Chapter 156: The Play Has Begun, Listeners from All Directions

As the song ended, the young actor on stage had just made his curtain call gesture.

Standing at the front of the stage, Gu Ning’an and Mu Sheng each placed their “theater money.”

Upon seeing the few dozen copper coins on the rain-drenched stage, the young actor froze for a moment. He picked up the coins and smiled at Gu Ning’an and Mu Sheng, saying, “Gentlemen, I’ve sung The Romance of the Western Chamber halfway, and you only just arrived. Why don’t you take back half of this money?”

“It’s not much. Keep it,” Gu Ning’an smiled. “If I’d heard the entire song, I would have given you more.”

Mu Sheng paused, then said, “Brother, I don’t have much money, or I would’ve given you more. You sang so beautifully!”

Upon hearing this, the young actor bowed deeply to the two of them. “Thank you both.”

“Brother, there was no one in the audience just now, why did you sing?”

“In such cold weather, shouldn’t you wait until there’s someone in the audience to sing?”

Mu Sheng’s words had barely fallen when the young actor on stage answered with a smile, “We have rules in our profession. It goes… when the play begins, people from all directions come to listen; some are human, some are ghosts, some are gods…”

“Even if there’s no one in the audience, I will finish singing the play.”

Mu Sheng asked, “So, are you not singing anymore today?”

“I’m not singing anymore, I have to go finish some work.” The young actor began packing up the stage as he spoke.

Mu Sheng frowned. “Finish work? Aren’t you a singer by profession?”

“Please forgive me, sirs. Since the beginning of this month, I’ve been singing for just one hour a day, and you two are the first ones to listen to my entire song and even pay.”

Because the stage was simple, the young actor quickly packed it up. In a few moves, he had disassembled it and piled it up in one place.

“If you don’t mind, you can come again tomorrow at the time of the Dragon (around 7-9 AM) and listen. There will be no charge for tomorrow’s performance.” He cupped his hands to Gu Ning’an and Mu Sheng and hurried off.

Watching him leave, Mu Sheng showed a thoughtful expression. “Sir, he already has a livelihood, so why does he still spend time and effort singing?”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Perhaps it’s his passion.”

“Passion… like how I enjoy doing funerary work?”

“Perhaps…”

…

As evening approached and the sun set, the chill grew even more intense.

It was mealtime, and all the restaurants and inns were bustling with activity.

Located on the busy street, “Gathering Fortune Building,” one of the top inns in Shouzhou, was even more crowded. The waiters had set up snow shelters outside the restaurant, providing a place for customers waiting for a table to shield themselves from the wind and snow.

Seeing this, Gu Ning’an couldn’t quite understand.

After all, in his previous life, he had witnessed many restaurants, even milk tea shops, with long queues.

Waiting outside in the cold for a table, even in modern times, wasn’t unheard of.

To him, even if these restaurants and milk tea shops were delicious, it shouldn’t take over an hour—or even longer—to wait.

With that much time, why not try another restaurant and spend the rest of the time doing something you enjoy? It would feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Fortunately, Gu Ning’an and the others had arrived a little earlier today and managed to get a quiet seat by the window, saving them the unnecessary waiting time.

“Everyone, eat and drink to your heart’s content!”

“Today, I’ll pay for all the expenses!”

The merchant, flushed with excitement, pointed at the table full of wine and dishes, his voice booming.

Beside him, Han Yong clicked his tongue and said, “Tsk tsk, this energy—it’s like a poor man who suddenly became rich!”

“This meal must cost at least fifteen taels of silver. Let’s see if your hand trembles when it’s time to pay the bill.”

The traveling merchant rolled his eyes at Han Yong, clicking his tongue. “You just don’t understand the meaning of ‘seize joy while you can.’”

“If you make money today, you have to enjoy yourself properly. Otherwise, isn’t the money you earned today wasted?”

“Fine, fine. No point arguing with you!” Han Yong grabbed his chopsticks, picked up a piece of braised beef, and stuffed it into his mouth.

“Exactly, just eat.” The traveling merchant smiled contentedly and then called for Gu Ning’an and Mu Sheng to join them.

During the meal, Gu Ning’an noticed that the traveling merchant had a sharp business acumen—or more precisely, he had an excellent grasp of market trends and prices across regions.

It was this knowledge that allowed him to sell the low-cost fur and leather he had purchased at a much better price at the right time.

“You wouldn’t believe it, but my cart of fur and leather will be completely sold out in three days, counting today at most.”

“For the next three days, whatever you want to eat or drink, just say the word. If money’s short, I’ll cover it!”

Hearing this, Mu Sheng was a little surprised. “Three days? That fast? I thought your cart would take at least half a month to sell.”

The traveling merchant squinted and grinned. “Little Brother Mu, you’re underestimating me. If I go all out, forget just one cart—give me three more carts, and I’ll sell them all in three days too!”

“Oh… impressive.” Mu Sheng gave a casual compliment and then focused on eating his meal.

After they were full, the group headed straight upstairs to rest.

In the guest room, the drunken traveling merchant sat at the table, sipping strong tea handed to him by Han Yong.

“Hey… why did you say at dinner that you needed three days to sell the goods?”

“Clearly, we’ve already sold most of it today.”

Han Yong lowered his voice and leaned closer to the table to ask.

“Come closer!” The traveling merchant beckoned with a wave.

Han Yong quickly leaned in, tilting his ear closer.

“Hic… hic…”

The traveling merchant whispered, “The reason I said that is because… hic… hic…”

Two loud hiccups, carrying the pungent smell of alcohol, were blasted right into Han Yong’s face.

Dizzy from the stench, Han Yong pinched his nose and stepped back a few paces. “Could you stop burping right in someone’s face?”

The traveling merchant laughed heartily and fanned his face. “Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“The reason I said that was to buy you some extra time!”

“Once we leave Shouzhou, Master Gu will probably part ways with us!”

“You need to make up your mind here… I know you have a hesitant nature, so I had to resort to this.”

Hearing this, Han Yong immediately leaned in again, frowning. “Are you out of your mind? Master Gu is such an extraordinary person. Do you think he wouldn’t see through your little scheme?”

“What if he does and blames you for it?”

“It’s no big deal. It’s all for a brother, even if it means taking a hit.” The traveling merchant patted Han Yong’s chest and said, “So don’t waste your brother’s well-meaning efforts!”

“Miss this chance, and you won’t find another!”

“Old Fan… I’ve got nothing to say…” As he spoke, Han Yong opened his arms, ready to hug the traveling merchant.

“Get lost!” The traveling merchant shoved Han Yong away and stood up, his expression serious. “Let me tell you, I don’t like men!”