The group quickly arrived at the auditorium and sat in the third row from the front.

As soon as the three children sat down, they saw Jiang Mingqian and Fu Changqing sitting in the first row, and they quickly surrounded them, showing affection to their grandfather and maternal grandfather for a while, which made everyone present envious.

The gala started on time, with a variety of wonderful performances.

The soldiers' powerful chorus resonated throughout the auditorium, brimming with their fervent patriotism; their swift combat demonstration ignited the entire audience, showcasing the indomitable spirit of the military; and their gentle poetry recitations eloquently expressed the patriotic sentiments of the border guards. Thunderous applause and laughter filled the air, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Halfway through the party, Jiang Muyan suddenly realized that the next performer was someone she knew—the female soldier she had just bumped into outside the auditorium.

She was about to sing a revolutionary song, which, perhaps due to the difference in time and space, had never appeared in modern times.

As the song ended, the applause in the auditorium gradually subsided, but the lingering resonance still echoed above the dome.

The female soldier held the microphone, stood straight, and had a graceful and gentle smile on her face. She looked completely harmless, which drew nods from many soldiers and their families in the audience.

Only Jiang Muyan had a clear mind; she saw through the other person's deliberately feigned gentleness and saw the narrow-mindedness and jealousy hidden deep in their eyes.

The female soldier cleared her throat, a slight static coming from the microphone. Her voice was clear and bright, her tone exceptionally sincere, every word carefully crafted with impartiality: "Dear leaders, comrades, families and friends, Happy New Year!"

"The patriotic song we just sang is dedicated to all the soldiers who guard our country, and also to the military wives who silently contribute and protect the rear. The medals of honor belong half to the soldiers, and half to the military wives. It is because of their silent support and dedication to their families that our soldiers can guard the borders and protect our land with peace of mind."

These words were both reasonable and persuasive, instantly winning applause from the audience.

Just when everyone thought she was about to bow and leave, the female soldier suddenly changed her tone. Her smile was polite, but her gaze was fixed precisely on Jiang Muyan in the third row. Her voice, transmitted through the microphone, resonated throughout the entire auditorium, crystal clear:

"Speaking of military spouses, I think that involving them in our performances is the only way to truly bring joy and celebration together between the military and the people."

The female soldier smiled gently and spoke in a dignified manner, which sounded reasonable to everyone. No one immediately noticed her hidden motives.

However, tonight's program was already set, and everything from the music to the lighting had been rehearsed in advance.

Adding a program featuring a military spouse suddenly puts the production team in a bit of a rush.

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, the host quickly went up on stage: "What this comrade said is correct, but I wonder if there's anyone suitable for this role?"

He was thinking that perhaps the military wife was talented, which was why he asked this woman to say that.

At that moment, the female soldier was waiting for these words. She smiled and said, "I think Comrade Jiang Muyan, the wife of our Regiment Commander Fu, is very suitable. I heard that she is not only a military wife, but also a scientific researcher who dedicates herself to the country and makes silent contributions. She is a role model for all of us. Such an outstanding person must also be multi-talented and proficient in everything."

The female soldier's smile grew more genuine, and every word she spoke was one of flattery and praise, but the calculation and sarcasm in her eyes were impossible to hide.

Holding the microphone, her tone was earnest and enthusiastic, deliberately enlivening the atmosphere: "Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, a time for family reunion, with soldiers and civilians gathered together. It's a rare treat that Comrade Jiang has taken time out of his busy schedule to grace us with his presence. How about we invite Comrade Jiang to the stage to give us an impromptu performance, showcasing his talents and adding to the festive atmosphere of the New Year? Let us witness the exemplary character of this role model up close. What do you all say?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she took the lead and clapped enthusiastically.

Unaware of the situation, the soldiers and their families in the audience were swayed by the impassioned speech and joined in with applause, shouts of "Bravo!" filling the entire auditorium. The festive atmosphere was vibrant and high-spirited, but it also put Jiang Muyan in the third row in a dilemma.

The host inwardly groaned, realizing the true nature of this farce; the female soldier was clearly doing it on purpose.

If Comrade Jiang goes on stage and has no talent to showcase, then he will be unworthy of his reputation and make a fool of himself in public; if he declines, then he will be arrogant and put on airs, spoiling the mood of the entire army's New Year's Eve party.

Advancing or retreating, both are traps; every word is a scheme.

The female soldier on the platform looked at Jiang Muyan, who sat motionless, and felt a secret sense of pleasure.

The boisterous applause gradually subsided, and the auditorium fell silent for a moment. Countless eyes were focused on Jiang Muyan, who was sitting next to Fu Moxuan, with a mixture of observation, curiosity, and a hint of schadenfreude.

