Ruan Jiqiu had been too agitated and momentarily forgot Song Qinglan's identity.
The words blurted out before she could even think.
Now, hearing Song Qinglan's words, she secretly regretted it.
"I didn't mean it like that. I just can't stand to see Cheng You wrongly accuse people from our art troupe. Besides, the skirt wasn't actually cut. Why make such a big deal out of it?"
Qiu Tingting grabbed her arm and pulled her back, grumbling, "Someone wanted to cut my skirt, and you think it's a small matter? I'm the victim. Why should I downplay it? Everyone says you're usually quite kind, so why are you being so unreasonable now?"
Before Ruan Jiqiu could defend herself, she heard the voice of Director Jiang. "What's going on? Why are you all gathered here?"
Qiu Tingting pouted and complained, "Someone just stole my skirt and wanted to cut it! I haven't been in the art troupe for long, and I've already encountered something like this. Will they put nails in my dance shoes next time?"
Director Jiang's face instantly darkened. The art troupe had seen such incidents before due to competition for roles.
Putting nails in dance shoes, or even broken glass on stage.
Director Jiang had seen many things like this.
"Are there any witnesses? This matter needs to be investigated!"
If they were lenient this time, it would only escalate next time.
Qiu Tingting pointed at Cheng You and said, "She saw it!"
Cheng You nodded, indicating that she had indeed seen it.
Song Qinglan said with a solemn expression, "She is my daughter-in-law. If she says something, it's absolutely true."
Director Jiang realized, "So it's Cheng You."
Since she was Song Qinglan's daughter-in-law, he naturally wouldn't doubt her.
"Comrade Cheng You, if I asked you to identify the person now, could you still recognize them?"
Cheng You nodded, "Of course."
She had met the woman's eyes, and not much time had passed, so she naturally remembered.
"Good. Then I'll trouble you to help me identify her. I want to see who dares to cause trouble openly in my art troupe!"
Ruan Jiqiu's expression became blank, and she suddenly trembled.
"Director, I think... there's no need to investigate this matter." Ruan Jiqiu spoke up with newfound courage.
Director Jiang cast a cold glance at her and said firmly, "What did you say? Comrade Ruan Jiqiu, although Qiu Tingting is new, we treat every comrade in our troupe fairly. This matter must be thoroughly investigated!"
Ruan Jiqiu didn't dare to look up. She had always feared Director Jiang's authority.
"I'm not trying to ostracize Qiu Tingting. I just believe that Cheng You's words are not credible. Qiu Tingting said she saw Cheng You walking out with her skirt and scissors. I have reason to suspect that she stole Qiu Tingting's clothes!"
Song Qinglan immediately bristled, wanting to tear Ruan Jiqiu apart.
Before she could act, Cheng You spoke first, "Your suspicion is unfounded. Today's慰问演出 (wèiwèn yǎnchū -慰问 performance) has a fixed time for each act, with no more than a minute's deviation. After you finished your performance and returned backstage, you started to do your makeup and change clothes..."
"We didn't do makeup, we just changed clothes directly!" Qiu Tingting corrected.
Cheng You nodded, "In that case, Comrade Qiu Tingting, did you discover your skirt was missing right from the beginning?"
"Yes! Everyone was very anxious because the time to change clothes was very short."
There was only a crosstalk performance in between, and they had to finish changing clothes before the crosstalk ended, ready to be announced.
Song Qinglan sneered, "Then that's that. We only came over after the crosstalk started. When we came to find Qiu Tingting, we waited outside for a while before going into the dressing room. Many people saw us."
Ruan Jiqiu looked unconvinced, "But you don't know Qiu Tingting. Why would you come looking for her for no reason?"
Zhen Zhen stepped forward, "I like Tingting sister. I think she's very pretty. Can't I come look for her?"
Qiu Tingting was overjoyed, never expecting her charm had captivated even a child.
"Did you hear that? The little girl likes me!"
Zhen Zhen nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Tingting sister dances beautifully, even more beautifully than your troupe's beauty."
Qiu Tingting grinned from ear to ear. Their troupe's beauty was Ruan Jiqiu herself.
Ever since she arrived, the two had been competing in the art troupe.
Hearing Zhen Zhen's words, Ruan Jiqiu's expression became even more unpleasant.
Cheng You deliberately said, "Comrade Ruan Jiqiu is vehemently obstructing our investigation. Could it be that this matter has something to do with you?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Ruan Jiqiu's eyes widened.
Director Jiang glanced at her calmly, "Since it has nothing to do with you, why are you opposing it? Gather everyone from the art troupe, and have them come one by one for Comrade Cheng You to identify. No one is allowed to be absent."
Ruan Jiqiu had no choice but to shut her mouth sullenly.
Qiu Tingting, meanwhile, pulled Zhen Zhen to the side, "Little sister, tell me quickly, what do you like about me? I'll treat you to White Rabbit toffees later."
Her smile was like a big bad wolf luring a little white rabbit.
Zhen Zhen actually cooperated with her, praising her in various ways without repetition, making Qiu Tingting laugh heartily while holding her.
With Director Jiang's order, the members of the art troupe rushed to gather.
Cheng You looked at them one by one, but did not see the face she had seen today.
Director Jiang's expression grew even more somber. "Not here? Could it be that she's not from our art troupe?"
Ruan Jiqiu gloated, "I told you, Cheng You must be lying."
Qiu Tingting retorted, "You're so eager to protect that person. I think you're in cahoots!"
"Qiu Tingting, if you talk nonsense again, watch out, I'll rip your mouth open!"
Seeing the two about to clash, Cheng You asked, "Director Jiang, are all the people participating in the performance today here? Is there a list?"
The person was wearing performance attire, so they must be someone performing today, and definitely a member of the art troupe.
Director Jiang said, "The list is with the deputy director, I don't have it here, but everyone should be here."
Suddenly, someone slowly raised their hand.
"Director Jiang, Lin Chunxia is not here."
Director Jiang looked around and indeed did not see the person.
"Where is she?"
"She sprained her ankle and went to the hospital."
The ankles of dancers are very precious, and an injury could affect their future careers.
No one would suspect Lin Chunxia when she said her ankle hurt and she needed to go to the hospital.
Cheng You didn't want to go to the hospital to identify the person; it was too troublesome, and she didn't have the time.
She vaguely described the features of the person she had seen.
The woman had a mole on the lower right side of her chin, which was quite noticeable.
Qiu Tingting immediately said, "Lin Chunxia has a mole on her chin, I remember! It must be her!"
Director Jiang directly ordered someone to bring Lin Chunxia from the hospital.
However, when they went, they found that Lin Chunxia was not at the hospital.
Director Jiang coldly reprimanded, "If she has the guts, she can never come back. Get out of the art troupe!"
Although she was usually stern, she rarely lost her temper. This time, she was truly angry, and everyone dared not make a sound.
Song Qinglan sighed, her gaze swept over Ruan Jiqiu, and she said earnestly, "Yumei, your art troupe really needs a good overhaul."