The Jade of the Republic of China

The Qingchun troupe was originally a troupe in Beijing's Bada Hutong, but the competition for northern Beijing opera was too fierce, and there were too many to be called top performers.The Qingchun class has always been tepid. After the old class leader passed away, Tong Rulan, the new class leader, took the Qingchun class south to find a way out.

Facts have proved that his decision was very wise. After traveling south for half a year, he successfully sang as a top-notch actor in Shanghai. This time he appeared in the Osmanthus Theater.

On the day of Mr. Shen's birthday banquet, Tong Rulan presented Shen Yutong with two theater tickets.The entire Shen family loves to go to theatres, Mr. Shen and the eldest son Shen Yuan can even be called fanciers. They used to set up a stage at home to perform two pieces of "Su San Qi Jie" and "The Case of Gui Mei".

But now that the old man is old and his body is not as good as before, it is okay to invite the theater troupe to sing at home, but if he goes to the theater to listen for a few hours, his body really can't bear it.

Coincidentally, on the day that Tong Rulan's performance started, Shen Yuan and his wife had an affair, and in the end the task sent by the Shen family to praise Boss Tong fell on Shen Yutong.

Shen Yutong also loves to go to the theater, but he went abroad at the age of 17. In the past few years abroad, he watched more civilized plays. Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde rarely came into contact with Beijing operas, and now he can feast his ears.

The theater tickets are located in the front row, surrounded by prominent figures in Shanghai Bund.

Now Boss Tong is famous, and those who want to praise him can line up for miles.The rich son and master sat in front, nothing more than wanting to see Boss Tong's demeanor up close.

Tong Rulan performed "Peach Blossom Fan" tonight. With her soft figure and mellow singing voice, she brought to life the peerless elegance of a famous prostitute in the Qinhuai River, as if Li Xiangjun in the play should be like this on stage.

Naturally, there was a round of applause from the audience.

But if it is said that he screamed the most vigorously and the loudest, it was the eldest young master who was separated from Shen Yutong by the table.

The young master's name is Li Siwei, the nephew of Shanghai beach tycoon Li Yongnian.Young Master Li recently praised Tong Rulan so much that he was in a daze, from the old theater all the way to the Dangui Theater.

Of course it is a good thing to have opera fans applauding, but this Young Master Li doesn't really understand opera, and he doesn't even understand the knowledge of applauding, and he often shouts in the wrong place. He almost disrupted the rhythm of the stage again and again.

But he didn't realize it, and raised his voice all the way to the end.

Others knew his identity, so naturally they didn't dare to remind him.

With his "support", Tong Rulan sang with fear, and managed to finish the performance perfectly without any risk.

Backstage lounge after the curtain call, Boss Tong's face was blue, fortunately covered by make-up, others couldn't see it.

He was taking off his makeup in front of the mirror, when a little maid in the team came over with a tray: "Boss Tong, this is a tip from Young Master Li."

Tong Rulan glanced at it indifferently, besides the two small yellow croakers, there were also a few pieces of jewelry that seemed to be of great value.Singing is to make a living, to gain fame and fortune, and of course it cannot be separated from the love and support of the audience.

But when he looked at these things, he couldn't feel happy at all.

What he wanted was to respect his bosom friend, not a Shanghai gangster like Li Siwei who didn't understand drama and had other plans.

He waved his hand and asked the maid to take the things down, and continued to remove makeup in front of the mirror. After removing the oil paint on his face, he took off the hood to reveal his short hair, and changed into a simple long gown.

The exquisite beauty on the stage has become a slender and elegant man.

At this moment, the door of the lounge was pushed open from the outer hall, and it turned out that Li Siwei entered without invitation, and he laughed loudly: "Congratulations to Boss Tong on the successful premiere of the Dangui Theater, Li has already reserved a seat. I must invite Boss Tong to have a drink tonight."

Li Siwei had invited Tong Rulan several times before, but except for two rounds of multiplayer rounds, the other party used excuses to decline all individual invitations.

This time Tong Rulan naturally didn't intend to agree, he stood up and smiled and cupped his hands, saying: "Young Master Li, I'm really sorry, I already have an appointment with someone tonight."

Li Siwei obviously knew that this was an excuse, and he didn't intend to pretend that a gentleman would not be entangled like before. He tilted his head and smiled and said, "Really? I don't know who Boss Tong has made an appointment with. Let's see if I can be counted as one of them?"

Tong Rulan's face froze slightly, he didn't expect Li Siwei's sneering to a higher level tonight, and he didn't know how to get over the excuses he made up casually.

Seeing his expression, Li Siwei showed a knowing and complacent smile.

It's just that the smile has not yet been interrupted by a voice: "Young Master Li, what a coincidence, I have an appointment with Boss Tong tonight."

Li Siwei turned his head when he heard the sound, and looked at the person coming.

