Chapter 37

That afternoon, Mrs. Lan from next door invited Hu Xiu to the back mountain to dig for wild vegetables.

Lin Ting, who had just taken a nap, was about to go to the preschool. She volunteered to take the twins to school instead.

Tang Wenlan waved her hand. “No rush for wild vegetables. Let’s go together.”

There are no secrets in the compound, especially today. The students who strongly believed that “evil cannot defeat good” went home and proudly told their parents about their actions.

As a result, Tang Wenlan heard about the incident at school from military spouses she knew. Now that she saw someone involved, she had to ask more questions.

After listening to Lin Ting’s account, Tang Wenlan, who already had a low opinion of Ding Feiyan, looked down on her even more. Then, as if remembering something, she glanced around cautiously before lowering her voice. “My husband, Xing, said that Deputy Chief of Staff Fang is aging, and his abilities are mediocre. If he continues causing trouble, he might be on the list for transfer in October.”

At first, Lin Ting didn’t grasp the implication, but when she met Tang Wenlan’s meaningful gaze, she suddenly understood. “You mean… a career change?”

Tang Wenlan nodded. “He’s not capable enough, and his political awareness is lacking. If not him, then who?”

This wasn’t surprising. Fang Shuigen and Ding Feiyan were probably aware of it too. Otherwise, their family wouldn’t be so anxious about competing for the chief of staff position.

Lin Ting didn’t think highly of the couple, so she wasn’t interested in their career changes. What she did care about was Fang Cuihua’s future.

Initially, she thought there was no rush since the girl was only 14 and she could slowly persuade her to join the art troupe. But now, time was running out.

If Fang Shuigen was truly going to be transferred by year-end, helping the girl would become much harder.

With this in mind, Lin Ting discussed the matter with Gu Fang when they arrived at school. She didn’t know much about art troupe recruitment or whether special enrollment was possible.

Fortunately, Gu Fang, who had previously served in an art troupe, immediately nodded. “There are special recruitments, and 14 isn’t too young. I can contact my former troupe and ask.”

Lin Ting felt relieved. “Don’t ask yet. I’ll talk to Fang Cuihua first. I don’t know if she’s willing.”

“Why wouldn’t she be?” Gu Fang wondered but kept quiet. She only sighed and said, “You really worry a lot.”

Lin Ting smiled. “Being a teacher isn’t just about teaching subjects.”

Hearing this, Gu Fang, who had always taken her job lightly, was stunned. At that moment, she realized why Lin Ting carefully prepared lesson plans every night and reflected on each class. She was wholeheartedly devoted to educating students. Meanwhile, Gu Fang had simply been going through the motions.

Lin Ting had no idea that her dedication had inspired her friend to reflect.

During the afternoon break in choir practice, Lin Ting took Fang Cuihua aside to discuss the art troupe.

Fang Cuihua looked confused. What happened at school that morning had reached her parents by noon. They were not only worried about offending Political Commissar Liu but also angry at her for embarrassing them in the compound.

As punishment, they forbade her from eating, and now she was lightheaded with hunger. When she heard her English teacher’s words, she was stunned.

Then, excitement surged through her. Her first thought wasn’t about her future. At 14, she had limited experience and never considered it. She only knew that joining the army meant leaving her parents.

That was the best outcome she could imagine!

However, her joy faded quickly, and her expression dimmed.

Lin Ting, noticing her hesitation, asked, “Are you afraid your parents won’t agree?”

Fang Cuihua shook her head, hesitated, and finally admitted, “If I leave… what about my sister?” Her sister was only 10. If she left, what would happen to her?

Lin Ting’s gaze softened. She gently touched the girl’s dry hair and praised, “You’re a good sister.”

Fang Cuihua, rarely praised in her life, blushed, her eyes lighting up. No one had ever complimented her before, except for her singing.

Seeing this, Lin Ting ruffled her hair again, then patiently explained, “Your concerns are valid. But instead of staying home, wouldn’t it be better to work hard? When you become excellent, you’ll have a voice in your family. Even if your parents don’t change, with a stable job and salary, you can do a lot—including helping your sister.”

