My Childhood Friend Is a Female Dan Performer

Shu Qinglu, stage name Meiqin, is a rare male dan performer of Kunqu opera in the modern era.

Opera fans who have heard him perform lavishly praise him as “unparalleled in grace, and a master of his art.”

His tickets are nearly impossible to get, and his fame has spread from the stage to the internet.

Yet the media have only ever shown pictures of him in costume. Shu Qinglu never reveals his true face.

When they meet again, Jiang Xi sits down with her colleagues, clutching a ticket and knowing nothing.

They have come for a collaborative project with Meiqin.

The graceful huadan onstage, in flowing sleeves and a red gown, wins round after round of applause.

Memories surge through Jiang Xi, and she feels an urge to flee.

Back then, she was the student activities coordinator for Class One, Grade Eleven, and had been tasked with persuading Shu Qinglu to perform at the New Year's Eve gala.

“You study Kunqu opera, so you can definitely win first prize for our class.”

“You practice your singing next door every day. I never complained about the noise, so you owe me one.”

“Please! If you agree to perform, I'll do one thing for you.”

Class One won first prize, but the girls who liked Shu Qinglu openly disparaged him.

Distraught over her father's situation, Jiang Xi chimed in, “Yeah.”

She had no idea Shu Qinglu was standing right behind her.

They didn't see each other for three years after that. The girl had said something she didn't mean, and her secret crush came to nothing.

Shu Qinglu saw her onstage, too. Just as in years past, a solitary lamp shone on the stage.

But he caught sight of the girl's white school uniform skirt as she passed by.

Backstage, he asked casually, “Did you come with your boyfriend?”

Only after Jiang Xi denied it did Shu Qinglu turn to the mirror and leisurely wipe the makeup from his face.

“I forgot to ask after we kissed that time. What did you think?”

P.S. Mutual pining, one-on-one, both leads' first relationship

Forthcoming: Sword Seizes the Moon, February 7, 2023

The last emperor of Jing was obsessed with pleasure, and the entire royal family followed him into extravagance and corruption. The dynasty was on the brink of collapse.

Princess Baojue followed the “example” set by her parents and older siblings and chose her first male favorite.

But before she could enjoy him, rebel forces stormed the city, and Jing fell.

With the fate of her other relatives unknown, Baojue was rescued from the palace by her personal guard, Zhu E, and fled into the countryside.

At first, she ordered him to help her restore the dynasty.

Then she asked him to take her to her fiancé's army.

At last, Baojue understood that Zhu E only wanted to keep her for himself and turn her into an ordinary village woman.

How could she ever accept that?

Zhu E had long coveted his noble, pampered mistress.

Now that the phoenix had fallen into the mud, should he help her rise to the clouds again, or teach her to accept her fate?

As Zhu E's true nature began to show, his disguise gradually fell away.

Once the barriers of rank had vanished, it was time for his hunger to be sated.

Zhu E was not afraid of Baojue trying to leave again and again.

He would make her understand the dangers of a chaotic world, and that she had no choice but to live under his protection.

One day, Baojue would love him, too.

But just when Zhu E thought Baojue had settled down after bearing him a child,

she disappeared one day.

Only then did Zhu E realize that this woman was gentle in appearance but ruthless at heart, and that she was best at walking away.

Theme: Promoting intangible cultural heritage