When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 297: Chapter 114: The Green Tea Female Supporting Character in a Period Novel (1)

The old gentleman’s single sentence was tantamount to giving the Shishu Ruyi performance a shield from all criticism, truly legitimizing it for all to see.

From now on, no one would dare say a single negative word about Shishu Ruyi. To do so would be to place oneself in direct opposition to the old gentleman.

And no one wanted to become a public enemy over something so trivial!

The young women clutched their silk cloths, so emotional they were on the verge of tears. The road here had been arduous, but it had pushed them to a level of diligence and proactivity they had never known. This was a height they had never before reached.

In the audience, there were not only influential figures from every walk of life, but also their own beloved family members.

It was through them that their families had the chance to be in the same auditorium as these great figures—an honor so profound it was like their ancestors themselves were smiling down on them. And now, having even received the old gentleman’s praise, what regrets could they possibly have left in life?

The piece was presented to the organization and was set to be hung in the most prominent spot in the Cultural Palace. Given its popularity and the high praise it had garnered, it was expected to remain on display for at least six months, if not longer.

After the curtain call, it was already half-past nine. For the time being, everyone was put up in the Cultural Palace’s internal guesthouse. A debriefing meeting was scheduled for the next day, where rewards would likely be distributed based on merit.

Xia Zhaoyun, on the other hand, was picked up by Huo Tianhao to go home. Her spirit, wound tight for two months, could finally unwind. She draped herself languidly on his arm, swaying gently as they walked through the night.

The moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright, bathing the ground in a silver glow that was even more luminous than the dim yellow streetlights.

Their two children were fast asleep, and he carried one under each arm, like a pair of little piglets.

The children had been eating well these past few months and were visibly filling out. As their personalities grew more cheerful, they were constantly running and jumping around, making them much sturdier. They were a delightful sight.

The two little ones and one big one he was supporting weighed nearly 165 pounds combined, yet Huo Tianhao’s steps showed no sign of strain. The tenderness in his eyes was unlike anything she had ever seen.

He looked at her—at her smile, tinged with both joy and fatigue, which only made her look all the more beautiful—and murmured, "Honey, when you’re back for good, how about we take the kids for a walk like this every night after dinner?"

He’d never given it much thought before, but ever since Xia Zhaoyun came into his life, seeing other families made him unable to stop himself from dreaming up hopes and plans for the future—all of them revolving around her and the children.

He never knew his greatest aspirations could one day be so beautifully simple.

Xia Zhaoyun nodded. "Of course, Tianhao. This performance was a huge success, so I should be able to get transferred to the city soon. Even if I don’t make it into the Central Political Department, I should be able to get into a comparable unit."

"Whether it’s the Central Political Department or another unit, the daily training regimen is demanding. But our group is very talented, so unless there’s a major event, I should be able to come home on time every day."

"It’s been tough on you this past month."

"After the meeting tomorrow, we have a three-day break. Let’s buy some groceries and cook at home, shall we?"

A fire ignited in Huo Tianhao’s heart, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

She was already a devastating beauty, yet she loved to act sweet and docile just for him. Every little thing she did struck a chord deep in his heart, and a beauty bathed in moonlight was all the more captivating.

If the two kids weren’t here, he would have pulled her into his arms and satisfied some of this craving right then and there.

His eyes darkened, and his voice grew husky. "Get a good night’s rest tonight," he said. "Because tomorrow, you’re going to have to reward me properly."

Xia Zhaoyun shyly nudged him with her head. She pursed her lips and let out a soft huff. "We’ll see about that!"

The next morning, after breakfast, Huo Tianhao dropped her off where she needed to be, took the children to kindergarten, and then headed to work.

Xia Zhaoyun arrived rather early, and the moment she walked in, she was swarmed by the young women of Group Three.

Now that the pressure was off, they finally felt bold enough to huddle around her, chattering curiously in hushed tones. "Little Xia," one asked, "during the rehearsal, how did you know it was Jie Xiaoqin making trouble?"

"And how did you guess that the people she was targeting with her scheme were from the textile factory’s arts troupe?"

Of course, Xia Zhaoyun couldn’t tell them the real story. She just raised an eyebrow and smiled. "It’s simple, really. At such a critical moment, who would be willing to stick their neck out and use such tactics just to stop us from getting on stage?"

"There were only a handful of possible motives. All you had to do was pay close attention and use your head a little."

"Jie Xiaoqin is young, after all. When she heard we’d been disqualified, she was so thrilled she was practically shaking. And she’s not a complete idiot—she’d never write an anonymous letter herself. Besides, she’s always been one to manipulate public opinion."

"So, the most obvious place in the Cultural Palace for her to do her dirty work was... the bathroom stalls..."

The young women nodded again and again. It was true—people always leave a trail.

Seeing Jie Xiaoqin ostracized and despised by the young women of Group One served as a cautionary tale for them all. In life, the only real path forward is hard work; any other shortcut will ultimately demand a terrible price!