War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1869 The much anticipated unknown troupe

The day after Brother Liu sent the gift, Wei Ran, Sui Sui and several other girls took the high-speed rail to the airport in the capital Beijing South. After leaving the station, they once again met Chen Luoxiang who came to pick them up.

"Sorry to trouble you again," Wei Ran said apologetically.

"No trouble, not at all." Chen Luoxiang said quickly, "Brother, where did you get that school?"

"What's the matter?" Wei Ran asked curiously, and even Sui Sui subconsciously moved closer.

"Hey! You go and take a look later. I don't know what to say." Chen Luoxiang said, scratching his head.

Knowing that his cheap junior brother was not a good talker, Wei Ran did not make things difficult for him. He took the girls and followed him into a black Transit with the plastic film on the seats still on.

"Have you bought a car?" Wei Ran asked curiously to Sui Xin who was sitting in the passenger seat waiting.

"Do you believe me if I tell you that this car belongs to the school?" Chen Luoxiang said strangely.

"Brought by the school?" Sui Sui asked in surprise.

"Yes, and there are six of them."

Sui Xin, who was sitting in the passenger seat, pointed to her buttocks and said, "Especially this car, especially this seat, it seems to be a welfare seat specially modified for me."

“There are also three buses, which are also brand new.”

Chen Luoxiang said, "Brother, there is no need to invest so much money in something like this. It's such a waste."

“I didn’t do this.”

Wei Ran waved his hands quickly, but then he patted his forehead resignedly, "What else do you have to say? Tell me now."

"You will know the rest soon," Chen Luoxiang kept it a secret again.

"Don't look at me, I don't know what to say either." Sui Xin said quickly.

"That Brother Liu really likes listening to opera, doesn't he?" Sui Sui teased with a hint of meaning.

"Yes, I like it very much."

Wei Ran shook his head. He couldn’t even tell whether these were the work of Brother Liu or the “descendants” of “Mu Anzhi”.

But just like what the honest boy Chen Luoxiang said, this is such a waste. Their troupe doesn't even have a single stroke of the pen, let alone a brush.

Amidst various speculations about the school, Chen Luoxiang drove the car steadily out of the airport, but in less than 15 minutes, he stopped in front of a school.

This school is really not that big. An L-shaped four-story office building is the only main building. Apart from that, there is a yard with two basketball courts, a gatehouse guarding the gate, and several enclosed garages connected to the gatehouse.

It was not until Chen Luoxiang drove the car into the yard that Wei Ran and others finally understood why these two honest children kept it a secret.

They really didn't know how to describe it. In this yard, in addition to the several brand-new cars of different sizes that they had just revealed, there was also a container truck parked with its rear hatch facing the gate of the building.

At this time, workers who came from nowhere were busy moving things out of the container truck.

These things included sealed theater boxes, some large and small musical instrument boxes, various audio equipment, and even things he could name or not.

What made him particularly speechless was that these taciturn porters actually moved out a huge wooden sculpture of Guan Erye from the container!
They even took it upon themselves to place Guan Erye in the lobby on the first floor facing the main door!
"Early this morning, several cars delivered new desks and chairs, and even the computers were new."

As Chen Luoxiang spoke, he had already opened the car door. Sui Xin, who had also opened the car door, operated the remote control herself, slowly turning the seat to extend out of the car, and then slowly lowering it.

"Let's go down and take a look." Wei Ran and Sui Sui looked at each other, then pushed open the car door and got out.

After a while, a familiar face hurried out of the busy office building.

"Brother Yang?" Wei Ran recognized the other person at a glance. This was the person next to Jiaya.

"Hello, Mr. Wei," Brother Yang greeted politely.

"What's going on?" Wei Ran asked, pointing at everything around him.

"These?"

Brother Yang smiled and said, "These costume boxes were entrusted by Mr. Zhang Mingxiang and we brought them along. They are all old items from the Mingxiang Opera Troupe back then."

