Chapter 18: Admirer

While they were pulling at each other, a hurried voice came from behind.

“Commander Lu!”

In front of him stood a young girl dressed in the military uniform of the cultural troupe, her beautiful long hair braided into two thick plaits hanging over her chest.

She had a lovely figure, delicate features, and bright eyes looking at him.

It seemed she had just come off the stage and hurried over, her chest rising and falling with obvious panting.

“Hello, Commander Lu, I’m Zhou Yunmei from the cultural troupe. Very pleased to meet you.”

This introduction instantly drew the attention of the male comrades around them.

Who didn’t know Zhou Yunmei was the star of the main cultural troupe? She always led the dances during慰問 performances.

She also had a great voice — beautiful and sweet, nicknamed “Little Yellow Oriole.”

Her family background was good, and she had just been promoted to cadre, making her very popular among the men in the troupe.

Many officers had tried to arrange matches for her, but all failed.

It was said she had taken a liking to Lu Hanzheng from the 28th Regiment.

Now, it seemed to be true.

Lu Hanzheng instinctively stepped back, keeping a safe distance from her.

The unpleasant scent of heavy perfume coming from her made his brow furrow even tighter.

He spoke coldly and distantly, “Do you need something from me?”

The man’s attitude hurt Zhou Yunmei’s feelings a little.

But she quickly comforted herself — he kept his distance not only from her but from all the female comrades. That kind of self-discipline made her even more attracted to him.

She had admired him for years. For him, she had poured so much sweat and effort into dancing, climbing up to the lead dancer position.

Even Lin Siyun regarded her differently now. She believed that if given the chance, Lu Hanzheng would definitely see her excellence.

“Commander Lu, thank you for coming to watch our performance. Do you remember me? We met last time at the military慰問 show.”

Zhou Yunmei looked at the handsome and upright man, a faint blush on her face. She shyly lowered her head, fingers nervously twisting the ends of her braids.

“I don’t remember.”

Looking at the timid and awkward woman before him, Lu Hanzheng grew a bit impatient.

The soldiers around them perked up their ears.

Zhou Yunmei was the most beautiful flower in the cultural troupe. If Commander Lu took her, they could only envy, not even feeling jealousy.

Looking around, in the entire regiment, even the whole military district, no man could surpass Lu Hanzheng.

Hearing the man’s cold dismissal, Zhou Yunmei’s passionate heart was instantly doused with cold water, leaving her feeling very chilly.

Commissioner Liu clicked his tongue awkwardly on the side—no face left to save at all!

Knowing Lu Hanzheng had high standards, and that Zhou Yunmei was the troupe’s darling, it was clear even she was not good enough.

He really didn’t know who else to introduce to Lu Hanzheng.

Maybe only a fairy from heaven would suffice.

He had even wanted to introduce some other outstanding female comrades from the cultural troupe.

But now, it was hopeless. Best to let her give up and not embarrass herself anymore.

“Commander Lu’s training tasks are heavy, and he’s busy with too many things. It’s normal not to remember. Comrade Zhou, your performance was very good. Keep up the effort.”

Commissioner Liu smiled, smoothing things over, then dragged Lu Hanzheng away.

The soldiers nearby exchanged looks but secretly rejoiced—this meant they had another chance.

Zhou Yunmei’s face was a mix of red and pale as she ran backstage.

“Hey, did you hear? Zhou Yunmei just went to confess to Commander Lu and was flatly rejected.”

“Really? Doesn’t she still have to perform later? Why did she confess now?”

“Who knows! She just couldn’t wait!”

“Pfft! Who doesn’t know what she’s really up to? Does she really think sucking up to Commander Lin means she can marry into the Lu family? Does Commander Lu even like her?”

“Exactly! Riding on Commander Lin’s favor, strutting around all high and mighty, bossing people around. She’s just a lead dancer—who does she think she is?”

A few cultural troupe soldiers backstage were whispering and criticizing her one after another.

Competition was everywhere, especially in the cultural troupe.

Most of them were female soldiers, often squabbling over the smallest things.

Who didn’t want the center stage? There were plenty who were more talented.

Zhou Yunmei had occupied the lead dancer spot for years, which had already stirred up a lot of resentment.

On top of that, she was arrogant and indifferent, so she didn’t get along well with others.

If it weren’t for her good family background, she would have been replaced long ago.

Hiding behind the curtain, Zhou Yunmei’s face was dark and stormy, wishing she could tear their mouths apart.

Just wait and see — sooner or later, she would make Lu Hanzheng fall in love with her.

…

Since using Wen Nian’s skincare cream, the tiny freckles on He Xiuli’s face had faded quite a bit.

Her facial features were already pretty good, just a bit dark and rough.

Now her skin was fairer and much smoother, and her overall aura had changed.

He Xiuli felt grateful to Wen Nian.

The two had become close quickly, and their friendship warmed up fast. He Xiuli was already at the stage where she could talk about anything with her.

Female friendships could be so magical sometimes.

“Nian Nian, are you really out of that cream? I have several girlfriends waiting for it too.”

Wen Nian shrugged her hands with a hint of regret.

“Yeah, I have no choice. That cream is expensive to produce and complicated to make. Many of the ingredients are rare.”

The spirit milk stone only produced one bottle of the spirit lotion a day, so she didn’t have much stock left.

“Ah? Then what should I do? Mine is almost used up too.”

Hearing she really had none left, He Xiuli became anxious.

Wen Nian was speechless — He Xiuli had already bought seven or eight bottles from her in just a few days. She couldn’t be using it as food, right?

He Xiuli felt embarrassed and hesitated.

“I saw it worked so well, so I put it all over my body.”

“Didn’t expect it would work so well on my body too. Look, my skin is much fairer, softer, and smoother.”

She boldly rolled up her sleeve to show her.

Wen Nian was completely stunned.

Finally, she’d seen it — no matter the era, women would go to such lengths for their looks.

Forty or fifty yuan might not seem like much now, but in the 1980s that was equivalent to two months’ wages for an ordinary worker.

He Xiuli grabbed Wen Nian’s arm and started to pester her.

“I don’t care, Nian Nian, you have to give me a few more bottles. Forget the others — we’re good sisters.”

Wen Nian had a headache from her nagging but decided to agree anyway, since she would need He Xiuli’s help later.

Her introduction letter was about to expire.

She had to find a way to renew it.

He Xiuli’s third brother happened to work in the registration office of the Public Security Bureau.

At this time, if you wanted to go to another place, you needed an introduction letter, which was almost like an ID card.

Whether for traveling or lodging, you needed it.

Without an introduction letter, it was almost impossible to get around anywhere. If caught without one, you’d be considered a vagrant and might even be detained.