Chapter 149: A Rendition of "The Moon of the Fifteenth" Amazes Everyone

Qian Yuxiang's voice was not soft to begin with, and now holding a microphone, everyone present heard her loud and clear.

Xia Yan rubbed her ears. This woman was truly endlessly noisy, buzzing around like a fly...

"Sister-in-law, don't you worry. Your singing was already embarrassing enough; no matter how poorly I perform, I can't possibly do worse than you."

Xia Yan looked at Qian Yuxiang with a smile. Her voice was not loud, but both people on stage heard it clearly. The smile on Qian Yuxiang's face froze. She had not expected Xia Yan to be so bold as to state right to her face that her singing was embarrassing.

Even Guan Yue at the side had not anticipated that Xia Yan possessed such a sharp tongue.

Before Qian Yuxiang could react, Xia Yan took the microphone directly: "Thank you very much, Sister-in-law, for giving me this opportunity to perform."

Her bearing was natural and poised, showing not the slightest hint of stage fright.

Lin You, sitting in the audience, naturally knew his wife's capabilities and felt not a shred of panic. Lü Hongxia, on the other hand, wore a face full of eager anticipation. She had felt immense regret ever since Xia Yan turned down her invitation to join the artistic troupe.

Seeing Xia Yan remain so calm, Qian Yuxiang began to lose her own composure. Could this girl actually be hiding some genuine talent?

"Sister-in-law, are you planning to stay here and dance as my backup?"

Xia Yan turned her head to look at Qian Yuxiang.

"I... as if I'd dance backup for you!" With that, she turned on her heel and walked off the stage. She was not about to fall into Xia Yan's trap.

Seeing Qian Yuxiang step down, Xia Yan turned her gaze back to the people seated in the audience and cleared her throat. "I am very grateful to everyone for giving us military wives this opportunity to showcase ourselves. Before I perform, I would like to say a few brief words—to speak from the bottom of my heart."

"What is the sister-in-law about to say?"

In the audience, Wang Baoguo seized the chance to sit next to Zhu Yan. This time, Zhu Yan did not chase him away, but instead replied with a smile: "She always manages to surprise people."

"Don't worry, she won't embarrass herself. Anyone who has ever wanted to see her make a fool of herself has ended up failing."

Zhu Yan was brimming with confidence in Xia Yan, knowing well that this girl always had surprises in store.

Lin You also watched his wife on stage with keen interest, anticipating what she would say next.

At that moment, Xia Yan began to speak: "At this very moment, I feel deeply honored to stand on this stage. This stage is extremely sacred to me, because sitting before me are heroes! It is with your flesh and blood that you guard the peace of this northwestern frontier, protecting the local people so they can live and work in peace and contentment!"

"To become the wife of a soldier fills me with supreme pride!"

Her words were few, not long at all...

Yet everyone in the audience first fell into absolute silence upon hearing them, followed by an outbreak of thunderous applause that echoed across the entire garrison.

Sun Sheng patted Lin You on the shoulder beside him. "Who would have thought? Not only does little Xia cook exceptionally well, but her public speaking is also quite remarkable."

Lin You nodded, the corners of his lips curling upward and remaining there since just a moment ago. This girl truly knew how to surprise him.

Having stepped off the stage without even having a chance to sit down, Qian Yuxiang looked as though she had bitten into a bitter melon; her face was as dark as ink. The spotlight that had belonged to her a moment ago had been completely snatched away by Xia Yan.

Yet she stubbornly kept up a brave front. "What's the use of being able to speak! Let's see how you make a fool of yourself in a minute!"

"In this setting and mood, a song comes to mind. It is called *The Fifteenth Day of the Lunar Month's Moon*."

As soon as Xia Yan finished speaking, the members of the artistic troupe's band were dumbfounded. They had never heard of this song at all...

Of course they had never heard of it; this song would not be released until seven years later.

It was just that when thinking of songs about military wives, this one immediately sprang to Xia Yan's mind, completely failing to account for the fact that the song had not yet been created in this era.

"Troupe Leader, we've never heard this song... What should we do?"

The band leader ran over in small steps to ask Lü Hongxia.

"It's fine! Then let her sing a cappella!"

"A cappella?"

The band leader was startled. To sing a revolutionary song a cappella demanded exceptionally high standards.

Xia Yan also heard the exchange between the two in the audience and realized her oversight. She had been too careless...

After a brief adjustment, she cleared her throat, and her beautiful singing voice instantly filled the entire venue.

"The moon on the fifteenth illuminates the hometown, illuminates the frontier garrison.

On the tranquil night, you yearn, and I yearn.

I keep watch beside the infant's cradle,

While you patrol the motherland's border defense line;

I till the farmland in my hometown,

While you stand guard and do your duty at the frontier..."

Her singing was imbued with emotion, and the unadorned lyrics expressed the innermost thoughts and feelings of the frontier soldiers and their wives.

Lü Hongxia watched her, her eyes shining brightly. It was simply brilliant! Not only did Xia Yan sing wonderfully, but she could even write lyrics and compose music! She was an absolute uncut gem. Right then and there, Lü Hongxia resolved in her heart that she must recruit Xia Yan into the artistic troupe!

Qian Yuxiang's face had turned pale green. Clenching her fists tightly, she had originally hoped to watch Xia Yan make a fool of herself, but never expected the outcome to turn out this way. Regret now washed over her endlessly; had she known Xia Yan possessed such vocal prowess, she would have done anything to keep her off the stage stealing the spotlight.

Guan Yue was similarly stunned. Xia Yan's voice made her feel utterly ashamed by comparison; placed side by side with Xia Yan, she herself looked like nothing more than an amateur.

As the song ended, Xia Yan stood like a brilliant, shining star, radiating a dazzling light that made it impossible for anyone to look away.

Many soldiers and military wives had tears welling in their eyes. Xia Yan's song had sung straight into the depths of their hearts...

Having finished her song, Xia Yan bowed to the audience. "My performance is concluded. Thank you, everyone!"

With only a few exceptions, everyone broke into applause, and the thunderous ovation went on and on without stopping.

At this moment, Sun Sheng patted Lin You's shoulder once more. "Little Lin, is there anything your wife *can't* do? Consider yourself infinitely blessed to have married such a wife, you rascal."

"Ain't that the truth? Look at you, Troupe Leader Sun, just staring straight at your own wife."

Jiang Weiguo, standing nearby, chimed in with a teasing remark.

His words instantly made Lin You feel deeply embarrassed.

The moment Xia Yan stepped off the stage, she was immediately surrounded.

"Camp Commander Lin's wife, your singing was simply fantastic! You've truly brought great honor to us military wives at the garrison."

"Exactly! Unlike certain people and whatever noise it was they were wailing."

...

Qian Yuxiang could no longer sit still; she slipped away from the sports ground with a crestfallen, bruised ego.

At that moment, Lin Ling walked over and linked arms with Xia Yan. "Sister-in-law, did you write this song yourself? It's truly amazing! Will you teach it to me?"

"Alright, I'll teach you how to sing it back at home tonight. You should go get ready now—don't you have your own performance coming up shortly?"

"Hmph, Sister-in-law, with you singing like that, whatever we perform next is going to taste dull by comparison."

Hearing this, Lin Ling pretended to pout in mock anger.

"Auntie, how was that? Didn't I tell you my mommy sings wonderfully?"

Lin Hongzhuo lifted his chin high, brimming with an indescribable sense of pride...

Lü Hongxia appeared by Xia Yan's side at some point. "Little Xia."

"Auntie Lü!"

"You sang wonderfully! The reason Auntie Lü was looking for you is because there's a certain matter..."