Shen Qiqi ran to the school in one breath and found Teacher Zhang to explain her purpose.
Borrow the playground?
Teacher Zhang pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, his brows furrowed, and a look of worry appeared on his face like a wrinkled rag.
"This... isn't appropriate. What about the children's classes?"
"Teacher Zhang, we have no other choice. We really can't find a suitable venue in the village." Shen Qiqi clasped her hands together, her tone sincere, her anxious mood like an ant on a hot pot, running around in her heart.
"We promise that this will not affect students' classes. It will only be during extracurricular time..."
Before Shen Qiqi could finish, Teacher Zhang interrupted her, "No, no, absolutely not! The school playground is a place for students to study, how can it be used to rehearse programs? If anything goes wrong, I can't bear the consequences!" He waved his hands repeatedly, his tone firm, as if Shen Qiqi had made some unforgivable request.
Seeing this, Lu Qing hurried forward to help persuade, "Teacher Zhang, don't worry, we will pay attention to safety and will not let the children get hurt. Besides, we will only borrow it for a few days and return it immediately after the celebration. We guarantee that it will not affect the normal teaching of the school." He tried to keep smiling, but the tense atmosphere still spread among the three of them, like a taut string that could break at any time.
Teacher Zhang still shook his head like a rattle, "No means no! The school rules and regulations are there, and I can't break the rules. You'd better find another way." His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Shen Qiqi's heart sank, and the depressed mood surged like a tide, drowning her.
Is there really no way?
She glanced at Lu Qing, whose face was also full of anxiety. The atmosphere was so depressing that it made people breathless.
“Qiqi, don’t be discouraged, we will think of another way.” Lu Qing patted Shen Qiqi’s shoulder gently and comforted her.
But, apart from the school playground, where else in the village could accommodate so many people for rehearsal?
The night grew darker, and the moonlight grew colder, shining on the two of them, making them look particularly lonely.
Shen Qiqi and Lu Qing walked home silently, no one spoke.
Suddenly, Shen Qiqi stopped and turned to look at Lu Qing, "Lu Qing..."
"Lu Qing, I have an idea!" Shen Qiqi's eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky, and the corners of her mouth curved into a cunning arc.
"We can talk to Teacher Zhang and only rehearse during after-school hours and holidays! Plus, we promise to keep the playground spotless, even more diligently than he does himself!"
Lu Qing thought the idea was sound and quickly agreed, "Right! Plus, we can buy the students some school supplies as a thank you for lending us the space! Teacher Zhang loves his students so much, he'll definitely consider it."
The two rushed back to school, found Teacher Zhang, and threw out this "win-win" plan.
After listening to this, Teacher Zhang's brows relaxed a little. The indecisive emotion on his face was like practicing Tai Chi, sometimes wrinkled and sometimes stretched out.
Seeing that there was something going on, Shen Qiqi immediately added: "Teacher Zhang, you see, we are not only borrowing the venue, but also giving the children a vivid practical lesson! Let them see how developed our village's artistic cells are!"
Teacher Zhang was so delighted by this that he couldn't hold it in any longer. He laughed heartily and made the decision generously, "Alright! It's settled! But you have to keep your word. If this affects the students' studies, I won't forgive you!"
Shen Qiqi and Lu Qing were overjoyed and clapped their hands excitedly, their excitement erupting like a volcano.
The venue problem was solved, and the subsequent rehearsals went as smoothly as a rocket.
Shen Qiqi arranged her time very clearly. Every day after school and during holidays, everyone would rehearse enthusiastically on the playground.
When the villagers saw that the program was well-organized, their faces were filled with expectant smiles. The atmosphere was as lively as the Chinese New Year.
Shen Qiqi looked at the neatly-organized team, feeling so proud that her mouth almost stretched to her ears. She silently gave herself a thumbs-up in her heart: Sister is such a genius!
Lu Qing accompanied her silently, his eyes full of tenderness and love, and the air was filled with a sweet scent.
The rehearsal days passed day by day, and the celebration day was getting closer and closer. Shen Qiqi was thinking in her mind, and she had a new idea.
"Lu Qing, I..." Shen Qiqi paused, her eyes seemed to have another good idea.
Shen Qiqi's eyes rolled, got it!
"Lu Qing, we have to decorate the venue beautifully to blind their eyes!" She waved her little fists, looking very excited.
Lu Qing looked at her energetic appearance and smiled dotingly: "Okay, I'll do as you say."
Just do it!
Shen Qiqi mobilized the masses to collect various materials, and with her skill of "turning decay into magic", she turned a pile of rags, old newspapers, and waste paper boxes into colorful flags, lanterns, and streamers.
The venue was set up, it was stunning!
The originally gray playground instantly turned into a fairy tale world.
The villagers passing by couldn't help but stop to watch, and they all exclaimed in admiration: "Wow, this is so beautiful!", "Qiqi, this girl is really clever and skillful!"
Shen Qiqi stood in the middle of the venue, with her hands on her hips, looking around proudly, with a full sense of accomplishment in her heart: I am the one who sinks the stick!
Lu Qing picked up Shen Qiqi and spun her around, whispering in her ear, “Qiqi, you’re amazing!”
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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