Chapter 2 More Trouble Arises

“Lu Jing, if you want to take care of Lin Shu and her mother for the rest of their lives, that’s your business. Go sacrifice yourself all you want, but don’t drag others into the mess—it’s disgusting.”

Zhao Yu finished speaking and turned away without looking back.

Behind a nearby tree, someone else was watching this little drama unfold with great interest.

“Well, who would’ve thought? The art troupe even has such a sharp-tongued comrade.”

Ye Heng slung an arm over Ning Songyi’s shoulder. “Could she be one of Aunt Fang’s people?”

Ning Songyi brushed his arm off, watched Zhao Yu’s departing figure in silence for a moment, then replied curtly, “Don’t know.”

“How could you not know? Didn’t Aunt Fang mention—”

Before Ye Heng could finish, he turned and saw that Ning Songyi had already walked off without him.

“Hey! Why didn’t you say anything before leaving!”

Ye Heng hurried after him, calling out as he ran. “I’m telling you, that comrade would definitely get along with your sister. If she really is part of Aunt Fang’s troupe, things are going to get lively!”

“Annoying.”

Unaware that someone had just witnessed her beating up a scumbag, Zhao Yu returned to the dorm feeling refreshed.

But just as she picked up her practice uniform, one of her roommates came running in, panting.

“Zhao Yu, the troupe Captain wants you in her office.”

The troupe Captain?

Zhao Yu frowned. In her past life, the Captain hadn’t summoned her on this day. What’s going on?

“I don’t know,” her roommate waved dismissively. “You’ll find out when you get there. Hurry up.”

With questions churning in her mind, Zhao Yu went to the troupe Captain’s office.

“Captain, you asked for me?”

He Fang gestured for her to sit. “Sit down, let’s talk.”

Puzzled, Zhao Yu sat on a stool.

He Fang handed her an enamel mug of sweetened water and two sealed envelopes.

“You want to give up your spot as lead dancer to Lin Shu? Let me tell you, this performance is very important, you should reconsider—”

Before she could finish, Zhao Yu almost choked to death on the sip of water she had just taken.

“Cough, cough… Captain, what did you just say? Who’s giving up the spot? Absolutely not!”

He Fang frowned at her reaction. “You’re not giving it up? Then what’s this?”

She opened one envelope, revealing an application.

Zhao Yu read it and felt her head about to explode.

“Captain, this replacement request wasn’t written by me.”

“Then who wrote it?” He Fang pointed at the signature. “Isn’t this your name?”

Zhao Yu clenched her fists, forcing herself to think back—then suddenly remembered something from long ago.

Two days ago, Lu Jing had said he was writing a letter home and asked her to jot down a short self-introduction.

Now it was clear—he had planned this all along. If she didn’t agree, he would simply imitate her handwriting and forge her signature before turning it in!

Her face went pale with anger. “Captain, that signature isn’t mine. It was Lu Jing. He copied my writing.”

He Fang had already heard some rumors about Zhao Yu and Lu Jing possibly being involved.

“Then what about this marriage application? Did you submit this one?”

She gestured for Zhao Yu to open the second envelope.

“I advise you to think carefully. You’re still young and the most capable in the troupe. Getting married now would really affect your future development.”

Zhao Yu unfolded the paper. The strokes of the handwriting—her youthful self’s writing—made her chest ache with bittersweet memory.

In her past life, He Fang had said the exact same words. But back then she had been so infatuated with Lu Jing that no advice could reach her.

And the result?

The kind of life she had lived afterward… only she knew the bitterness.

This time, without hesitation, Zhao Yu tore the marriage application in half.

“You—?” He Fang hadn’t expected her to be so decisive.

But seeing this promising comrade actually take her advice, satisfaction softened her stern expression.

Zhao Yu stood and bowed ninety degrees.

“Captain, you’re right. I’m not in any rush to get married. Submitting that report was just a moment of foolishness. Thank you for advising me.”

“That’s the right attitude!” He Fang held Zhao Yu’s hand and patted it gently. “You’re only twenty-one. There’s no need to rush. When you’re older, more stable, and promoted, you’ll have plenty of opportunities.”

Zhao Yu nodded. “I understand, Captain.”

“Good. Then I’ll pretend I never saw that report. And as for the lead dancer position—don’t bring it up again. Remember to stay sharp, alright?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I only called you here for this. These next few days you have off. Since it’s your first time in our military district, go out and explore.”

“Yes!” Zhao Yu saluted and turned to leave.

But at the doorway she paused, glanced toward a nearby corner suspiciously, then finally walked away.

Once her footsteps faded, He Fang calmly blew across her tea and said, “Come in.”

Ye Heng pushed the door open with a grin. “Aunt Fang.”

“You two dared to eavesdrop outside my door? Want me to make you write a self-criticism?” He Fang’s tone was stern.

“Aunt Fang, you told me to come, and I just happened to overhear.”

Ye Heng laughed cheekily. “Otherwise, how would I dare listen in? Please let us off just this once?”

“You rascal.” He Fang tapped him lightly.

“You’re not young anymore—when will you learn to act mature? Your mother even asked me recently to find you a wife. But with this attitude, which girl would ever want you?”

At the mention of “mother,” Ye Heng’s smile instantly turned mocking. “I don’t need her worrying about me. She’d be better off minding her own business.”

Then he stretched lazily, leaning back on the sofa, tone returning to casual.

“Besides, I’ll be heading up to Heilongjiang soon. Don’t trouble yourself, Aunt Fang. If there really is a good match, save her for your own son—wouldn’t that be perfect?”

As he said this, he nudged Ning Songyi with his elbow. “Doesn’t he still need a wife?”

Ning Songyi shot him a glare. “I don’t need one.”

“He’s not in any hurry,” He Fang said with a faint smile. “And his grandfather already said he’ll oversee Songyi’s marriage himself.”

She knew her son had grown up mostly under his grandfather’s care, distant from her and her husband. If she pushed too hard, he would only pull further away.

Instead, it was Ye Heng—practically raised by her—that worried her more.

“So, you’re going to look after Old Master Ye? All the paperwork’s settled?”

“Of course. So, Aunt Fang, don’t busy yourself. Who knows, maybe by the time the old man and I come back, a wife will have dropped from the sky.”