Searching and seeking

It turned out that her elderly mother was gravely ill and on the verge of death, wrapped in tattered sheets that could not conceal her body. The girl had placed her mother under the eaves of a shikumen house.

The first decent house that Xiaoyun saw in Shanghai was a brick-colored, weathered structure with rusty iron doors, a three-story, three-room brick and wood joint Shikumen house. This Shikumen was not old due to the passage of time. The Shikumen in the Zhabei area, near the public concession, were hastily built and rudimentary. Here, due to the chaos of war, the land was relatively cheap, and those looking to profit on the Bund saw an opportunity: the Chinese refugees, driven from their homes by the Japanese, were flooding into Shanghai and desperately needed a roof over their heads. They would bring their life savings and, in the vibrant city of Shanghai, exchange large amounts of silver dollars for a place to stay. Those looking to profit on the Bund saw an opportunity: the Chinese refugees, driven from their homes by the Japanese, were flooding into Shanghai and desperately needed a roof over their heads. They would bring their life savings and, in the vibrant city of Shanghai, exchange large amounts of silver dollars for a place to stay

Du Ban Zhu could not tolerate this laughter and furrowed her brows tightly. Qing Gu's face fell, and she paid her no further attention, instead introducing, "This is a sister who studies drama here, just one year older than you, named Gui Feng." Gui Feng had a short student hairstyle, her delicate face showing little expression, merely nodding to Xiao Yun as a form of greeting.

"Flowers fall and petals fly, filling the sky with red; the fragrance fades, who is there to pity? In a year of three hundred sixty days, the wind, knife, frost, and sword press harshly. How many times are there bright and beautiful moments? One day of drifting is hard to seek..." This is originally from Lin Daiyu's "Burial of Flowers," a popular excerpt from the current trend of Shaoxing opera. The audience loves to listen, and more people gather around.

Qing Gu sternly admonished, "Don't talk nonsense, this is all for your own good!" The boy pouted, feeling mostly embarrassed, and since he was not one to linger idly, he noticed Xiao Yun standing alone, her slender body resembling a willow branch, looking pitiful. He had no choice but to be amiable first: "You can call me Brother Zhanfeng!" Xiao Yun was about to show her shyness, but when the boy called out to her, she smiled and said, "Brother Zhanfeng." The boy reached out his hand, scratched his head, and held back his laughter at her. Xiao Yun was settled in a room on the second floor of the Shikumen, sharing it with Gui Feng and several other girls. This small Shikumen actually housed about ten people. The couple, Du Ban Zhu and his wife, shared a room with Zhanfeng, while the west wing on the third floor was exclusively occupied by Xiao Fengming. The two rooms on the east and west sides of the second floor were interconnected, lined with bunk beds, with bed curtains drawn, accommodating seven or eight girls.

Xiaoyun noticed the cold attitude of the girl, who was almost her age, and could only nod in response. "After a long day of fussing around, let's hurry in for lunch!" said the owner Du, leading the way into the dining room without giving Xiaofengming a glance. Qinggu took Xiaoyun's hand and said, "Let's have lunch!" Xiaofengming, feeling awkward and secretly annoyed, gritted her teeth and exclaimed, "The deputy director Yamamoto from Dahua Bank has invited me to the Luowei Restaurant for Western cuisine!" With a twist of her hips, she headed straight up the stairs from the dining room, her high heels making a loud "thud thud" sound on the wooden floor.

