23,000 nutrient solutions for an extra chapter. Want to know how to earn it...?
Chapter 78
As soon as he said that, the entire carriage fell silent. For a moment, the only sound was the clanging of the train tracks.
Coach Zhao remained silent.
Ye Yingtao stared intently at Meng Yingying, murmuring, "Yingying, what will you choose?"
It would be perfectly reasonable for her to go to the Jilin City Cultural Troupe, since the benefits and treatment there are much better than those in our Harbin City Cultural Troupe.
After Meng Yingying's remarkable performance, if she were to go there, she would directly replace Shen Qiuya and become the new pillar of the Jishi Cultural Troupe.
The people from the Jishi Cultural Troupe were also watching her. To be honest, both of them were team leaders, but Meng Yingying's talent and ability to withstand pressure were clearly better than Shen Qiuyue's.
She managed to lead even a mediocre troupe like the Harbin Municipal Cultural Troupe to a tie for first or second place. So, with her teammates who have a solid foundation, wouldn't she be able to climb to an even higher position?
For a time, both sides acted independently.
The Jilin City Cultural Troupe wanted Meng Yingying to come, while the Harbin City Cultural Troupe did not want her to leave.
Meng Yingying has now become their backbone. If Meng Yingying leaves, the team spirit will be lost.
Seeing that Meng Yingying remained silent for a long time, Commander Cao launched another attack. She glanced at the time and said in a gentle tone, "Comrade Meng, it's 8:30 pm now. You can think about it carefully until you get off the bus."
"The doors of the Jilin City Cultural Troupe are always open for you."
Is it better to win people's hearts and minds through profit, or is it a calculated, overt strategy?
This prevented Coach Zhao and the others from speaking out, even if they wanted to.
While Coach Zhao and the others were worried, Meng Yingying, who had been silent all along, spoke up, "There's no need to wait until tomorrow morning, I can give you the answer now."
"I'm not going to the Jilin City Cultural Troupe."
She didn't accept the offer from the provincial song and dance troupe when they first gave her a selection form. Now that she has begun to make a name for herself, she is even less likely to accept the offer from the Jilin City Cultural Troupe.
Meng Yingying refused decisively, saying, "I'm quite content with my job at the Harbin Art Troupe. I have coaches, teammates, and good leaders."
She disliked the style of the Jilin City Cultural Troupe from top to bottom. They were radical, opportunistic, calculating, and always on the move, even willing to abandon those who had previously risked their lives for them at crucial moments.
For this reason alone, Meng Yingying wouldn't go.
Does she think she has too much life?
As soon as Meng Yingying finished speaking, Commander Cao looked somewhat regretful. She looked at Coach Zhao and sighed deeply, "The Harbin Cultural Troupe is really lucky."
The golden phoenix Meng Yingying fell from the sky, and even attracted a formidable teacher like Yang Jie.
She could only look on with envy.
Coach Zhao stood up and shielded Meng Yingying behind her. She said calmly, "Yes, the Harbin Cultural Troupe is upright and honest, so it's natural that they have good fortune and are welcoming talented people."
"As for the Jilin City Cultural Troupe—" He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.
If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too.
Commander Cao was so angry that his mouth twisted, but he was speechless.
After Meng Yingying sat down, Ye Yingtao put her arm around her wrist and said, "Yingying, I'm so afraid that you'll agree to Commander Cao's offer to go to the Jishi Cultural Troupe."
Meng Yingying comforted her, "How could that be?"
“I won’t go.” Her face was radiant and fair. “You’ve been so kind to me, so naturally I’ll stay.”
The Harbin Municipal Performing Arts Troupe was the first to take her in when she had no other options. They gave her a job, a government position, and residency, allowing her to regain her ability to support herself.
Upon hearing Meng Yingying's words, even Li Shaoqing fell silent.
It was at this moment that she realized something she had never seen before: Meng Yingying was now someone everyone was fighting over.
If the Harbin Cultural Troupe treats her badly or makes her unhappy, she may leave at any time.
Thinking about this, Li Shaoqing felt a sense of crisis. Meng Yingying could be said to be the mainstay of their art troupe.
She can't leave.
Meng Yingying was unaware of Li Shaoqing's change; she only felt that the way Li Shaoqing was looking at her was very strange.
She didn't dare look at him anymore and could only close her eyes and sleep.
