Chapter 149: The Performance

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: The Performance

That evening, Lu Cheng led several soldiers in carrying the piano up to the second floor of the classroom building.

Many family members and children gathered around to watch the spectacle.

For people of this era, a piano was an exceedingly rare object.

"I hear these things are really expensive. One of them costs several thousand yuan."

"It’s not like it’s made of gold. Why is it so expensive?"

A clear, pleasant voice answered the families’ questions: "Each piano is handcrafted by an artisan. The process is complex, the materials are carefully chosen, and it can take anywhere from half a year to several years to complete one. That’s why they’re so expensive."

They turned toward the voice. Who else could it be but Shen Yanzhi?

His refined, handsome looks and gentle, scholarly aura immediately left a group of the women dumbfounded.

’My god, how can someone be this handsome!’

Feng Meihua seized the opportunity to introduce Shen Yanzhi to the families.

When they learned that Shen Yanzhi was a new teacher, the women were all grinning from ear to ear.

’With a male teacher this handsome, they all felt like enrolling in school themselves.’

"Hey, Teacher Shen, do you know how to play the piano?"

Hearing Feng Meihua’s question, Shen Yanzhi was just about to speak when Jiang Moli raised her hand. "I can play! I’ll show everyone a little something in a bit!"

Everyone was skeptical.

Lu Tingting shot her a glare, clearly unhappy that she had stolen Shen Yanzhi’s thunder.

Soon, the piano was set in place.

Learning that Jiang Moli was going to play, Lu Cheng brought a stool over at top speed and placed it in front of the piano. He even thoughtfully opened the keyboard lid for her.

Under countless expectant gazes, Jiang Moli placed her hands on the black and white keys.

PLINK PLONK PLINK PLONK...

"Hiss... what on earth is she playing? This doesn’t sound good at all."

Lu Cheng shot the person a glare. "If you don’t like the sound of it, you can cover your ears."

Her cheeks puffed with anger, Lu Tingting yelled at Jiang Moli, "If you can’t play, then get out of the way! Let someone who knows how to play do it! Don’t just hog the outhouse and not do your business!"

Jiang Moli stopped playing. She turned and smiled at the disgusted looks on the family members’ faces. "This is what’s called ’playing music for a cow.’ Has everyone learned their lesson?"

’Hey, is she calling us cows?’

’She’s so annoying.’

[Disdain Value +5. Credited: 50,000 Yuan.]

Outside the crowd, Jiang Qing watched the grinning Jiang Moli with cold eyes, her own filled with mockery.

’A dog can’t change its habit of eating shit. She loves to court death wherever she goes.’

’And Lu Cheng is an idiot for blindly indulging her.’

Hearing the notification that the Disdain Value had been credited, Jiang Moli patted the piano disdainfully. "I was just joking with everyone. After all, it’s perfectly normal that I can’t play this sort of Western contraption, right?"

Feng Meihua shuddered.

She had originally wanted to give Shen Yanzhi, who was new, a chance to show his skills in front of the families and make a good impression.

But after what Jiang Moli said, she realized she had been reckless.

Shen Yanzhi’s family background was already a sensitive issue. If he had actually played this piano and someone with malicious intent reported him, it would likely have ended badly.

With this in mind, she also spoke up to help Jiang Moli out of the awkward situation. "Teacher Jiang is right. With this sort of capitalist toy, we should just enjoy the novelty and be done with it. It’s getting late, everyone should head home. The teachers and I are going to have a short meeting."

Hearing Feng Meihua say this, the families dispersed.

Lu Cheng also led the soldiers back to the barracks.

Soon, only Feng Meihua, Jiang Moli, and the other few teachers were left in the classroom.

Feng Meihua began to speak. "The school’s initial preparatory work is complete. We will officially open next Monday. As you all know, I am only the acting principal. Today, we will officially decide on the selection of a permanent principal. I welcome all teachers present to enthusiastically run for the position."

Excluding Jiang Moli, who was just there for the ride, the new school currently had a total of five teachers.

Feng Meihua, Lu Tingting, Jiang Qing, Shen Yanzhi, and Hu Xingbang.

