Chapter 31: CH 26.1

Chapter 26: Buying Tickets / Votes

They started shooting early the next day. The five actors, including Yan Mu Lin, were arranged to stay at a hotel in Pi Ying City. Names of hotels here usually had ancient qualities.

Shadow plays in Pi Ying City attracted tourists from all corners of the country. Major shadow theaters were full every day. Theaters with modern plays were hard to find so some people would come early, while others would buy tickets online at night.

The director of 《Who has That Good Voice?》 was a smart person. As a selling point of the program, he combined modern and ancient art.

Pi Ying City preserved their original streets. There were various shadow puppets made by rising stars that you could buy to display or play with and even a variety of snacks. Melon seeds, candy, tea, and water. Everything you needed was available. There was nothing you couldn’t buy.

The team was at a hotel a kilometer away from Liuli Pavilion.

One can experience Pi Ying City from the hotel’s service and private rooms. This caused Yan Mu Lin, a “country bumpkin”,  to experience this world’s culture for himself. The interesting room, the tasty breakfast, and even the way the tea shop’s waiter poured tea, they all had their own characteristics.

This place, and everything he experienced inside a film city in his past life was completely different. The simpleness here was particularly special. He went out to eat midnight snacks with his assistant last night and found beautiful women wearing traditional Han dresses everywhere. They were using it as daily wear and were not deliberately wearing it for a program. It was a tradition for them, and it made Yan Mu Lin want to buy a set of Han clothes and wear them. He also wanted to feel that sort of excitement, and pride.

Yan Mu Lin slept well last night. He always got up early in the morning to jog, but decided not to do so today. After washing and stretching, he saw two elderly people in the backyard doing Taiji. Yan Mu Lin was interested, so he ran over and copied their movements. It showed that he wanted to learn.

The cameraman had been following Yan Mu Lin from the start, so he had filmed the 30-minute Taiji exercise. When Director Teng Jian Ren passed by, he could not help but look again. He commanded the cameraman through a headset to follow Yan Mu Lin and continue to discover more of his skills.

With just one day of contact, Teng Jian Ren understood why Fang Yi Yuan tried his best to send Yan Mu Lin to this program. The latter even emphasized that this newcomer would surprise him again and again.

Unsurprisingly, Yan Mu Lin got up the earliest. After exercising, he returned to wash up. When he came out, he saw Tian Zhen Yang. The latter thought that he was the first one to get up and felt calm. Yan Mu Lin did not plan to compete and ask him who got up earlier.

Tang Wen Hao had always been famous for his diligence, so he did not expect for there to be two people awake earlier than him.

It was easy to accept that Tian Zhen Yang was earlier, as he was a senior who was particularly serious about voice acting, but Yan Mu Lin once again showed that he was great, which made Tang Wen Hao feel crisis.

The three men all had their plans, but on the surface, they showed the image of a peaceful group eating breakfast. They were all men so not a lot of words were exchanged.

When they were almost done eating,  Lu Zhong Ting yawned as he walked down. Seeing everyone in a group, Lu Zhong Ting went to the place next to Yan Mu Lin and pulled the chair. After ordering his breakfast, he used his thumb to support his chin. With a smile that was not a smile, he asked Yan Mu Lin: “Mu Lin, have you ever studied shadow puppetry before?”

Yan Mu Lin smiled, “I know a bit, then Master Bian taught me yesterday.”

Tian Zhen Yang drank his soy milk and said with a smile, “I was also like you, you know. When I was sixteen, I was an apprentice that was skilled enough to create a good shadow puppet. Now, I am not as young as you are. I’m definitely growing old.”

Tang Wen Hao said, “Senior Tian, you aren’t old ah.”

Tian Zhen Yang laughed and said, “If we were in ancient times, my children should be the same age as you. You have to call me uncle, or even great-uncle.”

The four people were very amused. If they thought about the beliefs in ancient times, this was truly possible.

Only when Lu Zhong Ting finished his breakfast and drank a cup of tea did Tao Bai Chen got up. He still looked sleepy when he came out. Although his makeup artist already put makeup on him, he still looked tired. Heaven knows what he did last night.

