The interview in the standby room continued, but Ned was still inattentive, always inattentive to the movement outside the door of the room, and when he heard the soft sound of the door opening and closing, Ned reflexively turned his head and leaned over.

After all, the professional instinct/ability of journalists still prevailed.

Passing through the half-open door, the dim light outlined two graceful and graceful figures, an elegant and restrained temperament, even standing in the old backstage corridor of the Almeida Theater, still faintly detached from the environment, creating a vague and hazy image.

The petite lady has an extremely unfamiliar face, as if she has never seen it, but the handsome and dashing gentleman next to her, with a handsome face, always has a sense of déjà vu in the outline of her facial features—obviously not the familiarity of ordinary people's faces, but a passing by on a solemn occasion, or a one-sided relationship.

As a journalist living in London, Ned was accustomed to the presence of the upper class aristocracy in London's West End.

In fact, in contemporary British society, in addition to the royal family, other aristocrats have gradually become integrated into daily life, they also need to go to work, they also need to start a business, they also need to work, they also go to the West End to watch plays, they also appear in the streets, and they also buy groceries in supermarkets.

Only on special occasions, such as Prince William's wedding, will the aristocrats dress up and show off the elegance of high society.

For most of the past half month, the Almeida Theater's version of "Les Miserables" has been the focus of discussion, and it is also a banquet attended by high society. It is rumored that the reason why only 350 tickets for the premiere night were pre-sold was because all the remaining tickets were distributed in the form of invitations.

This afternoon, Ned saw a myriad of unfamiliar and familiar faces in the VIP seats, and really felt the popularity of Les Misérables among high society – although he didn't know why, given that the Queen's Theatre version had been playing in England for almost three decades.

Could it be that these two figures at the door are high-class people? At least, their temperament and posture are indeed the same. But, why did they come to visit Lan Li? Emma Fielding is willing to introduce her in person, and the identity of the person who came should not be small, so the contradiction arises - people with real and valuable status, they will not be willing to come backstage, even if they want to meet the actors, it is the actors who go to their boxes.

It doesn't make sense.

Just a glance, the question mark in my mind has already begun to boil, and it is instantly stuffed. This is the case with the occupational diseases of journalists.

Then, Ned sensed that a sight fell on his shoulder, raised his head, and accidentally crashed into Lan Li's eyes: his voyeuristic movements were exposed in this way, even if Ned was already experienced in a hundred battles, but at this time it was inevitable that he would be a little embarrassed, and cleared his throat to try to explain.

However, before the excuse of explanation could be formed, Ned saw that the corners of Lan Li's mouth had drawn a shallow arc, and he smiled kindly and friendly, without pursuing or teasing, just nodding his head, and then stepping away and returning to his place as if nothing had happened.

Ned was stunned. Lan Li's attitude was so understated, and there didn't seem to be any inside story to dig into, so what he had just thought was just nonsense?

Turning back again, he tried to take a look at the two figures outside the door, but they were already gone. Sitting in place, Ned couldn't describe his mood for a while, and there was always a sense of empty loss.

……

Seeing Lan Li return to the back of the waiting room, Arthur stood in place, the taste of the tip of his tongue indescribable.

Although he didn't want to admit it, he still liked the usual Lan Li more, the guy who was full of prank ideas and could never be offended easily, the kid who stood on the stage and shone brightly, and the demon who triumphantly made everyone itch but didn't care at all.

Even he himself was one of the victims. Half a year has passed, and those rumors have long since disappeared, but as long as he remembers the rumors of pranks around last Christmas, Arthur can't help but hold his forehead and smoke in his eyes.

However, that kind of blue ceremony is alive, not the appearance of wearing the mask of nobility just now, lifeless.

Arthur always thought that Lan Li lived in dire straits, but the truth was that Lan Li's life was indeed not very comfortable, and he could not enjoy the comfort and leisure of the nobles, let alone the high quality of life of the nobles, but Lan Li was happier and happier than anyone Arthur knew. The vitality in those eyes made Arthur a little ashamed of himself.

With a long exhale, Arthur looked up at Elph in front of him.

There was no expression on that delicate face. No anger, no chagrin, no excitement, still the same familiar appearance, elegant and calm, not alarmed, but, living together since childhood, Arthur can read Elph's mood swings, and the smallest fluctuations are no exception.

