Chapter 87 Yingying, I'm here

Chapter 87

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Yueru looked up sharply. "What did you say?"

“I said, I’m also from the Harbin team.”

This was the first time Zhou Jingsong had mentioned his past experiences stationed in the military to Zhao Yueru. Since he went blind, he had rarely talked about being stationed there.

That was what he experienced when he was still able to see, but now that he is blind, even the garrison has become a place he can never reach.

Zhao Yueru murmured, "You're actually from the Harbin garrison? But Yingying has sent me so many letters, why didn't you say so?"

Zhou Jingsong sighed helplessly, "Yueru, there used to be envelopes, but I'm blind now, and you never read the mailing address to me."

So even if he wanted to know, it would be difficult.

Zhao Yueru, “…”

Then it dawned on her: yes, she had never mentioned the mailing address to Zhou Jingsong when she received the envelopes.

Of course, we wouldn't bring it up like that. We always talked about money and tickets, and what Yingying wrote in the envelope.

Who would remember to provide the address?

After thinking it all through, Zhao Yueru grabbed Zhou Jingsong's hand and said, "Zhou Jingsong, I want to go with the army."

"I need to go to Harbin to be stationed right now."

Zhao Yueru, who had been hesitant before, now seemed like a completely different person. Zhou Jingsong was caught off guard by her urging, and while packing his things, he tentatively asked, "Why don't you call Meng Yingying first?"

"don't want."

Zhao Yueru's eyes lit up. "I want to give her a surprise. Hurry up, Zhou Jingsong, try to ask the garrison if we can go back."

"I want to join the army now."

"But your stomach."

“My stomach is fine,” Zhao Yueru said firmly. “As long as I see Yingying, I’ll be fine.”

This left Zhou Jingsong somewhat helpless, but he still took his wife's arrangements to heart. After leaving the hospital, he sent a telegram to the garrison.

"My eyesight has recovered, and I will join the army with my wife."

When the Harbin garrison's telephone office received the telegram, it should have reported it to Qi Donghan immediately. However, since Qi Donghan was not present, the telegram was forwarded to Political Commissar Xiao.

Political Commissar Xiao was overjoyed. "That's great! Regiment Commander Qi is out, and we don't have enough manpower here. If Old Zhou can come back, we can lend a hand."

"Bringing your wife to the army?"

Political Commissar Xiao slammed his hand on the table, took the telegram, and went to find Division Commander Chen. "Sir, Comrade Zhou Jingsong is coming back, and he even got married in his hometown. He wants to apply for a house in the family compound."

"Look this way?"

For a combat hero like Zhou Jingsong, who even injured his eye while rescuing people while stationed at the unit, his return to the team is naturally a good thing.

"You can arrange it. Based on the housing that Xiao Zhou can get with his current position, raise it a bit higher. For example, if his position only allows him to get a one-bedroom apartment, arrange a two-bedroom apartment for him. If it's a two-bedroom apartment, find a way to get him a large two-bedroom apartment or a small three-bedroom apartment."

I'm afraid of being criticized, but within these limits, it's okay.

Political Commissar Xiao hurriedly arranged a house for Zhou Jingsong in the family compound. Only officers at the regimental level could be allocated a three-bedroom house. Zhou Jingsong was not yet at that level, but it was not a low-ranking position either.

So he chose a large two-bedroom apartment, and one with a good orientation.

Once the house was chosen, the procedures began.

On the other hand, Zhao Yueru didn't even stay at home for long after being discharged from the hospital. She started packing her luggage and went to the Meng family before leaving.

The Meng family was still being looked after by Uncle Meng San. After seeing Uncle Meng San, she explained her purpose, "Uncle Meng San, I'm going to join the army."

Uncle Meng was a little surprised, but then he remembered that half a month ago, Sister-in-law Zhou had said that Zhou Jingsong's eyes had recovered.

He had some vague suspicions. "It's better to go with the army. The Zhou family is a hotbed of trouble. It's better for you to leave sooner rather than later."

The Zhou family has many sons and sisters-in-law, with parents-in-law above and sisters-in-law below. With so many people, there are bound to be many troubles and problems.

Zhao Yueru was somewhat moved. She whispered, "Third Uncle, Zhou Jingsong's garrison and Yingying's cultural troupe are from the same place."

"I plan to meet up with Yingying after I get there."

"What?"

Now it was Uncle Meng's turn to be shocked. "You mean, Zhou Jingsong and Yingying are in the same place?"

