DCFRP Extra 24

TL: Hua

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Qi Xiaoyu retracted his splits and stood up from the mat, wiping sweat from his forehead as he curiously asked Xi Yun and Dong Sheng, “What did Master want to talk to you about?”

“…” The two opposite him both looked like they wanted to say something but hesitated.

Qi Xiaoyu looked at them up, down, left, and right. How could he not see anything unusual? He asked in one breath, “What’s going on? Is there a big matter at Rongchun Society? Do they need Master’s help? Is it very difficult?”

Dong Sheng quickly waved his hand. “No, no, it’s not that.”

“Then what is it about?”

“Cough, cough. I just remembered An Kang was looking for me. I’ll go first.” Dong Sheng scratched his head and slipped away as if running.

Only Xi Yun was left to bear Qi Xiaoyu’s pressure. “It’s nothing really.”

But Qi Xiaoyu wasn’t fooled at all. “If it was nothing, why did you two have that kind of expression just now?”

“Sigh.” Xi Yun sighed resignedly, “Xiaoyu, don’t ask me; you’ll know in a while.”

Then, without giving Qi Xiaoyu time to press further, he hurriedly changed the subject, “Why hasn’t that Commander Xun come over these past few days? Wasn’t he very attentive before?”

“The economic situation seems unstable recently; there are many things to do.”

Qi Xiaoyu explained briefly and continued to press further, “Senior Brother, don’t change the subject. What exactly did Master talk to you about?”

Xi Yun pursed his lips and looked at Qi Xiaoyu with a very ambiguous gaze.

As the two were talking, the door to Qi Fengjian’s room opened.

Qi Fengjian saw the guest out, and seeing Qi Xiaoyu outside, he said to him, “Don’t run around; come to my room later.”

“Oh.” Qi Xiaoyu stood there a bit bewildered, his gaze shifting to Mr. Yan from the Rongchun Society. Coincidentally, Mr. Yan also looked at him.

In Mr. Yan’s eyes, Qi Xiaoyu seemed to read a hint of regret, but that fleeting moment of regret quickly vanished, replaced by a smiling and amiable expression.

On the other side, Xi Yun took the opportunity to quickly slip away.

A moment later, Qi Fengjian returned after seeing the guest off. Then the master and apprentice entered the room one after the other.

Qi Fengjian stood with his back facing the window, still holding the two walnuts in his hand.

Qi Xiaoyu looked at his master’s back, wondering what he wanted to talk about. He had originally thought it was something to do with the Rongchun Society, but based on his observation of Mr. Yan’s expression just now, he looked relaxed and happy, not like something was wrong.

But why did Xi Yun and Dong Sheng have that kind of expression?

However, before he could ponder for long, Qi Fengjian spoke up, “Prepare yourself. Tomorrow evening, come with me to Dongyue Restaurant for dinner. Commander Xun has invited you and me, along with his older brother and sister, to eat together.”

“?” Qi Xiaoyu hadn’t expected his master to call him for something like this at all.

After saying this, Qi Fengjian turned around and sighed softly, “He moves quite quickly.”

He then looked up at Qi Xiaoyu, his expression as if recalling the past, “The first time he mentioned this, I thought he was joking. I never imagined he was serious. This kid is quite sincere towards you.”

Qi Xiaoyu remembered that day backstage at the benefit performance, when Qi Fengjian had spoken to Xun Qian alone for a while. So that’s what it was about?

Xun Qian had mentioned meeting his family several times, and he had been mentally prepared, but he never knew how to bring it up with Qi Fengjian. Firstly, he felt it was progressing too quickly; secondly, he was a bit embarrassed; and thirdly, he was afraid of being beaten by his master.

But now, Qi Fengjian had actually agreed, despite his seemingly stern attitude.

Could it be because Xun Qian had cooked that meal the other day?

It seemed that although the food wasn’t very tasty, the effect was very good.

Qi Xiaoyu was still a bit dazed, his heart still pounding like a drum, and then he was urged out by his master again.

After coming out, he was still thinking about this matter. It was quite a while before he remembered that he could call Xun Qian to ask about the specific arrangements for tomorrow.

Xun Qian wasn’t home. The person who answered the phone was Butler Cheng.

Butler Cheng probably also knew about the dinner between their two families. His tone was even more enthusiastic than before, saying that Xun Qian had gone out on official business and asking if he should have Xun Qian return the call later when he got home.

Qi Xiaoyu thought that they would be having dinner together tomorrow, and Xun Qian’s arrangements were always very thoughtful, such as choosing the famous Peking cuisine restaurant Dongyue Restaurant instead of a Western restaurant, so he didn’t ask Xun Qian to call back.

