Chapter 24 Part 2

Ji Shuangyu said profoundly, "My next work is a realistic-style new drama. So, you'll follow me in practicing realism for a while, and then we'll do Xieyi later."

The disciples: ".........."

Practice... what?

We came here to learn Xieyi, and you, old sir, turn around and decide to play with new drama?

Or perhaps they should ask: You can also direct new drama??

The oldest disciple was old enough to be Ji Shuangyu's father. He was in his forties, a former advertisement painter named Chen Zhongxiang. He said with a bewildered expression, "Master, does realism even need to be taught?"

They were all veterans!

Chen Zhongxiang hesitated, a thought disrespectful to his master in his mind: 'When it comes to the realistic style, we're more qualified to teach you...'

They hadn't received professional training, but they were either former craftsmen or had a foundation in Western or traditional painting. By learning realistic set design and accumulating experience over time, these head set designers from major troupes could basically paint anything to look like the real thing.

Although, they might not be as good as the set designers in Hushang—everyone still held a sense of reverence for the mechanical sets of Hushang.

Wasn't it precisely because Ji Shuangyu had shattered this reverence that they wanted to seek him out?

And the result was...?

Ji Shuangyu could see the doubt in their eyes and knew he had to show them what he was made of. You could debate with students, but with artisans, it was much simpler: prove it with your skills.

Ji Shuangyu said, "There's no harm in having too many skills. First, I'll teach you how to paint a wall."

He knew that Xieyi and realism weren't in conflict, just as opera stages referenced scenery; it all depended on how the designer integrated them.

But not everyone had his forward-thinking vision. Even Liu Liang began to scratch his head, unsure whether he should support his master.

Master, who doesn't know how to paint a wall? So many new and old drama troupes have backdrops with buildings. How could a set designer not know how to paint such a common sight?

The facts proved that, compared to Ji Shuangyu, they really didn't know how!

Ji Shuangyu's method was completely different from what they had imagined. After sketching the outlines, he directly used materials like chaff, glue, and paper pulp to apply color, plastering it onto the backdrop.

At first, no one understood. But after he scraped and molded it into shape, the six of them exclaimed in unison, "A tiger-skin wall?!"

It was a wall, a mottled and irregular tiger-skin wall.

Next, Ji Shuangyu created several other "walls": a broken wall, a broken wall stained with smoke, a cement wall... Compared to the backdrops they painted, this wasn't just realistic in form; it completely captured the texture of a wall!

They had never seen such a painting method before. Perhaps even the set designers in Hushang had never learned it... No, forget the set designers in Hushang, you might not even see this abroad, right?

In terms of realism, Ji Shuangyu's technique was clearly superior.

But how could this be?

Ji Shuangyu's oldest disciple murmured, "Truly a fantastic idea. I never thought that realism could also create the very nature of an object..."

He had thought he had learned all there was to realism, never imagining there was always a higher mountain.

The way they looked at Ji Shuangyu now was incredible. With such skills, why did Master start with Xieyi sets?

No, that's not right. He defeated realistic sets with Xieyi sets!

Could it be that in his heart, Xieyi was stronger than realism...

The more the disciples thought, the more horrified they became, their previous ideas completely overturned.

Ji Shuangyu clapped his hands and put down his tools. "Correct, the nature of an object, also called texture. There are many ways to create texture in sets to make them more realistic. I've heard jokes about some stages where tables, chairs, and all furniture were painted on the backdrop, and they had to tear the backdrop to open a door.

"The realism I speak of not only has realistic texture but also constitutes a real space that can help actors complete their performance. Now, do you want to learn realism, or Xieyi?"

The six of them were almost dumbfounded. Chen Zhongxiang's mind went blank, and he almost wanted to shout that of course, he wanted to learn realism!

Xieyi still needed to expand its market. But with this realism skill, even if they went to Hushang, they could immediately shine, live in Western-style houses, and drive cars—he couldn't figure out why his master hadn't gone to Hushang to be a set designer.

Liu Liang, however, was the first to shout, "We'll learn whatever you teach! You are the master! I think both are good, both can defeat Jiang Sihai!"

Chen Zhongxiang instantly came to his senses. Right, he had almost lost his head. What was there to choose? Whichever it was, it was a livelihood for a lifetime.

Ji Shuangyu smiled with satisfaction. "That's right, both are good. In the future, you will know that I teach two styles, but they can also merge into one."

......

When quitting time came, the six disciples still wanted to flock around Ji Shuangyu and escort him home. Although Ji Shuangyu hadn't let them kowtow, these tradition-bound artisans still treated him with the deference due to an elder...

Especially after witnessing his skill.

"Alright, no need to see me off. I have a ride." Ji Shuangyu really didn't want to be supported. What a joke, Chen Zhongxiang already had white hair at his temples. He pointed to Zhou Siyin, who had arrived at some point and was waiting outside the door. "He has a car."

Under the reluctant gazes of his disciples, Ji Shuangyu left with Zhou Siyin, skillfully opening the car door himself and getting in. "Let me see!"

Zhou Siyin handed him a brand-new copybook.

Today was the official release date of Ji Shuangyu's penmanship copybook. This "Ji Shuangyu's Penmanship Copybook" was about to be sent by train to all parts of the country. Zhou Siyin had shown him a sample before, but this one was bound and had a cover.

Ji Shuangyu flipped through it a few times. The paper quality was excellent, and the printing was clear. Aside from a slightly dated feel in the binding design, it was basically no different from the copybooks of later generations.

"What about your new play? How is it progressing?" Zhou Siyin asked.

"Hahaha..." Ji Shuangyu laughed.

Seeing this smile, Zhou Siyin had a strange feeling. "...What is it."

Ji Shuangyu: "I was just about to tell you. The script has been decided—a drama of rich family feuds. I'm thinking about the art design. Could I visit your home for inspiration and see how a wealthy family's house is decorated?"

Zhou Siyin: "..."

He really wanted to go to his house...

Zhou Siyin was silent for a moment. "When?"

"No time like the present. How about today!" Ji Shuangyu shook Zhou Siyin's hand again. "Brother Baoduo, you're too kind."

Zhou Siyin was speechless, feeling that being called kind was a form of mockery. Looking at Ji Shuangyu's innocent face, he felt that he was indeed a very lovely yet very vexing existence.

With his hand being held again, Zhou Siyin felt how cold it was, and for some reason, he recalled what he had overheard at Changle Theater just now, when Ji Shuangyu was teaching those set designers how to create the "texture" of objects.

If it was the texture of this hand, it would be extremely difficult to replicate realistically.

Unless...

"Cold jade," Zhou Siyin murmured unconsciously.

"What?" Ji Shuangyu didn't hear clearly.

"Nothing. When you arrive at my house, you can look around anywhere, but there is one thing you must pay attention to." Zhou Siyin came back to his senses and instructed him.

"Okay, okay, you tell me." Ji Shuangyu thought to himself that this was going to be an eye-opener. These kinds of wealthy and prestigious families usually had the most rules, and maybe there were even some secrets hidden behind them. He looked at Zhou Siyin seriously.

Zhou Siyin also met his gaze and said carefully, word by word, "In my residence, there is a newly invited statue of Guanyin. It is very efficacious. If you offer incense, you must not face the wrong direction!"

Ji Shuangyu: ".........."

Author has something to say:

Ji Shuangyu: My friend, you are truly so young and promising at acting mysterious!