TriNovel Chapter 679: Visiting the National Theater
Chapter 679: Visiting the National Theater
The next day, Xiao He was invited to visit the National Theater.The National Theater, formally known as the China National Grand Theater, is a bureau-level public institution directly under the Beijing municipal government, and it also serves as the national performing arts center of China.
As a showcase window for outstanding cultural and artistic achievements from around the world, it houses multiple major performance zones, attracts top acting talents from across the country, and hosts a wide variety of performances. It is a paradise for many actors chasing their dreams and expressing their artistry.
Although times have changed and a newer, sleek theater full of modern technology has been relocated to a planned arts district—just like the new Calligraphy Association—the old theater still stands here, bearing important exhibition duties. From time to time it opens its doors to several well-known academies in Beijing, receiving students from various schools and giving them a stage to perform.
There is no doubt it is open, inclusive, and saturated with an artistic aura, gently and equally nurturing every visitor and cultivating everyone’s artistic sensibilities.
Yet most people in their lifetime probably never get to come here.
Xiao He himself had once been one of those people.
The moment he stepped through the theater doors, the first thing he noticed wasn’t the grand and solemn foyer arrangement, but the patterned terrazzo floor beneath his feet. Seeing the corners smoothed and rounded by decades of wear, he couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.
No special reason, the floor really carried the simple decoration style of a previous era, reminding him of his old school’s floor—basically the same patchy gray cement pattern of terrazzo. Aside from being a bit dated but not obviously dirty, it left no particularly deep impression and wasn’t especially remarkable.
For various reasons this style of tile slowly vanished from public view, and only when you see it again do you realize it has become one of those childhood memories…
Now, in a world-renowned theater, seeing these old-fashioned touches that made him think of his alma mater diluted a lot of the nervousness that comes with being in an ultra-fancy venue.
As he continued to take in the foyer’s décor, he noticed many elements combined Eastern and Western design. The collision of two different cultural aesthetics—one East, one West—produced a charming hybrid layout. Xiao He had seen similar buildings many times before, and each time he was thoroughly impressed.
He had to admit, those designers had incredibly original ideas.
Just as he was about to look elsewhere, a group of young people came down the stairs all at once.
They mostly dressed like students; some carried backpacks and their eyes shone with clarity. Though their formation was loose, they moved as a group, chatting and laughing, giving the whole solemn atmosphere a burst of youthful liveliness.
It was now too late to avoid them.
Xiao He had only just lifted his head when their bright-eyed gazes met his, and the chatting cluster of students froze as if struck dumb.
The instant their eyes met, that highly recognizable face immediately revealed his identity.
The name seemed to leap out of their mouths automatically—
“No way? Is that Brother Xiao?”
“What? Where? Seriously?”
“Ah, it really is Brother Xiao!”
“Wow! Why is he here? Is he visiting too?”
“No way, my luck today! To run into him at the National Theater!”
Xiao He hadn’t tried to hide much today. He’d come in with Yang Heng and taken off his hat and mask, dressed simply. Standing in the foyer he gave off a calm, reserved presence—nothing like a major celebrity.
He had originally intended to be casual about the visit. After all, he didn’t expect to meet any fangirls or fanboys, so there was no need to be overly concealed and risk giving the theater’s senior staff a bad impression. He hadn’t expected to run into a group of students right after entering.
Unsurprisingly, before Xiao He and Yang Heng could say anything, a crowd had already gathered around them.
“Brother Xiao, is it really you?”
“Brother Xiao, can we take a photo?”
“Brother Xiao, I’m your fan for four years! Brother Xiao, look at me!”
Xiao He didn’t expect such enthusiasm from these students; most of them turned out to be his fans. He couldn’t refuse their excitement, so he switched into professional mode and put on a smile. “Everyone, please quiet down a little. Take it slow, one at a time—”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Yang Heng hurriedly helped to hold back the surrounding students, knitting his brows slightly, then gave a helpless sigh. “They’re all Beijing Drama Academy students, here on a visit. Sorry about this, didn’t expect to run into you like this.”
Xiao He nodded in understanding. “It’s fine, it’s fine—everyone’s here to visit. Please follow the rules of the place and keep it down a bit. Thank you for cooperating…”
The last sentence was directed at the excited students on site.
Before the first autograph could even be signed, a scolding voice sounded nearby: “What’s going on here? What are you doing? Gathered like this, what do you think you look like!”
At the harsh reprimand, the nearby students behaved as if they had heard a terrifying whisper from a demon: they instantly quieted down. Even the two girls who had been shouting the loudest snapped their mouths shut and dared not speak.
Xiao He relaxed, relieved that the situation had been brought under control, and looked curiously toward the source of the voice.
In view was an ordinary-looking man.
He appeared to be in his thirties, with a low nasal bridge and thin lips. His gaze when he looked at people was straightforward and critical, without a hint of humor. He wore a spotless white shirt and a gray suit with not a wrinkle in sight; his trousers were sharply pressed and his shoes shone bright.
It was obvious he was this group’s teacher.
As he strode over he glanced first at Xiao He’s face, then lowered his eyes to appraise Xiao He’s clothing with a measure of scrutiny. Finally he fixed his gaze on the young man beside Xiao He and tightened his brow, saying coldly, “Junior Brother Yang.”
Yang Heng had been slightly displeased from the start. Seeing the man in front of him, he only raised his eyelids a little and replied coolly, “Oh, Brother Li.”
Although in their earlier brief interaction Xiao He thought Yang Heng seemed cordial and warm, that side of Yang Heng was reserved only for peers who had talent—or in other words, for those who could be real contenders. Only those he judged worthy of being his rival received a relatively friendly attitude.
To others, Yang Heng came across as aloof and fond of solitude—a genius type.
Indeed, only geniuses get to enjoy that privilege.
Everyone else, in Yang Heng’s eyes, wasn’t worth much of his time.
Xiao He took a step back and quickly scanned the pair’s “senior-junior” dynamic, quietly mulling over the situation.
This guy didn’t look like someone easy to get along with…