"Since you left, tenderness has been lost."
As everyone sang this West Sea Love Song together, the atmosphere on site directly reached its peak.
Tang Xiaoyu stomped her feet behind in frustration, crying out: "Such sin!"
Lin Qingying was also infected by the atmosphere on site, and started humming along.
The annoyed look Wang Ziyan had put on earlier was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a deeply passionate singing expression.
In this world lacking in much entertainment, even a tiny bit of fun to kill time would be infinitely amplified.
Just like when we were young, we would feel it was worth it to carry a stool and walk miles just to watch a movie.
While Tang Xiaoyu cried out about sin, she was also thinking about how to expand her influence.
[When I was young I relied on cassette tapes and cheap Walkmans to listen to songs, it felt so good, I wonder if selling recording crystals would work.]
[I'll go back and ask about it later, if it's feasible I'll sell recording crystals like albums, that's how my influence will take off.]
When Old Zhou finished singing, thunderous applause sounded from the audience.
After Old Zhou left the stage, Tang Xiaoyu went up to tell stories.
Since she had been storytelling for a while, Tang Xiaoyu could control her voice, expressions and gestures very well.
Lin Qingying was deeply engrossed by Tang Xiaoyu's storytelling.
By the time Tang Xiaoyu was about to leave, she was still reluctant for it to end.
The layout of the teahouse meant that Tang Xiaoyu simply did not notice Lin Qingying sitting in the corner.
It wasn't that Lin Qingying liked sitting in corners, but that she had arrived late and all the good seats were already taken.
Seeing Tang Xiaoyu leave, Lin Qingying prepared to coincidentally bump into her so they could walk back together.
But before she could catch up, Old Zhou and the others had already followed Tang Xiaoyu out first.
With no other choice, she could only follow behind. As she walked, she saw Tang Xiaoyu enter an brothel.
"Why go into a brothel? I'll follow her in and take a look."
Just as she was about to go in, she bumped right into Tang Xiaoyu's group who had finished their business and were on their way out to eat.
Fortunately, Lin Qingying reacted quickly and immediately turned around pretending to just be passing by.
Seeing her, Tang Xiaoyu happily called out: "Third sister, are you out shopping?"
Lin Qingying feigned surprise. "Xiaoyu, what are you doing in this kind of place?"
"Oh! I work here!" Tang Xiaoyu did not hide the truth.
"I see! Where are you off to now then?"
"We were about to go eat, it should be dinner time for you too right? Come, let me treat you to a big meal."
Lin Qingying pretended to be embarrassed: "That doesn't seem right! You're going out with your friends, why would I tag along?"
Aside from Tang Xiaoyu, everyone else's reaction was: This woman really knows how to put on an act.
Tang Xiaoyu couldn't tell, because the only women he had interacted with before transmigrating were straightforward tomboys. Meeting someone like Lin Qingying made him feel like she was just really shy and conservative.
Tang Xiaoyu nonchalantly said: "What's there to be embarrassed about, we're all friends here. Come with me."
"Well, since you put it that way, I'll gladly impose then!"
Tang Xiaoyu urged: "Alright alright, hurry up let's go."
The group then headed towards another street.
Tang Xiaoyu asked: "What would you like to eat, Third Sister?"
"I'll eat anything, I'm fine with whatever."
"I see! Then let's go to that restaurant over there! Their dishes are pretty tasty."
"Okay."
Following behind, Wang Ziyan gnashed her teeth and said: "That woman is clearly up to no good."
"And and, Brother Tang is just an unfaithful bastard blinded by beauty."
Old Zhou and Lu Changchun helplessly shook their heads, not bothering to respond.
In front, Tang Xiaoyu was attentively asking after Lin Qingying, while Wang Ziyan cursed under her breath from behind.
Old Zhou and the other two were annoyed to no end.
Entering the restaurant, they got a private room. Tang Xiaoyu busied himself with pulling Lin Qingying's chair out for her.
Seeing this, Wang Ziyan was green with envy.
"Order whatever you guys want, don't stand on ceremony with me."
Then he turned again to ask Lin Qingying: "What would you like? Order anything you want."
Lin Qingying politely said: "You guys can just order, I'll eat whatever is ordered."
Tang Xiaoyu didn't take her words seriously and still asked: "Do you like spicy food?"
"Yes I do."
Tang Xiaoyu instantly understood and started ordering dishes suited to her tastes.
After ordering food, Tang Xiaoyu and his group started discussing matters regarding the convention.
Tang Xiaoyu's expression became serious as he spoke his opinion.
"First, we need to decide on the number of performances. Old Zhou, what do you think?"