Hu Xingbang was a sent-down youth who had been assigned to Menghai. He had since married and settled down here, living in a village about ten li from the base.

Among the five teachers, only Jiang Qing had the ambition to run for principal.

Unfortunately, she was only a substitute teacher and wasn’t qualified, nor could she compete with Feng Meihua.

Feng Meihua was officially elected principal with a unanimous vote.

She was clearly very happy, her face flushed with excitement.

The principal of a military base school held considerable power, especially for a female comrade.

’To have achieved this much in her lifetime was enough to bring honor to her ancestors.’

After delivering a passionate inaugural speech, Feng Meihua announced the end of the meeting.

"Principal Feng, I have something to say."

Feng Meihua looked at Jiang Moli, who had her hand raised, and her gaze was very kind. "Go ahead, Teacher Jiang."

"Teacher Lu and I have prepared a few performances that we’d like to put on at the school for the opening ceremony. We’d like to invite the families and children to watch for free."

...

By the time they came out of the classroom, the sun had already sunk below the horizon.

The sky was gradually filled with a flame-like sunset, magnificent and beautiful.

On the sports field, Lu Cheng’s tall, upright figure was draped in a golden glow by the evening light.

Jiang Moli walked toward him with a light step. "Come on, let’s go back."

Lu Cheng’s smiling gaze enveloped her. "What were you all talking about for so long?"

Just as Jiang Moli was about to speak, Shen Yanzhi hurried to catch up with them.

"Teacher Jiang, thank you for today."

’He had studied piano since childhood, and he loved to play.’

’If Jiang Moli hadn’t interrupted, his hands might have gotten itchy and he would have agreed to play in public.’

Jiang Moli smiled at him. "Teacher Shen, I helped you, so you can help me with something, and we’ll be even."

Shen Yanzhi was slightly taken aback, then readily agreed. "What favor? Just tell me."

"We still need a host for tomorrow’s performance. Your voice is pleasant, and your enunciation is perfect. You couldn’t be more suitable."

Shen Yanzhi readily agreed.

After leaving the school, Shen Yanzhi headed toward the family residential area.

Like Lu Tingting, he was temporarily taking his meals at Feng Meihua’s house.

Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng continued on their way back to the guest house.

Compared to his usual cheerful and chatty self, the man was especially silent today, and he wore a sour expression.

Jiang Moli bumped his arm. "Hey, if something’s bothering you, spit it out. Let me have a laugh."

Lu Cheng glanced at her and said, "His voice is so pleasant. Go listen to him talk. My voice isn’t pleasant."

’Tsk, is he jealous?’

Jiang Moli patted his shoulder, secretly smiling. "You don’t need to feel insecure. Your voice might not be as nice as his, but you’re good in bed."

Lu Cheng: "..."

The corners of his mouth had already started to turn up, but his tone was still stiff. "So, apart from that one strong point, do I have nothing else?"

"That one point alone is worth ten, okay? You have to leave a path for other men to live. Let’s be a little more low-key."

Lu Cheng was completely placated. His tone became cheerful as he asked about the next day’s performance.

Jiang Moli said, "Don’t be hasty. I have something I need your help with, too."

Lu Cheng was delighted; the only thing missing was a wagging tail. "Tell me. I’ll definitely get it done."

...

The next day, after morning exercises, Lu Cheng directed his soldiers to build a stage on the new school’s sports field.

For once, Jiang Moli didn’t sleep in. She called Lu Tingting to go to the Zhong Family’s place to rehearse their performance.

The performance was scheduled to start at 6:40 in the evening.

Just after 6:00, family members started arriving, carrying small stools to claim spots on the school’s sports field.

Entertainment was extremely scarce in this era, so a free performance was a rare treat.

Especially since they had heard the host was the new male teacher, who was said to be dignified and incredibly handsome.

Quite a few of the family members had come specifically to see the handsome man.

By around 6:30, the entire sports field was filled with families and children.

The women chatted and laughed, while the children played and screamed, making the whole place as noisy as a vegetable market.

The sound of marching in unison came from behind, and everyone turned their heads to look.

It was Lu Cheng, leading his entire battalion of soldiers to support his wife’s performance.