Zhang Hongmei was in the yard, a broomstick in her hand. When she saw Sheng Ning, her jaw dropped. Sheng Ning’s personality had changed drastically ever since she fell from the stage, and she had become even more beautiful than before.
Sheng Ning initially wanted to help Zhang Hongmei out with her chores, but when she remembered her current reputation, she changed her mind. The others saw Hongmei as hardworking for waking up early to sweep the floor. If she did it, they would say she was putting on a show and would accuse her of being fake.
And she didn’t want to deprive Hongmei of the opportunity to showcase her character.
Back in her room, Sheng Ning pulled out a large cardboard box and flattened it on the floor. Using it as a mat, she started doing yoga. It was something she had learned from a fellow inmate while in prison, and she had kept at it for many years.
After she was reborn and her leg healed, she developed the habit of doing one hour of yoga daily.
She missed out on the most optimal age for dancing, and her foundation was weak, but consistent yoga practice could make up for it.
She planned her time well; her yoga practice ended just as the morning call sounded and her other two roommates got out of bed.
“Hurry! Hurry…” Zhao Feifei frantically urged Wu Youli. After she washed her face and got ready, she realized Sheng Ning was already neatly dressed. She had held her temper for an entire night and could no longer hold it back. She remarked with biting sarcasm, “Oh my! You’re not sleeping in this morning? The sun must have risen from the west!”
“Feifei, stop it.” Wu Youli tugged at her sleeve.
Zhao Feifei harrumphed and said, “I just don’t get it. How the h*ll did we end up with a plague like her in our room? It’s thanks to her that I never tell people I’m from Room 309.”
That was the real reason Zhao Feifei hated Sheng Ning.
“I’m sorry,” Sheng Ning apologized with a smile. “I love being in Room 309. If you don’t like it, feel free to move out.”
“Sheng Ning, what’s that supposed to mean?” Zhao Feifei asked furiously.
“I meant it literally.”
“You’re… unbelievable! It’s no wonder everyone says you’re a cheap sl*t.” In her anger, Zhao Feifei blurted out what she’d long thought about Sheng Ning.
Sheng Ning looked at her with an expressionless face.
Wu Youli was horrified. “Feifei, how could you say that? She’s our roommate.”
“Ha! She’s not good enough to be our roommate!” Zhao Feifei rushed out in a rage. She was going to request a room change today!
“Sheng Ning, I’m sorry. She has a really bad temper. I’ll apologize on her behalf.” Wu Youli’s eyes were red with panic, and she excessively apologized to Sheng Ning.
Humiliating a comrade from the same union for no reason was a punishable offense. If Feifei was reported to her superiors, she would be in big trouble.
“That’s not necessary. This has nothing to do with you,” Sheng Ning replied, and turned around to leave. She had to hand in her self-criticism before her training started. She didn’t have time to bicker with anyone.
The union was managed by the military, and everyone had to run around the field in the mornings. The men had to complete twenty rounds, while the women had to complete ten. After the run, everyone would head into the canteen for breakfast and then go to their respective department trainings.
Sheng Ning ran ten rounds without breaking a sweat and was surprised to find that her stamina had improved. She’d suspected a change when she went to the marketplace to sell the bean sprouts, but she wasn’t entirely sure.
Now, she was absolutely certain. Whereas in the past she couldn’t run ten rounds without becoming dead tired afterwards, she was now able to run ten rounds with ease and without
getting short of breath.
She clenched her fists. She completed ten rounds, no problem.
Sheng Ning’s self-criticism was put up on the bulletin soon after she submitted it. The bulletin board was very conspicuously positioned at the intersection all vehicles had to pass through after entering the main gate.
At noon, a black jeep drove through the gate, unhindered. When the vehicle passed the sentry box, the guards immediately recognized the number plate and greeted them.
Even random passersby greeted the jeep when they saw the number plate.