Chapter 1413 - 1411: Beihai Country Inspection
Yang Chen merely cast a faint glance toward the people taking pictures, then smiled and turned to look at the leaders who had come to receive them.
The man standing at the very front spoke up, "Welcome, President Yang and President Ye, to our site inspection!"
Hearing that perfectly standard Flame Country accent, Yang Chen looked at him with some surprise.
The man smiled and explained, "I’m a native of Flame Country. I’ve been studying in Beihai Country all along. After graduation I stayed on here to live and work. I’m very familiar with Beihai Country, which is why I had the opportunity to become the head of this branch."
Yang Chen suddenly understood.
Wei Xueqing seemed to have mentioned him to him before.
And the position of person in charge naturally had to be given to someone trustworthy. This man couldn’t be more suitable.
"Your name is...?" Yang Chen asked.
"My name is Zhao Guozong."
"What’s your Beihai Country name?"
"Mura and Kokuso."
Yang Chen let out a light chuckle. "Not much different from Flame Country, just swapped out the surname."
Zhao Guozong laughed and said, "A name is just a code. I still prefer my Flame Country name."
Yang Chen nodded slightly and said to Zhao Guozong, "This trip is an internal company matter. Let’s skip any photo ops or publicity."
"Understood!" Although a bit puzzled, Zhao Guozong immediately nodded in agreement, then turned around, ready to tell the photographers to leave.
But then he saw Purple Cultivator, who had come out first, already step forward and snatch away several people’s cameras, leaving only a cameraman standing there dumbfounded.
Surprised, Zhao Guozong turned back to look at Yang Chen, but Yang Chen just smiled.
Though muttering inwardly, Zhao Guozong didn’t dare say anything more.
At this moment, Ye Xin and the others also came down.
When they saw Ye Xin, the people of Beihai Country couldn’t help letting out a chorus of exclamations.
"She’s so beautiful!"
"So gorgeous!"
"Is this a fairy descending to the mortal world?"
"She must be the kind of great beauty Flame Country only sees once in five thousand years!"
"The emperor must have blessed me, to let me see such a beauty in my lifetime!"
...
Their eyes were all glued to her.
Seeing this, Yang Chen gave a cold snort.
"I think we’d better head back to the company for the tour first," Yang Chen said displeased.
Snapping back to himself, Zhao Guozong hurriedly said, "Of course!"
After signaling everyone to clear a path, he bent at the waist and made a "please" gesture. "Our staff at the company are fully prepared and ready to welcome your inspection at any time!"
Yang Chen looked at Ye Xin.
Ye Xin had also noticed Yang Chen’s displeasure, and couldn’t help pressing her lips together in a faint smile.
That hint of a smile was so alluring that the Beihai Country men present nearly started drooling.
Yang Chen frowned slightly and glared at Ye Xin.
Ye Xin shrugged. She hadn’t been putting on an act; it was just a completely natural reaction.
Unfortunately, every move she made, every frown and every smile, carried lethal charm that people found impossible to look away from.
Helplessly, Yang Chen reached out to take Ye Xin’s small hand.
Ye Xin also very naturally placed her hand on top of Yang Chen’s, and Yang Chen took her hand and led her down the steps toward the vehicles prepared in front for their reception.
Purple Cultivator had already finished checking them, confirming there were no issues with the cars.
Seeing Yang Chen and Ye Xin leave, the crowd couldn’t help letting out a silent wail in their hearts.
They could clearly tell Yang Chen and Ye Xin were most likely a couple, so they no longer had any chance.
Looking at the two figures from behind, Zhao Guozong sighed with envy and said, "President Yang is really blessed, to be able to find a beauty like President Ye."
The others chimed in one after another, "Exactly!"
"I’m so jealous of President Yang!"
"If I could live just one day of President Yang’s life, this whole lifetime would be worth it!"
"President Yang is truly our role model! It’s just too envy-inducing!"
"Flame Country really is a vast land rich in beauty!"
...
They all sighed in admiration, and most of it came from the heart. They really were envious, or rather, jealous.
But Beihai Country people were good at putting on a front. Their faces were still full of smiles, maintaining an appearance of deep respect.
Yang Chen took all of this in and sneered inwardly.
The car started up and slowly headed toward the city center.
Rejing City was also a big city with a large population and heavy traffic congestion, so the car moved very slowly.
After driving for nearly an hour and a half, they finally arrived at the branch office.
At the company entrance, employees had already lined up in a welcoming formation. A banner had been hung up, some people were holding signs, and several women held bouquets, ready to present flowers.
As soon as they got out of the car, the crowd surged forward, shouting welcomes and cheering nonstop.
Those holding flowers wanted to step up and present them.
Yang Chen didn’t step forward; instead, Purple Cultivator went up to block them and took the flowers.
Ye Xin’s appearance was just too eye-catching. The men all craned their necks and stood on tiptoe, trying to catch a glimpse of Ye Xin’s peerless beauty.
The scene was a bit chaotic.
Seeing this, Zhao Guozong immediately scolded, "What do you think you’re doing! The leaders are here—how can you behave so rudely!"
When the employees heard this, they immediately quieted down. Some even bowed to apologize.
For the people of Beihai Country, work was extremely important, because every one of them was under great pressure. Only by constantly working, without stopping, could they ensure a basic standard of living. Losing even a bit of work in the city would be a devastating blow to them.
If they lost their job, they’d have no salary, no way to eat, no way to pay rent, no way to make their monthly payments.
The economic pressure in Beihai Country was huge. Everyone lived in dire straits; even consumption was taxed, and savings required paying a custody fee to the bank... The pressure was relentless and omnipresent, weighing down on them at every moment.
So a job was extremely important to them.
At work, even kneeling without dignity to apologize was a very common thing.
After the reprimand, Zhao Guozong turned to Yang Chen with an apologetic look. "I’m sorry, our employees are lacking in manners and have made you laugh at us."
Yang Chen didn’t respond; he just walked inside.
Feeling a bit uneasy, Zhao Guozong hurriedly followed.
Once inside the company, Yang Chen inspected the premises and asked about the status of various projects and their current development.
In the end, Yang Chen went to the conference room to rest.
Zhao Guozong had someone bring in tea and refreshments.
"This is one of Beihai Country’s more distinctive matcha teas. Please have a taste. And here are some snacks as well—I hope you’ll like them," Zhao Guozong said respectfully.
Yang Chen picked up the matcha, sniffed it, but didn’t drink. He set it down and looked at Zhao Guozong.
Watching Yang Chen’s movements, Zhao Guozong grew extremely nervous.
"How long have you been living in Beihai Country?" Yang Chen asked.
After thinking for a moment, Zhao Guozong replied, "Since I came here for school, it’s been about fifteen years now."
"That’s quite a while. Are your family members all still in Flame Country?"
"My wife and child live here with me in Beihai Country. My parents are still in Flame Country, in Shanchuan. I’m from Shanchuan."
"Oh! Do you go back often?"
"Once a year, usually, when I take my annual leave I’ll go back once."
"Do you feel at home?"
"Huh?"
"Do you feel life is better in Beihai Country, or in Flame Country?"
"Of course in Flame Country!" Zhao Guozong answered without the slightest hesitation.
Yang Chen smiled and said, "Don’t misunderstand me. I mean in terms of daily life, are you more used to Flame Country or Beihai Country?"
After a moment’s hesitation, Zhao Guozong answered, "I’ve gotten used to living here, so I feel like this side is a bit better. But when I go back home, I still feel the comfort of home. The pressure in Beihai Country is really too much!"
Yang Chen nodded slowly and asked no more.