Indeed.

Kajin Fees was still the same person Mei knew, at least in theatre, he held extremely pure beliefs. It was because of this belief that he would not conceal his disappointment with her, nor would he change his words because he needed her help.

To free up space for his troupe in exchange for a perfect performance seemed like a natural choice for someone who genuinely loved theatre.

But she found herself unable to easily say yes.

As if something was stopping her.

Mei closed her eyes, and she faintly heard the girl's voice in her ears.

"Madam Lannice, please wait for me..."

"This is my gift, please be sure to accept it..."

Then someone handed her a salted fish.

In that instant, Mei suddenly understood what was stopping her.

She opened her eyes and met the gaze of the theatre master.

This time, she no longer had any intention of avoiding it.

There were many ways to deflect the answer, first affirming one's appreciation, then using "but" as a transition. Afterwards, whether explaining the essence of Shadow Play or informing him that this performance was personally ordained by His Majesty the King, all would be considered a respectable answer.

Kajin Fees knew very little about Neverwinter City. He was neither aware of the special nature of the Star Flower Troupe, nor did he understand His Majesty's emphasis on theatre, so he had chosen the wrong direction from the start. If she could explain it clearly, she could not only reverse these people's misunderstandings, but even have the opportunity to salvage a lot of Master Kajin's disappointment.

But Mei knew in her heart that these were just another form of escape.

"Mr. Kajin, is your performance only prepared for His Majesty?"

"And the nobles, ministers, and lords who come to congratulate," Kajin nodded, "Without a matching audience, even if the performance is wonderful, it is meaningless."

Like gold with jewelry, fine wine with jade cups, the actor's every smile and frown, every move, has its own meaning in it. Only careful and attentive connoisseurs can taste the difference between excellent and ultimate.

As it should be.

"Then please forgive me for not being able to agree to you," Mei said solemnly, "Because what you are performing is by no means a perfect play."

"Wh... what?" The old man frowned, "You haven't even seen it, so how can you make this judgment?"

"Because no matter how wonderful it is, those people are just admiring it from the sidelines—" she felt a force constantly emerging from the bottom of her heart, "They will applaud, praise, and talk about it in their spare time, but that's all. This drama is just a small part of their many entertainments, and if it weren't for it, their lives would not change in any way—if it is just a dispensable thing, how can it be called perfect?"

Kajin Fees's face darkened. For creators, a drama is like their own child, and no one can easily accept this kind of evaluation, "I thought you were just lost in pursuit of fame, but I didn't expect you to have learned the arrogance of the world. According to you, have you seen what a perfect drama is like?"

"I haven't seen it," Mei said frankly, "But I know what it should be like."

Kajin stared at her, his eyes like sharp blades. His years of accumulated prestige gave him a mountain-like sense of oppression, which was enough to make the younger generation in the theatre world feel intimidated.

Obviously, the other party was waiting for her to make further explanations, and this was an extremely easy answer to lose points, or rather, no matter how she answered, it was impossible to truly satisfy the other party.

But Mei did not back down.

She also knew that after these words were spoken, she would completely take another path—a path they had never seen and could not understand. This meant that she would part ways with most people in the theatre world. At that time, let alone disappointment, I am afraid that all the past affections would end, and she would no longer be able to integrate into them.

The price is high, isn't it?

She asked herself.

Then another voice answered her.

"But it's worth it for us to do this."

Mei opened her mouth, "An excellent drama should not just be a work of art, an entertainment that only enters the sight of nobles in their free time; it can completely carry more things, and can even change the fate of others—"

"The Witch's Diary allows people to understand the life of a witch, thereby removing the stigma that does not belong to them; Dawn encourages everyone to participate in labor, bid farewell to poverty and hunger, and many people have lived a life of plenty as a result; New City uses intuitive methods to let newcomers accept the rules of Neverwinter City, and also makes the black street rats who have wandered here have no place to stay. As for A Hero's Life..."

She paused, and said slowly, "It made a sad and helpless little girl cheer up again and devote herself to a new life—I think there are not a few people like her who have lost their loved ones in the war. No matter how many people are changed by this, I am very happy to be able to help them through drama."

"What are you trying to say..." Kajin said in a deep voice.

"You once told me that the most outstanding drama is to let the audience immerse themselves in the life of the character, but now I want them to see their own future more." Mei said frankly, "Without jewelry and jade cups, nobles can also find other substitutes, but the drama I perform is the food that can fill the stomachs of most people."

Faced with this answer, Kajin didn't respond for the first time.

"I believe that the drama you have prepared for two years must be very wonderful, but the Star Flower Troupe's upcoming performance of The Wolfheart Fate is also beyond imagination. Although it only took more than a month from preparation to the stage, and some actors are even performing for the first time, it is still the best drama I have ever seen." She curtsied slightly, "If your thoughts have not changed at all after watching it, I will recommend your new play to His Majesty."

After leaving the Whistle Tavern, Mei only felt refreshed, and even her footsteps were much lighter.

As soon as she walked out of the alley, she saw Carter Lannice waiting by the street.

"Why are you here?" Mei asked in surprise.

"Eileen said that you were taken away by Mr. Kajin's steward, and I was a little worried, so I came over." Carter shrugged, "Anyway, I have to go to the convenience market to buy some food for dinner later, so it's just on the way."

"Is that so?" Mei glanced at him, "Did you already know what happened in the tavern that day?"

"You didn't even eat an extra bowl of rice that day, it would be strange if I couldn't tell." The Chief Knight said triumphantly.

"Wait..." she suddenly stopped, "You didn't go to the City Hall to say something, did you? Like rejecting the Kajin Troupe's performance application—"

"Huh?" Carter raised his eyebrows, "What are you talking about? Whose performance did I reject?"

Mei stared at him for a while before exhaling, "No, it's nothing..."

"Hey, aren't you going to tell me?"

"Anyway, it's not important..." she smiled, "By the way, haven't you bought dinner yet?"

"What, is there something you really want to eat?"

"Well, let's have salted fish tonight."

"Salted fish? Don't you dislike eating these kinds of pickled products... You've been eating the one that little girl gave you for several days—"

"I like to eat it now, is that okay!" Mei interrupted Carter, then stretched out her right hand to him, "I'm just asking, are you going or not?"

"Of course," the knight took her hand without hesitation, "As long as it's your request, I'll go anywhere."

...