Pampered by the Toughest Man After Divorce
Chapter 1369 - 1191: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

Chapter 1369: Chapter 1191: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

They decided on the spot to practice, choosing a secluded spot on a hillside to the west of the village.

It wasn’t until the rehearsals began that Xia Dabao started to constantly complain.

In the past, when he went to watch plays, he only thought they were enjoyable to watch, but he never expected that actually practicing would really require effort.

Especially since they were all thoroughly lacking in acting skills.

"Wang San, think about Old Lady Zhao, how she usually carries herself, with her nostrils flaring up, yes, she must be fierce, right, both fierce and shrewish, don’t pause when you speak, memorize the lines in this script... ah, I forgot you can’t read, so let’s do it this way, I’ll say a sentence and then you repeat it," Xia Dabao felt a headache coming on.

Seeing how hard Xia Dabao was working, Long Aixi came over to help coach "Lady Ahua," "Come, I’ll teach you the lines for Lady Ahua... You can’t recite the lines as if you’re reading out loud. Think about how Widow Chen usually talks, you need a hint of coquettishness, she always speaks with seductive eyes..."

As for Axian, he didn’t have any lines. He just needed to bring a taro and a potato to "Ahua" during the fourth scene.

...

After a lot of hard work, they finally got "Lady Ahua" and "Lady Aniu" sorted out. Next up was the formal rehearsal.

The first scene was when "Ahua" and "Aniu" meet.

Xia Dabao and Long Aixi were responsible for acting it out.

Both of them were of the bright and clever sort, especially Long Aixi, who was very observant and knew how to bring out emotions. He had also seen Zhao Datu and knew what that man was like.

However, he was normally mature beyond his years and serious, but now he had to swagger on stage, strutting as if everyone owed him two hundred and fifty-eight thousand, which made Xia Dabao break into laughter several times.

On the other hand, Xia Dabao, usually cheerful and carefree, had to portray a shy and hesitating "Ahua," which also seemed odd, and she had trouble getting into character several times.

Long Aixi then reminded her, "Actually, if you just don’t laugh and keep your head half-lowered, you’d resemble Axiang quite well."

His advice helped Xia Dabao.

The initial acquaintance scene went quite well, but when they reached the mountain scene, they were unsure of how to proceed.

Long Aixi’s script read like this: The two gaze at each other tenderly, Aniu takes Axiang’s hand, places it on his chest, and says, "You truly are the prettiest lady I’ve ever seen, and in Peach Blossom Village, it’s you alone whom I’ve fallen for."

Tender gazes?

Xia Dabao looked up at Long Aixi and wondered, how could one possibly muster such a tender gaze?

"Abao, try not to laugh," said Long Aixi.

"You’re talking about gazing tenderly. I really don’t understand," Xia Dabao said with a smile.

"Then look at me seriously, stare for a full quarter of an hour without moving!" Long Aixi was serious, and he kept his gaze fixed on Xia Dabao.

A quarter of an hour?

Isn’t that a bit too long? Oh well, just look.

Xia Dabao looked up at Long Aixi. At first, she couldn’t help but laugh, but then Long Aixi grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest, gripping it tightly. She suddenly felt her body stiffen as if an unknown force was surging through her.

Then she couldn’t laugh anymore.

Long Aixi began to speak, "You truly are the prettiest lady I’ve ever seen, and in Peach Blossom Village, it’s you alone whom I’ve fallen for."

He spoke slowly, his eyes intensely warm, and Xia Dabao found herself involuntarily stepping back, her face flushed red.

When she stepped back, Long Aixi drew her back in and asked, "Ahua, what about you? How do you feel about me?"