Chapter 240: Chapter 237: Can’t Lose

Ling Chengyan, Political Commissioner He, and Staff Officer Xing also came up to greet the guests. After some brief pleasantries, they quickly invited the distinguished guests inside.

Xu Dong and Liu Caixia were in charge of the reception. Liu Caixia accompanied the district Women’s Federation Director, smilingly said, “The new camp they built hasn’t finished the administrative building yet, so they’ve arranged the event location in the dining hall…”

Xu Dong cooperated perfectly, smiling as he chimed in, “We’re planning to have dumplings for lunch and will be making them together in a bit.”

The district Women’s Federation Director was a bit surprised and looked back at the school and hospital leaders, smilingly said, “I didn’t expect such thoughtful arrangements.”

Then, she joked playfully with Xu Dong, “Little Xu, what filling have you prepared? Talking about dumpling filling, I recommend Mr. Liu, our school official here. He’s not only outstanding in cultural organizing but also quite adept at cooking!”

The gentlemanly yet ordinary-looking Mr. Liu quickly waved his hands, “I’m flattered, I’m flattered. The praise is so overwhelming, I feel like I’m going to float away.”

In just a few words, the awkwardness and unfamiliarity were eased, and Xu Dong, the social ace of the Special Service Company, found it hard to keep pace and just smiled along foolishly.

Political Commissioner He and Staff Officer Xing perfectly served as a picturesque background, with their faces full of glee as if watching a show, making Ling Chengyan almost want to roll her eyes.

Uninterested in the front’s fake pleasantries and flattery, Ling Chengyan shifted her attention to the young men and women in the back.

Her soldiers were undoubtedly the best, and her focus naturally fell on the women who attended.

With a glance, Ling Chengyan was quite satisfied.

After all, they came from schools and hospitals, well-mannered and educated, none were overly flamboyant or flashy like butterflies, mostly dressed with elegance and decorum, a few appeared lively and cheerful, offering bright smiles that were pleasing to the eyes.

Upon entering, they were pleasantly surprised with the beautiful decorations and melodious music, which softened the military camp’s austere vibe. Ling Chengyan overheard a few girls whispering about the unexpectedly lovely venue setup and background music, feeling it didn’t quite match their usual impression of the military camp.

Ling Chengyan’s lips lifted in a slight smile, thinking these girls were still in the age of dreaming, unaware that soldiers were humans first, with their own emotions and needs, yet carried a sacred mission, making them braver at certain times and places than ordinary people.

After they settled in, the soldiers and women naturally sat on opposite sides of the venue, clearly defined.

Ling Chengyan glanced at Xu Dong, thinking this kid was quite experienced, already anticipating this scenario and had devised a solution—only hoping his plan would work effectively.

Political Commissioner He and Staff Officer Xing sat next to Ling Chengyan. As they settled in, Political Commissioner He glanced at both camps and almost couldn’t help but laugh.

He lifted his tea cup to hide it, using the chance to get rid of tea leaves foam, and softly griped to Ling Chengyan, “You should’ve groomed these lads ahead of time for the matchmaking event!”

Ling Chengyan looked at him blankly, “Instructor Xu arranged everything—a unified haircut, showering, clothes have been inspected, they’re all quite tidy…”

This time, it was Staff Officer Xing who burst into laughter.

Fortunately, Xu Dong had just finished his welcome speech, and the excited lads applauded so enthusiastically that it drowned out Staff Officer Xing’s laughter.

Political Commissioner He glared at Staff Officer Xing and said, “That’s it? Each one of them as dark as iron eggs…”

Ling Chengyan raised her eyebrows and helplessly looked back: They’re from the Special Service Company, training over ten hours every day, spending more than half of the month in outdoor training… Can their faces possibly be fair and tender? You’re the leader, don’t you know this?!

Her expression was so direct that pretending to be clueless was impossible for Political Commissioner He.

He then decisively turned his head, focused on drinking his tea, and remained silent.

It’s said that when scholars meet soldiers, reasoning becomes elusive, but isn’t he a soldier too, yet facing this elusive reasoning now? Truly exhausting.

Staff Officer Xing tried to suppress his laughter, his shoulders shaking, head lowered almost to the table’s bottom.

The district Women’s Federation Director stood up to speak; Political Commissioner He disdainfully kicked his old partner but couldn’t make Staff Officer Xing raise his head, he didn’t bother to intervene.

Two’s company, three’s a crowd; some situations are just beyond control.

After the district Women’s Federation Director finished speaking, Political Commissioner He briefly spoke on behalf of the regional leadership and quickly sat back down.

As the host, Xu Dong finally began proceeding with the meeting flow.

With all strangers involved in such a setting, whether it was the enthusiastic lads or the shy expectant girls, they were quite reserved, so Xu Dong suggested letting the local lads perform a program first to warm up the atmosphere.

Ling Chengyan clapped along and was surprised to see several people come forward—a person with an accordion, another with a harmonica; these two providing accompaniment while four others performed a small chorus. They sang the song that had been playing on the recorder, “Night at the Naval Port.”

The accompaniment and singing were unexpectedly well-coordinated, with no issues of off-key in performance, giving Ling Chengyan a pleasant surprise, as the girls’ eyes on the dark lads across brightened significantly.

Their participation in today’s event already showed some admiration for ’the most lovable people.’ Previously, they only knew soldiers as brave and resolute, embodying masculinity, but upon closer interaction, they realized those seemingly rugged soldiers also had an artistic side.

The small chorus concluded with two songs amidst enthusiastic applause.

The host position transferred to the school official: “Didn’t the soldiers’ performance impress you? Shall we invite them for another?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Dong couldn’t help but grin; was this fellow initiating a song clash in the military camp? Hey, this was a good-hearted gentleman, quite befitting camaraderie!

When it comes to singing challenges, have the soldiers ever backed down?

When it comes to singing challenges, have the Special Service Company’s warriors ever backed down?

Moreover, with many beautiful young ladies opposite them, singing and dancing, seeing the girls is far more captivating than hearing them!

Whatever the reason, they couldn’t lose this singing challenge!

Thus, the gentle rains of Jiangnan lost to the fierce northern gale predictably.

Then, two graceful and scholarly lovely female teachers stepped forward and sang a song, “Riding the Waves.” The doctors and nurses from the hospital emerged for a small chorus without instruments, prompting Xu Dong to skillfully adjust the recorder’s newest features for accompaniment… yet again slightly impressed the young ladies.

With preliminary performances and singing challenges, the initial awkwardness and hesitance diminished, leaving a lively and cheerful atmosphere in the venue.

Xu Dong and the school gentleman cooperated seamlessly, smoothly advancing to the first interactive game—throwing the handkerchief!

The first step was selecting participants for the game. Xu Dong, knowing the shy girls may be reluctant to go up, used an choosing method to first select a girl, then let her choose a soldier opposite, a mutual selection, helping to break the ice and foster acquaintance.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep