Sheng Ning carefully watched and listened as each name was called out, confirming that these were the individuals heading to S Country for the mission.
All the activities of the past few days, even calling the retired leaders, were to honor their mission.
Lu Yuan’s speech was extremely powerful and resonant, his voice ringing out with strong conviction. The entire venue fell silent, every person attentively listening to his address.
"Now, please greet them."
With uniform movements, those standing on the stage, including Shen Jianguo, couldn’t help but have their eyes moisten, tears welling up.
This mission, they must succeed.
They must secure this victory for their country.
Sheng Ning maintained the greeting gesture, not realizing that tears had already filled her face.
After Lu Yuan concluded his speech, it was time for the routine address by Provincial Rescue Center Chairman Meng Xingzhi. The Chairman was truly charismatic, no wonder he could make Su Yun head over heels for him.
When Meng Xingzhi stood before the microphone, several members of the Song and Dance Troupe looked enviously at Su Yun. Jealous of her good fortune, to have married such an excellent man.
Su Yun couldn’t help but lift the corners of her mouth, staring fondly at the stage.
Meng Xingzhi’s speech was brief and to the point, ending quickly, followed by the accounts of the older leaders about the Long March and the events that occurred crossing the grasslands.
Thunderous applause erupted from below. Although the two old gentlemen were a bit unreliable in daily life, they never failed at critical moments. Having been senior leaders for so many years, their presence was naturally extraordinary.
The pair had often worked together on similar memory-evoking events, making the stories lively and entertaining, and the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly relaxed.
Voices of agreement soared, with everyone surprised at how approachable the old leaders were, commanding respect.
"This is it!" Chen Huaying flashed a silly smile. "Could they be talking about us?" The General Union was full of talent, at best they were just gifted. To be praised in front of so many excellent comrades was indeed a bit embarrassing!
"It seems like it." She had already seen Living Yama signaling to her covertly.
Sheng Ning gazed intently at Mr. Su on stage, feeling an indescribable bitterness. Even now, she couldn’t accept the fact she was the granddaughter of the Su Family.
And her own mother, clearly, couldn’t accept her either.
Members of the General Union laughed proudly, even arrogantly lifting their chins. Of course, it had to be their General Union, how could it be the Bai Tian’e? Preening, for sure!
Yang Wenying was also quite pleased, turning her head to give Su Yun a teasing eyebrow lift.
Irritated, Su Yun gritted her teeth.
Damn it! Yesterday’s performance had their group Qianjin’s limelight all stolen by the General Union; if they let it happen again today, she would completely lose face.
Olan’s gun skills were always the best among her female comrades, taught personally by Meng Fan. If anyone should be called Sharpshooter, it ought to be Olan.
"Olan, you were personally taught by Meng Fan, who can match you?" Su Yun patted Bai Oulan’s shoulder, encouragingly saying, "Believe in yourself, you’re the best."
"The main team..." Bai Oulan looked at Su Yun, moved to the point that even her eyes were moist, "Main team, you’re so good to me. I never expected that even after Meng Fan has been gone so long, you would still take such good care of me."
"You were Meng Fan’s fiancee; we ought to look after you for life."
Many owed Meng Fan favors, and although she was only his stepmother, she took great pride in having such an outstanding son. Even though Meng Fan was gone, many would still, out of respect for him, continue to give Olan special care.
"Courage! Your future lies in becoming a dance master, performing the refined ballet!"
Su Yun’s words were greatly encouraging to Bai Oulan.
The old gentleman stood on the stage, his presbyopia making it hard to see below, so he called Meng Xingzhi over.
"You, make the announcement!"
"Yes!!" Meng Xingzhi greeted solemnly, standing before the microphone and casting an intense gaze around the room before settling on the line where Yang Wenying stood.
"First," he cleared his throat and said loudly, "I want to commend the General Union here."
Shen Feihu, standing on the stage, burst with excitement at the mention of a commendation from the President! Hahaha... Their General Union was unmatched! Who could compare with them?
"But what I want to commend even more is the General Union Dance Troupe, Head Yang Wenying. Please give her a warm round of applause!" Meng Xingzhi pointed downward.
The crowd fell silent, then erupted into thunderous applause. To be personally singled out for praise by the President was an honor greater than earning a third-class merit.
Su Yun’s face changed colors, going pale then red, subtly gritting her teeth in an effort not to look at Yang Wenying beside her.
What was Xingzhi doing? He knew full well that she and Yang Wenying were arch-enemies, their relationship was poor, yet he was praising her in front of everyone, in front of her face?
This was too much; it was a slap to her face.
"My goodness!" Bai Oulan covered her mouth in shock, staring incredulously at Meng Xingzhi on stage, murmuring to herself, "The President, how could he do this?"
Hearing this, Su Yun laughed bitterly, "Right? How can he do this?" Previously, when she and Yang Wenying had clashed, no matter how she suppressed Yang Wenying, Xingzhi had always turned a blind eye. Although he never helped her, he also never stopped her.
Not stopping her was akin to tacit approval, but now he was openly taking sides, putting her in an untenable position.
Captains from the Fifty-six Association and the Research Institute also looked at Su Yun and Yang Wenying with a complex gaze.
Those looks made Su Yun uncomfortable, as if she were being mocked by countless eyes.
Before, when she didn’t get along with Yang Wenying, people sided with her, but now that might no longer be the case.
"Head, maybe you misunderstood. The President is fair and unbiased. Plus, he loves you so much; there must be some reason for this."