Returning to the county opera troupe in 77

Just after breakfast around 7 a.m., Han Wenxue's voice blared from the loudspeaker:

"Hey, everyone in the theater troupe, please gather in the backyard immediately to warmly welcome our new secretary."

Most of the troupe members were still unaware that a new Party Secretary had been transferred from the county.

As soon as the announcement came over the loudspeaker, a buzz of discussion filled the rehearsal hall, practice room, courtyard, and canteen.

The male and female trainees, who had just been forced to run by Qiao Haizhu and were looking dejected, were now huddled in twos and threes in the corner of the courtyard wall, leaning against the wall and panting heavily.

Liu Benyi, the short boy with shifty eyes in the boys' class, waved to Song Linfeng, Liu Guoqi, and the others: "Hey, have you all heard? Our troupe's new secretary is surnamed Zhu. I heard he used to be a soldier."

A group of male trainees gathered around. Song Linfeng glanced at Liu Benyi and asked, "Where did you hear that from?"

Liu Benyi patted his chest, beaming with pride: "Last night when I was getting food in the cafeteria, I overheard Teacher Yu and the head of security talking about this in a very secretive way."

"The head of the security department said he had inquired and found that the new Secretary Zhu was a former soldier who had served in the military. He had comrades-in-arms with several bureau chiefs and factory directors in the county, and his connections were very strong."

Liu Guoqi shrank his neck: "Why is the new secretary so crooked?"

Liu Benyi chuckled and said, "I've heard that the secretary's official rank is higher than the troupe leader's. Jia Sepi has been the head of the troupe for so many years, do you think he's content with that? Hehe, I think our troupe is going to be quite lively from now on."

Song Linfeng rolled his eyes at him: "Who's in charge has nothing to do with a junior trainee like you. Look at you, so capable, always showing off. Hurry up and eat your food, we still have to gather in the backyard after you finish."

Liu Benyi is such a chatterbox. The training class has only been open for a few days, and he hasn't stopped talking. Even Song Linfeng, the male class monitor, doesn't like him very much.

Liu Benyi, momentarily speechless, then awkwardly shut his mouth.

As Chen Xiangdong carried his lunchbox past the trainees, he caught a glimpse of this scene and nodded and smiled at them.

Tall, burly Xue Wei approached, his eyes fixed on the large iron pot propped up in front of the kitchen: "Brother Xiang Dong, is there something good to eat in the kitchen for lunch?"

The trainees all knew Chen Xiangdong, who lived across from their dormitory, and knew that he was a full-time employee of the troupe. Although several of the boys were taller than Chen Xiangdong, they still greeted him politely as "Brother Xiangdong" or "Teacher Chen".

Chen Xiangdong was unpretentious and could chat casually with anyone with a smile.

"To welcome a new leader, we definitely need to prepare something special." Seeing a group of male trainees crowding around expectantly, Chen Xiangdong chuckled, "As for what dishes to make, don't worry about it. Just go to the cafeteria at noon and you'll find out."

After saying that, he took the rice bowl and went back to the woodshed.

A group of male trainees watched Chen Xiangdong return to his room, and they all curled their lips in disapproval. Song Linfeng scoffed and muttered, "Fine, don't tell me then, but we even set it up for him."

Then, they all rushed into the cafeteria to get breakfast.

When Chen Xiangdong finished packing his things and came to the backyard, there were already many theater troupe employees standing there, whispering among themselves.

The two mainstays, Lu Meiyin and Pan Lanxiang, stood at opposite ends of the spectrum, one at the far east and the other at the far west, separated by more than a dozen people, neither looking at the other.

Liu Dezhu was grinning and chatting idly with He Jianshe: "I wonder what kind of personality this new leader has. If he's really tough, then Jia Dafang's days ahead might not be so easy."

He Jianshe crossed his arms and lowered his voice: "Haven't you seen how Jia Dafang has managed the troupe all these years? What a mess he's made of it. If a capable leader comes along and can make the troupe better again, I'll wholeheartedly support it."

Lin Datou, who was standing next to him, rolled his eyes and couldn't help but interject, "Just do your own jobs. Why are you two meddling in the boss's affairs?"

Liu Dezhu raised an eyebrow, about to retort to Lin Datou, when he saw He Jianshe wink at him and forcefully gesturing forward with his chin.

When Liu Dezhu turned around, he saw Jia Dafang and Han Wenxue accompanying someone walking from the front yard.

The man looked to be in his forties, slightly overweight, wearing a blue-black Zhongshan suit with four pockets, his hair neatly combed back, and a friendly smile on his face.

Chen Xiangdong squeezed next to Liu Dezhu and looked at the familiar face of the newcomer. It was none other than Zhu Zhengguo, who always had the catchphrase "The leader's decision must be correct."

Jia Dafang, standing beside him, had a stern face, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or not. Han Wenxue, on the other hand, gestured with one hand and explained the layout of the theater troupe's compound to Zhu Zheng with a broad smile.

After finishing breakfast, the students in the training class hurriedly ran towards the backyard. Han Wenxue explained to Zhu Zheng, "These kids are all from the training class. They just came back from training this morning, and they're all being mischievous."

Zhu Zhengkuo nodded with a smile: "A little mischief is good, they're all the future pillars of the troupe. Their energetic spirit is what young people should be like."

Han Wenxue chimed in, "Yes, yes, Secretary Zhu is right. These kids may be mischievous, but they really work hard at their training. They get up before dawn to run, stretch, and bend over, practicing those basic skills. They've all made a lot of progress lately."

Zhu Zhengwei said "Oh," and then asked, "By the way, who's training these students?"

Han Wenxue hurriedly replied, "The singing and recitation teachers are Lu Meiyin and Pan Lanxiang, and the basic skills and physical training teachers are He Jianshe and Qiao Haizhu. The instrumental teacher is Liu Dezhu. They are all the backbone of our troupe, with rich stage experience, and are all capable of leading the way in their respective fields."

Zhu Zheng nodded again, silently memorizing these names.

"Brother Xiang Dong, Brother Xiang Dong!"

Li Zhangqing slipped up to Chen Xiangdong, tugged at his sleeve, and whispered, "Master Qin wants you to go help out. He said the kitchen is too busy at lunchtime."

"Okay, then."

Chen Xiangdong and Liu Dezhu informed each other, then turned and squeezed out of the crowd.

Zhu Zhengquan caught a glimpse of this scene, his gaze lingering for a moment on Chen Xiangdong's retreating figure: "Who is that young man? Is he also an employee of the county theater troupe?"

Han Wenxue glanced at him and said, "Oh, that kid's name is Chen Xiangdong. He just got promoted a few days ago. He checks the stage when there are performances, and he often helps out with the production crew and kitchen staff. Last time the troupe caught fire, he rushed into the fire twice to save people. The county even came to commend him. He's a good young man."

"Is he the hero who bravely rescued the fire? I didn't realize he was so young!"

Zhu Zhengkuo looked surprised: "I had heard about Comrade Chen Xiangdong's heroic deeds before I came here. It seems that heroes really do emerge from among the young. As you know, Deputy Regiment Commander Han, I come from a military background, and what I admire most are heroes who dare to rush forward without hesitation in times of crisis."

Han Wenxue smiled broadly: "Yes, yes, Secretary Zhu is right."

Jia Dafang glanced at Zhu Zheng's retreating figure, then frowned at his watch, and coughed, "Um, Secretary Zhu, it's almost eight o'clock now, shall we begin?"