Chapter 17

Never mind the others present, Zhou Siyin himself was surprised. Zou Muyun had sent his subordinates to look for Ji Shuangyu without any fanfare, so no one present knew.

He had originally been pondering who else besides Tan You'an would be suitable to write the inscription, and had even considered using his mother's posthumous works to form the characters. Later, upon meeting Ji Shuangyu, he decided to take a gamble.

Unexpectedly, not only was his gamble correct, but Zou Muyun had even seen Ji Shuangyu's writing long ago and had been looking for him all this time!

Could it be that he had seen the playbills inscribed by Ji Shuangyu? But Ji Shuangyu wrote those playbills with a brush, and although Zou Muyun watched plays, he very much disliked the currently popular mechanical stage-setting plays. He belonged to the old school and was unlikely to go to the Changle Theater.

'This is truly fate. It seems this matter was destined to be.' Zhou Siyin thought to himself, 'I don't know which deity answered my prayers from all the temples I visited during the New Year. I'll have to go back and fulfill my vows to each one.'

By this time, the others had also reacted. Aside from the sullen Zhou Ruojuan, everyone else, whether they understood or not, hurried to offer praises: "This could be considered a fascinating anecdote in the world of calligraphy. Zhou Baoduo was absolutely right. The students at our school should really learn from this Gourd Elder."

"Young Master Zhou should really invite this calligrapher for a meeting, so we can all witness this wonderful fate between you three."

"It is truly destined by the heavens, a match made in heaven. A fine story, a fine story!"

Zhou Siyin: “...”

These people were getting more and more exaggerated, even using 'a match made in heaven'.

Some people were also wondering inwardly if they were just ignorant, or if this 'Gourd Elder' was a hidden master who had always remained anonymous.

To be able to combine the essence of stone inscriptions and copybooks and integrate it into penmanship, everyone had already pictured a middle-aged or elderly man with graying hair, much like Tan You'an.

Zou Muyun was actually also very eager to communicate with Ji Shuangyu and see him write in person. He looked at Zhou Siyin expectantly, "Is he in Jingcheng?"

"He is, but I don't know if he's free these next few days. I'll send someone to ask," Zhou Siyin said.

The principal of Jingming Private School quickly said, "If he's free, why not invite the Gourd Elder to join us for the grand occasion tomorrow and watch our charity performance? I would also like to ask him for a piece of penmanship to hang in the school."

Their school was funded by the Zhou family, so they were very enthusiastically supportive.

The other principals all chimed in in agreement. This way, they could also get Zou Muyun to come tomorrow.

Zou Muyun was in a very good mood and nodded with a smile.

When you're navigating society, as long as you aren't embarrassed, the other person will be. Anyway, apart from a brat like Zhou Siyin, people wouldn't casually embarrass someone to their face. Back then, even after being scolded by Zhou Siyin for days, Zhou Ruojuan was still getting by just fine in Jingcheng.

Zhou Ruojuan had been standing by shamelessly. Hearing this, he suddenly thought of a way to annoy Zhou Siyin. He deliberately stared at Zhou Siyin, and when Zhou Siyin looked over, he revealed a cold smile.

Zhou Siyin: '?'

Zhou Siyin: "Second Uncle, why are you grinning foolishly?"

Zhou Ruojuan: “...”

"Who...!" Seeing everyone looking at him, Zhou Ruojuan suppressed his anger and said hypocritically, "Ai! Although I don't understand calligraphy, I too would like to witness the elegance of this calligrapher. Unfortunately, our charity performance doesn't have a large audience, and tomorrow there will likely be even fewer people.

"In my opinion, the residents of Jingcheng still prefer Huaxia music. Why don't we invite an opera troupe to sing a few arias of Peking opera and play some string instruments, interspersed with the original program? That would certainly liven things up."

Although Zhou Ruojuan's business skills were average, as a scion of the Zhou family, he wasn't a complete idiot. This was a very fitting idea.

