Chapter 259 - 105: The Top Star of the 1960s Art Troupe
Chapter 259: Chapter 105: The Top Star of the 1960s Art Troupe
Only then did Xia Zhaoyun turn to the man who had been by her side all along.
"Brother Hao, when did you get here? Have you eaten breakfast?"
Backstage, only the makeup area was brightly lit; the rest was steeped in a dim, yellow glow. Huo Tianhao took a step forward, pressing close to her, and his hand immediately intertwined with hers, fingers lacing together in a particularly tender and intimate gesture.
Xia Zhaoyun pressed her lips together and tried to pull her hand away, but failed. Flustered, she could only hide their joined hands behind her back. Her heart felt like it was simmering in a jar of honey, and a sweet, joyful smile colored her eyes.
"I’ve eaten," Huo Tianhao said with a low chuckle. "It was a rare early morning for us, so we took a detour to a state-owned restaurant to buy some meat buns."
"Kun polished off seven or eight by himself. When we got here, Comrade He Qingran asked him if he’d eaten and offered to make him noodles if he hadn’t. She even said she’s been learning from you for a long time and has already mastered a good part of your technique."
"Kun saw how enthusiastic and proud of her cooking she was, so he couldn’t resist lying and saying he hadn’t eaten. He even cheekily claimed he was starving, that his stomach was stuck to his spine, and ended up forcing down two more huge bowls."
"And after all that, Comrade He Qingran was still muttering that for a big, tall guy, his appetite was only about the same as the two of you combined."
"Kun is regretting it terribly. He feels his pride as a man has been challenged, and now he’s suffering in silence..."
Xia Zhaoyun couldn’t stop laughing when she heard this. It was true what they say: people in love have a negative IQ. From this, it was clear that Liu Mingkun truly cared for He Qingran.
"Have you heard about them meeting the parents, Brother Hao?"
Huo Tianhao nodded. "He told me. Kun can’t keep his mouth shut. The moment he mentioned it to his parents, they started turning the house upside down. They made such a fuss the whole residential compound knows about it now. It’s as if they’re getting ready to welcome their daughter-in-law."
Xia Zhaoyun rested her head on his shoulder. "I didn’t have many people I was close to in this world. At first, there was only Ranran. Then came the two children, and after that, you."
"I really want Ranran to have a happy and smooth life. She’s also had a difficult life," she said, tilting her head to look at him, her pretty, delicate face all scrunched up. "Brother Hao, do you think I’m... Why is it that I, you, Ranran, and the children... none of us have a mother’s love?"
Huo Tianhao squeezed her hand. "What nonsense are you talking about? That’s just superstitious thinking, it’s not true. If you and Comrade He Qingran hadn’t both had it rough, would you have banded together for support and formed such a deep friendship?"
"If the two children hadn’t lost their mother, would you have brought them home to raise as your own?"
"And it was because of the injustice my mother suffered that I fought against that person, leading to a series of what others saw as tragedies. If not for that, given how our paths would never have crossed otherwise, how would you and I ever have gotten involved?"
Xia Zhaoyun gently rubbed against his shoulder. "I was just overthinking things. The happier I feel, the more I feel like I’m not good enough, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold onto it for long."
"Silly girl." They were huddled in the shadows, and with people rushing to and fro, they went mostly unnoticed.
Huo Tianhao lovingly kissed her forehead. "You’re too good. I’m the one who’s afraid I’m not good enough for you."
"Xiaxia, you don’t need to overthink it. Just live happily, work hard toward your dreams, and leave the rest to me."
Xia Zhaoyun nodded repeatedly. "I said I’d treat everyone to a barbecue. I’ve saved up a lot of meat coupons at home, and they’re about to expire. It’s the perfect chance to use them and reward everyone with a barbecue tonight."
"Okay. I haven’t been at the factory long, but I still know some people. I’ll get everything you need," Huo Tianhao smiled and volunteered for the task.
The performances went by quickly. After the final act took its bow, all the performers were invited onto the stage.
Wang Huiwen, resilient as ever, had her wound bandaged and rushed back without a moment’s rest. She stood hopping on one leg among her sisters, excitedly awaiting the first honor of her dancing career!
Just as expected, the final rankings were nearly identical to the selections. The girls of Group Three took first place, while the girls of Group One, their performance affected by their emotions, failed to even secure fourth and barely clung to fifth.
The factory’s semi-annual employee appreciation gala was a relatively major event. The top three not only received the generous rewards promised by the host, but also some especially delightful additional gifts from other work units. Each person had a sash across their chest, a crystal-carved trophy in one hand, a bright red soft-cover certificate, and an armful of bright, beautiful flowers...
The girls of Group Three were ecstatic, their eyes brimming with tears. Their gratitude toward Xia Zhaoyun was beyond words.