Xu Ruantang didn't want to go too far, "Why don't you wear it and I'll just wear my own clothes? Anyway, you'll be the main character, and I'll just be the supporting role."
She wrote the speech with the intention of having Li Shuhe give the speech, while she would just follow along.
Although she is not socially anxious, she suffers from embarrassment and is afraid of crying uncontrollably.
"No, if we're going to do it, we should do it to the best of our ability. Let's wear matching outfits!"
Li Shuhe was suddenly very assertive this time. They spent the whole afternoon shopping and bought two dresses that were not too extravagant, but were still considered stage costumes.
After they came out, Li Shuhe took her out for a meal, and the two watched a movie before going back.
Li Shuhe really did grow up in a wealthy family; she didn't hold back when it came to spending money. The two of them spent a month's salary in just one afternoon.
Xu Ruantang gave her money, thinking that it's not easy for anyone to earn money.
Li Shuhe refused to listen, and said somewhat angrily, "Ruan Ruan, we've been through thick and thin together, why are you still being so calculating with me?!"
"I don't want it. If you dare give me money, I'll never talk to you again."
Xu Ruantang had no choice but to give up, thinking that she would invite her out shopping and eating next time.
Back in the compound, Li Shuhe asked her to try on the dress.
The stage-style dress she bought, complete with sequins, is considered top-tier fashion in this era.
It was a privately owned clothing store run by someone else. At the time, the owner praised the dress to the skies, saying it was the best thing ever. On a whim, Li Shuhe bought it.
Xu Ruantang didn't stop her, partly because she saw that she liked it, and partly because at first glance, it was a style that the two of them could wear.
"Shuhe, don't you wear military uniforms when you perform in your cultural troupe?"
Xu Ruantang voiced the question that had been on her mind.
Li Shuhe said, "What era are we living in? Think about it, if everyone is wearing military uniforms during a cultural performance, what's the point of the audience watching?"
Wearing military uniforms was for rural performances to show the troops' spirit; back then, uniforms were mandatory to maintain a proper military appearance.
Xu Ruantang changed her clothes and showed them to Li Shuhe.
There's no full-length mirror at home, so she can't see whether she looks good or not.
Wearing a silver French-style fitted long dress, Li Shuhe realized for the first time how good Xu Ruantang's figure was.
"Ruan Ruan, I never noticed before, you have a chest, a waist, and a butt!"
She exaggeratedly circled around Xu Ruantang, exclaiming, "This, this, this is so beautiful!"
Xu Ruantang usually dresses in a low-key style, either in shirts and pants or in skirts she designs herself, always preferring to keep things simple.
At first glance, she is beautiful, but she has a natural, unpretentious charm.
People would think she's a young girl and wouldn't associate her with maturity at all.
Now, accentuated by the dress, she exudes a more charming and alluring feminine air.
Xu Ruantang wanted to change, "Do you want to try it too?"
Li Shuhe hadn't even tried it when Chen Ji returned.
She carried her large and small bags. "We'll meet at the cultural troupe building tomorrow morning for one last rehearsal. I expect Wang Feng will also be looking for us; we'll just have to deal with him then."
Xu Ruantang nodded, "Okay."
Li Shuhe gave Xu Ruantang a flirtatious wink with a roguish look, then ignored Chen Ji and slipped away.
As soon as she left, Xu Ruantang asked Chen Ji, "Why are you back so early today?"
"Tomorrow is August 1st, so the whole regiment will not have any extra training today."
Chen Ji answered absentmindedly, looking at Xu Ruantang with a half-smile, his voice slightly hoarse: "Bought a new dress?"
Xu Ruantang lowered her head. "Yes, these are my and Shuhe's performance outfits."
She smiled and twirled around, showing it off to Chen Ji. "Does it look good? Can we wear this for tomorrow's performance?"
Chen Ji knew that she and Li Shuhe had participated in the cultural performance together, and Xu Ruantang wanted to ask for his opinion, since it's better to be cautious these days.
If someone uses this as an excuse to spread rumors that are detrimental to Chen Ji, then it would be a case of more harm than good.
"It's very beautiful." Chen Ji said seriously, glancing at her before quickly looking away.
If Xu Ruantang looked closely, she would notice that his ears were red.
But she didn't realize, "Isn't this a bit too much? In previous years, has anyone dressed this daringly for a performance by the cultural troupe?"
She hadn't seen the cultural troupe's performance, but Chen Ji certainly had.
Chen Ji concealed the strange look in his eyes and said calmly, "I don't remember, but there should be some. They've become more and more colorful in recent years."
Xu Ruantang was amused by his remark; who would describe someone as colorful?
"Are you sitting too far away from the performance? Can't you see clearly?"
Chen Ji's voice was low and hoarse, "Mm."
He usually sits in the back row because it's too noisy in the front.
Xu Ruantang realized belatedly that Chen Ji's reaction was somewhat strange.
"What's wrong? Are you tired?" Xu Ruantang asked as she walked into the house. "Wait a minute, I'll change my clothes. I'll cook today."
She turned around and smiled, "You can give me guidance."
"Wait a minute." Chen Ji took a long stride, walked to her side, glanced down at her, and said, "Stand still."
He went into the bathroom and quickly came out with a round mirror.
Xu Ruantang was still confused when she saw him raise the mirror and gesture for her to look.
It wouldn't have mattered if she hadn't looked, but once she did, Xu Ruantang's face burned. "Ah..."
"I wanted to tell you last time that just because you can't see it doesn't mean that people above you can't see it."
Chen Ji smiled and said, "I don't object to you wearing whatever you like, but you also need to learn to protect yourself."
Xu Ruantang nodded, "I understand!"
She ran quickly into the room, closed the door, and changed her clothes.
What Chen Ji just showed her was her neckline.
She clearly felt that her clothes were close to her body and that she wasn't exposing herself at all.
However, if the neckline of the dress is slightly larger, someone of Chen Ji's height wouldn't see it that way.
Xu Ruantang suddenly remembered her pajamas, so Chen Ji had always known but hadn't said anything?!
No wonder Chen Ji wrapped her up in his coat when she went to open the door for Li Shuyang in her pajamas last time.
He's hard to say, because if he says too much, he might mistakenly think that he's too old-fashioned or a relic of the past.
During dinner, Xu Ruantang asked him, "Chen Ji, do you have anything to say about my participation in the cultural troupe's performance?"
She had mentioned it to him before, but it was in a hurry. She's been so busy lately that she's rarely seen, and the two of them haven't exchanged more than a few words.
It was just the two of them at home. Under Chen Ji's guidance, Xu Ruantang stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, along with her favorite mushrooms and greens.
Chen Jixiu held the chopsticks with his long, slender fingers, picked up a piece of egg and put it in her bowl, saying calmly, "Do what you want to do, as long as you're happy."
Xu Ruantang rested her chin on her hand and picked up the egg he handed her and ate it.
After we finished eating, he said, "Aren't you afraid I'll mess this up and embarrass you in front of everyone?"
After she arrived, the most common way to address her was "Commander Chen's wife".
Many people don't even know her name.
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