Chapter 679: Both of You Go Back

Chapter 679 Both of You Go Home

Jiang Yu didn’t return home, leaving both He Tingyue and Yao Xiangling unable to settle down.

Only when they saw her arrive safely did they finally relax.

“Did you meet with Comrade Qin?” Yao Xiangling asked.

Jiang Yu nodded. “Yes, he’s staying at our teacher’s place tonight and will return to the Friendship Hotel with me tomorrow. Aunt, I’ll be busy these days showing the foreign guests around, so don’t stay up for me.”

Yao Xiangling was getting older and couldn’t stay up late.

“Alright, I won’t wait for you anymore. Go freshen up and get some sleep.”

With that, she got up and went back to her room.

He Tingyue brought hot water for Jiang Yu so she could take a shower.

“I’ll be right outside. Just holler if you need me.”

Jiang Yu felt guilty for making him wait so long.

“Why don’t you go rest first? I’ll be fine on my own.”

He Tingyue patted her head. “Don’t worry about it. Go on.”

Jiang Yu showered quickly, her hair still wet when she stepped out.

He Tingyue had already prepared a dry towel and draped it over her hair.

Back in the room, Jiang Yu recapped her day—from Stephen and his wife to Carl, and then to Qin Yunan—like she couldn’t stop talking.

She yawned repeatedly, but she kept chattering.

He Tingyue dried her hair while gently massaging her scalp, making her sleepy.

“Get some sleep, sweetheart.”

Jiang Yu drowsily grabbed his hand and mumbled, “I’ll tell you more when I get back tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

But the next morning, she hardly had time to talk with He Tingyue before heading out to the Friendship Hotel.

By the time Jiang Yu arrived, Liu Juanxiu and the others were already waiting downstairs at the hotel.

Seeing her arrive late, they were clearly annoyed.

“Jiang Yu, what took you so long?” Liu Juanxiu was the first to criticize.

Jiang Yu was puzzled. “Stephen and the others haven’t even come down yet. I’m here before them.”

If it weren’t for Qin Yunan and Carl’s appointment to visit Old Song at the research institute, she wouldn’t have had to leave so early.

Zhao Hongbo scolded, “They’re honored guests. Of course, you should be here early to show respect.”

Jiang Yu disagreed. “They may be visitors from abroad, and we do want to discuss potential cooperation, but I don’t believe we’re inferior to them. Even when working together, it should be built on equal footing.”

Just last night, she said she and Tina were friends.

Since they’re friends, they should talk as equals—no need for sucking up.

It dawned on Director Lian—he’d gotten here early too and had been waiting a while. Hearing Jiang Yu, he realized he’d been too wound up.

Director Lian nodded and said seriously, "Just tell the hotel to keep a closer eye on things. In the future, we don’t need to come this early—just arrive ten minutes before the scheduled time. Deputy Director Lu can go back, and the rest of you, except for Xiao Li, can leave as well. No need to come unless I say so."

To receive these foreign guests, the Foreign Trade Ministry had pulled out all the stops, worried they’d slip up on hospitality.

Looking back, they’d really overdone it.

After dismissing those around him, Director Lian turned his gaze to Liu Juanxiu and Zhao Hongbo.

These two had it out for Jiang Yu.

"Are you both from the textile factory?"

They looked at each other and nodded.

Director Lian said, "One stays. The other heads back—no tagalongs."

The two, allies in spite just moments ago, now turned on each other.

Liu Juanxiu spoke first, "Zhao, you go. It’s easier if I stay."

Zhao Hongbo retorted unhappily, "Why shouldn’t you be the one to leave? I don’t see any inconvenience in me staying."

Liu Juanxiu argued anxiously, "I’m more detail-oriented—I should stay."

"Ha! Outrank you. I say you go."

"Not my department. Can’t pull rank on me."

After some back-and-forth, Director Lian cut them off with a wave.

"Both of you, go back. For the textile factory visit, I’ll coordinate directly with your factory director."

That drained the color from both their faces.

Liu Juanxiu had no choice but to plead with Jiang Yu, "Jiang Yu, please put in a word for us. We’re Lao Song’s picks, after all. Walking out now makes him look bad."

Jiang Yu’s face hardened as she held Liu’s gaze.

"From yesterday until now—or rather, from the moment I joined the institute—you two have repeatedly made things difficult for me. Respect’s earned, not handed out."

For seniors, they’d shown zero pride.

Zhao Hongbo, bristling, yanked Liu’s arm.

"Why grovel? Screw this!"

Once they’d left, Director Lian breathed easier.

He asked, "Jiang Yu, after touring the Forbidden City, where next, you think?"

Jiang Yu replied, "The Forbidden City is huge—the central axis alone’s a two-hour walk. If they still have energy afterward, I’ll take them to the National Museum for a quick visit. Scrap the factory tour."

Director Lian: "...Then isn’t today just wasted?"

"Director Lian, that’s not the way to look at it. How could it be a waste? Tina and the others came here mainly to sightsee. The important thing is that they have a good time."

Jiang Yu had originally planned to take Carl to the Second State Cotton Mill, but that would have to wait.

She didn’t think there was anything wrong with this plan.

Director Lian sighed. "You know the situation in our country. They have money—just one deal from them could keep the factory running for a year. We really need this cooperation."

Jiang Yu nodded in understanding. "I get it, but money doesn’t grow on trees. They’re not fools. You think they’ll just buy whatever I say?"

Frustrated, Director Lian had no choice at the moment and had to go along with Jiang Yu.

She wasn’t from the foreign trade department, so he didn’t even dare scold her.

He gave Li Yunzhao a frustrated glare—if you were any good, I wouldn’t have to kiss up like this.

Li Yunzhao scratched his nose, confused.

Soon, Stephen and Tina came down.

Jiang Yu stepped forward with a smile. "Sleep okay last night?"

Tina frowned slightly. "The room and bed were a little small, but it was fine."

Jiang Yu walked alongside her. "Then today, we’ll show you something impressive—we’re going to the Forbidden City."

For the day’s itinerary, Jiang Yu had deliberately changed into a pair of comfortable shoes for walking comfort.

She then noticed Stephen and Tina’s footwear—he was wearing leather shoes, and she had on high heels.

Their feet would be killing them by the end of the day.

"What’s wrong?" Tina asked, puzzled.

Jiang Yu eyed their shoes, tapping her chin. "The shoes you’re wearing might not work."

Tina gasped in exaggerated shock. "What do you mean, not suitable?"

She twirled, her elegant skirt flaring. "These shoes cost me £5,000. The uppers are embedded with sapphires."

They were dazzling, ridiculously fancy.

Jiang Yu said, "Gorgeous shoes, but not great for walking all day, huh? Maybe switch to something else."

Tina lifted her chin. "Jiang, are you taking us shoe shopping?"

Jiang Yu nodded. "Yes, for something you can actually walk in."