061 Canton Fair
On the day of departure, Guan Yuehe got up early to wash and pack. As required by the car factory, she changed into the suit and leather shoes that had been issued to her.
I looked in the mirror and exclaimed, "Wow! What a beautiful girl!"
She carried a bag of clothes in one hand and a net bag of food from home and what she had prepared for the trip in the other.
He also had a black bag slung across his shoulder.
The bag was specially made by Xu Chengcai to match her suit.
She has already spent a lot of money on this business trip.
But as soon as she stepped out of the house, she received a barrage of compliments from her neighbors, who said she looked even more energetic than when she tried on the clothes.
I also feel that spending a little money is especially worthwhile.
Once outside Ginkgo Alley, Guan Yuehe couldn't bear it any longer. She immediately put on the coat hanging on her luggage bag and stomped her feet to ward off the cold.
Guan Jianguo, who was riding his bicycle, saw her and deliberately took a detour to the other side, not exposing her for showing off despite the cold. Guan Aiguo, who was on the back of the bicycle, also saw her and laughed all the way, laughing so hard that the wind got into his mouth, choking him and coughing the whole way.
Guan Yuehe, who was rushing to catch the bus, knew nothing and arrived at the factory half an hour earlier than the agreed meeting time.
"Yuehe, take your luggage and let's go to the workshop to take a group photo." Zhang Xinbi came over and called her to hurry downstairs, and helped her straighten her collar again, her eyes full of admiration, "This outfit suits you very well."
Guo Xusheng, who followed him out, looked up and laughed, "It's just like the little white poplars in my hometown."
Comrade Guan Yuehe, who had been praised all morning, never stopped smiling.
Upon arriving at the workshop, the team heading to the Canton Fair lined up in two rows. Behind them stood the factory's latest generation of Wuxing automobiles, and further back, slogans such as "Catch up with and surpass Britain and the United States" and "Learn from Daqing in industry, Wuxing strives forward" were painted on the workshop walls.
"Everyone, try to laugh more! Look at that lady on the far right in the back row, she's laughing like that!" a female colleague from the car factory's publicity department reminded them.
The others glanced to their right and back, then straightened their clothes, stood up straight, and smirked at the camera in front of them.
We took a group photo in the workshop and then another one at the factory gate.
Finally, the exhibitors were put onto the car factory's own buses. The factory leaders who stayed behind waved to the people on the buses with hopeful eyes, saying, "We'll be waiting for your triumphant return!"
Guan Yuehe, like everyone around her, suddenly had tears welling up in her eyes.
She grew up in the Five Star Automobile Factory. When she was a child, she loved to go to the factory's auditorium to watch movies, watch others attend social gatherings, watch performances, and attend year-end worker commendations. She especially loved going there early the day before every holiday to help reserve a spot and wait in line to receive rice, flour, and cooking oil to take home.
Although she didn't become a proud worker at the Five Star Automobile Factory, she, like every worker in the factory, hoped that the factory would continue to thrive and remain glorious forever.
Now, as Five Star Motors climbs to the next peak, she is fortunate to be one of the participants and witnesses, and she can't help but be excited and tearful.
But it would be even better if the journey were shorter.
The automobile factory's logistics department specially assigned two comrades to be responsible for the logistical support of the exhibitors, so Guan Yuehe only needed to follow the main group.
Nearly half of the passengers on this train today are going to Guangzhou for an exhibition; they come from various state-owned factories in Beijing.
The delegation was accompanied by leaders from the city's industrial bureau. Leaders from various state-owned factories kept a close eye on discipline within the group, and even showed deference to each other when queuing to board the bus.
Four years ago, Guan Yuehe and Wang Zheng went on a business trip to Haishi. It was incredibly crowded when they boarded the train. So, when she packed her luggage, she made a point of wrapping her camera in layers of clothing, just in case it got damaged in the crush.
Now, with just a call from the leader, they lined up in two queues and easily got on the bus and found their seats.
The entire carriage was filled with workers from either the Five Star Automobile Factory or the Beijing Machinery Factory. Those who were initially strangers quickly became acquainted after a few words. The skilled workers, in particular, were already engaged in discussions.
"The Canton Fair has moved to a new location this year, which I heard is a full 110,000 square meters."
"It's so big! Much bigger than before!"
"You bet! The scale has expanded, there are more products on display, and we can earn more foreign exchange through exports. Hey, I heard your Five Star Automobile Factory is planning to launch a satellite this year?"
