Chapter 1255: You Did a Great Job With This Secrecy Work

The receptionist picked up a piece of raw silk just off the loom and handed it to the delegation members: "This silk is as thin as a cicada's wing, yet it can withstand a hundred rubs; just like our culture, soft yet with backbone. The softness of silk hides the Chinese people's meticulous pursuit of life."

Afterwards, they arrived at an exhibition hall where finished qipaos were displayed, causing Anna to exclaim in surprise: "Oh, God, it's truly beautiful."

Anna liked it so much that this wealthy patron not only ordered a large batch of silk handkerchiefs, scarves, and qipaos, but also quite a few silk bedding sets. After this trip, the silk workshop's inventory was basically cleared out, and the foreign exchange earnings even exceeded those they had achieved at the Canton Fair.

Afterwards, the group returned to Hangzhou, and Anna took away several hundred sets of Hangzhou silk backing; of course, Liu Chuxue's contribution here was not small.

The delegation stayed in Hangzhou for two days before setting off for Jingdezhen.

At the old porcelain factory in Jingdezhen, the kiln fire was burning bright. Watching a lump of kaolin clay spin in the masters' hands and instantly become a round porcelain bowl, exclamations of surprise rang out. A specialist introduced: "This clay comes from mountains nearby, and the firewood for the kiln is pine wood. Since the Song Dynasty, we have used this formula and heat control."

On the display stand, blue-and-white porcelain with coiled tree patterns stood quietly. The guide pointed to the cobalt-painted patterns and said: "Everyone, look at this translucency; we call it 'eggshell porcelain'. It requires seventy-two processes; one mistake and all previous effort is wasted. This is the 'craftsmanship' passed down by our ancestors—slow work yields fine results, making things with diligence."

Seeing the focused eyes of the craftsmen and hearing the cultural codes in old stories, no deliberate words were needed; the power of culture would slowly flow through touch and perception. Similarly, this time not only did Anna order a large batch of porcelain, but other members of the delegation also ordered quite a few as souvenirs to take back home.

Time passed quickly, and the itinerary for Anna's group was set; this time they departed from Shanghai.

Liu Chuxue, along with staff from the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, and Fu Yan Cheng who was in charge of security, accompanied them to Shanghai and handed them over to the local reception staff, thus completing the mission.

Anna was very reluctant to part. When separating, she left her contact address, urging Liu Chuxue to contact her if she ever had the chance to go to Europe in the future, and also gave her a pair of watches. Liu Chuxue immediately signaled to the accompanying leader with her eyes; seeing the leader nod, she smiled and accepted them.

Liu Chuxue also brought out her own gift: a round fan she had privately commissioned in Suzhou beforehand. Anna liked it very much and gave Liu Chuxue a big hug: "Miss Xiao, I will cherish it well. Thank you."

It was only 1976 now; going abroad would probably have to wait until after the Reform and Opening-up, but Liu Chuxue did not refuse, thinking that perhaps after the Reform and Opening-up, she might have the chance to travel abroad.

The group stayed in Shanghai for one day before boarding the train back to Beijing.

On this day, Liu Chuxue did not rest. Perhaps due to the cheat of the Spatial Spring Water, Liu Chuxue felt no discomfort. Liu Chuxue had intended to go out and look around, but who would have thought that as soon as she left the guesthouse, Fu Yan Cheng chased after her.

When the two returned carrying big and small bags, everyone finally realized that the two were actually a married couple.

The two comrades who had gone on the mission with Fu Yan Cheng; one stepped forward and punched Fu Yan Cheng on the shoulder: "Company Commander Fu, you did a great job with this secrecy work. We are about to return, and only now do we know this is your sister-in-law. You are truly something."