Chapter 920

Liu Feng and He Xiaoping's marriage application was approved without incident, and they were also assigned a house in the family quarters.

In an era like this, marriage certainly didn't involve so many affairs, especially since it was a revolutionary marriage within the military; there were even fewer formalities to observe.

Early in the morning, Hao Shuwen, Xiao Suizi, Lin Dingding, and others began helping He Xiaoping get busy, packing up all sorts of things. On the other side, the male soldiers' dormitory was naturally no exception; everyone was helping Liu Feng pack, as today was for both moving and getting married to move in.

Previously, when the report hadn't been approved yet, Hao Shuwen, Xiao Suizi, and the others had already been shouting for Liu Feng. They certainly believed in Wang Yan; if he said they could get married, then they could get married. Building up the momentum made everyone know, and it also made people feel embarrassed.

"Xiaoping, you look even more beautiful today."

These words were spoken by Lin Dingding. She was fixing He Xiaoping's hair and said, "What's in the past is in the past. The messy gossip we talked about in the dormitory, just listen to it as a joke. From now on, live a good life with Liu Feng; he is a very good person."

"Thank you."

He Xiaoping nodded; she knew everything and understood everything. But she couldn't say how; what she could say was only "thank you."

However, she didn't have any complaints, nor would she think that Liu Feng was settling for second best by being with her. After all, the first person she met was Liu Feng, and she had been in contact with him for over a year; naturally, she knew clearly what Liu Feng was really like.

Everything with Lin Dingding was a matter from before she arrived. After she arrived, the duration wasn't very long, and she didn't feel it very intensely. Liu Feng had also clearly told her the cause and effect, and she knew it all.

Hao Shuwen was there helping He Xiaoping pack her bag: "Lin Dingding is right. What a good person Liu Feng is—eager to help others, a pacesetter every year; he is truly a model for our art troupe. You two, your future life will definitely not be bad. In the future, when you live in the family quarters, if there's anything, you must tell us. We are all comrades-in-arms, and we will definitely help."

Xiao Suizi echoed: "That's right, Xiaoping, you and Liu Feng must not be embarrassed to speak. You two are both mutes; Liu Feng is a bit better, but he only knows how to help others. When it comes to himself, asking others for help is like killing him; he just can't open his mouth."

"I know, thank you all."

Little Ballet waved her hand: "We are all comrades-in-arms, why be so polite?"

Originally, she was the one who bullied He Xiaoping the most severely; the matter of sewing sponges into the bra was her most active doing, insisting on stripping off He Xiaoping's clothes. But now everything is fine. Although she still looks down on her and still ostracizes her, she ultimately hasn't said such nasty things or done such ugly things.

This, of course, is due to the prior care of Hao Shuwen and Xiao Suizi; sometimes they would put in a word, and after helping a few times, everyone restrained themselves. Later, when He Xiaoping got together with Liu Feng, everyone's face looked quite good.

Generally speaking, it's considered not bad. No one's life is all smooth sailing; the current relationship is fine. It also avoids Wang Yan smiling on the surface while actually taking a small notebook and secretly recording names to deal with them one by one...

In the male soldiers' dormitory on the other side, Liu Feng looked at the people helping and said with a smile: "I've troubled you all."

"You're being too polite, Liu Feng. We are all comrades-in-arms in the same dormitory; isn't it right to help out? It was our fault before, taking it too much for granted; don't have any psychological burden." Chen Can waved his hand, "Let me tell you, Liu Feng, this isn't Wang Yan standing up for you, and it's even less that we are so afraid of him; it's our sincerity."

These words left Zhu Ke speechless. If you have such guts, why didn't you say so when Wang Yan was here?

Of course, it was impossible for him to undermine the situation, so he smiled: "Right, right, right, Liu Feng. We aren't really that shameless, not knowing what is good or bad. You, just be steady, don't be so polite. How good He Xiaoping is—she looks beautiful, and she is also diligent and serious. I heard that she practices extra every day in the troupe, striving to improve; what a good person. In the future, your life will definitely not be bad."

Liu Feng smiled: "I understand everything, but I still have to thank you for helping out."

"Alright, alright, where do so many thanks come from? Is everything packed? Let's go quickly."

