Starting from the late 19th century, tea exports to Country Y gradually decreased and were replaced by varieties such as Ceylon black tea.
Domestic tea, which should have re-entered the Y country market in the 1980s, was introduced to Y country by Jiangci three years earlier.
After having dinner at the embassy, Director Chai and Jiang Ci were personally escorted to the embassy entrance by Henry.
"I hope our tea business will go as smoothly as today's negotiations."
Henry smiled, placed his right hand on his heart, bowed very politely, and asked, "May I?"
Jiang Ci thought for a moment, then raised her hand with her palm facing down.
Henry's smile deepened, and he gently lifted the back of her hand, bending down to lightly kiss Jiang Ci's hand.
A very elegant hand-kissing gesture from Country Y.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the scene, then looked up at Jiang Ci.
She remained calm, showing neither surprise nor fear, as if being treated this way by an ambassador was perfectly normal.
Henry released her in just two seconds. "Jiang, you are a true lady."
Jiang Ci withdrew her hand, a smile appearing on her face. She curved her lips, which were dyed as bright as the color of strawberries, and said, "Our cooperation should go very smoothly, sir. Please rest assured that we will definitely produce a product that will satisfy your country."
Henry nodded. "I'm looking forward to it."
After parting ways with Henry, the group left the embassy by car. Director Chai gave Jiang Ci a thumbs-up in the car, saying, "Jiang Ci, you did a great job this time."
Jiang Ci smiled and said, "I also feel that my luck and expression today have exceeded my expectations. This negotiation went more smoothly than I imagined."
Her colleague exclaimed happily, "Jiang Ci, you're incredibly lucky today!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ci seemed to have thought of something, and the smile between her brows deepened.
Director Chai turned to Jiang Ci and said, "Henry really appreciates your polite and elegant manner in conversation. Once the Ministry of Foreign Trade has finalized the product pricing and packaging, you should go with them."
“Alright, Henry’s family is noble in Country Y. He is respectful of rules and has a refined taste. I’m just catering to his tastes… I think the Ministry of Foreign Trade should categorize the products, and the packaging and pricing of different products should not be the same.” Jiang Ci then put forward her own idea.
Director Chai glanced at her, and then, as if he had thought of something, smiled and said, "Go back and tell the minister."
The group returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Director Chai and his team went to report to the Minister.
The minister was very satisfied with the initial agreement reached and the smooth exchange of needs.
Knowing that today's cooperation was solely negotiated by Eci, the minister looked at Eci with even more recognition and attention.
After hearing Jiang Ci's suggestion, the minister slammed his fist on the table and decided, "You will liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and entrust you with full diplomatic authority over tea exports."
Jiang Ci was taken aback. "You're leaving everything to me?"
The minister laughed and said, "What? You're not capable of handling this?"
Jiang Ci said quite honestly, "Minister, I think I am capable, but one should not make boastful claims. This matter has just begun, and I will definitely do my best to secure this order."
The minister laughed heartily, "Alright, then do your best!"
The minister hadn't originally taken the tea export issue to heart.
After all, there are many aspects to foreign trade, and tea is only a small part of it.
What he didn't know was that the main trade between the two countries in recent years had been maintained only by tea and the porcelain industry that Jiangci would foster in the future.
Jiangci not only secured tea deals with Country Y, but also with several other major European countries such as Country F and Country L, transforming its domestic black tea into a top-tier international high-end tea brand.
Of course, this is a later story.
Jiang Ci returned home very late, and the buses had all stopped running.
Hobbens watched Jiang Ci walk out and immediately followed.
As they stepped into the pitch-black night, Hobbens said, "Let me take you home. It's already dark, and it's not safe for a woman like you to walk alone at night."
Before Jiang Ci could answer, she heard the ringing of a bicycle bell. She turned her head to look at the door and saw Zhou Mingli riding a bicycle, one foot on the ground, looking in her direction.
Upon seeing him, Jiang Ci smiled and turned her head to refuse Hobens, "No need, Comrade Hobens, my wife is here to pick me up, she's outside."
Hobens looked out the door following Jiang Ci's hand and, sure enough, saw Zhou Mingli standing at the entrance.
The two men's eyes met, and the fiery emotions that always rose whenever Hobens saw Jiang Ci were suddenly doused with ice water.
How could he not remember that Jiang Ci was already married?
Hobbens forced a smile. "Okay, then take care on your way."
"Alright, Comrade Huo, have a safe journey too." Jiang Ci politely reminded him before walking towards Zhou Mingli.
"Why did you come here?" Jiang Ci walked up to Zhou Mingli, circled him once, and then sat in the back seat of the car.
Zhou Mingli had covered it with a soft pad, which insulated it from the cold steel.
"I waited for you to come back around mealtime, and I guessed you were working overtime, so I came to check on you along the way."
Zhou Mingli answered, his gaze falling on Hobbens again, his eyes deep and serious.
"It's really troublesome not having a cell phone. After I ate out, it was time to get off work. The department head was waiting for me to go back and give him a reply, so I was delayed."
Jiang Ci explained, then reached out and hugged his waist, "Let's go back too, it'll get colder as it gets darker."
"Okay." Zhou Mingli took off his gloves and touched her hand. Feeling its coldness, he warmed it tightly, then put her hand in his pocket before getting on his bicycle and heading home.
Watching their intimate actions from afar, Hobbens felt incredibly sour and jealous. He wished he could take Zhou Mingli's place and be the one to warm Jiang Ci's hands.
But as he thought about it, the cold wind blew him away, and all of Hobbens's thoughts turned into a bitter laugh.
There was more than a step between him and Jiang Ci; they were worlds apart.
"Did your work go smoothly today?" Zhou Mingli's eyes softened as he listened to her cheerfully singing a little tune.
“Not only that.” Jiang Ci put her hands in Zhou Mingli’s pockets and mischievously groped the warm places on his body, laughing as she said, “Besides the work going very smoothly, there are other things that make me very happy.”
"I'll give you a chance to guess," Jiang Ci said with a cheerful tone, "and there'll be a reward if you guess right."
Zhou Mingli chuckled softly, "Then I have no choice but to guess."
"Any hints?"
"It's related to you."
The bicycle reached the streetlight, and Zhou Mingli braked upon hearing this.
Jiang Ci slammed her head against his back, her nose stinging from the impact. She slapped him in annoyance, "What are you doing?"
Zhou Mingli took off his gloves and rubbed her nose, but then lifted Jiang Ci's chin with his index finger along her nose.
Her rosy lips were darker than her natural lip color.
"Is this it?"
Zhou Mingli rubbed his thumb against her lips, his fingertip picking up a little red, and wiped some of the lipstick off her lips, making her look even more charming.
Zhou Mingli stared intently at her mouth, as if trying to see through it. "Was I right?"
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