NOVEL SIMPLE
Chapter 151
The director and the assistant were discussing plans for creating some mischief when the director's phone rang. He stepped aside to answer the call and spoke for a while before returning with a complex expression.
"The station notified us that the mayor of a nearby town heard about our arrival and invited us to help with their publicity, citing the popularity of our show.
The station manager immediately agreed, and now we have to take our artists there. It's like one word from above, and everyone below scrambles to make it happen. Our show already has enough pressure, and now they're treating us like interviewers... it's really..."
The director paused, unable to find the right words.
The others understood immediately. This impromptu task wouldn't benefit the show's ratings, and it would be a thankless effort. However, they had no choice but to do it.
The director gestured to the intern on the side.
"You there, prepare everything. As soon as the performance is over, we have to go. We'll go quickly and come back quickly. Don't let these matters disrupt our filming schedule!"
The intern nodded.
"Understood, Director Li..."
...
The performance on stage had just ended, and Qin Wei felt like she wasn't satisfied enough. She never expected traditional local operas to be so interesting. It was her own shallow understanding that made her overlook them before. She used to think that only older people would be interested in opera, but today that idea was completely shattered.
Stereotypes can be so dreadful!
After the show, Qin Wei approached the opera performers to say something, but she was stopped by a staff member.
"Qin Teacher, get in the car quickly. We're a bit pressed for time."
...
Rumbles of thunder echoed occasionally in the distance. The sky was gloomy, matching Qin Wei's mood.
She hadn't had a chance to say what she wanted to say and was already being dragged into the car...
She still wanted to ask Li Yao for a favor. Regardless, she wanted to see those opera performers again.
"Senior, are you unhappy?"
Youyou asked her.
"No, not at all." "Then why aren't you sleeping?"
Indeed, she wasn't in the mood to sleep...
But the journey of over an hour was unavoidable. She claimed she wouldn't sleep, but eventually, she dozed off.
When she woke up, they had arrived in a new town. As she got off the car, she heard Youyou say how beautiful the scenery was along the way. Qin Wei listened with longing and silently vowed to stay awake on the return trip.
As soon as they got off, the mayor and his entourage personally came to welcome them. Facing the crowd of artists, the mayor walked directly to Qin Wei, shaking her hand and looking at her with gratitude.
"You must be Miss Qin Wei. We finally get to meet you!"
Qin Wei was puzzled; she had no recollection of him. Could he be an acquaintance of the previous owner?
Seeing her confusion, the mayor realized he had acted inappropriately. He quickly let go of her hand, tugged at his slightly worn-out coat to make it look presentable, and then introduced himself formally.
"Hello, I'm Mayor Zhou, from Miyuan Town. Our town's main industry is agriculture, and you are our biggest customer this year..."
Mayor Zhou looked around the crowd and eventually fixed his gaze on Qiao Sixiao.
"Miss Qiao is also one of our important customers. We heard that both of you were coming to this southwestern region, and we are very excited. One reason is to express our gratitude in person, and the other is that the station manager learned about our town's situation and offered to help."
After listening to the director's words, Zhou Town Mayor couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He wasn't sure if it was because the director didn't want to take credit or because Mayor Zhou was good with words and knew how to flatter the director.
"Oh! You're that Honey Orange!"
Qin Wei suddenly realized that she had bought a lot of oranges from their store before. Back then, Mayor Zhou personally delivered the goods, which is why he looked so familiar!
Mayor Zhou nodded repeatedly and said,
"Yes, yes! I am that orange!"
As thunder rumbled in the distance, Mayor Zhou looked up and then invited everyone to the town's office building. It was only in the meeting room that he spoke to everyone:
"Here's the situation: our town had a bountiful harvest of honey oranges this year. However, due to poor sales planning and market saturation in the southwest, the farmers couldn't sell their oranges. They were ripening and everyone was getting anxious, including me.
Fortunately, there was a policy to support agriculture, so I gave it a try and unexpectedly found a major customer."
At this point, Mayor Zhou expressed his gratitude to Qin Wei and Qiao Sixiao, nodding towards them. He continued,
"Because both of you conducted a lucky draw during the livestream, the prizes included not only our local coffee but also our local honey oranges. As a result, many boxes of oranges were sold, and you unknowingly helped us promote our products. In the past few months, the sales situation in town has been good, and the farmers have sold their oranges and received their money. They are all smiling."
The director said,
"So, does that mean the inventory has been cleared? I'm curious as to why Mayor Zhou invited us here. What do you need our help with?"
Mayor Zhou replied,
"Well, here's the thing. I saw some hope in this agricultural assistance activity. Our town's problem has been resolved, but there are still many towns like ours in the southwest. As a grassroots official, I can't have a narrow perspective. I want to do something practical for the farmers, even if I don't take credit for it."
Mayor Zhou's words touched everyone present to some extent, and the director nodded:
"Please tell us what we can do for you."
"I hope that all of you can use your influence to promote our honey oranges from the southwest. Our oranges are of excellent quality and reasonably priced. Let the people across the country know that buying our oranges will be a delightful experience, and at the same time, they will be helping the farmers."
The artists present all expressed their agreement. After all, promoting public welfare is mutually beneficial. Why wouldn't they want to participate?
Only Qin Wei raised her hand and said,
"I'm okay with promoting the products, but I have one condition."
The others started whispering to each other, thinking that Qin Wei lacked emotional intelligence. They believed that when it came to promoting public welfare, anyone would step forward willingly.
Wasn't she usually enthusiastic about public welfare? So, it was just an act!
Mayor Zhou felt genuinely grateful to Qin Wei, so he paid extra attention when she spoke:
"Miss Qin, please go ahead and make your request. I will do my best to meet your conditions."
Qin Wei took out a glasses case from her bag and asked earnestly,
"Promoting the products in the short term can address the urgent need. But do you have a long-term plan? Can I take a look at your plan?"
Mayor Zhou was momentarily stunned and couldn't help blurting out,
"Just this?"
Qin Wei nodded, showing particular interest in the discussion about the agricultural assistance activities ever since Mayor Zhou brought it up.
"We don't need to intervene unnecessarily, Wei Wei. He is the town mayor, and planning is definitely his area of expertise. We should focus on our own responsibilities, helping out with the goods and not trying to get involved in everything. There are things we don't understand and can't be of assistance with," Liu Xin said, and most people agreed with her.
"Besides..."
Liu Xin glanced at the time.
"We can't afford to waste too much time. It's going to rain soon. It's better to start filming earlier!"
The director didn't oppose this suggestion, but ultimately, it would depend on Mayor Zhou's opinion.
After a moment of silence, Mayor Zhou spoke a few words to his colleagues and then addressed the production team, saying:
"From here on, I'll leave it to the director and all the talented stars. As for Miss Qin, please stay behind. I'll slowly explain everything you want to know to you."