Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

The afternoon rehearsal was no longer about large-scale movement, but rather about refining the details of the scene.

Zhang Qilin was called aside by Feng Yuanzheng and given a piece of paper:

"These are brief biographies of the tea guests for tomorrow night's opening ceremony. Memorize them."

Zhang Qilin was taken aback. He didn't take the paper and even doubted whether he had heard correctly.

Why would a newcomer like him be the opening act for a classic play like "Teahouse"?

"Teacher Feng," Zhang Qilin asked somewhat uncertainly, "is it the seat towards the back in the group scene with the tea drinkers?"

"No," Feng Yuanzheng handed the paper forward half a step, "It's the opening scene, one of the first tea drinkers to appear. You have a few specific reaction points and a transition scene that requires you to get up in time with the protagonist."

After listening to Feng Yuanzheng's words, he finally understood why the divination he had received the night before emphasized avoiding mistakes and why the successful performance had brought such a large reward.

As a newcomer, playing a minor role at a major event is incredibly stressful, no matter how strong his mental fortitude is.

Seeing the paper in Feng Yuanzheng's hand, Zhang Qilin still took it.

He unfolded the handwritten stage notes:

"From the third side of the stage, to table X, where to place the teacup when sitting down, when to scan the entire audience, and how to react to each line of dialogue..."

Feng Yuanzheng confessed:

"Memorize the contents, and after everyone disperses, a few of us will help you go over the details."

Zhang Qilin nodded, took the paper, and went to the corner to memorize it carefully.

17:30

After the rehearsal ended, everyone left one after another.

Only a few lonely beams of light remained on the stage.

Zhang Qilin looked at the main actors in front of him, including Feng Yuanzheng, Yang Lixin, He Bing, Liang Guanhua, and Wu Gang, as well as director Lin Zhaohua standing in the audience, who was helping him with rehearsing his lines as an extra.

Such treatment would be virtually impossible in any film or television drama.

Ok……

Except for Jing Tian.

Zhang Qilin took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves.

"The opening of 'Teahouse' sets the tone for the entire play. The tea drinkers are not just scenery; they are people, living beings. Each of them has their own identity and their own story, they just don't say it out loud."

To ease Zhang Qilin's tension, Feng Yuanzheng patiently explained the importance of the opening to him.

"You might as well think of this teahouse as a small society," Yang Lixin said gently. "Everyone has their own worries, their own background. Why are you here today? Are you waiting for someone? Are you looking for some peace and quiet? Or have you heard some rumors?"

Zhang Qilin listened attentively to the two men, nodding repeatedly, trying his best to recreate the scene of that era in his mind.

Once Zhang Qilin felt everything was ready, Feng Yuanzheng clapped his hands:

"The curtain rises."

Zhang Qilin raised his hand and made a gesture as if to put down a teacup.

He Bing, who was standing next to him, suddenly spoke up:

"Lower your wrist by half a point, that's the bowl the delivery guy just poured for you, it's hot. You put it down quickly, but not by throwing it. Just a little weight on your wrist..."

He gestured:

"That's the correct meaning."

Zhang Qilin imitated the "sinking of the wrist" movement.

He originally thought it would be a simple task, but he didn't expect that just serving tea and putting it down would take him a long time to refine.

Several teachers patiently offered their advice:

"You're holding your teacup too carefully; that's not how someone who drinks tea every day holds it."

"When tea drinkers listen to someone speak, their ears will twitch, but their eyes won't wander."

"Your gaze is too unfocused this time. Hold on and take a look at that big bronze kettle on the counter first."

"If the movement of lifting the hem of his robe had been even slightly slower, it would have been a little weary."

"Tea bowl," Liang Guanhua demonstrated personally, "Your hand should be steady, and the bowl should make a sound when it hits the table, but not too loudly. That's your usual spot, and there's a proper way to make the sound when the bottom of the bowl hits the table."

Once the teacup's movements were nearly perfected, the next step was to reach the reaction point.

