Chapter 689: Chapter 718 Whose Position Is It?
The doors of the Provincial Command Center were grand and majestic. It was Sheng Ningâs first time at the Provincial Command Center; from the moment she entered the gates, she couldnât help but look around curiously. After getting off the big truck, many people were so excited they couldnât contain themselves, clustering in small groups and buzzing with conversation.
âGet a grip!â Yang Wenying came from ahead, seeing everyone acting like theyâd never seen the world before, and she couldnât help but spit in disdain, âDonât embarrass me, just look at yourselves.â She had arrived earlier and had just gone backstage, where the organization department had done a good job with the arrangements.
âRespects to the General Troupe!â
âRespects to the General Troupe!â
âGeneral Troupe, this is our first time at the Provincial Command Center, can we not be excited?â Sheng Ning said with a smile, âI remember during the Mid-Autumn Festival party, we were already blown away.â
âTonight youâll see many leaders and comrades, I promise itâll be an eye-opener for you,â Qiu Bai raised an eyebrow, âBut youâre not allowed to stand on stage gaping like fools and affect your performance.â
âOf course, we wonât.â
The General Union Dance Troupe was the earliest to arrive, with the men busily unloading equipment. The women went backstage first to get acquainted with the setting, while Yang Wenying was pulled aside for a meeting by the organization department, and Qiu Bai with another teacher took everyone else.
The auditorium of the Provincial Command Center was circular and beautifully constructed, able to accommodate two thousand people. Everyone entered through a dedicated performersâ entrance backstage, which had a complete set of facilities for performers to change clothes, put on makeup, and prepareâmatching even the National Grand Theater in terms of equipment.
âSome important events are also held here. In the entire Northern District, there are more than sixty Song and Dance Troupes, but less than twenty have the honor of performing in this venue. Itâs our first time participating tooâŠâ Qiu Bai stretched out her fair hand and gently touched the red velvet curtain on the stage, her expression dreamy.
âWork hard tonight!â
âWork hard!â
It hadnât been long since the General Unionâs people arrived when other Song and Dance Troupes began to show up one after another, and the backstage area immediately became lively. Each troupe had its own designated area. Upon arrival, logistics staff would lead them to their assigned spots, based on previously taken positions, and the performance pieces had been reported in advance. As for the order, it was arranged by the senior officials.
âThe Qianjin Dance Troupe is here, the Qianjin Dance Troupe has arrived!â Someone shouted, and the entire backstage area fell silent; everyone set aside their work and looked expectantly toward the back entrance. In the world of arts, within the General Union, Qianjin was a benchmark for the Northern District.
âAh! Your spot is Qianjinâs,â a round-faced comrade saw the General Union Dance Troupe getting ready in makeup and changing clothes and covered her mouth in surprise, âYou⊠How can you take their spot?â
It was the best spot in the entire backstage area, nearest to the stage.
Qianjinâs crowd was larger, entering in a grand procession, led by Gu Jun who, as soon as he entered, elicited a flurry of quiet gasps from the female comrades. He was a popular male singer with albums to his name and also one of the mainstays of Qianjin.
Bai Oulan stood beside Gu Jun, dressed in brand-new clothes, her demeanor modest and eyes lowered, appearing very unassuming. Yet her snow-white skin and aloof aura still outshone everyone else, turning them into ugly ducklings by comparison.
The name Bai Tianâe suited her indeed; whoever came up with it was clever!