Volume Two: Adults and Children Chapter 100: Enjoying the Show and Holding Hands Simultaneously

As a myth and legend born and circulating in the Jiangnan region, the Legend of the White Snake was naturally heard of by very few people in Beijing.

Yet even for those who knew the plot of the story, what they saw on the stage of the Top Courtyard today was an absolute, refreshingly brand-new version.

The protagonist, Xu Xian, was played by Miss Jinlan, who temporarily ranked second on the Top Beauties List.

She had always given people a gentle and reserved impression. Portraying a refined and courteous young scholar at this moment was quite fitting, instantly winning the audience's favor.

Following that, the characters of the White Snake, Bai Suzhen, and the Green Snake, Xiaoqing, made their entrances. They were played by Miss Nishang, who ranked first on the list, and Miss Zhidie, who ranked fifth.

One was intellectual and graceful, while the other was charming and playful. Each excelled in her own way, bringing out their distinct charms and vividly portraying the demeanor of mistress and maid, sister and companion, leaving everyone watching with rapt attention.

Next came their fateful meeting and conversation, followed by the iconic scenes of sharing a boat ride and leaving an umbrella as a token of affection...

Since the Legend of the White Snake had been passed down for hundreds of years and was still enthusiastically discussed by countless people even in modern times, it naturally possessed exceptional merits.

The source material provided by Huang Ming came from the later-generation "New Legend of the White Snake," which boasted a stronger narrative and a much more twists-and-turns, touching romantic journey between Xu Xian and Lady White. After being further revised and polished by multiple talents specializing in storytelling scripts, its impact on everyone naturally became even more profound.

At first, everyone was still trying to figure out which courtesan house each appearing character belonged to.

However, as the story progressed, and as the romance between the two encountered one twist after another due to the insurmountable barrier between humans and demons, everyone's heart rose and fell with the characters' experiences. They could no longer spare any attention for anything else, wishing only to see the outcome—the happy ending where lovers finally married.

At some unknown point, the area around the stage had fallen completely silent. No one was waving money bags and shouting to offer tips, nor was anyone shouting out the name of some top beauty in a drunken frenzy. Everyone simply watched the performance on stage in utter quiet, deeply appreciating the brilliance of the story.

Perhaps only Huang Ming remained indifferent to all this. After eating a little, he looked around to the left and the right, only to find his two mischief-making friends each holding a beauty in their arms, staring intently at the unfolding plot below.

As for Xu Yunzhi beside him, her eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the performance, and soon her eye rims turned slightly red. One hand even uncontrollably grabbed Huang Ming's arm: "Young Master Huang, why was Xu Xian scared to death? Can he still come back to life? How could he possibly believe those people's nonsense and use realgar wine on Lady White?"

Huang Ming hurriedly patted her slender hand lightly, comforting her: "Don't worry, he will be fine. Don't forget, Lady White is a powerful being who has cultivated for a thousand years..."

Hearing this, Xu Yunzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately realized she was still gripping Huang Ming's arm. Her pretty face flushed instantly, and she let go as if fleeing from danger.

Unexpectedly, Huang Ming clenched his hand at that moment, catching and holding hers.

This made Xu Yunzhi's heartbeat skip a beat, her breathing turning chaotic. She felt both shy and panicked.

Why is he holding my hand right here, with so many people watching beside us...

Yet immediately afterward, she noticed that the attention of the other four people in the room was entirely focused on the performance below. Not even the corners of their eyes drifted toward their side, making it impossible for them to notice the intimacy between the two.

This allowed Xu Yunzhi to let out a sigh of relief while feeling a flutter in her heart. Growing bolder, she gently returned Huang Ming's grip, and at the same time, her body began to lean in.

Before they knew it, the two of them were leaning lightly against each other.

Although compared to the other two couples nearby who looked as if they wished to be glued together, there was still a huge gap, for an unmarried young lady like Xu Yunzhi, this was already the boldest display and the most direct expression of her feelings.

Therefore, why did young men and women in later generations love going to the cinema in the preliminary stages of romance?

Was it not because in such an environment—especially when watching horror or romance movies—the emotions and movements of both people would be influenced by the plot, causing them to unconsciously drop their guard and reserve, going from contact to holding hands, and then first base, second base... all the way to a home run!

Of course, Huang Ming was destined not to have such a blessing, and he couldn't even maintain this cozy leaning and hand-holding with Xu Yunzhi for very long.

For just as they were engrossed in viewing, the door of the private room was softly knocked upon, making him frown slightly: "What is it?"

"Please forgive me, Young Master Huang. A few of my friends wish to invite you over for a chat. I wonder..."

The voice of Zhao Jian came from outside, carrying a tone of apology and supplication.

This caused a stir in Huang Ming's mind, vaguely guessing what was afoot, so he replied: "Wait a moment, I will come with you right away."

At this moment, Xu Yunzhi had already released her hand with a completely flushed face and sat up straight. She did not even dare to glance toward Huang Ming, keeping her eyes fixed tightly on the theater stage outside, as if still immersed in the plot below.

A slight smile appeared at the corner of Huang Ming's mouth, though he chose not to expose it. He simply explained to everyone: "Some friends are inviting me, so I shall go and return shortly. You all enjoy the play in peace."

"Brother Huang, go ahead. We can take care of ourselves," Xu Qingzhi said carelessly with a nod.

Only then did Huang Ming pat his shoulder, quickly call Qi Changfeng over to give him a couple more instructions, and then opened the door. Following Zhao Jian along the corridor, he walked toward another private room not far away.

Standing before that door were several imposing men with restrained divine light, who at first glance looked like elite martial arts bodyguards.

After Zhao Jian offered a brief explanation, Huang Ming was allowed to smoothly enter the private room, which was several times larger and vastly more luxurious than his own, resembling a grand hall.

This private room was also brilliantly lit. Multiple banquet tables had already been partially dined on. Along the row by the window, seven or eight soft seats were neatly arranged. Several men were sitting there, watching the theatrical play below with expressions of rather serious concentration, each with at least one beauty embraced in his arms.

Scanning the room, Huang Ming saw that their appearances and ages varied: the oldest were in their thirties or forties, while the youngest were around twenty. Some were handsome, others plain, but all were dressed in lavish silk robes and possessed an aristocratic air foreign to ordinary people.

The beauties in their arms were no less striking in appearance than the top courtesans performing below, but it was clear their status was vastly different from Nishang and the others—they were the existences of true private concubines.

Upon reaching these individuals, Zhao Jian lost his usual composed demeanor as the proprietor of the Pleasing Pavilion. He appeared quite cautious, his face piled with ingratiating smiles: "Young Masters, the humble servant has brought Young Master Huang over."

The men were in no rush to greet Huang Ming, who had walked up to them. They simply continued watching the play on the stage below, as if they hadn't noticed Huang Ming and Zhao Jian entering at all.

And indeed, the performance down below had reached the part where Lady White stole the immortal herbs on Mount Kunlun and was discovered by the Crane Boy played by Miss Ziyuan. The two engaged in a fierce battle on stage that was both spectacular and heart-pounding...