The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 68 - Cultural Troupe_1
Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Cultural Troupe_1
Chapter 68 -68: Cultural Troupe_1
Qi Jianguo’s heart was abuzz with eager calculations as he walked lightly, thinking about how to prepare when he returned.
Today, he had come to understand He Tiantian more completely, not just her outward charm, but also her inner beauty.
No matter what, he was determined to win over He Tiantian.
After everyone left, Third Grandma Qi, He Tiantian, and Qi Xiaoyan together cleaned the pots and washed the dishes.
Qi Xiaoyan was in good spirits today, humming a tune at the side, her voice melodious and captivating, like an oriole in the mountains.
Qi Xiaoyan’s speaking voice was nothing special, but once she began to sing, her voice stood out remarkably, a natural-born talent.
Seeing Qi Xiaoyan’s love for singing, He Tiantian speculated and carefully asked, “Xiao Yan, do you like singing?”
Qi Xiaoyan nodded and said, “Yes, I really like singing.
At school, I’m always the lead singer.
Our music teacher says I have a good voice and a strong sense of music.”
So that’s how it was, He Tiantian understood.
Li Mingkai had an accordion and knew music.
Qi Xiaoyan also liked singing; the two shared a common language.
Back and forth they went, and after some time, they were bound to connect!
In her past life, in the seventies, after the public grain quota was fulfilled, it seemed like the commune’s propaganda team went to perform at various production teams.
Both Qi Xiaoyan and Li Mingkai were selected, and after spending a lot of time together, it was probably then that they had met.
Neither man nor woman was married; naturally, they started a relationship!
“Really?” He Tiantian feigned surprise, “If possible, you could try out for a professional art troupe outside!”
“Art troupe?
Ah, I’m just a country girl, how could I possibly get into an art troupe?” Qi Xiaoyan exclaimed.
She had wanted to attend university before, but now that the schools had closed and university admissions required recommendations, it was impossible for her.
He Tiantian was determined to change Qi Xiaoyan’s fate, to spare this kind-hearted girl from the pain of being abandoned while pregnant and to hope she could avoid the tragic fate of suicide by drowning.
“Why not?” He Tiantian frowned, “Look at you, you’re beautiful, have a lovely voice, and your singing is delightful.
With an opportunity, you could definitely make it.”
“But those big establishments in the city, they don’t recruit from our remote and impoverished area,” said Qi Xiaoyan, her heart stirred.
Although usually demure, she loved the feeling of standing center stage, basking in the applause.
“While washing dishes, He Tiantian said, “You could write to your second brother to see if there’s a chance?”
“My second brother is a company commander, busy with training and tasks.
Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to bother him with this kind of thing?” Qi Xiaoyan was hesitant; her parents placed great hopes on her second brother.
If she asked him for this favor and caused him trouble, her parents would scold and punish her, despite their affection for her.
“It’s just a letter to inquire, to find out what’s required to apply for the art troupe, to be prepared.
Who knows, they might come to recruit, and you could give it a try,” He Tiantian encouraged, “Opportunities are for the prepared.
If you’re not ready when opportunity comes, you might not be able to seize it.
I have paper, envelopes, and stamps in my room.
You could write the letter now, and Brother Dajun could help send it.”
Qi Xiaoyan was moved by He Tiantian’s words.
She loved to sing so much.
Sister Tiantian had a point, opportunities are for the prepared.
Regardless of the outcome, as long as you strive, even if you don’t reach your goal, you have exerted effort, learned something new, and will have no regrets.
If her wishes came true, that would be an even more delightful turn of fate!
“Alright, I’ll write to my second brother now to ask about it,” said Qi Xiaoyan, finishing up the dishes and drying her hands.
He Tiantian led Qi Xiaoyan into the house and gave her paper and a pen.
Qi Xiaoyan wrote a letter, sealed it, affixed a stamp, and caught up with Niu Dajun, who was saying goodbye to Village Chief Qi.
“Brother Dajun, could you please mail this for me?
This is a letter I wrote to my second brother,” Qi Xiaoyan panted as she handed the letter to Niu Dajun.
Qi Xiaoyan knew Brother Dajun had a good relationship with her family and didn’t hide her intentions from Niu Dajun, saying, “I like singing, and I want to ask my second brother how to apply for the cultural troupe?”
Niu Dajun sized up Qi Xiaoyan and exclaimed in surprise, “You want to apply for the cultural troupe?”
Village Chief Qi was taken aback as well and scolded, “Xiao Yan, the cultural troupe isn’t something we can just join; don’t bother your second brother about it.
In a little while, we’ll see if we can get you a recruitment spot so you can move to the city.”
“What talents do you have?” Niu Dajun asked.
Qi Xiaoyan was fair-skinned, with big eyes and was tall, much prettier than those in his former unit’s cultural troupe.
When Qi Xiaoyan heard her father’s words, she lowered her head and softly replied to Niu Dajun, “I…
I can sing.
Sister Tiantian says I have a good voice, and I’ve always been the lead singer during school events.”
“What songs can a child sing?
Don’t embarrass yourself in front of Brother Dajun,” Secretary Qi chided.
In this day and age, who dares to sing?
Even if one does, the choice of songs is limited.
Qi Xiaoyan turned pale, with tears nearly spilling from her eyes.
Niu Dajun chuckled and said, “Uncle Qi, don’t talk like that about Xiao Yan.
If she likes singing and is good at it, why can’t she try for the cultural troupe?
Xiao Yan, come on, I’ll wait to leave.
Sing a couple of lines for me to hear.”
Liang Hongyu saw her daughter so distressed and interjected, “Dear, just let her sing a couple of lines to let Dajun critique.
If she’s really good, that could be a way out.
Xiao Yan could do what she loves, and also get to work in the city, which would be so honorable!”
Village Chief Qi, deeply traditional, consented upon hearing his wife’s words, and Secretary Qi did not object, saying, “Alright then, sing a couple of lines for us to listen to.
But you can’t just sing anything at this time, it has to be a revolutionary song.”
Qi Xiaoyan, clever as she was, nodded repeatedly and said, “Then I’ll sing ‘My Motherland,’ which I used to lead at school.
Listen.” She cleared her throat, tilted her chin up slightly, adjusted her breath, and began, “A wide river and broad waves, the wind blows the scent of rice flowers on both banks, my home is located…”
Qi Xiaoyan’s voice was soft yet strong, fully expressing her love for the motherland.
“Bravo, bravo!” applauded Niu Dajun, after hearing Qi Xiaoyan’s singing, “Xiao Yan, you sing really well, even better than those in our former cultural troupe.”
“Dajun, I don’t consider you an outsider, so you can’t be telling lies,” Secretary Qi frowned and said.
Xiao Yan’s singing was good, but after all, she was self-taught.
How could she compare to those formally trained in music?
“Uncle, I’m not lying; Xiao Yan really sings very well.
If a cultural troupe came scouting for talent, Xiao Yan would definitely get picked,” Niu Dajun assured.
“My uncle is in the armed forces department, and if they come to our county to recruit, I’ll let you know in advance.
Xiao Yan, keep it up.
When you have time, practice well.”
Liang Hongyu was thrilled.
If her daughter joined the unit’s cultural troupe, it meant she was in the army and wouldn’t have to work too hard.
It would be both glorious and safe.
