Chapter 5

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Sheng Ning’s father was a veteran soldier from the Korean War. Her mother ran off with another man after Sheng Ning was born. Then, her father married a widow from another town, who brought along her own child. Ever since childhood, Sheng Ning had a bad relationship with her stepmother and stepsister, arguing with them constantly. She realized only later that although her stepmother was harsh to her, she made a huge sacrifice. She sold off her own daughter for Sheng Ning to join the army.

Sheng Ning realized this very late in her previous life. By the time she did, it was already too late. Less than three years after her stepsister married the mayor’s son, she killed herself by drinking pesticide. Her stepmother was so heartbroken that she also fell ill and passed away. When Sheng Ning ended up in jail, her father visited her once. She could still remember the look in his eyes.

All these past memories played in Sheng Ning’s mind like an old black-and-white movie. Each scene, each frame, made her hate herself even more. She clenched her fists on her knees so hard that her fingers felt like they were about to snap.

Zhang Hongmei moved next to Sheng Ning, red in the face. “Sheng Ning, are you nervous? I’m so nervous I could die. I don’t even know where to put my hands.”

Sheng Ning shook her head and said, “I’m not nervous.” In her previous life, she was also very nervous about this performance. But after the countless performances afterwards, she grew accustomed to it. She sat quietly as they waited for their turn, and gave off a steady aura.

Seeing this, Zhang Hongmei’s face grew even redder. She stammered, “Sheng Ning, you seem to have changed.” Sheng Ning was so different from how she used to be.

Sheng Ning panicked, then said hastily, “Zhang Hongmei, are you still mad at me? It’s my fault for bullying you in the past. I apologize.”

Zhang Hongmei was used to being bullied in the Art Troupe. Now that someone was apologizing to her, it actually made her very anxious.

She shook her head several times. “No, I’m not mad at you. I know you have a good heart.” Everyone bullied her, but Sheng Ning was the only one who had ever apologized for it.

Sheng Ning felt a pang in her heart. She was so foolish back then. Even the most honest and ignored person in the Art Troupe, Zhang Hongmei, saw things more clearly than she did.

She remembered how in her past life, Zhang Hongmei married a soldier from her town. In the past, Sheng Ning was extremely prideful, so she despised people like that. After much thought, she still couldn’t recall what Zhang Hongmei’s future husband looked like.

“It’s almost your turn, it’s almost your turn…” urged the logistics staff backstage, who were responsible for arranging the performance.

Sheng Ning hastily stood up. She tidied her outfit and waited behind the curtains with the seven dancers of the Art Troupe.

The giant, heavy curtains blocked the front stage. Excited, Shen Ning secretly lifted the curtain to peak at the audience, but the moment she poked out her head, she received countless sharp gazes. Shocked, she quickly let down the curtain, then tried to calm her thumping heart.

The audience was made up of the most outstanding soldiers and officers of the entire Military District. Many of them were scouts and had sight as sharp as reconnaissance aircrafts, so how couldn’t they notice her? But no one had malicious intentions. They were just curious.

Xu Qigang had no interest in the performances. If not for the fact that the Division Commander ordered him to attend, he would have rather led soldiers in field training than come to the evening party.

He was getting sleepy in his seat when he suddenly saw the little head that poked out from behind the curtains. A hint of gentleness climbed up his cold face. “How adorable!” he thought.

Shen Jianguo, who sat behind him, also saw Sheng Ning. A smile appeared on his elegant face.