"All right, we'll stop here. Take a break first." Grace clapped her hands.
The actors onstage immediately relaxed. Some even sat down right where they were, every muscle in their bodies protesting, with not even the strength left to move their fingers.
Fu Qing dragged her heavy legs to a chair nearby and accepted the handkerchief her assistant handed her, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
With every breath, it felt as though flames were burning in her lungs. Even with cooling magic on the stage, it seemed to have lost all effect during practice.
Fu Qing set down the handkerchief, picked up her cup, and took a small sip to moisten her dry lips.
One must not drink large amounts of water after strenuous exercise. It was a rule every troupe member had to remember by heart.
Sweat dripped into her eyes, bringing waves of stinging soreness.
Fu Qing could not be bothered to care. She leaned back against the chair, feeling threads of cool air carry away the heat from her body.
She turned her head and looked toward Grace.
Ever since the troupe leader Donald had died unexpectedly some time ago, this former Rose Flower, the leader's wife, had taken on the duties of troupe leader and worked hard to keep the Rose Opera Troupe running.
Under her tireless efforts, the Opera Troupe had not suffered any major upheaval.
If Fu Qing had once merely envied her, now she felt several degrees more admiration for Grace.
She knew she herself could never have done any of this.
"Whew, I'm exhausted. I don't want to move at all."
"Sigh, movies are getting more and more famous these days. Who knows how much longer opera's glory can last?"
"Don't think so much. Just do your own jobs well."
"..."