Her courage grew, and with a single effort, she took out three dollars to give to the girl, but was pushed back by a boy in a Zhongshan suit. "Hey, what you just gave to this sister is enough to go to the clinic," he said. Guiyun glared at him, wondering why he was stopping her. The boy smiled, "In broad daylight, possessing wealth is a crime. Do you understand?" His words were overly literary, and he still held her hand. The boy frowned slightly, his thick eyebrows giving him a spirited look, resembling a sword-like brow and starry eyes. He leaned closer to Guiyun and whispered, "They are so weak; if they have so much money, what will happen if someone steals it?" Guiyun suddenly realized that this boy truly had good intentions. The boy helped the girl who had fallen to the ground and said, "I will take you to the hospital." The girl expressed her gratitude and bowed to Guiyun, who blushed and felt embarrassed instead. The boy smiled at her, put whatever he was holding back into his small backpack, and helped the girl lift the seriously ill elderly person. The girl repeatedly thanked her and Zhanfeng, who chuckled and scratched his head. Guiyun remained silent; they were all just children, which made the boy appear generous, proper, and clever. As they were leaving, he turned back to look at Guiyun. She was still angry, pouting at him, insisting that she had not lost to him. The boy found the stubborn look on the girl's face quite adorable; he slightly raised his head, facing the sunlight, his sword-like brows unfurling, a brilliant smile appearing, and he waved at her, seemingly bidding her farewell. Guiyun was stunned. The boy had won and turned back, walking away with the girl and her mother. As the crowd dispersed, Zhanfeng became lively again. He first apologized, "I knew you weren't that kind of person; I shouldn't have looked at you that way, I really should be punished!"

She was once again left under the bed by someone. In the deep of night, Xiao Yun felt a sense of grievance in her heart as she gazed at the pure white moonlight reflected on the curtains, reminiscing about the days spent in the rolling dragon. During that time, the night wind was fierce, blowing straight in through the gaps of the rolling dragon, making her shiver and huddle close to her father's chest. Later, when there was little Yan in the rolling dragon, the two of them embraced each other for warmth. In that way, it was indeed reassuring. Now, in this Shikumen house, with its thick walls and heavy quilts, the night wind could no longer rage in. But the night was dark and gloomy, drawing up all the sadness from the depths of her heart. Father, his life and death remain uncertain. If he is alive, where is he? Is he hungry? Is he cold? If he is dead, if he is dead, thinking about it makes her dare not think further. When she was in a daze, she felt a sense of peace, thinking that perhaps it would be good this way, maybe she could reunite with her father.

Thus, the most compact shikumen built from the cheapest construction materials can be sold to the largest number of lower-middle-class refugees who have fled to Shanghai. After prolonged habitation, the brick color fades, the floor shakes, the corners are cold and damp, and the roof sometimes leaks. However, for those who have already lowered their basic needs to the minimum, it is sufficient. Xiaoyun also feels it is sufficient; she quietly examines the shikumen where she is about to live.

Upon entering, one finds themselves in the courtyard. Two young girls are standing in the middle of the courtyard, gracefully holding their hands in a position reminiscent of orchids, creating a wrist flower. Their lively eyes dart up and down with the movements of the wrist flower, their expressions shifting in tandem with the undulations of their wrists—sometimes alluring, sometimes contemplative, and at times playfully pouting. The slightly older girl performs the movements better than the younger one, her facial expressions changing in accordance with her fingertips, showcasing a myriad of transformations and splendid displays.

Qing Gu's heart was set at ease. Xiao Yun knew that she had no choice and could not have a choice. She no longer had to sleep in the open, no longer had to wander around, and no longer had to beg in a humble manner

Xiaoyun quietly crawled out of bed, put on her shoes, and tiptoed down the stairs, moving gently and silently to avoid making the stairs creak.

Guiyun is a junior apprentice, lacking the qualifications to take the stage. Even if Gui Feng possesses a naturally beautiful voice, she is merely a supporting character like Ziju, who assists Daiyu in trying on the jade, or Yinxin, who helps Zhu Yingtai with her luggage. All are minor roles, none of which can truly shine on stage. When Master Du and Aunt Qing oversee the performance, they feel both joy and concern at the sight of the flower baskets and silver shields adorned with the name of Xiao Fengming. Aunt Qing remarks to Guiyun, who can only watch from backstage, "Xiao Fengming's talent is truly remarkable; I fear that among these sisters, only Gui Feng will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with her in the future." Guiyun listens, being a stubborn person herself. Every day, she practices her voice and stretches her legs, determined to keep up. However, Master Du, listening from the side, shakes his head. Her heart sinks a little.