After all the students had fallen asleep, Director He and Coach Zhao were chatting. "What are you worried about? The provincial song and dance troupe gave Meng Yingying a selection form, but she didn't go. Do you think she can go to the Jilin City Song and Dance Troupe?"
Is this a joke?
Too.
Coach Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. It was so close! They almost lost Meng Yingying.
The Jilin City Cultural Troupe's attempt to bribe people like this is utterly shameless.
If only their Harbin cultural troupe could be this rich.
When Coach Zhao went to the restroom that night, she ran into Qin Mingxiu, who was also going back with the others. However, Shen Qiuyue was no longer with her. After leaving the performing arts troupe, Shen Qiuyue didn't want anyone and left alone.
The two met again, their eyes locked, and the train swayed, causing them to sway along with it.
Coach Zhao, having spent a long time with Director He, also picked up some of the shrewdness that Director He possessed.
If it were the old her, she definitely wouldn't have paid any attention to Qin Mingxiu, but after learning the importance of self-interest from Director He, she changed her ways.
Coach Zhao suddenly shouted, "Senior sister, do you regret treating you and your star pupils like this by the Jishi Cultural Troupe?"
What is there to regret?
Do you regret serving Commander Cao for so many years?
In the end, they were discarded after being used.
Qin Mingxiu didn't say anything. She waited in line for the toilet, tiptoeing to avoid stepping on the people sleeping in the carriage aisle.
"Senior sister."
Coach Zhao moved a little closer and called out again, "Senior sister, do you still want to return to the stage? Do you still want to teach students?"
Qin Mingxiu had been crying, and her eyelids were a little swollen. "What do you mean?"
His voice also became hoarse.
The moment Qin Mingxiu lowered Shen Qiuyue from the rope, half of her heart died.
It was even more heartbreaking than when she was dismissed and investigated.
Shen Qiuyue was the disciple she had painstakingly trained, and she was no different from her own child.
"Do you want to reunite with your loved one who works at the Federation of Literary and Art Circles?"
Coach Zhao continued to ask.
The person in front of Qin Mingxiu left, and she stepped forward. She said calmly, "I've been dismissed from my post, and I can now go back to Harbin to reunite with my wife and children."
"Zhao Pingshui, if you came here to mock me, then let me tell you, you have succeeded."
“From the moment I was dismissed, I was no better than you.” As she said this, her eyes reddened slightly. “From the moment my student Shen Qiuyue lost to Meng Yingying, and from the moment your student Meng Yingying won the championship again, you had already won.”
"Zhao Pingshui, you win."
Qin Mingxiu's face was blank and pale. "I willingly admit defeat. From now on, I will never teach students again."
She is unworthy of her position, she lacks virtue, and she will surely perish because of her many unrighteous deeds.
She doesn't deserve it.
Coach Zhao was taken aback by Qin Mingxiu's words. After a long silence, she suddenly asked, "Do you want revenge?"
"You and Shen Qiuyue shouldn't have ended up like this."
Qin Mingxiu was also a knife in someone else's hands.
Now that the knife has become dull, the people above are unhappy with it and kick her out, along with the knife she was carrying, and kick her out of her original unit as well.
Qin Mingxiu was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Coach Zhao, "Would you like to join the Harbin Municipal Performing Arts Troupe?"
"Don't rush to reject me. I know that as a core member of the Jishi Cultural Troupe, you are aware of their legitimate sources of income."
"Even if you don't teach students after coming to the performing arts troupe, are you going to bring the resident team and the troupe's people to compete with the Jilin City Performing Arts Troupe for business?"
If Qin Mingxiu could come to Harbin to be stationed with the team, coupled with the information she had learned, it would be a great opportunity.
The prosperity of the team stationed in Harbin is just around the corner.
If the Harbin Cultural Troupe becomes successful in the future, it should be like Director Cao, spending money to poach talent everywhere.
Qin Mingxiu remained silent for a long while before asking in a hoarse voice, "Is this your idea, or the idea of the Harbin Cultural Troupe?"
"Yes, we have both."
Coach Zhao said, "It's my decision so far. Are you coming?"
"You're making money with the Harbin troupe and cultural troupe, and you'll crush the Jilin cultural troupe in the future?"
Coach Zhao knew Qin Mingxiu's personality; she would definitely be very interested in her suggestion.
"Let me think about it. I'll give you an answer when I get back to Harbin."
That means they didn't refuse.
Coach Zhao hummed in agreement, and before going to the restroom, he suddenly said, "Senior sister, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. That's what you taught me."
