DCFRP Chapter 104

TL: Hua

---

The final curtain call finally ended amidst the endless applause.

Qi Xiaoyu thanked everyone for their love and promised to perform classic songs such as “The Lock of Hair” and “The Jade Hairpin” in the future, which made the audience reluctantly leave.

Xun Qian watched Qi Xiaoyu leave the stage. The stage lights dimmed slowly, casting the audience in deepening shadows. He rose from his seat near the back of the crowd and made his way backstage, intent on finding someone.

His pace was hurried, almost leaving Zhang Han behind.

He walked through the side door under the stage to backstage. Both sides of the passage were full of flowers, big and small, luxurious and simple, all kinds of them. It was obvious that many people had ordered them to be delivered at the last minute.

The largest flower basket was filled with sunflowers, yellow and golden, completely different from the lilies and roses outside, and it matched Qi Xiaoyu’s yellow costume tonight.

This was sent by Xun Qian early this morning. It stood at the entrance of the backstage and was particularly conspicuous.

Zhang Han sprinted after him, pausing briefly to glance at the sunflower basket. He took out his phone from his pants pocket, followed Xun Qian inside, and showed his phone to his boss, “Mr. Qi is really considerate and thoughtful. There are so many flower baskets today, but he was only thinking of the one you sent him and posted a photo with it on Weibo.”

Xun Qian glanced at Zhang Han’s phone. It seems that Qi Xiaoyu just passed by here. He was wearing full makeup and standing next to the sunflowers. Although his face was a little tired, he was in high spirits. He tilted his head and looked more lively and youthful than the previous photos from the roadshows.

On the flower basket, there were words “gifted by Xun Qian,” and the caption on Weibo was thanking everyone for their support tonight.

Qi Xiaoyu’s Weibo is mostly used for official business. He rarely posts personal content. It can be seen that he’s in a very good mood today.

Zhang Han took the opportunity to flatter him, “Mr. Qi is really thinking about Third Master every minute. I guess you two will be on the hot search again soon.”

Xun Qian snorted with satisfaction, “He thinks about me in many ways.”

Zhang Han hurriedly said, “Yes, yes, yes,” while secretly regretting why he rushed to eat dog food; wasn’t he fed enough before?

Xun Qian smiled and walked faster.

The big dressing room backstage was very lively. Before Xun Qian entered, bursts of laughter rushed towards him.

Although the most dazzling protagonist today was Qi Xiaoyu, everyone in the theater had a sense of honor. They spent so many years studying Peking Opera and striving to perform on stage. Isn’t it all for this very reason—the applause, the recognition, the adoration of their fans?

What’s more, they learned a lot from just rehearsing with Qi Xiaoyu yesterday.

A young boy in his teens was jumping about joyfully when he caught a glimpse of Xun Qian pushing the door in his peripheral vision. Without even looking up, he stopped Xun Qian, “No one is allowed to enter the backstage casually, let alone look for Teacher Qi. He’s not here.”

Seeing that someone dared to stop Xun Qian, Zhang Han was about to step forward to reason, but was stopped by Xun Qian, “Oh, where is he?”

The boy looked at him vigilantly, not moved by Xun Qian’s beauty at all, and stood firm, “You should leave. There are too many people who want to see Teacher Qi now. He won’t see anyone.”

While the boy was talking, Chi Qiu came over, glanced at Xun Qian and Zhang Han, and immediately pulled them apart. “Xiaoxiao, don’t make trouble, this is Teacher Qi’s lover, let him in quickly.”

He also pointed the way to Xun Qian, “Teacher Qi is not with us. He’s in the single dressing room next door. He should be removing his makeup.”

Xun Qian thanked Chi Qiu and turned to the side.

When the other people in the dressing room heard that the person coming was Xun Qian, they all turned their heads to look only to catch Xun Qian’s tall and slender back in a suit, but it was enough to make people gather around and marvel, “Teacher Qi is really enviable; he is good-looking, and his lover is also so good-looking.”

