Afternoon.
Japan, Tokyo International Airport.
After leaving the immigration and collecting their luggage, they saw two young men holding a Chinese sign outside. These two men are there to fetch the staff from the Investment Promotion Agencies. They are from the City’s Agency and had arrived earlier to make preparations. There is a group of people standing in front of them who looks familiar to Dong Xuebing. He had met some of them during a meeting at the City Investment Promotion Agency. They were on the same flight, but they boarded the plane last and were seated at the front.
Dong Xuebing walks over to them with Zhang Fan, Yu Rui, and Luo Haiting following behind.
“Chief Dong? How come I did not see you all during boarding?”
“We are delayed at the customs.”
“It’s good that you can make it on time. Alright. Everyone is here.”
The person talking to Dong Xuebing is a middle-aged man in his forties and is wearing an expensive suit. Dong Xuebing had never spoken to him before. He had only attended a City Investment Promotion Agency meeting once and know this person is Pang Zhengyi, the Nan Shan District Investment Promotion Agency’s Chief. The staff from other districts also arrived, and a large group is formed.
It suddenly becomes chaotic when there is a big group.
All the Chiefs, regardless of their districts or Counties, are holding the same rank, and there is no one to lead them. All the Chiefs have their plans, and some even started arguing.
The argument is over a minor issue.
Although the staff had arrived in Japan earlier and is at the airport to receive them, they did not arrange transportation. They do not have an office in Japan, and everyone has to take a taxi. But a dispute arises over where they should go first. Some want to go to the hotel, but some want to visit the venue. They are afraid the venue cannot be set up in time for tomorrow’s fair.
Dong Xuebing did not join in the argument and walked out to have a smoke.
Zhang Fan notices Dong Xuebing taking out his cigarette and quickly took out a lighter. But Luo Haiting snatched the lighter from him and lit the cigarette.
“Thank you.” Dong Xuebing took a few puffs and felt better.
Luo Haiting is upset over the incident earlier and felt she had caused trouble for Dong Xuebing. She kept the lighter in her bag and told Zhang Fan that she needs it to light Chief Dong’s cigarettes next time.
“Japan’s air quality is quite good.”
“That’s right. I can feel it the moment we got off the plane.”
The four of them chatted and joked, while the rest are arguing not far from them. Dong Xuebing might be infamous in Yan Tai County, but he had not caused any trouble in the City. Many of them know Yan Tai County’s Investment Promotion Agency had achieved outstanding results this year under his leadership, and some heard he is aggressive. But they don’t know much about him.
Ten minutes later, there is a conclusion.
It seems that Nan Shan District’s Investment Promotion Agency’s Chief Pang Zhengyi had suggested hiring a bus while they take taxis to the hotel to drop their luggage. The bus will then send them to the venue from the hotel.
Dong Xuebing is fine with it and asked Yu Rui to note the hotel’s address before boarding a taxi.
Yu Rui told the driver the address, and the driver nodded.
Luo Haiting suddenly moved closer and whispered. “Chief Pang Zhengyi… is Da Feng County’s former Investment Promotion Agency’s Chief Pang’s cousin.”
Dong Xuebing was surprised. “Huh? Really?”
“I think so. But they didn’t seem to be close from what I heard.”
Dong Xuebing nodded and made a mental note. He causes pang Zhou’s dismissal, and Pang Zhengyi should not have a good impression of him. But he did not notice anything amiss from their interactions earlier. He asked Luo Haiting about the rest of the group, but she does not know most of them.
……
Hotel.
Dong Xuebing took a hot shower in his room after dropping off his luggage.
This should be a 5-stars hotel which is booked by the local authorities. But they did not arrange buses and other services for them, and Dong Xuebing felt this is unacceptable. When Japanese investors went to Yan Tai County, Xiang Daofa received them and made all sorts of arrangements.
Dong Xuebing’s phone rang when he was drying his hair.
“Hello, who’s that?”
“I’m Pang Zhengyi. Are you Chief Dong?”
