Chapter 176: Jiang Qing’s Mind

Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Jiang Qing’s Mind

When Jiang Qing learned that Lu Cheng disliked Zhang Jia Ming, meaning he probably wouldn’t get promoted to platoon leader like in her past life, she was devastated.

But she wasn’t the type to admit defeat.

The reason she’d been distracted during the meeting was that she was thinking of a better way out.

She had risked everything to be with Zhang Jia Ming so she could become a military dependent.

But as things stood, Zhang Jia Ming’s chances of promotion were slim. There was no point in her staying; she’d be better off going back and finding another path.

She could find a decent job, or even go to college.

Anything was better than being cooped up in these boondocks, doing thankless work for the rest of her life!

But she couldn’t just tell Zhang Jia Ming she wanted to go back.

After all, she had repeatedly told him that no matter how hard things got, she would stay and build a life with him.

But if she were to get "fired" from the school, going home would be perfectly justifiable. That was why she’d dared to offend Feng Meihua.

Seeing it was getting late, Jiang Qing hid her thoughts and went to the entrance of the camp to pick up their meal container.

Zhang Jia Ming looked glum. "Teacher Lu just came looking for me," he said. "She said you owe her ten yuan, and if you don’t pay her back, she’s going to tell everyone you stole her honey."

Jiang Qing didn’t take Lu Tingting’s threat to heart.

’She was already planning to leave anyway. Lu Tingting could tell whoever she wanted.’

’She still had to figure out how to get the money for the trip home, though.’

’Even if she waited until Zhang Jia Ming got his pay at the end of the month, it wouldn’t be enough for a ticket.’

Just as she was thinking this, she looked up and saw Jiang Moli walking toward the camp, following a soldier.

Jiang Moli was still waiting for Lu Cheng to bring back their food when Tang Yuan showed up at her door.

He said that Commander Zhong had requested her presence at the camp.

The two women brushed past each other like strangers, their eyes never meeting.

’What does her current success matter? The one who laughs last is the true winner.’

On the way back to her dorm, Jiang Qing consoled herself while trying to recall the details of how Jiang Moli had leaked military secrets in her past life.

She racked her brain but couldn’t remember exactly how Jiang Moli had been exploited.

It had happened in the fifth year after her death. Her spirit had been so weak back then, often falling into a deep slumber with very few moments of clarity.

’What a pity.’

’If only she knew how Jiang Moli had been used, she could have used it to stir up trouble and make Jiang Moli suffer a terrible fate much sooner!’

...

As soon as she entered the camp, she saw the tall, long-legged Lu Cheng standing by the guard post.

He stood as straight and tall as a poplar tree.

Lu Cheng strode to meet her. "Sorry, my hands were full and Commander Zhong was in a hurry, so I had Xiao Tang go get you."

Jiang Moli fell into step beside him. "What does Commander Zhong want with me?"

"Don’t worry," he said. "It’s nothing bad."

So Jiang Moli didn’t ask any more questions.

When they arrived at Zhong Weiguo’s office, he smiled and handed a document to Jiang Moli. "Ah, Xiao Jiang. The application for the anti-trafficking performance has been approved. There’s another thing, too. The city’s Education Bureau is organizing a legal awareness campaign for all the primary and middle schools in the city, and they’ve invited you to perform."

’An opportunity to earn Disdain Points, served up on a silver platter? It’d be foolish not to take it.’

’Xili City’s population might not be large, but all the primary and middle school students combined had to be at least one or two thousand people.’

’She wasn’t greedy. Earning three to five hundred Disdain Points would be great!’

"Commander Zhong, performing in the city is no problem, but I’ll need some help."

"Alright. You can pick whoever you need. This trip counts as official business, so the army will cover food, lodging, and transportation."

Leaving the command post, Jiang Moli couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.

Seeing her so happy, Lu Cheng assumed it was because she was excited about performing in the city.

"Since you enjoy performing so much, have you considered joining the arts troupe?"

