Chapter 1322

Translator: Legge Editor: Legge

In the evening.

Night had fallen.

At a theater, some performances were currently going on. It was the end of the year, and more and more of such performances were everywhere. The audience was mainly made up of the common folks, and entry fares were not expensive.

The car came to a stop.

Zhang Ye, Ha Qiqi, and Little Wang got out.

Ha Qiqi wondered, “What is this place?”

Zhang Ye laughed and said, “Little Wang, go buy three tickets.”

Little Wang complied and went to purchase the tickets.

The ticket booth’s window was already closed.

The employee saw her and said, “The performances began half an hour ago.”

Little Wang took out money. “Are there still any seats left?”

“Well, we do still have some seats,” the employee said.

Little Wang said, “Then please give me three tickets. It’s fine even if the performances have already begun.”

The employee hesitated for a moment. “Alright, as long as you guys don’t mind.”

With the tickets in hand, the three of them entered the theater.

This was one of Beijing’s largest theaters. However, to someone like Zhang Ye and those around him who were accustomed to seeing much bigger events, such a stage was still comparatively small. It was so small that even if anyone were to offer them free tickets, they wouldn’t have come.

In the back row.

The three of them found an isolated spot to sit.

There were many seats in the theater, but it was only half-filled.

Ha Qiqi asked, “Director Zhang, talents can even be found in a small place like this?”

Zhang Ye smiled. “Maybe.”

Little Wang asked doubtfully, “If it were anyone capable, they surely wouldn’t come here to perform, would they?”

Zhang Ye said, “That’s why we’ll have to review it first. I’ll only believe what my eyes tell me.”

Ha Qiqi and Little Wang said nothing else. They knew that Zhang Ye wouldn’t bring them here for no reason. He had to have someone in mind.

There was a lot happening onstage.

The audience members were chewing on melons seeds and shouting while watching.

Two-people rotation 1 .

Crosstalk.

Singing.

All kinds of performances were lined up.

The performances at such theaters usually wouldn’t last for very long. When Zhang Ye’s group arrived, half the performances had been co. The acts followed one after another. Soon, they arrived at the finale performance.

The performer came out onto the stage!

When this performer appeared, the entire audience became very lively.

“Gao Xiliang is here!”

“He’s here, he’s appeared!”

“Haha, I was waiting only to see him!”

“Show us something good!”

There were whistles!

And screams!

The audience was laughing heartily after waiting so long for this performance to begin.

On the stage was an actor dressed as a woman. Wearing a classical dance costume, he started dancing. He even recited a poem in a woman’s voice!

“The great Yangtze gushes east,

“Sweeping away heroes of times past.

“West of the ancient fort,

“They say, is Zhou Yu’s Red Cliffs of Three Kingdoms’ fame.

“Jagged rocks pierce the sky,

“Massive waves pound the shore,

“Churning up thousands of snowdrifts of foam.

“The land, pretty as a picture,

“Once the locale of countless a hero!”

It even ended with some light singing at the end.

This was Zhang Ye’s poem, but the melody was composed by the actor himself.

Little Wang was shocked. “Gao Xiliang?”

Ha Qiqi also knew him. “That cross-gender celebrity? I remember that he’s a D-list celebrity, but this man is a very controversial figure.”

Gao Xiliang. A domestic D-list celebrity. Such celebrities were a dime a dozen in the entertainment circle. There might not be a thousand of them, but there were definitely at least 3 to 500 of them. However, to the common folk, it was actually very worthwhile for them to come to such a theater to watch a small-time D-list celebrity perform. This was also the reason why the organizers had designated Gao Xiliang’s act as the final performance.

The audience watched as they chatted.

“He really looks like a woman.”

“Heh, he’s so androgynous.”

“This cross-gender act 2 is pretty boring.”

“Yeah, wouldn’t it be better to get a real woman to come here and dance?”

“Haha, I actually quite enjoyed it.”

“What do you think he stuffed in his chest?”

Some people were relished watching the act.

Some people were scornful of the performance.

Some people were constantly laughing.

Only Zhang Ye did not blink as he paid attention to the performance very seriously.

Every move and action.