Chen Can greeted, and the group walked and laughed, helping Liu Feng carry all sorts of things, as well as things they bought for Liu Feng, and walked towards the family quarters.

The art troupe's family quarters are right next to the art troupe. The leaders, including many who were promoted and had family members accompanying the army, all lived here.

Although Wang Yan told the political commissar to assign Liu Feng a bigger house, and the political commissar also had the heart to take care of him, the rules cannot be messed up. Liu Feng's rank is right there.

And another point, houses in this era aren't very big, mostly small units of fifty or sixty square meters. Of course, there is no shared area. If it were decades later, in terms of actual usable area, for apartments and high-rises, it would already reach a property certificate area of seventy or eighty square meters. Comparing it this way, the house is actually not small; it's quite comfortable for a family of three or four to live in.

The house Ning Shan assigned to Liu Feng is an east-facing unit, a north-south oriented house, less than sixty square meters, which is already very good.

Today is a clear and good day, and the light of the rising sun spills into the room, making it bright. The room is not empty; there are solid wood chairs, a coffee table, a dining table, a bed, a wardrobe, etc., all looking newly made. On the living room wall, there is also a wedding photo of Liu Feng and He Xiaoping wearing military uniforms, with their heads leaning against each other.

Upon entering the room, Liu Feng didn't wait to pack things, but first picked up the parcel that had been placed here early, got a few plates, and greeted: "These are the melons and fruits I bought yesterday, as well as candies, melon seeds, peanuts, etc. Don't be polite, everyone, just eat."

"Whoa, Liu Feng, you really spent a lot of money. So much furniture is newly made, and there are so many candies; they all cost quite a bit of money."

"My dad is a carpenter, so this furniture was all made by myself. The candies are nothing; before Wang Yan left, he gave me some coupons. It's only once in a lifetime, so I bought a bit more. Don't be polite, everyone," Liu Feng said with a smile, speaking truthfully.

In fact, Wang Yan not only gave him quite a few coupons but also gave a gift of thirty, and additionally lent him one hundred.

This is already quite good. After all, although Wang Yan was promoted to deputy company commander, his allowance only increased by eight yuan, totaling just over sixty. And it's not all issued to his hand; after being promoted, some money like food expenses is deducted. Although Wang Yan doesn't eat many meals in the troupe all year round, he didn't do anything special. The money he gets each month is less than forty.

Of course, this is the income on the surface; there is also what cannot be taken out. In short, he is not short of money. Having mixed for thousands of years, he can eat and drink well wherever he goes; this is the most basic guarantee. Otherwise, how can one be carefree while hungry?

Before long, He Xiaoping, Hao Shuwen, and the others all arrived in the room. Most of the people present had never been here before, walking around in the not-so-big house, looking at it with novelty.

At this time, someone spoke: "Come, Liu Feng, He Xiaoping, you two sit down, I'll take some photos for you."

Liu Feng looked over upon hearing the sound: "Wu Ganshi, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, the place is too small, I really didn't see you."

"It was Dingding who asked me to come over, asking me to help you take more photos. When the time comes, I'll give you the film I've taken, and you can just wash it yourself later. If you don't wash it, keep it well; take it out in ten or eight years, those are all memories," Wu Ganshi said with a smile, shaking the camera in his hand.

Lin Dingding smiled on the side: "He is right, keep more souvenirs."

Liu Feng nodded with a smile and said to Wu Ganshi: "Then I'll give you the money for the film later; we can't take advantage of the troupe."

"Hey, aren't you scolding me? You and He Xiaoping getting married, such a good thing, and I didn't bring you anything; taking photos is considered my gift. Don't worry, Liu Feng, I will definitely make up the film; I'm not that kind of person."

"Alright, Liu Feng, don't be so polite, sit down quickly, let me take a few more for you."

While it was lively here, Chen Can took the opportunity to approach Xiao Suizi's side. He looked at Xiao Suizi, wanting to say something. But Xiao Suizi just glanced at him, then immediately looked away, silently moving away from Chen Can.

This made Chen Can extremely dejected, but in the not-so-big house, with more than ten people squeezed here, there was no opportunity for him to say much. Besides, even if he said more, Xiao Suizi wouldn't listen.

