Chapter 120 Why do we have to make a choice when we want it all?
Thinking about the voting for the show the next day, Qin Xiangxiang slept soundly and woke up quite early, just in time to catch Li Jianzhi getting up. So she said to Li Jianzhi, "Today, after the voting results are out, all 108 heroes will come up on stage to perform songs and dances, and let them all leave behind a dark history!"
"You're really doing a great job as factory director." Li Jianzhi fastened the last button on his military uniform and said softly, "Life is full of disappointments."
Qin Xiangxiang squinted at him: "What are you talking about?"
“I didn’t say anything.”
"Hmph, you damned man, don't think I didn't hear you! You said life is mostly unsatisfactory!"
Sui Sui opened her eyes: "You ghostly man!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "!"
Li Jianzhi picked up his daughter and coaxed her, "Say that I'm a good dad."
"dad!"
Li Jianzhi went out first, and Qin Xiangxiang took her daughter and stroller with her. There was a nursery in the family compound and another one at the factory. She took Xiao Suisui to the textile factory most of the time, and left her in the factory manager's office when she had free time. Li Jinling and Master Li and others could also help take care of her during the day.
“My sweetheart, Mommy has something important to do today. Why don’t you come to the factory with me, my little one?”
She ran into Gao Rong as she boarded the vehicle. Gao Rong helped her carry the stroller onto the transport truck and excitedly said, "Director Qin, today's vote is definitely for the song and dance performance—"
After she finished speaking, she paused for a moment, thinking that the play "Me and My Master" was about Qin Xiangxiang and Master Li. "No, no, I think the play is better. It's just that everyone might want the clothes. There are 108 sets of free clothes."
Qin Xiangxiang smiled and nodded, thinking that Gao Rong's words were like a harbinger of good news. "You're right, you have a great image. If you sign up for this song and dance program, you'll definitely be selected."
Gao Rong blushed: "Yes, I will definitely perform well and live up to Director Qin's expectations!"
Qin Xiangxiang held her daughter and thought to herself: It's all settled.
Most of the young female workers shared Gao Rong's idea: all 108 heroes must take the stage!
"Start the anonymous voting now. Everyone write down your number. Write 'one' if you vote for the play, and 'two' if you vote for the song and dance performance. Put them in the ballot box in front."
"Everyone can exchange ideas and think about it, there's no need to rush to vote." Assistant He felt a cold sweat running down his face. He was particularly worried about voting for a song and dance program, fearing that he would be forced to dance on stage, which was terrifying.
A stage play! It has to be a stage play.
Qin Xiangxiang took a deep breath, confident in her decision: It must be a song and dance performance!
"Director Qin, Assistant He, and Representative Xie, all the votes have been collected. Let's begin counting the votes."
Representative Jie asked Qin Xiangxiang for her opinion, and he nodded: "Let's start counting the votes. The other two military representatives will be responsible for supervising the vote counting."
"One ticket for a play!"
"One vote for the song and dance performance!"
...
After a long vote count, everyone was anxiously waiting, including Qin Xiangxiang, because to everyone's surprise, the drama and the song and dance were tied in votes, with the drama leading one moment and the song and dance leading the next.
Qin Xiangxiang was utterly shocked: My God, that's terrifying!
That lousy play they want to perform in the provincial capital? She's going to lose face big time!
Assistant He tried hard to suppress the smile on his lips: "Factory Manager, the drama program got three more votes!"
Qin Xiangxiang stared blankly, utterly unwilling to hear this result. Three more votes! Three more votes! A difference of three votes?! What the hell?!
She felt like the sky was about to fall.
Li Jinling was overjoyed: "It's a play! We've already rehearsed the play 'Me and My Master,' and we can go straight to the stage!"
Xue Haiyang, forcing himself to speak, replied, "Yes, I can go."
Xue Haiyang preferred song and dance performances; the play was really boring, while song and dance performances were more interesting. He also deeply understood Qin Xiangxiang's thoughts.
Seeing the factory workers' excitement about going on stage these past two days, Xue Haiyang was deeply moved. Yes, those of them who study performing arts often have opportunities to perform on stage, but what about ordinary people? What places do ordinary workers have to showcase their talents?
Previously, he only felt that he needed to work hard and win awards and honors. Now, Xue Haiyang has discovered that if he can lead these workers to the stage and give them the opportunity to showcase themselves, it will bring him a greater sense of accomplishment and comfort.
"Huh?! It's a play... I thought it was a musical."
"I also thought it was a song and dance performance. I was excited for a long time when I heard that there would be 108 people."
"They're going to the provincial competition, and I heard they're going to film it."
...
Most of the female workers in the crowd were extremely disappointed, while the male workers breathed a sigh of relief, at least they didn't have to go on stage to dance with stiff bodies.