The train carriage was as lively as the entrance to Ginkgo Alley.
Guan Yuehe was only somewhat excited for the first half day; afterwards, she did nothing but eat and sleep. She found it too dizzying to read on the train and simply couldn't concentrate.
"Huh? We're here already?!" Guan Yuehe was stunned when she was woken up. How long had she slept?!
"No, you need to get off and transfer to another train. Wait for the next one."
As Guan Yuehe got off the bus with her luggage, she thought: Guangzhou is really far away. I have to transfer in another city before I can get there.
No wonder Lin Yi couldn't go home to visit her family even during her long holidays. The entire round trip was spent on the train.
When she finally arrived in Guangzhou and stepped off the train, Guan Yuehe truly experienced the warmth of the South.
After some more hassle, we arrived at the guesthouse and checked in. A female colleague from the logistics department reminded us, "The weather in Guangzhou has been quite humid lately. If you can avoid washing the work clothes you brought, please do so. They're hard to dry and tend to have an odor."
Guan Yuehe was assigned to share a room with Zhang Xinbi. As soon as she entered the room, she immediately asked the question that had been bothering her: "There's a smell? What kind of smell is it?"
Having attended the Canton Fair many times, Zhang Xinbi was already familiar with the humid weather in Guangzhou in mid-to-late March, but when asked to describe the smell, she really didn't know how.
When everyone gathered for dinner that evening, a male comrade walked past them, and Guan Yuehe frowned because of the smell.
It smells like mold, or maybe it smells like foot odor; it's hard to describe accurately.
But everyone else seemed unfazed, it seemed only she, a newbie attending the Canton Fair for the first time, found it strange.
Including the transfer and waiting time, it took a full three days to travel from Beijing to Guangzhou. Many people who had traveled all the way in hard seats looked tired, but Guan Yuehe, with her rosy complexion, looked full of energy.
But after the meal, everyone perked up and went to the meeting.
The next day, Guan Yuehe, who had no work scheduled for the time being, went to help with the exhibition setup in the morning and attended a meeting for translators organized by the Ministry of Commerce in the afternoon.
On the fourth day after arriving in Guangzhou, Guan Yuehe began to officially start her translation work at the venue, wearing her "Translator of Five Star Automobile Factory" badge.
To make her look more energetic, Zhang Xinbi found some lipstick and put it on her.
"Hey, Yuehe, didn't you bring a camera? Take it inside and take some pictures."
She figured today's work wouldn't be easy, so she didn't even consider bringing a camera in, thinking that since she wouldn't have time to take pictures anyway, she might as well not bring one.
When Zhang Xinbi reminded her, she hesitated for a few seconds, but still carried the camera on her back.
Standing outside the venue, Guan Yuehe mentally recited the slogan on the top floor twice, instantly feeling energized. She entered the venue with boundless enthusiasm, looking ready to make a big splash.
But it was different from what she had imagined. All morning, only two foreigners visited their exhibition area, took a brochure, and left, giving her no chance to shine.
The initial surge of excitement upon entering the venue has completely cooled down.
Zhang Xinbi patted her shoulder, telling her to relax and not to worry, that this was perfectly normal.
The exhibition had just started, and many people hadn't even reached them yet.
Guan Yuehe felt a little relieved and, following Zhang Xinbi's advice, went to the adjacent exhibition area to look at cars produced by other factories. She also picked up a camera.
The booths on the left and right sides represent a car factory from Northeast China and a car factory from Haishi, respectively. Both factories produce passenger cars and are competitors of Wuxing Automobile Factory.
However, after doing some research, Guan Yuehe concluded that the Five Star car, which consumed less fuel, was faster, and had a better appearance, still had more advantages.
Further ahead, the exhibits include tractors, large trucks, and small trucks.
Among them, trucks of various brands were the most numerous.
She had never seen so many types of cars in her life! The camera clicked away, and she took several pictures in no time.
Once she returns to Beijing, she plans to develop the photos and share with everyone which cars were exhibited at this year's Canton Fair.
"Are you a reporter? Which newspaper are you from? Could you please take some nice photos for us?"
"You're not a reporter, which factory are you from?"
Every time she goes to someone else's exhibition area to take photos or visit, she gets asked these questions.
She would then take out her work ID hanging around her neck and say, "It's from Beijing Wuxing Automobile Factory."
