Lu Qing stammered, "I heard that the supply of raw materials from the town's supply and marketing cooperative has been unstable recently. It seems that there are some problems with the upstream suppliers."

Shen Qiqi's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition came to her mind.

If the supply of raw materials is unstable, won’t her straw hat business be doomed?

No, she had worked so hard to build up her business, she absolutely couldn't let it fail like this!

She rushed to the town's supply and marketing cooperative and found Li, the member of the cooperative who was responsible for the supply of raw materials.

The supply and marketing cooperative was crowded with people, the air was filled with a tense atmosphere, and everyone's face was filled with anxiety.

Shen Qiqi's heart also began to hang in the air.

"Comrade Li, when will the raw materials I ordered arrive?" Shen Qiqi tried to maintain a calm tone, but her heart was already burning with anxiety.

Li, a member of the supply and marketing cooperative, raised his head and spread his hands helplessly: "Hey, Comrade Shen, it's not that I don't want to help you. There is a problem with the upstream supplier right now, and the supply of raw materials is tight. There is nothing I can do to help."

"Then when can normal supply be restored?" Shen Qiqi asked.

"That's... hard to say," said Li, a member of the Cooperative, vaguely. "As you know, the situation is very complicated right now, so I can't give you a specific time." He paused, then added, "But don't worry, I've already reported the situation to my superiors. They're actively coordinating a solution, and there should be a result soon."

Shen Qiqi felt disappointed when she saw the perfunctory look on the face of Li, the member of the supply and marketing cooperative.

How fast is this "should be fast"?

one day?

Two days?

Or a month?

Her straw hat business can't wait that long!

Even worse, Li, a member of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, continued, "Even if the supply is restored, the quantity will probably be…" He held up two fingers and gestured, "Probably only… as much as before."

Shen Qiqi felt her head buzzing. One fifth of the raw materials?

How can this business be continued?

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger, and said with a forced smile, "Comrade Li, your news is so timely! My business was just starting to pick up, and now you're cutting off my financial support!"

Li, a member of the supply and marketing cooperative, looked innocent: "Comrade Shen, this is really not my fault. I am just an errand boy. I will do whatever the higher-ups arrange." After saying that, he sighed hypocritically, "Hey, I know it's not easy for everyone, but this is a special period and no one can do anything about it."

Shen Qiqi didn't buy his tricks, she cursed him in her heart as "old slicker", turned around and left.

When she returned to the village, she became angrier and angrier. It was obvious that this supply and marketing cooperative was just perfunctory. If she relied on them, it would be too late!

She sat in the yard angrily, with her arms folded across her chest and a frown on her face.

Seeing this, Lu Qing quickly poured her a glass of water and handed it to her: "Qiqi, what's wrong? You don't look well."

Shen Qiqi took the water, drank it in one breath, and told Lu Qing the whole story.

After hearing this, Lu Qing was also worried: "What should we do? Without raw materials, this business can't continue."

Shen Qiqi gritted her teeth and said, "I just don't believe it! There is nothing in this world that cannot be solved!" She stood up suddenly, a gleam in her eyes, "I'll go to the village and ask if there is any other way!"

Shen Qiqi immediately took action. She went door to door, asking everyone she met: "Uncle, do you know where I can find materials to make straw hats?" "Auntie, have you heard of any plant leaves that can be woven into things?"

Hard work pays off. Finally, when asking an old lady in the village, Shen Qiqi got an important clue.

"There is a plant in the back mountain with long and tough leaves. When we were poor, we used its leaves to weave baskets and straw sandals. They are very sturdy!" The old lady recalled with squinted eyes.

Shen Qiqi's eyes lit up, as if she saw a ray of light in the darkness, and a hopeful atmosphere rose in her heart.

She excitedly held the old lady's hand and said, "Grandma, you are really my savior! What is the name of that plant? Where can I find it?"

"That plant, we call it 'dragon beard grass,'" the old lady pointed in the direction of the back mountain. "It's right on the edge of the cliff at the back mountain, but it's a bit dangerous there, so you have to be careful."

"Thank you, grandma!" Shen Qiqi thanked the old lady excitedly and immediately turned around and ran towards the back mountain.

Lu Qing was worried about Shen Qiqi going alone, so he quickly chased after her: "Qiqi, wait for me! I'll go with you!"

Along the way, Lu Qing carefully protected Shen Qiqi, fearing that she would fall.

The mountain road was rugged, and Shen Qiqi almost slipped several times, but was supported by Lu Qing in time.

A warm atmosphere permeated between the two of them.

Shen Qiqi looked at Lu Qing, her eyes full of emotion.

"Lu Qing, thank you." Shen Qiqi said softly.

"Silly boy, why are you thanking me?" Lu Qing smiled gently. "We are husband and wife, and we should support each other."

The two finally arrived at the edge of the cliff at the back of the mountain. However, the scene before them made them gasp...

There are steep cliffs and rugged rocks. The so-called "dragon beard grass" grows in the cracks of the cliffs, swaying in the wind, as if mocking their helplessness.

Shen Qiqi took a breath of cold air. This was not just a little dangerous, it was simply playing with one's life!

Granny, are you sure you came here often when you were young?

"This...this is too difficult!" Shen Qiqi couldn't help but complain. This was a hundred times more difficult than she had imagined.

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