Chapter 103: Better

Chapter 103: Better

The stage was set up temporarily, but the backstage area was not. There was a row of houses typically used for storing equipment and as a warehouse behind the stage, and two rooms were cleared to serve as dressing and makeup areas.

The schoolchildren were now queuing up to get their makeup done.

The ones responsible for their makeup were cultural performers from the art troupe. Though the troupe had a makeup artist, she was too busy to handle all the actors, so two suitable female cultural performers were assigned to help with the children's makeup.

When Su Zhaozhao arrived, she saw Gu Nian sitting on a stool, tilting her head back as she had her makeup done.

The person doing her makeup was Ye Shulan.

Ye Shulan was holding Gu Nian's little face, carefully drawing her eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil. Her movements were gentle, and a mild smile played on her face.

She was both gentle and beautiful.

Even with exaggerated makeup, her beauty was hard to conceal.

Her eyes were as clear and bright as autumn water.

No wonder she became the leading actress.

Despite feeling a bit envious, Su Zhaozhao couldn't help but give her two compliments.

Her gaze then turned to Gu Heng.

Gu Heng was beckoning Gu Xiang over.

Gu Xiang was already done with his makeup, his eyebrows darkened, a red dot between his brows, his face powdered, with two red blush marks on his cheeks, and his mouth painted red, looking like a little girl.

The performance costume was a white shirt with a navy collar and blue pants, with two stripes of fabric matching the pants around the collar, and a red scarf tied around the neck.

The girls' performance outfits were similar to the boys', except the pants were replaced with a skirt.

"Dad, Mom."

Having had his makeup done, Gu Xiang felt a bit embarrassed, and even he was surprised when he looked in the mirror.

It looked too strange!

"Have you eaten?" Gu Heng asked him.

"Yes, the teacher was afraid we'd smudge our lipstick, so we ate after finishing our makeup."

They had eaten early, and the army canteen had prepared food for the actors first.

Su Zhaozhao waved the lunchbox in her hand. "There are dumplings. I’ll save them for you and your sister to enjoy as a midnight snack after your performance."

Gu Nian’s makeup was also finished, and she hopped off the stool, immediately seeing her parents at the door.

She ran out to greet them. "Dad, Mom!"

Su Zhaozhao glanced at her makeup, which was nearly identical to Gu Xiang’s.

There was no difference in the makeup for boys and girls, following these five steps: applying powder, drawing eyebrows, adding blush, applying lipstick, and placing a dot between the brows.

If Gu Xiang had two small braids, he and Gu Nian would look like identical twin sisters rather than fraternal twins.

Once the makeup was applied, all the differences that were previously noticeable were hidden.

Unfortunately, we don't have a camera. It would be nice to capture the children's current appearance to look back on when they've grown as a record of their growth.

Cameras are available in department stores, but they are expensive—only imported ones. Domestic cameras haven't been produced yet.

Ye Shulan also saw Gu Heng and Su Zhaozhao at the door. She glanced at them briefly and then returned to applying makeup to the children.

As the performance time was approaching, Su Zhaozhao and Gu Heng returned to the front.

Before the performance, the children had to stay with their teachers and were not allowed to wander around.

As they walked out, they encountered Yu Huixin, who had also come backstage to see the children.

Her husband, Yan Xuewen, was also participating in the performance.

Gao Yue, who had just arrived, was standing next to Yu Huixin.

The two groups merely exchanged a brief nod in greeting.

After passing each other, Gao Yue kept turning back to look.

Yu Huixin noticed and said, "What are you looking at? I told you not to look around or wander off. It's only because I'm here today and vouched for you that you're allowed in. Normally, you wouldn't even be able to come backstage."

Gao Yue turned back and thanked her, "I understand, thank you, Cousin. When I arrived today, that female comrade directed me. She seemed nice, so I glanced back a few times and wanted to thank her."

"Her?" Yu Huixin sneered, "She's not one of us. If you run into her in the future, don't talk to her much, especially about our family affairs. She loves to talk about people's backgrounds."

Gao Yue was surprised, "She... how could she be like that? She doesn't look like it."

Due to issues related to family background, Gao Yue was most afraid of people bringing up status.

She disliked such people, or rather, she despised them.

Not only did she despise them, but she also had to constantly tolerate them.

Because those who said these things prided themselves on their good family backgrounds, despite being poor.

The world is so topsy-turvy.

"You can't judge a person by their looks. She looks presentable now, but when she first arrived, she wasn't much better than a beggar..."

Yu Huixin continued, revealing all the details about Su Zhaozhao.

Gao Yue bit her lip, "I can't tell. She looks like a city dweller... The officer who was with her earlier is her husband, right?"

"Yes, Gu Heng used to have a good relationship with our family, but ever since he married that wife of his, they've become mere acquaintances. I originally intended to introduce Shulan to him, but I wasted my good intentions."

She then snorted, "What city dweller? She still has a lot to learn. She's just imitating without truly understanding..."

Gao Yue felt deeply disappointed. Yes, just by looking at him, you can tell he's almost thirty. How could he not have been married before?

A child bride or an arranged marriage, these are relics of feudal times.

In a society that values free love, and as an officer, why would he accept such a wife?

If... if only Cousin had introduced her earlier, would things have been different?

What a pity...

Gao Yue's mind was racing at that moment.

She felt that fate was playing tricks on her.

Yu Huixin patted her hand, "Don't worry, I’ll definitely find you someone suitable."

Gao Yue set her thoughts aside, "Well, thank you, Sis."

There were so many officers in the army, she was sure she could find a better match!

An area was reserved for military families, and many had already gathered. Gu Heng had his own seat in the central area, and they took their seats separately.

Wang Chunhua, upon seeing Su Zhaozhao, asked, "Didn't you leave early? Why did you just arrive?"

"I went backstage to watch the children getting their makeup done."

"Oh! I should have gone to see too. I've never seen what my little monkey looks like with makeup on. It must look pretty funny."

Su Zhaozhao smiled, "Not weird, but cute. I just saw them, really cute."

"You’re just being nice," Wang Chunhua chuckled.

The military families came with their children, both big and small. This was the army, and they didn't dare let the kids run around freely. They constantly kept an eye on them, and when they couldn’t handle it, they had the older kids look after the younger ones. It was a bustling, chaotic, and lively scene.

Su Zhaozhao was also chatting animatedly with Wang Chunhua and the others.

Occasionally, people would come over to ask if the items they wanted were in stock.

Most military families knew that Su Zhaozhao worked at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. As it was the only cooperative, even if they rarely visited, they would go once or twice a month. Su Zhaozhao knew most of them by face.

"Yes, but there's not much left. If you want it, go soon."

The inquirer, satisfied with the answer, returned to their seat.