The Martial Artist Turned Movie Mogul
Chapter 756 - 755. Drama Club

Chapter 756: 755. Drama Club

Carrying an overwhelming urge to rant, Xiao Huan dizzily brought the guest to the Lotus Drama Society’s rest room, not forgetting her own responsibility in the process.

"Miss Tang, Teacher Ke specifically instructed me to take good care of you. She is currently rehearsing with other people and will be back after 10:30."

"Okay, thank you for the trouble."

"It’s no bother. You can wait in the rest room backstage. If you need anything, just let me know."

Before Tang Shu could even speak, Xiao Huan had already brewed a pot of tea for her. "Teacher Ke said you enjoy tea. She told me to prepare this earlier."

The familiar, refreshing aroma of tea wafted to her nose, and Tang Shu recognized the variety at a glance—it was the Biluochun Tea that Teacher Ke used to keep stocked on the set.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and Tang Shu was in a good mood.

"Thank you. Is Teacher Ke rehearsing on the stage? May I go watch?"

Huh?

Xiao Huan blinked and then nodded.

"Of course, follow me, Miss Tang."

Xiao Huan led Tang Shu through the corridors to the Lotus Drama Society stage. Directly opposite were about a hundred seats—a small rehearsal venue within the society.

"Please take a seat. However... all the teachers are rehearsing, so please keep quiet."

"No problem, go ahead with your work."

The two figures were too inconspicuous compared to the stage, especially since the audience seats down below were dark, and they didn’t attract anyone’s attention.

Holding her cup of tea, Tang Shu casually chose a seat and sat down. When she looked toward the stage, she immediately spotted Teacher Ke’s figure—an elderly man with white hair, already in the twilight of his years, sitting by a bed giving instructions to a male actor. Teacher Ke’s voice soon reached her ears.

Is this what theater is?

Tang Shu, first encountering theater, watched with great interest, suddenly finding it very novel and pondering the differences and similarities between acting in theater and in a film crew.

Meanwhile, Xiao Huan exited the stage and patted her chest, her eyes still carrying a hint of confusion.

Another young girl approached her and tapped her shoulder. "Xiao Huan, what are you doing? You have a scene this afternoon. Haven’t you gone to recite your lines yet?"

It was a woman wearing a cheongsam with wavy hair and bright white teeth, emanating allure between her brows and with every graceful move she made.

"Sister Tong, Teacher Ke had me bring over a female celebrity!"

"A female celebrity? It’s not one of Teacher Ke’s students from the film academy, is it?"

To Tong Tong, the presence of a celebrity at the Lotus Drama Society was nothing new. Actors from formal film academies usually took part in theater productions as part of their coursework, and given the distinguished standing of the Lotus Drama Society in the capital, it was a favored destination for actors—many of whom came through their mentors’ recommendations to hone their craft.

Xiao Huan shook her head, eager to share the juicy tidbit she had observed.

"No, it’s Tang Shu! You know, the newcomer who’s been really popular lately. She’s not formally trained. She just worked with Teacher Ke in a project!"

"Corridor Pavilion" had become a hit in recent times, captivating audiences with its unfolding plot after nearly a month of serialization. Many were following the drama, including those at the Lotus Drama Society, making the name Tang Shu quite familiar to them.

Tong Tong paused for a moment and then a charming smile curled at her lips.

"Oh, it’s her. I remember her role, her acting was indeed commendable. She’s quite talented among newcomers."

But that was all—she merely had talent.

Theater acting shares commonalities with film acting, but there are also significant differences. Theater actors, especially those who are regulars with the society, typically do not hold film acting in high regard. Moreover, Tang Shu... had a bit the air of a popular star.

"Teacher Ke actually invited this newcomer to our drama society? She didn’t come on her own, did she?"

It wasn’t strange for Tong Tong to think this way, for Teacher Ke, as a national first-class actor, was immensely popular, and many actors came to pay homage. Previously, there had been numerous individuals who had sought an audience under various pretexts.

After all, getting to know Teacher Ke meant having connections, which were extremely important in the entertainment industry.

Xiao Huan shook her head with an air of mystery.

"Nope, haven’t you noticed how happy Teacher Ke was this morning? She even took out her treasured Biluochun Tea for me to serve the guests. She must really like Tang Shu!"

Upon hearing this, Tong Tong, who initially didn’t pay much attention, was completely dumbfounded.

"She actually let you serve the Biluochun Tea to guests? It’s really... raining red from the sky—"

Everyone in the Lotus Drama Society knew that Teacher Ke’s biggest hobby was drinking tea, and she prized her tea canisters highly, to the point that even the president would struggle to coax a bit of tea out of her on a normal day.

In this day and age, someone actually managed to get Teacher Ke to voluntarily offer her precious tea for hosting?

"Now I’m curious about this Tang Shu. Where is she? Let’s have a look!"

This new girl must be talented!

Is it her likable nature or is there some deep scheme at work? Tong Tong smiled meaningfully, slowly forming a question mark in her mind about Tang Shu.

Putting aside her noteworthy acting skills, merely being favored by Teacher Ke was enough to impress her.

Xiao Huan giggled, took the cheongsam beauty by the hand, and led her behind the stage curtain, lifting a corner.

"Sister Tong, take a quick look. There, sitting in the audience, right in the third row on the right side!"

Tong Tong glanced where she pointed. In the next instant, a blurry figure caught her attention, a cup held in hand, seemingly still steaming with heat.

Huh?

That cup... looks like it’s the same type as Teacher Ke’s, white, with a blurry landscape printed on it.

"I can’t see clearly, I’ll go meet her."

"I’ll go too!"

"No, why would you go? You’re too naive, little girl. You’ve just met her, and you’re already on her side, so naive."

Tong Tong clicked her tongue twice, decisively pushing the naive girl behind her.

"With the way you blindly trust people, you’d get sold one day and wouldn’t even know it. Better go back to learning your lines."

Acting is your only path forward, young lady!

Feeling slighted by the words, Xiao Huan pouted, let out a disappointed "oh," and reluctantly headed to the dressing room, looking back to remind her as she walked.

"Sister Tong, don’t you bully her~~~"

"..."

Tong Tong’s mouth twitched, and she gave Xiao Huan an annoyed glance.

"Silly girl, are you even my relative after living so long? Who are you closer to?"

She’s protective of Tang Shu from just the first meeting? Tang Shu couldn’t be a reincarnated fox spirit, could she? That face of hers is too enchanting.

***

In the audience.

Tang Shu had noticed the curtain being lifted and saw Xiao Huan, but she didn’t care too much.

While she had been watching the play for a while, a soft sound of footsteps came from behind her. Although the person was trying to be discreet, the distinctive sound of high heels on the wooden floor was unmistakable.

"Are you Tang Shu?"

Soon, a soft and gentle female voice came from above, the question tinged with a hint of certainty.

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