Unlike modern times, nowadays when the airplane engine starts, it buzzes loudly, creating substantial noise. If it happens to rain, you can also hear the sound of raindrops while sitting in the cabin.

Especially as it’s summer now, the temperature inside is nearing thirty-seven degrees. Plus, turbulence during the flight has become a common occurrence, and the plastic bags provided before boarding cannot rescue the sickening smell of vomit.

The cabin is filled with a mix of foul acidity and sweat odor, which even the calmest Zhou Jiao can’t help but respond to with nausea. Especially since her colleague next to her is still constantly vomiting outside of the bag.

After a short-haul flight of six hours, she switches to an overseas large airplane again.

After a two-hour layover waiting and tidying up their appearance, they board again, and even though the conditions improved by more than one level, she still has no appetite.

Recalling the envious glances from her colleagues, Zhou Jiao smiles bitterly to herself. Is this considered suffering? She glances towards the entrance of the first-class cabin.

Her eyes dimmed slightly.

Since she is a minor soldier, she should have adjusted her state in advance. There is no father here, no man of hers, she relies only on herself from the moment she steps abroad. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Poshness is unacceptable, delicateness is unacceptable, and certainly pretending to be half-dead is unacceptable. Who wouldn’t want to pull you down for their own credit?

"Xiao Zhou, eat something to fill your stomach."

Zhou Jiao gratefully thanked Jin Lijuan. This time, their office sent four minor soldiers, including her and a deputy minister, totaling five people to negotiate import machinery matters with other units.

As for the remaining Beauty Liang and the others, what are they here for? It’s said to involve the embassy with the foreign ministry. She doesn’t quite understand, why meddle when not directly involved?

However, Zhou Jiao still admires the other party’s tactics. Just as they boarded the plane, the opponent kindly gave her tips with a benevolent smile.

What a dog’s day!

This hurdle was set cleverly. Putting herself in the spotlight, if she weren’t sincerely employed for her abilities, she would have turned into the spoiled daughter relying on her family.

Every time Zhou Jiao thinks about it, her heart aches. When she returns home, she has to vent this pent-up anger. Initially, she wanted to quietly watch some people self-destruct, but now who cares about the cycles of heaven, nonsense historical trajectory.

"This is my first time abroad, my heart is still pounding. What about you?"

"Hmm, very happy."

Jin Lijuan pinched her face, "You speak falsehoods openly, I see you’re not nervous at all, still haven’t matured. Just think about it, going to a capitalist country? I want to see what differences exist between them and us."

Zhou Jiao squeezed her palm. Even if chatting quietly with gossip, some words are not suitable to speak out. Not for Sister Jin’s continuous care for her, but because the big aunt treats her like her own daughter, she hopes Sister Jin won’t one day fall over some untimely words.

Loving capitalism alone is enough to ruin you, better to quietly enjoy the scenery, buying a few so-called imported goods is more practical.

Jin Lijuan lovingly touched her head. This girl has a good heart — kind-heartedness. Otherwise, why when this business trip quota came out, the whole office’s colleagues congratulated her cheerfully rather than offering sour remarks.

Recalling Zhou Jiao’s daily routine of being the first to work to fill hot water and clean the office, spending entire days only working and never indulging in gossip nor joking with male colleagues.

Jin Lijuan smiled understandingly. Such a good family background, such a steady personality, no wonder the higher-ups like to send this girl on business trips.

"How much foreign currency did you exchange this time? If not enough, I have more."

Zhou Jiao smiled gently and nodded. Could the counterpart exceed the regulated amount? But the sentiment, she accepted.

She glanced humorously at Jin Lijuan. If she remembered correctly, this one is thinking about buying gifts to take back, unsure if her currency is sufficient. She lacks no foreign currency, unfortunately can’t reveal it.

The cabin is playing a Western movie. After chatting a few sentences, Sister Jin got absorbed into the movie world. As for these all blonde-haired blue-eyed films, Zhou Jiao wasn’t interested, closing her eyes to rest and unknowingly fell asleep.

In a daze, she heard noise, startling her awake. It turned out to be mealtime, she touched her belly, indeed feeling a bit hungry.

The airplane meal on the cart was all Western-style, and at this moment, she felt deeply the distance from her motherland, truly being thousands of miles away.

Eat then sleep, sleep then eat, once again stepping into this neutral country, Zhou Jiao felt no excitement. On the last trip, she bought too many watches and chocolates, unsure what else apart from work could interest her?

However, she seemed to have an uncle near this country famous for clocks. Perhaps, waiting patiently like "waiting for a rabbit," curious if they’ve already heard the news.

Unlike before, this time they’re all accommodated at the embassy, and Zhou Jiao shares a room with Jin Lijuan. Transferring from the airport to the capital, they arrived by night, had a simple dinner, and returned to their rooms to adjust for jet lag.

The following morning, Zhou Jiao woke up early, glanced at the still deeply asleep Jin Lijuan, seeing it was still early, she didn’t wake her. She quietly washed up and went outside to exercise.

Minister Jin got up before dawn to discuss today’s negotiation matters with colleagues in the adjacent room. When the group of five came out, they saw Zhou Jiao doing exercises while calling "one, two, three" on the side.

This familiar rhythm and moves made the few elders laugh heartily.

Zhou Jiao turned around, her face flushed, hurriedly greeted them, and quickly slipped back into her room.

How careless! She wouldn’t run outside without organizational consent abroad, nor practice martial arts. That’s how she thought of radio exercises, who knew she’d end up embarrassed?

Ten o’clock in the morning, over ten Gaul Country government officials arrived at the meeting venue as scheduled. Under the embassy officials’ introduction, they quickly entered the negotiation phase.

Zhou Jiao, pretending to be timid, held a notebook, sitting in a corner, quietly listening as Minister Jin casually chatted, avoiding the main topic.

The conversation began from the two countries establishing relations years ago, from friendship, current events, to future world development trends, each word gradually livening the atmosphere.

Perhaps before these Westerners arrived, the so-called "Sick Man of East Asia" Huaxia people, in their impressions were merely impoverished and primitive.

Though they wore affable smiles, inherently maintaining disdain. But gradually, with Minister Jin and the three’s eloquent conversation, the atmosphere grew even warmer, topics weren’t confined to official business but ventured into weather and scenic spots.

Zhou Jiao admired the three seniors at the top. These are truly national pillars, people’s fortune. Knowing that a transaction involving tens of millions of Franc, even if the opponent relaxed a small number, it remained a considerable amount, sufficient to establish another large factory domestically.

A wise negotiator absolutely wouldn’t discuss the main topic initially, but keenly grasp the lead’s rhythm while allowing the opponent to feel the sincerity of their side.