The Mice Move Out

The following day, Hebana completed the personnel grouping.

One group was responsible for setting up and drawing the set, while another group wrote the script.

The script includes not only the lines the character is supposed to say, but also various performance-related procedures and plans.

For example, lighting and magic effects, musical performances, the transitions between actors' entrances and exits, and the timing of changes in props and set design.

All of these need to be designed and compiled into a booklet, which will then be memorized by people with different roles.

After that, Hebana called Yise to start rehearsing.

In the script of "The Cangxiao Dynasty", there is no particularly prominent protagonist.

The last King Cangxiao probably had the most screen time, while the half-werewolf princess Aivila, played by Yise, had the third most screen time.

It's not only important, but also quite difficult.

For example, the first act features a solo by Aivila, who takes the stage first and kicks off the entire performance.

This requires a very high level of skill.

Yise cleared his throat, stood in the center of the wooden platform, and tensed slightly. Then he began to sing.

Surprisingly, the girl's voice was melodious and clear, with a penetrating quality.

It was as if the night breeze was blowing through silver bells, or as if moonlight was falling on the empty stone steps.

The story of "The Kindling" begins with Princess Aivila, upon learning the devastating news of an impending volcanic eruption, ascending the palace tower and praying to the distant mountains for the protection of the wolf god.

Yise's breath was not steady, and his voice trembled slightly at the end, but this only highlighted the character's attempt to maintain his dignity while unable to hide his fear.

In addition, the transitions between notes are abrupt, and the breathing is rapid.

But it is precisely this naiveté that gives the character a touch of girlishness, untouched by the ravages of war.

The Hebana's expression not only relaxed considerably, but even showed obvious admiration.

It was as if a piece of uncut jade had been discovered.

When the performance ended, the surrounding workers spontaneously applauded.

Although it was partly to curry favor with the sponsor, it must be said that Yise's performance was indeed commendable.

[You didn't say you were such a good singer.] Su Ming texted. [This girl was a key member of all kinds of talent shows during my school years!] Yise said proudly.

"It's really good," Su Ming said.

Suppressing her joy, Yise glanced around haughtily.

"With my abilities, these are merely the basics!"

Su Ming stepped forward and affectionately ruffled Yise's hair.

Then he turned to the orcs beside him and said sternly:

"You all need to put in more effort when you're filming, don't tire out my sister!"

"Yes, boss!"

****

Yise spent the entire morning acting out scenes with the orcs.

She had a very strong accent, Hebana had to constantly train to correct it.

In fact, it was normal for Su Ming and Yise to absorb language memories from the orc corpses. The accents were simply due to a lack of practice.

As rehearsals progressed, Yise did indeed "correct" many of the colloquialisms in his speech.

This gave Hebana a great sense of accomplishment, as if he were watching a diligent and talented new theatrical star rise to prominence.

Of course, if she could rein in that spoiled princess attitude, she would be perfect.

Su Ming, on the other hand, acted as if he had nothing to do.

After strolling around the yard for a while, he went outside for a walk.

After quite a while, they finally brought back a burly, half-cowwoman with thick arms who was working as a streetwalker.

She looks at least forty.

No one was surprised that Su Ming brought back a prostitute; that's how the rich live.

It's just that Su Ming's taste makes it hard for everyone to comment.

However, everyone has their own preferences, and who knows what other creative ways people might have to do it.

Su Ming led the half-human to the second-floor bedroom, Jinxiu quickly pulled him into an illusion. "Wow," Jinxiu exclaimed, "You actually like this one!"

Su Ming had taken out a small bunch of grapes and was about to hand them to Jinxiu.

Upon hearing this, he quickly stuffed it into his mouth.

Jinxiu's eyes widened.

She was very angry.

I was just teasing you!

As she spoke, her voice grew increasingly aggrieved.

"I haven't had grapes in ages."

Su Ming quickly pulled out another string of coins from his pocket and coaxed him with much persuasion.

****

After handing the half-cowman over to Jinxiu to take care of, Su Ming quietly went to the attic and began to "manufacture" the mechanical mouse.

Su Ming's Magic Power was clearly not an issue, and he summoned about a hundred in no time.

A few indistinct "oh, moo" sounds drifted from downstairs, intermittent, clearly Jinxiu at work.

The expressions on the faces of the orc employees on the first floor grew increasingly strange.

Su Ming sighed; he felt that he had sacrificed too much for the mission.

Once this matter is over, his identity must never be revealed.

Otherwise, we're doomed!

Earth Support Team Base, Fengshou is cooperating.

His face was marked with two dark circles under his eyes. The half-cat siblings had a great time last night and didn't want to go to sleep until midnight.

Fengshou asked Su Ming:

How do you plan to release these rats?

Mechanical rats can crawl a considerable distance, but that doesn't mean they can crawl from Cloud Fang City to the Black Market Mine.

Even if it were barely possible, the battery would be almost depleted. Su Ming explained his plan.

"Pack the sacks, then arrange for an orc to deliver them over there."

Simple and direct.

The Fengshou remains a mystery.

"Where should we choose?"

