Unlike modern aircraft, today's aircraft make a very loud humming noise when the engines start. If it rains, you can even hear the sound of raindrops while sitting in the cabin.
It was summer, and the temperature inside was approaching 37 degrees Celsius. Turbulence was a common occurrence, and the plastic bags distributed before boarding the plane couldn't stop the nausea and vomit from emitting.
The cabin was filled with the mingled smell of sour, rancid air and the stench of sweat, which made even the calmest Zhou Jiao vomit. Especially since her colleagues kept spitting out the bag.
After a short flight of six hours, we changed to a large foreign plane.
After waiting for two hours on the way, everyone tidied up their instruments and got on the plane again. Even though the conditions were much better, she still had no appetite.
Recalling the envious looks of her colleagues, Zhou Jiao smiled bitterly. Was this considered suffering? She glanced at the first-class door in front of her.
Her eyes dimmed.
Since she was a soldier, she should have adjusted her status in advance. There was no father here, no man here. From the moment she set foot on the road abroad, she only relied on herself.
You can't be petty-bourgeois, you can't be delicate, not to mention being half-hearted and pretentious. Who wouldn't want to bring you down to get some credit for themselves?
"Xiao Zhou, eat something to fill your stomach."
Zhou Jiao thanked Jin Lijuan gratefully. This time, in addition to a deputy director, their unit also had four other soldiers, including the two of them, a total of five people, who were collaborating with other units to discuss importing machinery.
As for the rest of them, what were Lady Liang and the others doing here? It was said that it was something involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the embassy. She was completely confused. Why were they meddling in matters other than official duties?
However, Zhou Jiao also admired the other party's methods. When they first boarded the plane, the other party actually smiled kindly and gave her some advice.
What a fuck!
This stumbling block was too clever. He immediately put himself in the spotlight. If he hadn't been clear-minded and qualified to join the company, he would have become a young lady relying on his family background.
Zhou Jiao's heart ached whenever she thought about it. She'd have to get over this humiliation when she returned home. She'd originally wanted to wait and see some people's own deaths, but now who cared about her calamity and the ramblings of history?
"This is my first time going abroad, and my heart is still pounding. How about you?"
"Yeah, I'm glad."
Jin Lijuan pinched her face and said, "Just lie with your eyes open. I don't think you're nervous at all. You're just not grown up yet. Think about it, we're going to a capitalist country. I have to see how they are different from us."
Zhou Jiao squeezed her palm. Even if they were whispering to each other, some things were still unspoken. Even if it wasn't for Sister Jin's constant care for her, she didn't want Sister Jin to fall victim to a quarrel someday, even if it was because her aunt treated her like her own daughter.
Just one admiration for capitalism is enough to make you suffer, so it’s more economical to just quietly enjoy the scenery and secretly buy some so-called imported goods.
Jin Lijuan caressed her head lovingly. That was the good thing about this girl—a kind heart. Otherwise, why would everyone in the department happily congratulate the little girl when the business trip spot became available instead of making sarcastic remarks?
I remember that Zhou Jiao was the first one to go to work every day to install hot water and clean the office. She worked all day long and never participated in gossip or joked with male colleagues.
Jin Lijuan smiled knowingly. With such a good family background and such a stable temperament, it was no wonder that the leaders above her liked to send this girl on business trips.
"How much foreign currency did you exchange this time? It's not enough. I have it here."
Zhou Jiao smiled faintly and nodded. How could the other party exceed the stipulated amount even if there were more? However, she accepted the gesture.
She glanced at Jin Lijuan with amusement. If she remembered correctly, she was thinking about buying gifts to take back, and she didn't know if she had enough. She didn't need any foreign currency, but she couldn't let on.
A Western movie was playing in the cabin, and after a few casual chats, Sister Jin immersed herself in the world of film and television. Zhou Jiao was not interested in these films that only featured blondes and blue-eyed people. She closed her eyes and rested for a while, then fell asleep unknowingly.
Zhou Jiao was half asleep when she heard a commotion. She shuddered and immediately sat up straight. It was time for dinner. She felt her stomach and realized she was really hungry.
The airplane meals on the cart were all Western-style. At this moment, she felt even more deeply that she was thousands of miles away from her motherland.
Zhou Jiao ate and slept, slept and ate, and once again set foot in this neutral country, her heart was not disturbed at all. Last time, she bought too many watches and chocolates. Besides work, she wondered what else could interest her?
However, she seemed to have an uncle living near this country famous for its clocks. Otherwise, if she just waited for him, he might have already gotten the news.
Unlike last time, this time everyone stayed at the embassy, with Zhou Jiao and Jin Lijuan sharing a room together. After transferring from the airport to the capital, they arrived in the evening. After a quick dinner, they each returned to their rooms to adjust to the jet lag.
Early the next morning, Zhou Jiao woke up and glanced at Jin Lijuan who was still sleeping soundly. Seeing that it was still early, she did not wake her up. She washed up quietly and went outside to exercise.
Minister Jin had gotten up before dawn today and was discussing today's negotiations with several colleagues in the adjacent room. When the five of them came out, they saw Zhou Jiao doing exercises while shouting one, two, three.
The familiar rhythm and movements made the old men laugh out loud.
Zhou Jiao turned around, her face flushed, she greeted them hurriedly, and quickly slipped back to her room.
How careless! She wouldn't go out for a run without permission from the organization, let alone boxing. This reminds me of radio gymnastics, but who would have thought it would be such a shame?
At ten o'clock in the morning, a group of about ten officials from the Gallic government arrived at the meeting. With the introduction of embassy officials, both sides quickly entered the negotiation phase.
Zhou Jiao, pretending to be a quail, sat in a corner with a notebook, quietly listening to Minister Jin start a casual chat, avoiding the topic of this time.
The topic started with the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries two years ago, and continued with friendship among countries, current affairs, and future world development trends. Every word and every comment gradually boosted the atmosphere of the entire venue.
Perhaps before these Westerners came, their impression of the legendary sick man of East Asia, the Chinese, was that they were poor and a group of indigenous people.
Even with their friendly smiles, they still harbored contempt deep down. Gradually, as Minister Jin and the other three engaged in a barrage of witty remarks, the atmosphere grew more lively, and the conversation moved beyond official business, turning to the weather and scenic spots.
Zhou Jiao looked at the three elders with admiration. These talented individuals were the pillars of the nation and the people's fortune. A deal involving tens of millions of francs, even if the other party gave up a small amount, would still be a significant sum, enough to build another large factory in the country.
A good negotiator will never discuss the most important topic directly first, but will firmly grasp the dominant rhythm and make the other party feel his sincerity.
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