Zhouzhou was sitting in the first row below the stage. When she heard what Zhou Qiqi said, she looked up and smiled.
The applause was too loud for anyone to hear, but the little girl seemed to make a very hoarse and faint "hoarse" sound.
After everyone had expressed their gratitude, Zhou Qiqi's voice rose again, clear and powerful, filled with determination and motivation:
"【Ink and Wash Splendor】is just the beginning. The First Garment Factory will use our own Chinese fabrics to tell our Chinese stories and create world-class designs!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience once again!
This time, however, the applause didn't last long. The old man from Guangdong who had been shouting about buying everything was now excitedly patting the thighs of the people next to him.
"What are you clapping for! Hurry up and go register with Factory Director Zhang!"
After saying that, he rushed towards Zhang Guoqiang like a whirlwind.
The person whose thigh he slapped also grimaced in realization and immediately scrambled up after him.
Upon seeing this, the others immediately realized what was happening and swarmed around Zhang Guoqiang, surrounding him in layers.
Zhou Qiqi stood in the center of the gradually quieting stage. The dazzling lights had been turned off, leaving only ordinary lighting.
She looked at the bustling registration scene below the stage, then turned back to look at the ten "ink-wash brilliance" sample garments standing quietly on the stage, seemingly still glowing. Finally, a trace of undisguised fatigue appeared on her face, but more than that, there was an extremely satisfied and determined smile.
Her gaze swept lightly over the empty seat in the last row, her eyes calm and unwavering, as if she had merely brushed away a tiny speck of dust.
The auditorium was bustling with noise as orders poured in like snowflakes for Zhang Guoqiang.
Zhou Qiqi glanced around and noticed that several leaders from the Light Industry Bureau had not yet left and were standing aside, watching the lively scene with smiles.
She quickly squeezed through the crowd and walked over, her face showing apology.
"Distinguished leaders, I am truly sorry! Today was too rushed and chaotic. I should have invited a few of you to come up on stage and say a few words, but as you can see... I didn't have time to prepare. It's really too impolite of me!"
Upon hearing this, the leaders were not displeased at all; instead, they all waved their hands, with expressions that said, "Please don't!"
"Comrade Qiqi, don't say that! It's right that no arrangements were made!"
The older leader smiled and spoke.
"Your press conference is so...so high-end, with poetry and guzheng music. If we old guys were to go up there and just talk about production targets and economic benefits, it would really spoil the atmosphere and make us a laughing stock!"
The others nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right, this is good, very good!"
Seeing that the leaders really didn't mind, Zhou Qiqi felt a little more at ease.
Although she hadn't prepared a speech, she knew that the proper "etiquette" still needed to be observed.
They quickly called over the newspapers and photographers who had been invited earlier.
"Reporters, photographers, could you please take a group photo of our leaders and our [Shuimo Guanghua]? Take as many photos as possible! Our leaders are off today, yet they still made a special trip to support our First Garment Factory. It's truly touching!"
In an instant, flashbulbs went off as reporters' microphones and photographers' lenses were pointed at the smiling leaders and their elegant coats.
Under this momentum, the leaders were even more excited, and they all said to the camera that the First Garment Factory's technological innovation and brand building this time was a great success and that it was the pride of the city!
Upon returning, we must immediately report to our superiors and ensure that our company is recognized as a model enterprise and given full support in terms of funding and policies!
After the photos were taken, the leaders realized that Zhou Qiqi had been standing quietly to the side the whole time, so they quickly waved her over to take photos with them.
Zhou Qiqi quickly waved her hand, laughing as she backed away, "No, no, the leaders can take the pictures!"
She still holds the same idea: she doesn't want to be too high-profile, nor does she want to become the center of attention; she only earnestly requests her journalist friends...
"Please take more pictures of our 'Ink Splendor' on the front page; they are the real stars of the day!"
The leaders knew she was a military wife and her situation was special, so they didn't press her too hard.
The reporters smiled and agreed.
"Comrade Zhou, don't worry! We took a lot of photos during the press conference! Every single one of them is guaranteed to be great!"
After the leaders left in a lively and satisfied manner, Zhou Qiqi breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to the stage.
Only then did they notice that Grandpa Zhai hadn't left yet. He was standing with his hands behind his back, bending over, examining the "Twilight Purple" coat on the hanger with extreme care, nodding repeatedly and praising it in hushed tones.
Vice Mayor Zhai originally intended to attend the press conference in person, but rumors circulated that he was about to be promoted to the provincial level, making him extremely busy and unable to attend in person. He had planned to send one of his subordinates to represent him.
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Zhai volunteered to come and take a look.
Vice Mayor Zhai couldn't refuse his elderly father, so he had to send his secretary to accompany the old man.
Seeing Zhou Qiqi come over, the old man straightened up and said with a smile, "Qiqi, you go ahead and do your thing, don't worry about me, I'm fine on my own!"
"Grandpa, I'm all done!"
Zhou Qiqi walked over with a smile.
"Finished? That's perfect!"
The old man's eyes lit up, and he drew a line in the air with his finger.
"Give me one of each of these five colors! I'll take one back for my daughter, daughter-in-law, and eldest granddaughter! Five will be just right!"
As he spoke, he took out a wallet from his Zhongshan suit to pay.
Zhou Qiqi quickly stopped her.
"Grandpa, I can't accept this money! You've forgotten, Zhouzhou's treatment depends on your eldest granddaughter's help abroad. If you give her money, wouldn't that be creating distance?"
The old man insisted on paying, saying, "One thing at a time! I helped Zhouzhou because he saved me. These clothes are clothes, and I have to pay for them!"
Zhou Qiqi had no choice but to move closer and chuckle in a low voice, "If you keep this up, I won't let Zhouzhou visit you in the hospital anymore."
At this point, the old man's face immediately fell. "That won't do!"
Some people reluctantly put their wallets away.
But then the old man suddenly remembered something, slapped his forehead, and
"Oh dear! Look at me, I was so busy looking at clothes that I forgot to tell you the important thing! A couple of days ago, my eldest granddaughter called. Based on Zhouzhou's condition, she and her top teams abroad have come up with a preliminary treatment plan. They have a thick stack of documents, and they asked someone who recently returned to China to bring them back for them!"
"I reckon... it'll be delivered by next week, or at the latest the week after! I'll let you know as soon as it's delivered!"
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