In the blink of an eye, He Jinxia's expression once again became calm, and she leisurely said, "Since ancient times, a wife isn't as good as a concubine, a concubine not as good as a secret affair, and a secret affair not as good as an unattainable one. All those young masters profess their fidelity, but who doesn't harbor a playboy's heart inside?"
"Ha, do you actually want to force Assistant Minister Ma to stay away from Red Courtyard forever?"
He Jinxia let out another cold snort, and sharply said, "What a joke!"
She waved the folded fan in her hand again and again, her expression and words full of disdain and revulsion, "His lady is confined within those four walls, slaving away preparing food and bearing children to carry on his legacy, all the while watching him gallivant outside. Her heart cannot be tethered, and powerless to do anything about it, she can only force the man's hand with a divorce, the family's dirty laundry aired for all to see—how pitiful."
"And could her heart really keep his in check? If it could, why would all those men flock to Red Courtyard to seek pleasures?"
She tilted her head up slightly, her expression full of pride, "Like me, I go wherever I wish, simply mingling among the men. Isn't that delightful?"
"Hee hee, this flower is so beautiful, sister, come over and have a look..." On the chair, He Jinxia's face changed, and her expression and tone shifted accordingly.
She placed the folded fan on her lap, gestured beside her as if pointing out a real flower, and smiled sweetly.
"Sister, this red peony is truly stunning. It's rare that it blooms, why don't we pick a few to wear?"
As He Jinxia spoke, she mimed the action of pinching a flower and then picked up a red peony placed on the table next to her chair, carefully wearing it in her hair, and said with innocent romance,
"Sister, do you think it looks good?"
She tilted her head to another angle, varying her intonation, "Little sister, you look so pretty with it on, quick, help me put one on too."
From below the stage, some people gasped in shock, "Is this a one-person multiple-role play? What kind of play is this? Wait, isn't He Jinxia a singing and dancing performer? How come she's acting now?"
Some people gave He Jinxia a deep look and said with complex expressions, "This is a form of theater called solo drama. There's only one person on stage, with minimal settings. The actor must face the audience alone, playing multiple roles without any transition, seamlessly blending into one another, which greatly tests an actor's script foundation and facial expressions."
"The performance of solo drama is an actor's internal exploration of their characters. Without deep literary literacy, it's impossible to comprehend those seemingly absurd and bizarre characters and the profound analysis of human nature behind them. Although it's just one actor's stage, it captures the gaze of the multitude and encompasses everything."
On stage, He Jinxia, seated in the chair, met those carefree, laughing girls, mimicking their every move precisely. Not a single line was out of place, nor was there any excessive pause.
Even though there was only her on the stage, everyone below could differentiate the characters she was portraying.
He Jinxia's voice fluctuated, now hoarse, now crisp, sometimes impassioned, sometimes subdued... all the changes measured, and clearly, she had perfectly mastered this performance.
Some couldn't help but exclaim, "He Jinxia's display of skill is no small feat..."
Is acting in a play difficult?
Actually, it's not as hard as acting in front of a camera, where you have to control your facial expressions all the time to seek the most genuine and natural state of the character.
On the contrary, theatrical acting requires letting go, releasing all the full-bodied emotions, and erupting with all the character's fervor.
It might seem exaggerated, but because theater involves direct interaction between the actor and the audience, this kind of overstated tension is necessary to affect the emotions of those around, and to be even more... impactful.
To be a theatrical actor is not difficult.
To be a good theatrical actor is difficult.
To perfectly master a solo drama alone is even more challenging!
"He Jinxia is really something..." another person let out that sentiment.
Zhang Yingru, hearing her peers quietly discussing with admiration and high praise, looked somewhat uncomfortable.
She glanced at He Jinxia, who was performing on stage, took a deep breath, and turned to leave.
The nine members of the girl group looked at each other and finally, led by the captain, they all left together. Before leaving, the captain turned her head to glance at He Jinxia, her eyes full of hostility.
After JY Girl Group left, coincidentally, a group of company executives arrived on the first floor by elevator.
The moment the elevator doors opened, onlookers who saw them changed their expression and immediately bowed respectfully to the man surrounded by the executives at the center, saying, "Good day, President Sheng."