Every frown and smile.

They were all exactly like how a woman would behave.

Even Zhang Ye was pretty shaken by it.

Little Wang suddenly said, “Isn’t he similar to Qian Pingfan from The Voice?”

Zhang Ye couldn’t help but shake his head. How could you people understand? How are they the same? Qian Pingfan only had a childish voice that sounded feminine. But from head to toe, there was no hint of cross-gender. But this man standing in front of them was the real thing! He was a true master at it!

I’ve finally found you!

…

The performance ended.

Backstage.

Gao Xiliang was removing his makeup.

His wife, Zhao Ke, who was also his agent, helped him pack his stage costume. She asked, “About the Beijing TV Spring Festival Gala, did you receive an answer yet? Did you get selected?”

Gao Xiliang stayed silent.

Zhao Ke asked, “You got rejected, didn’t you?”

Gao Xiliang answered her with a sigh.

Zhao Ke clenched her teeth. “Why don’t you try approaching Liaoning TV?”

Gao Xiliang answered evenly, “I’ve already done that, but there was no response from them.”

“Old Gao.” Zhao Ke looked at him heartbroken. “You’ve worked hard for so long and been scolded for as many years. Can you really continue down this path?”

Gao Xiliang pondered for a moment. “I don’t know.”

“Then you—”

“But this is what I love doing.”

“You’re saying that again. You love it, but who will love you? You’ve been learning the art for over a decade and started acting in cross-gender roles since you were young. You and your teacher have put in so much hard work, but look at what that resulted in. The audience still can’t accept it.” Zhao Ke’s eyes reddened. “Old Gao, why not—why not just forget it? I-I really can’t watch you getting scolded by others anymore!”

Gao Xiliang said with a sinking voice, “Ever since Teacher passed away, the only successor left is me. If I quit too, who will be responsible for handing down this art form? Little Ke, I cannot retire from this. Otherwise, this art form is finished!” He paused. “I’ll try again. I’ll try for Tianjin TV’s Spring Festival Gala.”

Zhao Ke said, “You already tried asking them last year, and the year before that!”

Gao Xiliang hesitated. “Perhaps it might work out this year.”

The door wasn’t closed and someone entered at this moment.

That person was wearing a pair of sunglasses. “You don’t need to go to the Tianjin TV Spring Festival Gala anymore.”

Gao Xiliang looked at him suspiciously. “You are?”

Zhao Ke also frowned and looked at him. “What are you implying?” She often complained about her husband too, but wouldn’t stand for anyone who looked down on him. “What do you mean by there’s no need to go to the Tianjin TV Spring Festival Gala anymore?” Are you saying that Old Gao is not good enough for them? Who do you think you are? We’re talking amongst ourselves here; what business is it of yours? Do you think we need you to give us advice?” she spoke fiercely.

Gao Xiliang stopped her and said, “Little Ke, what’s gotten into you?”

Zhao Ke said angrily, “This man is crazy. He’s too nosy!”

Zhang Ye got showered with scolding and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He adjusted his wording and said, “I was saying, there’s no need to go to the Tianjin TV Spring Festival Gala anymore.” He looked at Gao Xiliang. “Would you like to try for the Central TV Spring Festival Gala instead?”

Gao Xiliang was startled!

Zhao Ke was stunned!

Central TV’s Spring Festival Gala?

Who are you?

Who do you think you are?

Zhang Ye removed his sunglasses.

Zhao Ke instantly let out a scream!

Gao Xiliang shot out of his seat. “Director, Director Zhang?!”

Both of them were dumbfounded!

Tongue-tied and slack-jawed!

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “So do you want to come on the Central TV Spring Festival Gala?”

Gao Xiliang shouted at once, “I do! I do!”

Zhang Ye nodded. “Alright then, come look for me at Central TV tomorrow. I have an act to give you.”

Zhang Ye turned and left.

Gao Xiliang stood in the same spot in surprise, unable to move!

Zhao Ke covered her mouth in shock, then kneeled down and started crying!

Heavens!

The Spring Festival Gala!

The day that Old Gao had been waiting for had finally arrived!

It had finally arrived!