Chapter 44.1

“Wen Xin, where did you go? The team leader has been looking for you.” As Wen Xin and Wang Fangcao returned to the dormitory, a dancer from the troupe approached them.

Wen Xin’s eyes flickered for a moment as she smiled and said, “I just went out with Fangcao for a bit. After days of traveling by boat and car, it was nice to finally be on solid ground. The surroundings were pleasant, so I took a stroll. Did the team leader need something from me?”

The dancer considered this and, feeling exhausted herself, did not press further. Before leaving, she quietly reminded Wen Xin, “You should hurry and report to the team leader; she doesn’t look too happy.”

Wen Xin smiled gratefully and replied, “I understand. Thank you.”

Once the dancer left, Wang Fangcao immediately said, “It must be Jin Lingling who reported you. I’ll go with you!”

Wen Xin touched her wrist, which no longer showed any signs of trouble. With a flash of determination in her eyes, she shook her head and said, “No need. I’ll go by myself.”

“Team leader, you were looking for me?” Wen Xin arrived at the team leader’s dormitory and, noticing the door was ajar, knocked briefly before walking in.

The team leader, surnamed Ma, was a woman in her forties with a slender, tall frame.

Perhaps due to the many concerns she dealt with daily, she appeared somewhat stern and looked a few years older than her actual age.

Upon seeing her prized protégé, Team Leader Ma’s face momentarily softened into a rare smile. However, as if recalling something, the smile quickly faded.

She furrowed her brow and waved at Wen Xin, who was standing still, “Come over here! Why are you standing so far away?”

Wen Xin curved her lips into a slight smile and walked over as instructed.

At the end of September, with the weather still warm, Wen Xin wore a short-sleeved shirt with a doll collar and green military pants.

Team Leader Ma’s gaze immediately fell on Wen Xin’s exposed wrist.

After a brief inspection, and finding no issues, she directly inquired about the situation.

This was a good opportunity for Wen Xin to make a favorable impression. Not one to miss such chances, she seized the moment, though she did not exaggerate. Instead, she impartially explained the events as they had unfolded.

Team Leader Ma was her benefactor, who had always looked after her. Wen Xin did not want to hide anything from her and explained in detail how her wrist had been injured and the fortunate process of recovery.

Team Leader Ma listened with a furrowed brow. Her already stern face grew even more unapproachable. After Wen Xin finished, she slammed her hand on the table in anger, “How could the Jin family produce such a daughter like Jin Lingling? She has a complete lack of organization and discipline—embarrassing the Jin family and our troupe. When we get back, I will definitely call her family’s elders and have a serious talk with them.”

Wen Xin’s forehead twitched; she did not want her own issue to cause trouble for the team leader. She frowned and said with concern, “Will this affect you? I heard the Jin family…”

Team Leader Ma was aware of the young girl’s concern, and she raised a hand to interrupt her, “No, Jin Lingling’s grandfather is a brigade commander, but he is not unreasonable. He is a true old revolutionary. Although he has retired, he is not one to indulge his descendants. Otherwise, Jin Lingling wouldn’t have been stuck in this place for years without using her family background to advance.”

After hearing this, Wen Xin finally relaxed. As long as the Jin family was reasonable, she was relieved that she wouldn’t be causing trouble for the team leader.

Once Team Leader Ma understood the whole situation, she made her own decisions and began to dismiss Wen Xin, “Alright, you can go now. I’ll have someone keep an eye on Jin Lingling for the next couple of days. The most important thing for you now is to rest and recover. Perform well tomorrow; I have high expectations for you.”

Wen Xin, hearing this, felt a great weight lifted from her heart. Her eyes reddened slightly, and after taking a few deep breaths, she smiled and gave a respectful salute to the team leader before turning and striding out.

Life might have its bumps and obstacles, but for most people, she was fortunate because she always encountered helpful individuals.

She thought she wanted to become the top dancer in the country and prove to everyone with her talent that those underhanded tactics would not be obstacles but rather a motivation to keep moving forward.

Years later, when she stood on the highest stage, she would thank the setbacks and hardships, for they were the driving forces pushing her toward success.

—o—o—o—

At 2:00 PM.

The sunlight on Hongjun Island had lost its summer intensity. The breeze was gentle and warm, and the sunlight was soothing and serene.

