Chapter 115 I just wanted to see you

Chapter 115

After he said that, the security officer stared at him for a while before looking down at the certificate he had issued. "Are you Comrade Meng's spouse?"

Qi Donghan nodded and handed over his military officer's ID.

Upon seeing the identification, the security officer immediately returned a salute and said, "Comrade, please wait a moment."

Qi Donghan grunted in agreement and watched the security personnel leave.

He stood at the entrance of the Capital Song and Dance Troupe, watching the people coming and going around him with a calm and composed gaze.

This is not his first time visiting the capital.

But this was the only time he came to the capital that he had something on his mind.

He walked the same paths Meng Yingying had walked, passed through the same gates, and made the same friends she had.

It seems that this can make up for the longing the two of them felt after being separated since their marriage.

After the security officer went in, he went to the rehearsal room, but he couldn't find Comrade Meng Yingying after looking around.

He then asked someone, "Comrade, is Comrade Meng Yingying here?"

Han Mingbing, as the team leader, had actually learned from the shortcomings Meng Yingying had pointed out to her and tried her best to slow down her pace.

For her, skipping over fast-paced people and wanting to slow down was truly painful.

Han Mingbing became quite irritable. She turned around and yelled at the security officer, "Meng Yingying went out, she went out! How many times do you have to ask before you know?"

The shout silenced the entire room instantly.

The security officer was stunned by the shouting, but Teacher Jin came over and scolded him, "Han Mingbing, what's wrong with you? Why are you taking your temper out on Comrade Wang when you're just dancing?"

Han Mingbing was embarrassed after being reprimanded, but Teacher Jin ignored her and apologized to Officer Wang instead, "Comrade, I'm sorry, Mingbing has been under a lot of pressure dancing these past few days and took it out on you."

"I apologize on her behalf."

Comrade Wang finally realized what was happening. He shook his head, flattered and surprised, "No need, no need."

"What did you want with Comrade Meng Yingying just now?"

Teacher Jin asked a question.

Comrade Wang then remembered the real reason he had come: "There is a male comrade who is a soldier. He said he is Meng Yingying's lover and has come to see Meng Yingying."

As soon as he said that, the noisy dancing scene instantly quieted down.

"Meng Yingying is so young and already married?"

"She still looks like a little girl to me."

"She looks like a young girl to me, how come she got married so soon after joining the Capital Song and Dance Troupe?"

"She's really at a disadvantage."

"Not only is she young and has a bright future, but this marriage may mean the end of her dancing career."

"It's not just dancing. She just came from the Harbin Cultural Troupe, a small place, to our Capital Cultural Troupe. She'll definitely be more selective about her partners in the capital. Who knows, she might even be able to climb several levels."

But it's such a pity that she got married while she was with the Harbin Cultural Troupe and settled her future there.

At this moment, more than one woman in the rehearsal room had this expression on her face.

Ultimately, in the Capital Song and Dance Troupe, it's not just about talent, but also family background and, more importantly, the conditions of your future partner.

Because once these women leave the dance troupe after they get older, they lose their advantages. If they want a good life in their later years, marrying someone with good conditions is inevitable.

Therefore, even when Teacher Jin heard that Meng Yingying was married, she was momentarily dazed and subconsciously went to Yang Jie to confirm, "Meng Yingying is married?"

Yang Jie hummed in agreement. "I'll go out and take a look."

Teacher Jin couldn't help but complain, "Comrade Yang, you really know Meng Yingying is talented, how could you let her get married in such a small place so early?"

"Her future lies in the capital, on a broader stage, not in a small place like the Harbin Cultural Troupe."

After thinking for a moment, Yang Jie still defended Qi Donghan, saying, "Meng Yingying's boyfriend is also very good, not as bad as everyone imagines."

"You'll see when you see it."

Teacher Jin thought to herself, "Even if the other person is outstanding, how outstanding can they be?"

After all, he comes from a small town.

Yang Jie didn't argue with her about the issue, but said, "I'll go outside and take a look."

As soon as she left, everyone stopped practicing dancing and started peeking out to watch. "Should we go out and take a look too?"

"Let's go, let's go see what Meng Yingying's lover looks like?"

