Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Career and Love, A Difficult Choice

Lu Xiao sat at the table, listening to the reassuring sounds from the kitchen and watching Su Tang’s busy silhouette.

She didn’t ask for any more details. There was no suspicion, only complete trust and concern.

This silent trust and support warmed his heart more than the outcome he had just fought tooth and nail for in front of the director.

He knew Su Tang believed in him. This trust was their firmest support in weathering any storm.

Su Tang came out with the reheated dough-drop soup, a golden fried egg still resting on top.

“Hurry and eat.”

She placed the bowl in front of Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao picked up his chopsticks. He looked at the steaming bowl, then at Su Tang’s gentle face, and suddenly felt that the whole morning’s rush and battle of wits had been worth it.

The turmoil in the art troupe was like a sudden downpour—it came on strong but passed quickly.

Under Lu Xiao’s management, the “rectification” plan was implemented swiftly and decisively.

Xiao Zhou received a public reprimand and a demerit. He was listless for a while but accepted his punishment obediently.

Lin Qian and several other key members of the troupe were able to stay.

Rehearsals became stricter than before, and program reviews grew more rigorous. The new requirements demanded greater ideological depth and a closer connection to the soldiers’ lives.

But the girls’ hearts were settled, and they practiced with even more enthusiasm.

What made Chang Jia grin from ear to ear was Lin Jianqiu’s audition.

That day, in the art troupe’s simple rehearsal room, Lin Jianqiu sat before a borrowed old guqin, wearing a plain, floral-print blouse that Chang Jia had newly made for her.

At first, her fingers trembled with nervousness, but the moment her fingertips touched the cool strings, the familiar melody seemed to flow into her very bones.

A rendition of “High Mountain and Flowing Water” trickled out, clear and melodious, carrying an indescribable, tranquil power. Even the normally critical instructor gave a slight nod.

She passed the audition without a hitch.

Lin Jianqiu officially joined the art troupe. Although she was still quiet, she smiled more often, and her eyes seemed much brighter.

Chang Jia would boast to everyone he met, “My wife, now she’s got real talent!”

He was practically bursting with pride.

Their relationship soared to new heights, as evidenced by how overjoyed Chang Jia was every single day.

The matter was handled beautifully. It quelled the turmoil, stabilized morale, and even “optimized” the team.

Word gradually spread around the base that the higher-ups were very satisfied with how Lu Xiao had handled the situation.

That evening, Lu Xiao had just stepped through the door. Before he could even hang up his coat, Chang Jia burst in like a whirlwind, his face glowing with excitement.

“Lu! Lu! Great news! Huge news!”

Chang Jia slapped Lu Xiao on the back so hard he nearly stumbled.

Su Tang was stir-frying vegetables at the stove and nearly dropped her spatula. She chided, “Chang Jia? What are you doing? You scared me.”

Lu Xiao steadied himself and frowned at Chang Jia. “What’s the big news? You look like your pants are on fire.”

Chang Jia was so excited he was wringing his hands. He lowered his voice, but he couldn’t contain his enthusiasm.

“I just got back from headquarters! I overheard Director Zhao talking to the political commissar in his office—the door wasn’t shut tight! Director Zhao said you showed courage and responsibility in how you handled the art troupe situation, and what’s more, that you were strategic!”

“You implemented the spirit of the higher-ups’ orders, maintained the team’s stability, and even discovered new talent. He said it was a textbook example of turning a passive situation into an active one!”

He paused for breath, his eyes shining. “Director Zhao also said that an officer like you should be given heavier responsibilities! I think he recommended you to be the Deputy Director of the division’s Operations and Training Section!”

“The Operations and Training Section? Deputy Director?”

Lu Xiao was stunned. That was a core department at division headquarters, in charge of the entire division’s training plans! Deputy Director… This was a major jump in rank!

Su Tang heard it too. Her spatula stopped moving completely. She paid no mind to the SIZZLE of the vegetables in the wok, staring blankly at Lu Xiao, her heart pounding.

“Are you serious? You didn’t mishear, did you?”

Lu Xiao still found it hard to believe.

He knew he’d done a good job this time, but a direct promotion to Deputy Director at division headquarters?

’This is a huge step up.’

“It’s absolutely true!”

Chang Jia puffed out his chest. “Director Zhao’s voice is so loud, I heard him crystal clear through the crack in the door! He said, ’Talent like you needs to be put where it matters most’! Lu, you’re about to make it big!”

Chang Jia, happier than if he’d gotten the promotion himself, gave Lu Xiao a hard punch on the shoulder.

Lu Xiao’s mind was racing.

’To division headquarters… a bigger stage, greater responsibilities…’

This was indeed a huge opportunity.

He instinctively looked toward Su Tang.

Su Tang was also looking at him, her expression complicated.

There was surprise and joy, but mostly… worry?

’Division headquarters is far from their current base. If he were transferred…’

Lu Xiao understood the look in her eyes, and the initial joy of the promotion began to settle.

He turned to Chang Jia and said, “Alright, stop making a fuss. Nothing’s official until the formal orders come down. You should head back now, and don’t go spreading this around.”

“I know, I know! My lips are sealed!”

Chang Jia chuckled, then gave Su Tang a wink. “Sister-in-law, you’ll be a high-ranking officer’s wife from now on!”

With that, he dashed off like the wind again, not waiting for Su Tang’s reaction.

The room fell silent, leaving only the SIZZLE of the nearly burnt vegetables in the wok.

“Oh!”

Su Tang cried out and frantically started stir-frying again.

Lu Xiao walked over and naturally took the spatula from her hand. “Let me, you go rest for a bit.”

Su Tang didn’t let go. She stood beside him, watching him expertly stir-fry the shredded potatoes, and asked softly, “What Chang Jia said… is it true? You’re going to division headquarters?”

“Yes, it’s very likely.”

Lu Xiao didn’t hide it from her, his tone calm. “Since Director Zhao said it, it’s more or less a done deal. The official transfer order will probably come in the next few days.”

Su Tang was silent for a moment. Watching the steam rise from the wok, she said in a small voice, “Division headquarters… that’s pretty far, isn’t it? Does that mean… you’ll be coming home even less?”

Her voice held a hint of barely perceptible disappointment.

Lu Xiao’s stir-frying motions paused for a second.

He dished the cooked shredded potatoes onto a plate, put down the spatula, and turned to face Su Tang.

Su Tang’s eyes were slightly downcast, her long eyelashes casting small shadows beneath them.

She wasn’t complaining, but Lu Xiao could clearly see her reluctance and worry.

His heart softened. He reached out and gently held her shoulders. “It is a bit far. I might only be able to come back once every ten days or half a month.”

Lu Xiao paused, looking into her eyes, his voice low but firm.

“But Su Tang, an opportunity like this is rare. In the Operations and Training Section, I’ll be exposed to the entire division’s training plans. I’ll be able to learn more, and in the future… I’ll be able to take better care of you and this family.”

Hearing this, Su Tang understood.

But then Lu Xiao added, “Tangtang, you have your own career. I can’t ask you to give up what you have here for my sake.”

“If this is really happening, I don’t think you would want me to give up…”

“Lu Xiao, a good partner weathers the storm with you, they don’t hold you back. I’m not that kind of person.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep