Chapter 133 Dancing at the Annual Party, Jealousy Erupts...
Chapter 133
The moment those words were spoken, the room fell silent.
Zhou Jingsong's expression changed drastically. He instinctively picked up Zhao Yueru and ran towards the hospital.
Meng Yingying and Qi Donghan also went to the hospital, only to find it was a false alarm.
The baby in her womb was being naughty; her cervix wasn't actually dilated yet. So the doctor kicked her out again.
When Meng Yingying left the hospital, she was still a little dazed. She stared at Zhao Yueru's belly and thought, "This child is really naughty."
They're just here to scare people.
The key point is that her belly was almost bursting before, but after going to the hospital, the baby started sleeping soundly again.
Zhao Yueru also felt it, and she lightly tapped her belly, "Am I pregnant with a naughty child?"
This isn't the first time they've used this feint.
Fortunately, it was a false alarm; no one was scared half to death. The baby is only eight months old; if he were born now, the child would probably have a hard time.
After all, the baby isn't fully developed yet, so it's a good thing that the child can stay in Zhao Yueru's belly for a while longer.
Having just visited the hospital, by the time they returned to the canteen, it was almost closing time. Wang, the head cook, and the quartermaster, noticing that Qi Donghan and the others hadn't arrived yet, noticed...
I specially saved a pot of chicken and mushroom stew for them in the kitchen.
It was simmering over charcoal. When they arrived, the copper stove was bubbling away, and the mushrooms inside were floating in the air.
"Hurry, hurry, I thought you weren't coming."
Squad Leader Wang brought out chairs. "Everyone outside has almost finished eating. You're only just arriving. Sit here and eat."
There were six chairs in total, one for Meng Yingying and her husband, plus one for Squad Leader Wang and Quartermaster Wang.
They've been so busy from beginning to end that they haven't even had time to eat.
We can eat them together now.
It was chilly outside, and in the canteen kitchen, steaming hot chicken stew with mushrooms was being cooked, with several cornbread pancakes pasted around the copper stove.
Because it's been sitting for quite a while, the kang (heated brick bed) has turned a golden-yellow color.
To be honest, Meng Yingying was tempted as soon as she came in.
Knowing what she was thinking, Qi Donghan immediately brought out bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen, first serving her a bowl of chicken stew with mushrooms, and then handing her a piping hot cornbread.
It was a little hot, but Meng Yingying's hands had been outside for a long time and were a little cold, so she took it and rubbed her hands with it while slurping because it was so hot.
I first took a sip of the chicken and mushroom soup, and I must say it was incredibly delicious.
The pheasant was freshly killed, and the frozen mushrooms were also freshly picked, making them exceptionally fresh. They were stewed for a long enough time that the meat was so tender it melted in your mouth. Taking a bite of a mushroom afterward made it so delicious that you almost wanted to bite your tongue off.
Meng Yingying ate several bites in a row before breaking off a piece of cornbread and soaking it in the soup.
As soon as the flatbread was soaked in the soup, it was like a dry sponge meeting hot water, immediately puffing up into a half-circle of golden-yellow belly.
Meng Yingying gently pressed down with the tip of her chopsticks, and with a gurgling sound, the soup seeped up along the honeycomb structure of the pancake, glistening and seeping into every pore.
She lowered her head and took a bite of a corner.
"hiss--"
It was so hot that she immediately pulled her tongue out, but the delicious taste made her reluctant to spit it out.
The outer layer of the pancake is still crispy, but the inner layer has already absorbed the soup and is so soft that it can slide down on its own. It carries the oil of pheasant and the pine aroma of frozen mushrooms, with a salty taste and a sweet aftertaste.
It was so delicious that Meng Yingying puffed out her cheeks, panting as she chewed, her eyes reddening from the steam, yet she couldn't help but squint, completely satisfied.
Seeing that she was eating too quickly, Qi Donghan reached out and touched the back of her hand with the rim of the bowl, and whispered, "Slow down, don't burn your skin."
Before he finished speaking, he picked up a piece of chicken breast cartilage, bit it off with a crunch, and a little bit of chicken marrow oil spurted out from the cartilage, making him raise his eyebrows from the heat. It was really delicious.