A principal present nodded repeatedly, "You do have a point." They still had to perform tomorrow and the day after. They were afraid the venue would become increasingly deserted, which would be too unsightly. They did need supporting acts.

Zhou Ruojuan deliberately glanced at Zhou Siyin and said, "The most popular troupe recently is the Hanxi Troupe. And I heard that Baoduo just promoted them, making an exception to let them on the cover of Movie and Drama World. If Baoduo were to invite them, it would be a sure thing."

Zou Muyun not only disliked vulgar, melodramatic plays with mechanical stage settings, but he also detested the trend of promoting actors. Hehehe.

He deliberately brought up Zhou Siyin's connection with the Hanxi Troupe. Outsiders might not know, but how could he not know that Zhou Siyin himself had suggested the cover?

Zhou Siyin: “............”

Zhou Ruojuan: "Hm? Baoduo, what do you think?"

Zhou Siyin: "...I don't know if they're free these next few days. I'll send someone to ask."

Zhou Ruojuan: '?'

The sentence sounded a bit familiar to Zhou Ruojuan. He thought Zhou Siyin was at a loss for words and gloated inwardly, "That would be great. It would also be a contribution to charity."

When Zou Muyun heard about Zhou Siyin promoting an actor, on one hand, he considered that Zhou Siyin was still young and might have a temporary fondness for amusement. On the other hand, he also knew that Zhou Ruojuan had likely pointed it out deliberately. Being used as a tool time and again like this, how could he be happy? So he said lightly, "We should also thank Yunzhi for his contribution to charity. I heard you pledged two thousand yuan today."

Zhou Ruojuan froze for a moment. He was about to say that he had clearly donated eight hundred, mainly just to annoy Zhou Siyin. But under the circumstances, how could he say that? He could only brace himself and accept it. "Hehe, hehehe, education is a major affair. I'm just doing my small part..."

His finances were tight recently due to investments. He felt a pang of pain in his heart and could only comfort himself, 'It's fine, it's fine. My film company will definitely make a huge profit!'

"Mr. Ji, our boss would like to invite you to a charity fundraising event. I was wondering if you have time..." Driver Hu said, standing before Ji Shuangyu.

The new play was set to premiere on the fifteenth of the first lunar month, and Ji Shuangyu was in the middle of intense rehearsals. He waved his hand, "I'm not going. I'm busy here. How can I be distracted from work?"

Driver Hu quickly said, "No, no, the boss said there's an opportunity to sell your calligraphy. He's inviting you to make some money."

Ji Shuangyu stood up. "I have always been enthusiastic about charity. This is my bounden duty." Besides, rehearsals were almost done. He would go make some money and come right back!

Xu Xinyue was also there, and he said sourly, "And here I thought it was some difficult dilemma."

Driver Hu: "Boss Xu, I also wanted to discuss with you borrowing some people from the Hanxi Troupe to assist with the performance. We will compensate you with three times their performance fee."

Because the Hanxi Troupe had a contract with the theater, if borrowing people affected his Changle Theater, they naturally had to be compensated.

Xu Xinyue said solemnly, "Public welfare is of utmost importance—how many do you need?"

Ji Shuangyu: "...Boss, you make your choices pretty quickly, don't you."

The troupe leader picked a few musicians, as well as the star performer, Ying Xiaonong, to go and assist with the performance. Ying Xiaonong wouldn't have to sing a full opera; a few arias would suffice. After all, it was a gala-like performance, and there was no time for a complete play.

The next day, playbills for the charity performance were posted. Ying Xiaonong's box-office appeal was currently at its peak, and sure enough, the audience swarmed in.

This made Ying Xiaonong sigh with emotion. His theater had been deserted for years. He never expected that by performing one play before the year's end, he would reach a height he had never achieved before.

With this in mind, Ying Xiaonong became even more amiable toward Ji Shuangyu, even letting him enter the door first.

Ji Shuangyu declined politely once before entering side-by-side with Ying Xiaonong. At a glance, he saw Zhou Siyin on the second floor, seemingly shimmering with the holy light of money. He waved and couldn't help but walk over.