《Who Has That Good Voice》’s first episode only required morning footage. At night, the stars could do whatever they wanted. In their contract, it was written there that it would be based on the arrangement of the program team. There would be day and night shooting. It was also possible for them to only shoot in the day, or only shoot in the night. In short, the actors were required to be ready at all times.

The shooting for the next episode started as soon as they got up. The crew and the theater decided for them to start at 9 in the morning. The five actors had one day to practice for their drama and also calculate the time. Their learning time was really short.

They had to study how to perform the shadow play. More importantly, they had to cooperate with a team. Yesterday’s rankings were used to decide when they will perform. The first one was Tao Bai Chen. He wanted to prove himself to everyone else. Even if he just got out of bed, he was better than the others. He had to show his talents tonight!

The team that made the shadow puppets were not the same team that would perform. Before starting to learn, Yan Mu Lin and the others had to go around and choose the team that they wanted. Each team had their own characteristics. If they accidentally chose a modern team, then they would be in trouble. Trouble was what the program team wanted to see the most. They wanted to see the stars anxious and fight amongst themselves while choosing a team.

The rules of the game were: Each actor had to enter a small black room prepared by the program team. The program team will give photos of 8 kinds of animals. The actors must perform their sounds within the prescribed time. The children invited by the theater will guess the sounds. The actor that received the most correct guesses would be the winner and would be the first to pick their team.

At this time, the stars did not know each other’s drama. Although they could guess, there was no sense in doing so. There were too many plays given to them. For example, 《Romance of the Three Kingdoms》, even if you guessed correctly, there were more than ten to twenty excerpts to choose from. Rather than guessing the others’ play, it was better to try to choose the best team for yourself.

However, it was only the majority that thought like this. Tao Bai Chen, who was accustomed to being in reality shows, variety shows, and the Internet, did not think so. He felt that he should take the drama team that another member wanted. After that, the other person would not get the assistance they needed, and would surely lose. This way, he wouldn’t be the last again.

Yan Mu Lin, who became Tao Bai Chen’s enemy in his mind, was paid close attention to yesterday. After the group of shadows Yan Mu Lin made was shown, Tao Bai Chen wrote down their form and movements. The whole night, he and his agent tried to roughly guess the drama Yan Mu Lin will perform. As long as he wins against Yan Mu Lin in the morning game, he would have the opportunity to take away the team the other party wanted.

He previously had a video taken of him mimicking the sound of animals, and it became a hot topic on Weibo. He did not believe that he would not win today.

The morning game’s results were something that no one would have imagined. Tao Bai Chen arrogantly chose a team that was skilled in Jiangzhe Style. Yan Mu Lin was silent, but still calmly congratulated Tao Bai Chen for getting first place. Tao Bai Chen said in his heart: Little guy, look at you pretend now. Prepare to be defeated by me in the evening.

In addition to Yan Mu Lin, Tian Zhen Yang, Lu Zhong Ting, and Tang Wen Hao all chose teams that would meet what they needed. However, Yan Mu Lin truly left everyone cheerlessly. Was he greatly disappointed, and remorseful?

Of course not.

For Yan Mu Lin, it did not matter which team he had. He had no problems with any of them. He already had a plan for his performance of 《Peacock Flying to the Southeast》.

The program team suggested teams that are best at certain dramas but did not tell them that they did not understand other dramas. How could the masters who rely on shadow play to eat not know how to play more than one drama? Just wait. The team’s master would definitely give Yan Mu Lin a nice surprise, he was convinced.

As Yan Mu Lin expected, after talking about the 《Peacock Flying to the Southeast》, everyone understood, and no one told him that they couldn’t do it. He chose a popular drama, so as long as it could be performed in the theater, Tao Bai Chen would surely lose his life savings.

lose his life savings : nothing in return for his hard work.

If he was not mistaken, from the group of shadows yesterday, Tao Bai Chen chose 《Three Heroes Fighting with Lu Bu》. Is it really okay for him not to choose the best team? Is he stupid? What is “the gains do not make up for the losses”? What is harming others without benefiting oneself? What is called a pig teammate? This is it. He actually met one in person today.