No wonder everyone thinks about eating meat all year round; only after taking a bite of meat can you know how delicious it is.
Zhao Yueru was in a similar situation; she hadn't eaten so heartily in a long time. Zhou Jingsong served her the whole time, only managing to eat a few bites occasionally.
By the end, everyone was so full that they couldn't move at all.
"Sure enough, hot pot is still the best choice for winter meals."
If the food were different, it would probably be completely cold before you could even take a couple of bites.
Perhaps only a stew of chicken and mushrooms can truly satisfy one's appetite.
When I came out of the cafeteria again, the moon was high in the sky. It was a rare good day after half a month of snow.
Meng Yingying looked up at the moon, holding Qi Donghan's arm. To her left was Zhao Yueru being supported by Zhou Jingsong.
The four of them walked home side by side.
Meng Yingying suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. "I feel that these are the best days I've ever had."
My loved one is by my side.
My best friend is by my side.
They have no worries about food and clothing and are successful in their careers.
For Meng Yingying, this seemed to be the best day of her life.
Of course, she dared not think about Meng Baichuan; she couldn't, because thinking about him would only bring her pain.
Zhao Yueru followed closely behind Meng Yingying, playfully bumping Meng Yingying's back with her big pregnant belly, saying, "I also think life is pretty good now."
Unlike when she was a girl at home, back then her family were capitalists, and she was always on edge, either having her house splashed with excrement or being taken away for questioning.
It seems like she hasn't lived like this since she married Zhou Jingsong.
Zhao Yueru used her pregnant belly to bump into people, which startled Meng Yingying. She quickly hid behind Qi Donghan, scolding Zhao Yueru as she did so, "You're a mother now, how can you still be so reckless? I think the child's naughtiness comes from you."
Meng Yingying rarely had a dark expression, and Zhao Yueru was also a little scared. "Yingying, I was just playing with you."
Although she was pregnant, she still retained the liveliness and mischievousness of her teenage years.
Meng Yingying took a deep breath, "The child really takes after you."
"It was mischievous even in the womb."
Zhao Yueru breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that she was no longer angry.
However, under Meng Yingying's warning gaze, he finally calmed down.
The 27th day of the twelfth lunar month.
With only three days left until the Lunar New Year, Commander Fang approached Meng Yingying and said, "New Year's Eve is just around the corner. Our superiors have given us a task: to perform a show in the auditorium on New Year's Eve."
This can be considered a New Year's Eve gala.
They organized it themselves in Harbin.
Meng Yingying nodded, "Then you should discuss it with Coach Zhao."
Coach Zhao has now taken over the position of Secretary Xu. Secretary Xu is in charge of logistics, while Coach Zhao is in charge of arranging teaching.
"Coach Zhao has come up with two programs: one is the team competition, and the other is your solo dance."
"But I don't know if you agree, so I wanted to ask you."
Meng Yingying thought for a moment and said, "Okay, but I've been resting at home these past few days. Give me some time to catch up on my basic skills."
Seeing that she had agreed, Director Fang breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, then our art troupe will put on two programs, one by a group and one by an individual. Yingying, you should prepare well."
Meng Yingying thought to herself, this is just an internal party, not a competition, why should I prepare properly?
Even if someone jumps incorrectly on top, very few people will notice.
However, she naturally wouldn't argue with her superior. As she left Commander Fang's office, Ye Yingtao and the others in the practice room also noticed the commotion.
"Have you heard? Our performing arts troupe will be putting on a show at the annual party."
Meng Yingying nodded, "Commander Fang just finished speaking to me."
Did you agree?
Meng Yingying was both amused and exasperated by the question. "Of course I have to agree. The leader has made a request, how can I refuse?"
"Too."
Ye Yingtao muttered, "Why didn't they say it earlier or later? There are still three days until the New Year. We don't even have time to rehearse."
"There's still time."
Meng Yingying was quite frank, "It's just an annual meeting, not a competition. There's no need to be so meticulous. Just show what we've practiced in the rehearsal room."
