Zhao Wanrou thought for a moment, then shook her head.
“I haven’t heard anything. When I went to visit your grandmother a few days ago, your uncle didn’t mention anything happening at the art troupe either. He’s even old classmates with the troupe leader!”
Hearing this, Li Yang’s eyes lit up.
“Alright, I’ll go ask my uncle myself when the time comes.”
Over the past couple of days, Li Qinghui had no mind for work, focusing instead on pleasing his wife and daughter at home.
“Yangyang, when are you going to see your uncle? Do you have a plan? Can you tell Dad? Maybe I can help.”
Li Yang shook her head. “Dad, I can handle it. You should go back to work this afternoon. You’ve been taking leave because of me these past few days—if work piles up, it won’t be good. I’ll go to Uncle’s house this afternoon.”
Family housing of the Education and Sports Bureau.
Li Yang carried two cans of preserved fruit and a tin of malted milk, knocking on the iron door of the east unit on the third floor.
“Who is it?”
Feng Xiaoyu opened the door and saw a pretty young girl standing outside.
“Nannan?”
“Grandma!”
“Oh! My precious! Grandma missed you so much. How could you not come see me for months?”
She then excitedly looked inside. “Old Zhao, look who’s here!”
Feng Xiaoyu quickly pulled her inside. The granddaughter had always listened to her paternal grandmother and wasn’t very close to her maternal family.
Her granddaughter was dull in temperament. Though she looked like a fairy from a painting, she had been raised by Li Xiuqin into someone who seemed unpresentable.
Knowing the story from the original book, Li Yang understood her grandmother’s family’s genuine affection. She wasn’t one to act coy, so she spoke directly.
“Grandma, my dad has cut ties with the Li family. I’m happy about it. I’m staying here today to eat something good—you’re not allowed to chase me away.”
Hearing her playful words, Feng Xiaoyu beamed with joy, unable to stop smiling.
“My dear! How could Grandma ever chase you away? I wish I could tie you to my waistband and keep you with me…”
“Ahem!”
Zhao Dayong’s face showed no expression, but his eyes sparkled.
“You’re here!”
Li Yang smiled politely at him. “Grandpa!”
That dazzling smile looked like a tender yellow flower in full bloom in Zhao Dayong’s eyes.
“Old lady, give her some biscuits first. This girl likes shrimp—I’ll go to the market and see if there are any for sale today.”
With that, Zhao Dayong hurried out.
Li Yang felt warmth in her heart. The old man truly loved the original host and even remembered her fondness for shrimp.
Her two cousins from the Zhao family were studying out of town, so when Zhao Guoqiang and his wife came home from work and saw a table full of rich dishes, they were confused.
The old couple was usually frugal, eating simple meals. Sometimes, when cravings hit, Zhao Guoqiang would secretly take his wife out to eat.
As Zhang Huayan entered, she noticed the poised young girl sitting on the sofa and called tentatively,
“Yangyang?”
Li Yang turned and stood up with a smile.
“Aunt, Uncle!”
Zhang Huayan responded happily. “Guoqiang, your niece is here.”
She felt that Li Yang seemed much brighter and more beautiful this time, but she didn’t think too much of it, assuming the girl had simply grown into her looks.
She quickly took out two large bills from her bag and handed them to Li Yang.
“Aunt didn’t know you were coming. Take this and buy some candy.”
Li Yang smiled bitterly—she was no longer a child.
“Aunt, I don’t need it.”
But Zhang Huayan continued, “Don’t go back today. I happen to have a day off from the hospital tomorrow—I’ll take you to the department store to buy a pretty dress.”
All her life, Zhang Huayan had dreamed of having a soft, sweet daughter, but fate gave her two sons instead.
So now, seeing her delicate and beautiful niece, she wanted to cherish her as if she were her own.
The family of five happily finished dinner, and only then did Li Yang explain her purpose.
The book mentioned that in about half a month, the Nancheng Art Troupe would select staff to go deep into the Northwestern Military Region for a year-long touring performance, bringing care and慰问 to the soldiers.