Shanghai Beach is certainly not small when it is said to be small, but it is actually so big when it is said to be big. At least the rich and wealthy can easily count it. There are only so many sons in the circle of sons and daughters. The head of Mr. Tan, who has been abroad for four years, no one can top this position.

Li Siwei is also a son of a brother, relying on Li Yongnian as a good uncle, he is a son of a man who bullies men and women.He loves beauties, both men and women. Shen Yutong is a standard beauty. However, he can be a courtesan and an actor, but he can't touch such a rich and noble son as Shen Yutong.

Li Siwei didn't meet Shen Yutong many times, the last time he caught a glimpse at a reception half a year ago.

But every time I see the second son of the Shen family, I can't help sighing that God is so partial, how can someone grow up like this.Standing next to Tong Rulan at this moment, immediately made Boss Tong's demeanor a little less.

Tong Rushui has a feminine beauty, while Shen Yutong has a noble and elegant beauty, with a natural nobility and a natural arrogance.Same as his status as the second son of the Shen family, this beauty can be seen from a distance and not be played with.

The Li family has only made a fortune in the past thirty years, and when Li Siwei was young, he was not considered very rich.His arrogant arrogance, in front of Shen Yutong, the son of the aristocratic family, almost immediately vented, and even involuntarily gave birth to a submissive flattery, cupped his hands and bent his lips into a smile: "So it's the second son, easy to talk about."

Shen Yutong returned the salute and said, "Young Master Li, I'm sorry."

Li Siwei waved his hands, pretending to be hearty: "Small things should come first, then I won't disturb the second young master and Boss Tong's pleasure, I will make an appointment when I have time."

Tong Rulan respectfully sent Li Siwei and his party away, bowed his head and said to Shen Yutong: "Thank you, Second Young Master, for helping me out."

Shen Yutong smiled nonchalantly and said, "I can't get used to his arrogance." He beckoned again and asked Ah Fu to send a flower basket, "This is the flower basket that my father and brother asked me to send to Boss Tong, so I must deliver it myself Congratulations to Boss Tong for a smooth performance."

Tong Rulan said: "Master Shen and Eldest Young Master are too polite, please ask Second Young Master to thank them for me."

"must."

Tong Rulan took the flower basket and said, "I wonder if the Second Young Master is free? I would like to treat the Second Young Master to a drink."

Shen Yutong is not easy to please others, and said with a smile: "Then it will be disrespectful."

For Tong Rulan to treat guests, he naturally chose the place, which is not far away, and a rickshaw will arrive in half a minute.Hidden in an alley, the ivy is green outside the window, and the faint fragrance of flowers is overwhelming.

Pushing open the door and entering, it is a quiet private restaurant called Weilu Restaurant.

There is no hall in the small restaurant, only three small private rooms, not for banquets, but it is a good place for private parties.Tong Rulan should have already made a reservation to celebrate her opening performance at the Dangui Theater.

The boss is also a cook. He is about 60 or [-] years old, and he is obviously familiar with Tong Rulan. As soon as the two came in, the slightly fat boss greeted him personally: "Boss Tong, are you here? Is everything going well tonight?"

Tong Rulan nodded: "Thanks to Lin Bo, everything went well."

Lin Bo said: "That's good, that's good. You sit with your friends, and I'll prepare your favorite dishes."

When people left, Shen Yutong looked curiously at this elegant small room, and said with a smile: "I didn't know there was such a small restaurant in Shanghai Beach."

Tong Rulan said: "Lin Bo has only been in Shanghai for a few years, and the second son went abroad before, so it's normal not to know his place."

It turned out that this Lin Bo was originally the chef of a royal palace in the former Qing Dynasty. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the royal palace sat on the mountain and gradually declined. These servants had to find another way out. He wandered to Shanghai and opened such a small restaurant. , with its good craftsmanship, it has gained a little reputation among Shanghai beach gourmets.

The boss is from Huizhou, and he cooks Huizhou taste, marinated fresh mandarin fish, steamed chicken, and Wenzheng mountain bamboo shoots, all of which are delicious in color, fragrance and taste.

Shen Yutong ate a few mouthfuls and suddenly thought of Meng Liansheng.He is from Huizhou, these dishes should be his favorite, next time you invite him to dinner, you can come here.

Seeing that he was absent-minded, Tong Rulan seemed to be thinking about something, so she asked casually, "What is Second Young Master thinking?"

Shen Yutong smiled back: "I think of a friend who is also from Huizhou, and he should like this dish very much."

Tong Rulan also laughed, but felt a little sad for no reason, the second son is the moon in the sky, who can make him see things and think about others, what kind of person is he?

Shen Yutong really didn't think about people when he saw things, but he thought of Meng Liansheng when he saw Huizhou cuisine, so he didn't think much about it, and soon talked about drama with Tong Rulan.He is not a fancier, and he is not as familiar with theater as his father and brother, but he can be regarded as a theater fan, and he speaks clearly.