With all this busyness, he completely forgot about Xi Yun’s matter from before.

The next day, they went to Dongyue Restaurant for dinner.

Xun Qian was very considerate and had the commander’s residence’s car pick them up at the door early in the morning.

The appointment was for six in the evening.

By five o’clock, Qi Fengjian was already preparing to leave.

He wrapped a scroll of calligraphy and painting in brown wrapping paper as a gift and wore a long brown gown with a dark patterned floral design and matching trim. The workmanship was very meticulous, the condition was very new, and the fabric looked expensive at first glance.

Qi Xiaoyu remembered that this piece of clothing was made in a famous silk shop in Beiping two years ago. It was usually kept and only worn once by his master during the Chinese New Year.

Qi Xiaoyu also wore a new indigo blue long gown and followed behind his master as they left the house. Before leaving, Qi Wanrou had given him a good lecture, reminding him of many things to pay attention to, as if sharpening a spear before battle.

As they went out the front door, Qi Xiaoyu remembered his senior sister’s words while looking at his master’s back in his new clothes, holding the gift that had been prepared at some unknown time. A mix of emotions welled up in his heart.

He had thought about the arrival of this day before, during his secret meetings with Xun Qian, when he saw Xun Qian carrying noodles out of the kitchen. But when this day suddenly arrived, he was still a bit caught off guard.

Especially seeing how meticulously and thoroughly Qi Fengjian had prepared.

They arrived a little before six o’clock, but Xun Qian’s side had also arrived early.

Xun Qian stood straight at the door waiting for them, his deep blue long gown meticulously ironed, and paired with his face, it was very eye-catching.

Seeing the car stop at the restaurant entrance, before the driver and waiters could do anything, Xun Qian walked over first, personally opened the car door for Qi Fengjian, greeted him, and then led the two inside. He also explained to Qi Fengjian, “My father is troubled by the current situation and couldn’t find time to come. I’m truly sorry, and I hope Master Qi will understand.”

In front of Qi Fengjian, Qi Xiaoyu didn’t dare to talk much to Xun Qian, not even daring to hold his hand. He could only smile at him, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Then, they quickly passed through the restaurant lobby and arrived at the door of an elegant private room.

Before even entering, Qi Xiaoyu saw a man and a woman sitting very properly around a round table inside the room. The woman was Xun Ran, and the man should be Xun Qian’s older brother, Xun Mo.

He had heard Xun Qian mention Xun Mo. This older brother was seven or eight years older than him, studied law abroad, and was the only person in the Xun family who didn’t use a gun.

Sitting there, his aura was indeed different from Xun Ran’s, much more refined and quiet.

His facial features were five or six parts similar to Xun Qian’s, with the same fair skin and long eyebrows, but his temperament was also different from Xun Qian’s, looking gentler and more approachable.

Seeing Qi Xiaoyu and his master enter, the two of them stood up and shook hands with them, exchanging greetings.

Qi Xiaoyu’s mood during this meal was completely different from the last time he ate with Xun Ran.

At that time, he hadn’t even confirmed his own feelings, let alone considered his and Xun Qian’s future. But this time, it was clearly much more formal. His master was present, and Xun Qian’s older siblings were present. It was as if he and Xun Qian, who had originally been two unrelated straight lines, both tilted slightly in the same direction and would soon intersect in the near future.

He didn’t say much throughout the entire meal.

He only answered when his master mentioned him or when Xun Mo asked him questions directly.

But he remembered everything clearly that day, and even years later, he could recall the details.

He remembered that Qi Fengjian had shaved his beard and combed his hair, his voice loud and clear, each word distinct and forceful.

He remembered Qi Fengjian sitting in the main seat, with Xun Mo, Xun Ran, and Xun Qian to his right in order.

He sat to his master’s left. There were only the five of them in the private room, seated quite far apart, but there was a suitable distance between him and Xun Qian. Zhang Han and the others were all guarding the door.

He remembered that the gift Qi Fengjian had prepared was a flower-and-bird painting by Mr. Huang Binhong. That painting was one of the gifts his master had received when celebrating his fiftieth birthday in Beiping. Although it depicted unknown wildflowers and weeds, the few strokes were simple and sparse, and his master liked it very much, carrying it with him throughout their escape.

He remembered that Qi Fengjian talked a lot with Xun Qian’s older brother and sister that day, from the Xun family’s genealogy all the way to Xun Qian’s birth date and time, even discussing the issue of future offspring. Qi Fengjian asked about everything clearly, making him truly feel that he and Xun Qian were no longer just dating but were discussing marriage.