The troupe had also released four temporary recruitment spots, since not everyone was willing to endure hardship in the barren northwest.
Li Yang wanted to make a move. In this life, she still wanted to follow her old path—bring glory to the country and deliver joy to countless households through performance.
She learned of this through a girl named Jiang Xue in the book, who entered the selection team through her aunt, the troupe leader, eventually becoming a nationally renowned singer and later befriending the female lead’s cousin, Li Yao.
Her uncle, as director of the Publicity Department of the Education and Sports Bureau, likely had influence with the troupe. Li Yang was confident in her appearance and abilities. As long as the troupe accepted her, she could achieve two goals at once.
The next morning, Zhao Guoqiang couldn’t wait and took Li Yang straight to the art troupe, afraid that any delay might ruin the rare favor his delicate niece had asked of him.
In the troupe leader’s office, there was no false politeness between old classmates.
“Old Jiang, you’ve got to help me this time.”
Jiang Nianxin rubbed her tense temples.
“Zhao Guoqiang, you know the situation. There are only four spots, and they’re already filled.”
Li Yang smiled slightly and spoke confidently.
“Director Jiang, as far as I know, you’re forming a performance group to go to the northwest. You can let me audition. Whether singing, dancing, or even skits and stage plays—I have experience. I can also play some instruments…”
Someone like Li Yao could get in with money—there was no reason she, with real talent, couldn’t.
“Director Jiang, if not, let me compete with the four temporary recruits. Whoever has real ability stays.”
Jiang Nianxin admired such independent and determined young people. Seeing that Li Yang’s appearance suited the profession, she was tempted. However, she had already decided to place her niece in the troupe, and the other three spots were tied to people she couldn’t afford to offend.
Still, she couldn’t refuse outright. She decided to take Li Yang to the dance studio—if Li Yang failed to meet the standard, she could reject her naturally.
Besides, Zhang Xiaoping, who never got along with her, had also recommended a girl. Jiang Nianxin didn’t yet know that the girl named Li Yao was actually Li Yang’s cousin.
Well then—hopefully Li Yang would prove herself and snatch that spot away.
She wasn’t worried about her niece Jiang Xue’s singing ability.
As the three of them reached the auditorium entrance, they heard a commotion inside.
Jiang Nianxin hurried in, with Li Yang following.
Jiang Xue, Li Yao, and two other girls sat awkwardly to the side, unable to join in the conversation, waiting quietly.
“Li Yang? Why are you here?”
Seeing Li Yang enter with Director Jiang, Li Yao was full of surprise. Was this wretch here to sabotage her?
Li Yang ignored her, only giving a meaningful smile.
Li Yao hated her arrogance and stepped forward, shoving her hard.
“You’re about to get married—why are you still showing your face outside? Be careful, I’ll tell Grandma when I get back!”
Li Yang shoved her back just as hard, knocking Li Yao to the ground.
“Who are you? Do I have anything to do with you?”
“You—”
Li Yao’s eyes turned vicious, but she couldn’t reveal their family’s severed ties in public. She had already spent the one-thousand-yuan bride price—Li Yang had to marry, whether she wanted to or not.
She needed to tell her mother immediately.
Seeing no one help her up, Li Yao had to get up on her own.
The commotion drew everyone’s attention.
“The director is here!” The girls immediately quieted down.
But a group of foreigners chattered among themselves, pointing at the girls and laughing.
No one understood what they were saying, and the accompanying translator acted arrogantly.
Everyone was anxious and flushed—when suddenly, a clear, melodious voice like a songbird sounded from behind Director Jiang.
“They said your dancing looks like baguettes—stiff and ugly.”
“What’s a baguette?”
The girls began whispering among themselves. It didn’t sound like anything good.
Li Yang casually pointed.
“And you—he said your makeup is so thick it looks like a monkey’s backside…”
Hearing this, Jiang Nianxin looked at the translator.
“Translator Hou, is that what the guests said? Are they dissatisfied with our welcoming performance?”