After Regiment Commander Zhou left, Chen Yu walked over to Xia Anran and said,

“I’ll take you to Regiment Commander Zhou’s office.”

Many female soldiers in the cafeteria admired Chen Yu. He was fair-skinned and handsome, came from a prestigious military family, and had a promising future as an instructor. Most importantly, he had a good temperament—whoever became his wife would surely be happy.

Seeing how much care he showed toward Xia Anran, the girls who liked him began to feel uneasy.

Xia Anran’s presence made them feel threatened.

Zhou Yuxin, noticing Chen Yu’s special treatment of Xia Anran, had a calculating glint in her eyes. She decided to talk to her uncle and have him find a way to matchmake Xia Anran and Chen Yu. That way, Xia Anran wouldn’t pose a threat to her.

As they left the cafeteria and walked toward the regiment office, Chen Yu smiled and reassured her,

“Xiao Xia, don’t be nervous. Regiment Commander Zhou is probably just asking whether you want to join the singing team or the dance team.”

‘Is he worried that I’ll be nervous about suddenly being called to the leader’s office, so he came to accompany me on purpose?’

Once again, Xia Anran felt Chen Yu’s thoughtfulness. He was like the sun in winter, always warming people with the smallest details.

She smiled and replied, “Thank you, Instructor Chen. I’m not nervous.”

Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Chen Yu chuckled. “Good, as long as you’re not nervous.”

When they reached the regiment headquarters, Chen Yu couldn’t follow her into the office. He gestured for her to go in herself.

“Go on! I’ll check on the rehearsals.”

Xia Anran nodded. She watched Chen Yu leave before raising her hand to knock on the door. She tapped lightly three times and then waited quietly.

Inside the office, Regiment Commander Zhou was sipping tea. Thinking about his potential career advancement, his face was filled with ambition.

Hearing the knock, he plastered a wide grin on his face as he got up to open the door. Seeing Xia Anran, he greeted her warmly,

“Xiao Xia, you’re here! Come in, come in.”

“Regiment Commander Zhou.”

Xia Anran saluted, making his smile even broader.

“Good, good! You’ve just arrived, yet your salute is already so precise. Xiao Xia, you’re truly talented and refined!”

Xia Anran’s lips twitched slightly. This Regiment Commander Zhou seemed to have an average level of education—he was misusing idioms. What did a salute have to do with being “talented and refined”?

After she stepped inside, Regiment Commander Zhou shut the door and enthusiastically invited her to sit.

“Xiao Xia, have a seat. I made you some tea. Let’s chat while we drink.”

Seeing his exaggerated smile, Xia Anran knew very well that his enthusiasm wasn’t for her personally but for General Huo’s sake.

Once again, she felt grateful to General Huo and Aunt Liang for personally escorting her here yesterday. Otherwise, as a new recruit, she wouldn’t even have the qualifications to speak with the regiment commander—let alone be served tea by him.

Once Xia Anran was seated, Regiment Commander Zhou finally spoke with a cheerful tone,

“Xiao Xia, let me introduce our regiment to you.”

Xia Anran nodded respectfully. “I appreciate your guidance.”

Regiment Commander Zhou waved his hand dismissively,

“Oh, it’s no trouble at all! General Huo personally asked me to take good care of you—I have to make sure he has peace of mind!”

There it was—he couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning General Huo.

Xia Anran simply smiled without commenting.

After taking a sip of tea, Regiment Commander Zhou began introducing the cultural troupe.

“Our troupe is divided into a singing team and a dance team. Additionally, there’s an instrument group and a logistics team, which mainly handles makeup, props, and other support for the performers. Which group do you want to join?”

Xia Anran originally wanted to join the drama group, but from his introduction, it seemed this troupe didn’t have one. That meant she had to choose between singing and dancing.

She had loved performing arts since childhood. Back in school, she was the lead singer in the choir. Later, after becoming an actress, she had participated in the variety shows Crossover Singer and Queen, and even took professional singing lessons. Besides acting, she was skilled in both singing and dancing.

Since she was now in the cultural troupe, she wanted to develop in both areas. Dancing could help maintain her physique and enhance her poise, while singing would make her more famous, paving the way for her future in the film industry.