"That one too?" Wei Ran pointed at Guan Erye who was reading the Spring and Autumn Annals at night in the hall on the first floor.

"That's a gift from our boss to you for the opening of your drama troupe," Brother Yang explained in a friendly manner.

"Your boss?" Wei Ran looked at the other party suspiciously.

He clearly remembered that Miss Jiaya said that she felt she was too dangerous, so she did not intend to let herself come into contact with her boss.

"To be honest, Mr. Wei, our boss is also a senior fan of opera. He is eagerly waiting for your troupe to be ready so that he can invite you to perform in the theater."

Brother Yang explained seriously, but at the same time he added in his mind, "I'm not a veteran, I've been liking opera for three days."

"These cars"

"These are little gifts that Miss Jiaya's friends asked us to buy for her," Brother Yang explained with a smile.

Wei Ran said politely without any hesitation, "Then please trouble Brother Yang and Miss Jiaya to express my gratitude to your boss and Miss Jiaya's friends on my behalf."

"should"

Brother Yang responded with a smile, "Mr. Wei, does this drama troupe have a name yet?"

"return"

"Yes"

But Sui Sui took the initiative to speak at this time, "Wuming, let's just call it Wuming, Wuming Theater."

"When was this name chosen?" Wei Ran asked curiously.

"Last night," Sui Sui said proudly, "I dreamed about it."

Wei Ran smiled and said, "Then let's call him Wuming."

"The Wuming Troupe is divided into three groups, namely the Canhua Group, the Lihua Group and the Mingxiang Group."

Sui Sui took the initiative to introduce, "They are responsible for Peking Opera, Henan Opera and Yue Opera respectively."

"Nameless. The nameless has a name, and the name is Nameless. Miss Sui Sui gave this troupe a good name."

Brother Yang praised it, and at the same time took the initiative to lead Wei Ran, Sui Sui and others into this extremely busy office building and took them on a tour.

"Brother Yang, do you know the origin of this school?"

After Wei Ran followed the other party around the open hall on the first floor, he asked while visiting the two equally open oversized classrooms on the left and right sides.

At this time, there is ample space on both sides that can be used as indoor basketball courts, and the floors are being laid, and the walls on both sides are also being installed with spliced ​​wall mirrors.

“This used to be a technical school.”

Brother Yang seemed to not understand Wei Ran's question and answered, "It is said that these two classrooms were used to teach auto repair and lathe respectively, and later they were rented out as offices."

"Brother Yang knows what I want to ask," Wei Ran simply said it more bluntly.

"I do not know then"

Brother Yang replied apologetically, "We workers just do what Miss Jiaya tells us to do."

Your lies are too amateurish.
Wei Ran shook his head and was too lazy to continue asking questions. He followed the other party into the elevator and went to the second floor.

The left half of the second floor consists of several normal classrooms and toilets, while on the right is a small auditorium with stairs leading to the third floor.

At this time, renovation work such as laying new carpets was also being carried out on the not-so-small stage.

Passing through the highest door of the small auditorium, you come to the third floor. The remaining half here is all classrooms like the second floor.

“The upper floor is the dormitory.”

Brother Yang did not lead them to continue walking up, "Now the workers are arranging furniture in the dormitory. It's very messy."

"In this case, we won't go up." Wei Ran suppressed his curiosity.

What he was curious about was naturally not the dormitory upstairs, but who was really fanning the flames, Brother Liu, or the boss behind Brother Yang, or perhaps, those people hiding in the dark?
No matter who it is, perhaps this unknown theater troupe that Sui Sui accidentally wanted to create is a wish for them.
While he was daydreaming, Brother Yang led them to another part of the L-shaped building.

From top to bottom, there are basically single dormitories and offices here. There is even a canteen of moderate size on the first floor. At this time, the tables, chairs and even kitchen equipment in the canteen are being updated.

After leading Wei Ran and the others to complete the tour, the container truck at the entrance of the first floor had just finished unloading. Brother Yang also said politely, "Mr. Wei, all the things have been delivered. We have to rush back, so we won't stay for long. See you later."

