Chapter 907: Dumplings for You to Eat

"You didn't say anything wrong; it really has nothing to do with me. I was just meddling."

Xiao Suizi was, of course, speaking out of anger, just like most women, who always like to say the opposite of what they mean.

But Chen Can was different. He felt he had already shown his attitude and had already apologized, yet Xiao Suizi was still being sarcastic and passive-aggressive, which made no sense. He wasn't stupid; how could he not hear that Xiao Suizi was saying one thing but meaning another?

He had been beaten by Wang Yan and had thrown a tantrum, and at a woman at that—that was his fault. But Xiao Suizi was being relentless and wouldn't let it go; that was Xiao Suizi's fault.

So Chen Can didn't speak again.

So Xiao Suizi didn't look at him again either, and in silence, she poured some hot water and left...

Some personal little thoughts, which don't interfere with the big picture. The art troupe had a lively breakfast, then prepared to pack up and continue their journey, catching up with the team further ahead to perform comfort shows.

Before departing, all members of the Art Troupe gathered in one place.

Sub-team leader Su Huilan stood at the front, giving a loud lecture. It was mainly to summarize the problems of last night's performance, to praise the outstanding ones, and also to criticize individual comrades.

"Here, I want to specifically criticize Comrade Lin Dingding." Su Huilan said this, then shouted, "Lin Dingding!"

"Present!"

"Step out of line!"

"Yes!"

Lin Dingding was in the front row of the song and dance team; she took a step forward, stepped out of line alone, stood at attention, and stood still.

Su Huilan glanced at her and said loudly: "In last night's performance, the fourth program should have been Comrade Lin Dingding's solo, but because Lin Dingding missed her cue. I want to praise the comrades for their performance during the accident last night; you didn't fall into chaos because of Lin Dingding's missed cue, you were calm, made no mistakes, presented the performance completely, and comforted the soldiers on the march, not letting the soldiers down.

Although we are an Art Troupe, we are even more so soldiers. Obeying orders and doing one's own job well is our duty. Comrade Lin Dingding is unorganized and undisciplined, leading to a major procedural error in our performance. Although the comrades responded appropriately, Lin Dingding's fault cannot be denied.

Lin Dingding, tell me, where were you at the time, and why did you miss your cue?"

Lin Dingding pursed her lips, not knowing how to answer for a moment. She couldn't very well say she was stealing canned food and flirting with Wu Ganshi.

"Report!"

At this moment, a man's voice rang out, and everyone's gaze turned toward him. The sub-team leader also glanced over; it was Wu Ganshi, the propaganda photographer. When they were gathering, he had been there snapping photos.

Seeing it wasn't one of her own subordinates, the sub-team leader turned to look at the Art Troupe's Political Commissar, Ning Shan, who was standing with his hands behind his back. The latter tilted his head at Wu Ganshi: "Speak!"

"Yes!" Wu Ganshi saluted. He didn't belong to the Art Troupe, but to the Political Department's propaganda section, and had no subordinate relationship with Ning Shan, but respect was still due.

He said: "Report to the Political Commissar and the sub-team leader, last night I asked Comrade Lin Dingding for an interview, which is why she was delayed."

Su Huilan glanced back and forth between Wu Ganshi and Lin Dingding, and finally looked at the corner of the team: "He Xiaoping, you were the one who found Lin Dingding yesterday, is that right?"

He Xiaoping blinked her large eyes, and in the end, she responded: "Yes!"

Naturally, no one believed this. Everyone present knew how much Lin Dingding attracted men, and also knew that Wu Ganshi was pursuing Lin Dingding. As the direct leader, the sub-team leader knew exactly what her subordinates were like. As Political Commissar, Ning Shan could be called old and cunning; he understood the little thoughts of young people at a glance. Moreover, He Xiaoping had no guile; her awkwardness was written all over her face.

Ning Shan took two steps forward: "We are an Art Troupe; every one of our performances is like going to the battlefield. Comrade Lin Dingding is unorganized and undisciplined, causing a major error in our performance. After returning to the troupe, you must write a profound self-criticism."

"Yes!" Lin Dingding strained her voice and shouted in response.

"Comrades, this mission..."

Ning Shan also summarized last night's performance, put forward prospects for future performances, and made demands and exhortations to the comrades of the Art Troupe.

After the speech ended, the day's actions began.

The Art Troupe broke camp and set off, continuing just like yesterday. Wang Yan and Liu Feng were again left behind, helping to dismantle the stage and various equipment, gathering various props, and loading them onto the trucks once again.

After setting off, the two rode in a vehicle for a while, caught up with the Art Troupe's performance team, got off, and walked behind the team.

Wang Yan said: "I saw it this morning; your look at Wu Ganshi was quite unfriendly."

"I am in the Art Troupe. Because Wu Ganshi caused Lin Dingding to miss her cue, which further caused our performance to almost go wrong, that is all his fault."

"You're just being stubborn."

"It's really not that. The comrades all say you and Hao Shuwen are close; does that mean you two are together?"

"I'm not talking about people behind their backs, but we are good friends, so I have to tell you the truth, so you don't suffer from unrequited love and waste your efforts in pain. Last night during the performance, I went to the back to hide and smoke, and I saw Lin Dingding with Wu Ganshi.

Wu Ganshi must have swiped a can from logistics; he was feeding it to Lin Dingding and even kissed her. It happened to be seen by He Xiaoping, who was looking for them. If you don't believe me, you can go find her to verify it."

"Impossible!"

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement: "You actually believe it, you just don't want to admit it. You know how popular Lin Dingding is with the male comrades every day; she's surrounded by a group of people every day, and she's long since been spoiled for choice. Do you think she would be devoted to you?"

If it were outside, that would be one thing, but there are truly many capable people in our Art Troupe. Their family backgrounds are one more extraordinary than the next. You are the one who is always walking outside; you know the situation best. Having connections and not having connections are two different things. Some families can eat meat and fine grains several times a month, while others can't even eat it twice a year.

We are all human; if you put yourself in Lin Dingding's shoes, how do you think she feels? You can fix her watch, but someone else can buy her a new one. You cook her noodles, but Wu Ganshi can get her canned food, and maybe there will be even better things in the future. If you were Lin Dingding, what would you think? Revolutionary love also depends on the person."

Liu Feng waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't talk nonsense. We have a pure revolutionary friendship, it's the same with everyone, it's not what you think."

"Then I'm just meddling. Anyway, you can weigh it yourself."

Wang Yan laughed and didn't continue. It was enough that Liu Feng took it in. Actually, it was fine for Liu Feng to pursue Lin Dingding, as long as the original incident didn't happen, where he was transferred out of the Art Troupe, ruining his reputation and losing his future. Wang Yan's goal was to avoid what happened later, but that was uncontrollable, so he advised Liu Feng to have some self-awareness and not look for trouble for himself.

The two walked in silence. Wang Yan looked at the scenery and the marching troops. After a while of not speaking, Liu Feng's sadness had already overflowed and flooded to Wang Yan's feet.

Seeming to want to ease the awkward atmosphere, Liu Feng asked: "What are you thinking? I haven't seen you getting close to anyone either. You aren't really pining for Hao Shuwen, are you?"

"How do you know it's not Hao Shuwen pining for me?"

Liu Feng laughed: "I feel like you've changed a lot recently. You didn't use to brag."

"It's just that we didn't interact much before, so you didn't understand me. I never brag. This is called self-confidence, you know? The Instructor had a fragment of a poem that is quite good. 'Confident in life for two hundred years, I will strike three thousand miles across the water.' I am working in this direction under his guidance."

Wang Yan recited this poem loudly, quite heroic and free, with his own style.

"I believe in you. Hey, by the way, how is that song of yours coming along?"

"The lyrics are written, I'm composing the music."

"What song is it? Let me hear it." At this time, a female voice rang out behind them.

"Suizi, why did you run behind us?" Liu Feng asked.

It was Xiao Suizi, carrying a red flag and tied with two double-sided waist drums at her waist.

"I fell behind." Seeing Liu Feng reach out to take the red flag, she handed it over casually and asked with a smile, "What song were you two talking about just now? Sing a couple of lines for me to hear."

"Can't sing it." Wang Yan shook his head.

"Why can't you sing it? Do you not like me?"

Liu Feng laughed: "He's teasing you, Suizi. It's a song he wrote himself; he just finished the lyrics, and there's no music yet."

