"Oh! It's Young Master Xing, isn't it! Young Master Qi specifically instructed me. He's in the private room number one. I'll lead you there right away." The waiter called out enthusiastically and led Xing Yuan upstairs.
Xing Yuan entered the private room, feeling quite uncomfortable.
Outside the room, someone who looked like a副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) cleanly rewarded the waiter. The waiter, holding the money, left with a beaming smile. He knew this patron was generous!
Qi Wen, outwardly, appeared to be a refined young master. No one could connect him to the decisive and ruthless figure on the battlefield.
Seeing Xing Yuan now, he greeted her with great enthusiasm, "You're here! Come sit! This is the spot with the best view."
Xing Yuan found a seat not too close and not too far. She truly didn't think there was anything interesting about a play where one couldn't even see the actors' faces clearly.
Qi Wen glanced at Xing Yuan, whose body was clearly tense, and inquired, "Is this your first time at a theater, Major General Xing?"
"Mm," Xing Yuan nodded indifferently, observing the group of people below on the stage making various movements.
"Then I am truly honored!" Qi Wen smiled, his bright, sunny smile capable of charming countless innocent and naive maidens.
Xing Yuan couldn't be bothered with pretense and stated directly, "Major General Qi, you didn't call me here just to watch a play with me, did you?"
"Of course not! But it's also quite nice to catch a play while we're at it!" Qi Wen's gaze towards Xing Yuan held a hint of surprise. Was the legendary Major General Xing so impatient?
"Do you really like watching plays?" Xing Yuan frowned. She strongly suspected Qi Wen was deliberately toying with her. Who would arrange to discuss important matters in such a lively place?
"Yes! Every time I watch a play, I feel much better! Besides, this is to welcome Major General Xing. How can we directly discuss official business?" It would be more appropriate to talk about pleasantries!
Qi Wen continued, sighing with emotion, "Why don't you enjoy the play, Major General Xing? Perhaps you'll come to like it too!"
Xing Yuan was speechless at Qi Wen's reasoning but couldn't directly offend him, so she simply nodded.
"Thank you, Major General Qi! But please just call me by my name. It feels a bit awkward to hear it otherwise."
"Alright! Since I'm a few years older, I'll take the liberty to consider myself your elder brother. From now on, we'll be brothers, looking out for each other, and no one will be able to harm us!" Qi Wen instantly moved up the stairs, reaching the top.
A hint of bewilderment flickered in Xing Yuan's eyes. She had only asked him to call her by her name, and now they were brothers? This seemed to be developing too quickly!
"Then, thank you, Brother Qi," Xing Yuan regained her composure and said as calmly as possible.
Fortunately, she had been accustomed to disguising herself as a man since childhood. Even if she panicked for a moment, her voice wouldn't reveal her gender, at most sounding slightly softer.
"Haha! Brother Xing, no need for pleasantries!" Qi Wen responded with sudden, hearty bravado.
Xing Yuan thought, "I've never met someone who so easily goes along with things."
Did this person have multiple personalities? Was he schizophrenic? How terrifying!
Qi Wen, unaware that he had been labeled as schizophrenic in such a short time, was fully engrossed in the play's critical moment. His whole body was filled with passion, and he barely thought before answering Xing Yuan.
Only those who enjoyed theater knew that when they reached a climax, they would unconsciously empathize with the characters.
After a long while, the play concluded, and the actors exited. Qi Wen also came back to his senses, looking at Xing Yuan, whom he had completely ignored, feeling quite embarrassed.
Qi Wen deliberated for a moment before saying, "Little Brother Xing, it was my fault just now! I got so engrossed that I forgot about you! How about this! I'll invite the main actors up to apologize to my brother!"
Xing Yuan thought, "...? I think you just genuinely want to see these actors, but I can't refuse you."
Qi Wen's deputy general was a man of action. As soon as Qi Wen finished speaking, he skillfully went to find the actors. It was evident he had done this many times before.
The two looked at each other in silence. Xing Yuan broke the awkward atmosphere, "Brother Qi, is this your first time here?"
Qi Wen admitted frankly, "No! Although Hai City has several theaters, only this Ruo Xi Pavilion suits my taste. It's both high-class and elegant, and they have some novel plays!"
When it came to this, he became energetic. Normally, his father controlled him at home, not allowing him to watch plays. Now that he was free, of course, he had to have fun! As for what others thought, who cares?
Xing Yuan was utterly speechless. She hadn't expected the male protagonist of this world to be like this.
From the moment Xing Yuan saw Qi Wen, she knew one thing: he was the male protagonist of this world. She had initially planned how to deal with him, but now she had a different idea.
Since the world mission was to quell the war, why not just hand it over to the male protagonist and watch from the sidelines? Why bother with the task herself?
With this thought, Xing Yuan's gaze towards Qi Wen became more sincere. Someone who enjoyed plays about chivalry and justice wouldn't be too bad, making him a suitable candidate.
Qi Wen inexplicably shivered, feeling as if he were being watched.
The deputy general returned with over a dozen male and female actors of remarkable appearance. These were all actors from the play. He had indeed spent a considerable amount to bring them back. He wondered when the young general would change his habit of watching plays.
If his father found out how much money they had spent on the play, the young master would surely be punished again.
Qi Wen was completely unaware of the deputy general's inner turmoil. He merely looked at the people before him with excitement.
After removing their makeup, ordinary people couldn't distinguish who played whom. However, Qi Wen could accurately identify the person he was looking for. It had to be said that Qi Wen indeed had an extraordinary talent in this regard.
Xing Yuan casually glanced over and was instantly stunned. Was she hallucinating? Why did she think she saw her elder sister here?
Fang Xiyue detested these duties of entertaining young masters. Every time she stood before them, she felt as if she were being seen through. What she loved most was standing on stage, playing various female roles.
She had been adopted by her master since childhood. Her master had taught her many things. Her name was also given by her master. The characters "Xi Yue" symbolized her master's blessings for her, and she herself liked the name very much.
In this chaotic world, finding a place of peace was a rare blessing. Moreover, her master had paid such a great price to ensure Ruo Xi Pavilion's tranquility. Therefore, she cherished it. So, even though she didn't particularly like it, she still came.