“I heard that he is rich and powerful. Half of the commercial buildings in S City were built by him. He’s also very good to Teacher Qi. He sent a flower basket early this morning.”

Someone else asked Chi Qiu with a smile, “How did you feel talking to the boss just now?”

Chi Qiu touched his nose, “No feeling, not as exciting as singing with Teacher Qi. Xiaoxiao didn’t let him in to see Teacher Qi just now.”

Everyone laughed together and touched the little boy’s head. “As amazing as he is, Teacher Qi is surely worthy of him.”

“If Teacher Qi had started early, with how outstanding he is, many people would have followed him.”

They respect Qi Xiaoyu because they understand his difficulties better than other people watching the show.

They personally experienced the process of learning opera, and what they saw wasn’t only the beauty of Qi Xiaoyu on the stage but also the hardships behind it and the sufferings that ordinary people could not endure.

****

While Xun Qian pushed open the door of the single dressing room next door, he thought about the name that others had just called him. It was not Third Master Xun, nor the boss, but “Mr. Qi’s lover”.

It was the first time that someone had addressed him like this, but he actually liked this title a lot.

In the dressing room, Qi Xiaoyu was removing his makeup. He had taken off his headwear and the oil paint on his face. When changing clothes, he called Yu Xiaosheng to help, “Brother Yu, wait a while before leaving. Help me untie this knot from the back.”

Yu Xiaosheng said, “Oh,” and was about to go over when he saw Xun Qian coming in. He quickly stepped aside and turned to look at Qi Xiaoyu.

Xun Qian quickly waved his hand and made a “hush” gesture.

Yu Xiaosheng understood, nodded repeatedly, and walked out quietly. Although he had met Xun Qian several times, he still didn’t dare to talk to Xun Qian and was even a little reserved.

Yu Xiaosheng closed the door behind them.

Xun Qian walked in with brisk steps and appeared behind Qi Xiaoyu unexpectedly, holding the knot on his clothes behind his back. “I’ll help you untie it.”

Qi Xiaoyu raised his head when he heard the voice, looked at Xun Qian in the mirror, and smiled, “Why did you come here suddenly?”

Xun Qian smiled and lowered his head to fix the knot on his clothes.

Qi Xiaoyu also smiled and watched Xun Qian’s movements in the mirror. After watching for a while, he asked, “Did I do well today?”

The knot was a bit annoying as the several straps got tangled together. However, Xun Qian was in no rush. He savored the moment with Qi Xiaoyu. “What do you think?”

He remembered Qi Xiaoyu’s brilliant appearance on the stage, how he was called Teacher Qi’s lover just now, and how Qi Xiaoyu asked him questions so softly, which wasn’t in line with his usual character. It was like a child getting his approval. His heart was filled with a secret and grand joy.

“This person, adored by countless others, surrounded by flowers and applause, was his and his alone.”

It was his lifelong honor to get Qi Xiaoyu.

Qi Xiaoyu stared at Xun Qian’s movements in the mirror, turned his head, and asked, “Is it difficult to untie?”

“It’s okay. Don’t move.”

Xun Qian lowered his head and fiddled for a while, finally untied it, and then helped Qi Xiaoyu take off the costume from back to front.

Qi Xiaoyu turned around under Xun Qian’s command and leaned against the dressing table.

Xun Qian stared at him and smiled, “You look good even without makeup.”

After that, they were silent for a while, and both of them looked into each other’s eyes.

Qi Xiaoyu’s eyes sparkled as he suddenly called out, “Xun Qian.”

“Hmm?”

“Do you want to kiss me?”

Xun Qian laughed and leaned close to Qi Xiaoyu’s lips, “You are so bold now.”

He said, “Why did you keep looking at me when you were on the stage just now?”

Qi Xiaoyu raised his face. “Because you have to look at the person you like to have feelings.”

Xun Qian kissed Qi Xiaoyu’s lips heavily.

After the fifth kiss, Qi Xiaoyu smiled and dodged, “One kiss is enough; there are people outside.”

