"Jiang Biyun, do you think all soldiers around the world are as witty and humorous as our instructor? I’ve met a soldier who was extremely solemn. Just one look from him could keep a naughty kid sitting quietly for an entire day." Tan Heqian didn’t deliberately defend He Zhilan, he was just stating facts he knew about.
Jiang Biyun stuck her tongue out, finally believing He Zhilan’s words, "We are next in line, let’s talk about this later!"
He Zhilan smiled softly. When she looked up at Gu En again, he had already started the prelude. Just by leaning in to listen, He Zhilan was hit with a sudden jolt.
Gu En seemed to love the piece she was playing at the moment. So when she played, she had her head down and wasn’t looking at the audience. She seemed more focused than ever. Even from a distance, you could see her lips slightly opening and closing, clearly mouthing along to the lyrics silently.
Lin Deng, at some point, had seated himself beside Gu En. After watching Gu En for a while, he extended his hand and started playing along. The two played the song using all four hands without missing a beat. It was clear that this wasn’t the first time they had improvised together.
"Oh my god! Our instructor can actually play the piano!" Jiang Biyun exclaimed, gripping He Zhilan’s hand tightly and shaking it, "I thought someone as physically active as the instructor wouldn’t be into these things! But look, he can actually play the piano, He Zhilan, you have to look at his side profile, it’s swoon-worthy! Oh no, I think I’ve fallen in love with our instructor! He’s just like my idea of Prince Charming!"
The person being shaken by Jiang Biyun, however, didn’t respond. Jiang Biyun turned back around in dissatisfaction to glance at He Zhilan and noticed her teary eyes. He Zhilan was biting her lip, silently crying to herself. Her shoulders were shaking intensely as if she was trying to suppress her sobs.
Jiang Biyun was startled, somewhat at a loss, kicked Tan Heqian lightly. Only when Tan Heqian turned to look at her, did she point at He Zhilan, motioning him to look. Tan Heqian turned his head and was shocked as well.
"He Zhilan, what’s wrong? Are you reminded of your husband by this military song?" Tan Heqian asked quietly.
He Zhilan seemed to not hear him, lost in her own thoughts.
On the stage, Gu En had started singing out loud because no one else knew the song. It was an old song, passed down over many years. Compared to other military songs, this one was not as popular.
The entire auditorium was silent, all eyes were on the person playing the piano. Gu En usually didn’t have a particularly charming voice, but the moment she sang, everyone listened in amazement.
It must be said, Gu En’s voice was naturally suited for singing. With her expert singing skills, even her breaths were inaudible through the microphone before her at the piano.
We bid the Red Army farewell, as they descended from the mountain,
With the autumn wind and drizzling rain, their departure was long and drawn out,
As the wild deer on the mountain, mournfully wails,
From the plane trees, leaf by leaf falls,
I ask my fellow man, oh Red Army,
When will your troops return to the mountain once more?
We bid the Red Army farewell again, as they reached the top of the hill,
On the mountain, the corn is golden,
The corn kernels were planted by the Red Army,
The corn cobs, are ours—the poor—to carry,
As we hold the Red Army’s hands fast, oh Red Army,
The seeds that you’ve sowed have turned the heavens red.
As we hold the Red Army’s hands fast, oh Red Army,
The seeds that you’ve sowed have turned the heavens red.