Ye Yingtao admired Meng Yingying's composure, but after Meng Yingying's words, she felt less complaining and nervous.
Now that the performance at the annual meeting was confirmed, Meng Yingying returned to the practice room to rehearse for the next few days.
The piece she submitted was "The Celestial Maiden Scattering Flowers," which is also one of her best pieces, the kind she could perform with her eyes closed.
She will be amazing, and at the same time, she won't feel too much pressure.
When Meng Yingying was rehearsing, Gu Xiaotang followed her around like a little follower, doing whatever Meng Yingying did.
After Meng Yingying finished performing the "Scattering Flowers" dance in one go, she went to ask Gu Xiaotang, "Do you want to come to the annual party with me?"
Gu Xiaotang paused, instinctively wanting to refuse.
Meng Yingying raised her hand and shook her head. "Don't rush to reject me, Xiao Tang. Think about it carefully. This is not a competition, it's just a performance at the annual party on stage."
"It's very simple and relaxing. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, and don't rush to reject me. Think about it carefully."
Gu Xiaotang then nodded.
Meng Yingying had already anticipated the outcome, but she didn't expect Gu Xiaotang to wait until the next day to give her the result.
"Senior sister, I'll go on stage with you to dance, but I'm not very good at it, so please don't criticize me."
This is the first time Gu Xiaotang has been on stage since he arrived in Harbin and joined the team a month ago.
Actually, this was good news for Gu Xiaotang. Meng Yingying had once worried that Gu Xiaotang was traumatized by the last incident and would never perform on stage again.
At least they agreed this time, which is a good thing.
As long as I can get on the stage, that's enough. Once I take that first step, there will be countless more.
Meng Yingying spread the word that Gu Xiaotang was also attending the annual meeting, and both Coach Zhao and Team Leader Fang were quite happy.
"Here's what we'll do: you two split up, and each of you will form your own program."
There just weren't enough songs for the annual party performance.
Gu Xiaotang instinctively wanted to refuse, "No, I'm going with my senior sister."
"I won't go on stage alone."
The only reason she agreed to go on stage was because Meng Yingying was there; otherwise, she wouldn't have even gone on stage.
Seeing her decisiveness, Commander Fang and Coach Zhao didn't know what to say next, and both wanted Meng Yingying to put in a good word for them.
However, Meng Yingying sided with Gu Xiaotang, saying, "Let's do as she says, and we can both dance the Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers Dance together."
"Perfect timing to form a duo."
Meng Yingying was the backbone of the team, and Commander Fang and Coach Zhao couldn't force her, so they had no choice but to agree.
Before we knew it, it was New Year's Eve. This was the New Year, the most festive day of the year, so the whole team was in a lively atmosphere.
Even the long-unused auditorium for the team was set up.
The logistics team started making various arrangements, including setting up backdrops, scenery, tables, and nuts such as pine nuts and hazelnuts.
Even on Commander Chen's table, there was a plate of bright red apples, which were a rare treat in Harbin at the end of the year.
It stands out conspicuously when placed there.
Meng Yingying is both a family member and a staff member of the cultural troupe. She can sit at the same table as Qi Donghan or with the other women in the troupe.
Upon seeing that Commander Chen and Political Commissar Xiao were at Qi Donghan's table, Meng Yingying decisively abandoned the idea.
I decided to sit with my girlfriends.
There were pine nuts and hazelnuts on their table. Ye Yingtao grabbed a handful and tasted them, then couldn't help but say, "These aren't as good as the ones I had at Yingying's house last time."
Meng Yingying also tried it. "It's not that it's bad, but it's been sitting for too long. And the cafeteria cooks hundreds of kilograms at a time, so it's impossible to cook it like we do at home, slowly over low heat."
"However," she changed the subject, "it's good enough to have something to eat."
When times were tough, we didn't go up the mountain to gather anything; that's when we had absolutely nothing.
These days, being able to eat pine nuts and hazelnuts is already considered a happy life.
Meng Yingying has a really good attitude, even Ye Yingtao admires her. "You're the first performer, we're the second. We'll be going backstage to prepare in a bit."