"Hmm?" Xiao Suizi looked at Wang Yan suspiciously, "You can write songs too?"

"You're looking down on me, aren't you? There's a lot I can do."

"Then recite two lines of the lyrics for me to hear."

"You'll know when the time comes. What's the point of just listening to the lyrics? It's dry. You don't know anything right now; it'll be a surprise when you hear the finished product." Wang Yan laughed.

"A surprise? I'll thank heaven and earth if it's not a shock."

After chatting and laughing for a couple of sentences, they saw Lin Dingding walking slowly and sluggishly ahead.

Liu Feng looked at the smiling Wang Yan, but still handed the flag he was carrying to Wang Yan, and ran a few steps to catch up.

"Are your feet hurting?"

"I got so many blisters yesterday, today I really can't go on." Lin Dingding said aggrievedly.

"Then why don't you catch a ride? Come, I'll carry you for a while, and when the truck passes by, you can follow the truck. Wang Yan, Suizi, you two go ahead." Liu Feng didn't look at Wang Yan.

Wang Yan smiled and didn't say anything, carrying the red flag on his shoulder, and walked forward with Xiao Suizi.

"I don't know what's wrong with Lin Dingding, she gets blisters every time, she's so delicate. Yesterday it was Liu Feng who popped the blisters for her, and he carried her the whole way." Xiao Suizi muttered.

"Normal, Liu Feng is a model soldier, actively caring for his comrades."

"Do you believe that?"

"You're the one who believes it."

Xiao Suizi laughed out loud: "Then aren't you talking nonsense."

Wang Yan turned and asked: "I saw Chen Can looking for you this morning, you didn't give him a good look..."

"He apologized to me, but I didn't forgive him, it was really too much. They bullied people, and couldn't beat you, so they took it out on me? There's no such thing."

"You are reasonable, I thought you would lose your temper with me, blaming me for hitting your ideal lover."

"Go to hell, what ideal lover, there was nothing there to begin with. I admit, I did have a good impression of him, but he disappointed me too much. Why didn't I notice before? Liu Feng is such a good person, how could they be so at ease?" Xiao Suizi was filled with righteous indignation.

After crying and thinking about it earlier, and not talking to Chen Can for these two days, she clearly had done some deeper thinking and felt that perhaps she and Chen Can were not suitable after all. As long as she imagined the two of them together, Chen Can was already losing his temper with her now; if they really got married, if he suffered any anger outside, wouldn't it be even worse when he got home? Thinking about this kind of thing made her shudder.

So after such deep thinking, perhaps she really had figured it out, but who knows, a woman's heart is the hardest to explain.

Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile: "Stop it, let's not talk about it. If we keep talking, you'll be scolding me too, I'm also one of those who is 'at ease'."

"Then you've regained your conscience."

"I thank you. But we are chatting and laughing here, the influence isn't very good. Look, the comrades passing by are all looking at us."

"Liu Feng is still carrying Lin Dingding behind us." Xiao Suizi retorted.

"We still have to be careful. I don't care, a big man doesn't lose out either way, it's you who will be affected."

While speaking, Wang Yan unfurled the rolled-up red flag. It was a military flag, and as it fluttered in the wind, it gave people strength. He walked to the side of the marching team and shouted loudly: "Comrades, you've worked hard."

This shout attracted the soldiers' gazes, and they all turned their heads to look. A company commander walking in a single file on the side of the road also looked over with a puzzled gaze.

Wang Yan didn't flinch, continued to shout loudly, striving to let the soldiers of a company hear him.

"Let me introduce myself, my name is Wang Yan, and I am a member of our Military Region Art Troupe band. My father was a martyr, and my mother passed away early. I am a lone person, raised under the care of the organization. Later, I actively joined the army, and the organization took care of me. Because I can play two musical instruments, I was arranged to be in the Art Troupe. It's just that the instruments aren't with me, otherwise, I would definitely perform a piece for everyone.

But it doesn't matter, I have also read many storybooks. Comrades are defending the country, and the training mission is heavy, so I will tell you a story to help everyone relax, but this marching speed cannot be slow.

I don't know if everyone has heard the story of the Yang family generals. It doesn't matter if you have, none of them tell it as well as I do, I dare to brag about this. Hey, don't laugh, it's easy to get out of breath. You don't need to applaud, just listen to me.