After finishing their bows, those people couldn't help but raise their heads, staring at the man's back with either infatuation or adoration, as if just one look from him would be worth fainting for.
"Good day, President Sheng."
""
...
On the first floor of the company, more and more people were bending over to greet with feverish reverence on their faces.
Some agents, spotting the man surrounded by a crowd at the center, changed color and hurried over with their closest colleagues.
Did they think they wanted to go over for a chat?
No No No, they just wanted to bow in front of the man and simply say, "Good day, President Sheng."
Sheng Yan, dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit, hair slicked back to reveal his sharp, distinct features—clear brows and bright eyes. At that moment, his brow furrowed and his steps halted as he turned to speak to a senior executive from the company:
"I need a more detailed analysis, not idealistic empty talk. If you want me to approve this project, bring me more market research and analysis, understood?"
A casually spoken sentence, though not a stern criticism, sent a piercing gaze to the executive, who immediately began to sweat profusely.
The senior executive nodded emphatically, "Yes, President Sheng."
Sheng Yan said indifferently, "Very well."
He shifted his gaze and continued walking, "Where were we?"
The assistant came to his senses and said hurriedly, "President Sheng, we were just discussing the acquisition deal of Polar Bear's 3D technology. The CEO of Polar Bear wants to speak with you personally—"
"Presumptuous!" A sharp reprimand suddenly cut off the assistant's words.
Sheng Yan's steps halted once again, and he turned his head toward the stage.
On the stage, the character Uncle Wei, previously played by He Jinxia, stormed off due to the inconsiderate courtesan Liu Lv from the Red Courtyard. With Uncle Wei gone, He Jinxia took a seat, transforming back into the authoritative Aunt Hong of the Red Courtyard.
She raised her eyebrows, staring coldly at Liu Lv, who was kneeling on the ground, "Have you forgotten all the rules I taught you after just five days without guidance!?"
"Let me tell you again today, in the Red Courtyard, the guests are the rules, I am the rules. Displeased with the look of a guest? From the moment you entered this place and sold yourselves to me, you've had no right to be picky!"
"Someone, drag Liu Lv out and give her twenty hard strokes of the plank! Do it in the pavilion, let all the girls see what happens when you irritate a guest!"
He Jinxia stood up, trembling as she knelt on the ground and shouted towards the chair, "Aunt Hong, Liu Lv knows her fault, wuu! Liu Lv is wrong, please give Liu Lv a chance, give me a chance! I beg you..."
Her body gradually retreated backwards, miming a struggle as if being dragged away, her cries becoming more piercing with each call, until she disappeared into the hopeless darkness.
The stage lighting then changed, turning off other lights and leaving only one spotlight on the rising He Jinxia. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze cold as she watched Liu Lv being dragged away bit by bit.
Suddenly, she let out a scoff, a smile curling her lips as she softly and slowly retorted, "You realize your mistake?"
She abruptly wiped the smile off her face, stating lightly, "Too late."
That tone, that demeanor, was as if a human life was but a trifle—beaten if beaten, killed if killed, and if someone died... what did it matter?
In just a few movements and lines, He Jinxia vividly portrayed the despair of Liu Lv and Aunt Hong's ruthless indifference, a delight for the audience to watch!
Sheng Yan withdrew his gaze, turned his head, and continued on, as the senior executives snapped out of their daze and followed.
"Who is that actress on the stage?" he asked nonchalantly.
The assistant quickly answered, "The former member of the JY girl group, He Jinxia."
Sheng Yan frowned, "Girl group?"
The assistant had been with Sheng Yan since his debut and was well-versed in his boss's temperament. He said, "He Jinxia has just been kicked out of the girl group, apparently aiming to pursue an acting career."
Sheng Yan's frown relaxed, and he replied indifferently, "Hm, she has talent."
The assistant quickly signaled to other executives, who got the message and nodded, agreeing, "Indeed, her acting is quite good, she deserves an opportunity."
Sheng Yan's mouth twitched, glancing at those who didn't understand acting, but he said nothing further.
The group hurriedly left the company and boarded a business vehicle, rushing to the next meeting.