Invitation

Lin Fan occasionally glanced at Yan Shun's side from the corner of her eye. She saw him gradually relaxing, lips slightly curved, his gaze lowering to Yan Shun's chest, where distinct lines extended downward.

No need to think too much; she did not even need to look further down. She knew how good Yan Shun's physique was!

Lin Fan's heart started beating rapidly. If she saw everything, she probably would have had a nosebleed by now! She could only constantly remind herself in her mind to be composed, not to scare Yan Shun.

"Uh, well, the clothes seem quite suitable. I'll sew the buttons tomorrow, and then you'll be able to wear them," Lin Fan said.

"Okay," Yan Shun replied.

After trying on the two sets of clothes, Lin Fan became even more satisfied.

Just then, as if he remembered something, Yan Shun said, "By the way, the military district organized a competition these days, and our battalion won first place. Commander Yu said there will be a celebration banquet for our battalion, and he asked us to bring family members. It's scheduled for the day after tomorrow. You'll come with me."

"Me?" Lin Fan pointed at herself in surprise.

She was not prohibited from going, but she felt very puzzled. Military district celebration banquets usually didn't include family members. 

"Yes, it's allowed to bring family members. Although I don't understand why, the orders came from above, so we, the subordinates, naturally have to comply," Yan Shun explained. "Furthermore, Commander Yu mentioned that originally, a theater troupe was supposed to perform at the event. However, considering it's a battalion celebration, the troupe has limited options. So, family members who attend can volunteer to prepare performances."

Lin Fan's lips twitched. She never liked to join such events. Performing? That was a job for other people.

"I understand," Lin Fan said immediately, feeling that her opportunity had come.

The next morning, Lin Fan woke up early. She went for a run in the courtyard, then came back, showered, and changed into dry clothes. After that, she started sewing buttons onto a few pieces of clothing.

This task was much simpler, and soon she began cutting new fabric, repeating what she had done yesterday.

When Lin Fan delivered the qipao she had made for Ning Yan, she whispered a few words in her ear.

Ning Yan looked at Lin Fan uncertainly. Lin Fan immediately gave her an encouraging look, and Ning Yan's expression relaxed slightly.

As Zhou Liu passed by the floor where Lin Fan and Ning Yan were, she caught a glimpse of the two of them discussing something. She burned with jealousy, knowing without a doubt that they were planning the performance for the celebration banquet at the military district the next day.

She had learned about the military district's celebration banquet from Jiang Tao yesterday and knew that this time, the performances were prepared based on the voluntary registrations from the families. She could not let herself be outdone by Lin Fan and Ning Yan, who came from the countryside.

In the afternoon, when Fan Ming came to collect the list, Zhou Liu told him about the performance she had thought of all morning and asked eagerly, "What are the wives of Yan Shun and Wei An preparing? Can you tell me?"

Fan Ming, who had a favorable impression of Zhou Liu because she had saved General Yu's son, casually replied, "They are not preparing any performance."

"What?" Zhou Liu widened her eyes in shock, unable to believe this result. "Take another look, maybe you missed it. How could they not be preparing? I saw them discussing it this morning."

Fan Ming was a bit puzzled but still checked the list again. "No, they are not preparing anything."

After Fan Ming confirmed, he turned to leave as usual.

Although she did not understand Zhou Liu's behavior, he still thought about arranging the seating. He had to make sure Zhou Liu and her husband were seated together. Madam must want to talk to Zhou Liu.

Zhou Liu suddenly realized she might have been deceived. Anger surged within her. Why were they whispering to each other for no reason? Her name was already on the list, and Fan Ming had even said the list could not be changed once it was written. Lin Fan and Ning Yan were clearly lying to her!

Anger clouded her judgment, but soon Zhou Liu thought of a solution. She hurriedly called out to Fan Ming, who hadn't walked far yet. "Wait!"

Fan Ming turned back. "What is it?"

Zhou Liu caught up with him and pointed at the notebook in his hands. "I suddenly remembered something. Someone asked me to..."