Chapter 116: Something’s Not Right

Zhao Siyan cleared her throat softly and looked at the beautiful interpreter. “Miss, I have finished answering the questions. Whether my answers are right or wrong, please let me know quickly.”

The beautiful interpreter was momentarily taken aback by her words, then her gaze shifted back to the little mustached Okamoto.

Okamoto had just come to his senses. He walked over to the interpreter and muttered a few words.

After the little mustached man finished speaking, the interpreter nodded and smiled warmly at Zhao Siyan. “Miss, your answers are entirely correct. Please accept this gift.”

Handing the brooch to Zhao Siyan, the interpreter continued, “Also, Mr. Okamoto has a small favor to ask. He would like to know how Miss Zhao came to know about the third technical feature…”

Still holding the brooch in her hand, Zhao Siyan barely had time to feel pleased before the interpreter’s words caused a twitch of discomfort to cross her face.

Instinctively, she glanced toward Zhao Guoyang in the audience and saw him shaking his head vigorously.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang’s gesture left Zhao Siyan at a loss for how to respond.

Facing the hopeful expression of the beautiful interpreter, she could only improvise, “Well, I heard it from a friend… isn’t that okay?”

The interpreter paused briefly, then translated her words to the little mustached Okamoto.

Upon hearing the translation, Okamoto’s gaze shifted toward the spot where Zhao Guoyang was standing in the audience.

Zhao Guoyang noticed the intense stare from the little mustached man and couldn’t help but smile inwardly. It seemed this little mustached fellow was not foolish and had realized that he was the true answerer.

No wonder. When Zhao Siyan had answered, there was a clear trace of rote memorization. Any intelligent interpreter could see through that slight hint.

Moreover, her last sentence, which seemed thoughtless, completely spoiled the act.

On the stage, the little mustached man fixed his eyes on Zhao Guoyang while mumbling a few words to the interpreter.

Feeling uncomfortable under that intense gaze, Zhao Guoyang reluctantly turned his eyes elsewhere.

As he did, he happened to see Wang Ziqing, Liang Xiaofeng, and a few other imposing figures not far away.

Seeing Wang Ziqing and Liang Xiaofeng, Zhao Guoyang was already somewhat taken aback. When he noticed the several formidable people standing before them, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

As Zhao Guoyang looked their way, they had already been quietly watching him for quite some time.

Especially Li Kejian, whose gaze conveyed deep admiration and approval.

“Hmm, that elder…” Li Kejian’s familiar face seemed to stir a memory in Zhao Guoyang’s mind.

“Wasn’t he the dealer I met at Sanyang Group?” Zhao Guoyang slapped his forehead, suddenly recalling that chance encounter with the elder.

As his eyes fell on these distinguished individuals, the discreet security personnel surrounding them subtly stepped forward, seemingly ready to respond at any moment.

Having previous experience dealing with high-ranking officials, Zhao Guoyang noticed the movements of the plainclothes guards and the respectful posture of Wang Ziqing and Liang Xiaofeng standing behind the group. He began to suspect the situation.

“This doesn’t feel right… so many security agents around these people, with Director Wang and Director Liang personally accompanying them. Their identities must be significant—most likely ministerial-level leaders. But why are they all staring at me?”

Just as Zhao Guoyang found this odd, Wang Ziqing behind him kept giving him sly winks, clearly urging him to come over and meet these leaders.

Seeing Wang Ziqing’s prompting, Zhao Guoyang realized he couldn’t refuse and stopped pondering further. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to step forward.

No sooner had Zhao Guoyang begun to move than the beautiful interpreter hurriedly called out from the stage, “Hey, sir, please don’t leave yet. Mr. Okamoto has something important to discuss with you!”

As she spoke, she started to descend the stage, ignoring even Zhao Siyan.

Though Zhao Guoyang heard the interpreter’s words, he pretended not to and quickened his pace toward Li Kejian and the others, fearing that the little mustached man might block him if he lingered.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang, with whom he had a prior acquaintance, approaching, Li Kejian’s face flushed with a subtle glow of excitement.

Since their chance meeting at Sanyang Group, Li Kejian had taken a genuine interest in this young man and had even leveraged some of his connections within the Machinery Industry Committee to have Director Fang help “pull out” this promising talent.

Indeed, in Li Kejian’s eyes, Zhao Guoyang was undoubtedly a bright prospect for the machinery industry.

Furthermore, after hearing Wang Ziqing’s report and witnessing the recent scene with his own eyes, Li Kejian felt that the phrase “bright prospect” no longer sufficed to describe the young man’s significance.

This youth was clearly a rare industrial genius.

Li Kejian had a faint premonition that the future pace of the Republic’s industrial development might well accelerate because of this young man.

“He’s coming! Finally, this kid has noticed us! Old Li, after all your long travels, you can finally fulfill your wish!” Ji Zhongxuan said enviously to his old friend.

“Ah, cough cough,” Li Kejian tidied his appearance and said softly, “Old Ji, don’t embarrass me later. Keep it down.”

“Alright, but that depends on whether you give me enough benefits!” Ji Zhongxuan teased, shaking his head.

“Enough nonsense. The usual two Chinese cigarettes!” Li Kejian shot his old buddy a glare, holding up two fingers.

Watching these two veteran experts banter, Huang Zhigang and Fang Xuesen exchanged glances and couldn’t help but admire, “Director Fang, your Machinery Industry Committee comrades really have an eye for talent! Old Li discovered such an extraordinary talent during the Sanyang Group visit. Truly impressive!”

“Since young Zhao is here, why don’t we all go to the city government for a visit and have a good talk? Director Fang, what do you think?”

Huang Zhigang’s mind was already scheming. Fang Xuesen understood perfectly.

He intended to take Zhao Guoyang to the Songjiang Municipal Government, plainly aiming to use his home-field advantage to try to recruit him.

Songjiang City was China’s largest city and an economic powerhouse. If Mayor Huang really lowered his pride and personally invited Zhao Guoyang to work there, the outcome was anyone’s guess.

After some thought, Fang Xuesen waved his hand and smiled. “Mayor Huang, the city government is quite a distance from this exhibition center. I think it would be better if we just went to the Municipal Machinery Industry Committee.”

Seeing Fang Xuesen’s knowing look, Huang Zhigang could only nod reluctantly, his mind filled with unspoken discontent.