After a day of hard work, the capable soldiers had built a well-constructed stage on the spacious training ground.

Director He and the head of the medical team had given this lively opportunity to the medical staff. Except for a few who stayed on duty, the rest were given half a day off to enjoy the National Day celebrations.

This was the first time in years that Hongjun Island had such a grand celebration. It would be a pity to miss it.

Su Xi, dressed in her military uniform, followed her brother Su Dong as they escorted Chen Xiangyun, moving with the crowd toward the seats that Xie Zhen and Xi Yannan had reserved for them in advance.

They arrived quite late, with only fifteen minutes left before the performance began. The venue was already packed with soldiers, each sitting upright and looking spirited.

Fortunately, they were assigned to the third row, which was a good position. Even without a large screen, they could still see the performers on stage clearly.

The soldiers in the back rows could only hear the sound.

Despite this, Su Xi could see the anticipation in the young and earnest faces of the soldiers.

Entertainment was scarce these days.

When Su Xi finally found their seats, she saw that Shi Lingling had already arrived. She let out a sigh of relief, plopped down next to Shi Lingling, and looked at her stomach with a smile, “With so many people packed in here, how did you manage to come out and leave your leader Yan with peace of mind?”

Shi Lingling handed some sunflower seeds and snacks to Grandma Chen. After Chen Xiangyun accepted them with a smile, Shi Lingling replied, “I wasn’t supposed to come at first, but when I heard you were coming, he felt reassured and let me come.”

Su Xi: “…”

Shi Lingling said mysteriously, “Hey, did you know? The military wives have prepared a program for this event.”

Su Xi, not very familiar with the military wives at the family compound, asked, “Oh? What program?”

“A choir performance. It’s easier to manage,” Shi Lingling explained.

Su Xi thought for a moment and said, “This will be my first time seeing a performance by the performing arts troupe.”

Shi Lingling nodded vigorously, “Me too. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have insisted on coming this time…”

As they chatted idly, ten minutes quickly slipped by.

With five minutes left before the show began, the previously noisy environment suddenly fell silent.

Su Xi turned her head and saw a group of people approaching from a short distance.

At the forefront was an elderly man in his fifties or sixties, not very tall but with a straight posture. His weather-beaten face was covered in wrinkles that spoke of the passage of time. As he walked toward the venue, he turned his head to speak with the accompanying Major Zhang.

Su Xi glanced briefly at them but was immediately drawn to Xie Zhen.

The man was dressed in the 65-style military uniform, and with his height of 192 cm, he looked even more imposing and elegant.

Her boyfriend was indeed handsome; in the future, he would be considered exceptional. Su Xi sighed with admiration, feeling fortunate.

Xie Zhen, expressionless, followed Major Zhang, standing in line with Yan An from the first regiment and Yan Guoqing from the second regiment.

Perhaps sensing something, the man, who had been looking straight ahead, suddenly turned his head in Su Xi’s direction.

Upon seeing his beloved, the man who had previously appeared stern, gently smiled at her.

Caught in the act of peeking, Su Xi showed no embarrassment. Instead, she smiled sweetly at her partner, her whole demeanor radiating warmth. She was truly more charming than flowers.

Shi Lingling noticed the exchanged glances between the couple and deliberately clicked her tongue twice, “I can’t bear to look. Look at this broad daylight—aren’t you embarrassed?”

Su Xi rolled her eyes and snatched the sunflower seeds from Shi Lingling’s hand, showing no remorse for taking food from a pregnant woman, “What can we do? We’re a lovestruck couple. Unlike some people, who are already old married couples.”

Shi Lingling laughed and scolded, “Shameless! And who’s an old married couple? My Old Yan and I are still doing great.”

Su Xi gave her a sidelong glance, “Even if you’re calling him Old Yan, doesn’t that make you an old married couple?”

Shi Lingling ground her teeth, about to retort further when Su Xi pulled her.

Su Xi pointed to the front-row seats. Shi Lingling looked over and realized that while they were bickering, the leaders had already taken their seats in the front row.

Concerned that their bickering might be overheard by the leaders in front, both of them settled down, ate their snacks quietly, and sat still.

Soon, the performance officially began. After the large red curtain was drawn, two announcers came out and greeted the audience enthusiastically.