Jiang Cheng and Director Mu, along with others, got on the foreign trade minibus and returned together.

After seeing off the Laine couple, the workload in foreign trade suddenly lightened a lot.

On the bus.

Director Mu sat down next to Jiang Cheng.

"When are you going home?"

"The day after tomorrow, I guess."

Jiang Cheng thought that two days should be enough to visit all the factories.

Director Mu gave an "Oh" sound, looking hesitant.

"So... um... what do you think of Sea City?"

Director Mu hesitated for a long time before asking this question.

Jiang Cheng understood Director Mu’s intention and asked exaggeratedly, "Am I so important now? Allowed to comment on a city?"

The initially elusive Director Mu was left speechless by Jiang Cheng.

"You—when you say a couple of sentences—"

She wanted to say unserious, but thought for a moment and changed the word: "go off topic."

Jiang Cheng sat up straight, smiled and looked at the scenery outside the window:

"Sea City is, was, and will be one of Hua Xia’s excellent cities, with plenty of outstanding people, with or without me, it won’t hinder its growth."

Director Mu naturally understood Jiang Cheng’s implied meaning.

She neither wants to nor will stay in Sea City.

Director Mu was merely asking and had no intention of forcing Jiang Cheng to stay.

"Then I wish you a pleasant journey, stay in touch! Looking forward to our next meeting."

Jiang Cheng turned her head, smiling: "Don’t worry, with your strong support, I’m going to hold on tight!"

"Besides, I’m going to a trade fair in Yang City next month, maybe we’ll see each other then."

Director Mu was reminded by Jiang Cheng’s words and suddenly remembered this matter.

"Oh right! Now I’m a bit excited!"

"No way, when I go back, I must secure a spot in the delegation!"

Director Mu’s eyes flashed with burning determination.

Jiang Cheng gently curled her lips: Director Yan, I’ve created an opportunity for you, whether you can seize it is up to you.

The car continued driving and stopped at the foreign trade guesthouse, where Jiang Cheng got off.

After getting off, Jiang Cheng first greeted and chatted with the girl at the front desk before turning upstairs.

The girl downstairs watched Jiang Cheng’s back and sighed.

If only there were a guy as outstanding as Ms. Jiang Cheng!

Jiang Cheng was unaware of the trouble her attentiveness caused the young girl.

Upon returning, she directly knocked on Director Lu’s door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Coming!"

Director Lu opened the door, saw Jiang Cheng, and asked sleepily, "Going back now?"

Jiang Cheng shook her head.

"Of course not!"

Director Lu patted his chest and said, "I said, it wouldn’t be your style to leave without taking something."

Jiang Cheng didn’t feel embarrassed at all.

"Director Lu knows me well."

Director Lu waved his hand and followed Jiang Cheng back to her and Director Lian’s room.

The three of them each took a chair and sat in a circle.

Director Lu and Director Lian stared at Jiang Cheng, waiting for her to speak.

"I’m planning to go back the day after tomorrow. Today, I’ll first visit the food factory, then the sugar factory..."

After outlining her plan, Jiang Cheng looked at Director Lu and said, "Could you pave the way for me and see the factory directors’ intentions regarding bonus payments here in Sea City?"

Jiang Cheng didn’t set any amount, leaving it to each factory’s discretion.

Director Lu nodded in understanding.

"So this is the tactic of ’casting a brick to attract jade,’ and I’m the brick."

Director Lian had to bite his cheek to hold back: Regarding a director who doesn’t study production but delves into thirty-six strategies.

Jiang Cheng felt her temples throb.

"Director Lu, you’re not the brick, and I’m not the jade. I just don’t know them well. If it were between us, I’d straightforwardly ask for a bonus!"

With Jiang Cheng’s words, Director Lu’s face broke into a smile, but then his smile froze.

He stared at Jiang Cheng, asking, "Was that tactic you just used the ’darkness of the warehouse’?"

Jiang Cheng rolled her eyes: "Director Lu, let’s not watch pirated thirty-six strategies!"

With a giggle, Director Lian quickly stood up.

"I need a drink!"

Unable to hold back his laughter, Director Lian turned his back to Jiang Cheng and Director Lu, his shoulders shaking erratically.

Director Lu chuckled with confusion and muttered, "It feels different in practice than in theory."

The three didn’t waste any more time and headed out to the food factory.

They were using the guise of discussing foreign trade exports, and since Director Lu was also one of the parties involved in this foreign exchange order, the three of them got in smoothly.

As they walked, Director Lu pondered: later, to bring up Jiang Cheng and the bonus matter unintentionally, what should he say first?

Halfway there, the director of Hai City Food Factory approached.

Director Lu immediately tidied his clothes, raising one hand just slightly.

"Jiang Cheng! Mr. Jiang! You’re finally here!"

The enthusiastic director of Hai City Food Factory came straight toward Jiang Cheng.

Director Lu, who had just lifted his arm, lowered it and couldn’t help mumbling something about missing a chance to practice his strategies.

As for anything else, he didn’t find it important.

Anyone who didn’t appreciate Jiang Cheng must be out of their mind!

Indeed, the food factory director stood directly in front of Jiang Cheng, warmly extending his hand.

"You’re finally here! I was just about to come see you personally."

"Have you eaten? I can have the cafeteria prepare something for you."

Jiang Cheng didn’t expect such enthusiasm but quickly responded, shaking hands and politely replying a few sentences.

"You’re too kind."

"We’ve eaten, please don’t trouble yourself."

"I’m just accompanying our Director Lu."

The food factory director, being a shrewd fellow, immediately patted his forehead: "Look at me, I’ve neglected Director Lu!"

Both directors started exchanging pleasantries.

After the pleasantries, they all went to the food factory’s conference room.

The food factory director was well-prepared and proactively offered to give Jiang Cheng a bonus for this foreign exchange export, even without Jiang Cheng bringing it up.

Jiang Cheng feigned refusal, while the food factory director insisted.

The two enacted a textbook example of "being polite."

Director Lu watched their exchanges and realized a truth.

Speaking is an art!

He figured he’d never learn it in his lifetime!

After some declining, Jiang Cheng accepted with a face full of gratitude, and the food factory director was relieved.

The food factory director: Finally accepted! Another round, and I’d run out of words!

Jiang Cheng: Good thing I agreed; it felt like he was running out of words!

The two, each with their own thoughts, exchanged polite smiles once more.

"Mr. Jiang, please leave us your address, and our food factory will keep a share of benefits for you in the future!"

The food factory director wanted to maintain a long-lasting and good relationship with Jiang Cheng using benefits.

Jiang Cheng immediately understood his intention, which was similar to the fishing tactic with the Laine couple.

The two once again enacted their refusal, rejection, and eventual agreement.

Jiang Cheng agreed without feeling guilty.

The day the other party finds her unimportant, she wouldn’t even have to speak, and they wouldn’t send her anything.

Finally, with the food factory director personally seeing them off, they left the food factory.

Next stop: the sugar factory!