Xun Qian put his arm around Qi Xiaoyu’s waist. “No, they know that Teacher Qi’s lover is inside.”

****

Outside, Luo Xiaodong stood at the door of the big dressing room. He walked over, almost to the door, and then retreated. He repeated this several times, still hesitating, not knowing whether to go in.

He was still wandering back and forth until everyone else had removed their makeup, changed their clothes, and come out to see him.

The two sides collided.

Chi Qiu was holding his things in his hand. When he saw Luo Xiaodong, he immediately stepped forward and grabbed him. “Xiaodong, you…”

Luo Xiaodong’s eyes were evasive. He wanted to come to Qi Xiaoyu to apologize, but he couldn’t do it.

From the moment Qi Xiaoyu appeared on the stage, Luo Xiaodong’s last bit of luck was completely shattered.

Qi Xiaoyu’s interpretation of Zhang was the perfect state that he tried his best to achieve but couldn’t.

Beautiful and charming.

Sad and pure.

Every frown and smile made people fascinated and empathized.

In front of such a performance, he had nothing to say except to admit defeat sincerely. At the same time, he was ashamed of his arrogance that day. He was too conceited.

Seeing that he didn’t speak, Chi Qiu asked again, “Did you watch the performance tonight? Teacher Qi is really amazing. If you didn’t watch it, you can go back and watch the live video. After watching it, you will…”

“I watched it.”

Luo Xiaodong pulled the corner of his mouth and pulled his hand out of Chi Qiu’s hand, trying to relax and make himself less embarrassed. “It’s very good, better than me… much better.”

Then, without waiting for others to speak, he took the initiative to ask, “Did you rehearse together yesterday?”

Chi Qiu, “Yes, you didn’t come, but everyone else came… I can really learn a lot from rehearsing with him. What he said makes sense, including what he said to you the other day. No wonder Dean Zhang is so enthusiastic about him.”

Luo Xiaodong bit his lip and finally looked up at Chi Qiu, his voice a little anxious and expectant, “Will he come again in the future?”

“Yes. Isn’t Teacher Qi looking for people to make a movie together later? He and Dean Zhang have also made a promise to perform ‘The Lock of Hair’ and ‘The Jade Hairpin.’ Aren’t they both your favorite plays?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Luo Xiaodong swallowed. “Let me know next time he comes. I’ll practice with you guys too.”

Chi Qiu smiled, “Okay. But you may need to apologize to Dean Zhang and Teacher Qi. You really pissed Dean Zhang off last time.”

Others echoed, saying, “Yes, you should apologize to Dean Zhang. Teacher Qi is a good person. If you’re sincere, he won’t be angry.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. Back then, we were also saying he wasn’t good enough. Just respect him more in the future.”

“You lost a lot because you didn’t come yesterday. Don’t miss the opportunity in the future. Pride is not as important as learning opera.”

Encouraged by a bunch of people, Luo Xiaodong took a breath and clenched his fists. “Then… Where is Teacher Qi? I will go and apologize now.”

“Now? He already left. Oh, no hurry. You can apologize next time he comes. Otherwise, you can go to the office to find Dean Zhang first.”

“Okay.”

Then, later that night, some netizens saw Luo Xiaodong post on Weibo, “Teacher Qi is worthy of ‘Spring Boudoir Dream.’ I apologize for what I said before.”

****

A few days after Qi Xiaoyu took the stage, the discussion about him hasn’t ended. There are so many things to appreciate in the two-hour performance that it seems that every frame can be captured for unlimited evaluation.

Any comments related to Peking Opera are also words of praise for him.

Numerous amateur opera fans from elsewhere regret not being able to attend the live performance. They are looking forward to Qi Xiaoyu’s next performance and are competing to inquire about Qi Xiaoyu’s schedule.

A few days later, Qi Xiaoyu’s new movie “Red Moon Troupe” was officially announced.

 

---

Please consider supporting me on Ko-fi if you like what I’m doing. Thank you for reading! (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)

If you notice any mistake or error, comment or contact me on discord –> huarricane