Tong Rulan had heard about the Second Young Master Shen for a long time, but after drinking together today, he realized that he was not as flirtatious as the rumors said, and his speech and behavior were not frivolous.On the contrary, he respects Beijing opera, and respects him as an opera actor, because he listens carefully to his opera lectures.

It was the first time for Tong Rulan to be so respected by others, and she couldn't help but feel a little moved. Thinking of those who cheered, he said that Li Siwei, although he gave gifts and money, actually couldn't tell the difference between Xipi Erhuang and Tsing Yi Huadan. That's all.

While the two were drinking and chatting, Li Siwei, who spent a lot of money on rewards tonight but got nothing, was pressing down on a young man in the rockery of Zuixinlou and bullying him fiercely.

This little girl was born soft and cold, with a small mole at the end of her eyes, which was somewhat similar to Tong Rulan.

Tong Rulan, whom he had held for so long, had no idea how much money he had thrown into it, but the other party hadn't even had a glass of wine with him. Naturally, he was not reconciled, and he was so angry that he could only find a substitute to vent his anger.

He was pressing the little girl under him, thinking about Tong Rulan's figure and face, but no matter what, he couldn't lose that point.Until the little boy couldn't help crying and stretched his neck.

Through the thin light outside, he caught a glimpse of the whiteness on the cut neck, and Shen Yutong's handsome face suddenly appeared in his mind. He immediately groaned, and when he reached the peak, he couldn't help shouting: "Second Young Master!"

After venting, he threw the little boy on the ground, looking at the trembling young man, he just felt dull.

He didn't bother to care about the limp young man, he walked out of the rockery while arranging his clothes, but he caught a glimpse of a black figure standing beside him.

This is Huayuechang, he didn't care about being eavesdropped when he was looking for excitement, but he was upset at the moment, thinking that this person was the blind servant of Zuixinlou, and kicked him as soon as he walked up.

Unexpectedly, the other party stepped back slightly, letting his big foot fall into the air.

He snorted, looked up carefully, but saw that this person was wearing a bamboo cloth gown, he should not be a servant, but a guest.So he smiled and said: "Is this young master listening to the corner of the wall to his heart's content?"

Meng Liansheng said calmly, "I'm just passing by."

He really didn't mean to listen to this kind of thing.Tonight I originally planned to go to the Dangui Theater to listen to a play, but Sun Zhidong temporarily caught a strong man and accompanied him to Zuixinlou to have a drink with others. When looking at the rockery in the backyard, he vaguely heard the person inside calling "Second Young Master", and stopped involuntarily.

He didn't know Li Siwei, and he didn't know whether the "second son" in this population had anything to do with Shen Yutong, but he subconsciously felt very uncomfortable.

"Little Meng!"

At the same time, Sun Zhidong appeared out of nowhere with his arms around a girl.

"Brother Dong." Meng Liansheng replied.

Li Siwei looked back, and said with a loud smile, "Yo, it's Boss Sun's man! I thought this little brother was listening to my corner on purpose."

Sun Zhidong glanced at the timid young man at the entrance of the rockery cave, and said with a smile, "Young Master Li is very interested." Then he asked, "How is Boss Li?"

Li Siwei said: "Boss Sun is sorry, my uncle is doing well. I heard that Boss Bai is not doing well recently, so I will say hello to Boss Bai for my uncle."

Sun Zhidong smiled and said, "Where did you hear the rumors, my elder brother is very good."

Li Siwei smiled: "That's good, that's good." He waved his hand again, "Boss Sun plays slowly, I'll go first."

When turning around, he didn't forget to glance at Meng Liansheng casually, and then walked away.After walking a certain distance, the boy from the rockery followed carefully, but just as he got close, he kicked him away: "Get away!"

Sun Zhidong frowned, walked up to Meng Liansheng, and patted him on the shoulder: "Xiao Meng, so you don't look for girls, because you have this hobby. It's easy to talk about, Brother Dong will pick you a beautiful young lady later, you can play around with me." .”

Meng Liansheng quickly waved his hand: "Brother Dong misunderstood, I don't have this hobby."

"Really not?"

"It's true."

After a pause, he asked again: "By the way, Brother Dong, that Young Master Li just now is Li Yongnian's nephew? Shunhe's manager?"

"That's right, it's this grandson," Sun Zhidong nodded. He had just had a drink with some masters and young masters, and two of them had just come from the Dangui Theater, so they had heard about the small disturbance behind the stage there. Tong Rulan from the Qingchun Class, Boss Tong, Boss Tong is performing at the Dangui Theater tonight. I heard that this grandson wanted to invite someone to drink, but the Second Young Master Shen got there first. Second Young Master Shen knows how to attack? It is the second young master from the Shen Family Garden, A famous handsome man in Shanghai."

Meng Liansheng: "Yes, I understand."

The author has something to say:

Here comes the sender.

I will sort out the manuscript tomorrow and have a day off.