FYN Chapter 64 Junior Sister Bai Xue, Solo Turns into Duet
Chapter 64 Junior Sister Bai Xue, Solo Turns into Duet
"This is rehearsing 'The Soul of the Army,' a large-scale opera that our entire army is rehearsing, and it is also the troupe's key production this year."
Li Shuangjiang gave a brief introduction before turning his attention back to the stage.
On stage, the plot was reaching its climax. After a magnificent chorus, the lead soprano stepped forward and began her solo.
Her voice is clear, high-pitched, and extremely penetrating.
It perfectly interprets an aria full of revolutionary heroism.
Lin Hanjiang was intently appreciating the high-level performance when his gaze was suddenly drawn to the figure of an actor directing another actor on the side of the stage curtain.
She was a gentle and serene middle-aged woman, dressed in a well-fitting shirt and long skirt, intently watching the stage, occasionally whispering something to the actor beside her.
"Master's wife?"
Lin Hanjiang was slightly taken aback.
That person was Ma Qiuhua.
She works as a vocal music instructor at the PLA Academy of Arts, so what's she doing here?
Seemingly sensing the gazes, Ma Qiuhua also turned to look at the audience, where she met the eyes of Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye.
She smiled gently and waved to them.
During a brief break on stage, Li Shuangjiang noticed their interaction and said, "Oh, it's Teacher Ma. She's here today to give some guidance to the main actors in this play. Why don't you go and say hello?"
Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye quickly went around to the side and came to Ma Qiuhua's side.
"Master's wife."
The two greeted each other respectfully in unison.
"Hanjiang, Xiaoye, you've arrived."
Ma Qiuhua smiled warmly and looked at them.
"Come watch the rehearsal? Did Teacher Li Shuangjiang send you?"
"Yes, Master's wife, we've come to attend the rehearsal for the party."
Zhang also answered, then couldn't resist his curiosity.
"Master's wife, what are you doing here at the General Political Department?"
Ma Qiuhua pointed to a young actress who had just finished her solo performance and was walking off the stage to rest.
The girl was tall and had fair skin.
Even without heavy makeup and wearing ordinary rehearsal clothes, her beautiful appearance and outstanding temperament are still evident.
"Here, I've come to see her. Snow White, my student."
Ma Qiuhua explained, her tone carrying the unique pride of a teacher.
"She was just specially recruited into the General Political Department this year. She studied with me at the PLA Academy of Arts for a year, so she has a solid foundation, an outstanding voice, and a good sense of music. The troupe values her highly."
Snow?
Lin Hanjiang quickly searched his mind for the name.
Immediately, a poignant and melodious tune with lyrics rich in classical opera flavor came to mind.
"Meng Jiangnu's weeping at the Great Wall, a timeless lament, who hears it now? Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, a timeless tale still sung today..."
Yes, it's Bai Xue, the female singer famous for songs like "A Timeless Song," "Slow Love Song," and "The Long-Awaited Person," who uniquely combines folk singing with pop elements.
It turns out she joined the General Political Department so early on, and was even a student of her teacher's wife.
At this moment, Bai Xue seemed to notice that a guest had arrived at the teacher's side, so she walked over.
Upon closer inspection, she was indeed very tall, probably around 1.7 meters. Wearing flat rehearsal shoes, she was already about the same height as Lin Hanjiang.
She looked about eighteen or nineteen years old, and with makeup, she appeared somewhat mature.
However, she had a delicate and pretty appearance, not the kind of dazzling beauty, but a kind of refined beauty with a touch of scholarly elegance. Her eyes were clear and her demeanor was graceful and poised.
The family must be well-off, with a scholarly atmosphere.
"Teacher Ma."
Bai Xue greeted Ma Qiuhua first, her voice as clear and melodious as her name suggested.
"Xiaoxue, come here, let me introduce you."
Ma Qiuhua pulled Bai Xue over.
