When Spring Burns - Chapter 10

After confirming the costume and headdress were in order, Sheng Tingmian carried the box downstairs, got into the He family’s car, and returned to the He residence once again.

In the dressing room, Sheng Tingmian applied her makeup alongside the other female dan performers.

With the reopening of Changyuan Theater, Fang Hanyu and a few other close friends among the dan performers had gone to visit and learned that she was a member of the Liqing Troupe, which had successfully secured investment from Miss He. Not only were the costumes and props all replaced with new ones, but it was also said that they would soon be touring various provincial and municipal cultural events.

This left them utterly envious.

“Xiao Mian, how did you persuade Miss He to invest in your aunt’s troupe? Teach us, won’t you?”

Several of them gathered around Sheng Tingmian’s dressing table.

Holding a makeup brush, Sheng Tingmian looked at her older sisters and said, “…I just went up to her and said I hoped Sister He would invest.”

Fang Hanyu rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Sister He… so you have to be that sweet-tongued, huh?”

“I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” Sheng Tingmian’s ears flushed red as she turned back to the mirror to continue applying her makeup.

“Hanyu, you have to admit, calling her ‘Sister He’ over and over, so sweetly, might have actually convinced her.”

“Miss He has always been generous. Every time we perform at the He residence, she gives out rewards. And Xiao Mian is so pretty and adorable, how could Miss He not like her?”

“Exactly. I heard they’ll soon be touring provincial and municipal cultural events. Their connections are truly impressive.”

“With Miss He’s connections, a small investment is nothing, right?”

“Provincial and municipal cultural events?”

When Sheng Tingmian heard this arrangement, she was momentarily stunned. How had she not heard about it? “Who told you that?”

“Manager Guan. Manager Guan told us this morning that your aunt’s troupe will soon be performing at some major local cultural events.”

Fang Hanyu was full of envy as she placed her hands on Sheng Tingmian’s shoulders, gazing at the reflection of the young dan performer with rouged cheeks in the mirror. That face was both beautiful and endearing, her eyes clear and pure, her personality sweet and obedient.

Anyone who saw her would feel fondness, and no wonder Miss He had quickly allowed her to call her “Sister.” It seemed she was treating her like a younger sister, doting on her so much.

“Xiao Mian, I won’t say how envious I am. Even though we haven’t known each other long, if you ever get to see the wider world and meet important people in the future, remember to keep us sisters in mind when good opportunities come along.”

“Yes, yes, Xiao Mian. Performing opera is already tough, and hardly anyone watches it these days. If Miss He ever loses interest in listening to opera, we’ll probably have to disband.”

After hearing these words from her sisters, Sheng Tingmian felt a weight in her heart. “Sisters, you’re overestimating me. Right now, I’m just taking things one step at a time. After all, my aunt and I are just following Sister He’s arrangements. But don’t worry, if there’s ever an opportunity in the future, I’ll definitely recommend you.”

“With that promise, we sisters can rest easy. Hurry and finish your makeup. It’s almost time to go on stage.”

When it was time for “Liangzhou Diqi,” Sheng Tingmian appeared on stage wearing the same pink general’s costume and headdress as last time.

The pheasant feathers swayed in the air, and as they brushed past her palm, she caught and pressed them down. Her eyes sharpened as she struck a pose.

“How can I bear to wear this towering helmet so calmly…”

“Sister, this young huadan performer sings so well.”

Below the stage, the woman who had been sitting there earlier now had another figure beside her. An arm rested on the chair’s armrest, leaning in close as if whispering into her ear.

The intimacy was palpable.

“Patting the helmet tassel,
Lifting both arm guards,
Gently adjusting the palace silk…”

The soft, mellow tones of Kunqu opera carried the lyrics with a unique charm, lingering and unhurried.

Sheng Tingmian naturally noticed the woman almost pressed against Sister He’s ear, speaking softly.

Occasionally, she also caught glimpses of Sister He responding to her.

As expected, after the performance, Sheng Tingmian received a reward from Sister He.

When she took the red envelope from the assistant, she heard the assistant say, “Miss He would like you to join her below to watch the opera together.”

“Is that so… alright.” Sheng Tingmian glanced once more toward the audience below, then followed the assistant off the stage. Still clad in her stage costume, she made her way to He Jianxue.

“Sister He, I’m here.”

He Jianxue gestured for her to sit. “You sang beautifully just now.”

Sheng Tingmian replied, “Thank you for the praise, Sister He.”

