Chapter 113: A Slight Understanding

On the other end of the line, Monkey spoke in a rush, "Guoyang, I’m at the Jianghai County Post Office. There’s something big I need to tell you immediately... I’m here with Ergaizi to mail that batch of hair clips, right? Well, we happened to run into a businessman here who thinks our clips are great. He wants to buy five hundred sets all at once. What do you think?"

"Oh..." Zhao Guoyang was momentarily taken aback by the news.

After a brief moment of thought, he made up his mind. Slowing his pace, he instructed Monkey, "Monkey, here is what you do: tell that businessman that we don't have the stock on hand today. If he really wants them, he can leave his contact information, and after I return, we can set a time to sit down and discuss it in detail."

"But... that businessman offered a high price. I doubt he'd care about an extra five mao or a yuan," Monkey replied, feeling it was a pity to pass up the business.

"What, Monkey? Have you forgotten what I told you? You need a broader perspective; don't let petty gains blind you," Zhao Guoyang said earnestly. "Sister Bai is our partner, and this is our first delivery. How could we go back on our word?"

On the other end, Monkey seemed to snap out of it. He responded meekly, "Yes, yes, Guoyang, don't be angry. I understand the principle, I just hate to pass up the immediate cash..."

"Alright, that's enough. Just get his contact information. Once I'm back, we'll invite him to discuss a potential partnership properly. I have a pile of things to deal with here, so I won't talk any longer."

With that, Zhao Guoyang hung up the phone decisively to avoid any further nagging from Monkey.

While Zhao Guoyang was on the phone, Zhao Siyan had stood at a distance, showing no curiosity to eavesdrop. Her thoughtfulness and grace earned a silent appreciation from Zhao Guoyang.

Seeing him finish the call, Zhao Siyan said with a touch of envy, "It really is better to start working for an organization early."

Zhao Guoyang blinked, asking, "How so?"

"Look at you. You haven't been working long, yet you already have a pager. In our Mechanical Engineering Institute, even several of the lecturers haven't bothered to get one yet," she said, pointing at the small black box.

Zhao Guoyang waved his hand, saying, "You've got it wrong. This pager wasn't provided by the factory; I bought it myself."

Her words left Zhao Siyan stunned. Throughout the day, she had noticed that his attire and belongings were not expensive; it was clear he was not from a wealthy family, but rather an ordinary one. That someone from such a background would spend such a large amount of money on a pager was truly incredible to her.

Zhao Guoyang naturally understood the source of the beautiful postgraduate's surprise, but since he couldn't explain much, he changed the subject: "Well, the call is done. Let's head back to the exhibition center and take another look."

Zhao Siyan nodded subconsciously, though the look in her eyes as she watched him held a new, distinct complexity.

...

When they returned to the exhibition hall, the booth for Honda from Japan was holding an interactive event. It was essentially a series of simple trivia questions about automobiles designed to attract the attention of visitors.

Zhao Guoyang originally had no interest in such low-level engagement, but since Zhao Siyan wanted to watch, he followed her over.

On the stage, a mustachioed Japanese man in a suit was speaking with a female interpreter. After he finished, the young, beautiful interpreter with a ponytail smiled sweetly and addressed the crowd: "Welcome to the Honda booth. This is Mr. Okamoto, Deputy Director of Honda's Foreign Investment Department."

"Mr. Okamoto has asked me to convey that, in appreciation of everyone's love for Honda automobiles, we will be hosting various entertainment activities today, along with exquisite gifts!"

"The first activity is a Q&A session. The first person to answer correctly will receive this exquisite pin featuring the Honda Group logo." The interpreter then showcased ten pins neatly arranged on the table.

Admittedly, the activity was quite appealing. It was essentially a race to answer questions—correct answers were rewarded, and wrong ones cost nothing. Why not participate?

Amidst a round of applause, the mustachioed Japanese man began posing the question. The surrounding visitors quieted down, listening intently. The man spoke a string of Japanese, and the interpreter nodded repeatedly, saying "Hai!"

Zhao Siyan clutched her hands to her chest, looking nervous; it seemed she really wanted that pin. Seeing her expression, Zhao Guoyang chuckled softly and leaned over to whisper in her ear, "As soon as the interpreter finishes the question, shout out the answer immediately. The answer is: 'Make the sky bluer for our children'."

"Huh? How do you know... do you speak Japanese?" Zhao Siyan was no fool; she figured it out immediately.

Meeting her intense gaze, Zhao Guoyang said calmly, "I know a little bit..."

The man finished speaking, and the interpreter smiled brightly as she posed the question: "Please pay attention. What is the corporate slogan of the Honda Group? We will now begin!"

"I know!" With Zhao Guoyang's tip, Zhao Siyan was naturally the first to react.

Seeing a beautiful young woman had taken the lead, the mustachioed man beamed, and the interpreter was pleased as well—after all, having a beauty answer the question would certainly draw more people to their booth.

"Very well, this young lady has the opportunity to answer. Please give us your response!"

"The corporate slogan of the Honda Group is 'Make the sky bluer for our children'!" Zhao Siyan replied, feeling slightly uneasy.

"Congratulations! That is absolutely correct. Please come up to receive your prize!" the interpreter cheered, clapping vigorously.

Zhao Siyan turned back to Zhao Guoyang with a radiant smile before walking onto the stage to collect the pin. During this, the crowd began to murmur.

"Wow, that girl is impressive. How did she know such an obscure question?" one person exclaimed.

"Indeed. Honestly, this is the first time I've heard of Honda. Is it the same company as Toyota?" another muttered.

"Haha, don't be ridiculous. How could Honda and Toyota be the same company?"

Amidst the chatter, Zhao Siyan returned to Zhao Guoyang's side. Looking at this young man who stood there smiling quietly—a peer of hers—she couldn't help but ask, "Zhao Guoyang, how did you know the answer to that question? By all accounts, a technical section chief from a small machinery factory shouldn't have access to that information. And you speak Japanese... my god, I... I really can't see through you anymore."