"These two are my wife's students, Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye. Xiao Ye has been on the Spring Festival Gala, and Hanjiang just won the gold medal in the CCTV Young Singers Competition. You should have seen him on TV, right?"
Bai Xue's eyes lit up slightly as she looked at Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye, extending her hands with a polite smile: "Senior Sister Zhang Ye, Senior Brother Lin, hello. I watched Senior Brother Lin's competition; it was fantastic, he sang so well!"
Her Mandarin is very standard, without any southern accent.
"Hello, Junior Sister Bai Xue."
Lin Hanjiang shook hands with her; the touch was slightly cool.
I don't know why my hands are still ice cold even on this hot day.
Zhang Ye quickly greeted her, secretly glancing at Bai Xue's height and comparing it to his own, feeling a strange sense of pressure.
She's only a little over 1.5 meters tall, which isn't considered short for a girl, but standing next to Bai Xue, she suddenly looks much smaller.
"Xiaoxue is from Hangzhou, and her family is also in the arts and culture system. Her father is from an old performing arts troupe."
Ma Qiuhua added.
"So she adapted to the environment here very quickly. In the future, since you'll both be in the same circle, you should communicate more and learn from each other."
"Don't worry, Madam, we will definitely take good care of Junior Sister Bai Xue," Zhang Ye said politely.
Lin Hanjiang smiled and nodded.
"I just listened to you sing, it was really good."
He noticed that Bai Xue's speech and demeanor were indeed not those of a clueless young man with no background; she was calm, composed, and clearly worldly-wise.
Bai Xue smiled and said, "Brother Lin is too modest. I've listened to your renditions of 'The Story of Spring' and 'Entering the New Era' several times. Both the composition and the performance have benefited me greatly. In particular, your personalized narrative treatment of grand themes has given me a lot of inspiration."
She spoke very sincerely, and it was clear that she genuinely appreciated it.
Zhang listened from the side and nodded in agreement with Bai Xue's praise.
How could she be bad, being Zhang Ye's junior brother?
"I can't even compare to Han Jiang's talent."
"Haha, Xiao Ye, you're quite modest. You're the only one here who's been on the Spring Festival Gala."
Ma Qiuhua praised Zhang Ye, which is true that Zhang Ye already has a well-established reputation.
Lin Hanjiang also became famous for his two songs performed at the CCTV Young Singers Competition.
His own apprentice, however, had no fame whatsoever.
"Yes, everyone will have a chance to be on the Spring Festival Gala," Lin Hanjiang chuckled.
However, it is indeed as he said.
In 1995, Bai Xue participated in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, performing the song "Little Peach Blossom".
In the following years, they also appeared on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala.
"Zhang Ye, Han Jiang, come here for a moment."
Li Shuangjiang suddenly shouted.
They all looked over, and Zhang Ye and Lin Hanjiang responded, saying they would be right there.
Ma Qiuhua said to Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye, "Teacher Li Shuangjiang should be looking for you to talk about the gala. You should go over there quickly so as not to delay important matters. Xiaoxue, you should also go and prepare for the later chorus part."
Zhang Ye and Lin Hanjiang said goodbye to them and left.
Zhang Ye couldn't help but turn back to look at Bai Xue's tall figure again, and whispered to Lin Hanjiang, "This junior sister is really good-looking. If she wore high heels when she sang, she would probably be taller than you."
Lin Hanjiang chuckled and said in a low voice, "Senior sister, everyone has their own path. Your singing has a unique charm and stage presence."
Zhang felt a little better after hearing this, but still sighed softly.
Height is really a sore point. Why can't this spicy girl from Hunan grow taller?
The two returned to Li Shuangjiang's side.
Li Shuangjiang began to explain the specific arrangements for the gala to them.
"You two will sing two songs together: 'The Story of Spring' and 'Entering the New Era'."
Zhang was somewhat surprised: "What? Isn't it my solo performance of 'Little Bamboo Basket'?"
Lin Hanjiang was not surprised.
Since Zhang is also going to replace him, it's probably Li Guyi's doing.