Guiyun is understanding and diligent in her studies, which brings great satisfaction to the troupe leader Du, who appreciates her obedience and thus imparts even more teachings. The sisters in the theater observe this but dare not speak openly; some secretly seek Guiyun's favor, while others gossip. Only Xiaofengming openly remarked: "The troupe leader is making preparations for the future! If the son is useless, is he raising his daughter-in-law as a successor? Who is he stepping on?" Du, the troupe leader, coldly laughed: "As long as I am here, this troupe must follow my rules; young lady, do not speak too much!" This provoked Xiaofengming to smash a bowl and curse. Zhanfeng informed Guiyun that the Qingxi Troupe was originally founded by Xiaofengming's parents together with Du, who was previously a musician, while Xiaofengming's mother was a true star, once famous throughout Jiangsu and Zhejiang. However, both parents passed away at a young age, and Du took on the heavy responsibility of leading the troupe.

Guiyun bit her lip, remaining silent and standing still in a daze. At that moment, a boy wearing a Zhongshan suit and a student cap approached, appearing to be one or two years older than them, tall in stature. He came up behind Guiyun, crouched down, and handed the girl a ten-yuan silver note. The girl was taken aback; she had never received such generous charity before. She wanted to bow deeply in gratitude, but the boy refused to accept it, supporting her instead.

Du Ban Zhu took out a pipe from his pocket and struck it heavily on the table. Seeing his fierce demeanor, Xiao Yun moved behind Qing Gu, catching a glimpse of Gui Feng, who was staring at her intently. "Let's go, we should first meet Zhan Feng," Qing Gu urged Xiao Yun to follow her. They headed to a new unfamiliar place. The first time Xiao Yun saw Du Zhan Feng was in the east wing room on the third floor of the Shikumen, which had a skylight. At noon, the room was filled with sunlight. A boy, reportedly suffering from chickenpox, lay lazily on the bed, kicking off the covers and stretching out his arms and legs to bask in the sun. Qing Gu brought Xiao Yun inside, and the boy, caught off guard, hurriedly adjusted his sleeping posture. "My little ancestor!" Qing Gu exclaimed anxiously as she rushed to tuck her son back under the covers, wrapping him up like a "zongzi."

Xiaoyun's tears were retracted. "Being obedient and making progress naturally leads to a good future. Overthinking brings no benefits." The moon is cold, and Xiaoyun dared not leave herself uncomforted, rubbing her arms, half understanding, yet she must understand

Xiaoyun opened her curious eyes wide, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. Her hand instinctively formed a delicate gesture, which was quite novel to her. With a faint smile, she said, "Sisters do it better." Seeing that the child was not shy and had a straightforward personality, Qing Gu was even more delighted and affectionately touched Xiaoyun's face.

Father once taught: "In walking through the world, one must value the two words of loyalty and affection." The Du family bestowed their loyalty upon m.hetushu.com, and she must reciprocate. The voice of Master Du solemnly pierced through the curling smoke, carrying the judgment of fate, along with the comfort of destiny

"This elder sister, it is not good to delay the old man's illness like this, hurry to the hospital!" He stood up again, his posture very straight. Turning around, he lifted his student cap and faced Guiyun's handsome and bright face. However, his gaze was quite arrogant, staring at Guiyun, surprised and puzzled by how long her braid was. Guiyun thought this was a provocation; she was indignant and unwilling to back down, and in an instant, she had another idea. This was a sense of chivalry, as well as empathy, for the unfortunate girl, and also for herself, not wanting to lose face in front of the boys. She was about to take the stage, standing at the forefront, her voice crisp and bright. "For a meal, I have fallen into hardship. Who hasn't faced some difficulties? Today, this young girl is here to make a wish for this sister, asking all kind-hearted people to lend a hand!" Now, some people were willing to watch the excitement, all understanding that she was about to perform, and they immediately cheered. The boy, who was originally in a hurry to leave, became a bit interested upon seeing her demeanor and stayed, his clear eyes fixed on the girl with the long braid.

