After being dumped by the diva, I was picked up by her arch-enemy.

Chen Hao was trembling with excitement: "Brother Jiang, that's amazing! Absolutely incredible! If this were edited together, it would be absolutely awesome!"

Jiang Yichen patted the dust off his clothes.

"Alright, stop bragging. Hurry up with the post-production editing and special effects."

"Leave it to me!" Chen Hao patted his chest and guaranteed, "I went back to school overnight and got my buddies working like crazy. The finished film will be in your hands in a week at most!"

Filming for "enemy" wrapped up in less than a week.

Chen Hao and a few classmates hurriedly left, carrying their equipment.

Jiang Yichen took Meng Lingyu back to Nancheng Hutong by taxi.

As soon as I reached the entrance of the alley where the Qilin Opera House was located, I heard a commotion coming from the courtyard.

Push open the vermilion gate.

There were more than twenty people standing in the spacious courtyard.

All the faces were unfamiliar, yet somehow somewhat familiar.

Tan Yunxiao stood on the steps, holding an enamel mug in his hand, his dark red face full of struggle.

"Senior Brother, we used to be brothers who shared everything. Now that the opera troupe is doing well, you can't just watch your brothers starve, can you?"

A gaunt man, as thin as a monkey, approached Tan Yunxiao with a fawning smile plastered on his face.

This man is called Ma San. He used to play clown roles in the opera troupe.

"Yes, eldest brother. We're just extras out there, and we don't even have a proper place to live. We heard that the third brother came back and made the opera troupe very successful, so we thought we'd come back and continue working with the troupe."

Another person chimed in, making themselves sound incredibly pitiful.

Tan Yunxiao sighed and scratched his head.

"I understand how everyone feels. But the third-in-command of this opera troupe is in charge now, so my word doesn't count."

Ma San curled his lip, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"What third leader? Isn't Jiang Yichen also Master's disciple? Does he think that just because he's successful, he'll disown his poor fellow disciples?"

Ma San got more and more excited as he spoke, pulling over a grand chair and sitting down casually. "We're all fellow disciples, does he really think he can kick us out?"

"Who said we were going to kick you out?" A clear, cold voice came from the courtyard gate.

The courtyard fell silent instantly.

Everyone, including the arrogant Ma San, turned their heads in unison.

Jiang Yichen, hands in his pockets, stepped over the threshold and walked in unhurriedly. Meng Lingyu followed behind him, peeking out her small head to observe the group.

When Ma San saw Jiang Yichen, he immediately put on a fawning smile, but he didn't leave the armchair.

"Oh my, Senior Brother Jiang is back! This big star really has a different kind of air about him."

Jiang Yichen walked to the center of the courtyard and glanced at the group of people.

The original owner's memories surged up.

These people were all former members of the opera troupe. The eldest brother had mentioned to him in his spare time how these people left one by one.

The current scene suggests that the recent success of the theater has made these people want to return.

Jiang Yichen could understand, after all, everyone needs to make a living. It was a normal choice for them to leave when the theater troupe couldn't continue operating.

But this Ma San.

He used to be the fastest runner, and now he's back with such a self-righteous attitude, as if someone owes him something.

People like that are unacceptable.

Jiang Yichen sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.

At this moment, Tan Yunxiao walked down the steps and came to Jiang Yichen's side, lowering his voice.

"Third brother, what do you think we should do about this? They're all our former fellow disciples; it wouldn't look good to drive them all away."

Jiang Yichen nodded, patted his shoulder, and told him to relax.

The theater is packed every day, and the dozen or so people who stay behind simply can't keep up.

Moreover, Jiang Yichen plans to open branch offices and is short of manpower.

Most of these people are just forced into this situation by life's circumstances; they can still be used if given some tinkering.

However, we can't let a bad apple like Ma San spoil the whole bunch.

Jiang Yichen walked straight up to Ma San, suddenly raised his right foot, and kicked the leg of the armchair hard.

boom!

The solid wood chair shook violently, and Ma San was caught off guard, tumbling off the chair and landing sprawled on the blue brick floor.

"Ouch, damn it!" Ma San cried out, clutching his waist.

Everyone in the courtyard was startled and took two steps back.

Jiang Yichen looked down at Ma San on the ground with a cold gaze.

"You think you're worthy to sit in this chair?"

Ma San struggled to his feet, his face flushed red, and pointed at Jiang Yichen's nose, cursing loudly.

"Jiang Yichen! Don't be so arrogant! Our master is watching from heaven, is this how you treat your fellow disciples?"

"Fellow disciples?"

Jiang Yichen let out a cold laugh.

"You stole two sets of costumes from backstage and ran off to Hengdian to work as an extra before your master's seven-day mourning period was over. You dare to mention the word 'fellow disciple'?"

Ma San's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his lips trembled as he was unable to speak.

Jiang Yichen turned around and glanced at the more than twenty people in the courtyard.

"If any of my fellow disciples wish to return, I, Jiang Yichen, on behalf of the Qilin Opera Troupe, welcome them."

"But the rules must be established in advance."

He pointed to the fellow apprentices who remained on the steps.

"During the most difficult time for the opera troupe, it was the eldest brother who led these dozen or so brothers to get through it all. They stayed behind to eat steamed buns, while you all packed your bags and left."