The Yuye were usable, but the rats together weighed forty kilograms.

The half-cat girl couldn't carry it.

"I've made my selection," Su Ming replied. "Isn't Jinxiu trying to hypnotize me?"

Fengshou's eyes widened in surprise.

You're having prostitutes deliver goods?

"Why not?" Su Ming replied, "They're practically superhuman; a forty-kilogram load is nothing to them."

"Then how is she going to get into the mining area?" Su Ming's lips curled up.

"Guess where a 'worker' of her level goes to solicit customers at night?"

Miners are rugged and their work is too strenuous for people of average build, while those who are attractive don't need to take on such low-end jobs.

This middle-aged woman, who is somewhat of a prodigy, couldn't find business in the city and could only focus on the low-end market.

This was a suitable target that Su Ming had searched for quite a while before selecting!

****

The middle-aged woman, who was half-cow, was kept by Su Ming until evening.

She took the money and left the Raccoon Dog Dream Theater with great delight.

"Brother, you should pick someone who's at least good-looking."

Yise pouted.

"I think some of these employees are quite good-looking!"

The orc employees were in an uproar upon hearing this, and some took a small step back. This included both men and women.

After all, Su Ming could bring himself to eat someone like a half-human.

Yise became even more dissatisfied upon seeing this.

She arrogantly tore off Yuye.

"This one will work too!"

The Yuye obediently made a cowering gesture.

Su Ming snorted disdainfully.

"I have no interest in skinny girls like that."

"And mind your own business."

You just perform your show!

Yise refused to back down.

The two siblings had a big fight, and Su Ming got angry too. He waved his hand and told the theater staff to leave half an hour early.

After everyone left, the two breathed a sigh of relief.

"Not bad, your acting has improved!" Yise said.

She stretched.

I'm exhausted today!

"You seemed to be having a lot of fun performing," Su Ming said, exposing her ignorance. "And your progress is remarkable, Miss Yuumi."

Yise's smile widened.

"How about we ask the Hebana to arrange a role for you too?"

"Playing a lead role like the last King Cangxiao wouldn't be out of the question."

"Heh!" Su Ming said irritably.

He pulled out his tablet.

"There's something I need to remind you of: there are security cameras in this yard." Yise didn't realize what was happening.

What's wrong with the camera?

"One of them faces the stage, and the image is transmitted via satellite to the back."

Yise froze, his pupils dilating.

Su Ming handed the tablet to Yise, and sure enough, the screen showed the footage of her passionate performance.

The girl is brandishing a weapon, performing the story of Aivila's brave fight against the robbers.

His expression was one of deep absorption, and his movements were exaggerated.

This is a recording of the live stream.

Many people turned on their fan light boards, and Xialike Like even generously gifted a luxury car as a reward.

Ruixiuli, Younier, and others left comments praising the performance in the live chat.

Among them was Katharine's:

"My daughter is amazing!" "Mom will make you a costume and have Su Ming send it to you."

"Aaaaaah!"

Yise covered her face and ran away as fast as she could, hiding upstairs.

****

Leaving the Raccoon Dog Dream Theatre, on the streets outside the city.

As the half-cow man walked along, he suddenly realized that he was carrying a large sack on his back.

It's not light either.

She thought for a moment and remembered that someone had asked her to deliver this to a regular customer in the mining area.

The middle-aged woman with half a cow didn't mind much, since she went there every night anyway.

Besides, there's also a two-copper coin for travel expenses.

The half-cowman was in a great mood; the handsome half-cat man was quite delicious today!

She savored the moment, licking her lips with lingering satisfaction. Being able to open a shop within the city gave her a sliver of confidence; perhaps she could slightly raise her prices.

As the half-cow man pondered this, he hummed a song as he walked towards the mining area.

Su Ming's timing was perfect.

By the time the half-cowman reached the Blackstone Mining Area, it was already completely dark.

The familiar guard groped her buttocks.

"I'll come find you after my shift ends in the middle of the night."

"You bastard, don't withhold your money again!" the half-cowman said angrily.

The sack on her back was also opened and inspected.

"Damn, so many dead rats," the guard said, pinching his nose.

It's easy to guess that these were brought in by people from the slums to "add extra food" for their relatives.

Since the poor couldn't afford meat, rats were the cheapest source of high protein they could get, helping their families endure the hardships of mining.

"Take it away!" the guard waved to shoo it away. The half-cow woman didn't mind. She carried the rat out of the guard's sight, and then her eyes suddenly darkened for a moment.

His expression faded as if it had been smoothed out.

A minute later, when the half-cowman regained his senses, he was already in the miners' dormitory area.

The burlap sack he was carrying had disappeared.

All memories from the time Su Ming started looking for her were erased from her mind.

The half-cow was completely bewildered; what was wrong with him?

However, the surroundings are familiar, so it seems that work is about to begin today.

Making money is the priority!

The half-brute stopped thinking about it and started walking towards the dormitory.

Not far behind her, in a dark corner, a group of rats suddenly emerged from the sack and scattered, disappearing into the surrounding gaps.