Fang Cuihua wasn’t just young; she was intelligent. No one had ever told her there was another path. Now that she knew, she started thinking seriously.

Lin Ting reassured her, “No rush. Think it over. If you decide to go, Teacher Gu Fang will write a recommendation letter. We’ll handle the rest.”

With that, she asked the girl to wait and went to the classroom to fetch some snacks. She had heard the girl’s stomach growling earlier.

Not wanting to hurt her pride, Lin Ting simply smiled and said, “The mung bean cakes inside are homemade. Try them and tell me if they taste good.”

After handing them over, she ruffled the girl’s hair once more and walked away.

Fang Cuihua stood frozen, clutching the snacks tightly. After a long moment, she looked down, her tears falling silently.

Commendation conferences ^[1]ceremonies held to recognize outstanding soldiers. were routine events. The soldiers knew the process well, and even their families weren’t surprised. Still, since there weren’t many entertainment options, it was a good opportunity to enjoy a gathering—especially since many children from military families would perform.

Hu Xiu, attending such an event for the first time, was full of anticipation. He kept checking his watch, afraid of missing anything.

Tang Wenlan patiently reassured him, “It’s all based on timing. If we go now, we’ll just be listening to the leaders’ speeches. It’s the same every time—boring. Aunt Xiu, trust me.”

As expected, when Tang Wenlan said “almost” and led Hu Xiu and the children to the playground, the announcer had just stepped onto the simple stage.

Hu Xiu followed Tang Wenlan to the family area in the front right row, but her eyes kept scanning the crowd. She didn’t see her daughter-in-law, but her son was sitting in the first row, tilting his head as he listened to the brigade commander speak.

Seeing Hu Xiu looking around, Tang Wenlan pulled her to sit down and said, “Tingting is probably in the tent watching the children.” As she spoke, she picked up Guoguo and placed him on her lap.

She actually wanted to hold Miaomiao, but the little girl wasn’t comfortable with strangers.

“Oh, of course! Tingting must be busy right now,” Hu Xiu said, lightly slapping her forehead before sitting down next to Tang Wenlan, holding Miaomiao on her lap.

At that moment, the first performance began.

It was the model opera Sha Jia Bang ^[2]refers to a revolutionary opera from China’s Cultural Revolution.. Hu Xiu loved these operas, so she immediately focused all her attention on the stage.

Meanwhile, in a makeshift tent, the students preparing for their performance had finished getting ready.

A row of white shirts and military pants filled the space. If a student didn’t have a white shirt, boys borrowed their fathers’, and girls borrowed their mothers’. If that wasn’t an option, they borrowed from close relatives.

Lin Ting and Gu Fang applied makeup to the children, giving their cheeks a rosy glow. Of course, they didn’t go overboard; they simply enhanced the children’s features in a way that fit the era’s aesthetics.

The final look was quite impressive.

Not only did the students, unused to dressing this way, find it novel, but the military families eagerly waiting outside also beamed with pride. Their sons and daughters looked distinguished, bringing honor to their families.

Finally, the junior high school choir took the stage, eagerly anticipated by all the parents.

Lin Ting and Gu Fang, the organizing teachers, stepped out. Instead of joining the audience in the family area, they stood to the side of the stage for last-minute checks.

Huo Xiao, sitting in the front row, looked over when his wife appeared.

Today, she wore a dark gray Lenin suit. Her usual braids were now pinned up, revealing her slender, fair neck, making her already striking features even more charming.

Huo Xiao had never seen her like this before. He couldn’t help but follow her gaze.

Sensing something, Lin Ting turned and smiled at her husband, her peach-blossom eyes full of warmth. Huo Xiao, looking especially handsome in his military cap, was just about to smile back when he heard gasps behind him.

Whispers followed:

“The leader’s wife is so beautiful.”

“Yes, I’ve never seen anyone so stunning.”

“And she’s highly educated.”

“I heard she has a great personality. She greets every soldier who visits with a smile.”

