Upon hearing this, Zhou Qiqi's eyes lit up instantly, and she was so excited she almost jumped up.
"Really?! That's wonderful! Grandpa! Thank you so much! And thank you to your eldest granddaughter too!"
This is the best news she's heard recently!
"Now you absolutely cannot give me any money!"
Zhou Qiqi seized the opportunity and quickly called over two girls from the factory.
"Quickly, carefully wrap up each of these five coats and give them to Grandpa Zhai!"
Knowing that she would definitely have more to do, Mr. Zhai didn't refuse any longer and chuckled as he had his secretary take several bags full of clothing.
He gave Zhou Qiqi a few more instructions, telling her that when she was free on Saturday and Sunday, she should bring Zhouzhou to visit him, as he needed to rest well and would probably have to stay in the hospital for several more weeks.
Seeing that Zhou Qiqi readily agreed, he left satisfied.
After seeing the old man off, Zhou Qiqi looked around the venue. Zhang Guoqiang had handled the registration and ordering process very well, and she didn't need to interfere at all.
She quickly turned around and walked backstage.
The backstage area was just as lively as the front.
The people who were in charge of playing the guzheng and flute, operating the lights, and even the old gentleman who performed the hair-tying act, are now putting away their equipment and preparing to leave.
The most lively group was the dozen or so young girls in the performing arts troupe.
They had just taken off their beautiful "ink-wash glamour" outfits, and while carefully wiping off the makeup on their faces with makeup remover, they chattered excitedly about their experience.
"My God, it's like a dream!"
"Exactly! It's completely different from our usual performances! It feels...it feels so high-class!"
"Those clothes are so comfortable, I don't want to take them off!"
"Sister Yuhua said I can pick one up in a little while! Which color do you think I should choose?"
The girls chattered away, their voices crisp and bright, like a flock of sparrows just released from their cages, lively and boisterous.
When Zhou Qiqi lifted the heavy curtain and walked in, a wave of youthful energy washed over you.
Lei Yuhua was standing by the clothes rack in the corner, whispering something to someone. The noise of their footsteps was drowned out by the commotion, and she didn't notice them immediately.
It was Wang Chunyan, with her sharp eyes, who spotted it first. She quickly patted Lei Yuhua on the shoulder and gestured towards the door with her lips.
When Lei Yuhua turned her head and saw Zhou Qiqi, a flash of panic crossed her face. She instinctively tried to push the person next to her behind the large display case, her movements a little hasty.
"Hey, stop pushing it."
Zhou Qiqi smiled helplessly, her voice gentle, "It's such a small place, it'll only make people feel cramped."
Lei Yuhua froze, a hint of embarrassment on her face, and gave an awkward smile.
"Hehe, little sister Qiqi...you saw it all..."
She had no choice but to pull out the person hiding behind her.
That person was none other than Zhou Shuhua.
She had deliberately worn an inconspicuous gray cloth dress and an old hat today, as if afraid of being recognized. Now, caught red-handed by Zhou Qiqi, she was even more flustered, her eyes darting around, stammering an explanation:
"I...I was just passing by and thought I'd take a look...I'll be leaving now, I'll be leaving now..."
As he spoke, he tried to move towards the door.
Zhou Qiqi shook her head, her tone calm: "Don't rush off. I know you put in a lot of effort for this press conference."
Zhou Shuhua looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with astonishment.
Zhou Qiqi has been incredibly busy these past few days, but she always manages to find time to check on Lei Yuhua's preparations.
Several times, she caught a glimpse of a figure in gray clothes and a hat, quietly busy inside. He came early and left late, moving things, pulling wires, adjusting lights, and doing all sorts of odd jobs.
She didn't make a fuss, but quietly asked Master Ma to find an excuse to go over and say a few words. She hid in the shadows and took a closer look. Who else could that figure be but Zhou Shuhua?
Zhou Shuhua was embarrassed that her secret help had been discovered so early, and she rubbed her hands together and whispered:
"I...I didn't do anything, I just lent a hand to Yuhua and ran errands..."
Zhou Qiqi interrupted her, her eyes filled with understanding:
"Please don't be modest. Those musicians and the old gentleman who writes calligraphy, you invited them, didn't you?"
She had noticed it earlier; the professional level of the performers and the calligraphy master's skill in writing on the spot were extraordinary and beyond what someone of Lei Yuhua's age could invite.
After a little inquiry, it turned out that they were all teachers from the music and literature departments of S City University.
Before retiring, Zhou Shuhua was a professor at S City University.
Zhou Shuhua was speechless for a moment, her throat tightened, and she could only bite her lip, her eyes filled with tension and helplessness, like a child who had done something wrong.
Zhou Qiqi stopped asking questions and instead picked up a bulging cloth bag that she had prepared beforehand, handing it to Zhou Shuhua:
"These two coats were made by me, and I'm giving them to you."
She looked at Zhou Shuhua's eyes, which instantly welled up with tears, and spoke sincerely.
"Without your behind-the-scenes connections and efforts, this press conference wouldn't have been so perfect. Consider this a small token of my gratitude. Please accept it. With all that you've done for me, we're even in this matter."
"I..."
Zhou Shuhua's eyes instantly reddened when she saw the bag handed to her.
She had imagined countless reactions from Zhou Qiqi after she discovered her: perhaps a cold stare, perhaps a stern rebuke, or perhaps even complete indifference...
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