He couldn't help but think of the past again, and also thought of the affectionate gaze Xiao Suizi cast at Wang Yan that he secretly observed ever since he was beaten by Wang Yan, making him even more jealous and hateful of Wang Yan.

But what could he do?

It was very lively outside, but he felt extremely miserable.

But the liveliness continued. Wu Ganshi carried several rolls of film, well-prepared, and took a bunch of photos of the people. By the time it was past breakfast time, more people came, and basically everyone in the troupe came to take a look.

Everyone brought things over—pots, pans, bowls, ladles, thermos bottles, quilt covers, and the like for daily life; anyway, there were people sending everything. Those who didn't bring things wrapped money in red paper, slapped it into Liu Feng's hand, and said a few nice words with laughter; it was very lively.

This continued until lunchtime, and then people went to the canteen together; Liu Feng and He Xiaoping naturally went too. Because taking advantage of everyone being there at lunch, the political commissar wanted to talk to everyone about their marriage, which was considered witnessing their marriage.

People walked back to the art troupe laughing and talking along the way; Liu Feng and He Xiaoping walked together, and they were both smiling.

Liu Feng still asked knowingly: "Xiaoping, are you happy?"

"Hmm." He Xiaoping nodded, "I want to wash out some of the photos Wu Ganshi took today later, send them to my dad, and also send a copy to your family."

"Okay."

Liu Feng answered with a smile. After a while, he said: "If only Wang Yan were here too..."

He felt infinite gratitude towards Wang Yan...

Wang Yan was indeed not there; he was naturally still on tour, bringing joy to the soldiers.

Liu Feng and He Xiaoping being able to get together was because they were brought together early under his instigation. After all, in the original trajectory, the two of them ground each other for most of their lives before they teamed up to live, which was quite a pity. Now is the time of youth, and the two of them are in their prime; getting married and living early can be said to be a very good thing.

At the same time, it avoided Liu Feng looking for trouble for himself, insisting on confessing to Lin Dingding, and finally being disciplined, later going to the battlefield and losing an arm. Currently, it seems that Liu Feng doesn't need to be very wise; as long as he and He Xiaoping live a steady life, their life will not be bad.

Compared to Liu Feng's original life situation, this is already quite good. Peace is a blessing; this can already be considered good people getting good rewards.

Lin Dingding, this little demon, Liu Feng cannot grasp...

This year is a disastrous year. Wang Yan has deep feelings about this.

On this day, when he was about to leave after the performance, he was informed by the local troupe leaders that the local government comrades judged that there would be an earthquake, and told him not to rush to leave, ensuring his own safety.

Wang Yan didn't say anything, and even less did he rush to leave. Obeying orders and listening to commands, he stayed at the troupe headquarters with peace of mind, and didn't enter the barracks, staying outside with the soldiers, chatting and laughing. The soldiers actually didn't take it too seriously, not knowing if the earthquake would really come.

Unlike the soldiers, Wang Yan was sure that the earthquake would come. This was the 7.3-magnitude Longling earthquake, which caused considerable damage to the area. However, just as he is experiencing now, with preparation in advance, the casualties of the people are not large compared to this magnitude. But for the damage to production and construction, it was quite serious.

That night, past 8:20, the soldiers who still hadn't returned to the barracks felt the vibration of the earth under their feet. They were not in the epicenter area, but the distance was not too far, so the feeling was very strong and obvious.

The troupe leaders reported to the higher-ups at the first opportunity, requesting instructions. However, due to the influence of seismic waves on the magnetic field, communication was already blocked.

By 10:00 at night, the second wave, which was larger and reached 7.4 magnitude, came again. In the distant Longling area, the people had already watched their homes being shaken away.

By the time communication was finally restored, the troupe leaders organized the troops to set out. The earthquake and the landslides it triggered, etc., especially since it was raining in the sky now, would further trigger mudslides, destroying houses, farmland, water conservancy, bridges, roads, etc., which would hinder the progress of rescue.

So at this time, the troops had to move. Even if there was a risk of aftershocks, and even if they couldn't go to the epicenter area, they had to confirm the road conditions in the surrounding area and carry out cleanup operations to facilitate subsequent rescue work.