“I wonder if she has a younger sister.”

Huo Xiao’s face darkened.

Just as he was about to turn around and give them a warning glare, a melodious singing voice filled the air.

The entire audience, no matter what they had been doing, turned their attention toward the stage, captivated by the pure, soul-stirring voice.

Lin Ting’s gaze fell on Fang Cuihua, the girl in the center, dressed in a white shirt and rose-red urea-belted trousers ^[3]a common synthetic fabric used in clothing during that era..

Pride welled up in Lin Ting’s heart.

She thought, This is the joy of being a teacher.

Cultivating, discovering, guiding—each step brought happiness.

Fang Cuihua was born for the stage.

That day, the entire brigade’s cheers gave her the confidence to step onto a professional stage in the future.

The junior high school department’s performance was a clear success, fully deserving of its finale slot.

The lead singer’s voice was so breathtaking that even those who didn’t understand music were amazed.

No one was more shocked than Fang Cuihua’s parents, Fang Shuigen and Ding Feiyan.

They had never realized their eldest daughter could look so beautiful after dressing up.

They had never known she could sing so well.

They hadn’t even known she was the lead singer.

Even after the performance ended and praise continued to flow, Fang Shuigen and Ding Feiyan were still in disbelief.

That confident, talented girl… was this really Daya? 

Lin Ting, unaware of their turmoil and uninterested in their thoughts, returned to the tent. She smiled, praised her students, and gave them permission to move freely.

No matter how exciting performances were, nothing was as thrilling to young people as free time.

As expected, the moment Lin Ting announced the disbandment, the students scattered joyfully.

Even Fang Cuihua, who had wanted to speak with her teacher, was pulled away by laughing classmates.

Seeing this, Lin Ting’s mood lifted as well.

But as the tension of organizing the event faded, exhaustion set in.

She massaged her temples and said to her friend, “I’m a little tired. I’ll head back directly later. What about you?”

“You go first, I’ll wait for my brother, Rong Xuan, to go back together,” Gu Fang said, slumping in her seat and waving her hand.

She was exhausted. This was her first time handling such a task, and she had been tense the entire time, worried about possible mistakes. Now that she had completed it successfully, she still felt uneasy.

Hearing this, Lin Ting picked up her bag, said goodbye to Gu Fang, and walked out of the tent.

When she saw her husband, she walked over and asked, “Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be with the brigade commander and the political commissar ^[4]military officer responsible for political education and organization.?”

Huo Xiao handed her a bag and replied, “No need. We could have left earlier anyway. Are we heading home?”

Lin Ting looked towards the family area. “I just saw our mother and the children. Let’s call them to come along.”

Huo Xiao agreed and led his wife toward his mother. He glanced at Lin Ting’s face occasionally, feeling that she had lost some weight.

The children noticed their parents.

Qiqi let go of Grandma’s hand and rushed over.

Miaomiao wanted to jump into her mother’s arms but remembered at the last moment that she was older and heavier now, so she changed direction.

She raised her hands and said, “Dad, hug me!”

Seeing this, Guoguo took her mother’s hand.

Since Miaomiao wanted to be carried, Huo Xiao naturally obliged. He lifted her into his arms and teased, “You want to be carried again? Can’t you walk by yourself?”

Miaomiao replied seriously, “I walked here, and my feet are tired.”

Huo Xiao chuckled, knowing she just wanted attention.

Tang Wenlan, standing nearby with Hu Xiu, saw the family of four and couldn’t help but admire them. “Huo Tuan and Ting Ting are such a perfect match.”

Hu Xiu smiled at the compliment and responded, “Isn’t your husband, Political Commissar Xing, a good man too?”

Tang Wenlan immediately pulled a face. Just thinking of her husband’s round face… never mind!

Hu Xiu turned to her daughter-in-law and said happily, “Ting Ting, after you went to school this afternoon, I called home. Meihua said your second brother is coming to Tianjin on a business trip. He should arrive the day after tomorrow.”

Lin Ting’s eyes lit up. “Really?”