Even Han Mingbing, who had previously thrown a tantrum, was momentarily stunned. "Meng Yingying, why are you getting married so early?"

That's such a huge loss.

Outside.

After Yang Jie arrived, she saw Qi Donghan standing at the entrance of the Capital Song and Dance Troupe from afar.

The weather in the capital in November was rather cold, so much so that the old tree above him had lost all its leaves, carrying a hint of early winter chill.

He was wearing a black overcoat with sharp shoulders and a narrow waist.

At first glance, the first thing you see are two long legs. The hem of the coat is lifted up a little by the wind, revealing dark gray wool trousers underneath, with straight seams, as if measured by a ruler.

His coat collar stood up halfway, his Adam's apple protruded, and his jawline was sharper than the withered branches of an old tree.

Thin lips, a high nose bridge, and dark eyebrows that frame a pair of deep-set eyes with a penetrating power that inspires awe.

Yang Jie clicked her tongue inwardly, thinking to herself that no wonder her apprentice had been bewitched by this kid.

With his appearance and demeanor, he was exactly like a heroic figure straight out of a model opera, yet he also carried a menacing aura that made people afraid to look at him for long, yet unable to resist looking at him.

"Commander Qi."

Qi Donghan, who had been standing casually, became more serious with Yang Jie's arrival. He nodded to Yang Jie and asked, "Teacher, don't you know my Yingying?"

He leaned slightly behind Yang Jie and didn't see Meng Yingying's arrival, so it was clear that only Yang Jie had come.

Yang Jie stood beside him and then said, "Yingying went to [redacted] with Dean Wu today, so she happens to be away from the dance troupe."

"How about this? It's too cold outside. Let me take you to the dance troupe to rest for a bit."

It's easy to imagine that Qi Donghan just came from the Harbin garrison, a journey that takes 48 hours.

It's not exactly close, and the journey is quite tiring.

When Qi Donghan heard Yang Jie's invitation, he declined decisively, "No, since Yingying isn't here, I'll wait for her nearby."

When will she be back?

Yang Jie thought for a moment, "That's really hard to say."

Qi Donghan thought for a moment. If he went to the brothel, he might miss Meng Yingying. So he thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll come to find her after six o'clock tonight."

This time, Yang Jie didn't object. However, seeing that Qi Donghan was about to leave, she asked worriedly, "Commander Qi, do you have a place to stay since you're new here?"

Unlike Harbin, the capital city has stricter regulations regarding personnel management.

Qi Donghan nodded, "I've found a place to stay, thank you for your help."

He said goodbye, and Yang Jie watched his departing figure and sighed softly, "You came at a really bad time."

As soon as she turned around, she saw a lot of girls behind her, all peering out from the doorway. Yang Jie shooed them away impatiently.

These women also became familiar with Yang Jie, knowing that she was a big shot and a good person who was willing to guide them.

However, in just half a month, the relationship between the two sides has improved considerably.

"Teacher Yang, was that Meng Yingying's lover just now?"

"He looks really tall and quite good-looking."

"I noticed that too; that black coat looked even better on him than on the actor on TV right now."

Peng Bo is currently one of the most popular male actors on television and is very well-liked.

Hu Hongying's eyes sparkled. "I think Meng Yingying's boyfriend is even more handsome than Peng Bo."

When Qi Donghan and Yang Jie were talking, they seemed to have caught a glimpse of each other, but the other party noticed and then turned and left.

Hu Hongying's words were met with a sneer from the other women: "What's the use of just looking good? In our line of work as dancers, what doesn't cost money? Clothes, hats, lipstick, eyebrow powder, face cream. Not to mention, if you occasionally go out to see a movie or have a meal, those things also cost money."

"Even if Meng Yingying's boyfriend is good-looking, when Meng Yingying gets older and retires from the song and dance troupe and art troupe, will that man be able to support her well?"

The room fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

"If my future lover is as pleasing to the eye as Meng Yingying's lover, I wouldn't mind supporting him."

The one who said this was Han Mingbing.

As soon as Han Mingbing said this, he was met with disdain. "Mingbing, don't be like Meng Yingying, or you'll regret it later."

Han Mingbing didn't speak. She asked Yang Jie, "Teacher Yang, is Meng Yingying's boyfriend very poor?"

