After the "terrifying incident" right after leaving the airport, Furina decided to spend some time sightseeing here.
--------------------------
But in a small place like the countryside, there aren't really any recreational facilities.
It's just that the scenery is nice. That's what let Furina slack off here for a few days.
Of course. She hadn't actually been slacking off these past two days.
On one hand, she was earnestly searching for the person Xia Wen had mentioned.
On the other hand, she was also gathering material, preparing to write a solid and well-thought-out script.
After all, having stayed in the company for so long, Furina's desire for self-expression had also begun to surface.
As someone who once single-handedly kept a small theater running, Furina still couldn't let go of her Opera habits.
Though this idea always lingered in her mind, when she was in the company, because there were so many friends, good food, and fun things to do, and she had to direct filming every day as the assistant director, it was hard for her to focus on scriptwriting.
But now, temporarily on her own, her creative urges began to burn brightly again.
Furina would always recall the waterways of her hometown, those crystal-clear streams, and the figures of Neuvillette and Clorinde.
She always felt, there should be a stage where she and they could both stand together, performing stories that were different from the usual.
Here, there should be splendid architecture, full of theatrical and classical elements, along with opera and the most classic symphonies.
Furina immersed herself in her own world.
Fragmented, scattered scenes flashed through her mind.
Unknowingly, Furina had already wandered aimlessly into the small town.
While walking, her thoughts became even clearer, until she bumped into something carrying astonishing kinetic energy.
"Ouch!"
Furina staggered back a few steps from the rebound. Although her forehead didn't hurt, she still came back to her senses from her fantasies and covered her head, saying: "Sorry, sorry, I was just thinking about somethi-"
Halfway through the sentence, Furina suddenly stammered and couldn't speak.
Because she saw who it was, a beautiful tall woman with long blonde hair.
And the spot she had just bumped into was… No wonder it didn't hurt. Felt like it could be compared to Kafka.
"It's fine."
"Are you okay?"
The blonde woman's voice was calm and steady, with a touch of gentleness.
Furina hurriedly waved her hand: "I'm fine, I'm fine." It's just that I almost got bounced away…
Darn it! Why are these people not only tall, but also have great figures!
"Ahem!"
"W-well, I'll be going now."
Furina coughed lightly, a little embarrassed, and prepared to leave.
"You like opera too?" Aglaea sized up the girl in front of her.
In this place, people who liked opera weren't common.
And the girl before her was dressed tastefully. Her clothes didn't look like big-name brands, but whether it was the fabric or the cut, they were clearly well-designed.
The colors were also particularly pretty, an overall style of white and azure, paired with the girl's delicate and beautiful features, giving off a fresh and refined aura.
Her wrist and ears had some small accessories, each set with understated, meaningful gemstones.
Small, but exquisite, without any hint of luxury.
With just a few glances, Aglaea had already formed a rough judgment in her mind.
This was a girl of considerable taste, from an extraordinary background, and with good manners.
Most importantly, she was probably very wealthy!
So after identifying Furina's status, Aglaea already had a plan in mind.
Although she felt a little sorry toward this beautiful girl, right now she really needed… well… a bit of help.
"Y-yes, that's right."
Just about to leave, Furina looked at Aglaea in puzzlement, not knowing why the other suddenly brought up opera.
"As it happens, I like opera too."
Aglaea showed a gentle smile. "I didn't expect to find a fellow enthusiast here. Could we talk a bit?"
Furina's eyes lit up with surprise. "You like opera too?"
This seemingly gentle and intellectual older sister liked the same thing as her.
In this small town, Furina had finally found someone with the same interests.
And since she had just had a lot of ideas pop into her head, talking about them might even spark new inspiration.
So, by chance, the two who had met in an accident found a place to sit by the path and began to chat leisurely.
The conversation flowed very smoothly.
Aglaea and Furina both had a fairly deep understanding of Opera.
And since Aglaea came with a goal in mind, she carefully controlled the pace.
Her words made Furina's impression of her improve dramatically.
Furina was also especially delighted.
She found she unexpectedly got along very well with the other.
Whenever she shared an opinion, Aglaea would always give a response filled with emotional value.
Aglaea's gentle and intellectual personality also deeply appealed to Furina.
And so, as they chatted away, Furina grew intensely curious about Aglaea.
At her prompting, Aglaea told Furina about herself.
"I come from an art family that was once illustrious, but has now fallen into decline."
"Our family was historically known for sponsoring drama, ballet, and opera."
Aglaea spoke slowly: "But now, the name no longer matters. In short, after our decline, the only thing left is the family's private theater, Okhema Hall."
"Is that so? I just said, Agy, you don't look like someone from around here..."
After Furina finished speaking, she suddenly felt there was some ambiguity in her words.
She quickly waved her hands to explain: "Of course, I, I'm not looking down on the town, it's just, just that-"
Silly Furina tried to explain hurriedly, but for a moment her tongue was tied.
"Of course, you're a very kind person, I know what you mean."
Aglaea laughed: "You mean that most people in town don't work in the arts, right? Or even if they do, they would probably stay in Yancheng."
"Yes!" Furina nodded vigorously.
Then, in her mind, she added silently: That should make it harder to accept, right?
"Hard to accept?"
"It's okay."
Aglaea smiled and said: "Because the decline happened so suddenly."
Furina wanted to comfort her, but didn't know where to start, so she changed the subject: "Then Agy, what are you doing now?"
"Embroidery and fashion design, plus managing my own private theater."
