Neither Commander Wang nor his cousin's mother could stop her, so Wang Lei had no choice but to drive her there.
Actually, the performing arts troupe is in a mess right now. During the rectification period, there are no performances. Going to work just involves practicing basic skills, and endless meetings, self-criticisms—personal self-criticisms and self-criticisms from superiors.
Tang Fengqin was still naive, with the innocence of someone fresh out of school, and having never experienced any setbacks, she obediently followed along and got busy.
Commander Wang is going crazy lately. He comes home at night, eats a quick meal, and then goes upstairs to lie down. His eyes are red, as if he has been crying every night.
Sister-in-law Ge suggested moving the family to Deng Jianyan's empty house. At first, Qin Xiaoyu disagreed, but Zhou Xing's mother said, "How could you forget that if you want a long-term relationship, you can't force it. Let them do whatever makes them comfortable."
With four family members gone and the children back in school, the house suddenly felt quiet and empty. Qin Xiaoyu had more to do at school than at the garment factory, and when she came back, she had to go upstairs to keep A Lei company, unknowingly leaving Zhou Xing's mother alone.
Now, Grandma Hanhan doesn't dare to come over. Although Madam is in good health, she is getting old after all, and she keeps dozing off while talking. It just doesn't feel as lively as it used to be.
"Mom, I'm not home during the day. Could you go upstairs and check on Lei when you have time?" Qin Xiaoyu noticed the problem and gave her a suggestion.
Zhou Xing's mother is a very detail-oriented person. She rarely went into A Lei's room before, always feeling it was inconvenient. But these past two days, as her legs have gotten used to it, she realized that A Lei's room is more suitable for her to calm her mind and relax. The two of them chatted casually, just like the leisurely days they spent in the military compound.
“A son-in-law is like half a son,” Zhou Xing’s mother said to Commander Zhou. This half son naturally referred to A Lei. Deng Jianyan was more than half a son; he was practically turning Zhou Yue into a daughter-in-law. The two of them were stuck in the same boat and didn’t need anyone else. Whenever they had time, they would get together and whisper among themselves.
Qin Xiaoyu had just started work when she received a call from Tang Wenwen. It turned out that Tang Wenwen had hired an advertising company to take a set of posters for the store for promotional purposes. The cost was surprisingly high, although it was still within her budget. Ping An couldn't help but complain to Qin Xiaoyu about it.
"Sister-in-law, everything is cheap where you are. It would be great if you could send me the posters you took pictures of. I don't care what you do. I've already prepared the summer ones. I'm just waiting for you to send me the autumn ones!" Tang Wenwen started acting like a rogue.
"Okay, okay, I'll see what to do. Just wait and see." After hearing Tang Wenwen's figure out the amount, Qin Xiaoyu felt a pang of heartache; the money had been wasted.
But there were no advertising companies in the area. The posters used to be made by taking photos of two or three pretty girls dressed in fashionable clothes at a photo studio, then having them printed at a printing factory. The quality was appalling; they were barely acceptable. It was fine for local use, but taking them to Shanghai would make them a laughingstock.
Qin Xiaoyu drove around for a while, then started racking her brains again. She thought of two people: Tang Fengqin and Xiao Mengting. Both were outstanding individuals, perfect for fashion models. Why not use her own people to shoot them?
The performing arts troupe was right ahead, so Qin Xiaoyu decided to go over and chat with them for a bit.
The building of the cultural troupe was bustling with activity, but the rehearsal room was quiet; everyone was out having meetings.
She didn't go to Commander Wang's office; instead, she went to find Tang Fengqin. Just as she reached the door, she heard a loud argument going on inside.
"You have a scar on your face, so stop hogging the spot! Give up your place. There are so many nice people here, why are you using an ugly face!" A sharp-tongued young girl. Qin Xiaoyu's heart sank when she heard this. The words sounded like Tang Fengqin.
Although the wound on her face has healed, there is still a faint mark that can be seen if you look closely.
"My scar can be covered with powder, it won't affect anything," Tang Fengqin said softly, her voice already trembling with tears.
"Your voice isn't as clear as it used to be; you're really not suited to be an announcer anymore," someone else added fuel to the fire.
"Whether she's suitable or not is none of your business. She's Commander Wang's daughter-in-law; she can take the position if she wants. Do you think you can take it from her?" someone said sarcastically.
"What do you mean? I got in through the fair and square entrance exam!" Tang Fengqin exclaimed in alarm upon hearing this.
"Was she admitted through exams? Who can say for sure..." The words were drawn out, and the girls inside burst into exaggerated laughter. Qin Xiaoyu couldn't take it anymore and tried to push the door open, but someone stood up for Tang Fengqin.
"You bunch of little girls, instead of practicing your skills, what are you saying here? Tang Fengqin got in through the exam. There were ten judges in the audience during the exam. It wasn't Commander Wang who had the final say. Are you blind?" The speaker's voice was hoarse and sounded somewhat familiar.
"Hey, Sister Meng, you're not the star you used to be. Watch your words, leave yourself some room for maneuver. I heard you even gave up your office, don't you know how to keep a low profile?" Someone retorted, immediately trying to undermine her.
"Even if I'm utterly shameless, it's none of your business to laugh at me." Xiao Mengting was so angry she was about to explode. She raised her hand to hit him, but there were too many people around, and they held her hand so she couldn't strike.
"Don't hit us! If you do, we could be injured on the job."
"What are you all doing? Are you all out of your minds?" Upon hearing the news, Commander Wang walked into the room next door.
"Commander Wang, my father was burned to death in a fire. The compensation hasn't been paid yet, and no one in my family can take over his job. Shouldn't you give me an easier job? I want to be the announcer!" The first girl to cause trouble was quite arrogant.
It turned out that her father had died in the fire, and she took the opportunity to blackmail the performing arts troupe into improving her treatment.
"It's quite lively here." Knowing that Commander Wang was in a difficult position, Qin Xiaoyu quickly stepped in to save the day.
Needless to say, the scene inside was exactly as she had imagined. Tang Fengqin was crying her eyes out, Xiao Mengting had a gloomy face, and Commander Wang's face was flushed, probably because his blood pressure was high.
Upon seeing her enter, the three of them quieted down.
"Xiaoyu, come to my office to talk." Commander Wang pulled Qin Xiaoyu away.
"Aunt Wang, have you been disciplined by your superiors?" Qin Xiaoyu asked Commander Wang deliberately without moving.
"Discipline? Why was he disciplined?" Commander Wang was taken aback.
"So that means you're not wrong. You're not wrong. What's wrong with these shameless little bitches? You're still the leader, right? Teach them a lesson one by one! Punish those who deserve it, deduct their wages and bonuses, and see if any of them say another word!" Qin Xiaoyu circled her fingers around the room.
"Who do you think you are?" the little girl muttered defiantly.
"Who do you think I am? Go ask around and tell me you're not getting your bonus this month, do you believe me?" Qin Xiaoyu sneered.
The young girl was pragmatic enough to realize that Commander Wang still held real power and shouldn't be too forceful, so she turned and ran away. The others had come to her to bolster their forces, but since she left first, they scattered in all directions.
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