That gave Jiang Moli an idea.

’The arts troupe was always going out to give morale-boosting performances. A single show would have at least three to five hundred people in the audience. Those were all prime opportunities to earn Disdain Points!’

"What are the requirements for joining the arts troupe?"

Lu Cheng wasn’t sure either. "I’ll ask around for you tomorrow," he replied.

...

Jiang Moli had a music class the next morning, so she got up bright and early.

Her class wasn’t until second period, so when she got to the school, she went to the office first.

Shen Yanzhi had a free period as well and was diligently grading assignments.

Not wanting to disturb him, Jiang Moli sat down quietly at her own desk, resting her chin in her hand as she thought.

After a moment, Shen Yanzhi looked up, a little surprised to see her.

In all the days since the semester began, besides the very first day, this was only the second time Jiang Moli had come to the office.

"Teacher Jiang."

"Hey, Teacher Shen. You must be tired of grading. Take a break, let’s chat for a bit."

Shen Yanzhi let out a soft chuckle. "Alright. Go ahead."

"The city’s Education Bureau has invited us to put on a legal awareness performance for the students. Teacher Shen, your role is crucial, so I’ll need to ask for your help again. But don’t worry, I won’t let you do it for free. When we get to the city, pick out anything you like. It’s on me."

Shen Yanzhi adjusted his glasses. "Providing legal education to students is a good thing," he said. "I’m willing to perform as a volunteer."

Those were the words Jiang Moli had been waiting for. "Then it’s a deal!"

"Okay."

Jiang Moli felt relieved.

’It wasn’t that she absolutely needed Shen Yanzhi to go, but if he didn’t, it would be difficult to get Lu Tingting on board.’

"I’m not going!"

Just as Jiang Moli expected, when Lu Tingting heard they were going to the city to perform—and for two shows, no less—she refused without a second thought.

"Fine, then. I’ll just find another woman to be Shen Yanzhi’s partner. Hmm, maybe I’ll ask Xiao Tang..."

"Wait!"

Lu Tingting stopped her. "Teacher Shen is going too?"

"Of course. Teacher Shen said that providing legal education to students is a good thing, and as a teacher, he feels it’s his duty."

"Then... then I’ll go too."

Jiang Moli grinned like a sly fox. "Then it’s a deal."

That afternoon, Lu Cheng brought Jiang Moli the list of requirements for joining the arts troupe.

Jiang Moli met the requirements for appearance, height, and education, but there was one strict condition: an applicant had to be skilled in at least one of the performing arts—be it playing an instrument, singing, or dancing.

Although Jiang Moli could sing and had experience performing in skits, she was still a far cry from a professional level.

Lu Cheng said, "The arts troupe made an exception, given your experience writing your own scripts. They’re giving you one chance: if you can write a new script that passes their selection process, they’ll let you in."

’Writing a skit wouldn’t be hard. After all, she hadn’t watched over twenty years of New Year’s galas for nothing.’

"I’m tied up at the base, so I can’t go to the city with you," he said. "I’ll have Xiao Tang go with you. If you need anything, just tell him to take care of it."

Hearing him mention Xiao Tang, Jiang Moli was reminded of Tang Xiaoyue.

"The surname Tang is pretty rare. They wouldn’t happen to be related, would they?"

Lu Cheng said, "They’re probably cousins. I think I heard Xiao Tang mention it once."

Two days later, Jiang Moli took her ragtag troupe to the city in a military truck.

The Education Bureau arranged for them to stay at the municipal guest house.

After settling into their lodgings, Jiang Moli asked Xiao Tang to go with her to the post office to make a phone call.

To avoid any gossip, she invited Lu Tingting along as well.

As they were heading out, they ran into Shen Yanzhi, who was also on his way to the post office. And so, the four of them went together.

"Yanzhi?"

They had just stepped out of the guest house when a young man and woman approached, their faces lighting up in surprise as they saw Shen Yanzhi.