"yes."

“I never dared to ask Zhou Jingsong about his work at the military base before, and since Zhou Jingsong is blind, he didn’t know that Yingying was sending me letters from the military base in Harbin. Now that I know, I plan to go with the troops to find Yingying.”

"Third Uncle."

Zhao Yueru held Uncle Meng's hand and said, "This is the money Yingying sent back before. She asked me to give it to you."

"Zhou Jingsong and I are leaving. Take care."

"I'll come back to see you when Yingying and I are reunited."

Uncle Meng refused, but Zhao Yueru stuffed all the money into his arms, saying, "Keep it. Zhou Jingsong will get a stipend when he goes to the garrison."

“We’re not short of money, and Yingying won’t need to send me her salary every month anymore.”

"You accept Third Uncle."

If things hadn't gone wrong, she probably would have given him one of the small yellow croakers she was holding.

Unfortunately, I can't give it to them; giving it to them would only bring trouble.

She was in such a difficult situation before, having to be hospitalized to protect her pregnancy, but she still didn't sell the baby fish.

Now I dare not take it out at all.

Uncle Meng still refused.

"Third Uncle, please don't, I dare not leave."

Zhao Yueru knew that Uncle Meng was now Meng Yingying's only remaining family. If she didn't make proper arrangements for Uncle Meng before she left, she wouldn't have the face to see Yingying again.

Uncle Meng accepted it. He was silent for a moment, then said, "After you go to find Yingying, send a telegram or make a phone call to the brigade headquarters."

Zhao Yueru naturally agreed.

Throughout the entire Mengjiatun village, the only person she cared about was Uncle Meng San, because he was the person Meng Yingying cared about the most.

After making arrangements for Uncle Meng, she bid farewell to the Zhou family and boarded the train to Harbin to be stationed at the team.

Listening to the clanging of the train, Zhao Yueru murmured, "Yingying, wait for me."

—I've come to find you.

*

Meng Yingying has been at the Moscow Ballet School for half a month now, and she has almost mastered ballet and Russian.

Now she practices dancing every day. After two weeks of professional practice, she has made great progress in the dance to "Don Quixote".

Meng Yingying decided to change to a different dance. "Teacher, I'd like to try Swan Lake."

To be honest, Chen Jie and Jian were both a little shocked when she said that. "Meng, you've only been studying Don Quixote for half a month. Do you want to continue practicing for a while longer?"

Meng Yingying shook her head, "I am already very familiar with this dance."

"I'd like to change to a different dance."

"Such arrogance." A blonde, blue-eyed girl walked over. She was wearing a white ballet costume. She wasn't thin, nor was she the kind of thin that the performing arts troupe sought to achieve; instead, she had a rounded, full figure.

Yes, it's perfectly round and smooth.

“Jane, I want to challenge her.” Arkhipova raised her chin, her tone less than calm. “I’m going to challenge her right now.”

In the two weeks since Meng Yingying arrived, many people have been discussing whether Meng Yingying's talent is better than hers.

In fact, Arkhipova was not convinced.

Jane hadn't expected his student to issue a challenge so quickly. He paused for a moment, then asked, "Arkhipova, have you thought this through?"

"In principle, you can only start sparring after Meng has completed a full month of learning."

Arkhipova instinctively said, "Jane, I want to compete now. I can't wait another two weeks."

It's clear that Arkhipova has a short temper.

Jane was somewhat helpless. He went to look at Yang Jie, who translated it simply. She then asked Meng Yingying, "Yingying, will you accept her challenge?"

Meng Yingying nodded, "I accept."

She also wanted to compete with Arkhipova and challenge the genius of Moba School.

Seeing that she had agreed, the scene instantly became lively. Everyone gathered together and made a special trip to the school's main stage.

As a result, it even started being broadcast on the radio.

"In ten minutes, Arkhipova and Meng will have a match in the third classroom. Students who are interested are welcome to come and watch."

Now that's great! The announcement over the loudspeaker has drawn all the students who were taking a break to the stage in the third classroom to watch the dance.

Tong Jialan and the others stopped practicing and rushed over. She was a little worried, "Yingying, isn't it too hasty for you to start sparring now?"

“I heard that Arkhipova practiced Don Quixote, and she has been practicing this dance for almost three years.”

Meng Yingying changed into a white ballet costume, her hair standing up high with only fine downy hairs at her temples. She smiled and said, "Tong Jia, don't worry about me."