Qin Xiangxiang had a headache: "The votes are only three votes apart, so there might have been an error in the middle. Why don't we all reconsider and vote again?"
The female workers in the crowd felt a surge of hope and looked intently at Qin Xiangxiang.
Assistant He was stunned: "This...this is too troublesome. Resubmitting will only yield the same result."
"Yes, factory manager, let's leave it at that."
Qin thought for a moment: "Let's try again."
"No need to vote, Director Qin." Xue Haiyang was moved to tears by the scene before him. He stood in front of the microphone and said loudly, "Why should we make a choice? Whether it's a play or a song and dance, we want it all! Let's have a play first, and then the song and dance!"
"Director Qin, this joint arts competition should be held at the Mingzhou Gymnasium. The venue is large enough, and there is enough time. Let's try to submit a long program, probably around ten to twenty minutes. Go and ask them how long the program can be scheduled for."
Qin Xiangxiang: "???" No, what are you doing?
Assistant He was dumbfounded: "???" What's going on?
Representative Jie was dumbfounded: "???" What the heck? So they have to dance? All of them?
Li Jinling cheered excitedly, "Xue Haiyang, you're so smart! Everyone, go on stage! After the play, there will be a song and dance performance! Everyone will have a chance to go on stage!"
As soon as Li Jinling finished speaking, the crowd became excited, and the female workers who had just been feeling disappointed became excited.
"Charge! Charge!"
"We want both song and dance, and drama!"
"Support Xue Haiyang!"
...
Most people don't care about winning an award. Anyway, the factory manager said that as long as they participate in the performance, they can get a set of performance costumes made in the factory. Who wouldn't want to get a free outfit?
The male employees who didn't want to dance had no choice but to comply... they had no other option.
Go ahead and jump around, what's the big deal?
Qin Xiangxiang felt numb. She thought to herself, "As the factory director, I'm leading over a hundred people to embarrass myself in public. Whose dark history is this?" She felt extremely uncomfortable sitting among the factory directors and had no face to see her family and friends back home.
Assistant He agreed: "Since it's a democratic decision made by everyone, then let's do it this way. From now on, Xue Haiyang, you'll lead the rehearsals."
Xue Haiyang nodded: "Don't worry, we won't arrange any difficult song and dance programs. Those who are stiff can just hold a flower ball and pose."
"Our play will select the best parts and cut out the simplified lines, so it will need to be rehearsed again."
Li Jinling nodded: "That's wonderful!"
"I think our factory director is really great." Xue Haiyang smiled brightly: "I don't regret coming to Feiyan Textile Factory at all. I'm honored to be a member of this team. Our factory director, Qin, is truly a good director who cares about all the workers!"
Qin Xiangxiang: "???"
What is this child saying? Could it be that he caught something from Li Jinling?
"Don't get too excited yet. I'll call the organizers and ask if we can submit this kind of program."
Qin Xiangxiang was filled with sorrow. She carried heavy steps back to the factory director's office and started calling the trade union. After the call was connected, she got straight to the point: "Yes, it's me, Qin Xiangxiang, the factory director of Feiyan Textile Factory. Yes, we want to participate, but we haven't submitted the program name and the list of performers yet."
"The program is almost decided, but there's one problem: how long is the program allowed to last? Is twenty minutes okay?" Qin Xiangxiang asked expectantly, hoping the other side would refuse.
"Twenty minutes? Is it a play? Of course." A typical play performance takes about an hour and a half, but this kind of arts competition play performance only selects the best parts, which will still take about ten minutes or even half an hour.
"The competition will last all day. We definitely won't be able to finish in the morning. We'll have lunch together and continue in the afternoon. There will be plenty of time. Don't worry about that, Director Qin."
"Rankings are not important, but we want to give the workers a chance to showcase their abilities."
Qin Xiangxiang was numb. She thought to herself, "You guys are sure you can do it in twenty minutes? Fine then." She continued to unleash her ultimate weapon: "Our factory's performance not only needs to be twenty minutes long, but also involves more than a hundred people. It's a combination of drama and song and dance."
"How much? How much did you say?" The union competition coordinator on the other end was dumbfounded.
Qin Xiangxiang: "There are 108 people in the song and dance performances alone."
"That's truly something new!"
Qin Xiangxiang gave an awkward laugh: "Is there enough room on the stage?"
"There's no need to worry about that, it's in the new stadium! The bigger the event, the better the effect!"
"Director Qin, hurry up and give me the name of the program. The list of performers can be submitted later. Oh my, you young factory directors really do have ideas!"
"Your performance is sure to shine in the competition! I have high hopes for your factory's cultural troupe!"
Qin Xiangxiang almost cried: "Thank you for your kind words."
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