Even though they knew she wasn't a reporter or a purchasing agent, they still kept her close and introduced her to their cars.
She didn't understand some of the more technical stuff, but she still looked like she was listening attentively, nodding occasionally and praising, "Your factory's tractors/trucks are really good!"
People in state-owned factories love to hear outsiders praise their products. So when she was about to visit the next factory, they all warmly invited her to come back when she had time.
Throughout the morning, Guan Yuehe not only explored the various cars in the auto show area but also made friends with translators from other factories.
If she hadn't come here, she wouldn't have known that not every factory has a dedicated translator.
If a foreigner comes to inquire, either the foreigner brings their own translator, or they have to seek help from the Ministry of Commerce to have them arrange for a translator to come over.
Guan Yuehe suddenly understood why several factory workers' eyes lit up as soon as they heard she was a translator, and why they had to write down which factory she was from, which booth she was at, and what her name was...
At noon, Guan Yuehe and the others took turns going outside the exhibition hall to eat and rest before returning to their booth.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Guan Yuehe, who had nothing to do, was taking pictures of Dongfeng brand trucks with her camera when people from the factory came to her excitedly, "Comrade Guan, hurry back and translate, a lot of foreigners have arrived!"
"real?!"
Several booth staff members overheard this and looked over with envy. They then urged her to go back quickly.
Guan Yuehe quickly packed up her camera and hurried to the Five Star Automobile Factory's booth.
After squeezing in from the side, I took a deep breath and followed Zhang Xinbi's instructions. I made eye contact with a blonde, blue-eyed woman, and the two of us were inexplicably stunned for a moment.
Guan Yuehe hadn't forgotten what she learned during the training. She smiled and took the lead in greeting and introducing herself.
The lady opposite her followed her directions, listening as she visited the Five Star cars on display next to her.
Zhang Xinbi was worried, so she took advantage of Guo Xusheng's temporary free time and asked him to go and assist Guan Yuehe.
Ten minutes later, Guo Xusheng returned and said with a smile, "You can rest assured, our Comrade Xiao Guan is perfectly capable of handling things on his own."
Although there were occasional word mistakes during the conversation, Comrade Xiao Guan's confident smile made him seem reliable.
Zhang Xinbi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and felt particularly gratified: Who would have thought that two years ago, Comrade Guan would have a whole page of problems translating just one page of material? Comrade Guan has made great progress!
On the other side, Comrade Xiao Guan reconfirmed the client's needs, his smile widening even more. He immediately went to report the situation to the leader in charge, and then Guo Xusheng led the team to the signing office arranged by the Ministry of Commerce, where staff from the Ministry of Commerce were responsible for helping to check the contract terms.
Guan Yuehe spent a full hour translating for just this one client. Of course, she also consulted with technical staff, Zhang Xinbi, and Guo Xusheng to answer some questions she didn't understand.
But we need to sign the contract for this deal?!
Guan Yuehe felt a little dizzy and was so happy that she wanted to cheer loudly on the spot.
Before she could even celebrate, she received another assignment from Zhang Xinbi and had to continue working as a translator.
Clearly, having learned from her previous experience, she spoke more fluently this time.
She felt she had performed exceptionally well this time, but the client said they needed to think about it some more.
Since the customer praised her for her professional and thorough explanation, she stopped thinking badly about him.
When Guan Yuehe had free time, she often looked towards the office. Guo Xusheng didn't return until the exhibition ended today.
Guan Yuehe immediately asked, "How is it? What was our transaction volume?"
"We've closed one deal so far, selling twenty vehicles. Xiao Guan deserves credit for that. Ms. Catherine said our factory's translators are very professional and meticulous!"
"Wow!" Guan Yuehe cheered immediately.
Everyone else in the factory applauded and exclaimed happily, "What a great start!"
People from neighboring booths came over to inquire about their sales figures, and after exchanging words of encouragement, everyone packed up their booths and prepared to return to the guesthouse.
That evening, the factory leader in charge of the team praised the good sales momentum during the meeting and encouraged everyone to keep up the good work.
Guan Yuehe was so excited that she rolled around on the bed several times before going to sleep. Unfortunately, the bed in the guesthouse was too small, so she could only curl up and roll sideways.
Although only twenty cars were sold today, this is already a major breakthrough. China's car exports are very small, especially for sedans like Five Star Motors.