Xiaoyun stood helplessly in a space several times wider than that of a rolling dragon, feeling even more isolated. Only Feng cast a furtive glance at Xiaoyun, then another, remaining silent alongside the other sisters around her. These girls had been wandering the world since childhood, well aware of the ups and downs of life, and were quite shrewd. Each of them, while busy with their tasks, kept an eye on the newcomer, secretly reveling in her misfortune. Aunt Qing brought over a bed quilt; she had intended to support Xiaoyun, unable to bear seeing her wronged, and asked, "Who among you will sleep with Xiaoyun?" Each of them, while busy with their tasks, kept an eye on the newcomer, secretly reveling in her misfortune. Aunt Qing brought over a bed quilt; she had intended to support Xiaoyun, unable to bear seeing her wronged, and asked, "Who among you will sleep with Xiaoyun?"

The gratitude in my heart is difficult to express. One must be grateful and repay kindness. The only way I can repay is by taking the stage to perform, not idly consuming resources, but diligently contributing some effort to the theater troupe.

Although this place is pleasant, it exudes a sense of chill deep down. A small hand tugged at Xiaoyun's sleeve, and when Xiaoyun looked up, it was Guifeng. The tears that had been welling in her eyes from feeling wronged were brushed away by Guifeng's timid smile. Aunt Qing was very pleased and said, "Guifeng is the most understanding!" She arranged Xiaoyun's bedding next to Guifeng, turned around to give a few instructions, and then left. Once Aunt Qing had walked far away, the oldest girl among them, named Xiaoqiuyue, whispered sharply, "No wonder the master and mother praise you every day; you really are overly virtuous, pretending to be a good person even after being abandoned!" Guifeng shrank back, and Aunt Qing was very pleased, saying, "Guifeng is the most understanding!" She arranged Xiaoyun's bedding next to Guifeng, turned around to give a few instructions, and then left. Once Aunt Qing had walked far away, the oldest girl among them, named Xiaoqiuyue, whispered sharply, "No wonder the master and mother praise you every day; you really are overly virtuous, pretending to be a good person even after being abandoned!" Guifeng shrank back, sitting in the corner. There were others who joined in to add insult to injury: "Now she is the new young mistress of the master’s family, the future bride of Zhanfeng; how can she be compared to us? Come on, Guifeng, you are the only one who knows how to be a doormat, wanting to take the lead in the future!" Guifeng remained silent. Although Xiaoyun did not fully understand the meaning behind their words, seeing Guifeng huddled pitifully in the corner made her feel angry and wanting to argue. But one by one, those girls crawled into their shared bedding, and even Guifeng burrowed into her blanket, only saying to Guifeng, "Go to sleep soon!"

Fortunately, Xiaoyun's voice is high-pitched and clear, making it suitable for the stage. From a worldly perspective, one might think that this child is not a waste of the money spent on her.

Master Du has discerned that this child has limited talent; he does not wish to burden her. However, since the opera troupe is a family tradition, it is inevitable that he will pass it on to his son and daughter-in-law in the future. Therefore, he has taken Guiyun under his wing to teach her some additional skills. The opera troupe, drifting in Shanghai, is also adapting to the trends of the city, compelled by life to ensure that everyone can utilize their talents. When the troupe is short-staffed, Master Du himself must personally go to the performance venue. He has now added this course for Guiyun and has explained the various aspects of the opera house clearly. When the troupe is short-staffed, Master Du himself must personally go to the performance venue. He has now added this course for Guiyun and has explained the various aspects of the opera house clearly

Celebration Aunt introduced: "This is our local Head Sister, Xiao Fengming, from now on, she will be called Master Sister." "Master Sister," Xiao Yun echoed. Xiao Fengming laughed, "You are truly obedient. Your in-laws must be very pleased with you, how quickly you have moved on to something new!"

Little Yan, the little Yan who has accompanied me for so long, though saved by me, has always taken care of me. Now, she is no longer before me, as if the support in my suffering has suddenly vanished. As I think about it, tears fall, and I cover my mouth, unable to make a sound. Yet, the sorrow in my heart surges forth, uncontrollable.

