As the discussion grew lively, the performance on stage concluded.
Next up was Chen Rong and her fellow performers with "Encountering an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land."
Although it was a classic opera story, many young people hadn't heard of it. Moreover, everyone knew that a new song from Ting Yu would follow after this performance.
On stage, Chen Rong played the female protagonist of the story, singing "Encountering an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land" in the wedding hall.
Instantly, both the live audience and those watching the livestream were engrossed.
This performance, like the previous "Silken Thread Tune," incorporated the song "Exploring the Window" into the opera.
The opera itself was performed first.
The opera began by depicting the story of two childhood sweethearts.
The girl's family were opera performers, while the boy's family, though poor, was educated. The boy, driven by ambition, studied diligently late into the night, aspiring to achieve official rank.
They played together and grew up together.
When the boy studied or wrote, she would grind ink for him, watching him quietly, not daring to disturb him.
As they entered their teenage years, in their innocent youth, they developed mutual feelings, being childhood sweethearts.
"Red beans symbolize longing. Cherish this bracelet. When I achieve official rank, I will return to marry you."
The girl loved red beans, so the boy collected them and made her a red bean bracelet.
"Mother said there will be betrothal gifts when I marry. I have to work, and the bracelet is a bit inconvenient. Could you give me one red bean to make into a hairpin when the time comes?" the girl asked shyly, blushing.
"Certainly. I will use a red bean hairpin to propose, and vow to give you a lifetime of prosperity," the boy said solemnly.
Time passed swiftly.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter.
Through that window, a girl consistently peered out, gazing into the distance.
A cool breeze rustled the falling willow leaves. Leaning by the window, she reached out, but the leaves drifted away with the wind.
"Exploring the window, catching falling willows. I can't hold onto the leaves, nor can I await news from you."
The girl sighed and made a decision in her heart.
She convinced her parents and, with great courage, followed a passing opera troupe to the capital.
Along the way, she became a renowned performer due to her skillful opera performances, learned from childhood. Upon reaching the capital, the troupe received a job to perform at the wedding of the top scholar and the princess.
In the late winter, the weather was extremely cold, but the atmosphere in the top scholar's mansion was exceptionally lively.
As she stepped onto the stage to perform.
Unexpectedly, the top scholar turned out to be the person she had longed for day and night.
This man had promised her countless times that he would return with a red bean hairpin after passing the imperial examinations. Now, he stood resplendent, being congratulated by guests.
The red bean bracelet in her hand felt somewhat cold due to the weather.
She tucked the bracelet into her sleeve, concealing it.
And then she sang.
Singing of the joy of encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign land, and the sorrow of the wedding night.
At this moment.
On stage, the opera music abruptly ceased.
The lights dimmed.
Chen Rong was still performing on stage, but without sound, as if it were a silent play. It was as if time had shifted, and the audience and the top scholar below seemed frozen, motionless.
*Snap!*
A spotlight hit a spot beside the stage.
Lin Yanyu appeared, dressed as a Hua Dan (a female role in Peking Opera).
She stood there quietly.
Like a storyteller, as an outsider, she narrated the story to the audience.
The zither music began.
*Boom!*
On the large screen, several lines of special effects text appeared.
"Exploring the Window"
Vocals: Lin Yanyu
Lyrics: Ting Yu
Music: Ting Yu
"It's finally here!"
"I thought they would perform after the opera finished. They've integrated the song with traditional opera?"
"This is quite good. I was so engrossed in the opera just now, it was so beautiful!"
"I feel so sorry for that girl, her beloved is a heartless man!"
"Actually, many people have analyzed this opera online. The boy isn't necessarily heartless, because his wedding with the princess was an imperial decree, and he dared not refuse."
"Holy cow, now that you mention it, why do I feel even more heartbroken..."
"Me too. Damn it, I'd rather he was a heartless man..."
Many people came to the livestream to hear Ting Yu's songs.
However, they were all captivated by the wonderful opera.
When the song information appeared, the audience finally realized they had been lost in listening to the opera.