How was Yang Jie supposed to answer that?

She shook her head. "I don't know if she's poor or not. All I know is that her boyfriend is a regimental commander."

Alright.

The people around immediately fell silent.

No one said Meng Yingying shouldn't have gotten married so early anymore.

Someone muttered, "If my partner were a regimental commander at such a young age, I'd get married earlier too."

Qi Donghan was unaware that his visit had made him the subject of discussion among the female members of the Capital Song and Dance Troupe, but he didn't care even if they found out.

He has never cared about what others think.

He wasn't in a hurry to see Meng Yingying, but instead wandered around the vicinity of the Capital Song and Dance Troupe.

Getting familiar with the place first before making further plans is Qi Donghan's usual practice.

The Capital Song and Dance Troupe is located on Xizhimen Street, a very convenient location. Qi Donghan had barely taken two steps when he saw pedestrians wearing padded jackets and riding bicycles on the street.

In November, a paint bucket stood at the entrance of the cooperative, and an old woman wearing a hood was selling roasted sweet potatoes. The oddly shaped and cracked sweet potatoes cost one cent each, no coupon required.

Sweet potatoes the size of a fist, roasted until they are dripping with honey and oil, give off a sweet aroma.

Qi Donghan went over to check and confirmed the location, but didn't buy it. It was too early to buy it now; by the time Yingying returned to the dance troupe, it would probably be cold.

He discussed it with the old lady and finally paid a deposit of one cent, planning to pick up a roasted sweet potato at six o'clock.

Then I walked to the left, and less than 100 meters away, I came across an old Mo restaurant, which is also the most fashionable restaurant in the entire capital.

It is a genuine two-story Soviet-style building with four gilded and carved pillars at the entrance. The revolving door, which is covered in leather, makes a loud clanging sound when pushed, and is extremely eye-catching.

The doorman standing at the entrance wore a dark blue woolen overcoat with a red star badge pinned to the collar, and the crystal chandelier behind him shone brightly in the hall.

The cheapest dish on the menu here, borscht, costs 1.2 yuan, which is half a month's worth of meat coupons for an average person.

Qi Donghan stood at the door, noted down the location, and then left.

Next to the Lao Mo Restaurant was a bathhouse, which was also the staff bathhouse next door. A thick cotton quilt curtain hung at the entrance, and a woman at the counter was selling soap coupons for five cents a bar.

After ascertaining the opening hours of the bathhouse, Qi Donghan leisurely left the vicinity.

He didn't go to the guesthouse, but just wandered around. At 5:30, he went to the entrance to stand guard.

I watched the buses coming and going over and over again.

□□Propaganda Screening Room.

Meng Yingying looked at Dujuan Mountain from beginning to end, almost completely absorbed, for a full forty minutes without a single second of distraction.

For Meng Yingying, she knew all too well that this film was a treasure, and a limited-time one at that. If she didn't seize the opportunity this time, the chance of seeing it again would be zero.

Not to mention, once film is eroded by time and the environment, it becomes even more difficult to preserve.

"Finished watching?"

Seeing her blinking, Wu Yanzhou asked a question.

Meng Yingying nodded, stretched, and said, "I'm done watching. Let's go, teacher, we're going back to practice."

After saying this, she thanked Officer Zheng, "Thank you for your help this time."

Zheng was actually a little dazed. "It's no trouble. I won't remember anything after reading it once anyway."

He didn't believe that Meng Yingying could memorize the entire dance routine of Dujuan Mountain after watching it only once.

Meng Yingying smiled, didn't explain, and left the □□ with Wu Yanzhou.

She glanced back and asked, "Can I borrow other films from here again in the future?"

There are quite a few good film reels hidden here. They can still be viewed now, but after another forty years, they will all be blurry.

Wu Yanzhou thought for a moment, "I'll bring you here to borrow books again when I have time later."

Right now, I'm in a rush to practice on Azalea Mountain, so I don't have time to borrow any other film.

On the way back, Wu Yanzhou hesitated several times before finally speaking up when they arrived at the entrance of the Capital Song and Dance Troupe. "Yingying, did you really remember Azalea Mountain?"

Meng Yingying nodded.