The returning clouds assume a poised stance, gracefully lifting into a position reminiscent of wielding a hoe. Steady your breath, stabilize your spirit, and let the sound resonate from the dantian

Guiyun looked at the three dollars in his hand and said, "I haven't done anything." Zhuangfeng, seeing something fresh, approached and said, "That person can draw." Draw? Guiyun looked skeptical. "Just now, I saw him drawing you, in that pose with the fingers arched like orchids." He deliberately struck a pose, which was too difficult and awkward, truly not a sight to behold. He simply did a few somersaults on the spot, showcasing his agile skills, a talent learned from the father of the class leader. "Just now, I saw him drawing you, in that pose with the fingers arched like orchids." He deliberately struck a pose, which was too difficult and awkward, truly not a sight to behold. He simply did a few somersaults on the spot, showcasing his agile skills, a talent learned from the father of the class leader. He performed a noble act, genuinely excited, treating Guiyun as a confidant and sharing everything.

She was given a name belonging to the Du family—Du Guiyun. Everything was willingly accepted, and from then on began a new chapter in life. The renamed Guiyun perhaps fulfilled the fortune teller's words, indicating a prosperous fate. Aunt Qing often remarked this, for not long after, the Qingxi Troupe successfully established a residency at the Fengping Theater on Sichuan Road. Life seemed to be gradually improving, and the world was slowly stabilizing. Every evening from six to nine, a large poster was displayed at the theater entrance featuring Xiao Fengming in the attire of Madam White. The makeup artist had painted her cheeks a pale white, with alluring red blush that captivated passersby, enticing them to enter for a delightful experience. Each night, the performance in the West Chamber, adorned with jade hairpins, was so graceful and enchanting that it melted the hearts of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang people who had drifted to Shanghai. Xiao Fengming's charm and elegance penetrated deep into the bones of the men. The Fengping Theater truly allowed this phoenix, Xiao Fengming, to shine alone, leaving others in the shadows.

The girls were all aloof, each attending to their own hair, undressing, and laughing with one another, without a single one of them taking the initiative to greet Xiaoyun

This is the proof of our future meeting; can it be discarded? Seeing her attitude, I knew it existed, and I exclaimed: "If you have it, hurry up and take it out! Look how pitiful she is!"

The two girls completed the entire set of techniques and simultaneously called out: "Master, Mother." They referred to Qing Gu as "Mother," but the way they pronounced "Mother" sounded strange, resembling the pronunciation of "niang." Xiao Yun, feeling curious, turned her head to look at Qing Gu.

Xiao Yun knelt down. "Du Guiyun, aged twelve, wishes to become a disciple under the name of Zhang Qinggu. It is stated that the principles of life are universal, but the master shall have the final say. The master imparts knowledge and resolves doubts, while the disciple's cultivation depends solely on oneself. In the future, when competing for spring on the stage, the master will add brilliance from below. This is established before the ancestral master!" There is no fixed duration for study, no financial obligations, as all of this belongs to the Du family for life. There are no limits required. This is established before the ancestral master!" There is no fixed duration for study, no financial obligations, as all of this belongs to the Du family for life. There are no limits required.

Xiaoyun, however, misses her father, who is gentle and eloquent, treating her like a precious pearl. She feels like crying but holds back. Before her, the shadows overlap; is it the master Du or her father? She smiles, trying to please the adults. She has received orders, and she must be obedient. Aunt Qing treats Xiaoyun with a kind of ambiguous affection, buying her new clothes and skirts, dressing her up like a schoolgirl. Xiaoyun skillfully braids her hair into two thick twists, swaying behind her, tied with a blue ribbon. Aunt Qing encourages her to spend more time with Zhan Feng, urging Xiaoyun: "Go play with them!" Xiaoyun then runs into the alley. Zhan Feng, the leader of the children, is gathering the boys to play, with two "generals" on either side. Xiaoyun hears Zhan Feng calling them "Xu Wufu" and "Lu Ming." Under Zhan Feng's command, Xu Wufu and Lu Ming surround Gui Feng, teaching her to roll a hoop. This game is easy for the boys, but Gui Feng always tumbles after rolling a few steps. Xu Wufu exclaims: "Gui Feng, why are you so clumsy?" Zhan Feng rewards Xu Wufu with a "hairy chestnut," and Xu Wufu reluctantly goes to pick up the hoop that has rolled aside.