When Zhang Xinbi came back after taking a shower, she told her about her first time attending the Canton Fair, which was the very first Canton Fair.
"The first one was held at the Sino-Soviet Friendship Building, which I remember very well. I was about the same age as you are now. I had only been working in the factory for half a year after graduation when I came to Guangzhou with the factory's first generation of Wuxing cars. We only exported ten cars in total... At that time, the old factory director comforted us, saying that in the future, our Wuxing cars will definitely sell a hundred times or a thousand times more."
Guan Yuehe listened quietly, and only after Zhang Xinbi finished speaking did she say, "We will get better and better."
“Yes.” Zhang Xinbi never doubted it.
—
On the second day of the exhibition, most of the customers who came to inquire were looking at trucks and parts.
Five-Star Motors is just one of the products on display at the factory. Also on display are small trucks produced by the factory, as well as spare parts.
Auto parts are currently the largest export product of Five Star Auto Factory.
For English-speaking clients, Zhang Xinbi prioritizes assigning Guan Yuehe to handle their cases. For clients who don't speak English, Zhang Xinbi and Guo Xusheng act as translators to provide explanations.
In addition, there are buyers from all over the country. Some of them are exhibiting their own products and come to make purchases as a side trip. Others are waiting specifically for the Canton Fair so that they can compare and choose the most suitable vehicles from all over the country when all the good cars on display are available.
At this time, the factory's sales staff were responsible for receiving these domestic buyers and explaining things to them.
On the second day of the exhibition, Five Star Auto's exports were zero, but domestic buyers placed orders for a total of one hundred vehicles.
The export volume of small trucks was quite large, which even attracted the attention of leaders from the Ministry of Commerce. All the exhibitors from Wuxing Automobile Factory were highly praised.
On the penultimate day of the exhibition, sales gradually increased, and all the staff were busy and barely had a break.
Guan Yuehe breathed a sigh of relief. She had been secretly anxious for the past few days: Why did they come to inquire and then leave? Why haven't they signed the contract yet? It was driving her crazy!
It turns out that these foreigners compare prices and haggle over prices before placing an order!
During that time, she also watched a farce.
Two factories producing the same product lowered their prices three times in one day, finally offering half the original price. Upon discovering this, Ministry of Commerce officials immediately stopped the sale, and both factories were publicly criticized. Ultimately, no deal was reached.
During dinner that evening, other experienced sales staff at the factory told Guan Yuehe, "Those foreigners are very cunning. They won't decide whether to buy or not until the very last minute, unless they get the lowest price."
Of course, some of our own people also made mistakes. They were only thinking about earning foreign exchange, but they didn't think about whether it would be a profit or a loss, let alone that it would prevent other factories from selling their products.
Guan Yuehe felt that she had learned a lot.
"Comrade Guan, are you free right now? Could you provide us with a translation?"
Guan Yuehe had just finished resting when a comrade who had introduced her to tractors came to her seeking help.
Guan Yuehe looked at Zhang Xinbi, unsure whether she could leave her post at this moment.
Zhang Xinbi smiled and said, "Go ahead, we're still here."
So Guan Yuehe went along to help.
After helping one person, another would come knocking. The name "Comrade Guan" became a catchphrase, and Comrade Guan himself went to one booth after another.
When the leader who came to inquire about the situation saw a tall and slender young woman running back and forth between several booths to help with translation, he joked to the person next to him, "You don't have enough translators, look how busy this young lady is."
The person next to him looked at him carefully for a while and said, "This isn't a translator from our Ministry of Commerce; it must be a translator from some factory."
When they arrived at one of the booths, the leader learned about the transaction and then asked which unit the young man from earlier belonged to.
"Comrade Xiao Guan? She's the translator hired by Beijing Wuxing Automobile Factory, and she herself works at Beijing Zhuoyue Garment Factory."
The leader was surprised for a moment, thinking that this excellent garment factory actually had such a talent.
The person next to him said, "Zhuoyue Garment Factory has been doing quite well these past two years. They've even put their sportswear and sneakers on display in the department stores of Guangzhou."
"This Zhuoyue Garment Factory is quite good too," the leader said, praising it as he went along with the conversation.
While busy, Comrade Xiao Guan was unaware that his business trip had put his factory on the radar of the leadership.
That evening, when Guan Yuehe went to the state-run restaurant next to the guesthouse for dinner, she had just finished getting her food when she was invited to sit down at several other tables.
