Chapter 39: Reporting for Duty

After the two of them left, the house instantly fell into an eerie silence.

Zhang Yu looked at her parents: "What is it this time? Say something, will you?"

Mother Zhang replied: "He's a good kid... Not bad in talent, has a fine temper, and is educated."

It almost seemed too good to be true.

When judging a person, don't people look at character, appearance, talent, and financial standing?

Though Li Yousi's financial situation was unknown, an author at his level should earn more than the average dual-income family.

Father Zhang picked up a magazine and read it: "Nothing has even happened yet, and you two are already discussing it."

"Perhaps they haven't mentioned it yet. Who brings someone home right before the New Year? Maybe Xiao Li just brought him for us to see. I'll go talk to her in a moment," Zhang Yu said with a smile.

The Zhanqi Song and Dance Troupe and Gulou South Street were both in Qingyang District, separated by a mere five or six kilometers.

The two of them rode their Pigeon 28-inch bicycles, and within half an hour they could reach the Zhanqi Song and Dance Troupe. Two wheels could never quite compare to a car, but unfortunately, in this era, simply having money and ration coupons didn't necessarily mean you could buy one of those machines.

Upon reaching the gates of Zhanqi, the two presented their passes one after another and entered the troupe.

The troupe's stage was set up on the sports ground. The auditorium could not possibly hold the soldiers of the entire military region all at once, but the sports ground could accommodate several thousand people simply by bringing out benches. When the crowds truly overflowed, people would just cluster around the outer edges.

"Xiao Li is back again?"

It had only been three or four hours since Li Yousi left! It was now seven o'clock, and the troupe was still in the middle of a rehearsal. On stage, comrades from the instrumental music troop were performing.

"Yeah, went to the train station to pick someone up."

Zhang Li slowly poked her round little head out from behind him, followed by those large, expressive eyes.

Wang Hai glanced over and experienced a sudden flash of understanding. No wonder he had run off in such a rush today!

Zhang Li called out, "Director Wang."

Wang Hai could not possibly remember every single comrade in the song and dance troupe, but he had a strong impression of Zhang Li, who, much like Liu Xiaoqing, was considered a "rebel."

"Oh! Comrade Xiao Zhang! Here to report for duty, are you?"

"Mm-hm. An actor training class is going to be established after the New Year, and it might take quite a long time," Zhang Li continued.

Wang Hai stroked his chin and said, "Can you have the director give me a call? I'll discuss it with him then."

Without words from Wang Fulin, there was no way to confirm whether Zhang Li was genuinely going off to shoot a drama or simply playing around outside.

Zhang Li nodded: "When I get back to Beiping, I'll mention it to Director Wang... As for the matter of asking for leave?"

Wang Hai said, "I don't have any issues on my end. You can go talk to Comrade Su about it later."

***

This Comrade Su was naturally Su Dongmei, the backbone of the Zhanqi Dance Team, much like how Zhu Chunse was the backbone of the instrumental music troop; matters within the team fell under her jurisdiction.

Zhang Li said, "Thank you, Director. Then I'll wait here for a bit!"

Li Yousi nodded, knowing it was best for her to handle this matter herself. In the end, he also asked:

"Director Wang, my novel was only finished yesterday. When will it be reviewed?"

"You certainly wrote this just in time, finishing it right before the New Year!" Wang Hai said with some surprise.

Li Yousi replied, "Yes, I completed the ending yesterday, checked it over today, and was prepared to hand it over to you. Without your approval, I wouldn't dare submit it for publication."

"Alright, bring the manuscript over on the second day of the New Year. I've been busy these past two days and won't have time to read it."

Li Yousi spoke the truth: "What I've written is about the Kuomintang! Although they also resisted the Japanese, I feel it might be a bit sensitive. Does it need to be reported upward?"

It was better to clear this matter up early to avoid being slapped with a political label later.

Wang Hai had not yet read the novel, having only heard Li Yousi's concept. At the time, it sounded promising, but thinking about it now, it indeed felt somewhat risky.

Even though the novel primarily exposed the corruption of the Republic era, the literary circles nowadays were unpredictable. Some "know-it-alls" liked to take advantage of reform literature to write blindly and indulge in veiled satire.

"...I'll keep a handle on it. If it can't be published, I'll let you know; if it can, I'll submit it upward."

"Very well, Director."

After the two of them finished reporting their respective matters to Wang Hai, they sat in the audience and watched the rehearsal on stage.

***

Seeing that Zhang Li was growing bored with waiting, Li Yousi hurriedly led her toward the back of the stage.

Behind the stage, several hundred comrades of the song and dance troupe sat holding individual stools under a single light. Those who needed makeup were applying it, while those inclined to horseplay were fooling around. After all, it was already the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, and the troupe was filled with the lively atmosphere of the approaching New Year, lacking its usual strictness.

The dance troupe had finished their rehearsal and were sitting together in a chattering, giggling cluster of blooming youth. There were so many young women!

It was unclear who first noticed Li Yousi walking in their direction; they pointed at him and began whispering and discussing, as he was, after all, a minor celebrity in the troupe now!

Moreover, he was walking over in the company of a young woman. Given such closeness, it would be strange if people didn't suspect something!

Zhang Li suddenly smiled and said, "I had no idea you were so famous in the troupe."

"It's nothing much. After all, I'm blessed with good looks—the undisputed number one handsome man of the troupe."

Zhang Li remarked, "When did you develop such thick skin?"

"Hurry up and walk."

Tugging her along, he strode toward the group.

***

Zhang Li was not wearing a military uniform, nor was she in her training attire. Furthermore, with the glare of the lights creating blind spots, it was only natural that Su Dongmei failed to recognize her immediately.

Only upon drawing closer did she realize it was Zhang Li.

"Comrade Su." Li Yousi was already quite familiar with her from their time in the literary creation room.

Su Dongmei looked over at Zhang Li.

Zhang Li said, "Teacher Su..."

Feeling a bit nervous, she wrung her fingers. Having studied under Su Dongmei for quite some time, she naturally held a healthy fear of her. Su Dongmei gave her a light tap on the head:

"Look at you, all grown up now, going off to Beijing all by yourself to act in dramas! And you didn't even send a single letter back."

"Mm..." Zhang Li lowered her head and slowly squeezed out a sentence: "There's going to be an actor training class next year too."

"So, do you want to be an actress?" Su Dongmei asked.

Zhang Li stood there in a daze, unambitious and uncompetitive... While everyone else aimed straight for the lead roles—for instance, Chen Xiaoxuxuan had been trying out for Lin Daiyu ever since she entered the troupe, whereas Zhang Li had always auditioned for Zijuan alone.

Yet going off to act might well be the single act of willful rebellion in her otherwise ordinary young life, seeing as she was fundamentally a down-to-earth girl.

"Mm, I feel like it's quite fun."

"And what did the director say?"

"The director hasn't finalized the roles yet, just said it was possible."

Su Dongmei said, "Very well. Things are troublesome enough here at the dance troupe; if you're busy, you don't need to rush back just yet."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Zhang Li hurriedly bowed. She had returned for the New Year precisely to completely resolve her standing with the song and dance troupe, and today's outcome had turned out surprisingly smooth.

Su Dongmei added, "Don't thank me. Actually, Xiao Li has spoken to me about this several times. I never could've guessed—when did the two of you get so close?"

Zhang Li nodded, then shook her head: "..."

Li Yousi deftly changed the subject:

"Alright, now that you've reported in, I'll walk you back first. It's getting dark, and if we don't head back now, it'll be too late."

"Oh!" She hastily followed behind him.