The night fell, and the plaza of the Azure Manor residential community was bathed in light.
The stage lights focused. Aunt Wang, the organizer and host of the cultural performance, was dressed in a qipao adorned with blue and white porcelain patterns. Her curvaceous figure clearly indicated she had been a beauty in her youth.
Even now, her charm was undeniable, though she rarely dressed up.
Aunt Wang walked onto the stage and, looking at the ever-growing audience, a smile curved her lips. The crowd gathered numbered at least a thousand, and it was evident that many were not there for the cultural performance itself, but for Ye Zi.
However, that didn't matter.
Seeing the crowd, Aunt Wang revealed her ace to keep them engaged. "It's a great pleasure to have you all here for the Azure Manor cultural performance. Now, please welcome our superstar singer, Ye Xuan, to bring us a song, 'New Concubine Drunk,' let's give him a warm welcome!"
Next, Ye Xuan strode onto the stage, and thunderous applause immediately erupted from the audience, interspersed with some cheers.
"Today, at Aunt Wang's invitation, I'm honored to participate in the community's cultural performance. I happened to write a new song recently, incorporating some elements of traditional opera. I hope you all enjoy it."
After a brief introduction, a lively and elegant rhythm began, and Ye Xuan's voice, at a specific moment, rose from the stage.
"That year, snowflakes drifted down, plum blossoms bloomed on branches,"
"That year, by the Huaqing Pool, so much sorrow was left,"
"Don't speak of who was right or wrong, of love's mistakes or truths,"
"I only wish to be drunk with you once more in dreams."
"........"
"The golden phoenix hairpin and jade hairpiece, gifts you gave to me,"
"The 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress' tune, how many cycles of singing and dancing for you,"
".............."
The magnetic, full voice emanating from the stage evoked a classical beauty, bringing comfort to the listeners, with a rhythm that was just right.
Hearing their son's singing, Ye Pengfei and Chen Xiaowan beamed with pride. It was no wonder they felt that way; any parents would be delighted to see their son excel.
"Old Ye, not bad, your boy can sing this well."
"No wonder several of his songs became hits online."
Uncle Wang next door, Aunt Wang's husband, looked at Ye Xuan on stage, who seemed like a different person, and remarked with emotion.
"This boy, he's just average~"
Ye Pengfei said with a chuckle, though his face was filled with a happy smile.
Uncle Wang next door heard this and rolled his eyes at Ye Pengfei. "Hmph~"
"Average, you old Ye just enjoy your secret joy."
"Yes, Old Ye, if your son is average, then everyone else must be useless!"
"Showing off, Old Ye is starting to show off now. We really underestimated him before."
"Tsk, tsk, this song sounds much better and more pleasant than those singers."
"Exactly, otherwise how could the Ye family's son's songs become so popular online~~"
A buzzing sound rose and intertwined from the crowd. Amidst their heated discussion, the cross-dressed singing smoothly began.
"Love and hate in an instant,"
"Raising a cup to the moon, affection as vast as the sky,"
"Love and hate, both vast and distant,"
"When will you return, my love?"
"........."
"Chrysanthemum Terrace reflects the bright moon,"
"Who knows the coldness in my heart's love?"
"........."
Pfft~
The sudden turn to cross-dressed opera caused Aunt Wang, who had just taken a sip of water to moisten her throat, to spit it out instantly. Her eyes stared fixedly, incredulously, at the stage, or rather, at Ye Xuan.
Not only her, but also Aunt Wang's more than ten close friends were all stunned, staring at Ye Xuan in the center of the stage.
What in the world?
The group of more than ten listened, bewildered, to the cross-dressed turn. "This song... so, traditional opera can be used like this? The Ye family's boy is amazing."