Upon seeing this, Fu Moxuan's face immediately darkened. Just as he was about to stand up, Jiang Muyan grabbed his arm.

"I'll do it!" Jiang Muyan said, standing up.

Jiang Muyan stepped down from the audience platform, slowly ascended the stage steps, approached the host, and reached out her hand, clearly indicating her desire for the microphone.

Upon seeing this, the host quickly handed over the microphone, but couldn't help feeling a little nervous.

At this moment, he was truly worried for the renowned Comrade Jiang.

Everyone knows that researchers who are dedicated to their studies and deeply committed to their country may not be good at stage performances. This is clearly putting them on the spot.

Jiang Muyan lightly gripped the microphone with her fingertips, the warm metallic touch making her expression even more calm and composed. She stood tall and straight in the center of the stage, showing no sign of embarrassment at being challenged, her gentle and composed eyes sweeping over the dense crowd below.

The female soldier beside him lowered her eyes slightly, a secret, confident smile playing on her lips.

In her mind, people who spend their days in the laboratory hold blueprints, data, and precision instruments, not singing, dancing, or romantic performances.

If Jiang Muyan shows any weakness or performs mediocrely, this carefully orchestrated act of flattery will completely shatter Jiang Muyan's flawless aura.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Jiang Muyan finally parted her red lips, her clear and gentle voice resonating steadily in every corner of the auditorium through the microphone:

"First of all, thank you for your kind invitation to perform on stage without knowing whether I have any special talents."

If I have no talent whatsoever, wouldn't it be a disservice to the joyous atmosphere of this reunion tonight, and a disappointment to everyone's expectations, if I were to insist on performing on stage?

So I would like to say to this woman that in the future, you should never be so rash in your dealings with others, and you should never put others on a pedestal so easily.

A casual compliment or a sudden nomination might simply be a way to liven things up for you, but to others it can be unwarranted embarrassment and awkwardness.

Jiang Muyan's tone was calm and even, without a trace of anger, yet every word was clear and measured.

She didn't publicly sever ties or harshly reprimand anyone, but her gentle advice instantly made everyone present see through the true nature of this farce.

The smile on the female soldier's face froze instantly, the color drained away, her ears turned bright red, and she gripped the microphone tightly with her fingers, feeling utterly ashamed.

To her utter surprise, Jiang Muyan didn't panic or try to dodge the question, nor did she put on a brave act. Instead, she calmly and succinctly pointed out her selfish motives, her words both gentle and sharp, leaving her speechless.

Jiang Muyan's gaze swept over her indifferently before returning to the audience. Her voice remained warm and sincere as she continued slowly:

"However, I must thank this comrade this time. It just so happens that my child wants to perform a song for everyone, so I will take this opportunity to add some joy to the Spring Festival with the children tonight."

Then, she changed the subject: "However, the program, sheet music, and lighting for tonight's performance have already been rehearsed in order, so we can't disrupt the order of everyone's performances. Therefore, my performance with the children will be last. Thank you everyone!"

These words were reasonable, well-founded, and tactful, saving face for the gala production team while deftly resolving the awkward stalemate created by the female soldier earlier.

The host, who had been holding his breath, finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied with a smile, "Thank you for your understanding, Comrade Jiang! We'll save this most festive New Year's special for the very end of the gala!"

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again. No one felt that the earlier interruption had spoiled the mood. Instead, they were filled with anticipation for this final, exclusive New Year's surprise.

The female soldier standing to the side became the laughing stock of the entire scene.

She originally intended to use the public's opinions and the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival to force Jiang Muyan into a dilemma and embarrass her in public by praising her to death, attempting to shatter the glory and integrity of this scientific research hero.

In the end, Jiang Muyan, with just a few words, gentle yet sharp, dignified yet measured, not only broke the deadlock but also smoothly set the stage for the grand finale, turning a shady and difficult situation into a heartwarming surprise of family reunion.

On the other hand, she herself deliberately stirred up trouble, created problems out of nothing, and was narrow-minded. All the jealousy and scheming hidden beneath her gentle appearance had already been seen through by many insightful people present.

The female soldier's face flushed red and then turned pale. She stood stiffly to the side of the stage, unable to muster any of her former arrogance. She could only give a hasty bow and hurriedly retreat from the stage in a disheveled state, disappearing into the crowd below the stage as if she wanted to find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Jiang Muyan didn't look at her again. Since they were going to perform, she needed to rehearse with the children properly, and also discuss things with the lighting technician and the band. She had even thought of the song and was just waiting for the children to cooperate.

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