Chapter 10: Hidden Depths

The General Arts Troupe was top-notch both in professional skill and resource allocation. If Deputy Director Zhong personally extended an olive branch, it was hard for anyone to refuse.

This was also why Political Commissar Zheng was certain they couldn’t keep Shen Nanqing.

To be honest, he personally wanted to keep her. After all, someone who could choreograph, compose music, and perform was a rare talent—even in the troupe full of gifted people, there

“Has something happened to her?” Song Huaiwen felt a pang in his heart. Images of the difficulties she might be facing flashed through his mind, and worried words slipped out.

Political Commissar Zheng raised an eyebrow, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. He had heard about this younger brother of old Song—a supposedly steady and reliable man—so why did mentioning Shen Nanqing make him so flustered?

Could they know each other privately? No, that couldn’t be. He had heard old Song complain more than once that his younger brother was cursed to stay single, stubbornly refusing to find a partner.

Song Huaizhi also noticed her brother acting unusual today, but the odd feeling quickly passed.

“Old Zheng, have a seat. What exactly happened?” Song Huaizhi poured him a glass of water and sat down opposite him. “Why suddenly can’t we keep her?”

Political Commissar Zheng took two long sips from his enamel cup, then carefully recounted the troubling situation.

“Are you sure this isn’t a mistake?” Song Huaizhi couldn’t believe it. Shen Nanqing was someone she had personally recruited. Such a talented choreographer and composer—how had she not noticed anything, not even the slightest clue?

“It’s absolutely true. Li Zhen and Su Xiangqin told me themselves—can they lie?”

Song Huaizhi sat up straighter, a trace of regret on her face. “I was negligent before—I almost buried her talent.”

“She’s your recruit. See if you can find a way to keep her,” Political Commissar Zheng said after some thought, cautiously probing, “You know, our troupe has been mediocre for years, no outstanding achievements, and we really need talent.”

“I think what you’re doing is very improper,” Song Huaiwen, who had been listening quietly, interrupted.

He stood tall and firm like a pine tree, his entire demeanor tense, his tone serious: “She’s a thinking person. The path she should take in the future should be her own choice. You want my sister to persuade her? Isn’t that using friendship as leverage to force her to compromise?”

Song Huaiwen’s words were like snowmelt in the dead of winter, instantly dousing the fiery passion in Political Commissar Zheng’s heart.

Indeed, it was selfish. Friendship wasn’t a bargaining chip, talent shouldn’t be constrained, and she belonged on a bigger stage.

The next day, the news that Xu Ruyan, Li Zhen, and Liu An would be sent for intensive training at the General Arts Troupe spread like wildfire throughout the entire troupe.

Xu Ruyan, sporting two dark circles under her eyes, listened numbly to the congratulations, her mouth burning with several canker sores—she truly had no words for her bitterness.

She knew she was completely finished. After losing face in front of so many leaders yesterday, her future was now a mere illusion.

It was all Shen Nanqing’s fault. That woman hid her true intentions too well. She was definitely deliberately concealing things from her. Xu Ruyan hated herself for letting her lose the chance to shine and suspected that was why Shen Nanqing privately helped those two useless people.

Before daily training began, Director Song called Li Zhen, Su Xiangqin, and Liu An to the center of the stage to congratulate them on their outstanding results and asked Li Zhen and Su Xiangqin to reenact their performance from yesterday.

Xu Ruyan stood among the crowd below the stage. She knew her judgment was about to begin. The scrutinizing gazes were like leeches clinging to her bones, nails digging into her palms to keep calm—she had not yet completely lost.

She still has Ling Haoxuan, and also Song…

She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and kept a gentle smile on her face.

Song Huaizhi had only heard Old Zheng’s report yesterday, but after watching the scene in person today, the shock on her face grew stronger and lingered for a long time. Her gaze landed on Shen Nanqing with complicated emotions as she murmured, “This girl really hides her talent well!”

After Shen Nanqing unleashed her trump card, she thought the leaders would call her in for a talk, but the situation surprisingly calmed down.

The cafeteria was as lively as ever.

Yesterday, Jian Yan had bragged a lot in the dorm, but today, she got a reality check from Xu Ruyan.

Jian Yan sat heavily in front of Xu Ruyan with her lunchbox, her tone resentful: “You clearly didn’t pass, so why didn’t you tell me? I was bragging about you to others—what a disgrace.”

“I never said I passed. You just kept talking for yourself without giving me a chance to speak,” Xu Ruyan said, looking pitiful and delicate. “I didn’t sleep well all last night, afraid everyone would misunderstand me because of what you said.”

Jian Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief: “You’re saying all the misunderstanding is my fault?”

Xu Ruyan bit her lower lip in grievance, her eyes misty. “That’s not what I mean. It’s all my fault. I wasn’t well yesterday, which made me perform poorly and let you down. You’re right to blame me. After I failed, I was down and didn’t correct you in time, which embarrassed you—I’m really sorry.”

With that, tears slid down her cheeks, looking utterly pitiful.

Originally, people thought Xu Ruyan was vain and taking credit for others’ work, but her attitude did a complete 180-degree turn and many expressed understanding.

She performed badly because she was unwell. It was normal to be distracted after failing. Besides, she never claimed she was selected—it was Jian Yan’s big mouth spreading rumors without knowing the facts, and now she was turning around to blame Xu Ruyan.

Faced with the dissatisfied gazes around her, Jian Yan felt speechless, while Xu Ruyan kept up her innocent act and quietly dodged all responsibility.

Ling Zhen, who had watched the whole thing, couldn’t help but admire Xu Ruyan’s skill.

“Do you want to know what happened to Xu Ruyan on stage yesterday?” Ling Zhen casually leaned over to Shen Nanqing, eyes sparkling.

Without lifting her eyelids, Shen Nanqing replied coldly, “Not interested.”

She didn’t want to hear it, but Ling Zhen was even more eager to talk. She sat down beside her and whispered, “Xu Ruyan’s performance yesterday was unbearably terrible. She never hit a single beat correctly, and her movements were full of mistakes. The judges in the audience were stunned, thinking she must have gotten in through connections. Deputy Director Zhong publicly scolded her without mercy. I bet she’ll become infamous in the entire military district soon.”

What Ling Zhen didn’t say was that at first, Deputy Director Zhong thought Xu Ruyan was their troupe’s legitimate dancer, and while criticizing Xu Ruyan, he also disparaged their troupe’s dancers as being only nominal, saying the choreography and music were obviously stolen. It was only thanks to Commissar Zheng stepping in that the misunderstanding was cleared up.

She kept this part secret, fearing it would bring bad luck to Shen Nanqing—like trouble falling from the sky while sitting at home.

“That shouldn’t be! Her skill level shouldn’t make such big mistakes,” Shen Nanqing said confusedly.

Ling Zhen sneered, “What should or shouldn’t be? She’s just jealous—seeing us perform well made her crazy with envy.”

“Then she won’t last long in the troupe,” Shen Nanqing concluded.