Line 57, Shanghai-Metropolis Route

Around eight in the morning, I boarded the high-speed train to Hudu. Hudu was once known as the city of a thousand foreign lights, and the famous television drama "The Bund" told the stories that happened there. Today, Hudu is the largest metropolis in the country, economically developed and socially vibrant, home to countless wealthy individuals, talents, and social elites. Many businessmen from Mingzhou have also moved to Hudu, taking their careers to new heights.

Although Mingzhou is not far from Hudu, this was my first time visiting the city, which was understandable. I spent my childhood in the rural village of Qingxi and rarely had the chance to visit even the county town. It wasn't until high school that I went to the county, and afterwards, unfortunate events led me to prison, so I had never even left the Mingzhou region.

Before boarding the train, I called Luo Dingguo to tell him that I was heading to Hudu to meet the friend he had recommended, Mr. Du. I had seen Luo Dingguo's business card, which bore the title "Chairman of Donghua International Trade Group, Du Guoqiang."

Luo Dingguo replied, "Little brother, I've already informed him. Just give Old Du a call when you arrive." I quickly thanked him, saying, "Brother Luo, thank you for your help." He chuckled warmly, "You're welcome, little brother. I wish you success."

The train sped along swiftly, and as we passed through Dongzhou, the provincial capital, I saw sprawling villas dotting the countryside. Dongzhou, as the capital of Qianjiang Province, was even more prosperous than Mingzhou. Everywhere near Dongzhou, there were factories and villas; for the first time, I realized how affluent rural life could be—every family living in villas and working near home.

Dongzhou truly deserved its reputation as a paradise on earth. Gazing at the countless skyscrapers through the train window, I wondered when I would have a place to call my own among all those buildings.

Three hours later, the high-speed train glided into Hudu South Station. Hudu was even more bustling than the provincial capital; looking up at the towering buildings, I felt my own insignificance and humility.

Not wanting to waste any time, I went straight from the station to hail a taxi, heading directly to Donghua International Trade Group in Pudong.

As soon as I got into the taxi, I called Du Guoqiang. My heart was pounding with nervousness and uncertainty, unsure of what to say, since we were strangers and I was there to ask for his help. Most importantly, I hoped this deal would succeed, as it could change the course of my life.

A pleasant female voice answered, "Sir, whom are you looking for?" Her voice was gentle, with the distinctive accent of Hudu-tinged Mandarin. I replied, "I'd like to speak to your Chairman, Mr. Du."

She asked softly, "Do you have an appointment, sir?" I said, "I'm a friend of Director Luo from Dongzhou Group in Mingzhou. He helped me make an appointment with Mr. Du." She responded sweetly, "Oh, I see! May I have your name and company, sir?" I replied, "My surname is Li, representing Mingzhou Tiangong Garments Co., Ltd. I have some business to discuss with Mr. Du." The woman said, "All right, please leave your phone number. I'll register it, and when Mr. Du returns, I'll report to him and notify you by phone."

The secretary's professionalism was clear—her voice was polite and emotionless, making one feel comfortable and unable to get upset.

I thought, if Luo Dingguo had truly called Du Guoqiang, he would have instructed his secretary. Even if they were willing to see me, they had to maintain their sense of importance.

An hour later, I arrived in Pudong and saw the large sign for "Donghua International Trade" hanging on the office building. Since there was no call yet, I decided not to disturb them and found a place nearby to eat first.

The mighty Huangpu River flowed nearby, flanked by skyscrapers, with all kinds of ships traversing its waters—a truly awe-inspiring sight.

After briefly admiring the riverside view, I found a KFC restaurant. In a strange big city, KFC is the safest and most affordable option, and there’s no worry about being overcharged.

I ate at KFC and rested for a while. Seeing the restaurant full of customers, I was embarrassed to occupy a seat for too long, so I settled the bill and left.

On the street, dragging my suitcase, I soon realized it was inconvenient. I couldn't possibly take my luggage into a company to meet the boss. To successfully negotiate a business deal, a single day would not suffice. If Mr. Du, to whom Luo Dingguo had introduced me, didn't work out, I would need to look for other trading companies. So, I decided to find a reasonably priced hotel first.

Dragging the suitcase was burdensome, and hotels in Pudong were expensive—at least two or three hundred yuan per night, with ordinary ones starting at several hundred.

Wandering around, I finally found a small, clean place called Starlight Hotel in a secluded lane. I booked a relatively affordable single room—originally three hundred, discounted to one hundred and eighty per night.

After paying the deposit and getting the key from the receptionist, I went up to the third-floor room, unlocked the door, and put down my suitcase. All I had were a change of clothes and toiletries, so I wasn't worried about theft.

After tidying up a bit, I saw it was already past one in the afternoon. Even if they didn't call, I needed to seek them out. So I straightened my clothes, took my briefcase, and set out.

When I arrived at the Donghua International Trade office building, the security guard stopped me at the entrance. I had no choice but to call again. The same gentle female voice answered, "Hello, Mr. Li. Mr. Du is aware of your visit, but he has several important meetings today. You can either wait a little longer or make an appointment for tomorrow."

I was a bit frustrated, but since I was the one seeking a meeting, I could only ask, "When will Mr. Du's meetings end? Can I see him as soon as he's done?"

She replied, "I'm sorry, Mr. Li, but I don't know when Mr. Du’s meetings will finish. Please wait for our call."

I couldn't help but ask, "May I know your name? I'll trouble you to notify me when the time comes." At that moment, I could only be patient and ask for her help, though I wasn't sure how to address her. Since calling someone 'Miss' now carries negative connotations, I could only call her 'sister.'

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Chapter 57: Journey to Hudu—Free to Read.