"Never mind that, let's get back to what we're doing. Your fashion show is the most important thing, isn't it?" Ale cupped her face, trying to help her focus her scattered thoughts.

"Xiaoyu, someone's here to clear the place out. They're going to kick us all out. The fashion show is canceled!" Tang Wenwen barged in without knocking.

Qin Xiaoyu slumped into a chair. This was what she had been worried about; it had finally happened.

Zhu Yuzhen has been so greatly deceived, she will definitely vent her anger on her.

She deserved her punishment; she shouldn't have helped Qin Xiaoye lie in the first place.

But the fashion show can't go on. How can we afford the loss? Not to mention the cost of moving all these people from north to south, what are we going to do with the tens of thousands of finished garments that are stuck in our hands? Are we going to carry them back and sell them one by one?

Qin Xiaoyu was in despair.

Chaos erupted outside, with shouts and curses escaping from within.

A conflict broke out between the staff and Qin Xiaoyu's people. She rushed over.

"What's going on?" Qin Xiaoyu shouted, and the scene quieted down.

It turned out that the construction team had quit and refused to leave.

“We’re in the business of running around all day. You sent us here, and then we turn back halfway through. What do you say?” The construction team leader came over to reason with them.

“That’s right, even if we don’t take your job, we still have work to do today!” the workers chimed in.

"We've received orders from our superiors to clear the area immediately. No matter who you are, get out of here!"

"Everyone, listen to me." Qin Xiaoyu held back her tears and tried her best to keep her voice steady.

"Captain, don't worry. Get everyone out of here now. Someone will settle your bill for the day at the gate."

I heard that the money was paid in full, and the construction foreman left quickly.

After glancing at the booth, which was already taking shape, Qin Xiaoyu approached the manager of the Friendship Hall.

"I would like to ask you to make an exception. As you know, we came all the way from the Northeast and went through a lot of effort. We definitely cannot accept it if it is canceled now. We will try to negotiate."

"I know you're in a difficult position, but we're in a difficult position too..." the manager said, shrugging.

“I won’t make things difficult for you. Now, everyone and the costumes will be removed immediately, but this stage will remain as it is for now. If we really can’t perform here anymore, I will pay someone to dismantle it and restore it to its original state. Is that alright with you?”

"Not dismantling the platform? This..."

"Manager, they only told us to kick people out, they didn't say to dismantle the stage. Please be lenient, everyone has a hard time." A staff member spoke up for them.

When Qin Xiaoyu first entered, Tang Wenwen arranged for tea and snacks to be served to the staff. It seems that people are all human, and her kindness was appreciated.

"That's true. They didn't mention anything about sabotaging us, so you should hurry up and get your people out of here." The manager nodded. But inwardly he thought, "The people you're trying to persuade, I'm afraid you won't succeed."

By this time, the tour bus had already sent a group of models and fashions back, and was coming to pick up the next group.

"I'll keep an eye on things here. You guys go back and figure something out," Tang Wenwen reminded Qin Xiaoyu.

A Lei drove them back. The family already knew the news and, not daring to delay Qin Xiaoyu, they surrounded Madam Fang to inquire.

The couple went upstairs, and A Lei immediately called his aunt.

"Don't panic, there's always a solution," A Lei quickly reassured Qin Xiaoyu.

She became unusually silent as soon as she entered the room.

Some things are strange, like a butcher who kills people his whole life, but then lays down his knife and becomes a Buddha.

Some people do good deeds their whole lives, but one mistake can lead to their utter ruin.

Why is that? Qin Xiaoyu only found out today.

A butcher's killing is a state of confusion; he has no inherent sense of good or evil. But good people are different; they know it's wrong, yet they still do it, and only then will they be punished.

Like this time, she knew Qin Xiaoye was lying, but she didn't expose her. This is her punishment.

After much negotiation, the outcome for A Lei was not optimistic.

“My uncle said on the phone that he had contacted Zhang Dahai’s father. He was also very angry and said that the matter should be handled by the wife herself, and he would not intervene. This made it difficult for my uncle to speak up again. It’s not just a business matter; it involves their family affairs, and we can’t force him.”

"You thanked your uncle, but you put him in a difficult position." Qin Xiaoyu twisted her fingers and sighed.

“My aunt said, if it doesn’t work out, go to Beijing. She can find a way to arrange things there. It’s too far away in Shanghai.”

"Beijing? Now?" Qin Xiaoyu's hope was rekindled.

“Not now, there’s a waiting list, the earliest it will be is two months.” A Lei shook his head.

“Two months won’t do. The seasons in Beijing are different from Shanghai; autumn comes very early. We’ve mostly prepared summer clothes. Who will we sell them to in two months? By next year, it might be too late,” Qin Xiaoyu said anxiously.

"Don't worry, I'll think of something else." A Lei quickly poured her a glass of water and came over to comfort her.

"I'm sorry, I went a bit too far. This isn't a world where I can do whatever I want. I overestimated my abilities. It's okay, even if I can't do it, I won't give up." Qin Xiaoyu adjusted her mindset and comforted A Lei instead.

Seeing her trying to be strong, A Lei hugged her tightly, feeling sorry for her.

It's okay, I've gotten through tougher times. Qin Xiaoyu recalled being besieged in the Tang family's courtyard, and almost being smothered to death in the detention center... She had survived all of those, so this one wouldn't make a difference.

The atmosphere at home was somber, and no one dared to disturb them. Only Zhou Xing's mother came up, brought two glasses of warm milk, and left without asking any questions.

The room was eerily quiet. Qin Xiaoyu and A Lei each sat on a sofa. Beneath their seemingly calm exteriors, a fierce battle was brewing. They were both preparing for a fight.

"Go to People's Square?" A Lei thought of another idea.

"It's too risky. Not only is the weather unpredictable, but there's no lighting, the sound system isn't effective, and it's difficult to keep the audience focused. I'm afraid the fashion show will flop. It'll be a complete flop and we'll become a laughing stock. It's better not to do anything at all." Qin Xiaoyu thought for a moment and then rejected the idea.

"The venue in the city is so big, I really don't know where to find one. Hehe, you had the foresight to get a free ticket, otherwise it would be even more chaotic now. Should we refund the tickets or not?" A Lei said with a wry smile.

"It seems we need to prepare for the possibility that we won't be able to perform."

"How do you know it won't work if you don't try?" Qin Xiaoyu stood up, and A Lei understood; she was looking for Zhu Yuzhen.

A Lei was familiar with Zhang Dahai's house; he used to come here often to play.

Compared to the Fang family's residence, the Zhang family's was much simpler. It was unclear whether this was due to their positions or simply because the Zhang family preferred to keep a low profile. From the outside, the three-story building was disappointingly plain.

Upon entering, Qin Xiaoyu immediately understood that the lady of the house was indeed Zhu Yuzhen. Every decoration and furnishing reflected her style—elegant yet tasteful.

This is the most risky approach; if it loses even a little, it will become bland; if it gains even a little, it will become subservient.