Liang Guanhua recited the famous opening line:

"Gentlemen, let's not discuss state affairs!"

When Zhang Qilin heard the words "national affairs," he would pause slightly with his teacup, raise his eyelids for a moment, exchange a very brief, tacit glance with his neighbor, and then lower his eyes and gently blow away the floating leaves.

"That pause wasn't surprise, it was wariness," Teacher Wu Gang reminded him. "Small people in chaotic times are used to hearing this kind of talk, so they instinctively shrink back."

"Eye contact must be quick, like a reflection on water, bright for a moment and then gone." Yang Lixin demonstrated a subtle expression.

Zhang Qilin practiced repeatedly.

In this process, it was as if he was no longer acting as a tea drinker, but truly living in that specific time and space.

The sounds of the marketplace outside the teahouse, the steam rising from the teahouse inside, and the whispers at the next table all become concrete in my imagination.

Offstage, Lin Zhaohua stood in the audience, watching the lead actors work on Zhang Qilin's lines.

"Aren't you afraid of doing all this for someone else's benefit?" a deep voice whispered in his ear.

Lin Zhaohua said calmly:

"I need good actors, but your acting team is lacking in talent. If I don't come myself, can you provide me with good actors?"

Park Cunxin remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to the stage.

After a long pause, he turned and left, leaving behind a single sentence:

"I hope you can cultivate actors who are confident of staying. As for Zhang Qilin, I have reservations."

Lin Zhaohua did not respond, as he fully understood Park Cunxin's position.

As the vice president of Beijing People's Art Theatre, Park Cunxin must consider the overall situation and allocate limited resources to those who can truly stay.

20:10

After Lin Zhaohua finished her announcement, Zhang Qilin bowed to thank the teachers for their help.

Watching Liang Guanhua and the other teachers leave, Zhang Qilin secretly breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his face.

Feng Yuanzheng, who was standing next to Zhang Qilin, smiled and said:

"Don't think it's troublesome. The stage is the reality built from details. The audience may not be able to explain why they feel it is right, but they can feel it physically. Just like when you watch a fake performance, you will feel uncomfortable all over."

"Teahouse is a staple of the Beijing People's Art Theatre's repertoire, and we can't let it fall apart in our hands."

Zhang Qilin nodded earnestly:

"Teacher, I understand."

Feng Yuanzheng continued:

"Your reaction yesterday was good, but you need to be careful. When you gave up your seat to that farmer, the movement was small, but the intention was too obvious. True giving is an unintentional and natural gesture. You need to make people feel that you just happened to turn to the side, rather than that I gave up my seat for you."

"Thank you, Teacher Feng," Zhang Qilin kept Feng Yuanzheng's words in mind.

……

On the afternoon of September 10.

The Capital Theatre was filled with a warm and festive atmosphere.

To commemorate the important milestone of the 600th performance of "Teahouse", the theater held a simple yet solemn celebration.

Veteran artists from the theater were all present.

Mr. Lan Tianye, dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, with his silver hair neatly combed, greeted everyone with the help of the young actors.

Teacher Zhu Xu was also in high spirits, shaking hands and chatting with the younger generation who gathered around him, occasionally letting out a hearty laugh, a laugh filled with the open-mindedness and clarity unique to his life on stage.

Standing there, they themselves are like living history, connecting the past and present of "Teahouse".

There were no lengthy speeches or elaborate decorations, only flowers and simple refreshments.

The current leaders of the theater and many actors of all ages who had participated in the performance of "Teahouse" gathered together to greet each other and take photos.

16:00

All the actors participating in the evening's performance began applying makeup.

It's a long-standing tradition at the Beijing People's Art Theatre that no matter how much fame or recognition one has outside, everyone has to do their own makeup backstage.

Zhang Qilin and the other interns took turns applying makeup in front of the mirror in the public makeup area.

After putting on his makeup, he sat alone in a corner, trying his best to adjust his emotions.