"I hope you remember that too."
She was willing to put aside her personal grievances to cooperate with Qin Mingxiu, so she hoped that Qin Mingxiu would do the same.
Together, they led the Harbin Municipal Stationed Team and the Harbin Cultural Troupe to a new peak!
Qin Mingxiu's expression was complicated. "You've changed a lot since you went to Harbin to be stationed with the team."
Coach Zhao smiled and said, "When I encounter a good environment and good people, I will naturally become better."
"Senior sister."
"I look forward to your joining us."
*
The next morning, Coach Zhao was reporting to Team Leader Fang.
"Commander Fang, this is the expense for our business trip. As for the return trip, Commander Cao of the Jishi Art Troupe broke the agreement due to the loss in the competition and refused to donate the remaining funds. Therefore, our return trip expenses need to be reimbursed by our unit."
"Secondly, we also brought Comrade Yang Jie back. Comrade Yang Jie's salary was not low to begin with, and there were also expenses for food, clothing, housing and transportation. This is a rough estimate of the expenses I have listed."
"Third, after Meng Yingying won the championship this time, she got the opportunity to go to the Soviet Union for an exchange and study conference. Although the organization will reimburse part of the expenses, there are still some expenses that our art troupe needs to cover ourselves. This is a rough budget that I made after asking Director He."
All three things require money. Unfortunately, the performing arts troupe has no money; not only is it short of money, it's even struggling to pay salaries.
Looking at the expense budget item by item, Commander Fang pinched her temples in exasperation. "Let's take it one step at a time. Make a list of the most important and urgent expenses, and I'll go to the finance department to ask for the money. I'll ask for as much as I can."
Coach Zhao never imagined that the Harbin Cultural Troupe was so poor that it couldn't even cover its most basic expenses.
She thought for a moment and then said, "Besides, on our way back to the city, Commander Cao from next door tried to bribe Yingying and Yang Jie to join the Jilin City Cultural Troupe."
Upon hearing this, Commander Fang slammed his hand on the table. "What?"
Coach Zhao said, "This is only the first time, leaders. If our cultural troupe continues to be this poor, we can't guarantee that people won't leave the Harbin Cultural Troupe because of money next time."
Commander Fang fell silent instantly. "I know money is important, but the organization is also short of funds, so this is an unsolvable problem."
Coach Zhao took the opportunity to mention her desire to poach Qin Mingxiu, saying, "She knows better than I do about the Jilin City Cultural Troupe, and how it obtains legal profits."
"But I dare say, if Qin Mingxiu had agreed to come to the Harbin Cultural Troupe, our troupe wouldn't be so poor."
Upon hearing this, Commander Fang was shocked. "Zhao Pingshui, you really dare to think big! You even dared to poach Qin Mingxiu, who has a grudge against you."
Coach Zhao said expressionlessly, "I have a grudge against Qin Mingxiu, but I don't have a grudge against money."
Upon hearing this, even Commander Fang was at a loss for words.
While they were in silence, a messenger from outside came to deliver a message.
"Report, a person named Qin Mingxiu is looking for Coach Zhao at the team's gate."
Coach Zhao had just finished discussing this with Commander Fang when she couldn't help but stand up. "Commander Fang, it's very likely that Qin Mingxiu has joined us."
Commander Fang also became excited, "Quickly, let her in."
"Bring the person directly to my office."
The communications officer replied that the message had been received and quickly brought Qin Mingxiu over. To get to Commander Fang's office, one had to pass through the practice room.
When Qin Mingxiu walked over, all the women in the practice room saw her and instinctively stopped practicing.
They were all gossiping.
Why is Qin Mingxiu here?
All of them disliked Qin Mingxiu very much.
"have no idea."
Meng Yingying answered, and standing next to her was Yang Jie, who held a pointer in her hand and waved it lightly, saying, "It has nothing to do with you who comes."
"Meng Yingying, after you finish opening your back, do a hundred sit-ups and start training your core strength."
After saying this, Yang Jie took out her watch, adjusted the time, and then gave the order, "Start counting now."
Without saying a word, Meng Yingying immediately got into the zone.
The other women nearby couldn't help but gasp. Yang Jie had arrived at the cultural troupe with them last night.
This morning, as soon as training began, they started pushing Meng Yingying to her limits.
Ye Yingtao muttered to herself, "If I were Yingying, I would have been complaining to the heavens long ago."