Wang Yan also went along...

When encountering a disaster, China's administrative efficiency is absolutely maximized at the first opportunity. Before dawn, the specific casualties had already been counted, and people finally let go of their hearts. After all, they were all light. Although production and construction were destroyed, the people were still there, and they could always be built back.

Wang Yan didn't leave; he was still working along, and when the soldiers were tired, he would tell stories to everyone to relax.

This continued until the work here was done and the troops withdrew, and Wang Yan continued his performance schedule, returning to the art troupe's station in Mencius in July. Roughly calculated, he had been away for more than half a year again.

"Report to the political commissar, Wang Yan reports to you."

Looking at Wang Yan standing in front of him, still with some dust, he waved his hand with a smile: "You're back, sit, sit, sit."

Then he got up to pour tea, his movements already very skilled. While pouring, he was still talking about which leader the tea leaves were brought back from and how precious they were.

Placing the tea in front of Wang Yan, Ning Shan said: "How was this trip? Was everything smooth?"

"Smooth, everything is quite good."

"Oh my..." Ning Shan sighed, "The environment this year is not very good, disastrous. You might not know yet, half a month after the Longling earthquake, we had heavy rain here, and there was a mountain flood. All the male soldiers in the troupe went to rescue the disaster, which was not easy. Oh, by the way, Liu Feng's waist was smashed, and he lay for a month before he could get on the ground, resting at home. You know a bit of medicine, don't forget to take a look at him and give him a massage."

Wang Yan cooperated with a bit of surprise: "Hmm, I know, I'll go see him in a while."

Of course he knew, but he really didn't know when the mountain flood happened, and he was on tour outside, so he couldn't rescue. His waist was injured and he couldn't dance or do heavy work, but he was still healthy, so it wasn't a big problem.

"Tell you a piece of good news."

Ning Shan, who had just sighed, smiled at this time. He got up and took a document bag from the desk drawer and put it in front of Wang Yan.

"When you came back before the New Year, didn't I tell you about going to the Military and Political University for further studies? It's decided. This is the notice. You have been assigned to the Political Department. Rest well these few days, and set off for Beijing to report next week. I have also put the introduction letter inside for you. Study well when you get there; politics and culture complement each other, which is good for you."

"Yes, political commissar."

Thinking of Liu Feng's matter, Wang Yan asked, "Political commissar, then Liu Feng..."

"Do I still need you to say? He was promoted to deputy company commander, and was also reported as a model for disaster relief, and will go to Beijing to receive commendation. It's just that the quota for the Military and Political University is limited, and I don't know if he can catch up. Anyway, if he can catch up, he must be reported. Do you think his being a pacesetter every year is just for show? I say, why are you so concerned about Liu Feng's matter?"

"I am good friends with him, don't comrades-in-arms also have closeness and distance? Liu Feng is a good person, steady and willing to work, it is right for me to help him."

Wang Yan waved his hand with a smile and drank the still-hot tea in one gulp: "I'll leave if there's nothing else, political commissar, I'm covered in sweat again, I'll go wash up quickly."

"There's more, the '14th Army' you wrote has been published, and a set has been mailed to you. They said it's the first edition and the first set, so I gave it to the leader on your behalf. Let me tell you, when you go to the Military and Political University this time, if you finish writing the '11th Army', you must mail it back. I will mail it back to you then. This matter cannot be forgotten; I have given a guarantee to the leader."

"Guarantee to complete the mission." Wang Yan shook his head amusingly. The leader has hobbies, so shouldn't he cooperate?

Ning Shan nodded with satisfaction and said: "In addition, there is the Chinese Hero you wrote before. People's Literature has published three more volumes, and all that you wrote has been published. They specifically called to ask if you have any more manuscripts. There are also letters from other editors asking for manuscripts from you.

They are all on your bed. I guess you were in a hurry to come over and didn't look at them carefully. I'll tell you about them first. I won't care about the specifics; you can contact them yourself when you get to Beijing. Alright, that's all, go, don't forget to go to the train station to buy a ticket."

"Don't worry, political commissar, I wouldn't dare forget such a big thing."