Yan Mu Lin accepted what he did frankly because it had no effect on him.

While studying, Tao Bai Chen had a dispute with the team that he chose. The director even had to come between them. It was because of Master Li, the head of the team that Tao Bai Chen chose. Master Li was a senior in the shadow play industry, and he always kept his word, so his team members listened to him. This was also because Master Li was a senior performer. He was very protective of his team when something goes against their interest. Usually, their team was okay with stars, even those whose temper was a little bad, and this great expert usually just let it pass.

However, today, Master Li met Tao Baichen, who has been spoiled by his company and family. This person did not listen to his teachings at all, and so he wanted to change actors. After a lifetime of performing shadow plays, Master Li, who had a sincere view towards Chinese culture, had never felt so disrespected. He felt very stifled in his heart. At first, he considered talking to the director about his bottled up feelings, however, after Tao Bai Chen softly cursed the words “dead stupid” to Master Li’s apprentice, Master Li straightforwardly pushed the table and quitted!

To be frank, his apprentice was even more professional than Tao Bai Chen. For what reason did he have to scold the person? He had never seen this type of person without morals!

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The two men were almost burning in anger, and that fire was getting bigger and bigger. The director had to step in to mediate.

Master Li shouted at the director: “This kind of actor who did not know how to respect other people’s hard work, I don’t dare cooperate with them. Nothing you say can change my mind. Shadow play is a part of Huaxia’s traditional culture. If you want to add modern elements to it for creativity, then we the elderly have no problems with it. However, when they don’t agree to one brief remark, they would suddenly insult someone else’s disciple? Director Teng, in order not to delay you, I will make it clear that I cannot stand this insult, you have to give me an explanation!”

If things got too big, Director Teng would definitely come forward to solve the problem. If it was indeed Tao Bai Chen who was at fault, then the director and Tao Bai Chen’s agent should apologize to Master Li. However, Tao Bai Chen did not think that he was at fault, he just spoke without thinking. It was just hot air. Even saying words were no good?! He did not even insult the other party, so he firmly refused to apologize.

The two people were at a deadlock, then the director came over and asked for Tao Bai Chen to apologize to Master Li. However, Tao Bai Chen, who was at the prime of his youth, insisted that he would not apologize since he was not wrong. Moreover, he even proposed to switch teams with Yan Mu Lin, so that the problem could be solved.

After listening to his words, Director Teng felt as if he just lost some brain cells. What kind of logic was that? He was now regretting that he added Tao Bai Chen to the crew. His character was extremely problematic!

You don’t respect the elderly, you refuse to say that you cursed people, and now you want to take somebody else’s resources?

Director Teng said that he would think about it. He did not want to fulfill Tao Bai Chen’s request. Director Teng quickly moved to Yan Mu Lin’s practice grounds to look for Yan Mu Lin.

When Director Teng arrived at the grounds, Tao Bai Chen was already demanding Yan Mu Lin’s team. He was really stupid.

Yan Mu Lin was looking at Tao Bai Chen with a smile. If Sheng Xia Xiao was present, he would immediately know that Yan Mu Lin was mocking the other person, ridiculing their innocence and stupidity. Sheng Xia Xiao himself might even make him embarrass himself.

Tao Bai Chen’s dispute was too big that the other actors have already heard about it. Naturally, Yan Mu Lin knew too.

Right now, Yan Mu Lin was not angry; he just laughed. He showed his good temperament in front of the camera. The people were relieved.

However, Tao Bai Chen did not know that Yan Mu Lin, this newcomer, was actually someone who hid a dagger behind his smiles. He was actually digging holes for him. Yan Mu Lin said gently, “Bai Chen, if Master Feng does not mind and is willing to team up with you, then I don’t have any choice.” Master Feng was the leader of Yan Mu Lin’s current team. Their current relationship was extremely good. They have already started preparing for their performance, and at this moment, for him to suddenly be asked to change partners… Surely, Master Feng’s mind would be filled with various ideas, as he had never seen such recklessness.

