When it comes to watching a play, what happens on stage is just as captivating as what happens off stage.

Duan Yelin took a sip of tea and felt as if it had been a long time since he had enjoyed such peacefulness while listening to the opera.

Although the actors in the Baihua Gang's "The Romance of the West Chamber" are all newbies, their voices are smooth and melodious, leaving listeners with a tingling sensation in their hearts.

Already in the second round of chanting, Hongniang pulled Xiaohongjuan and said, "It's hard to speak when Miss is so affectionate. May Miss quickly be matched with a mandarin duck, matched with a talented scholar who excels in the world. A refined and gentle person, destined to be with Miss for a hundred years."

At this moment, Gu Fangfei finally arrived tardily.

She was wearing a trendy overall dress with a short cape draped over it, a small flat hat on her head, and holding a handbag with pearl trim in her hand as she sat across from Duan Yelin.

"Commander Duan, nice to meet you. My name is Gu Fangfei."

Duan Yelin nodded and picked up the teapot to pour her a cup. "Miss Gu, nice to meet you."

Gu Fangfei took a sip. Having studied abroad for many years, she had grown accustomed to drinking coffee and was not very familiar with tea. She glanced towards the stage, where Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying were deeply in love, while the actors with their powdered faces and greased hair were singing something in a garbled manner. She didn't quite understand it, so she immediately turned her head back and looked at Duan Yelin.

On the contrary, Duan Yelin watched with great interest, his index finger even tapping along with the melody of the jinghu.

"Miss Gu, do you not enjoy listening to theatrical performances?" he asked.

"I'm ashamed to say that I rarely listen, so I also don't understand."

Miss Gu is so considerate to come and accompany me to the theater, it's quite difficult to endure being here without understanding anything.

Gu Fangfei looked at Duanyi Lin with her clear and bright eyes for a moment, then suddenly covered her mouth and laughed. Duanyi Lin finally turned his head and asked, "Ms. Gu, what are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at both Commander Duan and myself for being in the ‘Cao camp with my heart in Han.’ While we're singing 'The Story of the Western Wing' on stage, there is absolutely no response from the audience. Originally, I was quite anxious before leaving today, but seeing the Commander like this puts my mind at ease."

The words were spoken so frankly that Duan Yelin began to have a different opinion of this young lady. It seems that Gu Fangfei and Gu Yueshan are not on the same side. He also smiled and said, "So you're saying, Miss Gu came today under 'filial obligation' and 'reluctantly'?"

Gu Fangfei quickly waved her hand and said, "Oh, that's not what I mean! Actually, I also wanted to see you in person of my own accord." Here, Gu Fangfei sat up straight, appearing very serious. "Actually... I wanted to ask Commander for help with a personal matter, but I didn't have a good reason to interact with you, so I could only take advantage of this opportunity."

Speaking up to this point, she paused for a moment and looked at Duan Yelin, her eyes signaling her to continue speaking. She then said, "Actually, I am an advocate for new women's rights. I want to help women who aspire to be independent from their families to establish themselves in society. So, I opened a cosmetics company and factory in Hezhou City, and all the employees I recruited are women. However...there are still some obstacles. On one hand, some of the employees' families are not supportive and often come to the company causing trouble. On the other hand, the company is quite remote, and I'm always worried about the safety of so many young women going home after work. I have been thinking for a long time and can only come up with one solution, but I need your help."

To be honest, Gu Fangfei's words made Duan Yelin look at her with admiration. He hadn't expected this seemingly delicate young lady to be so ambitious. He jokingly replied, "Me? Are you suggesting that I should send my troops every day to escort your employees when they finish work?"

"Of course not," Gu Fangfei was amused by Duan Yelin's joke. "I have my eye on a building near Xiaotongguan. If I buy it with your backing, no one would dare to be presumptuous, and commuting would be safe. However..."