Leaving Ning Shan's office, Wang Yan didn't return to the dormitory but went straight to the rehearsal room.

"Xiao Suizi, what are you thinking about? Don't you know you missed the beat? Concentrate."

Accompanied by the loud shouting of the detachment leader Su Huilan, Wang Yan, who had made eye contact with Xiao Suizi, raised his head at her with a smile. The latter was happy for a moment and hurriedly concentrated on continuing to dance.

Nodding with a smile to the male soldiers who were watching the fun, Wang Yan went inside and arrived beside Hao Shuwen, who was staring at him with wide eyes: "What's the matter, don't you recognize me?"

"Go away, you just came back?"

"Just saw the political commissar, and came to find you."

Hao Shuwen glared and asked, "What are you holding in your hand?"

"The notice for the Military and Political University, I'll leave next week." Wang Yan said with a smile, which sounded like a big thunderbolt to both Hao Shuwen and Xiao Suizi.

"How long? It won't be a year, right?" Hao Shuwen's joy just now disappeared instantly.

"It's just a year, a good thing, don't be so down. The political commissar said that I will be promoted to company commander when I come back. I am going for progress, not dying, don't look so mournful, it's quite ugly."

Hao Shuwen punched Wang Yan angrily, very heavily, with a strong meaning of venting inside.

Wang Yan smiled: "In a while, you tell Suizi and He Xiaoping that we won't eat in the canteen tonight, go to Liu Feng and his wife's house to eat, we will gather directly at Liu Feng's house."

"Can you find it?"

"After Liu Feng's house was assigned, taking the opportunity of me prescribing medicine for his father-in-law, he told me the address on the phone. Alright, everyone is watching, I'm leaving, go back and pack quickly."

"No, what's the hurry?"

"I have to go buy a ticket, and even more so to buy meat, otherwise why run to Liu Feng's place. Leaving, don't forget to tell them." Wang Yan came like the wind and left in a hurry.

Hao Shuwen hadn't recovered from the sadness of being separated for another year when she saw Wang Yan already greeting Old Liao, Fang Hongmin, and others, and left the rehearsal room...

Wang Yan was indeed quite busy. Returning to the dormitory, he still gave each roommate a can of food and threw a pack of cigarettes to each person, and then roughly flipped through the various letters on the bed. Indeed, many magazines and journals that had started publishing wrote to ask for manuscripts. This was because his "14th Army" had made a strong debut, and people recognized his level and achievements.

The cultural circle is not easy to live in now. After all, the policy held is "plowing the courtyard and sweeping the cave," "thorough cleaning," and many writers are undergoing labor reform. It was in this environment that Wang Yan wrote a long masterpiece that no one could pick faults with, and it was quite high-level, deep, thoughtful, and had historical weight, and carried out certain reflections on the war, and it also received widespread praise and was not criticized.

Furthermore, he is at the hottest time. Doesn't everyone chase popularity? So the letters asking for manuscripts came to him like snowflakes.

Ignoring these, Wang Yan was busy packing...

In the rehearsal room, finally getting a rest, unsurprisingly, people started talking about Wang Yan again.

Xiao Suizi hadn't even caught her breath when she arrived beside Hao Shuwen: "You don't seem very happy? What did he say?"

Hao Shuwen sighed: "He is going to the Military and Political University for further studies for a year and will leave next week. Also, he said we shouldn't eat in the canteen tonight, go to Liu Feng's house, he will go back to the dormitory to pack, then go to the station to buy a ticket, and then go buy meat. We'll eat braised pork tonight, is this good news?"

"What? Going to the Military and Political University for a year? Why didn't he mention it before?"

"I guess it wasn't certain. When did he ever talk about things he wasn't sure about? I guess it's because the leader valued him and fought for a quota for him, and it only came down. He might not even know it himself. The political commissar also said that he will be promoted to company commander when he comes back from further studies." Hao Shuwen spoke quite objectively at this moment.

"Then this is too urgent? We can't see each other a few times all year round, and now it's good, going for a year." Xiao Suizi said, her voice trembling a little.

Seeing her like this, Hao Shuwen let out a long breath: "He also said that he is going for progress, not dying, don't look so mournful."