“Sis, is this your favorite opera performer?”

Suddenly, a female voice from beside them drew Sheng Tingmian’s attention. She had seen this woman from the stage earlier, but now, up close, she realized she was quite young, probably around her own age.

However, her attire had a mature, dignified elegance, reminiscent of a young married woman.

Sheng Tingmian recalled Uncle Guan mentioning that Sister He had a younger sister who was married. Most likely, this was her.

“Her name is Sheng Tingmian, a year younger than you,” He Jianxue introduced them to each other. “Xiao Mian, this is my sister, He Xiu.”

It was the first time Sheng Tingmian heard Sister He call her by name. She glanced into Sister He’s eyes before following her gaze to the young woman across from her.

“Sister He Xiu, hello, I’m Xiao Mian.”

He Xiu noticed the opera makeup still on Sheng Tingmian’s face. Seeing the details up close, she couldn’t help but study it for a moment. “You really do sing wonderfully. No wonder my sister loves listening to you.”

“You flatter me, Sister He Xiu. I still have much to learn.” After speaking, Sheng Tingmian stole a glance at He Jianxue, only to be caught in the act. She lowered her eyes and feigned nonchalance as she looked away.

“My sister rarely invites me to watch opera, so I want to make the most of it today. Xiao Mian, is that your colleague on stage?”

Sheng Tingmian glanced at the stage, where Fang Hanyu was performing the Kunqu opera “The Palace of Eternal Life.” “Yes, she’s singing ‘The Palace of Eternal Life.'”

He Xiu asked, “Xiao Mian, could you tell me what the story is about?”

Sheng Tingmian was very familiar with the tale and explained in her gentle, soft voice: “It’s about Emperor Ming of Tang and his consort Yang Guifei. Later, they face turmoil, and Yang Guifei meets a tragic end. The emperor falls ill from longing for her and sends people to search for her soul everywhere. Yang Guifei, too, deeply misses the emperor and repents for her past sins. Their sincere love moves the heavens, and eventually, they reunite in the Moon Palace. Right now, they are pledging their vows in the Palace of Eternal Life.”

“I see…” He Xiu watched the two performers in bright yellow costumes on stage, slowly absorbing the story.

After her explanation, Sheng Tingmian couldn’t resist glancing toward He Jianxue again. She noticed Sister He watching the opera with an unreadable expression, leaving her unsure what Sister He thought of the performance.

Once “The Palace of Eternal Life” concluded, He Xiu expressed a desire to personally give the top reward.

“Go ahead,” He Jianxue gestured for her to take the red envelope from the assistant.

After He Xiu left the seat, Sheng Tingmian yawned, which was noticed by He Jianxue. “Tired?”

Sheng Tingmian turned her head and nodded. “A little. The costume is quite heavy. Sister He, can I go change out of it first?”

He Jianxue replied, “I forgot that your headdress must be quite heavy. Go ahead quickly.”

Sheng Tingmian stood up and was about to pass in front of her when, unexpectedly, she felt a bit dizzy. Coupled with the six tassels hanging from the sides of the headdress down to her waist, the short pearl tassels at her ears and the back of her head, and the long pheasant feathers, she swayed unsteadily and lost her balance, falling straight into He Jianxue’s arms.

The pheasant feathers on her head brushed against He Jianxue’s chin.

“My head is a bit dizzy…” Sheng Tingmian felt dizzy and uncomfortable, her slender, pale hands gripping one side of the wheelchair’s armrest. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear her mind.

The two pheasant feathers swayed in front of He Jianxue.

She didn’t even realize that she was sitting entirely on He Jianxue’s unfeeling legs.

However, when she came to her senses and felt that what she was holding wasn’t a wooden armrest but the cold armrest of the wheelchair, she was shocked.

She turned her head abruptly and unexpectedly met He Jianxue’s gaze.

The familiar face was so close right before her eyes. Sheng Tingmian’s face instantly turned pale, the color draining away, her fingertips growing cold. Her hands gripping the wheelchair armrest tightened continuously, her eyes reflecting her fear.

“Sis… Sister He…”

As soon as these words were spoken, tears trembled and welled up in Sheng Tingmian’s eyes. Her nose tingled intensely with sorrow, overwhelmed by endless regret for making the same mistake again.

“I didn’t mean to…” Sheng Tingmian’s tears fell uncontrollably as if they cost nothing. She trembled with fear. “I really didn’t mean to, wu-”

Her voice trailed off with a heavy nasal tone, filled with grief and sorrow.