate freely.
But one was the daughter of one of Sea Guardian’s wealthiest merchants, while the other was a lowly apprentice in an opera troupe.
This vast difference in their status meant they were destined to have a difficult time getting together.
In the end, however, Qi Nana said nothing.
She knew it would be pointless to try and dissuade her.
Meanwhile, in the main hall downstairs, Mr. Lu was raising his cup and profusely thanking Qi Shihao, who sat beside him.
"Brother Qi, I truly owe you for this one," Mr. Lu said, lowering his voice. "If you hadn’t stepped in to help, there would have been no way to settle this matter."
"You’re being too formal, Old Lu," Qi Shihao said with a laugh, waving his hand dismissively. "What’s the need for such words between us?"
"It’s all in the past now. After the body was dug up, I had the high masters from the Celestial Empress Palace cleanse it for you. Once these three days of opera are over, the Yang Qi from the crowds will wash away any lingering traces. Everything will be completely fine, so you can rest easy."
"Yes, yes," Mr. Lu nodded repeatedly, then raised his cup and drained it in one go before turning his attention back to the stage.
Neither of them noticed the Western-style crystal chandelier hanging above them flicker without warning.
Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous corner at the very back of the opera house stands, there was a shrine to a deity said to protect the stage.
At that same moment, the flames of the incense and candles before the statue swayed violently, nearly extinguishing.
At the same time, Chen Ye once again felt that cold, sinister presence. It was slightly clearer than the night before, yet it remained just as elusive and difficult to pinpoint.
Without showing any change in his expression, Chen Ye scanned his surroundings. His gaze swept over his busy seniors, the piles of costumes and props, and even the rafters and corners of the opera house.
But no matter how carefully he searched, the Yin Qi was like a rootless plant, impossible to trace back to its source.
Eventually, Chen Ye had no choice but to give up.
’Perhaps it’s just as I suspected,’ he thought. ’Just some wandering spirits from the area, drawn in by the lively performance to watch the show.’
And so, the second day’s performance finally concluded to a hall full of thunderous applause.
Just as everyone was packing up to return to their rooms and rest, a well-dressed head maid approached with several older serving women in tow. The women carried a large platter laden with an assortment of fresh fruits.
This was quite a rarity, as spring had only just begun.
"Thank you for your hard work, Masters," the maid said. "Our Young Miss sends this for everyone to soothe their throats."
"Oh, thank you so much! Please send our regards to the Young Miss," Guan Sihai said, hurrying forward with a beaming smile.
The rest of the Opera Troupe gathered around as well, their faces wreathed in smiles.
The maid set down the platter and, while the others were busy dividing up the treats, walked straight up to Chen Ye. As if by magic, she produced a small fruit basket from behind her back.
The basket was filled with the biggest, reddest strawberries and freshly cut cantaloupe that gave off a faint, sweet aroma.
She then handed the basket to Chen Ye and said in a low voice, "This is from my mistress for you. She said her tone might have been a bit harsh in the garden yesterday, and she hopes you won’t take offense."
After speaking, the maid blushed, then turned and scurried off before Chen Ye could react.
Chen Ye stood frozen for a moment, holding the basket, before it dawned on him.
’So that feisty woman from the garden really was the young lady of the Lu Family.’
He looked down at the fruit in his hands, then at the maid’s retreating figure, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The maid scurried all the way back to the private box on the second floor.
Qi Nana hadn’t left after the performance; she’d decided to stay with her good friend for a few more days.
The two were in the middle of a conversation. The moment Lu Jinghong saw the maid return, she immediately asked, "Did you give it to him?"
"Yes, I delivered it," the maid said with a nod.
Lu Jinghong nodded in satisfaction, a faint smile unconsciously touching her lips.
Beside her, Qi Nana feigned ignorance. "Who was it for? You’re being awfully secretive about a simple fruit basket."
Lu Jinghong flushed, stammering as she tried to find an excuse. "It’s... nothing. I just thought they worked hard on the performance..."
Qi Nana sighed, cutting her off.
"Jinghong."
Her tone grew serious.
"I know you’re free-spirited, but you need to understand one thing."
"People... are not all the same."
The atmosphere in the private box instantly fell silent.
The smile slowly faded from Lu Jinghong’s face. After a moment of silence, she smiled once more.
"I know."
"Don’t worry."