Hearing this, Xiao Suizi wanted to laugh for a moment, but then she wanted to cry even more. She didn't cry in the end, and finally understood why Hao Shuwen was not very happy. She leaned against the wall dejectedly; this was Hao Shuwen's action just now, and they were exactly the same.

Hao Shuwen shook her head and greeted: "Xiaoping? Come here."

Not far away, He Xiaoping, who was sitting there drinking water and catching her breath, walked over...

"Wang Yan, why did you buy so many things? It's too wasteful." He Xiaoping opened the door and looked at Wang Yan, who was carrying quite a few things on his shoulders and in his hands outside, feeling a bit confused.

"Visiting a patient, you don't need to do it." Wang Yan smiled and entered the room, putting the big bag he brought and a big sack he was carrying on his shoulder on the ground.

Nodding to Hao Shuwen and Xiao Suizi, Wang Yan scanned the situation in the room and smiled as he went to the bedroom, just seeing Liu Feng struggling to get up with his waist. His waist was wrapped with a circle of cloth, protecting his waist so that it wouldn't bend down.

"Alright, why be polite with me? Untie the cloth, let me see what the situation is."

He Xiaoping, who followed in, ran up and helped Liu Feng untie the cloth, unloading a row of slightly curved wooden pieces used for support.

"You didn't make it yourself, did you?"

"Old Li from the props team, he got a few pieces of wood and polished them for me. I wanted to do it, but I couldn't. It's just bad luck, the house collapsed, I was a step slow, and I hit my waist. I went to the hospital for an X-ray, and the doctor said it was a severe impact, injuring the spine. I can't dance in the future, and I can't do heavy work, but there's nothing else. I heard that X-rays seem to have radiation, is it okay?"

Liu Feng was still the same, chattering and muttering.

"No big problem, otherwise the country wouldn't let hospitals use it on a large scale. It's not like you keep taking it; once or twice is no big deal. Lie down, let me see."

Wang Yan walked over, pressed his thumbs on various places on his waist, which still hadn't faded from blue and purple, and asked about Liu Feng's feelings.

He let He Xiaoping take the white wine he bought and sprinkled some on it. Wang Yan started to give a massage: "It might be a bit painful, you bear with it, and see if it works. You all don't be idle, go pack the vegetables, braised pork, braised carp, cucumber with scrambled eggs..."

Listening to Wang Yan report the names of eight dishes, Liu Feng hummed and said: "You are too extravagant, we can't eat that much, my dining table can't hold eight dishes."

"You are just taking advantage of the light; they are all made for Hao Shuwen and Xiao Suizi. Before, there was no position to eat good food, but now that you have been assigned a house, it's just convenient for us to eat something good. Go, go, I'll cook in a while. Xiaoping, you don't need to speak, I cook well."

"Yes, just let him do it. Let's go, let's pack, the sooner we eat, the better. Just listening to him report the names of the dishes makes me greedy." Hao Shuwen greeted, and walked out with Xiao Suizi and He Xiaoping, flipping through the things Wang Yan brought, and He Xiaoping's exclamations came from time to time.

Mainly because the things Wang Yan brought were too many for such an era. More than ten cans of meat, cans of fruit, five packs of Zhonghua cigarettes. Quite a few green vegetables, half a pig, two separate pieces of pork belly, as well as some dry goods that can be stored for a long time, such as bacon, black fungus, mushrooms, dried dates, etc., as well as fresh fruits, a bag of rice, a bag of flour, a bag of eggs, and several bottles of white wine, as well as various seasonings used for cooking.

The cost of just these things is enough for an ordinary family's expenses for three to five months. If it were placed on Liu Feng and He Xiaoping, it would be enough for them to live for half a year, as they are used to saving.

Thus, the three female comrades were packing vegetables outside, talking to each other, while Wang Yan was giving Liu Feng a massage in the room. Liu Feng was still chattering about the disaster relief at that time, and also talking about his marriage with He Xiaoping, and was also concerned about the situation in Longling, knowing that Wang Yan participated in the disaster relief work there.

On the whole, it was still very comfortable and harmonious, quite a feeling of quiet years.

But where is it really good? Only he knows what is about to happen...