Aglaea explained: "It's not because of financial pressure, it's something I've loved since I was a child, so I'm still very happy now. And you, Miss Furina?"
"Me, I…"Hearing the question, Furina immediately showed an expression like she had been expecting this for a long time.
She coughed once, preparing to talk about her experiences.
But then she suddenly remembered, the person in front of her had gone through some tragic events.
Bringing up certain things now might hurt her.
"I'm working in… um… collaborative director work,"
Furina thought for a moment and described her profession vaguely: "But I also really like opera, so I plan to come back to find my old friends and see if I can put together an original production of my own."
Speaking of this, Furina became excited, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Aglaea listened quietly.
'Furina was truly kind.' Aglaea thought to herself.
The mismatch between the other's expression and words was too obvious.
Aglaea could almost instantly tell what Furina was really trying to say, but in order to spare her pride, she rephrased it.
'I'm really sorry, for getting close to you with… ulterior motives.'
'But after I solve the theater's problems, I'll give you a proper apology… I hope you can forgive me…'
Aglaea felt a pang in her heart as she thought this.
Aside from approaching Furina with a goal in mind, everything she had said during their conversation had been sincere.
The theater's finances were truly in dire straits.
And with opera itself in steady decline, reviving the theater was becoming more and more difficult.
Although everyone in the theater was united, all trying to help keep it alive, it was still too hard.
Her fashion design business, while highly regarded and expensive within certain circles, was still just a drop in the bucket for keeping the theater afloat.
Over the years, she could have earned a lot of money from her passion, but she ended up spending all her savings to keep the theater alive.
That method had now reached its limit.
The Okhema Hall was her cherished memory, it was the home for everyone in the theater.
She absolutely could not give it up.
"In short, that's my idea!"
"Th-though it's still far from perfect, I think it's… very promising!"
After finishing her explanation, Furina waited nervously for Aglaea's response.
Aglaea was the first audience to hear her plan, and also a fellow opera lover and creator.
Normally not very confident, Furina now felt the pressure mounting.
It was like being back on stage for her very first performance.
"That's a very good idea."
"A story that is sad in the middle, but ends warmly."
"And with your hometown as the setting, I can tell you've poured a lot of your own emotions into it."
"I think it will be a good story."
Aglaea was not just flattering her, she was giving her genuine evaluation after hearing the whole thing.
She also offered some suggestions: "Of course, I think adding some more details would make it even better."
"Phew…"
Furina let out a breath, her expression returning to a proud and happy, adorable smile: "I knew it would work! And you're right, I also think I should add some little details. Agy, would you be willing to help?"
"How about coming to my theater for a detailed chat?"
Aglaea naturally made a reasonable suggestion: "I think discussing these things in the theater will feel more inspiring."
"Yes!"
"That's what creation is all about!"
Furina's eyes lit up, and without thinking, she agreed at once: "Then thank you, Agy, for your invitation!"
Aglaea smiled gently. But in her heart, she let out a sigh of relief....
The Okhema Hall stood tall at the edge of the small town.
Whether it was the décor, the taste, or the size of its grounds, not to mention in the small town, even in a big city, it would still be counted among the very top tier.
Yet through some of its weathered spots, one could faintly see the theater's former glory fading.
As for why such a theater would exist in a small town, that was a bit sigh-worthy.
The town had once developed quite well, lying at a key location.
It was also in the heartland of the emerging Opera culture, the private preserve of old nobility.
The people who stayed here were economically well-off, had lived privileged lives since childhood, and had been steeped in traditional culture.
The opera market was once vast.
But as times changed, new technology, the shift of industry, the cultural industry took a heavy blow and gradually declined.
In a certain sense, it was almost the same as the decline of Aglaea's family.
Now, only through the layout from its former glory days and the surrounding area's planning could one still see the place's cultural heritage.
With Aglaea's introduction, Furina finally understood.
No wonder she had stayed so long in this place that actually had little entertainment.
Because she was always able to find many surprises in this small town.
"Welcome to Okhema, Miss Furina."
Aglaea led Furina onto the empty wooden stage.
When her heels stepped onto the stage and made that familiar sound, Furina was suddenly moved.
It was a long-lost feeling.
"So nostalgic…" Furina walked slowly across the stage floor.
In the theater called Okhema, Furina began an in-depth conversation with Aglaea.
At that moment, Aglaea herself was fully immersed in this exchange.
The two of them got along incredibly well.
Before they knew it, it was already dark.
At Aglaea's invitation, Furina happily settled into Okhema, intending to stay here for a while.
She also planned to watch an official theater performance a few days later.
...
"Sister Agy is really a good person, and her persistence with the theater is truly moving."
That night, Furina strolled alone in the backyard of Okhema Hall.
It had been long neglected and was in slight disrepair.
But precisely because of this feeling, Furina sensed a weight of history here.
"If possible, I want to offer some help to Sister Agy." Furina pondered in her heart.
Could her savings help Aglaea get through this difficulty?
As for whether it was worth it, of course it was!
For Furina, money wasn't important at all.
If she ran out, she could just ask her boss for more.
Of course, if her savings were enough, it would be best to rely on herself.
"Let me see, I still have…" Furina took out her phone and counted her savings.
Because the number was so long, she had to count from the right digit by digit: ones, tens, hundreds, thousands… ten-thousands… hundred-thousands…
When she reached this point, her eyes widened in surprise.
Originally, she thought it would end at the hundred-thousands.
But there were digits in front of that.
? Was she really this rich now?