Tao Bai Chen could only brace himself to ask Master Feng. Yes. He did not think that Yan Mu Lin would suddenly throw the question for the master to answer. He wanted to use Yan Mu Lin’s answer to start the topic. Now, he dug a hole for himself, and he had to jump in it!

Tao Bai Chen got rejected. Master Feng was not stupid. The people in the shadow play industry were all impatient with this kind of person without morals.

Yan Mu Lin patted his shoulders innocently: “Don’t worry. Maybe you could ask the other seniors?”

Tao Bai Chen coldly hummed in his heart as he left the practice grounds.

He could not even say thank you or apologize for disturbing their practice. He really did not know which parent taught that kind of child. Yan Mu Lin did not like Tao Bai Chen at all and wanted to take advantage of him. He wanted to treat Yan Mu Lin like a fool? He definitely should have not.

Tao Bai Chen also knew that the other senior’s team would not switch with him. He would not apologize to Master Li, but the show still had to continue. Its atmosphere cannot continue to be this rigid, so the director had to contact another team for him. As for whether it would be harmonious… Yan Mu Lin did not care either way.

After the small storm, everyone continued practicing intensely. In the afternoon, there would be an hour for dress rehearsals. Today, time was just too precious. While working with masters, Yan Mu Lin benefited a lot. When there was a disagreement with them, he would try to explain to the other party why he was doing it. If it was unreasonable, then he would respect their pieces of advice or opinions. Their team was harmonious.

After the end of the tense and exhausting rehearsal in the afternoon, Yan Mu Lin sat down to rest. He thought of being on stage to perform later at night, but Yan Mu Lin knew that he did not have any reason to be nervous.

During dinner, Yan Mu Lin was eating with relish. Suddenly, he thought of doing something. He ran after the cameraman. In front of the camera, he said in Pan Jinlian’s voice: “Come on, gongzi, let us eat?”

The hardworking cameraman who seriously documented the course of events: “……” I can’t do this, somebody cover my ears!

The other staff members on the side laughed out loud: “Hahaha….”

Look at this brave strong guy blush, he looked just like pork liver. We’re going to die laughing!

At the same time, Shao Nuo Yu was accompanying his father, who had good mental health and showed no signs of illness, around Pi Ying City.

My father is no longer as pale as before and was not as skinny as he was in his previous life.

Shao Nuo Yu’s father, Shao Yan Hu, already celebrated his 60th birthday. He liked Huaxia’s traditional culture very much. Shadow play is naturally one of them.

Today he went out on a whim with his son. He knew that his son would surely fulfill all his demands.

Special Assistant Pei ran towards them, sweating, and said: “Venerable Shao, Director Shao, the theaters today do not have private rooms. Even the ordinary seats are sold out. However, the Liuli Theater seems to have a different performance from the other theaters today. They have camera set-ups.”

Seeing the special assistant feel awkward, Venerable Shao laughed and said: “Then let’s go see their show, and say hello to their boss in advance. Tell them not to film us, since we only came to watch the show.”

Special Assistant Pei looked towards Shao Nuo Yu. Director Shao, with a fair and just expression, said: “Just follow what Dad said.”

The special assistant nodded, and immediately sent out someone to buy tickets, buy snacks, and buy pastries!

When they are at a dinner party, then it was natural for them to eat luxury food, sleep in a presidential suite, play golf, talk about economics, politics, and culture. When they relax, they also liked to eat small snacks, and crack open melon seeds.

Cracking open melon seeds have always been one of Venerable Shao’s favorite activity. Later, after Director Shao succeeded the throne, the pressure on him was huge, and he fell back to cracking open seeds. He could not stop doing it, so when he was idle, he would also crack melon seeds.

Yes, our Director Shao loves melon seeds.

Really. His favorite flavor was even peppermint.

The author has something to say:

Director Shao’s Daily Small Theater:

Special Assistant: Director Shao, do you want the melon seeds to smell like butter, five-fragrance, or a peppermint scent?

Director Shao did not hesitate to say: Peppermint.

Later, The tears of Yan Mu Lin, who now knew the truth, fell: I like spicy flavors. With our different tastes, could we still be together?

Director Shao: Change your taste.

Yan Mu Lin: …..Divorce!

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