Siheyuan: Returning to 61 to collect waste

"This..." Director Liu holds a lower position and has no authority to make any decisions. He also estimates that he may not get approval even if he reports it.

"Mr. Liu, please!"

"Li Hui**, I really cannot agree to this. However, I will report it to my superiors to see if they will allow it," Director Liu explained.

Li Huikuizi showed an excited expression on her face and bowed deeply again: "In that case, I'll have to trouble Mr. Liu!"

When it was almost time to get off work, Director Liu knocked on Mr. Song’s office door.

One of Mr. Song’s responsibilities is to manage foreign affairs. This business delegation from the island country is the largest delegation since the two sides established contacts, so the top leaders attach great importance to it and have put a lot of thought into the reservation of foreign-related hotels and catering arrangements.

"Xiao Liu, what's the matter?"

After Director Liu entered the office, he carefully closed the door and said, "Mr. Song, I have something to report to you."

Mr. Song took off his glasses, rubbed his slightly tired eyes, and said with a smile, "Please sit down."

Director Liu chose to sit only on the edge of the chair, with his hands placed neatly on his knees.

"Mr. Song, according to the original plan, the delegation was supposed to visit our largest commercial building and ** market. However, according to the other party's request, we cancelled the trip to the factory and mine; all members of the delegation attended today's business symposium."

"Oh? It seems that Mr. Ye's market operation model has won the recognition of the guests from the island country!" Mr. Song smiled. He himself had visited the business several times to investigate and research, and of course he could appreciate its novelty and uniqueness; even he was deeply surprised by this business model when he saw it.

Director Liu nodded and praised: "After just a brief speech, Commissioner Ye conquered all the visitors. During the meeting, they were like elementary school students listening to a teacher's lecture, showing great respect and admiration for him."

Elder Song nodded in agreement. "Yes, Xiaoye performed very well and brought glory to the country. I didn't expect these self-proclaimed knowledgeable Japanese people to have such a reaction."

"But Mr. Song, while we were escorting the delegation back to their accommodation, Nikon's new representative, Rie Aoi, made a request. I cannot agree to it without permission, so I come to report to you."

"What is it? Can you explain it in detail?"

"Representative ** expressed the hope to have a private meeting with the director to learn and exchange ideas. She mentioned that Nikon is interested in opening a new commercial building project on the island."

This time, the question was not answered quickly. The old man tapped his fingers on the table, thinking about how to deal with this request. Generally speaking, foreign-related activities are managed by special organizations, and this kind of request was new to him, so it was difficult to directly refer to the existing handling methods. Although refusing would avoid a lot of trouble, it would seem that he did not respect the guest's wishes.

Before the inspection, the superior leaders attached great importance to this activity and specifically mentioned that the wishes of the foreign guests should be complied with as much as possible; secondly, Ye Chuan was also one of them, and his years of diligence made him believe that the latter would not do anything that went against the will of the country and the nation.

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Song finally answered, "It can be arranged. Communicate with Xiaoye to confirm first, and then proceed with it."

Although Director Liu was surprised to hear this decision, he agreed without further questioning and bid farewell to the old man's office. He knew the urgency of the matter, so he had to deal with it immediately. When he arrived at the commercial market, he learned that Commissioner Ye had left and returned home, so he decided to visit his house in the courtyard directly.

The residents of the Siheyuan were already accustomed to the appearance of jeeps, but when the HQ car slowly drove in with a flag hanging, it was the first time they had seen it. Even if they had not seen it with their own eyes, they could guess that the person sitting in the car was an important figure.

After Director Liu got off the car, he walked into the courtyard in full view of everyone, which immediately sparked discussions around him.

"It must be some important person. Could it be that he came here to look for Xiaoye?"

"Who else can we find if not Xiaoye? He is the only one here who has this ability."

"Xu Damao is doing well in the steel mill now. He has been the deputy director."

“That’s the deputy director of the steel mill, but Director Ye is well-known throughout the district.”

While everyone was discussing, Director Liu and Ye Chuan walked out of the central courtyard with a smile, and the surroundings immediately became quiet.

The two walked to the back seat of the car, only to see the driver and the secretary in the passenger seat get out at the same time, standing beside the car and staring at the passers-by vigilantly.

"Director Liu, what do you want to talk to me about?" Ye Chuan asked.

Director Liu then told Ye Chuan about Li Huikuizi's request and the results of his subsequent communication with Mr. Song.

After hearing this, Ye Chuan was extremely excited. His long-awaited meeting with Li Hui Kuizi had finally come true.

But he tried hard to suppress his excitement, and even if he was on the same side, he couldn't easily show it. "Director Liu, you must agree to this matter, and you must treat it as a task to complete. This is what Mr. Song told you." Director Liu said seriously.

Ye Chuan pretended to be helpless and said, "Okay, I will complete the task! But I also have a condition!"

"What conditions did you say?"

