Chapter 464 - 443: Yun Xiaojiu Sings Opera

Yun Xiaowu wasn’t good at his studies. Joining the national swimming team’s training, going international in the future, and winning glory for the country at the Olympics was indeed an excellent path for him.

He was still young. If he truly made a name for himself at the Olympics, it wasn’t impossible that he could get into Qingbei in the future as a special admission student.

Shen Yunlian and her husband used to be less worldly, always thinking that good test scores were the only way into Qingbei.

But later, thanks to Yun Jiao and their other children, their horizons broadened, and they learned much more.

It was only then they understood that exams weren’t the sole path into Qingbei.

Showing exceptional talent in certain fields could also get you accepted by Qingbei.

Just two days later, Shen Yunlian and Yun Linhai went to the Capital with Yun Xiaowu and Coach Li.

It was quite a stroke of luck for Yun Xiaowu. Coach Li had come here to visit a friend, and when he went with his friend to the local docks to buy fresh seafood, he happened upon a group of kids competing in the sea, seeing who could swim fastest and dive longest.

That group was Yun Xiaowu and his friends.

He was then captivated by Yun Xiaowu, who was leading the pack and had left the other kids far behind.

He often went to the sea with Yun Jiao, and he had basically learned his swimming form from her and the killer whales. Once in the water, he was like an agile fish.

Although he couldn’t compare to a real fish or Yun Jiao, he was definitely much stronger than the average person.

Yun Jiao had a natural advantage in swimming. Logically, she would be an even better fit than Yun Xiaowu.

However, Yun Jiao’s body was special. The Olympics required performing in front of so many people—it wasn’t suitable for her.

Besides, having her compete against a group of ordinary people would just be bullying them.

After seeing her Fifth Brother off at the train station, Yun Jiao went to find her master and, while she was at it, check on her Brother Nine.

The thirteen-year-old boy had an androgynous beauty. Having sung opera with Xie San Niang since he was little and practiced martial arts with his family at home, his posture was so perfect it made women envious. He was slender, with fair skin and slightly long hair.

In the entire Yun family, besides Yun Jiao, he was the most handsome.

After Xie San Niang brought him to the opera troupe, his good looks and talent quickly made him the group’s favorite.

At school, however, some boys would bully him for his looks, calling him girly and other such things. But those who provoked him were quickly pinned to the ground and taught a lesson.

An ordinary boy, ostracized and verbally abused by the class bullies, might have endured it and ended up hurt.

But Yun Xiaojiu had grown up surrounded by love. What he learned from his older brothers and Yun Jiao was never to just be kind, endure, and avoid trouble.

So when he was bullied, he would immediately bully them back and also tattle.

The Yun family had several school tyrants, not to mention Yun Jiao, who had stellar grades and was a favorite among the teachers. So, even if the students who bullied Yun Xiaojiu were thoroughly beaten up, the teachers would only side with Yun Xiaojiu after finding out what happened.

Therefore, Yun Xiaojiu never worried about his looks.

His only worry, perhaps, was receiving too many love letters to handle.

At their age, it was the time for first crushes.

But Yun Xiaojiu was very self-disciplined and had no intention of dating at all.

"Brother Nine."

When Yun Jiao saw Yun Xiaojiu at Xie San Niang’s home, he was on the stage in the Xie family residence. He wore a red opera costume, a heavy crown on his head, and his face was painted with the thick, vibrant makeup unique to opera, giving him a distinct and enchanting allure.

His steps were light as he moved, and his singing skill was top-tier.

His timbre was excellent.

In the audience, besides his master Xie San Niang, there were some other people, some of whom Yun Jiao had seen before and some she hadn’t.

They were all big shots in the world of Chinese opera.

Yun Jiao didn’t interrupt, quietly making her way over.

’Whoa, what’s today’s occasion? So many big shots are here,’ she thought.

Yun Xiaojiu, on stage, saw Yun Jiao, but his movements didn’t falter. He continued with the unfinished opera piece.

Once a performance begins, it must be sung to the very end. No matter who is or isn’t in the audience, no matter what happens, you cannot stop.

Xie San Niang also spotted Yun Jiao quickly and waved her over.

In front of these elders, Yun Jiao acted very well-behaved.

"Come sit here for now."

Everyone was watching the performance right now; they could talk after it was over.

The others glanced at Yun Jiao. Those seeing her for the first time couldn’t hide the surprise on their faces, but they didn’t say much and quickly turned their gazes back to the stage.

Yun Jiao swept her gaze over them and saw that their eyes were filled with amazement and admiration as they watched the boy on stage.

When the piece ended, Yun Xiaojiu took his bow and exited the stage to a round of applause from everyone.

"Incredible, simply incredible! Even I’m envious of this child’s talent."

An old man said with a smile, his eyes full of praise as he looked at Yun Xiaojiu.

"Good voice, good technique, good posture. Judging from his stage movement, his martial arts foundation is also solid. You’ve really managed to get a perfect seedling like him."

Everyone looked at Xie San Niang with envious eyes.

Xie San Niang’s eyes filled with pride. "It was fate."

She beckoned Yun Xiaojiu over.

The boy, still in his makeup, walked to his master’s side, showing neither humility nor arrogance even when facing these old seniors.

"Actually, the one I first had my eye on was his younger sister. Yep, this little one right here."

Everyone’s gazes fell upon Yun Jiao.

"Her hair and eyes...?"

"Her name is Yun Jiao. As for her hair and eyes, she has a bit of foreign blood. It wasn’t obvious at first, but it became like this as she got older."

"And speaking of voices, this little one’s is truly one-of-a-kind. It’s every bit as good as her brother’s, if not better."

The masters were all instantly astonished.

"Oh?"

Hearing his master say this, Yun Xiaojiu wasn’t surprised or jealous in the slightest. On the contrary, he was very proud.

’That’s right, my sister is just that outstanding.’

Xie San Niang gently patted Yun Jiao’s head.

"Jiaojiao, would you mind singing a little?"

Yun Jiao naturally didn’t mind. Showing no stage fright, she immediately began a passage from "The Drunken Concubine."

The moment she began to sing, everyone’s eyes lit up.

Including Xie San Niang and Yun Xiaojiu.

Listening to her sing was truly the ultimate indulgence.

Yun Jiao didn’t sing for long, stopping after just a short segment.

The moment her voice faded, an old man shot up from his seat.

"Kid, I’ll take you as my disciple! My last disciple!"

"I say, Old Deng, you’re way too fast! Get out of the way, she’s my fated disciple!"

Several of the highly respected elders from the opera world nearly came to blows over Yun Jiao.

Of course, they had wanted to snatch Yun Xiaojiu for themselves when they saw him, but unfortunately, he had already become a disciple and was unavailable.

But this little one was different. They hadn’t forgotten what Xie San Niang had said earlier.

She had originally been interested in the little girl, which meant she hadn’t actually become her disciple yet.

And so, they couldn’t wait to start fighting over her.