novelnext Chapter 269 Three Girls, One Show
Chapter 269 Three Girls, One Show
Xu Yunxi pouted and said, "Banxia, I think you're jealous, aren't you? Otherwise, you should also link arms with Zhiyuan!"
Upon hearing this, not only was Su Banxia stunned, but Wei Wei, who was standing next to her, also burst out laughing.
Wu Zhiyuan gestured with his lips, indicating that everyone should watch Liu Qingqing's performance.
At this moment, Liu Qingqing's melodious and affectionate rendition of the excerpt "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl" on stage, specifically the section "How Much Joy There Is in the Human World," was nearing its end.
"Teacher Liu! One more! I haven't had enough!"
"Let's sing a bit of 'The Little Shop'!"
"Teacher Liu, you can sing anything! Sing another verse!"
Liu Qingqing waved to signal everyone to be quiet.
"Thank you, thank you so much everyone! Friends from Qingshan, your applause and enthusiasm are the most precious gift I received today."
Standing on this ancient and historic stage, singing a few lines of local opera for everyone, feels incredibly comforting and warm!
"Everyone wants to hear more of my work, which means they think highly of me and genuinely love acting. I understand and am very grateful."
However, in the opera industry, there is an old saying, "Sing when you're full, blow when you're hungry," and another saying, "A thousand pounds of dialogue, four ounces of singing." This means that the voice is a precious thing, and it must be used sparingly and carefully in order to last a long time.
I just strolled around today and didn't warm up my voice. Singing a cappella looks simple, but it's actually the most taxing on your voice; you have to rely entirely on your breath.
"I was singing so happily just now, but my darling is giving me some feedback now. It needs a break, a drink of water, to soothe itself."
The audience members were very understanding.
"Teacher Liu is right! Your voice is important!"
"We didn't think things through; we were only focused on having fun!"
"Teacher Liu, please take a rest and have some water!"
Taking advantage of the situation, Liu Qingqing said, "It is my destiny and my blessing to be able to sing a few songs for so many kindred spirits on this century-old stage in Qingshan today."
Next time, I'll try to find an opportunity to come to Qingshan Ancient City properly and perform a complete play for everyone on this old stage!
Please come and support us! Let's have a great time and enjoy ourselves! What do you all say?
"Good!" the audience shouted in unison.
"We'll be waiting! It's a deal, Teacher Liu!"
……
Wu Zhiyuan accompanied Liu Qingqing and her group to a food street to sample local delicacies.
Whether strolling through the ancient city or visiting the food street, Wu Zhiyuan always wore sunglasses to avoid being recognized and causing unnecessary trouble.
If someone were to seize upon this and say that he was a man with four beautiful women, it might make him the local headline.
Of course, if that's the case, he won't be afraid, because being single is the best protection for him.
But it's better to avoid trouble.
Wu Zhiyuan was wearing a black polo shirt, khaki pants, and black sunglasses.
Su Banxia leaned close to Xu Yunxi's ear and whispered, "Yunxi, look at Zhiyuan's posture, those sunglasses, that unwavering gaze—doesn't he look like a professional bodyguard in black from a movie?"
Xu Yunxi looked at Wu Zhiyuan, who was indeed handsome and cool, and praised him without reservation: "Bodyguard? You underestimate Brother Zhiyuan!"
He's not just a show-off; he's really trained! His skills in Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) and other combat sports are quite good!
I've seen how good he is; he beat those blond thugs to a pulp!
Su Banxia was astonished: "So, Brother Zhiyuan is both scholarly and martial? With a man like that by our side, we feel so safe!"
By the way, Yunxi. Do you think Zhiyuan is a winner in life?
"Having four beautiful women with me so late at night—that's the kind of treatment many men dream of!"
Liu Qingqing listened intently and suddenly felt her face flush and her heart race.
She glanced at Wu Zhiyuan subconsciously. Indeed, this man was handsome and cool. She remembered that a few years ago, she had lived under the same roof as him.
Xu Yunxi pinched Su Banxia's arm: "Nonsense! How can Aunt Qingqing be compared to the three of us?"
The outspoken Su Banxia chuckled, "Teacher Liu isn't actually that much older than us."
Xu Yunxi glared at Su Banxia: "Banxia, you're talking nonsense again!"
