Chapter 423: Chapter 423: The Program
Yang Peijun and Yang Peiying had just come back and were not quite clear about the situation.
Chen Guizhi spent the day at home and usually liked to open the courtyard door to chat with the neighbors about this and that, so she knew a bit more. But more importantly, because Lu Hailing had come over to greet her.
“Lu’s girl is also one lucky kid,” she said. “I heard it’s because she did a favor for a comrade-in-arms. Feeling sorry for her, they arranged a job for her.”
Yang PeiMin felt something was off the moment she heard this opening remark. Just because Lu Hailing helped Wen Qing carry a bucket of oil upstairs, she got a job? This was like pie falling from the sky. She didn’t believe there wasn’t something fishy going on between them, as Wen Qing didn’t seem like the sort to casually dole out kindnesses.
Chen Guizhi spoke with admiration about Lu Hailing’s luck.
Yang Peijun was also curious, “What kind of favor did she do, then? It must have been a big one for them to thank her with a job.”
Chen Guizhi laughed, “It wasn’t like that. It wasn’t so much as a repayment for the favor. She said it was just a small help, and they became friends afterward. In chatting, she mentioned her family and how her mother was planning to marry her off to a divorcee. The person couldn’t bear to see her in such a situation and helped her find a job.”
Yang Peijun nodded in understanding, “That’s really a kind person.”
Chen Guizhi agreed, “Indeed, I heard they even allocated a single dorm room for her. They heard her mother had been ill for quite some time since coming to visit and hadn’t fully recovered, and she had used up her visitation time at the military unit. Therefore, they applied for a single dorm room in the factory so her mother could come and live with her.”
Yang Peijun was impressed, “That’s really good luck.”
Chen Guizhi firmly concurred, “The wife of the comrade-in-arms who helped her is such a good person. Hailing from the Lu family said that once she settles the dormitory, she’ll come over to share the good news with us.”
Yang PeiMin shook her head and asked, “Share the good news? That’s an interesting way to put it.”
Chen Guizhi explained, “In some places, getting a job is indeed cause for celebration, isn’t it? She didn’t say anything wrong. I wonder if Yixiang knows about this yet? Now that her partner’s mother has also moved in nearby, our future interactions are bound to be… well, it gives us a chance to understand that old lady’s temperament. It might be better for Yixiang to move back home. Everyone’s here and it looks rather lonely with her being the only one outside.” The last part was directed at Yang PeiMin.
Yang PeiMin was indifferent to Shen Yixiang moving out; any awkwardness was on her alone. As for her moving back, it wasn’t unbearable for Yang PeiMin since they had lived together before. Having her around would give Chen Guizhi more to fuss over and might liven things up, as long as she didn’t bring strangers into the house. Therefore, she didn’t object, “If Yixiang wants to move back, let her. I’m not mad at her or anything. She’s the one making it awkward for herself.”
Chen Guizhi laughed, “Alright, I’ll have her come and apologize to you. I don’t even know if the kid has had a proper hot meal since she’s been living outside.”
Yang PeiMin shook her head, “No need for apologies. In the future, I just hope she can take advice to heart and not be so muddled. After all, it’s not like we’re so free we go looking for things to interfere in her life.”
“You’re right; the girl is stubborn. I’ll talk to her.”
“Moving back is also good. Mother’s not wrong; you can tell what a person and their family are like after living with them for a while. Now that the Lu family matriarch is here, we can observe properly. Often, it’s not just about marrying the person, it’s about joining their family.”
Chen Guizhi nodded vigorously, her face beaming, “Min, you’re absolutely right, I need to keep a close eye on her.”
Yang Peijun looked at Yang PeiMin with a smile, “Min, you’ve really grown up.”
Yang PeiMin gave him an annoyed glance.
She needed to return to school after dinner.
As she was leaving, she reminded Yang Peijun and Yang Peiying to be more vigilant since Chen Guizhi was ultimately too trusting. She was worried the newcomer might deceive her.
Yang Peijun readily agreed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Yang PeiMin looked at him, speechless. What good does it do for a grown man to be so nosy?
At school, they were also busy preparing for the National Day celebrations and organizing various cultural performances.
The class had the option to choose its own performance to participate.
Since the class was a bit lacking in females, with a strong male presence, the initiative naturally fell to the two girls.
Does this mean, no matter what program we pick, the two girls definitely have to participate?
Li Yue seemed somewhat eager to try.
“Pei Min, do you have any ideas? I heard the class next door is doing a chorus, they’ve even picked out the songs.”
Yang Pei Min then said, “Then ask everyone what they think, who is willing to perform on stage, see who’s available, and we can pick out those with talents from the volunteers, and make a selection.”
“Sure, everyone, speak up about any special talents you have?”
Yang Pei Min is someone who preferred working behind the scenes, and performing on stage wasn’t quite her style.
“If someone like Pei Min doesn’t perform, wouldn’t it be a waste of talent?” Li Yue knew what she meant and encouraged her.
“We’re at a university that showcases talent, not just appearances.”
Li Yue couldn’t convince her and turned to discuss the type of performance with everyone else.
When asked about their talents, everyone unanimously agreed they could sing; right now, everybody could belt out a revolutionary song at any time.
As for other talents, like musical instruments or dance, those were rarer, dance was almost non-existent, and there were three or five who could do poetry recitation, which wasn’t a lot since we weren’t liberal arts students.
With these basic talents, the options were narrowed down to a choral performance or a group recitation. No one considered a third option because there were quite a few who wanted to perform; people were more willing to showcase themselves not like in Yang Pei Min’s time.
Yang Pei Min added three more categories, sketch comedy, stage play, and crosstalk.
Many were unclear about these, but after listening to her explanation, they all became very interested.
After voting, a sketch was chosen.
It seemed fun, just like the ones on TV.
However, there was still the script to be written.
So all eyes were once again on Yang Pei Min.
What could Yang Pei Min come up with? She could only rack her brain for classic yet light-hearted and funny material, but couldn’t think of anything complete. She scribbled down a few funny sketches and had everyone refine them, adding in experiences from their own lives, editing repeatedly until finally, they managed to produce something.
Yang Pei Min said she wouldn’t perform onstage; such acting wasn’t her forte.
She only offered to handle the costumes, props, and makeup—those logistical tasks.
However, since the role of a woman was needed, it had fallen solely to Li Yue to perform.
Once the decision was made, Yang Pei Min became even busier. After school, she still had to stay for another half hour to help with the rehearsals.