At 7:00 sharp, the performance officially began. The host was Xie Qing from the Guanshan Band, who appeared on stage to loud applause, “Welcome everyone to Qi Shejiang and Xu Siyu’s crosstalk special! Thank you all for your support! Please welcome our performers Mo Sheng and Qi Leyang to present the first act, ‘Praise for the Residence’.” “Praise for the Residence” is a classic piece, a rapid-fire act that includes long segments of rapid speech, challenging the performers’ basic skills.
Since becoming apprentices, Mo Sheng and Qi Leyang had practiced diligently under Qi Shejiang, and their skills had improved tremendously compared to their time in school. They modified this old piece without changing the framework but added several new gags, making their performance both lively and skillful. Qi Shejiang was concerned about his students, and he peeked from the side curtain for a while. Seeing the audience’s positive reaction, he felt relieved and returned to the backstage. After Mo Sheng and Qi Leyang concluded their performance, it was time for Qi Shejiang and Xu Siyu to go on stage. Both of them were already somewhat famous, and many audience members had come specifically for this pairing, immediately giving them a particularly warm round of applause. This performance was “Wang Qing Yu.” Qi Shejiang and Xu Siyu took a bow together. Although it was an old act, they had also prepared new gags for today. Before they began, Qi Shejiang glanced at the audience.
Qi Guangling couldn’t come due to work, and although he had saved a seat for Xia Yiwei, she said that Zhang Yue was present and she wouldn’t necessarily have the courage to face him, as she still hadn’t come to terms with the fact that she would soon be related to Zhang Yue.
Now noticing that Xia Yiwei indeed hadn’t come, Qi Shejiang felt a flicker of disappointment in his heart. However, he knew that as an actor on stage, he had to remain professional, so Qi Shejiang quickly composed himself.
“Hello everyone, thank you for buying tickets to see… Master Meng,” Qi Shejiang smiled sweetly. His smile contrasted sharply with the content of his words, causing a mix of laughter and cheers from the audience. Qi Shejiang usually didn’t smile like this; otherwise, how could he be referred to as an antique vase? This smile made him appear a few years younger.
There were also audience members shouting, “We came to see you!!”
“Are you here to see me? Thank you!” Qi Shejiang bowed again, “This is my and Si Yu’s first solo performance. Thank you all for your support… Are you really not here to see my master?”
“Hahahahahaha.” Another wave of chuckling resonated.
Now that “Yuan Yang Kou” had been released, Qi Shejiang performing “Wang Qing Yu” had a different vibe, naturally flowing into the act from the movie.
His character was someone who pretends to understand when he actually doesn’t, but everyone knew that he played Xiao Yingyue in “Yuan Yang Kou” and sang “Wang Qing Yu.” Logically, there should be a preconceived impression, but Qi Shejiang’s acting skills were excellent; he confidently stated that he was an amateur in Bianxi, while he was a professional in Jingxi, drawing everyone into the story. Xu Siyu also contributed lines connecting to the movie, and instead of breaking the immersion, it elicited Qi Shejiang’s almost laughable reactions, making the effect even more explosive.
After one performance, it was Liu Qing’s turn to take the stage. In the backstage, Master Meng had already changed into an old blue gown and sighed, “Haven’t worn this for over ten years.” Meng Jingyuan fastened the buttons for the old man, smoothed out his clothes, and reminded him, “Grandpa, you have to be sure to…” “Be careful, conserve your strength, don’t get too excited.” Meng Laoyezi replied, “You’ve said it over thirty times, do you really think your grandpa is getting confused?” Meng Jingyuan: “…” Everyone backstage burst into laughter. “The old man is still spirited. Not to mention lifting him up, it wouldn’t be a problem to entertain him for a bit.” “Come on, Jingyuan, the old man knows what he’s doing, so don’t worry.” “Even Jesse is sensible; he won’t tire the old man out on stage.” Meng Jingyuan could only wipe his face; what else could he say?
Meng Laoyezi drank a cup of soothing soup, flicked his sleeves, raised his chin, and said calmly, “Let’s go.” Qi Shejiang bowed to everyone backstage, exchanged a glance with Meng Laoyezi, and they stepped onto the stage together.
As soon as the two took the stage, they were met with thunderous applause, which was the most enthusiastic since the beginning and continued for more than two minutes – it was really all for Meng Laoyezi. Meng Laoyezi held onto the platform table and bowed repeatedly. Once the applause settled, Qi Shejiang finally spoke up, “Thank you all for your warm applause. Tonight, my shifu and I will perform for you.” He introduced Meng Laoyezi, “Many of you may recognize him, Meng Mengda. Not the adorably cute ‘Mengmengda,’ but the dream realized ‘Da.’ He is the only elder in our cross-talk realm from the Dream generation.” Meng Laoyezi chuckled lightly, “Listen closely; in a few years, he won’t be around anymore.” The audience couldn’t help but laugh at the old man; was it funny or not? “That’s not acceptable; you still have to be the guest when Xu Siyu and I have a special performance in a hundred years,” Qi Shejiang quipped back. “Whoa, then that would become a legend.” Meng Laoyezi reacted quickly. With his stage experience, his responses came naturally.
After some light banter, Qi Shejiang started to set the stage, “…
how to sing should be the last lesson. When it comes to the four skills—speak, learn, amuse, and sing—I believe singing should come first. It’s the most important thing, historically and presently!” Meng Laoyezi asked, “Oh? How so?” Qi Shejiang explained, “Back in the Qing Dynasty, there was someone who became a high-ranking official because of singing – he was a general under Zuo Zongtang. Do you know Zuo Zongtang?” Meng Laoyezi replied, “Ah, that’s a well-known minister.” Qi Shejiang nodded, “Yes, indeed, very famous. He once retook Xinjiang, suppressed the Taiping Rebellion, and the most well-known thing about him is the Zuo Zongtang chicken…” Meng Laoyezi looked at him in shock, “Huh?” “That,” Qi Shejiang said with conviction, “isn’t it true? Zuo Zongtang chicken is famous overseas!” Everyone laughed. Indeed, Zuo Zongtang chicken is a dish well-known abroad, but it has nothing to do with Zuo Zongtang himself; the name was just a chef’s concept. “What? Isn’t it so?” After being pointed out, Qi Shejiang continued, “Speaking of which, back in the day, there was a militia uprising against the Qing. Zuo Zongtang led his troops to quell the rebellion, heading to Shaanxi to restore order. The local militia leader was named Dong Fuxiang, who later became a great general. If you ask how he went from being an anti-Qing leader to a top general, it’s because he loved music since he was young.