Meanwhile, the prelude was gradually fading.
"When swallows depart, red beans fill the branches,
The faraway traveler, do not ask about return.
Who guards alone the clear Xiang River,
Unaware of what night this is..."
As the first verse began.
It was as if the frozen time started flowing again.
The guests and the top scholar below resumed their lively demeanor.
On stage, Chen Rong's performance never stopped. She had performed this opera countless times, and this time, though without sound, her movements conveyed the story exceptionally well.
The top scholar toasted the guests.
On stage, Lin Yanyu's singing was clear and carried a sense of loneliness.
Paired with Chen Rong's performance on stage, it was as if her heartbreaking inner feelings were being interpreted.
That year, he personally placed the red bean on her hand.
Though the wait was long, the feeling of sweetness amidst hardship, thinking of him returning to marry her after achieving official rank, was beautiful.
"When swallows return, the beloved is nowhere to be seen,
Perhaps this parting was intended.
Unwilling to long for one without a recipient,
Traveling afar, searching a thousand miles..."
As he left, those words still echoed in her ears.
Drawing courage from those words, she decided to seek her dream lover, only to meet this outcome.
Tragic, lamentable.
On stage, she sang the opera that represented joy, alone.
Below the stage, the top scholar was completely unaware of her presence.
Looking at the top scholar's smiling face, every sound and every sentence was filled with anguish.
"She dances her sleeves, dreaming of a good marriage,
The love in the play, the meaning in the play,
Strangers meet,
Amidst splendor and celebration..."
Everyone in the wedding hall was joyous, and they offered blessings to the top scholar with smiles.
Strangers once again met through the opera.
Many of the audience members were drawn into the story and felt that the girl was wronged.
Waiting for so long, gathering the courage to go to the capital to find her beloved, only to end up with this result.
"As expected of Ting Yu, perfectly fitting this opera. Another story about an opera performer."
"'Red Ling' wrote about the patriotic righteousness of opera performers, 'Silken Thread Tune' was about dedication to opera, and this song, 'Exploring the Window,' finally tells a love story."
"Perhaps this is why people like Ting Yu. His songs can move many people, and many of his songs have deeply meaningful background stories."
"Even so, this story seems a bit tragic..."
Many audience members were moved by the atmosphere on stage, their eyes turning red.
Especially knowing the ending, listening to this song made it even more relatable.
Moreover, Lin Yanyu's performance, like an outsider, complemented Chen Rong's performance as an insider, making everything flow naturally and delivering the song's sentiment with great restraint.
"She sings of encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign land,
Every step, every line is longing.
Below, the man has achieved success in the imperial examinations,
Yet does not recognize the familiar face on stage.
He speaks of the wedding night,
Everyone congratulates the talented couple,
No one hears a sigh for the infatuated soul in the play..."
The moment the opera-style vocals emerged.
Many closed their eyes, their faces filled with enjoyment.
Unlike before, when young people thought opera vocals were for their grandparents, opera vocals have now become a trend, and many enjoy this singing style.
Opera vocals possess a unique charm that can be described as "beautiful," but that doesn't quite capture it. Beyond beauty, opera vocals hold a soul, a cultural essence belonging solely to the Chinese people.
As soon as opera vocals appear, they are unmistakably Chinese, something no other country can replicate.
Exquisite opera vocals rang out.
That indescribably beautiful singing, combined with the melancholic emotions.
A tear-jerking feeling instantly permeated the entire venue.
After an interlude of zither music accompanied by the erhu,
Lin Yanyu walked through the wedding banquet towards the front of the stage.
She was an outsider. Even as she passed through the crowd, the professional opera performers did not look at her, nor were they drawn out of character because of her.
"When swallows depart, red beans fill the branches,
The faraway traveler, do not ask about return.
Who guards alone the clear Xiang River,
Unaware of what night this is..."
As the second verse began.
The liveliness of the wedding hall and the loneliness on stage created a stark contrast.
The melancholic atmosphere tugged at the audience's heartstrings.
