Chapter 190 Foreign Affairs Discipline and "Good Baby" Lin Xi

April in the Imperial Capital, willow catkins began to drift aimlessly through the hutongs.

In the conference room on the second floor of the First Ministry of Machine Building Industry office building.

Wu Jing, the interpreter from the Foreign Affairs Office, sat upright on a red velvet chair, her back straight.

She folded her hands on her lap.

She appeared calm on the surface, but inside, she was extremely excited.

It was 1982.

For a university graduate who had only graduated two years ago, being part of a government-sponsored delegation to Germany was an experience to brag about for years!

She had heard that Hanover had salty pork knuckles roasted until they dripped with oil, black beer cheaper than water, and...

"Creak—"

The heavy solid wood door was pushed open, interrupting Wu Jing's reverie about capitalist delicacies.

A staff member led three people inside.

Wu Jing reflexively put on a standard smile and stood up to welcome them.

However, when her gaze landed on the face of the young man at the front, the curve of her lips froze in mid-air.

The man was wearing a blue work jacket.

He smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

He looked harmless, like a college student who had just arrived in the city.

Lin Xi.

Wu Jing felt a "buzz" in her brain.

Scenes from the Canton Fair two years ago exploded in her mind like a fast-forwarded movie:

This person had pointed at a Red Star · Gentle Breeze and asked her to translate "Dao," "Five Elements Generating Each Other," and "Harmonizing Qi Fields."

It had left her drenched in sweat.

That was simply any interpreter's nightmare!

"My god, why is it him!"

Wu Jing wailed internally, her fingers unconsciously digging into the cover of her notebook.

This time going to Germany, she wouldn't have to translate those Eastern metaphysical terms again, would she?

"Comrade Xiao Wu, long time no see."

Seeing an acquaintance, Lin Xi nodded enthusiastically at her.

Immediately after, Deputy Division Chief Wang from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation walked in with a measured, steady gait.

Two years had passed; the Section Chief Wang who had mingled at the Canton Fair was now Deputy Division Chief Wang.

His zhongshan suit was pressed crisp, and his hair was combed meticulously.

There was a newfound steadiness in his mannerisms, typical of someone in a higher position.

The moment he entered, his gaze locked onto Lin Xi.

Their eyes met in the air.

Without much small talk, Deputy Division Chief Wang just nodded slightly, his expression complex.

Inside it was the satisfaction of seeing a "political achievement ATM," but also a prayer hidden within: "Ancestor, please don't cause any diplomatic incidents in Germany this time."

This was the unspoken understanding between comrades-in-arms based on shared interests and past records.

As people took their seats one after another, the conference room door was firmly shut.

Director Zhu from the First Ministry of Machine Building Industry sat at the head of the table.

He surveyed the room and tapped the table:

"Since everyone is here, let's begin."

"I will be leading this trip to Hanover."

"This is not a vacation; it's a tough battle."

He pointed at Lin Xi and He Zhenhua:

"Comrade Lin Xi and Comrade He Zhenhua will be responsible for the exhibition booth."

Then, Director Zhu pointed to an inconspicuous middle-aged man in the corner:

"This is Comrade Tu Zhi from the Second Academy of Aerospace."

Everyone turned to look.

The man was wearing a dusty gray zhongshan suit, with a pair of glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.

Hearing his name, he raised his head somewhat shyly.

He smiled at everyone, appearing awkward and reserved.

"Engineer Tu is good at drawing blueprints and has a good memory."

Director Zhu added significantly,

"On this trip, he is mainly responsible for observing the technology."

Everyone present felt a chill, understanding instantly.

The comments in the live stream flooded the screen:

[Got it, this is the legendary human camera!]

[There were no digital cameras in that era, and some core exhibition areas didn't allow photography, so it all relied on the brains of such masters to memorize the blueprints!]

[Bringing an engineer with a photographic memory to Germany? Are they going there to stock up on goods?]

[Engineer Tu: I just have a slightly better memory...]

After the introductions, the atmosphere in the conference room changed abruptly.

Secretary Zhang, who was in charge of foreign affairs discipline, opened her thick black-covered notebook.

This middle-aged woman in her forties wore her hair in a bob.

Her expression was stern, and her gaze was sharp.

"Comrades."

Secretary Zhang's voice was not loud, but it carried a sense of oppression,

"By going abroad this time, we will be facing the flashy world of capitalism."

"It is the corrosion of sugar-coated bullets."

"Some ugly things must be said upfront."

"Last year, a certain celebrity stayed in the Lighthouse Country and did not return, causing extremely bad international repercussions."

"The Ministry has issued a strict order!"

She pushed up the black-rimmed glasses on her nose and raised her tone:

"Foreign affairs discipline must be strictly observed!"

"First, passports must be kept by the team leader; private possession is strictly prohibited!"

"Second, acting alone is strictly prohibited! You must go in pairs even to the restroom!"

"Third, accepting gifts from foreign guests is strictly prohibited! Every needle and thread must be reported!"

"Fourth, entering red-light districts and watching yellow films is strictly prohibited!"

When she mentioned "staying and not returning" and "yellow films," her gaze lingered on Lin Xi, the youngest in the team, for a few extra seconds.

The air seemed to freeze.

In that special era, going abroad was not just an opportunity; it was a severe test of political stance.

Everyone held their breath.

They were afraid of showing even a hint of longing for the flashy world.

Except for Lin Xi.

He sat up straight, holding a fountain pen.

Like an obedient elementary school student, he was recording rapidly in his notebook.

When Secretary Zhang mentioned that acting alone was strictly prohibited, Lin Xi even nodded heavily.

His brows were furrowed, his face full of righteous indignation.

"Secretary Zhang is right!"

Lin Xi took the opportunity to whisper a serious agreement while drinking water,

"The outside world is very chaotic."

"We must remain vigilant at all times; organizational discipline is above all else!"

Deputy Division Chief Wang, sitting opposite, had his hand holding the teacup shake violently, splashing a few drops of hot tea.

He hurriedly lowered his head to "tactically drink water," and shielded by the teacup, the corners of his mouth twitched wildly.

*Pretend! Just keep pretending!*

Xiao Wu next to him almost burst from holding back.

She had to bite her lip hard and bury her head in the documents.

*Big brother, the table in this room might believe you, but I certainly don't!*

*You say you follow the rules? That's the biggest joke of the year!*

Secretary Zhang, however, was very satisfied with Lin Xi's attitude.

She nodded slightly, her expression softening a little:

"Comrade Lin Xi has high awareness; everyone should learn from him."

"Young comrades, although they have little experience."

"As long as their ideology is solid, they won't make mistakes."

The meeting lasted for a full two hours.

It went from reading the confidentiality rules to foreign affairs etiquette.

From how to hold a knife and fork for Western food, to how to guard against foreign spies, everything was covered in detail.

Finally, Director Zhu closed the file:

"The itinerary is tentatively scheduled for two weeks from now."

"We will fly to Hong Kong first, meet up with the comrades from Huajun, and then transfer to Hanover."

"Does anyone have any questions?"

There was silence in the conference room.

Just as they were about to announce the end of the meeting, a hand was raised high.

It was Lin Xi, who had just performed so "obediently."

"Director Zhu."

Lin Xi stood up, still wearing that sincere smile on his face,

"I need to depart early and make a trip to Hong Kong first."