When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 138: Chapter 67: Top Star of the 1960s Cultural Troupe (6)

Xia Zhaoyun gave a bitter smile. ”I don’t even know who I’ve managed to offend, but every one of you is so hostile toward me. Do you not think for yourselves? Do you just believe whatever anyone says?”

”Perhaps you’re all being used as a dull knife, slowly and painfully grinding a person down!”

”Let me make myself clear today. I am Huo Tianhao’s wife, and I will never marry another. I will not exploit his status as a hero to gain a single benefit for myself.”

”I only hope that you can all treat me with reason, justice, fairness, and a bare minimum of respect.”

”When my circumstances permit, I will choose a child to adopt. He will take the surname Huo and be my and Brother Hao’s son, but he will have no connection to the Huo Family and will not vie for any inheritance.”

”I only wish for Huo Tianhao, this larger-than-life hero, to be remembered for his greatness and the sacrifices he made for the collective good!”

Her every word was powerful and resonant, striking everyone’s hearts like a hammer and stirring up a deep sense of shame.

They all knew how important a person’s reputation was, regardless of age or gender, and they cherished their own. Yet, behind closed doors, they had often indulged in the thrill of gossip, trampling all over the reputations of others.

They never considered that their words could be the kindling that feeds a fire, or perhaps, the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Initially, everyone had been a bit suspicious of Xia Zhaoyun. After all, plenty of people are ungrateful. ’Could she really remain faithful for so long?’ they wondered. ’The passions of youth burn fiercely, but they can also fade just as fast.’

But Xia Zhaoyun had already made plans to adopt a child and had explicitly stated she wouldn’t take advantage of Mr. Huo’s legacy.

That meant Xia Zhaoyun’s intention to remain a widow for Mr. Huo was beyond doubt!

In that moment, any disdain the crowd felt for her vanished, replaced by admiration, support, and a profound guilt for the pain they had caused by believing malicious rumors.

”I’m sorry, Comrade Song Ruoyun,” the man from before said, hurrying forward. ”I was shallow and acted improperly. I’ve caused you trouble. Please take these two concert tickets as my apology.”

Xia Zhaoyun let out a soft breath. A faint smile graced her pale face, as ethereal and dazzlingly beautiful as the thin mist drifting through the mountains at dawn.

”I’ve never asked for much. Your apology is enough.”

”Although I would love to go to the concert—it is, after all, a cultural feast featuring masters from across the country, an opportunity many can only dream of—I will not use Brother Hao’s name to get what I want.”

”However, I must correct you. I’ve transferred my household registration from the Song Family to the collective registry. I am no longer Song Ruoyun. My name is Xia Zhaoyun—Xia, for Xiahua; Zhao, for the Zhaoyang Clothing Factory; and Yun, for all of us, the common people.”

”I hope that I, like Brother Hao, can dedicate myself to our country and to the factory that nurtured me, to share in its fortunes and hardships, even if I am just one insignificant person among the masses!”

”It’s getting late. You should all get going. Don’t be late for work on my account.”

’Look at that! She righteously refused such tempting concert tickets!’

’She even went so far as to change her name to Xia Zhaoyun. Such sincerity! She’s just short of ripping open her chest to prove her devotion with her own blood.’

The crowd smiled at her sheepishly, a silent expression of their goodwill, before dispersing to get their meals, eat, and head back to work.

A few of the women, deeply moved by Xia Zhaoyun’s soul-stirring love story, ran up to her. ”Comrade Song... uh, Xia Zhaoyun,” one said, ”if you run into any trouble from now on, just come find us at Spinning Mill One.”

”That’s right! We might not have much clout, but if we can lend a hand, we absolutely will!”

”And us from Dyeing Five...”

”...The Quality Inspection Department...”

”...The Publicity Department...”

”...The Union...”

More and more people came up to her, pledging their support and making their stance clear.

Tears welled in Xia Zhaoyun’s eyes. Visibly moved, she bit her lip and nodded earnestly. ”Thank you, all of you. I... I also want to thank you on Brother Hao’s behalf for your kindness.”

”Please, rest assured. From now on, I’ll be sure to protect my reputation. I won’t be careless like before, just letting people sling mud at me!”

After the crowd dispersed, it was already late. Xia Zhaoyun and a still-dazed He Qingran quickly shoveled down the last of their food and, without even time to wash their lunchboxes, sprinted to the broadcasting room.

The broadcasting room was on the top floor of the main office building. Panting, the two of them scrambled up all seven floors, arriving just in the nick of time, too breathless to even speak.

He Qingran expertly switched on the equipment and put on an uplifting, motivational song before finally collapsing into a chair.