This film was scheduled to be released during the National Day holiday in late September, which was highly anticipated by many.
Qi Shejiang finally confirmed his partner, Xu Suyu, a descendant of a cross-talk family and his junior from the same generation.
Xu Suyu’s information was quickly dug up. Although he wasn’t very famous among the public, a closer look revealed that he had participated in shows with his parents since he was young and had not missed a performance with his original partner either.
Everyone was quite curious if this newly chosen partner could maintain his position. Would they seamlessly collaborate, or would they not mesh well and have to change partners in a few months?
Amidst such expectations, Xu Suyu welcomed his first stage performance with Qi Shejiang, opening for Zeng Wen and Liu Quanhai’s commercial performance.
Backstage, Xu Suyu and Qi Shejiang were rehearsing their lines. Today, he and Qi Shejiang will perform a skit called “Wang Qing Yu,” which is the segment Qi Shejiang once mentioned while chatting with Mo Sheng. The actors will respectively portray the female and male leads, so some ethical humor will be incorporated.
Xu Siyu plans to use the media’s search for a bride as a punchline, interspersing it with gags about his relationship with Qi Shejiang. “What are you doing? Why are you following me? What’s it like celebrating in the Empress’s palace on the first and fifteenth?” When Xu Siyu reaches this line, he feels a sweat come down and can’t help but plead with Zhang Yue, who has been silently watching him: “Please let me go, don’t look at me like that!”
However, every time Xu Siyu matches his lines with the part where Qi Shejiang and he are involved in the jokes, Zhang Yue gives him a terrifying look that makes him sweat! “Master Uncle,” Xu Siyu says to Qi Shejiang, “You have to take care of this—I’m innocent!” Qi Shejiang looks at Zhang Yue: “It’s all part of the stage effect.”
Zhang Yue also looks at him, knowing it’s one thing to know something and another to accept it; this isn’t an involuntary reaction—he looks quite aggrieved. Though Zhang Yue doesn’t say anything, Xu Siyu nearly wants to throw up just looking at his expression, clasping his fists and saying, “Auntie, I’ll come in after you’re done!” Xu Siyu quickly sneaks away.
What kind of torment is this? It’s just that he accidentally stumbled upon the relationship between Qi Shejiang and Zhang Yue, and now the two have stopped hiding it in front of him. How much psychological pressure is he under—apparently, not only the outside world doesn’t know, but even the Meng family doesn’t know. Since he came to pair up with Qi Shejiang, how could Xu Siyu sabotage him? He’s just trying to keep his head above water. But can these two stop showing off their affection so excessively? What did this traditional straight man ever do to deserve this…
On this side, Qi Shejiang and Zhang Yue are reasoning things out. Zhang Yue pulls Qi Shejiang in for a hug, the action is quite domineering, yet he speaks as if it’s not a big deal: “I’m not listening, I’m not listening, I’m not listening.” He kisses his partner on the neck.
“I still have to go on stage later!” Qi Shejiang is startled and hastily pushes Zhang Yue away.
He has now witnessed the keen insight of today’s fans; even people who are covered tightly can be recognized, so he can’t guarantee that any traces won’t be discovered. Furthermore, he hasn’t explained his situation with Zhang Yue to family and friends yet.
Upon reaching the theater, Xia Yiwei calls Qi Shejiang but can’t get through, not sure what he’s busy with. Fortunately, they run into Meng Jingyuan along the way. Meng Jingyuan tells them to wait in the lounge; Qi Shejiang should be rehearsing lines alone with Xu Siyu, and he’ll help summon Xu Siyu and Qi Shejiang.
“Did you know? Everyone says that when the son found Xiao Xu, it was like choosing a bride,” Xia Yiwei casually informs Qi Guangling why they say this, “The banter between partners mutually supports each other, and it’s not easy to stay together for many years or to part, just like a couple.” “Oh, a couple?” Qi Guangling expresses his newfound knowledge.
After a while, Meng Jingyuan returns with a subtle expression. Behind him are Qi Shejiang, Zhang Yue, and Xu Siyu. As soon as Zhang Yue sees Xia Yiwei and Qi Guangling, he enthusiastically strides over, “Hello, uncle and aunt! Uncle, we haven’t met yet.” He extends his hand, and Qi Guangling, somewhat confused, shakes it, then says, “Hello, you must be Xiao Xu, right?” Zhang Yue: “…………” That’s right; Qi Guangling is usually busy with work and doesn’t recognize Zhang Yue’s face at all. He sees this person being as warm as a son-in-law meeting his father-in-law and assumes he’s Xu Siyu. Zhang Yue grits his teeth, “…No, I’m Xiao Zhang.” “Aren’t you saying Jesse’s partner’s last name is Xu?” Qi Guangling queries Xia Yiwei, confused. Xia Yiwei replies in disbelief: “What is all this? This isn’t your Jesse’s partner, this is Zhang Yue!” “I see, so it’s another friend, right? Nice to meet you, Xiao Zhang,” Qi Guangling finally realizes, “Then where’s Xiao Xu?” The real Xiao Xu steps up to bow and shake hands. Zhang Yue watches him from behind. Meng Jingyuan hesitates, exchanging glances with Qi Shejiang, but ultimately remains silent. They are about to go on stage. During Qi Shejiang and Xu Siyu’s performance, Zhang Yue crouches by the side curtain, watching intently.
After a performance that elicits thunderous applause from the audience, Xu Siyu’s beaming smile fades as he hops offstage, desperately trying to rush forward, “This is all for the performance!” Xu Siyu slips away again, and Qi Shejiang finds it amusing as he watches Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue then slyly says, “I’m just scaring him.” “Alright then, we know our limits; we won’t overdo the ethical humor,” Qi Shejiang states. After all, it’s a new era, and there are different measures. Plus, he and Xu Siyu will pay attention to appropriate boundaries and stop at the right moment. “What about Meng Laoshi?” Zhang Yue quietly asks. “This matter will have to be explained to the elders sooner or later,” Qi Shejiang responds casually, as he has long considered this issue. For him now, there’s nothing he can’t accept. “That’s true,” Zhang Yue wiped the sweat from his palms.
He just needs to negotiate with his family, engaging in a long-term battle. The two exchanged a smile and entered the backstage. Zhang Yue became even more attentive, pouring tea and water. After a while, he praised Xia Yiwei for looking so good today and her acting skills had improved. Taking advantage of the time while Zhang Yue went to get more hot water, he asked Xia Yiwei, “Wife, this little Zhang is really nice to people, his social skills should be pretty good, right? It would be good for Jesse to hang out with him more, let him take Jesse along.” Xia Yiwei: “…………” She glanced sideways at Zhang Yue, feeling a bit puzzled inside. What does this kid mean? … … Time flies, and the wrap-up seems like it was just a few days ago. Not long after, “Yuan Yang Kou” began to promote gradually. Qi Shejiang, the male supporting character, felt no pressure, but every time he performed crosstalk with Xu Siyu, he would mention it, sometimes even singing “Wang Qing Yu” to help promote it.
