The village chief came and brought even worse news: Section Chief Zhao said that there were difficulties in obtaining funding from above, and this year's cultural heritage activities might not be able to be carried out.

Shen Qiqi's heart seemed to be hit hard by a huge rock, and the fire of hope that had just been ignited was instantly extinguished.

She bit her lip, trying hard not to let the tears fall.

Lu Qing hugged her shoulders lovingly and comforted her silently.

Raising funds is the last ray of hope.

Shen Qiqi began her journey of "begging" with a nervous mood.

There was a hint of worry in her eyes and her palms were sweaty.

When she knocked on the first door, she was greeted by a cold face.

"What's the matter? We have no money!" The door slammed shut, and Shen Qiqi's heart skipped a beat.

Lu Qing silently held her hand tightly to give her strength.

They visited door to door, hitting a wall more and more times. Shen Qiqi's original enthusiasm was gradually extinguished, and a feeling of powerlessness gradually surged in her heart.

The atmosphere of companionship permeated between the two, but it could not dispel the suffocating despair.

"You are really a toad wanting to eat swan flesh! You are the only ones who want to organize cultural activities? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself!" A sarcastic voice came from the door of Uncle Lu's house.

Uncle Lu's son put his hands on his hips and looked at Shen Qiqi and Lu Qing with disdain.

He was tough, as if Shen Qiqi had violated his bottom line, and his anger was fully displayed on his face.

"We just want to..." Shen Qiqi tried to explain, but was rudely interrupted by the son of Uncle Lu, "What are you thinking about! Get out of here! Don't be an eyesore at our doorstep!" He waved his arms vigorously, as if to drive Shen Qiqi and Lu Qing away.

Grievance, embarrassment, all kinds of emotions surged in her heart, and Shen Qiqi's eyes turned red.

The air around them seemed to freeze, filled with suffocating awkwardness.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

Lu Qing looked at her distressedly and was about to speak when he was stopped by Shen Qiqi.

She took out a folder from her bag and handed it to Uncle Lu's son, "Take a look at this first..."

Shen Qiqi suppressed the grievance in her heart, her tone calm but with a hint of unquestionable firmness. She stuffed the folder into the arms of Uncle Lu's son and said in a clear and resounding voice, "Take a good look at it, don't just use your eyes as decoration."

Uncle Lu's son was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Shen Qiqi to react like this. He thought she would cry and beg for mercy, or have a big fight with him, but she didn't. She was as calm as a general planning a strategy.

He picked up the heavy folder and flipped it open with suspicion. What caught his eye were exquisite paper-cuts, lifelike clay sculptures, and simple and elegant weaving patterns. Each pattern was accompanied by detailed text descriptions, telling the history and cultural connotations behind these traditional skills, as well as their significance to the family and the village.

The son of Uncle Lu Er looked more and more seriously, and his original contemptuous look was gradually replaced by shock. He seemed to see the powerful vitality hidden behind these ancient skills.

He remembered that when he was a child, his grandmother had taught him some simple knitting. At that time, he found it boring and tedious and always wanted to escape.

Now that I see these, I realize how much precious cultural treasures I have missed.

A feeling of shame spread in his heart, his face flushed like a child who had done something wrong, and the arrogance and domineering attitude just now disappeared in an instant.

Lu Qing had been silently observing the reaction of Uncle Lu's son. Seeing the change in his attitude, a relieved smile finally appeared on the corner of his mouth. His Qiqi was always so outstanding and could always bring surprises to people unexpectedly.

He looked at her tenderly.

Shen Qiqi felt Lu Qing's gaze, and a warm current surged in her heart. She turned her head to look at him, and their eyes met. There was no need for words, as they understood each other's thoughts.

She knew that no matter what difficulties she encountered, he would always stand by her side, support her and protect her.

With him around, she had nothing to fear.

A warm and sweet atmosphere spread between the two of them, dispelling the awkwardness that had accumulated in the air.

Shen Qiqi took a deep breath and retracted her gaze. She took out another document she had prepared long ago. It contained a detailed plan for cultural heritage activities. She looked at Uncle Lu's son and said firmly, "Take a look at this..."

Shen Qiqi turned and left Uncle Lu's house, her steps brisk, as if she had unloaded a heavy burden.

Lu Qing followed closely behind her, gazing at her slender back with gentle eyes and a doting smile on his lips.

Shen Qiqi found Xiao Liu again, handed him an event plan, and enthusiastically introduced the upcoming cultural heritage event, like a little sun, emitting warm light.

However, Xiao Liu just glanced at him indifferently, turned around and left, exuding a cold aura that kept people at a distance.

"Not interested." These three words were like three basins of ice water, pouring down on Shen Qiqi's head.

"Oh, young people nowadays are really..." Lu Qing looked at Xiao Liu's receding back and couldn't help shaking his head and sighing. A feeling of disappointment arose spontaneously.

Shen Qiqi was not discouraged, but was full of fighting spirit, with a determined light shining in her eyes.

An atmosphere of perseverance gathered around her, like an invisible force pushing her forward.

"Just wait and see, I don't believe I can't handle him!" She clenched her fists, her tone full of confidence.

The next day, the village square was bustling with activity as Shen Qiqi organized a traditional cultural skills experience activity.

Colorful ribbons decorate the square, the cheerful sounds of gongs and drums resound through the sky, and the air is filled with a festive atmosphere.

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