Ying Xiaonong and the others had to go backstage to prepare. Later, he would go on stage to sing a painted-face role aria a cappella, and then sing a female-role aria in a cross-dressing performance to entertain the masses.

There were also opera fans in the audience who immediately recognized him. It was Boss Ying, and also that director who was on the cover of Movie and Drama World.

Sharp-eyed observers saw Ji Shuangyu greet Zhou Siyin and thought to themselves that Zhou Ruojuan hadn't been wrong after all. Zhou Siyin did know people from the Hanxi Troupe, and the two of them greeted each other quite openly.

Zhou Siyin, not at all like others imagined, didn't try to keep his distance from the people of Hanxi Troupe and even went forward to meet him.

Looking at that Ji Shuangyu, his steps were also hurried, as if he were rushing to a reunion.

"Happy New Year, and I wish you great fortune, Mr. Zhou." Ji Shuangyu thought Zhou Siyin was a really nice person for bringing him here to make money.

"Happy New Year." Zhou Siyin nodded and asked, "Do you know a Mr. Zou Muyun?"

Ji Shuangyu had never even heard of him. "Who?"

'Just as I expected.' Yesterday, Zou Muyun hadn't elaborated on their connection, but he guessed that neither of them knew the other's identity. He quietly explained the matter to Ji Shuangyu.

Ji Shuangyu thought back but really couldn't recall when he might have written something with a pen for some high official that would make him remember it. This person even said he'd searched all over Jingcheng for him, but he was right here at the Changle Theater, and had even shown his face in a magazine, yet no one had contacted him.

But, whatever. The most important thing was that there was money to be made today...

"So this is Mr. Ji? I've seen you on the cover of Movie and Drama World. My humble self is Zhou Ruojuan." Zhou Ruojuan walked over, acting overly familiar.

At first, he had actually been thinking more of Jin Que, since Jin Que was a female actress and it would be easier to pin blame on her, but upon seeing Ji Shuangyu, he immediately thought he was a good target too. This one would work!

Ji Shuangyu assumed he was just someone coming over to strike up a conversation and praise him. He was used to it. "That's me, thank you."

'He actually thanked me, how naively cute.' Zhou Ruojuan chuckled and said sarcastically to them, "Although I am Baoduo's uncle, I have truly never seen Baoduo associate with anyone from the theater world. Seeing you in person today, I finally understand why!"

Ji Shuangyu retorted without missing a beat, "Goodness, which uncle? The one who got scolded?"

Zhou Ruojuan: “...”

Damn it, this person is also good at being sarcastic.

Zhou Ruojuan: "That's not important. I'm saying you're quite good-looking, no wonder..."

Ji Shuangyu cut him off, "I already know that. Tell me something I don't know." For example, whether you, this uncle, are that uncle.

Zhou Siyin: "It's him."

Ji Shuangyu: "Ohhh—"

This matter had already died down for a while, but with him bringing it up, the gazes of the onlookers became odd again.

Zhou Ruojuan: “...”

...He must have been put up to this by Zhou Siyin, deliberately provoking him.

Zhou Ruojuan's face darkened. He decided to stop with the sarcasm and resorted to direct humiliation. "How dare you get carried away, you brat. You're only acting this way today because my nephew is here. A so-called director? You're nothing but an actor, a member of the lowest class. How long can your spring last!"

The status of actors had only recently improved. Although they were very popular among the masses, denigrating voices had not completely disappeared, as actors were once regarded as no better than wandering prostitutes and other lowly professions. This was especially true when the other party was just using it as an insult.

Zhou Siyin said coldly, "A person's worth is not determined by their profession or social class, but by their character and morals. If one wears the robes of an official but acts in a depraved manner, they are no better than an animal."

"Well said." Ji Shuangyu glanced at Zhou Siyin with admiration, thinking that this was more like the Young Master Zhou of the rumors. No wonder even Shu Wangyan couldn't believe he was timid.