After some thought, Old Zhou said: "The major sects will all send disciples to display their talents. Six to ten performances should suffice."
"I see! Then let me make the arrangements! Old Zhou, you'll sing a song, <West Sea Love Song>."
He turned to look at Lu Changchun: "Uncle, you sing the <Hero's Tears> song I just gave you."
"Little Lian will sing <Kangding Love Song>."
Wang Ziyan stood up and pointed at herself: "What about me? You have to arrange a performance for me too!"
Tang Xiaoyu glanced at her disdainfully, and decided to give this girl with hardly any life experience a lesson.
He thought for a bit, recalling a certain funny video he saw online in his past life, then eyed her lively appearance. Suddenly he had an idea.
"Then you can sing <A Loving yet Unfeeling Person>, I'll teach it to you later."
Without thinking too deeply about it, Wang Ziyan happily agreed.
Seeing that no one had any objections, Tang Xiaoyu went on: "I'll take care of the rest, and decide on however many more acts depending on the situation."
"Alright, the rest is up to you then." Old Zhou did not object and indicated his consent.
"Great, now that the lineup is decided, let's talk about the video projections..."
And so their discussion continued, with Tang Xiaoyu doing most of the talking. Lin Qingying felt what they were up to was very interesting, but did not offer to participate given her own identity.
Leaning her chin on one hand, she gazed at the chattering Tang Xiaoyu, a faint smile playing on her lips.
It was only when the dishes arrived that their conversation ceased.
"Alright, we can talk about the rest later. Let's eat first." Tang Xiaoyu said.
Afterwards, they ate and drank wine. Tang Xiaoyu would crack the occasional joke, eliciting giggles from both women. The other two men however, had to endure it with much difficulty, coughing now and then to hide their awkwardness.
When the meal ended, Tang Xiaoyu asked Lin Qingying: "Third Sister, are you going straight home or coming along to Orchid Lodge?"
Lin Qingying pretended to think about it, then replied: "Nothing to do if I go back alone. I'll go with you and take a look!"
"Then let's head over now!"
"Okay."
At Orchid Lodge, Tang Xiaoyu got Lin Qingying and the other two settled before hurrying off to handle his own matters.
Seeing Tang Xiaoyu leave, Wang Ziyan snidely said: "I wonder what Brother Tang sees in an ugly hag like you?"
Lin Qingying did not reply, only saying to Old Zhou: "Elder Zhou, you just seem to grow younger and younger!"
A look flashed across Old Zhou's face as he responded: "It is Lady Chief who just seems to become more and more playful!"
The exchange left Wang Ziyan completely confused.
Lin Qingying was not angry, only sadly said: "Ah! Having lived hundreds of years yet not a shred of emotional memory to speak of. Now I only wish to experience mortal life for a bit."
Old Zhou did not mock her, but empathized: "Who's to say otherwise! Having cultivated for so long yet not a single fond memory to show, such sorrow!"
He turned to Lin Qingying: "What brings you all here this time?"
Lin Qingying helplessly explained: "What else could it be? The grand convention to reconnect with the major sects of course!"
"Don't pretend you don't know. The competition between the major states is now more intense than ever. Going it solo no longer suits the current circumstances."
Old Zhou nodded in agreement, concurring with her view. "I believe the major sects will not oppose you all rejoining."
An evil smile played on Lin Qingying's lips. "If anyone dares oppose, I'll be sure to give them some special care."
Old Zhou shivered involuntarily, not daring to say any more. He hurriedly changed the topic: "Why disguise yourself to look like this then?"
"If I don't do this, what can I do? Have a bunch of men ogle and drool at me?"
Lin Qingying was also very distressed about her own appearance! For mortals, being too beautiful is also a troublesome thing.
Old Zhou expressed his understanding: "Indeed, if little Tang sees it, he might not even be able to walk properly."
"He's an interesting little fellow," Lin Qingying gave a very high appraisal.
Hearing this, Wang Ziyan finally understood something and bowed to apologize to Lin Qingying with trembling.
Lin Qingying just casually waved her hand: "Don't worry about these things, I'm not that petty."
Old Zhou scolded in his heart: [Not petty? How were those senior brothers and senior sisters of yours messed with by you? Have you forgotten?]
[Also, you're so beautiful, why hasn't anyone pursued you? Don't you have any self-awareness?]
While thinking this in his heart, his mouth flattered: "Lady Lin's magnanimity is beyond what juniors can comprehend."
Lin Qingying glanced at Old Zhou: "No need to be so hypocritical, who doesn't understand whom!"
Old Zhou was not embarrassed either and continued chatting with Lin Qingying about the past and recent interesting events.