"If anyone else wants to see me, please help me decline. It's really not convenient. I have many other things to deal with."

"This..." Director Liu didn't know how to respond for a moment, because Mr. Song had instructed that all reasonable requests should be met.

Ye Chuan continued, "In that case, Director Liu, I will try to extend the meeting time with the representative of Nikang Company, Li Hui Kuizi, as much as possible, and try my best to meet all her reasonable requests."

"Well, okay!" Director Liu finally nodded.

Finally getting Ye Chuan's consent, Director Liu breathed a sigh of relief. Foreign affairs work is difficult to coordinate, especially when worried that the other party will make requests that exceed their authority.

The most troublesome thing when dealing with this kind of situation is being caught in the middle. Not only do you have to deal with the pressure from Ye Chuan, but you also have to take into account Li Hui Kuizi's requests. It's really hard to be so caught between the two.

Fortunately, Mr. Song found a solution, and Ye Chuan's attitude was also quite reasonable. If either party failed to reach a proper negotiation, the work would be affected.

At 7pm, Director Liu drove to the foreign-related hotel where the delegation was staying and contacted them by phone in the lobby. Not long after, the graceful Li Huikuizi walked out of the elevator.

"Hello, Mr. Liu," she greeted.

Director Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied with a smile: "Ms. Li Hui, you have finally completed the task as expected."

Li Huikuizi's excitement flashed across her eyes, and she continued calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Liu. I wonder when the two sides have agreed on the date?"

"After the inspection mission is completed tomorrow at noon, I will arrange a car to take Ms. Li Hui back to the hotel after lunch. Director Ye will come to visit you at 1 pm. How long do you want to talk?"

Li Huikuizi thought for a moment and replied, "Since Mr. Ye has taken the whole afternoon to answer my questions, I would like to invite Mr. Ye to dinner in the evening to show my gratitude. I wonder if I can get your understanding and support?"

After thinking for a while, Director Liu nodded in agreement: "Okay, I will discuss this with Mr. Ye tomorrow. As long as Mr. Ye has no other plans, there will be no problem."

This was the first time Director Liu had ever faced such a private banquet, but he didn't want to go to Mr. Song every time he encountered a problem. Asking for too much advice would make it seem that he was incapable of handling the matter.

Since Mr. Song has approved Ye Chuan's meeting with Li Huikuizi, eating should not be a big deal. "In that case, wait for Mr. Ye in the room tomorrow."

Director Liu hesitated for a moment and said, "Ms. Li Hui, is it okay to hold the meeting in your guest room..."

He wanted to say that this might not be appropriate, but considering that the other party was a foreigner, it was difficult to say this.

Li Huikuizi smiled and said, "Mr. Liu must know that I came here with my child and the nanny. Even if you have concerns about me and Mr. Ye, with the child and the nanny here, what else do you have to worry about?"

Director Liu thought about it and agreed. Although he felt something was wrong, he couldn't tell the specific reason, so he could only nod and agree.

The next day arrived quickly. Li Huikuizi still joined the delegation for the morning visit, but she was anxious and wanted time to go to one in the afternoon. Ye Chuan was also anxious and had no time to work. He only wanted to see Li Huikuizi, whom he had not seen for many years.

At 10 am, Director Liu called and informed Ye Chuan that Li Huikuizi invited him to dinner in the evening. Ye Chuan barely controlled his inner excitement and still seemed reluctant on the surface. Finally, after Director Liu's persuasion, he reluctantly agreed.

The current situation is not completely stable, and we still need to be cautious. We must not let the efforts of many years go to waste at the last minute. Contact with foreigners is even more risky. One careless mistake may bring endless troubles, and even without any substantial evidence, it can make people disgusted.

At noon, Ye Chuan went to Quanjude to buy a roast duck, and also brought some snacks such as preserved fruits, braised meat, pickles, milk candies, crisp candies, and several folding fans as handicrafts. However, since the tourism industry had not yet taken off, there were not many handicrafts that could represent Chinese characteristics, which made him deeply regretful.

After waiting until half past twelve, he drove to the foreign-related hotel and found that Director Liu was already waiting in the lobby.

"Director Ye, you're here? What's this big box?"

Ye Chuan smiled and said, "These are all specialties of our capital. It's not easy to meet foreign guests, so we must show our warm hospitality. Director Liu, how about you check them first?"

Director Liu waved his hand and said, "No need. How can I not trust Director Ye?" "Then let's go!" Ye Chuan said, and prepared to walk towards the elevator.

Director Liu glanced at his watch, then pulled him aside and said, "Director Ye, it's not one o'clock yet. Let's wait a little longer. The appointment with Ms. Li Hui was at one o'clock in the afternoon, and it's still fifteen minutes early."

Ye Chuan was somewhat helpless. This man was too rigid. Isn't it just a matter of waiting for ten more minutes? But he couldn't let the other party notice his anxious mood, so he had to put the box down, took out a cigarette, and chatted with Director Liu.