Chapter 212: All the Handsome Ones Are Taken
Chapter 212: Chapter 212: All the Handsome Ones Are Taken
Before long, it was lunchtime, and Jiang Moli went to the cafeteria with Qian Ling.
It was the peak lunch hour, and plenty of people were heading toward the cafeteria.
When they saw Jiang Moli walking ahead of them, they couldn’t help but whisper to one another.
"Look, that’s her. The one who argued with Fan Qiuyun from the Song and Dance Troupe this morning and forced her to apologize in public."
"Do you guys think she got in through connections?"
"Who knows? But don’t say it to her face. She has a vicious tongue, so it’s best not to provoke her."
Her morning confrontation with Fan Qiuyun had made Jiang Moli famous overnight. On her very first day, she’d become a celebrity in the Arts Troupe.
...
After getting her food, Yang Lijiong turned and scanned the room. Spotting Jiang Moli eating by the window, she headed over.
Seeing Yang Lijiong sit down opposite her, Jiang Moli smiled. "Vice Yang, fancy meeting you here."
Yang Lijiong gripped her spoon, mixing her rice and vegetables together as she spoke to Jiang Moli:
"It’s your first day. Are you settling in all right?"
"I’m settling in great."
Jiang Moli’s gaze fell on Yang Lijiong’s lunch tray. "How come you get braised pork?"
As soon as she asked, Qian Ling nudged her arm, giving her a look that told her not to be so nosy.
Yang Lijiong was noncommittal. "I’m eating the leadership meal."
"Oh, that’s great. Can I have a piece?"
Yang Lijiong gave her a look and pushed her lunch tray forward.
Jiang Moli scooped up a piece of braised pork and popped it into her mouth, showering it with praise as she chewed. "This is delicious! Thanks."
Qian Ling was dumbfounded.
’You actually dared to take food from a superior?’
Yang Lijiong raised an eyebrow, pulled her lunch tray back, and began to eat. "Xiao Fan’s behavior was inappropriate, and it led to you being unfairly criticized. I’ve already spoken to her, and she promised it won’t happen again."
Jiang Moli beamed. "It’s no problem. I tend to settle my scores on the spot. But I’m truly touched that you would step in for a subordinate, Vice Yang. It’s so moving... can I have another piece of braised pork?"
Yang Lijiong laughed in exasperation. "How about I just give you the rest?"
"That’d be great! Don’t you like pork, Vice Yang? I’d be more than happy to help you with it."
"This is the last one!"
Yang Lijiong scooped up one last piece of braised pork and dropped it into her bowl.
The look Qian Ling gave Jiang Moli went beyond mere admiration.
Not far away, Fan Qiuyun watched the scene unfold, so furious she nearly bent her metal spoon in half.
’So shameless!’
Having eaten two pieces of braised pork, Jiang Moli finally settled down.
As she ate, Yang Lijiong started to talk to her about work:
"Your scriptwriting is excellent. The story was good and had real depth. If you have the time, would you be willing to write a script for our Song and Dance Troupe that champions female strength?"
Jiang Moli grinned. "Writing a script is no problem, but that’ll cost extra. It’ll take more than two pieces of braised pork."
Yang Lijiong looked at her. "If you can write a script that satisfies me, I can help you apply for a personal grant."
"Deal!"
Seeing the overjoyed expression on her face, Yang Lijiong couldn’t help but ask, "Camp Commander Lu’s monthly stipend isn’t low, is it? Can he not afford to support you?"
"That’s not it. I just like money."
Everyone wants wealth and fame.
But few people were as straightforward about it as Jiang Moli.
This candor, however, made Yang Lijiong appreciate her all the more.
Their conversation was overheard, and through the grapevine, word quickly spread that Yang Lijiong admired Jiang Moli and had asked her to write a script.
Yang Lijiong’s validation of Jiang Moli’s skills also served to informally clear her of the stigma of having gotten her position through connections.
...
All new members of the troupe were assigned a mentor to study under for a period of time.
Zhong Lin first assigned Jiang Moli to the Performance Department.