Ji Shuangyu also said calmly, "I have no intention of denying it. I am indeed from the Pear Garden. I'm tone-deaf, otherwise I could even sing on stage. We're all living in a new society; only you are dead in the old era."

Most of those present were from the education sector. Many had already frowned, feeling that Zhou Ruojuan's words were a bit too much. Actors had indeed been looked down upon in the past, especially female actresses. Some scholars who cared about their reputation didn't even dare to associate with actors openly for fear of speculation.

However, a few years ago when disaster struck the country, it was the female actresses of the theater world who took the lead in organizing charity performances for disaster relief, gradually changing the public's impression. Even some celebrities and dignitaries would associate with famous actors.

Those present who were opera fans themselves felt it was even more inappropriate. Zhou Baoduo was right. Why was this Zhou Ruojuan lashing out randomly just to save face?

"Don't you pretend to be so moral either. Who knows what your relationship is, speaking up for him like this and even promoting that troupe, getting them on the cover of Movie and Drama World." Zhou Ruojuan didn't care what Zhou Siyin's relationship with him was; he was determined to drag him down, so they could both be gawked at together.

At this, the gazes of some onlookers indeed shifted from condemnation to darting back and forth between Zhou Siyin and Ji Shuangyu, their gossipy hearts stirred.

Eh? Hmm...

Just then, there was a faint stir at the top of the second-floor staircase. The teahouse owner was welcoming someone up.

Immediately, guests over there began to greet him, "Department Head Zou."

The area fell quiet for a moment.

Zou Muyun strode up the stairs, looking to be in a very good mood. "Was there some news being discussed here just now? I heard the commotion from downstairs."

Everyone tacitly looked at Zhou Ruojuan.

Zhou Ruojuan: “...”

Zhou Ruojuan's face flushed red. "My apologies. I was just getting to know Baoduo and this beloved theater personality of his." 'Come, come, let's all suffer together. No matter how well that Gourd Elder writes today, you won't be any happier than me.'

Zou Muyun had already walked closer in a few steps. Unobscured by the crowd, his gaze landed on Ji Shuangyu.

That face was too easy to recognize.

Moreover, when he was on the first floor, Yuangu had already told him that the young man had arrived, and also about Ji Shuangyu's profession, which the entire audience now knew. Yuangu was also very ashamed; he had been busy with affairs before the year's end and hadn't expected to overlook this cover figure, having sent people to search all the schools.

Ji Shuangyu also recognized Zou Muyun. Wasn't this the bearded uncle who had lent his pen at the Kunlun Library? He remembered the draft paper he had left behind and understood instantly.

The regret in Zou Muyun's heart was finally resolved. After hastily comforting his subordinate, he had rushed upstairs. Now, disregarding everything else, he quickly greeted Ji Shuangyu, clapping his hands and laughing, "Hold on, let me first catch up with Mr. Gourd—I've really been looking for you for a long time! Do you still remember me?

"It's truly a coincidence. Yuangu just told me, and only then did I learn why I had people searching all the major schools but couldn't find you. Fortunately, our fate is truly profound. Mr. Zhou Yunzhi also recommended you to come here. Even if Baoduo hadn't invited you, I imagine we would have met today!"

As he spoke, his smile grew more and more sincere, making one suspect he was doing it on purpose.

Zhou Ruojuan: '???'

Listening to this, Zhou Ruojuan's face turned from red to green. He looked at Ji Shuangyu in disbelief.

He had been utterly convinced that Zhou Siyin had invited two types of people: one from the theater, and the other a calligrapher, that Gourd Elder who had popped up from nowhere. Otherwise, how could he have spoken so maliciously and unscrupulously to Ji Shuangyu?

'He's called the Gourd Elder and his calligraphy is so accomplished, wouldn't he have to be at least forty-five?' he had thought.

And it turns out, you're the damn Gourd Elder??

He looked from him back to Zhou Siyin. 'An animal? Who's the real animal here??'

Ji Shuangyu also turned his head and looked at Zhou Ruojuan curiously, "You recommended me?"

Zhou Ruojuan: “............”

...Mother-gourding hell