"There will be a period later"

Wei Ran shook hands with the other party politely and watched him lead those taciturn but efficient workers into a minibus parked at the door, and then left the school where workers were still busy with work along with the empty container truck.

"Brother, now you know why I kept you in suspense."

Chen Luoxiang, who had not dared to speak until the two cars drove out of the school gate, spoke with relief.

“There’s really no explanation.”

Wei Ran was about to say something when an off-road vehicle drove into the school almost right before him.

Just seeing the outdated off-road vehicle, a smile appeared on Wei Ran's face. The person who could explain it had arrived.

"Get in the car with me," Qin II parked the car in front of the office building and called out, "Your Majesty, can you lend me your servant?"

"Take it," Sui Sui waved her hand with a smile.

"Send it back to Her Majesty the Queen when you are done with it."

Qin II made a final joke, and after Wei Ran got into the car, he immediately stepped on the accelerator and left the school amid the roar of the engine.

"How long have you been waiting outside?" Wei Ran asked while passing a cigarette to the other person.

"Don't smoke in this car," Qin II rarely expressed his refusal.

Wei Ran smiled and happily put away his cigarette. The other party then replied, "I arrived when your junior brother went to pick you up. I have been waiting at the corner."

"You are here to make some explanations, right?" Wei Ran asked confidently.

"doesn't count"

Qin II replied nonchalantly, "But you can tell me what you want to know. I might be able to tell you."

"Tell me why you are here first," Wei Ran said.

“Come here to express gratitude”

Qin Er Shi was not a man who would hide anything. "The last time you burned a penny was one thing, the exhibition hall you asked the pig-eaters to pull me to Hankou was one thing, and this time Mr. Zhang Taichuan is another thing.

Wei University scholars have helped me year after year."

"Stop!"

Wei Ran interrupted the other person with a look of disgust, "What do you mean by sticking to you and pulling you around? Why does it sound so disgusting?"

"Your uncle"

Qin II also realized belatedly that this statement was indeed a bit disgusting, so he simply skipped the first part and said, "It doesn't matter if it's sticky or not, I have to show my appreciation anyway."

"Forget about the expression," Wei Ran said, "I estimate that your expression is probably another three-way trick."

"That can't be done"

As Qin II said this, he had already pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the engine, and then opened the car door.

Seeing this, Wei Ran also pushed open the car door and left the carriage. He squatted on the curb with Qin Ershi in an ungraceful manner, and took a cigarette handed to him and lit it.

"I asked my grandfather to help you find a few retired masters from the drama troupe."

Qin II said with a puff of smoke, "Even if these people can't be said to be highly respected, at least they have some influence in the circle."

Seeing Wei Ran nod, Qin II continued, "These people may not come every day, but every now and then, they will definitely take turns to come over to check in and give some advice.

With them as a threat, your makeshift troupe, which is obviously composed of fools but rich people, will not disband. "

“Thank you very much”

Wei Ran took a long puff of his cigarette and asked as a matter of course, "Have you found the other management members?"

"about there"

Qin II replied as if it was a matter of course, "I have recruited several experienced veterans for you. In addition, I have also recruited the youngest son of Mr. Zhao Fengyou for you.

He originally took on the work of his family's opera troupe, and although they were all performances in villages and towns, he was familiar with the business and could help out to some extent."

"What else?" Wei Ran continued to ask.

"Do you remember the tour guide named Wanqiu?" Qin II asked casually.

"I remember that she was the one who received us when we went to Palau." Wei Ran nodded.

"If you agree, I will ask my aunt to come over to help in the next two days. With her around, the troupe will have less trouble when it leaves." Qin II said bluntly.

"It seems I owe you that little one again"

“It’s not like I owe her a favor.”

Qin II waved his hand and said, "She is just repaying a favor for her boss. It's fine as long as you don't worry that she is trying to sabotage you."

"I wish you all would add some sand"

Wei Ran smiled and casually asked a question, "Who is Yang's boss?"

