Chapter 93: Crosstalk
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Boss, where are we going today?” Lin Wu, who was preparing to start the car, asked.
“We’re going to meet someone today and also catch a crosstalk show,” Zhou Chao replied.
“Crosstalk? Where are we going to find that?” Lin Wu was puzzled, as he wasn’t familiar with Jingdu.
“You’re asking me, so who should i ask?” Zhou Chao pondered for a moment. He realized that he didn’t have many connections in the crosstalk circle. He had saved Si Cong’s number from last time, so he decided to call him and inquire.
He took out his phone and called Si Cong.
“Hey, Chao, why are you calling so early?” Zhou Chao could tell from Si Cong’s lazy tone and the faint murmurs in the background that he had stayed up late again.
“I just wanted to ask if you’re familiar with Deshe Theater. 1 want to know if Yu Qian is performing there.”
“I’ll check for you. I’ll call you back later. Gotta go.” With the sound of the call ending and a last bit of noise, Zhou Chao couldn’t help but envy him.
“Boss, should we go out and explore in the meantime?”
“Well, let’s go to Huguang Guild Hall. We’ll see if they’re there and maybe ask around.” Zhou Chao contemplated for a moment. He decided to check things out himself instead of relying entirely on Si Cong. He didn’t want to wait in vain if Si Cong got too caught up in other things and forgot.
“Boss, it’s only 10 o’clock now. Isn’t it a bit early to go out?”
“Today is the weekend, and there’s an afternoon performance. We can attend the crosstalk show and also socialize. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone!” “Alright, Boss!” Lin Wu then started the car.
Huguang Guild Hall was located on the south side of Dongkou Street, Xicheng District, quite far from Zhou Chao’s residence. It would take them over an hour to get there.
“As expected of Jingdu, it’s not even noon, and traffic is already this bad.” Zhou Chao and Lin Wu had been stuck in traffic for about 10 minutes, and they hadn’t even covered half the distance yet. Zhou Chao did a quick calculation—it would probably be around noon by the time they reached Huguang Guild Hall.
“Boss, we’ve arrived at Huguang Guild Hall.” Lin Wu woke up Zhou Chao, who had fallen asleep in the back seat. He looked at the time—it was almost 12 o’clock.
“Let’s go, let’s explore Huguang Guild Hall first.” They got out of the car.
“Wow, Boss, this is Huguang Guild Hall. It’s so beautiful!” As soon as Lin Wu entered, he was greeted by a magnificent building standing before him. This was the renowned Huguang Guild Hall. While Lin Wu might not understand art, he recognized that this was an exceptionally stunning structure.
“Go to the ticket counter and ask if Yu Qian is coming to Huguang Guild Hall today,” Zhou Chao instructed, and Lin Wu headed towards the ticket counter.
However, he returned quickly.
“Boss, they don’t know if he’s coming. They said today’s program doesn’t include Yu Qian. It’s a performance by the Deshe Sixth Troupe.”
Zhou Chao fell silent for a moment. “Go buy two front row seats, the best ones.”
Lin Wu quickly purchased the tickets, though he couldn’t quite understand why they were buying tickets when the person might not even be there.
“Let’s go. We’ll find a nearby restaurant for lunch and then focus on enjoying the crosstalk in the afternoon.”
As soon as they left Huguang Guild Hall, they saw a mutton hot pot restaurant across the road. Zhou Chao led Lin Wu inside.
The two of them found an empty table and sat down. Soon, a waiter came over with a menu.
“Just bring us a large pot of mutton hot pot with an extra portion of vegetables. That’ll do.” Zhou Chao handed the menu back to the waiter.
Before long, the waiter arrived with the mutton hot pot. A brief cooking was all it needed before it could be savored.
“It’s ready. Let’s eat.” Zhou Chao saw that the pot was boiling and the aroma was tantalizing. They both began to use their chopsticks.
“Delicious!” They quickly finished the entire pot of mutton hot pot.
“Boss, we’re a group of 5. Make it quick,” a voice sounded beside Zhou Chao. He turned to look and found that it was Zhang Helun, the captain of the Deshe Sixth Troupe. This was a classic case of running into someone at the right moment.
“Hello, Zhang Helun.” Zhang Helun, who was engaged in conversation, suddenly heard someone calling his name and turned to look. “Damn, he’s so handsome!”
He quickly stood up. “Hello, may I help you?”
“I just wanted to ask if Master Qian is coming to Huguang today. I need to discuss something with him.” Hearing Zhou Chao’s words, Zhang Helun became puzzled. Did this person know Master Qian?
Seeing Zhang Helun’s confusion, Zhou Chao continued, “At the charity event last time, Master Qian left in a hurry without leaving a contact. So, today 1 thought I’d come here and try my luck. Unexpectedly, I ran into you.”
“Master Qian isn’t coming to Huguang today.”
“Well, if it’s convenient for you, please pass on a message to Master Qian. Just tell him it’s the guy who accidentally messed up at the charity event last time. He should know who it is.” Zhou Chao gestured to Lin Wu, who took out one of Zhou Chao’s business cards from his pocket. It had a name and phone number on it.
“This is my number. Please ask Master Qian to give me a call later. I won’t disturb your meal now.” After saying this, Zhou Chao left with Lin Wu. Before leaving, he settled the bill for Zhang Helun and his group.
“Boss, are we still going to the crosstalk show in the afternoon?”
“Of course, why not? After all, we’ve already bought the tickets.”
At 2:15 in the afternoon, Zhou Chao and Lin Wu were already seated in the small theater, observing the surroundings.
The stage’s backdrop was made of colorful silk embroidered with images of dragons, phoenixes, beads, peonies, bats, and auspicious motifs.
A decorative couplet adorned the front of the stage. The upper part of the couplet bore the inscription “Wei Qu jointly ascends the imperial court, myriad scenes unfold like those in Dongting Yunmeng.” The lower part read “Kang Qu dances together, palace and shang modes harmonize like a patch of pristine white snow in early spring.” Positioned above the stage was a horizontal tablet proclaiming “Nishang Tong Yong”, its golden characters shining against a dark backdrop, exuding a radiant glow.
Not long after, the entire theater was packed with people. Zhou Chao glanced at his watch and realized that it was almost time; the show was about to begin.
The curtains backstage parted, and a graceful woman stepped forward, holding a microphone.
“Welcome, everyone, to the Deshe Huguang Hall. Now, please enjoy the crosstalk performance ‘Yang Naiwu’s Petition’, performed by Zhang Helun and Lang Heyan.”
Zhang Helun and Lang Heyan emerged from backstage. As soon as Zhang Helun stepped onto the stage, he noticed Zhou Chao sitting in the front row. He was briefly taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled.
“Hello, everyone.” After speaking, they both bowed, and the entire theater erupted in applause.
“It’s a good thing I’m the one going on first. With this tall microphone, if it were my master, he might have to jump to reach it,” Zhang Helun warmed up the audience with a joke as he began his performance.
Zhou Chao couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this, though his smile soon faded.
“System, check-in!”