The opera had already begun at Tianhou Palace. He could hear the high, lilting singing from the entrance.
It was the familiar Gaojia Opera!
He had hardly watched opera in his previous life, but in this life, the Old Lady's radio played it every few days. He could not have been more familiar with the melodies by now.
Tianhou Palace was packed, heads pressed close together. Every seat inside was occupied, with several more rings of people standing around them.
Children crowded the very front beside the stage, forming a solid row of dark heads.
Holding his daughter, Ye Yaodong finally squeezed inside. He counted the rows to find his family's seats, then edged over to Lin Xiuqing amid a chorus of complaints and handed the child to her. With everyone behind him urging him along, he hurried back out.
Everyone had been engrossed in the opera, so having someone suddenly spoil things left them thoroughly annoyed. Ye Yaodong knew he was getting in their way and promptly made himself scarce.
Although the opera at Tianhou Palace had already started, plenty of vendors still waited at their stalls outside. Children could not sit still and would soon start running around. The adults, caught up in the performance and unable to stand their pestering, would give them a few cents to send them off and enjoy a little peace.
As soon as Ye Yaodong came out, he got on his bicycle and headed straight for town.
Every so often along the way, he patted his pocket to check whether the paper was still there.
If he lost it on the way, he would not be able to write another one out here!
Fortunately, his trouser pockets were deep. Although his legs kept moving as he pedaled, the paper stayed put.
He