Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 92 People are different
Upon hearing this voice, Chen Ye couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Because the visitor was none other than the notorious senior sister, Bai Xiaoyu.

Although Chen Ye also quite liked those two towering peaks, he would have to think carefully before getting involved.

Chen Ye wasn't some clueless blockhead, but if he were to get involved with his senior sister, he'd have to think it over carefully.

Putting aside how to explain things to Master Guan Sihai, the mere thought of constantly running into each other in class is enough to make things awkward.

Moreover, with his current appearance, finding a woman would be incredibly easy for him.

Thinking of this, Chen Ye turned over and pretended to be very tired, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister, but I'm really too tired today and have already gone to bed. You should rest early too."

Bai Xiaoyu, who was standing outside the door, was holding a steaming bowl of lotus seed soup when her smile froze.

She never dreamed that Chen Ye would refuse, and wouldn't even open the door.

Undeterred, she assumed Chen Ye was just shy, so she waited a while longer at the door. But there was no further sound from inside, as if he were truly asleep. She then stomped her foot in frustration and turned to leave.

Just as they rounded the corner, a figure darted out from the shadows—it was the young martial arts performer, Wei Junnan.

He looked at the soup bowl in Bai Xiaoyu's hand and grinned as he approached her: "Senior sister, your junior brother is ungrateful. I know how to be charming. Why don't you give me this midnight snack? I'm still hungry."

Bai Xiaoyu was already angry, and seeing his appearance only made her angrier.

"Get lost! If you want to eat, make it yourself!"

After saying that, she swayed her voluptuous waist and walked away without looking back.

As Wei Junnan watched her graceful back, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, and he spat fiercely on the ground.

"Damn it, she's just a whore, what's with all the virtuous and chaste women she's pretending to be!"

After this little incident, Bai Xiaoyu became much colder towards Chen Ye the next day, sometimes not even bothering to look at him properly.

Chen Ye just smiled at this and didn't take it to heart; on the contrary, he was happy to have some peace and quiet.

As night fell, the Lu Family Opera House was once again filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, marking the start of a lively performance.

Today, the distinguished guest invited by Master Lu is a very important figure in the Zhenhaiwei government office, Master Qi Shihao.

In the private room on the second floor, a quiet and pretty woman was also by Lu Jinghong's side.

It was none other than Master Qi's daughter, Qi Nana.

The two were best friends, having been very close since childhood.

At this moment, seeing Lu Jinghong intently staring at the stage, Qi Nana couldn't help but tease, "That's really strange. Don't you usually hate listening to this kind of 'ya-ya' stuff? What's gotten into you today?"

Lu Jinghong's cheeks flushed slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on the ground floor. She simply made up an excuse: "My father invited me, so I have to give him some face."

She herself didn't seem very confident in saying that.

Qi Nana had no idea. She had known Lu Jinghong for many years and knew his personality very well.

When did this girl learn to give people face?

Considering her unusual behavior of suddenly going to the opera, Qi Nana had a thought: Could it be... related to this opera troupe?

She followed Lu Jinghong's gaze with a puzzled look and looked downstairs, her eyes sweeping over the lively performances of the male, female, painted-face, old man, and clown characters on the stage, before finally fixing her gaze on the quiet boy standing to one side of the stage.

After seeing Chen Ye's appearance clearly, Qi Nana suddenly realized who he was.

So it turns out this little girl is just in the throes of first love.

But then, a sense of worry crept into her mind.

She knew Lu Jinghong too well. This girl had embraced Western learning, had progressive ideas, and had always been a person who dared to love and hate.

One is the daughter of a top-tier wealthy merchant in Zhenhaiwei, while the other is a lowly apprentice in an opera troupe.

This vast difference in their social status destined them to be unable to be together.

However, Qi Nana ultimately said nothing.

Because she knew that trying to persuade her would be futile.

Meanwhile, in the lobby downstairs, Lu, the wealthy man, was repeatedly thanking Qi Shihao beside him while holding a wine glass.

"Brother Qi, we really owe you a lot this time." Lu lowered his voice. "If it weren't for your help, this matter really wouldn't have been resolved."

"Old Lu, you're too kind. What kind of relationship do we have? Why would we need to talk about this?" Qi Shihao laughed and waved his hand. "It's all in the past now. After the body was dug up, the Taoist priest from the Tianhou Palace cleaned it up for you. After the three-day opera performance, you'll be cleansed with yang energy, and everything will be fine. You can put your mind at ease."

"Yes, yes." Lu nodded repeatedly, picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp before turning his gaze back to the stage.

Neither of them noticed that the Western-style crystal chandelier hanging above their heads flickered without warning.

At the very back of the theater stage, in an inconspicuous corner, is a statue that is said to be used to ward off evil spirits.

At that moment, the incense and candlelight in front of the statue flickered violently and almost went out.

At the same time, Chen Ye once again felt that cold aura, which was clearer than last night, but still elusive and uncertain.

Chen Ye glanced around calmly, his gaze sweeping over the busy senior brothers and sisters, the piled-up costumes and props, and even the beams and corners of the opera house.

No matter how carefully he investigated, the yin energy was like a rootless duckweed, and he couldn't find its source at all.

In the end, Chen Ye had no choice but to give up.

Perhaps it was just as I thought, that the wandering ghosts and spirits in the neighborhood were attracted by the lively opera and came to watch the spectacle.

And so, the second day's gathering finally ended amidst cheers and applause.

Just as everyone was packing up and preparing to go back to their rooms to rest, a well-dressed head maid led several old women over. These old women were carrying a large plate filled with various fresh fruits.

This is a rare find at the beginning of spring.

"Thank you all for your hard work, everyone. This is a gift from our young lady, to help you soothe your throats."

"Oh, thank you so much! Please give our regards to Miss Guan when you get back." Guan Sihai hurriedly stepped forward, his face beaming with smiles.

The entire opera troupe gathered around, all beaming with joy.

The maid put down the fruit plate and, while everyone was sharing the fruit, went straight to Chen Ye and magically produced a small fruit basket from behind her.

The fruit basket contained the largest and reddest strawberries, as well as freshly cut cantaloupes that still exuded a sweet aroma.

Then she handed the fruit basket to Chen Ye and whispered, "This is from my young lady. She said that she might have spoken a little harshly in the garden yesterday, and she wants you not to mind."

After saying that, the maid blushed and ran away before Chen Ye could react.

Chen Ye stood there for a moment, holding the fruit basket, before suddenly realizing what was going on.

It turns out that the feisty woman I met in the garden that day was indeed the eldest daughter of the Lu family.

Then, looking at the fruit in his hand and then at the departing maid's back, he couldn't help but feel a little amused and exasperated...

The maid ran all the way back to the private room on the second floor.

After the event ended, Qi Nana didn't leave but stayed, intending to linger at her good friend's place for a few more days.

The two were chatting when Lu Jinghong saw the maid return and immediately asked, "Did you deliver it?"

"Yes, it's been delivered," the maid nodded.

Lu Jinghong nodded in satisfaction, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips.

Qi Nana, pretending not to know, asked, "Who accepted it? Why are they being so mysterious about giving away a fruit platter?"

Lu Jinghong's face flushed, and she stammered, trying to find an excuse to explain: "No...it's nothing, it's just that I saw how hard they worked performing..."

Qi Nana sighed and interrupted her.

"Jinghong."

Her tone grew serious.

"I know you have a carefree personality, but you need to understand one thing."

People are different.

The atmosphere in the private room instantly fell silent.

Lu Jinghong's smile gradually faded, and after a moment of silence, she smiled again.

"I know."

"Do not worry."

(End of this chapter)