Chapter 211: Focus on catching fish?

“Quiet!” the leader commanded. “Did you all see Peng Jiali push Xia Qingyun?”

The group responded affirmatively.

The leader, adopting a more conciliatory tone, said, “Xia Qingyun, you see, the cultural troupe has several programs to rehearse, and we need all hands on deck. Considering that this is Peng Jiali’s first offense, could you forgive her, and we’ll handle this matter internally? What do you think?”

Xia Qingyun replied, “Leader, I’m really sorry. I can’t dance myself and now I’m causing you trouble.”

The leader said, “If you agree, we’ll resolve it this way: Peng Jiali loses her eligibility to compete for the lead role this time, and Xia Qingyun will take on the lead role. You can start rehearsing a week after you’re discharged.”

Xia Qingyun responded, “I’ll go with whatever the leader decides.”

Peng Jiali angrily protested, “I don’t agree!”

The leader scolded, “What is there to disagree with?! So many people saw you push her. If I report this, you’ll definitely face consequences! I’m doing this for everyone’s sake!”

He added, “This matter is settled! From now on, if there’s any more fighting over roles in our troupe, I’ll report it directly to the higher-ups. Those responsible will be disciplined or even dismissed!”

Yu Xiangnian found it difficult to judge this situation.

On the one hand, it was possible that Peng Jiali had injured Xia Qingyun to secure the lead role. On the other hand, it was also possible that Xia Qingyun had deliberately injured herself to frame Peng Jiali and win the lead role. If that were the case, Xia Qingyun would certainly be cunning, and harsh on herself too. After all, if she had seriously hurt herself, not only would she lose the lead role, but she might also suffer severe consequences.

Peng Jiali stormed out, with Lan Yuli and Ou Xia running after her to comfort her.

Yu Xiangnian decided to follow them to hear what her colleagues had to say about Xia Qingyun.

Peng Jiali was furiously tearing leaves off the trees in the garden.

Lan Yuli tried to console her, “Peng Jiali, don’t be upset. If you don’t get the lead role this time, there’s always next time!”

Peng Jiali snapped, “Even you don’t believe me?”

Lan Yuli hesitated, “But we really did see you push her.”

“I didn’t push her! I didn’t push her!” Peng Jiali was so angry that she broke off the tree branches. “She deliberately fell to frame me!”

Lan Yuli and Ou Xia exchanged glances, unsure of what to believe.

Peng Jiali angrily broke the branch into pieces, “I’ve always hated how fake she is—acting one way in front of us and another in front of others. But I would never do something like this!”

“Those men are all charmed by her and defend her, fine! But you two, you’ve lived with her for years—don’t you know what she’s really like?”

Ou Xia and Lan Yuli remained silent.

Peng Jiali threw the broken branch on the ground in frustration, “I’m going to write a letter to the Commander! I’m going to report Xia Qingyun for inappropriate behavior!”

Ou Xia quickly covered Peng Jiali’s mouth, “Peng Jiali, stop talking nonsense!”

Peng Jiali pushed her hand away, “I’m not wrong! Look at her—she’s entangled with several men in our troupe, she’s been involved with Bai Dewen for years, and now she’s started something with the Commander’s son!”

“If you don’t have evidence, don’t make wild accusations!” Ou Xia covered her mouth again, “Stop mentioning the Commander in every sentence. Let’s go!”

Ou Xia and Lan Yuli dragged Peng Jiali away.

Yu Xiangnian let out a mocking laugh.

If what Peng Jiali said was true, then Xia Qingyun was casting a wide net, but focusing on catching the best fish. Yu Xiangyang, being a good catch in many ways, had the good fortune of becoming her target.

Yu Xiangnian actually hoped Peng Jiali would hurry up and write that report. A proper investigation into Xia Qingyun would be beneficial. If Xia Qingyun really was that kind of person, Yu Xiangyang could see her true colors sooner. On the other hand, if she wasn’t, it would show she passed the test, and their family wouldn’t be so opposed to Yu Xiangyang dating her.

Unfortunately, someone like Peng Jiali was all bark and no bite. She might say she’d write the report out of anger, but when it came down to it, she wouldn’t actually do it.

By the time work was over, Yu Xiangnian decided not to visit the hospital and went home instead.

Meanwhile, after having dinner in the cafeteria, Yu Xiangyang went to look for Xia Qingyun, only to be told that she had fallen and been taken to the hospital.

Yu Xiangyang quickly took leave from the military unit and rushed to the hospital.

By this time, night had fallen. The lights were on in the hospital room, and Xia Qingyun was lying in bed with her eyes closed, sleeping.

Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes. Seeing that it was Yu Xiangyang, her eyes instantly reddened.

Seeing the white bandage wrapped around her forehead and her pitiful expression as she tried not to cry, Yu Xiangyang felt a pang in his heart.

He quickly walked to her bedside and asked with concern, “Where are you hurt?”

Xia Qingyun slowly sat up, “I hit my head when I fell. It’s a concussion.”

Yu Xiangyang propped a pillow behind her back. “Have you eaten? I can go get you something.”

“I’ve eaten. The others from the troupe just left. Sit down, please.”

Seeing the narrow hospital bed, Yu Xiangyang shook his head, “I’ll stand.”

Xia Qingyun said weakly, “I need to use the restroom. Can you help me?”

Yu Xiangyang immediately reached out to support her, but then suddenly pulled his hand back.

“I’ll go get a nurse!” he said, turning to leave.

Xia Qingyun stopped him, “Yu Xiangyang, are you avoiding me?”

“No!” Yu Xiangyang shook his head repeatedly. “I’m a man. It’s not appropriate for me to help you to the restroom.”

Xia Qingyun smiled, “I’m not asking you to come in with me. Just help me to the door.”

Yu Xiangyang hesitated.

Xia Qingyun started getting out of bed, “If you don’t want to, I’ll go by myself. The nurses are so busy, asking them to help would just get me scolded.”

Yu Xiangyang’s focus shifted. “They scolded you?”

Xia Qingyun didn’t respond and turned her face away, slowly taking a step forward, then stopping and raising her hand to her forehead, as if she was about to faint.

At this, Yu Xiangyang quickly grabbed her arm to support her.

Xia Qingyun struggled a bit and complained, “I don’t want your help!”

Yu Xiangyang held onto her, saying, “If they scolded you, let me know, and I’ll talk to them.”

Xia Qingyun sighed, “I feel dizzy, my head hurts, and I feel like throwing up.”

Yu Xiangyang said, “Don’t move, I’ll help you.”

The hospital room didn’t have a restroom; the nearest one was at the end of the hallway. Yu Xiangyang supported Xia Qingyun as they slowly made their way there, step by step.

Xia Qingyun couldn’t move her head, and she was weak, so she leaned heavily on Yu Xiangyang, who practically carried her the whole way.

Whether it was from nervousness or embarrassment, by the time they reached the restroom, Yu Xiangyang’s back was drenched with sweat, and sweat from his temples had dripped onto his clothes.

While Xia Qingyun was in the restroom, Yu Xiangyang washed his face with cold water at a nearby sink and wiped it dry with the hem of his shirt.

When he returned to the hospital room, Xia Qingyun was slowly leaning back against the bed, supporting herself with her hands. Yu Xiangyang placed one hand behind her neck to steady her head.

Just as she was about to lie down completely, Xia Qingyun suddenly grabbed the front of Yu Xiangyang’s shirt.