Life in the world of film and television

Qinhuai Wuyi Lane has always been a prosperous area in Jiangning City. Although it is not as spacious and grand as Zhuque Street and Confucius Temple, it has less money-grubbing smell and more literary and artistic atmosphere with the accumulation of history.

“The swallows that used to fly in front of the halls of the Wang and Xie families now fly into the homes of ordinary people.” Although Wuyi Lane is no longer a wealthy place where only the Wang and Xie families could live, its great fame also makes it a place where the nouveau riche or ordinary people cannot live.

In the past two days, one of the houses with a simple exterior and elegant and exquisite interior was rented out.

At this time in the yard, a middle-aged woman in a gray-blue cloth skirt was directing several servants who were moving things, frowning and shouting from time to time.

Just as the ceremony was going on, Li Shishi, who was dressed in men's clothes, quietly walked into the yard. When she was about to enter the room, she was seen by the middle-aged woman, and her face immediately fell.

"You went out again? Didn't I tell you! Don't go out for no reason. Jiangning is not the capital. What if something happens?"

Li Shishi smiled and said, "Mom, I know. I dressed up as a man!"

The middle-aged woman snorted: "You think that just dressing in men's clothes will be enough, and that others can't tell that you are a woman."

Li Shishi said, "Mom, we just arrived in Jiangning! Let's go for a walk outside. Besides, I'm not alone. I met Brother Yu today and he followed me."

The middle-aged woman sneered at her words, "Don't mention Yu Hezhong, he's not a good guy either. He bows and scrapes to you when he sees you... like a scoundrel."

Li Shishi said helplessly: "Mom, don't say that, Brother Yu is actually a very good person, and we used to be neighbors, and you know him, Mom.

The middle-aged woman snorted, "Mom, I'm not an unkind person. If it weren't for the fact that he's an old acquaintance of mine, I wouldn't let him in."

"It's just, Shishi! Mom is not saying anything bad about you. Yu Hezhong is too far behind you. It's okay to consider the old friendship and invite him to a few gatherings, but have you ever thought about it? His family background and talent are far inferior to yours. It would be embarrassing to let him attend some poetry gatherings. If you really lose face, if you want to protect him, not only will you be easily misunderstood by others, but it will also bring trouble to him. He himself may also misunderstand and think that Shishi you are interested in him, and he may even push his luck."

"People should have self-awareness. If you have such unreasonable wishes, you won't get what you want in the end. It's better to make it clear as soon as possible. Mom knows that you are soft-hearted, Shishi, and this is for your sake. Cut it off when it's time to cut it off, and let him give up this idea as soon as possible."

Li Shishi sighed softly: "I know, Mom."

As she spoke, the woman walked into the room, let down her long hair, and began to remove her makeup. When she put her clothes back on and let her hair down, she suddenly became gentle and graceful again.

The daylight shone in from the window. A woman in a pink dress sat down in front of the small window. She seemed to remember something. She spread out the four treasures of the study, picked up the goat-hair brush beside her and looked at it. Then she stretched out her tongue and gently licked the tip of the brush. Her movements were simple and elegant, but with a touch of charm.

The middle-aged woman frowned slightly: "Shishi, I have told you about this problem a long time ago. You are a famous talented woman in Beijing. Don't be like a child and lick the tip of the pen before writing."

The woman smiled faintly: "I know, mom."

As he spoke, he dipped the brush into the ink, remained silent for a moment, and then began to paint on the white paper.

The middle-aged woman rubbed her forehead and sighed, "Let's not talk about this anymore. You can do whatever you want... I heard that you went to the old alley today. How is it going there now?"

Li Shishi said: "Not much has changed, it's still the same as before, except that some familiar people are missing, and the old man who used to teach piano is no longer here..."

As she spoke, Li Shishi kept writing. In a moment, the old alley appeared on the paper. She thought for a while and then drew a few human figures on it.

Then he said softly: "Well, I also saw someone I knew before...

The middle-aged woman's surname was Li, and her name was Li Yun. In her early years, she had placed some of her children in that alley to learn musical instruments and singing for two years. Among them was Li Shishi, who had many impressions of that place.

When Li Shishi mentioned her old acquaintance, she thought of Yu Hezhong, and then she became alert and frowned, "Someone I knew before? Who? A man or a woman?"

Li Shishi thought for a moment and said, "Mom, do you still remember the family named Ning who used to live in the middle of the alley with a bluestone at the door?"

Mother Li thought for a moment and said, "You are talking about the Ning family! I have some impression of them. I heard that they used to be a wealthy family, and some of them passed the imperial examinations. But later on, a few prodigal sons emerged, and the family fell into complete ruin. I remember that everyone in the Ning family seemed to have passed away, leaving only one child!"

Li Shishi said: "Well, Xiao Ning is the only one left in their family now, and it was Xiao Ning that I met today."

