Chapter 378: Chapter 377: Commodity Trade Fair
"It’s gorgeous," Guo Zhaoyang said. "Team Leader, don’t tell me this is one of our exhibits?"
Xue Yue nodded. "It is. This is Su Xiu."
Deng Weiwei looked at Xue Yue’s outfit, her eyes filled with envy. "It’s so beautiful. How have I never noticed how beautiful qipaos are before?"
Ding Ruzhi said, "Qipaos are nice, but not everyone can pull them off. Shorter people can’t carry the look; they don’t have the right frame for them."
Ding Ruzhi was telling the truth, but Deng Weiwei felt like she was being personally targeted.
It was no wonder, given that she was the shortest one there. Everyone else was taller than her.
"Ding Ruzhi, what did I ever do to you? Why are you always picking on me?"
Ding Ruzhi looked at her, astonished. "Girl, you understand plain language, don’t you? I was just being honest, trying to save you from embarrassing yourself. Why are you so eager to get chewed out?"
"You..."
Xue Yue frowned. "That’s enough. Is this the place for arguing? Anyone who doesn’t want to be here can leave."
The two of them fell silent.
Zhao Li curled her lip.
Delegates from several countries started trickling in. Arrangements had already been made in a previous meeting; each country had a designated host.
They browsed as they walked, accompanied by their interpreters.
Occasionally, they would pick up an item or two, only to shake their heads and put them back down.
Seeing the delegation from Country M enter, Xue Yue went up to greet them.
"Hello, are you Mr. Dennis?" Xue Yue asked in English.
The visitor was a middle-aged man with a full beard and deep-set eyes, with only one person trailing behind him.
"I am. Who are you?"
Xue Yue was surprised he could speak Chinese. "Mr. Dennis, I’m Xue Yue from the Ministry of Commerce. I’m in charge of your tour of the exhibits."p>Dennis said nothing, simply walking further into the hall. Xue Yue kept pace beside him.
"Your Chinese is very good, Mr. Dennis. Have you been to Hua Country before?"
Dennis nodded. "Yes, once. But back then, the country wasn’t as peaceful as it is now."
"Are you a fan of Hua Country’s culture, Mr. Dennis?"
"It’s fine. I’m more interested in antiques from Hua Country."
Hearing this, Xue Yue led him to the Jingtai Blue Porcelain display.
A dazzling array of porcelain was on display. Dennis picked up a piece, glanced at it, and put it down again.
Xue Yue began her introduction. "Jingtai Blue Porcelain is a craft that has been passed down through our imperial courts for centuries. Its use of copper-body filigree and mineral-based glazes creates a unique texture that cannot be replicated elsewhere. It serves as both a beautiful furnishing and a decorative piece. We in Hua Country also believe in feng shui, and these pieces are thought to have a positive effect. Mr. Dennis, since you appreciate our country’s antiques, you must know that Jingtai Blue Porcelain also has significant collectible value."
Dennis picked the vase he had just set down back up, tracing the patterns on its surface.
Xue Yue explained, "It’s all painted by hand, which gives it that rich texture."
Dennis studied it for a moment. "The pieces are nice, but shipping porcelain to my country is risky. We’ve always purchased porcelain from Hua Country through Hong Kong businessmen."
Xue Yue knew this, of course. In the past, most exports had to go through Hong Kong businessmen who acted as intermediaries. They would buy items for tens of yuan and mark them up by hundreds to sell overseas, pocketing a massive profit.
Xue Yue said, "We have an enamel factory right here in Beijing City. If you’re interested, Mr. Dennis, you could go take a look. They’ve upgraded their shockproof packaging, so they can ship directly without any need for a middleman."
Dennis stood up and studied Xue Yue intently. He then nodded. "If it’s truly as you say, I’ll consider importing directly from you."
Xue Yue smiled warmly. "Of course."
Dennis looked at Xue Yue. "You’re very beautiful. The most beautiful woman from the East I’ve ever seen."
Xue Yue smiled. "Mr. Dennis, there are countless women in my country more beautiful than I am. I believe it’s this qipao that makes me stand out."
Dennis frowned. "Oh? What do you mean?"
Xue Yue gestured to her dress. "This is our country’s Su Xiu. It’s a combination of silk weaving and embroidery. The fineness of the silk threads and the density of the stitches are on par with the best in the world. The color gradients are seamless. Wear it, and you’ll be the center of attention wherever you go."
Dennis quickly caught on. He smiled and said, "I see what you’re doing. You’re trying to recommend your Su Xiu to me."
Xue Yue smiled and nodded. "Yes, that was my intention. But it’s also because you have an eye for beauty, Mr. Dennis."
Dennis said, "You’ve made me very curious. I’d like to see it for myself."
Xue Yue led them to Master Yang’s exhibit, where over a dozen Su Xiu qipaos were hanging before their eyes.
"Master Yang, this is Mr. Dennis from Country M. He’s interested in our Su Xiu. Perhaps you could give him an introduction."
Master Yang then explained the unique features of each garment and its embroidery.
He even invited Dennis to feel the fabric.
"The garments are beautiful, but as a businessman, I’m concerned a batch like this wouldn’t sell well in my country."
Xue Yue added, "As I understand it, Country M has a very large Chinatown with a significant population. The Chinese people there would find it very difficult to buy an authentic Su Xiu piece from their homeland. And deep down, Chinese people have a fervent love for the qipao."
Dennis contemplated for a moment, then nodded. "I’ll take them. How many do you have in stock? Is the quality the same as this one?"
Master Yang and Xue Yue exchanged a glance, excitement in both their eyes.
Master Yang nodded and stated how much stock they had.
"Excellent. I’ll take all of it. If it sells well, I’ll be back to discuss further collaboration."
"Excellent, excellent," Master Yang nodded happily.
Xue Yue had wanted to recommend other products to Dennis, but he said he needed to return to his hotel.
"I’m not adjusted to the time difference and am feeling a bit under the weather. We’ll come back in a couple of days to discuss the partnership."
"And the porcelain?"
Dennis smiled. "When the time comes, you can take me to see your enamel factory. If it’s good, I’ll place an order for that as well."
Xue Yue nodded. "Alright."
After she escorted him to the entrance, Dennis took a few steps before turning back to look at her. "Your name is Xue... Yue, is that right?"
"Yes."
Dennis nodded, then strode away.
Once he was out of earshot, the others breathed a collective sigh of relief. Ding Ruzhi gave Xue Yue a thumbs-up. "Incredible. When I see foreigners like that—all scruffy, with beards, blue eyes, and blond hair—I get so flustered I can’t even think, let alone go up and talk to them."
Guo Zhaoyang looked at Xue Yue and smiled. "Our team leader is clearly a woman of the world."
Ding Ruzhi shot Guo Zhaoyang a dissatisfied look. "Hey, kid, are you saying I’m not worldly?"
Guo Zhaoyang quickly tried to backtrack. "Sister Ding, that’s not what I meant at all! I was just paying a compliment."
Ding Ruzhi scoffed. "Don’t call me ’Sister.’ I’m not older than you."
Guo Zhaoyang was taken aback. "But I’m twenty-two."
"I’m twenty-one."
