Chapter 010: You Have Gained Some Ability

"Captain, please take care."

After Yang Wenying left, Sheng Ning was alone in the hospital room. From the moment of her rebirth until now, she had been in a state of high excitement. Once she relaxed, she fell into a drowsy sleep. The next day, she woke up to the sound of girls chattering.

Zhang Hongmei saw her open her eyes and quickly sat by the bed. With a concerned look on her rosy cheeks, she asked, "You're awake? Are you hungry? I got breakfast from the cafeteria for you." Saying this, she took out a black iron box with the words "General Union Dance Troupe" on it.

"Here, there are steamed buns and porridge."

"Do you even have the face to eat?" Sheng Ning's hand, holding the lunchbox, was suddenly knocked to the ground by a forceful wave.

Lu Xiaoshuang looked at her arrogantly and angrily said, "It's all your fault. If it wasn't for you, how would we have embarrassed ourselves so much?"

"Captain, this can't be blamed on Sheng Ning. We all saw..." Zhang Hongmei tried to speak but gradually fell silent under Lu Xiaoshuang's piercing gaze.

"Zhang Hongmei, you've become quite bold, haven't you? You're just a newcomer and from the countryside at that. Do you have the right to speak here?" Lu Xiaoshuang was eloquent and from the city, usually holding herself above others, especially disdaining those from rural areas.

"I'm sorry... It's my fault." Zhang Hongmei's eyes reddened with fear as she kept apologizing. She tried to stand up and bow, but Sheng Ning pulled her back.

"Lu Xiaoshuang, what are you doing? Making a fuss early in the morning?"

"You're asking me what I'm doing? Why don't you ask yourself what good deeds you've done?" Lu Xiaoshuang looked at Sheng Ning with contempt, her almond-shaped eyes almost burning with anger. "You are the reason Qin Cuifen was embarrassed. You're the reason we can't face anyone outside. It's all because of you..." In the conservative 1980s, such shameful incidents would lead to everyone gossiping behind their backs. Even though it was a misunderstanding, the General Union Dance Troupe's strict management couldn't prevent gossip in an all-women environment.

What happened last night had already spread throughout the union by today. On their way to the hospital, others, hearing they were from the General Union Dance Troupe, looked at them with peculiar expressions.

Lu Xiaoshuang, naturally proud, had never been treated like this before. Talking about it brought her to tears. The others who came along also had poor expressions, but most came from average backgrounds and didn't dare to stir up trouble, so they didn't take the lead.

"I'm sorry! But I didn't do it on purpose." Sheng Ning had only thought of paying back in kind at the time and didn't realize it would implicate others. Feeling a bit guilty, she hurriedly got out of bed and clumsily stepped down to sincerely apologize to everyone, "I'm sorry, I dragged everyone down. I'm really sorry, I truly didn't mean for this to happen."

Her sincerity left Lu Xiaoshuang with nothing more to say. They all knew deep down that Sheng Ning's actions were unintentional in a moment of urgency. After all, Qin Cuifen wasn't a good person either, always trying to outshine others, yet her family background and looks were inferior to Sheng Ning's.

"Xiaoshuang, don't blame Sheng Ning anymore. She's already apologized."

"Yes, we were all on stage at the time. She is indeed innocent."

Seeing Sheng Ning's sincere attitude, the others joined in to mediate.

"Hmph! I won't argue with you this time." Lu Xiaoshuang, feeling awkward, snorted and took the others to Qin Cuifen's room. Only Zhang Hongmei stayed behind. After everyone else left, she diligently cleaned up the mess on the floor and then took out a steamed bun wrapped in oiled paper from her pocket. She gave an apologetic smile to Sheng Ning, "Go ahead and eat!"