These words instantly created an awkward atmosphere at the table.
Shen Zhenbang and Qin Peilan, in particular, blushed and exchanged a glance.
They looked a little embarrassed, feeling ashamed that they had almost been prevented from changing their address that morning.
Seeing this, Zhou Qiqi immediately smiled and naturally took over the conversation:
"Uncle Liang is right! I just got used to calling him that and haven't changed it yet. Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mom, for the compliment!"
Her calls of "Dad" and "Mom" were natural and affectionate, without the slightest hint of reluctance.
This only made Shen Zhenbang and Qin Peilan feel more moved and uneasy.
What wonderful children! They don't hold their previous coldness against them at all!
The elderly couple quickly responded, "Yes! Yes! Good child! Good child!"
Seeing that Zhang Guoqiang had already started ordering food, Zhou Qiqi didn't want to disturb his family's reunion, so she suggested that they leave first.
Mr. Liang reiterated that he would definitely visit in a few days to express his gratitude.
Despite his current high status, Shen Zhenbang was once a peasant.
Zhao Damei told me that Grandpa Liang even considered ending his own life so that his daughter-in-law could remarry in peace.
I felt a surge of admiration for this loyal and righteous man, and readily agreed:
"Alright! Brother, give me a heads-up before you come, and I'll personally cook a couple of dishes to go with the drinks. Let's have a good drink together!"
Shen Huaichuan went to get the car, and after exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Shen family got into the car.
Just as she settled in, Zhang Guoqiang chased after her, panting, and peered through the car window, asking Zhou Qiqi:
"Master Zhou, could you spare some time this afternoon to go to the factory? The new batch of materials that Shuimo Guanghua received seems to have slight differences from the last batch. Someone needs to go and confirm it and sign off on it. Also, there are a few issues that need to be addressed in the workshop. I have to take my grandfather back to the village this afternoon, so I probably won't be back for a while..."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiqi subconsciously glanced at her parents-in-law beside her, a hint of hesitation appearing on her face.
She finally had a family reunion today and wanted to spend more time with the elderly, while Shen Huaichuan also rarely got a day off...
"How about I..."
Before she could finish speaking, Shen Zhenbang and Qin Peilan exchanged a glance, and Shen Zhenbang spoke first:
"Qiqi, since there's something going on at the factory, why don't you go? It'll be perfect, your husband and I can go with you and see what's going on! We've only heard about your contracting of the garment factory in the newspapers, we've never seen it in person, and we're really curious!"
Zhou Qiqi was still a little hesitant.
"Mom and Dad, your health isn't good to begin with. You've been shopping all morning, you must be tired. Why don't you go home and rest for a bit?"
Qin Peilan laughed heartily, waved her hand, and spoke in a loud voice:
"Tired? This is nothing! Back when we were fighting, we marched for two days and two nights without sleep, and we made it through! We've only been walking around for a short while, not tired at all! Not tired at all! Come on! Qiqi, take us to see your factory!"
Since the elderly couple had put it that way, Zhou Qiqi naturally didn't refuse any longer and nodded in agreement:
"Okay, let's go take a look around the factory together."
She added, "However, once we get to the factory, I might have to take care of some things first, so I won't be able to stay with you all the time..."
Qin Peilan immediately waved her hand:
"It's alright, it's alright! You should focus on your business! We can just take a look around ourselves. We're all family, no need to be so formal, it's like we're entertaining foreign guests!"
As she spoke, Qin Peilan subconsciously touched the cloth bag she carried with her, which contained the jade bracelet she had prepared beforehand and the five hundred yuan "change of address fee".
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't take it out.
The car quickly arrived at the First Garment Factory.
Although it's Sunday, the factory operates on a shift system, so production hasn't stopped.
From afar, one could see a bustling scene in the factory area, with vehicles of all sizes carrying raw materials and finished products coming and going in an endless stream.
However, the factory area was kept clean and orderly.
As soon as Zhou Qiqi entered the factory gate, Master Ma, having received the news, hurriedly "dragged" her away, as he indeed had urgent business to attend to.
The factory gatekeeper was a kind-hearted man. As soon as he saw Zhou Qiqi's family arrive, he immediately smiled and took the initiative to lead the elderly couple and Zhouzhou on a tour of the factory area.
Shen Zhenbang and Qin Peilan originally thought that their daughter-in-law's "contracting a production line" probably meant a larger tailor shop.
It wasn't until I saw the vast factory, the roaring machines, and the busy workers on the assembly line that I was truly shocked. This was actually a real, large factory!
Under the teacher's guidance, they also saw the "Ink and Wash Splendor" series of ready-to-wear garments hanging in the finished product area.
A black-and-white newspaper photo simply can't capture even a tenth of the beauty of this garment in person!
The delicate fabric, exquisite tailoring, and perfectly rendered ink-wash patterns captivated the elderly couple, making it impossible for them to look away.
They then realized that the clothes were selling so well not just because of luck, but because their daughter-in-law was truly skilled in design and quality control!
The elderly couple were so engrossed in watching that they wandered around the factory area for half a day until their legs started to ache. Only then did they go to Zhou Qiqi's office to rest, guided by the security guard.
When they arrived at the office, Zhouzhou needed to use the restroom, so Shen Huaichuan took the child out.
The elderly couple were left alone in the office for a while.
Shen Zhenbang took a sip of tea, looked at his wife, and asked in a low voice:
"Peilan, just now in the car... I saw you reach into your bag, were you thinking of giving Qiqi the bracelet and money? Why didn't you take them out later? Is there... something you're not satisfied with about your daughter-in-law?"
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