The happier the guests became, the stronger the desolate and lonely feeling grew.
Coupled with the emotion deliberately infused into Lin Yanyu's singing, the audience was captivated.
"She sings of encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign land,
Every step, every line is longing..."
The top scholar had finished toasting and was seated at the main table, watching the performance.
On stage, the opera singer sang line by line.
Unbeknownst to them, the red bean bracelet she had hidden in her sleeve slowly slipped out.
As she moved, the touch of red on her fair wrist shone like a dazzling flame, catching the top scholar's eye.
"...He speaks of the wedding night,
Everyone congratulates the talented couple,
No one hears a sigh for the infatuated soul in the play..."
By this time, the entire song had concluded.
*Boom!*
A dull thud.
As if breaking the shackles of time, the stage transitioned from the outsider's perspective to the insider's.
The accompaniment for "Exploring the Window" suddenly faded, and Chen Rong's opera "Encountering an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land" began again.
This stage presentation, with its skillful transition of time and perspective, brilliantly linked the song to the story, earning the audience's enthusiastic applause for the stage effects.
The camera panned to the top scholar.
He stood there, stunned.
His eyes, filled with complex emotions, stared intently at the red bean bracelet.
Memories flashed through his mind.
"I will use a red bean hairpin to propose, and vow to give you a lifetime of prosperity."
This voice boomed in his mind.
The opera singer on stage felt his gaze and understood that he had recognized her. Turning, she dissolved into tears.
And the latter half of the opera.
Shifted from joy to sorrow.
With the prelude of "Exploring the Window" setting the stage, the audience understood the story of this opera more thoroughly. Hearing Chen Rong's deeply sorrowful opera vocals now, many felt their eyes sting, moved to tears.
At this moment.
The guests in the top scholar's mansion sensed the shift in atmosphere.
Several actors dressed as servants came onto the stage and escorted Chen Rong, who was playing the opera singer, off the stage.
However, her singing of "Encountering an Old Acquaintance in a Foreign Land" did not stop; instead, it took on an even more mournful tone.
Her beautiful eyes were fixed on the top scholar.
Unexpectedly.
The top scholar glanced at her twice, gritted his teeth, and turned his head away.
He allowed her to be driven off in front of everyone.
Witnessing this, the audience's faces contorted with distress.
The facial acting, combined with the opera's atmosphere, created an incredibly immersive experience. Many hot-tempered audience members felt like rushing onto the stage to give the top scholar a good slap.
Damn it, at least stop her, let her leave with some dignity!
Then.
Under everyone's gaze.
The stage lights gradually dimmed.
Until they were completely black.
Just as the audience thought the performance was over.
A breathtakingly beautiful opera vocal emerged.
"She sings of encountering an old acquaintance in a foreign land,
Every step, every line is longing,
Below, the man has achieved success in the imperial examinations,
Yet does not recognize the familiar face on stage..."
Without any accompaniment.
Just a solo rendition.
Ethereal and imbued with a deep, bone-chilling sorrow.
Like a wave, it stirred ripples in everyone's hearts.
This voice was identical to that of the opera singer played by Chen Rong.
The audience felt as if it were the woman, driven out of the wedding hall by her unfaithful lover, singing.
The resonance between the story and reality sent goosebumps all over their bodies.
Those audience members who had been moved to tears, their tears still flowing, were further struck by this opera vocal, leading them to cover their faces and sob uncontrollably!
It was too damn heartbreaking!
It was a massive tear-jerking scene!
And it wasn't over yet.
On the darkened stage.
On the large screen.
Two lines of powerful calligraphy appeared.
"Even if we meet, perhaps we wouldn't recognize each other. It would have been better if we had never met."
[Not long after, it was heard that an opera singer died in the theatre, and the top scholar in the capital went mad...]
...
ps: "Exploring the Window" original singer: Guo Feng Xin Yu, Fu Sheng Meng, Xi Yin She, Lyrics: Dong Fang Qian Yue, Music: Guo Feng Lin, (Combined chapter)