A private theatrical performance, or tang hui, was an event where an individual funded actors for a special show on holidays or birthdays at their private residence.
Normally, it was difficult to invite a renowned performer like Xiao Kou Lan, as many people vied for his presence.
However, Xiao Kou Lan readily agreed without a second thought, driven by a desire to repay a favor.
Not only did he agree, but he also waived his fee!
The date was set for the New Year's Day, half a month later, and the venue, naturally, was the Su family's main residence.
With all negotiations concluded, Jiang Meng Xin left with a cheerful heart.
On the way back.
Lu Ming asked out of curiosity, "Why did you suddenly invite Xiao Kou Lan to perform at a tang hui?"
Jiang Meng Xin replied, "Of course, it's to build momentum for Wan Ran. Since we've decided to make a decisive move for the position of family head at the Su family's grand gathering on New Year's Day, the more lively, the better. If it's desolate and quiet, it would make Wan Ran seem to have no spirit at all, wouldn't it?"
It seemed Jiang Meng Xin was quite invested.
Turning back.
Jiang Meng Xin looked at Lu Ming and said with satisfaction, "Also, I want to commend you. Your performance today was truly excellent, and you brought me great honor. You deserve a reward."
As she spoke, Jiang Meng Xin leaned towards Lu Ming, their heads about to touch.
In that instant, Lu Ming's heart raced.
Although they were ostensibly engaged, they had never had any intimate moments since their engagement. It would have been surprising if they weren't already enemies.
At this moment, as Jiang Meng Xin brought her face closer, Lu Ming could clearly feel the fragrance of her breath.
Lu Ming felt a flutter of nerves.
He gripped the steering wheel tightly, swallowed, and said, "Meng Xin, don't do this. I'm driving right now, it's inconvenient."
Jiang Meng Xin blinked, "What's inconvenient about this?"
Lu Ming replied, "If we're going to kiss, we should at least wait until I park the car."
What?
Kiss?
Jiang Meng Xin was speechless. However, she soon realized that she might have been a bit too close to Lu Ming.
She quickly leaned back, her face flushed, and said, "You old lecher, who wants to kiss you! I was just leaning over to get something, you're thinking too much."
Both of them felt a bit awkward.
Cough, cough.
Jiang Meng Xin took a small peace charm from her pocket, slipped it into Lu Ming's pocket, and said, "This is a peace charm I got blessed. I was originally going to keep it for myself. As a reward for your excellent performance today, consider this your prize."
Lu Ming breathed a sigh of relief.
So, she had only intended to get the peace charm, not to kiss him.
However, Lu Ming felt a slight pang of disappointment.
Upon returning to the villa on the mountainside.
Lu Ming and Jiang Meng Xin briefly explained the matter of the theater troupe to Su Wan Ran, and then the three of them meticulously planned for the family head succession struggle that would take place in half a month.
Everything was in place, all they had to do was wait for New Year's Day!
...
Half a month, neither long nor short, passed in the blink of an eye.
In accordance with past practice, the Su family held a grand gathering this year. Su family relatives and high-level company executives were mostly present, gathered at the main residence.
The matriarch, Shen Dian Lan, sat alone at the head of the main table. Today, her face was radiant, making her look ten years younger.
This was because her youngest daughter, Su Ru, had arrived in Fog City and was waiting to be introduced to everyone at any moment.
Shen Dian Lan was contemplating how to introduce her youngest daughter to these relatives and friends.
And how to praise Su Ru, thereby elevating her to a higher position.
The others were not idle either.
Su Fei Ang and Han Yun, while appearing calm on the surface, harbored turbulent ambitions. They had already prepared to contend for the position of Su family head this very evening.
Shui Bo Ying's research results were already out.
Although not yet perfect, they were very close to the elder's requirements. As long as Han Yun cooperated well, she believed they could successfully secure the family head position.
Su Wan Ran was no pushover either. She sat there subtly, having spent the recent period acting and deceiving her opponents, all for the purpose of astonishing everyone at the Su family's grand gathering tonight.
Victory was within reach, and Su Wan Ran could barely contain her excitement.
Three factions, each with their own hidden motives.
Jiang Meng Xin and Lu Ming sat at a side table, appearing unhurried, as if everything was unrelated to them.
In reality, Jiang Meng Xin had meticulously calculated everything.
She too intended to demonstrate the prestige of her status as the head of the Jiang family of Jinling to the people of Fog City!
In secret, the slumbering dragon of Fog City, Han Shi Chong, was also quietly observing this Su family grand gathering. Anyone who made a move would have someone report to him. Tonight, Han Shi Chong was not accompanied by college students; instead, he was fully alert, determined to help Su Fei Ang ascend.
Both openly and secretly, various forces were intermingled.
They were about to determine victory or defeat at this Su family grand gathering!
The grand gathering commenced.
Shen Dian Lan raised her wine glass and declared loudly, "At this time in the past, it was always the old man who spoke. This year, with the old man gone, I am left alone and desolate. Fortunately, I still have so many descendants to accompany me. Come, today, I, your old mother, will take this opportunity of the New Year's Day grand gathering, on this day of family reunion, to toast you all!"
With that, Shen Dian Lan tilted her head back and downed a glass of baijiu.
Impressive!
For an old lady of her age to down a drink in one go, it had to be said that Shen Dian Lan's alcohol tolerance was quite good.
If she were twenty years younger, she could certainly outdrink a group of men.
Since the matriarch had set an example, the others could not hesitate. They all raised their wine glasses and began to drink. Except for the children, everyone drank baijiu.
Anyone who drank something other than baijiu at this moment would be showing disrespect to the matriarch.
Even if they couldn't drink, they had to!
After finishing their drinks, everyone sat down.
At this moment.
Han Yun gave Su Fei Ang a knowing look. Su Fei Ang understood immediately, stood up, and said, "On this joyous New Year's Day and grand Su family gathering, it is not enough for us to just eat and drink. We must also have some entertainment to liven things up. Today, I am honored to have invited the famous performer of Fog City, Mr. Yang Xiao Lou, to perform for us a renowned Sichuan opera – 'The Case of the Blue Bowl' – please applaud, and welcome Mr. Yang Xiao Lou!"
Everyone happily applauded and cheered.
Shen Dian Lan smiled outwardly but felt uneasy inwardly. She knew that Su Fei Ang was using this to build momentum!
By using Yang Xiao Lou to build momentum, he would be elevated, thereby bolstering his subsequent actions.
What actions would follow? Would they be related to the position of family head?
Shen Dian Lan felt a sense of unease.
Soon, Yang Xiao Lou appeared on stage. His initial pose alone captivated everyone.
Perfect!!!
"As expected of a Sichuan opera star, his skill is truly high."
"Of course. Usually, it's very difficult to see Yang Xiao Lou perform. You can't even get tickets, let alone invite him to a private performance."
"I dare say, in all of Fog City, besides Xiao Kou Lan, no one else can match Yang Xiao Lou!"
"Exactly. Mr. Yang is truly second to none."
"This will surely bring much honor to Su Fei Ang."