Wu Yanzhou muttered, "Good heavens, what kind of prodigy has joined our Capital Song and Dance Troupe?"

This is beyond the realm of genius; this is eccentric genius.

Meng Yingying smiled and said, "Teacher, don't be too happy yet. I haven't even jumped yet. Remembering is one thing, but whether I can jump it is another."

Wu Yanzhou thought to himself, "I believe you."

However, he didn't say it out loud, nor did he dare to put too much pressure on Meng Yingying.

The two took a bus back to the Capital Song and Dance Troupe. Meng Yingying had just gotten off the bus when she saw a familiar figure standing at the entrance of the Capital Song and Dance Troupe from afar.

Meng Yingying thought she was seeing things, so she rubbed her eyes and rubbed them again.

"What's wrong?"

Wu Yanzhou thought her eyes were uncomfortable, so he looked in the direction Meng Yingying was looking.

The next second, Meng Yingying ran off, "Teacher, my husband is here to see me, I'm going there now."

Wu Yanzhou, “??”

Wu Yanzhou stood there stunned for a full three seconds.

She only had one reaction.

The sky has fallen.

The sky has fallen.

Did Meng Yingying get married?

Is there anything more terrifying than this?

Meng Yingying got married at such a young age? Will she still dance? Will she still participate in the competition? Does she still care about her future?

To be honest, those three short minutes felt like an eternity to Wu Yanzhou.

She had only one thought: why didn't Yang Jie, as Meng Yingying's teacher, stop her from getting married so young?

On the other side, Meng Yingying, who was rushing towards Qi Donghan, had no idea about Wu Yanzhou's inner thoughts.

Her mind was filled with thoughts like, "Qi Donghan, what brings you here?"

Even his voice carried an undisguised surprise.

Qi Donghan caught Meng Yingying and, realizing they were outside and many people were watching, helped her up and looked at her tenderly, saying, "I've come to see you."

A thousand words cannot compare to these three words.

For a moment, Meng Yingying's eyes welled up with tears. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming to see me? I could have picked you up at the train station."

Qi Donghan steadied her, but was reluctant to let go. His palm pressed against Meng Yingying's wrist bone, his thumb gently stroking it, as if to confirm that he was indeed holding the person he had been longing for day and night.

"You're too busy."

"That's why I came to see you." He looked down at her, his voice hoarse from the north wind, but filled with hot breath that brushed against her ear, his tone full of pity, "You've lost weight."

Meng Yingying pursed her lips, raised her wrist and looked at it, "It should be a little. I wasn't used to the food for the first few days after I arrived, but I got used to it later. But then I had to choose songs and set directions, so it was quite tiring."

Then I couldn't eat or sleep.

Qi Donghan felt a pang of heartache upon hearing this. He raised his hand and stroked her soft hair. "Yingying."

He wanted to tell them not to work so hard, but when the words came out, he realized he had no right to say them.

Just like when he goes on a mission, Meng Yingying tells him to be careful.

They can't help it; often they are caught in a situation they have no choice in.

Qi Donghan's voice was hoarse, but the words that were about to come out were changed to, "Are you hungry?"

Meng Yingying nodded, "A little."

I was busy all day and didn't have time to eat.

Qi Donghan took a hot roasted sweet potato out of his pocket. "Have something to eat first, save some room for dinner at Lao Mo's restaurant tonight."

Meng Yingying paused for a moment.

Qi Donghan looked up and stared at her. "Don't you have time even tonight?"

It must be said that he understood Meng Yingying; he could understand even the slightest movement she made.

Meng Yingying munched on a sweet roasted sweet potato and stammered as she explained, "I went to the [unclear] during the day to borrow some film and memorized a dance. I want to practice it again in the rehearsal room tonight to see if I can remember it all."

To be honest, she felt a little embarrassed when she said this, and felt somewhat sorry for Qi Donghan, who had come from afar.

She had thought Qi Donghan would argue with her or have a tiff, but to her surprise, he calmed down quickly and said in a tender voice, "Then you go back to practice your dance first, I'll wait for you outside."

That's a brilliant move—a strategic retreat to advance.

While he seemed generous enough to let Meng Yingying go practice and not worry about him for the time being, in reality, he was not giving Meng Yingying any further choice.

