"Seersucker? You're exhibiting seersucker fashion?" Zhu Yuzhen asked in surprise, only daring to confirm it after touching it.

The seersucker has been transformed in this way; it's almost unrecognizable.

“Yes, this fabric has our ethnic characteristics and sells very well, but it has never been very popular. I want to promote this fabric.” Qin Xiaoyu pulled out a skirt and held it up to show Zhu Yuzhen.

"How many seersucker fabric factories will this save? I saw the report last quarter that many factories were going to switch to other projects and their original equipment was going to be scrapped. This is great." Zhu Yuzhen nodded approvingly.

"Because we also need to consider sales, most of the fashion styles are simple and elegant, or a bit lively; there isn't a single revealing piece." Qin Xiaoyu pulled over a newly arranged shelf with dozens of seersucker dresses on it. Zhu Yuzhen looked them over carefully and nodded.

"Where is the evening gown?" Zhu Yuzhen was still stubborn. She had been abroad and knew the style of evening gowns, which were the least reliable option.

Qin Xiaoyu nervously led her to the evening gown rack. Zhu Yuzhen frowned, looking at each item one by one. She even took some down and examined them repeatedly.

This really got the designers on edge.

"It's generally okay, but some parts are a bit revealing. We'll see how it goes. It would be best to add a light gauze over them." Although Zhu Yuzhen criticized her, she didn't completely rule out any wrongdoing, and Qin Xiaoyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Yuzhen was now satisfied, so she chatted with Qin Xiaoyu as they walked out.

Qin Xiaoyu was also eager to get rid of this troublesome person. They had just arrived at the hall when they saw a commotion at the entrance. The hall was closed today, so no one was allowed in through the main gate. However, some large renovation items were too much trouble to move through the side door, so the main gate was opened.

Someone is trying to force their way in, and staff are stopping them.

"That's my daughter! Why won't you let me in!"

This sentence was all too familiar. Qin Xiaoyu felt a chill run down her spine. Why was he here?

Xiaoyu's father and stepmother were dressed quite appropriately. When they saw Qin Xiaoyu, they didn't care about anything else and barged into the door.

"Are these your family members?" Zhu Yuzhen asked in surprise, somewhat puzzled by Qin Xiaoyu's attitude.

Because of Qin Xiaoye, Qin Xiaoyu didn't want to explain her family's affairs too much. Madam Fang was right; the less she knew, the better. It was best to keep the peace and take them away quickly.

"You're here? The fashion show isn't until tomorrow. Let's go back to our accommodation first. I'll have someone send the tickets over." That was all Qin Xiaoyu could say.

"We arrived completely clueless, and we didn't know where you lived, so we could only wait outside the Friendship Hall. We managed to snag the tickets ourselves." Little Fish's father was full of resentment, which Zhu Yuzhen could hear.

"Qin Xiaoyu is a workaholic, and she's very talented. She's so focused on her work that she inevitably neglects some small things; you, as her family, should be more understanding," Zhu Yuzhen added, trying to explain for Qin Xiaoyu. It seems she's sacrificed her family for her work.

"This must be the leader, right? He looks familiar; I've seen him on TV." Seeing Zhu Yuzhen speak, Xiaoyu's father quickly stepped forward to ingratiate himself. "We elders don't have any special wishes; we're just happy that our child is doing well. We don't expect anything in return. So how could we not be there for her on such an important occasion? Ah, the hearts of parents are truly selfless!"

"Yes, I didn't think it through. You should go back first. I'll have someone send the tickets." Qin Xiaoyu came over and separated them, trying to get rid of them.

"No need, we got the tickets ourselves. I'll just go in and take a look, I won't cause any trouble." This couple is really something, managing to snag tickets that are so hard to get, even though they're two out-of-towners.

"They're renovating inside, it's too messy, it wouldn't be good if I ran into you. Come tomorrow. Don't go backstage..." Qin Xiaoyu was getting anxious.

"Xiaoyu, you're busy. I'm going back now." Zhu Yuzhen was annoyed by these trivial matters and turned to leave.

"Mom, are you going back?" Zhang Dahai's voice startled Qin Xiaoyu so much that her bones went limp, and she didn't dare to turn her head.

As agreed, Zhang Dahai and Qin Xiaoye came together today.

She didn't care about anything else and pulled the couple inside, saying, "You two should go in and take a look. It would be best to go backstage; all the fashions are there."

She had long forgotten what she had just said about not being allowed backstage.

"This is absolutely wrong," Qin Xiaoye said at this moment.

"Aunt Zhu." It was just a soft, weak voice.

The surroundings were bustling with people and filled with noise, but the stepmother had heard everything clearly. She stubbornly remained rooted to the spot, then turned around—that's probably what motherhood is all about.

Qin Xiaoyu glanced helplessly at A Lei, and he shook his head in resignation.

"Xiao Ye! It's Xiao Ye! You heartless wretch, how did you end up in Shanghai? You didn't even tell the family! Do you know how worried I was?" The stepmother rushed over and gave Qin Xiao Ye a few playful punches.

Little Fish's father understood as well, ran over, hugged Qin Xiaoye tightly, and burst into tears.

Everyone present was stunned.

Qin Xiaoye's face was ashen, and she remained silent, letting them do whatever they wanted.

"Who are you?" Zhang Dahai asked angrily.

"Qin Xiaoyu, what's going on? Aren't these your parents?" Zhu Yuzhen also realized that something was wrong.

"They are my parents. Qin Xiaoye and I are half-sisters." Given the situation, Qin Xiaoyu had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Sisters? Wasn't it said that her parents were both dead?" Zhu Yuzhen's eyes widened, and her hands trembled.

"I never said it, nor did I have the chance to say it. And no one asked me." Qin Xiaoyu was also feeling bad, knowing that Qin Xiaoye was suffering a huge blow, but it was all her own doing, so why lie?

“Dahai! You don’t know either? Did she lie to you too?” Zhu Yuzhen turned to Zhang Dahai.

Zhang Dahai was terrified of his mother and was completely frightened. He glanced at Qin Xiaoye, then at Zhu Yuzhen, unsure how to respond.

"He was unaware," Qin Xiaoye said, her voice as cold and devoid of warmth as ever. She forcefully shook off the two people on top of her, walked towards Zhang Dahai, and said, word by word, "I'm sorry, it's over."

After saying that, he strode out.

"Xiao Ye, don't go! Xiao Yu, tell me what's going on?" Xiao Yu's father realized the problem. His stepmother chased after Qin Xiao Ye, but he didn't leave.

"Dahai, let's go home." Zhu Yuzhen's eyes were filled with murderous intent as she led the dejected Zhang Dahai out of the Friendship Hall in a huff.

"Hey, Xiaoyu, don't go! Explain yourself! What happened?" Xiaoyu's father was still pestering Qin Xiaoyu.

"It's not a big deal, you probably just ruined your relationship with the mayor's in-laws." Madam Fang couldn't stand it anymore and delivered the final blow.

Xiaoyu's father was stunned. Qin Xiaoyu had already been led into the dressing room by A Lei.

"I feel so sad." Qin Xiaoyu then realized that her whole body was trembling, and A Lei quickly hugged her.

It's truly rare to find someone like A Lei who doesn't care about their background. What Qin Xiaoye desperately tried to escape ultimately brought her back to reality.