After making her decision, Xia Anran tentatively asked Regiment Commander Zhou,

“Regiment Commander Zhou, I was also an arts backbone in my village. I have sung and danced before, and I would like to learn both from the teachers in the troupe.”

Regiment Commander Zhou’s lips twitched—an arts backbone in the village?

What kind of arts could a village possibly have?

At most, it would be local opera, waist drum dances, or lively folk dances. The songs were probably just mountain ballads. That was nothing compared to a professional performing arts troupe.

Although he inwardly looked down on it, his face remained full of smiles as he praised Xia Anran in a coaxing manner, as if speaking to a child.

“Oh, Xia, you’re so talented! Alright, since you want to learn both singing and dancing, I’ll find you two excellent teachers. No rush, take your time learning.”

Xia Anran quickly expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, Regiment Commander Zhou.”

Regiment Commander Zhou waved his hand with a smile.

“No need to be so polite. Since General Huo has entrusted you to me, there’s no need to keep thanking me.”

Then, he immediately picked up the phone. “Have Teacher Yuan and Teacher Fang come over.”

Yuan Fang?

Hearing these two surnames, Xia Anran immediately recalled that classic phrase:

“Yuan Fang, what do you think?”

(Note: The phrase “袁芳，你怎么看？” is a well-known internet meme in China, originating from a historical drama where the character “Yuan Fang” is frequently asked for his opinion. It’s often used humorously to seek someone’s viewpoint.)

She suppressed the urge to laugh and kept a straight face.

Very soon, the two teachers arrived. One of them, upon entering and seeing Xia Anran, immediately pulled a long face. She didn’t seem easy to get along with—she had short hair, a stern expression, tightly pressed lips, and an air of irritation as she walked in last.

The other teacher had medium-length hair, gentle eyes, and a faint smile. Her posture and demeanor were exceptional—it was obvious she had a background in dance.

Upon entering, she also noticed Xia Anran. A flicker crossed her eyes, but she quickly smiled and greeted Regiment Commander Zhou,

“Regiment Commander, you called for us?”

Regiment Commander Zhou wore the same full smile when facing the two teachers, his tone carrying a hint of negotiation.

“Teacher Yuan, Teacher Fang, let me introduce you—this is Xiao Xia, our troupe’s new member. I’ll have to trouble you both to teach her well.”

After introducing Xia Anran to the teachers, he then introduced them to Xia Anran, starting with the short-haired teacher who had been frowning the whole time.

“Xia, this is Teacher Yuan. She is an outstanding vocalist who has won many awards. Being able to learn from her is an honor, so make sure to study hard and take it seriously.”

From his tone, he seemed somewhat apprehensive of Teacher Yuan, even a little deferential.

Only those with real ability get pampered and coaxed by the leadership! 

Xia Anran respectfully greeted, “Teacher Yuan.”

However, Teacher Yuan ignored her completely and directly lashed out at Regiment Commander Zhou, showing no regard for courtesy.

“Regiment Commander Zhou, are you randomly stuffing people into my class again?

Why did our troupe rank last in the performing arts competition?

It’s entirely because of your niece dragging our scores down single-handedly!

She has no presence, no pitch accuracy, no vocal strength, and she even sings off-key. Yet, you insisted on making her the lead vocalist! Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me?

And now, you want to throw another completely untrained amateur into my class? What do you think my class is, a garbage collection center?

In fact, I was about to come find you. Zhou Yuxin has no right to be the lead vocalist. She must be replaced! Otherwise, I’m quitting.”

Regiment Commander Zhou was completely caught off guard by her scolding. His face turned all sorts of colors, his eyes flashing with irritation, yet he didn’t dare to lose his temper.

Although Xia Anran had been indirectly insulted, she didn’t take it to heart. It was obvious that she was merely the trigger for Teacher Yuan’s outburst—the real reason was the troupe’s last-place ranking in the competition.

That was what truly set her off!

Regiment Commander Zhou didn’t dare to offend Teacher Yuan, so he turned his gaze toward Xia Anran. A calculating look flickered in his eyes as he gave a meaningful smile.