The theater in Anping City isn’t large, but it does have two playhouses inside. Tonight, the performance here is "Record of the Sea of Evil," which tells the story of a young nun and monk secretly fleeing monastic life and breaking the precepts.

Due to the need for lighting at night, ticket prices are double those during the day. However, the crowd is still sizable tonight, indicating that this troupe must have some fame.

Chu Xuan can easily afford this small amount of money. He picked a quiet, good spot inside the tent, but unfortunately, being a small place, only the grand theaters in big cities have private boxes.

When they entered, Qingqing hid behind Chu Xuan the whole time, staying close to him. They inevitably had some physical contact, but neither of them minded.

After they sat down, a servant brought rough tea and snacks to each table, included in the ticket price, available to enjoy freely.

Qingqing initially expected that a place frequented by people of all sorts wouldn’t be more than noisy and chaotic.

But to her surprise, before the performance started, it was indeed chaotic, but once it began, everyone in the house quieted down to listen, with hardly anyone speaking loudly.

Chu Xuan found himself quite relaxed in such a place. In his previous life, he often went to the theater with his parents as a child, though he took less interest as he grew older, preferring to be glued to a phone. Now, however, he can settle in and appreciate it.

Qingqing felt more uncomfortable. She was initially absent-minded, and even when the actors began singing on stage, she didn’t pay much attention, opting instead to glance at the man beside her.

Chu Xuan listened attentively. His handsome, clean-cut features were softly illuminated by the dim light around.

Qingqing rested her chin in one hand and stared at him intently, as if he were more captivating than the play itself.

After a long while, Qingqing suddenly blushed and turned her head away quickly. What was she doing?

She sneaked a glance at Chu Xuan. Thankfully, he seemed not to have noticed, still watching the play seriously, his right hand on his knee, tapping his fingers gently to the rhythm.

Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief and stopped looking at this handsome sheep, directing her gaze to the stage instead.

On stage, a young woman in a blue robe held a duster and sang:

"The young nun’s only sixteen, at the prime of her youth, yet her master shaved her head. I am a delicate woman, not a man, so why wear a yellow rope around my waist and a monk’s robe?"

"Seeing couples in resplendent clothes, I can’t help but be anxious, tearing my kasaya in frustration!"

Perhaps it was the young nun’s descent into worldly desires that resonated with her; Qingqing, initially uninterested, slowly became engrossed.

Seeing this, Chu Xuan glanced sideways at her and smiled slightly.

Qingqing didn’t notice, idly biting her nails and occasionally asking Chu Xuan questions, until the play concluded.

...

As the performance ended and the audience dispersed, it was already late at night, stars twinkling in the sky.

Qingqing, still wanting more, tugged at Chu Xuan’s sleeve with her small hand as they left the playhouse together.

"Is that all? What’s the next part of the story, what happens after the young nun and monk get together?"

Chu Xuan shook his head, "The ’Record of the Sea of Evil’ is originally lost, only ’Longing for the Secular World’ and ’Descending the Mountain’ remain, which we just watched."

"As for the ending, although it’s mostly lost, only a title remains: ’Fate of Death and Life Difficult to Escape Mount Tai,’ ’The Netherworld has issued a ticket to summon people’. "

"Ah?" Qingqing was taken aback, "They died?"

"Not just that, they said they violated the monastic precepts and were thus punished by Heaven, destined to suffer in hell."

Qingqing was a bit upset, "So it was a tragedy, if I had known, I wouldn’t have watched it."

Chu Xuan chuckled, "Even tragedies have their charms."

As he spoke, he began singing lightly, "The young nun walked onto the narrow bridge and only looked back halfway up the mountain."

"Past the mountain gate, missing the desolate village path, she sees an old monastery..."

Intrigued, Qingqing asked, "What’s this folk tune? It’s quite catchy."

"A modern tune sung by play enthusiasts, the words are mostly plain and not in any particular meter."

"Teach me to sing~" Qingqing said with keen interest, tugging at Chu Xuan’s sleeve, seemingly unaware of how intimate this was.

Chu Xuan nodded and taught her line by line, with her following along one by one.

When she sang, "He is a heart thief, with brows that captivate, circling me, round and round," Qingqing stole a glance at him.

Upon singing, "This time, a wish fulfilled, burning passion, wearing a monk’s robe, covering my face with a smile," she blushed slightly.

But by the end of "At the gate of hell, on the path to Lingshan, hearing the laments of passersby, realizing the world isn’t all that carefree," Qingqing furrowed her brow again.

"Let’s stop here; I don’t like this ending."

Chu Xuan nodded.

At this moment, Qingqing seemed to realize something, finally releasing his sleeve, and changed the topic:

"You promised to take me to see the lanterns, you said it was as true as pearls?"

Chu Xuan looked a bit troubled, "In a small place like this, and out of season, where could we find lanterns, maybe next time."

"Really?" Qingqing looked skeptical.

"Absolutely, next Lantern Festival, I’ll take you to the capital city to see the festivities."

"Of course, provided you’re still by my side then."

Qingqing pouted her lips in dissatisfaction, "By then, wouldn’t you come looking for me yourself?"

Chu Xuan found this amusing, "I don’t even know your name, where would I find you?"

Qingqing rolled her eyes, "When we part someday, I’ll be sure to tell you, if you dare to come."