The architecture here bears no trace of Chinese influence; it is entirely French, American, and British, towering above. Beneath the steel and concrete that block out the sunlight, the last glimmer of light in her heart has vanished. On her first day in Shanghai, Guiyun had already seen these tall buildings. Her father held her hand, and she held her father's hand, bewildered as they walked into the Bund's architectural complex, craning her neck in disbelief at the height of the buildings. "Goodness, how can it be so tall?" she exclaimed in astonishment, tilting her head back, trying to count the number of floors, her small body leaning backward until she bumped into someone behind her. Behind her stood a tall foreigner with cold blue eyes and golden hair, dressed in a dark suit that made him look like a mountain, casting a disdainful glance at her while waving his gentleman's cane as if swatting a fly. Her father shielded her behind him. Why should she face discrimination from foreigners in a place that belonged to Chinese people? "Look at that lion!" Zhan Feng made a mischievous face to draw her attention, pointing at the bronze lion in front of the HSBC building, "Ha! So imposing!" Guiyun did not look; she had seen that bronze lion when she first came to the Bund, its fierce demeanor only made her feel smaller.

My parents always ask me to sing something like Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, but I really don't like that kind of melodrama; it's so uninteresting! Well, now both you and Guifeng can sing, so my parents won't pressure me anymore!" "Then what do you want to do? Of course, if you're in a theater troupe, you sing. " Zhanfeng waved his fist. "A real man should go to the army and fight the Japanese devils. " "Joining the army is certainly good, but if you go, your mother will never let you leave, even if she dies. " Zhanfeng, not worried about the future, patted his chest: "I won't care about that!" Guiyun followed him, not wanting to dampen his spirits. "A real man should go to the army and fight the Japanese devils. " "Joining the army is certainly good, but if you go, your mother will never let you leave, even if she dies. " Zhanfeng, not worried about the future, patted his chest: "I won't care about that!" Guiyun followed him, not wanting to dampen his spirits. The journey was filled with many sights, truly different from before. Only the Mingxing Primary School they passed still had that mural commemorating September 18. She longed to go to school, just like when she was back in her hometown of Shaoxing, sitting in a bright classroom, with a serious teacher teaching them the Three Character Classic. Every moment of that memory was precious. She truly envied that boy, carrying a backpack, holding a pen and notebook. She longed to go to school, just like when she was back in her hometown of Shaoxing, sitting in a bright classroom, with a serious teacher teaching them the Three Character Classic. Every moment of that memory was precious. She truly envied that boy, carrying a backpack, holding a pen and notebook. All of this had become her most extravagant yearning.

The girls paused their work, but no one immediately volunteered. Xiaoyun lowered her eyes, looking at the floor, where there were red cracks that creaked underfoot.

Duban smiled, though he was not someone who often smiled; when he did, his brows twisted, resembling more of a cry. He was accustomed to hardship, not good with words, and always carried an air of authority that made even his son fear him like a mouse fears a cat. He was also not one to comfort little girls, but rather was used to giving orders.

This scene is quite common, so most passersby merely glance at it before continuing on their way. There are some kind-hearted individuals who toss down a couple of coins. The girl picks them up and bows again, her forehead becoming sore from the repeated gestures. Guiyun feels a pang of sympathy, and Zhanfeng, having noticed the situation, quickly digs into his pocket. He finds four coins and places them all into the girl's hands, thinking it still insufficient, and asks Guiyun, "Hey, do you have any coins left?" In Guiyun's small inner pocket, there are three silver dollars that Xiaoyan had given her when they parted. She hesitates, weighing her options for a long time.

