Huo Zhenting nodded. “Go ahead, whatever your request is, I will agree to it.”

Liang Meijuan also expressed her stance. “Anran, if you need anything from me, just say it. Auntie will definitely help you.”

Xia Anran smiled and first expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, Uncle Huo, Auntie Huo.”

Huo Zhenting waved his hand. “No need to be polite, just tell us what you need.”

Seeing how polite and well-mannered Xia Anran was, Liang Meijuan suddenly felt a bit regretful. But at this point, no matter how much regret she felt, it was useless. She could only sigh that the two children were not fated to be together.

Xia Anran listened to Huo Zhenting’s words and nodded with a smile.

“Alright, then I won’t be polite. Uncle Huo, in our rural village, a girl who gets her engagement broken off has no way to survive. My parents and my brother’s family would also lose face because of me.

I don’t want to go back and bring shame to my family, so I hope you can help me enter the cultural troupe. That way, I won’t have to return to the countryside, and the villagers won’t know that my engagement was annulled.”

Xia Anran had thought this through long ago. If she went back to the countryside, she would inevitably be exposed in front of the original owner’s parents. Staying in the Huo family was also not an option. If she remained after the engagement was broken, that narcissist Huo Ruiyang would think she was still trying to cling to him.

So, joining the cultural troupe was the best choice. First, because performing arts was her true expertise. Second, because the troupe provided dormitory housing, solving her accommodation problem while also giving her an income to support herself.

For Huo Zhenting, this request was as easy as lifting a finger—just one word from him would make it happen.

But for Xia Anran, it was as difficult as reaching the heavens. She was registered as a rural resident, and unless there was a special recruitment quota designated for her, the spots for female soldiers would be filled at the city level before they ever reached the villages.

After all, female soldiers had the opportunity to marry high-ranking officers in the military. Even if they didn’t stay in the army, transitioning to a civilian job meant securing a stable and well-paid position. Those who could get in were all from families with connections and influence.

Huo Zhenting waited for a moment after listening, seeing that Xia Anran had no further requests, he asked, “Is this the only thing you want?”

Xia Anran nodded. “Yes, just this one thing. Nothing else.”

Liang Meijuan, seeing that Xia Anran had only this one request, couldn’t help but remind her, “Don’t you need us to compensate you with some money? Or we could buy you a house in the city.”

It was their son who had rejected her, leaving the poor girl without a place to stay. She wanted to make it up to Xia Anran, at the very least, ensuring she had a place to settle in the city.

She even considered suggesting that Xia Anran go to university, with all expenses covered by the Huo family.

But then she thought about it—Xia Anran didn’t seem like the studious type, so she dropped the idea.

Xia Anran smiled and shook her head. “Auntie Huo, you don’t owe me anything. No compensation is needed. The cultural troupe provides a salary and a place to live—I can support myself.”

Seeing that this was truly Xia Anran’s only wish, Huo Zhenting immediately picked up the phone and called Regiment Commander Zhou of the cultural troupe.

Just as Xia Anran had expected, one phone call from him was all it took for her to be specially recruited into the troupe. However, for now, she wouldn’t have an official position; she would have to wait a few months for that.

Her salary was 32 yuan and 8 cents, which was 15 yuan and 2 cents less than that of an officially registered troupe member.

But that was already more than enough. Xia Anran was very satisfied and politely declined Huo Zhenting and Liang Meijuan’s offer to let her stay longer, insisting on moving to the cultural troupe that very day.

Unable to persuade her otherwise, Liang Meijuan reluctantly agreed. She prepared bedding and daily necessities for Xia Anran, packing so much that even two large bags weren’t enough.

She also had Xiao Li prepare a table full of delicious dishes and even wrapped up meat-filled dumplings for Xia Anran as a farewell gift.

Strangely, despite having been so annoyed by this girl before, now that she was leaving, Liang Meijuan felt deeply unsettled—almost like she was sending off her own daughter in marriage, unwilling to part with her.

