novellhall Chapter 24 Before the Curtain
Chapter 24 Before the Curtain
On the day of the performance, classroom 201 was already packed with people at eight o'clock in the morning.
The air smelled of hairspray and face powder.
Chen Nianbei sat in front of the mirror, closed his eyes, and let the makeup artist apply his base makeup.
Zhou Ping's makeup should be on the paler side, showing a repressed and unhealthy state.
The makeup artist was very skilled; the powder brush swept lightly across my face, leaving a slightly cool sensation.
The girl next to her had already finished her makeup and was wearing the same light blue maid outfit as Sifeng. She was practicing her expressions in front of the mirror.
She was unusually quiet today, and looked nervous.
"Nervous?" Chen Nianbei opened her eyes and looked at her in the mirror.
"Yeah." Naza nodded. "More nervous than an audition."
"normal."
Chen Nianbei said, "There are no second chances in stage performances, so a little nervousness is a good thing."
Naza turned to look at him, then suddenly smiled: "Then why aren't you nervous?"
"I was just pretending." Chen Nianbei laughed too. "Actually, I was nervous too."
That's half true and half false.
There was nervousness, but more than that, there was a familiar sense of excitement.
That kind of anticipation and excitement when standing in front of the stage and before the lights come on.
He had experienced too many such moments in his past life and knew how to transform tension into energy.
After putting on makeup and changing into her costume, Chen Nianbei walked to a corner of the classroom, wanting to go over her lines one last time.
Teacher Li walked over, holding today's schedule in her hand.
"Nianbei," she called to him, "come here for a moment."
Chen Nianbei followed Teacher Li to the corridor outside the classroom.
The corridor was quiet, with only the sounds of moving props coming from afar.
"I heard it from Wang Hao,"
Teacher Li looked at him and asked, "Are you going to join 'Brotherhood of Blades' after the performance?"
"Yes, the director is senior student Lu Yang."
Chen Nianbei nodded, "I'll start working on set next week."
"Good thing."
Teacher Li smiled with satisfaction. "Lu Yang is a talented director. It's a great opportunity for you to join his team."
After saying that, Teacher Li patted him on the shoulder: "Go on, do your best, and you might get a pleasant surprise."
Chen Nianbei nodded and walked back to the classroom.
The morning flew by during the final rehearsals and adjustments.
After a quick lunch of boxed meals, everyone started preparing again.
The props team is checking the stage set, the lighting team is adjusting the equipment, and the costume team is tidying up the actors' costumes.
It was 2 p.m., an hour before the official performance.
The atmosphere backstage was as tense as a fully drawn bowstring.
Chen Nianbei stood by the side curtain, looking down at the audience through the gap.
The stands were still empty, with only a few staff members setting up the chairs.
The stage lights were already adjusted, and the warm yellow beams shone on the deep red curtain, creating a solemn and beautiful effect.
Naza walked to his side and also looked down at the audience.
"How many people do you think will come to see this?" she asked softly.
"have no idea."
Chen Nianbei said, "But no matter how much, I will try my best to perform well."
Naza nodded and took a deep breath.
Just then, a slight commotion arose at the entrance.
Chen Nianbei turned his head and saw a woman wearing a beige trench coat and sunglasses walk in.
She was tall and walked very fast.
Although the sunglasses covered most of her face, Chen Nianbei still recognized her at a glance.
Yang Mi.
In 2012, Yang Mi had just become a sensation less than a year after starring in "Palace," and was at the height of her popularity.
She didn't have any extravagant outfit today, just a simple trench coat and jeans, but she still exuded a powerful aura.
The students backstage were stunned. Someone exclaimed in a low voice, "Senior Sister Yang Mi..."
Yang Mi took off her sunglasses, revealing a delicate but slightly tired face.
She smiled at everyone and waved casually, saying, "Keep it up, everyone, don't worry about me."
His voice was a little hoarse, as if he had just finished a schedule.
Teacher Li greeted her: "Mimi, you're here?"
"Teacher Li."
Yang Mi hugged Teacher Li affectionately, "You came straight here after getting off the plane, are you alright?"
"No, no, there's still an hour left."
Teacher Li said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, taking the time to come even though you're so busy."
"Of course."
Yang Mi said, "Since Teacher Li invited me, I'll definitely come."
After exchanging a few quiet words, Yang Mi was led by Teacher Li to a reserved seat in the front row.
Backstage was busy again, but the atmosphere was noticeably different.
They exchanged glances; some were excited, some were nervous, and some were eager to try.
Wang Hao leaned closer to Chen Nianbei and whispered, "Senior Sister Yang Mi really came..."
"Perform well."
Chen Nianbei said.
"Do you think... she might like us?" Wang Hao's eyes lit up.
"Let's put on a good show first."
Chen Nianbei patted him, "Don't get distracted."
Wang Hao took a deep breath: "Yes, let's put on a good show first."
Time passed second by second.
At 2:50 p.m., the audience began to enter. Most of them were students and teachers from the school, and there were also some industry professionals.
The seats gradually filled up, and the buzzing of conversations came through the curtain.
Chen Nianbei stood backstage, eyes closed, rehearsing the scene in her mind one last time.
Zhou Ping, Zhou Ping...
That cowardly and struggling man, that young master who dared not love or hate.
He wants to bring the character to life.
"Nianbei".
Naza's voice rang in my ears.
Chen Nianbei opened his eyes and saw Nazha standing in front of him, her eyes sparkling.
"Keep it up," she said.
"You too," Chen Nianbei said.
The two looked at each other and smiled.
That feeling of fighting side by side is great.
At 3 o'clock sharp, the lights dimmed, and the conversations in the audience gradually subsided.
The stage manager gestures from the side of the stage: Get ready.
The deep red curtain slowly opened.
Thunderstorm, Act I, Beginning.
Chen Nianbei stood at the back of the stage, waiting to go on stage.
The stage lights shone on them, casting long shadows.
Everything is ready.
Just then, he saw the front row seats below the stage through the gap in the curtain.
Yang Mi sat next to Teacher Li, her head slightly turned, looking at the stage.
Her expression was very focused.
Then, as if she noticed something, she turned her head and whispered something to Teacher Li.
Teacher Li also turned her head and looked towards the side of the stage.
Chen Nianbei's heart skipped a beat.
He followed their gaze.
They are looking at themselves.
Although they were some distance apart, he could feel the scrutinizing gaze.
It wasn't malicious; it was the kind of calculating look that industry insiders give when they look at newcomers.
Yang Mi said something else, and Teacher Li responded with a smile.
Chen Nianbei couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could guess the gist of it.
On stage, it was his turn to go on.
After Wang Hao, who plays Zhou Chong, finishes his last line, the lighting changes.
Chen Nianbei took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage.
The light shone on him, a warm yellow tinged with a cool white, like the last light of dusk.
He walked to the center of the stage and stood still.
The audience was quiet, and all eyes were on him.
Including Yang Mi's.
He could feel that gaze, scrutinizing, with a hint of curiosity.
Chen Nianbei bowed slightly, turned around, and faced "Fanyi" on the stage.
The play is about to begin.
Meanwhile, Yang Mi leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on the young actor in the long gown on stage.
"Teacher Li,"
She asked in a low voice, "What's the name of the actor who plays Zhou Ping?"