Free Web NovelChapter 350: Chapter 350: Working Overtly and Covertly
The car arrived on time.
Inside the car, Jiang Cheng and the others exchanged glances, preparing to get out. Before they could open the door, someone outside had already pulled it open for them.
The disparity in treatment played out once more.
"Ms. Jiang Cheng, welcome to the Hua Xia delegation. I’m Mike Lapus, just call me Mike."
A gentleman wearing glasses, about 1.8 meters tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and well-defined features, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, elegantly extended his hand with the palm up, as if waiting for Jiang Cheng’s affection.
"Hello, Mr. Lapus."
Jiang Cheng took a step back, and the elder behind her, the most prestigious scientist for this mission, Lao Zhang, stepped forward, placing his slightly rough palm on the back of Mike’s hand.
Mike smiled gracefully, glanced tenderly at Jiang Cheng, and helped Lao Zhang out of the car without a hint of difficulty.
Jiang Cheng followed behind Lao Zhang, standing on his other side, keeping a distance from Mike.
Jiang Cheng didn’t consider herself overly proud; she genuinely felt that this Mike was an enemy’s beauty trap.
This man had a model-like face and eyes that seemed to look at everything with deep affection, even dogs.
Better safe than sorry, it’s good to be cautious.
The Hua Xia delegation got out one by one, and Mike, seemingly unintentionally, moved closer to Jiang Cheng, focusing all his gentleness and attention on her.
After the other delegations got off, the group bustled into the modern factory, donned special protective suits, and began the tour accompanied by Mike and other staff.
As the Hua Xia delegation’s representative, Jiang Cheng was responsible for all the negotiations.
Naturally, Mike came to Jiang Cheng’s side, constantly trying to showcase his charm.
"Ms. Jiang Cheng, watch your step on the stairs."
"Allow me to open the door for you."
"Ms. Jiang Cheng, be careful of the slippery ground."
Mike’s self-proclaimed attentiveness felt noisy and deliberate to Jiang Cheng.
A true gentleman wouldn’t explain every action he took.
Just opening a door, and he’s already feeling proud.
Jiang Cheng remained expressionless, while Mike internally wondered: Could his charm be fading?
In the past, whenever he acted attentively, women would always appreciate it.
But what’s going on with this Jiang Cheng?
Logically, with his looks, just standing here should make her heart flutter a bit.
Mike couldn’t figure it out, but it didn’t stop him from continuing his act.
As long as he could win Jiang Cheng over, he was promised a million.
"Jiang Cheng..."
"Mr. Lapus, did you know your cologne is quite strong?"
"Also, there’s glitter here. If I’m not mistaken, you didn’t clean up properly after removing makeup, right?"
"Do you need more feedback? But the next words won’t be so pleasant."
Jiang Cheng didn’t have the patience to listen further and directly pointed it out.
Mike instinctively touched his right cheek; he indeed was pulled straight from a nightclub.
The gesture made contempt flash in Jiang Cheng’s eyes.
That look stung Mike, but he continued to play his part.
"I don’t understand what you mean, Ms. Jiang Cheng."
Jiang Cheng gave a cold smile.
She didn’t care what profession he was in, but coming out to deceive, especially trying to fool her, wasn’t acceptable.
"No worries, someone will understand."
Jiang Cheng stopped walking, and the surrounding Hua Xia delegation representatives also halted.
A real person in charge came over, looking at Jiang Cheng and asking, "Ms. Jiang Cheng, is there anything you need help with?"
"Him!"
Jiang Cheng pointed a finger, and the counterpart’s representative immediately understood.
He had long said that the so-called beauty trap was useless against Jiang Cheng.
The beauty trap works because someone tries to achieve their goals through it. Clearly, Jiang Cheng didn’t need it.
The representative promptly nodded to show he understood.
"Alright, I’ll replace your guide right away."
Mike wanted to say something, but a look from the representative made him swallow his words.
Soon, another professional guide took his place, and Mike was led away, and the tour continued.
An hour later, after the factory tour, the real main event was about to begin.
The M group representative stood up, addressed everyone, "For the next stage of the visit, due to equipment maintenance, only two people per delegation can participate."
"What? How is that possible?"
"That wasn’t the arrangement before."
"Two people aren’t enough. We need to verify the integrity and performance parameters of the equipment. This requires teamwork."
All the delegations began to argue, trying to secure the most benefits, including Hua Xia.
The M group representative let everyone "speak freely," waited until they were almost done, and then spoke.
"These are our rules. If you can’t comply, you can opt out of this visit."
"Also, regarding equipment sales, we will ensure quality on our side, so please rest assured."
The M group’s firmness gradually quieted the others.
In reality, everyone understood the other’s motive; arguing was a way to possibly gain an advantage.
After everyone accepted it, the main issue became who was going to go.
While everyone was making their choices, Hua Xia’s decision was simple, with Lao Zhang and another scientist going.
As Hua Xia made their decision, the M group representative spoke again.
"Sorry, but we have to add another condition: scientists cannot participate. This involves confidential content, so we ask for your understanding."
M group’s words caused an uproar again.
Representatives from R group, H group, and others nearly surrounded the M group representative, firing questions while translators sweated busily.
A group of people speaking seven or eight languages, chattering away.
Jiang Cheng joined the commotion, her voice being the loudest.
Not for anything else, but to cause some ear damage to the M group representative.
Half an hour later, the second round of chaos calmed down once more, and everyone accepted it again.
Every delegation reluctantly chose two people.
For Hua Xia, it was Jiang Cheng and a young assistant girl, while Lao Zhang clutched his chest, supported by another gritting his teeth, red-eyed scientist male.
The two were thoroughly instructing Jiang Cheng and the young assistant girl.
Jiang Cheng and the young assistant girl, with exceptional acting skills, asked, "What? Say it slower."
"What’s a thruster? What does it look like?"
"Oh, oh, oh... what did you say about the previous part?"
Such conversations occurred in every delegation.
Ten minutes later, under M group’s guidance, Jiang Cheng and others from the delegations entered the secure, encrypted area.
Jiang Cheng and the young girl, like the least experienced, needed to look at everything, trying to remember every detail.
The M group representative casually let them observe, knowing outsiders could only see the excitement but not understand.
Ever since entering, Jiang Cheng continuously raised her hand to ask questions; she genuinely didn’t understand.
The young assistant girl was diligently building models, sketching, and memorizing every detail in her mind.
The two, one in the open, the other in the shadows, worked seamlessly together.
