Chapter 30: Rehearsals

The very day Ran Jinnian arrived at the military families’ compound, Lu Jinyuan had already notified everyone to come for a meal.

Since he was on leave, it was only natural for him to take care of hosting.

Ran Jinnian realized that going into town to buy supplies the day after tomorrow would be too rushed. “Do you still have a car to return after work tomorrow?”

When hosting a meal, one couldn’t rely on items from the space.

“I’ll be off work by then, but tomorrow Chief of Staff Liu has to go back into town. We can take his car.”

Lu Jinyuan had already made arrangements.

“How many tables should we prepare?” Ran Jinnian asked.

He had already thought it through: “At least two, but we should prepare three.”

New families had recently arrived at the compound, so hosting meals was common, but it also depended on relationships—not everyone needed to be invited.

Still, when hosting, it was better to prepare a little extra to avoid embarrassment if the food ran out.

“Then let’s prepare a little more.”

“We can borrow tables from Sister-in-law Zhou,” Lu Jinyuan suggested.

That was how everyone usually did it.

“I’ll write a menu tomorrow to make the shopping easier,” Ran Jinnian said. She had already finished writing the script, so she’d have a relaxed schedule afterward.

Lu Jinyuan, concerned she might take items from the space, said, “Don’t take anything from the space. The guests include the Political Commissar and the Chief of Staff, plus two children of officers—they’ll notice if anything’s off.”

“I know,” Ran Jinnian replied. Ever since she had been exposed in front of Lu Jinyuan, she was extremely careful.

After discussing things for a while longer, they finally lay down to rest.

Lu Jinyuan, accustomed to doing prenatal education exercises, was becoming more and more skilled.

The next day.

The broadcast sounded again: “Military family members, please submit your program lists and proceed to the first meeting room immediately.”

Although Ran Jinnian had written the script, she wasn’t performing, so she hadn’t planned on going.

Before long, Yao Yurong and a few others walked over. “Jinnian, are you going to the meeting?”

They had grown increasingly familiar in recent days and were getting along well.

“I’m not going. You go ahead.”

They then called for Zhou Hongying, who had already joined their group, along with two new family members.

“Just tell me what they say when you come back,” Zhou Hongying said. She had three children and was usually busy with household chores.

“Okay, we’ll go.”

After everyone left, Zhou Hongying leaned on the courtyard wall and said, “Why is the cultural troupe having another meeting? Could it be they’re canceling the family performance?”

“Probably not. They’ll know once they come back,” Ran Jinnian replied. She didn’t continue the topic. “Sister-in-law Zhou, the night after tomorrow, bring the children to my house for dinner.”

“I’ll come early to help,” Zhou Hongying said, suddenly understanding.

“I’ll also need to borrow some tables from your place.”

“Use whatever you need from my house.”

Since arriving at the compound, Zhou Hongying had been the sister-in-law Ran Jinnian got along with best.

They chatted a little more, then went about their own business.

Ran Jinnian thought about going into town in the afternoon, even though she would be leaving the next day. Still, she prepared herself.

Towels, toothbrushes, and other toiletries had to be packed.

In her previous life, she had once stayed at a guesthouse that only provided bedding—nothing else.

She pulled out a military green backpack from the space and packed everything.

An hour later, Yao Yurong and the others returned from the meeting.

“What did Director Du say?” Zhou Hongying asked.

Huang Pingping answered, “Director Du said all the program lists submitted were good, and she couldn’t choose immediately. She told us to rehearse on our own, then perform it for her so she could select the one to go on stage.”

Ran Jinnian had guessed roughly the same. After all, only one program could represent the families, but many wanted to perform, forming several teams.

“I thought only a few people would participate, but turns out quite a few are involved,” Wang Xiaoli said in surprise.

Zhou Hongying was unsurprised. “Regardless of performance quality, this is a matter of family honor and a chance to give our men face.”

“But how are we supposed to perform this play?” Chen Jinfeng asked, and everyone looked at each other, clueless.

Indeed.

There was a story, but they had no idea how to act it out.

Yao Yurong slapped her thigh. “Jinnian, you know about plays and can write stories. Why don’t you direct us?”

“Cough, cough, cough.”

Ran Jinnian, drinking water, choked in surprise.

What?!

They wanted her to direct the play.

She could write stories, yes—but directing a play? She had no idea how to do that.

Zhou Hongying quickly patted her back. “Drink slowly.”

Ran Jinnian set the cup down. “Sister-in-laws, I can only write stories. I really don’t know how to direct this play.”

“Jinnian, you wrote such a good story. Do you want it to go to waste?” Yao Yurong argued reasonably.

Ran Jinnian had spent a lot of time poring over books and crafting this story. Of course, she wanted the Red Female Soldiers to perform it. Whatever the result, she would be happy.

“You’ll be our director, and we’ll perform seriously,” Yao Yurong said.

“Why not try? What if you can do it?”

“You encouraged us, so why say you can’t?”

Everyone trusted Ran Jinnian completely.

In their eyes, she was well-educated and could write stories—she could certainly handle directing.

Ran Jinnian, now filled with motivation, said, “Okay, but I’m not the sole director. We’re all directors together.”

Everyone felt truly reassured, thinking Ran Jinnian was incredibly generous.

“Then let’s start this afternoon,” Yao Yurong suggested.

Everyone was full of energy. They agreed to meet at Ran Jinnian’s house every afternoon at 2 PM for three-hour rehearsals.

At noon.

Ran Jinnian cooked a bowl of beef noodles in the space. After eating, she rested.

When she woke up, everyone had arrived.

It was the first day of rehearsal, and spirits were high—but there was a challenge.

They didn’t fully recognize characters, so rehearsing was difficult.

Ran Jinnian thought for a moment. “I’ll simplify the dialogue. You just need to know what to say and do.”

The story began with young women from the countryside. To protect the Red Army, they bravely fought the enemy.

Eventually, the enemy captured the Red Female Soldiers. To force them to reveal the Red Army’s location, the soldiers were subjected to brutal torture.

Yet they faced it fearlessly, courageously confronting the enemy to protect their comrades.

After a long while—learning lines and adding facial expressions—they realized how challenging performing this play would be.

But driven by their determination, everyone worked hard to overcome it.

The first day of rehearsal wasn’t rushed—they simply got accustomed to the process.

After practice, Ran Jinnian reminded them about the upcoming meal for guests the next day and borrowed three tables.

Everyone readily agreed.

Once they left her courtyard, news of the play spread throughout the compound.

“Those girls are really going to perform a play? They must be crazy.”

“Do they even know their limits? They try everything.”

“Hilarious.”

Everyone laughed quietly among themselves.