"A rough fellow," Qin II replied nonchalantly.

However, perhaps he himself felt that this answer was too perfunctory, so he added in the same tone, "In terms of seniority, my anti-human aunt can barely be considered his cousin."

"Oh--"

Wei Ran suddenly realized what was going on and also realized that Qin II had been frank enough and that he could not continue asking questions on this topic.

"What about this school?" Wei Ran changed the subject. He had to change the subject at this time.

"This school?"

Qin II thought for a moment and explained nonchalantly, "There's nothing special about the school. It just closed down due to poor management.

You can think of it as a local effort to promote traditional culture, attract investment, create jobs, or provide preferential policies for the disabled. In short, you can interpret it however you want."

"You are the disabled one." Wei Ran shook his head helplessly, "You are not telling the truth either, are you?"

"The compensation given to you is also compensation to those people."

Qin Er Shi flicked away his cigarette butt and said, "This is what Brother Liu said casually at the beginning, I don't know the details.

I knew that there seemed to be a lot of people who wanted to see your queen put together this troupe."

"really."

Wei Ran already had the answer in his mind, and he knew that he couldn't continue asking questions on this topic. If he continued asking, Qin II would really not know.

Wei Ran also flicked away his cigarette butt and stood up. Qin II also asked, "Okay, I have asked what I should ask and answered what I should answer. I will send you back now. By the way, when are you going to Kazan?"

"In the next two days," Wei Ran said as he opened the car door, "What's the situation over there?"

"We'll go back to Hangzhou later."

Qin II said, "Let that devil cartoonist slowly draw his cartoons. I have to start thinking about filming."

"You are so anxious," Wei Ran said with a smile.

"That's not it"

Qin II said proudly, "Brother, I have seriously signed up for a crash course in directing. Please call me Director Qin from now on."

"Director Qin, I told you to brave the world."

Wei Ran taunted, "Besides, there is a quick course for this thing? How much did you pay for the quick course?"

"1500, just to teach you how to play the hidden rules"

"Six times?"

"You are just an idiot," Qin II, who was originally just joking, reacted quickly and scolded with a smile.

In between these few words, Qin II drove his SUV into the noisy school again. It was only at this time that he said, "Except for Miss Wanqiu, the rest of the people I found for you will arrive this afternoon. Some will come to help and some to interview. You will receive them yourselves when the time comes."

"So urgent?"

"If I were to go to Kazan to interview you two days later, would I?"

Qin II asked as a matter of course, "Besides, my car is temporarily parked here, so I occupy a garage."

After saying that, Qin Ershi had already skillfully driven the car to the door of a closed garage closest to the gate, and lowered the window with familiarity, took out a remote control and pressed it. Obviously, this guy had probably come here in advance.

Pushing the door and getting out of the car first, Wei Ran reported the afternoon's situation to Sui Sui, and then drove a brand new van, taking Qin Ershi and his own suitcase away from the school.

After sending Qin II to the airport first, Wei Ran drove non-stop straight to the northern suburbs of Beijing across the entire city. Enduring the severe pain all over his body, he put the aerial films and the original negatives of Lee Muller's photographic works into the cargo hold of the transport truck for storage.

While he was still circling the capital's outer ring road, the He girls, under the leadership and assistance of Aniya and Daofeng, finally got their long-awaited panda and carefully held it in their arms.

On the same afternoon, the legal team sent by Mr. Carlos, in the name of Ania, bought a huge Japanese-style garden far away in Ryukyu at a high enough price as the headquarters and registered address of He Girl.

By the time Wei Ran rushed back to the school and the flight that Qin II was on landed in Hangzhou, Jiaya had also listened to the report from Brother Yang who had rushed back.

"Wanqiu, you should return home now."

Jiaya said, "Just focus on your work over there and take good care of that nameless troupe."

"Yes"

Wanqiu nodded, turned around and left the office.

She knew clearly that she was not being ignored or excluded. On the contrary, she was a messenger, a messenger who brought the two sides together and established true friendship.