Cheng Fengtai meets Shang Xirui for the first time

## Synopsis

Cheng Fengtai beats the men, who were disrupting Shang Xirui's performance. Later, he goes backstage, and Xirui thanks him. Shang Xirui's troupe members are not very happy, and they think that Xirui should have attended Rong Shou's birthday. Cheng Fengtai attends an event where Shang Xirui is performing. After a while, he has tea with Shang Xirui, they talk about opera, and Shang Xirui pins a flower on Cheng Fengtai's coat. Cheng Fengtai takes Xirui to play tiles, and considers Xirui lucky for him, when he wins money. They meet again at Fengtai's costume shop, and then at event where Commander Cao is present.

## Plot

Cheng Fengtai watches the stage closely, as people throw things at Shang Xirui, but he doesn't stop performing. He gets to know that people don't like Shang Xirui, because he changes things in plays, and they don't like it. However, he finds it very acceptable that Xirui wants to change things a little, saying that if everyone performed the same thing, it would get boring. As things heat up, Fengtai decides to intervene, and goes to the front. There, the man who is the most agitated states that Xirui is trying to defile **Yang Guifei**, who is one of the four renowned beauties in ancient China. He gets into a scuffle with the man, but Shang Xirui keeps performing. As the hall gets empty, and Fengtai gets the front seat to the performance, he again remembers his mother, and the way she used to hold the fan. He is clearly mesmerized by how unfazed Xirui is about his surroundings, and how professional he is that he doesn't stop to take a break.

Once the performance is finished, the only thing that angers Xirui is the fact that his costume is ruined. There, he meets Cheng Fengtai face to face, and thanks him for fighting for him. He then offers Fengtai his black robe, and thanks him for compensating his costume in such short time. Fengtai is surprised to know that Xirui knows him from his transportation company. Back at home, XiangEr is not happy with how Fengtai handled things; she doesn't think Fengtai should have intervened and fought with the men. She again shows her dislike for Shang Xirui.

Shang Xirui is having dinner with his troupe, and one of the senior troupe members is not happy with him. **Shi Jiu**, one of his troupe members speak up and say that, if they are not able to perform at Huibin theater, where will they go? She says that Shang Xirui shouldn't have been so rash, but Xirui is least bothered; he feels that they can perform in other theaters, and Huibin is not the only one in Beiping.

Apparently, Shang Xirui's performance was disrupted by men paid by Jiang Deng Bao, because he was still mad at Xirui not coming to his father's birthday. When Jiang Rong Shou learns about what his son did, he is not happy. He knows how famous Shang Xirui is, and that this is not the right away to deal with him. When Cheng Fengtai goes to an event, to play tiles along with Fan Lian, he sees Shang Xirui without a costume and makeup for the first time, and is unable to recognize him right away. They meet, shake hands, and Xirui apologizes again for last time, and Fengtai leaves to play tiles. After a while he goes out to the main hall and sees that Xirui is still performing without any break, and he suddenly feels the need to rescue him.

While the crowd doesn't want to let go, Fengtai still takes Xirui outside, and they have their first tea together. They talk about Xirui's profession, and the things he has to do, after which Xirui gives him the flower that he was wearing on his robe. He pins it himself on Fengtai's coat. Xirui accompanies Fengtai to play tiles, and he becomes his instant good luck, as Fengtai who was loosing before, wins a set. In return, Fengtai gives Xirui his ring.

The next time they meet is when Xirui comes to the costume shop to check his costume, and Fengtai is there too. He lights a torch on the costume, while Xirui thoroughly checks it, and is happy with the result. On the way back, Xirui sees a rally asking people to donate to the army, in order to save the country. Xirui goes back home, where his troupe is practicing, and there we get to meet Master Niu. Master Niu tells Xirui that the Opera Association is holding a charity event, and Xirui has to perform as well. While Xirui agrees, he is curious as to his senior, Ning Jiulang would be coming or not, and he is disappointed to learn that his senior won't make an appearance. Shang Xirui chooses to sing 'Entrance to the Second Palace' at the event.

As Fengtai is a businessman, and has close ties with Commander Cao, he is also invited to the charity event. There he discusses politics with Fan Lian, and how **Minister Jin** and Commander Cao have it out for each other. He didn't know that Shang Xirui was going to perform there as well, and he feels elated to hear that. At the last second, the erwu player who was suppose to play music for Xirui leaves, and Minister Jin tells Master Niu that Xirui shouldn't make any mistakes on stage. This is something that Fengtai overhears, and he feels the need to protect Xirui.

Xirui has a tradition; he eats meat before he performs, and when he does that, he feels more relaxed. When Jiang Rong Shou learns about the erwu player leaving, he takes this opportunity to show dominance over Xirui, and offers to help but Xirui declines, knowing that Rong Shou is only doing this out of spite. Before going on stage, Fengtai comes to Xirui and tells him to leave with him, because of what Minister Jin said. However, Xirui very confidently tells him that he is a hero and he doesn't need protection from anyone. He tells Fengtai to enjoy the performance, and leaves for the stage, leaving a very impressed and amused Fengtai behind.