Chapter 215: The Necklace Controversy
Chapter 215: Chapter 215: The Necklace Controversy
Just when everyone thought the self-criticism session was over, Lu Deyao produced a stack of documents, handing one to every cadre in the conference room.
"This is the ten-point integrity pledge I stayed up all night drafting. Everyone, take a look. After the meeting, I’ll post another copy on the bulletin board. We need to let the soldiers know that integrity and frugality aren’t just empty slogans—they must be put into practice!"
With that, Lu Deyao glanced at his watch and said to Wu Lifeng with a chuckle:
"Exactly ten minutes. Sir, I’ve finished my self-criticism."
Wu Lifeng stared at him. ’You call *this* a self-criticism?’
After the meeting ended, Lu Deyao returned to his office, looking refreshed and cheerful.
He might have been pleased, but the entire conference room of cadres was filled with grumbling.
"Has Lu gone crazy? We didn’t do anything to provoke him, but he’s dragging everyone down with him, friend and foe alike."
"He used to be a stubborn mule, and now he’s a mad one! From now on, it’s best to stay out of his way."
...
Over the past couple of days, Jiang Qing found the time to make a special trip to the Jiang family’s home.
"Xiao Qing, how have you been? You look like you’ve lost so much weight. Don’t stay up too late studying. You need to take care of yourself. You just had a miscarriage..."
"That’s enough. I can handle my own affairs. You just worry about yourself."
Seeing the impatience on her daughter’s face, Li Hongying couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.
She had poured half a lifetime of effort into her daughter, yet now that same daughter couldn’t even stand to listen to her for a few sentences.
"Jiang Moli is at the Song and Dance Troupe. Hasn’t she caused any trouble?"
Li Hongying looked at her. "You and Moli are sisters, after all. Can’t you wish her well for once??"
Jiang Qing gave a sarcastic smirk. "The way you defend her, anyone would think she’s your biological daughter and I’m the one you found on the street."
"What are you talking about? When have I ever not been on your side? Moli is doing just fine. Your Uncle Jiang says her superiors are very fond of her, and she gets along well with her colleagues."
Jiang Qing frowned.
She had written several letters of complaint and mailed them to various superiors.
Logically, even if Jiang Moli wasn’t expelled from the Song and Dance Troupe, she should have at least been suspended pending an investigation.
But to her surprise, nothing had happened to Jiang Moli at all.
Jiang Qing seethed in silent frustration, but there was nothing she could do. She could only suppress her anger and wait for another opportunity.
’A gentleman’s revenge, ten years in the making, is never too late.’
’I have plenty of time and patience!’
"Where’s my stuff? I need to grab a few clothes."
"It’s in Xiao Peng’s room. I’ll get it for you."
"No, don’t worry about it. I’ll get it myself."
Hearing this, Li Hongying glanced at the clock on the wall. Seeing it was time for dinner, she said, "I’m going to start cooking. Stay and eat before you head back, okay?"
"Mm."
Seeing her daughter agree, Li Hongying happily went off to cook.
Once Li Hongying was out in the hallway, Jiang Qing didn’t go to Jiang Peng’s room. Instead, she pushed open the door to Jiang Dahai’s bedroom.
...
In the morning, after arriving at the Song and Dance Troupe, Jiang Moli was pushing her bicycle toward the bike shed.
Qian Ling’s voice called out from behind her, "Moli!"
"Morning, Xiao Qian."
Qian Ling smiled, her lips pursed, as two small dimples bloomed on her cheeks.
Although she didn’t quite understand Jiang Moli’s unique way of addressing her, she really liked it.
It was both distinctive and endearing.
"We have a training session this morning. Remember to bring a notebook and pen."
Jiang Moli nodded, her gaze falling to Qian Ling’s chest.
"Oh, is that a new necklace? It’s really nice."
Qian Ling nodded happily. "My older sister gave it to me for my birthday."
"Aha, it’s your birthday today?"
"It’s still a few days away. My sister just gave it to me early."
"Well, if you’re treating people to a birthday dinner, don’t forget to invite me."
Qian Ling said awkwardly, "I wasn’t planning on celebrating, but... if there’s something you want, I can treat you."
Jiang Moli beamed. "This is why you’re my favorite kind of friend—so generous."
As they spoke, the two of them parked their bikes and headed into the troupe’s building together.
Along the way, Jiang Moli hooked a finger around Qian Ling’s necklace to examine it more closely.
It was a delicate silver chain with a hollow, openwork peanut pendant.
For the time, the craftsmanship and design were quite fashionable and stunning.
Once in the locker room, Jiang Moli went to the restroom first.
When she returned, she found a crowd of people gathered in the locker room.
Qian Ling and another troupe member, Hou Yuzhu, were in the center of the circle, red in the face from a heated argument.
Jiang Moli squeezed through the crowd to Qian Ling’s side. "What’s wrong?"
Hou Yuzhu pointed at the necklace on Qian Ling’s chest. "That necklace is identical to the one I lost a few days ago! You know damn well where you got it!"
Qian Ling retorted angrily, "Don’t you dare make things up! My older sister gave this to me!"
Jiang Moli understood. She said to Hou Yuzhu, "It’s a real shame you lost your necklace. Qian Ling, you’d better keep a good eye on yours. Wouldn’t want it to disappear in a couple of days just as *her* lost one is suddenly found."
Hou Yuzhu was so furious she looked ready to keel over. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
Jiang Moli smiled sweetly. "Well, you see, I lost two bucks yesterday. The two bucks in your purse look an awful lot like mine. How about you give them back?"
Hou Yuzhu shot back, "Bullshit! Everyone’s money looks the same! How can you say it’s yours just because you feel like it?"
"Everyone’s necklaces can look the same, so what makes you think that one is yours? Go on, call out to it. See if it answers."
"You!"
Speechless, Hou Yuzhu stormed out of the locker room in a fit of impotent rage.
[Disgust Value +1. 10,000 yuan credited.]
After the crowd dispersed, Qian Ling grabbed Jiang Moli’s hand, moved. "Moli, thank you."
"Don’t mention it."
’It wasn’t for nothing, either. I just made ten thousand yuan.’
’And based on my experience, this Hou Yuzhu has a lot more potential to be mined.’
...
In addition to rehearsing for performances, the drama troupe also held regular professional training sessions.
This morning’s session was on recitation.
They were split into groups of five to select a work of over one thousand characters. After practicing for half an hour, they would recite it on stage in front of everyone.
"That’s all for today’s lesson. Class dismissed. Jiang Moli, stay behind for a moment."
Many of the others cast sympathetic glances toward Jiang Moli.
Hou Yuzhu, who had argued with her earlier that morning, was secretly gloating.
’Serves her right!’
Once everyone else had left, Jin Chenggong began to reprimand her, his face stern. "Did you skip breakfast this morning? You have no energy. Your enunciation is sloppy, you mispronounced several sounds... Of all the students I’ve ever taught, you are the worst. It would be embarrassing to even admit I taught you."
"Don’t worry, Master. Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship, I will be sure not to mention your name to anyone."
"..."
Jin Chenggong was so exasperated he almost had to laugh. He tossed her a textbook: *Basic Techniques of Stage Language: Drama Edition*.
"From now on, practice your vocal exercises and enunciation for an hour every day. I’ll be doing spot checks. If I don’t see any improvement, you’ll be sorry!"
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and stalked off in a huff.
Jiang Moli flipped open the textbook. She saw that every page was filled with annotations and personal notes and couldn’t help but think to herself, ’Huh. The little old man is actually pretty serious and responsible.’