"It's just a temporary sparring session. Even if you lose, it doesn't matter."

"I've done my best, that's enough."

This kind of mentality is truly admirable, and even Shen Meilan and Li Shaoqing don't know what to say.

After Meng Yingying went on stage, Shen Meilan said, "No wonder she accepted it faster than us, and no wonder she went so far."

From the very beginning, Meng Yingying's mindset was different from theirs.

Everyone was focused on the stage, but unseen by them, the large third classroom gradually filled up with people.

Everyone was staring intently in one direction.

"Arkhipova was too impulsive. She shouldn't have challenged Meng. It was very disrespectful to us."

"Arkhipova is probably threatened by Meng's talent."

"I've heard that many people are privately discussing whether Arshipova's talent is inferior to Meng's."

"Meng's talent is truly astonishing. If things continue like this, who will win, Meng or Arkhipova?"

No one could answer that question. "I don't know, we'll have to see what happens next."

On the stage, wait for Meng Yingying and Arkhipova to stand still.

Jianbian followed and went to the side.

He lifted the piano lid, pointed lightly with his finger, and looked up at the two on the stage. "My dear, who wants to go first in the grand pas de deux from the middle of the wedding of Kitty in Don Quixote?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Yingying and Arkhipova exchanged a glance on the stage.

Arkhipova swung her arms and landed on her tiptoes at number four. Under the lights, she looked like a proud, plump white sparrow. "I'll go first! So no one will say I'm bullying the newbie!"

Meng Yingying didn't care; she was fine with either way. So she nodded to Jian, "Then she can go first."

Jane sat down at the piano and began to play. As soon as the prelude began, Arkhipova tapped her toes and, as if she were on springs, her calf muscles tensed and bounced four times in quick succession, as fast as drumming, but she landed silently.

The air fell silent instantly, and Tong Jialan remarked instinctively, "Her strength is incredible."

They also practiced this dance, but no one had ever been able to do it to this level.

Apart from Meng Yingying.

Yang Jie was also somewhat surprised, "Jane, your student is indeed very capable."

No wonder he's called a genius. You can tell if someone is an expert or has talent just by looking at a few moves.

Jane didn't speak. He slowly brought the music to a close before standing up. "Arkhipova is the most talented student in our school in the last ten years."

As the music faded, Arkhipova stepped off the stage, panting heavily, her bangs sticking to her temples, but her eyes held a haughty look. "Your turn, Meng. I hope you, a girl from the East, won't disappoint me."

Meng Yingying smiled but didn't speak. She pressed the hairnet down again to make sure it was tight before giving Jian a slight nod.

Jane understood, and her fingers landed on the piano keys, deliberately slowing down the prelude by half a beat—to give her a breather.

Meng Yingying took a deep breath and started to beat the music. She seemed to be standing on ice, and she slid off in a flash, then quickly stood up again.

Then, he crossed his legs, raised his toes, and each time he stood ramrod straight, so fast that you could only hear the sound but not see the shadow, and landed as lightly as a feather.

That wasn't all. Then she stood on one leg, drew a circle in the air with her other leg, and her body spun around like a top.

With each rotation, her arms would change position, but her shoulders remained completely still, demonstrating an astonishingly stable core.

The scene was completely silent.

Jane, who was playing the music, also slowed down a bit. When the music ended, she stopped playing as well.

Just a moment later.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause.

Almost no one spoke; everyone just clapped.

Jane snapped out of his shock, stood up from the piano bench, and said to Yang Jie, "Yang, no wonder Meng wanted to change to a new piece."

"She has completely mastered this piece."

Yang Jie was also somewhat proud. She nodded and said, "Yes."

Jane, who was standing next to her, went up on stage and said to Arkhipova, "You said you wanted to challenge Meng, but are you convinced by Meng's dancing skills?"

Arkhipova was pale and remained silent.

Jane shook his head and said to Meng Yingying, "Meng, you beat Arkhipova, you can change to the next piece, Swan Lake."

Meng Yingying bowed to Jian and said, "Thank you, teacher."

*

Harbin Railway Station.

Zhao Yueru lay on the sleeper berth for three whole days before finally arriving at Harbin Railway Station. She couldn't wait to get off the train, and you couldn't tell from her gait that she was four months pregnant.

Stepping off the train, even the cool air felt pleasant to her. She walked out excitedly, humming a little tune, "Yingying, Yingying, I'm here."

"Hehe, scared you to death!"