Gui Feng lowered her head and remained silent. Lu Ming could not bear to see this: "Why not bring her along to play?" Gui Yun looked at Gui Feng with longing. Gui Feng's heart, made of cotton, could not harden; instead, she felt guilty and had no words, so she gently tugged at Gui Yun's small hand. Zhan Feng let out a sigh of relief and waved his hand: "One white performance!" He appeared to be the ruler of this small world, now agreeing to share his affection equally. Ultimately, the ruler of the small world must also obey the larger world. Over there, the master Du called out: "Where has that wild kid gone? Come over and set the stage, it's time to pay respects to the master." When Zhan Feng ran over, he waved his hand again: "One white performance!" He appeared to be the ruler of this small world, now agreeing to share his affection equally. Ultimately, the ruler of the small world must also obey the larger world. Over there, the master Du called out: "Where has that wild kid gone? Come over and set the stage, it's time to pay respects to the master." When Zhan Feng ran over, he raised his hand to strike, but Zhan Feng quickly dodged behind Qing Gu, who pulled him to line up. The people in the theater troupe stood orderly in the courtyard, and Xiao Yun and Gui Feng respectfully lined up at the end according to their ages. Xiao Yun glanced around but did not see Xiao Feng Ming. Master Du lit incense, invited the Ming Emperor's portrait, and unfurled the troupe's banner, inscribed with the three large characters "Qing Xi Troupe." The people in the theater troupe stood orderly in the courtyard, and Xiao Yun and Gui Feng respectfully lined up at the end according to their ages. Xiao Yun glanced around but did not see Xiao Feng Ming. Master Du lit incense, invited the Ming Emperor's portrait, and unfurled the troupe's banner, inscribed with the three large characters "Qing Xi Troupe." Everyone paid their respects in an orderly manner. Qing Gu led Xiao Yun up. The night before, Qing Gu had taken Xiao Yun to the back courtyard and asked: "Can you sing?" Xiao Yun blinked: "I can sing a little tune." "Sing one for me to hear." Xiao Yun cleared her throat: "Little swallow, wearing flowered clothes, every spring here..." Qing Gu pondered for a moment, satisfied, and said: "Your voice is crisp and clear, and you can still practice. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you to sing."

In the alleys beneath the concrete and steel buildings of Shanghai, the sound of children unexpectedly carried a note of sorrow, reminiscent of the lament that goes, "For three hundred sixty days a year, the wind blades and frost swords press harshly." As the clouds gathered, amidst the crowd, a girl expressed her self-inflicted sorrow, filled with pain and tears, and the sad wind swept through the people. Some were moved; the girl, who was in a state of despair, cried, and the tender-hearted ladies also wept, leading to an increase in the number of coins tossed to the girl. Guiyun could not recall the entire verse, singing only half, and was left stammering, timidly looking at the crowd. Some were moved; the girl, who was in a state of despair, cried, and the tender-hearted ladies also wept, leading to an increase in the number of coins tossed to the girl. Guiyun could not recall the entire verse, singing only half, and was left stammering, timidly looking at the crowd. Zhanfeng took the lead in applauding and cheering, encouraging the adults.

The iron ring was picked up by Xiaoyun, who hesitated and was filled with both fear and uncertainty. Ultimately, she mustered her courage and stepped forward: "Here you go, Brother Zhanfeng." She then asked, "Should I pick up the iron ring for you?" Zhanfeng, seeing her eager, longing, and pitiful expression, felt quite troubled. He turned to look at Guifeng, seemingly waiting for her response.

The two girls suddenly saw Master Duban and Aunt Qing returning. The younger one paused slightly, while the older one did not stop and continued with her actions.

Du Ban observed the situation without speaking, merely stroking his beard in silence. Qing Gu said to Xiao Yun: "Look, do the two sisters look good or not?"

Xiaoyun glanced over, and the boy had thick eyebrows and big eyes, with a dark yet rosy complexion, sporting a small flat top haircut, looking quite lively. His physique was not as weak as rumored; in fact, he appeared even sturdier than herself, who had just recovered from a serious illness. The boy was fidgety and uncomfortable, twisting left and right, insisting on breaking free from the embrace, even rolling up his sleeves and stretching them out in front of his mother, shouting: "Mom, I'm all better now." Xiaoyun noticed the shallow acne scars on his thin, dark arms. Aunt Qing forbade him from showing off, pushing his arms back under the covers, saying: "You just came back from the brink of death; your mother can't handle any more of your scares." She then introduced Xiaoyun: "This is our new family member, Sister Yun." The boy, feeling awkward, shouted again in frustration: "Mom, how could you really believe that fortune teller's words? Gui Feng—"