This story goes, Chinese history spans thousands of years..."

Just like that, Wang Yan began to tell these soldiers the story of the Yang family generals. His ability to tell stories was naturally excellent; vivid, lifelike, and very interesting. The soldiers listened very carefully and laughed very happily.

Xiao Suizi, who was following at a jog, was stunned. She really didn't expect Wang Yan to have such a trick up his sleeve; he told it really well.

Xiao Suizi looked ahead. On the plateau, under the blue sky and white clouds, among the mountains, Wang Yan was carrying the fluttering military flag, full of spirit. The marching soldiers were grinning happily, and they were striding forward, so harmonious.

The wind blew her bangs, and her bright eyes looked at the spirited back in front...

The five-day comfort performance tour came to a perfect conclusion. Carrying the high praise given by the unit's top leaders, the art troupe returned to their base in Mencius on a large truck.

As soon as the truck drove in, the Art Troupe's male and female soldiers, who were exhausted and physically and mentally drained, dragged themselves off the truck. Their feet were dragging on the ground as they walked; they were truly exhausted and had no energy at all. The missions were different, so everyone had their own way of being tired; no one was truly relaxed. However, the physical and mental exhaustion did not stop the men and women from laughing and joking, and the station, which had been empty for five days, became lively again.

Wang Yan was, of course, full of energy. He jumped off the truck with ease and helped pack up props and the like. Afterward, it was naturally time for showering, laundry, and eating, followed by a lecture from the political commissar, who gave a comprehensive summary of the comfort tour. After that, there were no other arrangements, and the team was dismissed to let everyone get some good rest.

It was still early, and Wang Yan was not tired, so he simply changed into casual clothes and went out for a stroll. He was still thinking about eating meat.

Walking outside in a military uniform is always extremely eye-catching, and even more so in this era. People wouldn't say "soldier," and there were no such titles as "little brother," but rather "Comrade Liberation Army." At this time, children, as well as teenagers aged fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen, were all proud of having a military uniform.

So for Wang Yan to go out in casual clothes, the comrades he met along the way were still very puzzled, and Wang Yan could only laugh and explain the reason he had made up. The actual reason was naturally that the military uniform was eye-catching and made people pay more attention, which was inconvenient for him to do things. Moreover, what he was doing in this era was not glorious, and he would be punished if caught...

It was already the third day after returning from the performance. This morning, Wang Yan was hiding in the utility room practicing musical instruments by himself, "creating," when the door was knocked and then pushed open. It was the Art Troupe's Political Commissar, Ning Shan.

He looked at Wang Yan, who had stood up, with a smile, walked in, patted Wang Yan on the shoulder, glanced casually at the paper on the table, and asked in surprise: "What are you writing?"

"I thought of a song and am writing it recently."

"Not bad, kid, I didn't see that you could write songs?"

"Can't say I can, just messing around. If it happens to be a success, it'll also bring glory to our Art Troupe in the major military regions. I don't know how it is yet. If it doesn't sound good, Political Commissar, don't scold me, and don't dampen my enthusiasm." Wang Yan said modestly.

"You..." Ning Shan shook his head with a smile, and then said, "You can tell stories?"

"No, just read some before and told them randomly. Political Commissar, I admit my mistake. During the march these past few days, I told the soldiers who were with me some stories about ancient heroes like the Yang family generals, Mu Guiying, Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang, etc., and also told stories about the heroic deeds of the battle heroes during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. That's not a mistake, right?"

Wang Yan had indeed been telling stories during the march these past few days. He had specifically refined them, not long lengths, so that the soldiers could finish listening to a story at one time. From national heroes to battle heroes of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the response was quite good.

"Monkey-smart, you knew what I was looking for as soon as I mentioned it. Just now, the military region leaders specifically called me, saying that some soldiers had quite high evaluations of the comrade who told stories during the march. I thought we hadn't arranged for storytelling along the way this time, and just now I asked, and Comrade Xiao Suizi said it was you, kid. I didn't dare to believe it."

"Political Commissar, I did it on the spur of the moment, I didn't expect the soldiers to evaluate it so well. No need to praise, just don't punish me."

