Chapter 50: Letting Off Steam

“Who are you kidding? Do you need to register to watch the show? Honestly, are you deliberately trying to make trouble for me?” Yu Linglong whispered, glancing at the stage.

“You’ve done too many things that bother your conscience, haven’t you? Is this a guilty conscience?” Wen Yanyan sneered.

“What have I done that bothers my conscience? It’s you, biting the hand that feeds you, you’re not a kind person.” Yu Linglong retorted without yielding.

Wen Yanyan, not understanding the meaning, said, “Stop using these strange expressions. I don’t want to deal with you.” She continued watching the performance on stage.

Because of Yu Linglong’s interruption, she missed the name of the girl who had just gone on stage. The girl was playing a solo flute piece. Not understanding instrumental music, she simply watched for entertainment.

Unexpectedly, Yu Linglong wasn’t ready to let it go.

“You won’t admit it, will you? Zhang Meimei is your good friend, she’s always been helping you, but you’ve turned on her! You sent her to a cram school.”

This matter?

Wen Yanyan looked at her meaningfully. So, this girl was standing up for Zhang Meimei.

Were they good friends?

Interesting. Two women both vying for Nan Tuan could be friends.

Perhaps, like the original owner, she was being used by Zhang Meimei as a pawn.

“You don’t understand the situation, don’t let yourself be used.”

She didn’t want to say more.

No need to rush, Zhang Meimei will return, and the truth will come out eventually.

“No one can use me, I’m not stupid. Anyway, your character isn’t good. Looking good on the outside doesn’t mean you’re good, it’s the heart that matters…”

Yu Linglong continued, dispensing unsolicited advice.

At this time, the host on stage called out another name.

“Comrade Wen Yanyan, number five, please come on stage to perform!”

“You can talk to yourself. I have to go on stage.”

Wen Yanyan got up and left, walking along the stairs to the center of the stage.

She introduced herself calmly and confidently.

“Distinguished leaders, I am Wen Yanyan. Today, I will be singing a song. It’s a new song, the name is ‘Wind Blowing Through Wheat Fields’.”

“What? Wind Blowing Through Wheat Fields?”

Captain Yu looked at Zhu Yanliang, the head of the vocal music department, beside him.

“Old Zhu, have you heard this song?”

Zhu Yanliang looked unhappy; he had a perpetually gloomy expression.

“No, she said it’s a new song, let’s listen.”

“Wen Yanyan, since it’s a new song, there will be no musical accompaniment. Do you want to reconsider?” Captain Yu reminded her.

“It’s fine, I can sing a cappella.”

Wen Yanyan was prepared, as this song was from the 21st century. There was no sheet music for it in this era.

“Alright, you can begin your performance.” Captain Yu agreed.

Wen Yanyan carefully held the microphone; the microphones at that time were wired and connected to a power source.

“Under the distant blue sky, waves of golden wheat surge, there, once you and I, loved. When the breeze carries the scent of harvest towards my face, I remember your gentle words that once wet my eyes…”

The song was free and easy, with a beautiful melody and a slow rhythm.

Wen Yanyan’s relaxed singing and simple humming expressed people’s longing for the simple and beautiful past, calling forth the purest emotions from the depths of memory.

Coupled with her understanding of the music and her strict control of her singing technique, Wen Yanyan’s heartfelt, serene and beautiful voice quickly transported the judges’ thoughts to beautiful memories.

When she finished the last note, a round of applause erupted.

“Good, good! Wen Yanyan, Old Xu wasn’t wrong, your singing skills are indeed good. Old Zhu, you’re the professional, say a few words.” Captain Yu nudged Zhu Yanliang.

“Ahem!”

Zhu Yanliang cleared his throat twice before speaking. “Not bad, not bad at all, Old Yu, you decide.”

His face finally lost its dark cloud.

“So, anyone else have any objections?”

The few judges who hadn’t spoken also shook their heads to indicate no objections.

“Good, then I’ll announce the results. Congratulations, Wen Yanyan, you’ve been accepted into the vocal music department. Report to Director Zhu tomorrow.”

“Thank you, leaders.”

Wen Yanyan stepped down, and the host called out another name. “The next performer, Comrade Zhang Lili, please come on stage.”

The result was expected, so she was calm and didn’t show any excessive joy.

However, as soon as she reached the bottom of the stage, Yu Linglong came over again, saying with disdain,

“Wow, you’ve got some skills, but you’re far behind me.”

She was unconvinced.

“I was aiming for stability, do you understand?”

The song Wen Yanyan chose wasn’t difficult, the range was almost all within the middle octave. Although there were no stunning high notes, it didn’t mean she couldn’t hit high notes. She didn’t need to be outstanding, just better than the other girls in the audition. It was best not to be too high-profile.

“Don’t brag, your skills are just bad, you can’t hide it.” Yu Linglong remained dismissive, her eyes full of contempt.

Damn it!

This woman is so annoying!

Wen Yanyan was finally provoked. She lowered her voice and said,

“Yu Linglong, watch your mouth. Don’t think I’m easy to bully and keep humiliating me! Be careful, if I get angry, I’ll tell your father about your obsession with my Nan Tuan!”

This clueless girl!

If you don’t teach her a lesson, she won’t know what’s good for her!

She kept pushing her buttons, and it was getting on Wen Yanyan’s nerves!

It was never-ending!

Yu Linglong’s face turned pale.

Although she continued to glare angrily at Wen Yanyan, she dared not say another unpleasant word.

Phew!

Feeling relieved, Wen Yanyan clapped her hands and left, her mood light as she walked out of the troupe.

She found Huang Shuying chatting with a military wife at the entrance.

“Sister.”

Huang Shuying turned around.

“Oh, Yanzi is back, how did the audition go?”

“It went okay.”

Because there were others nearby, Wen Yanyan was somewhat reserved.

“Okay? Does that mean you passed the audition?” Huang Shuying asked with a questioning look.

“Yes, I passed.”

Wen Yanyan nodded with a smile.

“Great! Yanzi, I told you you would definitely succeed, didn’t I?”

Huang Shuying patted her shoulder in approval.

“Nan Tuan’s family, so you’ll be working at the troupe from now on?”

However, these words were also heard by the military wife who had been chatting with Huang Shuying.

She was extremely surprised, staring at Wen Yanyan with wide, bulging eyes.

“Yes, Captain Yu told me to report to the troupe tomorrow morning.”

Although this military wife looked unfamiliar, Wen Yanyan still answered her.

Huang Shuying grabbed her wrist and happily turned to leave.

“Let’s go home, this is great news, you’ll be able to perform on stage from now on, bringing festive greetings to the officers and soldiers. We need to celebrate, you make some small dishes, let’s have a drink, how about that?”

What?

Have a drink?

Wen Yanyan didn’t expect her to be such a person of feeling.