When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 246: Chapter 101: Top Star of the 60s Cultural Troupe (40)

Xia Zhaoyun watched all of this unfold, a flicker of a smile in her downcast eyes. ’As expected of my new apprentices,’ she thought. ’Their acting skills are good enough to make a professional debut.’

The blood was a mixture of pigments, about eighty percent realistic. Thanks to the dim lighting, the suddenness of the event, and the girls’ coordinated, convincing performance, they had truly fooled everyone.

On the surface, however, she chimed in angrily, "That’s right, Troupe Leader! If something like this happens once, it’ll happen again. We absolutely cannot be lenient with the person who did this!"

"The organization is cracking down on all fronts right now. If that person shows even the slightest sign of disrupting the collective, they’ll be made to rot in a jail cell..."

"I refuse to believe we can’t find the culprit with so many of us here. If we really don’t make any progress, I’ll go find Brother Hao. I’ll see if I can borrow one of those old, discarded lie detectors from the Soviets. We can test everyone, one by one. We’re bound to find the perpetrator that way..."

Xia Zhaoyun, who detested wrongdoers more than anything, even provided a concrete solution.

Certain people started to panic. Director Yuan, suppressing a strange unease in her heart, tried to persuade her earnestly, "Comrade Xia, the factory’s consolation performance is in two days. If we call in our colleagues from the bureau at a time like this, won’t we just be giving the other work units a show to watch?"

"Whatever the problem is, we should try our best to resolve it internally. If we really can’t, then we can report it to the leadership and let them decide. Shouldn’t we at least wait until after the performance is over?"

The girls from Group One and Group Two also chimed in, "That’s right. The factory leadership is placing special importance on this performance. We can’t let this incident bring shame to the factory. This is only the second time we’ve held one..."

"Comrade Wang Huiwen, if you can’t perform, we can have another colleague take your place. If we win a prize and get a reward, you can all split it..."

"We can’t let the entire performance become a joke because of one person. How will our factory maintain its standing in the north side of the city after this?"

Yao Yunying was trembling with anger. "So because this didn’t happen to you, it’s easy for you to stand there and talk!"

"Yes, the factory’s reputation is important, but is that an excuse for you to help a criminal get away with their crime?"

Peng Shulan landed another blow. "In that case, even if you didn’t do it, you’re still morally corrupt accomplices for the sake of your own selfish interests!"

"Aren’t you all just jealous that our Group Three is getting a good ranking, so now you’re enjoying the drama? You’re nonchalantly telling Huiwen to just swallow her grievances. When she really gets tetanus and kicks the bucket, I wonder if your consciences will be clear?"

"At that point, you’ll really be accessories to a murderer..."

The crowd, which had been enjoying the drama, froze. They were a little annoyed at their own eagerness, which had drawn the ire of this group of lunatics from Group Three. ’I’m just a bystander,’ they thought. ’How did I get dragged into this talk of murderers?’

Xia Zhaoyun let out a cold laugh. "Whoever did this, you’d better step forward now. Perhaps, for the sake of being colleagues, and provided that Huiwen is unharmed, we’ll just have you transferred to a different post, away from the factory’s song and dance troupe."

"Otherwise, we will make you regret the day you were born and ensure you rot in prison!"

They were all just ordinary girls. They liked to compete and prove themselves on a daily basis. For a moment, blinded by jealousy and personal gain, they might impulsively make a mistake. But after the initial satisfaction came endless regret, worry, fear, and even terror. This whirlwind of conflicting emotions was enough to drive a person mad.

Director Yuan caught a glimpse of someone’s pale, sweat-drenched face, and her heart sank even further. Suppressing her anger and worry, she said coolly, "Xia Zhaoyun, must you make this a spectacle for the whole factory?"

Xia Zhaoyun’s eyes shifted. She had already noticed something was off with Jie Xiaoqin, who was hiding behind the crowd. But the other girl was too cautious, only occasionally letting an eye peek through. If Xia Zhaoyun hadn’t been specifically watching for her, it would have been hard to spot anything.

Now that Master Yuan had stepped forward on her own accord, it further confirmed her suspicions.

Xia Zhaoyun raised an eyebrow and said bluntly, "Of course. A life is potentially at stake. Are we supposed to keep quiet and let the criminal get away with it? I don’t understand what kind of mindset you have, Director Yuan, to wrong the victim just for the sake of some intangible ’face’?"

"This is the New Society. We prioritize the tangible interests of the people. This attitude of yours—sweeping major issues under the rug—how is that any different from the old exploiting class?"

Mr. Xue frowned as well. "Indeed, Director Yuan. I know you’re coming from a place of concern for the factory’s interests, and your intentions are good."

"But when it comes to criminals, we cannot have an ounce of wishful thinking. If we let her get away with it this time, she will only become more brazen. Tomorrow, any one of us could be the next Comrade Wang Huiwen!"