“Is that so?” Deputy Director Feng mused as he looked down, a craftiness dancing in his eyes, “I can’t make any guarantees. You’ve just witnessed Major General Huo firsthand. He’s a soldier, not a diplomat nor a Secret Service agent. He certainly has no obligation to attend the reception.”
Gu Yanran was disappointed, “That’s fine. I just truly admire this young military officer, and wanted to establish a special charity fund for the military personnel in the Empire. It would provide support to the families of the deceased soldiers.”
Deputy Director Feng’s eyes lit up and he took the pipe from his mouth, “Didn’t you say that you would transfer half your fortune to our nation? So then, this charity fund…?”
“This charity fund is one of the projects the Gu Group is discussing right now,” Gu Yanran said with a smile as she continued, “of course, we don’t have to set up the charity fund in your country, there are also many other countries that would be interested as well.”
Although she was just 24-years old, her well practiced business approach was very effective.
Once again, Deputy Director Feng found himself unable to reject Gu Yanran’s offer. However, he was still abiding by his rational principles, because this wasn’t his call to make.
“Ms.Gu, rest assured that I’ll communicate this to my superiors and ask for their thoughts on your most generous offer.”
…
The three day International Extraordinary Women’s Commendation Conference came to a successful end, and the last day was the closing ceremony and reception. In addition to the delegates and event organizers, distinguished guests from the Empire also attended. Anyone that could get a ticket was an elite. The brand new spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bai Shuang, especially came from the capital to attend the closing ceremony and reception. She was also one of the special guests of the International Extraordinary Women’s Commendation Conference. Not long ago, the Huaxia Imperial delegate unexpectedly won a triumphant victory by easily resolving what could’ve been a major international incident. They had also taken the opportunity to introduce the Nandou system to the international market and had created a trap for the smug Americans. Unfortunately, the Americans had used Xin Xinggao as a scapegoat and barely managed to save face.
Huo Shaoheng had led the 6th Military Region on its first excursion to Europe and came out unexpectedly victorious. They were now truly recognized by the Imperial Army. At least within the upper echelons of the Huaxia Empire, all voices opposing the 6th Military Region had ceased.
The person who had reaped the greatest benefit from the incident was the spokesperson of the delegate, Bai Shuang. After her return to the Empire, she had been immediately promoted from the secretary at the Huaxia Imperial Consulate to Austria to the Deputy Director and also the new spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As the fastest promoted female official in the Huaxia Empire, Bai Shuang was also invited to the International Extraordinary Women’s Commendation Conference. The closing ceremony was held in the afternoon and reception in the evening. Bai Shuang arrived in a simple and clean rose colored dress suit. The cut was flattering and the workmanship was reminiscent of the old tailors of the capital, comparable to international styles. Female politicians attending from other countries all recognized Bai Shuang. She had been outstanding at the International Telecommunications Conference and had established herself a name as the new spokesperson of the Huaxia Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was now the benchmark and role model for many feminists from all over the world. Bai Shuang held a glass of champagne and chatted with the female politicians gracefully.
The reception was held on the second floor lobby of the convention center. Huo Shaoheng and Zhao Liangze both stood on the balcony extending from the lobby, uninterested in what the women were talking about. Huo Shaoheng was not in military uniform, but a luxurious black casual suit. The top buttons of his suit jacket were left undone to reveal a white Egyptian cotton shirt, and a red vest. He also had on matching black trousers and held a cigarette as he leaned against the balcony railings, lost in his thoughts.
Zhao Liangze was wearing a light blue casual suit jacket with white trousers and a white T-shirt. His casual handsome appearance was even more relaxed than Huo Shaoheng’s. Zhao Liangze also held a cigarette and smoked as he played around on his phone.
“Brother Ze, what are you doing?” It was only seven in the morning where Gu Nianzhi was, and she had just gotten up to go for a morning run. She had unlocked her phone and seen a text from Zhao Liangze asking how she was doing. Gu Nianzhi happily texted him back.
Zhao Liangze received her reply and looked at his watch in surprise. With the time difference, it was only Saturday morning over there. Why is she up so early on the weekend? He wondered.
Zhao Liangze replied to her, saying, “I’m at the reception!” He looked at Huo Shaoheng, who was smoking silently against the railing, and then typed: “Mr. Huo is here too.”
Her interest instantly piqued, Gu Nianzhi nagged Zhao Liangze to send her a live stream of the event.
Zhao Liangze couldn’t help snickering, as he wrote: “What’s there to see? A bunch of women quacking like hundreds of ducks.”
“Hmph! Brother Ze, careful not to get beat up when you speak like that.” Gu Nianzhi cautioned him, and then continued begging him for the live stream: “I don’t care about seeing those women, just let me see Uncle Huo.”
Zhao Liangze was about to refuse when Deputy Director Yan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs walked over to pull Huo Shaoheng. “Let’s go, Mr. Huo. There’s someone looking for you there; hurry up.”
Huo Shaoheng had been forced by the highest authority of the Imperial Army to attend this reception. He was a soldier—as long as it was military duty, he would even be willing to dance. For the sake of ‘victory,’he had done all kinds of cruel things and it wouldn’t be the first time he had used foul play. But, it would be impossible to ask him to put on a smile and mill around. He was expressionless as he followed Deputy Director Yan to the reception hall, cutting through the circles of people conversing. He arrived at hidden corner in the hall.
Bai Shuang turned and smiled at Huo Shaoheng.
“Chief, we meet again.”
Huo Shaoheng nodded. “Secretary Bai.”
Deputy Director Yan smiled. “She’s no longer Secretary Bai. Bai Shuang is now the youngest spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her future is bright and boundless!”
“Congratulations.” Huo Shaoheng nodded again.
Bai Shuang was very excited. “Please don’t say that, Chief. I have to thank you and Secretary Zhao.”
Huo Shaoheng threw the cigarette into the trash can in the corner and reached out for a glass of red wine on the platter a waiter was holding. He held his glass up to Bai Shuang, “Nonetheless, cheers to you.”
Zhao Liangze was alone on the balcony and finally agreed to Gu Nianzhi’s request. He turned on the video chat and pointed the camera towards the hall where Huo Shaoheng was standing. It focused first on Gu Yanran, who was standing in the other side of the hall in a cream colored Chanel summer dress. Deputy Director Yan had brought her over to Huo Shaoheng and Bai Shuang. Gu Nianzhi gripped the phone as she looked at the gorgeous women flanking Huo Shaoheng. She recognized one woman as the spokesperson Bai Shuang, and the other was an exquisitely beautiful stranger. Gu Nianzhi’s eyes scanned over the two women and paused on Huo Shaoheng. Unfortunately, she could only glimpse his back from Zhao Liangze’s angle. However, even his back was enough to make her eyes light up, and she wished she could embrace the screen.
Bai Shuang recalled the most stressful moment of the conference. “My blood turned cold when I heard the Americans announce that they had cracked the code. I had no idea how to react. Thankfully, you helped me out. Your subordinate, Secretary Zhao, has sent me the text that saved me.”