Chapter 49

The military wives present were all stunned by the sudden turn of events, and they began asking each other if anyone knew about this arrangement.

The answer they received was naturally ‘no’.

Qiu Yanni sat beside Brigade Commander Zhao, her temper on the verge of exploding. As someone of her standing, she knew very well whether there was any arrangement for military wives in the program. The fact that something like this had happened clearly showed that the cultural troupe was making things difficult for the military wives, even provoking them.

“Comrade Political Commissar Nian, what’s going on? How come I didn’t know about this arrangement? Are you deliberately making things difficult for us military wives?” Qiu Yanni, known for her fiery temper, was more aligned with the military wives’ side. On top of that, it was her favorite, Xue Miaoyun, who was being put in an awkward situation.

The cultural troupe’s Political Commissar, Nian Yueming, also appeared bewildered. She hadn’t expected this either.

However, now was not the time to focus on that. “Director Qiu, please don’t be angry. The leaders are here, and what’s most important now is to smooth things over. Do you happen to know what talents Comrade Xue Miaoyun has?”

“Can needlework count?”

Nian Yueming: ????

Xue Miaoyun was surprised to hear her name mentioned. Just as she was about to stand up, she was held back by Cang Ling, who was sitting beside her. She turned her head and was startled.

“Don’t be angry.” Xue Miaoyun glanced at the leaders sitting ahead and gently pressed Cang Ling down.

She adjusted her clothes, then gracefully stood up, smiling as she nodded to those around her, especially the row of leaders in front.

“Trust me.” Xue Miaoyun gave Cang Ling a look and then walked out. The people seated next to her stepped aside.

Xue Miaoyun felt the gaze of everyone in the room focused on her. However, having attended company press conferences in her past life, she wasn’t bothered by this attention.

She elegantly stepped onto the stage and bowed to the audience below.

“Respected leaders, dear comrades, good evening. I am Xue Miaoyun, and my husband is Cang Ling, the Regiment Commander of the Iron Fist Regiment of the T Division. I must confess, I am just a new military wife and do not believe I have the qualifications to represent all military wives. But since I have been mentioned, as one of the military wives, I cannot back down…”

Xue Miaoyun’s posture was proper, her speech clear, her voice gentle, and her attire suitable.

She left a very good impression on many in the audience.

Cang Ling stared intently at his wife on stage, feeling she was radiant, glowing brightly.

“…At this moment, I would like to dedicate a song to all the comrades who silently give of themselves.” Xue Miaoyun knew many songs, but only a few were suitable for this occasion. Fortunately, she had come across some songs on a certain platform that were perfect for the moment.

Without accompaniment, she could only sing acappella, but this was no problem for her—after all, her ‘golden finger’ greatly enhanced her voice.

“In the vast sea of people, which one am I?

In the rushing waves, which flower am I…

I don’t need you to know me, I don’t long for you to recognize me.

I’ve poured my youth into the rivers of the motherland.

The mountains know me, the rivers know me,

The motherland will never forget,

Will never forget me…”

The entire room fell silent as soon as Xue Miaoyun began to sing. It wasn’t because her voice was particularly beautiful, but because it was filled with deep emotion.

Many in the audience had come through the ravages of war and knew what it meant to be an unsung hero, to have rivers and mountains soaked in blood.

Xue Miaoyun was also deeply moved. She came from the prosperous future of her country and knew how the flourishing of her past life had been achieved—by the silent sacrifices of many and the contributions of countless people.

“The mountains know me, the rivers know me,

The motherland will never forget…

Will never forget me…”

…

The song gradually faded, and for a long moment, the entire hall was silent. But soon, applause broke out, followed by a wave of clapping, and then it became a thunderous round of applause.

Xue Miaoyun smiled, bowed once more, and then walked off the stage.

Cang Ling quickly stood up to meet her.

In the middle of the first row sat the division commander and the chief of staff of the military district.

“That’s Cang Ling,” Chief of Staff Xiao recognized him with just one glance. They all lived in the same compound, and Cang Ling’s performance in the military had far outshone his own son’s.

“Yes, that’s him,” the commander nodded. He was fairly informed about the private matters of his valued subordinate. Though the new wife came from a rural background, her father was a martyr. It was also said she had impressive medical skills and had once saved Cang Ling’s life.

Seeing the girl now—composed and dignified—she didn’t look like someone from an ordinary village at all. Cang Ling was truly a lucky fellow.

The commander felt proud of Cang Ling today and began telling Chief Xiao more about the couple.

Chief Xiao nodded. “She really is an excellent military wife. No wonder old Cang just glanced at his son and went back without worry—he has a daughter-in-law like this at home.”

“Exactly. I don’t even know what kind of daughter-in-law my boy will bring home,” the commander muttered. His own son was still a long-time bachelor.

Chief Xiao then glanced toward a certain spot, followed the line of someone’s gaze, and nearly choked from surprise.

“Sometimes, there’s something to be said for arranged marriages…” Chief Xiao muttered through clenched teeth.

The commander found it strange how Chief Xiao’s tone suddenly turned sharp. He looked around but couldn’t spot anything unusual, so he let it go.

“Xiao Yun, are you alright?” Qiu Yanni still felt uneasy and turned to check on her.

Xue Miaoyun smiled gently. “Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s just… I only know how to sing. I hope I didn’t embarrass the rest of the sisters.”

She also knew Latin dance and street dance, but neither were suitable for performance here—one because the setting was wrong, and the other because the original owner had never had the chance to learn them.

“Embarrass? You made us proud,” someone else responded before Qiu Yanni could say anything.

“She’s the wife of the political commissar from the brigade. Just call her Sister Zhang.”

“Sister Zhang,” Xue Miaoyun greeted with a shy tone. She couldn’t help it—the woman’s gaze was a bit too enthusiastic.

Cang Ling chuckled and stepped sideways to shield her.

“Sister-in-law, don’t look at my wife like that. She’s young and shy.”

Sister Zhang laughed heartily. “To bring home such a beautiful young bride—Xiao Cang, you really hit the jackpot.”

Cang Ling nodded without even trying to be modest.

“Sister-in-law is absolutely right. I think so too.”

Xue Miaoyun gave him a light slap on the arm. “Stop spouting nonsense.”

She made him sit back down, not wanting him to interrupt while she chatted with the other military wives.

“Sisters, weren’t there any programs arranged for military wives before…?”

“…We did, but the standards…”

“…Some people were just taking advantage…”

Cang Ling watched as his wife spoke passionately with the other military wives. He extended a protective hand and then turned to talk to his comrades nearby.

Soon, the final program concluded, and the leaders went up to give a few words, in true military style, without any long speeches.

“Sisters, we’ll be heading out first.”

“Go ahead.”