“Welcome to all the leaders, comrades, and accompanying family members of the Northwestern Military Region. First, let us invite Brigade Commander Zhao Anyang to the stage to deliver a speech and share some revolutionary guidance!”
A warm spotlight fell precisely on Zhao Anyang as he appeared for the first time.
Wang Hu, who had been waiting nearby, quickly moved the camera forward with sharp awareness.
The leaders seated in the front row watched Zhao Anyang rise proudly, unable to suppress a hint of envy.
It seemed they needed to work harder to climb higher.
Looking at Zhao’s smug expression, they hadn’t expected the art troupe to be so good at arranging things—they all wanted such a moment in the spotlight.
The cameraman, perceptive as ever, followed Zhao Anyang onto the stage and then turned the camera toward the front row, giving each leader a close-up shot.
The leaders: ……
Good thing their jealous eye-rolls had already passed.
Huang Guishan also felt a sudden chill. Fortunately, discipline in their military region was strict, so no embarrassing expressions had been captured.
Thinking this, he unconsciously straightened his posture.
Wang Hu’s back was drenched in cold sweat. Facing these stern, imposing figures up close for the first time made his legs weak.
But he trusted Captain Li—he would capture an unprecedented, perfect performance.
As the camera swept across the second row, Li Chengyun’s dark eyes grew thoughtful. He found himself looking forward to the young girl’s performance.
While the brigade commander spoke passionately on stage, Li Chengyun’s gaze drifted toward the waiting performers.
He didn’t see Li Yang.
So she must be waiting offstage on the right?
A hint of disappointment crossed his face as he stared at Huang Guishan’s slightly balding head blocking his view.
Sensing the gaze, Huang Guishan suddenly turned.
???
Li Chengyun?
Why was he staring like that?
Huang Guishan touched the back of his head, confused.
Still, he shifted slightly to the side to avoid blocking the view.
Unfortunately, this only made things worse.
Li Chengyun was speechless.
After the speech concluded, Li Meng and a male colleague from the publicity department began hosting the program.
The stage lights went dark, then illuminated the audience area.
In moments, a four-tier platform was set up.
Female performers in uniform entered from both sides. Li Chengyun immediately spotted Li Yang, who took her place on the top tier.
From his angle, he could only see half of her head.
Cheng Miaoxin entered last, raising her hands confidently to conduct.
At that moment, she felt like the center of the world, basking in everyone’s attention.
She clearly enjoyed it—so much so that even after the music ended, her hands remained raised.
The lights dimmed again, and Li Meng returned to the stage with a smile.
“Did that performance stir your memories of your first journey to the army? Up next, we have an even more exciting dance—The Red Detachment of Women! Let’s welcome the dancers with applause!”
Thunderous applause erupted.
Warm yellow lights illuminated the stage again as the dancers appeared.
The third program was Cheng Miaoxin’s harmonica solo—a love song from Northern Su. She was confident the soldiers had never heard it before.
She performed confidently, but the atmosphere remained lukewarm.
After a light joke from the host, the audience politely applauded.
Following a short skit, it was finally time for Li Yang’s first performance.
A classical water-sleeve dance.
She had invited two troupe members skilled in flute and xiao to accompany her.
Since arriving in this world, Li Yang realized it differed greatly from her original one—many famous songs and dances simply didn’t exist here.
So she chose a fast-paced piece and introduced a modern classic, allowing them to perform it freely in the future.
A warm spotlight fell at center stage.
Dressed in a flowing red gown, Li Yang raised her arms. Her long white sleeves swept through the air—red and white, motion and stillness intertwined.
From the very first moment, the visual impact was stunning.
Everyone recognized her as the fierce girl from earlier—the one who had taken on the military’s top female fighters.
But they hadn’t expected someone so formidable to dance with such grace and beauty.
Under a single spotlight, the music began—flute and xiao weaving together.
Her movements transported the audience to another world, as if they were witnessing ancient scenes come to life.
When she exited, the applause was long and unceasing.
The contrast was stark, and Cheng Miaoxin’s frustration deepened.
Li Yang had arranged Jiang Xue’s performance right after hers. As she stepped off stage, she gave her a hug.
“See? It’s not that hard. Just relax.”
Perhaps inspired by Li Yang’s performance—or comforted by the embrace—Jiang Xue delivered an unexpectedly flawless folk song.
Due to costume changes, Li Yang had little time.
After changing back into uniform and completing a group dance, she needed to prepare for her next solo: Jasmine Flower.
As she stepped backstage, Jiang Xue rushed over with tears in her eyes.
“Yangyang, something’s wrong!”
Li Yang’s expression changed. “What happened?”
Jiang Xue choked up. “Your costume… it’s ruined!”
Chen Lili, already uneasy, came backstage—and heard everything.
“Xue, what happened to the clothes?”
Taking the damaged costumes, her face darkened with anger.
She hadn’t expected someone within their own troupe to act so foolishly—using such an occasion for personal revenge.
She resolved to investigate thoroughly later.
“Li Yang, what do we do now?”
Li Yang took the clothes.
The remaining pieces were nothing but torn scraps—completely unusable.