After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 18: Putting on a Show

"Today is the last day of 'Travel Together' recording," Zhao Hengsheng made a rare appearance on camera on the final day of recording. Instead of pulling out his usual task card, he announced in person, "Today, there's a big truck in the village that everyone should have seen. I went to inquire, and it's the Tan family troupe doing a rural charity performance. So, I had an idea and thought of borrowing the stage they're providing for you guys to put on a show, as a way to give back to the enthusiastic hospitality of the villagers during this time. What do you all think of my proposal?"

The five people who were announced to perform impromptu on stage: Not great!

Except for Xu Yin, who is a singer with plenty of stage performance opportunities, the rest are primarily actors with hardly any stage experience.

The crucial thing is the preparation time is too short, not even enough for a rehearsal!

But facing Zhao Hengsheng's smiling face and the surrounding cameras, even if they wanted to curse, they still smiled and agreed.

After lunch, without time for a nap, the five of them rushed to the stage newly set up by the Tan family troupe.

The head of the Tan family troupe had been prepared early to welcome them. Seeing these big stars, usually only seen on TV, he jogged over to greet them.

Even he didn't expect that a routine rural performance, subsidized locally, would turn into such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

When Director Zhao approached him about borrowing the stage for a variety show, he agreed without thinking.

Although his Tan family troupe is a formally registered performance troupe, they usually just perform in various towns with subsidies, making a hard-earned living.

Having such an opportunity to be part of a TV show, he'd be foolish to refuse.

"Welcome, teachers, please come in. I'm afraid the backstage is a bit messy as we're just starting to tidy up, so please bear with us."

Jiang Lingxi unobtrusively assessed the stage built from transforming a big truck.

Even for her, this was the first time seeing such a mobile troupe setup.

The backstage was indeed quite chaotic, with various props and costumes being arranged, and many people had already started putting on makeup.

Everyone knows that stage makeup is not easy to apply, and the headgear is even more complex, taking an hour is quite normal.

When she used to arrange opera performances in the palace, she always had to give instructions an hour in advance to allow time for makeup and staging.

Nonetheless, the other party still managed to clear out a relatively quiet and clean space for them.

Zhao Hengsheng came in right after, sat on an empty stool, and asked with great interest, "So, what are you all planning to perform?"

After he spoke, silence spread.

It was Xu Yin who replied first, "I'll sing an old song from the last century, the kind that the village elders might have heard. As for accompaniment, Director, can you find it?"

Zhao Hengsheng patted his chest, "Leave it to me. And the rest of you?"

Jiang Kaiyuan returned him a pained expression.

"How about I showcase my super-fast gaming skills?"

Zhao Hengsheng responded with a cold face, "Rejected."

Jiang Kaiyuan's shoulders slumped, "Oh."

Lin Xuefei looked at him, then at Director Zhao, "I remember, Kaiyuan, you can also breakdance?"

"A bit."

"Great, I know a bit of jazz dance, why don't we team up?"

Her jazz dance skills were just entry-level; performing solo was a bit lacking, but collaborating with someone would be much better.

Jiang Kaiyuan appeared indifferent, "Sure."

Lin Xuefei smiled at him, "Great, it's settled then!"

She Man glanced at Jiang Lingxi, who was quietly fiddling with a prop knife beside her, "I once shot a movie where my role was that of an opera singer. I even specifically learned some Huangmei opera, so maybe today I'll give a humble performance on stage."

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Jiang Lingxi noticed Director Zhao's gaze on her, silently putting the prop sword back, "I have a program too."

"What kind of program?"

"It's a secret for now."

Zhao Hengsheng: "..."

He was speechless for a moment, "Anyway, it's the last show, don't mess it up for me."

"I promise I won't."

Zhao Hengsheng gave Jiang Lingxi a deep look after she assured him, then turned and left.

He also had to prepare and promote the guests' performances to the villagers.

Xu Yin only needed accompaniment for her song, Lin Xuefei and Jiang Kaiyuan's duet dance just needed some practice to ensure smooth interaction on stage, while She Man's program required some help from Tan family troupe.

Everyone started focusing on their tasks.

She Man got up and walked out, sensing footsteps following her, she turned around and saw Jiang Lingxi heading the same direction.

"Xiao Xi, what are you doing?"

"I'm also going to ask Troupe Leader Tan for help."

Since it was work, Jiang Lingxi had no intention of being perfunctory.

But indeed, she didn't have much talent to speak of originally, and even thinking about her own skills, nothing seemed suitable for a stage performance.

So she had to think outside the box.

The reason she kept it a secret earlier was because she hadn't figured out what to name the program she thought of.

Troupe Leader Tan was suddenly approached by two people for help. After listening to She Man needing to borrow costumes, headgear, and cooperation with music, he breathed a sigh of relief, indicating that everything could be accommodated and immediately called someone to assist.

However, after hearing Jiang Lingxi's request, a hint of difficulty appeared on his face.

"Teacher Jiang, although the weapon props in our troupe are all unsharpened, they are not light, and it's common for them to cause injuries if swung carelessly. In our troupe, only the martial artists use them, and even they don't handle them often. I really can't break this rule."

Faced with an initial rejection, Jiang Lingxi considered Troupe Leader Tan's troubled expression for a moment, then suddenly picked up a wooden stick nearby, roughly as thick as her wrist.

Since the decision-maker didn't trust that she could handle it safely, she had no choice but to demonstrate some real skills to persuade him.

The wooden stick was wielded like a spear, and she brandished it with great energy.

As a troupe leader, he could discern real skill within a few glances.

After Jiang Lingxi twirled the stick into a flower pattern, Troupe Leader Tan couldn't help but applaud.

Once the stick was returned to its place, he snapped back to reality, still carrying traces of astonishment on his face, "I didn't expect Teacher Jiang to have such skills."

She's got the makings of a martial arts artiste!

It's a pity that she's a celebrity, set for far greater things than his small troupe.

Suppressing his regret, he made a decision, "Seeing that Teacher Jiang has a foundation, I can lend the prop spear, but to be safe, I still need to have Teacher Jiang sign a disclaimer."

If something were to go wrong, his small troupe couldn't bear the responsibility!

"Of course."

With the most challenging part of borrowing props settled, the remaining steps were simple.

After makeup and costume changes, Jiang Lingxi coordinated with the music team about the upcoming performance, leaving only the wait for the show to start.

She Man got ready, intending to regroup with the other guests, and was surprised to see a figure in a white robe embroidered with fish and dragons walking towards her, holding a long spear.

Looking up, she saw a face that instantly radiated heroic vigor with just eyebrows drawn and lips painted, and was truly astonished, "Jiang, Jiang Lingxi?"

"It's me, Teacher She."

"This outfit... and that spear..."

"Part of the performance. As for the details, Teacher She will see in a moment."

She Man: "..."

She truly never expected this.

Could a delicate young lady transform into a valiant young general with just an eyebrow pencil?