He waited for her outside; she would definitely come.

Sure enough, this time, even if Meng Yingying wanted to refuse again, she was too embarrassed to do so.

Standing in the bleak, cold wind, Meng Yingying thought for a moment and said softly, "Come inside with me. I'll practice the Azalea Mountain dance first, so I don't forget it. After I've practiced it all, we'll go out to eat."

They were willing to discuss and compromise.

This pleased Qi Donghan greatly, as it was exactly the result he wanted.

More than going out for a meal, he valued going to the Capital Song and Dance Troupe with Meng Yingying.

After all, he was far away and not there. If he didn't declare ownership on-site, he was worried that something like what happened with the team stationed in Harbin might happen.

One Gao Chunyang is enough; any more would be a nuisance.

However, Meng Yingying hadn't expected this. Just then, Wu Yanzhou came over with a look of despair on her face, so Meng Yingying introduced her, "Teacher, this is my husband, Qi Donghan."

Wu Yanzhou did not want to get to know Qi Donghan.

Even if he's good-looking, it won't work.

For Wu Yanzhou, she had finally discovered a genius, only to have that genius be lured away by a male vixen.

Seeing that Wu Yanzhou was hostile towards him, Qi Donghan extended his hand without changing his expression, "Teacher Wu, Yingying and I got married because the organization arranged our marriage and both of us were willing."

There's one more thing left unsaid: there was no deception or enticement between the two parties.

But everyone present was intelligent, so they could understand what was going on.

That's why Wu Yanzhou felt so upset. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. "He's a nice guy."

But that's all there is to it.

Then, he turned to look at Meng Yingying and asked, "Are you going out with him later, or are you going back to the practice room to rehearse first?"

Meng Yingying pursed her lips. "I'll go back to the rehearsal room first and go through the Azalea Mountain we just watched. You can correct me and see if there are any omissions or gaps."

Hearing this, Wu Yanzhou's mood finally improved. She nodded and said, "That's right, Yingying. You're still young and don't know that love is poison. Only your career can accompany you forever."

Meng Yingying didn't say anything.

Qi Donghan's face darkened slightly for a moment. He tightened his jawline and said, "Teacher, rest assured, Yingying and I will never hinder Comrade Meng Yingying's progress."

Wu Yanzhou glanced at him and said, "Your presence is hindering her progress."

Qi Donghan remained silent.

Wu Yanzhou bluntly stated, "She was practicing dancing here properly, but as soon as you came, her mind was no longer on dancing."

"All I can think about is being with you."

Qi Donghan was silent for a moment, then pursed his lips and said, "I'm leaving by train at 1 a.m. tonight."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yanzhou was also stunned. "Where did you come from?"

Harbin.

"It would take at least thirty hours to get here. You came all this way just to see her?"

"And then leave in the dead of night?"

Qi Donghan grunted in agreement, glanced back at Meng Yingying, and said, "I just wanted to come and see her."

The tone was very calm, yet it made one want to cry.

Even Wu Yanzhou couldn't find fault with this. "You guys are still doing pure love stuff."

They traveled for over seventy hours round trip just to meet once, and then turn around and leave.

She had never met anyone like this in her entire life, so she simply stopped trying to stop her. "Alright, alright, I'll go back to the practice room first. Meng Yingying, go and keep her company."

She's all bark and no bite; she was the one who opposed it the most initially.

Now, it is she who has gone back on her word and asked Meng Yingying to go on a date first.

Wu Yanzhou walked ahead, and once she left, only the young couple remained. Snowflakes were falling from the sky, fluttering down and landing on Qi Donghan's head, adding another layer of white.

Meng Yingying looked at him and asked, "How long of leave did you take?"

"Three days."

“Three days?” Meng Yingying’s voice rose a few decibels. “It takes thirty-two hours to get here, and sixty-four hours just on the train, not to mention you have to transfer, wait for trains, eat, and find a place to eat.”

"Qi Donghan, are you out of your mind?"

Qi Donghan was scolded, but he wasn't angry. He quietly watched her and let her vent her anger before he said softly, "Yingying, I just wanted to see you."

—I came to see you no matter what.

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Author's Note: Little Bitter Gourd is going crazy.