"Taking advantage and still acting innocent." Ning Shan said irritably, "Prepare your stories recently, let's perform internally first, and let the Political Department leaders review them. If it works, we'll arrange a program for you in future performances and let you shine on stage."

"Guarantee to complete the mission." Wang Yan naturally wouldn't refuse. This was professional ability; storytellers were also artists.

"Alright, put the song aside for now, hurry up and write, this matter must be taken seriously."

After giving instructions, Ning Shan walked away with his hands behind his back, and closed the door on his way out.

The leader had spoken and said it must be taken seriously, so Wang Yan naturally obeyed orders and listened to commands. He immediately gathered his things, found several notebooks, got a fountain pen, prepared a bottle of ink, went straight to the reading room, and started writing directly.

When Wang Yan wrote things, it was pure output; his brain was fast. And storytelling was colloquial, so writing the manuscript was naturally very easy. It was like a fountain of literary thoughts, and the writing was like a god's work, a flurry of dragon-flying and phoenix-dancing...

It was lunch time again, and the bugle for meals sounded on time. Wang Yan, who had been creating for half the morning, returned to the dormitory to get his lunch box and went to the canteen. Today's staple food was cornmeal mixed with white flour pancakes, steamed sweet potatoes, and today's dish was stewed cabbage and potatoes.

He filled a lunch box with vegetables, took two large pancakes and a sweet potato, and Wang Yan sat at their table as usual.

As time passed, the surface grievances were dispelled, and now their table was no longer awkward. Chen Can and Zhu Ke could also greet Wang Yan with laughter, and everyone was back to their previous state, nothing different.

This was mainly because Wang Yan did not deliberately target them, and even less did he publicize it everywhere. After the fight, he treated them with the same attitude. Chen Can and Zhu Ke naturally wouldn't dare not give him face, and it was harmonious again.

Wang Yan had just sat down when Lin Dingding greeted him from behind: "Wang Yan, you can tell stories too?"

This was known to everyone when the Political Commissar asked in the morning.

Turning his head, Wang Yan looked at a group of female soldiers staring at him and laughed: "There's a lot I can do."

"Stop bragging, as if you're so capable." Hao Shuwen, who still held a grudge, mocked directly.

"I am very capable, you'll know slowly."

"Hey, you guys don't know yet, Wang Yan can write songs too, said the lyrics are all written. When will it be finished? I'm waiting." Xiao Suizi, who was opposite Hao Shuwen, said loudly.

When she said this, it was even more surprising, and a group of female soldiers blinked their large eyes and looked at Wang Yan.

Hao Shuwen especially couldn't believe it, blinking her large eyes: "Just you? You can write songs? You were about to be mixed into the prop team."

Pointing vaguely at Xiao Suizi, Wang Yan shook his head: "Criticizing you, Comrade Xiao Suizi, if it doesn't sound good when it's written, wouldn't that be a huge embarrassment? The comrades wouldn't laugh at me for decades."

"So what, at least you dare to think and dare to do it."

"I thank you. Don't look at me like that, it's just a song, what's the big deal? I mixed into the prop team, but I also know music theory. At worst, I can hum, what's there to be surprised about? This song of mine, I'm composing the music now. When I find Old Liao to consult on the arrangement, and the comrades in our band help, it'll be hard work, and you'll be able to hear it next month. Alright, alright, let's eat."

Wang Yan ignored the inquisitive gazes of the crowd and ate his meal in large mouthfuls.

The Old Liaohe mentioned was the band conductor, who was also responsible for chorus and the like, and was also the sub-team leader who managed the band. Usually, the band's training was also handled by him. A man in his forties, he had quite a bit of level. After all, this was the highest-level Art Troupe directly under the Political Department of the Great Military Region, and the basic quality was quite sufficient.

Writing a song was indeed not a big deal. After all, everyone here was engaged in art, and there were even a few masters sitting in town, and they also had works. It was just that everyone was the same age, and suddenly such a thing happened, so everyone was surprised. If it was written, it would definitely be awesome. If it wasn't written, there would be no shortage of ridicule.

Xiao Suizi said this, of course, not to cause trouble for Wang Yan. Just as she said "at least dare to think and dare to do it," that's what she thought. Her saying so, perhaps more was to support Wang Yan, prove that Wang Yan was indeed capable, and deny Hao Shuwen's denial. After all, there was still some cleverness.

