Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 185: Speaking

The May Day performance ended beautifully.

For several days afterward, the Military Wives kept joyously reminiscing and chatting about it.

"I’ve lived so many years but this was the first time I’ve been this happy. You have no idea, I even shouted a couple of times... Luckily, the voices around me drowned me out, otherwise that unpleasant sound, just listening would have made someone cringe..."

"Hey, that’s nothing. Our little troublemaker on his dad’s shoulders was also howling away. He was so happy he peed on his dad without noticing, but his dad was in such a good mood, he didn’t mind at all. Any other time and he would have already started scolding."

"Ah, look at my little one, making such a fuss, I couldn’t leave. Hearing you talk about how exciting it was is making me jealous. So hurry and tell me, what performances were there, who was praised?"

"You asked the right person. What’s it called again? Right, that actress called Xiao Yun, she got a special mention. That dance of hers, ’The Hard Times,’ she danced so well, and she’s pretty too..."

"Exactly, that’s her. And you know what, after she finished dancing, her boyfriend even went up on stage to give her flowers. The scene was so lively, the cheering almost lifted the roof off. The leaders immediately spoke up and told them to hurry up and file a marriage report, tie the knot, so as not to embarrass themselves here... Hahaha... That leader really knows how to joke, everyone was laughing so hard..."

"Oh my, heaven, can it be like that? How could Xiao Yun’s boyfriend be so bold, not afraid of being reported or anything... With so many people around, his superiors don’t mind?"

"What’s the big deal? I heard that those movie stars often receive flowers like that and the ones giving flowers aren’t even their boyfriends. Xiao Yun’s boyfriend, well, he just picked some wild flowers from the roadside... Oh, you wouldn’t believe his cunning, now he’s securely got his wife."

Luo Dahua secretly gave Yang Peimin real-time updates, telling her that the rumors about her and Wen Qing’s spouse had disappeared without a trace.

Yang Peimin was very pleased and wrapped up a small packet of snacks for her three children as a treat.

Luo Dahua felt embarrassed, so she also brought some homemade salted duck eggs for her.

Yang Peimin loved to eat those. They had a unique taste when made at home and were very fragrant. Seeing how much Yang Peimin enjoyed them, Luo Dahua didn’t hold back and shared her pickling method with her. "Back in my hometown, every household knows how to make them. There’s nothing new or secretive about it. A few other people here in the compound know how to do it as well. Normally, eggs are too costly, and one would rather save them to supplement family income than to take the trouble of pickling them. It’s just because those father and son liked them so much that I went out to buy some to pickle. I’ve planned not to buy meat anymore, as long as they’re happy eating these."

Yang Peimin also felt grateful and returned some fresh eggs she had previously bought. "I feel uneasy just accepting these from you for nothing, and since your family’s eggs are running out, won’t your family members complain? Take these and pickle them quickly. Consider it you did me a favor. I won’t be polite with you about this craftsmanship, just take it."

Luo Dahua pointed at her, shook her head helplessly, then laughed heartily, "Alright, I’ll pickle as many as you want."

This back and forth strengthened the relationship between the two families.

The day after the performance, Qiao Ying specifically made a trip to visit, restarting their previous conversation. "Firstly I’m very pleased, our troop’s performance was a great success. This is due to the relentless efforts of our team, our cultivation, and including your part in this success. We haven’t forgotten your contribution, especially Minister Xia."

Yang Peimin looked at her with a smile, "So?"

"So..." Qiao Ying coughed slightly, "So Minister Xia particularly hopes that you’ll join our troop. They’ve arranged a job for you, a makeup artist who will travel with the actors..." As she spoke, Qiao Ying hesitated, already having decided to reject the offer for Yang Peimin herself, telling Minister Xia that her friend was planning to study for college exams.

"Pei Min, when Minister Xia mentioned this, I also brought up the fact that you’re preparing for exams. After thinking for a while, he asked me to come over and see if you could teach the team some makeup skills."

Yang Peimin shook her head, "Those basic skills, I already demonstrated to everyone during yesterday’s makeup session. As long as they have a set of makeup products, they should quickly get the hang of it. Tell your Minister not to worry."

Qiao Ying was just making a routine visit since she already knew the answer before coming, so she wasn’t disappointed. Instead, she brought up the main business and started discussing some troubling matters within the troupe.

"Wen Qing thought her promotion was a sure thing, but after last night’s performance, her average performance didn’t attract much attention from the reviewers. This put her promotion in jeopardy, unlike the less prominent Xiao Yun who unexpectedly stole the show... Minister Xia is having second thoughts. Wen Qing came to me inquiring... Such official matters, even with our relationship, I wouldn’t disclose superior’s thoughts..."

Yang Peimin was surprised. Had Wen Qing’s promotion issue really stirred up again?

Unable to discern the significant difference between the lead and supporting performances last night, Qiao Ying vaguely mentioned a few things before changing the subject, telling her about their plans to return. "Everything here is concluded, and after concluding the performances at the Provincial Culture Department, our schedule is set. We’ll be returning to Q city in four days."

"That soon?" Yang Peimin thought of the cosmetics, and since the team’s size might be more manageable after the departure, sometimes division of performance tasks vary and places differ, it’d be best to complete it within these few days and distribute them to the members.

Qiao Ying also brought this up as a side note, checking what Yang Peimin plans to do.

Yang Peimin told her she would do her best to get it done in the next few days.

"Knowing this, I’m relieved."

The client was relieved, but she herself was anxious.

She planned to go out to gather the raw materials, intending to find everything within a day. Shen Yiguang was worried about her going out alone and suggested she list everything she needed so he could have someone buy them.

Yang Peimin wasn’t polite with him. Instead of idly wandering in unfamiliar places, it was better to specify what was needed and give it directly to someone. So she prepared two sheets of paper, complete with diagrams and text, for Shen Yiguang.

Then there were the tools and equipment she needed. Recalling Shen Yiguang’s background as a carpenter’s apprentice, Yang Peimin turned her attention back to him, counting on his help for this as well.

Shen Yiguang expressed his interest and decided to start working in his dormitory during his off-hours in the evening.