Chapter 28: High Spirits

Everyone looked at her in turn. “Xiuzhi, do you even know what this play is about?”

“Xiuzhi must know. After all, she has a middle school education.”

“Xiuzhi, why don’t you say something?”

Yu Xiuzhi couldn’t help straightening her chest. With her middle school education, she had always been considered highly educated in the family quarters.

Since Ran Jinnian had arrived at the family quarters, her beauty, stylish clothing, and high school education had immediately made her the center of attention.

She spoke proudly, “This kind of theatrical performance isn’t something just anyone can do—it requires professional actors.”

“Actors? Like the ones on TV?”

Yu Xiuzhi nodded. “Exactly.”

“Isn’t this ridiculous? Most of them can barely recognize a few of the big characters, and they’re supposed to perform a play?”

“They must be out of their minds.”

Everyone clicked their tongues in disbelief.

Yu Xiuzhi deliberately said loudly, “Thinking that just because you have a higher education you can do anything—this will only end up harming yourself and others.”

Ran Jinnian noticed Yu Xiuzhi and the others whispering together, not saying anything directly.

At that moment, although Yu Xiuzhi didn’t mention her name or her high school education, Ran Jinnian immediately understood she was being spoken about.

She waved her hand. “Where did this annoying fly come from, buzzing in my ear all the time?”

Yu Xiuzhi!!!!!

She could tell Ran Jinnian was scolding her.

But since her name hadn’t been mentioned, she could do nothing but endure it.

Everyone widened their eyes.

People from higher social classes really spoke with authority.

It seemed that not only was Lu Jinyuan difficult to deal with, but his wife was also not someone to be trifled with.

“Sisters-in-law, standing outside is tiring—let’s sit inside and chat.” Ran Jinnian ignored Yu Xiuzhi and led everyone into the house.

Once inside, they put the food they had brought into the kitchen.

“This kitchen is so clean. You can tell this girl pays attention to details.”

Everyone admired the tidy kitchen.

Ran Jinnian rolled up her sleeves. “Sisters-in-law, I’ll steam the rice. We’ll have lunch here.”

“That won’t do. We brought food for you, and then you’d eat it all yourself—that’s not fair.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

They stood up, ready to leave.

“You’ve brought so many dishes—I can’t possibly finish them by myself,” Ran Jinnian stopped them.

The dishes they had brought included fried tofu, tomatoes with sugar, boiled soybeans, and smashed cucumbers.

Food was scarce now, and meat was limited and rationed. Even for military families, getting two meals with meat in a month was considered a treat.

The others refused to stay behind. “This isn’t that much—it’s more than enough, and don’t forget, there’s also Commander Lu.”

“I wouldn’t want to write the script if you’re not staying—you’d end up sending me food and not eating it yourselves,” Ran Jinnian sighed slightly.

Everyone quickly said, “What are you talking about?”

“I’ll cook the rice.”

“I’ll help.”

Everyone eagerly offered to help.

Ran Jinnian barely had a chance to enter the kitchen, and in the end, the sisters-in-law steamed the rice themselves.

Ran Jinnian also made a vegetable soup and added a steamed egg.

No one ate the egg. “You’re pregnant—you need more nourishment.”

In those days, eggs were a prized food.

At the dining table, everyone ate happily.

After the meal, Ran Jinnian was sent out of the kitchen—they wouldn’t let her clean up.

Once finished, they sat together chatting again.

“I’ve already written most of the script. I should finish it tomorrow,” Ran Jinnian announced. Everyone cheered. “That’s great!”

“You’re amazing!”

Ran Jinnian handed the script to Yao Yurong, who was sitting closest. “Take a look and see if anything is wrong.”

“I only went to elementary school—I can’t read some of these characters,” Yao Yurong said sheepishly.

“I didn’t go to school.”

“I only attended a literacy class.”

“I only went to elementary school, too.”

Looking at the characters on the script, they all shook their heads.

Before they married, the country had been in turmoil. As girls, they had endless farm work at home.

In most rural areas, girls were lucky to finish elementary school.

“I’ll tell you about the story,” Ran Jinnian said quickly.

“Okay.”

Everyone sat neatly, like children.

“The story I wrote is called The Red Detachment of Women, set during the War of Resistance…”

The story depicted a group of female revolutionaries.

Their average age was under thirty, and for the peace of the country, they were determined and full of revolutionary spirit.

In the end, during the nation’s critical struggle, they fought courageously, unafraid of death, leaving behind stories that were heroic and moving.

After hearing this, everyone couldn’t help shedding tears.

“This story is written so beautifully.”

Yao Yurong wiped her tears.

“You’re incredible!” Everyone applauded Ran Jinnian.

Ran Jinnian spoke with conviction: “This isn’t just a story—it represents the countless women who fought during the War of Resistance.”

It wasn’t just fiction—it truly happened.

“But can we actually perform it?” Wang Xiaoli hesitated.

Chen Jinfeng, full of fighting spirit, said, “The Red Detachment of Women has been remembered for generations. Why shouldn’t we perform it? Is performing really scarier than war?”

“You sisters-in-law can definitely do it,” Ran Jinnian encouraged them.

After an excited discussion, seeing Ran Jinnian getting sleepy, they agreed on a time for tomorrow and then dispersed.

Back at the family quarters, news of Ran Jinnian writing the script spread quickly.

Many doubted it, thinking she and the others were being unrealistic.

Yu Xiuzhi had also organized a program, thinking that if Ran Jinnian could write a script, she could surely do something even better.

“Jinnian, that Yu Xiuzhi also made a program.”

By the stone mill in the family quarters, Zhou Hongying wiped Sandan’s nose with her hand, then grabbed a leaf to clean it further.

Ran Jinnian didn’t care what Yu Xiuzhi did—she only focused on herself.

“Sisters-in-law, do you want to perform?” Ran Jinnian teased Sandan.

“Me?”

Zhou Hongying froze for a moment, then quickly shook her head. “No, no.”

“They can all do it—why not you? You’re underestimating yourself,” Ran Jinnian encouraged her.

“I’m afraid with so many people watching.”

Zhou Hongying was cheerful but still a bit timid.

“Sisters-in-law, this is everyone’s first time. No matter how well we perform, just standing on the stage is a success.”

“Just standing on stage is a success.”

Zhou Hongying repeated this, her eyes shining. Then she sighed slightly. “But no one’s taking care of Sandan.”

“Sisters-in-law, I’ll watch Sandan for you.” Ran Jinnian could practice taking care of a child at the same time.

Zhou Hongying hesitated. “You’re pregnant—it might be inconvenient.”

“I’m not that delicate. I’ll watch Sandan.”

Ran Jinnian made the decision on the spot.

The third day.

The performance roster for the family quarters was placed on Du Ruofang’s desk. She picked up a copy casually. “Hmm…”