Chapter 197: A Challenge from Wang Mei

Chapter 197: Chapter 197: A Challenge from Wang Mei

"This person is quite interesting," Fu Xiaoxiao bumped her shoulder against Lu Feng and whispered.

"She cares a lot about her image and can’t stand any damage to it," Lu Feng replied calmly. He was already accustomed to Sun Ya’s demeanor over the years.

"Does she just dislike you, or did you do something?" Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Feng and asked.

"Mostly because I’m too outstanding, making her own son look incompetent," Lu Feng’s words made Fu Xiaoxiao pause, and she playfully punched him with a laugh.

"Does anyone praise themselves like that?" Fu Xiaoxiao discovered that Lu Feng also had a bit of an ego.

"Afraid to speak of excellence?" Lu Feng smiled sheepishly, a mischievous grin on his lips.

"A bit annoying, but it’s true," Fu Xiaoxiao had long known about Lu Feng from Wang Lu and Liu Hongjun, becoming a regiment leader at a young age was something he fought for with his life.

Pushing through with intense training, while others were completing daily tasks, he strove to surpass himself, pushing limits repeatedly.

He had the capital to be proud; no one could deny the honors he had achieved.

Fu Xiaoxiao’s recognition made the smile on Lu Feng’s lips unstoppable.

"Only by breaking through physical limits can one truly become strong," the always silent Fu Cheng spoke up, agreeing with Lu Feng; he too became strong through brushes with death time and again.

"In winter, when faced with hungry beasts, it’s kill or be killed," Fu Cheng said casually.

Lin Xue and Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Fu Cheng in shock, Lin Qiu looked at him with concern.

"Playing it big?" Fu Xiaoxiao couldn’t imagine how dangerous it was.

Just one mistake and you’d be lost to the beasts.

"Finding food in winter is already difficult; to avoid starving, you have to become strong," Fu Cheng said seriously. He wanted to rely on his own hands for sustenance, not the villagers’ charity.

"No wonder you’re as crazy as Lu Feng," Fu Xiaoxiao had seen Fu Cheng’s strength, in a flash he was up a tree, the explosive power rivaling an ape, practically the Chinese Tarzan.

"... I’ll take it as a compliment," Fu Cheng glanced at Fu Xiaoxiao, not overlooking that it wasn’t entirely a good term.

"Heh," Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, raising a smile.

Suddenly music started playing, and a male and female from the cultural troupe took the stage as hosts, giving an opening remark.

The two raised their right fists to their chests, their voices impassioned.

"Today, we are gathered together to celebrate our great leader with self-composed and self-performed acts..."

"Now, I announce— the New Year Gala officially begins! Let’s unite and achieve greater victories in the new year!"

Resounding applause rang out, stirring everyone’s blood.

Fu Xiaoxiao joined the crowd in applause, witnessing it live for the first time, her blood boiled along with everyone else’s.

The two children clapped vigorously with excitement, their little faces flushed red from enthusiasm.

"Next, let’s welcome the women’s army to perform for us..."

Upon hearing "the women’s army," the soldiers below brightened their eyes, excited and full of cheer.

Fu Xiaoxiao watched the meaningful performance; the women’s army depicted a female-formed revolutionary squad, whose courage on the battlefield was no less than their male counterparts. Some were at the frontline, others as nurses in logistics, everyone doing their utmost.

Even when captured by villains and forced into submission, enduring humiliation, they never yielded, bringing tears to the male soldiers’ eyes.

When the performance ended, applause continued from the audience, as soldiers cheered loudly.

The atmosphere heated up in an instant.

The subsequent acts of singing and dancing continued one after another.

Everyone enjoyed watching, and when the final act arrived, no one wanted it to end.

"Next, let’s have Wang Mei, the lead dancer of our cultural troupe, bring us a song. Please welcome Wang Mei..." The female host introduced with a smile, and Wang Mei slowly walked to the center of the stage.

Wang Mei’s graceful appearance captivated many soldiers’ eyes. Wang Mei locked her gaze on Lu Feng and Fu Xiaoxiao in the crowd, noticing Fu Xiaoxiao sitting next to Lu Feng, Wang Mei slowly began.

"Usually I perform the last act every year, perhaps you’ve grown tired of it?"

The crowd paused upon hearing Wang Mei’s words.

Fu Xiaoxiao sensed the tension in the air, feeling Wang Mei wasn’t simply trying to close the show.

Her intuition proved right.

Wang Mei continued, "This year, let’s do something different. I see many military spouses present; they are the most commendable, silently contributing behind the scenes. Today’s joy should belong to them too. Why don’t we leave the last act to them?"

"Great!!!" Although unsure of Wang Mei’s intentions, the soldiers supported her suggestion with cheers and applause.

Granny Wang and others were stunned; they were always the audience, suddenly now asked to perform— they had no idea how.

Just as they fretted, Wang Mei gestured to Fu Xiaoxiao from the stage, "Why don’t we invite this lady to perform for us? Everyone give some applause and encouragement."

Wang Mei’s hand pointed directly at Fu Xiaoxiao, bringing relief to Granny Wang and others but also frowning at Wang Mei.

Wasn’t this targeted?

"Isn’t this a little inappropriate?" Liu Hongjun felt this sudden responsibility wasn’t right, ready to speak up for Fu Xiaoxiao, but Sun Ya tugged at his sleeve.

"I think Wang Mei’s proposal is excellent; normally, it’s the cultural troupe performing, but the military should also present a show. Regardless of her performance, it’s a show of courage, isn’t it?"

With Sun Ya’s words, Liu Hongjun looked at Fu Xiaoxiao anxiously.

As everyone focused their attention on Fu Xiaoxiao, Lu Feng’s expression darkened, ready to intervene, but Fu Xiaoxiao placed a hand on him.

"You don’t have to go if you don’t want to! With me here, no one can force you," Lu Feng looked at Fu Xiaoxiao seriously.

"They’ve declared war on me, I can’t just ignore it. Don’t worry! Watch me shatter her ridiculous arrogance," Fu Xiaoxiao reassured Lu Feng with a confident look, and rose gracefully.

"Alright then! Since you’ve sincerely invited me, as a representative of our troops, I can’t back down!" Fu Xiaoxiao smiled as she headed for the stage.

"Alright!" Fu Xiaoxiao’s words won the soldiers’ favor, applauding her heartily.

Liu Hongjun’s face lit up with approval, nodding in satisfaction.

No matter how Fu Xiaoxiao performed, the courage in her words was already enough.

"I’m very happy to be here celebrating the New Year with everyone; here I wish everyone a Happy New Year," Fu Xiaoxiao greeted the audience confidently on stage.

"Happy New Year!" Smiling, everyone looked to Fu Xiaoxiao.

Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, looking at Wang Mei beside her, "Comrade Wang Mei, you may leave now; I’ll take over from here!"

Wang Mei’s face stiffened, suppressing her anger as she dashed off stage.

She was eager to see what Fu Xiaoxiao could perform!