Chapter 156 Bai Lu and dogs are not allowed inside

Everyone in the compound knew that Bai Lu coveted Song Zhan.

This matter is almost an open topic of conversation during casual conversations.

However, Bai Lu, the person involved, refused to admit it no matter what, insisting that it was just gossip from others.

Unlike Shen Yan, who was brainless and foolishly threw herself at Song Zhan.

He personally handed the gossip to everyone, eagerly inviting criticism from the whole world.

Bai Lu's approach is much more sophisticated.

Every time she made a move, it was always subtle and never direct; she would always find another reason to get close to Song Zhan.

Bai Lu didn't do anything outrageous or say anything explicit, so it was difficult for anyone to find fault with her.

As soon as Meng Wei spoke, she immediately looked at Shen Wanjun instinctively.

His eyes held a hint of hasty apology.

—I didn't mean to bring this up, I just wanted to roast her.

Shen Wanjun shrugged indifferently, indicating that she didn't mind at all.

The main reason is that Meng Wei was absolutely right.

Every time Bai Lu came over, she either had ulterior motives for looking for Song Zhan, or she would find ways to upset her.

Sometimes she was so annoyed that she really wanted to put up a sign at the door that read: "Bai Lu and dogs, no entry!"

Bai Lu's smile faded slightly, but her rebuttal was swift.

"Teacher Meng is overthinking it. I came to see Comrade Shen to discuss the cultural performance."

She paused, her gaze sweeping lightly over Meng Wei, before throwing out a sarcastic remark.

"Some people's hearts see everything as dirty."

Bai Lu is not someone to be trifled with, a fact Meng Wei knows all too well.

I heard that her brothers are all notorious troublemakers in the area, and her father has an unclear background, with influence in both the legitimate and criminal worlds.

But Meng Wei wasn't one to be trifled with either; she acted as if everyone had several older brothers.

The Meng family is a legitimate military family.

Meng Wei replied with a forced smile: "Only people with a guilty conscience always feel that others are nitpicking."

"You're reacting so strongly, did someone touch a sore spot?"

Bai Lu was clearly taken aback, probably not expecting Meng Wei to be so direct, showing her no respect whatsoever.

Her expression changed several times, but in the end she didn't directly break off relations.

Instead, he changed the subject and played the emotional card: "We're all colleagues, why are we so eager to fight each other?"

Meng Wei wasn't buying it at all; she covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

The voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough: "You really are exactly as everyone else said."

After saying that, he didn't give Bai Lu any chance to refute him.

He pulled Meng Shigang along, said goodbye to Shen Wanjun and Dang Xianghong, and left without looking back.

Meng Shigang followed closely behind and quietly squeezed Meng Wei's hand.

His lowered voice carried undisguised admiration and delight: "Comrade Meng, you're really amazing."

He had suffered a lot of grievances, both openly and secretly, because Bai Lu had previously treated him as a backup option.

Seeing that Meng Wei's few words had rendered her speechless, she finally felt relieved and could finally let out the anger she had been holding in.

His future daughter-in-law was not only educated but also quick-witted, which made him love her even more.

Shen Wanjun and Dang Xianghong exchanged a glance, and in each other's eyes they saw undisguised schadenfreude and blatant happiness.

Meng Wei is a really good girl; she's practically their mouth double.

Shen Wanjun put down her teacup and looked with a smile at Bai Lu, who was still standing there, her face pale and ashen.

He deliberately asked, "Comrade Bai, didn't you just say you wanted to discuss the arts performance with me?"

She blinked her large, clear eyes, her gaze clear yet seemingly speaking.

—Is this yet another excuse you came up with to get closer to Song Zhan?

Dang Xianghong was even more direct: "Commander Song isn't home. Why don't you come another day?"

Knowing that Shen Wanjun wouldn't really hold it against her, Dang Xianghong didn't mince words when she started teasing Bai Lu.

Bai Lu took a deep breath and put on that flawless fake smile again.

"Comrade Dang is still as fond of joking as ever."

She quickly adjusted her mindset and adopted a businesslike attitude.

"It's perfect that you're both here. I just received a notification from above that the lyrics for the chorus program you submitted didn't pass the review."

"So..." she said, a hint of barely perceptible schadenfreude in her voice, "you guys should hurry up and change the song."

Dang Xianghong was stunned for a moment, and asked in surprise, "What about the four alternative songs? None of them passed the review?"

"Mm." Bai Lu nodded, her tone calm but firm.

"Some lyrics were deemed inappropriate, so the entire project was rejected."

Shen Wanjun keenly caught her choice of words and asked, "So, you're not going to perform with us?"

She noticed that Bai Lu kept referring to "you all" and never mentioned herself.

Bai Lu smiled slightly, with a hint of superiority in her expression.

"Yes, none of the five songs passed. But I prepared a separate program, which has already been approved."

The implication couldn't be clearer: you should worry about yourselves first.

Upon hearing this, Dang Xianghong became furious, slammed her hand on the table, and stood up.

"How could it be that none of the five songs passed? Those are all revolutionary songs that have been sung for so many years."

She couldn't understand how those popular songs could suddenly have lyrics that were no longer suitable.

Bai Lu shrugged innocently: "I don't know about that, that's just the opinion from above."

After saying that, she seemed to have completed her task and left in a good mood, patting her behind.

Dang Xianghong and Shen Wanjun were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

As soon as everyone left, Dang Xianghong immediately started gossiping about Bai Lu to Shen Wanjun, suspecting that Bai Lu was probably behind it all.

"Did she prepare the performance in advance? Did she already know that our song wouldn't pass the censorship?"

Shen Wanjun nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice: "Yes, she had ulterior motives, and we were tricked by her."

After the cricket-keeping is over, the practical problems still need to be solved.

Shen Wanjun thought for a moment and said, "Since the notice said that 'some lyrics' are not suitable, then we may not need to change the song."

"Let's find the lyrics of those songs that might be controversial, remove them, and then submit them again to see how it goes. That's the most time-efficient way."

Dang Xianghong slapped his thigh and said, "I think it's a good idea."

She reached out her rough, large hand and touched Shen Wanjun's smooth, delicate face.

"You're not only good-looking, but you're also incredibly smart."

After teasing Shen Wanjun, Dang Xianghong stood up and said, "You go ahead and do your work. I'll go and inform the other sisters."

——

A remote, secluded village.

Song Qian received a letter from her "son".

His wife, Wei Shufen, leaned closer and asked, "What did our son say?"

Song Qian rolled her eyes: "How should I know?"

They were all illiterate.

The couple asked the deliveryman to help them read the letter. The young man smiled and said, "Your son has been promoted to regimental commander and is going to take you two old folks to live a life of leisure."

Wei Shufen said suspiciously, "I've written so many letters before, but I haven't seen him reply."

The thought of suddenly being invited to enjoy a life of luxury felt somewhat unreal to her.

Song Qian scolded, "What do you know, you woman? The higher the official rank, the more filial you should be to your parents."

Otherwise, people will talk behind your back.

Wei Shufen nodded. She didn't understand either; whatever the old man said went.

She asked, "When are we going? Should we bring the boys with us?"

Ask Song Zhan for help: introduce potential partners to those who need it, arrange jobs for those who need it, and get them into school for those who need it.