The performance on the stage continued. Aside from Yun Jin's plays, there were also performances by others from the Yun-Han Opera Troupe.
Although the other performances were also exceptional, in Fang Qiu's view, there was ultimately a gap between them and Yun Jin. Moreover, the plays by the others in the Yun-Han Opera Troupe were almost all about Adepti and immortals, whereas Yun Jin's plays were mostly about mortals.
As time passed, the atmosphere in Heyu Tea House became increasingly lively.
Hu Tao was practically sprawling over her chair, her beautiful eyes filled with a smile as she watched Yun Jin and the others performing on stage.
Fang Qiu, on the other hand, sat quietly to the side watching, occasionally picking up a piece of pastry to eat. She had written all day; for breakfast, she had only eaten some pastries, and she hadn't eaten anything for lunch or dinner. She was truly a bit hungry.
Time flowed by slowly.
Following Yun Jin's grand finale performance, the magnificent opera show gradually came to a close. The crowd was satisfied and began to leave one after another.
On the second floor of Heyu Tea House.
Zhongli slowly set down the teacup in his hand, casting his gaze toward the first floor where Fang Qiu and Hu Tao were chatting happily, showing no intention of leaving.
"No wonder that child came to listen to the opera; it turns out she had an appointment with someone."
Zhongli smiled faintly. After charging the bill to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he stood up and left.
Meanwhile, on the first floor.
"Hu Tao, don't rock the chair like that. It's very easy to fall over."
Looking at Hu Tao, who was kneeling on the chair with both hands gripping the backrest, constantly rocking it back and forth, Fang Qiu couldn't help but speak up to remind her.
"Relax, I won't," Hu Tao said with a beaming smile.
As she spoke, the chair continued to rock back and forth with her movements.
Seeing Hu Tao say this, Fang Qiu said no more. Given Hu Tao's agility, there really didn't seem to be any problem. If it were her rocking the chair back and forth like that for fun, she estimated that after a few rocks, she would either fall on her butt with her legs splayed in the air, or tip over instantly and land flat on her back.
In short, it was very dangerous.
Fang Qiu cast her gaze toward the backstage area of Heyu Tea House; they were waiting for Yun Jin to remove her makeup. Once the makeup was off, it was up to Yun Jin's arrangement. Basically, they were just going to get to know each other.
Before long, the guests had mostly left.
After another while, Yun Jin finished removing her makeup, changed her clothes, and came out from backstage.
"Good evening, you two," Yun Jin said with a shallow smile.
"Good evening to you!" Hu Tao waved her hand, speaking with a smile.
"Good evening." Fang Qiu also nodded along, greeting her.
"You must be Miss Fang Qiu, right? I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence," Yun Jin said, turning her eyes to Fang Qiu with a shallow smile.
No wonder Fang Qiu had such insights at that dessert shop that day; it turned out she was the author herself. Thinking about it, it was somewhat amusing. Fortunately, when she discussed it with Fang Qiu that day, they didn't have any divergence in opinion regarding the plot.
She had previously heard someone in the Yun-Han Opera Troupe mention that there were people arguing about plotlines in tea houses. When the discussion got heated, one of them said, "I haven't read this book fewer than ten times, do you think you understand this book or do I?"
Then the person opposite revealed their identity: that person was the author of the book they were arguing about.
Nowadays, quite a few people joked about this matter.
"No one understands this book better than I do."
"Yes, what a coincidence," Fang Qiu smiled gently.
"Eh? Have you met? What's going on?" Hearing their conversation, Hu Tao couldn't help but feel somewhat puzzled.
Thus, Yun Jin recounted everything that had happened previously in that dessert shop frequented by Mondstadters to Hu Tao.
"So that's how it is. I didn't expect something like that to happen," Hu Tao said, stroking her chin.
"Indeed. At the time, I even dragged Miss Fang Qiu into discussing the plot of Sword and Fairy. I didn't expect that the person sitting opposite me was actually the author herself."
Yun Jin chuckled softly and said, "I heard Hu Tao say long ago that she had a friend who writes books amazingly well and looks as beautiful as an immortal. The point about writing books amazingly well, Sword and Fairy has already proved. The matter of looking as beautiful as an immortal has now also been proved."
"Miss Yun Jin flatters me too much. However, I also didn't expect that the person who struck up a conversation with me back then was actually the famous Miss Yun Jin."
Fang Qiu blushed slightly at the praise.
Afterward, with a detailed introduction from Hu Tao, the three sat at the tea table and chatted for a while, becoming quite familiar with each other.
"By the way, have you two had dinner? Let's go to Wanmin Restaurant to eat together."
Just as Fang Qiu was feeling her stomach starving unbearably, Hu Tao smiled and spoke.
Fang Qiu was slightly stunned. She glanced at Hu Tao, who blinked at her, the corners of her mouth tilting up slightly. Fang Qiu understood immediately. Hu Tao had noticed she was hungry, so she proposed going to eat together.
"Sure, I happen to be a bit hungry too. Wait for me to say hello to the people in the troupe, then we'll head out," Yun Jin paused slightly, then reacted, speaking with a shallow smile.
Saying so, she turned and entered the backstage area.
Hearing that she was going to eat with the author Fang Qiu, who was currently all the rage in the Liyue literary world, the old veteran actors in the troupe naturally did not object.
When they heard Yun Jin mention earlier that she was going to treat two guests, they had paid attention to whom Yun Jin was treating. They naturally recognized Director Hu Tao; although that child's thinking was somewhat erratic and different from ordinary people, and she often came by to promote cremation services, she at least wouldn't affect Yun Jin's singing.
As for the quiet and elegant white-haired woman sitting beside Director Hu, she must be that Miss Fang Qiu. Their impression of Fang Qiu was still very good. Naturally, they wouldn't object.
It was just that, before leaving, several old veteran actors gave Yun Jin detailed instructions one after another.
"Be good, listen to us. You can't eat spicy food; it's bad for the throat. You can eat meat, but not too much, or you'll easily gain weight."
"If you really want to eat, just eat more shrimp."
Yun Jin agreed to them one by one. After greeting the troupe members, they made their way to Wanmin Restaurant. However, it seemed Xiangling hadn't returned yet.
They quickly ordered their dishes. They were all light and non-greasy dishes.
"The taste is really good. Although it's also light, it's much better than eating Stir-Fried Shrimp at the Yun-Han Opera Troupe every day."
Yun Jin rubbed her stomach with satisfaction. Although she was actually only half full—after all, eating too much would cause weight gain, so she couldn't eat much—Fang Qiu's appetite wasn't large either, so she was quickly full.
After finishing the meal, since there weren't many customers at Wanmin Restaurant right now and there was no rush to free up the space, they sat at the table and began to chat.
"By the way, last time at the dessert shop, you said the words in that book were lyrics and could be sung. Could I ask you to sing that song? I want to listen to it," Yun Jin said.
"Ah?"
Hearing Yun Jin's request, Fang Qiu couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
"Singing? I want to hear it too."
Hu Tao also became interested, looking at Fang Qiu with eager eyes.
"Alright then."
Helpless, Fang Qiu could only agree. However, having already sung it once in front of Ganyu, there was nothing to be shy about.
________________________________________
🌸 Help Love Bloom!
Our girls need a little push... and you can help!
💖 Gift for Everyone: Once we hit 50 Powerstones, I'll release +1 bonus chapter to warm your hearts.
🚀 Community Reward: If we reach 20 supporting members, we'll have a +5 chapter marathon across all stories! The romance won't stop.
👻 Come to our secret corner: Search for GirlsLove on (P). You know that's where the magic happens... 😉