Li Yang signaled for everyone to let go of her, then looked at Chen Lili with a hint of guilt, about to speak.
“I was the one who hit them. I’m willing to—”
“No need to say more!”
Chen Lili interrupted her.
From behind, Li Yao watched Chen Lili’s stern expression and thought Li Yang was finally in trouble for causing a scene in the military camp…
Li Yang, however, didn’t regret making a move in such a place. Everything had its cause and effect. At worst, she would just be expelled from the art troupe.
Chen Lili looked at Li Yang with a complicated expression. Honestly, she hadn’t expected the girl to start fighting so suddenly.
But… it was actually pretty impressive.
Today’s conflict hadn’t been started by the art troupe girls, so Chen Lili wasn’t worried.
As the leading representative of the Nancheng Art Troupe, she couldn’t show weakness. If she couldn’t handle it, she could always escalate—after all, Director Jiang was still backing her.
All fifty-plus members of the troupe marched straight to the military command headquarters.
Since it was after working hours, only the guards were on duty outside the office building.
Two sentries stepped forward to stop them.
“Comrades, please stop! This is a restricted area.”
Chen Lili walked up and showed her ID.
“Comrade, I am the person in charge of the Nancheng Art Troupe. Please contact your internal line—I need to see your highest-ranking leader, Brigade Commander Zhao Anyang.”
Every soldier in the region knew how hard it had been to bring the Nancheng Art Troupe to this remote area. They had just arrived yesterday—why were they now here in such an aggressive manner?
The sentries exchanged glances. With fifty to sixty people gathered, they couldn’t make the decision themselves.
They quickly reported the matter to the duty squad leader.
“What? The art troupe wants to see the brigade commander?”
“But the commander left for Beicheng three days ago. Tell them to come back later—”
“What? Dozens of them? Looks like they’re here to cause trouble?”
The squad leader’s expression darkened. Not daring to delay, he immediately called Commissar Huang Guishan.
Huang Guishan had just washed his lunchbox and was about to take a nap when the phone rang urgently.
“Hello? Duty office?”
“Speak!”
“What? The art troupe is demanding to see the commander? Something serious happened?”
His brows furrowed.
“Alright, I understand. Bring them to the meeting room. I’ll be there immediately.”
The dormitory wasn’t far, and he arrived within minutes.
The squad leader greeted him. “Commissar!”
“Do we know what happened?”
“They just went in. The women’s mess hall reported a conflict—there was a fight. The troupe members were so angry they didn’t even eat…”
Huang Guishan nearly lost his breath.
Their female soldiers had beaten these delicate performers?
Conditions here were harsh. Soldiers rarely saw entertainment. It had taken multiple requests to get a troupe to come.
Now, on their very first day, they were treated like this?
If Zhao Anyang returned and found out, Huang Guishan would be in serious trouble.
His expression turned cold.
“Notify the female soldiers—have them assemble at the training ground immediately and stand at attention!”
“Yes, Commissar!”
At the meeting room door, Huang Guishan forced a smile.
He looked at the short-haired woman leading the group.
“You must be Minister Chen from the art troupe. Apologies—Commander Zhao is away at a meeting. I am Commissar Huang Guishan.”
“I should have come earlier to greet you. You must be tired from the journey—are you adjusting well?”
Seeing their grim expressions, he tried to lighten the mood.
Chen Lili stood and saluted.
“Commissar Huang, I am Chen Lili.”
“Thank you for your concern. This is our duty—it’s not hard.”
“However, something very unpleasant happened half an hour ago. Please watch our recording before we discuss further.”
“If your military region truly has objections to us and doesn’t welcome us, I will call our director immediately and take everyone back.”
She spoke first, cutting off any attempt at mediation.
She had already confirmed with Wang Hu that everything had been recorded.
The meeting room had a projection screen. Wang Hu inserted the tape into the player.
Huang Guishan’s face darkened.
He saw footage of their female soldiers pointing, mocking, and ridiculing the troupe members from the moment they entered the mess hall.
Calling them improper?
These so-called “proper” soldiers were quick to fight—but could they sing or dance?
He was speechless.
The troupe members had clearly heard the insults but chose not to respond.
Then came the escalation.
The female soldiers, used to being accommodated, believed they held higher status.
Seeing the troupe carrying crates of soda and not fighting back, they grew bolder.
Several troublemakers rushed into the crowd and openly grabbed the drinks.
Huang Guishan’s face flushed with anger.
This was a serious violation—his soldiers were acting like bandits.