Hao Shuwen still didn't quite believe it, turned back and whispered to Xiao Suizi: "Suizi, is he really writing a song?"

"Really, oh, why would I lie to you? Liu Feng knows too, if you don't believe me, ask him, he never lies." Xiao Suizi responded with a smile, and finally said, "Wang Yan is very powerful."

"Hmm?" Hao Shuwen looked at Xiao Suizi in surprise and asked, "When did you two get so close?"

"Look at what you're saying, everyone is a comrade-in-arms, and it's never been distant. Eat quickly." Xiao Suizi smiled.

Hao Shuwen didn't speak again, turned back to look at the back of Wang Yan's head, turned back, and continued to eat...

A casual word from the superior leader, the subordinate leader wouldn't dare to be casual. So in some subsequent performance activities, Wang Yan naturally became the person left behind in the Art Troupe. His task was one: organize the storytelling manuscript, submit it for leader review, perform on stage internally after passing the review, and only after passing the review would he be allowed to arrange a program for formal performance.

This era was not stable, and storytelling was about infiltrating thoughts, so naturally, special attention had to be paid, especially since this was in the army, and it had to be even more cautious.

Wang Yan was quite comfortable, writing and writing in the reading room every day, occasionally flipping through books, calling it drawing inspiration. When he was tired of writing, he changed into casual clothes and went out for a walk, also opening a small stove for himself to supplement his oil and water.

Just like that, half a month passed. In Ning Shan's spacious office, Wang Yan placed a thick stack of notebooks in his hand in front of the dumbfounded Ning Shan, and under the gaze of the dumbfounded Ning Shan, divided the notebooks into three piles.

Facing Ning Shan's dumbfounded and questioning eyes, Wang Yan laughed: "I wrote quite a few stories, just those I mentioned before. There are short ones that can be finished in ten minutes, and long ones that can be told for an hour or two. There are about 300,000 words here. Because I didn't know how many leaders would review it, I used carbon paper to bring out two more copies."

"300,000 words?"

"Too little? It's okay, I can still write. In our China, heroic deeds can never be finished, as many as you want." Wang Yan seemed not to see Ning Shan's meaning and said with a smile.

... "It's too much."

"Ah, that's fine. If it's not enough, Political Commissar, you can find me at any time, I have it here at any time."

Ning Shan was speechless, let out a long breath and said: "You sit there and smoke and drink tea first, I'll take a rough look, and then we'll talk."

"Yes."

Wang Yan was not polite with him, picked up a Zhonghua cigarette from the table and lit it, took an enamel mug to make tea, found a book on the bookshelf, sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and started reading.

Ning Shan suppressed his fiery eyes, little brat, wait until I finish reading and then we'll talk...

This look lasted for more than two hours, and it was almost dinner time. Perhaps hunger awakened him, and Ning Shan wiped his eyes and looked at the leisurely Wang Yan.

"You kid are good, it's really well written. I think this of yours can be published completely, let the whole country's people see it. It's written in a simple and easy-to-understand way, both humorous and profound in thought, very good."

"Can it really be published? I didn't expect that this accidental storytelling and casual writing of manuscripts could be published? Then wouldn't I also become a writer?"

"Excessive modesty is pride, stop showing off to me."

Ning Shan glared, changed the subject and said, "However, whether it can be published, I personally think it can. But whether it works in the end still needs to be reviewed by the leader. If it passes the review, I'll talk to the leader then, and you can write a letter to submit it yourself. Alright, go do what you need to do, wait for the notification for the specific result."

"Yes, then I'm leaving, Political Commissar." Under Ning Shan's glare, Wang Yan laughed and took away his Zhonghua cigarettes.

Staring at Wang Yan until he left, Ning Shan shook his head with a smile. Leaders who can bring achievements to the leader, and who are not pedantic, how can leaders not like them?

If Wang Yan's matter succeeded, and it was successfully published in the newspaper later, or even collected and published as a book as it is now, then he, the immediate leader, would have credit. The more natural and closer Wang Yan acted, the happier he was, so he couldn't be polite; what should be taken should be taken.

Ning Shan picked up the button phone on the table and made a call: "Hello, leader, I'm Ning Shan, it's like this..."