I've only been here for two hours this morning. I'm doing leg stretches, shoulder stretches, backbends, leg control, barre hops, and I have to land silently. I'm also practicing stepping on cats.
To be honest, the amount of training Yang Jie planned for Meng Yingying in those two hours was more than they used to do in a whole day.
As soon as Ye Yingtao finished speaking, Yang Jie also looked at them, "Your core strength is very poor. Starting today, do one hundred sit-ups every day. I don't care how many sets you do them in, one hundred is the minimum standard."
Ye Yingtao and the others instinctively wanted to refuse; this was too cruel.
Yang Jie brandished her pointer, her tone cold, "If you think my training intensity is too high, you can go and apply to Director Fang to withdraw from the cultural troupe."
That was a really blunt remark.
She's much ruthless than Coach Zhao.
As soon as he said that, everyone fell silent.
"One tie for first place and one second place, there was an element of manipulation involved. I watched your competition dance later, and to be honest, without Meng Yingying, you wouldn't have even gotten second place."
"Or are you already used to being last?"
With a hint of sarcasm and provocation, it instantly ignited everyone's anger.
People who used to complain that doing 100 sit-ups was too much have now quietly started doing them.
Meng Yingying, who was being stretched by Yang Jie, couldn't help but whisper to Yang Jie after hearing this, "Master, your method is really useful."
Yang Jie raised her eyebrows. "Keep going. Your task is heavier than theirs. They have to do 100 sit-ups, and you have to do 200."
"Later on, the number increased by fifty each day."
“I watched your match. You must have done some intensive training on your core strength, but it's not enough. Your waist, wrists, and lower body are not very stable.”
"If you want to go to the Soviet Union to participate in the exchange meeting, you must learn the Soviet-style variation of 'Don Quixote'. This dance places great emphasis on core strength. If you lack even a little bit, you will not be able to learn it."
"So, for the next few days, you should focus on practicing your core strength. Secondly, I will teach you two sex-themed songs and dances as your basic skills after you go to the Soviet Union, so that you won't be laughed at when you go out for exchanges."
"In the evening, I will give you a lecture on the structure of 'Swan Lake' and 'Sleeping Beauty' during your evening self-study. After you finish listening, you will write a reading report for me. I need to read them in batches."
This is a really packed schedule of classes.
It's so easy to be lazy.
Meng Yingying murmured, "So, we have to learn three to four new dances within a week, and also develop our core strength?"
Even in her past life, she had never been in such a rush.
"Yes, so you don't have time to slack off. You have to start making the most of every second from now on."
Yang Jie's words put everyone in a sense of urgency, and the entire practice room became a place where everyone was trying to outdo each other.
No one complained anymore.
However, looking at the rusty horizontal bar and the worn-out and incomplete props, Yang Jie frowned slightly, thinking to herself, "The conditions here are terrible."
Even if these students wanted to work hard, it would be very difficult for them.
The external environment determines the students' level of diligence and also their potential.
The office next door.
After Qin Mingxiu was brought over, she immediately saw Commander Fang in the office and Zhao Pingshui sitting next to him.
Judging from her position, Zhao Pingshui has completely become Commander Fang's right-hand woman.
Qin Mingxiu sighed softly, "Commander Fang."
Commander Fang stood up to greet him, "Coach Qin, please have a seat."
"You don't need to call me Coach Qin, just call me Qin Mingxiu. I'm no longer a coach at the Jishi Cultural Troupe."
That's really ruthless; he distanced himself from the issue right off the bat.
Commander Fang then called out, "Comrade Qin, sit down, what would you like to drink?"
She was naturally polite to wealthy patrons who could bring money.
Qin Mingxiu shook her head. "You should know why I'm here today."
Commander Fang nodded, poured her a glass of water and handed it to her, "I wonder if Coach Qin would be willing to join us?"
Qin Mingxiu didn't answer, but instead asked, "I wonder if the Harbin Cultural Troupe would like to know how the Jilin Cultural Troupe earns its legal income to subsidize its stationed troops?"
"Or, let me put it another way: Does the Harbin Cultural Troupe want to make money?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Bonus chapter for 23,000 nutrient solutions. This chapter took quite a while to write because it involves an important transitional plot. I deliberated for a long time before finally finishing it. It's already 1 a.m., so I'm late again. Sorry.
Goodnight everyone~ I'm so sleepy, going to bed now.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