Meng Yingying raised her hand to check the time. It was a new Shanghai brand watch. She had received a prize of three hundred yuan after winning the Red Star Cup competition last time.
She then spent the money at a department store in the capital. One watch cost her 160, and two watches cost her 320.
In the end, the bonus was gone, and I even lost twenty yuan.
"You got a new watch?"
Ye Yingtao had sharp eyes and spotted it immediately.
Meng Yingying nodded, "Didn't we win an award last time? I bought one, and I also bought one for Qi Donghan."
"It's 5:30 now, I'm going backstage to get ready."
The annual meeting starts at six o'clock, so she has half an hour to spare.
Ye Yingtao was very envious. "This watch is so expensive. You're really willing to spend that much."
Meng Yingying was better at this; she stood up and said in a low voice, "I earn money to spend."
"Otherwise, why would I work so hard if I'm making money?"
As long as she has enough money in her savings account to cover her expenses, she buys whatever she likes.
In addition, Qi Donghan handed over all his savings to her when they got married, so Meng Yingying is now quite confident in spending money.
Ye Yingtao really couldn't learn that. She sighed softly, "I wish I could be like you someday."
"You can do it right now, it's just that you're not willing to."
Meng Yingying chuckled, then turned and said goodbye, "I'm going backstage first, Xiao Tang is coming with me."
Gu Xiaotang naturally agreed.
No sooner had they left than Qi Donghan saw that although he was sitting at the same table as Commander Chen, his mind was not on them, but on Meng Yingying.
The cultural troupe's table was seven or eight tables away from theirs, so it wasn't easy to strike up a conversation.
Commander Chen noticed that he kept looking back and laughed at him, "Your Xiao Meng has already gone on stage. If I remember correctly, she was the first to perform today."
Having his thoughts read, Qi Donghan was not angry. Instead, he remained calm and said, "Yes, I was worried that the weather was too cold and that the clothes she wore on stage were too thin. I was afraid she wouldn't be able to stand it."
Ultimately, these are what family and lovers are all about.
At a time like this, it's not a matter of whether Meng Yingying is pretty or not, or whether she can bring her honor.
Instead, they were worried that Meng Yingying was wearing too little clothing on stage, which might cause her to catch a cold.
Commander Chen was quite moved when he heard this, saying, "You used to be as cold as ice, but now you know how to care about people."
Qi Donghan thought for a moment, then said, "Yingying is my lover and my family, so of course I have to care about her."
Upon hearing this, Commander Chen couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat.
He thought to himself, "This is fine too."
This kind of shrewishness is really quite good.
Even if he goes to the underworld in the future, he will have the face to meet Xiao Han's father.
Backstage.
When Meng Yingying arrived, everything was already being prepared in an orderly manner. "Comrade Meng."
As soon as she arrived, someone greeted her, "Get your makeup done here; we'll be on stage in twenty minutes."
Meng Yingying nodded her thanks to the other party.
She did her own makeup first, and then did Gu Xiaotang's makeup. Her skills were excellent, and she made Gu Xiaotang look very beautiful. So much so that when Gu Xiaotang looked in the mirror, she was somewhat dazed, as if she didn't recognize herself.
"It's almost time."
Meng Yingying glanced at her watch. "Five more minutes. Xiao Tang, get up and stretch. We'll be going on stage soon."
In fact, Gu Xiaotang has performed on stage countless times since she was a child, but she has never been as nervous as she is now.
"Senior sister, if I make a mistake later, please remind me."
Meng Yingying thought for a moment, "Don't be afraid. Even if you make a mistake, there are a bunch of men in the audience, and none of them will recognize you."
"At most, they'll just think you dance really well."
These words comforted Gu Xiaotang somewhat. She took a deep breath and tried her best to calm herself down.
The host outside has already started announcing the program.
"Happy New Year, comrades! Tonight we gather here to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the arrival of 1973."
A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from below.
"Alright, now let's invite Comrade Meng Yingying and Comrade Gu Xiaotang from the cultural troupe to perform 'The Heavenly Maidens Scattering Flowers' for us."
