After receiving confirmation from Nan Hai Tao, Chen Lishu informed Director Zhou at the garment factory and paid a deposit of one thousand yuan on the spot.
This reassured Director Zhou. The two parties signed an agreement, stipulating that Chen Lishu would return in five days to collect the goods and pay the remaining balance. Chen Lishu then returned to the guesthouse.
"We're here with the leadership, and to go out on our own for such a long time without so much as a word, don't some people have any sense of collective responsibility?" Liu Yun said unceremoniously, pouting as she saw Chen Lishu enter.
Chen Lishu glanced at her with a half-smile. "Who should I have informed? You? If I recall correctly, the team leader is Director Chen. Besides, the director said earlier that we had free rein. I wasn't aware that Comrade Liu Yun was a railway police officer?"
Liu Yun's face flushed, then turned pale. In the end, she could only glare at Chen Lishu hatefully and turn away.
On the other side, Jiang Yuwei, sitting by the bed, gave Chen Lishu a deep, unreadable look. She had left the guesthouse shortly after Chen Lishu that morning, but while Chen Lishu chose to walk, Jiang Yuwei took the bus. Midway, she happened to glimpse Chen Lishu standing across the street with a man. The man was holding a pair of trousers, and they seemed to be discussing something. At the time, she hadn't paid much attention, but thinking back now, since everyone was in Yangcheng for the first time, there was no way she could have had any acquaintances there.
"I saw you with a strange man earlier today?"
Chen Lishu paused as she put down her shoulder bag, then said nonchalantly, "Oh, he was trying to sell me trousers, but I didn't buy any. If you're interested, you can try your luck tomorrow."
So that's how it was. Jiang Yuwei said with disdain, "What good can come from the goods of small vendors? I'm not interested."
In the afternoon, Zou Liang and Chief Editor Xu returned from outside, saying they had found a scenic spot and asked Chen Lishu if they wanted to take photos as a souvenir. Recalling her promise to Rui Rui to bring back a photo with a foreigner, Chen Lishu readily agreed. It would be a shame to come all the way to Yangcheng and not take a few pictures. Jiang Yuwei, Liu Yun, and Gu Chunsheng were also quite moved. After dinner at the guesthouse that evening, they met up with Chen Guoping and others and went to a nearby park to take a group photo.
The next day, after withdrawing from their booths, the three machinery factories prepared to book tickets and return. After all, it would be more than a week before the other three factories finished. There were many matters to attend to back at the factory, and the received orders needed to be communicated to the factory for production arrangements as soon as possible. As the three factories departed, all the manufacturers participating in the machinery exhibition also began to leave, and the once crowded guesthouse suddenly had many empty rooms.
The second exhibition period was for food and textiles. The remaining three factories were the meat processing plant, the winery, and the wool textile factory, all of which were listed. However, the three factories were not in the same exhibition hall. To ensure proper attention to all of them, Chen Guoping decided to split the four translators into pairs.
"Little Chen, this is Section Chief Liu from our factory. Although I've seen the materials on the train, several days have passed. Let him give you a brief introduction again so that you'll have a general idea when foreign businessmen ask questions tomorrow." After dinner, Director Han of the wool textile factory suddenly called Chen Lishu aside and said with a smile.
He had seen the situation with the three machinery factories earlier. Chen Lishu's ability to react and her translation skills were both excellent. Many technical terms had stumped many people, and even Little Jiang, who was favored by Deputy Minister Li, stumbled from time to time, while Chen Lishu spoke them fluently. Most importantly, Chen Lishu's occasional remarks always played a crucial role. Although they had brought sales representatives, very few could match Chen Lishu in terms of salesmanship. She was a gem, proficient in both sales and English. With her presence in the coming days, orders would surely be secured.
Director Du of the winery had also intended to speak to Chen Lishu privately. However, as soon as he stepped out, he saw the shameless Director Han trying to poach her. Stealing someone from him, Du Zhiming, was out of the question.
"Little Chen, have you finished eating?" Director Han's awkwardness flashed across his face when he saw Du Zhiming emerge. "Old Du, why are you out?"
"If I hadn't come out, I wouldn't have known about your excellent methods, Director Han. The leadership hasn't even designated the specific person yet, and you're already making arrangements. Besides, if you want someone to do you a favor, you have to show some sincerity. My school and Little Chen's school are neighbors. Once this child left school, it's my duty as an uncle to look out for her." Director Han felt like spitting at his shameless words. Just because their schools were neighbors, they could claim kinship? His nerve was too much.
"There are so many of us here. How could we possibly let the child be bullied? Old Du, you're overthinking." Du Zhiming looked at Chen Lishu. "Little Chen, the wine I brought this time are all specialty wines from our factory. After this event is over, I'll get a case for you to take back for your elders at home to taste." If Little Chen helped them with sales and signed a few more orders, ten cases would be worth it, let alone one.
Director Han became a little anxious when he heard this. This Du Zhiming was too shameless, openly offering benefits. How interesting, as if no one else could do it. "What's so good about wine? It's bad for your health if you drink too much. Don't corrupt the child. Our factory produces woolen blankets that are absolutely beautiful and practical. Little Chen, are you married? Do you have children at home? It's okay if you don't, it's always good to have them ready."
Director Gao of the meat processing plant, seeing that the two hadn't returned for a long time, suspected something was amiss. He couldn't resist getting out of bed. As soon as he stepped out the door, he saw Director Du of the winery and Director Han of the wool textile factory blocking Chen Lishu in the corridor, talking to her. His expression changed, and he quickly walked over.
In the room, Liu Yun, having learned of the situation, was furious. "I don't know what magic potion that Chen woman has given everyone. I don't see anything particularly good about her business abilities. Before, when Deputy Minister Li was here, everyone fawned over Little Jiang. Now, they're all trying to win over Chen Lishu. I've truly seen it all this time."
Jiang Yuwei's expression was also not good. She had always been the center of attention. Since everyone felt she wasn't good enough, they could just not use her. What was this situation now? Gu Lichun heard Liu Yun's words, turned around, and pretended not to hear. This was clearly a case of "sour grapes." In his opinion, Little Chen was indeed very capable, with high business acumen, a good personality, and an excellent image. As for Jiang Yuwei, who also spoke English, while she was not bad when she just repeated what others said, she lacked flexibility.
Chen Lishu, currently the object of Liu Yun's envy and jealousy, found herself in a dilemma. Originally, she didn't care who she went with. Now, everyone was asking her to go to their booths. The meat processing plant, which joined later, directly offered her two cases of flavored sausage as a gift. Agreeing to one would inevitably offend the other two. If she had known, she should have just stayed in her room and pretended to be asleep.