Don't call me a singing god, I just want to go back to doing scientific research.

He had no choice but to continue, "The stage performance of this song doesn't require high levels of dance skill, but it demands a great deal of expressiveness and charisma from the performer. Do you know anyone suitable in the company?"

Fan Yanan took the proposal and quickly began to read it, her eyes shining brighter with each reading.

After reading the general outline, she breathed a heavy sigh of relief. It wasn't difficult. Her face beamed with undisguised excitement: "Don't worry, this is easy. Leave it to us! I'll go arrange it right now!"

"Okay, thank you for your help, Manager Fan."

"No trouble at all!" Fan Yaya hurriedly instructed her assistant to serve tea, then strode out with the documents in her hand.

Ling Luo said to Manager Li, who was still standing to the side, "Brother Li, you can go ahead and do what you need to do. Don't worry about me."

Agent Li was feeling remorseful for her slip of the tongue earlier, but upon hearing this, she felt as if she had been granted a pardon, said goodbye, and slipped away.

Not long after, Fan Yanan led six people in—three men and three women—each with an upright posture and eyes filled with anticipation and nervousness.

"Mr. Luo, these six are the most stage-performing in our department. Do you think we should let them try now, or...?"

"Okay." Ling Luo nodded and distributed copies of the proposal to the group.

He looked at the six young and focused faces in front of him and spoke calmly.

"The story and character biographies are all included. You'll have half an hour to digest and understand them. Once you're ready, you can start immediately without waiting."

The first boy to go on stage chose a scene from his childhood as a puppeteer, when he first entered the Peking Opera world seeking a role.

The movements were precise, and the expressions were spot-on, but something always seemed to be missing, like a cup of lukewarm water that quenches thirst but has no flavor.

The second choice was a scene of middle-aged hesitation, but unfortunately, his eyes were too lively, and he failed to express the numbness and struggle that had been smoothed out by the years.

Ling Luo's fingertips unconsciously tapped lightly on the proposal, her expression unchanged, but she had already crossed out two names in her mind.

Until the third boy came on stage.

  

He remembered the boy; he had followed Fan Yanan in, head down, a hint of shyness he couldn't hide. Yet, he had chosen the most difficult scene—the puppeteer, in his twilight years, personally burning the puppets he loved so much.

There was no music, and not even any extra movements.

He simply bent down slowly, as if carrying the weight of a thousand years on his back.

Those eyes, which had been somewhat timid, became cloudy and empty the moment they were raised, filled with endless sorrow and deathly stillness.

He reached out, embracing something in the air, his fingers trembling as if caressing a rare treasure.

Then, he made a throwing motion, his eyes fixed on the illusory firelight.

From reluctance to resolute decision, and finally to utter despair and numbness.

The entire rehearsal room was completely silent.

This kid has potential.

The striking contrast caused Ling Luo to lean forward slightly, and her lightly tapping fingertips stopped.

"It's him." Ling Luo made up her mind.

It was even more difficult for the girls.

It sounds nice for a company to have a dance department, but there are very few stages where they actually need to perform.

Most of the time, in order to save costs, artists prefer to find cheaper students at dance academies.

These dancers, who have signed formal contracts, are earning meager, fixed wages and wasting their youth day after day in the practice room.

Now that an opportunity has finally come along, no one wants to let it slip by.

There was no choreography, only a story outline, and half an hour to prepare.

It requires both conceiving dance steps and conveying emotions, which is extremely difficult.

Ling Luo originally thought that as long as she could choose someone with a solid foundation, she could slowly work her way up later.

As a result, the three girls gave him a huge surprise.

They all chose the scene with the most intense emotional outburst in the entire play—the puppets performing their final, desperate dance in the fire.

The first girl's dance was poignant and beautiful, the second resolute, and the third danced out a new life amidst destruction.

Everyone has their own unique understanding, which vividly portrays that despair and brilliance.

When the dance ended, he came to his senses and stood up to applaud.

"Very good, everyone's performance was excellent."

The six people stood nervously in a row. When they heard the praise, smiles appeared on their faces. They looked at each other with encouragement.

Even if you don't get selected this time, leaving a good impression on the "closing curtain" teacher will give you a better chance in the future.

For a time, no one was jealous, and no one was dissatisfied.

Ling Luo's gaze swept over them. "You all have indeed given me a great surprise."

He looked at Fan Yanan: "This story only needs one man and one woman, so..."

Fan Yanan immediately chimed in, "Teacher Luo, please choose freely without any worries. Don't be discouraged if you're not chosen; there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Just go back and practice hard!"

"Yes, Manager!" the men replied in unison.

"Then the third boy, and..." Ling Luo's gaze lingered on the three girls for a moment before finally pointing to the third girl, "...this girl."

He looked at the shy boy and added, "By the way, you don't mind wearing old-age makeup, do you?"

The chosen boy was taken aback for a moment, then his cheeks flushed slightly, and he nodded vigorously: "I don't mind! Don't worry, teacher, we've worn all kinds of makeup on stage!"

"That's good."

After everyone else left, Ling Luo started talking to Fan Yanan about the payment.

The stage designers and actors didn't receive a share of the profits; they were paid per performance. These two weren't even considered minor celebrities; their market price was between five thousand and fifteen thousand per stage.

Ling Luo didn't haggle; she directly transferred 30,000 yuan to the company account at the highest price.

After signing the contract and agreeing to start rehearsals the next day, Ling Luo prepared to leave.

Fan Yanan personally escorted him to the elevator. As the elevator doors slowly closed, her capable and strong-woman aura vanished instantly.

She excitedly covered her mouth, leaned against the wall, quickly took out her phone, and opened the fan group.

Nan Nan loves desserts: "Ahhh! Family! I witnessed the end of the story! He spent 30,000 yuan on Yangyang without even blinking an eye!"

The message caused an immediate uproar in the group chat.

"What! Sister Nan Nan, you saw Sister Luo Mu? What did she buy for Yang Yang?"

"Thirty thousand yuan! Rich lady, I'm starving, time for food!"

"I bet five cents that Sister Luomu is definitely a cool and sassy mature woman! Otherwise, how could she keep our silly son in check!"

"I bet a dollar it's Sweetie! Sweetie and Yangyang, double the cuteness, they're so adorable!"

Looking at the screen full of "Sisters Who Have Fallen," Fan Yanan's lips twitched.

We're doomed.

The curtain fell... and it was a man.

Can I talk about this shocking revelation? Will I be silenced if I do?

She, Fan Yanan, is the only female fan leader on the entire internet who knows the true gender of the character Luo Mu!

Ahhh, I have no regrets in this life! She stomped her feet excitedly on the spot.

……

Ling Luo knew nothing about this.

As soon as he got home, he smelled a strong burnt smell.