Chapter 50: Chapter 050: 10,000-Word Reflection
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fortunately, Zhang Hongmei was naturally simple and had a good attitude, otherwise, who knows how jealous she might have been!
“How come you didn’t tell us before you left? Everyone was looking for you; Qin Cuifen came to their dorm to look for you several times.”
Sheng Ning left so suddenly that she didn’t say goodbye to anyone. She initially wanted to find Xu Qigang, but he wouldn’t even see her.
Thinking about being ignored by Xu Qigang, Sheng Ning’s good mood instantly vanished, and her heart ached deeply.
“I have been suspended from all performances, and I can only go back to my hometown for training.” Sheng Ning said awkwardly.
“That’s true; it’s all Qin Cuifen’s fault. She kept telling us you weren’t going back to your hometown. She said you… she said you…” Zhang Hongmei hesitated several times, unable to continue.
“What did she say? That I ran away with a man?” Sheng Ning knew Qin Cuifen wouldn’t say anything good about her, and during her absence, she must have spread rumors about her.
“How did you know?” Zhang Hongmei was wide-eyed in surprise, looking a bit dumbfounded.
“Hehehe…” Sheng Ning laughed coldly; of course, she knew.
She used to be naive, not understanding why all the rumors since childhood seemed to cling to her, impossible to shake off. If she didn’t know who was responsible for all this in her new life, she might as well die.
“Sheng Ning, don’t be angry. You aren’t thinking about confronting her, are you?”
“I’m not angry, Hong Mei. Tell me exactly what she said about me.” To prove she wasn’t angry, Sheng Ning forced a smile, but it looked rather frightening.
“It’s just that Qin Cuifen said you kept chasing after Mr. Shen shamelessly.”
“Just as I thought!” Being slandered in this way was so predictable it felt almost uninspired.
Sheng Ning handed her bag to Zhang Hongmei and asked her to take it back to the dorm while she went straight to find Yang Wenying.
A month had passed; she had to meet Yang Wenying to get approval to return to the troupe.
Sheng Ning walked in with her head held high and saluted, “Sheng Ning from the General Union Dance Troupe reporting.”
Yang Wenying stood up to greet her, “At ease!”
“Thank you, Comrade Yang.”
“Comrade Sheng Ning, do you realize your mistake?” Yang Wenying leaned back in her chair, her thin lips tightly pressed together.
“Yes, Comrade Yang, I realize my mistake.” Sheng Ning’s attitude in admitting her fault was cooperative and proactive. In the Song and Dance Troupe, merit was essential. She had been foolish before, thinking her good looks could get her everything she wanted.
From now on, she wouldn’t repeat those mistakes. Whether she wanted respect or applause, she would earn them through her efforts.
Yang Wenying’s sharp eyes scanned her face, and only after confirming that she meant what she said did she nod in satisfaction. “Alright! Relax. Go back and write a ten-thousand-word self-critique and post it on the bulletin board.”
Sheng Ning felt as though she had been struck by lightning. Ten thousand words weren’t frightening; what was frightening was posting it on the bulletin board. In the General Union Dance Troupe, there were many departments, and people were constantly moving in and out. Posting it there would be utterly humiliating.
Yang Wenying watched her face turn pale and then flush, secretly delighted but showing no emotion on her face. “What? You don’t want to follow orders?”
Following orders was their duty, and she wouldn’t dare dissent even if given courage. “No, I guarantee to complete the task.”
“Return to the team officially tomorrow.”
“Yes, thank you, Comrade Yang!” The tension Sheng Ning felt since entering the room finally eased.
Yang Wenying watched her leave and murmured to herself, “How did she change so much in just a month?”