Performance: Not going.
In the end, Wang Yue and Zhang Ying did not manage to visit the Wang family. When they arrived, they discovered that Grandpa and Grandma Wang had gone out and no one was home, so the two returned to the art troupe.
At that moment, Su Xiaoman had just returned from dance practice and was preparing to take her clothes to bathe. She wore a simple white long-sleeved shirt, a fine layer of sweat on her cheeks, and a rosy flush on her face. Her beautiful long hair had been braided into two plaits and coiled on top of her head.
Dance clothes showed off the figure best. Her chest was full, waist slender, hips rounded, and her long, fair legs were especially moving when she danced. Her narrow waist looked delicate enough to hold in one hand, yet it could stretch into the most graceful angles.
Zhang Ying stared at her blankly for a while, thinking that with Su Xiaoman’s beauty, no wonder Xie Yazhi wanted her as a daughter-in-law.
Unfortunately, the beauty already belonged to someone.
“Xiaoman, let me tell you something.” Zhang Ying walked over and told Su Xiaoman what she had heard.
“If only you weren’t married. Madam Jiang really likes you as a daughter-in-law.”
Su Xiaoman smiled and shook her head. Even if they did not acknowledge it, she was indeed Xie Yazhi’s daughter-in-law.
“What a pity. Why didn’t you marry a little later? I heard from Wang Yue that the Jiang family sons are all favoured sons of heaven. If you married into that family, you’d have a good life in the future.”
Seeing that Su Xiaoman was unconcerned, Zhang Ying was afraid she did not know what she had missed, so she leaned closer and whispered, “Do you know which Jiang family that is?”
She pointed at the ceiling. “You should understand, right?”
“That Wang Yue even said the Jiang family had taken a liking to her as a daughter-in-law. I don’t think that’s true at all.”
Su Xiaoman heard the gloating in her voice. She realised that although Zhang Ying often tried to please Wang Yue in person, she had plenty of complaints about her behind her back.
Su Xiaoman did not want too much contact with such a person.
“I’m going to bathe.”
Soon after, Wang Yue came in with an unhappy expression. She glared at Su Xiaoman, thinking, What is so good about this Su Xiaoman that Madam Jiang would actually like her?
Zhang Ying had a big mouth, and that night she told the others in the dormitory about it too.
“What a pity Xiaoman is already married.”
“What are you pitying her for? Are you hoping Madam Jiang will take a liking to you as a daughter-in-law too?”
“I’ve actually seen one of the Jiang family young masters. He’s very handsome. Now he’s in the Northwest Military Region… Someone like him wouldn’t look at us.”
…
“Hey! What are you all discussing? Are you letting people sleep or not?!” Wang Yue hit the bed board from her bunk, unwilling to hear them talk about this.
Su Xiaoman, Jiang family young master… it all made her extremely irritated.
Even in her dreams, Su Xiaoman could never become a Jiang family daughter-in-law.
The only thing comforting Wang Yue now was that Su Xiaoman had lost the female lead role, and she herself had become the female lead.
Who knew that the next morning, after Teacher Sun and Director Zhang discussed it, they decided to promote Qin Shanshan as the female lead instead.
“Shanshan dances better.”
“This girl works hard.”
“Give her a chance.”
“Wang Yue, this performance is being taken seriously from above. We need to discard the old and bring in the new. We believe Qin Shanshan is more suitable.”
…
Since even Director Zhang had said this, there was no room for reversal. Wang Yue and Qin Shanshan’s roles were switched. Now, in the dormitory, Wang Yue found both Su Xiaoman and Qin Shanshan unpleasant to look at.
Naturally, Su Xiaoman and Qin Shanshan were not afraid of her either.
Apart from Zhang Ying, the other two girls in the dormitory had plenty to say about Wang Yue in private.
“She relies on her good family background and always slacks off instead of practising hard. And she still wants to dance the lead?”
“Anyone with eyes can see her dancing isn’t good.”
…
Day by day, the scheduled date drew closer. Su Xiaoman’s life became extremely simple. Every day, she practised dance. She also made some friends and learned a little about musical instruments from others. During breaks, she went back to see Grandpa and Grandma Jiang. Her life in the art troupe was peaceful.
Finally, the day of the performance arrived.
The vehicle carrying the girls of the art troupe drove into the place she had been thinking about.
Water splashed out with a rushing sound.
Xie Mingtu washed his face. Clear droplets slid down his jaw and into his collar. Water clung to his eyelashes, making his peach blossom eyes look even darker and deeper. He lifted his head and looked at himself in the mirror.
Although it was still that handsome, outstanding face, all the youthful greenness from before had completely faded. He had become mature and handsome, as if carved by axe and blade.
He carefully trimmed his hair, shaved his stubble, and slowly put on his cap.
The man in the mirror lifted his chin slightly, stretching his neck. His protruding Adam’s apple moved once. His eyes lowered, glancing sideways at his reflection, as if thinking about something.
“Damn, what’s wrong with all of you?” A broad-faced man with a close-cropped haircut suddenly appeared from somewhere and walked over to Xie Mingtu. He stepped back three paces in disbelief, his finger trembling. “Old Xie, how did even you become like this?”
“You’ve fallen! All of you have fallen!”
In Shen Mingle’s memory, Xie Mingtu was cold, proud, and gifted—a wild horse on the grasslands that could not be tamed, a giant whale roaming freely through the sea. Usually, he was carefree and unruly, not caring at all about his appearance. Shen Mingle had barely ever seen him look in the mirror. He was completely different from those vain, restless young men who loved admiring themselves.
But now?
Today, who knew how many times he had looked in the mirror already.
Wasn’t it just that the young women from the art troupe were coming to perform? Why did everyone seem so restless and dressed up?
“You were born looking like that already, and you still have to act so flashy? How are the rest of us supposed to live?”
Xie Mingtu kept a cold face, arms crossed, ignoring him. Looking at himself in the mirror, he was wondering whether his Adam’s apple looked tempting enough to bite.
What angle should he use?
To make her take the initiative…
“The young women from the art troupe are coming to perform, and every one of you has started preening. Hey, do you think I should tidy myself up too…”
Xie Mingtu had no interest whatsoever in the young women from the art troupe that Shen Mingle mentioned. All he knew was that tomorrow he could leave this place. He would have seven days of leave and could go back to see Manman. Just thinking of that made his heart, which had become steady and calm after three months of training, grow restless again. His whole body felt light, as if he were stepping on clouds.
After three months of recruit training, Xie Mingtu had already passed the assessment and officially joined the army. A few days ago, people from above had come to recruit pilots and had specially selected him. After completing the procedures during these seven days, he would report to a certain training base.
“Old Xie, are you going to watch tonight’s performance?”
Xie Mingtu refused immediately. “No.”
He had to go back, pack his things, rest properly, and leave early tomorrow morning.
Xie Mingtu had no interest in watching any performance by young women from the art troupe.
“Go, go, just go!” Shen Mingle grabbed his arm and kept urging him. “How can you not go? You’re the face of our company. If you sit there, the girls’ eyes will definitely drift over to our side.”
“Come on, come on, you have to go.”
Xie Mingtu pried his hand off, firmly refusing.
He strode back toward the dorm, only to hear the loudspeaker blaring—everyone was required to attend the performance.
“Move the stools, move the stools! The stage is already set up over there!”
In the end, Xie Mingtu sat beside Shen Mingle with a sour expression on his handsome face. He hadn’t expected to have to sit through this before going back to see Manman. Around him, people were excitedly chatting about the upcoming show. To him, it all sounded like a swarm of buzzing flies—and annoyingly, he could hear every word.
He had no choice but to empty his mind, steady his breathing, and enter a state of detachment.
“Old Xie, Old Xie, look! Those girls are really looking your way.”
“Being handsome really is an advantage.”
“They’re all looking over here—looking at us!”
“They must’ve noticed me too, right?! Honestly, I, Old Shen, don’t look bad either!”
Shen Mingle realised that Xie Mingtu was truly an attention magnet. The pretty girls near the stage kept sneaking glances in their direction.
“That new recruit is so handsome!”
“Where’s he from? Does anyone know him?”
“Is he in that row? My god, he’s so good-looking!!”
“I heard his surname is Xie…”
Sure enough, the young women in the art troupe began discussing him too. Among the rows of soldiers in green uniforms, the handsome and striking ones were quickly singled out by their sharp eyes.
Su Xiaoman hid quietly backstage, not showing herself.
Good. That idiot Xie hadn’t noticed her yet—but she had already spotted him in the crowd. It couldn’t be helped. He was too eye-catching. Girls kept glancing at him; it was impossible not to notice.
Being good-looking really draws attention.
…But why did that idiot have such a foul expression on his face? Su Xiaoman had never seen him look so grumpy before, as if someone owed him money.
Three months apart, he had grown even more mature and handsome. At first, she almost didn’t recognise him. Even from afar, she could tell his physique had become much stronger.
Even more handsome now.
She wondered if he’d still wear that sour face when he saw her later.
“Xiaoman-jie, what are you doing?” Qin Shanshan called from the side.
Su Xiaoman quickly put a finger to her lips. “Shhh—”
She whispered, “Don’t call my name loudly today.”
Xie’s hearing was too sharp. Even here, she barely dared to speak, afraid he’d hear her before she could surprise him.
Luckily, there were so many people and so much noise—he probably wouldn’t notice her.
“Who are you looking at?” Qin Shanshan followed her gaze, then suddenly understood. “Xiao— I didn’t expect you to be like this too!!”
So Xiaoman-jie also liked handsome soldier boys!
Well, everyone appreciates beauty—same type of person.
Su Xiaoman thought, *I’m looking at my husband!!!*
“He looks so cold… like he has a bad temper?”
“He’s so tall! So handsome!!! And still young… maybe he doesn’t even have a partner.”
“Maybe he’s from some important family?”
“A rebellious young man—girls, if you like him, you’d better act fast.”
…
Bad temper?
Su Xiaoman smiled slightly as she looked at him. In her memory, he had never once lost his temper with her.
Clearly just a well-behaved big dog.
At that moment, Xie Mingtu suddenly felt a familiar gaze on him. He instinctively followed it—but only saw Qin Shanshan standing by the curtain.
Someone he didn’t recognise.
Shen Mingle tried to pat his shoulder but was caught. “Old Xie, you’re looking at pretty girls too?”
“I remember you’re already married—don’t compete with us.”
Xie Mingtu withdrew his gaze and went back to emptying his mind, but that lingering sense of familiarity remained.
…Manman?
Could she be here?
Su Xiaoman patted her chest, letting out a long breath. That was close—she almost got caught. Then she suddenly remembered she was wearing a small mask she’d borrowed from Teacher Sun’s child.
That idiot probably hadn’t recognised her.
Better stop looking and go prepare—her performance had been moved earlier.
“Girls, stop staring—it’s about to start.”
The stage show began, but Xie Mingtu paid no attention to what was being performed. Still, the sounds kept entering his ears.
All he thought about was seeing Manman tomorrow—whether he should give her a surprise.
His mind wasn’t here at all; his soul had already drifted to the girl he loved. So he didn’t notice the announcement on stage:
**Solo Dance — “Moonlight.”**
He didn’t even look at the stage, yet gasps erupted around him.
“She’s so beautiful!”
“Stunning!”
That familiar gaze landed on him again. Xie Mingtu instinctively looked up—
And in the next second, his eyes widened in disbelief.
His pupils reflected her breath-taking dance.
She was smiling at him.
Like a beautiful girl dancing by a frozen lake under the cold winter moon, moonlight and snow blending together. Her figure was graceful, her eyes full of emotion, her smile faint and elusive. Her shadow stretched across the snow like liquid moonlight.
When the dance ended, there was a brief silence—then a burst of applause.
“That girl just now was unbelievably beautiful!”
“Does anyone know who she is? I’ve fallen for her!”
…
Whispers spread everywhere. Shen Mingle looked around, then noticed Xie Mingtu still staring at the stage, as if frozen.
He shook his head. “That girl’s too beautiful—even you’re stunned.”
Who wouldn’t be moved by such a sight? The girls from the art troupe were all beautiful, but that one just now—her looks, figure, and aura were all exceptional.
What kind of lucky man would marry such a girl?
After sighing, Shen Mingle looked back—
Only to find the seat beside him empty.
“??!!! Where did he go?!”
Su Xiaoman slipped away in her dress, quietly leaving the crowd and heading toward a row of small two-storey buildings. None of the windows were lit; in the darkness, she could barely see the ground.
She softly called, “Xie Mingtu.”
In the next second, she was pulled into a burning-hot embrace.
It was a hug she knew all too well.
She didn’t resist as he pressed her against the wall, his warm hand cradling the back of her head—then came a forceful, domineering kiss.
Not like before—no longer gentle or tentative.
This kiss was wild, chaotic, almost like a beast devouring its prey, filled with possession.
She was dizzy from it, until she felt something press against her and snapped back to her senses. She pushed him away.
“Don’t mess around here!”
She looked up—and saw his reddened eyes in the moonlight, filled with intense emotion that made her tremble.
Xie Mingtu bit his lip, struggling to control himself. He pulled her into his arms again, voice low.
“Manman… don’t push me away.”
“Let me hold you.”
“Just hold you.”
Her heart softened. She let him hold her, arms wrapping around him in return.
But this bad dog had already learned too much.
When they separated again, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes misty. She glared at him, embarrassed and furious.
He rubbed his hand, smiling as he looked at her, eyes full of deep affection.
“Manman… I missed you so much.”
“I didn’t miss you at all!” she snapped, glaring, then turned and walked off—though her steps were noticeably unsteady.
He quickly chased after her, trying to grab her hand. She shook him off without mercy.
They walked, pulling and resisting each other.
“Old Xie! How can you be pulling at a girl like that?” Shen Mingle had followed them out, only to witness the scene.
“You’re being a hooligan!”
He was stunned.
His brother—doing something like this?
What about his wife back in the countryside?
How could he behave like this?
Su Xiaoman deliberately stepped on Xie Mingtu’s shoe and poked his chest hard.
“Yes—you *are* being a hooligan.”
“I’m going to report you to the police.”
Shen Mingle: “!!!!” This was serious!
Even heroes fall for beauty. His brother had such a bright future—was he really going to ruin it over something like this?
He looked at Xie Mingtu—
Only to see him smiling, completely unafraid. He caught the girl’s hand and spoke in a tone Shen Mingle had never heard before—soft and gentle:
“Manman… wife… don’t be angry.”
Leave a Reply