Jiang Moli’s assigned mentor was a man in his fifties named Jin Chenggong. According to Qian Ling, he was a well-respected veteran actor in the theater world.
Jin Chenggong, for his part, didn’t try to refuse the task of mentoring a rookie.
After Zhong Lin left, he began to seriously assess Jiang Moli. "How many years have you studied acting?"
"None."
"Then what did you major in?"
"I graduated from high school."
Jin Chenggong was clearly displeased to learn she was a complete greenhorn with no foundation whatsoever. His tone took on an accusatory edge.
"If you don’t know anything, what use is there in the troupe recruiting you?"
Jiang Moli replied with a grin, "Well, that’s why you’re not in charge. You can’t fathom the leadership’s intentions."
"..."
’So young, yet so sharp-tongued.’
[Disdain Points +1. 10,000 yuan credited to your account.]
Having learned that Jiang Moli had no acting foundation, Jin Chenggong had her sit in the audience seats and observe the senior members’ rehearsal.
The rehearsal was dull and tedious. After watching for only a few minutes, Jiang Moli’s eyelids began to feel heavy.
"Xiao Jiang? Xiao Jiang? Wake up!"
Woken from a sound sleep, Jiang Moli shot to her feet instinctively. "What is it? Are we done for the day?"
Laughter erupted from those around her.
’Sleeping on the job on her very first day... she really takes the cake.’
[Disdain Points +4. 40,000 yuan credited to your account.]
Jin Chenggong’s face was grim, and he was practically fuming. "I told you to observe and learn, not to take a nap!"
"I wasn’t sleeping. I just closed my eyes to ponder something and got lost in thought."
Jin Chenggong could easily tell she was just making excuses. Clasping his hands behind his back, he sneered, "Oh? And what, exactly, were you pondering?"
"I was pondering the question you asked me earlier: why the troupe’s leadership recruited me."
"And what conclusion did you reach?"
Jiang Moli shook her head. "I couldn’t figure it out. I guess I’m not leadership material, either. I can’t fathom their profound intentions."
"Such a smart mouth."
Jin Chenggong snorted and made her stand at the side of the stage to keep her from dozing off again.
Finally, the workday was over.
Just as she reached the main gate of the Arts Troupe, she saw Lu Cheng standing outside. He stood ramrod straight, tall and imposing in his olive-green military uniform, causing the female members of the troupe to turn back for a second look.
"Look, that guy is so tall."
Hearing Qian Ling’s admiration, Jiang Moli laughed. "He’s not just tall; he’s handsome, too. Hey, want me to introduce you?"
Qian Ling was both shy and excited. "I don’t know... should we? He looks like he’s waiting for someone."
"What’s there to be scared of? Come on."
Without giving her a chance to protest, she pulled Qian Ling in front of Lu Cheng and said in a sugary-sweet voice, "Officer, this is my friend, Qian Ling. She’d like to meet you."
Lu Cheng gave her a deep look, then turned to Qian Ling with a slight nod. "Hello. I’m Lu Cheng."
"H-Hello!"
Qian Ling was so flustered she stammered, her cheeks flushing as red as if she’d put on blush.
’Oh, my God. He looks so cold and aloof, I never thought he’d be so approachable.’
’And he really is so tall and handsome.’
Lu Cheng turned to Jiang Moli, his gaze a mix of affection and resignation. "Can we go now?"
Jiang Moli beamed and linked her arm through his. "Let’s go."
She glanced back at the flabbergasted Qian Ling and smiled. "Oh, I forgot to mention—he’s my husband. See you tomorrow!"
’Of course. All the handsome ones are taken.’
Watching the affectionate, well-matched couple’s retreating figures, Qian Ling couldn’t help but sigh dramatically.
Once they reached the jeep and got in, Jiang Moli couldn’t help but ask, "You took your dad’s car again? How’s he supposed to get home?"
"He can ride his bike. Besides, he wanted to get some exercise, so this counts."
Jiang Moli was speechless. "Your dad is so lucky to have a son like you."