Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Farewell, Director.”
After Yang Wenying left, Sheng Ning was the only one left in the ward. Ever since she was reborn, she had been in a state of excitement. Now that she was relaxed, she suddenly felt very drowsy.
The next morning, she woke up to the chattering of girls. When Zhang Hongmei saw Sheng Ning open her eyes, she hastily sat on the edge of the bed. Red-faced, she asked with concern, “You’re awake? Are you hungry? I brought you breakfast from the cafeteria.” Zhang Hongmei took out a black metal box. It had the name of the General Union Song and Dance Ensemble printed on the lid.
“Here, there’s steamed bun and porridge.”
But someone slapped Sheng Ning’s hand that was holding the box, and the food splattered on the floor. “You’re shameless enough to eat food?”
Lu Xiaoshuang stared viciously at Sheng Ning and said angrily, “This is all your fault. If it weren’t for you, how would we have embarrassed ourselves like this?”
“Leader, it wasn’t Sheng Ning’s fault. We all saw…” Zhang Hongmei wanted to say more, but her voice gradually grew quiet under Lu Xiaoshuang’s aggressive gaze.
“Zhang Hongmei, you’ve become quite capable, haven’t you? You’re just a newcomer, and you came from the countryside. Are you qualified to speak here?” Lu Xiaoshuang came from the city and had a sharp tongue. She was very prideful and despised people from the uncouth countryside.
“I’m sorry… It’s my bad.” Zhang Hongmei’s eyes reddened from fear, and she couldn’t help apologizing. She wanted to stand up and bow, but Sheng Ning tugged her.
“Lu Xiaoshuang, what are you doing? You came here this morning just to argue?”
“You’re asking what I’m doing? Why don’t you ask yourself what you’ve done?” Lu Xiaoshuang scoffed at Sheng Ning, and her almond eyes looked like they were spewing fire. “You were the one who made Qin Cuifen embarrass herself. You were the one who made us too ashamed to go outside. It’s all because of you…”
People were conservative in the 80’s. Everyone would poke fun at them after this disgraceful incident. Even though it was a misunderstanding and the General Union Ensemble was strictly managed, the Song and Dance Ensembles were full of women, so they couldn’t avoid being the center of gossip. News of what happened last night had spread throughout the entire Union. On the way to the hospital, when other people heard they came from the General Union Ensemble, they all gave them strange looks.
Lu Xiaoshuang was very proud and had never been treated this way before. As she spoke, she burst into tears. The other girls who came along also seemed upset, but they came from humble backgrounds and didn’t dare to make trouble, which was why they didn’t want to be the first one to accuse Sheng Ning.
“I’m sorry! But I didn’t do it on purpose.” At the evening party, Sheng Ning only wanted to get back at Qin Cuifen. She didn’t expect it to affect other people in the Ensemble. She felt a little guilty.
Sheng Ning quickly got up from bed and stood up clumsily, then sincerely apologized to everyone. “I’m sorry. I was the one who got everyone into trouble. I’m sorry. I really didn’t expect this to happen.”
Sheng Ning was very earnest, and Lu Xiaoshuang couldn’t continue reprimanding her. They all understood that in a situation like that, Sheng Ning must have done it unintentionally. In the end, Qin Cuifen wasn’t a good person, either. She liked to be the best at everything, but her background couldn’t compare to Lu Xiaoshuang’s, and her beauty couldn’t compare to Sheng Ning’s.
The others saw Sheng Ning’s good attitude and tried to ease the tension. “Shuang, don’t blame Sheng Ning anymore. She already apologized.”
“Yeah! We were all on stage with her. She’s really innocent.”
“Hmph! I’ll let you go this time.” Since everyone was speaking for Sheng Ning, Lu Xiaoshuang couldn’t continue arguing. She humphed and led them to Qin Cuifen’s room, leaving only Zhang Hongmei behind. Seeing everyone leave, Zhang Hongmei diligently cleaned up the floor, then took out a steamed bun wrapped in oil-paper from her bag. Embarrassed, she smiled at Sheng Ning and said, “Eat up!”