"But the buildings near Xiaotongguan are strictly controlled by the military. Even if the owners are willing to sell, they wouldn't dare sell it without permission. Are you asking me to help you write an application so that you can buy this building?" Duan Yelin finished speaking on her behalf.

Gu Fangfei smiled gently and then nodded firmly, saying, "Yes, if the commander is willing to help, I am willing to pay any amount of money!"

Duàn Yèlín scraped the foam off the tea with the lid of the teacup and sighed, "Miss Gu, do you know that with the land prices there, even if your company achieves first place in Hezhou City, it's doubtful that you'll recover your investment within five to six years? This is a losing proposition."

"This is not a losing deal. If we can empower the women of Hezhou City, it would be the most profitable venture!" Gu Fangfei's voice suddenly grew louder, her tone resolute, and her eyes gleaming like stars.

Duan Yelin found it very interesting that a woman with such a pure and naive heart was nothing like the kind of woman who had been trained by the cunning and experienced president of the Chamber of Commerce.

He paused for a moment and then turned his head, seeing a familiar figure walking in and heading towards the second floor. His eyes sparkled briefly, and he spoke to Gu Fangfei in a cunning manner, "Miss Gu, I might consider doing you this favor. However, before that, I'd like to ask you to act in a play."

The young man, Zhang Sheng, on the stage, was already speaking shy and romantic words to Cui Yingying: "How much intelligence is hidden in your heart, your nickname truly lives up to being called Yingying. Miss, let us confide in each other and reciprocate our love until dawn, even if there is a wall separating us."

When Xu Hang took his seat, it was the moment for applause down below. He sat in a cozy seat on the second floor, with a clear view of the first-floor hall. He didn't even need to deliberately look for it, as he saw Duan Yelin, who was chatting and laughing with a woman.

Not only was Duan Yelín grinning from ear to ear, but he also used a handkerchief close to his body to wipe off the dirt on that woman's hands. He held onto Róuyí for a while without letting go.

Duan Yelin rarely spends time with women, at least not in the past four years, from what Xu Hang has seen or heard. But on second thought, Xu Hang has never been involved in Duan Yelin's life. He always does his own thing, and when Duan Yelin wants to see him, he will come. Xu Hang won't ask too much or say too much.

It turns out that when he is with women, he appears to be much more patient. Xu Hang only glanced at him, and when the waiter came to pour tea, he immediately averted his gaze and focused on observing the tea leaves, carefully listening to the play.

Qiao Song stood in the corner, watching the expressions of the two masters, and couldn't help but feel puzzled. It seemed that Commander Gan wanted to make Young Master Xu jealous, but judging from Young Master Xu's expression, not only vinegar, but I'm afraid he hasn't even planted the rice used for brewing vinegar.

He's not jealous; I'm afraid tonight the commander is going to get angry.

Duan Yelin appeared cheerful and lively as he talked and laughed with Gu Fangfei. However, underneath the table, he tightly clenched his fists. He used the reflection from the polished surface of the copper teapot on the table to catch a glimpse of Xu Hang's figure on the second floor. Xu Hang sipped tea, listened to the opera, and enjoyed some snacks. He even closed his eyes slightly, swaying his head to the rhythm of the music. The calmer Xu Hang appeared, the more turbulent Duan Yelin's heart became.

The tea had turned cold. Duan Yelin picked it up and gulp it down, feeling slightly calmer.

After the entire performance of the play "The Western Chamber" had concluded, Xuhang didn't cast a single glance towards Duan Yelin. Naturally, there was no hint of jealousy or any sour expression or action.

Qiao Song noticed that Duan Yelín's hand had already squeezed the wicker chair, leaving an imprint. He felt a sudden sense of unease.

At this moment, there was finally some activity on the second floor, where Xu Hang resided.

He stood up and took out a money pouch from his pocket. He threw all the silver dollars inside onto the table, cupping them in the hands of the young woman in a green dress who was holding a money plate. He said, "I haven't heard enough, sing it again."