Mother Li said, "I remember this little Ning. He was only twelve or thirteen when he left Jiangning. His parents were gone, and the entire Ning family was in disarray. The remaining branches had little contact with them. I didn't expect that after so many years, such a child would grow up smoothly." "How is this child now? I remember that he used to sit in the alley and read every day, but he shook his head and swayed his head. It was obvious that he was not a good student. How did you recognize him?"

Li Shishi smiled and said, "Mom, Xiao Ning has changed a lot now, especially his temperament, which is very special, like someone who has done great things. I saw him sitting at the gate of the Ning family courtyard with a book in his hand, so I went up to ask him, and then I knew it was him."

Mother Li said, "What's so special about him? Shishi, don't be fooled. Even though he's an acquaintance, I haven't seen him for so many years. Who can know what he's like?"

Mother Li then warned, "Shishi, don't think your mother is nagging you, and don't get along with that Yu Hezhong and think about the old friendship with him."

Li Shishi sighed slightly and shook her head helplessly: "Don't worry, Mom, we are just childhood acquaintances, and we have some feelings for each other for the first time. Besides, Shishi knew so many people in her childhood, how could there be so many friendships. Meeting in a different place, knowing each other before, is also fate, just chat for a few words, maybe we will never see each other again after meeting today."

Mother Li nodded with satisfaction: "That's good. Don't associate with those who can't get close to you. Having Yu Hezhong is enough. If he comes to see you often, reminiscing about the past and trying to build relationships, our Fanlou will become a charity."

Li Shishi said helplessly: "Mom, you are overthinking. How can there be so many people coming to make friends with her? Even Xiao Ning is doing well now. Not only is she elegant, but she is also well dressed and has a maid with her. If I hadn't gone over to say hello, she wouldn't have recognized me."

"You think people want to get close to me, but they may forget about it the moment they turn around!"

Mother Li said proudly: "Humph... Just based on Shishi's beautiful face, which man would not be moved? Even if she doesn't show it on the surface, she must have some thoughts in her heart. Shishi, don't underestimate your charm..."

Li Shishi smiled helplessly: "Mom, stop bragging here. Is there anything else?"

Mother Li seemed to remember something. "Oh, there is one more thing. Recently, for some reason, the news of your coming to Jiangning has caused a lot of noise here. There are even many rumors that you are going to surpass all the talented scholars and courtesans in Jiangning. There must be someone behind this, and I don't know who it is."

"However, Master, with your great fame, this kind of thing is always unavoidable. I think it is better to go with the flow and set a time or two to hold a poetry gathering or two, so that these country bumpkins in Jiangning can see what the capital is like."

"Of course, I know that you are not here for fame or competition, but simply to relax and take a look at your old home. Mom promises you that besides the poetry gathering, you can walk around and take a look if you have free time."

"In short, you need to let those local bumpkins in Jiangning who want to use you to become famous open their eyes and see who the number one courtesan in Tokyo is. They can't try to fool you.

Li Shishi smiled helplessly: "But, will this offend people? Then they will say that I am arrogant. Besides, Jiangning is also a big place with many talented people. I might lose!"

Mother Li said, "How could you lose? We are from the capital. I am not saying anything bad about you, but you have such a good temper. You never want to offend anyone no matter what you do. It was the same in Bianjing."

"But even if you hold back, these people in Jiangning will not appreciate your kindness, let alone show mercy."

"Actually, you don't have to worry. I've figured out the situation in Jiangning. I used to have an acquaintance named Yang Xiuhong, who opened a Jinfenglou restaurant, which is also very famous in Jiangning."

"They say this year is the worst year for Jiangning. The popular ones like Qilan and Luo Miaomiao are simply not good enough."

"Even my sister is a weirdo. I don't know how it happened, but her most popular prostitute, Yuan Jin'er, is said to have run away. Another woman who ran away from the Golden Phoenix Tower is said to have redeemed herself. She is said to have opened a business and is doing her own business."

"She was really mad. The same goes for two women. They can't live a good life. Wouldn't it be better to find a young man to marry and become his wife? They have to show up in public and run a business. They don't know that life is hard. What can two women accomplish?"

As she spoke, Mother Li secretly looked at Li Shishi. It was because of what Yang Xiuhong said today at Jinfeng Tower that she couldn't help but think of her daughters, especially Li Shishi, and asked her not to do anything weird. Now she had the chance to remind her daughters, so that Li Shishi wouldn't give up like that one day.

However, it was obvious that her words were in vain, because Li Shishi, who was standing beside her, listened with bright eyes. After a while, she said, "These two sisters are really admirable..."

Mother Li's heart tightened and she said, "Shishi, what nonsense are you talking about! You must not do this. I treat you as my own daughter."

Li Shishi comforted her, "Don't worry, Mom. I won't learn from them."

Mother Li quickly changed the subject: "Shishi, I know you are a person with a conscience. You will definitely not do this and will not abandon me and run away."

……

(End of this chapter)