Chapter 167: I was just getting ready to dig up your family's ancestral graves

After returning, Zhou Yanshi also met with Zhou Wan and Qingqing.

As for Qingqing, he could not be said to like her, but he did not dislike her either.

She was no different to him than any other child of someone else's family.

His own grandson was already an adult, and as for his grandson's child, it was not his turn to dote on her.

His attitude toward Zhou Wan was also very lukewarm—neither looking down upon her nor holding her in high regard.

After playing with Qingqing for a little while, Zhou Xingjian entered Zhou Yanshi's study.

"Next March will be the ultimate showdown between foreign stage plays and domestic traditional dramas. We have already lost three consecutive times," Zhou Yanshi said. "I am already old, ninety years old this year. The excavation and promotion of traditional culture require you to take up the mantle. Communicate more with Ning Zheng."

"There's no need to worry about Ning Zheng anymore; his research institute will be completed after the New Year, and Jiang Tianji helped him unearth a very talented young man. My biggest worry right now is you. If you don't achieve any political accomplishments, this term will be your last," Zhou Yanshi said.

Zhou Xingjian shook his head. "You can see the situation domestically. Traditional dramatic arts are either used as a stepping stone to gild oneself or just to make quick money. How many people genuinely love it and focus on content?"

"With the macro environment as it is, I just want to retire in peace. I have no confidence in the promotion of drama."

Among the five major opera genres, Peking Opera is currently developing the best and has already gone overseas.

However, Peking Opera was the result of the Zhou family's unremitting efforts. Starting from Zhou Yanshi's youth and continuing until Zhou Xingzheng took up the banner, it took the efforts of three generations to barely reach where it is today.

Yet, in the ultimate showdown, they still could not win!

Foreign stage plays were simply too powerful. Last year, the appearance of productions like *Romeo and Juliet* and *Alice in Wonderland* left the five major opera genres completely helpless.

Both were phenomenal stage productions that domestic troupes simply could not defeat.

"If you win, will you be able to secure another term steadily?" Zhou Yanshi asked.

Zhou Xingjian nodded. "If we win, I can definitely secure another term. That is also the intention of the higher-ups."

Zhou Yanshi sighed. "Then find a way to create good content. This is a battle of honor. Fortunately, we still have two or three months to prepare, so there is still time."

After walking out of the study, Zhou Xingjian's mood took a turn for the worse.

Where was he supposed to unearth good repertoires?

After all these years, besides resting on their laurels, had there been any progress at all?

He thought of the Postman again. This young man had talent, but he wasted all his talent on romance and love affairs. At this thought, his mood soured even further. He sent a private message to the Postman: "Are you young people still so obsessed with romance and love affairs that you can't extricate yourselves? Are you dead or what? If you're not dead, hurry up and get up to promote traditional culture!"

When Shen Xian saw it, his first reaction was that this "Purple Qi Coming from the East" was a moron.

"Not dead yet, just getting ready to dig up your family's ancestral graves," Shen Xian replied.

When Zhou Xingjian saw this, he was hopping mad.

My old man's ninetieth birthday is tomorrow, and you actually dare to say such unpropitious things?

"Why is a young comrade like you so devoid of any spirit of cultural heritage? You get unhappy just from being told a few words?" Purple Qi Coming from the East grew angry. "If you've got the guts, give me your address."

"You're hilarious. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. Why don't you go promote traditional culture yourself instead of coming here to engage in moral kidnapping against me?" Shen Xian even sent several poop emojis afterward. "Have some shit!"

"Have some shit!" Purple Qi Coming from the East replied.

"Big fucking idiot!" Shen Xian replied.

"You're the big fucking idiot!" Purple Qi Coming from the East replied.

"Believe it or not, I'll dig up your family's ancestral tombs?" Shen Xian replied.

"If I catch you, see if I don't beat the dog brains right out of your head!" Purple Qi Coming from the East replied.

The two hurled abuses at each other for dozens of rounds, growing increasingly fierce toward the end. After cursing everyone on each other's household registration booklets, they finally escalated to cursing each other's genealogies.

Zhou Xingjian sat in the courtyard, his face flushed red, and suddenly slammed the table. "Insufferable!"

The busy people in the courtyard glanced over frequently.

Zhou Wan walked over with a furrowed brow. "What is going on?"

With her sharp eyes, she immediately saw that her father was arguing with someone else, and the screen was full of poop emojis.

Not to mention those four recurring characters repeated back and forth—Have some shit.

Her almond eyes widened in disbelief.

In her impression, her father had always been rigid, old-fashioned, as if his speech were measured with a ruler, and overflowing with righteousness.

Yet now, he was actually in a shouting match online with someone, and both sides were inviting each other to eat shit?

Could her own old man possess such a contrasting persona?

"It's nothing!" Zhou Xingjian said. He was certainly not willing to expose his alternative account, Purple Qi Coming from the East.

This alternative account was his sharp weapon for flaming people; he had no idea how many people he had blasted over the years.

Whenever he encountered a talented youngster, he would go and flame them.

But now he had decided: he was going to focus entirely on flaming the Postman.

Early the next morning, the Feilong Grand Hotel in Kyoto was completely booked out by the Zhou family. Red lanterns were hung both inside and out, presenting an atmosphere full of joy and festivity.

The Feilong Grand Hotel could not only host large-scale banquets, but it also featured a specialized theater with advanced equipment and stages.

Some of the dignitaries in Kyoto loved holding their banquets here.

Shen Xian and the others arrived at the hotel early to start putting on their makeup.

Peach Baby was obviously nervous because this was her first time performing on such a grand and solemn stage.

In the past, they had either performed at the Nanszhou Theater or taken their performances to the countryside.

Today's scale was the highest of her career thus far.

Moreover, the troupe leader had also stated that today was a showdown against Peking Opera and Yue Opera, which meant it was a battle to vindicate Huangmei Opera.

If they won, they would be able to participate in the ultimate showdown a few months later and better promote Huangmei Opera.

If they lost, their young theater troupe might have to disband.

Therefore, Peach Baby felt an intense sense of pressure.

"Don't be nervous, keep a calm mindset," Shen Xian comforted while applying his makeup.

His makeup was heavy, with exaggerated and thick eyeliner that made him look like a completely different person from his usual self, yet it exuded a distinct and striking heroism.

"Mm-hmm, alright." Peach Baby took a deep breath.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you actually dared to come?" Just as they were talking, an arrogant voice rang out.

The two turned their heads to look, and Huang Qinian had arrived.

He was looking Peach Baby and Shen Xian up and down.

"Tsk tsk tsk, these costume clothes are so worn out and shabby; anyone who didn't know better would think you were a troupe of street performers. Stop making a fool of yourselves," Huang Qinian sneered.