Chapter 10: The Girl from the Drama Club
Northern University, a prestigious institution with nearly a century of history, stands as China's most spiritually charming and academically atmospheric university. Despite having endured wars and catastrophes, it has continuously passed down its academic spirit of "embracing diversity and freedom of thought" and its motto of "patriotism, progress, realism, and innovation," nurturing countless outstanding young people.
Murong Feng slowly drove his car through the towering white jade stone pillars of the south gate, feeling nostalgic as he took in the familiar scenery. Memories of his passionate university days, filled with youthful ambition, flooded back. He parked his car in front of the Centennial Culture Hall and walked towards the Art Lecture Hall.
Two days ago, his old friend Du Lei, who had once been with him in the university drama club, suddenly called and asked if he had time to attend a drama club reunion at the school.
Murong Feng was surprised and asked, "Shitou, we've been out of school for more than three years now. Why are we still hanging around the campus? Whose idea was this?"
"Hey, Murong Feng, have you been out in society so long that you've forgotten your roots? I'm telling you, our old club president Wang Yizhi himself is organizing this. Most of our old members are participating. So, are you coming or not?"
"Of course, I'm coming!" Murong Feng immediately agreed without hesitation. He realized he missed those guys after such a long time. He reminisced about the times they rehearsed "Thunderstorm" until 3 a.m., squeezing into the small backstage room of the Art Lecture Hall to cook instant noodles. Those were such fulfilling and joyful days!
Unconsciously, Murong Feng found himself at the back door of the Art Lecture Hall, a route he always took to the backstage during drama club activities. He remembered having the key to the back door and bringing his girlfriend Nian Nian there early on Wednesday evenings to eat dinner before rehearsals. Those moments of sneaking some intimacy in the small room next to the dressing room were sweet memories...
Now, though the door's marks and scratches remained, things had changed.
He pushed open the back door and walked in. A hallway led directly to the dressing room, and he could hear the lively chatter and laughter from inside, warming his heart. He quickened his pace.
Just as he reached the dressing room door, it suddenly opened, and a laughing girl ran out, talking to someone behind her. She didn't expect anyone outside and ran straight into Murong Feng's arms.
The girl, running fast, was dizzy from the impact and stumbled, nearly falling. Murong Feng, though bumped, was steady and quickly caught her.
In that moment, Murong Feng had only one thought: "So light!" The girl, soft and delicate, was not only stopped from falling but pulled back into his arms, facing him. Her proximity left her blushing deeply, still dazed from the encounter.
The room's noise burst out with the door's opening, but suddenly it became silent as everyone stared at Murong Feng holding the girl, both surprised.
"Wow, Murong, you finally showed up, and you immediately hug a beauty. That's too much. Let go already!" The loud voice belonged to the old president, Wang Yizhi.
Murong Feng, realizing the situation, quickly released the girl and stepped back, apologizing, "Sorry, I saw you were about to fall and wanted to help." The girl, blushing even more, lowered her head almost to her chest, and murmured, "It's okay, I wasn't paying attention..."
At that moment, someone rushed out from the room. "What are you two doing out here? Murong, get in here! Look how smug you are. Oh, right, Ye Zi, weren't you going to get something? Hurry back, and I'll introduce this handsome guy to you later!" It was Du Lei, whose words made Ye Zi even more embarrassed. She quickly lowered her head, bypassed Murong Feng, and ran out.
Murong Feng smiled helplessly, "Stop teasing her, Du Lei. She's already embarrassed." He hugged Du Lei tightly, giving him a hard slap on the back. "I've missed you, man!" Du Lei yelped, "Easy, man... Are you getting back at me?"
As soon as Murong Feng entered the dressing room, a group of old members surrounded him, laughing and hugging. It had been nearly three years since they last saw each other, and everyone had changed significantly. They shared their nostalgia.
The dressing room also housed a group of younger members, the current drama club. Some were seniors whom Murong Feng had recruited during his last year, and they recognized each other. Amidst the chatting and laughing, Ye Zi returned, stealing glances at Murong Feng, her face still blushing.
Du Lei introduced her, and to Murong Feng's surprise, Ye Zi turned out to be Du Lei's cousin and the vice president of the current drama club. Everyone was amazed that both cousins could attend Northern University and share a passion for drama.