Leaving Political Commissar Ning's office, Wang Yan did not leave the art troupe's office building but went to the detachment leader's office. The art troupe had a large space, and since everyone was in the arts, they basically all had offices. Today, they had just returned from another comfort performance, so naturally, he had to go to the office to find people.

This was his direct sub-team leader, the so-called Old Liao, full name Liao Guanghua. He was a kind person, otherwise, everyone wouldn't call him Old Liao. Of course, kindness was in ordinary times. When conducting the band, he was very serious, and his words were not very pleasant. He was a pure person. He was very thin, wore slightly yellowed glasses, had a crew cut, and a short beard, looking scholarly and capable.

Seeing Wang Yan come in, Old Liao put down the book in his hand and greeted: "Wang Yan, sit, sit, sit, haven't seen you for a long time, heard you're going to tell stories?"

"I just finished the manuscript and sent it to the Political Commissar, the leader needs to review it. But I'm not giving up music, I just wrote a song, the lyrics and music are all written, but the arrangement is still quite lacking, so I'm here to ask for your help. This is the lyrics and music, take a look first."

Wang Yan was not polite, and as soon as he sat down, he took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it over.

Old Liao smiled, not surprised, not suspicious, calmly took the paper, and hummed the tune softly while reading. With this hum, Old Liao became spirited.

After humming and feeling it carefully again, he shook the paper in his hand: "You wrote this?"

"Old Liao, can't I write it? At any rate, I am proficient in eighteen musical instruments, and I understand music theory. What's there to be surprised about writing a song?"

Hearing that he was proficient in eighteen musical instruments, Liao Guanghua laughed out loud. He naturally knew what Wang Yan's level really was.

"Don't say, I really didn't expect you kid to have this level. It's well written, the lyrics are simple but not simple, the melody is catchy, sonorous and powerful, showing more military might, good to hear and good to remember, not bad, very not bad. What is your idea for the arrangement?"

Old Liao said "not bad" several times, and his mood was clearly quite good.

"Naturally, it's still percussion, with large and small military drums, and then matched with trumpets, trombones, tubas, and the like, the rhythm is brisk, simple, and powerful. I can't do the specifics, my level is still a bit lacking, so you have to do it yourself."

Wang Yan was naturally capable, but it was to share the achievements and unite everyone. Furthermore, it was also to restrain himself a little; he could be dazzling, but being too dazzling was not very good.

Old Liao pondered for a moment and nodded: "Alright, I know. I'll ponder it these two days, and then let the band play it, and we'll study it again."

"That's it, I'm leaving." Wang Yan didn't talk nonsense, responded, and got up to leave...

After he went out, the bugle for dinner also sounded, and Wang Yan went back to get his lunch box and went to the canteen. Today's dinner was cabbage dumplings.

As usual, he filled a full box of dumplings, went to the kitchen to pour soy sauce for the dumplings, took a head of garlic, and swayed to their table.

"Long time no see, comrades." Wang Yan greeted everyone with a smile, focusing on Liu Feng sitting opposite Lin Dingding, and at the same time glanced at the noodles in the enamel mug in front of Lin Dingding.

This made Liu Feng very awkward, and he responded with an unnatural smile: "This time the time out was short, only three days, how could it be a long time."

"A day without seeing is like three autumns, we've already had nine autumns, that's not long? Didn't you miss me, this good comrade-in-arms who stayed behind?"

"Pah, it would be better if we didn't see you for eighteen autumns." Hao Shuwen sent a white eye.

"Understood, that means you missed me, this good comrade-in-arms, only after thirteen autumns. Comrade Hao Shuwen is still relatively deep, I understand." Wang Yan laughed.

"Stinky hooligan!" Hao Shuwen bared her teeth and showed her fists, looking like she wanted to kill Wang Yan, but she never won with her mouth.

"Wang Yan, Liu Feng cooked noodles for Lin Dingding, you eat these dumplings, we can't eat so many." Xiao Suizi stood up with a smile and handed the lunch box to Wang Yan.

As soon as these words came out, the lively atmosphere suddenly quieted down, and people's gazes went back and forth between the two, and even Hao Shuwen was stunned...

Chen Can naturally also raised his head, looked at Xiao Suizi, and finally his gloomy gaze fell on the back of Wang Yan's head... ===== CHAPTER 908 =====