Chapter 24: Ran Jinnian is Beautiful

“Greetings to all military families. I’m Du Ruofang from the Arts Troupe of the Regiment. I’ve called everyone here today because the Mid-Autumn Festival is just over a month away.” Du Ruofang stood on the stage, looking down at the families below, all of whom frowned in worry.

She didn’t understand why the higher-ups insisted that military families prepare a performance.

Almost all of these families were rural women—did they even know how to dance or sing?

Even if they could, without long-term training, how could they perform on stage?

Wouldn’t this just embarrass the Southern Military Region?

Yet the higher-ups had issued the order, so Du Ruofang, despite her dissatisfaction, had to speak: “Our Southern Military Region has been one of the most distinguished among the major military regions. Therefore, for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival gala, we require family members to prepare a performance. Leaders will come to the region to join in the celebration.”

As soon as Du Ruofang spoke, the room erupted.

“Oh my! I barely know how to read, how could I do this?”

“Ah, I can neither sing nor dance!”

“Captain Du, why do we have to prepare a performance? We’ve never done this before!” said a bold woman.

Du Ruofang’s tone turned cold: “Our Southern Military Region has ranked first among the four major military regions for three consecutive years. Leaders are paying special attention. This performance is meant to promote unity between the military and civilians, strengthening our bonds.”

“But we don’t know how to perform.”

“I only know how to farm, cook, and take care of children.”

“I won’t perform. I have so many things to do at home; I don’t have the time.”

The room erupted again.

“Quiet! Quiet!” Du Ruofang pounded the table in frustration. Then, speaking gracefully, she said, “You are all military families. While your men fight on the battlefield, you are the strongest support of the military region. Now, for the sake of the region and your husbands, you must show dedication.

Those who participate in this performance will receive prizes such as basins, thermoses, porcelain cups, and towels.”

Her words finally calmed the crowd.

“Decide among yourselves what to perform—singing or dancing are both acceptable. Come report to me in three days,” she said, and left.

Once she left, the women started fussing again.

“My head hurts just listening to this. Sister Zhou, let’s go first.”

“Let’s go,” Zhou Hongying said, looking at the sleeping San Dan. They left the meeting room, and once some started leaving, the rest followed.

“The higher-ups must be out of their minds—making us illiterate women perform? What nonsense!”

Qin Shulan complained bitterly.

“I can’t go,” Li Fengxia said fearfully. She couldn’t do anything and going on stage would be humiliating.

“Jinnian is young and beautiful. If she weren’t pregnant, she could definitely perform,” Zhou Hongying said regretfully. She had some experience in these matters.

In the military, it’s not only men who seek honor; if women can make the men look good, it also supports them.

“I’m heavily pregnant, so this big task must fall to all of you,” Ran Jinnian said firmly. She would not participate in this family performance.

At that moment, the regiment’s troupe of young performers, having trained all morning, walked out of the rehearsal room.

They wore identical military uniforms, their dark hair braided neatly, radiating youthful vitality.

The lead girl looked under twenty, with fair skin, a slim waist, and long legs. Her appearance stood out among the troupe.

“Who knows what the higher-ups were thinking, making the families perform,” someone muttered.

“They’re just women who know how to cook and take care of kids. Do they even understand what performing means?”

“If they fail, it’ll embarrass the military region, and our troupe won’t look good either.”

“Qingxue, tell your father to cancel this requirement,” one girl pleaded.

Yan Qingxue looked proud: “I’ll speak to him, but this isn’t my father’s decision.”

At that moment, the women began murmuring among themselves:

“That woman’s jacket is so beautiful, and her shoes are so stylish.”
“I’ve never seen such a green jacket before. Where did she get it?”
“Why haven’t we seen family members dressed like this before?”

Their chatter caught Yan Qingxue’s attention.

She glanced up and saw a woman in a green jacket, hair elegantly pinned up, wearing black shoes. Underneath, she had a beige floral dress, her belly clearly showing pregnancy.

Yet she didn’t look bulky at all—she was poised, striking, and eye-catching.

It was the first time Yan Qingxue had seen such a bold and bright outfit, and she found herself impressed.

“Wow, she’s really beautiful.”

“Who is this family member? I’ve never seen her before.”

As they got closer, they saw Ran Jinnian’s face clearly. Her features were radiant, eyes slightly upturned, and her delicate, heart-shaped face was pleasing to the eye.

Ran Jinnian!

Her name flashed suddenly in Yan Qingxue’s mind. She had never seen her before, but had heard the name from Lu Jinyuan.

In the past few days, Lu Jinyuan had just brought her to the military region—no one else could have imagined her presence.

Yan Qingxue’s gaze sharpened. She had thought Ran Jinnian was just an ordinary girl, only catching Lu Jinyuan’s attention because of their childhood friendship.

She hadn’t expected her to be so beautiful.

“She’s even prettier than Qingxue,” said a girl in the troupe who disliked Yan Qingxue.

Another girl gasped: “Are you crazy? How dare you say that!”

She thought it was true but dared not speak openly.

Yan Qingxue—the only daughter of the Southern Military Region’s Political Commissioner—was always the focus of the military region.

But now, her attention wasn’t on them, and she hadn’t heard what the two were saying.

Ran Jinnian noticed someone staring at her and instinctively looked up.

A young girl in uniform stood before her, likely from the troupe. She had a lovely, delicate face with expressive eyes.

Yan Qingxue, seeing Ran Jinnian look over, arrogantly looked away, like a proud swan turning her head.

Ran Jinnian felt that this girl seemed hostile toward her. She probably imagined it.

In the afternoon, Ran Jinnian woke up after a nap and took a bunch of grapes from her space. The grapes were large and sweet, and she loved them.

After finishing them, she cleaned up thoroughly and tidied the space.

She had just discovered that the kitchen trash in her space was magical—scraps of food would disappear when thrown in.

She had worried about how to dispose of leftovers, but now she didn’t have to.

She was about to start knitting shoes for her child when Zhou Hongying’s voice called out, “Jinnian, Jinnian.”

Ran Jinnian quickly checked the house, then went out to open the courtyard gate, seeing Zhou Hongying along with several unfamiliar family members.