“Oh, Chief Pang.” Dong Xuebing narrowed his eyes. “It’s me.”
“The bus is here, but there are some issues with the venue’s electrical system, and it will be shut down in the afternoon. Today’s schedule is temporarily canceled.”
“What about the venue set up?”
“We have to go over to the venue earlier tomorrow morning. I hope we can set up in time.”
After hanging up, Dong Xuebing felt the local authorities are unreliable.
After drying his hair, Dong Xuebing called Luo Haiting, Zhang Fan, and Yu Rui to his room. He told them about the cancellation after they arrive.
“Then today…” Luo Haiting looks at Dong Xuebing.
Zhang Fan also waited for Dong Xuebing’s further instructions.
Dong Xuebing knows what they are thinking and laughed. “It’s free and easy today. You all just need to be careful when you all go out. It will be best to go out with a partner.”
“Yes.” Zhang Fan and the rest are waiting for Dong Xuebing to say this.
Dong Xuebing added. “Keep all the transportation, food, etc., receipts for reimbursement claims after we get back. The Agency will reimburse any purchases under 5,000 RMB.” Transportation, food, and lodging are fine, but shopping reimbursements are considered a benefit, and 5,000 RMB is a lot. He wants to reward them, and it’s rare for them to travel. Anyway, the Agency is rich now.
Zhang Fan is overjoyed. They can even reimburse their shopping expenses up to 5,000 RMB?!
Zhang Fan and Yu Rui left happily to contact other staff members from other Agencies to go out.
Luo Haiting remained in the room.
Dong Xuebing noticed Sister Luo had changed her clothes. She is wearing a black dress with red flower prints and a pair of white heels. Her dressing is more exaggerated than what she wears to work. She also seems to have taken a shower as he can smell shampoo fragrance.
“Chief, can I have the honor to invite you to shop with me?” Luo Haiting smiled.
Dong Xuebing thought for a while. They are not in Yan Tai County and do not need to be mindful of gossips. “Sure. Let’s go. Haha… just don’t blame me for walking too slow.”
“No. I will accompany you wherever you go.”
“I am not buying anything. Let’s just walk around.”
They left the hotel and started walking around the hotel.
Tokyo, or Japan, does not have North or South streets. The roads are all over the place, and it’s hard to differentiate the direction. Dong Xuebing wrote down the hotel’s name before they left, as it will be easier for them to return if they are lost.
Soon, they saw a large shopping mall in front of them.
Dong Xuebing and Luo Haiting entered the mall and started shopping. He is speechless to see Luo Haiting shops. She bought a dress, two sets of cosmetics, and even a pair of stockings in front of him.
Dong Xuebing felt all these could be bought in China.
They conversed in English with the staff and went to have a quick meal at a fast-food restaurant before returning to the hotel.
A drunk man stumbled into Dong Xuebing when he stepped out of the taxi.
The man is in his fifties and is wearing a suit. He is well dressed, but he smells of alcohol.
Dong Xuebing quickly supported him. “Hey!”
That man looks at Dong Xuebing. “Hotel… Is this… my hotel?”
That man is speaking in Mandarin.
Luo Haiting quickly walks over with her shopping bags.
Dong Xuebing frowned as he looks at this man. He finds his looks familiar. Most people he felt familiar with are the people he met before on TV or in real life. But this person is different. He knows he had never seen him before, but he still finds him familiar.
“Hey, Bro. Wake up.” Luo Haiting called him.
That drunkard mumbled something and fell asleep against Dong Xuebing.
“Chief, he…” Luo Haiting looks at Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing tried to recall where he had met this person and replied. “Let’s help him into the hotel. We are all Chinese and should help one another.” Dong Xuebing has always been helpful and does not want to dump this person by the roadside. Furthermore, he finds this person resembling someone he knows.
“… ok.”
Luo Haiting carried her shopping bags in one hand and helped Dong Xuebing support that man into the hotel with her other hand.