As soon as these words were spoken, Meng Yingying and Gu Xiaotang walked out from behind the curtain. Both of them were made up and stood under the white lights.
They're all unbelievably beautiful.
The moment the two of them appeared, the previously noisy scene instantly fell silent.
All eyes were fixed on the stage.
Looking at the sea of heads below, Gu Xiaotang felt a moment of dizziness.
"Senior sister, I'm scared."
The sound was extremely soft and faint, as if it would disappear in the next instant.
Meng Yingying waited for the music to start, and didn't forget to comfort her, "Just imagine that there are a bunch of cabbages sitting below."
Gu Xiaotang, “…” She wanted to say something more, but the music started playing.
Her professionalism allowed her to get into the zone instantly.
The tension and discomfort vanished in an instant.
She tensed up, ready to wait for Meng Yingying to begin.
As the first drumbeat sounded, Meng Yingying moved first.
She lightly shuffled forward with the toe of her left foot, and as if lifted by the wind, she floated out half a step to the side. With a whoosh, her water sleeves opened, and a section of snow-white shirt sleeve slid out from the cuff. When the light shone on it, it looked like a snowflake suddenly falling from mid-air.
These are Meng Yingying's modified water sleeves, not red sleeves.
With her movement.
Gu Xiaotang followed half a step, twisted his waist, and swung his two sleeves upwards, making a crisp sound as they hit the air.
The men in the front row instinctively leaned back, afraid that the piece of soft silk would hit their faces.
By the time they realized what had happened, the long, flowing sleeves had been pulled back onto the stage. This left them with a lingering sense of loss.
Even Commander Chen was momentarily stunned. "Xiao Han, your Xiao Meng is indeed capable. No wonder he can win awards in competitions in the capital."
Of all the annual party performances Chen had watched over the years, he had never seen anything so beautiful, especially the part that Meng Yingying had just danced.
Her movements were fluid and graceful, truly stunning.
Qi Donghan nodded, "My Yingying's professional skills are indeed very strong."
In terms of dancing, he had never seen anyone more skilled than Meng Yingying.
Seeing his smug and smug expression, Commander Chen couldn't help but shake his head. "I think it's Xiao Meng who has you completely under his thumb."
Qi Donghan remained silent.
He thought to himself, isn't it good to be completely under Meng Yingying's thumb?
Others might want to be completely under Meng Yingying's control, but she'd rather not.
He's so lucky.
Thinking of this, Qi Donghan couldn't help but smile, and his gaze on the stage became even more focused.
On stage.
Meng Yingying lightly touched the ground with her toes and rushed forward with tiny steps, her speed so fast it was as if she were slipping on ice.
Every time everyone thought she was going to fall, she stood firmly on her feet.
But that's not all; every step she took was in time with the drumbeats, the rhythmic beats forming a continuous line.
She rushed straight to the edge of the stage, then suddenly stopped. Her toes were pointing straight up, her knees were firmly locked, and her whole body formed a vertical line from her heels to the top of her head.
It's shocking to look at.
Just as everyone was holding their breath for her, Meng Yingying's upper body suddenly leaned back.
Her slender waist looked as if it had been folded in half, her face almost touching her back, and her water sleeves swung upwards with the momentum, the lights following the sleeves, making it a dazzling sight for a moment.
However, most people were shocked.
How can a person be so soft?
"Especially since her waist was broken in half, doesn't she feel pain?"
"I feel like if I did that, I would be in so much pain."
"Your old waist can't compare to Comrade Meng's. Have you seen Comrade Meng's waist? It's so thin it's not even as wide as my palm."
When someone said this, they subconsciously looked at Qi Donghan.
Qi Donghan's expression was unreadable. He simply said, "My Yingying is a professional dancer. This level of difficulty is naturally no problem for her."
The fact that he wasn't jealous made everyone present breathe a sigh of relief.
But when the annual party ended that evening and Meng Yingying and Qi Donghan returned home together, Qi Donghan's jealousy flared up. He picked Yingying up in his arms, his eyes dark and brooding, and said, "Yingying, dance for me at home."
In a hoarse voice, he emphasized again and again, "Can you dance just for me alone?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com