Chapter 54 Theater (Seeking follow-up reading)

The next morning.

There are many camphor trees planted in the quiet editorial compound. Even in winter, their leaves remain green, and the early morning river breeze blows the leaves with a moist breath.

“Swish…”

The warm sunlight passed through the gaps between the leaves and fell on the white sheets. Cheng Kaiyan woke up slowly, looking at the unfamiliar ceiling, her heart feeling very calm.

It has been six days since I took the train from Beijing to Jiangcheng on the evening of the 21st.

He has been very busy revising manuscripts in the editorial department these days, and finally finished it yesterday.

I received the royalties, two thousand eight hundred and seventy-six fifty-one yuan.

“There is a girl named Xiaofang in the village. She is pretty and kind…”

Cheng Kaiyan hummed a song as she got up, opened her luggage, and took out a brand new black coat, which she had bought at the tailor shop with her mother that day for seventy-eight yuan.

Xu Yuxiu originally intended that this black wool coat be for him to wear during the New Year.

No matter which family the children belong to, they all wear new clothes during the Chinese New Year for the purpose of having a festive occasion.

In Xu Yuxiu’s eyes, Cheng Kaiyan was almost like a child. Basically, she would buy him things as long as he was at home.

After Xu Yuxiu knew that Cheng Kaiyan was going to Jiangcheng to meet Liu Xiaoli, she readily let Cheng Kaiyan put the brand new and expensive woolen coat that she was going to wear during the Chinese New Year in her luggage.

After all, I’m meeting my future daughter-in-law, so I can’t lose face.

“Wow~”

After washing her face in front of the mirror, Cheng Kaiyan dried her face with a towel, applied some cold cream to keep it moist, and then combed her hair back.

The temperature in Beijing in winter can drop to minus ten degrees Celsius, the weather is dry, cold and windy.

Cheng Kaiyan often saw children in the alleys with red and swollen faces and ears due to the cold. A thin layer of scabs formed on their faces, which were very painful when touched.

Therefore, any family that is a little bit particular will have something moisturizing for their face, such as Vanishing Cream, Pechoin, and Yongfang Pearl Cream.

After taking care of her personal appearance, Cheng Kaiyan walked out of the door with brisk steps.

“I’m finally going to see Sister Xiaoli today!”

……

canteen.

Cheng Kaiyan ordered a bowl of hot dry noodles and ate it. On her left hand side was a bowl of eggnog. The so-called eggnog is actually made from rice wine and eggs.

The fermented rice grains are soft, with golden frangipani floating in them. It is so comfortable to eat some noodles and drink some eggnog.

“Teacher Xiao Cheng, why are you up so early today when you don’t have to revise the manuscript?”

At the cafeteria entrance, Chen Shanshan walked in late.

“I’m used to it. Have you eaten yet? Let’s eat together!”

“But you pay for it, you are a big dog owner.”

“to make.”

“As expected of Master Jing, what a great atmosphere!”

After eating and drinking, the two went straight to the flower market.

The flower market has emerged in the 1980s, and flowers are loved by people as a kind of decoration in life. In this era, flowers may appear more often in festivals, celebrations or special occasions, and are given as gifts to relatives and friends.

Orchids are very popular in the market because of their unique ornamental value and cultural connotations.

Especially in Changchun, after Clivia was named the city flower, it triggered a speculation craze and the price soared. It was called “green gold bars”. The market price of rare Clivia once exceeded 10 yuan or even yuan.

“Teacher Cheng, why don’t you go directly to the dance theater when you come to the flower market?”

Chen Shanshan turned her head while riding her bicycle and asked in confusion.

“Buy flowers, what else can I do?”

“Buying flowers? Are they for the actors?”

Chen Shanshan laughed. She had watched the performance several times before, and audience members would often come on stage and present flowers during the performance.

The purpose is very simple, some hope to have some sex, while others want to express their praise for the actors’ performance.

“Yes.” Following Cheng Kaiyan, we walked into the flower market. Even though it was winter, there were still many flowers in the market.

The most common are plum blossoms, followed by daffodils, camellias, marigolds and so on.

Cheng Kaiyan finally picked out daffodils and camellias, packed them in old newspapers and put them in the basket.

The two then headed towards the musical theater and handed two performance tickets to the staff at the theater entrance.

Cheng Kaiyan and Chen Shanshan walked into the theater side by side, stepping on the dark brown carpet, which was soft and quiet.

As soon as you step through the door decorated with dark red velvet, the first thing that catches your eye is the spacious foyer. A crystal chandelier hangs on the round dome, emitting soft and warm light, illuminating the exquisite murals and historical photos of the theater hanging on the surrounding walls.

There were rows of soft seats on the winding staircases, and more than half of them were already occupied.

In the front is a huge stage, covered with a dark blue velvet curtain embroidered with delicate gold patterns. On both sides of the stage are layers of scenery. Above the stage, densely packed lighting equipment is hung on a steel frame.

“What a beautiful place.”

Cheng Kaiyan took in the scenery and commented.

“Of course. How can something built by foreigners not look Western?”

Chen Shanshan took him to find two seats in the fourth row and sat down. The seats were very soft and comfortable.

“It hasn’t started yet. It’s a pity that the opera house doesn’t sell popcorn, otherwise I would have to buy some to try.”

Chen Shanshan muttered.

“This is a place to appreciate art. How can we sell you popcorn?”

“Looking at the playlist, Liu Xiaoli and her friends seem to be performing a classical dance drama. They dance well and are beautiful.”

“That’s perfect.”

Cheng Kaiyan and Chen Shanshan were chatting idly and looking at the surrounding environment curiously.

Is this where she works? It looks pretty good.

……

Meanwhile, in the girls’ dormitory of the theater.

“Okay, Danping, I told you to cover yourself with a quilt every night and leave your feet exposed. Now you have diarrhea, right?” Liu Xiaoli folded her dance costume on the bed and walked to the door of the dormitory toilet to ask with concern.

“Wait for me, um~”

“Xiao Li, we’re leaving first. Zhang Yi and I haven’t eaten yet. Let’s go to the cafeteria to buy some food first. You guys come over then.” Roommate Xiao Caiyun informed and took Zhang Yi downstairs.

“it is good.”

Liu Xiaoli nodded and stayed here alone waiting for Wang Danping.

After the two left, the dormitory became quite quiet.

Liu Xiaoli sat on her bed, picked up the children’s literature she had bought last time, and began to read it aimlessly.

The first page was still Cheng Kaiyan’s “Submarine at Night”. Seeing this familiar yet unfamiliar name, Liu Xiaoli lowered her eyes and thought, “This shouldn’t be this kind of person. Maybe the letter hasn’t arrived yet?”

A few minutes later, the little girl was still suffering from diarrhea.

“Danping, I’m going downstairs to check if there’s any mail in the mailbox. Please come down quickly.”

“Got it! Right now!”

After getting the reply, Liu Xiaoli took her things and turned to go downstairs. The sound of her footsteps was like a prelude to an execution, heavy but also full of anticipation.

Liu Xiaoli felt a sinking feeling in her heart when she walked to the mailbox with a rusty door.

Sure enough, the mailbox was still empty.

“It’s all your fault… Surprise? Is this his surprise? It’s quite a surprise…”

Liu Xiaoli pursed her lips. The cold morning air made the tip of her fair and delicate nose slightly red.

“Sister Xiaoli, let’s go!”

At this time, Wang Danping rushed over from upstairs.

(End of this chapter)