Guan Yuehe waved her hand in unison, refusing: "Mealtime is also meeting time, and I have to sit with my own people too."
The colleagues at a tractor factory in Northeast China said that after finishing their last day of work tomorrow, they must have a big drink with her.
Guan Yuehe's eyes lit up, but under the watchful eye of her superiors, she laughed and gave a vague reply, not daring to say that she would definitely drink it tomorrow.
The exhibition has been going on for a week, and everyone is so busy they're almost numb. We're only getting encouragement from the leadership.
"Tomorrow is the last day. Our transaction volume this year has already surpassed last year's. Comrades, let's cheer up and make another sprint tomorrow to continue to surpass it!"
After the slogan was shouted, the leader announced: After the exhibition ends tomorrow, everyone will have a day and a half to rest. Those who want to go sightseeing in Guangzhou can go, and those who want to buy local specialties for their family and friends can go.
The leader also recommended several rare items that couldn't be bought in Beijing, suggesting they pick them out from other exhibition areas later.
That's how morale was boosted.
On the last day, Guan Yuehe was so busy in the morning that she didn't even have time to drink water, talking non-stop until her throat was practically parched. She hurriedly ate lunch and returned home, only to find herself with nothing to do in the afternoon.
The factory's sales volume at this year's Canton Fair has been tallied, and the leaders are very satisfied, saying that Wuxing Automobile Factory has broken a new record again.
Zhang Xinbi reviewed the contracts and found that most of the interested parties had already placed orders; even if there were still some orders left, there wouldn't be many.
So they gave Guan Yuehe an early leave of absence, letting her go to other exhibition areas to see if there was anything she wanted to buy.
The leader then said, "Yes, just leave one translator and one salesperson. Everyone else should go and check out the products in other exhibition areas. If you miss them, they won't be easy to buy them later."
Although the number of products that individuals can buy in the exhibition area is limited, no tickets are required.
Guan Yuehe looked at the venue's map for a while before deciding to visit the textiles and apparel exhibition area first.
As I passed by the agricultural and sideline products exhibition area, I looked up and saw the slogan above the exhibition area:
Grain as the key link
All-round development
When Guan Yuehe saw the silk displayed at the booth, she immediately thought of giving it to her older sister.
She thought the silk was beautiful, then there was a pretty dress at the ready-to-wear booth next door, and then there were fabrics she'd never seen before, which were also beautiful...
Guan Yuehe liked everything she saw, feeling like a mouse that had fallen into a large warehouse of agricultural and sideline products, wanting to take everything she saw home.
But her savings didn't allow her to squander them recklessly.
In the end, I first made a list of people I wanted to give gifts to in my notebook, and then carefully calculated the gifts I would give them.
Of course, the gift for herself must be the most generous.
In addition, her friends would give her money to buy fabric or some rare items to take back with her.
She was a little worried when she received the money and kept the accounts. She wondered if she would be arrested for speculation and profiteering because she bought so many things.
But now, she has completely forgotten her worries from back then; only one thought echoes in her mind: Ah, I want to buy them all! I want them all!
Zhang Xinbi took the opportunity to go out and buy gifts to take home. She returned half an hour later and realized that Guan Yuehe, who had gone out the earliest, had not yet come back.
Just as I thought of her, she came striding over happily, like a victorious warrior returning home, carrying two large bags of things.
Zhang Xinbi was shocked. "What did you buy?" She actually bought two huge bags!
Guan Yuehe grinned, put the bag on the ground, and began to introduce it to Zhang Xinbi:
“Silk, skirts, porcelain... Oh, and here’s a piece of cloth. There’s absolutely no such material or pattern in the capital!”
Zhang Xinbi was about to laugh at her for looking like she had bought everything, but then she thought back to her first time in Guangzhou and realized she had done something similar. Suddenly, she understood why Xiao Guan had bought so many things.
The leader came over, took a look, and laughed, "It seems we'll have to issue the subsidies in advance next time, otherwise Comrade Guan won't be able to buy more."
Guan Yuehe immediately flattered, "The leader is so thoughtful!"
She wasn't sure if she could come again next time. But she would really like to come if given the chance.
It would be even better if Zhuoyue Garment Factory's sportswear and sneakers could also participate in the exhibition!
Comrade Xiao Guan thought to himself with a smug smile.
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