Chapter 139: 139: Do You Want the Certificate or Not

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Do You Want the Certificate or Not

“The script is your original work, and when the time comes, you’ll be credited, and it will be recorded in your personal file,” these are the General Union’s regulations, which must be followed.

“If the response is good, you will also receive some reward,” Zhang Hongmei said.

“How much is the reward?” She looked at Su Hai with sparkling eyes, clearly interested in the money. Heaven knows how poor she is now, burdened with a debt of five thousand yuan, she dreams of ways to make money.

If it weren’t for the focused training, she would have already gone to the city in search of ways to earn money.

Su Hai not only didn’t find this repulsive but actually burst into laughter, “How about eighty yuan? The draft pay has never been this high before.”

“Make it a hundred!” Sheng Ning habitually bargained.

...

“What, do you think you’re bargaining in a vegetable market? There’s no reward in cash, but there is a certificate of merit, do you want that?”

“Oh no, I wouldn’t dare offend you!” She truly didn’t dare to offend this person.

“Alright then! I’ve brought the script with me, so get to work on revising it quickly. Once this round of focused training is over, we’ll have the General Union’s Song and Dance Troupe perform it,” said Su Hai, lifting a bag in his hand and pulling out a kraft paper envelope to place in front of Sheng Ning, reminding her, “Remember, the themes must remain relatable to the people.”

“I assure you, the task will be completed!” Sheng Ning stood up.

“Hmm! Work hard!”

“Thank you, Director!” She might be at a disadvantage financially, but in terms of opportunities for her future, she had snagged a great deal.

********

The results of the training were officially announced the next day, and Dai Bin called a meeting specifically to discuss everyone’s issues and performances. In front of everyone from the General Union Dance Troupe and the Fourth Squad, he publicly praised Sheng Ning.

Such recognition was totally unprecedented; it caught her so off guard that she was stunned.

Wu Youli clapped furiously from the audience, even more enthusiastically than if she’d been praised herself.

Zhang Hongmei merely smiled at her without saying a word.

Sheng Ning had an idea why; during the last dormitory inspection, Hong Mei had blamed her for everything. She felt that she had dragged Hong Mei down, causing her to be criticized.

Sheng Ning sighed internally, wanting to explain, but also not wanting to open her mouth. She believed real friends shouldn’t act like this; like Wu Youli, like Chen Huaying. They bicker with each other in everyday banter, compete fairly, and when there’s a problem, they shouldn’t lay the blame on others.

She wasn’t trying to shirk responsibility by saying this. Being framed by Qin Cuifen indeed had something to do with her.

But she always felt that friendship shouldn’t be like this. Zhang Hongmei was the first friend she really cared about after her rebirth, the one she got closest to. To have things turn out this way was certainly painful.

“What are you thinking about?” Chen Huaying nudged her with her elbow. She placed second, so she stood side by side with Sheng Ning to receive praise.

“Ah? Nothing!” Sheng Ning came back to her senses and quickly shook her head.

“Thinking about Zhang Hongmei?” Despite Chen Huaying’s usual disinterested demeanor, she was as perceptive as a mirror inside. She had noticed the problem already during the nighttime punishment run.

Feeling exposed, Sheng Ning nodded somewhat dejectedly.

“Those who follow different paths cannot make plans together!” Chen Huaying snorted. She would never look down on rural people. But she despised those who were self-pitying and indulged in self-loathing.

Zhang Hongmei was just like that, possessing the simplicity and kindness of a rural person, but also the weakness and narrow-mindedness of pettiness. These inner thoughts, of course, she would never tell Sheng Ning, as she could see that Sheng Ning was someone who valued relationships deeply, or perhaps was a bit stubborn.