Chapter 140 An Important Day

"Comrade Zhou, your work is outstanding. I hope we will have the opportunity to collaborate again in the future."

Wei Mingwei stepped forward with a sincere smile on his face.

As he reached out, he took out a gold-embossed business card from the inside pocket of his suit jacket.

Zhou Shufen looked at it and reached out to take it.

As I gently brushed my fingertips over the name and phone number embossed on it, a slight stirring stirred within me.

Back then, not many people had business cards; most of them were prominent officials or foreign affairs personnel.

The two exchanged a few polite words.

Zhou Shufen then took her two children and prepared to return to the hotel for a celebratory dinner.

When she arrived, she discovered that the private room had already been booked.

She was puzzled for a moment, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Just then, Guo Zhenyi walked over from the other side of the corridor.

Upon seeing them, he smiled and waved, quickening his pace.

Now I understand everything.

Zhou Shufen felt immediately at ease.

She looked at the two children.

One person looked down at the menu, while the other pretended to look around, clearly trying to suppress a laugh.

Zhou Shufen shook her head helplessly.

"Mom, we really didn't mean to keep it a secret, we just wanted to give you a surprise."

Qin Guifang quickly explained, looking at her mother with bright eyes.

"See, isn't this great? We remembered your surprised expression just now!"

Zhou Shufen nodded, her gaze still fixed on Guo Zhenyi.

It was indeed a surprise, and a surprise that was almost too much.

Not only did they book a meal, but they booked the most expensive private room.

Not only did someone arrive, but it was the person she thought was still thousands of miles away.

This sentiment goes far beyond the significance of a meal.

"Are you done with your work?"

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with doubt, but also with a hint of tenderness.

Guo Zhenyi understood what she was thinking and smiled faintly.

"It's nothing important, I just wanted to get back before your match ends so we could have a meal together."

Actually, Zhou Shufen felt that it was fine to eat anytime.

But since they had come from so far away, she couldn't say anything to refuse.

I could only silently bury the emotions that touched me deep inside.

This back-and-forth interaction made Zhou Haiqing and Qin Guifang quite envious.

Qin Guifang couldn't help but chime in.

"Mom, Uncle Guo's gesture is very kind, let's go inside and eat first. The food is getting cold!"

As she spoke, she pointed to the private room, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"Besides, today is the day you won the award, so you have to have a good meal!"

Guo Zhenyi continued.

"Today is a very important day in your life, and I don't want to miss it. It would be such a pity if I were away from home when we talked about this day in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shufen felt a sudden surge of warmth in her heart.

I didn't expect him to have thought of that.

It's not just about offering simple congratulations, but about making this day a part of our shared memory and participating in it earnestly.

The group walked and chatted, talking about lighthearted topics.

In no time at all, we arrived at the door of the private room.

Above the carved mahogany door frame hangs a small bronze plaque with the words "Tingsong Pavilion" written on it.

Pushing open the door, I saw several dishes already laid out on the table.

There was her favorite sweet and sour pork ribs, as well as steamed sea bass, mushrooms and greens...

Every dish was to her liking.

The thought that he even remembered this warmed Zhou Shufen's heart once again.

Zhou Haiqing unscrewed the bottle cap and slowly poured the amber liquid into three small wine glasses.

He raised his glass and said with a smile.

"Come on, let's celebrate today's success."

Zhou Shufen took the wine glass and took a small sip.

It's spicy with a hint of sweetness, and the warmth instantly slides from the throat into the stomach.

Taking advantage of her drunkenness, she recounted the entire story of the competition.

The four listened with great interest, nodding in agreement from time to time.

After several rounds of drinking, everyone got a little tipsy and started talking more.

Zhou Haiqing gesticulated wildly as he recounted amusing anecdotes from his youth, making everyone burst into laughter.

Although Guo Zhenyi is usually calm and composed, he couldn't help but drink a couple more glasses at this moment.

The four sat together, laughing continuously.

In the end, Guo Zhenyi was the one who came to his senses.

He glanced at the wall clock; it was almost eleven o'clock. He then stood up and spoke.

"No, I have plans for tomorrow, I need to go back and rest."

He first escorted Zhou Haiqing and his wife back to their room, then accompanied Zhou Shufen upstairs before leaving with peace of mind.

The next morning, Zhou Shufen was woken up by her cell phone ringing.

She groggily reached for her phone and glanced at the caller ID.

An unfamiliar number.

After hesitating for a moment, she pressed the answer button.

"Hello? Hello..."

The call was from the competition organizers.

"Good morning, Ms. Zhou! I am Xiao Lin from the organizing committee of this 'Emerging Designer Competition'."

"Congratulations! Your work has been very well received. After yesterday's interview, many fashion magazines and weekly magazines have already taken notice of your designs."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shufen instantly came to her senses.

She instinctively scratched her hair, her cheeks flushed, and hurriedly responded.

"Not at all, I'm still far from good enough. Thank you all for your kind words."

"I am already honored to participate in this competition, and I am truly flattered to receive everyone's recognition."

"By the way, there's a media interview this afternoon. Are you free to attend?"

They asked over there.

Zhou Shufen answered almost without hesitation.

"I'm free! Of course I am!"

She understood that such an opportunity was extremely rare.

The other party gave her the time and venue name, and reminded her to arrive half an hour early if possible.

After hanging up the phone, she immediately got out of bed.

I rushed into the bathroom and washed my face.

He then opened his suitcase and pulled out the business suit he had specially prepared for important occasions.

She put on light makeup again.

Before leaving, she sent a message to both Guo Zhenyi and Zhou Haiqing.

So that they won't wake up and not be able to find anyone.

When she arrived at the scene, she found that many reporters were already standing at the entrance, and cameras were already set up.

Staff are guiding the media to their designated areas.

Several photographers were adjusting their equipment, and the sounds of focusing tests were constant.

A thought struck her.

This is a great opportunity to show off.

If you do it well, you can break into the top circle of the industry.

This thought instantly ignited an unprecedented fighting spirit and determination in her.

She stood tall with a smile on her face, her gaze meeting that of each reporter with composure.

Even when faced with pointed questions, she handles them with composure.

"Ms. Zhou, could you tell us where your design inspiration comes from?"

The entire room fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on her.

Zhou Shufen smiled slightly.

"It's very simple, I designed it for a fresh start."

In this second life, she wants a different kind of life.

All the regrets, grievances, and helplessness of the past turned to dust at the moment of rebirth.

She was no longer content with mediocrity, nor would she live for others.

Would you be willing to share your entrepreneurial experience?

Another reporter pressed for an answer.

She responded with a smile, her tone calm and patient.

The reporters became increasingly interested as they asked more questions, and their liking for her grew as the conversation deepened.

What started as a routine interview gradually transformed into an exchange of genuine admiration.

My phone rang again right after I finished the interview.

She looked down and saw that it was Wei Mingwei calling.

Zhou Shufen was quite surprised to hear that he was also there.

The two quickly arranged to meet at a nearby restaurant, setting the time for half an hour later.