At this time, Elph is no longer calm and flawless. The slightest hint of irritability, unrecognizable whether it was anger or excitement, or something else, floated in realism.

But even the slightest agitation was fleeting, and it seemed that in just a few breaths, Elph regained her calm, without any turbulent calm, and at the same time without any angry calm.

The irritability in Arthur's chest could no longer be suppressed, and he sighed heavily, "And what next?"

"Haven't we already made the next plan? Dinner as planned, and then come back for the second half of the show. Elph didn't seem to notice Arthur's irritability, and she didn't seem to care.

During the intermission, the reason why I chose to come to meet Lan Li. It's nothing more than making a gesture to show others, the content of the conversation is not important, even if you don't say a word, the action of "visiting the class" is enough, it can be the Hall family's warning to Lan Li, or the Hall family's move to cover up the ugliness, or the Hall family showing their aristocratic etiquette.

Etiquette is done, and that's the most important thing.

Arthur got stuck in his throat in one breath. Every time he talked to Elph, it was always the case, he lacked patience, and even his self-cultivation seemed to disappear.

"Elph, you know what I mean, I mean, after?" Arthur's voice was still calm, and he could do it in public, not to let his emotions get out of control, but his words were still a little hurried. "I don't want to get involved. It's already 2012, and the prejudice against actors, the stubbornness against the aristocracy, these can all be over. ”

"Arthur, watch your words. There was an irrefutable majesty in Elph's simple words, "You are the least qualified person in the family to say this." ”

Elf is a doctor, Edith is a photographer, and Ranley is an actor, and neither of them needs to rely on the name "Hall" for any benefit, but Arthur is different, and his noble connections are the basis of his survival.

"I know. Arthur chuckled instead, "Don't worry, I won't say anything in blood, I'm going to give up all the advantages of the family and create a world by myself." I'm not as stupid as Lan Li. "Stupid. It's the right adjective, but sometimes, Arthur envies Lan Li's stupidity, that stupid courage.

"I'm just saying that I don't want to get involved in the matter of my father, mother, and Lan Li. This is a contradiction between them, I have no problem with Lan Li, and I have no problem with my father and mother, so they can continue to confront each other, but don't pull me as a shield again. Arthur took his position, "To be honest, I don't like my father and mother, and I don't like Lan Li, so they can all leave me a piece of purity." ”

In this way, he can be like Edith and watch the show. The people who eat melons are the happiest.

Elph was unmoved, and simply said, "You can say 'no', at any time." Including now. With that, Elph ignored Arthur, turned around, and walked away.

Arthur rolled his eyes widely, muttering something "nonsense as always", and then took the same step, as if nothing had happened, smiled again, and stood beside Elph, acting as a messenger of flowers. Tonight was incredibly long, with a dinner, a dinner and a three-hour show.

Deep down, Arthur knew, and Elph knew, that Lan Li had won, on his way.

After tonight, the name "Hale's youngest son" will disappear in favor of "Lan Li-Hale", and people can continue to discuss him, either disdainful or repulsive or disdainful or praised or affirmed or liked, but no one can deny that he has taken his place and has undisputed his place in his own strength and performance.

Even George and Elizabeth understood this. There are no waves, no sword light, not even the smell of gunpowder, there is no time to see the confrontation, the confrontation is over, the world of the nobility, it is always like this.

……

Pushing open the door of the standby room, Lan Li could feel the sight falling on his back, the faint temperature, not shocking, but meaningful, he straightened his waist slightly, and secretly cheered for himself.

Today was not the best time for him to put on a show, and off the stage, it seemed that his fighting power was not strong enough, but this encounter was unavoidable, so he did his best to keep going.

George and Elizabeth were absent, deep down, a little disappointed, but in a sense, a little happy. With his current form, he is not sure whether he will be able to straighten his waist in front of George and Elizabeth, which is unknown.

However, they were absent, and he was relieved by the expected outcome represented by Elph and Arthur, but faintly, the loss and regret lingered.

Humans are indeed contradictory animals, aren't they?

Raising his head, Lan Li noticed Ned's gaze, and he showed a shallow smile to show friendship.