Liu Qingqing was indeed not much older than the three girls, and she was well-maintained, elegant and composed. But she was, after all, Xu Yunxi's stepmother, and thus an elder.
Although Su Banxia's words were unintentional and a joke, upon closer examination they were somewhat impolite, blurring the lines of seniority and boundaries.
Liu Qingqing pretended not to hear, her gaze fixed on the red lanterns hanging on both sides of the street, as if she were immersed in the beautiful night view of the ancient city.
However, a shy blush inadvertently appeared on her face, as if she had remembered something.
After enjoying the delicious food, Wu Zhiyuan escorted Liu Qingqing and her party to the hotel.
This is a garden-style hotel near the ancient city.
The hotel doesn't look ostentatious, but once you step inside, you'll find a hidden gem with pavilions, terraces, streams, and a tranquil, elegant atmosphere.
Passing through a courtyard adorned with bamboo and rocks and the babbling of a stream, and walking along a winding corridor with hanging palace lanterns, you arrive at the courtyard where your room is located.
The moonlight was like water, and the environment was serene.
This place doesn't look like a hotel; it looks more like a private garden.
Wu Zhiyuan helped carry Liu Qingqing's suitcase to the door of the room, but he didn't go in. He just stood under the eaves outside the door.
"Teacher Liu, you should get some rest. I'll come over tomorrow morning and we can visit other places."
"Okay, Zhiyuan, thank you so much for today." Liu Qingqing opened the door and carried her suitcase inside, but the door was ajar and not completely closed.
"Secretary Wu, don't rush off!" Su Banxia blocked Wu Zhiyuan's way.
"Come, come, come to my room, I have something to tell you." Su Banxia said, winking at Xu Yunxi and Wei Wei.
Wu Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment, but still went into Su Banxia's room.
Xu Yunxi and Wei Wei followed them in.
"Secretary Wu, Brother Wu, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda!" Su Banxia pleaded dramatically as soon as she opened her mouth.
Wu Zhiyuan was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by Su Banxia's attitude.
"Banxia, what are you up to now? Dragging me into your room so late at night, what are you up to?"
"Anyway, it's not poison! We girls don't mean any harm."
Brother Zhiyuan, I'll start calling you Brother Zhiyuan too, just like Yunxi does.
Look here, the lighting, the atmosphere—it's wonderful! It's practically a natural art studio!
Let's draw a few sketches as a way to support our studies!
Wu Zhiyuan was taken aback and asked, "As a model?"
"Yes, yes, it's about being a nude model." "Model! Nude model!"
"Zhiyuan, our recent figure drawing assignments have been incredibly demanding, requiring us to study human anatomy and movement. But the models at school are all either elderly men or women; it's making us almost lose faith in art!"
The shy Wei Wei chimed in, "That's true. Although the older folks are very cooperative, their movements and postures are rather monotonous."
Xu Yunxi covered her mouth and chuckled to herself.
Su Banxia pressed her advantage: "Brother Zhiyuan, for the sake of art, for the growth of us future artists, please make a sacrifice this time and be our model."
With your figure, your lines, your proportions, you're a perfect clothes hanger!
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, well-proportioned muscles—she clearly has an athletic background. She has more presence than those professional models; we all know her stuff.
Wu Zhiyuan said seriously, "Banxia, I'm afraid this is not appropriate."
"It's so late at night, and it's bad for your reputation if word gets out that I, a man, am staying here as a model."
Su Banxia retorted, "Brother Zhiyuan, your thinking is too outdated!"
This is artistic creation! Art! Do you understand?
In the temple of art, there is no distinction between men and women, only lines, light and shadow, and structure!
Just like doctors, there are also many male gynecologists.
We artists only see the beauty of the human form. Look at those world-famous paintings, David, Venus, aren't they all works of art depicting the human body?
Is that pornography? It's a treasure of human civilization!
Wu Zhiyuan insisted, "I understand the reasoning, but the national conditions and environments are different. It's even more inappropriate here."
Furthermore, you are still students, and you should be even more mindful of your influence. Teacher Liu is still in the next room.
Su Banxia said softly, "We can keep it a secret! Brother Zhiyuan, actually, nude models are the best, as they are the most direct way to study the direction and dynamic relationship of muscles and bones."
Our teacher said this is the highest level and purest form of artistic research; you should consider it a dedication to art!