The young girl casually took Xiao Yun's hand from Qing Gu, laughing: "So this is our new daughter-in-law from Zhan Feng, huh! Tsk tsk, such a refreshingly beautiful appearance." She had an oval face and phoenix eyes with willow brows, more radiant than the courtesans in Hui Le. Her slender fingers pinched Xiao Yun's chin, inspecting her left and right, the movements somewhat rough, and her long nails scraped against her skin, causing her pain. Hearing the girl refer to her as "the new daughter-in-law of Zhan Feng," she felt puzzled, wondering why the word "new" was specifically added, raising a significant question in her mind.

This is a decision, not a consultation. Celebrating the aunt's situation is also unavoidable. Life has too many unavoidable circumstances. The theater troupe that traveled a long way from Zhejiang to Shanghai still cannot find a stage to perform regularly, moving from one place to another, singing one show here and another there, merely earning a meager living. Previously, Zhan Feng's illness consumed nearly half of their savings, as he sought treatment from Western medicine. Still feeling uneasy, especially since he is the only precious child, they invited a fortune teller to analyze his birth date, who suggested that they should find a child bride with a compatible birth date to bring good fortune. However, having a child bride for Zhan Feng meant that Gui Feng, who naturally had a beautiful voice, was forcibly given a title before officially becoming Zhan Feng's wife. The troupe leader, Du, initially refused, stating that this practice was unethical, but he could not resist his wife's indulgence towards their son, and eventually, he had to procure a new child bride despite the cost. It seemed like a chaotic game. Gui Feng, before officially becoming Zhan Feng's wife, was forcibly stripped of her status. The newcomer, lacking the fortune to be a young mistress, would ultimately have to contribute something, bringing some benefits, such as joining the theater troupe to perform.

"That is a foreigner's toy, what is there to see!" Zhan Feng's attempt to please was misguided, leaving him at a loss for ideas. He was eager to return to Gui Yun and muttered, "Ha! Even bigger temper than Gui Feng, really hard to serve!" Gui Yun's small face relaxed as she reminded herself not to lose her temper with Zhan Feng. Hearing him mention Gui Feng, she asked, "They say I took Gui Feng's place, what does that mean?" Zhan Feng was put in a difficult position, unsure how to respond, and kept insisting, "You are all my little sisters, I treat you all the same, regardless of status!" He was not swayed by the kind of easy-going words his mother spoke; in his mind, it was enough to treat everyone equally. The girl sulked, not fully understanding. The boy also sulked, thinking that being like Guan Yu and Zhao Zilong was quite difficult; being loyal was a matter of balancing one thing while neglecting another. Fortunately, everyone was on good terms now, and he felt he had fulfilled his intentions. Adults often put children in difficult situations with things they do not understand, but the pure hearts of children do not grasp so much. The two turned into an alley, and Zhan Feng, with keen eyes, said, "Look." At the mouth of the alley, sheltered from the wind, a ragged girl was kneeling in the street, begging. On the bluestone slab in front of her were several lines of writing that Gui Yun recognized. "Gentlemen and ladies from all walks of life, please help in this emergency, assist with funds, to spare my mother and me from wandering in Shenjiang, we will remember your kindness forever!"

On the first floor, in addition to the kitchen and the bathroom, there is a pavilion room and a back room. The back room serves as a dormitory for the girls, while the pavilion room is occupied by several musicians from the opera troupe. Despite the number of people, the hall remains cold. By the dining table in the hall, someone is present, lighting a small kerosene lamp. In the dim night, the flickering light sways with the night breeze seeping through the gaps in the window frame. Shadows of long figures also move on the wall. Xiao Yun is startled, and the person is equally taken aback. It turns out to be the troupe leader, who, after a moment of surprise, understands and gestures to Xiao Yun: "Don't be afraid, come over." In the softly swaying light of the night, the troupe leader appears as serious as a judge in a temple, making Xiao Yun feel compelled to approach. He says: "Now that you are here, make sure to settle in well. You will not lack food or clothing. As long as you do your part, no one will bully you."