During the farewell meal, Xia Anran raised a cup of tea to toast Huo Zhenting and Liang Meijuan.

“Uncle Huo, Auntie Huo, I’m sorry. In the past, I was immature and did many foolish things. Here, I use tea instead of wine to express my gratitude for all the care and tolerance you’ve shown me during this time.”

Huo Zhenting always felt guilty toward his old comrade-in-arms, so he said to Xia Anran:

“Good child, if you encounter any difficulties in the cultural troupe, come find Uncle Huo. If anyone bullies you, I will definitely stand up for you.”

Xia Anran smiled playfully and said,

“Alright! If someone bullies me, I’ll be sure to come to you for support.”

However, just making a phone call wouldn’t fully show how much they valued Xia Anran. After finishing their meal, Huo Zhenting and Liang Meijuan personally escorted her to the cultural troupe.

As soon as Regiment Commander Zhou and Instructor Chen Yu saw the senior officer arriving, they hurried out to greet him.

Huo Zhenting introduced Xia Anran to Regiment Commander Zhou:

“This is my little niece. Please take good care of her.”

When facing Xia Anran, Huo Zhenting was a kind and amiable elder, but in the military, he was a strict and authoritative commander. Now, he was personally asking Regiment Commander Zhou to look after her—this deeply moved Xia Anran!

She understood that Uncle Huo was backing her up!

As the saying goes, “It’s good to have a big tree for shade.” With Uncle Huo’s words, her time in the cultural troupe would surely go smoothly.

Regiment Commander Zhou was overwhelmed with excitement. The commander was entrusting his niece to him? He immediately straightened up and saluted:

“Commander, rest assured, we will take good care of Comrade Xia.”

Chen Yu also followed suit and saluted:

“Please rest assured, Commander.”

Liang Meijuan, who was good friends with Chen Yu’s mother at the hospital, pulled him aside and whispered,

“Chen Yu, arrange for Xia to stay in a dormitory without troublemakers. Preferably, somewhere with fewer people so no one bullies her.”

Chen Yu nodded. “Alright, Aunt Liang, don’t worry. I’ll arrange it properly.”

Still feeling uneasy, Liang Meijuan insisted,

“No, I’ll go with you to check. I’ll help her make the bed—this child has never done these things before.”

Chen Yu couldn’t help but glance at Xia Anran. From the way she dressed, she did seem like she came from a rural village. But at her age, she still lacked basic self-care skills?

His gaze unintentionally landed on the bandage on Xia Anran’s forehead, and his eyes flickered slightly. She was still injured—why didn’t she recover before reporting to the cultural troupe?

Commander Huo’s last name was Huo, and hers was Xia. They probably weren’t blood-related. But since Commander Huo and Aunt Liang valued her so much, she must have some close connection with them. It wouldn’t hurt to give her extra care.

These thoughts stayed in Chen Yu’s mind, but he showed nothing on his face. Instead, he gave Xia Anran a warm smile:

“Comrade Xia, welcome to the cultural troupe. I’m the instructor here, responsible for ideological work. If you need anything, feel free to come to me. For Aunt Liang’s sake, I’ll help however I can.”

Xia Anran noticed that Chen Yu had fair skin, sharp features, and gentle eyes. His smile was warm and approachable, and his words were reassuring. No wonder he was an instructor. She smiled back and said,

“Then I’ll have to thank Instructor Chen in advance.”

While they were talking, Liang Meijuan went over to Huo Zhenting and said,

“Old Huo, you stay here and chat with Regiment Commander Zhou. I’ll go check out Anran’s dormitory.”

When Regiment Commander Zhou heard that the commander’s wife was personally going to inspect the dormitory, he quickly instructed Chen Yu:

“Xiao Chen, take Comrade Xia to Dormitory 202. It’s quiet, has fewer people, and the conditions are better.”

Hearing this, Chen Yu suddenly felt a little worried for Xia Anran!