He also remembered the dishes on the table that day: four joy meatballs, five-spice soy-braised pork knuckle, Kung Pao chicken, mutton strips, and a bowl of fermented mung bean juice.

The grayish-green fermented mung bean juice was very thick and didn’t smell very pleasant. Some people described its aroma as similar to swill, but everyone present, whether they drank it or not, didn’t show the slightest discomfort.

The meal lasted until after nine o’clock in the evening.

As they were leaving, Xun Qian quietly squeezed his palm, “Why do I feel a little nervous now?”

Qi Xiaoyu glanced ahead, seeing the backs of Qi Fengjian and Xun Mo walking in front. The two of them were talking and probably didn’t have time to pay attention to them. “I’m nervous too. Why didn’t you tell me earlier that your brother also came?”

He quickly added, “But your brother is very nice, just like your sister.”

Xun Qian smiled, “I was afraid if I told you, you would be distracted during practice and get beaten by your master again.”

After a long while, near the entrance, Xun Qian whispered in Qi Xiaoyu’s ear again, “Did you hear just now? Master said the eighth day of the seventh lunar month is an auspicious day.”

Qi Xiaoyu silently calculated the time in his heart. It was less than two months away.

When they returned to Aitang Road, Qi Xiaoyu still felt like he was in a dream.

He had a stomach full of things he wanted to say to his master, but Qi Fengjian went back to his own room as soon as they got home.

It was Qi Wanrou who anxiously came to ask him about the details of the dinner today.

Qi Xiaoyu told her everything one by one.

Qi Wanrou said, “I told you, Dad has a sharp tongue but a kind heart. If Commander Xun just wanted to play around, he definitely wouldn’t have agreed. But since he’s so sincere towards you now, Dad will definitely agree and secure a good future for you.”

Then, Qi Wanrou frowned and said in one breath, “Marriage is a big deal. Our Red Moon Troupe has never held a wedding banquet before. I don’t know what needs to be prepared in advance. I’ll ask Dad tomorrow and start preparing the important things first.”

Qi Xiaoyu comforted her, “Senior Sister, don’t worry, someone will come to arrange these things later.”

“That’s right, it’s the commander’s residence after all; they should know a lot about these things.”

As Qi Wanrou spoke, she looked steadily at Qi Xiaoyu, then blinked and lowered her eyes again, saying to herself as if thinking aloud, “Time really flies.”

Everyone else in the opera troupe was asleep. Upstairs and downstairs, it was silent.

The two of them chatted quietly in the hall for a while and then went back to their respective rooms.

But Qi Xiaoyu didn’t want to go back to his room. He wanted to be alone for a while to process the many emotions mixed in his heart—sweetness, gratitude, and anticipation for the future.

He had no parents and had always considered the opera troupe his family, a big family. But during dinner today, everyone had taken such good care of him; everyone was like his family, a small family.

Afraid of waking Gu Zizhen if he went back to his room, he climbed up to the large rooftop terrace alone.

He had just climbed the stairs and hadn’t reached the terrace yet when he faintly heard voices in the evening breeze.

First, he heard Gu Zizhen’s voice, “Master only asked you and Dong Sheng to help out at the Fufeng Academy?”

Qi Xiaoyu knew about the Fufeng Academy. It was a Peking Opera school established to cultivate Peking Opera talent. It had previously held classes in Baishun Hutong in Beiping, enrolling children under the age of ten. Teachers from various famous opera troupes taught there, covering all roles like Qingyi (female lead), Laosheng (old male), and Daomadan (female warrior). It has cultivated many famous performers, earning a great reputation.

There were also specific considerations when opera troupes sent teachers.

Because the students they trained were practically half-apprentices, and they would maintain a long-term relationship in the future. Opera troupes generally chose their most important and valued individuals to teach. This would either be the current head of the troupe or the next in line.

But why hadn’t Master mentioned this matter to him?

Then Xi Yun’s voice came over, “Yes. From what Master said, he only wants me and Dong Sheng to go; he doesn’t plan to let Xiaoyu join.”

Gu Zizhen said, “Don’t overthink it. Maybe Xiaoyu has other more important matters at the moment, like Commander Xun’s side, so he doesn’t have time to teach at the Fufeng Academy.”

“No, it’s not that I’m overthinking it.” Xi Yun’s voice sounded a bit irritated.

“Back then, when Mr. Yan saw the two of us, just me and Dong Sheng, he specifically asked about Xiaoyu. But do you know what Master said?”

“He said… he said Xiaoyu won’t be performing opera anymore!”

 

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