Jiang Yichen's tone left no room for argument.

"Therefore, those who stayed before will receive a base salary of eight thousand, and will receive a share of the theater company's total revenue each month."

The eyes of the remaining fellow apprentices lit up, and Tan Yunxiao was so excited that he rubbed his hands together vigorously.

Jiang Yichen turned to look at the people who had just returned.

"As for those who are returning, the base salary is four thousand, with no profit sharing. They only receive an appearance fee for each performance."

Ma San clutched his waist and immediately started shouting loudly.

"Why?! We're all from the same sect, why do they get eight thousand plus a share of the profits, while we only get four thousand? This isn't fair!"

"Yeah, that's so unfair!"

"We earn more than this even just doing bit parts on the streets!"

Several people joined Ma San in making a fuss, their faces full of resentment.

Jiang Yichen looked at them, a smile curving his lips.

It's easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow.

"Those who shared hardships are now eating meat, and those who come back to join in the fun, being given a bowl of soup is already an act of consideration for our fellow disciples."

"If you feel wronged, you can leave now. The door is open, and we will not force you to stay."

Jiang Yichen pointed to the open vermilion gate.

"Ma San, weren't you doing pretty well in Hengdian? The door's over there, don't bother seeing me out."

Ma San gritted his teeth and turned to look at the others.

"Let's go! Let's go together! I refuse to believe we can't survive without Jiang Yichen!"

He strode towards the courtyard gate.

However, after taking a couple of steps, he realized that only the same few people who had just been making a scene with him were following behind him.

Ma San turned around, his face full of astonishment.

Most of the remaining people stood silently with their heads down.

They still don't want to give up the opera they've been learning since childhood.

Moreover, the Qilin Opera Troupe is incredibly popular right now. Even with a base salary of four thousand plus appearance fees, it adds up to quite a bit each month.

Ma San stood frozen in place, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Jiang Yichen gave him a cold look.

"Since you lot have no interest in opera and are only interested in opportunism, then the Qilin Opera Troupe doesn't welcome you. Goodbye, and don't bother seeing me off!"

Seeing this, Ma San and his companions were too ashamed to stay any longer and left angrily.

There are still more than ten fellow disciples left.

With the addition of these ten-odd people, the Qilin Opera Troupe's lineup instantly expanded to more than thirty people.

With more people, it becomes harder to manage the team.

Without delay, Jiang Yichen summoned everyone to the main room of the house.

A large meeting was held.

The main room was packed with people.

Jiang Yichen sat in the grand chair in the center.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and glanced at everyone present.

"Since everyone has stayed, I have a few things to say."

"The Qilin Opera Troupe of today is no longer the small opera troupe that relied on old patrons for its livelihood."

"Nowadays, traditional opera is, frankly speaking, a service industry."

Jiang Yichen put down his teacup.

"Since we're in the service industry, our first rule is attitude."

"The audience sitting below the stage are our bread and butter. Whether they understand opera or not, whether they came to listen to a song or to shoot a short video, it doesn't matter."

"Once you step through this door, you have to keep smiling."

"Get rid of that arrogant, condescending attitude of the old Peking Opera!"

Jiang Yichen's words were resounding, and his fellow disciples below nodded in agreement.

They have now witnessed the power of the internet and naturally understand the importance of the audience.

Jiang Yichen paused for a moment, then continued.

"The second rule, and the most important one."

"The theater troupe needs to be younger."

A senior student who had just returned raised his hand and asked cautiously.

"Junior Brother Jiang, how exactly do you call this 'youthful' approach? We're singing things passed down from our ancestors, how can that be youthful?"

Jiang Yichen glanced at him.

"The main act should be sung exactly as it's supposed to be; the rules cannot be broken. That's our foundation."

"But during the interludes outside of the main show, everyone can let loose and do their best."

Jiang Yichen stood up and walked to the middle of the crowd.

"Our theater troupe has over forty people now, and everyone has some kind of special skill."

"Face changing, fire breathing, bowl balancing, and spear fighting."

"Don't be so serious when you're transitioning between segments. You can interact with the audience and do some lighthearted fun."

"As long as it's not vulgar or illegal, whatever attracts attention is acceptable."

"I want every young person who comes here to find something they enjoy watching."

Everyone listened with shining eyes.

Especially those fellow apprentices who have just returned; they were previously out and about, and their greatest skill was creating a lively atmosphere.

Tan Yunxiao suddenly slapped his thigh.

"Third brother's idea is brilliant! Now, people in our theater troupe are filming videos with their phones and uploading them online every day."

"If everyone could show off a few skills during the interludes, wouldn't they become an internet sensation!"

Meng Lingyu also excitedly raised her hand.

"Third Senior Brother, can I perform breaking a boulder on my chest during my interludes?"

Jiang Yichen's lips twitched slightly.

"You're a female impersonator, what are you doing breaking big stones? Just go and perform your backbend and flower-picking routine."

A burst of laughter erupted in the main room.

The tense atmosphere instantly relaxed.

The slight disappointment felt by the returning fellow disciples vanished.

Working under a boss who is quick-witted and can keep things under control is a promising career path.

The conference has concluded.

Everyone dispersed and began rehearsing for tomorrow's program.

The courtyard has come back to life.