The group teased Murong Feng and Ye Zi about their collision, making Ye Zi even more embarrassed. To shift the focus, Murong Feng began recounting funny old stories about the others, turning the tables on his old friends. After a while, the atmosphere settled down, and they began discussing the purpose of the reunion.
The reunion was organized by Wang Yizhi and Ye Zi, or rather, by Wang Yizhi and the current drama club members.
Wang Yizhi informed everyone that he had recently resigned from the Bank of China and was accepted into Beijing People's Art Theatre (Beijing Renyi) as a professional drama actor. Everyone was shocked. They knew Wang Yizhi had been doing well at the bank, recently promoted to deputy director, and were surprised he had quit. However, the bigger shock was his acceptance into Beijing Renyi!
Beijing Renyi, the highest temple of Chinese drama!
The Beijing People's Art Theatre, abbreviated as Beijing Renyi, is a Chinese drama troupe. Founded in early 1950 as a comprehensive art troupe including opera, drama, and dance, its drama troupe merged with the Central Academy of Drama's troupe in June 1952 to form Beijing People's Art Theatre. Drama master Cao Yu was the theatre's first president.
Beijing Renyi's plays are acclaimed as "the epitome of Chinese drama." Throughout Chinese drama history, Beijing Renyi has created numerous brilliant works, earning its title as a national-level art hall, a "national treasure" gem, and the hope of Chinese drama.
In the 1950s and 60s, the theatre gained fame with productions by Guo Moruo, Lao She, Cao Yu, and Tian Han, including "Tiger Talisman," "Cai Wenji," "Empress Wu Zetian," "Dragon Beard Ditch," "Camel Xiangzi," "Teahouse," "Thunderstorm," "Sunrise," "Beijingers," "Death of a Famous Actor," "Guan Hanqing," and foreign plays like "The Miser," "Aesop," "Man with a Gun," and "The Wisest Fool."
These works are classics for drama students, who memorize their lines and revere them.
Back in the drama club, Wang Yizhi was known for his deep understanding and passion for drama. He often invited artists from Beijing Renyi to give lectures and guidance, boasting that he would join Renyi someday. Though he succumbed to family pressure and joined the bank after graduation, he hadn't given up on his dream and succeeded in joining Beijing Renyi. The old members, shocked, congratulated him. Most had turned drama into a hobby, drifting through city life, disconnected from their passion. Only someone like Wang Yizhi, truly obsessed with drama, would give up everything to pursue their dream. Their admiration grew.
Wang Yizhi smiled, thanked everyone, and promised to treat them to dinner that night, calming their excitement and explaining the purpose of the reunion.
This time, Ye Zi also played a crucial role. As the current drama club's external relations officer, she was helping organize the school's arts festival, aiming to expand the drama club's influence among other universities. She convinced the school to dedicate a day to drama during the festival and hoped to invite Beijing Renyi artists for feedback and guidance.
Learning that her cousin Du Lei mentioned Wang Yizhi's acceptance into Renyi, Ye Zi invited him, hoping he could bring more renowned actors. Wang Yizhi agreed and proposed that Northern University's drama club, known for its talent, could invite alumni to perform large-scale plays, ensuring the drama festival had a variety of performances. Current members alone, around 20 people, couldn't sustain a full drama night.
Ye Zi liked the idea, and the current members, who had been inspired by alumni performances, were thrilled. Working with their admired seniors excited them.
Murong Feng and the others realized the plan. Wang Yizhi continued, "I know everyone is busy with work now. The students have classes during the day, so we can rehearse in the evenings. There's still over a month until the arts festival. What do you think?"
Murong Feng and the others exchanged glances and smiled. Murong Feng said, "How could we refuse when the president himself asks? Of course, we're interested! It's been a long time since we rehearsed a play together. I miss those all-nighters!" The old members echoed his sentiments. The memories of their university days were the best.
Ye Zi then introduced the festival's schedule and the drama club's plans. As she stood confidently, speaking clearly, with her bright eyes and radiant face, Murong Feng admired her youthful beauty.
He glanced at the burly Du Lei, wondering how this guy ended up with such a beautiful cousin.
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